AN: I'm so sorry it's taken me as long as it has to get this chapter posted. For some reason, I just couldn't think of what to write for it, and it feels as if it's really choppy and all over the place. But, there's a surprise return from an old character, so hopefully that makes up for it.

I also wanted to let readers know in case they haven't checked out my profile yet that I've been going through older chapters and slowly fixing them. It's part of the reason that updates have been so slow. I wanted to make sure that the older chapters are more up to date with what I've recently written (the older chapters were written years ago, and I like to think my writing has improved since then), so I apologize for that as well. At any rate, big thanks to Clear Water, DappledleafTheBootiful, Niqhtshadow and Guest for reviewing! You guys are amazing :D

Clear Water - Lol yes, poor Flamestrike is pretty oblivious. And we'll just have to see whether or not he gets the advice he needs :P (I feel you; I have trouble talking to guys most of the time, lack of confidence and all). As for what ShadowClan is up to, I'm afraid this chapter might be a bit disappointing, but hopefully not too disappointing /:

DappledleafTheBootiful - It took you two days? I must be doing a good job then at keeping readers from progressing too quickly XD But don't worry, you're not the only one who loves Smokey... I do love her character personally, mostly because of how much she's been through. And I'm not sure about Luna joining the Clans... probably wouldn't happen for obvious reasons, but in an alternate universe, it probably would :)

Niqhtshadow - Lol you might just be right about that. Though whether or not he notices is a whole different story XD And yep, it's about time they returned. Hopefully in the next chapter you'll get to see what the other Clans think of SkyClan.

Guest - Thanks!


CHAPTER FIFTY SIX

Ravenflight looked at the fresh cobwebs covering Smokefrost's face with a wrinkled nose. The medicine cat had been treating her injuries since she returned to camp that evening with Russetstar. No one had questioned where the injuries came from. No one seemed to care one way or another what happened to her. Not that she didn't mind. Smokefrost had learned over time that she wasn't worth looking after once the situation wasn't life-threatening.

"I still don't get how you were able to scratch your face the way you did running through a thorn bush," Ravenflight scoffed after applying a fresh poultice of herbs on her wounds. She was careful to avoid her eyes. Smokefrost had been afraid that her eye would be permanently scarred, but she was relieved when she managed to open it one morning. She had been able to see through both eyes, improving her hunting skills once more. "It seems as if this is happening more than it should be."

Though there wasn't an accusation in her tone, Smokefrost could tell that she was genuinely concerned. Ravenflight was one of the few cats other than Snowstorm who actually cared about her. So technically, some cats did care. But they didn't let it show.

"I already told you once, I was trying to track down the frog before it could slip away," Smokefrost retorted through clenched teeth. She had gotten used to making whatever excuses she could to avoid explaining the truth. "Unfortunately, it managed to dive into the thorn bush before I could reach it."

"And by then, it was too late," Ravenflight finished for her. Smokefrost gave a gruff nod, and Ravenflight looked at her incredulously. "Somehow, I find that hard to believe."

Smokefrost merely lashed her tail at the medicine cat. She wasn't in the mood to continue lying through her teeth. Fortunately, Ravenflight left it at that. Relief swept through Smokefrost the moment she was freed from the medicine cat's den. There was still enough that needed to get done that she kept herself busy. Hunting hadn't been an option since her eye held her back. And though Russetstar had been annoyed with her lack of cooperation, she managed to pull off whatever work needed to be done in camp.

"Thistlepatch's kits finally came!" Snowstorm announced after she spotted Smokefrost approaching. The gray she-cat's eyes glowed with warmth at the prospect of more kits in the Clan. Though Smokefrost only saw them as more mouths to feed. "They're so soft and cute."

"I thought I heard her yowling to StarClan and back," Smokefrost nearly rolled her eyes.

The sound of Thistlepatch's cries had woken the entire Clan up earlier that morning. Smokefrost had known for some time that the cranky queen's kits were due any day. Of course, they had to arrive so early in the morning that the sun had yet to rise.

"Well, the good news is, all of them are healthy," Mousefang meowed when he reached them. Smokefrost tilted her head to one side when the light brown tabby tom looked at her thoughtfully. "More kits means that the Clan will get stronger."

Even if we don't have enough prey to go around for them. She didn't say it out loud, but she knew what everyone else was thinking. More kits meant that there would be fewer fresh-kill to go around. She was thankful that Russetstar had taken her in the way he did, even when he wanted nothing to do with her. She would have met a similar fate to that of her siblings had her mother not chosen to take her to ShadowClan.

"Do you think you'll be mentoring one of them?" Snowstorm asked as Mousefang gave the back of his paw a thoughtful lick.

"I'm hoping I can," he admitted sheepishly. "But Russetstar had his eyes set on someone else to mentor one of them."

Smokefrost stared at him in disbelief when she realized he was looking at her pointedly. The ShadowClan leader hadn't even indicated whether or not she would mentor a kit in the Clan. Because she was technically an outcast, she had no say in what she wanted. The last thing she expected was for anyone to be so generous.

"Even though she's done absolutely nothing to deserve an apprentice of her own," Sleetstorm growled when she slithered out of the warrior's den. "I can already imagine what the poor scrap is going to think when they realize a rogue is their mentor."

She added the word 'rogue' with a sneer of disgust, and it took everything Smokefrost had not to lash out at her. Sleetstorm hadn't changed her opinion on Smokefrost's place in the Clan. And Smokefrost wasn't planning on forcing her to accept that she was part of the Clan. But she wasn't going to put up with the insults.

My father is a warrior in this Clan, you mousebrain! she wanted to spit out.

She hadn't said anything about her father being a ShadowClan warrior. Her mother hadn't mentioned his name, but Smokefrost had always known why she was so against the Clans. Everyone in the Clan assumed they were the best of the best. But Smokefrost knew better. Admitting out loud the mistake her father made would put their lives at risk.

"Ignore her," Snowstorm rolled her eyes when Sleetstorm went off to find her apprentice. "She's just jealous because Russetstar keeps an eye on you."

Smokefrost narrowed her eyes at that. Keeping an eye on her wasn't exactly the best thing in the world. She was beginning to realize that Russetstar was only interested in power and corruption. His interest in combining WindClan and ShadowClan had left the Clan feeling uneasy. She had a feeling that it would end miserably for everyone involved, especially if Icestar had his way.

"Either way, it isn't as if I have a say in the matter," she muttered crossly. "The Clan will never see me as a full-fledged ShadowClan warrior."

Snowstorm threw her a sympathetic look, though she didn't say anything to that. Instead, she stretched out her back and sat up, glancing at the fresh-kill pile thoughtfully.

"Maybe we should take the time to go hunting," she mused.

"The fresh-kill pile could use some replenishing," Mousefang added with a nod of agreement.

Though it was meant more as a distraction than anything, Smokefrost was more than happy to get away from the stress of the Clan.

...

Her shoulders bunched together as she listened to the sounds of a vole scurrying through what little undergrowth there was. Because food was becoming scarcer for prey, finding it wasn't as easy as it had been during greenleaf. Smokefrost made a mental note to ask Snowstorm if there was a secret to finding prey during leafbare. Though Briarheart had taught her the best hunting techniques she could learn, that didn't mean she knew everything.

And the sooner I find out how to provide this Clan, the better off everyone is, she reminded herself silently.

She tried pushing the thought aside when she suddenly lunged at the vole. Before it could scurry to safety, her claws caught it. Satisfaction swept through Smokefrost when she killed it with one blow. It wasn't much, but it was certainly better than nothing.

Just as she was about to turn back to where the rest of the hunting patrol was meeting, she heard the sound of pawsteps crunching against the snow. Carefully, Smokefrost buried the vole in a spot she would remember. Then she turned towards the direction of where the sound was coming from.

Her ears angled forward as she noticed the intruder didn't carry ShadowClan scent. Instead, it smelled like a rogue that came from Twolegplace. She nearly rolled her eyes as she dropped to a crouch. The intruder barely had the chance to put down a paw when she suddenly leaped towards them.

"You're not getting away with crossing the border that easily," she snarled as she pinned the intruder to the ground.

It wasn't until she got a good look at the intruder that Smokefrost stiffened with shock. Her grip on the intruder loosened just a bit, and the rogue managed to squirm free. Smokefrost hardly had the chance to react when the rogue suddenly lashed out, swiping their claws across her face like Russetstar had days ago.

"Smoke?" The intruder finally paused long enough to get a look at her attacker.

For a moment, Smokefrost's breathing hitched as pale green eyes looked back at her in shock. Eventually, she flattened her ears and glared at the white and dark gray she-cat looking at her with wide eyes.

"What are you doing here, mother?" she demanded once she managed to regain her composure.

Frost gave her chest fur a few quick licks of embarrassment as she realized who she was talking to.

It had been moons since Smokefrost thought of her mother. Training had eaten away at what little free time she had. Then came the moment when she attacked her own sister because she and Dusk had invaded ShadowClan territory. She had begun feeling guilty over what she did to her siblings. But they should have known better than to cross the border, especially after the stories Frost used to tell them about the Clans.

"I was looking for prey to bring back to my den," Frost explained once she made sure it really was her daughter she was talking to. "I see that you have changed since I left you with ShadowClan."

There was a hint of disdain in her voice as she eyed Smokefrost up and down critically. Smokefrost resisted the urge to spit something in her face right than and there. She had to remind herself that Frost never trusted the Clans, and it wasn't just because of how hostile they were to rogues. Her father, along with Dusk and Luna, lived in ShadowClan.

Imagine what he would say if he found out who we were? she wondered.

"I've grown stronger than ever thanks to you dropping me off in ShadowClan," she snapped icily. When Frost flinched, Smokefrost felt a small twinge of satisfaction. Everything that had happened to her while she was in the Clan was because of the choice her mother made. She had been abandoned by her mother, and she realized that the bitter resentment she felt would never fade away. "I suppose I should be thanking you for that…"

The white and dark gray she-cat just blinked at Smokefrost as she swiped her tongue around her muzzle. Muscles rippled beneath her dark pelt, and for a moment, Smokefrost thought she saw a flicker of fear dance across Frost's eyes.

"The Clan accepted you as their own… There was nothing I could do to heal the injuries you received," Frost tried defending herself while holding Smokefrost's gaze. "I figured since you look just like your father, they wouldn't turn you away so easily."

"Who is my father?" Smokefrost demanded.

For moons, she had been trying to figure out whether or not she had proof of who he was. Frost's eyes flickered with unease as she looked down at her paws.

"His name was Nightpaw at the time," she explained warily. The wind suddenly felt as if it had been knocked out of her lungs as realization dawned on her. "When we first met, I thought he was one of the bravest cats in the forest… Then things changed when he became a warrior."

Smokefrost's heart began to race a little faster when she pictured the dark-furred tom. Now she understood why he looked so familiar. A knot formed in the pit of her stomach. They'd never spoken much to each other, but it always seemed as if he was glaring in her direction whenever they were alone or close by.

"Well, I'm a warrior of ShadowClan now myself," she snapped.

"I can see that," Frost narrowed her eyes dangerously. "And I'm warning you not to trust the Clan cats. All they ever do is cause heartbreak and hardship."

Only if you're mousebrained enough to listen to them, Smokefrost rolled her eyes knowingly.

She had a feeling that no matter what she said, Frost would sooner believe that mice could fly than trust her word. Even so, she planned on treating her own mother as any other intruder. She'd stuck around long enough that a patrol could have caught them, and that would have ended miserably for both of them. She wasn't about to jeopardize her own place in the Clan.

"Even so, you don't belong here," she hissed after rising to her paws once more. Frost opened her mouth to protest, but Smokefrost cut her off with an icy glare. "You left me in the care of ShadowClan, and this is who I have become as a result. Either you learn to accept that this was your fault, or you can leave with your tail between your legs."

Frost stared at her for a few heartbeats, as if she considered whether or not it was worth arguing with her. Then she too finally rose to her paws and returned her glare. The fur along Smokefrost's spine began to rise as Frost lashed her tail and turned around back towards Twolegplace.

"Luna and Dusk were right about you," she muttered. "You are not the same kit I raised all those moons ago."

And whose fault is that? Smokefrost desperately wanted to yowl at her. She didn't bother saying it out loud. She watched as Frost disappeared into the trees, making sure that her mother truly was gone before she returned to the spot where she buried her vole. You left me to fend for myself, and I've learned to adapt because of it. Don't expect me to thank you for that.

Relief swept through Smokefrost as she finally returned to the meeting spot where Snowstorm and Mousefang were waiting. She knew that should have told them about her encounter with Frost. But a small part of her was terrified of what would happen if Russetstar found out. He would likely use it as an excuse to strike out at her. And she wasn't in any hurry to feel the familiar sting of his claws again.

Luckily, they were both distracted with the meager ration of prey they were able to find. Neither were able to catch more than a couple of small, gangly looking frogs and one mouse during their hunt.

"You couldn't catch much either?" Snowstorm asked with a frown.

"I'm afraid not," Smokefrost replied, though she knew that was a lie.

Her encounter with Frost had taken up most of her time hunting. She could already imagine what the Clan would say if they found out a rogue had been hunting in their territory. Her chest suddenly tightened at the thought as she followed the others back to camp.

She tried pushing the uneasy thoughts aside when they finally returned. She was suddenly grateful that Mousefang had enough decency to say that prey was scarce when Grayshadow asked why they came back with so little fresh-kill. The light brown tabby tom always seemed to have enough patience for everyone, even the ShadowClan deputy.

"Tomorrow we can go and see Thistlepatch's kits," Snowstorm purred once they returned to the warrior's den.

It was getting late. Though ShadowClan was famous for hunting and patrolling mostly at night, she and the others had done most of their patrols in the morning or late afternoon.

Smokefrost shrugged and looked towards the nursery skeptically when Snowstorm brought up the cranky queen.

What has she ever contributed to my time here in the Clan? she wondered. Then she recalled how some cats were given apprentices because they were close to them as kits. Her ears flicked back and forth thoughtfully as realization dawned on her. I need to befriend one of her kits if I want to make it one step closer as deputy. Even if it means putting up with her claws and sharp tongue.

She raised her chin as determination suddenly swept through her.

She had already proven the Clan wrong by showing them that a rogue could survive. More importantly, she'd proven her loyalty to the Clan and to Russetstar. She was going to go through with her plan, one way or another.