" "Do you know what happens to unwanted kittens? They get thrown in the River!"

Staring down into the moonlit waters, Scourge shook his head violently, trying to get that voice out of his head but to no avail. Sighing, he watched as the swirling currents warped and distorted his image to their whim.
Scourge exhaled lightly and lay down on the embankment, dabbing his paw across the surface of the water, destroying the reflection. Yet within moments, would return, mocking him with his own icy gaze. Huffing the ebony warrior turned away from the river and gazed upwards at the black veil of darkness that night had cast over the land.
"I thought I might find you here."
The soft feminine voice startled Scourge causing his eyes to widen briefly before regaining their cool distant expression as they registered the other cat hobble out of the undergrowth. Cinderpelt's fur blew ever so slightly in the breeze as she approached the dark tom.
"What of it?" He snorted attempting to make a facade of contempt.
"It means everything you mouse-brained Fleabag!" Hissed Cinderpelt, catching Scourge completely off guard with the sharpness of her tongue, "What in the name of StarClan possessed you to come here in the daylight? You nearly got caught!"
Cowled utterly by her rage, Scourge felt a rush of shame wash over him in a tidal wave as he ler Cinderpelt's words sink in. Slowly he raised his head.
"Its mesmerising isn't it?" he mewed glancing at the river before returning his gaze to back to Cinderpelt as though that were enough of a reason .
"I suspose so," Cinderpelt shrugged, her tail lashing as she still waited an explanation.
"Nobody wants you Runt!"
Scourge flinched as his brother's words hit him like a blow, eliciting a curious look from the she cat in front of him. Shutting his eyes, he turned away from Cinderpelt and back across the flowing river. He was deaf to everything but the water, the splashing seemingly amplified to a raging torrent that felt like it was going to carry him away.
"You know what they're gonna do to you now?"
"No..." Scourge's voice came out as little more than a whimper, barely audible above the sounds of the waters. He thought he heard someone call his name but it was droned out by the crashing of the waves.
"No! Not the River!" He wailed, thrashing his head violently side to side, as though trying to dislodge some hideous assailant.
Suddenly he felt something soft and gentle touch his side, making him immediately cease in his actions. Peering out with one eye eased open, Scourge saw Cinderpelt placing her paw on his shoulder, her previous look of agitation had evaporated, replaced by one of sympathy and worry.
"Scourge, " she mewed quietly, "Are you alright?"
Panting for breath, Scourge shook his head.
"They tried to kill me." He said.
"Who?" Cinderpelt asked quietly, "RiverClan?"
The dark tom shook his head slowly. "No the twolegs. "
Ears perked up in shock, Cinderpelt stared at Scourge in disbelief. "But I thought twoles loved kittypets?"
"I was never a kittypet," snapped Scourge before returning his voice to barely more audible than a whispers, "No one wanted a runt like me. No one wanted me to be a part of their home. So I made my own and I wasnt going to let anyone take it away."
Allowing the words to sink in, Cinderpelt now saw Scourge clearly for the first time. No longer did she see the ruthless killer. No longer did she see the tyrant who had forced the clans to war. Instead she saw a scared kit, shaking and mewing for love and recognition behind a veil of a callous attitude.
"Scourge," she said softly. For a moment there was silence until Scourge swung his head to meet her. "I cannot say I fully understand what it must have been like for you, but I do understand what its like to suffer in a way in which one may never fully recover."
Scourges eyes flickered briefly to Cinderpelt's mangled leg. She nodded and then continued.
"But the past is the past." She continued, "It makes us what we are today but it doesn't control us. The choices we make may be influenced by it but it is ultimately down to us to walk the path that we must."
Allowing her words to sink in to Scourge, Cinderpelt turned her head upwards towards the night sky. Cascading down from the heavens, the starlight enraptured her gaze. Closing her sapphire orbs for the briefest of moments, Cinderpelt allowed the ancient light of her ancestors to engulf her with ots dazzling brilliance.
"They're beautiful aren't they," she said at last opening her eyes, although she sounded to Scourge as though she were in a dream, "Legends say that they are our ancestors, guiding us from afar with their warm and caring light It's so serene, don't you agree Scourge?"
Scourge looked unsure but followed her gaze upwards. "I'm afraid I must confess, I never saw them that way. To me the light of the stars has always appeared so cold and distant, uncaring to those who must scuttle like insects in the dark beneath their majesty."
Cinderpelt tore her gaze from the heavens, completely unsure how to register Scourge's remark. Sighing softly, she thought briefly before she answered.
"Indeed I see how you may think that," she mewed, pressing her pelt to his, "Your life has been a hard one."
Scourge purred a little. "I manage all the same." Although he didn't say it outright, there was a hint of affection in his voice. Other cats may have not picked up on this but to Cinderpelt, it was as clear as day. Slowly as though through the haze of a dream, she felt herself leaning towards him. Cinderpelt's heartbeat drummed in her ears. Her mind screamed at her to leave, to end this madness, but her body refused to obey. Then their muzzles met and all the anxiety, all the worry was swept from Cinderpelt's mind like a leaf in a storm of affection. Purring slightly, she revelled in Scourge's caress. She felt as though she were on top of the clans and that nothing, not even StarClan could bring her down.
"What is going on here?" A voice asked softly from the darkness.
Jolting, Scourge and Cinderpelt pulled away from each other's embrace and wheeled around to face the bushes and Cinderpelt felt her heart sink. Standing in front of them, a dappled tortoiseshell she cat shook her head slowly, regarding Cinderpelt with a look of melancholy and pity.