Ashfur sat, staring at his reflection inside the stream. Fog had aired out the forest, and except for the moon, it was black.
A tear rolled down the warrior's cheek.. She'll never love me.. Why do I bother? Every time I love something it's ripped from my claws!
Suddenly, a crackled leaf echoed and bounced off the trees. Ashfur bounced to his feet, trying to adjust his eyes despite the tears that clouded them.
Two, deep green eyes appeared and knocked the cat to the ground. "I want you dead!" The figure hissed, although its voice was cracked.. As if the figure was in a sort of pain.
"Hollyleaf?" Ashfur coughed, recovering his breath. "I wasn't going to tell them.."
"Lies!" She spat, "I've had enough of them."
"N-No.. It wasn't a lie.. I would never do that to you." He stood, blue eyes gleaming in honesty.
"And why not? Wouldn't you never do that to Squirrelflight?"
Ashfur breathed in, "I want your so-called-mother to pay. I wanted her to break, not you. I saw Leafpool give birth to you. She didn't know, but after Squirrelflight tried to keep you three I knew the perfect way to get revenge. ..I never meant to hurt you or your brothers."
Hollyleaf ran a claw across his face, "How can I trust you?! How does getting revenge make me anymore sympathetic to you?!" She snarled.
Taking a step back, the gray and spotted cat answered: "Because.. Hollyleaf.. I-I love you.."
She couldn't help herself but gasp. Then her voice turned into a desperate, sad whisper. "You love Squirrelflight, not me! Don't play with my feelings like I'm some kind of hair-brained idiot!"
"I did, but then I saw what a liar she was. Beneath all that joy is an evil soul, just waiting to be hurt. But her life is too perfect for pain, now isn't it? Anyways, I watched you grow up. I saw how strong, how brave, and how loyal you are. I saw how you went through life being a victim instead of a ruler. I can't explain it, but, I never loved a cat as much as I loved you."
Hollyleaf's heart skipped. She didn't know if she should believe him, but she did know that she loved him. "I.. I love you too, Ashfur." The black-furred warrior curled up against him, slowly purring as she finally felt pure love.
Ashfur purred too. As he began licking her forehead, a tear of joy fell.
Suddenly, Hollyleaf jumped back, turned around, and slashed Ashfur's throat. "WHO'S THE VICTIM NOW, BEE-OTCH?!"