Chapter five 

Frostheart watched his clan mates wander around camp, sitting in a patch of sunlight and munching on a squirrel. He was really waiting for Stormlight to sneak out of camp, so he could follow. Hopefully it happened before Mistfeather returned from a patrol, or else she would probably ask where he was going. I think I'll ask her to be my mate soon. Willowlight says I should. She was his mother, as well as an elder. I've decided I do really like her, no matter what Sageweed says about needing kits to continue my legacy. She's kind, sweet, and energetic. Sometimes she's short-tempered, but at least that means she's not soft and is not easily pushed around. Frostheart scanned the camp. The elders Willowlight and Pineshadow were basking outside their den, while Pigeonpaw, a soft gray tom with patches of white, and many other shades of gray, was checking them for ticks. He glanced longingly at Silverpaw and Quickpaw, who were play-fighting. Pebblepaw, a blonde she-cat with faded ginger stripes and green eyes was coaching them. They liked to stay active, it keep their mind off of Hopelight. Splashstar is not helping. He's still mad with grief, and he's determined to find out which Clan did it. He's constantly on patrols, when he should be with his daughters. Frostheart glanced at the nursery, and imagined Mistfeather in there, curled around his sons and daughters. I would be a better father. As he was looking at the nursery, three little shapes bundled out. "Let's play Clan! I'll be leader," squeaked Stormkit, a stormy gray-blue she-cat.

"You were leader last time," pointed out her sister, Nightkit, a white and black she-cat. Stormkit hesitated.

"Trueeee," she finally said. "Well, I'll wake Amberkit, then we can play," both kits scampered into the nursery again. Frostheart looked over at Robinflight, a brown she-cat with robin's egg blue eyes, who was arguing with Mossypelt, a small fluffy black tom with green eyes.

"Robinflight, you have to move into the nursery!" Mossypelt argued.

"No, I don't," snapped the she-cat. "My kits aren't due for a quarter-moon, and I'm not going to lie, the nursery is crowded! I don't want those other kits tripping over me all day. Nightkit and Stormkit won't be apprentices for another few moons. I'm staying on warrior duties until I can't pull my weight anymore," then she dashed out of camp, pelt spiking with anger. Mossypelt sighed, then chased after her. Mouse-brain. Don't you know most queens never move into the nursery until, like, the last heartbeat? Frostheart pricked his ears at the rustle of ferns at the entrance to the warrior's den, and Stormlight slipped out. He yawned and stretched, then trotted towards the camp entrance. Yes, yes! My chance has come! Frostheart slowly rose to his paws, then Stormlight stopped. His whiskers twitched, and then he leaped back with a surprised yowl as Splashstar's patrol burst into camp.

"WindClan scent is in our territory! It must be them who killed Hopelight! We must attack, at once!" Frostheart was hurrying over at this, along with many others. I missed my chance with Stormlight! But this.... might be worth it. Mistfeather bounded over to him, pelt bristling.

"It's true, Frostheart! There is scent on our side of the border!" She exclaimed. Frostheart nodded.

"I believe you, and Splashstar," he told her. Splashstar has REALLY lost it now.

"Mossypelt! Honeyflower! Flowerpaw! Pebblepaw! Pigeonpaw! Larktalon! Thrushfeather! Frostheart! Mistfeather! Ivyclaw! Coldrose, and of course Stormlight," Splashstar yowled. "You will be in my battle patrol. The rest of you, stay here and guard the camp. Kits are not to leave the nursery until I return," he ordered. He quickly turned and dashed out of camp, and the other warriors had to hastily scramble after him, giving each other bewildered looks. 

Frostheart, do not be discouraged that you weren't able to kill Stormlight today. I've done something to help you out. 

Oh, really? What's that? Sageweed hissed before answering.

 I've visited a few cats in their dreams, telling them I'm from StarClan obviously, and I told them you were destined to become leader. At once, a bunch of questions swarmed in Frostheart's head. 

Why would you tell them that, how would they benefit from it? Didn't they see they were in the Dark Forest and not StarClan? 

Shut up, mouse-brain, Sageweed snapped. I visited them in a dream, where they were in camp. I told them they should become close friends with you, to gain a higher status in the Clan when you become leader. You will need loyal cats on your side.  Frostheart certainly felt stupid. 

You're right, and thank you.

~~~~~

They reached the moor, and quickly sprinted across. It was night, and the air was still. They were breathless when they reached the camp, and kept low so the cats on guard wouldn't see them. "Split up, and we'll ambush them, then one patrol will make a small noise, so hopefully only one will come and check it out," Splashstar hissed. They did what they were told, and snuck up on either side of the two cats on guard. Frostheart recognized Stonefoot and Heatherbranch. Stonefoot, a large sandy gray tom, and Heatherbranch, a pale tabby she-cat with green eyes. Stormlight's group kicked a pebble. Stonefoot looked up sharply.

"I heard something. You stay here, and I'll check it out," he said. Heatherbranch nodded. Yes! They fell for it! Frostheart was practically trembling with excitement. He couldn't wait to sink his teeth and claws into flesh. He couldn't wait for the reek of blood and the sound of screams. As Stonefoot disappeared, there was a muffled thump, then silence. Heatherbranch must of heard it to, because she pricked her ears.

"Stonefoot?" She called. Splashstar twitched his tail, and then jumped out of his hiding spot. Heatherbranch only had time to widen her eyes as Splashstar pinned her, pressing his paw over her mouth. She jerked around, trying to get him off. Frostheart leaped from the heather bush they were hiding behind and helped, dragging Heatherbranch to their hiding spot. She glared at them. They met up with Stormlight's patrol, leaving three warriors to guard the WindClan cats.

"Let's go," Splashstar whispered. Then he leaped through the entrance and yowled. The camp erupted into chaos, cats racing from their dens, or the WindClan cats who liked to sleep outside, sprang to their paws. Splashstar threw himself at Breezestar, caught of guard, was knocked over. Frostheart leaped at Sagetuft, a tawny brown tom with a dark brown stripe down his back. Blood roared in his ears, as he swiftly pinned Sagetuft, holding him down by the throat. He sliced open his belly with his other paw. Sagetuft howled with pain, as Frostheart only dug his claws deeper. Mistlefur leaped at Frostheart, but he quickly twisted around and reared up, grabbing her head in his paws and slamming her down on the ground. She rolled away and was attacked by one of his clan mates. Frostheart turned back to Sagetuft, who lay on the ground, eyes glazed with pain. Frostheart pounced on him again, making him shriek. Frostheart's claws tingled, like they did right before he made a kill. He placed his claws on Sagetuft's neck. His eyes widened.

"Warriors don't need to kill to win a battle," he rasped. Frostheart leaned closer, until his muzzle was only a whisker-length from the WindClan warrior's terrified face.

"Well," he sunk his claws into Sagetuft's neck, cutting off his scream that tried to escape him. "This one does." 

There was a triumphant yowl, and Frostheart leaped away from Sagetuft. Breezestar was standing over Splashstar, who staggered to his paws. The realization hit Frostheart hard. Splashstar lost a life! Warm delight spread through his body. "You have lost. Leave at once," Breezestar hissed. Splashstar glared at her.

"WindClan killed Hopelight!"

"Splashstar, Hopelight's death was tragic, but you must move on. WindClan did not kill her."

"We found your scent on our territory." Breezestar blinked slowly.

"Two of our apprentices went looking for trouble, but their mentors got them back before they went far into your territory." Splashstar hissed at her unbelievingly, but beckoned his warriors with a flick of his tail, and charged out of the camp.

~~~~~

A fox-colored tom ripped up grass under his claws, hissing. "Sedgetail, what's wrong? Well, besides Sagetuft. I can tell something else is bothering you," said Redflower, a pretty red-brown she-cat with long legs. She was Sedgetail's mate. He growled.

"I saw who killed my brother." Redflower's eyes widened, and Harepelt, a gray tabby bounded over. 

"What?" He gasped. Sedgetail nodded.

"Who?" whispered Redflower in dismay.

"Frostheart," spat Sedgetail.

"Woah! Frostheart? I've heard he's tough.... started a fight at the gathering as an apprentice.... but I didn't think he would kill!" Harepelt exclaimed.

"Nobody did, I don't think," Sedgetail spat. "He broke the warrior code! StarClan why did he have to choose my brother?!" He ripped up more grass. Redflower pressed against him, and he looked up at her. "There is only one thing to do," he said grimly. Redflower sensed this.

"Oh.... Sedgetail. Is this really a good idea?" She murmured.

"It's justice," Sedgetail said firmly. He raised his voice so his best friend Harepelt could hear. "Can you guys keep a secret?" They both nodded. "At the next new-moon, I am going to kill Frostheart of ThunderClan!"