Forever and always

Hi people! This is DahliaStarr (originally Starlight Comet). I am so sorry to my friends that I haven't 1.) updated any of my recent stories for a LONG time, writers block 2.)been on in a while to reply to your messages and 3.) for writing a brand new story when I haven't finished many of my others. Don't kill me please! XD Well, I was listening to this song and was thinking of writing it about Leafpool and Crowfeather but decided no. I despise Heathertail but I also feel very sorry for her so I decided to write this about her POV from when Lionblaze stopped meeting with her. ENJOY!

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the idea of the story.

Once upon a time, I believe it was a Tuesday
When I caught your eye
And we caught onto something, I hold on to the night
You looked me in the eye and told me you loved me

Heathertail raced after a huge brown and white rabbit, her claws digging into the dry ground of the moor. This'll feed half the clan! She thought excitedly, pushing herself to the limit and finally pouncing and killing it. She was breathing heavily but her blue eyes were filled with a certain happiness she hadn't quite felt in a while.

"Nice catch!" a voice meowed nearby. Heathertail glanced around and spotted Breezepelt padding towards her, his amber eyes wide as he took in the size of the prey. "Wish I could've caught that!" There was a trace of envy in his voice but she didn't let it get to her.

"Maybe next time," Heathertail responded, flicking him lightly with her tail. She had to look away from the warmth in his eyes. She knew he had feelings for her, knew he wanted to be more than friends. She just didn't know if she herself was ready for it. Ever since Lionblaze had declared he hadn't wanted to see her anymore, hadn't wanted to be with her…a new thorn of grief pierced her heart as she remembered their times in the tunnels.

Were you just kidding? 'Cause it seems to me
This thing is breaking down, we almost never speak
I don't feel welcome anymore
Baby, what happened? Please tell me
'Cause one second it was perfect
Now you're halfway out the door

"I, Heatherstar, leader of Darkclan, appoint Lionpaw as my loyal deputy!" she called, her voice echoing into the tunnels.

"Hey!" the golden tom had protested. "Why do you get to be leader?"

"Because I made up the clan!" she meowed smugly, curling her tail over her paws.

Heathertail closed her eyes as she let herself remember the feel of his fur brushing hers and the shining of his eyes when they would meet.

And I stare at the phone and he still hasn't called
And then you feel so low, you can't feel nothin' at all
And you flashback to when he said, forever and always
Oh, oh

"Hey, you okay?" Breezepelt asked, nudging her with his muzzle. She blinked open her eyes and shook it to get rid of the unwanted memories.

"Yeah, fine," Heathertail said. "We better get this back to the clan before we have to leave for the Gathering." She picked up one end of the rabbit while Breezepelt lifted the other. Making their way back slowly, Heathertail found herself struggling to push away the thoughts of Lionblaze. He means nothing to me anymore, she thought harshly. I never meant more to him than any other cat. It's time to move on.

Oh, and it rains in your bedroom, everything is wrong
It rains when you're here and it rains when you're gone
'Cause I was there when you said forever and always

Heathertail entered the clearing with Breezepelt and Boulderpaw. The pale gray apprentice was lashing his tail excitedly and sheathing and unsheathing his claws in anticipation.

"Why don't you run ahead and find a good spot?" Breezepelt suggested lightly, his whiskers twitching.

Boulderpaw shot a thankful glance at his mentor before disappearing into the trees of the island. Heathertail let out a mrrow of amusement and said, "I remember when I came to my first gathering."

Breezepelt touched her muzzle gently with his and meowed, "Come on, let's sit."

They found a spot between Harespring and Sunstrike who were muttering together about ThunderClan. "I swear, they think they can do whatever they want and take their time just because." Sunstrike growled.

Heathertail realized that ThunderClan had not yet arrived, while the other three Clans were waiting. Mangy ThunderClan cats! She huffed. She sat down beside Breezepelt, feeling his dark fur brush hers. "They're such mouse-brained pieces of fox-dung."

Harespring shifted awkwardly. "They're not all bad…"

"Yes they are!" Heathertail hissed, eyes flashing and teeth bared. Both cats stared at her in surprise. She felt a tail touch her shoulder and met Breezepelt's concerned gaze. "Heathertail…are you okay?"

She shrugged him off. "Fine." she stared straight ahead, ignoring the three cats next to her. A yowl sounded from the top of a hill and Firestar, ThunderClan's leader, stood in the moonlight with his warriors flanking him. ThunderClan cats streamed into the clearing and Heathertail recognized a few of them but none were the ones she was looking for.

"So they decided to come after all," Breezepelt sneered. She hardly heard him, for she'd finally spotted him. His thick golden pelt accented with powerful shoulders gleamed silver from the moon.

Lionblaze…

Was I out of line? Did I say something way too honest
That made you run and hide like a scared little boy?
I looked into your eyes, thought I knew you for a minute
Now I'm not so sure

Heathertail inhaled sharply when she realized who the gray tabby cat standing next to him was. Cinderheart, the cat who'd been with Hollyleaf when they'd all been 'paws and the two had caught them in the tunnels. She watched in horror from across the clearing as Lionblaze wrapped his tail around hers and sat so close their fur touched.

So here's to everything, coming down to nothing
Here's to silence that cuts me to the core
Where is this going? Thought I knew for a minute
But I don't anymore

Fresh grief came at her in waves, so strong she couldn't breathe. How long had they been together? Lionblaze had obviously moved on, forgotten her as quickly as they had become friends all those moons before. Heathertail stared at them, not noticing when Onestar called for the Gathering to start. Lionblaze turned his gaze to the Great Oak where the leaders were perched. If he noticed her staring at him, he didn't let on.

And I stare at the phone and he still hasn't called
And then you feel so low, you can't feel nothin' at all
And you flashback to when he said forever and always
Oh, oh

Had their time in the tunnels meant nothing to him? Did he even remember how close they had become? And when did he start seeing something in that Cinderheart? The she-cat was hardly anything special to look at! Look at me! Heathertail screamed silently at him. Tell me why you did this! Why did you leave me?

Oh, and it rains in your bedroom, everything is wrong
It rains when you're here and it rains when you're gone
'Cause I was there when you said forever and always
You didn't mean it, baby, I don't think so
Oh, oh

As if he'd somehow heard her, Lionblaze glanced her way and blue eyes met amber as they stared at each other. I love you… she told him with her gaze, eyes pleading. He just looked at her, his expression guarded but Heathertail could see the sadness behind it. He gave a slight shake of his golden head, so small only she could see it. The meaning was clear, simple, and so, so painful.

No.

Oh, back up, baby, back up, did you forget everything?
Back up, baby, back up, did you forget everything?
'Cause it rains in your bedroom, everything is wrong
It rains when you're here and it rains when you're gone
'Cause I was there when you said forever and always

Every sense of hope she had left inside disintegrated as Lionblaze turned his back to her, closing and firmly ending their silent discussion forever. She wanted to wail her anguish and agony to the stars that glittered coldly down from the sky. WHY? WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS TO ME? She screamed at her warrior ancestors. What had she done to deserve such agonizing torture? Her bandaged, stitched up heart shattered into pieces and all hope vanished. She closed her eyes and bowed her head.

Oh, I stare at the phone and he still hasn't called
And then you feel so low, you can't feel nothin' at all
And you flashback to when we said forever and always

Fine. He wanted to be that way? She would forget his very existence, wash the precious memories of them together down the river, and move on with her life. I don't need him. He is forever nothing. Heathertail repeated this to herself until the Gathering ended and she stood up and stretched. She felt eyes staring into her and when she glanced around she spotted Lionblaze looking at her intensely. Cinderheart was nowhere to be found. Anger, hatred, and betrayal coursed through her and as she met his gaze something fell into place. She would never be his, he would never be hers. Simple as that. He would never love her like she loved him.

The tabby she-cat stared deep into his eyes, searching for something, anything. Nothing was there, just a blank, cold stare. She backed away, snapping a mental image of him to keep hidden deep inside her memory. She didn't want to do this. But she had too. She had to be the one to walk away this time. She blinked sadly at him, resigned to her terrible fate.

And it rains in your bedroom, everything is wrong
It rains when you're here and it rains when you're gone
'Cause I was there when you said forever and always

Goodbye Lionblaze. I hope we get to be together in another life. I'll always love you.

You didn't mean it, baby

Heathertail turned her back on the cat she loved so much. She padded towards Breezepelt who was waiting for her. "What took you so long?" he asked.

"Oh, nothing," she meowed softly. "Nothing at all." She twined her tail with his and walked with the rest of WindClan back home. She'd left her heart, shattered and broken, back in the clearing, along with the memories for Lionblaze to have if he wanted. She would prevail. She was strong and didn't need him. It was just a crush.

If only she believed herself.

you said forever and always…

AND THAT'S IT! HOPE YOU LIKED IT! R&R! PS: maybe this was why she turned to the Dark Forest…I don't blame her. I still don't like her but I understand her position.