Edited ✔️

Hi :D new chapter. So anyways, don't be confused on who Mistyleaf is. She is the StreamClan queen that was mentioned in the previous chapter. On to the story!

As usual, Icetail kept quiet about his dream the next day. Brightstar woke him up early, just at the peak of dawn. Yesterday, the night was all about Sparrowheart, but today, the Mistyleaf and Thornheart's problem was to be situated. He could tell by the way Brightstar looked at the two.

They gathered up in the leader's den with Sharpfang there as well. Thornheart sat behind the warriors, shame radiating off his pelt from Brightstar's lecture. Icetail felt bad, but he had to remind himself that Thornheart broke the warrior code, and matters like this could not be taken lightly.

Brightstar sighed and sat down on her nest, letting her tail rest to the side. "I need everyone's thoughts and opinions about Mistyleaf," she began. "By far, all we know is that she's from StreamClan. She didn't tell me if she ran away for good, or if it was just brief. All I know is they're probably missing her as much as we missed Thornheart."

Deep down, Icetail wasn't all-too drawn to this topic of conversation. All he could think about were the words Featherbreeze's calm and gentle voice had told him in his dream: We must not become a monster in order to defeat a monster.

"If she won't tell us, I think we should go to Lakestar and speak with him personally," said Sharpfang, not realizing that Icetail wasn't paying too much attention. "Her Clanmates most likely don't know where she could've went."

"That's true enough," Brightstar murmured. "Icetail, any thoughts or opinions?"

He immediately looked up. "What?" He shook his head. "I'm sorry, Brightstar. There was something in my mind." As his voice trailed off, he felt guilty for not listening too much.

"We were talking about what we should to with the queen," Brightstar explained, not seeming to mind at all. "You're good with ideas. Perhaps you have something on your mind about it?"

Icetail shrugged. "Well, if you don't mind then. I was thinking that we should meet with Lakestar and his deputy later at sunhigh by the borders. We could take Thornheart and Mistyleaf with us, and we can talk there. Things could be discussed easiest that way." He looked back and forth between his leader and Sharpfang. "Is this idea good enough?"

"That sounds fine," Brightstar meowed. "Sharpfang?"

"Sure. It won't hurt to try," Sharpfang responded.

"Okay," Icetail said. "We must choose two cats to pass on the message."

"Then the plan is settled," meowed MoonClan's leader. Her short tail flicked. "Get right on that, Sharpfang. And Icetail, everyone is waking up by now. It might be a good time to start sending out patrols."

"Yes, Brightstar," Icetail said.

* * *

After Icetail was done sending out all the borders patrols and hunting patrols for the morning, he decided that he would teach Amberpaw how to hunt before sunhigh came. He gathered up his own hunting patrol, taking Flameheart and Nightrose along with him, and went by the CloudClan borders.

He remembered the battle that happened here long ago between DarkClan, CloudClan and MoonClan when he finally made it to his destination. Even though it was a bad memory, he couldn't help but recall how terrible he and Sharpfang used to act towards each other.

Amberpaw eagerly ran up to Icetail, catching him from his thoughts. "What are you going to teach me today?" she meowed eagerly. "Catching rabbits? Squirrels? Birds?"

"We'll start with something easy," said Icetail, amused at how many difficult pieces of prey she was willing to chase. "First, show me your best hunter's crouch."

"Like this!" Amberpaw said, bending low to the ground. Her tail was draped on the grass, but she was almost perfect.

"You look good," he commented. "How did you learn this move? I don't remember ever teaching it to you."

"You did teach it to me!" exclaimed the eager apprentice. "I was still a kit when you showed me. I've practiced it ever since." Her tail lashed eagerly, and her young eyes were bright.

Icetail nodded. "You're good on the move. Just sink a little lower to the ground, and keep your tail balanced with your body so it won't drag on the forest floor. This way, you'll barely make any sounds. Got it?"

"I got it," Amberpaw said. She crouched down lower and raised her tail a little higher so it was balanced just as he advised. Icetail saw how well she looked—he knew that she would become a great hunter one day. Not only did she listen well to instructions, but she also had a spectacular memory.

He looked up and scented the air, catching wind of a few mice hiding by one of the trees nearby. He decided to let her test it out. "Try and scenting your surrounding," he advised in a low voice. "Pay close attention to everything that's around you. Don't make a single sound."

Amberpaw nodded and looked up, scenting the air. She closed her eyes as she tried to make out what was around her. Icetail was proud of her. He could see by her expression that she had caught the smell of the mice, even though she didn't start to follow it. Flameheart stalked off somewhere else, scenting some different prey, and Nightrose followed him, knowing that it was best to leave Icetail alone with his new apprentice.

Amberpaw didn't notice them leave, as she was too focused on trying to scent prey. But finally, her face brightened up, and she turned to Icetail. "I think I found it," she whispered. "It smells like a mouse."

"Good job," praised Icetail with a matching tone. "Now, be very careful. I want you to go and stalk these mice, and then catch them. But you have to be quiet, and remain downwind of them. They can't scent you because the wind is blowing in our direction, but if you go ahead of them, then they will know you are here."

Amberpaw nodded, understanding his instructions clearly. She crept low on the ground, and Icetail stepped a few paces behind to see how she would apply his instructions.

He watched as the ginger she-cat followed the scent of mice carefully. She was a little sloppy and unbalanced as she walked, but he knew that was only normal. He was just as clumsy as she was when he was a new apprentice.

Her muscles rippled under her fur, making her look like a pond of ginger. Amberpaw was getting closer to the mouse den, and she seemed to be getting more eager. He was hoping that she wouldn't loose her posture just yet. If she did, she would mess up the leap and the mice would get away.

I just have to remain patient with her, he reminded himself. Ashtail and Brightstar were always paitent with me. He kept on watching her, hoping for the best.

Finally, she reached the mouse den, and Icetail noticed that she was crouching behind a tall patch of grass, watching two of the mice as they ate nuts and seeds. Then, she pounced, immediately chomping down on one of the mice, and her paw landed on the other, crushing the life out of it.

Proudly, she returned to Icetail with the two mice hanging from her jaws. "I did it!" she exclaimed as she dropped them at his paws. "I thought that I would only catch one, but I got them both!"

"That was pretty smart," Icetail commented. "You used both claws and teeth."

"Stepping on it was only an accident. But I still caught it! I can't wait to show Nightrose!" She was looking down at her first catches with pride.

"I saw what you did," Nightrose purred, emerging from the undergrowth. "I'm so proud of you! My kits are growing up so fast."

Icetail smiled, and then looked up to the sky. It was almost sunhigh, so pretty soon, he would have to leave with Brightstar, Thornheart, his mate and kits to meet the StreamClan leader and deputy by the borders.

He decided that he would go off hunting on his own. He knew that Amberpaw was familiar with the basics in hunting now, and that she'd be with Nightrose in case she needed more assistance. Everything will be fine. I'll just catch a piece of prey before I go, he decided.

* * *

Icetail caught a squirrel that had almost escaped his grip by the time he decided to go back. Amberpaw remained with her two mice, admitting to Icetail that she couldn't catch anything else. Flameheart returned with a starling and vole, and Nightrose carried a mouse and thrush.

He felt proud that his had caught so much prey for the Clan to eat. Leaf-bare was only a few quarter-moons away, and the cold weather would hit at any time. The Clan had to stock up on as much food as they possibly could get their paws on before it all disappeared.

He lead his patrol through the forest, quiet during the whole trip back to camp. As soon as they returned, he could see that most of the patrols had returned as well. Silverleaf was talking quietly with her brother, Squirreltail. As soon as he dropped his prey on the pile, his mate emerged and touched noses with him.

"Welcome back, Icetail," she purred. Her fur was neatly groomed, but she looked a bit cold from the wind as much as she tried to hide it.

"Hi, Silverleaf," he responded. "How was patrolling at DarkClan? Dewstar didn't stir up more trouble, did he?" He pressed close to her to warm her up, and she gratefully smiled.

"Not at all," Silverleaf responded, shaking her head. "We saw his warriors but we didn't let them see us. We completely avoided them."

"That's good to hear," he said. "Amberpaw was getting good along with hunting. Prey near CloudClan seemed more lively today than before." He felt proud of teaching his apprentice well on their first hunt practice.

"I'll keep that in mind," she mewed.

Bluewing and Grayfur padded up. "You two seem close," commented Grayfur.

Icetail felt warm inside as he explained that they were now mates. That precious day was still fresh in his memory . . . and his heart swelled with happiness because of her, helping him through the pain of his dead father. Her presence had always been a great comfort, and he was grateful to have her.

"Finally, Icetail," Bluewing said with a mrrow of laugher. "The younger she-cats were starting to set their eyes on you. You really needed a mate, you'll get old sooner or later like the rest of us."

"I can't tell if you're joking," Icetail meowed with a roll of his eyes.

Grayfur chose a squirrel from the fresh-kill pile, tail flicking with amusement. "When do you two plan on having kits?"

"Why does everyone keep asking me that?" murmured Silverleaf, her ears getting hot. When she got embarrassed, he felt compelled to tease her.

"As soon as possible," he said. "Obviously."

"Icetail!" Silverleaf exclaimed, shoving him to the side.

"Time to go, Icetail!" Brightstar called to him from the entrance of the camp.

Icetail smiled to the she-cats once more. "I must go now." He turned, and called over his shoulder, "We'll continue this after I get back!" Then, he left, following Brightstar as she led him out of camp, followed by Mintyleaf—the she-cat queen—Thornheart, who each carried a small kit in their jaws.

He ignored the she-cats laughing and talking in the background as he left with the patrol. I have to become serious now, he thought. Meeting cats from another Clan . . . that actually is scary. I'll have to be mature so they don't think that I am making a fool out of myself. That would just put shame on MoonClan.

He held his head high as he continued walking at the back of the patrol, making sure that neither Thornheart nor the StreamClan warrior would stray off. As he watched, he actually wondered what it was like to have kits. He had never thought about it until now. He'd always liked their presence, but couldn't imagine himself as a father so soon.

His tail flicked in wonder as the patrol advanced through the forest. I wonder what they would look like, he thought, or what they would sound like or how many there'd be?

"Icetail," Brightstar meowed. "Get out of your daze and come over here."

Icetail padded over to her and dipped his head with respect. "Yes, Brightstar?" he asked, a little embarrassed for not being focused.

"Lead the patrol up front now," she ordered. "I'll take rear. I want to speak to Thornheart."

Icetail nodded and began to lead up front. He watched as Brightstar padded over to Thornheart, beginning to murmur in his ear. He didn't have super-hearing or anything so he couldn't make out what they were saying, but he guessed that she was asking him questions about the kits and the StreamClan cat.

He sighed and fixed his gaze ahead, watching his paw-steps as he walked. He heard Mistyleaf's kits meow for milk, and she hushed them quietly. He hadn't really heard her speak until now. Was she scared being in MoonClan? Did she miss StreamClan?

Icetail kept on leading them, the scent of the StreamClan borders becoming clear to his nose. Right ahead, he could already spot Lakestar waiting impatiently with his deputy, Moleheart. Icetail already felt a bit agitated from their conduct but he took a deep breath and preceded anyways.

"Greetings Brightstar," said Lakestar, glaring at the MoonClan leader.

Brightstar narrowed her eyes as well. "Hello to you too," she murmured. "I'm glad you came like I requested. There's no other warriors of yours lurking around, are there?" she asked cautiously. "I had only expected you and your deputy."

"There is no cat," responded Moleheart.

Icetail's ears flicked, and he heard rustles in the bushes nearby across the border. He growled, "I hear some cats over there." He angled his ears over to the little undergrowth in StreamClan's border. "You're lying."

Moleheart growled. "How dare you accuse us!"

Lakestar rest his tail over his deputy's shoulders. "Calm down. It's okay, Moleheart," he meowed. "Warriors, you may go back to camp. We don't need you here."

Icetail watched as a couple cats padded out from cover. He easily had spotted them because they weren't good at hiding in the undergrowth. Brightstar stood right beside him. "Why did you bring them?" she asked. "Surely you didn't think that we were going to ambush you!"

"I had no choice," snapped Lakestar as the cats filed away. "I never know when it's safe anymore, all thanks to DarkClan." He turned to Icetail. "Besides, you asked for us leaders and deputies to meet---and yet you brought a warrior."

"Icetail is MoonClan's new deputy," responded Brightstar harshly, standing up taller. "My old deputy passed on to StarClan."

Moleheart sighed. "Sorry for your loss. But Mistyleaf, we must get back to camp. And bring your kits too. We can't spend too much time here, the Clan needs us."

"I can't leave!" Mistyleaf gasped. "Really, I can't. What about Thornheart?"

"Who?" Moleheart asked.

"Her mate," responded Icetail, signaling to the MoonClan warrior. "She's the father of her kits." He stared at Moleheart's and Lakestar's shocked expressions. "That is why we brought you here. Surely you noticed?"

"But it's against the warrior code!" growled Moleheart. "This can't be true, right Mistyleaf?"

Lakestar hushed him. The tension was large between all of the cats—Icetail was far from comfortable. "We came here to resolve things, right? They can't go on without punishment. But I think that they should choose the destiny of their kits, not us." He was staring directly at Thornheart. "Well, MoonClan warrior? What do you choose?"

"I want them to grow up with both their parents," said Thornheart fiercely. "No cat has the right to stop this wish. And I'm sure Mistyleaf doesn't want to leave her kits either; we'll have to be together."

"Then one of you is going to have to give up their current home-Clan," Lakestar meowed. "Thornheart might have to leave MoonClan and come to StreamClan, or the other way around with Mistyleaf."

Icetail's eyes widened. "You'll do that so easily?"

Lakestar shrugged. "I don't have the right to say no. StarClan will punish these two accordingly, and it's not my place to humiliate them." He stared at the couple, his gaze cold. Icetail wondered why he spoke so dryly.

"I'll . . . go to StreamClan," said Thornheart. "They'll be raised where their mother feels comfortable."

"Are you sure, Thornheart?" Brightstar asked him. "Once you leave, I'm sure that I won't accept you back. Is Mistyleaf really worth leaving your Clan and your family?"

Thornheart nodded slowly. "Yes, she is."

Icestar couldn't imagine being so disloyal to MoonClan that he'd have to turn his back on it. 

"Fine then," Lakestar said. "Thornheart, Mistyleaf, come. We are going back to camp."