Demonclaw and Spark curled up in one nest, both purring loudly. The night had been successful; Frostpaw had been given warrior authority in DarkClan. Demonclaw looked forward to training other cats with Frostpaw at his side.

Sandpaw and Ashpaw had been a little downcast at the news that their littermate was becoming a warrior, but they had resolved to train harder.

"Let all cats old enough to kill an enemy gather here beneath the Tigereye for a Clan meeting!" Demonclaw stood up, roused by Tigerstar's call.

"Cats of DarkClan, in four sunrises from now, we will attack the lake Clans!" Tigerstar yowled.

Demonclaw unsheathed his claws, digging them into the peaty soil.

"We have trained hard," Tigerstar continued, pacing on top of the rock he called Tigereye. "And we are ready. From now on, I want all residents of the Dark Forest to go out scouting during the night in Clan territory. If you have mixed allegiances, I suggest you choose your Clan, now."

Ashpaw stood up hesitantly. "I choose ShadowClan."

Tigerstar let out a low growl and leapt off the Tigereye, claws extended. Ashpaw dodged his attack and ran out of the clearing, Sandpaw and Frostpaw at his heels. Sandpaw didn't look back, but Frostpaw gazed forlornly at Demonclaw.

Fury surged through his body. How could he have been so mouse-brained? He'd been betrayed...again.

"Anyone else?" Demonclaw sneered. His gaze darted from Harespring of WindClan to Lightningstrike of ThunderClan.

"I choose ThunderClan." Lightningstrike led Thunderstorm away and the two ThunderClan mates raced off.

Tigerstar had an evil glint in his eyes. "If you leave, I will personally kill you myself," he threatened. "Get ready for the battle. Four sunrises from now." He stalked off the Tigereye into the pine tree meeting room. Demonclaw hastily followed him, aware that Spark at his flank. Mapleshade slithered in as well. Hawkfrost was already waiting.

"I told you it wouldn't work, father." Hawkfrost growled.

"Hush," Mapleshade warned.

"Demonclaw, your Clan, RevengeClan, tonight is the night that you get your revenge. I'm giving you a mission," Tigerstar glared at him. "You must kill Goldenperch, Echoflight and Firestar."

Demonclaw nodded gleefully. Finally, he could get his revenge!

"Mapleshade, your targets are Sandstorm, Tigerheart and Rowanclaw."

Mapleshade dipped her head.

"Spark and Ruthless, you must stay with Demonclaw. And Hawkfrost, my dear son, you're with me." Tigerstar purred.

"So, I don't get an escort?" Mapleshade curled her lip.

"Oh, Mapleshade, I'm sure you don't need one," Tigerstar purred louder.

Mapleshade sniffed before leaving the den.

"Oh, and Demonclaw, perhaps you want to talk to your old mate, Dawnpaw, was it? I hear she's at the Gathering Island tonight." Tigerstar's amber eyes glinted with malice.

Demonclaw left the tree and ran as fast as he could to the Gathering Island. Once there, he climbed a tree hastily and waited. Soon enough, Dawnpaw's ginger shape appeared. Dawnpaw glanced around warily and her face lit up once she saw a WindClan tom. It was Foxclaw.

"Hi, Dawnpaw," Foxclaw purred.

"Foxclaw," Dawnpaw nuzzled his cheek.

Demonclaw almost vomited. How could Dawnpaw have fallen for someone else? He jumped out of the tree, landing in between them.

"D-Demonclaw?" Dawnpaw stuttered.

"You know this cat?" Foxclaw looked around. "He's one of the Dark Forest cats that raided our camp!"

"Demonclaw! Why did you do that?" Dawnpaw mewed reproachfully.

Demonclaw purred, unsheathing his claws quickly and slashed them at Foxclaw's throat.

"Demonclaw!" Dawnpaw gasped. "You killed my mate!"

"I was your mate!" Demonclaw felt his rage rise and his temper burn. "I was the one you were supposed to love! I was exiled out of the Clan for you!"

"I-I'm sorry, Demonclaw, but I thought you weren't coming back," Dawnpaw murmured. "Can we still be mates?"

"NEVER!" Demonclaw roared. He slashed his claws across Dawnpaw's face, leaving a series of ugly claw marks. "Let that be a reminder," he said, breathing hard. "of the cat you rejected and forgot."

He glared at her one final time before crossing the tree bridge and heading back to his territory. A cat met him at his nest. Spark! Love filled his heart, leaving no room for the hatred that he had felt for Dawnpaw. He had been foolish. Not with just Dawnpaw, but with Leaf too. How could he want to be mates with Spark? Demonclaw knew she'd just reject him. But she had to try...and if she rejected him, killing her was always an option.

"Demonclaw," Spark purred. "Did you find Dawnpaw?" Jealousy crossed her face and her eyes darkened.

"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." Demonclaw licked her ears.

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?" The words gushed out of his mouth and wouldn't stop. For once in his life, his heart wasn't ruled by anger and fear, but by love and happiness and sparks of joy.

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

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.

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

"Do you want a fight?" Demonclaw taunted. "I've killed many cats in my life and I've never regretted any of them. I certainly won't regret you."

Dark sheathed his claws again, shaking his head. "You were the cat that brought me and Leaf together. But I cannot forgive you for this. You must die in the Final Battle."

Demonclaw laughed. "I won't die, Dark. Trust me, I don't die."

Spark stood next to him. "Dark, leave." Her voice held the hint of a growl.

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

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