"What's got your tongue?"
Cloudtail swished his tail. "You're not my mate."
"And you're not the kind of tom to be a coward," Squirrelflight teased, her whisker-tips reaching to meet his. "I know you, Cloudtail, and I know you're a good hunter." She turned her head off into the distance. "Would you like to go outside?"
"Outside?" he meowed. "Now?"
"Let's explore."
Cloudtail took a step back. He wanted to say, What would Firestar think? What would Brightheart think? Instead, he meowed, "I can't."
"No one has to know," meowed Squirrelflight. "And if someone finds out, we can always tell them I dragged you along. I'm known to do that, you know."
Cloudtail paused and looked up at the moon. "I have a reputation to maintain."
"Then maintain it," she hissed, her nose brushing against his.
His fur fluffed up. He didn't take a step forward, and he didn't take a step backward. "I'm loyal to Brightheart," he meowed. "And you're supposed to be with Brambleclaw."
"I'm not mated to Brambleclaw," she snapped, "and I'm not going to have any kits, so what does it matter?"The moonlight cast a shadow upon her face. "It's just one night."
"You can have a nice life with him."
"I can have a nice life with anyone."
"It's different," Cloudtail meowed, "and you know it. Brambleclaw, he's loyal to you."
Squirrelflight's eyes narrowed. "Is that your way of saying you're not attracted to me?"
"You have a good reputation in ThunderClan," Cloudtail replied, his tone steady. "I don't want to risk it, for my mate, and for yours. Brightheart, and Brambleclaw, they trust us. You're my leader's daughter, I'm his nephew, and we can't risk the Clan. It's the wrong time."
"Wrong time?" she spat, her voice low and sharp. "You're a coward, then, if you're too scared to make the choice that's right for you." Squirrelflight shook out her ginger pelt. "I'll make it easy for you, Cloudtail."
Cloudtail watched as she padded away.
"I'm not scared," he growled.
Squirrelflight turned around, her ears flattened, her tailtip quivering. "If you're not scared, you'll go out with me."
"I won't betray Brightheart," Cloudtail growled.
"You're just afraid I'll be too much trouble to handle."
"You just want me so that you can spite Brambleclaw."
Squirrelflight padded forward, her eyes narrowing, her hackles raised. She circled around Cloudtail like a hawk would a mouse. "I just want to prove I can do more than just be Firestar's daughter. And I'll—"
The rustling of the Clan entrance gates sent a jolt through their pelts. The patrol came in through the thorn tunnel, their paws muddied, their fur stained by the forest. Cloudtail could make out the dark brown tabby fur of Brambleclaw in the lead. When he turned his head, his amber eyes were on them.
Cloudtail and Squirrelflight separated. "We should get back to our dens," he meowed. "I can—"
"You can what, Cloudtail?" Brambleclaw asked. The tabby tom walked over, his ears pricked forward in curiosity. He gave a quick nod of acknowledgement to Cloudtail. "I didn't think you two got along."
"We don't," they answered in unison.
The three cats shared an awkward silence.
" ...Are you both okay?" Brambleclaw inquired. His eyes narrowed. "You look strange."
" ...No,I'm not," mumbled Cloudtail. His tailtip twitched.
Squirrelflight rolled her eyes. "We're fine."
"Did something happen?" Brambleclaw asked. He turned his head around to the warriors' den, where Dustpelt was already tucking in. "Was there a fight?"
Squirrelflight swished her tail. "Why don't you ask him? I have nothing to say to either of you toms."
Brambleclaw opened his mouth to reply, but Squirrelflight cut him off.
"Good night," she mewed.
"Wait—" Brambleclaw meowed.
But Squirrelflight didn't pause for either of them. Instead, she stalked off, her ginger pelt disappearing behind the holly bush that concealed the warriors' den. The air grew thick with silence. Brambleclaw sat down beside him. He looked to the Clan leader's den, perched on the Highrock.Too far for Firestar to hear their murmurs, yet too close for comfort.
Cloudtail drew a breath. "Squirrelflight, she... she's your mate, isn't she?"
Brambleclaw's eyes went distant. "Not anymore. We separated a few moons back." He paused, then asked, "Do you like her?"
"No!" Cloudtail hissed. "No, no, no. I have a mate. And I'm loyal to her."
"Then what were you two talking about?" Brambleclaw's voice went soft. "Cloudtail, please. She won't tell me, so you need to tell me. Is something going on between the two of you?"
" ...Yes," he replied, "but it's not what you think. Squirrelflight, she... she was trying to seduce me, but I said no."
"Why?"
"Why?" Cloudtail spat. "Because I'm loyal to my mate, Brambleclaw!"
"You should've said yes."
"What?!" Cloudtail meowed, his tail flaring. He looked over his shoulder, half-expecting to see Firestar emerging from the shadows.
"She wanted you, didn't she?"
"But I have Brightheart! What's your game here, Brambleclaw?"
"Maybe you should consider taking another mate. Squirrelflight, maybe."
"I have Brightheart. I don't want to be with anyone else. Why aren't I getting through to you?!" Cloudtail hissed. "What's gotten into you?!"
Brambleclaw's amber eyes took on an unfamiliar glint. "You should be the one asking yourself that. Tell me. Do you have any idea how much trouble you've gotten us in?"
His voice went tight, and his claws gouged the ground. "Look around you, Cloudtail. Look at all these cats, all these lives. We're not supposed to be here. Not in these territories, not after we've left the forest. Do you think it's a coincidence we came across this valley? With lush prey, a lake, and even gathering spots?"
Cloudtail blinked in bewilderment. What was Brambleclaw going on about?
"We're here for a reason, Cloudtail," the dark tabby continued. The glint in his amber eyes grew more intense. "We've been guided to this place. The Clans, we're supposed to live here. Together. We need unity. Alliances. And we need cats who can carry on our bloodlines, too."
"What does this have to do with Squirrelflight?!" Cloudtail asked in disbelief. He could feel the fur along his back begin to rise. "I don't understand!"
"You've been nothing but ungrateful," Brambleclaw meowed. He took a step forward, his hackles raised. "You keep questioning Firestar's leadership, his decisions, yet he's put up with you for all these moons, hasn't he? Do you think he enjoys dealing with a whiny, clingy kit?"
"Hey! You're getting out of line—"
"Am I?" Brambleclaw asked. He met his glare without flinching, his nostrils quivering in anger. "Well, maybe I need to get out of line more often. Because I can't stand to watch someone with such a high rank disrespect Firestar like this!"
Cloudtail lashed his tail, unsheathing his claws. "Brambleclaw, I'm moons older than you! I've earned my respect, and you can't talk to me like that!"
"Maybe I can't, but I should. Someone needs to set you straight." He thrust his muzzle into his face, his whiskers brushing his cheek fur. "Firestar knows what he's doing. He knows what he's planning. And if you just listened to him for once, then you'd understand he's doing what's best for us."
He could feel the blood pounding in his ears. Cloudtail leaned forward until they were nose to nose, the scent of tabby filling his nostrils. The two toms stared down each other for several moments, chests heaving with anger. Brambleclaw looked like a different cat: not the bright, eager apprentice or the awkward, shy warrior, but adangerous catwho could tear him from ear to ear.
At last, the dark tabby turned away and walked back to the warriors den.
Cloudtail drew a ragged breath. His claws sheathed. He shivered, his tail curling around his flank. Then he stalked off to the other side of the holly bush. Around him, camp was asleep, but his mind raced with thoughts.
Brightheart. His sweet, beautiful Brightheart. What would she think of him if she'd seen him talking to Squirrelflight? Surely she knew he would never betray her. And yet...
He looked up at the Highrock. Firestar's den hung overhead, a looming reminder of his Clan leader's presence. Cloudtail narrowed his eyes, his pelt prickling with anger.
He'll know what I've been thinking. Maybe he'll try to talk to me again. Or maybe he won't, but—
Cloudtail shook his head, suddenly aware of how late it was. He needed to get to sleep—he could figure this out tomorrow.
But his body rebelled against him. He squirmed, his fur crawling with the urge to be up and moving. The moon was bright, and his senses were awake; he could see the crickets chirping on the distant hill, and hear the gush of the river beyond the hollow. His whiskers tingled, and his muscles burned.
Cloudtail got to his feet. He couldn't sleep now. He wouldn't be able to, even if he wanted to.
"Brightheart." He padded over to the medicine den.
Leafpool was was alone, asleep on the previous medicine cat's nest.
He touched his nose to her shoulder. "Hey. Hey."
She stirred. "Mmmf?" Her eye opened, and her tail curled around his flank. "Whuss wrong?"
"Let's go on a walk," he meowed, his voice hushed. "I can't sleep. I don't want to be here right now."
Brightheart yawned, her tongue curling. She blinked, then looked at him through weary, squinting eyes. "Cloudtail? Is something wrong?"
He licked her ear. "Please. I just—I don't want to be in camp. Can we go somewhere? Together?"
He felt guilty when her expression softened. "All right," she murmured. She rose to her feet, shaking out her pelt. "Where do you want to go?"
"I don't know."
He glanced around, but the clearing was empty. He didn't bother to say a word of explanation as he turned away and headed for the dirtplace, walking alongside her.
"Wait. Where are you going?"
"To the river." Cloudtail's mouth settled into a thin line, his whiskers trembling with determination. "We need to talk."
They walked along the streambed. The night was cold and clear, with a gentle breeze flowing through the reeds. Cloudtail shivered. His paws ached; he wished he could run home, but there was nowhere for him to go.
He glanced sideways. Brightheart padded beside him, her gaze fixed on the distant shore. She seemed to sense his gaze, because she turned her head toward him, blinking once. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah," he meowed. "I just—"
The words caught in his throat. He didn't want to tell her what he was really thinking. Didn't want her to know.
He swallowed. "How are you doing?"
"I'm fine." Brightheart's tail lashed behind her, her single good eye shining with concern. "Cloudtail, what's going on?"
He shook his head. "I don't think I should say anything."
"Why not?" Her tone grew worried, and she leaned in. "You can trust me, I promise."
"I know. It's just..."
He stopped walking, coming to stand at the water's edge. The stream rushed by, its surface reflecting moonlight like a million tiny stars. His reflection stared back at him, wide-eyed and anxious. "I've been thinking a lot lately." He closed his eyes. "About the Clan."
"Okay."
He forced himself to meet her gaze. "I love you," he meowed quietly. "You're brave, loyal, determined. And strong. You always have been. When we were kits, you were so much fun to be around, so sure of yourself, so... confident." His throat tightened. "But now—"
"Go on," Brightheart prompted gently, reaching out to touch her nose to his cheek. "Tell me what you've been thinking."
He took a deep breath. "When I joined the Clan, I wanted to help it grow. To become better, stronger, safer. To make sure everyone here could live in peace." He paused. "I still want those things. And they'll happen someday. But..." He swallowed, forcing himself to finish his words. "Sometimes I wonder if I'm good enough to keep up with all that."
Brightheart frowned, tilting her head. "Cloudtail," she began, but he cut her off.
"No, no—it's okay," he mewed quickly. "Really, it's not a big deal. Most of the time I don't even think about it. I just keep focusing on how to do better next time." And how to avoid embarrassing myself in front of everyone, like I did earlier. "But then sometimes I can't stop wondering... What would've happened if I'd never come to the forest? If I hadn't chosen this life? Would everything have turned out for the best without me? Would Firestar havetrained a better warrior than me? Someone else, someone more competent? Or would it have made no difference at all?"
He met her eyes, searching them desperately. "Am I making the right decisions?" he whispered. "Do I know what I'm doing?"
Brightheart stared at him for a long moment, her gaze unreadable. Then, finally, she sighed. "You've always known your own mind."
Cloudtail blinked. That wasn't the reassurance he'd hoped for. His paws pricked with frustration, and he felt his ears flatten.
"That's not an answer," he growled, unable to keep the edge out of his voice. "I want to know if you think I've been wrong. If you think I should have done differently." He turned away, tail lashing angrily. "If you don't believe in me anymore. At least be honest."
He waited for her reply. When none came, he looked back over his shoulder. She wasn't looking at him; instead, her single blue eye was fixed between the reeds on the bank. Her tail-tip twitched.
"Brightheart," Cloudtail prompted. "You promised to tell me what you really thought."
"I did," Brightheart murmured, her eye still fixed between the reeds. Her fur fluffed up with agitation. "Cloudtail, look!"
Cloudtail followed her gaze. His eyes widened.
A cat peered at him through the reeds—a ginger tom with bright green eyes. His coat gleamed in the moonlight, sleek and clean, free of flecks or knots. He held himself with confidence, his tail arched proudly over his back.
"Firestar?" Cloudtail blurted.
The two cats stared at their Clan leader. Firestar's ears flicked, and he tilted his head ever-so-slightly. "Cloudtail," he meowed, "Brightheart. Good to see you. Nice night for a stroll." He hesitated, then added, "I trust you've been enjoying the river?"
"It's a good stream," Brightheart replied. "Lots of fish. What brings you down here?"
"I could ask the same question," the ginger tom purred. "But I'm glad I caught the two of you together, actually. Do you mind if I join you?"
Cloudtail stiffened. "No. Of course not."
Firestar stepped into the stream, wading across the water with ease. He shook droplets from his paws when he reached them, then sat down, curling his tail neatly over his front paws. His green gaze darted between the two younger warriors. "I hope I haven't disturbed you."
"—Not at all," Brightheart meowed, dipping her head in greeting. "Please, sit. It's nice to see you."
"Mmm." Firestar glanced between them once more, his whiskers twitching with amusement. "I see."
Cloudtail's claws sank into the ground. He forced himself to remain still, to keep his expression neutral.
"How has your night been?" Brightheart asked. "Have you been busy?"
"I'm always busy," Firestar replied, his voice taking on a rueful tone. "There's never enough time in a day to do everything I need to."
"It sounds like you need a good way to relax," Brightheart meowed. "I know some exercises that might help."
"Thank you," Firestar mewed. "I'll think about that." The ginger tom turned his attention to Cloudtail. "And you, Cloudtail?"
"What?" he blurted.
"How has your night been?"
His fur fluffed up. "Fine," he meowed.
"Really? Just 'fine'?" Firestar's green gaze seemed to bore into him, reading every twitch of his ears, the flick of his tail. "Nothing exciting going on tonight, then?"
Cloudtail forced himself to meet his gaze. "No. Nothing."
"I see." Firestar's eyes narrowed. "And I suppose Brightheart hasn't told you anything interesting?"
Cloudtail's tail lashed. What game was Firestar playing? Did the ginger tom know something? Or did he suspect something? "No," he replied. "She hasn't said a word to me." His tone grew sharper than he'd intended. "We came here to talk. Alone." He paused, then added, "Together."
Firestar glanced from one cat to the other. Then his muzzle split open, his eyes twinkling with mirth, revealing sharp, white teeth. "Ah. I understand. Forgive me for interrupting your... conversation."
Cloudtail felt his fur burning. Beside him, Brightheart was stiff with embarrassment. Neither warrior spoke. The silence stretched on.
I shouldn't be here, Cloudtail thought. I should be anywhere else.
Firestar seemed content to sit in awkward silence. Finally, the ginger tom meowed, "Well, I think it's time westarted."
"Started?" Cloudtail asked. "What do you mean? Started what?"
"We're going hunting," Firestar replied. "The three of us."
Cloudtail blinked. "I... we..." He glanced sidelong at Brightheart. Her expression was blank.
"It's been a while since the Clan's leader hunted alongside his warriors," Firestar continued. "And it's a beautiful night. Let's enjoy it."
Cloudtail's tail-tip twitched. The tension in his shoulders eased slightly, though he still eyed his leader with suspicion.
"I'm not sure this is a good idea," he meowed.
"Why not?" The tip of Firestar's tail twitched. "I need the practice. And it'll help me stay in shape." His green gaze slid to Brightheart. "What do you think?"
Brightheart hesitated, then mewed, "It sounds wonderful."
The fur along Cloudtail's spine prickled uncomfortably. Did Brightheart not sense anything odd? How could she agree so easily?
"It'll be fun," Firestar meowed. Cloudtail watched as he dipped his head towards Brightheart, the ginger tom's whiskers brushing against hers. "Won't it, Brightheart?"
"Yes," she murmured, returning his gesture. "Yes, I suppose it will."
Cloudtail glanced away. His chest burned with jealousy. Was Brightheart really okay with this?
He wanted to say something—anything!—to remind Firestar of his loyalty, his commitment to ThunderClan, his dedication to its leader. But he remained silent, unable to form the words.
Firestar rose to his paws. "Come," he mewed. "We don't want to waste this night." He padded forward, tail high.
Cloudtail glanced at Brightheart, his eyes questioning. Her gaze was on Firestar. After a heartbeat, she turned to meet his stare. She dipped her head. Then, she followed the ginger tom, padding after him through the reeds.
A chill crept into his fur. He swallowed, his pelt suddenly feeling heavy, his muscles tense. The night seemed to grow darker, colder; the air felt heavy with menace. Something wasn't right. Something was very wrong here...
But what?
He shook his head. He needed to stay focused. If he kept letting himself get distracted, he might miss something important.
Cloudtail forced himself to his paws. He shook out his pelt. With a last glance over his shoulder—back towards the stream, and the reeds—he hurried to catch up with his mate and his Clan leader.
But Firestar didn't slow his pace for him. Instead, he pushed on ahead,each step more brisk than the last. Soon, they were running through the forest. They wove between trees and bushes, leaping fallen branches, their pelts flashing silver in the moonlight. Cloudtail kept up as best he could, but the ginger tom was alwaystwo steps ahead.
He knows something. Cloudtail's heart pounded against his ribs. His paws ached with exhaustion; he wasn't used to moving this fast for this long. He knows something! He tried to keep up, but he fell farther behind.
Why is he leading us through the forest?
His breath caught in his throat. He could see nothing but the shadows of trees ahead. Every so often, he glimpsed Brightheart's white patches, but even she was growing distant. The forest was swallowing him. Trapping him.
Cloudtail forced his legs to move faster. Faster.
He had to keep up. He had to find out what was happening here. Where were they going? Why was Firestar taking them deeper into the forest? How far would he lead them?
Cloudtail stumbled. His legs buckled. With a grunt of pain, he fell forward, slamming against the ground. Leaves crunched beneath him. Twigs scratched at his face.
He pushed himself up, panting heavily, his flanks heaving. He blinked away stars of dizziness from his vision. Ahead of him lay nothing but the looming shapes of trees. No cat. Nothing. Not even a scent-trace of Brightheart's sweet smell...
Nothing.
"Firestar!" he shouted, his voice echoing through the darkness. "Brightheart! Where are you?"
His only reply came from a distant owl. Who? Who?
"Brightheart!" he yowled again. "Brightheart!"
The owl screeched back at him. Hoo!
Cloudtail staggered forward, shaking. He stumbled blindly through the trees. His paws caught on roots; branches whipped his face. Stumbling, tripping, he pushed onward, deeper and deeper into the forest.
"Brightheart," he gasped. "Please. I need you." He fell to his haunches, coughing. "I can't do this alone. I'm lost." Cloudtail squeezed his eyes shut.
Then his ears pricked up, because he heard something. Something faint, far away, but unmistakable: a scream.
He sprang to his paws. Heart racing, he charged through the undergrowth. Brambles scratched his muzzle; he didn't care. Branches raked his fur; he ignored them. He sprinted faster, harder, desperate to reach the source of the cry.
"Mrrooow!"
Leaves exploded in a flurry around him. He broke out of the trees. His vision cleared, revealing a small glade. A stream bubbled nearby.
"Mrrrrrrrooow!" the cry came again.
His heart clenched. He froze. Brightheart was there, in front of him. The white patches of her fur glowed in the moonlight. Her tail was lifted high, quivering. Her back arched. Her mouth hung open. Her single blue eye rolled.
" ...mrrroooow?"
She made that sound, but she didn't struggle. She didn't try to escape. She lay there, on the ground, with his uncle, his mentor, his saviour, his Clan leader, atop of her.
"Brightheart...!" Cloudtail choked. Firestar's head turned to face him, his green eyes flashing with malice. His gaze bore into his nephew, and Cloudtail shrank away. The ginger tom bared his teeth. A low, menacing growl rumbled in his throat.
Cloudtail's heart pounded. He couldn't move. Couldn't breathe. He wanted to run, to flee, to get away from here, but his paws were rooted to the spot. He could only watch, frozen, as Firestar pressed himself against Brightheart. Against hiskithood friend. Thewarrior he had chosen as a mate. She didn't resist; her head lolled back, her jaws agape, her tongue hanging out, herforepawsthumping, thumping against the ground,and her haunches quivering.
Then she screamed again.
"Mrrooow!"
Firestar's teeth sank into Brightheart's neck, holding her down. She squirmed beneath him, but he held firm. His tail lashed violently behind him. His haunches slammed into her. Again. And again.Tchok! Tchok!
Cloudtail stared in disbelief. This couldn't be happening. Not to him. Not to them. Not like this...!
He backed away, hissing under his breath. "Stop it," he rasped. "Stop it. Stop it!"
"Brightheart!" he yowled.
Firestar halted, his head snapping around to face him. His green eyes narrowed. "H-hey," he grunted, his haunches still thrusting against Brightheart's. He held Cloudtail's gaze for a heartbeat. Then his lips curled back into a sneer. "You can't have her." He slammed into her. Tchok! "She's my prey now."
Each thrustleaked droplets of his uncle's slick fluid onto the ground. Plip! Plip! The grass grew drenched, stained by his uncle's scent. The reek was thick in his nose, choking him; he gagged. His body shook, his pelt crawling with disgust.
Firestar's eyes burned. "Watch." He pulled out of her. Snkt!
His haunches rose upward. Brightheart gasped, her tongue hanging from her jaws, her eye wide."Clou—"
Firestar's fur fluffed up, making him look larger than Cloudtail had ever seen him before. The ginger tom snarled. He slammed down, hilting his length inside her.Thwack! She went rigid, her body quaking. Her jaws stretched open. She screamed.
"MMMMRRRRROOOOW!"
Cloudtail stared in horror. His mouth fell slack. His fur bristled. His heart beat so loud, he could hear nothing else—not the wind through the trees, not the stream gurgling nearby...Th-thump! Th-thump! only his heartbeat, pounding harder and harder. Faster and faster.
Th-thump!
Th-thump!
TH-THUMP!
He wanted to scream. Wanted to tear his own eyes out. Wanted to claw at his face, rip out all his fur, tear out all his teeth—anything to stop this horror.
His gaze fixed on Firestar, watching his uncle thrust, slam, pull, push, thrust again. Tchok, tzuk, tchok, tchuk, schlop! Cloudtail's uncle kept going, kept forcing himself inside Brightheart, hilting inside her. Kept making those noises, those terrible noises, tchok, tzuk, tchok, tchuk, again, and again, and again...
"No..."
He unsheathed his claws. They gouged deep furrows into the ground.Skkkrrrrrt! He hissed. His ears flattened. He bared his fangs, his tailwent straight up, his haunches quivered. He lunged forward—
"Cloudtail!"
Firestar's growl cut through the night, sending him crack! against the dirt.
"Don't interfere," his uncle ordered. "I won't let you ruin this."
Cloudtail snarled, his muzzle contorting with rage. His claws tore deeper into the earth. "Get off her!" he spat. "Right now!"
"Or what?" Firestar sneered. "What exactly are you going to do?"
"Why are you doing this?" Cloudtail demanded.
"Because," Firestar replied, his green gaze boring into his, "sometimes the best way to teach an apprentice a lesson is through pain."
"What..." Cloudtail shook his head. His mind reeled. "No, this isn't like you! You don't do these kinds of things!"
"Oh?" Firestar asked. "Really? And what kind of cat am I, Cloudtail?"
"A good one!" he cried. "A noble one! A leader! The saviour of our Clan!"
"Ah," the tom purred. "I suppose that makes sense." His green gaze narrowed, and his muzzle pulled back in a smirk. "You are my nephew, after all."
Cloudtail shook his head, his pelt trembling. "Please... just stop..."
"I think not," Firestar meowed. "Not until you understand."
"I understand plenty," Cloudtail hissed. His voice cracked. "Stop hurting her. Please, stop hurting her..."
"Tell me," Firestar growled, his haunchesthumping against hers. She shuddered, her body going limp, her eye rolling up. "What did you mean when you said I wasa weak leader?"
"I didn't—"
"You did." His uncle snarled. "And you hurt me. More than you could ever know."
Cloudtail froze. His eyes went wide. He stared at Firestar, uncomprehending.
Firestar glared back, his gaze burning into his own. "You hurt me," he repeated."Because I trusted you. I loved you. And you spat in my face, and called me weak."
The white tom's heart pounded against his ribs. His body shook. His blood roared in his ears.TH-THUMP!TH-THUMP!
He forced himself to hold the tom's green stare. "I never meant it," he choked out. "I was confused, I was frustrated, I wanted to help the Clan, but every cat just kept treating me like I was stupid, like I couldn't make my own decisions..."
"I know," Firestar meowed. His tone went soft, almost gentle. "You didn't mean it. But that doesn't excuse what you did, Cloudtail. You hurt me. You called your uncle weak, and stupid, and helpless. And now you're paying the price."
Cloudtail shook his head. He couldn't breathe. Couldn't think.
"Please stop," he whimpered.
Plap! Plap!
Firestar slammed into Brightheart again, forcing her to shriek.Th-th-thok!
Th-th-thok!
Her tail lashed, quivering behind her. Her single blue eye stared blankly up at the sky. _Mrroooow...!_
I see it coming, do I run orrake my clawsor let it be?
There is no beat, norhythm, only fear.
Plap, plap, thwack! Thwack! Thwack!
Firestar, my first friend, my uncle, my leader.
Th-th-thuk, tch-tch-tchok, shhlk!
"Enough!" Cloudtail howled, lunging forward— Clap! Firestar batted him away.
"Cloudtail," he rasped. "You will learn. To. Respect. Me."
The white tom staggered stared at him, unseeing. Her muzzle hung slack. Her tongue hung out. Her jaws stretched open, her teeth flashing in the moonlight.
"C-cloudtail," she whispered. "I-it's all right. I... I don't mind this."
"What?" Cloudtail meowed.
She took a deep, shuddering breath. She met his gaze. "I...w w-wanthim," she whimpered. "He's going to sire my kits, Cloudtail. Our k-kits."
Cloudtail shook his head. His eyes went wide. He couldn't breathe."You're not making any sense! This is wrong!"
Crunch!
Firestar's teeth sank into his scruff. He yowled, his paws skidding out from under him. He collapsed onto the dirt. The ginger tom slammed him against the ground, his claws unsheathed, his teeth bared.
"You're pathetic," Firestar spat. He pinned him down with his forepaw, his claws digging into his throat. "And I'm done being gentle."
Cloudtail struggled. Wump! Firestar slammed him harder against the ground.
"Do you know how much I've protected you over the moons? How many battles I've fought on your behalf? How much I've sacrificed to keep you safe?"
He stared up at his uncle. At the cat he'd trusted. At his leader. At the cat who was supposed to look out for him. At his uncle.
The sky behind Firestar grew dark, the stars fading into blackness.
Tall trees rose from the ground, reaching up towards the night. Their branches swayed in a breeze he couldn't feel. The shadows between them seemed to twist, to shift, to move...
"Do you understand, Cloudtail?"
His uncle's face filled his vision, blocking out everything else. Those green eyes burned into him.
"Tell me you understand."
He opened his mouth, but no words came. His throat closed. He couldn't speak.
Firestar leaned closer. "Tell me you understand," he repeated. "Say it."
Cloudtail closed his eyes.
He forced the words from his throat. "I..." He swallowed hard. " ...I understand."
Firestar let out a long, low growl, his hot breath washing over him. "Then this is what you deserve."
He released him. The weight on his chest lifted. Cloudtail staggered to hispaws. He stared up at the ginger tom, uncomprehending. "What... What do you want from me?"
Firestar turned away, padding back toward Brightheart. She lay on her side, her body curled in upon itself, her tail tucked between her legs.
The ginger tom lowered his head to lick her ear. "Shh," he whispered. "It'll be over soon."
He reared onto his hind legs, rising to stand above her. His paws rested atop her neck, pinning her down.
Brightheart looked at Cloudtail, her eye dull, unfocused."I'm s-so sorry," she murmured."Please... just g-go back to camp. F-forget all about me."
The white tom shook his head. He felt numb, empty, hollow. He took a step forward.
"Stay where you are," Firestar warned, raising his head to look at him. His green eyes flashed with menace."Or I'll rip your throat out. Right now."
Cloudtail froze.
Firestar returned his attention to Brightheart. "Are you ready?" he asked softly. "I'll make it quick. It'll be over in a heartbeat. I promise."
She shuddered. She turned her face away."J-just do it," she whispered.
His uncle lowered himself atop adjusted his stance, pressing the tip of his member against her haunches. Then he thrust forward, forcing himself inside.Tchuk!
Brightheart's eye went jaws snapped shut, silencing her scream. Her body jerked, twisting beneath her leader.
Firestar huffed, his chest rumbling. His haunches slammed into her. Thump! He pulled back, and thrust again. Shlp! Again, and again, and again. His memberthrobbed inside her, his fur slick, his tail lashing.Th-thuk! Shhhlk! Thump!Shllp! Plap! Th-thok!
Cloudtail, with a careful step, backed away. One step at a time. And then another, and another. Soon, his uncle's form grew smaller. The darkness between the trees crept around Cloudtail. He kept moving, not daring to stop.
He couldn't look back.
Plp, plap, thwack thwa-thwack th-thok...
The sounds grew distant, until finally, they faded away altogether. Until he could hear nothing at all.
Shhhhh... The stream flowed beside him. A cool breeze whispered through the reeds.
Cloudtail stared down. His reflection stared back up at him. Two blueeyes gleamed in the water, bright against the darkness of his surroundings. For a heartbeat, he could only stand there, staring into his own gaze.
Then he blinked. He dipped his head, lapping at the water, letting it wash over his tongue, filling his mouth. It tasted sweet. Cold. Refreshing. He closed his eyes, and drank again. And then once more, letting the water run down his throat.
When his thirst was quenched, he lifted his head, opening his eyes. In the stream, his reflection met his. But it wasn't his face. It was Bluestar's.
"—!" He leapt back, gasping, his pelt bristling.
"Cloudtail," the she-cat's voice murmured, echoing across the night air.
He swallowed. He forced himself to approach the stream, to lean down, to peer into the water. The former leader's image stared up at him. Her steely blue eyes locked with his own."Bluestar," he whispered, shaking his head in disbelief. "What are you doing here?"
"Cloudtail." She dipped her head in greeting, sending ripples across the water's surface. "It seems I must guide another one of Firestar's kin."
"Guide me?" Cloudtail asked. "To do what?"
"To save the Clan, Cloudtail. From destruction. You must stop this madness, before it goes too far."
The white tom frowned. He couldn't wrap his head around what was happening. "What do you mean?" he demanded. "How can I stop anyone from doing anything? I couldn't even stop my uncle!"
The she-cat's muzzle curled into a slight smile. "Oh, but you can. You can stop him. But you can't do it alone." She looked past him, her gaze drifting into the distance.
Cloudtail followed her stare. The shadows between the trees seemed to shift. To move...
"There," Bluestar meowed. "They'll help."
He blinked. Two cats stepped out of the darkness. A dark brown tabby, and a sleek-furred tortoiseshell.
"Cloudtail, you've become part of a bigger just don't know it yet."
THE END