Yo! I'm a bit disappointed with the amount of reviews last chapter, since I was hoping for more, but there's not really anything I can do about it. :( . Anyways, maybe this chapter will be more popular?

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It was odd. I suddenly had this longing, this desire, to hear from, or just be near, that ruby tom again.

No, a voice in my mind whispered, Foxpaw, not just 'tom'.

It'd been about half an hour after Foxpaw left and I was still sitting, dazed and confused, in the wetland trees. Their dark looming figures did nothing to damper my giddy mood and I was so caught up in my daydreaming I'd completely forgotten about the time.

"Tinypaw! Where are you, you fool?"

At my name call, I jumped and spun around, shaking like a leaf in the wind. As soon as I realized who had called, I relaxed slightly.

"Cloudeyes," I mutter.

And so it is. The slender black she-cat steps delicately out of the shadows, her trademark eyes standing out with white fur patches around them. I sigh in relief, but it's short lived.

"Tinypaw, you fool," she hisses. "Clawstar expected you back ages ago! What in Starclan are you doing?!"

I bow my head. Cloudeyes had been my adopted mother ever since Snowfur's...passing. She took me in when all the other Queens wouldn't and nursed me like her own after she experienced a false pregnancy. I was forever grateful to her for caring and pitying me, and immediately felt ashamed she had to come fetch me.

"I-I...I'm sorry Cloudeyes..." I stutter out. "I just...couldn't find any prey?"

Even to my own ears it sounded like a pretty lame lie. Cloudeyes didn't seem convinced either.

"Tinypaw," she growled again, and I was once more ashamed for what I hadn't done.

"I'm sorry, Cloudeyes..." I said defeated. I wasn't even sure what I was apologizing for.

My foster mother scowled and sniffed, and without a moments notice pounced a bit away and popped up with a still LIVING mouse in her jaws. I winced internally. I couldn't even hunt right.

Then the old she-cat stood in front of me. tartled, I didn't understand what Cloudeyes wanted when she placed the live mouse in front of me, paw on it's tail.

"Take this back to Clawstar. This is as fresh as it gets."

I gingerly nibble the scruff of the mouse to pick it up and Cloudeyes scowls at my tenderness. She was still my mother, but obviously wasn't happy with me today.

We were padding off moments later and the walk back to the Clan was silent, only broken by the occasional snapping twig. Cats ignored us as we entered camp as they were all eating though few spared us a glance. My own stomach rumbled as I remembered my punishment of no food.

Cloudeyes paused me by Clawstar's den. Turning, she whispered, "My sweet kit, be careful."

I nodded and entered the large dark cave that was the Leader's Den. Clawstar was waiting patiently in the shadows.

"Sir," I begin, cowering. "I'm sor-"

I didn't get a chance to finish. My minuscule body was slammed into the hard den floor by Clawstar's weight and hastily I struggled but kept the live mouse between my teeth. I felt a bite on my short hind leg and struggled.

"Idiot," the hiss echoed in my ear. "Tinypaw, you pitiful wrench! Where's my meal? You're late."

The weight disappeared and I stood hesitantly, bowing. I put the mouse on the ground with one paw on its tail, keeping it from running away.

Clawstar sniffed and grabbed the mouse, brutally ripping it apart live as it screamed. I felt bad for it.

After, he wiped the blood from his face with his lips and gave me a crooked smirk. "It was fine. I'm surprised you could do anything right. Now, go fetch Runningstream. She's not been taken as mate yet and is pretty, and with Darkeye dying last battle, I need a new she-cat. Go."

I made my retreat, trying to hide my tears. Runningstream was a gorgeous blue-grey she-cat who was the aunt to Crashpaw, Lunarpaw and Daisypaw. Despite her heritage, she was kind and quiet. She didn't speak to me, but had never insulted me either. I felt bad being the messenger to send her to her ruin. Clawstar would surely corrupt her. The tom went through she-cats like mice. Just gobbled them up and left the remains.

I found her by the fresh kill pile chatting with some golden tom. I'd not cared to ever learn everyone's name, as there was about 35 cats in the Clan with more kits on the way. Half of them were probably Clawstar's though he would never admit to cheating with other she-cats.

"Runningstream," I called. The she-cat turned at the sound of her name.

She tilted her face elegantly, blinking her blue eyes. "Yes?"

"Clawstar wants you!" I squeaked. Runningstream's face fell. "In his den. Now."

The golden tabby male next to her squeaked. "But I was going to ask her to be my mate!"

There was a gasp. I stayed quiet, frowning. Only Clawstar would break a partnership of love.

Runningstream left. The male crawled away, leaving his half eaten meal. I shifted and looked down at the ground. Why was I always the bad guy?

I shook away the thoughts. They'd do me no good.

I suddenly realized it was almost time for the midday Territory Patrol. I winced. My mangled back leg was stinging after Clawstar's treatment, and though I didn't use that leg with it being too short, I knew it would be a bother on the Patrol. There was nothing I could do though. Our old Medicine Cat had recently died, and her Apprentice, Tallstem, had been very busy as of late getting used to being the only Medicine Cat around. I knew he had no time for petty wounds. I would be fine.

Just then, a call sounded throughout the Clan. I looked over my shoulder to see the Clan Deputy, Shadedsoul. He was actually my brother, I knew that much, though no one in the Clan knew I was related to him or Clawstar but Cloudeyes and the Medicine Cat. The tom hated me too. He couldn't understand how he was related to a cat like me.

The big broad black tom strutted over, collecting cats as he went. Eventually, he got to me.

"Tinypaw," he grunted, a scowl on his face. "Clawstar had ordered you be of use today on Patrol. And though it's unlikely that you will not mess something up, I will do my best to keep you in line. Come,"

We headed out of Camp. Along with us was a thin orange tabby tom named Sunfur and a slick moving silver tabby she-cat named Brightmoon. The she-cat was rather flirty and obnoxious around Shadedsoul and I found it annoying. The tom had enough lovers already.

Speak of the Devil. "Shadedsoul," Brightmoon swayed her hips. "You're just so perfect at this leader stuff. You're going to be an amazing leader and FATHER some day you know."

The black tom eyed her with a sly grin. "Yes. And I'd love to have a pretty she-cat at my side when I do. What do you think of Firelight?"

I stifled a laugh. Brightmoon's face was priceless. Firelight was her younger sister of another litter.

"Right," she squeaked, then stayed silent as we headed near Windclan border.

My heart leaped. Maybe I'd see Foxpaw!

But we turned, and my feelings dropped. And then my leg began to throb as we headed through the wetland trees where I was this morning, except we were going a different direction.

Shadedsoul suddenly stopped. He scented the air. "Do you smell that?"

And I did. Tangy, full of anger and drive. It was an animal that I feared greatly.

Dog.

And then it was on us. A big, long legged mutt with long jaws and sharp teeth. It was easily double all three of our weight, and was already snapping and barking.

I shrieked and backed up. Sunfur and Shadedsoul bolted out of the way but poor Brightmoon was left for dead as the dog's jaws closed Around her middle and shook. Hard.

I heard screaming and bones cracking. Shadedsoul hastily yelled, "Attack!" and leaped at the animals face. Sunfur next. I stood frozen by a shady tree, terrified for my life.

More screams. My eyes flashed. This was horrifying! I made an attempt to join, but when the dog turned to me I retreated. Sunfur was on its back and Shadedsoul was clawing at the dog's belly. Brightmoon was thrown moments later into the bushes, and to be helpful I bolted over while the others still fought.

It wasn't good. Brightmoon was barely alive. Her middle was crushed and even I could tell her spine was broken. BLOOD poured up from her throat to her mouth and she hacked, eyes glazed with fear. I hesitantly licked her ears to calm her but the hurt she-cat merely failed. It was weak.

Moments later, the toms came to Brightmoon's side. I assumed they chased off the dog.

No one said anything as the she-cats breathing slowed to a stop and she shuttered once before going still.

Brightmoon of Shadowclan was dead.

But then, Shadedsoul turned to me, eyes filled with rage.

"This is YOUR fault!"

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