Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Nothing.

An endless white void, stretching on forever in every direction.

Still, Sorrelbush stood on solid ground.

She looked around. Nothing. She tried to move. Futile. It was purgatory.

But Sorrelbush wasn't worried. She was here every night. She knew exactly what would happen next.

Suddenly the void parted, as if it were made of clouds. Golden rays of light broke through the opening crack, and beyond, the calico she-cat could see the lush green forest of the afterlife. A place called 'StarClan.'

A figure materialized in the distance, stepping out of StarClan and padding toward them. Her tortoiseshell fur was majestic, groomed and glowing far beyond what any moral could do. It flowed and rippled down her perfectly sculpted, voluptuous body. Her eyes beamed, pools of love and warmth so deep Sorrelbush often found herself lost inside them. Glory and beauty flowed off of her and formed a tangible trail behind as she walked.

Is this the Christ in a female feline form? No.

This is Spottedleaf. 

Spottedleaf came to a halt in front of Sorrelbush. Her fur dimmed so Sorrelbush could look at her without being blinded. But it was still obvious that one cat was far superior than the other.

Sorrelbush nuzzled Spottedleaf's cheek. "Hi, mom."

Spottedleaf kissed Sorrelbush on the cheek. "Hello, my sweet child," her voice was angelic. "How are you?"

"I'm well," Sorrelbush answered.

"Come, walk with me," with a flick of her tail, Spottedleaf steered Sorrelbush toward the entrance of StarClan. "Tell me about your day."

"But you've already seen my day," Sorrelbush pointed out.

"I know," Spottedleaf chuckled. "But I want it from your perspective. I want your version."

"Okay then, well," Sorrelbush began. "Me and Goldenflame went to the ThunderClan sector to eat breakfast, and then afterwards, we played hide-and-seek in the forest."

"Oh!" Spottedleaf pretended to be surprised. "Was that fun?"

"Yes," Sorrelbush purred. "I found my sister rather easily, and while Goldenflame nearly spotted me, I managed to win."

"Wonderful!" Spottedleaf purred as well. "What happened afterward?"

"We went to the ShadowClan sector and pranked some of the subordinates there. Either we'd scare off their prey or steal it for ourselves. And occasionally Goldenflame irritated the group by making noises and running away. There was a BloodClan cat wandering the territory who eventually joined her."

"But you did that too, didn't you?" Spottedleaf guessed.

Sorrelbush sighed. "Yeah, me too. I can never truly fool you, can I?"

"Of course not," Spottedleaf's whiskers twitched in amusement. "Continue."

"In the afternoon we trekked over to the RiverClan sector and watched them fish for a little while. But that got boring fast, because they're so slow and lazy - especially that dark gray she-cat - so we went to the WindClan sector and gossiped with a few of the cats in camp."

"About what?" Spottedleaf questioned.

"Well, it was more of us bragging about our difference in life with them," Sorrelbush explained. "I don't think they like us very much and I can't figure out why. And then toward evening, we took a WindClan rabbit for dinner, headed back to Fourtrees, went to sleep, and now here I am!"

"That sound like you had a wonderful day!" Spottedleaf commented. "But I think you missed a part. Did you ever... talk with Fireheart today?"

"Oh, of course!" Sorrelbush scoffed. "How could I forget? Some BloodClan tom came to us around noon and told us Fireheart wanted to see us. When we got to Fourtrees, we messed around with him a bit. First, we gave him a double blowjob, then he used each of us while we licked each other's paws. That was fun. After he was finished, he shooed us off to talk to... Bone, I think? Anyway, we decided to go to the RiverClan sector when he did."

"That did sound fun," Spottedleaf agreed. She sounded a little wistful of her time back when she was a mortal cat, and could fuck with the love of her life. But Sorrelbush knew those days were long gone. She barely knew her mother as anything but her deity and her goddess.

"Good girl~" Spottedleaf praised, reading her daughter's mind. Suddenly, the goddess jump up onto a fallen log and spread herself out on her side over it. She shoved a forepaw in Sorrelbush's face. "Tell me one of your stories. I love hearing those stories."

Sorrelbush complied. As she told her story, she gently licked Spottedleaf's pawpads with her rough tongue, eliciting approving sighs from her.

She told the elaborate and extravagant story of a cat named Brambleclaw, who was sent on a quest to find a new home for his clan to live in. On the journey came several other cats, one being an apprentice he eventually fell in love with. They walked for days, exploring fantastical new lands and meeting an medly of cats and creatures. Eventually, they found an old badger at the end of the world, where water stretches on forever and ever. There, they learned how to find their new home, and so they started back home to tell the news to their clans. On the way, they took a journey through the moutains, where they met another Clan and a massive creature that preyed on cats every evening. Eventually, the travelers managed to kill the creature at the loss of one of their cats. The survivors made it home, and just in time, too: their territories had already begun falling apart. Their Clans were almost snuffed from the forest. But, they managed to unite, at least for a little while, and follow Brambleclaw and the chosen cats to their new home: a forest around a massive body of water.

Spottedleaf applauded Sorrelbush for both her beautiful storytelling and her excellent job catering her paws. "That's one of my favorite stories of yours," Spottedleaf admitted. "It's unique and exciting; only a mind like your's could create such an realistic illustration. But, it also reminds me of how good I am. They made those cats go through so much struggle and pain that could've been avoided completely if I was above to tell Brambleclaw what that badger said in a dream."

Sorrelbush leaped onto the fallen trunk and kissed her mother. "That's why we're so lucky to have you as our goddess."

"And I'm happy to take care of all of you," Spottedleaf returned the kiss. "And you most of all. But now, I think you've lost track of time telling me that story. It's time for you to wake up now."

"It is? Oh, all right," Sorrelbush sighed, looked down at her paws. "I'll see you tomorrow night, then."

"See you later, my child," Spottedleaf farewelled. "Serve your father well. Be mischievous."

"I will, thanks," Sorrelbush closed her eyes and felt the world melt around her. She grew very cold as the warmth of Spottedleaf's glory and love was ripped away from her. Then, she grew uncomfortable as her free-floating was replaced with the ground pressing into her side.

Sorrelbush opened her eyes.

She was in a meticulously crafted den of brambles and twigs. Sunlight was filtering into her den, illuminating the dusty air. Her moss nest felt incredibly soft and comfortable under her body. To her sides were two other empty nests - Goldenflame and Fireheart must have woken up already. She could hear voices outside: Bone's, her father's, and another cat's.

Sorrelbush stood up and stretched. She shook out her fur before exiting the den. The air was brisk and cold as Leafbare was in full swing. She loved the smell of the cold air. The sun was peeking between the branches of the four trees that surrounded their camp. Fireheart, his children, and his high officials slept in dens around the Highrock. The clearing of Fourtees belonged solely to them. There was a food pile not far from the dens where they could eat, containing food stolen from all four sectors.

"Hey, Sorrelbush!" Sorrelbush was tackled from the side and thrown to the ground. Sheathed paws pummeled her belly. She tussled with the cat on top of her for several moments until she managed to dislodge her opponent's hind legs. Rolling over, she quickly pinned down the calico she-cat attacking her.

"Good morning, Goldenflame," Sorrelbush sighed. It was her twin sister.

"Good morning to you, too," Goldenflame grabbed Sorrelbush's legs. "How're you doing?"

"I'm... okay," Sorrelbush meowed. "If I wasn't fully awake before, I am now."

"Just okay?" Goldenflame echoed. "I think I know how to turn that 'okay' into 'great.'" She quickly wrapped her legs around Sorrelbush's body and pulled her down to the ground with her. Before Sorrelbush knew it, their lips touched. The two sisters quickly dissolved into a prolonged, intimate kiss, moaning softly and delving their tongue into each other's maw as they made out. Sorrelbush closed her eyes as she melted into the kiss. She loved it.

"Hey, good morning, girls," Fireheart's deep voice broke Sorrelbush out of the kiss. Goldenflame broke away from her to look at their father, and Sorrelbush did the same. "You two seem to be really enjoying yourselves. I've a task I need you to do."

"Oh!" Goldenflame kicked Sorrelbush off of her and scrambled upright. "What is it?"

"There's a RiverClan cat that needs to be put down," Fireheart explained. "Named Shadepelt. I'd like you to go take care of her; you're the fastest. I'll even pleasure you later if you wish."

"Okay, anything you say, daddy," Goldenflame nuzzled Fireheart before speeding away in the direction of the RiverClan sector.

Sorrelbush watched as she climbed the edge of the clearing and vanished into the hedges surrounding them. "Should I go with her too, daddy?" She asked.

Fireheart shrugged and turned away. "Whatever. Sure, I guess."

Sorrelbush quickly ran after Goldenflame, desperate to catch up with her. She ran up the sides of the hollow and shoved her way through the foliage before bounding after her sister's scent trail. Her sister was nimble and fast, and she was only able to catch up with her as they approached the river. Luckily, it was frozen over, so it would be easy to cross. Sorrelbush crossed first without any difficulty. She was slightly worried about the ice breaking, especially when she heard shifting underneath her, but to her relief it held firm.

"Hey, check this out!" Goldenflame exclaimed. As she stepped onto the ice, she spun around and walked forward, while her momentum carried her backward.

"Hey, we've got a job to do," Sorrelbush reminded her sister. "We don't have time to moonwalk on ice."

"Oh, right, sorry," Goldenflame apologized and met Sorrelbush on the other side of the river. They pressed forward toward the RiverClan camp in a quick trot, walking side by side.

Goldenflame took the lead and headed into the camp first, with Sorrelbush quickly afterward. There were two BloodClan guards on the inside and the outside of the camp entrance, but they let their princesses through without question. Inside the camp lay several twig dens and a big tree where the leader used to live, although now it was used by BloodClan for surveillance. A meager fresh-kill pile was located in the center.

"Which one of you idiots is Shadepelt?" Goldenflame shouted as soon as she burst into camp. All the cats in the clearing froze and stared at her.

A few BloodClan cats sat atop a root of the big tree jutted up out of the ground. There were several moments of absolute silence. One pointed their tail to something behind one of the dens. "She's over there. The dark gray pelt."

Goldenflame stormed toward where the cat pointed. Sorrelbush followed. She heard whimpering, then pleading, as Goldenflame grabbed the cat's scruff and dragged them out from behind the den.

"No... No! Let me go! Please!" Shadepelt begged. Goldenflame ignored her and tossed her into the middle of camp. "Leave me alone! Please!"

"Fireheart wants you dead," Sorrelbush explained in a low growl. "That means you're dead."

Shadepelt tried to scramble away and shield her body from Goldenflame, but the princess was too fast. She lunged forward and tore out her throat. As Shadepelt screeched and stumbled to the ground and blood began to gush out of the wound, Goldenflame straddled Shadepelt's body and, with one quick motion, snapped her neck. The crack of bone resonated through the clearing. She let go and the lifeless body slumped to the ground, blood pooling out from the corpse's throat.

The RiverClan cats watched the whole ordeal in absolute horror, terrified to intervene, lest they join Shadepelt. The BloodClan cats watched the event unfold emotionlessly.

Goldenflame stepped off of the body, shaking blood from her paws. "Alright. Our job is done," she turned to Sorrelbush. "Want to go tree climbing now?" 

"Uh, sure," Sorrelbush accepted, still staring at the cat who was alive and well just moments ago. While Goldenflame licked her paws free of red stains, Sorrelbush glanced up at the sky. It was late morning and the clouds were sparse. She sighed. "Great Spottedleaf, couldn't this have waited until at least noon?" 

Sorrelbush followed after Goldenflame as her sister led the way out of the camp. A "psst, Sorrelbush," caught her off-guard. Glancing over, she spotted one mortified, half-starving RiverClan tom looking at her.

"What?" Sorrelbush snapped.

"Maybe one day you should try to walk in our paws," the black cat whispered. 

Sorrelbush narrowed her eyes at them. She didn't understand what the cat meant. Walk in their paws? She'd worry about that later. Right now the only thing that mattered was catching up with Goldenflame so they could probably annoy some ThunderClanners. She wasn't about to let some subordinate ruin her fun.

Chapter Text

It was mid afternoon. Moans and grunts filled the air around Fourtrees as Fireheart pounded Goldenflame. He was mounted on top of her and thrusting into her with speed and precision. Sorrelbush's sister was stretched forward with her forelegs and shouting her bliss to Fireheart.

"Uuugggghhhnn~ fuuuck! Ah~ ahh~ F- Fireheart! Fuuuuuck! H- harder!" Goldenflame cried.

"That's right, bitch," Fireheart growled. "Beg for me."

Sorrelbush laid on the dirt some distance away from them. She was horribly wet watching her father breed her sister, but she didn't feel like joining in with them at the moment. She knew Fireheart wouldn't treat her well, and besides, she had something else irritably stuck on her mind.

Maybe one day you should try to walk in our paws.

The hell does that mean? 'Walk in our paws.' How can I walk in another cat's paws? Do I rip them off and fastened them around mine?

Since Fireheart was clearly busy, Sorrelbush decided she would ask Bone if he had a clue as to what that meant. She stood up and padded over to him. "Hey, Bone."

Bone spun his head around to face her. "What do you want?"

"I have a question for you," Sorrelbush explained. "What does 'walk in another's paws' mean?"

Bone snorted, holding back a laugh. Clearly, he found it funny that she didn't know.

"It's not funny!" Sorrelbush hissed and stamped her foot. "Tell me what it means. Now."

Bone recollected himself. "My apologies. That phrase just means to see things from someone else's perspective."

"What things?" Sorrelbush demanded.

"Anything," Bone shrugged. "Everything. Now, is that all you wanted to know? I'd like to finish my meal before Fireheart finishes banging your sister."

"Yes," Sorrelbush nodded. "Thank you." She padded away and back to her position where she could watch the show as she thought.

Walk in our paws. See things from another perspective. Did that stupid black subordinate want me to see things from his perspective? 

Sorrelbush thought as hard as she could about the average day for one of the subordinates. She didn't actually know for a fact how they lived; she was far above caring how the scum lived, but from what she'd seen throughout her random trips to the different sectors, she managed to piece together a probable theory of how they lived.

I bet they wake up and eat some prey, like we do.

Wait a moment - Fireheart always told us BloodClan gets food pick after us. That means those subordinates don't get to eat any fresh-kill in the morning!

What next? Well, I see them all the time on hunting patrols. I bet they're trying to feed themselves after not getting fresh-kill earlier.

But BloodClan patrols bully them and take their prey. And then we come along and irritate them for sport! Walk in their paws. Hmm... If I were a victim in that patrol, I'd complain to dad. Wait, I couldn't! I can hardly fight back; BloodClan is too strong. I can't flee, otherwise BloodClan would kill me. What would I do? What could I do?

Nothing.

The realization struck Sorrelbush with such force that she felt like Goldenflame had shoved her off of the Highrock. 

I couldn't do anything. All I could do is beat it.

Sorrelbush could hardly imagine a world in which she was constantly trampled over and bullied, as she now realizes that's what happens to the subordinates. If anyone tried to do that to her, Fireheart would have them put to a slow and painful death. Goldenflame was merciful with Shadepelt.

Do they deserve to be treated that way? BloodClan always told me they're the mud of the earth—weak and lawless and only alive because they work autonomously for the superiors.

But they're still cats, right? They're not a different animal altogether. Don't they deserve to be treated like how we're treated? What's the point of keeping them so enslaved?

Fuck. That stupid black tom wasn't so stupid after all. I've got to talk to him.

Sorrelbush stood up abruptly and powered her way out of the Fourtrees clearing. The air outside was fresh and clean and felt good on her fur. She gave a quick stretch before setting off in the direction of the RiverClan sector. As she padded toward the frozen river and the moans of her sister faded into the distance, she thought more about things she had that the subordinates didn't. 

I'm not questioned anywhere I go; I can go anywhere; I can take anything without retort; I can speak to anyone however I please; I have strength to play and climb trees and have fun... Can those subordinates even mate? I wouldn't be surprised if they couldn't.

Great Spottedleaf, I never realized how terrible their lives are. All I've known is how I live.

Sorrelbush padded from the trees and stood at the bank of the river. There was a group of subordinates on the other bank. She tested the ice with a paw, and it seemed okay. She began to walk across the river, and was halfway across, when-

CRACK!

The ice gave way and Sorrelbush plunged into the freezing water. Cold surrounded her body immediately and seeped into her bones. She went blind and lost her sense of orientation. 

Shit!

Sorrelbush kicked out with her paws, desperate to find the surface. After several moments of flailing—which felt like an eternity to her—She managed to break the surface.

Taking in a big gasp of air, she scanned for the banks of the river. Unfortunately, before she could find one, she was thrown underwater again. She kept trying to swim to the surface, but she wasn't as lucky as the first time. She couldn't find the surface.

As Sorrelbush felt her strength seep out of her and her vision blur, teeth met in her scruff. Suddenly, she was sucked out of the water and hauled onto dry land. She collapsed, freezing wet, panting for air.

"You're lucky there was a BloodClan scoundrel watching us," a voice growled into her ear. "Otherwise it would have been my pleasure to watch you drown."

Sorrelbush opened her eyes. A black cat crouched over her, teeth bared and eyes flaming. She recognized him from earlier. How perfect. 

"Are you the cat that talked to me earlier?" She asked, teeth chattering.

"What does it matter to you?" The tom replied. "Does Fireheart want my head, too?"

"No, no," Sorrelbush stood up. "I- I wanted to talk to you."

Before the black tom could reply, BloodClan cats shoved him out of the way. "Princess, are you alright?" One skinny tabby she-cat asked. "Do you need anything?"

"I'm okay," Sorrelbush shook out her fur, deliberately misting the she-cat in icy water. "I don't need help."

"Are you sure?" The orange she-cat pressed, ignoring the spray. She turned to a silver cat behind her. "Fang, go let Fireheart know what happened."

The silver tom nodded and sped away, bounding beside the river to look for a way to cross.

"I'm fine." Sorrelbush repeated, baring her teeth at the tabby. "Do you need another scar to remind you who are your superiors?"

The tabby looked at her paws. "No, Miss Sorrelbush."

"Then shut your jaw and get out of my sight," Sorrelbush ordered. "And as for you," Sorrelbush turned her attention to the black tom who saved her. "You're coming with me."

The RiverClan subordinate swallowed hard. Sorrelbush flicked her tail and began trudging toward a deep part of the RiverClan sector. After some walking, she found a thick clump of tall reeds by a pool some distance away from the camp. She doubted any cat would stumble upon them there.

"Inside," Sorrelbush ordered. The black tom, who had been following after her nervously, obeyed without question. Sorrelbush was pleased a subordinate could follow instructions better than a BloodClan cat could.

"Don't hurt me," the black tom blurted out. "I didn't do anything wrong."

"What's your name?" Sorrelbush ignored him. She softened her voice so that the tom wouldn't be intimidated by her.

"Uh... Blackclaw," the tom answered warily.

"What did life used to be like?" Sorrelbush asked. "And don't give me that BloodClan propaganda. I want the truth."

"Why? Is this a test?" Blackclaw narrowed his eyes.

"No, stupid," Sorrelbush sighed. "All my life I've been raised one way. But now, you whisper to me one phrase this morning and suddenly my whole life is upside down. I've always been told that you weaklings were ruthless and lawless, hoarding the forest to yourselves and fighting for control of it, foreigners and natives alike. But now I think about how you live your defeated lives, and I realize you show no signs of that former lifestyle. So tell me the truth, and hold nothing back now: what did life used to be like for you?"

Blackclaw thought for a moment, deciding whether or not to answer Sorrelbush. Then he looked up, wistful and reminiscent. "Fine. I'll tell you what it used to be like. Life was wonderful and free; no BloodClan breathing down our neck every second. Each of the four sectors were sovereign clans, each with their own deputy and leader. We fought and bickered, yes, but there was always respect for one another. We all lived by the Warrior Code: a set a rules that set us apart from rogues. We were loyal, brave, strong... we were Warriors."

As Sorrelbush listened to Blackclaw recite history, revelation kept crawling into her mind. Fireheart and all of BloodClan had lied to her! When Blackclaw finished, Sorrelbush pondered everything he said. "If life was so good back then... then why does Spottedleaf seem to happy that you are all in bondage now?"

"Spottedleaf used to be ThunderClan's medicine cat," Blackclaw replied. "She helped BloodClan take over the Clans, and in return, BloodClan helped her take over StarClan. Before her, our ancestors - StarClan - helped us and guided us, but now... I am not certain they are even alive anymore."

Sorrelbush had never heard this part of the narrative before. She vaugly remembered her kithood when Spottedleaf nursed her and Goldenflame, but Fireheart had always said they had someone else take care of them in place of the goddess. Fireheart always said Spottedleaf had always been divine, and she had just chosen him to be her mate.

She was conflicted. Here was a testimony of the past that went against everything she had ever learned. She didn't know what to make of it. Is it true? Is it all an elaborate story? Who is telling the truth?

"Th- thank you," Sorrelbush dipped her head. There wasn't much more she needed right now. She had to talk to Mother now. "You're dismissed."

Blackclaw gave infinitesimal hesitation before dashing away through the reeds and out of sight. Sorrelbush was left standing alone beside the pool of water.

What do I care about Blackclaw's story? Would I prefer to roll things back to the way they were?

I would loose my status as princess. I would lose power and privileges. But cats would love me. Everyone could live normal lives. Noone would be left hungry, or thirsty, or bullied, or beaten. I could live like one of them. Is that a good thing?

I can't tell. I need more information. But first, i need to know what Spottedleaf has to say about what Blackclaw said. I don't even know if it's true to begin with.

Chapter Text

Sorrelbush glanced around. She was back in the empty void. She waited impatiently for Spottedleaf to arrive. She had to talk with her as soon as possible.

"Looking for me?" Spottedleaf's angelic voice startled Sorrelbush from behind. Sorrelbush whipped around to see her mother standing a few tail-lengths from her, robed in beauty and glory.

"Yes," Sorrelbush nodded. "I needed to talk to you."

"About what?" Spottedleaf asked, but Sorrelbush knew that she knew what she was going to ask.

"What was life like before BloodClan took over the Clans?" Sorrelbush asked.

Spottedleaf scoffed. "You know this already," she shook her head dismissively. "I don't need to tell you."

"Tell me the truth, Spottedleaf," Sorrelbush demanded. "The truth."

"You're not seriously considering that subordinate's words, are you?" Spottedleaf evaded. "Everything he said was a load of foxshit."

"Tell me," Sorrelbush repeated.

"Perhaps I should have him killed for disinformation," Spottedleaf mused. "I'll tell Fireheart."

"Stop evading me!" Sorrelbush roared. "Or can you not refute what Blackclaw said? Did he tell me the truth?"

"My child," Spottedleaf scowled. "What nonsense you let slip through your teeth. He told you nothing but lies. Fireheart has raised you by the truth since you can remember. Those Clans were savage, lawless mange-pelts. I inspired Fireheart to rally BloodClan to bring order and decency to them. Would you like me to re-explain it to you again, Sorrelpaw?"

Sorrelbush flinched as she heard her apprentice name. Did Spottedleaf have no respect for her? But still, she pushed on. "Then why did Blackclaw tell me something completely opposite from what you said?"

"Those idiots fool themselves. They're so stupid, they've convinced themselves their old way of life is right." Spottedleaf explained with a hiss. "And, not to mention, they'll do anything they can to overthrow BloodClan. It's me and Fireheart's job to keep them in power."

Sorrelbush nodded. It was as she had always said. "Okay. Thanks for reminding me. I was getting unsure of myself." She tried her hardest to feign sincerity so Spottedleaf wouldn't percieve her lies.

"Of course," Spottedleaf stepped forward and nuzzled her. "That's why I'm here. Don't worry about Blackclaw, sweetie; I'll make sure he doesn't try to manipulate you again."

Alarm flashed in Sorrelbush's eyes. She knew Spottedleaf was out for his blood. Quickly, Sorrelbush woke herself up. If she wasn't dreaming, Spottedleaf wouldn't be able to monitor her thoughts.

I've got to warn Blackclaw.

Sorrelbush scrambled out of her den. She hadn't a clue how long Fireheart had been awake before her. BloodClan cats could be searching for him this very moment—or even worse, Goldenflame. She had to stop whoever it was.

"Where're you going?"

Fireheart's gruff meow caused Sorrelbush to freeze where she was. She turned and saw Fireheart sitting at the base of the Highrock, beside Bone, with a cold, suspicious gaze fixed on her. Is this your doing, Spottedleaf? Making him slow me down?

On the spot, she conjured a lie. "I have a taste for RiverClan food today. The scales might be slimy, but I just remembered the succulent fish-flesh, and now I'm craving some. Why so sudden? Well, I forgot to eat something before bed last night; I'm starving!"

Fireheart still looked cynical, but ultimately believed her story. "Alright, if you say so. Go, get out of my sight. I'm busy."

Sorrelbush kept sprinting. She didn't hold much hope for Blackclaw, but she was still going to try her best to save him. She kept tasting the air for his dirty, fishy scent as she drew closer to the RiverClan camp. She guessed that he hadn't left camp yet. She couldn't taste blood, either. Maybe she had made it before his executioners.

Sorrelbush burst into camp. "Where's Blackclaw?" She demanded. Blackclaw was only a few tail-lengths from the camp entrance. He whipped his head around to face her when she called his name. Sorrelbush stared into his eyes, giving nothing away. If any BloodClan cat in the RiverClan sector understood what she was up to, they'd be after his throat as well. She kept her voice harsh. "Come with me."

Blackclaw, confused and afraid, followed her. As soon as the two cats were out of camp, Sorrelbush turned around and faced Blackclaw muzzle-to-muzzle. "Spottedleaf's after your head. I'm getting your ass to safety."

Just then, she could hear a BloodClan patrol stomping through the undergrowth. "Quick, follow me!"

Sorrelbush slinked away from where she could hear the approaching cats, hoping that Blackclaw could keep up. She kept a sharp eye out for any BloodClan cats. It felt like they were everywhere. Perhaps behind that bush? Inside those reeds? Spying from the hill? Sorrelbush's heart beat faster as she felt exposed yet secluded at the same time. Her mother was always watching. Nowhere was safe.

As she neared the RiverClan border, her worst fear came true. There were cats lined on the border every other fox-length. There was no way Sorrelbush could ever get Blackclaw to safety. And with the patrol behind them, they were running out of time.

Blackclaw slowed to a halt beside her. "Why are we-" he broke off as he spotted the BloodClan cats. "Shit. What do we do now?"

Sorrelbush rounded on Blackclaw. "I'm sorry. I can't get you out alive."

"What?" Blackclaw's eyes went bloodshot. 

"Thank you so much for telling me your history," Sorrelbush tumbled over her words. Too much to say and too little time. "I won't ever forget you. But mark this: don't go to StarClan after you die; I fear what Spottedleaf will do to you."

Blackclaw hyperventilated as realization set in. He was about to die. "W- where do I go?"

"The only other afterlife," Sorrelbush explained. "It's dangerous but not certain that you'll die again. From what I've heard, keep low and don't interact with anyone there."

"The... other afterlife?" Blackclaw echoed dumbly. "I can't go there! I've upheld the Code all my life!"

"You have to," Sorrelbush pleaded. The pawsteps were dangerously close now. "Spottedleaf is going to kill you the moment you step into StarClan."

"O- okay..." Blackclaw nodded. "I'll do it. Will we see each other again?"

"Time will tell," Sorrelbush answered. The patrol would burst in on them any heartbeat. She was about to be caught red-pawed. She gave him a quick, almost imperceptible kiss. "I'm sorry."

"Sorr-" Blackclaw never got the words out. In one swift motion, Sorrelbush sliced his throat. Blackclaw's mouth went slack and his legs trembled with weakness. As three BloodClan cats burst into view, Blackclaw slumped to the ground, his gaze blurry and distant.

Sorrelbush turned to the three newcomers, impenitent. "I caught him making a break for the border."

"So he's dead then?" A sandy-colored tom asked.

"What do you think?" Sorrelbush kicked Blackclaw's body. "He's neutralized. You can go now."

Sorrelbush turned away and padded into the undergrowth, her paws red with his blood. As much as she yearned to give Blackclaw a burial, she knew subordinates weren't ever worthy of any. The last thing she wanted was to be questioned by her father. All she could do was look to the sky and pray.

Be swift, Blackclaw. Make your way down to safety.

Several days passed. Sorrelbush never realized how hard it was to live without being visited by her every night. It was her punishment for helping Blackclaw's soul escape her wrath. At least Fireheart was still treating her normally, well, as normally as he didn't. 

Sorrelbush padded through the ShadowClan sector, toward Fourtrees, deep in thought. She had been questioning several subordinates one-on-one since Blackclaw's death. Every last one lined up with his. She couldn't pass that off as coincidence or a collective lie. Each story was all unique in its own way, but they never aligned with BloodClan's view of history. 

She had been questioning BloodClan cats, too. Unlike the subordinates, their stories would either be perfectly identical to another's or not isn't compatible with any others'. They felt more like actual fictional stories than historical truth. But there was one cat left that she wanted to ask:

No one other than her father himself.

Sorrelbush pushed her way through the vegetation and into the Fourtrees hollow. She spotted Fireheart on his back atop the Highrock, basking in the little warmth the leafbare sun provided. His fur glowed like fire. Goldenflame was stretched beside him, completely oblivious to how exposed she let cunt be.

Sorrelbush leaped up onto the Highrock, then quickly climbed her way to the top. She hopped over her sister and leaned over Fireheart. "Daddy?" She asked.

"What do you want?" Fireheart grunted. "Can't you see me relaxing?"

"I've a question for you," Sorrelbush continued. "I need to know what Clan life was like before BloodClan arrived."

"You already know that, sis," Goldenflame interrupted. "You've been taught it your whole life."

"I don't need to tell you," Fireheart shrugged away. "Like Goldenflame said."

"But I've heard a lot of different histories recently," Sorrelbush pressed. "They contradict yours. Are they correct?"

"Of course not," Fireheart scoffed. "Those subordinates met together in the black of some moonless night and conspired a story of the past that goes directly against the truth. Deep in your heart, you know what the truth is: we're right, they're wrong; they're weak, and we're strong."

Sorrelbush narrowed her eyes. "So, I should ignore what they've told me?"

"What a great observation, Hawkeye,  I never would have realized that!" Goldenflame complimented sarcastically. "What do you think, dumbass?"

"We've told you the truth all along," Fireheart sighed, exasperated at the fact he needed to re-explain history to her. "I disliked the ruthless, barbaric, cannibalistic way the Clans were run, so I fled to the city and raised BloodClan. We returned with an army and forced them to capitulate to decency and honor. What more have you forgotten, Sorrelpaw?"

Sorrelbush twitched an eye to show her displeasure. She may have flinched before her goddess, but she wouldn't look weak before her father.

"Yeah, Sorrelpaw!" Goldenflame taunted. "Maybe you need to be retrained."

Sorrelbush hopped over her sister again and padded down the Highrock. "Shut up, you docile, obedient whore."

"Excuse me?" Goldenflame scrambled upright. She pierced her gaze into Sorrelbush. "No one talks to me like that. Not even you."

Sorrelbush didn't respond. She just kept walking away as Goldenflame shouted after her. She had more important things to think about.

Fireheart never said Spottedleaf had inspired him to take over the Clans. He also said that he created BloodClan, not took them over.

"Sorrelbush, get back here!" Goldenflame commanded, her voice distant.

If he and the goddess are mates, how do they manage to tell me two different events of history?

They've got to be lying.

"Are you too weak to face me like a princess?"

If they're lying, then who's telling the truth?

"Are you a subordinate?"

Of course: the subordinates.

Chapter Text

Sorrelbush sat in her nest, pleasantly listening to the sounds of Fireheart and Goldenflame making out on the Highrock above her. She desperately wanted to join in with them, but she forced herself to focus on more important matters than kissing. 

At least she had apologized to her sister yesterday and they had sorted everything out. It was nice to make out with her sister without any grudges on her mind, so she made the most of the rare occasion. 

Unfortunately for Sorrelbush, she could not focus for the life of her with her kin above her. They were loud and sloppy and oh-so-stimulating. Sorrelbush needed to get out of Fourtrees.

And so she did. Once she was clear of the bushes, out in the fresh midday air, she found it much easier to focus. Part of her longed to run back inside and climb up to them, but she pushed the feeling away. A quarter-moon ago, she might have. But now she didn't feel like it.

So, what do I know? Fireheart and BloodClan is lying to me. The subordinates are telling the truth.

Now what? Should I try to free them? How the fuck am I going to do that if Spottedleaf is holding them down under her iron claws?

I certainly can't do this alone. I need help.

But who is going to help me? Blackclaw's dead, and I assume any other subordinate I try to recuit will follow the same fate. I can't risk mentioning this to any BloodClan cat, lest they leak to Fireheart my plans. Damn you, Spottedleaf, you have me in a hard place!

I need cats that dislike Spottedleaf, are willing to fight, and too numberous in quantity for Spottedleaf to pick off.

I don't know about that first part, but I know a certain somewhere that has a lot of the others.

Sorrelbush kept walking. Faster, faster, until she was sprinting. She didn't think about where she was going; she wouldn't get there if she did. All she knew is that if she kept moving in any direction, she'd end up exactly where she wanted to be.

Sorrelbush stared at the ground whizzing underneath her paws so she was oblivious to where she headed. She watched as the ground got muddier and muddier, and the grass turned gray and lifeless underpaw. Finally, she felt she was close enough to look up. Around her, tall, thick lifeless trees stretched upward, their trunks forever climbing. Leafless branches stretched out in all directions and tangled with other trees and weaved a net that blocked out a solid portion of the sky. Not that there was much to look at in the sky: the sky was perpetually pitch-black, starless, and moonless.

Sorrelbush padded forward. Sickly blue mushrooms grew out of the ground and between the gnarled roots of the massive trees. A black river of sludge flowed lazily nearby. She took a deep breath, then immediately broke out onto coughing. The place smelled like shit. Perfect.

Where was she? The only afterlife beside StarClan.

The Dark Forest. The Place of No Stars.

Sorrelbush glanced around. Nobody was nearby, but she could feel countless eyes on her pelt from all sides. Her noises felt amplified here in the deafening silence of the forest. She meandered around aimlessly, blindly hoping she might stumble into someone.

Suddenly, Sorrelbush heard a rustle from behind her. She whipped around. "Who's there?" She demanded.

No reply.

There was another rustle, this time from beside her. "Hello?" She called out, starting to grow afraid.

No reply.

There was a third noise. It was driving Sorrelbush insane. "Who are you? Show yourself!" She demanded.

"-selves," a slow, strident voice answered her. She noticed two amber eyes watching her from a bush, wide with intrest. Three cats emerged from the dead, sere undergrowth. Three toms. They approached her, fur prickling with excitement. Sorrelbush met their gaze bravely, but her spirit trembled within her. Who were thess cats? What were they planning to do?

"Hey, kitty," a white tom with darker stripes reached her first. He rubbed against her body affectionately. "Mmh~ My, my, what a beautiful body you have there~" He spoke, slow and sly and unsuccessfully seductive,  as he weaved around her body. "No need to fear me, I don't bite."

Sorrelbush gasped as she felt the white stranger's tail thrust itself into her core. It didn't hurt with how thin and soft it was, but still she didn't enjoy being touched unauthorized. 

"You like that?" The white tom cooed. "I can give you so much more-"

"No," Sorrelbush knocked the white cat away with her body and stepped away from him. She kept her eyes locked with his so he wouldn't sneak up on her.

Unfortunately, that meant she bumped into another cat, this time a brown tabby with white paws.

"Aww, you're scaring the girl, Blizzardstripe!" He called to the white cat. Then, he whispered into Sorrelbush's ear. "If you ever want to feel real bliss, I can make you scream. I'll do whatever you want, princess~"

Sorrelbush assumed that was a coincidence. If they had known she was an actual princess, they probably wouldn't approach her like this. She wriggled away from the brown cat and attempted to get away from them, but a third black cat caught her. "Why are you afraid? You're the master here~-"

"Okay, okay, listen," Sorrelbush pushed herself away from him and stepped back to address the whole group. "I didn't come here for sex. I don't want your cock. As much as I'd like it, I have better things to do right now. So, if you’ll excuse me..."

The three strangers didn't seem to like that answer. Their demeanor changed in an instant. Their hostile eyes glared at her.

"Listen, kit," Blizzardstripe snarled. "You're on our land. We're going to use you, one way to the other, whether you like it or not."

"Yeah," the black tom agreed. "We gave you the option to do this consensually. You rejected it. So, I guess we're going to have to do things nonconsensually."

Are they threatening to rape me? Sorrelbush didn't want to stick around and find out. These cats were dnagerous. She couldn't trust them. As fast as a mouse, she whipped around and sprinted into the undergrowth. She could hear the three toms give chase, but all she could hear was their footprints. No dry bushes rustled, but she knew they were weaving through the Dark Forest after her.

Where do I go? What do I do?

She couldn't keep running forever. She didn't want to bet that they would give up and leave. How would she fight them off?

"Help!" She called. "Anyone?"

"This is the Place of No Stars," she heard the brown tom hiss sadistically. "There is no one to help you here. It's every cat for themselves."

Shit! Sorrelbush didn't slow down. She had no other escape plan except to hope that someone would show up. Something to distract her three pursuers. She glanced into the trees, formulating any better plan to reach safety. That's when she spotted a tortoiseshell she-cat sitting very high up in a tree. Her amber eyes were fixed on her as she ran.

"Hey!" Sorrelbush called. "I need help!"

The stranger's gaze snapped to something behind her, presumably the three toms chasing her. She twitched her whiskers in amusement. She stood up, but not to help Sorrelbush. The cat began to follow her from the tree, watching the whole ordeal with great intrest.

Are you fucking kidding me? This cat is watching me run for my life like it's sport? What kind of sick cats live here?

Wait a moment... what if I go to her instead of her coming to me?

Sorrelbush swerved abruptly and dashed for the tree the tortoiseshell she-cat was bounding over to. The stranger stopped, surprised, and watched as Sorrelbush leaped onto the trunk and hauled herself up. Within moments, she had reached the height the stranger was at.

"Hey," Sorrelbush panted. "There's these three toms chasing me. Can you help me get to safety?"

A grin cracked onto the tortoiseshell's face. She balanced on the branch Sorrelbush was on and held her chin with a forepaw. "Aww, sweetie~" she rasped mockingly. "What fun would that be?"

The whole tree trembled, nearly throwing Sorrelbush off. She glanced down and saw that the three toms had begun climbing up to them. She turned back to the tortoiseshell, desperation in her eyes. "Please!" She begged. "Save me! I'll do whatever you want!"

At that, the tortoiseshell's ears pricked with intrest. "Promise me," the cat stalled. "You'll really do anything for me?"

Sorrelbush was about to blurt out yes, but then she realized that she could add terms to the promise. "If you promise to keep me safe," she added. "Yes."

"Hmmm..." The cat was deep in thought. Sorrelbush's soon-to-be rapists were almost in reach. Sorrelbushbwas getting irritated at how long this cat was dragging this conversation out for. "Okay. Follow me."

The tortoiseshell padded to the end of the branch and leaped onto another branch directly across from it. The new one was thinner at the tip but got much thicker toward the base. Sorrelbush followed right behind the stranger's hindquarters. 

"Get behind me," the cat hissed. Sorrelbush obliged, leaping neatly over her and landing on the thickest part of the branch. 

The tortoiseshell watched and waited as the three toms prowled toward them, each leaping onto the branch, one-by-one. 

"Out of the way, old she-cat," the black tom in the lead growled.

"Yeah," Blizzardstripe hissed, right behind the black cat. "That kitty's ours."

"Oh, is she? Okay," The tortoiseshell meowed, dragging her voice on. "I'll give her to you... on one condition."

What? Sorrelbush's heart sank to her paws. Is she double crossing me?

"Sure," the black tom agreed. "What's the condition?"

The tortoiseshell used one paw to grip the bland wood from the bottom and placed another in front of it on the top. "If you can reach her with broken legs." At that moment, she pressed on the branch with both paws. Her force combined with the weight of three bulky toms on the thin end of the branch was too much for the wood to bear. It snapped.

Sorrelbush watched the three toms screech in horror as the wood gave way beneath them and they fell. Down, down, down they fell, smacking against countless thin branches and thorns as they hurtled toward the ground. There were three thumps as their bodies hit the ground and several cracks of bone.

The tortoiseshell turned back to Sorrelbush, pleased with her work. "Rule one of the Dark Forest: always be careful what you agree to."

Sorrelbush couldn't help but smile. "Thank you," he whispered.

The tortoiseshell glanced down at the three toms. Their pelts were matted, torn, and bleeding from scraping against so much bark. They slowly hauled themselved to their paws and limped away, dragging broken limbs behind them. Sorrelbush noticed that Blizzardstripe had broken both his hind legs. Sorrelbush knew they wouldn't be bothering her again.

"Let's get out of this tree," the stranger suggested. Sorrelbush nodded in agreement. Getting down was much slower than scrambling up, but Sorrelbush had climbed up and down so many trees with Goldenflame that it wasn't any difficulty getting to the ground.

Once on the ground, Sorrelbush waited for the tortoiseshell to get to the ground as well. "Thanks once again, uh..." At that moment Sorrelbush realized she never learned the tortoiseshell's name.

"Name's Mapleshade," Mapleshade dipped her head. "Sorrow to meet you."

"Thanks, Mapleshade, for your help," Sorrelbush thanked her. "Now, if you don't mind, I've had quite enough of this place. Do you know how I can get out?"

"Woah, sissy, not so fast," Mapleshade grinned deviously as she halted Sorrelbush. Sorrelbush stared at her, confused and slightly afraid. Mapleshade elucidated. "Rule one of the Dark Forest: always be careful what you agree to."

Oh shit. Sorrelbush realized as she remembered what she had done. Mapleshade only laughed as she saw Sorrelbush's face drop.