Note for the chapter: I didn't want to draw this, so I wrote it instead. Next: https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/938773303 Previous: https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/894811164 First: https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/839321494 Characters in this chapter: Pepperclaw - he/him Pineapplepaw - she/her FLASHBACK Pepperclaw - he/him Zucchinipelt - he/him Raspberrydapple - she/fae Cabbageleaf - she/her Onionpelt - he/him Garlictooth - he/it Radishstar - any but it/its, prefers he/him Cucumberfur - she/her If it's between asterisks (*), it's a memory. I changed art platforms, by the way, and the thumbnail was drawn on IbisPaint X.
I stared at my paws, stunned for a moment. Then my brain sorted the question and experiences I'd almost - blissfully- forgotten came soaring through my mind. *I looked down at my paws, soaked in blood. I lifted one and looked up to see my friend Zucchinipelt, his fur bristled.* Why? Did she have to ask this? These were tender memories. *The dappled red she-cat laid in the middle of the clearing. Cabbageleaf rested her head on Onionpelt's shoulder. I felt tears running down my face and I felt heavy with regret. But she had betrayed me! She decided to fall in love with that mouse-brain Garlictooth instead of me! She deserved it. Filled with guilt and anger, I got up and turned away from the vigil.* The scene changed. I didn't want to remember all this, but the question had brought it all flooding back. *"It was him!" I felt all the eyes on me. I looked at Zucchinipelt in disgust. How dare he pin the blame on me! It wasn’t me! Okay, maybe it was, but Zucchinipelt was my best friend and had vowed to keep it secret. Radishstar looked me up and down. "Pepperclaw? What do you have to say for yourself?" "It wasn't me! That mange-pelt is accusing me for no reason!" I pointed my tail at the striped green tom. His sister, Cucumberfur, stood up. "Zucchinipelt wouldn't lie about something so serious, Pepperclaw. If he says you did it, then I believe him." I hissed at them and Radishstar walked up to me. "Pepperclaw, you are deemed guilty of this crime." I growled and tore my claws through the leader's throat. He collapsed. I jumped over his body and sank my teeth into Garlictooth's neck. "I hate you!" I shouted. "I hate all of you!" Then teeth grabbed my spine and Cabbageleaf's claws raked though my throat. I slumped over Garlictooth's body and everything went black.* I could've made it into StarClan if I'd learned to control my feelings. But it was too late now. I looked up at the small yellow-and-green she-cat, who was still staring at me, awaiting an answer. "Yeah, Pineapplepaw," I said. "I've been in love."
