The sun shone brightly in the pale sky, a soft breeze wafting through the pine branches. Mistybreeze sat between Revengeheart and Mottledface in the shade of the thorn barrier, quietly grooming her silver fur.

"Hey, Boost!"

She flicked an ear at Coldpebble's voice and looked up. Her brother was crouched by the fresh kill pile, tugging a mouse toward him by it's tail. "Want to share this with me?" He offered. "It's the last one."

The fresh kill pile was certainly low. After Coldpebble claimed the mouse, all that remained was a couple day old frogs. Boost had been sniffing at one of them hesitantly. Mistybreeze guessed that the prey caught this morning had already been given to the only queen, Greenpine, and the elders.

"Sure. Thanks!" Boost blinked gratefully and moved to Coldpebble's side.

As the two toms took turns nibbling at the mouse, the clan deputy, Cobratail, padded toward them, giving the fresh-kill pile a look of disapproval. "I'm sending out a few hunting patrols," He announced, raising his voice so the other cats in the clearing could hear him. "Are there any volunteers?"

Coldpebble swallowed and looked up from the mouse. "Can I lead one?" He asked brightly. 

The clan deputy frowned. "Didn't you lead the dawn patrol?"

"Well, yes." The dark silver tom looked embarrassed. "But I'd be happy to lead another."

His former mentor, Song, walked by and purred, flicking him on the shoulder with her tail. "You are a great hunter, Coldpebble. Every hunting patrol could use you."

"Very true." Cobratail's amber eyes gleamed. "Very well, Coldpebble, you may lead a patrol. Boost, Song, why don't you join him?"

The two warriors looked ready to go. "Great!" Song meowed. "I'll fetch Stripednose. I'm sure he'd love to come."

As the white she-cat ran across the clearing to the warriors' den, Mistybreeze stared at her brother, standing proudly between Cobratail and Boost. Coldpebble is so lucky to be... Free. I'd like to go hunting. Her heart sank with disappointment. But Revengeheart won't let me go anywhere without him.

She cast a careful look at the white warrior, who observed the camp like a fox studying it's prey. Nothing about this is right. I shouldn't be treated this way by my own mate. I shouldn't be forced to follow Poisonedsap's plot. But what choice do I have? 

As Coldpebble led his patrol out of the camp, Cobratail spoke again. "We'll need another hunting patrol. Diamondrain, will you lead it?"

Mistybreeze saw her mother by the nursery, speaking to Greenpine. When her name was spoken, she flicked her ears forward and turned to the deputy. "Of course, Cobratail." She waved her tail in farewell to Greenpine as she headed to the center of the clearing.

Not far from Mistybreeze, Blackstorm exchanged a look with Foxshadow. "Me and Foxshadow will go," Blackstorm meowed, rising to his paws. He looked over at his brother. "Brownstripe, care to join us?"

The tabby warrior blinked warmly. "Sure."

Dread dropped like a hard stone in Mistybreeze's stomach. At once she understood. A moon had passed since the night she and the others had met with Castiel. They'd agreed to launch an attack on another ShadowClan patrol. And Deserve wants Brownstripe on it... He's going to kill him. Her heart sank as she watched Brownstripe start toward Blackstorm. And he completely trusts his brother... How can Blackstorm send his own brother to his death?

"Brownstripe! Brownstripe! Wait!" 

Tinypaw echoed Mistybreeze's thoughts as she bounded across the clearing, her tail high in the air. Brownstripe turned to his daughter and let out a purr. "What is it?"

"I forgot to tell you! Crowmask is going to teach me a new hunting move today." Her eyes shone excitedly. "The one you said I'd learn when I was older."

Brownstripe's eyes gleamed with pride. "That's great! I can't wait for you to show me later." He touched his nose to her head.

As Tinypaw purred and spun to find Crowmask, Mistybreeze stared after her, her heart heavy as a boulder in her chest. They have no idea... That's the last thing they'll say to each other...

"Is every cat ready?" Diamondrain asked. Brownstripe and Blackstorm nodded, while Foxshadow swished his tail.

Mistybreeze's pelt prickled with unease at seeing her mother so close to Poisonedsap's allies. Is Diamondrain in danger? She wondered uneasily. She couldn't resist turning to Revengeheart. "Will Diamondrain be okay?" She whispered.

Her mate didn't respond for a moment. "Probably." He shrugged. "Deserve has no interest in her." He rolled onto his side. "I think I have a burr in my fur. Will you find it?"

That's all you have to say? Mistybreeze held her tongue and turned, pawing through his white fur. She tried to find comfort in Revengeheart's words. He's right. Diamondrain doesn't matter to Deserve or this plan in any way... She'll be fine...

***

The day felt painfully long. The sun seemed to never move. As Mistybreeze lay beside Revengeheart, she fought away dark thoughts. She was alert, unconsciously listening for distant screeches and wails as Brownstripe met his demise. I could have done something... She thought miserably. I could have warned him... She felt like she was going to be sick.

"I need to use the dirtplace." She rose to her paws, not even waiting for Revengeheart's answer. She felt nauseous as she made her way across the clearing and slipped into the bushes that guarded the dirtplace.

She let out a sigh. I'm so worried about Diamondrain... What if Revengeheart is wrong? She scraped at the ground with her forepaw before preparing to make dirt.

"Psst!"

Mistybreeze nearly jumped out of her fur. She dropped her tail and spun, shocked to see Swiftstalker ducking into the bushes with her. "Hey- occupied!" She gasped.

"Sorry!" Swiftstalker ducked his head in embarrassment as he sat in front of her, casting a nervous look over his shoulder. "This is the only place a cat can get any privacy from Revengeheart."

That was certainly true. Mistybreeze lowered her head. "What is it?"

"Today is the day Poisonedsap is going to reveal the truth about Bloodfur." Swiftstalker whispered, his blue eyes lit with worry. "What do we do?"

She dropped her gaze. "What can we do?" She murmured. "We're powerless against her. Maybe it won't be so bad-"

"I lost my friendship with Bloodfur a long time ago." Swiftstalker spoke quietly. "But I still care about him. I know you do, too. The only reason we can't be his friends is because of Poisonedsap and Revengeheart."

Mistybreeze hesitated, and he went on. "We'll beat Poisonedsap to it. We'll go into the forest and tell Bloodfur right now."

"What??" Her eyes widened in shock. "Are you crazy?"

"It's better he hears it from us," Swiftstalker argued, his eyes lit with sadness. "We'll help him through it, and he'll be prepared for Poisonedsap's attack. It's the least we can do, Mistybreeze. It's all we can do."

Mistybreeze considered his words in silence. Swiftstalker is right... We can at least prepare Bloodfur and make this easier on him. She gave a slow nod. "Alright." She murmured.

The black and white tom immediately stood. "Come on. Let's go find him." They emerged from the dirtplace quickly, glancing around to be sure no cat had spotted them leaving together. The two of them scanned the clearing for Bloodfur's red tabby pelt.

"Besides, it'll be good for the apprentices to practice together." Cobratail was meowing. Mistybreeze looked toward the deputy and froze. Bloodfur stood with his back to them, Cardinalpaw at his side. Cougarfoot, Crowmask, and Tinypaw were with them, ready to go. Cobratail gave the cats a nod and turned away.

As the patrol left the camp and Bloodfur disappeared from sight, Mistybreeze exchanged a defeated look with Swiftstalker. Unless there's time... Bloodfur is on his own...

***

The sun was setting now. Mistybreeze spent the rest of the afternoon worrying about Brownstripe, Diamondrain, and now Bloodfur. Why should I be worried about him? She wondered miserably. After the way he treated me and Coldpebble, I shouldn't care.

Movement by the thorn tunnel caught her attention, and she looked up to see Foxshadow and Blackstorm entering the camp, each carrying a frog. Her stomach twisted. Two cats were missing.

Cobratail noticed their return and approached them as they deposited their prey on the fresh kill pile. "Where are Diamondrain and Brownstripe?" He sounded puzzled.

When Blackstorm didn't reply, Foxshadow spoke up. "We decided to split up. They went to hunt by the marsh, while we stayed near the border."

Oh, StarClan... Mistybreeze swallowed. Why didn't Diamondrain return with them? She stared at the two dark warriors, but they gave nothing away. They must know if she and Brownstripe are dead... No... She can't be... She shut her eyes. Oh StarClan, I know I'm a horrible warrior, but please, let Diamondrain be okay...

***

Stars began to appear in the darkening sky. With every passing moment, Mistybreeze felt more and more certain that something horrible had happened to her mother. Not far from her, Swiftstalker sat, his eyes glittering with fear. Is he worried for Brownstripe and Diamondrain? She wondered. Or Bloodfur?

Startled yowls rose from the cats around them, and Mistybreeze looked up. She thought she had been prepared for the worst. But what she saw before her was something she could never have begun to imagine. 

No...

Cougarfoot led the way through the camp, carrying the limp body of Brownstripe on his shoulders. But Mistybreeze barely noticed. Her wide, stunned eyes were locked on Crowmask. The black warrior followed Cougarfoot slowly, his head low and ears flattened. Across his back, he carried the familiar silver body of Diamondrain.

As Crowmask lowered Diamondrain's body to the ground beside Brownstripe's, time seemed to stand still. Mistybreeze couldn't speak or breathe. Her heart pounded in her ears as she stared at the body from a distance. "No..." She choked out, and reality sunk in.

"No..." She let out a cry and shot forward, racing through the crowd of alarmed cats. "Oh, no!" Crowmask stepped back when she neared. She let out a wail of grief when she reached her mother. She stared at the massive wound in her belly, blood knotting her fur. 

At that same moment, Coldpebble appeared at her side, letting out a sob of pain. "No..."

Mistybreeze trembled as she sank onto her belly and pressed her nose into Diamondrain's soft fur, drinking in her scent. The warm, familiar scent that had made her feel safe as a kit. "Who did this?" She cried her thoughts out loud. Deserve? Castiel? Foxshadow, or Blackstorm?

She heard Depthstar yowl faintly, but didn't care to listen as she pressed her head into her mother's body. Diamondrain... I'm so sorry... This is my fault... She shut her eyes and let out a muffled cry into her fur. I could have warned you... I could have done something, and I didn't. She felt cold and numb, her heart shattered like ice.

"But what rogues do we have problems with? I can't think of any." As Depthstar continued speaking, she shifted closer to Coldpebble. He let out a quiet whimper.

"Depthstar, it brings me great grief to suggest this, but... Have you thought of looking to your own cats?"

Mistybreeze opened her eyes at Poisonedsap's voice. She raised her head slightly, peering over Diamondrain's flank. The golden she-cat had stood, her ears flattened as she looked up at Depthstar. She's going to accuse Bloodfur.

She spotted Swiftstalker beyond his mother, his blue eyes flashing with worry. He caught her eye, but she dropped her gaze. I'm sorry, Swiftstalker. My mother is dead. I could care less if Bloodfur's feelings get hurt.

Depthstar bristled from atop the meeting rock. "Which ShadowClan warrior would do such a thing?"

"Who do you think, Depthstar?" Poisonedsap's amber eyes glittered. "Which cat has always been an outcast? Which cat was absent from camp before the bodies were found?" She dragged her gaze across the clearing. "Which cat did Hawkfeather warn us about?"

Mistybreeze realized that Poisonedsap's gaze had fallen on Bloodfur, who began bristling in shock as the entire clan turned to him. Bloodfur was absent from camp while Diamondrain was... What if...

As the clan began meowing anxiously to one another, Poisonedsap went on. "Bloodfur never liked his mentor! And it's clear he dislikes Revengeheart! I'll bet he killed Diamondrain just to hurt his mate, Mistybreeze!"

Mistybreeze was startled to hear her name spoken. Though she knew this was all a part of the plan, in her state of grief, Poisonedsap's words made sense. What if Bloodfur is still angry at me and Coldpebble? Would he go this far to hurt us again? She saw Coldpebble staring at Bloodfur in shock. Does he believe this?

Grief and fear washed over her as the camp erupted into chaos. The warriors screeched insults and howled their anger at Bloodfur, who they had closed in on. The dark red tabby looked terrified, his fur ruffled and yellow eyes lit with fear as he crouched like a vulnerable kit.

What if it's all true? What if he has been causing trouble of his own? "Did you do this?" Mistybreeze raised her trembling voice in a cry as she stared at her former friend. "Did you kill my mother?"

Bloodfur met her gaze, his eyes blazing with desperation. "No! I-" He was cut off when Crowmask leaped in front of him, snarling angrily.

"Bloodfur wouldn't..." Mistybreeze could hardly hear Coldpebble's rasp among the yowls and hisses around her. "Would he...?"

"I... I don't know." She swallowed. "I-"

"Get out of my way, Flameheart!" Crowmask yowled, and Mistybreeze saw that the ginger tabby had rushed to shield his foster son. "That cat is a murderer!"

"No, he isn't!" Flameheart hissed defiantly. "You won't lay a claw on him!"

Poisonedsap raised her voice in a sneer. "Hawkfeather warned us about him! The kit born in blood couldn't have been anything but a bad omen!"

She's saying it. She's going to reveal everything to Bloodfur. She peered through the crowd and saw Revengeheart watching the chaos, his amber eyes gleaming with excitement. While Mottledface and Foxshadow looked amused, Swiftstalker stared at his paws.

"My son is innocent!" Flameheart bared his teeth, shouldering Crowmask away.

"Stop that nonsense, Flameheart!" Poisonedsap spoke louder than ever, making sure every cat could hear her. "He's not your son! You were a fool to take in that kit! He was a sign of trouble since the start!"

Bloodfur froze, his yellow eyes wide and bewildered. "What's she talking about?" 

"Enough!" Depthstar screeched, and he was answered by silence. "This is madness! There's no evidence that Bloodfur killed those cats."

"Everything Poisonedsap said makes perfect sense to me!" Crowmask growled.

Ashcloud nodded, his eyes narrowed to slits. "He's a murderer and he'll destroy our clan! We should have listened to Hawkfeather."

Depthstar snarled down at the shaken clan. "Silence! Bloodfur is innocent until proven guilty! No cat will harm him. Is that understood?"

The cats slowly backed off of Bloodfur, glaring at him and whispering to one another. She stared as Bloomfire and Flameheart spoke to Bloodfur. He looked shaken. After a moment, Flameheart turned away, and Bloodfur slowly followed him out of the camp. They have a lot to talk about...

Mistybreeze let out a shaky sigh and pressed her nose back into Diamondrain's fur. I don't smell Bloodfur's scent on her...

On the meeting rock, Depthstar was silent for a long moment, as if processing what had just happened. After a while, he spoke again, his voice dry and tired. "We will hold a vigil for Diamondrain and Brownstripe."

"What about Bloodfur?" Crowmask demanded. "Are we going to let him get away with this?"

"You let him leave the camp alone with Flameheart!" Copperstripe pointed out worriedly. "He'll be next."

Bloomfire leaped to her paws and glared at the golden tom. "Don't say such a thing! Bloodfur would never kill any cat, especially his own father!"

Cliffshade twitched his tail. "But Flameheart isn't his father. We all know that."

"Enough!" Depthstar hissed, and the clan quieted, glaring up at him. "There will be no more talk of Bloodfur tonight. We're going to pay our respects to our fallen clanmates. Is that clear?"

Several cats muttered in disapproval, but no cat openly objected. The clan leader continued, his blue eyes dull with grief. "Brownstripe was my son. I was not prepared to lose another kit before his time. He was brave, loyal, and strong." He looked down at Brownstripe's body. His daughters, Tinypaw, Creampaw, and Honeypaw huddled around him. "I see him in his kits every day. I hope he hunts with Snakekit, Sunflower, and Rosebreeze in StarClan."

"I mentored him." Greenpine meowed solemnly. "He was a quick learner."

"I love and miss him so much already," Creampaw whispered, staring at her father numbly. "I hope to see you when I visit the Moonstone next moon. You'll be glad to be with Rosebreeze again."

It was quiet for a long moment. Stars glittered in the night sky. Depthstar spoke quietly. "Mistybreeze? Coldpebble? Would either of you like to speak for Diamondrain?"

Coldpebble looked to Mistybreeze, who shook her head. She was too devastated to talk. She didn't deserve to speak for her mother. I played a role in her death... What right to I have to speak?

Her brother rose to his paws and stared down at his mother sadly. "Diamondrain was a great mother." He murmured. "She taught us to be the best warriors we could be. To follow our hearts and protect our clan."

And I failed... Mistybreeze's heart swelled with pain.

"I like to think I inherited her hunting skills," Coldpebble went on. "So... So every piece of prey I bring back, you can thank Diamondrain for." He sat down quietly while the clan murmured to one another, praising his words.

The clan quietly dispersed, leaving the kin of Diamondrain and Brownstripe to grieve in silence. The night air grew chilly, but Mistybreeze didn't care. She remained by her mother's side, her heart heavy in her chest. 

She saw a white pelt out of the corner of her eye and glanced up. Revengeheart stood a few fox lengths away, watching her in silence. For a heartbeat, she wondered if he was going to come over and comfort her. But he turned away, twitching his tail before disappearing through the thorn tunnel. Where is he going? She miserably leaned against Coldpebble, longing to feel comforted. Her brother turned and rested his chin over her head.

"I'm sorry."

A cat spoke quietly. As Coldpebble lifted his head, Mistybreeze looked over, her heart skipping a beat in surprise. 

Their father, Crowmask, stood near them, clearly keeping his distance. But he was closer than he'd ever been before. Is he really talking to us? Mistybreeze wondered. He's never said a word to us...

Crowmask's black pelt was hardly visible in the night. The normally sharp tongued warrior seemed... Different. His amber eyes were dull with an emotion Mistybreeze had never seen there before.

As she and Coldpebble stared, Crowmask hesitated. "She... She loved you both. She's with StarClan now." He paused for a long moment, looking down. "I never wanted kits." He murmured, his voice distant as he spoke. "But Diamondrain did, more than anything. That's why when I found out she was expecting, I... didn't want to be her mate anymore. I'm not a father. I'm a warrior."

At last, Mistybreeze understood why their father had been absent from their lives. She wasn't sure she liked his reasoning. But at least she knew now.

When neither cat responded, Crowmask looked away, flattening his ears. "I don't expect you to forgive me. But know that I'm sorry I'm not the father you deserved." After a moment, he awkwardly turned away.

Mistybreeze stared after him before exchanging a solemn look with Coldpebble. We never needed a father. Diamondrain was more than enough for us.

"May I join you?" Dewstorm emerged from the medicine den, watching them sadly. Diamondrain had been his sister.  Mistybreeze nodded, and the spotted tom settled beside Coldpebble, resting his chin on his sister's head.

After a long while of silence, Coldpebble rasped. "Who did this, Dewstorm? Will StarClan tell you?"

The medicine cat shook his head. "StarClan doesn't tell me everything."

I know who did this. Mistybreeze's thoughts darkened with anger and grief. Revengeheart... Deserve... Poisonedsap... They're all responsible. She slowly rose to her paws on newly found strength.

"Mistybreeze?" Coldpebble looked up at her.

"I-I just need some air." She looked away. "I'll be back." She felt numb as she headed through the thorn tunnel into the dark forest. She drank in the cool night air, picking up Revengeheart's scent. He went this way. She narrowed her eyes, swallowing back a lump in her throat.

They've caused every death... And now my mother... Fury blazed through her.

She padded over the damp earth on trembling paws, rounding a tree. Where is he? She was about to push her way between two bushes when a cat emerged, stumbling into her roughly. She recognized Revengeheart's amber eyes immediately. "Mistybreeze?" He growled. "What-"

She didn't think about what she was doing. And she didn't care about the consequences. "Did you do this?" She shrieked, trembling in anger and grief. "Did you have them kill my mother?"

Claws stung across her muzzle before she had time to react. She stumbled backwards and fell onto her side, staring up as Revengeheart loomed over her furiously. "Shut up!" He snarled, planting an unsheathed black paw on her shoulder and pushing her to the ground. "Question me again, and Coldpebble is next!"

Mistybreeze's anger faded into hot fear, and she choked out a sob of grief. He did! He caused this! 

"There's no backing out, Mistybreeze!" Revengeheart leaned over her and bared his teeth. "You're going to help us destroy the clans and have my kits." He narrowed his glowing amber eyes to slits. "Or I will kill you and every cat you care about. Don't you dare forget that!" He hissed in her ear before releasing her roughly.

Mistybreeze panted, watching him disappear into the darkness of the forest. When she was sure he was gone, she stumbled to her paws, trembling uncontrollably. That piece of fox dung! My mother... Diamondrain... Fear, grief, and anger swelled through her body until she thought she would explode.

"I'm so sorry..."

She glared around, half expecting to see Revengeheart. But it was Swiftstalker. The black and white warrior padded over and sat by her side.

Mistybreeze shut her eyes. "How have you dealt with this your whole life?" She rasped. "Being trapped in this mess?"

Swiftstalker looked at his paws and didn't respond. She sat closer to him, leaning against his shoulder. They both needed a friend now more than ever. We'll never live the lives of true warriors. She thought miserably. We're traitors against our will. But at least we have each other.