A.N: I apologize for taking so long to update...I've been thinking hard about what should happen in this chapter. Because whenever I write, I only have a vague plan. I make up everything on the spot while I write. Again, sorry and I'll probably update again in two or three days, so keep in tuned! Enjoy, R&R!

Flamepelt's POV

I locked eyes with the cat who was about to kill me. My friend…I'm sorry.

The flashing claws jerked down, glinting wickedly in the pale moonlight. To my left, I saw Icestar watching in desperation, his eyes fixed on me. Thorntail snarled and plunged his claws down. They slipped…past my stomach, clawing the air on my right side. The cold ivory barely brushed my fur! One claw snaked out and nicked my side, just enough to draw blood. I twisted my head to the right, staring at the claws next to me, hidden from my leader by my sprawled body. A grief-stricken voice yelled out, causing me to twist back to glance at my mentor, leader, and friend. I stared at him, willing him not to say a word. I glanced back at Thorntail. His eyes held a warning, along with relief and…regret?

Icestar's POV

I couldn't stand this. In all my life, I had never felt this…despair. I don't know exactly how to explain it; I didn't wish I was in Flamepelt's place, I didn't want to kill Thorntail, I just…wished it didn't have to come to this. When I saw Thorntail – the traitor! – bring his claws down, I lost it. Yowling, I struggled against Flintstar's strong hold on my shoulders. Starclan, if I get loose and one of my best friends die, I will slay Flintstar! I froze, transfixed with horror as the claws plunged into Flamepelt's exposed stomach. Blood trickled through his fur…I screamed, begging my eyes to close and to wake up in the real world…

What? The blood…peering closer, I saw…the blood was light red and only a thin layer came gushing out of the wound. It wasn't the dark, rapid blood of deep wounds…my head snapped to Flamepelt. He gave me a strange look, meaningful with a hint of pleading and relief. I blinked. Keeping the strangled, desperate look on my face for Flintstar to see, I gave a barely noticeable nod. What was going on? I looked closer at where the claws should have struck his pelt and my eyes widened in disbelief…

Thorntail's POV

Why had I done it? I cursed the relieved feeling inside of me. I shouldn't be happy. I had saved my enemy and former best friend, and Flintstar would literally kill me when he found out. What had made me to fake the blow, instead of simply killing Flamepelt? Of course, that had been what I'd originally planned: to just kill Flamepelt. And yet…when I brought my claws thrusting down, he had looked at me. The power of that was overwhelming. One look and I was aware of exactly what I was doing. And when that happened, I couldn't bring myself to slay him. Curse it all!

I had seen hurt…betrayal, yet acceptance and sadness. No anger, just…extreme sadness. How could so many emotions show in those two narrowed orbs of his eyes? My paw had been flying at him too fast to stop, so at the last moment I twitched and missed his stomach completely. Not that Flintstar could tell, from where he was. I felt eyes on me and whipped around to gaze into the face of my former leader, Icestar. He snarled furiously at me, straining against Flintstar's tight tackle, but I could tell it was for show…his eyes were flooded with gratitude, relief, such great mounds of gratitude. Oh, Starclan.

What had I done?