Edited ✔️

Hey guys, sorry I took long for this and the last update :( and yay, I'm finally updating a LONG chapter! Also, could you please check out @thislittlefreak's book: ColdClan; A Warriors Tale? It's really cool and unique and well-written, I think it deserves more reads ^o^

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Btw guys, there'll be a big surprise later on. Read to find out!!

Grassheart stood right beside Windcloud as Swiftstar entered the clearing. "I thought you'd never return home," the CloudClan leader said honestly. "We were planning a rescue patrol to get the both of you back, but as we entered DarkClan's territory, their warriors pursued us because they outnumbered us. They told us you were already gone . . . We thought we were too late."

"I'm glad you're okay," Windcloud piped up. "I mean, after being chased by DarkClan? That must of been scary."

"We escaped," Grassheart added. "They probably didn't want you to know that we lived."

Swiftstar nodded with agreement and touched their noses with his own. "I'm glad you've returned safely."

A CloudClan apprentice stood taller. "But we outran them, of course. You must've as well!"

Icestar grimly listened to the CloudClan cats welcome their warriors back. It seems that MoonClan is not the only Clan having troubles with DarkClan, Icestar thought. I wonder if Dewstar really wants to take over the Clans?

Swiftstar flicked his tail. "Silence, Skypaw. You should be getting back to your apprentice duties."

Skypaw roller his eyes before passing away, and Amberpaw stared at him and the other CloudClan apprentices curiously. Swiftstar turned his gaze to Icestar and the others now. "And why are MoonClan cats in my camp?" he asked.

Icestar looked back at him. "I was captured by DarkClan as well," he began, "but I escaped with your warriors."

"And we never would of made it without him," Grassheart put in. "After we escaped, we ran straight to MoonClan. They cared for our wounds for a while before we decided that we were strong enough to make the trip home."

Swiftstar looked at Icestar right in the eye. "Thank you for saving my warriors. They're valuable to our Clan, and I can't imagine life without them, Icetail. So thank you."

"I am called Icestar now," Icestar replied, looking down to his paws. "Brightstar died while saving us from the DarkClan warriors who chased us all the way over to MoonClan's borders."

Swiftstar's gaze saddened. "Her death will be honored amoung us."

Icestar dipped his head. "We thank you for that."

* * *

"Hurry up, Silverleaf, you're slowing down!" Amberpaw squeaked as she ran across the moor.

Silverleaf sighed. "Sorry!"

Icestar followed silently behind them by himself as Amberpaw tried to get Silverleaf to race. Swiftstar offered the MoonClan cats to stay the night because of their tiring travel, but he refused since Icestar knew that he, as Clan leader, had to be there for his Clan. The sun was already below the trees, so he knew he had to return quickly. He wanted to see and talk to his Clanmates after a long day's work.

He was close to the forest by now, and his paws were tired after all the walking, but he was glad to be back to his own territory. They crossed the border back and entered into the MoonClan forest. As the branches became denser above-head, the good scents of home filled his nose.

"It's good to be back," Silverleaf said with a sigh of relief. She held her muzzle up in the fresh forest scent, and breathed it in.

Icestar nodded with agreement and breathed the forest scent as well. "Are you tired yet?"

"Definetly. I don't know what's happened to Amberpaw, but she seems so active. I told her I didn't want to race but she made me do it anyway!" Silverleaf gave a purr of amusement.

"She gets like that sometimes." Icestar laughed as well. "But maybe she just gets like that when she sees or learns something new." He padded slower, relaxing. "I can't wait to get back to camp. There'll be so many new things I'll do."

"That's right, Icestar," Silverleaf teased. "Being leader will sure be tough. But you'll have all your Clanmates to rely on."

"That's right," he mumbled. He looked down to his paws. I wonder if moments like these could last, he thought. I wonder if we can spend the leaf-bare without being bothered by DarkClan.

Silverleaf's tired breath snapped him from his thoughts.

"I didn't know you were that tired," he piped up.

She shrugged. "I didn't eat much. I must not have that much energy . . ."

Amberpaw trotted up to her. "We can share the mouse I caught when we get back," she offered, holding up a piece of prey. It was a plump brown mouse, freshly killed.

"Where'd you catch that?" Icestar asked.

"Up ahead when you two were talking," Amberpaw meowed with pride. "I can't wait to show it to Blackpaw! It would of been brilliant if I caught a rabbit on that moor, though! Don't you think, Icestar?"

"It would have, but that's CloudClan's prey. Our only business with them was taking back their warriors to their camp," he said.

"And it's better that they're gone. We have two less mouths to feed now," Silverleaf added quietly.

Icestar understood why she'd say something like that. The big shortage of prey was still happening. Icestar and his Clanmates had just gotten used to it, growing skinner but leaner with less things to eat and more work to put in.

Ahead of him, he spotted the entrance. Eagerness filled his belly. Rainwhisker and Fireshade were on guard duty. The two of them dipped their head as he passed them, and he dipped his head back.

"Welcome Icestar," Rainwhisker said. "How was CloudClan?"

"Their conditions were good," Icestar said, recalling seeing two rabbits on there fresh-kill-pile. "It looked like they had just enough to eat."

"Good for them," mumbled Fireshade.

"You two can switch your duties with two younger warriors. I need all senior warriors in camp," he ordered. I've got to start getting use to this leader thing and organizing the Clan, he thought. I really wish Brightstar were here.

"Sure thing," said Rainwhisker.

All of them padded into camp. Amberpaw dropped her mouse by the apprentice den, and called Silverleaf over so they could share it. Goldenpaw and Blackpaw were doing their apprentice duties, helping the elders remove their ticks before bed. Goldsun was speaking to Squirreltail, pelts brushing and tails entwined. Dropeyes was sitting alone on her nest, probably deep in thought. He also spotted Sharpfang playing with his kits, with Sagepelt sleeping quietly in her nest.

He suspected that tonight would be a busy night. After all, every cat was too filled with energy to sleep.

Icestar searched around the camp for Ashtail and Flameheart, wondering where they were. He hoped that they hadn't went on a patrol. Not everyone was in camp; only half the senior warriors were here. That'll have to do, he thought. I must speak with my Clan.

"Icestar!" Ashtail called from behind. Icestar whipped around, and spotted Ashtail running up to him. "Hey, Icestar! I was looking for you. I thought you'd get back around now."

Icestar nodded. "I was looking for you too," he said. "Where's everyone?"

"Crowflight led the DarkClan patrol and has yet to return. He'll be back pretty soon," Ashtail began. "And a few warriors—only two—went out to the herb garden near the Twoleg place to collect things for Sweetheart. Hmm, let's see . . . I also sent Stonetooth and Dawnstripe on hunting patrols."

"Very good." Icestar nodded with approval. "Has everyone coped well?"

"Everyone's doing better now," Ashtail sighed, "though we're all pretty sad about Brightstar."

Icestar looked down. "I know. Hey, Ashtail, I need another favor. Could you bring Flameheart, Sharpfang, Rainwhisker, Swiftbreeze and Fireshade to the far end of the camp? I need a word with everyone."

Ashtail nodded and padded off into the warriors den, already gathering up three of the warriors. Icestar went to the far end of the camp, where he found Flameheart patiently sitting and thinking on his own.

"Hi, Flameheart," Icestar piped up. "What's on your mind?"

Flameheart looked surprised for a moment, before shaking his head. "N-nothing in particular." He sighed. "I was just remembering things."

Flameheart and Shiningmoon both have been gloomy for quite a few days . . . he thought. He wondered why, but thought that it was best not to ask. "I'm gathering a few cats here. We're going to have a small talk."

"I should go then," Flameheart meowed respectfully.

"No, it's okay," Icestar said. "You're a part of it."

"Alright." He sat back down. A moment later, Ashtail arrived with Fireshade, Sharpfang and Rainwhisker lined up behind him.

"Everyone's here," Ashtail informed.

"Good." Icestar turned to face everyone. "I've gathered you all here for a discussion," he began. "Now that I'm leader . . . things are going to be different. And I want to start it off by our conditions with DarkClan." Brightstar and I had many different thoughts and opinions.

"We're still not at war with them, are we?" asked Rainwhisker.

Sharpfang flicked his tail. "Most certianly not. That was Sandstar's and Brightstar's battle, but they're both dead."

Icestar remembered when he was captured, and was forced to speak with Dewstar in his den. Should he bring that up? He didn't want to disappoint his friends with the truth, but he also didn't want them to let their hopes down if something were to go wrong.

"I agree with Sharpfang," Flameheart murmured. "I'm tired of all of this war."

Icestar decided to speak of it. "I've said this before; it's up to Dewstar to decide. And it seems that it will most likely continue." He gave a deep sigh. "When I was talking with him the day I was at his camp, he made it clear that he wants to destroy us all. He told me . . . that he wanted to rule four Clans, and he didn't want MoonClan to be a part of his system."

"Unbelievable!" Swiftbreeze growled. "He was born and raised here! How could he easily turn his back on us like that?"

"Then we have to be ready!" growled Ashtail. "We've got to prepare our warriors and keep our territory safe. Dewstar had already turned his back, Swiftbreeze. The innocent Dewstar we once knew is long gone."

Icestar winced when Ashtail said that, but he forced himself to ignore the pain.

"I can help with training," Fireshade suggested.

"I wish this war was over," Flameheart whispered sadly.

Icestar turned to Flameheart. "Maybe we will have to continue it," he murmured to his friend. "I'm sorry. I wish we all had a break from it too, especially because of this harsh leaf-bare." Then, he turned to Fireshade. "And perhaps you can be in charge of training, if it's not too much."

"It won't be," Fireshade meowed. He then gave Flameheart a sympathetic look. "We're sorry you might have to fight your old Clan and friends. We never wanted this to happen."

"It's okay. They make most things hard for us. DarkClan is just bringing this on themselves," Flameheart said bitterly.

Rainwhisker extended his claws. "They're not making anything easier for us," snarled the warrior. "I wish DarkClan would just accept bounderies like any normal Clan. Their territory is big enough already . . ."

"Speaking of territory," Icestar added, "I was thinking about taking back the portion of territory they stole from us as well. I wanted to know every cat's opinions on this matter."

"More bloodshed!" muttered Swiftbreeze. "I don't think a battle is such a good idea."

Me neither, Icestar thought. I'm frightened of the idea of my Clanmates getting hurt, or of meeting my brother in battle. He imagined the pain it would be to fight Dewstar. It would be the worst thing in the world—he hoped that his concluding decision would be the right answer. After all, Dewstar was one of the only close kin he had left. He barely even knew his sister, Lilyclaw.

"We should steal the territory back," Sharpfang snapped to Swiftbreeze. "We need more prey, and that territory was ours to begin with."

"But we can't just pick fights!" Swiftbreeze put in. "It could be meaningless."

Ashtail shook his head. "Let's wait it out," he suggested. "The gathering is going to take place in less than a quarter-moon. If Dewstar mentions anything about a war, we'll have our answer of whether we will fight them or not."

"That's better," Flameheart said with a sigh.

"Maybe that would be smart," Icestar murmured. "I suppose our concluding decision is to wait it out until the night of the gathering." He wrapped his tail around his paws. "I want to be ready just in case anything is to happen. We need more training patrols, and we should have older cats thicken the camp barriers. That way, we would be prepared for anything."

"What about hunting patrols? If we do more training patrols, our hunting patrols could be reduced," Ashtail pointed out. "We need as many hunters out there as possible."

"I know," Icestar said. "In the meantime, I am going to lower any extra watch patrols. We'll still have cats watching the DarkClan borders at night, but we don't need to send out more cats throughout the day if we want to get this done. After all, we can't tire ourselves out."

"That's actually not a bad idea," Rainwhisker murmured.

Fireshade purred. "You're being a great leader already, Icestar. I'm glad you were the cat chosen to be MoonClan's next leader."

"I'm just looking out for the Clan," Icestar said, embarrassed. "Any cat would do the same." He looked up at the sky. "It's already dark. Are the patrols back, Ashtail?"

"I saw them walk in moments ago," Ashtail informed.

"Great. I think it's time we went to sleep," Icestar murmured. "We're done for the night, and we'll organize this tomorrow."

Sharpfang, Rainwhisker, Fireshade and Flameheart all murmured their goodbyes before making their way to the warriors den. Ashtail went off to the medicine den, probably to check how things are going.

Swiftbreeze padded up to Icestar. "If you'd like, maybe I could lead the watch patrol tonight?" she asked. "I hadn't done much but border patrolling today, so I feel all rested up."

"That will be fine by me," Icestar said. "Hey, could you take Dropeyes with you? She seems upset about something. Perhaps you could talk to her?"

"Sure. I'll also take Redsky." Swiftbreeze turned and padded away. "Goodnight, Icestar!" she called over her shoulder.

"Have a good night," he meowed back before padding off to his own nest.

* * *

Silverleaf slept by Icestar during the whole night in the leader's den. Even though her presence was comforting beside him, rest could not come easy. He was afraid of Dewstar and DarkClan since he knew that they could strike at any time. He didn't even know what Dewstar was planning, and that thought alone made him feel unsafe.

He thought of the duties he was supposed to do the next day as leader—join patrols, make sure his Clanmates were alright, train Amberpaw—anything else would have to come up on its own time.

Icestar also wondered how the prey would do the next day, and how things will turn out. With all these thoughts in his mind, he soon fell into a deep sleep. The memory of Darkstar surged through his mind as he slept, her image returning from the nine lives dream he had at the Night Flower.

A life of light, those words ran through his head, my ninth life is light.

The next morning, Icestar woke up once more to find Silverleaf missing. He yawned and padded outside of his den, wondering where she had gone off to. He looked up at the sky to see that dawn was just approaching. The cold breeze whipped at Icestar's fur.

"Good morning," Ashtail greeted Icestar. "You seemed to have slept well."

"Well enough," Icestar agreed. "Have the dawn border patrols been sent out yet?" He looked around the camp to see that already some cats were missing.

"I sent a few cats out to StreamClan and CloudClan," Ashtail explained.

Icestar nodded. "Great. Once they get back, send two more to DarkClan and MarshClan. Don't forget hunting patrols as well."

"I got it."

"Have you seen Silverleaf, by the way?" Icestar asked. "She wasn't there when I woke up."

"She went to go help Sweetheart with something. She'll be out herb collecting with her maybe up until the sun is fully up," Ashtail replied.

Icestar nodded again. "Thank you." He padded away, and sniffed the camp to see who was still here. All of the apprentices were sleeping in their dens, as well as half the remaining warriors. He went off to the apprentice's den, and nudged Amberpaw awake. He decided that he would take her out battle training. "Get up, Amberpaw," he said.

Her eyes opened. "Give me . . . until dawn," she yawned, and her eyes closed once more as she went back to sleep.

"It is dawn, Amberpaw." He shoved her. "Wake up, we're going to train today."

Amberpaw looked up again. "Oh, g'morning," she murmured sleepily. Slowly, she stood up and gave a nice big stretch. Icestar heard the bones and muscles on her body crack and she sighed with relief. "Now that's better."

"Awake now?" Icestar asked. "We're going battle training today."

"I'm awake," Amberpaw mewed. "If we're going, then what are we waiting for?"

Icestar purred. "Follow me. We're going to go to the training hollow by the stream today," he told her. "That's my favorite training spot because it has the most recourses."

"Sounds fun!" Amberpaw squeaked.

Before Icestar could leave the camp, he was stopped by Dawnstripe. "Should I take Goldenpaw out hunting?" she asked Icestar.

"If you'd like," he responded. "Oh, and wake up Blackpaw for me. Volefur might go looking for him pretty soon. I think it's still his turn with apprentice duties."

"On it," Dawnstripe said, before making her way toward the medicine den.

Icestar turned. "Let's go, Amberpaw." He lead her out of the entrance, immediately entering into MoonClan's beautiful and cold forest. Most of the leaves of the trees were already gone, and the air tasted cold and dry, with no trace of warmth left. Deep down, Icestar hoped for no snow, but it was obvious that this season was going to be freezing.

He padded silently through the forest, his paws crunching the stiff, frozen grass. The dark morning sky had no stars up above, so it was a little hard to see through the forest. He was thankful that the cats of MoonClan had good vision. He could see small figures of prey jumping from branch to branch in the treetops. He longed to go catch them, but he knew that he didn't stand a chance, since they were already at an advantage.

Icestar took a deep breath of the territory around him, taking in the sharp, cold morning scent. His paw pads felt cold because of the grass, but he ignored it. His stomach was also growling from the sight of those prey up in the trees that just passed.

Finally, he began to hear the sound of water trickling. We must be near the hollow, he thought. Icestar kept padding on. "We're almost there," he told Amberpaw.

"I know," she meowed. "I can smell it." Her eyes widened.

"Is there something wrong, Amberpaw?" Icestar asked, suddenly getting a little worried. Amberpaw opened her mouth to speak, but already, a scent caught into Icestar's nose. DarkClan! They were here, weren't they? "Come on, Amberpaw!"

Icestar ran up ahead with Amberpaw at his heels, and he stopped right at the training hollow. Inside, he could make out two dark figures of two DarkClan cats. Around them, the training hollow was wrecked. The barriers were broken, the moss was torn to shreds, the branches of the trees were snapped, and there were even loose stones all over the clearing.

Icestar hissed, his fur fluffing up with rage. "What in StarClan's name are two DarkClan cats doing in my territory?" he demanded.

"We've come here regarding an important message from Dewstar," the she-cat meowed plainly. "He wanted you to know for sure . . . that there's a war between MoonClan and DarkClan. He did not want you to forget."

"What?" he snapped.

The tom nodded, his claws outstretching and his eyes widening with excitement. "He said in these exact words; Dewstar re-declares war on MoonClan! After all, the war between Brightstar and Sandstar is both over, considering the fact that they both are dead."

Hostility sparked in Icestar's eyes. "Get off my territory, crow-food!"

The she-cat turned to the tom. "Come on, let's go," she said. "Our work here is done." She walked right past Icestar, her gaze triumphant. The tom followed behind.

Amberpaw looked up to Icestar, her eyes wide with worry. For a moment, Icestar was frozen with shock. I knew it. I just knew that Dewstar would do this, he thought.

"Icestar," Amberpaw whispered with horror. "The training hollow is destroyed . . ."

"Fox-dung," Icestar cursed. "Dewstar is only making things worse for us!" He looked around the hollow. "Amberpaw, we have to fix this right away. Don't tell any cat what has happened here, I'll take care of that."

"Yes, Icestar," she murmured.

Icestar sighed. "I'm sorry we couldn't train today." Amberpaw just shrugged. "Start off by picking out the pebbles and stones. We can hurt our paws if they are left like that. I'm going to go on ahead to make sure that the DarkClan cats are gone."

"Okay," Amberpaw said glumly. Carefully, she climbed into the clearing, and began gathering the stones carefully between her teeth, and putting them in a pile at the far end of the hollow.

Icestar turned and ran from his spot. The scent of the two cats was still fresh in the air. He began to follow it, rage boiling up inside him. How dare Dewstar do this to the training hollow! He wondered if he could have stopped this if he had woken up and left the camp earlier.

He followed the scent quickly, running as fast as he could in the undergrowth. Icestar was heading closer and closer to the borders that DarkClan shared with MoonClan. The frosty grass under his paws crunched at every step, obviously letting out his presence.

Finally, he reached the DarkClan borders. He spotted the two cats who were in the training hollow within their own territory walking across to their side of the border.

"You'd better stay away!" Icestar spat. "Tell Dewstar that I won't take his challenge lightly."

"See you," the tom meowed, disappearing into the shadows of DarkClan territory. The she-cat gave him one last glance before disappearing right after him.

Good riddance! he thought. DarkClan had better not come again. Now he knew that he really had to be prpared for what was going to come . . .

* * *

"Keep the apprentices away from the training hollow," Icestar ordered. He was talking to Ashtail alone in his den about the event that had just occured recently. "They do not need to see what happened to it. For now, we will train our apprentices as far away from DarkClan as possible."

He had returned to camp with Amberpaw just a little while ago after clearing out all the sticks and stones from the training hollow. It would have to be repaired as soon as possible. Now, he was discussing the events with his deputy.

"And what about Dewstar's challenge?" Ashtail asked, worried. "That weakling would not stand a chance if there will really be a war!"

Icestar looked down to his paws. "I'm going to try to talk to Dewstar at the next gathering. I want to confirm this. Even though two DarkClan warriors sent this message personally, I don't know if I can trust them. They might just be trying to scare us."

Ashtail shook his head. "Or they're telling the truth."

"That's why I am not going to take any chances," Icestar went on. "Do not let any warriors know what happened. Don't send patrols near the training hollow, either. I do want you to send a few cats to repair it, though."

"Alright," Ashtail meowed with a sigh. "I'll send Sharpfang and two others."

"No, I want Sharpfang with me," Icestar murmured. "His skills in battle are valuable. He should help with training the apprentices—especially with the warriors since they are more advanced fighters."

Ashtail gave a deep sigh. "This is terrible . . . this war should not be happening!"

Icestar rest a tail on Ashtail's shoulders as a sign of comfort. You're right, it shouldn't be, he thought. It's all because of my kin. I wish it wouldn't have to be like this.

"Is there anything that should be reported?" Icestar asked finally, wondering if there was anything else to be discussed.

"Two things. Me and a few others found a good hunting spot near MarshClan's borders," Ashtail informed. "It's a good training spot for the apprentices to hunt and for us to catch prey."

"What's the second thing?"

"It's Silverleaf. She's near the stream, she wanted to talk to you about something. Sweetheart told me this, anyways." Ashtail shrugged. "I think Sweeheart's herb supplies are running low. Maybe that's what it's about."

"Okay, thank you. I'll go look for her," Icestar said. He exited the camp, wondering which herbs Sweetheart was missing.

I sure do hope that we don't get an herb shortage this leaf-bare, he thought. We already don't have much prey to spare! He continued walking through the forest, thinking about the upcoming leaf-bare. Soon, he easily picked up Silverleaf's scent. He looked around, knowing that she was close.

Why did she want to talk out here? Perhaps she found something that she had to share . . . or what if she saw what happened to the training hollow? He hoped that she didn't see what has become of it. He hated when his Clanmates were stressed. Besides, it was the Clan leader's job to worry about those things.

Silverleaf's scent was becoming stronger and stronger the more he walked. He knew that she was close, he could practically hear her. "Silverleaf?" Icestar called out softly.

In just a moment, she appeared from behind a bush. "I'm here," she mewed.

"There you are," he said. "Ashtail told me you'd be out here. He said that you had to talk about something having to do with herbs—"

"It's nothing about herbs," she murmured. "That was just an excuse. The herb store is fine."

He nodded, feeling a little relieved that the herb stores were okay. It would of been a problem if there was a shortage. "Then what did you want to talk about?"

"W-well, I was out with Sweetheart all morning, and . . ."

"And what?" he urged.

Silverleaf sighed. "She told me something."

"I had a feeling that she'd tell you something, considering the fact that you were with her all morning," Icestar said, getting a little impatient. "But what did she tell you?"

"I'm expecting kits," she finally said. Icestar's heart stopped. "I was telling her about how I've been feeling strange these past few days, and . . . she told me that—"

"Kits?"

Silverleaf nodded.

"But we can't have kits," Icestar whispered. "It's leaf-bare, that's the worst time to have kits! And Dewstar . . ."

"Isn't this dumb war with DarkClan over?" Silverleaf asked.

Icestar shook his head. "No, it's not. Dewstar re-declared war on us. He wants to destroy us, Silverleaf. This battle isn't over. We can't have kits!"

"Well it's too late. I'm already expecting kits, Icestar!" Her frustrated tone made him shut his mouth in an instant. "There's nothing I can do about this so don't you dare raise your voice at me." Angrily, she stormed into the direction of camp.

"Wait!" he called.

She stopped. "What, are you mad?"

Icestar's eyes softened. "No, I'm not mad, it's just. . ." It's just that I didn't want to have kits now, he thought. I wanted them after this war is over . . . after leaf-bare ends and after these bad times are gone. "For a moment, I was scared," he murmured. "When Dewstar finds out, he'll want our kits."

"Why would he?" Silverleaf asked. "What have they ever done to him? They won't even be born for the next two or so moons."

Icestar was silent for a moment, wondering what to say. He knew he'd have to reveal the truth about him to her. He took a deep breath.

"Dewstar and I are descends of the first DarkClan leader, Darkstar," he began, his words slow. "I saw her at my nine lives ceremony. I know this because every leader of DarkClan is of her descent. Featherbreeze, my mother, was Sandstar's sister. She was supposed to be the leader before Sandstar, but . . . I just suppose she fell in love with Sparrowheart and wanted to raise her kits in MoonClan."

Silverleaf listened, her eyes wide with surprise.

"And Sharpfang told me that when we were born—Dewstar and I—a battle broke out, because DarkClan wanted us," he went on. "And your mother was from DarkClan too, Silverleaf. Ripplefur was mistreated there as a kit so Featherbreeze brought her here for a better life. But since you have DarkClan blood too, they tried to steal you and Squirreltail once. Remember?"

"I-I do remember," Silverleaf murmured. "I understand now. Sorry I got mad at you, Icestar."

"That doesn't matter. I'm sorry, too."

"But what'll we do?" Silverleaf asked. "Dewstar is bound to find out about this. If he really does want our kits, or if he really does want a fight, they could get hurt . . ."

Icestar shook his head. "Don't worry. I'll protect both you and our kits . . ." His eyes dimmed. "You'll be safe from this war no matter what."

a/n: EEEK! Icestar and Silverleaf having kits, who woulda thought that would happen any time soon? Well, there you go. That was the big surprise. And again, I am super-duper sorry for not posting in over two weeks.

And don't forget to check out @thislittlefreak's Warrior books! :D