"There's no escape, Mistybreeze!"

Mistybreeze crouched in the darkness, terrified as Revengeheart loomed over her, seeming bigger and more powerful than ever. His eyes burned like fire as he glared down at her triumphantly. 

She started backwards only to bump into another cat and spun to see Poisonedsap, who swept her ragged tail around her as she purred. "We need as many kits as possible!"

"We will destroy the Clans!" Deserve's green eyes flashed at the corner of her vision. As she looked toward the Army leader, she gasped. Around him lay the bloody bodies of Diamondrain, Coldpebble, Dewstorm, Swiftstalker...

"No!" Mistybreeze yowled and started toward the motionless cats, but a dark red tabby stepped in her path. Bloodfur? As she caught his gaze he stared back at her, a look of conflict on his face. 

"Death to the Clans! Death to the Clans!" The cats around her chanted eagerly, and as the world dimmed around her, the last thing she saw was the glow of Bloodfur's yellow eyes before everything went black.

Suddenly Mistybreeze found herself awake. She kept her eyes closed as she sighed quietly through her nose. Just another bad dream... But the relief vanished as quickly as it came. No. Most of it is still real. She sensed movement and twitched an ear, not raising her chin from her nest as she flicked her gaze toward the den entrance. A red tabby tail was just rippling out of sight.

Bloodfur. She glanced at the nest beside her. Revengeheart was still asleep, his scarred white flank rising and falling slowly. Very quietly, she rose from her nest and crept around her sleeping Clanmates cautiously. She took a step out into the clearing and paused.

On the other side of the camp, Bloodfur had his back to her. To her puzzlement, he crouched outside the dirtplace, as still and focused as though he were hunting prey. What's he doing? Her fur prickled uneasily. Is Flameheart in there? Or Bloomfire? Whoever it was, she could see what Bloodfur planned to do when they emerged.

But would he really kill a cat? Mistybreeze wondered sadly, remembering her playful kithood friend.  She decided not to wait to find out. Perhaps she could talk to him about this. As she stepped lightly and carefully toward Bloodfur, it occurred to her that if he saw her as a threat, he just might kill her. The thought didn't bother her much. I suppose it would get me out of this situation, wouldn't it?

She was a tail length away from him now. He still seemed unaware of her nearing, his attention focused on the dirtplace where his target was. She hesitated before she spoke quietly. "Bloodfur?"

Startled, he spun to face her, fur bristling and claws sliding out. Yet Mistybreeze felt strangely calm as she warily met his yellow eyes. "What are you doing?" 

Bloodfur looked alarmed. "I-I..." He was searching for an explanation. "I was... waiting to go to the dirtplace."

"Oh." You seemed awfully eager about it. She thought. And you're a terrible liar! She hesitated as she considered talking to him alone. I really don't think he's a bad cat. I think he needs someone to talk to about his feelings, and someone who isn't going to encourage his anger. She thought about it a moment longer before she made her decision. "Well, when you're done, would you like to go for a walk in the forest?"

He looked surprised. "Uh, sure." He cast a glance over his shoulder at the dirtplace. "Let's go."

Mistybreeze guessed he wanted to get out of camp before whoever was using the dirtplace finished their business. "I thought you had to go..." She inquired, curious what he would say.

"Uh-no, not anymore," Bloodfur stammered awkwardly. "You scared it right out of me." He kicked the ground with his hind claws as though covering his dirt.

She rolled her eyes, mildly amused. "Toms." She headed for the thorn tunnel, aware of Bloodfur following her closely. As the two of them slipped through, she saw that Crowmask and Copperstripe were on guard.

Crowmask narrowed his eyes. "Where are you going?"

"Just for a walk." Mistybreeze replied as she and Bloodfur paused.

"With him?" The black warrior glared at Bloodfur. "Are you sure that's a good idea?" 

Mistybreeze knew her father was among the most suspicious of Bloodfur. He believed that he was a murderer. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Bloodfur bristle in offense.

Copperstripe looked wary. "I'll go with you if you'd like, Mistybreeze." He offered. "We don't need any more deaths-"

"Don't talk like I'm not here!" Bloodfur spat angrily at the guards. "I never killed anyone!"

A growl rumbled in Crowmask's throat as he leaned toward the young warrior. "As far as I'm concerned, you're a murderer who deserves no place in ShadowClan!" He bared his teeth. "You killed Diamondrain."

Mistybreeze flinched at the mention of her mother. As Bloodfur started to growl, she pushed between the two toms. "There's no proof that Bloodfur did anything," She pointed out calmly to Crowmask. "We've known each other since we were kits. I'm perfectly comfortable being alone in the forest with him."

The black warrior didn't take his eyes off the red tabby, his amber eyes slitted. His tail lashed slowly. After a moment, he looked away. "Fine." He muttered to Mistybreeze. "But be careful."

Dipping her head, Mistybreeze proceeded into the forest, aware of Crowmask and Copperstripe watching. Bloodfur shot them a glare before following her.

It was silent for a long time as she and Bloodfur strolled through the forest. A bright moon shone overhead, giving the pines a calming blue tint. She glanced at her companion a few times, wondering if he would speak first, but he stayed quiet. I'm guessing he's not too happy about what Crowmask and Copperstripe said.

Mistybreeze knew they were wrong about his crimes. Bloodfur had not killed any cat. Poisonedsap and Deserve were responsible for the deaths, and had made the Clan believe he had been behind the killings. But just because he hasn't killed yet doesn't mean he won't. I'm sure it was Flameheart or Bloomfire in the dirtplace, and he intended to kill them. How long before he proves our Clanmates right about him?

After a long while, she broke the silence with a daring question. "Do you really want to kill your parents?" She couldn't look at him as she asked.

"My parents are dead." Bloodfur responded.

"I mean Flameheart and Bloomfire." She corrected herself.

"They aren't my parents."

She twitched an ear. "Aren't they? They raised you." She pointed out, hoping to remind him how much his foster parents cared for him.

To her dismay, Bloodfur didn't respond and looked away from her, seeming irritated. Well, this isn't a good start. Mistybreeze glanced down as she walked, lightly batting away a pinecone in her path as she thought of what to say.

She could understand he was upset about being lied to his whole life, but couldn't help but feel he was being rather foolish. She knew very well that kin meant much more than blood. Crowmask and I share blood, yet he's just another warrior to me. He was never there for me growing up. Flameheart isn't related to Bloodfur at all, and he's always been a great father to him.

She hesitated before she went on, hoping to point this out to him. "My father never paid much attention to me and Coldpebble." She said quietly. "Diamondrain only spoke to us a few times after we were made apprentices. You're so lucky to have had Flameheart and Bloomfire as parents. They stuck with you the whole way. My-"

"Can we talk about something else?" Bloodfur cut her off with a growl. "Like, maybe how to get rid of the other medicine cats?"

Mistybreeze's heart sunk with disappointment. Not only had she failed to get through to him about his foster parents, but now he was talking about killing the medicine cats! Am I wrong about him? She wondered. Could he be a killer waiting to strike? "Dewstorm is my uncle." She meowed quietly, half to herself.

For a long moment, neither cat spoke. She looked away from him uncomfortably, suddenly regretting her decision to talk to him. This was a mistake. He might even tell Revengeheart what I said. He-

"I'll race you to the top of that tree."

Did I hear that right? Mistybreeze snapped her attention to him, surprised and confused. "What? Why?"

"For fun." Bloodfur flicked her on the shoulder with his tail before sprinting at a large pine tree.

Fun? For a heartbeat, she just stared after him, wondering if this was the same cat who wanted to talk about killing medicine cats just moments ago. Is he crazy? But he had already reached the trunk of the tree, clearly thinking she was following. Okay then.

She blinked before she bunched her sleepy muscles and charged after Bloodfur. She scrambled up the tree after him, leaping nimbly to surpass him onto a higher branch. I haven't climbed a tree in ages! She looked down at Bloodfur as she dug her claws into the bark of the next branch. "Too slow." She purred.

"Oh, yeah?" Bloodfur's eyes gleamed playfully and leaped to the next branch, and Mistybreeze spun and ascended to the next one before he could reach her.

As Mistybreeze soared up the tree, the cool night air whisking past her with each leap, she realized she hadn't felt so carefree in moons. She quickened her speed, darting from branch to branch and breathing in the strong piney scent.

When she reached the last branch near top of the tree that could support a cat's weight, she steadied herself onto it and sat down, Taking a moment to catch her breath. Looking down, she was surprised to see Bloodfur still several branches below her, making his way up. 

When he finally joined her on the top branch, she couldn't hide her amusement. She'd enjoyed their little race more than she thought she would. "You took your time." She teased.

"Yeah, well, I was being careful." Bloodfur chuckled. "You must be part squirrel."

"Then you must be part turtle." She purred, and he gasped, asking her to take back the comment, but she refused. "You climb like a badger that just woke up!"

Bloodfur laughed and sat beside her. "I'd be a pretty talented badger then! You might as well be a bird." He paused. "Remember when we were kits, you'd jump so high to catch mossballs I was afraid you'd go through the roof of the nursery?"

She broke into laughter. "Of course! We had lots of fun."

"Even then you were a high jumper." Bloodfur purred. "We should have seen this coming!"

Mistybreeze purred in amusement. "Remember the time Swiftstalker ran headfirst into a tree?"

"No!" He broke into laughter and had to dig his claws into the branch to keep balanced. "When was that?"

"When he was an apprentice," Mistybreeze chuckled, realizing this was after he and Bloodfur had stopped being friends. "He was chasing after a frog with that crazy speed he has. He was going so fast, he couldn't dodge the tree on time."

Bloodfur purred loudly. "I wish I'd seen that!"

As Mistybreeze laughed with him, she realized how happy she was in this moment. All her worries about Revengeheart and Poisonedsap were far below her in the forest. Up here with Bloodfur, between the treetops and the stars of silverpelt, everything felt right. As she watched Bloodfur laugh, his yellow eyes warm and happy, she knew she'd been right all along. He was not a bad cat, and he certainly wouldn't hurt any cat. That is, unless some cats took advantage of him and pushed him toward anger and hatred. 

Revengeheart. Feelings of anger and disgust dimmed her happiness for a moment as she thought of her mate. Looking at Bloodfur, she wanted to tell him about how Revengeheart and Poisonedsap pit the Clan against him. That he should forgive his foster parents and move on. But seeing how happy he seemed now, she didn't dare ruin the moment.

Her feelings of amusement faded, and she spoke seriously to him. "I'm sorry I brought up Flameheart and Bloomfire. I was just trying to help."

"I know. It's okay." Bloodfur hesitated, looking downward. "Nothing will help though. I'd rather talk like they don't exist." He muttered. "They lied to me."

"But they did it for you." Mistybreeze commented quietly. He didn't respond, staring down into the branches below. She watched him sympathetically, seeing a mixture of sadness and anger in the yellow eyes she had admired as a kit. She'd rather see him happy like he had been moments ago.

She hesitated for a moment before following her instinct. She leaned closer to him and rubbed her cheek against his striped shoulder. He started a little in surprise, his fur rising briefly before he relaxed and it flattened again. He purred. I wonder how long it's been since any cat has shown him affection? Since he shut out Bloomfire and Flameheart?

"We should do this again sometime." Bloodfur meowed hesitantly, his mew edged with hopefulness. 

He could use a true friend. Mistybreeze thought as she rested her tail around him. Just like Swiftstalker and I needed each other. "That would be nice." She purred quietly. 

As she felt Bloodfur purr in response, she realized that she felt different with Bloodfur than she did with Swiftstalker. It was the way Revengeheart had made her feel before he'd shown her his true personality.

The two of them stayed at the top of the pine for a while longer, enjoying the view of the night sky hanging over the forest, and the calming scents of the night. Then they made their way down the tree, this time without a race. Mistybreeze sensed that they were both in good spirits as they made their way back to camp. Even as they passed Crowmask and Copperstripe, Bloodfur remained calm. Both looked relieved to see Mistybreeze had returned without a scratch on her.

"I hope Cobratail doesn't put either of us on the dawn patrol." Mistybreeze commented, curling her tail in amusement. "I'm tired from that climbing!"

"Me too," Bloodfur purred back.

She started toward the warriors' den but paused, realizing he wasn't following. "Aren't you going to sleep too?"

"I just have to use the dirtplace first." Bloodfur meowed. As she tilted her head, he added with a gleam in his eyes. "For real this time!"

Mistybreeze shook her head in amusement and padded into the warriors' den, carefully stepping around Ashcloud and Timberstorm. When she reached her nest, she curled up in a silver ball, feeling content. She closed her eyes, ready for sleep.

"Where were you?"

Her eyes snapped open. She uncurled herself and turned to see Revengeheart laying in his nest beside her, his chin on his black paws. He had been so still, she'd assumed he was asleep when she first entered then den. But he was awake, his amber eyes accusing and fixed on her.

"Using the dirtplace." Mistybreeze meowed the first thing that came to mind.

"Don't lie to me!" Revengeheart hissed in a whisper. "I saw you come back into camp with Bloodfur." His eyes narrowed to slits. "I know exactly what you two were doing."

Mistybreeze swallowed. What would Revengeheart say if he knew they'd raced and laughed together? That she'd tried to ease his anger toward his parents? "We were just talking-"

"Exactly!" He growled. "And I know what you were talking about." Before she could respond, he went on. "You were trying to talk him out of trying to kill Dewstorm, weren't you? Just because he's your uncle doesn't mean he's excusable." He rolled his eyes. "Stupid she-cat."

She let his words go in one ear and out the other. She relaxed, relieved that he didn't suspect she was befriending Bloodfur. "Sorry," She mumbled. He grunted in response before settling back into his nest, turning his back to her.

While Mistybreeze curled up again, Bloodfur padded through the entrance of the den. He looked at her for a moment, his whiskers twitching warmly. Then he crept past her to his nest. 

As she closed her eyes and welcomed sleep, she felt strangely relaxed. Her time with Bloodfur tonight had been the most fun she'd had in moons. Unlike with Revengeheart, she enjoyed his company and wasn't afraid of him. I hope we can spend more time together.

***

"And I'll team up with Blackstorm," Revengeheart sneered. "Since Mistybreeze is such a bad fighter."

Mistybreeze looked down as Poisonedsap's ShadowClan allies all laughed at her. Frustration pulsed through her paws as she longed to swipe the grins off all their faces, especially Mottledface, Amberrose, and Foxshadow. I'd show you how bad a fighter I am!

It seemed like the more Mistybreeze refused to have kits, the more Revengeheart picked on her. Suddenly it was as if she was hardly an asset to the plan. She was just the cat everyone could bully or practice attacks on. Battle practice was never fun for her.

As the laughter died down, she raised her gaze and was glad to see that one cat wasn't laughing. Bloodfur. His tail was lashing as he spoke up. "I guess that leaves me and Mistybreeze."

Revengeheart agreed, and Mistybreeze felt relieved. Bloodfur and Swiftstalker were the only cats in the group she felt comfortable with, and Swiftstalker had already been paired with Falconclaw.

As she and Bloodfur padded away from the others to find a place to practice, Mistybreeze couldn't help but dwell on Revengeheart's words. He's much stronger than me. But I'm tough. I could put up a good fight, that's for sure! And I'd give him some scars, though I'm sure he'd never boast about being beaten by a she-cat. The smug furball.

"Why does Revengeheart treat you so badly?" Bloodfur's quiet question broke her from her bitter thoughts.

Mistybreeze hesitated, unsure of how to respond. How much should I tell him? She let go of her worries. Bloodfur was her friend, and she felt comfortable enough to confide in him. "He's mad because I won't have kits," She admitted. "He's been pressuring me about it for moons. I don't know why he's so insistent about it."

He seemed startled to hear this. "Do you want kits?" He asked after a moment.

She was about to say no when she hesitated. She'd been pestered about it so often by Revengeheart and Poisonedsap, just the idea of kits made her frightened and angry. But now, she pushed the two cats out of the picture. Do I want kits? Not Revengeheart's kits, not kits for this plot. But kits for myself? Kits who would become ShadowClan warriors? "Maybe..." She muttered. "But not his."

"Then why are you mates?" Bloodfur asked in confusion as they walked.

Mistybreeze sighed and spoke her thoughts out loud. "I don't know. He seemed like a different cat at the time. I had no idea what I was getting into, like this whole alliance with Deserve to attack the Clans. I want no part in this!"

He stared at her, his thoughts unreadable. "Why don't you leave?"

"I don't think I can." Mistybreeze suddenly felt vulnerable as the weight of the situation came crashing down on her. "They won't let me, and... I think I know too much."

Bloodfur seemed to know exactly what she was saying. "They wouldn't kill you."

"I wouldn't put it past that group of fox hearts." Suddenly, alarm shot through her like a lightning bolt. She stopped and jerked her head toward Bloodfur, feeling a flash of fear. Why did I tell him so much? I got so carried away... "Please don't tell Revengeheart any of that!" She pleaded. "Or anyone else!"

When Bloodfur seemed to hesitate, a feeling of dread washed over her, and she started to panic. Have I been too quick to trust him? "Please, Bloodfur!"

"I won't." He responded at last, meeting her gaze. "I promise, I won't tell any cat. You can trust me."

Mistybreeze found that she believed him. "I thought so." She slowly relaxed. "Thanks."

When she and Bloodfur reached a small clearing suitable for battle training, she saw how hesitant he seemed. "How about we keep our claws sheathed?" He suggested.

She hesitated. That was the way normal Clan warriors trained. But Poisonedsap made her followers do things differently. "Revengeheart wouldn't like that."

"Revengeheart isn't here." Bloodfur pointed out.

Mistybreeze hesitated. That's true. I suppose it'll be fine. "Okay, let's start." She crouched and fixed her eyes on him, ready for his attack.

"You can start." He meowed, much to her surprise.

"Okay." Mistybreeze narrowed her eyes and leaped at the tom. She never got the chance to strike first with other opponents. She saw this as a great opportunity to show just how strong she really was, in contrast to Revengeheart's claim. She rolled Bloodfur to the ground and braced for his reaction.

A little bat on the shoulder.

"What's wrong?" Mistybreeze blinked.

"Nothing." He gave himself a shake and sprang at her, pinning her and raising a paw, but Mistybreeze easily batted his head, and he retreated backwards. She leaped to her paws, partly amused, partly annoyed. Does he think this is a game? Or does he think I'm too fragile for battle? "For StarClan's sake, Bloodfur! I'm not a delicate kit! Treat me like a real enemy!"

Bloodfur aimed a blow to her head, but it was slow and clumsy. He's doing this on purpose! Irritated, she growled and attacked, pinning him on his back. Does he think I'm weak like Revengeheart does? Is that why he's acting like I'm a kit? "Come on, fight properly!"

"I can't." He admitted as he tried to free himself, but she was using all her strength, wanting to show him how capable she was.

"Why?" Mistybreeze flattened her ears in offense, a little hurt. "Do you think I'm weak too?"

Bloodfur's eyes flashed up at her in surprise. "No!" He exclaimed. "You're great at fighting, I just don't want to accidentally hurt you. You're my friend, and such a kind, beautiful cat..." He trailed off, seeming embarrassed.

Mistybreeze's grip loosened as she stared down at him, taken back by his words. Back when they were apprentices, he had hurt her when he ended his friendship with she and Coldpebble. She was sure he didn't care about her anymore. But now, they were friends again, and he continued to prove he cared a lot for her. Not only that, but he admired her?

She couldn't suppress a purr of warmth. "You know, you're not like any of those other cats, Bloodfur." She leaned down and rubbed the side of her muzzle against his, and he purred back.

"What's going on?"

Revengeheart's snarl sent a jolt of alarm through her. She and Bloodfur immediately sprang apart, and she swung to the white tom. "We were training," She meowed nervously.

"It didn't look like training to me." He looked furious, his thick tail lashing as he approached them. "You already have a mate: me!" He pushed her aside with a massive shoulder, then stalked up to Bloodfur. "You'd better back off, or I'll rip your pelt off!" He snarled. "Got it?"

The dark red tabby nodded, looking afraid and intimidated by Revengeheart's fury. "Of course." He lowered his head. "Sorry."

Revengeheart didn't move, almost nose to nose with Bloodfur. Behind the white tom, Mistybreeze unsheathed her claws, ready to fight to defend her friend if Revengeheart dared attack him. 

But to her relief, Revengeheart spun away from Bloodfur and nudged Mistybreeze roughly. "Let's go." He growled. 

She didn't dare look back at Bloodfur as Revengeheart pushed her forward, but hoped he was okay. When they were a fair distance away from the clearing, Revengeheart glared at her. "What was that about?"

"We were only training." Mistybreeze growled, meeting his angry gaze. "If you're so upset seeing me alone with another tom, pair me up with Amberrose next time."

Clearly she spoke too freely, because Revengeheart swung his claws at her ears in response. The blow stung, but she showed no weakness as she narrowed her eyes at him. 

"You're my mate." He growled at her. "You'd better remember that, or I'll make sure Coldpebble dies." He paused. "Bloodfur too." With that, he whipped around. "Come on, let's get back to the others."

Mistybreeze lowered her head as she followed him, her eyes narrowed. You won't hurt any cat I care about. I don't know how just yet, but I'm going to fight against you to protect my kin and my Clan.