Deceitful Dawns

"I... I... I... I don't think that's a very good idea, Falconstar," Twopelt said, his voice slowly growing more croaky and menacing. He then leapt at Falconstar and pinned the leader down, before biting his neck hard and taking away one of his lives.

Falconstar's eyes widened, having been caught off guard by the sudden change in temperament of the cat who had just moments ago been resigned to his fate, and a strangled cry left his throat as he slumped to the ground, his essence drifting away.

It was so strange, looking at himself, almost like a reflection in a very still body of water. He was dead… well, he had lost one life. A life lost to a now former clanmate: was this what the forest had become? Murderous cats who had no loyalty or morals? Suddenly he felt the sensation of a tail upon his shoulder, and he turned his head to find his former leader by his side. Raccoonstar gave him an understanding smile as they both then looked upon his desecrated frame. "The pain will only be temporary. Before you know it, it will be gone."

"How do I know who to trust, Raccoonstar?" His voice was almost tinged with desperation and confusion. "How do I know when even a warrior of mine takes my life?"

"I think you know that I'm not the best cat to ask," she chuckled in response. The both of them knew about the paranoia that had ravaged her in her later life. "Don't assume that everyone is out to get you, though. That will bring nothing but discord and strife to you and your clan. Just… be careful. Don't let your guard down, but don't let it be obvious. I don't want to see you here again for awhile now, you hear me?"

Some kind of commotion was going on outside. It was very faint, but it roused Eaglethorn all the same, and the warrior sleepily ventured outside to something that woke him up rather fast. Seeing his father lying lifeless on the camp ground with Twopelt above him and the scent of blood around them sent terrified shivers down his spine, but it didn't take long for his anger to kick in and in the blink of an eye he had crossed the camp and slammed into Twopelt, pinning the warrior down to the ground. "What did you do to him?!" he yowled angrily, his fangs near the other's throat.

Twopelt laughed psychotically. "I killed him! Are you blind or something?" he said. He then kicked Eaglethorn's stomach and threw him off, before pinning him to the ground. "I could end your life now if I wanted to. In fact, I bet I could kill anyone that stands in my way. But... I shall let you live. I'll leave this clan, become a rogue. But don't think for one second that you can stop me," Twopelt snarled in Eaglethorn's ear, before laughing again and getting the brown cat. Before Eaglethorn could even react, Twopelt had raced off out of camp until he was eventually out of sight.

Eaglethorn hissed in anger, preparing to run after that traitor and tear his throat out, but at that time Falconstar came to. Opening his eyes, he knew that Twopelt would be gone. A search party would have to be sent out. He looked at Eaglethorn, and his son nodded as if he already knew what needed to be done.