True Love

Summary: What if Spottedleaf hadn't died, and she and Firepaw got together? True love finds a way...

Disclaimer: I only own the plot.

Chapter Five: Murder, She Purred

I padded around the forest, looking for my herbs. Something was bothering me. Maybe it was the dream, maybe the pressure.

Maybe Fireheart's incresingly close friendship with Sandstorm.

But I heard that hiss loud and clear when I was near the Thunderpath.

"Ready to fight, she-cat?"

No. It couldn't be... Tigerclaw?

A voice rasped back, "You're depsicable."

Yellowfang?
Quickly, I raced to the scene and hid in the bushes. Tigerclaw and Yellowfang were standing, facing each other, pelts bristling. They were dangerously near the Thunderpath.

What was going on?
"You're nothing but a burden to Thunderclan," Tigerclaw spat, "An outcast of Shadowclan."

"You're heart's darker than any Shadowclan cat's will ever be!" Yellowfang snarled back, "Now, what are you doing?"

Tigerclaw's tail twitched. "Weeding out the vermin in the clan."

Yellowfang's eyes widened as she realized what he was saying. "You wouldn't!" She meowed in shock.

Tigerclaw mrowed in laughter. "Like you said; my heart is dark."

He took a step toward Yellowfang. The she-cat paced a few back, ears flat.

"Don't bother running," The tom purred, "Darkstripe or Longtail will catch you either way."

I wanted to run and help Yellowfang, but my paws seemed binded in place

"I'm sorry," That voice mewed sadly, "You must see the consequences."

Tigerclaw suddenly jumped the elderly cat. Yellowfang was easily bowled over. She screeched in pain as his claws raked her stomach.

And I couldn't move.

But Yellowfang scrambled to her paws, and scratched Tigerclaw's muzzle.

But it was no use.

Laughing at her futile try, Tigerclaw jumped her again, this time... burying his fangs into her neck.

Yellowfang struggled and struggled, but suddenly...

Her whole body shuddered and she was still.

Calmly, Tigerclaw rolled her body in residue from the Thunderpath. I began to run, but then...

"Where do you think you're going?"

Tigerclaw blocked my way.

"You're such a vile cat!" I hissed.

"Yes, yes," He growled, "But if you tell anyone-well," He nodded toward Yellowfang's body. "You know what'll happen. Tsk, tsk, our cats sure are careless around the Thunderpath."

I twitched my tail, and nodded.

But something told me this wasn't right...

000

So? R and R!