Snow drifted slowly to the ground as I trudged on. I didn't want to run the whole way and drain all my energy, but at this rate I would be too late.

I sighed and looked ahead. Nothing but trees and snow. Why couldn't I have just listened to Flick the first time he tried to warn me? Then we could have dealt with Fogbreeze together and I wouldn't be hurrying to see if he was okay.

I didn't know for sure that Fogbreeze would attack Flick, but the story Blizzardrain had told me more or less confirmed it. The gray tabby seemed to have grown closer to me in the past few moons which made me believe he wanted me to be his Mapleflight, but stay with him. It was obvious he could see the closeness between me and Flick, so he felt the need to get rid of him before the sandy tom convinced me to turn against Fogbreeze.

Of course this was just a theory, but what else could I think? It fit perfectly with his personality and ambitions, except for the part about attacking him in front of a whole patrol. That just wasn't discreet enough for Fogbreeze. Unless he would use his leader status against them?

The thought of what Fogbreeze might do to Flick made me pick up the pace. Even if I was going the wrong way, I would need to hurry to catch up to Bella. I didn't want her trying to protect Flick when Fogbreeze has had so much more battle training than the cream she-cat. Besides, she was a healer, not a fighter.

The snow clung to my fur and I shivered. Why did this have to happen during Leaf-bare? Why did Newleaf have to be so late? Why didn't I listen to Flick sooner? Why hadn't I eaten before leaving? Why did the snow be so cold? Why did the border have to be so long?

These thoughts ran through my mind but I didn't stop. I slowed to a walk, but I didn't stop. I pushed myself to keep going, even though the thought of stopping occured to me many times. I just kept thinking of Fogbreeze's intentions and continued on.

*

I couldn't tell you how long it took until I heard something other than the howling wind. It was something familiar, something I should recognize but was too tired to react to it. Something I had been searching for.

Voices!

As soon as this registered in my mind, I shook out my pelt and looked ahead. I could just barely make out three figures ahead. I staggered toward them in relief but my legs felt numb and my pelt was like ice, not to mention my stomach felt like it was eating itself from not eating all day. So without ever consciously deciding to, I collapsed onto the snowy ground.

"Lavenderbreeze!"

I heard a familiar voice calling to me. Pinepaw? Had he died as well and he was taking me to Starclan? No, that wasn't it. The orange cat? Why would he take me to Starclan? Unless I was going to the Dark Forest for not getting to Flick in time? No, that was a ridiculous way to be sent to the Place of No Stars.

"Lavenderbreeze, can you hear me?"

I groaned and made and effort to open my eyes. Familiar green eyes stared into mine. Now I knew I was in Starclan. At least we were here together.

"Flick . . ." I murmured.

If I was dead, why was I still so cold? I had asked myself a similar question before, which meant I might not be dead. I struggled to find my paws to stand but someone gently nudged me down.

"Wait, stay there. You don't need to g-get up."

The sandy tom shivered but lay down beside me and dropped something in front of me.

"Here, eat this."

Something warm and mouthwatering was placed a mouse-length in front of me. I stretched forward to take a bite and purred. The taste was just as good as the smell. I took another bite, and another. The warmth of the prey spread through me and the meat returned my strength to me. I was so hungry, I consumed every last bit of it, swiping my tongue over my jaws to get any remainders.

I gathered my paws beneath me and sat up. I gazed into Flick's eyes and purred nuzzling him. I had never been so grateful in my life.

"Thank Starclan you're alright! Thank you for the prey."

Flick nuzzled me in return. "Your welcome, but why wouldn't I be okay? Sure the storm is pretty bad, but we were looking for shelter when we found you. What were you doing out here all on your own? If you wanted to come looking for me, you should have at least brought a patrol."

I stopped and looked at him. "You mean Fogbreeze isn't here yet?"

I heard a small gasp, but I ignored it. The only important thing was warning Flick before it was too late.

"What are you talking about? And why are you calling Fogstar by his warrior name? Did you sleepwalk out here or have a nightmare?" Flick asked.

I shook my head. "No, and I'm not delusional, either. Listen, we have to go before Fogbreeze finds us. He's after you, but it's a long story so don't ask. Before we go though, I need you to know that I love you. I'm so sorry I didn't see it before, and I'm sorry I didn't believe you. What matters is that you were right and we can get out of here before it's too late."

Flick looked baffled but didn't question me anymore. Instead he smiled. "I love you, too." He nuzzled me again.

"Look, this is all very sweet, but we'd better listen to her and get out of this storm. Finding shelter is the most vital thing right now." One of the cats on the patrol said. She looked familiar, but didn't have the energy to put much effort into remembering.

Flick nodded. "That's a good idea, Hollyflame. Could you and Stormcatcher scout out the area? I'll stay here with Lavenderbreeze."

I didn't hear the two leave but when I looked up, they were gone. "Th-thanks," I said, shivering.

Flick pressed against me again. "Don't worry, they'll find some shelter from the storm and then you'll be out of the cold and wind."

I smiled and lay down again. It was cold, but warm where he pressed up against me. I was unaware of time passing again until Hollyflame and Stormcatcher returned.

"We couldn't exactly find p-perfect shelter, but there's a cluster of bushes not too far from here that will w-work okay." Stormcatcher, the tom, reported.

Hollyflame nodded. "It'll fit the four of us, but we'll have to huddle close. Shouldn't be mush of a problem because of this c-cold."

Flick stood up and I did as well, not wanting to lose the heat he gave off. We followed the two Mistclan warriors back into their territory until we reached the bush cluster. They let us enter first, then they were on the outside.

"Flick?" I murmured as I lay down, relieved to be out of the wind.

"Hm?" He asked before yawning.

"Thanks again for saving me."

The sandy tom purred. "You're welcome."

-

It didn't seem like we had been sleeping for long when the cats in the bush cluster hustled out of it quickly. My head shot up in alarm, still groggy from sleep.

"Wha? What's going on?"

I heard growling outside the temporary den and I stretched before squeezing out. I gasped in alarm when I saw the scene that was unfolding.

The snowstorm wasn't hardly as bad as it had been before, snow stuck to the ground and still drifted from the sky.  It might have been peaceful if not for the only thing that could destroy it.

Flick was attempting to dodge blows from a newcomer. Hollyflame was hissing, her head jerking from one to another as if she didn't know who to fight. Stormcatcher was standing closest to the bush cluster, watching the tustling cats in alarm. The newcomer was terrifyingly familiar.

Fogbreeze.

I surged forward. "Fogbreeze, stop!"

I hadn't realized before, but Flick had a torn ear and blood was trickling from his belly along with some pretty deep scratches. He had put up a fight, though. Fogbreeze's tail was all bloody and had a few good scratches.

Hollyflame hissed at me. "Stay out of this."

Fogbreeze shoved Flick away and approached me. "Lavenderbreeze, what are you doing all the way out here?" He asked.

I narrowed my eyes. "Warning Flick that you were going to do this." I gestured with my tail to Flick standing bloody, watching us.

Fogbreeze tilted his head. "Whatever do you mean? I was just defending myself when he attacked me."

"I did not attack you." Flick growled. "When I got up to stretch my legs I saw you and just told me what I suspected all along and what Lavenderbreeze told me - that you're a manipulating fox-heart who has done terrible things. That's when you attacked me."

I looked the gray tabby tom over. "The evidence seems to check out. He has worse wounds than you do, since you attacked first. It's obvious he was just defending himself."

"Oh really?" Fogbreeze smiled. "Well Lavenderbreeze, I'm doing this for us. I'm sure you've heard the stories, I want you to be my Mapleflight. We could rule Mistclan together, and make it stronger than ever."

I took a step back. "So you're saying you'll kill me along with attempt to kill our kits if we have any? I will never go with you willingly, I love Flick, not you. I guess that's why you're trying to kill him. You're the reason Leafclan was destroyed! Oh, and what about Amberblaze? I thought she was your deputy? Unless you were going to replace her with me once we became so-called mates?"

Fogbreeze sighed. "You can be so difficult, which doesn't match your beauty."

I growled. "Looks can be deceiving, Fogbreeze."

"What disrespect that you don't refer to my leader name." Fogbreeze said calmly.

"Yeah, well you're not a leader in my eyes."

Hollyflame swiped at me. "How dare you disrespect our leader?"

I jumped back and stared at her in disbelief. "How can you defend him? Can't you see what he's done to one of his clanmates? Didn't you hear what I, or Flick, said? He's a terrible cat. He's the reason Leafclan is gone. He's following the dark path of his mother's father, Frostwhisker. He wants to force me to be his mate and he'll kill me when I turn against him. How could you possibly defend a cat like that?"

Hollyflame looked conflicted. "How do I know you aren't just making this up?"

I sighed. "Look, I didn't witness any of this myself but Blizzardrain did. He told me everything right before he died this morning." I looked around and realized how dark it was in the snowy, misty forest.

Hollyflame's eyes widened and Stormcatcher stepped forward. "Blizzardrain is dead?" The dark gray tom asked.

I just nodded, and he gasped. "I-I have to go." Stormcatcher stammered before racing off in the direction of camp.

I looked at Hollyflame questioningly. "Blizzardrain was his father's, and then his friend." She answered my confused gaze.

"Yes, so very sad that we lost Mistclan's only elder." Fogbreeze said and dipped his head.

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Were you the cause of his death?"

Fogbreeze's eyes widened. "Whatever made you think that? It's not my fault the old fleabag was too old to live any longer."

Flick hissed and reacted before I could. "How dare you disrespect one of your elders!" He lunged forward and knocked Fogbreeze to the ground, catching him by surprise.

I watched worriedly. "Flick, he will be punished, but we don't need to kill him."

The sandy colored tom was scoring his claws down Fogbreeze's flank. "Don't need to kill him? He tried to kill me! He killed Lightstar! He wants to force you to be his mate!"

Hollyflame sank her teeth into Flick's scruff and threw him away from the Mistclan leader. "You heard her, don't kill him!"

Flick groaned on the ground and I heard Fogbreeze laugh. I dragged my gaze from the sandy tom to glance warily at the so-called leader.

"This has all been so fun, but I have some unfinished business to attend to." The grey tabby tom darted past me toward Flick.

Fogbreeze leaped on him and turned him over, belly-up. I couldn't see exactly what was happening, but when I heard Flick screech, I started towards them. Hollyflame followed beside me.

I tried to shove Fogbreeze off of Flick, but he just scored his claws swiftly down my face, narrowly missing my eye and swiped a powerful paw at my head which knocked me to the ground.

I heard a ringing in my ears and a howl of pain. I tried to expel the ringing in my ears, but shaking my head seemed to make the whole world spin. I stopped and closed my eyes until my head felt better and my ears quit ringing.

I opened my eyes and looked around for Fogbreeze. He was standing across from Hollyflame, her fur bristling. I barely saw them, though. All I saw was a lump of sandy fur lying unmoving a few foxlenths in front of me.

"No . . ." I whispered and ran over to him.

I turned Flick over so I could see his face, but horror struck me when I did. His neck fur was drenched in blood and his lifeless eyes stared at nothing.

I was too late.

"NO!"  I exclaimed to the sky.

Why? Why? Did Starclan hate me? Was this why I was taken from Shadeclan? Was this why they had taken away one of the few cats who had been with me my entire journey. No, this wasn't Starclan's fault. It was someone else's.

I whirled to face Fogbreeze and raced toward him, tears in my eyes. "YOU KILLED HIM!" I screamed as I barreled into him.

My claws moved to the gray tabby's face and found an eye which I clawed. Fueled by my fury, I forgot any of my training. I just wanted to kill him at this point like he had done to Flick.

Fogbreeze struggled to fling me off but he eventually did. I stood up and started towards him again, but Hollyflame moved between us.

"Move. He deserves to die." I unsheathed his claws. I would go through the black she-cat if I had to, whatever it took to avenge Flick's death.

Hollyflame gazed into my eyes. "And you deserve to grieve in peace. Let me deal with him."

I looked at her warily, not sure if she really meant what she was saying. When she nodded I sighed and turned around, padding slowly over to the cat I loved so dearly.

I looked him over and shook my head. Ignoring the sounds of fighting in the background, I began grooming Flick's fur. He deserved to look better than death. The snow helped, but it also made his fur damp. I closed his eyes with my paw, not wanting to look into their lifeless depths. I repositioned him and curled his tail around himself. Now it just looked like he was sleeping. I took a good look at his lifeless body, and the tears fell. I wailed and buried my face in his fur.

I had barely been grieving for a few heartbeats - or at least that's what it felt like - when I heard a saddened voice.

"Oh, Lavenderbreeze."

I looked up in surprise to see Bella. She took one look at me and came over to sit beside me, our pelts touching. She nuzzled me comfortingly and we grieved together.

This time it felt like moons before we were disturbed. Hollyflame lightly nudged me and I looked at her. The black she-cat's amber eyes were pained, but his a hint of relief. I didn't have to look around to know what had happened.

"I'm sorry you had to kill your leader." I murmured.

Hollyflame's eyes saddened. "He wasn't just my leader, he was my littermate."

I looked up in surprise but just nodded. What could I say to comfort her? I didn't really want to know the whole story right now, either.

After a few heartbeats of silence, Hollyflame spoke. "We should return to camp."

I just nodded and grabbed Flick's scruff. With the help of Bella and Hollyflame, we brought him back to camp.

Fun fact: The song I imagined during this scene with just Lavender and Flick is "Say Something" by A Great Big World.

//Word count: 2810//