Chapter Twenty-Three: Killer Alive

"Don't worry," she chuckled darkly. "My story isn't over yet, Lionpaw. You see... after Firerunner was dead, Longfang told me that he killed him partly because he wanted to be deputy, and knew that Firerunner threatened his ambition. But that... he killed him because I told him it was okay. He knew I'd already chosen life over love, and I though he killed Firerunner's body, I killed his heart." her words shook with more fury and grief Lionpaw had ever seen. "But from that moment on, he trapped me. He said he'd spare my life, but only because he admired that killer in me. Because he thought he owed me for partially murdering his enemy."

"Pebbleheart, you can't believe that!" Lionpaw snarled.

"What else can I believe?" she whispered. "It's true! I am the reason Firerunner is dead! And so, when Longfang told me that if I kept his secret... he'd keep mine. And he made me push the body closer to DarkClan, and made it look like he was killed by one of them.

"And he left, saying... he said... if I ever, ever told anyone about this night, he would murder me. It would be a slow, painful, and beautiful death. Do you see now, Lionpaw? Does it make sense?"

Lionpaw felt hollow and shocked. Here, all these moons, he'd thought of this Firerunner as a great warrior... flawless and powerful, the victim of Longfang. And he'd thought of Longfang as the only killer, as the one who'd caused all this pain. And as for Pebbleheart? Never, never had he imagined she was twisted into this terrible truth. Never had he realized she was at the very root of it. But now that was all changed. He was no longer sure who was the good, who was the evil. Everyone was to blame. So many factors had fallen towards Firerunner's death... if only he and Pebbleheart had never broken the Code. If they'd only resisted and chosen life over love before death came into the story.

Who knows what could have happened. Maybe Firerunner would still be alive. Maybe Longfang would have never become a killer. And Pebbleheart would have never become a tormented, lost shell of a lioness.

"What happens now?" Lionpaw whispered. "Why did you tell me everything?"

Pebbleheart gazed at him. "You deserved the truth. StarClan knew it was time, and I can't deny them. Lionpaw... we must tell Snowstar. We have to tell him everything."

Lionpaw gaped at her. "But- you and Firerunner! He died because you wanted to keep it a secret! Now his death will be in vain!" He couldn't help the anger in his voice, and he knew it hurt her. But it didn't matter. She had done a very bad thing, and it had resulted in the death of a great warrior who might have made LightningClan's future brighter.

"I know," she whispered, hanging her head. "But... oh, Lionpaw, I've watched Longfang recently, and I know he's planning something. I know he said he'd let me live if I said nothing, but he's never been one to keep his promises."

Sudden terror drained Lionpaw, and he stared at Pebbleheart, clutched by the fear that grappled at his heart. "Pebbleheart... why did you tell me? If he finds out, you'll be killed! I- I couldn't stand it if you died!"

"Lionpaw... I've been a coward. I've kept a secret that should have been told moons ago. I'm sure Firerunner hates me now... but it doesn't matter. All I want it death. After a life of pain and loss, death is bliss. And, Lionpaw... I told you because I- I feel drawn to you. You remind me so much of-" Her voice trailed off.

Firerunner.

His unspoken name burned the air, and Lionpaw flinched.

"Are you saying... this connection we've had... this relationship," he breathed, knowing there was just no other word to describe it, "has only been because I remind you of your lost lover?" It was the bitter, cold truth. But like they say.

The truth is chaos.

Silently, Pebbleheart shook her head and touched her muzzle to his head, closing her eyes shut tightly. "Lionpaw, no. You are amazing, and you can't get caught up in this as such a young lion. I've been through too much, and I'm nothing. I'm a sinner."

"Pebbleheart, you can't leave me," Lionpaw said softly. He had never truly stopped to confront his feelings, but now he understood. He cared for Pebbleheart. And he'd grown... both in his mind and his body. He was almost as tall as her now, and the shaggy scraps of hair growing around his powerful neck were slowly smoothing into the beginnings of a mane. He was ready.

Pebbleheart sighed, angry suddenly. "Lionpaw, do you not understand? This is wrong. I refuse to hurt more lions because of me. And can you not see the beautiful opportunity staring you in the face?"

This caught Lionpaw off guard. "What?"

She stared at him. "Frostpaw loves you, you idiot," she growled. "Why do you still look at me, an old, broken lioness, when you see her?"

Lionpaw was shocked. Frostpaw? It had never struck him that...

"Never mind," he snarled. "Look, we'll go to Snowstar, and we're tell everyone. But don't worry, Pebbleheart. I know they will be angry, but I'll stop them. And I won't let Longfang hurt you."

"Don't be so sure about that," came a growl.

Lionpaw's heart missed a beat, and his blood was suddenly cold as he slowly looked over.

There, standing in the shadows of the trees, stood Longfang.

Wow. That was short, but I'll update soon.

I had a strange thing happen to me today: I was in the car, and passed by a street named Hollyleaf, no joke. Very weird, and I knew, when I updated, I'd have to share that with my Warriors junkies(:

Thanks for reading, loves!