Sorry for the delay. I've had a cruel writer's block, and Easter has come and gone. I hope to be more consistent in the future, but no promises.

I've been thinking about possibly doing some sort of face reveal, as I've seen a lot of other authors doing that, however, I would need a lot of people to want me to do this.

Comment here if you want a face reveal.

There is some FirexSand here.

FINALLY.

The answer to the last question was Moonrise. I hated that Feathertail died. Here's a cookie:
(::)

SANDPAW
I stood there, shocked, as Spottedleaf spoke those words to me. I haven't even heard that come from Fireheart's mouth or mind for that matter.

"Well, should I teach him how to use them? I mean, it could be useful in the future." I didn't break my gaze from Spottedleaf.

"Why would I come here to have a full-blown conversation with you if it was my choice? It's your power, so you can decide whether or not to teach him." Spottedleaf responded with her usual, kind voice.

"I-Well, what do you think I should do? I know it's my choice, but I can still take your advice, right?" Spottedleaf's mind seemed to freeze for a split second.

Spottedleaf, after a bit of time, seemed to have some kind of answer, "Yes, you can always take my advice. I would say to do it. It could prove useful in the future, and especially with," her face now held a smirk, "you know what."

I blushed, hiding my face from her, even though she would probably see right through it. "O-Ok then. I'll teach him sometime later."

"Good. You should wake up now."

FIREHEART

I awoke to a paw prodding my side.

"I-huh? Whitestorm?"

The white tom's gaze held his usual friendliness. "Did you forget? You have a patrol along the Windclan border with Sandpaw."

"I-No. I didn't forget. Why aren't you coming with us?"

"I have other things to attend to. You and Sandpaw should head right out after you eat."

"We will. Thanks for waking me up, Whitestorm." The senior warrior dipped his head and padded out of the den.

I followed suit, walking straight over the apprentice's den to wake Sandpaw up. Before I could enter however, she spoke:

"I'm already up. Go grab a mouse that we can share." I recoiled in fear.

"*gasp* Sandpaw's being nice to me! The world is finally ending! Goodbye world!"

Sandpaw laughed.

Well.

That's good.

"Okay, I'm coming you furball. Gimme a second here."

"Alright Mrs. I'm-going-to-suddenly-be-nice-to-Fireheart-and-use-my-mind-reading-powers-on-him-because-I-care-about-him." Sandpaw blushed. No surprise there. She has been exposed. Good thing Dustpaw is still asleep, or she'd never hear the end of that.

"S-Shut up and grab a mouse. I'll meet you in the clearing. Let me groom myself."

I quietly chuckled, padding into the dimly lit clearing and grabbing a plump mouse for the two of us. While I waited, I decided to take meager bites of the mouse and start tearing the skin off to make it easier to eat.

Not too long after that, Sandpaw padded into the clearing, her shiny and beaut-uh, sleek fur standing out after being groomed. She sat down quietly and took a bite out of the mouse.

She seemed tensed up, but by this time I had gotten used to the mind-reading scenario, and just kept think that she was tensed up, until she finally responded.

"I just don't want Dustpaw to see me like this. He'd have my fur off and I wouldn't here the end of it."

"I know how you feel. If Graystripe or Whitestorm saw me like this, they'd be surprised and the immediately smug, all like, 'Oh! Wittle Fireheart got a girlfriend!'. I would die, and then die again after that, but of laughter." She oddly seemed hurt by my words, but laughed anyways.

By that time we had finished the mouse. "Well best we head out towards Windclan. We don't want to have to get Drilled by "His Highness Tigerclaw" just because a Windclan apprentice chased a rabbit into our territory."

Sandpaw seemed to brighten up, and chuckled at my sarcasm. "Well, no time to waste. Let's go."

Time skip brought to you by Fireheart's obliviousness to love. Sorry for my horrible attempt at humor.

As we walked along the Windclan border, Sandpaw decided to start up a conversation.

"Spottedleaf told me what you said to her."

I immediately froze.

"Heh. Uh- Yeah. So.... Could you?"

Sandpaw looked back at me. "Well, I could. But that's take some convincing."

I let a mischievous grin dance on my lips. "Oh really now. I think I have an idea."

In a blink of an eye, I was on top of her, tickling her sides mercilessly.

"Ha ha! Stop-ha! Please Fire-HA-rt! Fine fine! I'll teach you just-ha! Please get off of me!"

"That's more like it."

I stopped and got off her panting body. She stood up. "C'mon. We have a patrol to finish."

I followed her along the border, every so often talk glances at the vast, open moorland beside our path.

SANDPAW

As we approached the camp entrance, he moved aside to let me through.

I froze and looked up at him. "Speaking of being so nice, why did you save me from falling over the cliff? I've only been mean to you."

He stiffened, "Well, two reasons. One, it's the right thing to do. Two..." He exhaled and started to pad into the clearing behind me, "It's good to have someone tease you when everyone else around you is always praising you. To remind you that you're not perfect, you know?"

As he padded to Bluestar's den to give her news of the patrol, I looked after him. "Yeah. I do know."

Yay! Another chapter! FINALLY!

Sorry again for my lack of humor skills.

Again, sorry it took me so long to get a new chapter out. School's been crazy with all the online stuff, and I've been slowly losing my sanity.

I know this isn't the place to talk about this, but the Government of my state isn't being so smart, to the point where there was a protest in the capital.

Anyways, Hope you guys are doing well, and if any of you have COVID-19, prayers for you and your family.

Done with the sad stuff. NEXT QUESTION!

What's your favorite song? Mine is Masterpiece Theater III by Marianas Trench. There is no wrong answer!

Hope you're all safe. Stay strong.

-Maple