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Dapplepaw's POV.

It was pretty awkward.

I'd just been assigned to a patrol with my dad, Whiteclaw. He sort of hates me and has got that whole "love isn't worth it" gig going on. He tries to be the tough guy and doesn't care for me at all. It sucks to have your dad not love you.

So when Emberfoot, the deputy of ShadowClan, assigned me to a patrol with my dad, I wanted to scream. It would be nothing but hurt feelings for me, to watch my dad evade and ignore me. I wanted to smack the deputy in his smug, you-have-to-do-what-I-say face.

But I couldn't, obviously (who does that?). I simply said, "Yes, Emberfoot," and followed my dad into the forest.

Whiteclaw completely ignored me and started searching for prey among the undergrowth. I mean, come on. That's just cruel.

"So, Whiteclaw-" My voice faltered. Who was I kidding? He would ignore even my meek attempt at a conversation.

But I had to try, at least.

"So, Whiteclaw," I said, trying to keep the conversation casual and light. "What's up? How are you?"

An awkward pause. Then a brisk, professional "Fine, thanks."

Hurt and annoyed, I turned and stomped away. The stupid piece of fox-dung, mangy flea-pelt... ugh. I decided that there were no redeeming qualities whatsoever for my father. Like, seriously. Who does what he does?

I was so focused on hating my dad that I didn't even notice where I was going. Then I smelled the fox. A thick, musky scent, making me gag and choke. The fox must have been close. Very close.

My first instinct was to hide, flee, run away. After all, a fox was nothing to tangle with, even if you weren't me, a tiny, under-sized, runt of the litter sort of cat. But then I remember my mom, Feathergleam. Pretty and tough, she once beat off an adult fox while she was just an apprentice. My dad went chasing after her everyday after that. I mean, yeah, she died of greencough, but still. My dad obviously valued physical strength.

Maybe if I could beat off a fox, Whiteclaw would love me. Maybe he would be proud of me.

The rational part of me screamed, What are you doing, you idiot? You'll die! Whiteclaw won't be impressed by you dying!

But my emotions beat reason. And when the fox just appeared out of nowhere, just like that, I mean, that was fate, obviously. It was destiny urging me to fight the fox and win Whiteclaw's love and affection.

So I did.

I slammed into the fox's side, claws out, teeth digging into the mange-pelt's bright red fur. It howled with pain and snapped at me, but I was quick. I was strong. I skipped away and curled my claws into its skinny, pathetic excuse for a tail.

Ha! Take that, fleabag!

I was feeling pretty good, pretty victorious and awesome and all that, when suddenly the tables turned.

The fox sprang at me, pinning me down, swiping vicious claws across my face. With a sudden flick of a paw, the fierce pain spread to my neck, my throat, my chest, and fox ferociously swiping at me. Blood trickled down my body. I screamed in agony and curled up in a little ball, the fiery burn all over my body. The fox bit me on my chest, twisting his head around, fur being pulled from my body, pain pain pain help help.

"Help me!" I screamed. The fox ignored my pleas and took one of my legs in his mouth, then bit down as hard as it could. I heard the crunch of teeth on bone and screamed in pain, crying, blood trickling down my leg.

But the fox didn't stop there, oh no. He placed both front paws on my throat, then, twisting them, he plunged his claws straight down, blood bubbling from my mouth, pooling from my chin, dripping down my chest.

It growled and ripped its claws down my stomach. Blood blood blood pain pain fear oh StarClan save me kill me now. The pain was worse than anything. Sharp and cold at first, then fierce and fiery, it was like an actual, literal wildfire in my stomach. Oh StarClan. I shrieked with pain and agony, screeching at the top of my lungs, blood dribbling down my chin, pooling in a puddle beneath me.

Then, bless the skies above, the fox left.

I continued screaming.

It was like I couldn't stop. I could feel the life pouring out of me with each shrill soprano note, but it made me feel good. It made me slip away faster into blessed unconsciousness.

Then I heard a crash in the undergrowth, frantic panting, someone screaming, "Dapplepaw! Where are you?" I recognized that voice. Whiteclaw.

Whiteclaw?

"Dapplepaw! StarClan." Through a haze of pain, I could just make out Whiteclaw mumbling curses under his breath. "Oh, Dapplepaw. What have you done?"

"F-fox attack," I gasped, each syllable sending blood gushing out of my wounds. My father pressed his snow-white paws onto my stomach, trying to stop the bleeding.

"What happened? Did it surprise you?"

"N-n-no..." I coughed, sending up a spray of blood that covered half my face. "I attacked it."

"Why?"

"I... I wanted to make you proud," I murmured, closing my eyes. "I hope I made you proud."

Then all the pain was gone, and I knew I was safe.

Whiteclaw's POV.

"Dapplepaw?" I whispered. "Dapplepaw!"

She didn't respond.

"No!" I wailed. "No, not another one, StarClan, why are you so cruel to me! First my mate, now my only daughter? I... I..." I sobbed, tears of anguish rolling down my face.

I then heard a rustling in the bushes beside me. Whirling around, I found myself face to face with a fox. A fox with bloodstains on its fiery pelt and the scent of Dapplepaw on its fur...

"You," I growled. "You killed my daughter."

Maybe it was my imagination, but it looked like it was smiling.

My muscles were tense, ready to attack, when a chain of thoughts suddenly stopped me.

"I hope I made you proud."

No. No no no. No.

Dapplepaw attacked the fox to make me proud. I acted like I didn't love her, I distanced myself from her, I made her feel the need to make me proud. I killed her. I did it. I murdered my daughter and I deserve to die, to rot in The Dark Forest.

When the fox sprang, I didn't dodge. I didn't block its blows. I let the fox beat me, let it tear teeth glistening with my daughter's blood into my neck, let it kill me. I collapsed onto my daughter, blood flowing freely from my wounds.

The fox raised a paw for the killing blow. I didn't move.

Right before the claws pierced my throat, I whispered to Dapplepaw's still, unmoving body, "I'm sorry. I did this." And then:

"You were the only thing I lived for."

All right! Another one done! Please leave a fave or a follow, I would really appreciate it. :) And I don't know anything about foxes, but, um, I guess this one was psycho or whatever? xD