Dreampaw leaned over and licked Tanglescar’s ear. He flicked it and looked down at her with warm blue eyes. They were sharing a panya, kipanya in the camp.
“Hey, Tanglescar!” Stormstar padded toward the black and machungwa, chungwa tom.
“Yeah?” Tanglescar turned, but his warm black fur, manyoya was still pressing against hers.
“I need wewe to go on a hunting patrol…” Dreampaw didn’t bother listening anymore. She knew Tanglescar was leaving.
“Goodbye,” Dreampaw meowed, and licked his cheek affectionately. He flicked his tail with a bit of happiness and padded out of the camp after Stormstar.


***

A bit later the sun inched across the sky and Tanglescar returned. She was lying in a patch of bright sunshine and listening the camp’s bustling. Then she heard Tanglescar’s voice. He was talking to Stormstar…too soft for her to hear. She pricked her ears and lifted her head. Stormstar alisema something that obviously made Tanglescar uncomfortable…he flattened his ears and took a half-step back. They both glanced at her.
Dreampaw pushed herself up slightly with her front paws and watched. Tanglescar turned and murmured something to Stormstar.
She nodded and alisema something else, touched his nose with hers, and took at quick look at her again and padded away.
Tanglescar walked slowly toward her…stealing a glance at Parchpaw.
Dreampaw’s stomach turned. Why did he do that? She sat up and padded toward him.
She tried to lick his ear but he ducked away. Confused, she backed up and tipped her head to one side.
“W-what’s wrong?” Dreampaw mewed, trying to hide the fear in her voice.
“Dreampaw, I have to tell wewe something…I upendo Parchpaw…not you…” Sadness engulfed the golden she-cat.
“R-really?” She croaked, taking a quick look at the brown she-cat.
“Parchpaw?” Her sadness was replaced kwa disappointment and vengeance. Dreampaw turned head away and closed her eyes.
“I see…I did upendo you, but I guess it wasn’t meant to be…” Blinking tears from her eyes, she rasped ruefully,
"Parchpaw will be a better match for you…” She turned and padded away, dragging her paws. She walked into her pango and watched as Parchpaw padded happily up to the black warrior and touched muzzles with him. She’d always known Parchpaw had loved him, but she also knew that she had loved him too. What would she do? Dreampaw closed her eyes.
“Revenge…” she whispered to herself before falling asleep.




Q. Will Dreampaw ever upendo again?
A. The answer lies in justice...