Warrior Cats: Beyond the Clans

Spark's Grief - Chapter 4

Go away. Spark commanded the voice in her head as she lay in her den, curled up in a ball.

You're in looove, you're in looove! The voice replied.

Spark shoved her head underneath some moss, but she knew it wouldn't help. The voice had been troubling her the past few days, forcing her to admit that she loved Demonclaw. The voice, which she had started to refer to as the Spirit of Grief. She clenched her jaw when she remembered Claw telling her about his Spirits.

"What are the Spirits?" Spark asked curiously.

Before sleeping, Claw would turn a circle and give thanks to his spirits.

"They are cats that control the world. That's what I was taught to believe in. For example, the Spirit of Joy is a warm yellow she-cat with yellow eyes that brings you happiness. I thank her before sleeping for the happiness she has given me each day." Claw explained.

"What about the others? Tell me!" Spark begged.

"Well," Claw fumbled for the words. "The Spirit of Grief is a gray she-cat with haunted dark blue eyes. My father said that if you listen carefully enough, you can hear her saying bad things about you."

Spark winced as she recalled the Spirit of Grief.

So, I have a gray she-cat with haunted dark blue eyes living in my chest. How fun. Spark squirmed uncomfortably.

That's right. Grief replied. You have me and me only. I'm the only one you can trust. All the other cats in your world, they've betrayed you. I have never lied to you, Spark.

"Spark, are you awake?"

Spark's ears flicked up upon hearing Demonclaw's voice.

"Yeah," Spark said hesitantly, a growl in her throat.

Grief won't be right! She thought desperately. She can't be right.

"Demonclaw," Spark purred. "Did you find Dawnpaw?"

Earlier that day, Tigerstar had sent Demonclaw to go find his previous mate. She scowled and jealousy crossed her face, her eyes darkening as she wished to sink her claws into the petty she-cat that had almost stolen her mate-

No! Grief, why are you doing this? You've made me love Demonclaw!

You've admitted it! Grief cackled back. Now, let's get you to break up.

"Don't worry, Spark. Dawnpaw isn't a threat to you anymore. She forgot about me, rejected me. She was mating with Foxclaw. I killed him."

Spark took a step back. "You killed him."

"Spark! What I meant to say is, I care about you more than any other cat in this world. I love you, and I want you to be my mate. Spark, will you be my mate?" Demonclaw looked at her with those hopelessly blue eyes and she felt compelled to say yes.

"Demonclaw. I've been feeling this way about you for some time now, and yes, I will be your mate!" Spark replied.

Break uupp! Break uupp! Grief chanted evilly.

Demonclaw's ears twitched. "Come out!" he snarled.

A black tom with yellow eyes came out hesitantly. "What did you do to Leaf?" he growled.

"Dark. I should've known. I killed Leaf." Demonclaw puffed out his chest.

You- what?

"Why? For what? I loved her! She was expecting my kits!" Dark unsheathed his claws.

Oh, Leaf.

Everyone around you is dying! Grief taunted happily. You're a curse! First your precious mummy and daddy, then your brother, then Leaf-

SHUT UP! Spark yowled inside her head.

Then Leaf, Grief continued. Who's going to be next? Will it be Dark or Claw or ooh! Will it be Demonclaw?

Spark left her thoughts and glared at Dark. "Dark, leave."

Demonclaw looked from Dark to Spark. After Dark left, he faced Spark. "Did Dark love you?"

"He did," Spark lied. "But the only cat I want to mate with is you."

Good job, making him jealous. Who knows? He might even leave you now! Grief snarled meanly.

Spark sighed as Demonclaw left her to talk to Tigerstar. A few minutes later, he strode back, lashing his tail.

"You okay?" Spark asked softly.

Demonclaw lashed his tail. "Tigerstar needs to be overthrown. He keeps ordering me like I'm his slave!"

"Demonclaw, he's your leader," Spark mewed, amused. "He's supposed to boss you around."

Just like Grief can't boss me around.

I can too! I know your secrets and fears! Grief purred back in response.

"I don't care!" Demonclaw snapped. "I'm the leader, not him!"

"Yes, you're a completely natural leader," Spark teased.

"Not funny." He snarled.

This isn't the Demonclaw I know. He wouldn't snarl at me. Spark thought.

Oh yes, he would. Grief said, breaking her confidence. Why don't you ask about Leaf?

"Can I ask you a question?" she stopped purring.

"Sure," Demonclaw meowed back.

"Why did you kill Leaf?" Spark shuffled her paws nervously. It would be painful if Grief was right.

"Leaf?" Demonclaw said dismissively. "She was useless. She rejected me, although it's an honor to mate with me, don't you think?"

"No." Spark said quietly.

She covered her mouth, shocked with her bravery.

I meant she wasn't useless!

I knew it! You're going to stop loving him!

"You don't?" Demonclaw asked, hurt in his eyes.

"No, I really don't, Demonclaw, you shouldn't have killed her." Spark turned away, hiding her face.

Here's what I want you to say, little ickle kitten, Grief mewed. You think you're cool, Demonclaw...

"You think you're cool, Demonclaw," Spark's mouth started moving of its own accord.

Grief! She wailed. Stop this!

Now say this: But honestly, you're just cruel and sometimes a bully. I love you, I really do, but I don't want my kits to grow up under the influence of a cruel father. Spark could clearly see Grief reveling in joy.

Hold on, Grief! When have I been expecting kits? And whose kits? Claw's or Dark's or Demonclaw's? Spark demanded.

Not telling!

"But honestly, you're just cruel and sometimes a bully. I love you, I really do, but I don't want my kits to grow up under the influence of a cruel father. Now I can understand why your mother left Tigerstar. Like father, like son." The words flowed out of her mouth and she gaped as Grief controlled her. "I regret mating with you. I feel bad for the little kits in my belly, for they'll have to grow up without a father."

Demonclaw didn't reply.

No! I didn't mean it! Please, Demonclaw! Spark thought wildly. Grief, fix this!

It was too late. The tom had left her. Just like everyone else.

Except for me... Grief said slyly. I haven't left you and I never will.