Darkness clouded Scorchclaw's vision, and no matter how hard he tried to open his eyes, the blackness simply would not fade. He tried to open his mouth, to speak, but the crushing void grabbed his throat and stopped any words from coming out. He tried to move his paws, but the darkness fought against him, grabbing his paws and forcing them to be still. Scorchclaw had no strength – he had the faintest glimpse that his life was slipping from him, but he could still think. A wave of memories rushed through him.

"I've got to warn my son. Even if he hates me, I don't want his life at risk."

"You're Swiftstar's son, and things are about to change. Stay away from him, and stay away from Adderstripe, unless you want something to happen to that pretty little she-cat of yours."

"Like you said, we're over. I hate you, Scorchclaw! I hate you so much! Never talk to me again!"

"That's enough, Adderstripe!"

"We have to kill him, Brambledusk!"

"He'll bleed out here. Leave him."

And there was something else… something Scorchclaw could remember… if he could just think hard enough. All he had to do was reach a little further…

"Scorchclaw, I swear to all the gods, if you die on me, I will follow you into StarClan and kill you myself!"

"Who could have done this? I know. I already know. Is this the reward you give me, for giving you WindClan? I gave that boy everything. Everything! And he threw it all away! All covered in blood! In Scorchclaw's blood! Spilled, all of it!"

The voices replayed in Scorchclaw's head, faster and faster, louder and louder. I'm so tired… All he wanted to do was sleep, but his mind refused to ease its assault on him. His heart was growing hollow and dark, and he decided to stop fighting – he lacked the strength. But, even as he tried to give into the darkness, hoping that it would take him into the next life, all he could see was a terrible creature over him with piercing claws and burning eyes. He tried to scream, to run and get help, but it was too late, and he was paralyzed.

This is terrible. He was lonely and desperate, but he was too lost and sick to do anything about it, and the only thing he could do was close his eyes and try to let go. But still, the darkness refused to ease its grip on him, and all he was left doing was flailing against its tight hold. Let me go!

He could vaguely remember Brambledusk and Adderstripe's assault on him – but he couldn't feel their claws dragging and pulling at his skin anymore. Terror rooted itself in his heart, but just as he felt the darkness easing its iron grip, he could catch a glimpse of silver light, right at the corner of his vision. He tried to grasp a look at it, and just as he focused his attention on it, it grew more dazzling by the moment until it blinded him. Scorchclaw fought his way to it, knowing that if he was able to reach it, he'd be free. Free of this horror, pain, and terror.

Just as Scorchclaw reached the sparkling bulb of light, his entire vision changed from black to white. Suddenly, the feeling started to crawl back into his body. His throat no longer felt as if it was being stepped on, and he could finally taste his surroundings as he took a shaky breath. He clenched a muscle, and he could feel the tip of his toes curl. He moved another muscle, and he could hear his tail twitch on the ground. Just at the corner of his sparkling vision, a shaft of golden started to merge with the white. Slowly, the golden fought with the white until the world began to reveal itself to him. He forced his eyelids open – one blink, a second blink – until his eyes were wide open and he could make out the figure of a lithe gray she-cat in front of him. It took a few moments for this cat's name to register in his mind, but it finally came. Violetheart.

"V-Violet… heart…" Scorchclaw tried to choke her name out, but his voice was weak and pitiful, and he wasn't sure if she heard him. But when the medicine cat turned on her heel, staring at the ginger-and-white tom, Scorchclaw was relieved. She did hear me. Violetheart's blue eyes widened, shock crossing her face.

"Scorchclaw," Violetheart said, padding closer to him and examining his body thoroughly with a keen, watchful eye. "Welcome back."

Welcome back? Scorchclaw opened his mouth, wanting to say something to her, but his throat was parched, and his tongue was dry. Nothing came out. Violetheart bounded away, leaving his vision, and Scorchclaw was too weak to move his head to see where she had went. But she returned in a matter of moments, dropping a soaked moss ball in front of him. Scorchclaw blinked gratefully at her, and used every muscle in his body to bend his head down and lick the water.

The refreshing water rushed down his throat, regenerating him and giving him more strength. Scorchclaw blinked a few times, swallowing more water to moisten his throat, and he tried to speak again. This time, his words came out. "Violetheart… what… what happened?"

"Oh, boy, that's a story." Violetheart sat down, wrapping her tail across her paws. "You were asleep for five days, Scorchclaw."

"Five days?" Scorchclaw tried to shoot up, the shock at Violetheart's words giving him even more energy, but Violetheart steadied him just as he staggered on his paws. Scorchclaw nearly collapsed, but Violetheart held him up. "But… what… was it…"

"Adderstripe and Brambledusk mauled you," Violetheart told him, her eyes shadowed. "If Russetstripe hadn't found you when she did, you'd be in StarClan now."

Scorchclaw took a deep, trembling breath. I nearly died? Consternation made his heart stop in his chest at Violetheart's grim words. My sister saved my life… "Is… is she okay?"

Violetheart nodded.

"What… what happened to Adderstripe?" Scorchclaw was gradually regaining bits of strength to keep the conversation going.

"He's dead," Violetheart replied flatly. "He started a rebellion while you were unconscious and tried to kill your father. Russetstripe killed him before he could."

Dear StarClan… Had the world fallen apart while Scorchclaw was unconscious? And it all started with me. "And Brambledusk?"

"Swiftstar has had him imprisoned for days," Violetheart replied. "And there's some interesting news for you, Scorchclaw."

"I don't think anything you could tell me would shock me more than what I've just heard," Scorchclaw grumbled.

"Oh, this just might." Violetheart leaned closer into Scorchclaw's face. "You're the new deputy of WindClan."

What?! The revelation was like a blow to the face as he stared at the medicine cat, utterly baffled. His mouth hung open as he tried to register what she just said. I'm the deputy of WindClan? How did that happen? I wasn't even awake! How—

Scorchclaw wanted to ask Violetheart more questions, but there was a commotion at the entrance, and when Scorchclaw weakly turned to glance at the crevice, he recognized his sister's dark ginger fur. Russetstripe's green eyes lit up when she saw Scorchclaw, and she raced over to her brother, her purr so loud that Scorchclaw could feel it. Relief glistened in his sister's eyes, but it was replaced by sorrow when she glanced down at his pelt. Scorchclaw followed her gaze, seeing multiple poultices lathered on his pelt in so many places – on his side, his haunches, his throat, his chest…

"Forget about that," Russetstripe said, forcing Scorchclaw's gaze away. "Oh, Scorchclaw, I'm so glad you're awake!" She butted her forehead against his. "You have no idea how scared we all were… we thought you wouldn't make it. On the fifth day, Father was just about to give up hope. But then… I heard your voice. I thought I was hallucinating, but I came here and… you're awake!"

"Russetstripe," Scorchclaw murmured, nuzzling his sister. "I'm glad to see you, too. Violetheart told me you saved my life. Thank you."

"You are my brother," Russetstripe told him. "I'd do anything for you."

Emotion swelled in Scorchclaw's throat, and he felt the swell of tears at his eyes. He hoped the emotion in his gaze would convey to his sister what he could never say in words. Scorchclaw cleared his throat, knowing he had to address what Violetheart had mentioned. "So, Adderstripe…"

"He tried to kill you," Russetstripe said, her ears flattening. "Then he led a patrol to WindClan's camp with cats from ThunderClan and ShadowClan and attacked his own Clanmates. He was lunging for Swiftstar, and I just…" Misery flooded Russetstripe's face. "I just… I was leaping at him before I knew what I was doing… and then the last thing I remember was him dead. I didn't…"

Scorchclaw shut his eyes. He wanted to tell her that she did the right thing, but both of them could put a name to what she had did – fratricide. I don't know if I could've done that… "I'm not mad at you, Russetstripe. Is… is anyone else dead?"

"Grayflight is dead," Russetstripe reported, "and no one can find Rabbitfur. But Rabbitfur joined Adderstripe, anyway. No one really cares where he went." Although her voice was hard, Scorchclaw could detect a tinge of pain – Rabbitfur had been her mentor, after all. She sat down, letting out a sigh. "I know what I did was a sin, Scorchclaw. But if I hadn't done anything, he would've killed our father. Was I supposed to choose between the life of Adderstripe or Swiftstar?"

"I know why you did what you did," Scorchclaw said, licking his sister's shoulder. He was having a hard time processing his emotions – it was hard enough to understand what happened. He had been unconscious for all of it, and yet it seemed like WindClan had been torn into two and stepped on in just a matter of days. "Where is Father?"

"He should be coming," Russetstripe replied, and just as the last word came out of his sister's mouth, the wind drifted his father's scent into the medicine den. Russetstripe stepped aside, her ears flattening ever-so-slightly as Swiftstar shoved his way into the medicine den. His amber eyes flitted over to Scorchclaw, and just as Scorchclaw lowered his head to his father, Swiftstar purred loudly.

"Oh, my son." Swiftstar bent over and licked Scorchclaw's head. "I'm so glad to see that you're all right." Solace made his father let out a breath, perhaps one he had been holding since he had seen Scorchclaw's condition.

"Thank you, Father," Scorchclaw rasped. "I'm happy to see you, too. You look well."

Swiftstar narrowed his eyes. "You have been avenged. You do not need to worry about Adderstripe's jealousy anymore – he's dead, and you are the rightful deputy of WindClan, Scorchclaw."

"But how is that possible?" Scorchclaw protested. "I'm still so young! I don't even remember the ceremony… I must have been unconscious during it, and I don't have an apprentice!"

"Enough!" Swiftstar lashed his tail. "I said it in the eyes of StarClan, so they know my choice. And I will give you Harekit when he is old enough. What I say is the law of the Clan, and I say you are my deputy!" Ferocity made Swiftstar's voice pulsate. Violetheart let out a low growl as a warning.

"Scorchclaw needs rest," Violetheart told the two cats.

"He's been resting for days," Swiftstar said.

"Well, he needs more rest." Violetheart lashed her tail crossly.

"His mother wants to see him," Swiftstar countered. "She gets to come, and then he'll get the rest he needs." The WindClan leader dipped his head to Scorchclaw. "We'll talk when you're better."

Mother, Scorchclaw thought jubilantly. Russetstripe stepped aside to let Swiftstar leave the den, and just as his father disappeared, his mother's finely shaped head popped into the entrance. The ginger she-cat purred as she bounded through the entrance and covered her son with multiple licks. Scorchclaw groaned, but he didn't have the strength to push her off. Russetstripe watched with amusement gleaming in her green eyes.

"Oh, my precious son," Sunleaf whispered. "Thank the gods you woke up. I was beginning to lose hope, but you are a strong cat. I love you so much." His mother rested her head against Scorchclaw's chin, and love for her bubbled in Scorchclaw's chest. For a moment, it was nice to be treated as a kit – in Sunleaf's loving clutch, it was as if nothing could hurt him, just like in the nursery. But that was a fool's thought. He was an adult now, and even though he loved his mother more than he could ever express, even her love could not protect him from the grisly horrors of the world.

"Okay, okay." Violetheart's tail lashed in faint disapproval. "Time to go, all of you."

"Wait!" Sunleaf lifted her head. "I'm so, so sorry, Violetheart, I know, but can his friends please see him? They've been waiting just as long as we have! They deserve to know!"

"You can't tell them?" Violetheart inquired dryly.

"Please, Violetheart." Sunleaf's paws twitched. "They're outside the den, and I'm sure they'll just break in. Gorseflight has talked about holding you hostage."

"He what?" Violetheart's blue eyes blazed.

"He's just kidding!" Russetstripe exclaimed, defending the mottled gray-and-white tom. "But… he does want to see you, Scorchclaw."

"Oh, by all the gods," Violetheart sighed. "There's no herb in the world that can heal a headache like these young warriors give me." The gray medicine cat clicked her tongue. "Fine, let them in. But only a few minutes, and then I want them out."

"All right." Sunleaf dipped her head in slight thanks to the medicine cat, gave her son one last loving glance, and walked away. Scorchclaw watched her go, and excitement sizzled in his heart at the idea of seeing Gorseflight, Wildheart, and Blackdove again. Wildheart… Scorchclaw swallowed the lump in his throat as he remembered their last interaction. Wildheart had spat at him, saying that she hated him, and Scorchclaw couldn't blame her. He had broken her heart. But if Adderstripe's dead, I can explain to her why I did it, right?

Three bodies shoved their way into the crevice of the medicine den. Scorchclaw could hear Violetheart's long, suffering sigh, and he spotted Gorseflight's thin, lithe body at the lead of the cats. He lifted his head, and his blue eyes glowed when he spotted Scorchclaw. He bounded towards his best friend and touched his nose, purring.

"You're awake," Gorseflight muttered. "I knew that you'd pull through."

Blackdove squirmed after Gorseflight and licked Scorchclaw's shoulder roughly. "Never scare us like that again!"

Scorchclaw purred as the two cats fussed over him. "I'm all right, you two. I swear." Out of the corner of his eye, he was aware of Wildheart staring at her paws right at the entrance of the den, seemingly unable to say anything. Scorchclaw caught her eye, and Wildheart finally padded in. She gave him a crisp nod – as if they were simply acquaintances. As if they had never climbed the Great Oak and declared their love for each other.

"Glad you're okay," Wildheart meowed.

"Uh, thanks." Scorchclaw winced at the tension that sparked in the air between the two, and Gorseflight and Blackdove seemed to feel it as well. They exchanged nervous glances, and Gorseflight jerked his head. Blackdove nodded and turned to Scorchclaw.

"We'll come back later," Blackdove promised. "Come on, Gorseflight, Russetstripe."

Gorseflight led Blackdove out of the medicine den, and Russetstripe cast a questioning glance at Scorchclaw as Wildheart hovered near him. Scorchclaw nodded to her, and Russetstripe shrugged, following the three cats as they left the rock and melted into camp. Wildheart walked over to him, staring at her paws, both of them waiting for the other to speak.

Scorchclaw couldn't stand the silence anymore. "I'm so, so, sorry Wildheart. I swear, I didn't mean to break your heart." The ginger-and-white tom found the strength to rise to his paws to face Wildheart, meeting her gaze. "I was told that if I went near Adderstripe, you would be put in harm's way. Loving you was putting you in danger, Wildheart. If there was some way I could protect you, then I was going to take it. I just hated that it took breaking your heart to do it. I… I still love you. I always will."

Wildheart hung her head. "You could've told me. I don't care if my life was in danger, Scorchclaw. I would've stood next to you regardless." Pain glittered in the she-cat's yellow eyes. "I know why you did it. But that doesn't mean I'm okay with what you did."

"As long as I live, I will make certain you are never in any kind of danger again," Scorchclaw declared. "I will protect you with my life. Oh, Wildheart." He tried to touch her nose with his, but the she-cat jerked her head away, shattering Scorchclaw's heart into two. "I love you so much. I understand if you hate me. That's what I deserve. But…"

"But…?" Wildheart echoed.

"I understand if you don't want me back," Scorchclaw explained. "And I get it was stupid, what I did. If I could turn back time… I wouldn't do it again. I would be honest with you, and we could've figured it out together. What I did was wrong, and I truly regret it. I'm so sorry, Wildheart. I hope you can forgive me."

A small smile tugged at Wildheart's lips. "Only someone who has enough faith in others to turn that belief into themselves could've ever done something like this," she murmured under her breath. Then she cleared her throat. "I forgive you, Scorchclaw, but I'm still mad at you. You're going to have to do a lot to make it up to me, you know."

"Really?" Scorchclaw's yellow eyes widened.

"Of course, you stupid furball." Wildheart nuzzled Scorchclaw's aching cheek. "It'll take a while. But I do love you, Scorchclaw. I knew that something was wrong when I thought about it. I knew the real Scorchclaw would never. But I was just so blinded by anger and hatred that I never sat and considered why you did it. It took you being unconscious and so close to death for me to finally figure it out."

"I hope you'll never stop loving me, no matter what befalls us," Scorchclaw purred as Wildheart wound around him. "Even if you're pretty mad at me."

"We'll see." Wildheart nuzzled Scorchclaw and stepped back. "I'm going to let you get better. We have some catching up to do." Giving Scorchclaw one last lick, the tortoiseshell she-cat turned on her heel and padded out. Scorchclaw watched her go, his heart swelling with relief in his chest. I'm so glad she understands. I'll never break her heart again. I swear to the gods.