The night air was breezy, but just right. It flowed through fur like water in a greenleaf storm. The toads croaking filled the clear night. All the fireflies seemed to be flying around one black cat sitting alone in a clearing. Pine needles scattered the ground all around her, and the moon made her blue eyes shine. Another cat stood near, watching the beautiful she-cat. What he wouldn't give to have her all his own. But another tom has already stolen her heart, and he won't give it up easily.

Then he was there, next to her. The night made his pelt black, and they seemed at one. But as lovely as they both were together, their watcher knew the she-cat belonged with him. He loved everything about her, but she wouldn't talk to him.

He loved her so much he didn't even care that she was plotting murder.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Blackpaw! Wake up! Gorsetail wants you for a border patrol!"

Blackpaw opened her icy blue eyes to see the green eyes of Pebblepaw.

"Really? I'm so tired." She stood up and stretched, blinking the sleep from her eyes. "Thanks for waking me up though." Then with a swish of her tail she left Pebblepaw alone in the apprentice den.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Blackpaw, are you okay?" Mouseear, Blackpaw's mentor, asked worriedly, licking the black apprentice behind the ears.

"Huh? Yeah, yeah, I'm fine..." Blackpaw yawned.

But she wasn't. She was beyond excited, and tired at the same time. She had been having secret meetings with Stormpelt almost every night for two moons. All part of their master plan to get rid of Adderstar, and then eventually, Eagleshade.

But, Blackpaw realized, it isn't just about the plan anymore. I feel like Stormpelt and I are destined to rule together. And be together.

Blackpaw shook those thoughts out of her mind. That can wait. Power first, love second.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"So, how are you doing?" Birdpaw asked.

"Good. I'm doing--good." Blackpaw wanted to tell her sister everything, but she remembered what Stormpelt told her.

Don't trust anyone, only me.

"You don't seem 'good'. You seem like you're hiding something...What is it?" Birdpaw pressed.

Blackpaw knew her sister wouldn't understand, but it still hurt her to lie to someone she was so close to. "I've just been tired lately. Got any herbs for that?"

Birdpaw laughed. "No, but some sleep wouldn't hurt, Blackpaw. You look exhausted." She rested her tail on Blackpaw's shoulder. "You can tell me if something is going on, you know that, right?"

Blackpaw nodded.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"I, Adderstar, leader of Shadowclan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these apprentices. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as warriors in their turn."

It's really happening.

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

No

"I do."

"Then by the powers of Starclan, I give you your warrior name. Blackpaw, from this moment you will be known as Blackfrost."

Perfect.

"Starclan honors your braveness, and cleverness, and we welcome you as a full warrior of Shadowclan"

My clan

Adderstar rests his muzzle on Blackfrost's head, and Blackfrost licks his shoulder in turn.

Adderstar begins to give Nightpaw and Pebblepaw their warrior names, but Blackfrost doesn't hear him. All she can think about is killing the leader.

He's no good. I'm doing everyone a favor. Shadowclan will flourish under me and Stormpelt's leadership. I can't wait to kill him; I can already feel the blood in my claws. Warmer than prey, and more satisfying.

Blackfrost caught Stormpelt's eye and he nodded.

It's on.