Bramblepatch stumbled out of the warriors' den before dawn. Now that Frostfire had returned to the den with him, he felt more at home. But, tonight, sleep was not on his side. He padded out of the thorn barrier, nodding to Amberspot, who was guarding the camp tonight.

"You're up early." The she-cat meowed.

"Can't sleep." The tom answered. "I'm going out for a walk."

"Alright, be back before dawn." Amberspot purred.

"Don't worry, I will." He told her, heading towards the cliff that overlooked the lake.

He reached the cliff and stood there, looking out over the faintly rippling water. The slight breeze ruffled his pelt. Leaf-bare was coming. Bramblepatch sighed. It was going to be his son's first leaf-bare.

A familiar, rotting scent flew through the air. The scent of a warrior long gone. Bramblepatch spun around to see the shadowy figure of Tigerfang.

"Tigerfang?" He gaped.

The dark tabby stepped out from behind the trees and into the moonlight. His pelt was covered with old scars and new scratches. There was a gleam in his amber eyes that told Bramblepatch that this cat was up to no good.

"What do you want Tigerfang and how are you here?" He snarled, unsheathing his claws.

"I live in the Dark Forest, so I can go wherever I like." The cat's eyes shone. "And I am here to kill you, but first you must know the truth."

"What do you mean?" Bramblepatch wasn't going to be fooled by the cat's tricks.

"You mated Frostfire and have always believed that you were the father of a young kit." Tigerfang purred. "But what you don't know is that the kit isn't yours."

Bramblepatch was caught off guard. "Not my kit? Of course Wolfpaw is my kit, he always has been!"

"No, you are mistaken." The dark tabby unsheathed his claws. "Wolfpaw is my son!"

"No, no, he can't be." The other cat mused. His muscles weren't tense anymore and he had accidentally sheathed his claws again. "He is my son. I know it!"

"Have you ever thought that Frostfire has lied to you?" Tigerfang continued. "Well, she has. Your life as you know it now is a lie, Bramblepatch."

"No it isn't!" Bramblepatch half screeched, half yowled with rage and disbelief. "She would never lie to me!"

"Bramblepatch!" Frostfire screeched. The white she-cat raced up past Tigerfang and next to her mate. "Don't hurt him, Tigerfang."

"Is it true?" Bramblepatch half snarled, turning towards her.

"Is what true?" She asked.

"You know what I mean!" He yowled at her in rage. "Is it true, Frostfire!?"

"Y-yes, it is true." Frostfire stared down at her paws. "Wolfpaw is not our kit. I'm sorry, Bramblepatch."

Shock filled the warrior's heart. "Y-you lied to me?" He gaped. His love for her faded only to be replaced by hate. She destroyed their bonds. "You lied to me! I trusted you, I loved you, and you lied to me?!"

"I'm sorry, Bramblepatch. I'm so sorry!" She wailed.

"Sorry doesn't fix everything, Frostfire." He snarled. He looked at Tigerfang, who had been watching the scene with amusement. "Who's the mother, Tigerfang?"

"Sound from the Tribe of Rushing Water." The dark warrior meowed. By the tone in his voice he was obviously enjoying all of this.

"You and Sound were a part of this lie that I believed." Bramblepatch narrowed his eyes.

"Yes, we were." Tigerfang's eyes gleamed.

The first traces of dawn were showing now.

"Now, so you don't tell anyone, I must kill you." The cat's purr turned into a harsh snarl.

Tigerfang leapt at his and the two cats tumbled in a bundle of brown fur. They scratched at each other, both trying to aim for the other's throat. They slashed at each other with all of their strength, their yowls filling the air. Frostfire could only stand there helplessly and watch.

Bramblepatch was thrown off of Tigerfang. He was bleeding from many wounds, nearly looking like the other cat; well, besides his pelt color. The heartbroken warrior got up and slashed his paw across Tigerfang's muzzle. Tigerfang growled and countered by piercing his claws into the other cat's belly.

Bramblepatch let out a loud cry of pain, collapsing onto his side. Tigerfang snarled and moved until he stood over him. The 'father' of Wolfpaw couldn't muster the strength to get up and keep fighting. He just looked up at the murderous dark tabby and rested his head on the ground again.

"Go ahead. Kill me." He whimpered. "I've got nothing to live for."

Pride sparkled in Tigerfang's amber eyes. The tabby moved to make his kill, but suddenly a flash of white fur barged into his side and two cats flipped off the cliff.

"Frostfire, this isn't your fight!" He yowled at the white she-cat as he heard them splash into the water below.

Bramblepatch tried to get to his paws, but he couldn't. He just lay there panting and listening to the battling cats in the water.

He managed to hear Tigerfang meow, "Farewell."

Then the battle noises faded. Bramblepatch heard Frostfire swimming back towards the beach. After twenty heartbeats she was at his side again, soaking wet.

"Are you alright?" There was worry in her voice, despite the argument they had. "Want me to help you back to camp?"

"I don't need help from you." He rejected her coldly. "I'd rather die right here."

"Fine." Frostfire's voice was stern now. Apparently she finally pulled herself together. "See you back at camp."

Bramblepatch listened to the sound of her fading pawsteps. He sighed. "Liar." He muttered.