Welcome to Leopardfur's Lament! If you've never read my Fire and Water AU, I suggest turning back and starting with the first book. Otherwise, this novella won't make much sense to you. This is a continuation of the AU and contains spoilers for the series and assumes you know what's happened so far. If you want to follow updates for the story and ask questions, find me on tumblr on warriorsfireandwater!

"Do you understand the terms of your exile?"

Leopardfur stared dully back at Firestar. The ginger tom looked exhausted. He had returned from the Moonstone just this morning, and had not rested at all the day before. Leopardfur, too, felt battered. Her muscles ached from the battle yesterday with BloodClan… but more than that, her very soul felt tattered and bruised.

After everything I did for my Clan, she thought. After I made Firestar leader… they still want me gone.

"Leopardfur?" Firestar prompted.

Leopardfur blinked. "Yes," she rasped. It was a simple arrangement. She would spend the moon banished from the territory, save for when she brought the Clan fresh-kill. If she decided not to serve the Clan… then she would remain in exile forever.

Why can't I just serve my Clan here? She wanted to demand. Leopardfur wished she could tell each cat the full story, make them understand why she had been so desperate—but deep down, she knew it was pointless. They all want me gone.

"Okay," Firestar meowed. His gaze seemed almost sympathetic, and that only irritated her. "Look, I'm not doing this to get back at you," he meowed. "The Clan agreed, and—"

"I don't need to hear it," Leopardfur sharply retorted. "I know." She stood up. They had been sitting just outside the Medicine Cats' Den. Mudfur had silently treated her wounds the day before and cleared her to leave that morning. Her heart ached as she glanced back into the den. She could make out the shape of the old medicine cat, his back firmly turned to her. Not even her father would vouch for her now.

Most warriors were still sleeping, recovering slowly from the war. But some had slunk out to crouch in the shade, watching Leopardfur through slitted eyes. Leopardfur's gaze swept through them quickly, not wanting to linger on any one cat. Her throat tightened. Dawnwhisker isn't here. She wasn't sure if it would have been better or worse for her former mate to be present to watch her walk into exile. Either way, it hurt.

"Leopardstar!"

The hiss made her turn around. Leopardstar had retreated to her den after the announcement and exile. Silverthorn fleeing was a surprise—but it hardly mattered. He was as much a traitor as Fireheart was if he would abandon his Clan over disagreeing with Leopardstar's decision.

Dawnwhisker stood in the opening of the den, her eye narrowed. "Leopardstar!" she repeated. "What was that?!"

Leopardstar swallowed. She felt a stab of guilt. "That must have been a surprise to you," she meowed. "I'm sorry. Tigerstar wanted to move things along sooner than I thought—"

Dawnwhisker took a step into the den, her back arched. "Don't give me that!" she spat. "I've slept by your side in this den. You had every chance to tell me what you were planning!" She curled her lip, her gaze flashing with hurt. "And how could you do that to Fireheart? To me?!"

Leopardstar winced. She had known that it would be hard to break the truth to Dawnwhisker about Tigerstar's plans, but he had insisted that it would be easier for everyone if less cats knew before the time came. "Tigerstar said—"

"I don't care about him!" Dawnwhisker spat. Her tail lashed back-and-forth. "Fireheart was my apprentice—you know that! You wouldn't even listen to me… I've never seen you like that. I hate the cat I saw up there!" She unsheathed her claws and dug them into the floor of the fallen tree. "You betrayed me."

Alarm made Leopardstar stiffen. She blinked. "Dawnwhisker, everything I've done has been for the good of RiverClan," she meowed.

"What about me?" Dawnwhisker looked away, her voice cracking. "I thought you loved me."

"I do!" Leopardstar stood up. "I'm sorry about what I had to do with Fireheart, but he has always been a troublemaker. Can't you see that?"

"No," Dawnwhisker sharply replied. She lifted her gaze. "I can't do this anymore. It's over between us."

What?! Leopardstar's eyes widened. "Dawnwhisker!" she exclaimed. "Please, let's just talk about this!"

"There's nothing to talk about!" Dawnwhisker spat. "You've been keeping secrets from me for StarClan-knows how long! I thought you got over your dislike of Fireheart, but it's obvious you've just been waiting to get rid of him!" She turned around and stormed out of the den.

No! Panic gripped Leopardstar. She darted after Dawnwhisker. "Dawnwhisker, wait!"

"Leave me alone!" Dawnwhisker screeched, whipping her head over her shoulder to glare at her former mate.

Leopardstar parted her jaws, but she was immediately aware of the eyes of her Clan upon them. Warriors stared at her in surprise, shuffling their paws uncomfortably. Words turned to ash in her mouth. She shrank back, head bowed, as Dawnwhisker rushed away.

The memory made Leopardfur's belly churn. This is what I deserve. Without saying a word to Firestar, she began to pad forward, heart in her throat. Her former Clanmates watched her. Reedtail's lip was curled. Shadefang's gaze was hardened with anger. Silverstream hissed softly.

Leopardfur kept her gaze forward, but in truth, each reaction sent a stab of pain to her chest. She paused once as she stepped into a gap in the reed barrier. Leopardfur glanced over her shoulder to get one last look at the camp—her home—before she padded away.