There was a slight buzz in Flarefang's head. He found himself in a black void, looking around in confusion. Another cat, a dark brown tabby tom with bright green eyes, stoke before him.

"Where... am I?" Flarefang muttered, glancing at the tom. The tom simply shrugged

"It's destiny," he meowed. "I've been waiting a long time to see you again, Flarefang." Flarefang tilted his head in confusion for a moment before he let out a gasp of recognition.

"F-Falconfang? Is it really..." Flarefang felt tears of joy enter his eyes as he ran and brushed his head under his father's chin. He stared up at his father. "But wait. Does that mean I'm...."

"No, not yet my son," Falconfang's voice boomed, although his pelt was beginning to fade. "I will see you again."

"Wait! No!" He cried, darting forward. He reached out a paw desperately, but felt nothing. A moment later, he was alone in the void. Flarefang was broken again, just like the night his parents were murdered right in front of his eyes.

"You need to wake up," Falconfang's voice echoed softly. The voice then shifted into a different cat's voice.

"Come on, Flarefang! You need to wake up!" the voice urged. The void dissapeared and Flarefang felt himself opening his eyes. His vision was blurred for a moment. All he saw was a dusty brown color, dark russet paws, and white paws, until a moment later, he regained focus. He blinked a few times and looked up, seeing the faces of Ruststar, Alderbirch, the medicine cat, and Nightfrost.

"Thank StarClan," Ruststar sighed, relief flooding through his bright green eyes. "Nightfrost dragged you back to camp." Flarefang attempted to get up, but white hot pain that entered through his body made him hiss and collapse back down.

"Careful," Alderbirch warned, his soft voice instantly relaxing Flarefang. "You have some nasty injuries. Whoever did this to you must have really tried to kill you. Lucky for you, Nightfrost was there to save you."

"Save me?" Flarefang croaked, biting back a hiss of rage and his surprise. Ruststar nodded.

"Yes," he mewed. "Nightfrost told us that she saw you fighting a ShadowClan cat off of our territory and she leapt in to help you at the last second." Flarefang glared over at the deputy. Nightfrost returned his gaze with one colder than ice. It was almost as if Nightfrost was talking to him: Give me away and you're dead. Flarefang narrowed his eyes before nodding.

"That seems... accurate," Flarefang did his best not to spit out the word, flashing an angry glare at Nightfrost. Ruststar blinked, before nodding.

"Get some rest, Flarefang," he meowed as he turned to walk away. He flashed a glance over his shoulder. "Alderbirch, keep an eye on him, okay?" The medicine cat nodded before he turned and walked away.

"Try not to move," Alderbirch advised. "I need to run to my den and grab some herbs and such, plus I have some work to do. I'll be back a bit later with some soaked moss. Nightfrost, will you watch him?"

"Of course," Nightfrost's silky mew made Flarefang's pelt prickle. When Alderbirch was out of earshot, Flarefang whipped his head around.

"You foxheart," he hissed quietly. Nightfrost's eyes glittered with amusement.

"Just as naive as you used to be, Flarefang," she mewed silkily. "Don't worry, you'll be better off in StarClan." Fear stabbed Flarefang like a claw through his heart.

"W-What's that supposed to mean?" he growled. Nightfrost smirked.

"I realized I made a fatal error," she meowed cooly, beginning to pace slowly in front of Flarefang. "I left a witness alive. A murder right before someone's eyes. I should have killed you too, but I spared you."

"But, you're slowly unraveling my plans. For an example, you almost just gave me away to Ruststar. So," Nightfrost unsheathed her claws, placing one under Flarefang's chin. He gritted his teeth, glaring at the deputy as she dragged her claw along it. "You'll be gone before you expect it." With that, she turned and stalked off. Flarefang stared after her.

"Why are you doing this?" Flarefang blurted. Nightfrost stopped, turning around slightly. "Why are you killing cats, trying to kill me? What have I ever done to you?" Nightfrost stalked back over, a fire ignited in her eyes.

"It's nothing you have done," she snarled quietly. "It's what your kin has done. All kin of Aspenlake and Thrushspots will die under my claws. Since you're the only kin left, you're my final target." Nightfrost was now almost pushing her muzzle against Flarefang's. She jerked back, shaking out her fur and regaining her composure a moment later. Flarefang's heart thumped in his chest. Aspenlake and Thrushspots were two elders in the elders' den. His mother's parents.

"Thank you, Nightfrost," Alderbirch's voice made Flarefang jump. The calico pelt of Alderbirch came into view. Nightfrost dipped her head.

"You're welcome, Alderbirch," she meowed, turning to walk away. "Call me if you need anything. I'll be over at the fresh kill pile." The thought of Nightfrost with fresh kill made Flarefang's stomach churn. She could easily trick any cat to eat poisoned prey. He shuddered. Alderbirch looked down at him, concern in his eyes.

"Are you cold?" he asked. Flarefang shook his head. "Then what's the matter? You look like something is bugging you." Alderbirch sat down in front of Flarefang.

"I-I'm worried," Flarefang admitted. He glanced around for sights of Nightfrost. Fortunately, the deputy was looking away, talking to Sparrowwing, Wolffang, and Gingertail. Flarefang quietly spilled everything out to Alderbirch, everything from the scene he found as an apprentice to the threats to kill the elders. While he spoke, Alderbirch listened with a faraway gaze, flicking his ear occasionally in acknowledgement.

"StarClan sent me a sign warning me about frost over grass stained with blood during the night many moons ago," Alderbirch sighed, shaking his head slowly. "I thought it meant leafbare was going to be rough. But apparently I was wrong. I need to speak with Ruststar. I'll be back." Alderbirch got to his paws and trotted quickly towards the Highledge. He paused to speak with Brownpad, who then nodded and jogged to the elders' den. He must be taking precautions for Nightfrost, Flarefang decided. He saw Nightfrost's pelt bristle before falling flat again. A wave of tiredness flooded Flarefang, and he remembered his injuries. Sighing, he laid his head down and dozed off.