Hi again, everyone! Hope ya'll have been doing well. Congratulations to Wyatt200 for being the twenty-fifth reviewer!

Replying to reviews!

Twinkle Legacy: Thank you so much for your suggestions! You made me realize that there are a few holes in the story that I'll need to fill up sooner or later. (I answered everything in the PMs)

Wyatt200: Hey! Congratulations on being the 25th reviewer! I love it when people try to develop theories of their own about this story... it makes me feel more like writing!

Cloudsplash3: Thank you!

Callie the Dog Goddess: Wow XD. I didn't know you had that much of a crush on Redfire. Don't worry, I intend to keep Redfire alive... for the time being, anyway. And at least for now, Snowstar can't kill Redfire because he has so much support in ShadowClan that if she kills him, she will lose support. (She can't make him die in some freak accident because everyone would find out that it was her) Thanks for reviewing!

Burning Silver Storm: I get what you mean, my friend! Thank you so much!

Rainstone18: Thanks so much! I hope you enjoy this chapter, too!

Archangel: Thanks!

Sootfire: Ugh, I can't get over how much I luuuuv your penname. Anyway, thanks for reviewing!

Now, onto the story!

Chapter 5

Brightshadow flinched as a set of invisible claws raked down her back, opening her jaws into a wordless yowl of pain. She couldn't see her attacker, so she couldn't fight back as pain engulfed her body with every slash of claws.

The clawing changed to prodding, and there was a new voice talking in the background.

Brightshadow opened her eyes to see a dark gray tabby tom - Rainclaw - glaring down at her as he cuffed her shoulder roughly. "Well, finally!" he snorted, as he saw her open her eyes. "You didn't let anyone else get a wink of sleep around here, with your ridiculous yowling."

Rainclaw. A Snowstar supporter. Of course he would take any chance to scorn me. "Leave her alone, Rainclaw." A new voice spoke, and Brightshadow turned her head to see Whitefang pad up to them. Embarrassed, Brightshadow sat up in her nest. "She's not doing any harm."

"Other than wake up every other cat in the den," Rainclaw growled, sliding out his claws.

Whitefang hissed, her white fur fluffing up. She lowered her voice. "The most harm any cat can do is to support a leader like Snowstar."

Rainclaw glared incredulously. "How dare you?" Without warning, he threw himself at Whitefang, spitting and clawing. With a jolt of horror, Brightshadow realized that both cats' claws were unsheathed, and cats sprang out of the way in shock as the two rolled, locked together.

Rainclaw emerged on top, but Whitefang threw him off her, sending him flying. The dark gray tom hit the ground hard, shaking his head viciously as he jumped to his paws again. Whitefang was already on top of him, her claws raking through his fur. Brightshadow winced inwardly as tufts of fur, both gray and white, fell to the den floor. Then, a screech. Rainclaw had buried his teeth into the base of Whitefang's neck, and... there was blood. So much of it. Until Whitefang shook him off with some considerable effort and pressed a paw to her bleeding neck, staring in shock.

Brightshadow could tell she wouldn't die; though the wound was deep, it wasn't fatal.

Rainclaw hissed, though he sheathed his claws. "I'm taking this to Snowstar," he growled lowly, "and we can see what she says about your treachery. The words of betrayal came out of your own jaws; I'm not making any of it up."

Brightshadow opened her jaws in a silent wail. No! She'll kill Whitefang! But Rainclaw was already gone.

Her blue eyes grew round with horror, as she jumped to her paws and padded over to Whitefang, who was staring after Rainclaw in shock. "I-I'm sorry, Whitefang... you didn't have to do that. Once Rainclaw tells her... she... she'll..." Brightshadow figured it would be particularly cruel to state Whitefang's impending death so bluntly.

"I know..." Whitefang's eyes grew blank and dazed. "She'll kill me, won't she? What have I done? It just slipped out... I didn't mean it!"

But you did, Brightshadow thought. You meant every word of it. Looking at Whitefang, she knew that Whitefang was thinking the same thing. Her eyes were pale, as if she was already dead, and her fur was still in bloody clumps.

Pawsteps sounded outside the den, coming closer, closer...

Whitefang's eyes widened, and she backed away against the den wall, though it wouldn't do her much good. Snowstar bounded into the den, her eyes alight with fury as she stalked over to Whitefang. Her voice was icy as she spoke. "You were saying?"

"N-nothing, Snowstar... I'm sorry... it just slipped out."

"Fox-dung!" Snowstar hissed, digging her claws into the ground. "It wouldn't have slipped out if you weren't thinking it, would it have, Whitefang?" Without waiting for a reply, Snowstar bared her teeth for a heartbeat before sinking them into Whitefang's throat.

Whitefang yowled as Snowstar bit her scruff and dragged her out of the warriors' den, struggling.

Brightshadow's paws were frozen to the ground, her eyes wide with shock. Yet another cat, gone. Just like that, Whitefang would be dead in a few moments. Is it my fault? Did I do this to her? She was only trying to stop Rainclaw's taunting... she shouldn't be punished. In fact, it should be Rainclaw punished for sticking up for Snowstar.

Slowly, dragging her paws, Brightshadow padded after a few other cats, leaving the warriors' den. If she didn't watch, she would be killed.

Yet again, it was a wonder - a miracle from StarClan - that there were any cats left in ShadowClan who didn't support Snowstar.

Whitefang was writhing on the grass, screeching and yowling as Snowstar's claws - unusually long and sharp, as Brightshadow knew from personal experience - tore at her ears. Brightshadow's stomach twisted as she saw Snowstar's eyes gleam with malice, and her claws plunging into Whitefang's soft, unfairly exposed underbelly. The claws ripped deeper and deeper, and blood gushed out.

Brightshadow's paws gave way, and she dropped like a stone. Her eyes were watering, but she couldn't tear her gaze away.

Whitefang's scream rang in her ears, rattling in her mind. It was painful to hear, tearing everything out of Brightshadow with a single yowl of anguish. As she watched, willing it to be over soon, Snowstar - finally - dug her claws into Whitefang's throat.

Brightshadow hadn't realized that she was staring right at Snowstar until the leader's eyes met hers. A small smirk formed on Snowstar's face, her eyes seeming to say, It'll be your turn, soon, my dear, dear daughter.

No, it won't, Brightshadow glared back.

We'll soon see about that.

Brightshadow unsheathed her claws, sinking them into the ground. You won't kill me. You're my mother, for StarClan's sake. As much as I hate to admit it.

The sad truth, is it not, my dear daughter? Either Snowstar seemed to know what she was thinking, or she just was visualizing it that way.

What do you want from me?

Snowstar was smirking again, at Brightshadow. Why do you bother hiding? We both know what you're capable of.

What are you saying? She glared.

I think you should realize that there is something wrong with you, not your leader. You deserve to be dead by now, precious daughter.

Brightshadow ripped her gaze away from Snowstar's.

There's nothing wrong with me! Brightshadow told herself, quietly. It's all in your head. Snowstar's playing with you. There isn't anything wrong with you. She's just a manipulative, cruel, heartless... piece of foxdung for a leader.

Then... If I were leader, I wouldn't let any of this happen... I really wish I were leader.

Whitefang let out a final cry, then stilled, blood still bubbling at her throat until her last breath.

oO0Oo

"Did I miss anything while I was on patrol?" Brightshadow didn't reply, keeping her face stubbornly turned away from Redfire. The red-furred tom seemed to notice that something was wrong, and his voice dropped to a softer, gentler note. "Are you all right, Brightshadow?"

Redfire's concerned voice pushed at her until she turned to face him, her fury spilling. "No! No, I'm not all right. Did you miss anything while you were on patrol? Yes, you did." She let out a breath, trying to calm down slightly. "Of course, maybe the glorious deputy doesn't deserve to have his handsome ears harmed by this dreadful news."

She turned away, a growl rumbling at the back of her throat, until Redfire spoke again, his voice teasing. "You just called me handsome."

"Whatever. It's not funny."

"What happened?"

Brightshadow swung her head back to face him. "Whitefang's dead. I assume you can guess why." To her surprise, Redfire lowered his head respectfully, his eyes darkening with sadness. "Is it my fault, Redfire? I didn't mean to do anything! I didn't want-"

"Whatever do you mean, Brightshadow?"

"I was yowling in my sleep and Rainclaw yowled at me as soon as I woke up. Whitefang stepped in and said that I wasn't doing anything wrong, and that he was, because he supported Snowstar." Brightshadow could recall the vivid details, but the story was too real, yet unreal at the same time. "And then Rainclaw told Snowstar... it's my fault!" Her voice rose to a high-pitched wail.

Redfire rested his tail on her back, but she flinched away. He sighed. "Brightshadow, it's not your fault. You didn't even say anything!"

"But it is! Don't you see? This would never have happened it I hadn't-"

"This was bound to happen. They hate each other under StarClan. And we all know that Snowstar takes Rainclaw's side. There was nothing you could do to stop it. They were going to fight sooner or later, and Whitefang was going to be killed by Snowstar, anyway."

"I suppose, but it happened too soon!" Brightshadow's eyes were round and wide. It's the truth. He realizes it, himself. I killed Whitefang. It's my fault...

Redfire shook his head. "StarClan knew it was her time to die. There was nothing any cat could do."

"StarClan hasn't done anything to help us so far, and they can't do anything now."

Redfire sighed, flicking her ear with his tail, and this time, she didn't flinch away as his tail rested on her back. "You have to believe that something will happen. Snowstar can't lead forever. Sooner or later, she'll catch greencough, and maybe have an infected wound, or eat fresh-kill with maggots in it, or.."

Brightshadow stared, an amused purr tugging at her whiskers. "Do you realize how ridiculous you sound?" Playfully, she jumped up and sprang at him, bowling the surprised tom over with soft paws and pinning him down easily.

Redfire purred, gently swiping at her before she jumped back to her paws. Shaking the grass from his fur, he stood as well, then slowly, unsurely, touched his nose to Brightshadow, who blinked in surprise, but didn't move away as he nuzzled her gently.

She twined her tail with his, allowing him to press his warm red fur against her silver pelt... seeing his eyes glow softly meant all of StarClan to her. She could see her face reflected in Redfire's emerald eyes, and she saw that her eyes were glowing, just like his.

Brightshadow saw Redfire's fur prickle, as if he was uncomfortable to say whatever he was about to say. "Brightshadow... I-I think I actually... well, like you." Her blue eyes softened as he continued. "I... uh, I hope we're more than just... well... friends..."

Brightshadow purred softly. "I love you too, you stupid furball."

She only realized the truth of the words after they left her jaws, and her blue gaze softened.

Redfire's eyes glowed more than she thought could have been possible, and she realized that the same probably went for her.

Their heads pressed together, fur brushing, tails entwined... they could have been one cat. Brightshadow closed her eyes briefly. We'll be so close that everyone else will think that we're just one cat... leaving only one set of pawprints behind us...

We'll be together, forever... Brightshadow thought, a purr rumbling in her throat. We'll face all our problems together...

Looking into the depths of Redfire's emerald storm, she knew - she just knew - that this tom, this wonderful cat who she knew she loved with all her heart, was thinking just what she was... that they would be together, forever.

We'll never part.

Pawsteps sound behind us, but she ignored it, flattening her ears, and pressing even more into Redfire's fur.

A cough.

Both heads whipped up at the same time.

"I hate to break up this lovely moment, but Snowstar wants to see you both. Now." That was Rainclaw. Brightshadow glared furiously at him, trying to ignore the claws of pain and guilt that ripped through her as she stared at him. You killed Whitefang.

No, you did. A voice from the back of Brightshadow's mind whispered, but she pushed it away, repeating Redfire's words in her head. 'You have to believe that something will happen. Snowstar can't lead forever.'

It was Redfire who spoke. "What for?"

"I expect Snowstar will tell you both herself."

Redfire growled. "I'm your deputy! Tell me what happened, or what's so urgent that we have to go to her den right away."

Rainclaw shrugged. "A cat has gone missing."

"Who is it?" Brightshadow asked, her eyes growing round with worry.

"One of Shadespring's kits... Foxkit."

All the clans put together couldn't stop Brightshadow's fury as she bounded across the camp.

There's that fifth chapter! I hope you enjoyed! Was it good? Bad? Tell me in the reviews!

Stay tuned! It would be terrible to stop reading this fanfic at this point... seriously.

Until next time!

~ Stormy