✧ Devious Fates ✧ | COMPLETE WARRIOR CATS FANFICTION STORY |

// Chapter Eight

Goldenheart's eyes were filled with anger. The slain body of Jayheart lay in front of her paws, a scarlet pool oozing from his neck. Thistlepaw's eyes widened and his fur bristled. He peered deeper in the scene, fear and reluctance gushing through his veins.

Misery shot through Thistlepaw. Brinekit was limp, his head turned towards the nursery with his jaws still separated.

"No!" Thistlepaw hollered. Why him? What did Brinekit ever do wrong? Time felt slow. Thistlepaw crept up towards his dead brother, touching noses with him. Goldenheart padded up next to him.

StarClan could've prevented this, but they didn't. Why should I trust them? They let our Clanmates die at the claws of WindClan.

Goldenheart's fur bristled. Tears were building inside of her eyes, but she tried to resist them. "This battle isn't over yet," Goldenheart meowed, her voice shaking with the agony she tried to hold back. Thistlepaw lifted his gaze. She's right.

Anger burned in Thistlepaw's veins. Jayheart may of died, but that wasn't enough. Thistlepaw thirsted for vengeance. WindClan will pay for what they have done. He silently picked himself up onto aching paws, shifting his head over to look at the barrier of the nursery. He emerged out of it, heaving breaths in anger.

Vinestar was fighting Squirrelchase and Spottedpelt was fighting Weedtail and Raccoonpaw. Thistlepaw then spotted Flakepelt, who was darting towards him, determination glowing in his eyes. Thistlepaw curled his lips back in a furious hiss, unsheathing his claws into the earth and waiting with fury blazing in his gaze.

Thistlepaw heard the pounding of Flakepelt's paws approaching. He lifted her gaze with full determination and astringency towards the white warrior. Flakepelt saw Thistlepaw as being distracted, and made a duck for Thistlepaw's legs.

As Flakepelt was about to skid under Thistlepaw, he burst out with anger. Thistlepaw hurled Flakepelt away with great force. Flakepelt hit the ground in a furious hiss. As he was exposed, Thistlepaw swept his claws across his neck. Flakepelt let out an agonizing yowl. His body quickly fell into the dirt and he went completely still. It was that easy.

Thistlepaw sat for a moment, his heart pounding. Anger blazed through his blood. He was proud he punished WindClan for her brother's death; but he still didn't feel achieved. Duskpaw and Rabbitear had been murdered by the WindClan warriors. His own brother had been slain. But something else seemed missing in Thistlepaw. He narrowed his eyes. There was still something he needed to know more about. But the adrenaline lowered. ShadowClan won.

"WindClan, retreat!" Vinestar screeched, disgusted.

ShadowClan warriors with blood trickling down their pelts watched with fury as the attacking WindClan warriors limped out of their camp. Vinestar gave the ShadowClan warriors a vengeful look before turning away and storming out of camp.

Mosspelt slid out of the medicine den, marigold leaves and horsetail locked in her jaws. A line formed beside the medicine den, at the front of it was Raccoonpaw. He had a long scratch along his back, a ripped shoulder, and a torn ear. But he didn't seem to mind. He panted tiredly, but his eyes still showed strength and courage. Eaglefeather waited behind him, dealing a quick lick to Racoonpaw's head and nodding reassuringly.

"You fought well," Eaglefeather rasped to the striped tom. "Those WindClan flea-pelts will think harder before they attack us again." If only Squirrelchase gave me that much attention. Slight envy roused in Thistlepaw.

The black and brown apprentice then recalled Brinekit once again. He shot a guilty glance towards the nursery. He also remembered Moonkit, who was in a pool of great mystery. The Clan believed Goldenheart's explanation, but Thistlepaw doubted it. He didn't know what to believe from his mother anymore, and part of him was too stubborn to accept a dreadful truth. Goldenheart then padded up beside Thistlepaw. A few silent heartbeats passed as the two ShadowClan cats shared glances that spoke for themselves.