Chapter eight 

Half a moon later....

"Creekwater, you can lead a patrol along the WindClan border. They are very unpredictable and sneaky, as we know," he said. "Take at least four warriors of your choice," Frostheart said. Creekwater nodded. Frostheart being deputy of ThunderClan was going great. Cats respected him greatly, and some even whisper that he has been keeping the Clan from collapsing, because Splashstar's grief had clouded his judgement. Frostheart had also encouraged Splashstar's beliefs that there is an assassin targeting his Clan, and that he shouldn't trust the other Clans. He also encouraged Splashstar to stay in his den more, and let Frostheart take over. He said he needed to protect himself from the assassin for his Clan's sake. StarClan, either I was persuasive or Splashstar was mouse-brained. Besides that, Frostheart and Sageweed together came up with another idea. Frostheart would spend time with Splashstar's daughters, Silverpaw and Quickpaw, so when Splashstar died they would be completely dependent on him.

"Soon they will need you like the forest needs rain," Sageweed had said when they met in the Dark Forest. The last thing was Frostheart had been spending lots of time with his new supporters. Coldrose was snappy, but strong. Sageweed said she reminded her of Mapleshade. Pebblepaw was quick to state her opinion and wasn't afraid to ask or talk to someone. She would comfort cats and talk to them and seemed to love to make friends. Pigeonpaw showed promising strength, and looked up to the strongest and smartest cat. Which will be me. Larktalon, he found out, was a good strategist and had an excellent memory. Frostheart was determined to win his full trust. Thrushfeather was easy to manipulate, and all he wanted was to be loyal to his leader. Shadeblossom was clever and sly, and reminded Frostheart of a stereotypical ShadowClan cat. 

Russetclaw, Lilysplash, Whiteclaw, Berryleaf, Cedarfur, and Seedpod had all sought him out at gatherings. He had asked Mistfeather if she was okay with him spending time with Coldrose, Larktalon, Thrushfeather, Shadeblossom, Pebblepaw and Pigeonpaw, but she said it was fine and she was happy he was making friends. Frostheart was glad she wasn't jealous. Silverpaw and Quickpaw were promising as well. Silverpaw was mischievous, but kind, and serious when needed to. Quickpaw was a quick learner, and seemed eager to prove herself. Frostheart felt like a leader already. He looked over at Mistfeather, who looked excited. She caught his eye and beckoned him over.

"What is it?" He purred.

"I'm expecting kits!" She blurted out. Frostheart pricked his ears with delight and purred.

"Thats great, Mistfeather! I'm so excited! I'm going to be a father!" Mistfeather let out a mrrow of happiness. "When are they coming?" He asked eagerly. Mistfeather flicked his shoulder with her tail.

"Not anytime soon, silly! Wishfeather just told me I was expecting!"

"Right," Frostheart chuckled. "Well, I've got work to do, but I'll be back at sun high so we can eat together."

******

It was nightfall, the forest was as dark as ever with a new moon in the sky. We need to think of a plan to take out Splashstar. He still has eight lives! More importantly, we need to do something about the "assassin." Fake it somehow.

Right, Frostheart thought, leaping through the forest, feeling cool leaves brush against his fur. He came to a sudden halt, nostrils flaring. WindClan! Well, Sageweed, looks like we might not have to fake it. He peered through a holly bush, spotting a fox-colored tom. He sniffed the air, then growled in frustration. Looking for the camp? Lost in the jumble of ThunderClan scents? Frostheart leaped in front of the tom with a hiss, sending him scrambling backwards in fright. "Who are you and what are you doing on ThunderClan territory?" He spat, letting his hackles rise. To his surprise, the young tom seemed to grow angry, and his fur bristled.

"Frostheart," he snarled. "Just the cat I was looking for." Frostheart pricked his ears in interest. Sageweed? Did you choose another cat for me? 

Nope, I have no idea who this cat is and what he wants. The tom straightened up.

"I am Sedgetail of WindClan, and I have come to avenge my brother's death!" He declared. Frostheart let his tense shoulders relax.

"Ah, Sagetuft's brother," he said, tracing lines in the dirt with his claw. "So.... you've come to kill me?"

"Yes," Sedgetail hissed. Frostheart let an amused purr escape him.

"All right, Sedgetail of WindClan. Are you sure you want to kill me? I'll give you a chance to turn around, go back to your cozy little nest, and forget about this." Sedgetail raised his chin.

"No," he said firmly, though his mew quivered and he stank of fear. 

Fool! Looks like he's not going to see his nest ever again, Sageweed crowed. Frostheart shrugged.

"Fine with me." In one swift motion, he knocked the WindClan tom off his paws and pinned him to the ground.

"Kit, I train in the Place of No Stars. You can't beat me." Sedgetail's eyes widened, and Frostheart let him scramble to his paws. His fur was fluffed up in shock.

"B-but that's impossible!" Frostheart shook his head.

"My poor, innocent warrior, of course it's possible," he lunged forward and landed two blows on Sedgetail's ears, claws sheathed, then leaped away again. Sedgetail hissed, and leaped forward, and Frostheart let him rake his claws down his side. I have to make it look convincing. If I go back to camp unharmed with a dead body, that would look suspicious.

"This is not how you fought my brother!" Sedgetail spat. "Fight me for real, Frostheart!" The ThunderClan deputy chuckled.

"If you wish, Sedgetail." He ducked into the brambles. Sedgetail paused, breathing hard and sniffing the air, trying to locate Froststar.  Froststar shot out of the undergrowth, and wrapped his paws around Sedgetail's neck. Not ready to kill him yet, he stretched forward and bit his nose. Sedgetail yowled and twisted away, before ramming into him with his shoulder. Frostheart rocked slightly, and Sedgetail reared up. Frostheart dived towards him, grabbing his hind leg with his teeth, yanking him off balance and landing two blows on his side, this time claws unsheathed. He smelled blood, and Sedgetail yowled. His eyes narrowed in determination, and he sprinted at Frostheart with surprising speed. Frostheart leaped and flipped off a tree, landing squarely on Sedgetail's back and pummeling his ears with his paws. Sedgetail hissed and twisted away, lashing his nose once. He leaped to the side.

"This isn't over! I'll be back, Frostheart!" He crouched, ready to spring away, but Frostheart grabbed his tail in his teeth and yanked him back.

"Oh no, this isn't over yet, Sedgetail," he said, voice laced with malice. The fox-colored tom's  eyes could only widen in horror as Frostheart pulled him back into the small clearing, where he resumed the battle. Froststar's claws tingled, and blood roared in his ears. He raked his claws down the warrior's spine, and he yowled in pain. Then he whipped around and sliced Frostheart's muzzle. The big tom growled and slashed his claws across Sedgetail's left eye. He screeched in pain, twisting madly and lashing out widely, fighting for his life now. Frostheart continued to pin him, slashing his back, belly, and ears, letting the blood spill onto his own fur. I'll make myself look more hurt then I really am. Finally, he bit Sedgetail's neck, and the warrior slumped to the ground. Frostheart leaned forward to whisper in his ear. "Say hi to your brother in StarClan, for me," then he stepped back, looking around at the blood soaked clearing. 

*******

Frostheart burst into camp with a yowl, and cats came running. They gasped at the dead body next to him, and his blood soaked pelt. Splashstar shouldered through the crowd. "What is this?" he demanded. Frostheart lifted his head.

"This," he said, kicking the body, "is the assassin." Cats gasped again, in shock and horror. "I went out to patrol the area when I found him, Sedgetail of WindClan," he began. Splashstar hissed.

"I knew it was WindClan!" Frostheart nodded.

"He said he would kill me like he killed Hopelight and Stormlight, and then he would go and kill Splashstar," he said. "He was fast, but I was stronger, and in the end I was forced to kill him," he lied. Splashstar was snarling now.

"I knew it was WindClan, knew it all along. We must go confront Breezestar."