Author's Note: Ever wondered what happened to the apprentice who had caused ShadowClan so much harm? Who was it? Too young to remember? I don't think so. That was only an excuse. The real truth is darker than anything, and it will reveal the true hearts of certain ShadowClan cats. Through the eyes of Brownpaw, follow him in his life of nightmare as an apprentice who was never made a warrior.

Disclaimer: Of course I don't own warriors... someone dumb like me wouldn't think of that great book!

Prologue: Unwanted Kit

The night was silent, empty except for a single figure silhouetted against the moon. The features of a cat was visible, its ears, tail, paws, and jaw. From its small and slender figure, it was obvious it was a she-cat. The cat twitched her ears and dipped her head. A squeal tore through the silence as the kit squirmed in his mother's grip.

"Hush now," the she-cat urged him. Her brown pelt had been tinged silver in the moonlight. Above her, the stars shine brightly. Her mate had told her about StarClan, and how they watched over the Clan cats. She adjusted her kit, which had calmed down, and padded forth in the direction of the Twolegs dump. She pricked her ears attentively, her eyes darting around warily for any Clan cats, at the same time looking out for a certain tom.

"Over here, Caramel!"

The she-cat's ears swiveled towards the direction of her voice. Recognizing those blue eyes in the gloom, she picked her way through the rubbish.

The tom was large, with a brown pelt and icy blue eyes. But those eyes were not as icy as it looks; they were brimming with warmth as he pressed his flank against Caramel's purring low in his throat.

However, Caramel did not purr back. Instead, she pulled away, her eyes serious. "Clawface. This will be the last time we meet."

Clawface stayed silent, his eyes sad. "I know that." Dipping his head, he began to sniff his new-born kit.

"This is Brownkit," Caramel explained. "I named him a Clan name because it was your tradition."

Clawface looked puzzled. "Why follow my tradition?"

Caramel gazed at him steadily. "Because your son will join you. You will train him to be the finest warrior, just like you. And I thought it would be better if he had a Clan name. Things will be easier for you.

Clawface's eyes grew wider at each of her words. "What?!" he growled, not bothering to hide the fury in his voice.

Caramel flinched as if she was struck in battle. "Why not?"

Clawface took a deep breath, trying to keep calm. "Okay… I know this is for Brownkit's own good, and I would love to have him with me, but I can't betray Brokenstar."

Caramel eyed him with cold eyes, deprived of all emotions. "I should have guessed. Your leader is far more important than us. You were pleased to have a kit, but only if he stayed with me and not get in your way. But I can't. If Brownkit stay with me, he would be taken away… to be a kittypet. Clawface, I care for your reputation."

Pain filled her eyes. "I know how humiliated you'd feel if you have both a kittypet mate and kit, so I thought it would be better if you have a Clan kin."

Clawface snarled, his affection for the kittypet forgotten. "It would be worse if I have a Clan kit that was a kittypet! At least if he stayed with you, no one in the Clan would ever know of what I did!"

Caramel narrowed her clouded eyes. "You clearly do not care for me or our kit." Sorrow edged her voice as it trembled. Without saying a word or even a backward glance, she turned away and headed back to her own home.

Clawface was left standing with the pathetic kit wailing, his blue eyes stretched wide in disbelief. He did not have a clue as to what to say to Brokenstar. "I love you, Caramel," he murmured, his voice tight with emotion.

"But," his voice became as hard as steel. "You leave me with no choice." Clawface stared at Brownkit hard, and the kit wailed harder. "I will take this brat back. But don't ever think I will acknowledge him as my son, or even treat him like a fellow Clan cat." He grabbed the kit roughly by his scruff and whirled around, heading back to his own camp.

As soon as Clawface reached his home, he headed straight to the nursery. "Shadowpool," he growled through the brown fur of his kit.

The black she-cat blinked sleepily. "Hi Clawface," she purred, touching her mate's nose.

Clawface dumped the kit onto her side.

Shadowpool sniffed him suspiciously. "What's this?"

Clawface snarled a reply. "Don't ask. From now on, he is Brownkit, and he is your very own kit." Softening his voice a little, he added. "I will bring you some prey." With that, he ducked and crawled out of the small opening of the nursery.

Shadowpool was left thinking in bewilderment. As she sniffed, she couldn't detect any familiar scent so she guessed it wasn't from any Clan.

The ShadowClan queen drifted asleep with the false thought that Clawface has a heart.

I am painfully aware how short this chapter is... but I promise it'll get longer... after my 8-days vacation, of course. Clawface is a two-timer!!! Okay, please review!!