Frosttiger leaped backwards, glaring at a grinning Hawkthorn. 

"What's wrong Frosttiger? Are you a scaredy-mouse?" He teased, chuckling. Glaring at his friend, Frosttiger pushed forward, "Don't do that Hawkthorn, what do you think I would of done had I thought you were Lionclaw or something?"

The broad-shouldered tom rolled his eyes, he moved out of the shadows, revealing his glossy short pelt that glimmered in the pale moonlight. "Oh come on, Frost. Cheer up, you're deputy now! That's something to be excited for! Besides, we caused allot of damage, I'm sure they're recovering, just like us." 

Frowning, Frosttiger glanced back and eyed Stonefoot, who was licking his shoulder, he glanced around and sighed, knowing that he wouldn't see Brokenpaw here as he was hurt pretty badly, as was Featherfur. 

He glanced around, Flamepaw, Stripepaw, and Brackenpaw were the only apprentices that joined them, the others stayed behind due to recovery reasons. The warriors that accompanied them was Iceheart, Ashspeck, Stonefoot, Hawkthorn, Silverwind, Sandycloud, and Dawnlight. It was significantly less than what he wanted but Graystar said it would be wise to leave many warriors at camp to defend it if Lionclaw decided to attack despite the heavy loss StormClan had caused. 

Glancing around once more, he sped forward and stood by Graystar, gazing down at the large clearing. Smallstar was sitting on the rock, gray splattered across his muzzle even more prominent in the light of the moon. Oakstar was mewing to him, eyes relaxed. 

Graystar glanced over at the tom, "Ready, deputy?" She smirked at the look he gave her before pointing her tail down. The cats rushed forward, slowing to a stop as they approached the two Clans. Smallstar looked up and instantly he was off Greatstones, he bounded over to the leader, mew urgent. "Is he gone? Have you taken care of him?" 

Graystar gazed at the leader, "Not completely, but we had a... situation." 

Smallstar glanced back at the group of cats and let out a yowl of alarm, "You all look battered and tired! You know you can skip the Gathering right?" He glanced worriedly at Graystar then the group following, "Eagletalon stayed back, he was wise to do so. You all look dead on your paws." 

Sadness washed over the surrounding cats, Graystar shook herself, "Well, since Foxstar is here we can start the Gathering." She mewed briskly before trotting off. Frosttiger followed and jumped next to Bloodclaw, who nodded to him. Hookclaw looked at him, confusion in her eyes, Cheetahfoot only blinked. Embarrassment running through him, he glanced up, eyes wide when he saw the view he now got. 

Moonlight made glossy, disheveled, spiky, wavy and everything in between pelts glow. The trees surrounding the clearing waved gently in the breeze, as did the slightly tall grass. Amber, green, blue, and everything else looked up at him, making him flinch slightly. He felt a tail on his flank, making him look up. Bloodclaw looked at him and nodded again, but this time reassuringly, making his heart calm down.

Smallstar looked dumbfounded but he followed the leader and jumped up. 

Smallstar moved forward, "Prey is good, we have many kits! Also, I'd like to report a fox that was trotting around, my warriors chased it off but I have no idea where it might turn up next. No sight of the dangerous warrior yet but we are alert and ready." With that, he backed up, Oakstar replacing him. 

"We, too, are alert and ready to attack. Icestars kits are now apprentices to Otterpelt and Mintleaf. Swiftpaw and Icepaw are their names now." All of the cats from each Clan called their names, though, Frosttiger thought it was probably because it was Icestars kits and not because they cared. "Other than that, prey has been running well though our river is beginning to dry up so I would like to remind all leaders and Clans make sure elders, kits, and queens are well hydrated." With that he backed up. 

Foxstar moved forward, "Kits are plentiful in MarshClan, Whitepaw and Blackpaw join us as apprentices." Chants cut him off and he looked up with a slight irritated look. "Other than that, my warriors are strong and we too are coping with the sudden heat." He backed up, looking at Graystar. 

The leader moved forward, "Lionclaw has retreated to the twolegplace. He has teamed up with some rogue and loners terrorizing the area. We had a battle and greatly wounded them, they shouldn't be messing anyone for awhile. In the battle, he killed Eagletalon." 

Yowls of shock and sorrow made Frosttigers ears droop. "Frosttiger has replaced him."

Silence met her words, making Frosttiger's heart stop before a soft chant began to start up. 

"Frosttiger, Frosttiger, Frosttiger!" The chant got louder and louder, making Frosttiger smile slightly. 

He rose a bit, "Eagletalon was a dear friend, I loved him as a brother and Clanmate. I will try to fill his pawsteps." With that he sat down. 

Smiling, Graystar nodded, "Prey runs well and we are strong." 

With that, the leader stepped back then jumped down, beckoning Frosttiger. He bounded off the stone and padded forward, "Graystar?" He mewed uncertainly, tilting his head with his whiskers twitching. The leader chuckled, "Calm down Frosttiger, you're deputy now, go talk to the others for tips and such." With that the leader padded away. 

Frosttiger watched her for a heartbeat before he turned and approached Cheetahfoot, Hookclaw, and Bloodclaw. Hookclaw, who was mewing something about the danger of fire rising, looked up and smiled slightly. "Here comes the new deputy. Can't say I'm surprised though, Graystar always seemed to rely on you." Cheetahfoot nodded, "I look forward to leading besides you."

"As do I." Bloodclaw smiled before frowning. "How's you're Clan, I noticed that you don't have many cats here. I suppose more damage was caused than Graystar made it seem?"

Frosttiger looked at the three other deputies before shaking his head, "None of the other Clans concern. Has any strange scents been prominent in any of you're territories?" 

"Sorta." Hookclaw replied, "It seems to be rogues, perhaps from the twolegplace but they elude us. We'll catch them soon enough." Nodding, Bloodclaw mewed, "There has been scents around the MarshClan border. Though I believe if they were hostile they would of attacked already." 

"I agree." Cheetahfoot mewed, a yowl made the deputies look up. "Cheetahfoot! We're leaving!" 

"Bloodclaw, come on!"

"Hookclaw, it's time we return!" 

"Frosttiger, let's go home!" 

The four cats flicked their tails in acknowledgement before returning to their conversation. "I'd be careful with them anyhow, they fight dirty." Frosttiger mewed, "Though, if any cats from Lionclaw come seeking aid, I believe it would be wise to let them join you're ranks. We named some cats warriors but they're being trained by Dogclaw and Chestnutflight."

"I'm guessing those two over there?" Hookclaw pointed to Ashspeck and Stonefoot. Frosttiger nodded, when more yowls sounded from the various leaders.

"If any cats come, come to StormClan, try to time it at the same time." With that, Frosttiger dipped his head and bounded up to an annoyed looking Graystar. 

"I told you to talk, not gossip like a bunch of queens." She mewed, gazing at Frosttiger with narrowed eyes. He shuffled in discomfort, "Sorry Graystar." He murmured, ducking his head down in embarrassment. The white she-cat flicked her tail, "It's fine, what was so interesting?"

"Bloodclaw has been smelling strange scents around the MarshClan border, I told him to be careful but if any cat from Lionclaw comes seeking aid, it'd be wise to let them join." Frosttiger replied instantly, making the leader hum in agreement. As the two walked side-by-side, gaits the same, silence hung overhead, but instead of the tense silence Frosttiger was so used to, it was comfortable, relaxed even. 

Graystar looked at him and purred, but it broke off as they pushed through the barrier when Flarewish bounced up to them, belly hung low to the ground. 

"Kits?" Frosttiger mewed, eyes wide in shock, "But you fought barely a quarter-moon ago!" 

Flarewish purred, "I didn't want anyone to get worried." She purred, "They're Whitethroat's."

"My brothers?" Stonefoot and Ashspeck both mewed, eyes wide. The ginger she cat nodded earnestly, eyes shining with excitement and happiness. 

Stonefoot and Ashspeck glanced at each other before Stonefoot turned his duel colored gaze towards the ginger she-cat. "This is great! I wasn't aware that you and my brother- err.." He shifted his gaze towards the nearby apprentices awkwardly before chuckling, "Well, either way, kits are always good!" 

Ashspeck nodded, "Agreed." She purred, "Kits are the future of the Clan." 

Nodding, Frosttiger looked up at the sky, "It's moonhigh, Silverwind! Adderstrike! Watch the front entrance, Nightstep and Tangledbranch can watch the back." With that, he turned, pushing himself into the warriors den with a sigh. 

He looked up, blinking in surprise when he saw Silverwind pushing his nest into the middle. "You're deputy now, you can sleep in the middle with the senior warriors." She smiled at him, dipping her head respectfully before bounding out, joining Adderstrike in the front. 

He stared at his next contemplatively before shrugging, after all.. he was the deputy, and laid down. He hummed in surprised when he felt soft down feathers underneath him, Silverwind must of taken some out of hers to add to his. He made a mental note to thank her later before he drifted off to sleep. 

---

Frosttiger awoke with a start, he looked up and saw Hawkthorn moving out of the den. Staying still for a few moments, Frosttiger let the peace and serenity ease his mind before he stood, pushing his way out the trunk den.

Goldenspruce was laying down with Silverwind, sharing tongues. Crookedheart was talking to Dogclaw. Foxfur and Adderstrike where sharing tongues a few paces away from Crookedheart and Dogclaw, Mousedusk and Dawnlight were sharing prey with each other. 

Frosttiger smiled slightly before he jumped on top of Highledge, "Morning!" He mewed cheerfully, "Dogclaw, can you go check the kittypet border, take the new arrivals, Chestnutflight you go with them, after, you can go train at the Sandy Hallow" He nodded and watched Dogclaw going into the warriors den, emerging with Stonefoot, Ashspeck, Nightstep, and Whitethroat. He saw the charismatic, fluffy gray tom look at the Nursery with worry and felt a flash of pity for him. He caught Whitethroats eye and gave a reassuring nod, which seemed to ease the worrisome cat, as he relaxed and followed his patrol.  

"Foxfur, take a patrol and mark the DeltaClan border," Frosttiger gazed around, noticing that Icefall, Hawkthorn, Iceheart, and Featherfur had joined them, as well as Brackenpaw and Flamepaw. "Take Flamepaw, Brokenpaw, and their respective mentors. Take Sparkpaw too and hunt." The cats nodded and dispersed. 

"Silverwind, take your patrol and apprentice to mark the MarshClan border. I don't care who you take. Hunt afterwords if you can. Stripepaw, Sunpaw, Mudpaw, and Sablepaw can sort through prey." He heard a muffled protest and snorted when he saw a sleepy Mudpaw emerge from the apprentices den.

"Why us?" His son yawned before gazing up at his father with sleepy green eyes. Frosttigers heart swelled with love and he jumped down, pushing his muzzle against his sons, "I'm trusting you, that's why." He purred. 

Mudpaw closed his eyes briefly before nodded, "Okay.." He didn't sound excited but Frosttiger knew that he would do it. Dawnlight padded up to her brown apprentice and muttered something in his ear, making him perk up and not enthusiastically. 

Frosttiger nodded to the pale she-cat before he looked around, his paws itching to do something.  

"You look like a dog whose just seen a squirrel." Came a playful but loving mew. He turned around and saw Stormysky gazing at him with amusement. Frosttiger let out a huff, "No, it's just.. I've been moving around allot in the past couple of moons that it's weird not moving now." Stormysky nodded in understanding, making Frosttiger sigh and lay down, tail tip twitching. 

His mate laid next to him, resting her head on his paws, "You've been so busy recently.." She murmured, making his ear twitch. He eyed Flamewish crawl from the thistle and twig den of the Nursery and flop on her side, enjoying the warm green-leaf sun. "I can't wait till all this blows over." 

"I'd give a mousetail for it to be over." Frosttiger sighed, recalling the recent events, "Trust me." 

Stormysky hummed in response before the two succumbed to the peaceful quiet. 

--

Frosttiger gazed around, eyes grazing over leaves, bushes, and ferns. He was alone currently, with most of his Clan asleep during mid-day he decided that it'd be a good time for a walk. He didn't know why or where he was walking but he just listened to the birds chirping, not even acknowledging the few mice or occasional squirrel that he crossed paths with. He could bat at the bird that was flying over him, but he didn't, something in his heart told him not to. He watched it fly up and land in a nest that was barely visible. 

Perking his ears, he heard soft chirping of multiple chicks and knew that his heart was right to tell him not to. He watched the bird for a few moments before continuing to tread his overused path. 

Lost in thought, he barely noticed that suddenly the forest was very quiet until he froze, a cold feeling of dread made his spine feel as though ice was growing on it. He tensed up, ready to fight before a familiar scent washed over him, almost setting him into nostalgia. 

Pushing away his remorse and regret, he pinpointed the scent and looked up at a tree whose branches hung low to the ground. "I know you're up there. Get down here." 

A couple of leaves rustled as a shadowy pelt slunk down. He gazed at the figure until it was out in the light, golden pelt glimmering, green eyes relaxed. 

"I was taking a nap." The intruder yawned, "I thought you would be here allot earlier than you are."

Frosttiger eyes narrowed, "What do you want Lionclaw." He still was in fight mode, fur bristled, tone sharp and tense, claws unsheathed. 

Lionclaws eyes ran up him once before circling in an eye-roll, "Calm down, I don't want to fight."

"And I should believe you why?" 

"Because if I wanted to fight I would of brought a force, you don't scent any other cats now do you?" Frosttiger recoiled slightly at Lionclaws sardonic tone and realized that his brother was telling the truth. He couldn't scent any other twolegplace cat but him. 

Reluctantly relaxing, he sat down and stared at his brother. "What do you want Lionclaw?" He asked again, wanting the traitor to leave.

"I want to make a compromise." 

What?

It took Frosttiger a few seconds to process what Lionclaw had said due to sheer shock. His mind reeled, trying to find any justifiable or nefarious tone in is brothers words but found nothing but truth. 

"On what grounds?" He replied skeptically. Lionclaws eyes widened, as though he wasn't expecting an considering answer but he quickly recovered.

"On the grounds that Graystar and you both step down to me and Jigsaw." 

Frosttiger snorted out a laugh, "Do you really think that Graystar would agree to this? How do you know I'm deputy anyway?"

"I had my suspicions when I killed Eagletalon, I didn't actually know until just now though." Lionclaw replied in a professional tone. 

Frosttiger felt a flash of admiration and respect that, even though he laughed, his brother was still able to remain calm. 

"Graystar will never agree."

"She doesn't need to, this little battle is between us." Lionclaw replied, "We are top dogs now." 

Frosttiger blinked, whiskers twitching. "Think about it, brother." Lionclaw went on, "We can end this meaningless bloodshed, all you have to lose is authority in your Clan, which, if you think logically, is a small price to pay. All of your fellow Clanmates will be safe."

Frosttiger still was skeptical, "What's the catch?"

"I've already told you, Frosttiger, you and Graystar step down and give authority to me. I go to Highstones and receive my nine lives after Graystar takes how many she has left." Lionclaw replied, "I am not unreasonable Frosttiger. I know you will need time to think about it so you will receive- the Gathering was yesterday no? I will give you until the day after the next Gathering. No attacks until then, except.. maybe one." 

Frosttigers eyes narrowed, making Lionclaw chuckle, "What? You can't expect me to just leave you alone for a whole moon can you? I have a reputation to uphold, these cats are ruthless. I still have pride you know. Think about it Frosttiger, I await our next meeting." With that, Lionclaw padded away, leaping onto the Woodwall then disappearing behind it. 

The gray tom stayed still for a few heartbeats before he turned. 

If he didn't have much to think about before, he definitely had now. 

--

Stars overhung above him, shining brightly. Frosttiger shuffled on the branch of the Great Sycamore in which he laid. His mind was rewinding and replaying his conversation with his traitorous brother. He sighed, weighing the pros and cons of taking his brothers deal. 

Pro: My Clanmates would be safe

Con: My brother would be his leader and his deputy would be Jigsaw

He let out a frustrated hiss, he was literally having to make a choice that would either save or possibly destroy his Clan. 

"He should be up here, Frosttiger!" His ears perked at the sound of Reggy's voice and he gazed down, seeing the elder on his hind legs, his front paws on the base of the tree, gazing up at him. "Are you okay?" 

Frosttiger considered telling Reggy his dilemma, but he saw what looked like an entire Clan behind the elder and blinked. He caught sight of the familiar pelts of Cheetahfoot, Hookclaw, and Bloodclaw and slowly slunk to the ground. 

He gazed at the cats behind the deputies, who all were sporting wounds and smelled thickly of infection then at the deputies themselves.

The three cats gazed at each other wordlessly before turning to the gray tom. 

"We have a problem here."