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

Frostpaw groggily began to open his eyes, only to snap his head up when someone stepped on his tail.

He yowled, glaring at Smokepaw who looked at him sheepishly, "Sorry!"

Growling at his apology and out of irritation of being rudely awoken, he stood, arching his back in a stretch.

Sighing, he shouldered his way out the den, "What in the name of StarClan does she want so early?" He muttered crossly, tail tip twitching.

Chestnutpaw gave him a look but said nothing, his amber eyes cold. Frostpaw knew what he wanted to say, 'Shouldn't of been out yesterday!'

Turning his back on the tom, he looked at Graystar, who was grooming herself.

Once all cats were gathered she stood tall, "Today is a great day," She started, her voice echoing above the trees, "today is the day Heatherkit becomes an apprentice." She looked down at the she-kit. Frostpaw followed her gaze and felt his chest tighten when he saw how beautiful she looked. Her long, milky white fur was groomed, no tangle in sight, her tail was wrapped neatly around her paws and her eyes shone in the gentle light of dawn.

"Heatherkit, you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed." Frostpaw saw Heatherkits tail tip twitch in excitement, though she kept her calm composure, "From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Heatherpaw. Your mentor will be Blueheart." She looked at the blue-gray she-cat who eyes shone in excitement and pride as she made her way forward. "I hope Blueheart will down all she knows to you." She looked at Blueheart, "Blueheart, you are ready to take on an apprentice. You have received excellent training from Featherfur, and you have shown yourself to be reliable and to have strong morals. You be will be the mentor of Heatherpaw and I expect you to pass on all you know to her."

"I will, I promise. Both of you." Blueheart purred, looking at Graystar then at Heatherpaw and pressed her nose to hers.

"Heatherpaw! Heatherpaw! Heatherpaw!" The Clan yowled, Hawkpaw was the loudest, Frostpaw noted.

Once everything died down, Eagletalon moved forward, "Alright, Stormypaw, Hawkpaw, Thistlepaw are coming with me on DeltaClan patrol." He nodded towards the apprentices, "MarshClan has been awfully quiet as of late so I think one at sunhigh and sundown will be fine." He looked around, "Icepaw, Lionpaw,"

Thistlepaw let out a soft hiss, making the deputy cut off and look at him, "Do you have something you wish to share Thistlepaw?" He challenged, eyes narrow.

Thistlepaw shook his head though he shot a hostile glare at the golden tabby who looked smug.

"As I was saying," Eagletalon growled, "Icepaw, Lionpaw, Smokepaw, and their mentors will be out hunting."

Blueheart looked at Heatherpaw, "Let's go explore the territory okay?" She dipped her head at Eagletalon, then beckoned her apprentice away.

"The rest of you can figure out what you want to do among yourselves," he jumped down and led his patrol off, Dogclaw and Bramblestripe following.

"Let's patrol the kittypet border." Graystar said, looking at the tom.

"There's kittypets near by?" He asked, eyes wide.

Graystar nodded, "We don't normal go by there but recently we've had our paws full of MarshClan that we sort of forgot to check by. The kittypets normally don't stray over the Woodwall." She explained, "Goldenspruce, Smokepaw, Squrrieltail, come with me."

Frostpaw waited before following his mentor towards a strip of territory he didn't recognize, "Prey runs well here in green-leaf." Graystar was saying, "We can usually get some mice here in leaf-bare as well but troubles over borders have taken up much of our time."

"Isn't it against the warrior code to not check borders everyday?" Smokepaw asked, ear twitching.

"Yes, it is. I hope StarClan isn't angry with me.." She let out a soft sigh and stopped, Frostpaw froze at what he saw, broad and large wooden sticks poked out from the ground, about two tail lengths high. "Is that the Woodwall?" he asked.

Graystar nodded, "The kittypets call it a fence." She explained, "To me it looks more like a wall of wood, thus creating the name."

Nodding, Frostpaw let out a soft hiss as he saw a figure jump up onto the fence, balancing atop it easily. It was a lithe tom, his eyes were a dazzling emerald color and her had brown fur with white paws. He looked around and saw Graystar, his eyes stretch wide, "Graystar?" He asked, "I haven't seen you in a dogs age!" He jumped down and padded over, but never crossed the border.

"Reggy!" Graystar purred, "It's great to see you. I know it's been moons, some trouble is brewing in the Clans." She dipped her dead.

"Is it that MarshClan again? Can't they smell where borders lie?" He growled, Frostpaw saw ticks on the tom and gray around his muzzle, he obviously wasn't young.

"Apparently not, Bramblestar died." she mewed sadly.

Reggys eyes shone with grief, "I used to live near them, he was a great leader, always knew right from wrong." He dipped his head, "is Foxclaw now Foxstar?" He asked, blinking.

"Unfortunately.. yes." Goldenspruce growled, tail lashing.

Reggy sighed, "He was always quick to jump into battle, though, he was an apprentice when I knew him." He looked at Graystar, "I assumed he hasn't changed?"

"Him? Change? When hedgehogs fly!" Squirreltail snarled, tail lashing.

Reggy looked at her, sympathy in his tired eyes, "I'm sorry about your brother." he mewed. Then he looked at Graystar, "I've kept cats away from this border, I had a feeling you'd return here."

Graystar nodded, "Thank you for that, StormClan owes you."

"Aren't you a kittypet?" Frostpaw asked, blinking.

Reggy looked at him, as if realizing he was there, "No, I'm a loner." He explained, "I helped the Clans way back, when Darksoul prowled these grounds."

Frostpaws fur bristled at the mention of the evil black tabby he's heard so much stories about. His crimes amounted to even more than Brokenstar and Tigerstar combined, he held so much ambition he almost destroyed the clans, but somehow he didn't, and Featherstar struck him down.

"Who are you," Reggy pried him out of his thoughts, "I haven't seen you running about."

"This is Frostpaw," Graystar purred, "my new apprentice."

Reggy blinked in shock then looked at Frostpaw, a friendly light in his eyes, "It must be an honor to be trained by such a cat."

"It's hard more than it is an honor." Frostpaw retorted, no real venom in his gaze.

Reggy let out a chuckle, then he looked around, eyes narrow, "Where's Sunfur?" He asked.

Sadness overtook the happy atmosphere, Graystar looked down, claws digging in the frostbitten ground, "Dead. They killed him." She hissed, tail lashing.

Reggy let out a yowl of grief, mouth ajar, he looked at the sky, "Why did StarClan take such an honorable spirit?"

"I don't know, it must of been his time." Graystar choked out, "Eagletalon took his place and so far he's proving to be a great choice."

Reggy still looked sad but he nodded, "Life goes on, I suppose." He mewed.

Graystar nodded then turned, "Mark the border, it ends at those two trees." She pointed at the two oak trees on either side of the patrol.

Frostpaw nodded and sprayed the border as thoroughly as he could, Smokepaw and Graystar doing the same.

Reggy turned, "I have to go." He mewed, "It was nice seeing you again."

Graystar watched then sighed, "Wait!" She called.

He looked back, ear twitching.

"You don't have a twoleg to take care of you and I refuse to let you die alone." She beckoned the tom over, "Come with us, you'll be provided with prey, shelter, and friends, Scarpelt will be happy to see you."

Reggy looked conflicted, "I have a son.." he mewed uncertainly, tail tip twitching.

"Fetch him and come back, he will be taken care of."

Reggy looked skeptical but then he leaped over the fence and came back, holding a brown tom with curly fur and a long tail.

"His name is Tangled." He told the she-cat.

Nodding Graystar led the patrol and the newcomers off.

When they made it back to camp, instantly everyone looked up, "What do we have here?" Heatherpaw asked, looking at Tangled, who was trying to catch a butterfly that was flying around.

"What's the meaning of this?" Lionpaw asked, "Another mouth to feed, the camp is getting crowded!"

"Yeah, especially with you taking up half the apprentices den." Frostpaw retorted, glaring at his brother, "Shove off!"

Lionpaw looked angry but he only hissed and walked off, he sat next to Smokepaw, muttered and casting hostile glares at Tangled and Reggy.

"Reggy? Is that you old friend?" Scarpelt asked, moving forward, eyes shining in happiness when he saw him, "It is! How have you been?"

"Good, I've been raising Tangled alone, Juniper died." He mewed sadly, ear twitching.

"Sorry to hear it." Scarpelt mewed, then he looked at Chestnutpaw who was coming out of the medicine cat den with a stick full of mouse bile. "Chesnutpaw! Come do Reggys fur."

Chestnutpaw looked at the brown tom and nodded, disappearing into the elders den.

"Graystar," Reggy started, mew loud, "I thank you for a place in this clan." he dipped his head, "I trust that Tangled is in good paws and that you will treat him as if he was Clanborn."

Graystar nodded, "Anything for you Reggy." She purred.

Reggy touched his sons ear with his nose, "I'll be in that bark covered den." He told him then disappeared.

Tangled looked around, eyes wide in fear, "Are you guys going to eat me like the kittypets say you guys do?" He squeaked, green eyes wide in fear.

Iceheart looked amused, "No, we wont eat you." He assured the tom, then looked troubled, "He's still young enough that he needs milk."

"I still have plenty." Sandycloud mewed, "He looks about three moons old, I can stay in the nursery for three moons, but trust me when I say I'm going on every patrol I can when I get out." She beckoned the small tom over, "Tangled come here, I'll feed you."

Tangled let out a yowl of excitement and rushed over to the to the she-cat.

Heatherpaw laughed, "He's cute!" She purred, looking at Frostpaw.

Frostpaw looked back at her, "I guess, but Lionpaw is right, the Clan is getting crowded."

Heatherpaw blinked then looked around, "The Clan is growing." she finally said.

"Whispersong! Whispersong!" Dawnlight cried, rushing forward, "Mousedusk is sick!"

The dusky brown tom looked up, "I am," he broke off into a series of coughs, "I am not sick! I just have a sore throat, its a wonder you don't with all the yelling over me you've been doing over me!" He growled, tail tip twitching.

Whispersong looked at him and felt his chest, "Breath for me, take a deep breath."

Mousedusk breathed in slowly, then breathed out, breaking out into a series of coughs. He sniffed slightly, easing out some breaths.

"It seems like it's a cold." She told Dawnlight. "It's easily treated," She beckoned Mousedusk into her den.

Dawnlight pressed her nose to Mousedusks, "Feel better for me." she mewed. Mousedusk let out a soft purr, "I will.." He padded away and nosed his way into the medicine cats den.

Frostpaw approached Dawnlight slowly, "He'll be fine." He reassured her, gently rubbing his tail down her flank.

Dawnlight looked at him, then nodded, "You're right.. he will be." she sounded as though she was trying to convince herself but she nodded fiercely and padded away.

Frostpaw watched then sighed as he heard Graystars voice say, "Come on Frostpaw! We're going out hunting, then we're marking the MarshClan border, then we're going battle train.

This is going to be a long day.

Frostpaw collapsed in his nest, muscles aching after a hard day.

Anger still burned in his pelt after what happened between him and MarshClan.

Frostpaw glared at the cats that were openly ignoring the border, playing with a mouse that they had just caught.

"Is this how all MarshClan warriors act?" Foxfur snarled, "That's prey not moss!"

Adderpaw let out a growl, "That those dungfaces caught on our territory!" He hissed.

Graystar, who looked less than pleased nodded, then pointed her tail low to the ground, parallel to it, sweeping back and force.

Spreading out so they surrounded the three cats, she kinked her tail over her back and rushed out.

The patrol followed, surrounding the patrol, "What are you doing on our territory? Had I not make myself clear at the Gathering?" Graystar growled, glaring at the cats who knew they were beaten.

One was a gray tabby, one he recognized as Shadowpaw, and the last was Snakeheart.

Snakeheart growled, "Leave us alone! This is MarshClans territory!" He hissed, "The border ends at those trees." He straightened up, "Foxstar says that all this is our territory, so I suggest you leave. Now."

Graystars eye twitched, "Then you're sadly mistaken." She snarled, glaring at them, "Get to you're border and stay there before we make you."

Snakeheart snarled, "Like you-"

"Attack!" Graystar yowled, lunging at Snakeheart.

Frostpaw let out a snarl and tackled the gray tabby, lashing out his paw, claws unsheathed, shredding her ears.

She let out a soft hiss before tackling him, raking her claws across his chest. Pain seared from the cut but he ignored he. He lunged, the she-cat braced herself but he jumped over her, twisting and raking his claws down her spine, then sunk his teeth into her hind leg and tugged it, making her fall on her stomach. He pinned her down, "Get out!" He snarled, glaring at her.

The she-cat let out a growl and too late he realized that he left his under belly in the open. The she-cat seemed to realize this as she didn't waste time raking his under belly with thorn sharp hind claws.

He let out a hiss and then latched onto her throat, sinking his teeth in her throat.

She let out a yowl of pain and he moved, grabbing her scruff and threw her away from him.

He noticed the patrol pushing back the troop of three, sending the cats across the marsh.

Graystar let out a yowl, "And stay out!" She snarled.

Frostpaw sighed, looking at the roof of his den.

He got up slowly, padding out of the den.

"Again?" Came Heatherpaw annoyed mew, but Frostpaw only glared at her, "No, I'm taking a walk, wanna come with?"

Heatherpaws whiskers twitched, and she stood up, "Sure why not?"

She followed the tom out into the forest. "The forest is loud tonight." Frostpaw mewed, ears perking at the crickets and sounds of the forest.

Heatherpaw looked up, "That so?" she asked, her voice clearly not impressed.

Frustration clawed at his belly, "Are you going to keep being annoying about me and Leopardpaw?" He hissed, glaring at the she-cat.

She looked backed at him, red-pink eyes narrow, "You want to know whats annoying?" She hissed, "Smelling her awful stench on your fur!"

Frostpaw bristled, a low growl rumbling in his throat. He glared at her for a heartbeat before stomping off.

He sat down near the river running through Sunningrocks, anger burning in his pelt.

Suddenly a rock fell behind him, making him turn, seeing the milky pelt of Heatherpaw, illuminating in the moonlight beautifully, her eyes glowing in the darkness, sadness in her eyes. "Look I'm sorry.. It's just.. I.." She hesitated, stopping even closer than a mouse length away from him. "I just.." She looked up, her red eyes fixated on him, "I like you.. allot." She blinked slowly then pressed her nose to his.

Frostpaw froze, then let out a purr and felt his heart slowly melt.

I care about her to.. Great StarClan.. what's happening to me? Frostpaw shoved the thought away and twined his tail with her.

He opened his eyes, groggily, he had come back to camp earlier but he hadn't slept long as it was only sunup and he had came back at moonhigh.

Pain was searing from the wound on his belly and he stood, seeing that blood was dripping from between his cobwebs, soaking the moss beneath him.

Great, another thing to do.

He padded inside Whispersongs den and looked around, "Whispersong?" He asked, hearing someone, or thing, shuffling in the herb store.

The white she-cat stuck her head out, green eyes fixing on him, then disappeared before she came out carrying a bundle of herbs.

He lay on his back, watching as she chewed up dock, goldenrod, and marigold into a poultice and applied onto the scratch. He tensed at the sting but didn't move. She replaced the cobwebs, that she removed and formed into a ball to throw away, and looked at his shoulder, that had a bite wound on it and snorted.

"You're fine now, bring Adderpaw, his muzzle looks bad, can you also bring Reggy these mallow leaves? He's complaining about bellyache."

Nodding, he took the rose scented purple leaves and padded into the elders den where Reggy was awake, drinking from a wad of soaked moss.

"Here, mallow, it will help your bellyache." Frostpaw gave the elder the flowers and made sure he ate all three leaves.

Reggy let out a soft sigh, "Feelings better already.. thank you Frostpaw."

Nodding he made his way back into the apprentices den and probed Adderpaws shoulder, making him jolt awake, "Whispersong wants to check your muzzle, it smells infected." He pulled a face, backing away from the tom.

Adderpaw let out a snort, "Oh really?" He mewed sarcastically, "I didn't know that if some dirty claws of MarshClan scum scratch you, you may get an infection." He let out a sigh, "Sorry, just.. tired and irritated." He padded off, before the tom could reply.

"You're running around camp early." He jumped, hearing Crookedhearts voice.

"Y-yeah," Frostpaw stammered, trying to calm his racing heart, "I was bleeding, so now I need to change my moss."

"All of you need to change you're moss, it stinks in there!" The tom teased, tail tip twitching.

He let out a soft purr and nudged him, "Then I'll wait so it can torture your nostrils as long as possible." He shot at him, purring at the warm glare he got from the tom.

"Careful what you say before a senior warrior, we come in numbers!" He purred, batted at the tom.

He dodged the blow and battered the old tom with his paws, enough to sting, but not to hurt or leave a mark.

Crookedheart suddenly ducked under his belly, slashing at the back of his forepaws. He twisted, expecting the tom to emerge from the other side but he never did. Too late he realized that the tom had gone back the way he came and hooked his claws onto his fur, dragging him to the ground, pinning him.

Frostpaw panted, "Wow! That was amazing!" He cried, getting up and shaking his pelt. "Who taught you that, Graystar never showed me those moves."

Crookedheart blinked then his gaze turned dark, "I was taught things not meant for honorable warriors such as yourself." He mewed, regret in his normally condescending blue eyes. "I tread a place that should have never been. Don't fall to darkness Frostpaw, it can and will destroy you, no matter how hard you fight. Always know that there's always going to be a warrior better, faster, and stronger than you." With that he left.

Frostpaw was dumbfounded, but he knew that Crookedheart wasn't one to make up stories in order to scare someone. Every word the tom said, was true, and that knowledge scared him.

Frostpaw spent the day around camp until Graystar called him, "You've been as restless as a BreezeClan apprentice stuck in a forest!" She purred teasingly, "Go join Dogclaw on his patrol, mark that MarshClan border well."

Nodding, he padded over to Dogclaw, who was talking to Thistlepaw, "You have to be fast on your paws! If you think an enemy is defeated so quickly you will always be beaten. There's always going to be someone better, faster, and stronger than you." Frostpaws fur bristled as Crookedhearts words began to flood back into his mind but it all faded when he heard Heatherpaws gentle mew, "You okay? You're as distracted as a kit today!"

"I'm fine," He said, the words coming out rougher than he meant them to, "sorry just worried for the Clan." He sighed, "There's been to much conflict as of late and I don't like it."

Heatherpaw gave him a sympathetic smile and licked his cheek, "I don't like it either, but that's how Clan life is. No matter what life you choose, there will always be conflict."

Frostpaw nodded, but he still didn't like it. Following Blueheart and Dogclaw, his ears perked.

"So how has Heatherpaws training been going?" Dogclaw asked his mate, ears twitching.

"Well, she learns fast! She can already do the leap and hold perfectly!" Blueheart purred, glancing at her apprentice, "She'll be a threat to any enemy that decides to mess with her."

"Well, she got lucky having such a great cat as you as her mentor." Dogclaw purred lovingly, flicking her with his tail.

"Gross." Alderpaw growled, "You won't see me moony over a she-cat I can assure you that!"

Dogclaw looked at him, "When you meet the perfect she-cat you'll know better." He pressed forward.

Iceheart, who was silent, followed, beckoning the remaining cats.

He stopped, seeing a patrol at the border, Rocksun at the head of it.

Alderpaw was about to rush forward but Iceheart stopped him, "Dogclaw, you're leading this patrol, tell us what to-"

"I smell you there!" Rocksuns growl cut him off, "Stop hiding you mousehearts!"

Dogclaw looked at his patrol before leading it out from the bushes, "What do you want Rocksun?" He demanded, tail tip twitching in agitation, though he kept his composure.

"I came to ask you why you attacked our warriors!" He snarled, golden eyes flaring in rage.

"They were on our territory." Dogclaw mewed calmly, "It seems that MarshClan doesn't know where it's borders lie."

Rocksun suddenly looked surprised then he looked at the gray tabby Frostpaw fought, "Thornpath," He growled, "is what he says true?"

"She was playing with prey." Frostpaw said, "Is that how MarshClan treats all it's prey?"

Rocksun, again, glared at Thornpath, "Is what he says true?" he snarled.

Thornpath glared at Frostpaw then looked away, her amber eyes shining in anger.

Rocksun let out a hiss then looked at Dogclaw, "We were told that you attacked our patrol when they were hunting on this side of the border. I can assure you that all cats involved in this skirmish will be dealt with."

"See to it." Dogclaw replied dryly, watching as the deputy led his patrol away.

"Do you believe a word he says?" Iceheart asked, looking at the black and brown tom.

"No, I don't, but we don't control MarshClan, Foxstar does. His word is the warrior code, I hope his word is true to the warrior code." He sighed, "Mark the border thoroughly."

Frostpaw glared at Heatherpaw, his eyes narrow.

He had been invited by Blueheart to help Heatherpaw practice some battle moves and was happy to help.

Now he was facing the she-cat, searching his every move.

He waited for a heartbeat before lunging at her, but, like Thornpath, she braced herself to catch him, and he leaped over her, twisting so he landed on her shoulders perfectly.

Heatherpaw panicked but quickly rolled onto her back, crushing the tom and rolled her paws.

Frostpaw recovered and dodged as she leaped towards him, and lashed out a paw, bringing hard down on her head.

She let out a yowl of anger and pain and lashed out a paw, making him leap backwards.

Using this to his advantage, he bounced off the wall and went to land on her but she shot forward, leaping into the air and landing onto his back, gripping him with unsheathed claws.

Frostpaw went to roll but she leaped away and landing gracefully on her paws, ready to leap when Blueheart stepped between them, "Enough! That was amazing." She praised, then looked Heatherpaw, "You're a good fighter, know you're opponent, know you're limits. Frostpaw is large but that doesn't mean he's not fast, he trained hard for speed so now he's a very dangerous threat, if he were MarshClan, you'd need help to deal with him, keep your friends close, but enemies closer." She nodded, "Okay, Frostpaw that was great. Now I want you to the leap reversal."

Frostpaw nodded and moved into position.

"The key is to watch his shoulders," Blueheart started, "When they tense," Frostpaw tensed his muscles, ready to leap. "Drop." He leaped as Blueheart twisted on her back, forepaws splayed and claws extended, "When he lands," He landed on her belly, "Hook onto him." She dug her foreclaws into his shoulder, and her hindclaws into his hunches, "Then roll over!" She rolled the tom over with great force, pinning him onto the sandy ground.

Heatherpaw nodded, then moved into place.

Blueheart looked at Frostpaw, "Go."

He tensed and leap, as he did, she dropped to her paw, paws splayed, he landed on her belly and instantly felt her claws dig into his shoulders and hunches and felt himself get bowled over.

When doing this, she made a miss step and crashed on top of him, nose pressed against his.

Heat pooled in Frostpaws face and ears, his heart raced, and his paws felt light.

Heatherpaw, who was blushing harder than he was, stared at him before he heard Bluehearts teasing mew, "I don't think thats how the moves suppose to go."

Heatherpaw scrabbled off him and licked her chest fur a couple of times, trying to regain her senses.

"Though, it wasn't bad for a first try." She purred, licking her apprentices ear. "I'll make you a warrior yet."

Frostpaw opened his eyes, it was a quarter-moon later, during this time he practiced fighting with Thistlepaw, Chestnutpaw, Alderpaw, Smokepaw, Adderpaw, and Heatherpaw. He hunted and went on patrols but as of late his dreams have been troubling, vision of blood and yowls of pain echoed in his head. He had also been thinking about Crookedhearts words, and the move that he had used. Every time he asked the tom about it he only changed the subject or walked away. MarshClan has been hunting on StormClan territory allot as of late and everytime got chased off. Graystar was getting furious, until finally she announced that if MarshClan was seen on their territory again it meant battle.

He let out a sigh and closed his eyes, confused when he reopened them.

He was in a dark and dull forest, fog lay close to the ground and glowing mushrooms lit the place.

The trees where large and dead, but when he looked up he saw no stars, no moon, and no clouds.

"Welcome Frostpaw." He jumped and looked up, seeing a black tabby staring at him, one amber eye glowing darkly. He knew this tom from stories.

Darksoul.

"What do you want?" Frostpaw snarled, fur bristling.

Darksoul blinked, then stepped out of the shadows, revealing he had only one eye, the other side of his face had deep and terrible looking scars, going over a hallow hole where his eye should be. "I have come to offer you assistance." He mewed.

"For what?" Frostpaw shot, glaring at the tom that was now circling him.

"To become the best warrior ever of course." Darksoul purred, "I once held power unlike none other. The knowledge that I alone could defeat any cat that challenged me, with MarshClan threatening you're borders you need all battle moves you can get." He stared at him, "What do you say?"

Frostpaw blinked, unsure of his answer.

"I can show you moves that only special cats as yourself can learn and do properly." Darksoul continued, his voice as smooth as honey.

"Fine." Frostpaw finally agreed, "I'll train under you."

Darksoul let out a purr, "Excellent! We start now," He started to walk away.

Frostpaw followed him to a place much like the Sandy Hallow but different, dried and hardened blood soaked the ground, turning the murky grass black. A few tail lengths away was a black river, so murky you couldn't see past the surface.

Tearing his gaze away from the surroundings, he saw Darksoul on a nearby rock, leaping gracefully off it.

"Alright, show me what you know, claws unsheathed."

Frostpaw froze, "But that's how cats get hurt!"

"If there's a threat you may get hurt you'll battle harder." Darksoul dismissed, "Go!" He lunged.

Frostpaw panted, his cheek was bleeding but Darksoul was even more battered than him.

The tom nodded, "Not bad," He commented, "Not bad at all. Alright, that's enough for today. Real training starts tomorrow."

Frostpaw blinked, "Darksoul!" He called to the retreating tom who turned his head slightly, his amber gaze burning into him.

"Do you know a cat named Crookedheart?"

Darksoul stood still for a few heartbeats before smiling wickedly, "He's my son."

Frostpaw eyes widened and watched as Darksoul faded into shadows, as though the darkness of the forest swallowed him whole.

He closed his eyes, opening them to find himself looking at Lionpaw.

"So he actually did it." Lionpaw mewed, eyes narrow.

Frostpaw blinked and stood up feeling blood now caked on his cheek. "What do you mean?"

Lionpaw stared at him for a heartbeat before grinning wickedly, "I know you're secret..." he sung ominously, circling around him just as Darksoul did, "I know you train in the Dark Forest now." He continued, heading towards the entrance of the apprentices den.

Frostpaws eyes narrowed, "How?"

Lionpaw stopped and turned his head slightly, in a manner similar to the dark tom, but instead of a guarded expression, he had an evil glint in his eyes and a ominous smirk on his face, "I saw you." He whispered, almost to quietly.

Frostpaw froze, staring at his brother who walked off, joining Longclaw, Thistlepaw, Dogclaw, and Squirreltail on a dawn patrol.

Dread and horror churned in Frostpaws belly, making him want to throw up. He padded out from the den and into the medicine cats den, where Rainpaw was growling, "Mousedusk, if you don't eat these herbs you'll become sicker!" his tail lashed, "Eat them willingly or I'll force you to!"

Mousedusk looked away, he was panting as though he ran from the DeltaClan border and back.

Rainpaw let out a snarl and looked at Whispersong, "Come help."

Whispersong blinked then grabbed Mousedusk scruff, making him open his mouth.

Rainpaw shoved some purple berries in his mouth as well as flowers resembling daisies. He forced Mousedusks mouth close and swallow them.

Rainpaw sighed as Mousedusk pulled a disgusted face, "So gross. You're not sympathetic."

"It's my job to heal you not to baby you." Rainpaw growled, turning and fixing his amber gaze on Frostpaw. "What happened? Did you get into a fight?"

"No, there was a thorn in my bedding." He lied, tail twitching.

Rainpaw blinked, "Do you think I'm stupid? I know the difference from a wound inflicted from thorn from a wound inflicted from the claws of a cat. Who did you get into a fight with?" His eyes narrowed.

Frostpaw shook his head slowly, "I promise it was a thorn."

"Thorn sharp claws more like." Rainpaw pried but then he disappeared and came back with with oak leaves and dock. He chewed the leaves in a poultice and spat it on his muzzle, using his nose to spread it, he wrapped some cobwebs on the would and nudged him, "On you're back, Whispersong can you get oak leaves, dock, and marigold?"

Nodding, Whispersong disappeared and Rainpaw turned his serious eyes to Frostpaw, "How did you get scratched? Are you treading the dark path Lionpaw is?"

Tensing, he stared at Rainpaw, "What do you mean?"

"Are you training with Darksoul?" Rainpaw asked, eyes narrow.

Frostpaw opened his mouth but Whispersong suddenly was next to them, "Here Rainpaw, can you go collect some parsley? We've got little of it," she padded to the store, poking her head in it, "and get dock, we need more."

Rainpaw let out a grunt and chewed the leaves and flower that he had put in his mouth and spit it on his wound, he put some cobwebs on it and put some catchweed on his fur and backed up, "Are you?" He whispered.

Frostpaw sighed and nodded, "He says he can make me a better warrior and I believe him."

Rainpaws fur bristled, "I can't afford you getting hurt while you sleep! Haven't you heard stories of the Dark Forest in ThunderClan, RiverClan, WindClan, and ShadowClan? They almost destroyed them, what makes you think they won't do it here?"

"Because they know they can't." Frostpaw told him firmly, "My loyalty is with my Clan, not with him. I'll stop if I suspect something, I promise." He touched noses with his brother and backed up.

He felt Rainpaws gaze burn in his pelt but he chose to ignore it as he approached Heatherpaw and Tangled.

"Leap higher!" Heatherpaw was telling him, holding her tail in the air.

Tangled tensed his muscles and leaped, catching her tail and batting at it as he held it firmly in his mouth.

"He's going to be a great warrior." Sandycloud mewed, looking at Frostpaw, though he could tell she was started to get irritated at the fact she had to stay in the nursery for longer. "I can't wait till he's apprenticed."

Nodding, Frostpaw looked at Tangled, "When's his name getting changed?" He asked, looking at Heatherpaw.

"Graystar will change it today," Sandycloud told him, "I think he'll be a great warrior."

Frostpaw blinked then looked at Tangled who was rushing around, wrestling with a moss.

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

Sandycloud gently nosed Tangled, licking and smoothing out his dirty fur, "Come with me." She mewed, leading the tom in the front of where the cats had gathered.

Heatherpaw and Frostpaw sat next to each other, ear twitching.

"Spirits of StarClan," Graystar started, voice strong and echoing throughout the clearing, "this young kit has left his old life to be part of your noble circle. To hunt, fight, walk, and breath under your ears and eyes. I, Graystar of StormClan, name him Tangledkit, and I welcome him as a member of StormClan."

"Tangledkit! Tangledkit! Tangledkit!" The Clan yowled, Reggy, who was sitting next to Scarpelt, the loudest.

"Reggy, I know you do not wish to change you're name and I will honor those wishes. You have done many things for StormClan and I am thankful to have you here." She dipped her head and looked at Eagletalon, "I want a patrol to go out to the MarshClan border, one at sunhigh, then one at sundown." She mewed, "DeltaClan has been quiet, so only two patrols will do, one now, one at sundown." she finished.

Eagletalon nodded, "Goldenspruce, Crookedheart, Chestnutpaw, Squirreltail, and Foxfur I want you to go the MarshClan border.."

Frostpaw stopped listening as he looked around and saw Graystar beckoning him over.

"Yeah?" He asked, bounding over to her.

"I want to take you, Adderpaw, Alderpaw, and Smokepaw to the Sandy Hallow." She mewed, "Hawkpaw and Lionpaw are helping with training today. Heatherpaws coming to, as well as Stormypaw."

"So it's just a big apprentice training session?" Alderpaw asked, approaching swiftly.

"Precisely." Graystar nodded, then looked at Lionpaw, "Icepaw and Chestnutpaw will be coming as well. We'll be training till the sun is halfway in the sky."

Lionpaws whiskers twitched at the mention of Icepaw, "Is Thistlepaw coming?"

"Of course I am." Came a growl. Frostpaw turned his head, seeing the light gray tom sitting there, eyes narrowed.

Crookedheart and Iceheart padded up, "We'll be watching you."

Nodding, the group set off.

Once they got there Crookedheart froze, "What in StarClans name?"

Where the Sandy Hallow once was now was filled with DeltaClan cats.

"What happened?" Graystar demanded, glaring at the trespassers.

Oaksplash slowly moved out, "There was a flood, something made the river higher." He croaked, "Icestar.. she.." his ears dropped.

"What's happened?"

"Icestar is dead." Oaksplash sobbed, shoulders shaking.

Sadness and confusing flooded the leaders gaze, "She was a great cat." She mewed, "What of her kits?"

"Alive, Owlfeather just had kits so their still nursing."

"Oaksplash.. you need to go to Highstones."

"I'm not ready Graystar.." Oaksplashed looked down tears running down his face, "How can I be ready? It was so sudden.."

Graystar blinked sadly, "You must." She pressed her nose to his, "You must Oaksplash, that's what she chose you for. You've been an excellent deputy, now it's time for you be an excellent leader."

"Her words are truth." Lakemist mewed, her eyes filled with pain. "We must go."

Oaksplash looked at her, then nodded, "O..okay.." He hiccuped, "F-for Icestar.."

Lakemist nodded, then looked at Graystar, "We can't go back to camp, the water still isn't down enough."

"Follow me." Graystar mewed, walking off.

"All the Clan is here!" Thistlepaw gaped, seeing as the entirety of DeltaClan move out of the training area.

Frostpaw nodded, "They had no where else to go." he sighed and followed.

Graystar jumped down and moved to a shadowed area, where a large cave lie. "You can stay here," She mewed, looking around Sunningrocks, the jumped onto the top of the ledge, "How many did not make it?"

"Only Icestar." Oaksplash mewed.

Graystar sighed and looked at Icepaw, "Go to camp and fetch Rainpaw and Whispersong."

Icepaw nodded and ran off.

Lionpaw jumped down, "Alright, you can't hunt in our territory!" He growled, tail tip twitching, "So use the river."

And who made you deputy? Frostpaw thought, glaring at his brother.

"Lionpaw." Graystar growled, "Get back here or I'll watch as these DeltaClan cats shred you."

Lionpaw let out a growl, "You're too soft on them Graystar! They are on our territory therefore we must keep a close eye on them, in case they do something funny." He protested, eyes sweeping the cats that were glaring at snarling at him.

"They are hardly in the condition to battle." Graystar hissed, "Leave them be."

Lionpaw glared at her, "You're a mouseheart Graystar." He spat.

That was it, something in Frostpaw snapped and he leaped at his brother, yowling in fury.

He lashed out a claw, barely missing as Lionpaw ducked and latched onto his throat.

Pain seared through Frostpaw but he was to mad to notice it, he lashed out a claw, cutting Lionpaws underbelly.

Lionpaw let out a yowl of pain and backed up.

Frostpaws eyes narrowed as he lunged under his brother, lashing out at his forepaws, making the tom turn around in a confused fiery, he backed out and grabbed his hunches pulling him down as he pinned his brother.

Lionpaw was panting, he glared at Frostpaw before waving his tail.

"You win, let me up."

"Take it back." Frostpaw growled darkly.

"Wha-"

"TAKE IT BACK!" Frostpaw pressed his paw to his brothers throat, pushing down on it.

Lionpaw choked a bit before growling, "I got out of hand Graystar, I'm sorry."

Frostpaw glared at him, "Do well to remember you're place in the Clan, brother." He spat out the word and backed up.

Suddenly he felt a hard blow to his ear, he staggered, a ring in his ear making him look around wildly until his dizzy gaze focused on a furious Graystar.

Frostpaw blinked then look at the DeltaClan cats who all were staring at him with horrified expressions.

"Are you stupid?" Graystar hissed, tail lashing, "You could of killed him!"

"I could of, but I didn't." Frostpaw looked away, "He insulted you, I can't let him get away with treating you like that, especially in front of them." He jerked his head towards the trespassers.

"I'm thankful for you trying to defend my dignity, but the last thing we need is more injuries." She sighed and touched her nose to his ear, "You are better than this Frostpaw, I know you are."

Shame made Frostpaws pelt burn and he looked away.

"And you Lionpaw. You have a ambition unlike any other, a thirst to make you're Clanmates as fearless and as powerful as you are. A fire that you must learn to control or it will destroy you, just as Darksouls destroyed him."

Lionpaw looked up, "He didn't scratch me that deep," He mewed. He walked over to the river and lay in the shallow end, blood floated to the top and washed away.

"That move." Graystars hiss made him jump, "What was that?"

"I picked it up I guess." Frostpaw mewed uncomfortably.

Graystar blinked then Whispersongs mew echoed throughout the clearing, "Alright, Oaksplash, you and Lakemist will leave immediately once I give you these traveling herb." She pushed the concoction towards the soon to be leader and gave some to Lakemist, "How are the kits?" Rainpaw asked.

A brown tabby moved looked up, four kits, two bigger than the others, suckling her belly. "Warm and strong." She mewed.

Rainpaw wondered up and nosed through the kits fur, making them mewl in distaste.

"Anyone hurt?" He asked, looking around.

"Just tired," Stormfrost mewed, sadness in his eyes, "Icestars body is here.. I grabbed it."

Rainpaw ran his tail down the toms flank, "I'm sorry for you're lost, but now you have to be there for you're kits, they lost their mother, they don't need to lose their father to."

Stormfrost nodded and padded off, he came back with a white tom and the dead leader, fur still wet.

Graystar looked sadly at the she-cat then nodded towards Oaksplash, beckoning him atop the stone cliff.

He jumped up and sighed, "Today is a sad day. Icestar led many lives, she risked her last one to save the life of her kits, she was selfless, honorable, strong, and brave. She was family," He looked at the kits, "A leader," He straightened, tears running down his face, "A friend." he looked down, swallowing a lump in his throat, "I.. I don't know if I have the ability to lead this Clan, but Icestar wouldn't choose a cat she didn't have faith in as her deputy. I trust her judgement so, in her honor, I will lead this Clan. May StarClan light you're path Icestar." He bowed his head, as did the other DeltaClan cats.

Frostpaw dipped his head as well, he respected Icestar, and was sad to hear of her death.

He jumped down, making the DeltaClan cats look up, he padded over to Icestar and licked her cheek, May StarClan welcome you among there ranks, I am honored to have met you. Frostpaw backed away as Lakemist rubbed her body with mint leaves.

"She shall be buried now, across the river." Oaksplash watched as two warriors carried the leaders body over to the other side of the river and buried her.

Frostpaw looked down and then felt a tail wrap around his shoulders. He looked up and saw Hawkpaw staring straight, tears running down his face, "The death of a leader isn't devastating to just the Clan, it is a grief shared by many, any cat who, though never spoke to her, knew her." He mewed, sniffing as he padded away.

"Oaksplash, come," Lakemist mewed, "It is time."

Oaksplash nodded and followed her as Crookedheart and Iceheart led them to Greatstones.

Graystar sighed shakily, "I must go," She bowed her head and led the apprentices away.

They went inside of the Sandy Hallow and stayed silent for a few moments, until Crookedheart came in, Iceheart on his tail.

"Hawkpaw," Crookedheart started shakily, "You and Lionpaw go against each other." He mewed.

"Thistlepaw and Frostpaw." Graystar moved to the middle and stood against the wall, "You will fight.

"Icepaw and Stormypaw will fight." Iceheart mewed.

"Stay in you're sections, the battle ends when one cat gets pinned down for five heartbeats." Graystar mewed.

"Ready." Crookedheart said.

Frostpaw looked at Thistlepaw.

"Set." Iceheart added.

Frostpaw tensed.

"Go!"

Frostpaw leaped at the gray tom, yowling in rage.

Thistlepaw ducked under him, making him fly over but he thought quick and flipped, pushing off the wall and tackling the tom.

He felt Thistlepaws hind paws kicking at his stomach, making him wince in pain as he lashed out a paw, scoring him right in the face.

He felt the tom wrap his hind claws and forepaws around his shoulders and hunches respectively, flipping him over and battering him with attacks.

Frostpaw tucked his chin over his throat and looked for an opening, any one.

"Twist on your stomach and surge up!" Darksouls voice growled.

He twisted, going on his stomach and surged up, unbalancing the gray tom. He twisted on his paws and pinned him down. Thistlepaw tried to let go but he couldn't and fell limp.

"Frostpaw wins!" came Graystars meow.

Panting, Frostpaw backed up and let Thistlepaw up. He stood on his paws and gave his pelt a shake. "What was that move?"

"Nothing. I just was getting out from under you." Frostpaw replied, tail twitching.

Thanks Darksoul!

"Don't mention it."

Frostpaw opened his eyes, Oaksplashs scent flooded the clearing, it was sunhigh and the deputy had just returned from Highstones.

"Oaksplash." Graystar greeted.

"Oakstar now." The tom interrupted, straightening up. "We are thankful for StormClans hospitality, but I have a Clan to take care of." Oakstar dipped his head, "We take our leave now, the water hasn't damaged the camp as much as we thought and we saved the herbs. We are in you're dept, if you need help with anything you can come with us."

"Of course, may StarClan light your path Oakstar."

He nodded, "But while I'm here.. I will name my deputy."

He looked at Graystar who moved and leaped on top of her den, Frostpaw poked his head out, staying on the side of the clearing where the StormClan cats had gathered.

The DeltaClan cats looked up, eyes shining. "I say these words before StarClan, so that the spirits of our warrior ancestors may hear and approve of my choice. The new deputy of DeltaClan is..." He sweeped the cats under him, "Hookclaw."

Hookclaw let out a purr, "I won't fail you Oakstar." She mewed.

"I know you won't." He dipped his head and looked at Graystar, their eyes locked for a few heartbeats but then he jumped down and jerked his head, leading his Clan away.

Graystar watched then looked at Dogclaw, "You and Thunderheart follow them, make sure they don't do anything but don't let yourself be seen."

Thunderheart nodded and walked off, following Dogclaw.

"Graystar looked troubled but then she jumped down and disappeared inside her den.

"Mousedusk!"

Frostpaws ears perked as Dawnlights voice cut through the clearing.

The tom was much better, though he still had trouble breathing he was able to perform tasks like patrol and hunting.

Frostpaw looked around camp, it seemed quiet, but then he shrugged and turned, laying down next to Heatherpaw who had been watching from her nest.

"Hey.." She whispered, sliding her head under his.

"Hey.." He murmured in his ear and closed his eyes, twining his tail with hers and falling asleep.

He woke up, moonlight illuminated the clearing, he let out a sigh and looked at Heatherpaw, love made his heart swell. He knew what he had to do, but he wasn't sure if Leopardpaw was ready for it.

He got to his paws and stepped forward, "Frostpaw?"

He looked at Heatherpaw, pain stabbing his heart when he saw the sadness in her eyes.

"It isn't what you think, I'm.. I have to do this. After this no more I promise." He mewed, walking out.

He snuck out of camp and neared the border. He was surprised when he didn't see Leopardpaw there.

He heard shuffling in front of him and dropped, sliding his paws. The mouse was eating a nut, looking up every so often casting side glances.

He rushed forward and the mouse instantly ran, Frostpaw was so engulfed in wanting to get prey, he realized-too late- that he had chased it on MarshClan territory. He tried to skid to a halt but, because of how fast he had been running he had manged to kill it but he tumbled over the slope and into the mud drop.

"AH!" He yowled, struggling.

Suddenly he saw a golden flash rush over to him and felt himself get dragged out. "Frostpaw! What are you doing on our territory?" Leopardpaw asked, looking at him with worry.

"Drowning in mud." Frostpaw smiled then frowned and got up, "Leopardpaw we need to tal-"

"Leopardpaw!" He jumped at the sound of Bloodclaws growl, the cattails parted and the powerful black tom stalked forward, fur on end and his teeth bared in a snarl at the sight of Frostpaw, "Why is a StormClan scum here?" He growled, is voice as gold as leaf-bare.

"He fell, I couldn't leave him here Bloodclaw, you know that." He blinked then sighed. Then he snapped his amber gaze up, "You need to leave, now." He growled.

Frostpaw looked up, then picked up his mouse and walked off.

As he headed towards Snakerocks he saw Graystar waiting there.

"Graystar?" He froze, dropping his mouse.

"Don't lie," She mewed, eyes and expression guarded, "how long have you been seeing her."

"Leopardpaw?"

Graystar nodded.

"This was our fourth meeting, we only meet once every moon." He mewed, "After the Gatherings or the half-moon before or after." He looked down.

"Gatherings?"

"The medicine cat meetings." his paws shuffled. "Am I in trouble?"

Graystar blinked, then sighed, "Yes, you are, but I need to think about your punishment."

"I was going to end it today."

"It doesn't matter, the fact that you went with it four whole moons is punishable. It shouldn't of happened, you broke the warrior code Frostpaw." Her tail lashed, and she stood up, "And you were meeting the same Clan that killed Sunfur! I will not stand for this and you will not get let off easy."

Sighing, Frostpaw followed Graystar, shame making his pelt burn.

Nothing interesting happened the following day, he battle trained, when on patrol, hunted, and refreshed his bedding.

Heatherpaw looked at him, "Did Graystar see you?"

Nodding Frostpaw layed in his nest, next to Heatherpaw and let out a sigh.

"She's trying to figure out something to punish me." He twined his tail with hers, "But I don't want to meet Leopardpaw anymore... not when I have you."

Heatherpaw gaped then smiled, tears welling in her eyes and dripping down her face, "Frostpaw that.."

"I love you Heatherpaw.." He licked her tears away and touched noses with her.

The she-cat breath hitched, "I love you to."

He smiled and purred when she slipped her head under his, closing his eyes, he felt his heart melt.

Frostpaw opened his eyes as he heard a wail echo through the clearing. It was just before sundown, he jumped to his paws, and ran out seeing Mousedusk panting. "MarshClan on our territory! Foxstar is with them and it looks as though he brought his entire Clan!"

A low growl rumble in Graystars throat, "Thats... IT." She snarled, "Lionpaw, Hawkpaw, Stormypaw, Frostpaw, Bramblestripe, Ealgetalon, Longclaw, Squirreltail, Dawnlight, Dogclaw, Smokepaw, and Riverice. Come with me, this mutiny ends today." She jumped down and led the cats away.

Frostpaws body tingled with excitement, he followed the patrol out and froze, rage pumping through his veins when he saw many MarshClan cats playing around on their territory, under the watchful eye of Foxstar.

"Foxstar!" Graystar snarled, padding forward stiff-legged, hackles raised and neck fur puffed out.

Foxstar looked at her calmly, "Graystar, what are you doing on my territory?" He asked.

"This is our territory, get out."

Foxstars eyes narrowed, "MarshClan takes what it wants, and we want this territory, get out, now."

Frostpaw saw Leopardpaw looking at him with wide eyes.

He growled and glared at her, You shouldn't be here!

Graystar glared at him, "This ends now. StormClan attack!"

Frostpaw didn't need to think, he rushed forward tackling a pale gray she-cat, lashing out a claw and catching her cheek.

She let out a yowl and ducked as he lashed out another blow, she twisted and rolled over then sprung to her paws and tackled him, biting his ear.

Pain made him want to collapse right there but he noticed that her under belly was completely exposed and lashed out a front claw, slicing upward and cutting her underbelly open.

She let out a wail of pain and suddenly he was tackled by a pale golden tabby and felt thorn sharp claws slice his chest.

Thinking fast he ducked under her second blow and slashed at her forepaws, she twisted, and he backed out quickly and duck his sharp claws into her fur and dragged them to the ground.

She let out a painful wail as he bit her neck and manged to get out and run off, retreating to the marsh.

He looked around and noticed a large black and white tom on top of Stormypaw and flung himself at the tom, yowling in rage and battering him with blows to the head, ears and anything exposed.

"Up top!" He heard Hawkpaws voice call and he grabbed the toms scruff and flung him over to the cat who was on top of Hawkpaw get bowled over.

"Help Bramblestripe!" Frostpaw yowled then looked around and tackled a gray tabby with white tabby paws, clawing over face and leaping out of range and lunging in and lashing out and leaping away.

Stormypaw leaped back as well and pressed against him, ears flat as she made Shadowfoot run off.

"Help me?" Frostpaw asked as he glared at the gray tabby.

"Of course." She grinned and lunged with him, battering the she-cat when he backed up and moving back so he can take some hits.

Finally, both lunged and, simultaneously lashed out claws, making her yowl and run off.

She ran off and tackled a tom that was on top of Lionpaw.

He gazed around, Graystar was battering Foxstar with claws, he noticed that Rocksun had joined the battle and was taking on Longclaw.

He looked around and saw Riverice fighting Bloodclaw, winning of course.

He turned and leaped at a dark gray tom and bit his throat, then slid under him and surged up, unbalancing him.

He watched as Eagletalon leaped on the tom and rushed forward, matching the russet tom blow per blow.

Suddenly a golden flash made him turn and he risked a glance as he saw Riverice get bowled over and fall limp.

"Stop!" He roared, blood pumping in his ears, his roar so ferocious it made everyone freeze.

He heard a gasp from Stormypaw but ignored it as he slowly made his way towards Riverice, tears running down his face.

He sat in front of her, "Mom?" He asked, nudging him, "Mom stop playing dead.. it's time to go home." He sobbed, tail trembling.

Leopardpaws eyes widened when he said mom and horror filled her gaze as she stared at her blood soaked paws.

"Mom..?" Lionpaws choked voice whispered, though he didn't move from his place.

Riverice didn't move, no twitch of the tail, nothing. She was completely static, "No.." He sobbed. "NO!" He sat down, no longer sure if he could stand anymore, "Mom! Mom wake up!" He nosed through her fur, tears now running down his face. "Mom..?!"

"Frostpaw... She's gone.." Eagletalon whispered, though he didn't move from his place.

"Frostpaw I didn't.." Leopardpaw tried desperately but rage overpowered Frostpaws senses, turning his vision red.

He glared at the she-cat, fur bristling, it took all of his self control not to turn her into mousedust. "Leave now, haven't you done enough?!?!!" He snarled, voice barely audible. "You can forget about the meeting now." Her eyes filled with sorrow, she opened her mouth to speak but he let out a low growl, "I hate you Leopardpaw."

She flinched and her ears drooped, tail slapping the ground and she pressed her body on the ground and turned to walk away but stopped, "I'm so sorry.." She whispered, turning and looked at Foxstar.

"MarshClan retreat." He mewed, staring at the body of Rocksun and many others. "This battle was never meant to be fought." He picked up his fallen deputys body into the marsh, tail dragging through the mud.

Frostpaw watched, anger making his blood boil, sorrow making his heart ache, he wished he was a kit, suckling and playing with his mothers tail, He wished that this battle never was fought, he wished for his mother back, alive and healthy, but that was never meant to be.

Lionpaw stared at his mothers body, pain in his eyes, his face twisted in disbelief and sadness, "They killed her.." He choked.

Frostpaw looked around and with pain realized that Smokepaw was dead as well, his body lay still.

He looked at his mother and lifted her body up, carrying it back to camp, as well as Smokepaws.

Goldenspruce was heartbroken when she saw her apprentices body lay lifeless in the moonlit clearing. Squirreltail let out a yowl of grief, body trembling.

Iceheart padded out of the warriors den and froze when he saw Riverices body on the ground lifeless.

He stood silent for what seemed like an eternity before he let out a gut wrenching "NOOOOOO!" He rushed over to his dead mate and licked her fur desperately, "NoNONONONONONONONO!" He cried, "No! Get up, get up Riverice! Come back to me!" He pleaded twining his tail with hers.

Rainpaw, who was watching with tears running down his face rushed over and started to push his father away, "Get away from her dad.."

Iceheart struggled as Thunderheart and Crookedheart joined, forcing Iceheart into Rainpaws den. "Riverice! Riverice!" He whimpered.

Graystar watched him, pain in her eyes.

"Today was a victory, but we lost lives.." Frostpaw bristled as he realize what she truly meant.

Foxstar had taken one of her lives.

"We will sit vigil, today is no day to hold a ceremony for those who are last, but I will name Smokepaw, Smokefang, for he was a great fighter and hunter." She dipped her head and jumped down, disappearing inside the medicine cats den.

Those following days Frostpaw was kept inside the hallow, the Clan was led to believe it was because he caught the mouse on MarshClan territory but Heatherpaw, Chesnutpaw, and Graystar knew the truth. It was because he was secretly meeting Leopardpaw. He spent the nights training with Darksoul, so never once did he take a break from training, the extra sessions made him lean and muscular, stronger and faster as he preferred not to get hit by Darksouls thorn sharp claws. He caught on to the moves quickly, easily doing the underbelly slash, the advance badger defense, spin hind kick, and the hold and enemy collapse. It was funny how quickly things had changed, there once was a time where he would have done anything to see the golden she-cat, but now, every thought, her soft golden black spotted coat, her gentle green eyes, made his blood boil. He waited and waited for forgiveness, but only hatred and anger came.

Now it was a half-moon later, quarter-moon until the Gathering, and tomorrow was his and the others naming ceremony. Today they leave to go to Highstones but he wanted to hunt and run around before.

He dropped low, and slid his paws, he wasn't to sure why a rat was here but it had found it's way on StormClan territory, unfortunately for it, it was also plump and an easy meal.

He leaped and swiftly nipped the back of it's neck, but it managed to have bit his shoulder, that already was clawed.

He let out a growl and dropped, licking his shoulder and froze when he saw Leopardpaw at the border.

Letting out a snarl he rushed out, "What are you doing here?!" He snarled, glaring at her.

"We need to talk-"

"No we don't." He spat, "We've talked enough, I'm through with you!" He turned but froze when he heard, "Frostpaw I'm having your kits."

"What?" he asked quietly, turning and staring at the she-cat.

Now he could see it, her belly was plump and round, her paws shuffling uncomfortably around it.

"Cloudwing says it should be the day after tomorrow they're born."

"Why are you telling me this?"

"I don't want them."

Frostpaw froze then let out a low growl, "What do you mean you don't want them?! What kind of she-cat are you? They are your kits!" He roared, tail lashing, confusion and rage making his pelt burn.

"I don't want them, Foxstar will question me, and I don't want to deal with it. Take them." Leopardpaw said coolly.

"Under one condition." he growled, making her ears perk, "If you are leaving them, you have no claim to them, you are not to think yourself as their mother and you are definitely not allowed to speak with them."

She dipped her head and walked off, slowly making her way across her territory.

Frostpaw touched his nose to the purplish white stone, and was instantly thrown into the heat of battle. Suddenly he heard whispers, getting louder and louder, "Beware the one with scarlet on his paws, beware."

He looked around wildly and saw a ginger tom, with darker ginger specks, "Rain, Frost, and Lion all share a bond, but when one chooses the dark path the forest will be soaked in scarlet. Beware young Frostpaw, you have a hard choice but I trust you will choose correct. Remember that the choice that is right, sometimes don't feel right."

He jolted awake, looking around and saw Graystar staring at him.

'We need to talk' her eyes said.

"Frostpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan even at the cost of you're life?"

"I do." He replied dryly. Riverice should be here.

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you you're warrior name. Frostpaw, from this moment you will be known as-"

"Wait." He sighed, looking up.

Surprise rippled through the Clan but Graystar hushed it with a flick of her tail. "Yes?"

"I know this isn't allowed, but I.. I want my name to be Frosttiger." He mewed, "In honor of Tigerfang."

"Frosttiger.." Graystar mewed, "it definitely suits you better than Frostblaze, fine. You're warrior name will be Frosttiger. StarClan honors your intelligence and skill in battle, and we welcome you as a full warrior of StormClan."

She rested her muzzle on the new warriors head and he licked her shoulder, "Frosttiger! Stormysky! Hawkthorn! Lionclaw!" The Clan yowled, greeting the new warriors. His ears pricked and he froze when he heard Riverices voice among them, warmth flooded his heart and he straightened.

That night he snuck out, looking up at Leopardpaw as rain dripped on him.

She was holding three toms, a dark brown tabby with a twisted ear and amber eyes, a gray tom with a bit of his tooth sticking out and blue eyes, and a small light brown one with green eyes.

"Names?" He asked taking them, they were to scared and confused to resist.

"Why should I have named them? They aren't mine." Leopardpaw spat.

"Well said. Goodbye Leopardpaw."

"Leopardclaw now, I assume you got yours?"

"Frosttiger. Goodnight, may you trip over brambles and rip you're throat open." He spat, turning and walking away with his kits.

"Mom wait!" the light brown tom cried.

"Come back!" the gray sobbed, struggling.

He walked to just before the camp and dropped them.

"Why doesn't mom want us anymore?" the light brown tom looked at him, tail trembling.

"She isn't your mom. Not anymore, I am you're father, Frosttiger, you're StormClan now."

The kits looked at each other, sadness in their gaze up acceptance crossed their faces.

"You." He rested his nose on the gray kit, "Sparkkit. You." The light brown tom, "Mudkit." He looked at the dark brown tabby, "You." He thought, "Brokenkit."

"Just because his ear-" Sparkkit started, ready to defend his brother

"It's fine." Brokenkit cut him off, "My ears broken but I am not."

Frosttiger nodded, "Come." He beckoned them to the nursery, Blueheart was laying there, three she-cats sucking her, one name Stripedkit, after Bramblestripe that passed, one named Flamekit, after Squirreltail, and one named Sunkit, after Sunfur.

She looked up and blinked, "Where did they come from?"

"Doesn't matter, they are mine." Frosttiger mewed and dropped them, "Can you care for them?"

Blueheart looked at the kits then at him, "If you wish not to share I won't pry, of course I will you mouse-brain." She beckoned the toms over and they gladly suckled.

Frosttiger watched then moved and laid down next to Hawkthorn.

For the first time in a while he felt content, knowing that his kits were with him made him purr, closing his eyes and falling asleep.