A/N: Hey guys! I'm finally on Christmas break so it's gonna be so much easier to update now! And I got a new puppy! Ahh:) he's so adorable and animated! We named him Beaux (Bow)! Now I'm gonna answer the reviews!

Brackenflame: Thanks, I'm really glad you like it!

Kimberly Antonelli O'Brien: Perhaps you're right! I'm glad you like it though!

Lazy Splashpaw: Haha, sadly, Blackheart will not die! Flamehawk is a bigger worry then a sibling rivalry!

Guest (12 Reviews): Thanks for so many reviews! Don't worry, I'll always continue writing this book! Until it's over that is!

Random person: Thank you so much!

Anon: Haha I'm glad! Reviews do help!

ChristmasKitty743: Haha thanks!

Guest: Good idea! I kinda was already planning to do that, some what!

Clearflight: Thanks! And a very unique pen name!

Talon of soaring Eagle: Haha thanks so much! I'm glad you're back!

Best Friend of Green: Maybe, maybe not! Haha

Willowdream of ForestClan: You'll see right now!

Anyway, please enjoy the next chapter!

Chapter Twelve

Sunlight warmed the earth peacefully as the small patrol padded through the forest. Often, a golden tom would look back at his patrol to make sure everyone remained. His amber gaze flashed back toward the tall pine trees that towered over his head. He often heard the barking of squirrels beyond the hazelnut bushes, but remained with the patrol with force. All his instincts told him to take chase after the squirrels, but he pushed them aside. Soon, he felt a shove on his shoulder. He flashed his gaze to the left to stare into the hateful eyes of his brother, Blackheart. The skinny jet black tom grinned and padded ahead of him, seeming to ignore the fact that he was leading this patrol. "Blackheart, perhaps you've forgotten who's leading this patrol?" The golden tom warned with his lip curling in a snarl.

Blackheart whipped around with his teeth glistening in the sunlight. He was about to snap back, but Squirreltail, the senior warrior, pushed in front of the golden tom and meowed, "I will not allow fighting on this patrol. Specifically between your own clanmates."

She scolded the pair as if they were kits. The ginger she-cat threw a piercing green gaze at Blackheart and meowed, "You know better than that, Blackheart. Panthersound is the leader of this patrol, so he leads and tells us what he thinks is best."

The skinny black tom have her a curt nod, hostility still gleaming within his deep amber gaze. He threw one last look at Panthersound before he took a step back to allow him to lead. Panthersound grinned at him sarcastically and pushed ahead. Just as he turned, a fresh smell of SeaClan hit his tongue. He flicked his ears and his patrol stopped abruptly, with their hackles rising. Just beyond dense undergrowth, he heard the soft running of the river. I hadn't realized we were so close to the border! Mouse dung, he cursed as he flicked his tail for the warriors and apprentice to come forward. Sabertooth's eyes were wide with worry. Blackheart's cleared all hostility and blazed with determination. Panthersound looked down at Lightpaw, whose fur twitched along her spine and eyes wide with excitement. "How far off is the scent? Is it a patrol or just a single cat?" He asked the ivory and gold she-cat.

Squirreltail nodded approvingly at Panthersound and urged her apprentice to continue with a tail tracing down her spine. Lightpaw opened her jaws and took a deep breathe, her eyes sharpening with anger. "A whole patrol, possibly five or six cats. I believe I smell Frogjaw from the last gathering," she stated with a flick of her tail.

A deep growl rose from within Sabertooth's throat. "Have they crossed the river? I'll shred that cat!" He spat fiercely.

The whole patrol stared at him in shock. "They haven't crossed, yet," Lightpaw distracted with her claws pulsing from her paws.

"Good job, Lightpaw! One day, you'll be the best tracker in the Clan!" Squirreltail meowed delightfully.

"Enough," Panthersound growled. "We need to be vigilant. The patrol may cross."

He turned to peer through the undergrowth. Soon, he saw a black tom with a distinct white jaw pacing in front of the river. Next to him, was a very angry and pregnant white she-cat. Standing close by, were Barracudatail, SeaClan's deputy, Cranefeather and a dark brown apprentice Panthersound had never seen before. He lowered himself to the ground and strained his ears hard, listening to the small patrol. The white she-cat stood and rushed to Barracudatail's side, whimpering, "Oh, Barracudatail, we have to find my dear, perfect daughter, Moonpaw!"

"And that mouse-brained, lowlife tom, Suntalon," Frogjaw hissed, angrily lashing his tail.

The golden deputy licked the white she-cat on her head. They must be mates, Panthersound thought. "Don't worry, Swanfeather, we'll find her and Suntalon," he purred, but then his gaze hardened when he looked at Frogjaw. "As for you, we don't speak of our clanmates that way!"

Panthersound narrowed his eyes at the cats that were looking nervously over the border. The fur on his shoulder bristled as the deputy made his way into the river. Panthersound flicked his tail for his patrol to surprise the SeaClan cats. The golden tom's muscles tightened as he braced himself for a leap. With a powerful jump, he leaped effortlessly over the undergrowth. The SeaClan cats leaped in surprise. "Ahh, Squirreltail and Sabertooth, it's nice to see you. And these two must be Pantherpaw and Blackpaw!" Barracudatail meowed with narrowed eyes.

"It's Panthersound and Blackheart, actually. And I'm Lightpaw!" The ivory and gold she-cat meowed happily.

Squirreltail shot her apprentice a harsh glare then looked at Panthersound to speak. Having the older warrior look to him for guidance made him uncomfortable, but he pushed it aside and meowed deeply, "Enough introductions. What are you doing so close to the border?"

Barracudatail snapped his amber gaze toward Panthersound and shrugged. "Don't worry, we haven't crossed the border," he soothed as water still lapped at his legs.

Panthersound flicked an unease glance at the rushing water then murmured, "Yet."

Even though he thought he was quite, the golden deputy bristled and hissed, "Unlike PineClan, SeaClan warrior's are noble and we stick to the warrior code!"

Panthersound felt anger burn inside his chest as his clanmates bristled and looked at him to continue. "Then why is it that your 'noble warriors' are running away from camp?" He snapped back with his lip curling.

Barracudatail leaped back onto the bank with his eyes wide. "Have you seen either Moonpaw or Suntalon?" He asked with his tail flicking droplets of water onto the grassy earth.

"No, and I advise you to stay on your own territory! I will not hesitate to claw any of SeaClan that cross the border," Panthersound growled as he lashed his tail.

Sabertooth stiffened beside him with his last remark, causing Panthersound to snort in annoyance. I can't even retort with our clanmates being loyal, because of this stupid fur ball, he thought bitterly. Barracudatail's fur was on end as Panthersound turned away and began to head back to camp. "Then how did you know the pair were missing?" Barracudatail growled.

Panthersound turned his head to glare at the golden deputy. "Perhaps you should learn to shut up when you're so close to the border," he meowed plainly.

He heard Barracudatail shout at him, but he ignored the deputy and padded back to camp with his tail swaying. He turned to look at his patrol and meowed, "Maybe you and Lightpaw should hunt a bit. It's only the beginning of newleaf, so prey is still scarce. I'll take Blackheart and Sabertooth back to camp to report."

Squirreltail nodded approvingly, "Excellent decision, Panthersound. Maybe one day, you will walk in your father's paw prints."

Panthersound bit his tongue as Blackheart bristled behind Squirreltail with his amber eyes filling with dreadful hostility. "If it's okay, Panthersound, I'd like to hunt alone," Sabertooth spoke up nervously.

Panthersound glared at the suspicious tom and growled, "Whatever."

As the three cats padded off, he turned to Blackheart and meowed, "You know, I never asked for this."

He turned to continue to pad to camp, but Blackheart caught up to him and growled, "What do you mean? You're the center of attention! I'm just living in your shadow."

Panthersound snapped his amber gaze at Blackheart and sighed, "No, Blackheart. You are living in your own shadow. You underestimate yourself."

Panthersound left Blackheart gaping after him. He leaped into a run, crashing through large bushes and undergrowth. Soon, the large line of pine trees became visible. He leaped into the camp clearing. Instantly, he saw Fawnstar standing on the Stone Pile, now looking fresh and healthy, aside from her fur begin matted and unkept. Next to her, Tigertooth stood, looking oddly skinny and sick. Panthersound padded toward the Stone Pile and looked up at the cats. "I need to report the patrol along the SeaClan border," he meowed.

Fawnstar's bright green eyes looked down at him. She leaped from the tom as Tigertooth scrambled down helplessly. Worry prickled under his pelt as the two landed in front of him. "When we arrived, Barracudatail, Frogjaw, Swanfeather, and an apprentice were at the border looking for Moonpaw and Suntalon. Apparently the pair ran away," he stated briefly.

Fawnstar's eyes clouded for a moment then cleared. "Such a shame, did they cross the border?" She asked with her eyes sparking in anticipation.

Panthersound shook his head and meowed, "No, but Barracudatail was in the river when we arrived."

"Very well, thank you Panthersound. You're doing wonderfully. Tonight is Doepaw's and Nightpaw's warrior ceremony, so try and stay in camp." She said but looked behind them and meowed, "Where is the rest of your patrol?"

Nervousness flared in his belly. "I sent Squirreltail and Lightpaw out to hunt and Sabertooth hunted as well. Blackheart should be coming any moment," he meowed just as Blackheart strolled into camp with a large hawk in his jaws.

Instantly, Doepaw and Nightpaw sprung over to him with admiration blazing in their eyes. "Wow! You caught that all by yourself? Panthersound caught one once, but he needed Buckstride and Stonerunner's help!" Nightpaw meowed with his eyes round.

Panthersound couldn't help but purr at the pride blazing in his brother's usual hostile amber eyes. "That's an excellent catch," his father meowed from behind them.

The golden tom turned to Tigertooth and meowed, "Perhaps you should give him a little more credit. He should lead a hunting patrol toward WillowClan."

Tigertooth's eyes flashed for a moment the he began to chuckle, "If this keeps up, you'll be taking over my duties and I will be able to relax and stuff my belly with cardinals and jays."

Anxiety flared in his chest when Fawnstar nodded in agreement. He turned his gaze back to his father, the usual strong tom was now skinny with each of his ribs jutting out and spine exposed. All the stress of looking after the Clan during Fawnstar's absence must be making him ill, Flamehawk's voice growled, soon you'll be making your way to the top! You'll be deputy! Then I'll make my move.

Panthersound's eyes darkened as he thought, bring it on, then.

A/N: Will Tigertooth die and leave his duties in Panthersound's paws?Would Panthersound be a good deputy? Is Blackheart changing, or is he still a bitter tom? Can anyone remember where Moonpaw and Suntalon went? So many questions! Only one way to find out! REVIEW! REVIEW! REVIEW!

Let's get me to 297-300 reviews so I can post the next chapter! Thanks!

-Nightspirit