Flashback
Thorn growled bitterly as he walked out of camp. No one told him what was over the line as punishment. And plus he had been desiring a she-cat for many moons. But things went completely wrong.
He was somewhat relieved that he was banned. After all, he wasn't a father figure. He just only wanted she-cats for their bodies, which he realized was probably why he never got a mate to begin with.
Two sunrises later he managed to find the Twolegplace where ThunderClan chased off the kittypets during the flood. Maybe he could become a kittypet, after all leaf-bare was approaching again.
And maybe he could meet some more dumb she-cats that can't fight back like Hollypaw and Sorrelpaw. The thought made him tense and shiver with excitement.
"HEY! It's a rogue! Get 'im!"
Thorn leaped in shock and ran for his life as soon as he heard many paws break into a deadly sprint.
"He'll wear out soon! Don't go too fast!"
Thorn's heart stopped as he recognized that voice as Bramblestar's former mate.
"Squirrelflight! I thought she was dead!" Thorn gasped under his breath.
He was tempted to look back to make sure it was Squirrelflight, but his value of his own life was more important. And he kept running.
Several moons later he was sleeping in his burrow on the other side of Twolegplace. He hadn't met any naive she-cats as he hoped, but only a few that clawed his face whenever he came near.
One day he was straying a little farther than usual and he saw another similar cat and was shocked to see it was the mother of his victims.
He froze hoping she'd pass by and he wouldn't have to talk to her, but Cinder looked up at him with empty eyes.
"Um...what're you doing outside of ThunderClan?" Thorn asked her awkwardly.
"Since you ruined what was left of my family I went and started a new one." Cinder growled. "Bruno is one of the strongest rogues in this area so don'teven try to touch our kits!"
"Me take advantage of kits? I'm not a monster Cinderhear-"
"It's Cinder now." Cinder corrected him. "And yes you are a monster."
"I feel like the worst Cinder." Thorn sighed. "I'm never taking a mate again, there's something wrong with me."
The tom sat down in front of Cinder and gave a big sigh. What had he done?
"It's probably good that you're going to leave she-cats alone." Cinder admitted. "ButI'll be honest, it's too little too late."
Cinder walked away probably to take care of her family while Thorn went back to his burrow. He had no family, any kits that Hollypaw and Sorrelpaw had from him he couldn't call his own.
After all he was a monster spun from desperate desire to love and to be pleased. He didn't deserve anyone now, andfor his horrible crimes, he would most likely die alone.
He closed his eyes in bitter defeat.
Present
"Dewshade!" Amberdrop cried, running out of the Nursery to her brother. "Who could do such a thing?!"
"Still think it's Squirrelflight?" Ivypool questioned Gemlight. The deputy looked at Squirrelflight and she hung her head in shame.
"It was my daughter that was killed, I have good reason to believe that Bramblestar's former mate had something to do with it." Gemlight retorted. "But no, I don't think she killed Dewshade."
"It had to be that rogue Bramblestar!" Brackenfur insisted. "We saw her head towards Twolegplace last time we saw her-"
"Then if she left why do you think she killed him?" Blossomfall asked Brackenfur.
"She may have headed that way just to throw us off." Brackenfur replied before turning back to Bramblestar. "Please, let me lead a patrol there. I'll find whoever has been doing this!"
"Thank you Brackenfur, but I think I'lllead a patrol." Bramblestar announced. "I will take a patrol to search throughout Twolegplace for a potential murderer. I'll be bringing Ivypool, Blossomfall, Squirrelflight, Twigbreeze, and Goldenheart with me while Gemlight stays in charge of ThunderClan while I'm gone."
"Why are you taking the killer with you?" Molewhisker growled, glancing at Squirrelflight.
"We don't know if she's the killer." Bramblestar told him. "But if she is, leaving her in camp will be a bad idea. Lilyheart, you will maintain Stumpypaw's training till Squirrelflight gets back."
Squirrelflight looked away with glistening green eyes and wiped them with one paw before turning to look at her former mate.
"Very well, we do need to find Dewshade...and Blizzardpaw's killer." Squirrelflight added quickly.
Several cats snapped their heads towards her definitely still suspicious, and she looked down for what seemed the millionth time that day.
"So we leave now?" Twigbreeze asked his father, glancing at Stumpypaw.
"Yes, but I'll give us time to say anything else to anyone else as this is an important trip." Bramblestar confirmed.
Twigbreeze saw his sister immediately go to their mother and she whispered something Gemlight's ear. Gemlight's eyes widened and she nodded, what was possibly shocking?
Twigbreeze saw Gemlight heading to the apprentice's den but of course he still had no clue what it was about. But he knew it wasn't going to be the same without Stumpypaw.
And he had an idea.
If Squirrelflight was going with them on the trip to find the murderer, why shouldn't her apprentice?
"Bramblestar, can I talk to you privately?" Twigbreeze said to his lookalike father. He nodded and the two toms went into Bramblestar's den.
"Yes?" Bramblestar asked.
"Well...why did you not choose for Stumpypaw to go with us?" Twigbreeze meowed.
"She's an apprentice and we're looking for a cat that's been killing our own." Bramblestar explained. "...why? Do you want her to come?"
"Yes." Twigbreeze squeaked. "It's probably a good idea since her mentor is going."
"Sure, that's why you want her to come with." Bramblestar chuckled. "Very well then, I'll make the announcement."
Twigbreeze shyly stayed in his father's den and in a matter of moments Stumpypaw came running in and knocked her crush over in excitement.
"I can't believe I get to go with you all!" Stumpypaw purred. "We better hurry! The killer is probably hiding near Twolegplace like the coward they are!"
Twigbreeze gave a nod of agreement and they left his father's den to meet with the rest of the group outside of camp.
"Goldenheart took the liberty of hunting along with your mother so we have something to eat before we head off." Bramblestar explained to his son.
"She's such an attentive warrior! To bad I'm not really interested in that." Stumpypaw told Twigbreeze. "I just want a lot of kits."
Am I going to be a part of that?
Twigbreeze knew he was no longer annoyed with Stumpypaw, but did he like her?
"Whatever fancies you Stumpypaw." Twigbreeze meowed.
"We're here!" Goldenheart called, her and Gemlight bringing several sparrows and voles.
"Bye Bramblestar, I will take great care of ThunderClan while all of you are gone." Gemlight said, and she briefly looked into his eyes before turning around and heading back.
Twigbreeze saw Bramblestar stare off in his former mate's direction before shaking his head and rubbing it with one paw.
"We should get going." Bramblestar muttered. "I'll be leading the way with Ivypool and Blossomfall on each side of Squirrelflight behind me and the rest of you bringing the rear."
As Twigbreeze, Goldenheart, and Stumpypaw did so, the tom couldn't help but notice why Bramblestar put them in that order.
He may not think Squirrelflight is the murderer, but he certainly doesn't trust her.
Bramblestar lead the patrol outside of the forest and near Twolegplace. Goldenheart looked like she was ready to fight any rogue or kittypet that would stand in her way.
And soon enough, a beautiful tortoiseshell came running past them and Goldenheart broke off from the patrol to follow her.
"Daughter! Wait!" Bramblestar yowled, but Goldenheart was chasing the she-cat till she turned around and leaped at Goldenheart and the two clawed each other.
Twigbreeze ran and knocked the tortoiseshell off of his sister and she cowered as she realized she was horribly outnumbered.
"Stop! She's my only kit!"
Bramblestar saw a familiar orange tom bound over to them and stood protectively in front of the tortoiseshell.
"Please! I lost the rest of my kits in leaf-bare!" The orange tom begged. "Dandelion is my only kit..."
Twigbreeze and Goldenheart looked at their father and realized he recognized them.
"Bruno?"
