Challenge for SolarClan. First one for SolarClan, hope it is OK! Just a short one this time. Read and review!

"I made a mistake."

"What mistake?"

"You wouldn't want to know."

In the darkness, nothing could be seen. Only voices could be heard, and the speakers remained unknown. Light filtered in through the tiny slits in the ceiling, but it was hardly enough to illuminate the dark cavern. The silhouettes of the two cats speaking were just visible.

"I do want to know."

"You want to know?"

"I killed a cat."

There were no gasps of surprise. No sharp intakes of breath. Just silence.

"I killed a cat." The cat repeated. The voice sounded feminine, softer and sweeter.

"I see." This voice was deeper and rougher. The cat was obviously a tom. "Why?"

The she-cat fell silent. There was a scuffle of dirt being misplaced. The tom knew his companion had edged away. Tension rolled off her in waves.

"You don't know?" He meowed quietly, breaking the silence.

The she-cat hissed in reply. She was angry now. "I know why I killed him. I killed him because he destroyed my family!"

It was the tom's turn to fall silent. The she-cat continued ranting. "He tore us apart! I had to kill him before everyone found out the wrong way!"

The gurgling river running along the cavern was the only thing that could be heard as silence fell, once again. Both cats paused, listening.

"You could have stopped him in a different way-" the tom was harshly interrupted by the she-cat.

"There was no other way!" She yowled at him. "Don't you understand?"

The tom froze. His mind worked furiously, trying to make sense of the situation. "I don't understand." He whispered. "I don't understand how murder is the answer."

The she-cat shifted uncomfortably. The tom smiled. "It was the only answer." She sounded regretful now. "I did what I could, and it worked."

The stillness of the air was disturbed by the toms yowl. "How can killing a cat work?"

The she-cat winced, but regained her composure. "I thought you would understand. No one else did!"

The tom snarled. "Tell me what happened."

"He threatened my mother. He wanted to hurt us. But my mother saved us. She said we were not her kits. My siblings and I thought she was lying, but she wasn't. The medicine cat was our real mother, and a WindClan warrior our father." The she-cat paused. "Can't you see?" She meowed pleadingly. "It would have been better if Squirrelflight never lied, at least we could live our life happily instead of living our life knowing we were the result of a forbidden relationship? What is Ashfur never confronted us? Squirrelflight never would have said anything. Brambleclaw would still love her. He ruined our life."

The tom contemplated that for a moment. "She loved you so she admitted. She saved you, can't you see?"

The she-cat paused. Her anger had fizzed out. It was replaced by…regret. She swiped her tongue over her muzzle nervously. "I…I never thought about that."

"You were blinded by anger," the tom continued kindly. "You didn't understand."

"I didn't."

"You were too sad and confused."

"I was."

"Do you understand now?"

"I do."

The two words echoed through the cavern. It had a calming effect on the she-cat. The tom licked her ear.
"I am glad you do."

The she-cat smiled. Her heart swelled with gratitude. Her eyes shined with resolve.

"Thank you Falling Leaves."

"My pleasure," Falling Leaves replied. "I am glad to help you, Hollyleaf."

It was a mistake, Hollyleaf assured herself, though a pool of doubt had opened up inside her. Just a mistake.

/i do not own warriors/

Hope you enjoyed!

-Cloudy