"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here, beneath Highledge. for a Clan meeting!"

Frosttiger looked up from his vole, blinking as he scrambled up to be in front and close to his now six moon kits. 

He felt a stab of pride that all of them were standing straight, eyes shining and pelt glowing in the sunlight. 

Sunkit looked up, eyes wide with excitement, she muttered something to Brokenkit, who only flicked his ear in response. 

"Sunkit come forward," She mewed, beckoning the light gold she-cat. She rushed forward, tail twitching with anticipation.

She glanced around, "Thunderheart, you are an excellent fighter, you are fiercely loyal and will do anything to help this Clan, I know you will pass on these skills to Sunpaw." She watched as the gray warrior padded forward, touching noses. "I'll do you proud." He muttered and led his apprentice to the edge to wait. 

"Flamekit, come forward." The ginger she-cat rushed forward, ears and tails erect. "Sandycloud," Frosttiger saw the she-cat perk up, "You are an excellent huntress and you've proven yourself to know when you are right or wrong, I know you will pass on these skills to Flamepaw." 

Sandycloud padded forward, "I will do my best." She mewed, pressing her nose to the ginger she-cats.

She continued on, giving Lionclaw Stripepaw, Sparkpaw to Goldenspruce, and Mudpaw to Dawnlight but when Brokenkit padded forward she gazed around uneasily, "Featherfur, you are an amazing warrior and have proven loyalty to your Clan multiple times, no cat here doubts that. I know you will pass these skills on to Brokenpaw." Her voice faltered slightly when she said the toms new name, making Frosttiger snarl, but he was glad that Featherfur was his sons mentor. She was nice but strict, he trusted her to make Brokenpaw into a respectable warrior. 

Featherfur looked ready to burst with pride as she padded forward, but Brokenpaw looked less than pleased. When she moved to touch her nose to his he let out a hiss and backed up, "I don't want a kittypet for a mentor!" He cried, voice filled with disgust and anger. 

Frosttiger tensed as eyes flicked from his son to him, "So rude." he heard someone mutter, anger flared in his pelt not at the muttering, but at his son. He stood to his paws and started to move forward stiff-legged, hackles raise and a snarl on his face but Crookedheart stopped him, "Don't." He muttered, "This is Featherfurs, Graystar, and his battle." 

Frosttiger blinked then sat down, eyes narrowing as he watched his son.

Brokenpaws tail lashed as he glared at Featherfur aggressively, "I want a real warrior as my mentor, not some kittypet!" He snarled. 

Featherfur seemed to have lost all pride that once glowed in her eyes, she backed up, looking to the side, eyes shifting to and fro as though searching for something before she lowered her head slightly, eyes unreadable. 

Graystar let out a growl, "Featherfur is a real warrior!" She snarled, "And if you won't accept her as her mentor then you can say a 'kit'" She spat.

Brokenpaw froze and glared at her, a growl rumbling in his throat. Frosttiger tensed, waiting for his son to lash out but the tom only rushed forced and shoved his nose against Featherfurs and walked off, sitting as far away from the she-cat as he could. 

Graystar let out a frustrated hiss but she said nothing, "This marks the end of this meeting," She mewed coolly, tail lashing before she jumped down and pushed inside her den. 

No one moved but Frosttiger couldn't contain himself anymore, he stood up and rushed over to his son, cuffing his ear hard, making the tom stumble. 

"Are you stupid?" He snarled, eyes glinting in anger, "No son of mine will be so rude and disrespectful, Graystar takes allot of time considering mentors for you and your denmates and with you acting like a brat I'm beginning to think you don't deserve to be a warrior." He saw his son flinch but he felt no sympathy. His anger far outweighed any compassion that he was able to feel at the moment. 

Brokenpaw looked up, glaring at him, "The Clan needs more-"

"The Clan needs honorable warriors," Frosttiger interrupting, shoving his muzzle again his sons, making him flinch and look at him with fear, "not you." He turned, slapping his tail across Brokenpaws face and stomped off. 

He felt the gaze of his Clanmates burn in his pelt but he was far to angry to care, he pushed his way through the bramble entrance and headed towards Snakerocks, crouching to drink.

"Frosttiger?" he stopped at the sound of Heatherpaws gentle voice. 

"What." he said a bit roughly, turning to look at her. 

"That was a bit harsh, I mean.. he's your son, and you just acted as though you would pay a mousetail to see someone rip him to shreds." Heatherpaw gazed at him with concern. 

"Maybe that's what the idiot deserves!" He growled, clawing the water, tail lashing. "The way he acted was completely out of line, no son of mine would act so disrespectful so..so.." he seethed, claws digging in the soft dirt beneath.

Heatherpaw moved forward and touched her nose to his shoulder, "Frosttiger." She spoke softly, "He's your son." Her eyes were filled with determination, "You must understand that and teach him, not blow up on him." 

Frosttiger let out a sigh, "I know.. it's just.. all those cats knew he was my son, my blood, my kin... I know I'm not Clanborn, I have no Clanblood but.. I try so hard to prove my loyalty and what he does is a reflection off of me. He represents me." He let out a sigh, seeing her stare at him. 

Heatherpaw licked his cheek, "You have to learn to curb that temper of yours, you looked like Lionclaw back there.. I was scared you were going to kill him." 

Frosttiger felt a stab of fear, remembering the murderous glint in Lionclaws eyes when he attacked him, he did not want to be like him, have no conscience of what was wrong. Lionclaw acted on impulse, he never thought before he acted and that was what terrified Frosttiger. The fact that his brother was strong but had a temper that could snap as easily as a twig. 

"I'm not my brother." He murmured, looking up, "I'm not my brother."

Heatherpaw smiled, "I know, because if you were I'd never would of approached you." She pressed her nose to his.

He let out a purr, but then he heard paws rushing over and soon after, a brown figure stepped out panting, "Frosttiger! Are you okay?" Tangledpaw asked, eyes wide, "You're not mad still right?"

"No," Frosttiger promised, smiling, "Let's train." 

Frosttiger let out a sigh, it was a long quarter moon, Tangledpaw was improving greatly, his fighting was getting better and he was getting stronger. He was a great hunter and he learned fast but sometimes he had thoughts as tangled as his fur. 

Recently, Stormysky has been avoiding him which irritated and confused him, he looked up, seeing the she-cat get up out of her nest. He watched for a heartbeat before following her to Sunningrocks. 

"Beautiful night huh?" He asked, making her jump and whip around, she glanced around, looking for a place to escape and nodded when she couldn't find one, "Y-yeah.. I guess." She replied. 

Frosttiger blinked, "Why are you avoiding me?" He asked, making the she-cat look up. "Did I do something wrong?" 

Stormyskys eyes softened, "No, Frosttiger no, great StarClan no. You've never done anything to hurt me.." She rushed forward and press her head against his, "I just.. I'm.." 

Frosttiger looked at her, "You're...?"

"I'm pregnant, and I know it's yours." She whispered, tensing. 

Frosttiger blinked then sighed, "Okay..Does..?"

"Heatherpaw know?" Stormysky asked, looking slightly surprised he took it so well, "Yeah, she was the first one to know other then Whispersong and Rainpebble. She's not mad at you, she was just surprised." 

"I didn't mean for this to happen.." Frosttiger whispered, "I'm not ready to be a father, that little thing with Brokenpaw proved it." he mewed miserably.

Stormysky shook her head, "You are a wonderful father, there's a first for everything, this was your first time, we'll raise these kits."

"But we aren't mates." Frosttiger pointed out.

Stormysky smiled, "We don't have to be." She said, before pushing past him and walking off. 

Frosttiger watched her before catching up with him, "Who else?"

"Icefall is expecting, so I won't be alone, Foxfur is expecting too, and I have a feeling their Adderpaws." She blinked, "I'm surprised those three aren't warriors yet."

"Graystar is setting up their assessment I think tomorrow, so maybe the day after is when they'll get their warrior names." He looked up, seeing Eagletalon at the entrance, a mouse at his paws, freshly caught.

"That's great!" Stormysky purred, tail twitching, "Well, I'm going to sleep, good night Frosttiger, night Eagletalon." She walked off, pushing herself into the Nursery.

Frosttigers head whirled, but then he looked up, seeing Mousedusk padding over to sit guard. 

"I'll watch guard too." He said, sitting down and fixing his eyes on the forest. 

He heard a small grunt of thanks from the tom but he to stayed quiet. 

He layed down, laying his head on his paws, eyes shifting from one bush to another before the world turned black.

Darksoul was staring at him, as though expecting an answer. 

Frosttiger stared back before he growled, "What!"

"What was that with your precious kits?" He sneered, tail tip twitching, "I though they were to important to not train."

Frosttiger let out a hiss, "Shut up you dungface!" his tail lashed, "I'm here now. What should we do." He sighed, he really was starting to hate his dark cat, this forest, and all it stood for. The moves they taught where helpful but they always talked of becoming leader by forcing their way to the top. He didn't like that idea, if he was going to become leader he would much rather let power come to him. 

Darksouls eyes narrowed, "Your heart isn't into it. I cannot abide by that."

Frosttiger let out a snarl, "Great StarClan, you complain about me not training and then when I decide I'm going to train you shove me away!" He exploded, "What. Do. You. Want!" He shook with hatred and anger at the black tabby. 

Darksoul blinked, then sighed, "Come." He hissed, "Let's train."

Frosttiger growled but he followed the tom, tensing his muscles for a long night of training. 

"Go faster Stripepaw!" Lionclaw snarled, making Frosttiger wince. 

Tangledpaw and Stripepaw were sparing, but Lionclaw was being way to harsh on his apprentice. The silver she-cat panted, she was way to tired to continue so she just dropped, wheezing for breath.

Frosttiger heard his brother growl and watched as he moved forward, fur bristling. 

Then he saw Goldenspruce jump in front of him, eyes glinting in anger, "Leave her alone can't you see shes exhausted?" She turned, ignoring the furious look on Lionclaws face, and nosed Stripepaw to her paws, "Get up little one, time for you to rest."

Stripepaw gave her a thankful glance, and then slowly made her way past her mentor, a tense look on her face and sat down. 

Lionclaw watched her then sat down next to her, "Weak." He growled at her, making the she-cat flinch and stare at her paws. 

Frosttiger let out a growl, "Not like you haven't been beaten before Lionclaw." He shot at him, making his brother bare his teeth but not respond. 

"Tangledpaw." He mewed, "Take a rest and watch Sparkpaw and Flamepaw."

Tangledpaw looked up from where he stood and nodded, bounding over to him. He sat next to Stripepaw and looked at her, "You did great." 

Stripepaw looked surprised then nodded and looked away. "Thanks." 

Frosttiger watched Flamepaw and Sparkpaw spare, Sparkpaw was allot better than her but she wasn't to be easily beaten. As Sparkpaw leaped forward, she jumped out of the way and leaped on his back, battering him with blows. Sparkpaw let out a grunt and spun onto his back but Flamepaw was long gone and pinned him down, Sparkpaw quickly turned onto his stomach and surged upward, unbalancing her. Now it was his turn to pin her down, pushing her shoulders down, left fit on her underbelly and left foot out where she couldn't get it. 

She waved her tail, admitting defeat. Sparkpaw let her up, purring, "That was fun." 

Flamepaw let out a grunt and stood, "I guess," She muttered, obviously irritated that she was beaten. 

"Mudpaw," Dawnlight mewed, "How about you go." 

Frosttiger looked up then froze when he heard a yowl of alarm and rushed outside, seeing Rainpebble and Adderpaw, "Come on!" He hissed, running towards camp.

"What's happening?"

"Stormysky is having kits!" Adderpaw gasped, making Frosttiger freeze. 

"Tangledpaw, your mentor is Goldenspruce until I get back." He followed the group, concern for Stormysky pushing him forward. 

He sat down in front of the Nursery hearing moans of pain from the two she-cats from inside. He watched as Rainpebble pushed his way in the Nursery past Thunderheart. 

Frosttiger followed and sat well out of the way and waited. He looked up, seeing a large tom suckling on Stormysky, "Where are the others?"

Rainpebble chuckled, "This is the only one that came, one large tom." He purred. 

Frosttiger blinked then slowly moved forward and sniffed him, "What should be name him?" 

She blinked at him, "You decide.." She mewed tiredly, laying her head down, closing her eyes.

Frosttiger thought hard, then it hit him, "Nightkit." He finally said, remembering the story of Nightleaf, the three legged warrior. She was one of most honorable cats that roamed the forest. 

"Nightkit sounds nice.." Stormysky whispered tiredly before she fell asleep. 

Frosttiger watched then looked up and left. Whispersong was laying down but she looked tensed, he realized, with a pang, that he was old and so was Graystar. 

No one lives forever." He jumped and turned to see Eagletalon gazing at Whispersong with sad amber eyes, "Graystar has been sluggish and so has Whispersong, I'm afraid that their time serving this Clan will be over sooner than we want." 

Frosttiger blinked, "But we have you and Rainpebble!" 

Eagletalon looked at him, "I'm old to Frosttiger." With that he walked off. 

Frosttiger watched, panic rising in his chest, he had enough to worry about with Lionclaw but now it was as though the Clan that he thought of as strong was slowly crumbling to the ground. 

Frosttiger let out a yawn, he was on dawn patrol with Heatherpaw and Blueheart. Tangledpaw was talking to Brokenpaw who was muttering something while throwing hostile glances at Featherfur who looked disheartened. 

"Still giving you trouble huh?" Blueheart asked, casting a glance at the dark tabby. 

Featherfurs ear twitched and she turned slightly, regarding him with a weary look, "He doesn't listen to a word that comes from my mouth." She growled, "I have to yell at him to do something." 

Frosttiger let out a growl of frustration hearing about his sons behavior, he knew that Brokenpaw could be an amazing warrior but he wasn't acting like it. He suddenly tensed, a sharp awful stench ripped through the air. 

"Is that MarshClan?" Brokenpaw asked, fur bristling.

"No, where near the DeltaClan border." He snapped, then froze as he heard a large creature approach, suddenly a huge black and white striped animal charged out, roaring in rage.

"Badger!" He cried, "Run!" He pushed his patrol back and watched as they ran off then turned, snarling.

"Frosttiger come on!" Heatherpaw called, fear lacing her voice.

"No! I have to defend my Clanmates!" I have to defend you! 

He leaped over the badger and turned on his back legs, raking his claws on the ugly creatures back then sunk his teeth into its leg. 

The badger let out a growl of pain and lashed out a heavy paw, ripping his pelt, making him yowl in pain. 

He let out a roar and leaped, lashing out a claw across the black and white face of the enemy and then rolled out of the way when it lashed out. 

He darted under the badgers belly and slashed at its forepaws, smirking when it turned, expecting him to come from the other side, and backed out. He hooked his claws on the rump of the creatures and with a burst of adrenaline and strength he  drug the animal to the ground. 

He battered it's underbelly, making it kick and writhe. He leaped away and watched as the badger leaped to its paws and back away as he moved forward. "Get. OUT!" He snarled, tail lashing.

The badger let out a whimper and turned, running off. 

"Frosttiger!" His ears perked when he heard his fathers voice, he finally scented that Iceheart, Crookedheart, Thunderheart, and Bramblestripe. 

Chestnutpaw, Alderpaw, and Sunpaw rushed forward and stared at him in wonder.

"You fought a badger singled-pawed!" Sunpaw cried, Chestnutpaw shook his head, "Always gotta prove your worth huh Frosttiger?"

Frosttiger gave him a friendly look then he let he staggered a bit when the pain from his clawed hindquarters flared through his body. 

Chesnutpaw made his way next to him and let him lean on his shoulder. "Come on, because of you I'm late for my warrior ceremony." He chuckled. 

Frosttiger nodded and slowly made his way to camp. 

"Chesnutpaw from this moment you will be known as Chestnutflight, StarClan honors your bravery and determination, and we welcome you as a full warrior of StormClan." 

"Adderstrike, Chestnutflight, Aldertuft!" Frosttiger let out a purr then froze when he saw Lionclaw make his way to the front, he followed Graystar into the den, making Frosttiger narrow his eyes and follow. 

"There is a badger in our territory! What do you mean we can't do anything?" Lionclaw was growling, fur puffed out. 

"Frosttiger took care of it." Graystar growled, rounding on him and shoving her muffle in his face, "You do well to learn your place Lionclaw. You are deputy nor are you leader, so don't you dare walk in here and tell me what to do." 

Lionclaw let out a snarl, "Then stop acting like a coward! It's fine if you want to watch your warriors die but I refuse." He whipped around and Frosttiger hide in the bushes next to the leaders den and then walked in, "Did he do anything?" 

Graystar shook her head, "No." She snapped, "Stop acting like I'm an elder, I'm still leader of his Clan." She hissed, tail lashing on the packed down dirt floor. Frosttiger padded over to her and rested a paw on her shoulder, "I know you are, it's just Lionclaw is.. he's dangerous." He finally sighed, he knew he couldn't lie to himself anymore, Lionclaw held ambition like no other and he knew that now he couldn't even trust his own blood. 

Graystar stared at him then sighed, "I'm worried, Frosttiger, so many of this Clan respects him, want to be like him, all of them are blind to what are in front of their whiskers." 

Frosttiger sighed, "We'll get through this." He mewed, "We always do, your Graystar, leader of StormClan."

"And your like a stone that keeps me grounded." She mewed, then sighed, "Thank you Frosttiger, without you.. I may of gone insane by now." 

Frosttigers whiskers twitched but he nodded, "Your welcome, set up a patrol to look for that badger, we don't want any of our warriors hurt."

Graystar nodded, "I'll talk to Eagletalon about it."

Frosttiger gave a swift nod and disappeared out of her den. 

Sunlight beat down on it and he looked up seeing Eagletalon approaching him, "I'm going on a patrol to look for that stupid badger, can you set up a hunting patrol?" 

Surprise ripped through the tom but he nodded, "Okay." 

He watched as Eagletalon beckoned, Thundeheart, Bramblestripe, and Lionclaw away. 

He let out a sigh and let out a yowl, "All cats that can catch their own prey come here!"

He watched as his Clanmates gathered around him, confusion in their eyes, "Graystar is fine and she will come out, but right now she's thinking and Eagletalon is out, I want a hunting patrol consisting of Sandycloud, Adderstrike, Dogclaw and Nettletail to go out and hunt, keep clear of the DeltaClan border, if you scent a badger come back immediately." he meowed, gazing around his clan. 

No one moved before Crookedheart let out a growl, "Go!" 

Sandycloud suddenly stood and beckoned her Clanmates off. 

He let a sigh and gave Crookedheart a grateful look, which the tom responded with a slight nod, "Crookedheart I want you to go hunt as well, near the kittypet border, take Thistlestrike, Icefall, and Aldertuft." 

He dipped his head and beckoned the cats away. 

He jumped down and sighed, looking at Heatherpaw, "It's so weird!"

Heatherpaw let out a purr, "It's nice seeing you up there, it seems like you." She teased and licked him. Frosttiger rolled his eyes and pulled her down laughing, "Oh, so I'm Froststar huh?" He teased, making her laugh. "Maybe we can have kits.." He purred, making her blush. "Your acting like we're mates." She purred playfully, looking at him, mischief all over her face. "And who says we're not?" 

She laughed and buried her face in his chest fur, "I guess no one has." 

"Mates?" He breathed hopefully, gazing at her lovingly. 

She gazed at him for a heartbeat before smiling.

"Mates."