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Fireheart emered from the warriors' den and paused. He gazed across the clearing to where Sandstorm was crouched by the nettle patch, gulping down a piece of fresh-kill. He had chosen some of the warriors he wanted to come with him to Snakerocks, but so far he had not spoken to Sandstorm. He was reluctant to risk her life on this dangerous mission, and afraid that she would refuse fo come if it meant following his orders. Yet he knew that he could not imagine going without her.

Taking a deep breath, he padded over to the nettle patch and sat down beside her.

Sandstorm swallowed the last mouthful of squirrel. "Fireheart? What is it?"
Quietly Fireheart told her what Longtail had discovered at Snakerocks. "I want you to come with us," he told her. "You're fast and brave, and the Clan need you."

The she-cat turned her green gaze on him, but Fireheart could not read the expression there.

"I need you," he blurted out, afraid she was about to refuse. "For Bluestar's sake, as well as the Clan's. I know things haven't been right between us ever since I stopped the battle with WindClan. But I trust you. Whatever you think about me, do it for the Clan."

Sandstorm nodded slowly. She was looking thoughtful, and a small seed of hope began to grow in Fireheart's heart. "I know why you didn't want to fight WindClan," she began. "In a way, I thought you were right. But it was hard to know you had gone behind Bluestar's back without telling the rest of us."

"I know but-"

"But you're the deputy," Sandstorm interrupted, reaching one paw toward him for silence. "You have responsibilities the rest of us can't understand. And I can see how torn you must have felt - between loyalty to Bluestar and loyalty to the Clan." Hesitating, staring down at her paws, she added, "I was torn too. I wanted to be loyal to the warriors code, and I wanted to be loyal to you, Fireheart."

Fireheart felt too full of emotion to answer. He stretched out his head to press against her flank, and to his delight she did not move away. Instead she looked up at him again, and he felt as if he were drowning in the depths of her green gaze. "I'm sorry, Sandstorm," he murmured. "I never meant to hurt you." His voice barely more than a whisper, he added, "I love you."

Sandstorm's eyes glowed. "I love you too, Fireheart," she whispered. "That's why it hurt so much when you asked Bluestar if Backenfur could mentor Tawnypaw. I thought you didn't respect me."

"I made a mistake." Fireheart's voice shook. "I don't know how I could have been so mouse-brained."

Sandstorm let out a purr and touched her nose to his.

"I want you beside me always." Firehear breathed in her scent, rejoicing in the warmth of her body. He suddenly felt that he would always be happy if he could stay like that forever.

But he knew that he could not. "Sandstorm," he told her, lifting his head. "I know what we're going to face out there. It's more dangerous than I ever imagined. I'm not ordering you to come, but I still want you with me."

Sandstorm's purr grew deeper, a vibration that filled her whole body. "Of course I'm coming, you stupid furball," she mewed.