Chapter 10.

"Your father?" Sandstream's confusion was clear. "Why would he be out here? Isn't he back in Flameclan?"

Flameclaw shook his head. "My father…he was exiled from the clan." He lowered his head as Sandstream made a strangled cry. "He…was training my siblings, Milkpaw and Brookpaw in secret."

"That doesn't sound too bad," commented Sandstream. She chuckled. "Did the clans get stricter after I left? I'm happy I didn't go back then." She stopped when the expression on Flameclaw's face didn't change.

"When Cloudstar, the current leader asked him about it in front of the clan he panicked and he…attacked Spottedclaw, my mother." Flameclaw hated thinking of it. He could hear his mother's wails of pain in his head and Smokeclaw's expression. The one of hatred he had towards Flameclaw. "Why did you blame me?" he thought angrily. "I did nothing wrong. Sure I may not be your kit but so was Milkpaw! He was treated like Brookpaw was. Was it because I looked like him? Like Firewind."

Firewind. The cat that shared a striking resemblance to him according to Waterstar. He wasn't sure about it but he suspected Firewind might be his father. From the way Spottedclaw had tried to remember somecat from her past it was probably him. He had not asked Flightwing about it. It was too afraid to. What if he wasn't? From what Flightwing had told him about Firewind, he seemed to be a natural leader. How could Flameclaw, the coward, be related to such a cat?

"I'm sorry," spoke Sandstream. "I didn't know. When I was exiled-er, I ran away actually, I wasn't leaving anycat behind so I don't think it mattered but it must have hit you hard."

Flameclaw shook his head. "It might be surprising but it didn't. He was never a like a real father to me. I wasn't treated the same like my siblings. He hated me. I think…I think he knew what I was before I did." He struggled to laugh. "Sorry. I'm telling you my sob story here."

"No. It's alright," soothed Sandstream with a kindness that surprised Flameclaw. She began gently licking his fur like a queen would do her kits. Flameclaw reminded himself that she did have kits. Hazelpaw and Nightspeaker. "Huh," she chuckled, "I'm treating you better than I did my own kits. How pathetic is that?"

Flameclaw shook his head. "It's fine. Don't worry about it." He suddenly felt stifled by Sandstream's kindness. He stepped away. "Sorry," he said. "Can I be along for a bit?"

"Sure," replied Sandstream. She looked around and her eyes settled to a tree. "I'll be waiting in the roots of that tree. If you don't come back by sundown…well I'm going to track you down and find you and you are going to feel very sorry."

"Of course," purred Flameclaw before heading off. He didn't really know where he was going but why did it matter? He just wanted time to think.

The forest was quiet except for the sounds of birds flitting through the trees and the mice darting through the undergrowth. Flameclaw didn't both tracking them. Hunting them was the last thing on his mind. He was so focused on his thoughts that he almost didn't catch the scent on a tree.

He closed in on the tree and sniffed again. His eyes widen and he backed away. It was his scent. And it was fresh. Flameclaw looked around wildly. Where was he? He knew he did not imagine seeing Smokeclaw there!

Flameclaw felt a presence behind him and he whirled around. There he was. The smoky gray tom watched Flameclaw intently, his dark eyes filled with pure hatred. Flameclaw was forced to back up a step under his gaze. He gritted his teeth. What was he doing? He had every right to be there. He did not have to fear this cat. He was a warrior now. And not just a warrior, but a special as well. From what Flightwing had told him he was above Smokeclaw in position. Heck, he was even higher than Cloudstar!

"I didn't expect to see you out here," spat the gray tom, the voice seething with venom.

Flameclaw swallowed slowly before speaking. "I didn't expect to see you as well."

"So," said Smokeclaw, "Why are you here? Don't tell me Cloudstar sent you to try to get me back!" He laughed. "Why would he want to do that?"

Flameclaw felt like he was talking to Waterstar all over again. He was going mad. All because the memories of the specials were gone. "I understand why you hate me," he said calmly which surprised Flameclaw. "I am the son of your rival for feelings for Spottedclaw. You felt betrayed by her. You think I should not exist and I understand." He dipped his head. "I'm sorry for making you suffer. Starclan never meant for this to happen. They just wanted to save the clans-"

"What nonsense are you spouting out?" snarled Smokeclaw. "Rival? What rival?"

"Firewind."

Smokeclaw paused for a moment. He seemed to be thinking deeply about something. "That name…it means something…but…" Smokeclaw shook his head. "What am I doing? I can't let you distract me!" His attention focused back on Flameclaw. He unsheathed his claws.

"Firewind was a special," said Flameclaw in an attempt to calm the tom. "He had the power to spit fire-"

"Silence," spat Smokeclaw, leaping for Flameclaw. "Now die!"

Flameclaw was no longer the young apprentice from their last meeting. He fluidly dodged to the left and swung his paw upwards, catching Smokeclaw in the chest. The air whooshed out of Smokeclaw and he fell to the ground. Flameclaw quickly hopped onto Smokeclaw's back, pinning him down.

"So?" spat Smokeclaw. "You are going to kill me now? Go ahead! See if you can!"

Flameclaw shook his head. "No." He stepped back and released Smokeclaw from his hold. "I will not kill you. I do not have the right to. I have been a cause for your suffering and I'm sorry for that. Because of that I cannot kill you."

Smokeclaw watched Flameclaw in confusion. "I don't understand. I was a horrible father to you. You should want me dead."

Flameclaw shook his head again. "No. I don't. I mean, I cannot really forgive you for attacking Spottedclaw but I know it was because you couldn't understand your feelings. You don't remember Firewind so you don't know where your jealously and rage is coming from." Flameclaw dipped his head. "Don't worry. I'll take Sandstream and we'll leave."

Flameclaw turned his back and began walking away.

Smokeclaw laughed and launched himself towards Flameclaw. "Never turn your back on me!" he snarled.

However he never reached Flameclaw. Sandstream jumped out of the shadows where she had been trailing Flameclaw the whole time and latched her teeth around Smokeclaw's neck.

Flameclaw looked back in surprise and horror as he saw Sandstream rip Smokeclaw's throat. "What? How could you?" he cried. "I was going to let him go! He-"

Sandstream looked up at him, her muzzle covered in blood. "Don't be a fool," spat the she-cat. "Smokeclaw doesn't care about your heroics. He would have killed you."

"But…"

"No," Sandstream walked away from Smokeclaw's body. She paused right next to Flameclaw. "Flameclaw. I used to be like him as well. He had the same look in his eye when I saw Darkkit as Hazelpaw for the first time." She shivered at the memory. "I hated him. I wanted to rip him apart until there was nothing left. Now. Come on. Let's go before his stench attracts a badger or something."

Flameclaw looked back at Smokeclaw's body. He never deserved such a death. He was a victim like everyone else. He dipped his head. "I'm sorry," he whispered before running after Sandstream.