Welcome to the last chapter of Tailless! Sorry for those who wanted more, but I'm really not into this, and I want to get it done so I can work on the sequel sometime, something I'm much more excited about.

Chapter 4:

I marched through the camp, chin held high. The clan gave me annoyed looks as I rudely shoved past them, but I ignored them.

Yellowclaw has decided that I am ready to kill. I'm excited, but also angry that Shockfur is working with me. I can handle myself!

I glanced over at the warrior. The thick-furred ginger tom was sharing a sparrow with his brother Ripscar.

My orders were to kill Darkstripe. Shockfur was ordered by his Dark Forest mentor, Fivespots to kill Ripscar. By looking at the two cats, I guessed that it wouldn't be easy for him.

"Shockfur," I called, my tone harsh.

The warrior looked up, and his face twisted into contempt when he spotted me. "Smoothtail," he greeted coldly.

I glared at him, fury sparking within me. I reluctantly met his eyes, trying to send him a message. He must have gotten it, because he nodded.

"Ripscar," he turned to his brother, who was lazily dozing on the ground beside him. "There's something I want to show you."

I turned and padded over to Darkstripe. "Darkstripe," I growled, prodding him sharply. He angrily turned to me and snarled.

"What?"

"Something I want to show you," I provided no further details.

"Fine," he grunted.

He rose to his paws, and followed me.

I scented Shockfur and Ripscar on the wind, but said nothing. I led him to an old, dusty clearing well outside the clan borders. He stiffened when we passed the border, but didn't comment.

"This is what you wanted to show me?" Darkstripe's voice is incredulous.

Before I can answer, the bushes on my left rustled, and Shockfur and Ripscar appeared.

Ripscar looked annoyed that we were there, but Shockfur simply nodded at me. As one, we lunged for our brothers' throats.

Or so I thought. When I started to attack Darkstripe, Shockfur turned on me, and attempted to claw my flank. I reacted too quickly, though, and had already barreled into my brother.

My claws tore out clumps of fur. With a savage growl, I sank my teeth into his shoulder, and he screeched in pain, futilely trying to shove me off.

That's when I felt the fangs sinking into my back. I arched my back slightly from instinct, then whipped around to see Shockfur gripping my spine.

Darkstripe's claws slashed my face, and I jerked my attention back to him, doing my best to ignore the burning pain in my back.

I leaned down to kill him, but then claws yanked me off him. Ripscar had joined the fight.

I rolled to my paws, ready to defend myself. Just in time, as Darkstripe comes flying at me, claws flashing.

I dodged each of his strikes with ease. It's when Shockfur and Ripscar join in that it gets hard. More and more scratches appeared on me pelt, until they're finally able to pin me down.

I hissed up at them, but I know I'm beaten. Darkstripe's face, the one thing I've hated more than anything else in my life, is the last thing I see.

A mewling dark brown tabby kit lay next to his mother. A long, thick, black stripe ran down his back, turning sharply when it was near the tail. He was named Brokenkit. I watched with a careful eye.

Maybe...

Silverstar has ordered me to not do anything for the moment. I'm their secret weapon. I'm tempted, for just a moment, to go against her commands. Then Yellowclaw's face appeared again, and the thought was whisked away like a leaf in a summer breeze.

I watched as a dark brown tabby tom paced along the border.

"Stupid cats," he muttered. "Fools. They don't know anything. I can be of some help. I'm not just some cat that takes up space. Hmph. I wish some cat respected me and saw me for who I was."

An idea emerged. I felt a thrill of delight. He would be invaluable to the Dark Forest. We would have a spy within the enemy. StarClan wouldn't have a chance when we attack. The Dark Forest would destroy them. All I had to do was convince him to help the Dark Forest.

A quick glance around confirmed that no other cats were around. I rose from my spot, striding forward confidently.

The tom looked up at me. His hackles began to raise, but I shook my head, appearing friendly. At least I hope it's friendly.

"Relax," I called. "I just want to talk."