Burrfleck's Demise

Prologue

        Black water winded between tall, skinny trees. Branches high in the canopies blocked out any sunlight that might have once found its way to the forest floor. Not a mouse stirred in the undergrowth.

        A large black she-cat trailed the edge of the river, her flashing yellow gaze scanning the tall, wilting, yellow reeds that drooped at the edge of the water. The tangling roots that winded across the ground did not fool her - she'd been here before, she'd mastered her route. Suddenly, she paused at the edge of the woods. It almost seemed like a rift between two worlds -- the earth crumbled at her paws and she was forced to take a few paces back.

        "Are you happy with yourself?" At the other side of the crumbling earth emerged a bright white tom, his pelt barely distinguishable against the twinkling starlit forest that stood tall behind him. His blue eyes burned into hers as the ebony she-cat peeled her lips into a snarl.

        "You needn't care how I feel, Frozen Water." She snorted, ears flattening. The white tom grinned toothily.

        "Whatever you say, princess." Frozen Water blinked once. "Your children will never know your name. Thank StarClan for that -- they'll never know what kind of mother you are."

        The black she-cat let out a furious spit and lashed her tail. "Don't you talk about my kits," she snarled, claws unsheathing. "They'd be proud to know I mothered them."

        "Too bad they won't know," Frozen Water sighed, studying his claws. "You know he won't tell them. He hates your guts."

        "He loves me," Her fur bristled and she rose to her paws. "He loves me. He's fathering our kits."

        "Keep telling yourself that," Frozen Water countered. "I know my great grandson and I know he is smarter than to love you after everything you did. After all you ended up in the Dark Forest, did you not? A shame you died giving birth over trying to slaughter someone that matters to you."

        "Watch what you say, Frozen Water," Her words darkened and he only eyed her in return.

        "What can you do? You're dead." Frozen Water turned and disappeared into the forest, leaving the black she-cat to melt into the shadows she called home.