Demonpaw had sprinted down the hill, her legs tired yet still able to go on. She wasn't going to stop—not after what she'd just seen. She wasn't going to stop—not after what she'd discovered. Demonpaw was going to prevent her brother from doing something stupid, and she was going to sort out all she finally understood.

Bravepaw was hiding all of this from me, and now he never wants to see me again? Demonpaw asked herself. How stupid! And Stormheart…he was a Twoleg? I've met him before—he doesn't seem anything like it! Did he know about everything? Is he a part of the plan?

Demonpaw made a quick turn, the cold air warming as a small ray of sunshine showed in the horizon. She made it back into the forest, but did not stop running. She couldn't, not with how angry she was.

My father is a Twoleg, and he went through all that just to get his memory taken away. Stormheart was finally reunited with his brother, but only for a short time before they were separated again. My father didn't even get to see Robinwing after he returned from exile. My mother sacrificed herself for me and Bravepaw. Why? Why would someone need to do that?

Demonpaw rushed passed the tunnel entrance, forgetting all about the secret short-cut. She had no idea where she was going, but the trees rushed passed her, and in the distance she could see the thick greenery of ShadowClan.

I thought we were just really powerful, and that people didn't like us because of that. I thought I was looked at oddly because of how strong I looked, not because I look so much like Jactur. I thought I just got really angry, not that it was a trait that was inherited from my father. I thought that Stormheart was just a good friend of my father's, not my own kin. I thought that my father just died in a meaningless battle, not that he was the war leader of the whole thing. I thought that my brother and I would grow up to be strong warriors, not killed or captured by Sharpmoon. Why is everything I thought wrong?

Demonpaw jumped over the log, her scent from earlier still there. She cleared it easily without thinking.

Why was I so stupid? Why did I think everything was fine? Why did I believe that everything was just how it had to be? Why did I overlook our mother's good-bye? Why did I think this voice was nothing? Why did I let it take control of me? Why?

"Demonpaw, watch out!" a voice suddenly warned. Demonpaw, however, could not stop in time. She crashed right into something grey, which sent both of them tumbling for a few fox-lengths. Then, when they had stopped, Demonpaw stood up, adrenaline already pulsing through her body.

"Bravepaw?" Demonpaw asked as the familiar pale grey tom sat up. "What are you doing here?" Her eyes were wide and her legs were shaking.

"I came looking for you." Bravepaw told her, his jade green eyes looking into hers. "You disappeared, and I was worried that you would—"

"What, ruin your stupid, idiotic plan?" Demonpaw hissed, her fur bristling as she saw her brother. He kept things from me, and lied to me! Brothers aren't supposed to do that! "How come you didn't tell me everything? How come you didn't tell me the truth? Why did you keep all that information from me? I needed to know!" Bravepaw's eyes grew wide at the side of his angry sister.

"Demonpaw, I didn't mean it, I swear!" Bravepaw explained quickly. "I really couldn't tell you anything, Snakestar—"

"Don't blame anyone but yourself!" Demonpaw hissed, her tail lashing. "You could have told me any time! You could have explained to me your little plan to get captured! You could have mentioned, if only slightly, that our father was more than just someone who died in battle!" Bravepaw's eyes narrowed.

"Well you should have paid more attention!" he growled. "Besides, my plan would work perfectly had you not run off on a very dangerous adventure!" Demonpaw's muscles tensed as her eyes narrowed.

"That dangerous adventure wouldn't have happened if you had just told me everything!" Demonpaw yowled.

"If I had told you everything, the plan wouldn't work!" Bravepaw hissed, his fur bristling. "You would never have let me go through with it!"

"Well of course not!" Demonpaw growled. "This plan is mouse-brained, flawed, and insane! How would never seeing me again solve the problem?"

"I have a StarClan spirit living within me, Demonpaw, and because of StarClan's abilities, they are unconsciously and uncontrollably awakening your powers!" Bravepaw hissed. "If I left, maybe you'd be less likely to kill someone! If I left, maybe you'd be less likely to let your anger get control of you!"

"What a selfish way of doing it!" Demonpaw screeched. "How did you think that would make me feel? Happy? Bravepaw, if you suddenly disappeared, I'd destroy myself, especially after what I learned to day!" Bravepaw's eyes suddenly went wide. It was as if he just then realized something.

"I'm sorry, Demonpaw." Bravepaw suddenly murmured, his gaze on the ground as he seemed to have calmed down. "But the plan is already in motion. This will be one of our last moments together." Demonpaw tensed, her anger boiling quickly now.

She lunged at Bravepaw, pinning him down easily. Demonpaw growled at him loudly, her grip too strong for him to get free. "You will not get yourself captured for me! I am fine with you being here, and I won't let you go through with your mouse-brained plan!"

Then Bravepaw did something unexpected. He kicked her stomach, forcing her to release her pressure. She coughed, backing off him. He attempted to stand, but Demonpaw simply glared at him before lunging once more. Bravepaw put enough force into it so that she wouldn't pin him down, and so they crashed together.

Demonpaw angrily snapped at Bravepaw's neck, unsheathing her claws as her fury took control. Bravepaw did the same, though he seemed hesitant. Both reared upon their hind legs, slashing their claws toward the vital parts of the body. Demonpaw ended up gashing his shoulder, and Bravepaw managed to send a large scratch down her chest.

"You want to fight?" Demonpaw asked, her fur bristling as her tail lashed. "Well then so be it!" The grey and white apprentice lunged forward as fast as she possibly could, but Bravepaw was faster. He darted away before turning around and jumping onto Demonpaw.

The grey and white apprentice yowled with fury before bucking him off. Bravepaw fell to the ground, but immediately stood up and lunged toward his sister. Demonpaw did as well, but Bravepaw managed to have the upper hand. He bit down upon her shoulder, sending several ripples of anger through her body once more.

You'll pay for that! Demonpaw growled to herself. With narrowed eyes and bared fangs, the grey and white apprentice, jumped upward through the air, landing flawlessly on her pale grey brother. Bravepaw, however, managed to roll, sending them both tumbling through the undergrowth again.

Demonpaw stopped herself by digging her claws into the ground. Bravepaw continued to roll, so the grey and white apprentice took this chance to dash up to him and pin him down. Right after this, she raised her unsheathed claws and slashed through his chest, making him yowl in pain.

Yes, yes! He needs to feel pain for what he did! Came the familiar voice. It was the voice she heard earlier, the one that helped her to get to the Moonpool. The scary part was, however, that the voice was Demonpaw's. It was her thoughts, and it was her ideas. All of them.

Bravepaw kicked her stomach again, pulling himself away from his sister as his belly became covered in his own crimson blood. His eyes were wide with fear, but Demonpaw did not register this. Her fury was just too much for her to control.

The grey and white apprentice chased her brother, and though he was usually quite fast, he was wounded. So he turned around and crashed into her, something she hadn't expected. Bravepaw pinned his sister down, his legs shaking as he tried to contain her.

Demonpaw cried out with fury before raking her back claws down Bravepaw's belly. He yowled with agony as Demonpaw then bit his neck before kicking him off of her. Bravepaw's body hit the ground hard afterword, and he did not stand up.

Feel my wrath, you liar! Demonpaw thought. Feel what I have felt! She raised her claws, ready to send another blow at Bravepaw, but movement stopped her.

"Demonpaw, stop!" yelled an authoritative voice. Demonpaw hesitated, her thoughts becoming interrupted. "You'll kill him if you go any further!" Demonpaw looked up, blinking.

Wait, what? Demonpaw asked. Kill him? But I've only done a little bit of damage…Right? Demonpaw looked down at the body below her, and soon her eyes grew two moons. The grey and white apprentice backed away, all four paws on the ground as she stared at Bravepaw.

His sleek grey fur was matted with dirt and small drops of blood, and his eyes were dull. He breathed heavily as crimson liquid oozed out of his chest and stomach. His fur was stained red, and he looked very weak.

"No…" Demonpaw murmured, water welling up in her eyes. "No, I didn't do this."

"It sure looks like it to me." growled a mentor from the patrol behind Snakestar, who'd been the one to stop her. There was a silence, one that Demonpaw didn't like. I barely touched him didn't I? No, I remember hurting him. But I didn't want to! I didn't mean to!

"Let me through!" hissed the impatient voice of Poppyheart. Quickly, the dusty ginger she-cat rushed through the crowd and dashed over to Bravepaw. Immediately, the medicine cat began to look over the wounds, all the while ThunderClan cats rushed in.

"What's going on?" asked a strong voice.

"An accident." Snakestar growled. "A very bad accident."

"Well that much is obvious!" hissed a familiar voice. It was Stormheart, and as much as Demonpaw wanted to yell at him for hiding the truth, she was frozen to her spot.

What have I done? Demonpaw asked herself. What I have let myself do? I was just angry. I didn't mean to. What will I do now? What will Bravepaw think of me? What's going to happen to me? Will Sharpmoon execute me too? Will he take my memories, and send me to where Rainfur is? Bravepaw didn't deserve this. I should be executed. He didn't need this.

"Poppyheart, how bad is it?" asked Stormheart after bickering with Snakestar. The medicine cat paused, staring at Bravepaw with sorrow in her eyes.

"These wounds are deep…" Poppyheart murmured. She then looked up to Snakestar. "I'm sorry, but he won't make it. Even with all the herbs available to me, these wounds wouldn't be able to heal fast enough for him to survive."

Demonpaw's eyes grew wider, if that was possible. All of her thoughts seemed to stop as that answer rang through her ears. Her throat tightened, and she couldn't breath. Most of all, she was numb. She couldn't feel her body at all, and the only thing she could see was Bravepaw.

"D-demonpaw…" Bravepaw suddenly rasped, his jade green eyes locked straight onto her gaze. "I-it's oka-ay… Thi-is was supo-osed to…happen." Demonpaw looked down at him, her eyes still wide.

"What…?" she asked absently.

"Thi-is was a-all…par-rt of the…plan…" Bravepaw gasped, managing to put a warm smile on his face.

"You mean you had this planned from the beginning?" asked Stormheart, seeing as Demonpaw couldn't seem to get her dry mouth to work.

"Y-yes…" Bravepaw rasped. "I'v-ve kno-own for…a m-moon…"

"Why would someone plan their own death?" Stormheart asked, his tail flicking with irritation.

"It was fate's design." Snakestar growled. "And it was StarClan's orders. Bravepaw was meant to live a short life from the beginning."

"And what did this accomplish?" Stormheart hissed, his ears flat against his head.

"Demonpaw now has a better understanding of life. Now, when the time comes, she will know what to do, and she will no longer be stuck in her fairy tales." Snakestar answered, his voice calm.

"How could you be so cruel?" Stormheart asked. "You've mentally destroyed her! And for what? Nothing but insight, and for your own personal gain in this constant struggle!"

"The kit agreed, though, so I believe it isn't really my fault." Snakestar pointed out.

"Yeah, because you and StarClan preached him into thinking it was the best idea for him!" Stormheart hissed.

"Stormheart, stand down!" a powerful voice hissed to the brown and white tom. "Remember who you are talking to." Stormheart mumbled something after a long pause, but he seemed to retreat from the argument with reluctance.

Demonpaw and Bravepaw weren't listening to this conversation. They had their gaze locked, and though Demonpaw's eyes were wide, she found herself thoughtless. All she did was watch her brother's jade green eyes fade, and soon, they were closed, never to open again.

"Come on." said Snakestar after he noticed this. "We must give a proper burial for Bravepaw, and Poppyheart must tend to Demonpaw's wounds."

After that, Demonpaw's vision was a blur. She wasn't really sure what happened at all.

The next few days seemed like a mere half day to Demonpaw. Several things happened, but since the grey and white apprentice had no desire to pay attention to anything, she just stared. Most cats noticed this, so her normal friends just avoided her. Others, however, were forced to make sure she was okay.

"Demonpaw, do you need something to eat?" one of the guards had asked one day when she was in the apprentice den. There was a pause. Then she shook her head. "Do you want to walk around for a few heart-beats?" Another pause. Then she shook her head again.

And that was how it was every time she was asked a question. Demonpaw didn't want food, or water, or exercise. In fact, she no longer trained with Snakestar, and she never spoke with anyone. It was just too hard for her thoughts to transfer.

Sharpmoon had come over. She remembered being escorted from the apprentices den to the leader's den. There were a lot of cats in that den, so Demonpaw purposely blocked out the conversation. The few words she did hear, however, made her realize her dream was going to come true. She was going to be a warrior of ThunderClan. The only problem, however, was that that wasn't her dream anymore.

Twigpaw was talking about her. It was a faint sound, but Demonpaw heard the conversation loud and clear. Nobody trusted the grey and white apprentice anymore. Nobody wanted to be there for her. Am I all alone?

Three days. It had been three days since his death. Nothing significant had happened. She was just going to ThunderClan soon. Yes, she'd have to go right past the only scene she had replaying in her mind. That was okay. Or was it? Maybe it wasn't.

Three emotions clung to her. Anger and sadness were the large ones, but shock cancelled them both out. It was as if it had happened too quickly for her to really register that he was gone. Dead. Deceased. He wasn't coming back.

But he wouldn't die, would he? I'm too important to him…aren't I? He's just scaring me. Yeah, that's all he's doing. He just wants me to make sure I don't wish ill on him again. Those were happy thoughts. Thoughts that weren't filled with sadness or anger.

The day of her warrior ceremony wasn't stressful or exciting to her. It was just a normal day. She only remembered half of it. She remembered the Clan looking at her. She remembered her new name being called out. She remembered no cheering afterword, only whispering. Then she remembered being taken away to ThunderClan.

Demonfang? she thought. That's a good name. It's a cool name. He'll probably think so too once he returns. I wonder if he'll be jealous that I'm getting my name? Probably not. It was Sharpmoon's orders.

When she was at ThunderClan, things were normal. For a half-moon, all she knew was that she slept with Stormheart, and that she went out to get food every once and a while. She was far from finding it odd that Flamestar didn't ask her to go on any patrols, and most other cats in the den she stayed in avoided her.

At the moment, Demonfang laid right in her nest, staring off into space. There were no thoughts going through her head. There were no sights to see. She was just empty, wondering how he was doing.

"Demonfang, you missed a wonderful fight." Stormheart said as he padded into the den. "There was a fox in WindClan today, and boy was it a good change for our patrol. We fought it easily, and we even saved a few hunters. It was awesome." Demonfang just nodded, but her gaze did not change as Stormheart sat down beside her.

"Not going to talk yet?" Stormheart asked, frowning. "Well, sorry, but you'll have to do it sooner or later. Sharpmoon wants you on a patrol soon." Demonfang nodded. He stared at her for a few moments before he sighed.

"Hey, did you know that Bravepaw showed up again yesterday?" Stormheart asked. "He was so happy you got your warrior name, and he says he wants to see you at the gathering if you want to go." Demonfang blinked, her eyes becoming bright again.

"Really?" she asked, smiling. "When's the next gathering?" Stormheart sighed.

"Demonfang, I can't believe you fell for that." Stormheart growled. "I thought you were stronger than to think he was still alive." Demonfang narrowed her eyes.

"But he is alive! You just said so!" Demonfang hissed.

"I was lying to see if what I thought was right." Stormheart told her. "Bravepaw is dead. He was killed by your in a planned situation thanks to Snakestar and StarClan. He isn't living, and he won't come back. He's gone." Demonfang's fur bristled.

"And how would you know?" Demonfang asked.

"Because I did the same thing when your father died for me in my first life." Stormheart hissed, his tail flicking as irritation crawled within him. "If I had been paying attention, Rainfur—no, Matthew—wouldn't have died. It was my fault he died, just how it was your fault Bravepaw died. I thought Matthew would show back up again, but he never did, so I killed myself." Demonfang looked to her paws.

"You didn't kill him with your own claws, though." she muttered.

"Does that matter?" Stormheart asked. "Demonfang, all I'm trying to do is get you to accept reality. Once you do that, you'll be more likely to recover than end up destroying yourself like I did." There was a small pause.

Is he actually dead? Demonfang asked herself. No, he's alive. He wouldn't leave me like this. But now there was a nagging voice that kept getting louder. Reality was catching up.

"He's not dead." Demonfang growled lowly.

"Yes he is!" Stormheart yowled. "Your brother, my nephew—Bravepaw is dead!" That rang in her ears. The echo repeated itself over and over. And suddenly, it came to life.

He is dead. She thought. Demonfang replayed the vivid image of his death, and then every memory since then. Flowerpaw's melt down after they returned, the other apprentice's horrified expressions, the ceremony of his burial, Twigpaw's conversation with the other apprentices, Sharpmoon's decision to make her a warrior of ThunderClan so she wouldn't destroy the forest, the walk over to ThunderClan…

Tears streamed down her face. Her head ached, and she suddenly felt darkness creep up on her. He was dead. He was gone. He wasn't coming back. He was the only one who seemed to care about her dreams. He was the only one who gave any sympathy for her. Her leader, her brother, her only family…

"Why has all my family been taken away?" Demonfang cried. "Why did everyone have to sacrifice themselves for me?" Stormheart laid down with her, a look of pity in his expression.

"It's okay, Demonfang." he soothed her. "I am still with you, and one day, Rainfur will return. You've just got to be strong." Demonpaw didn't reply. She just continued crying. For the rest of the evening all up until the next afternoon, she was crying.

He's dead.