Lillystar

Speckle came back. I didn't know how, but I sure knew why. Fawnpaw was with him, and she was in danger. I would go back to Speckle to help Fawnpaw. I would leave my Clan, and everything I loved, if I could save her. Anything was worth helping Fawnpaw.

I knew Speckle was unreasonable. I also knew he loved me, in his twisted, insane way. I hoped I could appeal to him on the basis of love. There was no way I was getting out of this, but I might be able to convince him to free Fawnpaw.

I shuddered slightly when we reached the old barn. I recognized it as the place of my torment and horror. I never wanted to go back to it, but now I would be forced to. I looked at Speckle pleadingly, but he just glared at me and showed me the entrace. He didn't have to. I still remembered every inch of that terrible place.

Fawnpaw was there, and despite Speckle's promise, she was injured. I rushed over to help her, but she seemed fine. Happy, even. I couldn't understand how she could be so happy in a place like this. It was awful, but I was willing to let her stay ignorantly blissful. "We have to go back to our Clan. Now," I informed Fawnpaw before going back to Speckle.

"Speckle, I'll stay with you. We can have more kits. But please, let Fawnpaw go."

Speckle shook his head. "I can't do that. We're a family, and family sticks together."

"But family doesn't hurt one another," I continued, begging him not to hurt Fawnpaw. He understood, and I could tell. He also didn't care.

"Are you telling me how to run my family? I'm the tom here. I'm in charge," he hissed at me, standing over me. I crouched low to the ground, hoping he would recognize my submissiveness and calm down. He did slightly, and I found myself able to talk again.

"Speckle, I'm sorry I left you. I never should have." I knew what he wanted to hear, so I told him it. "I was stupid. I'm sorry."

He reared up and striked me. "Don't lie to me!" he screeched. I took the blow. I couldn't fight back. If I did, he would hurt Fawnpaw. Love had stopped me from hurting him in the past, and love would stop me now. I just hoped he could find the love to stop himself.

I could see Fawnpaw leaving out of the corner of my eye, and I prayed to StarClan that she would be successful. "Speckle, I love you," I lied through my teeth. "Let's make another family. You didn't want to join my Clan because you would be an outcast. Fawnpaw would be an outcast, too!"

Fawnpaw failed to escape, and I deflated. "Lillystar, I would love her like I love you," he assured me. "I do love you. You know that," he whispered. "I love you."

He was being honest. I wasn't. "I love you, too. And I know you love Fawnpaw. But you have to let her go! Clan life is what she's used to. She's been trained in it. You didn't want to leave your life, so I beg you, don't make her leave her life."

He seemed to consider it for a long time before he continued. "But I want her to be with me. I'll be a good father. I'll train her in the ways of the barn! It would be amazing. We could all be together again!"

I decided to switch tactics. "I can't make you happy?"

He swatted me again. I shrieked when he hit my nose. It wasn't a dangerous injury, but it hurt! "Of course not! You're stupid. Besides, what kind of family doesn't have any kits?" he demanded.

Fawnpaw finally made it out of the barn, and I prepared to attack. I used to love Speckle, back before he threatened my kit. Now I hated him. I lunged for him, but sharp claws held me back. "Now, now, Lilly. We wouldn't want to be hasty, would we?"

I yowled in annoyance, but I couldn't do anything aboutmy predicament. Cats were flooding the barn from every crevice, and I knew I couldn't win. I was going to die, and I would leave Fawnpaw defenceless. "Rose, leave Lilly alone," Speckle commanded.

The cat dropped me, and I sank at Speckle's feet, looking down at the ground. I forced tears to my eyes, and I whined, "I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking."

Speckle looked at me with pity. "Of course. I know that. Everybody makes mistakes," he chided.

I kept forcing myself to fake cry, but suddenly I didn't have to. I saw Fawnpaw being lead into the barn by a she-cat and knew I had been defeated. "Fawn, you're back!" Speckle proclaimed excitedly.

Fawnpaw looked confused. "Who's Fawn?"

"You are," Speckle explained. "And your Mom's Lilly. You're changing your names now that you live with me."

Fawnpaw saw me, surrounded by cats, and looked like she was going to break. "You're not my dad!" she screeched, her voice cracking. "I don't care what you say!" she cried, shaking her head. "You're not my dad!"

Speckle lunged at her. "I am your dad. Lilly's my mate. We're all going to be one big, happy family."

Fawnpaw looked at me sadly, and I nodded. "Welcome to the family, Fawn."

"No Mom! Don't do this! You're Lillystar!"

I stared at her, wanting her to get the point. "Your father loves you," I told her, knowing that I had to explain the situation. "May I have a moment to explain to Fawn what's happening?" I requested.

Speckle nodded, and he and his posse left. "Fawnpaw, you have to pretend to like the situation. Your leg is broken and we can't win. Soon. Soon we'll leave. For now, just pretend he's your dad. Please, I'm begging you."

Fawnpaw nodded. "I guess, Mom. But as soon as my leg is better, we're leaving."

"Yep. Now, why don't we go see your father, Fawn?"

"Of course, Lilly."

So, as y'all can see, I liked the story. It probably won't be much longer, but I'm writing. If you like it or you see errors, please review to let me know!