A/N: This is how Leopardfur gave Hawkpaw and Mothpaw to ThunderClan in the Dark Leadership.

"Leopardfur, Tigerstar's here to talk to you." Leopardfur's head rose as she recognised Stonefur's voice. The dark tabby ThunderClan leader was standing by her, his emotionless amber gaze staring down at her, somewhat giving the feeling that they were burning through her, or trying to figure out something.

"Greetings, Tigerstar," Leopardfur mewed as she sat up. Her gaze rested onto Stonefur. "You may leave now." Stonefur dipped his head respectfully and walked away. I wonder what has brought Tigerstar to RiverClan. She felt happy to see him regardless of what he wanted, good or bad.

"Isn't Crookedstar still leader, or did he die?" Tigerstar questioned.

"Crookedstar is away from RiverClan to do some important things," Leopardfur answered. "And for as long as he is away, I'm in charge of RiverClan. What's brought you here anyway?"

"I want to speak to you about Hawkpaw and Mothpaw," Tigerstar replied.

Leopardfur's gaze narrowed into slits as she carefully scanned him. What would he want with my warriors now? She didn't know if she should decline straight away, but just decided to question him further. "Why would you want to talk about them?"

"They're ThunderClan cats. I want them to join my Clan, where they rightfully belong." Tigerstar stared down at his claws, which were longer than the average claw. "I do not wish to spill blood over this, but I will if I have to."

"They're RiverClan warriors!" Leopardfur's voice rose into a hiss as her pelt bristled slightly. "ThunderClan has no right to barge into my territory and ask for RiverClan's warriors. We don't give up warriors as easily as you think we do, Tigerstar. Why don't you go recruit some kittypets like your Clan is known for now?"

Tigerstar seemed to remain calm, as if the RiverClan's anger hadn't done anything. "Yes, but you must hear of my reason." Of course I should. But your reason better be good enough if you think you can just ask me to give up two good cats. Leopardfur kept her thoughts to herself.

"Then what is your reason?"

"Hawkpaw and Mothpaw were born to a rogue named Sasha, I know you know that," Tigerstar began. "But what you do not know-or any other cat-is that I am their father."

Disbelief shook through Leopardfur, as well as hints of pain, as if thorns were attacking her heart. She tried her best not to show how she felt about discovering that Tigerstar was their father. Surely that was just a lie? "You can't be their father. Every cat in the forest knows that you only like pure Clan cats, not rogues, loners or kittypets."

Tigerstar nodded. "That is true," he admitted, "but Sasha isn't like any other normal outsider you see. She's different." His gaze clouded as if memories were shooting through his mind. "I may seem like a hypocrite there, but I am not one."

"If you really are telling me the truth, I can't just let you take Hawkpaw and Mothpaw. I will always keep to Sasha's wish, not anyone else's. She personally gave them to RiverClan, and they will stay here. Kits never go to the father's Clan, and I will keep it that way."

"That's not what happened with Greystripe's kits," Tigerstar pointed out. "You let ThunderClan have them."

"ThunderClan fought to have them," Leopardfur corrected. "Crookedstar only gave in the end because he realised there was no need for bloodshed over two kits. But Stormpaw and Featherpaw are RiverClan cats at heart, and the sooner they realise that, the better things will be."

"But Hawkpaw and Mothpaw are my kits. What use is them being in a Clan where their kin do not serve? They don't have RiverClan blood at all; they have ThunderClan blood through their veins. They may show loyalty to your Clan, but they have ThunderClan blood and always will."

"I can't let you have them. I'm sorry, but Hawkpaw and Mothpaw are loyal to RiverClan, and you can't change that easily." If Crookedstar hadn't left camp, he'd be able to handle this situation better. But for now I'll just have to try my hardest to make sure those apprentices stay here.

"I'll leave you time to think this through clearly," Tigerstar decided. "Tell Crookedstar nothing about our conversation. At moonhigh, we'll meet by the ThunderClan border."

"Okay." Great, now what am I going to do? If Crookedstar finds out that I've left the camp for no reason, he'll think I'm being disloyal to my Clan. "At moonhigh."

"You better be there or else." Tigerstar sounded dark, as if he were going to do something bad if she didn't turn up. "Keep in mind that I will put up a fight for those two apprentices to stay with ThunderClan."

"And RiverClan will fight to keep them," Leopardfur answered. She watched the dark tabby as he walked away, feeling slightly saddened. I wish I didn't have to fight against him. Why couldn't we have been born in the same Clan?

***

Darkness came as Leopardfur padded forward, the scent of ThunderClan lingering, but not fresh. The spotted she-cat looked for Tigerstar, not being able to see him anywhere. She only saw darkness ahead of her and around the corners.

She frowned. What if Tigerstar wasn't even going to turn up and just wasted her time? Or what if he was actually going to plan an ambush and surprise attack her and then RiverClan? The possibilities whirled through her mind as she kept thinking of them.

He won't, she told herself. He can't be fox-hearted enough to do that. . . right? He hadn't even declared war so there should be no reason why he'd attack.

"Leopardfur." Leopardfur was startled; she turned around and saw a dark shadow. A pair of amber eyes glowed in the darkness until a dark pelt, tabby striped, stepped out. She relaxed slightly as she realised it was just Tigerstar, and not a Clanmate that could have followed her out of camp. "Are you alone?"

"Yes," the RiverClan deputy answered. "Are you?"

"Of course. Have you finally made up your mind?"

"Yes, and Hawkpaw and Mothpaw will stay in RiverClan for the rest of their lives."

Tigerstar didn't look pleased at all. "Sometimes you have to not argue against things. Hawkpaw and Mothpaw know that I'm their father, and I'm sure they'd give anything to be in ThunderClan with me, and their half siblings."

Leopardfur only just remembered about Bramblepaw and Tawnypaw, Tigerstar's and Goldenflower's kits, who would be Hawkpaw's and Mothpaw's half siblings since they shared the same father. "Tawnypaw and Bramblepaw have been able to live without them; they can still do that. They won't die if their half siblings stay with RiverClan, now will they?"

"No, but if they found out Hawkpaw and Mothpaw are their kin, they'd not put up a fight," Tigerstar pointed out. "Would you rather have two of your warriors unable to fight against the Clan they have kin in?"

"They can follow the warrior code. They will still fight against ThunderClan because they're loyal and put their Clan before their kin. If Bramblepaw and Tawnypaw cannot do that, then there is no surprise for me. ThunderClan can't follow the warrior code nowadays."

"With me as a leader, they will. Bluestar was too weak; she only cared about her Clan, not her warrior ancestors or the warrior code. If you gave me Hawkpaw and Mothpaw, RiverClan will be spared of sufferings, and ThunderClan will always help them without hesitation."

"RiverClan can deal with their own problems," Leopardfur answered. "They always have, and they always will. We don't need an alliance with a Clan of kittypets."

"But I plan on getting rid of Fireheart and Cloudpaw. If RiverClan accepted an alliance with my Clan, you'd have me on your side. I'm the greatest fighter in the forest. What more could you want for an alliance?"

Leopardfur began to feel tempted. She didn't want Tigerstar as an enemy, but as an ally, and he was a good fighter. Any cat wouldn't dare decline an alliance from a strong cat like him, but how could she just give away two RiverClan cats like that?

"ThunderClan won't bother RiverClan for four whole seasons," Tigerstar carried on. "We'll. . . give you back Stormpaw and Featherpaw if you can give my kits to ThunderClan. A fair trade, right?"

Leopardfur looked at him suspiciously, narrowing her gaze slightly. "How do I know you're not lying?"

"Then you'll just have to trust me, won't you?"

"Perhaps. . ."

"Well?" Tigerstar leaned forward slightly. "Are you going to accept my offer or not?"

"Fine," Leopardfur gave in. "But you better give RiverClan Stormpaw and Featherpaw back."

"I will," Tigerstar promised. "Go to ThunderClan and make sure you bring Hawkpaw and Mothpaw with you. Tell Crookedstar this."

Leopardfur nodded. "I will." I should know what I'm bargaining here for, but I can't help it. I want RiverClan to be safe, and having Tigerstar as an ally is for the best. She couldn't help but feel her choice was wrong. Crookedstar won't approve of this. . . but maybe he will once he realises the good I've done for RiverClan.