Foxpaw POV

I was walking in the brisk air of leaf-fall, out of my den. Rowanstar waited on the Leader's Perch- a low branch on a pine tree that he stood on, only for Clan meetings. His gingery figure was tall, but it seemed old, ragged and worn out. I smelled Scorchpaw approaching me quickly and turned my head. This would be perfect. I rubbed my cheek lovingly against hers.

Scorchpaw- being 12 moons old- was a decent she-cat. Strong, good fighter and the kind of she-cat who will do anything for power. The only reason I act as if I love her is simply because I want to make Shrewfoot jealous. It seems dirty, but I know I have to make her love me before Crowfrost does. What a frog-brain-

you may be wondering why I like the deputy when I'm an apprentice. Well, you see our last deputy died soon after Rowanstar became leader, so Shrewfoot was basically the only option to fill the deputy's paws because no one had been made a warrior in a long time, while Shrewfoot was about 13 moons old.

Scorchpaw's eyes were filled with excitement, this was hers and mine warrior ceremony. I know she planned on having kits soon after we became a warriors. I would rub it in Shrewfoot's face, then. I might even name one Shrewkit, and one Footkit.

Rowanstar started speaking, "Scorchpaw, Foxpaw, today you bravely fought a ThunderClan warrior who chased a mouse over to our territory. Your mentors has approved of your training and abilities as an apprentice, so I now ask you, do you promise on the oath of StarClan that you will stay loyal and honest to ShadowClan for as long as live?" I could sense a broad smile of satisfaction on her face as we agreed.

"Then, I give your warrior names: from this day forward you will be named Scorchshade- from your dark fur- and Foxcatcher- for how you caught that mouse-brained ThunderClan warrior." My eyes widened. Foxcatcher? What kind of stupid name was that?! They all cheered the name with a sort of joy. I nudged her in front of my true love and licked her ears even though I was mad. I needed to show Shrewfoot that I have no interest in her. I felt relieved- now she can have kits I can rub it in front of Sherwfoots face. "If now is not a good time to feast- then we never shall!" Rowanstar called.

I took a vole and shared it with Scorchshade. I kept an eye on the gorgeous deputy while my thought-to-be love started telling some story about how we're going to have kits... I don't know I didn't really listen. After a little bit, I saw a black and white tom rap his tail around Shrewfoot.

Anger bubbled up inside if me- who did he think he was? Taking my she-cat! I marched up, "Where are you going?" She asked me, "Tell your story to a rock for all I care" I say and leave. I cross the clearing with out hesitation or regret. Crowfrost looks up when I stand by him.

"Yes?" He asked, I saw a hint of anger in his eyes. "We should hunt," I mew, thinking quickly, "the fresh-kill pile is almost out." He sighs and follows me out. When we reach the pine trees, I pretend as if I'm intending to hunt. Crowfrost heads off towards the lake. I follow him silently.

His scent is becoming very fresh, so I look up. The tom is stalking something. O' well, to bad for him. I sprig up and land on his back, sending his almost-fresh-kill scurrying off, under a lump of pine needles. I tug on his scruff and pull his so his belly exposed. The tom hissed with furry and frustration, but most of all, surprise. He had no idea I was tagging along.

His claws slashed my nose a I only ducked out of grasp. "No wonder it took you so long to realize that this was going to happen- your no more stronger or smarter than a kit!" I sneered, taking all my pain, love and lying out on him. He started raking my stomach- but that battle move was so commonly used, I was prepared for it.

I leaped off of him and in the time he was confused, I slid behind his head and placed my paw on his throat. I decided to gamble his life- but, of course, I will kill him tonight.

"Give me a reason for me not to kill you," I began calmly and coolly, as if this was what I did everyday. His eyes were filled with fear, then anger and regret. "You just made a promise, an oath, to StarClan to stay loyal to ShadowClan for as long as you live!"
He pleaded desperately. I only sighed, "Ha! Like that means anything! Your just another poisoned rat!" I spat.
"Trad-" my claws sliced through the soft skin before he could say anything. His eyes stared into nothingness. His body was limp. His lungs breathed out their last breath.

I chuckled. How funny was death- a silly little thing to play with, wasn't it.

I grabbed him by his scruff and dragged him down to the shore. I padded onto the sandy grass and waded into the clear water. It was icy cold- but so was death so I would just have to get over it. I splashed out to almost the middle of the lake before dropping the dead weight.
Haha, dead weight.

When I returned to land, I was sopping wet and cold. I coughed up a load of water before catching my breath. I shook my fur, flinging water everywhere, then washed my fur. I padded back into the forest and rolled around in pine nettles. I took some in my mouth- as pokey as they were- and rubbed then all over the spot where it wreaked of death.

I took my sweet time patching up all evidence of me killing Crowfrost. As I was making my way back to camp I decided to say I saw a hawk take him and there was nothing I could do. When I came back, I was moonhigh and the guard, Ivytail, asked me where I had been. I told the made-up story she seemed shocked at first, then rushed off to tell Rowanstar.

I went to the warriors den and whispered to Scorchshade all of what happened. The fake side, of course. She was frightened, along with a few other warriors who had grumpily awoken and listened in.

I ended with, "I looked over my shoulder and he was getting scooped up but a huge hawk. I couldn't do anything to save him." I lowered my head so my eyes, nose and mouth were hidden but the looming shadows. A smile formed inside of me. I loved this feeling. The rush of excitement, the anticipation. It was all so beautiful.

Rowanstar called another meeting and everyone- except for the cats that already knew my lie- grumbled and went out into the frozen night.

"Foxcatcher went to hunt earlier with Crowfrost," he paused, letting cats settle. My mind started to drift listening to his plain, boring, repetitive voice. I need vengeance. He should pay for giving me such a hideous name. He- and everyone else- should know what power I have in my paws. I could kill that beast in about 8 blows. But then Shrewfoot would become leader.

She would have to be dispose of- despite my feelings. I blinked, what was I thinking? Killing Shrewfoot? No, never. Maybe we'll just compromise that if she doesn't let me home leader then... I'll kill..

I shook myself again, focus, I thought and began to listen to Rowanstar, "... Swooped up by a large hawk. Foxcatcher could do nothing to save him." I got a few glares, some sad glances. Nothing you wouldn't expect.

Kestrelflight POV

I walked next to a gingery tom. The usual wind ruffled our thickening pelts, while the full moon was half way till it was full. Heather stroked our legs, it's purple-grey tops made me itchy. Beneath us, cold white sand that was covered in grass and pebbles lay. Little waves lapped the shore as we headed closer to the tall ash trees.

"How much longer?" Rabbitpaw whined. I still don't understand how I got him as my apprentice. I sighed. I had told the tom two seconds ago.
"Close."
"How close?"
"Close."
"Kestrelflight!" I didn't answer.

Soon, we were at a dark, yet reflective, pool of water. Streaming next to us was a shaky line of water. I sat down and looked at my wavy refection for a moment. Suddenly, blackness covered my vision in a flash.

I opened my eyes to a red blob on Highrock, with many other colored blobs laying on the ground. I got the sense that-

Blackness covered my vision again and I was back to reality.

"Kestrelflight! What are doing?! Run!"

I flashed around, and that's when I saw it- him.