"You!" the tortiseshell screeched. She dashed toward the border, claws unsheathed. The brown tom stopped in his tracks and looked up at the former ThunderClan medicine cat. "Spottedleaf.." he gasped. "That's right!" she spat. Fury blazed in her eyes. Clawface backed away, fear pricking at his pelt. "We're both already dead, so let's not kill our spirits-" he was cut off by claws raking his face. "Argh!" he yelled in pain. "You killed me. You took away the love of my life. YOU SENT ME HERE!" Spottedleaf screamed. "I got sent to the dark forest, Spottedleaf. I was only trying to serve my Clan. I promise!" he explained between gasps.
"I can't believe ghosts feel pain.." the tom muttered, rubbing his cheek. The rage had left Spottedleaf's eyes, and empathy filled them. "Sorry about that. I guess what you did was.. good, in a way." she muttered after some thought. "Come with me." The beautiful tortie spun around and padded further into StarClan's territory. "What do you mean? And why are you taking me here? The other cats will drive me out." Clawface said, trailing behind her. "Not if I vouch for you." the she-cat replied coldly.
The duo arrived under a willow tree. A small puddle was underneath, and a mouse scurried along. Spottedleaf pounced, killing it with a swift bite to the neck. "Eat." she said, passing him the mouse as she made a make-shift nest. Clawface nosed it back. "She-cats first." "You don't have to kiss my flank, Clawface. Eat the mouse." That shut him up. "So, as I was saying, you did a good thing. Without me being dead, I would have to break the code, and Sandstorm would never have had a mate. Leafpool and Squirrelflight wouldn't have come into existence, and I couldn't be a medicine cat anymore."
The tortie seemed to get more depressed with every word. Clawface had finished his mouse and nudged the scraps to her. "You should eat." he whispered. "Thanks.." she muttered. "So, why are you like this?" she asked. "Like what?" "The Dark Forest corrupts the souls of it's inhabitants. Why aren't you evil?" she asked, genuinely puzzled. "I-I..." Clawface didn't know about any of this."I've no clue. But, Spottedleaf, will br /anyone catch me if I sneak over here tomorrow?" He answered and asked. "You want to come back? Why?" "Well, I, I don't have any friends in the Dark Forest. You're a good talker and listener, so maybe we could chat?" His tone was pleading and hopeful. "Fine." Spotty sighed. "But you'd better not tell anyone in the dark forest what I've told you!" She bristled her tail. "Got it. Oh, and thanks for the mouse." And without wating for her to respond, Clawface darted back to the Dark Forest.