A/N K, for everyone who wants to get technical, Thornclaw was in the litter before Brightheart so it doesn't truly count

A/N K, for everyone who wants to get technical, Thornclaw was in the litter before Brightheart so it doesn't truly count. Anywho, this chappie gets dramatic, and maybe funny. Don't know. Enjoy!

Chapter 3 Murder

(Whitewings POV)

"Birchfall wait!" I cried after him dashing into the woods. I honestly didn't know why I even bothered, but I did. I was so absorbed in the chase that I didn't notice crashing into Thornclaw.

"Oof!" It hurt. "Whom were you chasing after?" He asked with mock curiosity. Under that was thick suspicion. I narrowed my eyes. "Birchfall, why?"

He looked as if he didn't expect me to tell the truth. But after that, his eyes narrowed. "I thought one tom would satisfy you, but I guess I was wrong." I did a double take. "What, you think I would- oh no, Thornclaw, you got it all wrong." He merely sniffed and stalked away, leaving me to wallow in my guilt.

"If that's how he wants it, fine." I muttered, but I couldn't help notice the stars shining brighter, as if to mock our separation. I silently cursed the stars and trudged back toward camp.

(Birchfall's POV)

I headed toward the warriors' den when I entered camp. I soon found Dustpelt in sleeping toward the middle of the den. I prodded him awake. "Five more minutes Ferncloud…" He whined.

"No Dustpelt it's me, Birchfall."

"Oh" He straightened up, arching his back as he stretched. "What do you want?" He asked sincerely. It's funny really, but Dustpelt only shows his soft side to Ferncloud and me. I thought it was because I was his favorite son, but then I realized I was the last kit of the litter in our old home, and he would still give his life to protect me.

"I actually need to talk to you. Um, alone." I added as I saw Cloudtail's ears prick up. He must've realized I'd caught him and he made a big yawn and rolled over. The faker everyone knows when he's truly sleeping. His mouth hangs open and he snores as loud as thunder.

Dustpelt seemed interested now too. He led me to the ancient oak and sat down. "Okay, what do you want to talk about?"

I didn't know where to start. I drew a breath and said, "I want to know everything. Everything about the forest, everything about my brother and sister." I had to know.

After arguing with Whitewing I thought about my family and how little I knew about them. Dustpelt had a dark look in his eye as he started. "It was a dark, dark time." And launched into the history of our old home.

"Seasons ago, when you were just a small kit with your brother and sister, Twolegs invaded our territory. You already know how they brought their monsters and the famine they caused, but you don't really know. You don't really know the horrors we had to face, to survive." He drew in a breath and continued. " You, Larchkit, and Hollykit were our second litter, and we couldn't be more proud. Larchkit the fighter, Hollykit the hunter, and you, the leader. You were all so strong and healthy. But when the Twolegs came and prey was scarce, you strength dwindled. Larchkit was the first to die." He croaked, " He had caught kittencough two moons before. Your mother was heart-broken, but tried to stay strong for you and your sister."

I 'd never really thought about my brother anymore, but listening to my dad made his face rush around my mind.

Dustpelt regained himself and continued. "You were getting weaker everyday, so weak we thought you would die. Yet Hollykit kept strong, always boasting that she was stronger than the whole clan. Then, as we were driven to Sunningrocks, Ferncloud and I decided what was best for our kits. You were too weak to move, but Hollykit could manage a crawl, just barely. I remembered what I said to her. 'Now Hollykit, you have to be good to this cat, she was Cloudtail's mother and is very caring. You're safe here. I know this is hard but you need to stay alive. I'm always with you.' And I carried her out of camp as Ferncloud wailed in grief."

Realization came to me as I heard his words. He gave Hollykit to Cloudtail's mother? Dustpelt saw my face and whimpered, "It was the only way she would've lived." I licked his ear understandingly but I was in shock. My sister was still alive! This was great. I silently thanked Starclan that I was too weak to travel to the Twolegplace.

"Well, now you know. Now you know the big secret. " Dustpelt whispered with a pained voice. I rubbed against his pelt. "Father, you did the right thing. You have nothing to be ashamed of. I forgive you." Adding that last part, I knew what he was going to say.

"Well, now that that's over with," Dustpelt said formally. "I have dawn patrol, so good night." He walked away, head held high but his tail was drooping. Poor Dustpelt, I thought. I didn't mean any harm; I just wanted to know about my family. I silently cursed the stars for shining so bright, like they're teasing Dustpelt's broken heart. And that brought me back to my problem with Whitewing. Starclan, I thought, what's wrong with you?

(Whitewing's POV)

Dustpelt trudged into camp like the living dead while Graystripe was sending out patrols. I miss Squirrelflight, I thought. Though it's only been a few days since they left with two mountain cats, it seems like moons. "Whitewing, go get Sandstorm, Honeypaw, and…Birchfall for patrol." Graystripe ordered. I groaned inwardly. Do we have to always be together?

I gathered up Sandstorm and her apprentice. A sharp stab of envy slashed at me, but I had to remind myself I gave up my apprentice willingly. Firestar promised Brightheart, and she deserved to teach Iceppaw. I turned to see Birchfall pad into camp sleepily. "Come on mouse-brain." I said harshly, but then I changed to a friendlier tone when I remembered wanting to be friends with him again. "We're on border patrol. You can lead if you want to."

He looked surprised at my friendliness and purred happily. "I would much rather sleep, but I'll come"

"I'm coming too!" Thornclaw's voice came from behind. I narrowed my eyes but stiffly nodded. Signaling with his tail, Birchfall led us out. It was a peaceful patrol until I walked next to Birchfall. I heard an angry hiss from behind. It was Thorclaw. I whirled around and snarled in his face.

"Do you have a problem? Because if you do-" "Yes I do have a problem!" Thornclaw hissed cutting me off. "Ever since that storm all you've been doing is hanging out with Birchfall! What about me? I thought I was your mate." I reeled back in shock in rage.

Partly it was because Thornclaw was being jealous, and announced to the whole forest a lie. And partly because I was angry we could never be mates. "We were never mates." I hissed low and ice-cold. "We never did anything. We will never be mates, not anymore."

(Birchfall's POV)

I nearly fainted with surprise…and some pleasure. I admitted it, stop looking at me like that! Thornclaw would never be good enough for Whitewing. Never. But as I watched the look on his face, I felt bad for him.

"I understand now." He whispered. His voice got stronger. "I understand everything." He hissed at me, enraged. "You stole her from me! I'll kill you for this! Ill KILL YOU!" He lunged at me "Thornclaw no!" Whitewing screamed. I know, I'm strong, hunky and sexy, but I couldn't pull this guy off me. He weighs practically a tree! And even worse, he was trying to kill me. Just as his teeth grazed my throat, Sandstorm and Whitewing pulled him off me.

"Honeypaw, get help", Sandstorm ordered. The scared apprentice merely nodded and dashed to the camp. While the two she-cats pinned Thornclaw to the ground, I checked my wounds.

It wasn't a pretty sight. Thornclaw sure did his job trying to kill me. There were long deep scratches along my flank. My ear stung and I lost some fur on my hindquarters. There was a scratch on my neck. Everywhere hurt, and I was losing blood. A lot of blood. I was seeing stars. When I collapsed Whitewing rushed over to support me.

"I can see stars." I slurred groggily. Whitewing's head was blurring. "Birchfall, no! You can't leave me! What about our promise?" She whispered, burying her face in my pelt.

I wanted to reply, but she was dancing everywhere. I laid my head down. I was so tired. Sleeping time, I thought closing my eyes. The last thing I heard was a cat wailing in the background. My mind shut off and I stopped breathing. I was so sleepy…

A/N Le gasp! What will happen on this cliffie? Ha, I've always wanted to type cliffie. It's 3 am, im tired. Next chapter will be up this week. It will be looong. I wanted to add 2 this one, but the cliffie (hehe) is too awesome. Im changing genre to romance/drama. Twistey out.