Ice looked around at her warriors. She watched as the ThunderClan warriors retreated, carrying their wounded leader. She felt pride and sadness tear through her. Her Clan had won the battle, but lost their leader during the battle. Swift had been a strong, honorable leader. He always had good ideas and he was always putting his Clan first. Now he was gone. Ice sighed and wondered how his mate and kits would take the news. She glanced once more at his body, then around at her Clan. Snake and Fang were already nudging his body, preparing for burial. Ice thought about who her new deputy would be. She glanced around at the gathered cats. Maple was brave and smart, but she was too headstrong. Fox was a good fighter, but he never really talked to anyone. Then, Ice spotted Fang in the middle of the crowd. He sort of looked like Swift with his black and white fur. But his white was in different areas unlike Swift, who had white and black all over him And his eyes were a piercing blue, similar to Ice's. Ice thought for a moment. Fang was determined and strong, not to mention friendly to everyone. Ice sighed and began to head toward the camp. Fang and Snake followed with Swift's body.

    Ice looked up at the darkening sky. They had just had Swift's vigil and a small group of cats had set out to bury him. Ice padded over to the prey pile and poked through it. She spotted a plump thrush and grabbed it, gulping it down quickly and easily. She looked around camp and saw that the patrol of cats was just returning. They looked somber as they entered camp. Ice decided to announce her deputy then. She leapt up onto the Bone Pile and called her Clan together. "We need a new deputy now that Swift is gone. I have decided that the deputy will be Fang. His bravery and strength will help BloodClan restore itself." She said proudly. Ice waited as the black and white tom leapt up beside her. He looked down over the cats of BloodClan. "I am honored to be your deputy. I promise that I will do my best to keep everyone safe." He said clearly. The Clan began to cheer and yowl his name. Fang dipped his head to Ice and leapt down. Ice watched as the Clan surged forward to congratulate their new deputy. Then, she stretched and padded into her den. She curled up in her newly made nest and glanced around her den. Then, she closed her eyes and drifted off quickly.

Ice woke up to sunlight slanting into her den. She stood up and yawned, padding out into the camp. The Clan was already up and milling around. She watched as Fang sent out two patrols, one for hunting and the other for border marking. She spotted the only apprentice, Cinder, talking to her mentor. She decided to make her a warrior soon. Suddenly, she heard a battle cry. She looked around alertly for the source of the sound. She relaxed as she spotted Hazel's and Bramble's kits play fighting outside of the mursery. She watched as Tiger leapt onto his sister, Clover, and tackled her to the ground. "Get out of here, you stinky ThunderClan warrior!" He yowled at her playfully. Ice shook her fur out and padded over to the prey pile. She picked out a bird and crouched to eat it. As she was finishing it, Fang approached her. "Hey, Ice." He greeted her with a dip of his head. Ice waved her tail at him. "Hi." She replied. Fang grabbed a mouse and ate it quickly. "I noticed we haven't attacked RiverClan in a while. Maybe we could steal some more kits or warriors, you know, to help our Clan grow faster." He said as he groomed his black and white fur. His blue eyes pierced into hers, and Ice thought she saw a flash of feeling in his eyes, something she hadn't seen in a while since her old mate, Pine, died. She nodded and thought for a moment. "We'll raid them tonight. When it's dark and they'll least expect it, especially since we haven't shown around them in a few weeks. I'll take. . .  you, Thistle, Raven, Fox, Ginger, Cinder, and Bramble. Storm will be in charge while we're gone. Go and tell them." She told her deputy. He nodded and sprang away with a flick of his tail as goodbye to Ice for now. Ice watched him go, then turned back to her den to rest. Tonight was going to be a big night for sure.