All around him were flames. Everything was on fire. The trees, the dens, even the Highrock. The leader's mind couldn't comprehend it. He felt his whole world crumbling. And there was nothing he could do to stop it.

"Firestar!" a voice yowled. It seemed strangely familiar, like he knew this voice. "Sandstorm?" Firestar yelled, looking around frantically. "Sandstorm! Get out of here!" But then the voice spoke again, softer this time: "No, Firestar... It's me!" The ginger tom's heart plummeted. "S-Spottedleaf...?" Then his body went into rescue mode, and despite the sparks that burned his pelt, Firestar launched himself into the medicine den.

Squeezing himself under a fallen tree branch, the tom's green eyes stung with the smoke that filled them, but he tried to ignore it and find Spottedleaf. "Spottedleaf! Where are you?" he yowled. "Firestar..." she whispered. Finally his eyes were able to focus on the tortoiseshell she-cat, who was lying on her side and breathing heavily. "Spottedleaf!" he mewed, fearing for the medicine cat's life. Her amber eyes glowed, and she gently placed one small paw on Firestar's cheek, giving him a weak smile. "I can't be with you anymore, my love."

The tears in Firestar's eyes stung worse than the smoke. He choked; then he coughed several times, wincing. "Spottedleaf! I can't let you go... not again! I'll help you up!" But she simply shook her head. "No... your clan needs you more than you do me..." His whiskers felt like they were also on fire. "No... please, Spottedleaf... don't leave me again..." Then he broke down, burying his face in her soft fur. Spottedleaf rested her tail on Firestar's back. "Go... you'll always have me in your heart. I may never see you again, my love... but you'll always remember me. Goodbye..."

Her body shook, and she took a few shivering breaths. Then the light in her eyes died. And so did she. "No...! Spottedleaf, please! Don't leave me! No!"

Firestar snapped awake, wildly looking around. Then he realized that he was in his den, lying in his nest. Spottedleaf's sweet scent swirled around him, and Firestar shivered. Then he realized his face was tear stained, and his fur was ruffled. He felt a warm sensation beside him, and looked to see Sandstorm lying in a deep sleep. He wiped at his whiskers with one paw and rested his head on his mate's flank, feeling guilt flow through him.

Of course Spottedleaf would always be special, but he understood that his heart really belonged to Sandstorm. He rasped his tongue over her ear and put his head back down, closing his eyes. Without his knowledge, Spottedleaf's ghost was standing in the entrance. Her amber eyes were bitter-sweetly shining.

"Firestar... I'll always love you. But I can't be with you. I know Sandstorm will make you happier than I ever could."

With that, the medicine cat vanished, leaving the two sleeping cats in the den.

I hope you like this little one-shot! I know it's not very good, but I couldn't get it out of my head once I thought of it! Review?