Frostfire padded back toward the clan, facing it once more. Their expressions were that of disgust, horror, and shock as Frostfire blinked calmly. I've done it! she thought excitedly. I completed my destiny! Her heart soared in triumph, momentarily ignoring the fact that her former clanmates might not be ready to accept her yet.

Surprisingly, Brightwing spoke first. "Thank you, Frostfire."

Slowly, the rest of the clan joined in.

"You saved ThunderClan!"

"Nightstar was evil!"

"He trained in the Dark Forest!"

Frostfire flicked her tail for silence, which fell immediately onto the cats that stood before her. Her blue eyes were clear as she spoke, revealing the truth for the first time. "I'm sorry, ThunderClan," she mewed, her calm voice laced with regret. "I should have told you earlier." She paused, and the clan stared at her, confused, for an explanation. "I was a new apprentice when Mistpaw died, if you remember?"

She paused, and received a few silent nods from the watching cats. She hid her anxiety and nervousness, by masking it with eerie calm.

"I saw Nightstar kill her. He was only Nightpaw at the time, and it was no rogue. He, however, swore me to secrecy and forced me to keep it a secret. I should have revealed it, but he would have returned to harm the clan later on, if I had. Later on, Ashflame and I saw him murder Yellowgaze and Brackenstar, but that time, he didn't see us there. Then, at night, over a moon ago," Frostfire continued, "I heard Nightstar telling Tawnywhisker to kill Redkit, and blame it on me."

She paused, and tears filled her eyes, but she would not let them fall. "I don't understand why you ever believed him."

"He showed us white fur under the kit's claws!" Blossomshade mewed quietly. "But I suppose he just put it there on purpose to make it look like you did it, Frostfire."

"Besides," Frostfire mewed, dipping her head to Blossomshade, "I'm not the only white cat there is." Frostfire padded a few paces closer to the clan. "I'm sorry I had to kill your leader and deputy in front of you all."

"Our leader and deputy?" Whitefoot echoed, staring at her. "Does that mean you won't rejoin ThunderClan?"

Frostfire's heart soared. "I'd like to return, if the clan will have me." One or two yowls of support came from the cats watching her.

"But who will lead us, now?" Dawnflower stepped forward, her red fur glistening.

"Isn't it obvious?" Snowblossom snapped. "StarClan obviously had a reason for protecting her when the tree fell! Frostfire killed two of the clan's biggest traitors! Frostfire, will you lead ThunderClan?" At her words, a supportive murmuring broke out through the clan, and many nodded agreeably.

Frostfire, however, froze. She didn't know whether to accept this much. StarClan, is this also my destiny?

Almost as if in reply, Cinderblaze's gentle voice sounded in her head. "Frostfire, this is what I trained you for. You had better accept this!"

Moonflower chimed in heartbeats later. "You can't rely on StarClan for everything, Frostfire. Make your own choices sometimes."

Frostfire flicked her tail, then raised it, puffing out her chest. Her crystal blue eyes sparkled, and her white fur glowed in the sunlight as she dipped her head proudly. "Yes. I will lead ThunderClan to victory."

oO0Oo

"Aren't you going to perform that ceremony?" Leafpaw asked, padding forward.

"What?" Frostfire turned to her, confused. "Which ceremony?"

Echoshine padded up, flicking Frostfire with her tail. "Don't tell me forgotten! You need to appoint a deputy!"

Frostfire jumped. "Right."

Who should I name as deputy? Frostfire paced back and forth, thinking. Whitefoot would be a popular choice, but he's young, and I don't know if he's capable of being the next leader... I would name Brightwing, she has all the skills, only if she can learn to befriend me... I think that'll be the perfect way for us to become amiable towards each other.

Frostfire felt a slight thrill within her heart as she bunched her muscles and sprang onto the Highledge. The rock felt cool and smooth beneath her paws as she reaised her head in a strong yowl. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Highledge for a clan meeting!"

Frostfire watched proudly as the clan - her clan - poured out of the dens and into the clearing. "I thank you all for naming me as leader," she mewed, dipping her head. "I need a deputy, now. I say these words before StarClan, so that the spirits of my warrior ancestors will hear and approve my choice. Brightwing will be the new deputy of ThunderClan."

Brightwing padded forward, surprise evident in her expression. She clearly hadn't expected this, and from Frostfire, of all cats. "I will serve you the best I can."

Frostfire dipped her head gratefully. "Brightwing, you are an experienced and skilled warrior. I hope you will prove your worth as my deputy." So saying, she sprang down from the Highledge, only to be stopped by a bewildered Brightwing.

"Why did you choose me as deputy?"

Frostfire sighed. "Because you have all the skills that are required of a deputy, and also because maybe, this way, we'll be able to create a friendship between us." Brightwing dipped her head graciously, and Frostfire padded over to talk to Ashflame.

What was up with her mate anyway? How could he ever believe Nightstar?

She stalked over to Ashflame. "I need to talk to you." Startled by her urgency and slight anger, Ashflame dipped his head and followed her into the leader's den. Frostfire tried not to flinch at the overwhelming scent of Nightstar.

"What is it?"

"Oh, and you're asking me?" Frostfire lashed her tail. "You knew what Nightstar was up to, and still you believed him? You know it wasn't me who killed Redkit, but you decide to support Nightstar anyway."

"What? I never-"

"Then what was that look you gave me when I first padded into camp? Normally, you would flick your tail, touch noses, or something like that, but you've never just dipped your head to me before! It's obvious you believed him."

"I didn't believe him," Ashflame mewed calmly. "He just forbade us from interacting with you."

"Huh?"

"Really." Ashflame dipped his head. "And I'm sorry if it looked like I believed Nightstar." Frostfire's anger was replaced with an overwhelming sense of relief. "I love you, Frostfire."

Frostfire twined her tail with his. "I love you, too."