A/N: Sorry for the long wait! I've been experiencing a bit of writer's block lately :/ I'll try and update as often as I can, but I probably won't be able to post for a few weeks because my birthday, Thanksgiving, and Christmas are all right around the corner! I hope you enjoy this chapter!

Firepaw growled softly as another cat tried to squeeze past him in the entrance tunnel. "Watch it."

The sand-colored tom stopped, making Firepaw bump into his haunches. His dark ginger tail was lashing as he slowly turned his head to face the apprentice. "What was that, kittypet?" He sneered, a smug grin plastered on his face.

Red-hot anger was spreading under Firepaw's pelt. I just want to claw that smug grin off of his face. "Nothing," he growled, taking a step forward.

The tom snorted. "That's what I thought. Tigerstar was right. You really are a coward."

Firepaw didn't retort, he instead trailed after the rest of the patrol. The tom, whose name was Scorchwind, trotted ahead of him, shooting a few smug grins back at him over his shoulder.

Grrr! A familiar voice growled in Firepaw's ear. Are you just going to let him talk to you like that? He could picture her bushy tail lashing and her flaming amber eyes and grinned. He was one step ahead of her.

Of course not, he replied smoothly, his own face turning smug. I'll get him when we're alone.

The she-cat began to purr. I've taught you well. The more rogues you finish off, the sooner ThunderClan can be restored. I'm glad you've toughened up a bit.

Sometimes claws speak louder than words, the ginger tom flexed his claws as he imagined slashing through Scorchwind's stupid cocky face. I've learned that a little blood on my claws doesn't hurt, as long as I'm protecting my Clan.

Suddenly, Firepaw looked up and realized that the patrol was coming to a halt a few fox-lengths away. He dashed to catch up, and stood panting behind Scorchwind.

"Out of breath, kittypet?" He sneered.

Firepaw smirked, chuckling quietly to himself. He won't be grinning for much longer.

"Alright, Pinetail, Ravenflash, and I will go
upriver," Darkstripe meowed. "Scorchwind, keep an eye on the kittypet and head downstream with Longtail."

"Sure thing," the sandy-furred tom shoves Firepaw in the direction of the river's current. "Get walking, crow-food."

Firepaw growled to himself, but padded forward anyway. The sooner we're alone, the sooner I can sink my claws into his face...

"I'm going to go mark that tree over there," Longtail meowed after they had been padding along the riverbank for a few tail-lengths.

"Ok," Scorchwind nodded, his tail lashing. "I'll watch the kittypet."

Firepaw had to bite his tongue to stop himself from retorting. He watched Longtail walk over to the tall maple tree and prepare to set a marker. Once his Clanmate's back was turned, he crouched down behind Scorchwind, his hind legs set to spring. Prepare to die, crow-food—

"RiverClan!" Longtail's yowl was barely out of his mouth before five broad-shouldered cats leaped out from the undergrowth. One snatched Longtail up before he could react and snapped his neck, dropping the small top like a piece of prey.

"You'll pay for that one, trespassers!" Scorchwind let out a fearsome battle cry and leaped at the RiverClan cats, who were all hissing with hackles raised and teeth bared.

   Poor Longtail... The dull ache that had been slowly growing in Firepaw's heart worsened. There was no reason for you to be caught up in all of this.

   What are you doing? This is your chance! Kill that pesky rogue and blame it on RiverClan!

   Oh, right! Firepaw growled and leaped forward. Scorchwind was panting heavily and covered in wounds as he battled the RiverClan cats alone. It seemed as if they were playing with him, circling around him and striking him from all angles when they could have easily torn him limb-from-limb.

   Two of the RiverClan warriors turned as Firepaw advanced on them, but he soared over their outstretched claws. He glanced over his shoulder and saw that they had turned around and were giving him a questioning stare. My quarrel is not with you today.

   Finally, he was nearing his Clanmate. Scorchwind turned around just as Firepaw was crouching down to spring. "Come help you, kittypet! Or go get the rest of the patrol!"

   "Why should I?" Firepaw snarled, leaping at Scorchwind. The tom yowled in surprise as Firepaw landed squarely on his shoulders, shoving him into the dirt with thorn-sharp claws.

   Scorchwind writhed underneath him, but couldn't get free. "What are you doing, kittypet? Kill the RiverClan cats!"

   The sleek warriors had stepped back and were watching Firepaw in horror as he slowly leaned over into his enemy's face. "I hate you, Scorchwind. I hate all of the rogues. They'll all be dead before I'm satisfied, and I'll start with you."

   Scorchwind's angry, fearful yowl was cut off as Firepaw clawed viscously at his throat. The sandy-brown tom twitched once, then fell limp. Firepaw raised his head and smiled down at the pool of blood forming around his paws. That's what you deserve, you stupid furball.

"F-Firepaw..."

He turned to the RiverClan cats with a gasp. "Graystripe? What are you doing here?"

"The others and I were getting in the way up at the barn," his gray friend meowed. "We met Mistyfoot on her way to receive her nine lives, and she allowed us to join her Clan."

"All of you?"

Graystripe could tell that he was asking about Princess. "No, she stayed with Ravenpaw and Barley."

"Oh," Firepaw studied the rest of the cats on the patrol, but he couldn't recognize them. "How are things now?"

"It's great," Graystripe began to purr loudly. "There's more prey than we can eat, and no tyrannical leader or the threat of death looming over us."

Firepaw knew he should be happy for his friend, but only bitter thoughts were filling his mind. Why does he get to be safe, while I have to struggle for my survival? It's not fair.

Life isn't fair! He winced as the StarClan cat shouted in his ear. You're staying in your Clan so that you can free them. Could you really abandon them to join another Clan?

He sighed. No.

"You should have stayed up at the barn."

"What?"

Firepaw shook his head. "Not here. Send them home, and meet me at the Gathering Hollow at the half-moon."

"Oh, ok." Graystripe nodded and brushed Firepaw's muzzle with his own. Normally, Firepaw would have done the same, but he remained still with his gaze fixed on the flowing river. A river that would soon run red.

"Goodbye, Firepaw."

"Bye."