Hello, everyone! This is my first fanfic. I am so excited!

Before we start, I'd like to point out a few things:

- I changed the rating. Previously, I rated it as 'M'. Rape is mentioned (and it does happen) in this story, but since there is no sexual contact at all, I changed the rating. If you do not like rape, then don't read this. Please.

- Credit goes to String of Pearly. I got the idea from her awesome fanfic, The Sound of Snow. Check it out - I promise it's good!

On with the story!

PROLOUGE: THE TRUTH ABOUT SANDFUR

It was a still, quiet night, and the air was unseasonably warm for leaf-bare. The full moon reflects on the powdery, white snow, and silver icicles hang from the tree. The lake is frozen and glitters with the light of a thousand stars. All is well.

A slender, pale gray she-cat walked through the misty, clouded night, her eyes sparkling with joy. Her niece has just been weaned from her mother's belly, and it wouldn't be too long before she became an apprentice.

The trees became less and less as she reached WindClan's territory. Smiling, she calmly walks through the snow, her eyes closed. It was such a beautiful night. As far as she is concerned, the world is perfect. What can possibly go wrong?

"Hello, Willowbranch," she hears a low drawl. Willowbranch's eyes shoot open, and she blinks in alarm. "Who said that?"

"Me," the voice says, and Willowbranch stares at the tom in front of her. A muscular, handsome, sand-colored tom stands in front of her, his glorious amber eyes shining.

"Oh, hi Sandfur," Willowbranch says, her fur beginning to lie flat. There is no need to be scared. Sandfur is her sister's mate's brother, and ever since Darkshadow and Purpleflower had become mates two years ago, she has seen a lot of him. Sandfur is one of the most popular warriors in RiverClan, with his uncanny ability to make others laugh. He was even popular in the other Clans. "Enjoying the night?"

"I am enjoying the night," he says, his deep golden gaze boring into her own green eyes. "And I know something that will make this night better."

Willowbranch frowns. Something is not right, she can sense it. Suddenly, she feels her blood run cold as Sandfur lets out a high, loud cackle, one that doesn't fit him. "What's going on? Why are you acting like this?"

"I'll tell you what's going on," he smirked, his grin becoming wider and horribly twisted. "You're going to have my kits."

It took a while for Willowbranch to comprehend this information. Had she just heard right? But why? Why was he doing this?

"But I'm a medicine cat!" Willowbranch screams, her green eyes stretching wide with horror. Her face is now pale with terror. Taking a deep breath, she forces herself to stay calm. "You can't do this! Why do you want kits anyways?"

"This is just practice," Sandfur replied. "I want to try it on you first. By the time I get to my actual target, I'll be a master at this." He grinned.

"But why me?" Willowbranch asks, feeling really sorry for the poor cat that was his 'actual target'.

"You're a medicine cat," he replies. "Medicine cats don't have warrior training and they can't fight back. So you're the perfect cat to try it on!" The look in his eyes say that he would enjoy hurting Willowbranch.

Willowbranch is ready to fight him, but suddenly, he tackles her. She stands no chance against his powerful legs and huge claws. She lays in the snow, defenseless and scared.

"Ouch," she groans as she feels a sickening pain in her back. She tries to get up, but stops as she sees Sandfur's hungry gaze forge its way into her. It chills her more than the snow ever can.

"Say goodbye to your happiness," he whispers.

And that was the moment he struck.

While all of this is happening, a she-cat is sneaking out of camp. She wants to explore the territory. Even though she wasn't allowed to go, she still thought that it would be fun.

She walks happily near the lake, and sighs. The lake is a beautiful, sparkling, midnight-blue shade, and the stars are reflecting on its surface. It is a huge sheet of ice, and she can almost see to the other side. It is a beautiful sight.

Then she freezes as she heard a strangled cry. "Is that an intruder?" the she-cat thinks. "I'd better go and see."

The faster she walks, the more determined she is. She has to find this cat. It is her duty.

She suddenly sees a bleeding she-cat lying unconscious, and bends down to see who it is. "Willowbranch?" she breathes. "Oh no! What happened?" Suddenly this adventure doesn't seem like such fun anymore.

She stops and stares as she sees Sandfur mercilessly clawing at the medicine cat. "Now that you're no longer needed, I'll kill you! That way you can't tell the Clans!"

The she-cat stares. Never has she seen such ruthlessness. But - why? Sandfur was so loyal! He wouldn't really hurt Willowbranch, would he?

But the look on his face told her otherwise.

This was not the well-respected RiverClan warrior. This was not the cat with the uncanny ability to make others laugh.

This was not her Sandfur.

"Stop! Why are you fighting?" the she-cat screams. Sandfur freezes and stares at her.

"It's what warriors do for fun," Sandfur replied, but she can tell that he is lying. "I'm telling Midnightstar about this!" she screams.

Sandfur glares at her. "No you're not," he growls through clenched teeth. "You're not going back to camp after this."

"Huh?" the she-cat asked, confused. Why? Suddenly she realizes what he means, and chills run down her spine. "Oh StarClan!" She turns to run, but he grabs her and throws her down into the snow, ignoring her piteous screams.

"You really think that I'm going to let you live after what you're witnessed?" he asks. "Think again!"

"No!" she screams, but he has an iron grip on her and forces something down her throat. It was probably his claw. Then, dizzy, she watched as he runs away as fast as he can, away from the scene.

Suddenly, she hears Willowbranch getting to her paws. "What's all this?" the medicine cat demands. "What are you doing out here by yourself?"

The she-cat lets out a low groan, her blue eyes filled with distress. She suddenly felt a cough rising up in her, an unbearable pain, which was probably because Sandfur has clawed her in her throat. Willowbranch's eyes suddenly light up in horror. "We've got to get you to camp," she meows briskly, reaching over to carry the she-cat on her back.

That was the last thing she remembered.

Yay, first chapter. What did you think? If you have any questions, please feel free to PM/review.

Please Review!