Trail of Flames: A Rising Path

by Doritopaw101

Tiger-roar and Nightshade have been exiled and seemed to have vanished. Icefire has been thrusted into the responsibilities of deputy and heir to Thunderclan. While Tiger-roar and Nightshade seemed to be gone, Icefire can't shake the feeling of being watched but then again, Icefire has more worries inside the clan to worry about. (Mix of RS/ADP)(On hold, look at chap 8 for details)

1. Chapter 1

Thunderclan (Under Leader-deputy leadership)

Leader: Bluestar - pointed blue-gray molly with blue eyes Apprentice: Cloudpaw

Deputy: Icefire - fluffy white tom with red eyes (He/They) Apprentices: Maplepaw

(Deputies in running: Leopardstorm, Frostbite, Goldenflower)

Seer: Thymeroot - pale gray molly (with darker flecks) with amber eyes

Medicine cats: Yellowfang - dark gray molly with amber eyes

Raveneye - black cat with white dash on their chest and a white tail-tip and paws with yellow and purple eyes (They/Them) Apprentice: Ashpaw

Bluestar's elite:

Leopardfoot - black molly with green eyes Apprentice: Shrikepaw

Leopardstorm - pointed white tom with yellow eyes, also an overseer Apprentice: Brightpaw

Embereyes - dark gray and white molly with amber eyes

Sandstorm - pale ginger molly with green eyes Apprentice: Marigoldpaw

Seedspots - tortoiseshell and white molly with green eyes Apprentice: Bearpaw

Overseers:

Miststrike - gray molly with green eyes

Cherrycloud - ginger and white molly with amber eyes (She/They)

Warriors:

Lionheart - golden tom with green eyes

Mousefur - small dusky brown molly with amber eyes

Birchstep - brown tabby tom with green eyes

Willowpelt - pale gray molly with blue eyes Apprentice: Lynxpaw

Fogtail - pale gray tom with black stripes with blue eyes Apprentice: Swiftpaw

Dustpelt - dark brown tabby tom with ginger markings with amber eyes Apprentice: Rosepaw

Chestnutclaw - reddish-brown tom with amber eyes Apprentice: Aspenpaw

Larkwing - black and white molly with blue eyes

Lichenstrike - golden brown molly with green eyes

Smokefur - dark gray molly with green eyes

Cinderfreeze - pointed dark gray cat with blue eyes (They/Them)

Brackenfur - golden-brown tom with amber eyes Apprentice: Tulip-paw

Littlebreeze - black and white tom with purple eyes

Sleetpelt - white molly with black spotting with yellow eyes

Smokyclaw - light gray molly with amber eyes

Stagtail - brown and white tom with yellow eyes

Ebonyshade - black molly with light gray markings with amber eyes

Amberstorm - tortoiseshell and white molly with yellow eyes

Chivestalk - brown molly with ginger patches with green eyes

Hawkfeather - brown molly with white spots with amber eyes

Yellowflower - golden molly with blue eyes

Smithstones:

Featherears - deaf white tom with blue eyes

Gingerblaze - ginger and white tom with green and amber eyes

Pelt-makers:

Lightcloud - pointed white molly with blue eyes

Apprentices:

Swiftpaw - black, golden, and white tom with amber eyes

Lynxpaw - ginger tabby molly with black patches with amber eyes

Ashpaw - pale gray tom (with darker flecks) with blue eyes

Fernpaw - pale gray molly (with darker flecks) with green eyes

Tulip-paw - pale gray tom (with darker flecks) with green eyes

Cloudpaw - deaf white tom with blue eyes

Rosepaw - reddish-brown molly with blue eyes

Bearpaw - dark brown tabby molly with red eyes

Shrikepaw - gray tabby molly with blue eyes

Sunnypaw - tortoiseshell and white molly with yellow eyes

Maplepaw - tortoiseshell and white molly with blue eyes

Aspenpaw - gray tabby molly with yellow eyes

Brightpaw - white molly with ginger markings with blue eyes

Thornpaw - golden brown tom with blue eyes

Queens/Kings/Nursery helpers:

Queens:

Goldenflower - golden tabby molly with amber eyes (Mother to: Hornetkit - orange molly with black stripes with white markings with green eyes and Waspkit - chimera half white half orange tom black stripes with amber and blue eyes)

Seedspots - tortoiseshell and white molly with green eyes with blue highlights (Mother to Lionheart's kits: Specklekit, Sweetkit, and Lightkit)

Robinwing - brown molly with ginger markings with amber eyes (Mother to Featherears's kits: Robinkit, Wrenkit, Thornkit, and Owlkit, Fostering Patchpelt's kits: Rootkit and Thicketkit) Apprentice: Thornpaw

Frostbite - deaf white molly with blue eyes (Mother to: Snowykit) Apprentice: Sunnypaw

Kings:

Darkstripe - sleek gray and black tabby tom with yellow eyes (Expecting) Apprentice: Fernpaw

Brindleface - pale gray cat (with darker flecks) with green eyes (They/Them) (Expecting Leopardstorm's kits)

Barkheart - reddish-brown tabby tom with amber eyes (Expecting)

Nursery helpers:

Nettlemist - pointed gray tom with blue eyes (Caring for Snowkit, Mistlekit, and Milk-kit)

Elders:

Sparrowpelt - big dark brown tabby tom with part of his tail missing

Speckletail - golden speckled molly with amber eyes

Smallear - gray tom with very small ears

Patchpelt - small black and white tom with amber eyes

White-eye - pale gray molly with one yellow eye

Speckletail - golden speckled molly with amber eyes

Shadowclan (Under Leader-deputy leadership)

Leader: Marshstar - dark gray and cream molly with amber eyes

Deputy: Blazefang - dark brown tabby molly with amber eyes Apprentice: Twilightpaw

(Deputies in running: Scorchfang, Cinderfur, Russetfur)

Seer: Blossomhaze - white molly with red eyes

Medicine cat: Palecloud - gray and white tom with amber eyes

Beestripe - golden tom with black stripes with blue eyes

Silverstar's elite:

Blackfoot - white tom with jet-black paws with amber eyes with blue highlights Apprentice: Sloepaw

Wolfstep - black tom with yellow eyes

Tangleburr - gray and brown molly with amber and green eyes

Russetfur - dark ginger molly with green eyes

Fernshade - tortoiseshell and white molly with amber eyes

Flintfang - gray tom with green eyes Apprentice: Garlicpaw

Viperfang - dark ginger molly with amber eyes

Warriors:

Boulder - gray tom with blue eyes

Amberfoot - gray molly with ginger legs with amber eyes

Scorchfang - ginger tom with amber eyes

Cinderfur - dark gray molly with amber eyes

Appletooth - mottles brown molly with green eyes Apprentice: Larchpaw

Badgerfang - black and white tom with amber and blue eyes

Whitethroat - black tom with a white chest and paws with blue eyes Apprentice: Graypaw

Pineshadow - dark brown molly with green eyes

Wetfoot - gray tabby tom with blue eyes Apprentice: Foxpaw

Brownwhisker - brown tom with light brown specks with amber eyes Apprentice: Burdock-paw

Littlecloud - light brown tabby tom with blue eyes

Frogtail - dark gray tom with green eyes

Duskthorn - black tom with white spots with blue eyes

Quietstep - gray molly with black markings with purple eyes

Turtleshell - black molly with ginger markings with green eyes

Sootmask - pointed dark gray molly with green eyes

Goldendusk - golden and white tom with blue eyes Apprentice: Privetpaw

Oakfur - brown tom with amber eyes

Pinetail - dark brown tabby molly with green eyes Apprentice: Hollylockpaw

Foggyclaw - white molly with black mask, paws, and tail with green eyes

Foxtrot - ginger molly with black paws with green eyes

Rottingbranch - black molly with purple eyes Apprentice: Flamepaw

Houndclaw - black and white molly amber eyes Apprentice: Violetpaw

Darkhollow - black molly with white markings with amber and blue eyes Apprentice: Elderpaw

Flyswipe - black and white molly with amber eyes

Roachwhisker - brown and white molly with green eyes Apprentice: Beetlepaw

Sharpfang - dark brown tabby molly with blue eyes

Batwhisker - brown molly with amber eyes Apprentice: Slatepaw

Snaketail - dark brown tabby tom with amber eyes Apprentice: Sootpaw

Pelt-makers:

Whisperleaf - gray molly with yellow eyes

Goldenmint - tortoiseshell and white molly with green eyes

Buzzardwing - black and gray tom with amber eyes

Lizardfang - pale brown tabby molly with green eyes

Apprentices:

Burdockpaw - black molly with green eyes

Elderpaw - white tom with black markings with blue eyes

Slatepaw - dark gray tom with amber eyes

Sootpaw - gray molly with blue eyes

Beetlepaw - red and black molly with amber eyes

Hollylock-paw - black molly with amber eyes

Darkpaw - black molly with yellow eyes

Flamepaw - dark ginger tabby with amber eyes

Violetpaw - dark brown tabby molly with purple eyes

Sloepaw - ginger and white tom with green eyes

Twilightpaw - black molly with white spots with yellow eyes

Garlicpaw - white molly with gray markings with blue eyes

Foxpaw - ginger tom with amber eyes

Larchpaw - dark brown tom with blue eyes

Queens/Kings/Royal helpers:

Queens:

Dawncloud - ginger and white tabby molly with blue eyes (Mother to: Hemlock-kit, Cloudykit, Ratkit, Snowkit)

Darkflower - black molly with blue eyes (Mother to Scorchwind's kits: Nightkit, Lavenderkit, Redkit, and Emberkit)

Russetfur - dark ginger molly with green eyes (Mother to Blackfoot's kits: Rowankit - dark ginger molly with amber eyes and Cedarkit - dark ginger tom with amber eyes)

Kings:

N/A

Royal Helper:

Crowcloud - black molly with gray eyes

Poppyflower - light brown molly with amber eyes (Caring for: Adderkit, Fangkit, Ravenkit, Timberkit, Muddedkit)

Elders:

Nightpelt - black tom with amber eyes

Hollyflower - black and white molly with amber eyes

Windclan (Under Leader-deputy leadership)

Leader: Duskstar (Tallstar) - black and white tom with amber eyes (Moor-runner)

Deputy: Deadfoot - black tom with amber eyes (Tunneler)

(Deputies in running: Mudclaw, Cloudrunner, Stagleap)

Medicine cat: Barkface - short-tailed brown cat with amber eyes Apprentice: Tawnypaw

Camp-guard:

Marigoldwing - golden tabby molly with blue eyes

Woolcloud - white and black molly with green eyes

Robinpelt - light brown molly with blue eyes Apprentice: Quailpaw

Thorntail - gray and white tom with yellow eyes

Star-keeper:

Aspenfall - gray and white tabby tom with amber eyes

Thrushwing - tortoiseshell and white molly with green eyes

Moor-runners:

Cloudrunner - white tom with blue eyes Apprentice: Harepaw

Stagleap - dark brown tom with amber eyes Apprentice: Birdpaw

Appledawn - cream-colored molly with amber eyes Apprentice: Graypaw

Sorrelflight - gray and brown molly with amber eyes Apprentice: Tumblepaw

Pigeonwing - gray and white tom with amber eyes Apprentice: Dandalionpaw

Rabbit-tail - pale brown molly with a white chest with yellow eyes Apprentice: Grasspaw

Wrenflight - brown molly with green eyes Apprentice: Dawnpaw

Weaselwhisker - brown tabby tom with purple eyes Apprentice: Gorsepaw

Runningbrook - light gray tabby cat with green eyes (They/Xem) Apprentice: Rockpaw

Eaglefoot - gray moggy with dark gray paws and markings with green eyes (They/She)

Marbleheart - white molly with black markings with blue eyes

Tunnelers:

Bristleclaw - black tom with amber eyes Apprentice: Sunpaw

Flycloud - white tom with red eyes

Tornear - gray tom with amber eyes Apprentice: Poppypaw

Mudclaw - mottled brown tom with amber eyes Apprentice: Cypresspaw

Morningflower - tortoiseshell and white molly with amber eyes Apprentice: Larkpaw

Whitetail - white molly with purple eyes (She/They) Apprentice: Brairpaw

Webfoot - dark gray tabby tom with amber eyes Apprentice: Icepaw

Ferret-tail - gray and white tom with yellow eyes

Spotridge - brown tom with dark brown spots with blue eyes

Darkfoot - black tom with purple eyes Apprentice: Lionpaw

Rushtail - light brown tom with blue eyes

Ryewhisker - gray tabby tom with amber eyes

Apprentices:

Tawnypaw - brown molly with amber eyes

Icepaw - white tom with blue eyes

Lionpaw - golden tom with blue eyes

Birdpaw - black and ginger molly with amber eyes

Windypaw - brown and ginger tom with green eyes

Hollypaw - dark gray molly with blue eyes

Harepaw - pointed brown molly with yellow eyes

Dandalionpaw - golden molly with amber eyes

Poppypaw - brown and white molly with amber eyes

Stonepaw - gray tom with amber eyes

Larkpaw - tortoiseshell and white molly with green eyes

Tumblepaw - white and gray tom with blue eyes

Cypresspaw - gray tabby tom with blue eyes

Dawnpaw - golden molly with amber eyes

Sunpaw - golden molly with blue eyes

Graypaw - gray molly with amber eyes

Grasspaw - brown tabby molly with yellow eyes

Rockpaw - pointed brown tom with green eyes

Gorsepaw - ginger and white tabby moggy with amber eyes (They/Them)

Brairpaw - tortoiseshell molly with blue eyes

Quailpaw - gray tabby molly with green eyes

Queens/Kings/Royal helpers:

Queens:

N/A

Kings:

Juniperleaf - white tom with red eyes (Father to: Blossomkit, Softkit, Crystalkit, Pinekit, Flowerkit)

Ashfoot - gray moggy with dark gray paws with amber eyes (He/She/They) (Expecting Deadfoot's kits)

Royal helpers:

N/A

Elders:

Crowfur - black tom with amber eyes

Riverclan (Under Royal Leadership)

Leader: Stormstar - huge gray tabby tom with blue and green eyes

Leader's Heir: Willowheart - smoky-black molly with amber eyes Apprentice: Shellpaw

Deputy: Voleclaw - gray tom with blue eyes Apprentice: Seaweedpaw

(Deputies in running: Reedtail, Leopardclaw, Skyeyes)

Medicine cat: Mudfur - brown tom with amber eyes Apprentice: Bluepaw

Smithstones:

Petalstream (Petaldust) - tortoiseshell molly with green eyes

Sootwhisker - black molly with green eyes

Senior Warriors:

Blackclaw - black tom with amber eyes Apprentice: Garpaw

Skyeyes - brown tabby molly with blue eyes

Leopardclaw - unusually dappled golden tabby molly with amber eyes

Warriors:

Sedgecreek - brown tabby molly with green eyes Apprentice: Flarepaw

Reedtail - pale gray tabby tom with red eyes Apprentice: Coalpaw

Mudbelly - dark brown tom with amber eyes Apprentice: Minkpaw

Dawnscale - ginger and white molly with amber eyes Apprentice: Blackpaw

Whiteclaw - black tom with one white paw with blue eyes Apprentice: Eelpaw

Frogleap - gray tom with green eyes Apprentice: Seaweedpaw

Suneyes - scared pale gray molly with amber eyes Apprentice: Gullpaw

Stonefur - gray tom with blue eyes Apprentice: Whirlpaw

Morningriver - pale molly with white markings with blue eyes Apprentice: Poolpaw

Otterstrike - heavyset brown tom with green eyes Apprentice: Shinepaw

Silvertide - silver tabby tom with blue eyes Apprentice: Mosspaw

Graystripe - gray cat with a darker stripe down their back with yellow eyes (He/She/They)

Condorwing - white tom with red eyes

Lakewillow - gray tabby molly with red eyes

Grasswhisker - brown tabby tom with green eyes (She/Her) Apprentice: Hailpaw

Vixentail - black molly with amber eyes Apprentice: Dogpaw

Shadepelt - dark gray molly with blue eyes Apprentice: Pikepaw

Apprentices:

Eelpaw - golden molly with green eyes

Poolpaw - black molly with white patches with amber eyes

Tidepaw - brown tabby molly with blue eyes

Heronpaw - white and black tom with green eyes

Seaweedpaw - pointed gray molly with amber eyes

Shellpaw - gray molly with dark gray markings with blue eyes

Hailpaw - pointed gray tom with amber eyes

Mosspaw - white tom with gray markings with blue eyes

Whirlpaw - gray and white molly with yellow eyes

Flarepaw - gray molly with ginger spots with blue eyes

Shinepaw - dark gray tom with amber eyes

Blackpaw - black tom with amber eyes

Coalpaw - pointed black molly with white spots with blue eyes

Dogpaw - black and gray molly with blue eyes

Pikepaw - dark brown tabby tom with blue eyes

Gullpaw - white and gray molly with yellow eyes

Minkpaw - black and white molly with amber eyes

Garpaw - gray molly with dark gray spots with gray eyes

Queens/Kings/Royal Helpers:

Queens:

Mistyfoot - pointed pale blue-gray moggy with blue eyes with purple highlights (They/Them) (Parent to Mudbelly and Leopardclaw's kits: Primrosekit - cream molly with white paws with green eyes, Pikekit - gray speckled tom with blue eyes, and Perchkit - black tom with green eyes)

Mallowtail - tortoiseshell and white molly with green eyes (Expecting)

Swanlight - white molly with red eyes (Mother to Reedtail's kits: Redkit - gray tabby molly with red eyes, Snapperkit - ginger molly with blue eyes, Splashkit - dark gray and white tom with amber eyes)

Greenflower - brown tabby molly with green eyes (Mother to Whiteclaw's kits: Dragonflykit and Duck-kit)

Mosspelt - tortoiseshell and white molly with blue eyes (Mother to: Dawnkit) Apprentice: Garpaw

Flameshell - ginger molly with dark ginger markings with amber eyes (Mother to: Pondkit)

Kings:

Silverstream - silver tabby cat with blind blue eyes (He/She/They) (Parent to Graystripe's kits: Featherkit - silver tabby molly with blue eyes and Gillkit - dark gray tom with blue eyes)

Royal Helpers:

Minnowpool - dark gray molly with dark blue eyes

Elders:

Graypool - dark gray molly with amber eyes

Cats outside the clans:

Barley - black and white tom with blue eyes

Violet - white molly with ginger patches with purple eyes

Mary - ginger and white molly with amber eyes

Rose - ginger and white molly with amber eyes

Jacky - brown tabby tom with blue eyes

Joey - ginger tom with blue eyes

Nightshade - black molly with green eyes

Tiger-roar - chimera half white and half orange tabby tom with black stripes with amber and blue eyes with unusually long front claws

Jaggedtooth - ginger tabby tom with amber eyes

Barkfoot - gray tom with brown legs with amber eyes

Mudspots - white tom with brown spots with green eyes

Creamfang - cream tom with amber eyes

Claypelt - reddish-brown tom with blue eyes

Muddywater - brown molly with yellow eyes

Scourge - small black molly with one white paw with icy blue eyes (She/They)

Bone - big black and white tom with green eyes

Ice - black and white tom with blue eyes

Snake - black and white tom with blue eyes

Brick - reddish-brown moggy with amber eyes (He/She/They)

Princess - white molly with dark blue eyes

Luna - white molly with gray markings with gray eyes

Tommy - brown and white tom with blue eyes

---

-Dream Start-

The forest was dark and tense. It smelled like fox-dung and death. There were bones scattered around and whispers could be heard. This was a hellhole in every aspect; it felt like you were being watched, and the eyes on the trees didn't help. They didn't seem to go away no matter what you did to them, they would just bleed and spread.

A white tom struggled to soothe his nerves as he stumbled back from the tree. He looked at his bloodied paw, not liking that the eyes seemed to move from the trees and spread to his paw. He wiped it on the red grass.

"Hello?" he called.

He spotted amber eyes from a bush and a pair of green with amber highlights. He looked away and at the sky but he instantly regretted it.

"What is going on? What is this place?" He closed his eyes, staring at the red sky made him sick.

"A place where the cats who don't fear go to, Icefire."

He whipped his head to see Redtail, a smirk on his face. The throat wound that killed him was present but wasn't bleeding as he saw with the tortie molly. His fur also looked wet and water dripped as he walked. Icefire realized that he was no longer sitting on red grass, but was on a somewhat clear blue surface. "Redtail? What's happening? What was that?"

"Something you'll know in due time. For now, I want to know how well you're fitting into the deputy role."

Icefire didn't appreciate that Redtail brushed off his question, but he didn't voice that. "I'm doing well according to Bluestar- we chased off a fox."

"A fox you say?" Redtail sounded amused.

"It was a young one- didn't want it to settle in our territory. We've been on the lookout for coyotes lately, and the apprentices got the chance to see a deer. Swiftpaw and Maplepaw even rode one."

"What about my killers?" Redtail growled, eyes narrowing. "What about them? Why didn't Bluestar have them killed?"

"It's a struggle for her since she raised them… but other than that, your guess is as good as mine," Icefire replied.

"She raised me. She shouldn't be moping in her den," Redtail growled. "That's not my mother."

"She went through a betrayal," Icefire pointed out. "I'm sure she'll snap out of it soon."

"Like she snapped at Miststrike?" Redtail inquired. "Served her right, as well as all the other tiger blood."

"It's not her fault!" Icefire snapped. "She didn't know her littermates were traitors."

"If two of them are rotten, what's stopping the others?" Redtail asked.

"That's not how they are, that's why." Icefire backed away from the tortie tom. He honestly didn't want these thoughts in his head right now. "Where's Goosefeather? Because if you're here to talk shit about Tiger-roar's kin, I want out."

Redtail shrugged. "Who knows where he is."

"Can you at least tell me the tortie molly's name?"

Redtail chuckled as everything was starting to fade around him. "Her name is Mapleshade, and the tortie tom you've probably seen with her is her son Patchshade."

-Dream End-

Icefire gasped as he woke. He could feel his heart thumping. He tried to calm his breathing down, but it didn't help. He started hyperventilating and felt dizziness creeping on him, but he felt Raveneye's paw pull his head into their belly fur.

"Bad dream?"

Icefire hummed. It could be seen as a bad dream. He didn't want to tell Raveneye about what he saw.

"Dewflare?"

He hummed again. Raveneye smelled like hay and lust. They've been to see Barley again. That barn cat can do things.

"Wicked shrew. Want to go hunting?"

"Sure."

He slowly stretched, gazing around the den; cats were still asleep or were too tired to really move. Patrols had been doubles since Tiger-roar and Nightshade's exile, didn't help when they found two dead kittypet bodies from where they found Fuzzypelt's. It turned out to be Bluestar's kittypet mates: Cookie and Wallie. They found a kitten among the four dead kittens by Cookie's body. Bluestar named the kitten Milk-kit and was under the watch of Nettlemist. Frostbite's kits: Lightkit and Whitekit had been killed during the battle by Lizardstripe.

It had been discovered that Lizardstripe and Mudfoot had more kits, the single kit was given over to Shadowclan quickly.

Thunderclan had an elite for the first time since Oakstar's reign from Smallear's words. Bluestar had promoted several apprentices for a stronger fighting force.

Silverstream had been stuck in camp for a few more days but when she was leaving Graystripe decided moved to Riverclan. He was shocked honestly but sent his good wishes.

He didn't care much about that like the older warriors did, what he did care about was Sunnypaw. Chestnutclaw had been the one to find her, bleeding and half blind. Her vocal cords had been slashed making talking very difficult and painful for his daughter. She was jumpy and didn't like being alone at all. He broke him seeing his kit so distressed and not being able to take it away. Frostbite was doing her best to teach Sunnypaw paw-speak and claw-scratch.

He and Raveneye padded out of camp. The sun's rays were weak for the moment which he was grateful for. He sat down close to the prey pile, washing his face. He noticed Raveneye huff before starting to paw and sort the pile. Icefire knew Raveneye liked the prey pile in order and hated dirt on his prey. Yellowfang grumbled all about how Thymeroot and Raveneye were neat freaks, it caused Yellowfang's white fur to show more. Though it fun to watch the clan screech when they saw Yellowfang had white fur.

"Let's go, we'll eat when we get back," Raveneye mewed, then added, "With no dirt on our kills."

Icefire murmured a reply and followed him. If only it were that easy. "P..Pa..pa?" he turned his head to see Sunnypaw, her eyes soft. He went over and quickly nuzzled his kit.

"You shouldn't be talking sweetie" he mewed softly "Doesn't it hurt?"

[Wouldn't have heard me]

"I'm surprised Chestnutclaw didn't wake up" the tom took to staying close to Sunnypaw since her attack, despite their issues Icefire admired the protectiveness.

Sunnypaw whimpered against him [Can I come with you?] she signed [Please?]

"Yes, of course," Icefire mewed. "Just stay close to me and Raveneye" Who knows if Tiger-roar or Nightshade were still close to the territory.

Raveneye chuckled. "Let's go then before your father has to assign patrols."

The early day was bringing great prey. He'd caught two voles so far, with Raveneye catching a dove and a thrush. He saw his kit going back and forth from bushes and trees. He hoped she caught some prey by now though it had been the first time she's been out of camp.

"I think we should head back," Icefire mewed. "The sun is rising."

"Alright. Sunnypaw, come on. We're leaving."

No response came. The apprentice wan't in sight. Panic flooded Icefire as he ran forward and tried to follow his kits' scent.

"Sunnypaw!" he yowled.

"Where are you?" Raveneye called.

Icefire caught her scent. Quickly he dashed after it before he skidded to a sudden halt. He stopped Raveneye from leaping forward, blocking the moggy with his tail. Raveneye opened their jaws to protest but quickly shut them again at what he saw in front of him.

Sunnypaw was sitting down, shaking and her breathing fast. Icefire rushed over and held onto his daughter. Sunnypaw tried to fight him but he didn't let go.

"Sunny Sunny it's me, Icefire" he said softly

Sunnypaw clung to his pelt, whimpering softly

"I'm here" He soothed.

Raveneye curled their tail around Sunnypaw and slowly licked her ears. They stayed like that for a while, the soft sobs of the apprentice and the birds chirping were the only things audible.

By the time they made it back to camp, Leopardstorm and Goldenflower were on the deputy rock assigning patrols. Icefire quickly jumped up, nodding to Leopardstorm and Goldenflower. "Thank you. Sorry that I'm late- who did you two assign?"

"I had assigned Sandstorm to lead a hunting near Snakerocks," Leopardstorm replied.

"I had Mousefur assigned to lead a patrol at Sunningrocks," Goldenflower added.

"Not a small patrol I hope. The last thing we need is more death."

"Of course not," Goldenflower mewed. "Though I want to assign Seedspots on a hunting patrol."

"She's complaining again?"

"Unfortunately" Goldenflower sighed. "I know having kits can be tough but..."

"At least her kits are watched," Icefire mewed. "Nettlemist needs more credit than he's given."

"Indeed he does" Leopardstorm agreed

Icefire turned his head when he realized that Stagtail had been standing there, waiting for him to finish speaking with Leopardstorm and Goldenflower. "Er, sorry. Do you need something?"

Stagtail nodded. "Can I take a patrol to the ShadowClan border? I heard about the attack, and about Embereyes almost being killed…'' she trailed off, unable to finish. Once she heard about the attack that had almost killed Embereyes, she had hurried to aid ThunderClan. Voletail had been discovered as the one that had tried to kill her, as he had been under orders to do so by Tiger-roar and Nightshade. But when the attack backfired, Stagtail took care of that with a quick snap to his neck. Afterwards, he returned to ThunderClan and demanded her place back in the clan, and Bluestar gave it to her willingly. Icefire could still recall the callous look in her eyes as she gave Stagtail the same suffix as Voletail but it was also Rosetail's suffix so Stagtail wasn't bothered.

Before Icefire could reply, Darkstripe interrupted. "You haven't been back for a moon! What makes you think you should get to lead our patrols?" The tabby's belly was getting rounder and rounder by the day. Darkstripe admitted that these kits weren't Tiger-roar's, but he still refused to reveal who the actual sire was, leading Icefire to be more suspicious of the dark tom. "Why don't you let the bigger warriors do the leading?"

Stagtail curled his lip in a snarl and looked as if he wanted to claw his ears off. Icefire rose to his paws, using his tail to prevent her from leaping at him. This was no time for any infighting, not while the threat of Tiger-roar and Nightshade remained as they lurked near ThunderClan's forest.

"Enough of this!" Icefire snapped. "Stagtail, you can take a patrol of five cats, and Darkstripe, either join a patrol or shut up."

Darkstripe glared daggers at him for a few moments before he scoffed and turned away. Icefire couldn't help the foreboding chill that crept up his spine as he watched the dark tom go. His loyalty to Tiger-roar and Nightshade was not easily forgettable, and him hiding the sire of his own kits raised many questions to be asked. All of the secrecy left Icefire with a feeling that Darkstripe could not be trusted, and he figured it wise to keep a close eye on Darkstripe before even more cats could get hurt...

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Welcome to the start of A Rising Path.

Stagtail is Doekit, he just changed his name.