What have I done to this one-shot? How did it turn out like this? When will it be finished? Why do I come up with more and more ideas?

Please review, and favorite, and follow.

O0O0O

To say that Tigerclaw was pleased to see his three former top supporters again would be a lie. They had turned against him at his weakest moment. They had thrown away all loyalty and allowed him to leave on his own instead of standing by his side. Tigerclaw of course saw how foolish it was to think this way, all three had been loyal warriors to ThunderClan and Dustpelt had a good reason for hating him, what with Tigerclaw killing his beloved mentor, but he took a sort of twisted satisfaction at the fact that they had been forced to leave ThunderClan anyway. Now they were the ones begging for Tigerclaw's help.

It was a big shock for both sides when Blackfoot's patrol had brought the three, now former, ThunderClan warriors into camp seeking aid. Tigerclaw's head turned slowly from one to the others to see their expressions of disbelief, horror and dulled anger and returned a look of feigning indifference.

Inside his chest, Tigerclaw's heart was beating faster than a rabbits. Tigerclaw always knew he would have to someday confront his former ThunderClan Clanmates, seeing Fireheart and his kits again had dulled some of the lingering animosity he harbored towards his birth-Clan and yet here were these three, back once more to claw open the healing wound.

"What are you doing here!?" Longtail gasped as he stared at Tigerclaw as if he were a waking nightmare.

"I could ask the same." Tigerclaw replied coolly. "Shouldn't you be in your own territory."

"We would be if it weren't--" Darkstripe gave a low hiss to silence Dustpelt, because although the young warrior was gravely injured and looked on the verge of passing out as Runningnose quickly tended to him, the haggard dark brown tabby tom still had it within him to proudly hold his head high and look Tigerclaw dead in the eye.

A pride that Tigerclaw could greatly admire radiated within Dustpelt.

"Caught them skulking around our territory." Russetfur meowed, openly glaring distrustfully at the ex-ThunderClan warriors. "They might be spies."

"Why'd we want to spy on you?!" Darkstripe spat back, fur bristling. "Especially when we haven't any reason to. I'll have you know we aren't a part of a Clan anymore. We wouldn't waste our time watching you lick your tails all day."

Russetfur spat back at him. Blackfoot had narrowed his eyes and had his hackles raised. Fireheart was sharing worried looks with Runningnose, while Tigerclaw inspected the situation that was going on in front of him.

Tigerclaw had two choices: he could either turn them away, chase them off ShadowClan territory and hopefully never have to deal with them again. But on the other paw, he could show them that he had changed, that he was trying to do better and do what he knew was the most merciful thing to do. What was the right thing to do?. What Fireheart would want him to do.

"I'll permit you to stay," Tigerclaw watched the three exchange bewildered looks, as though they hadn't expected such a positive response. "...for now."

Tigerclaw could tell how unsatisfied both Russetfur and Blackfoot are, but he knew that their loyalty towards him would allow them to tolerate their unexpected guests. Runningnose seemed relieved from having to step in or make a decision himself, and Fireheart--

Fireheart looked on proudly.

"We'll make some accommodations for the three of you," Tigerclaw continued, glancing between Russetfur and Runningnose, "it's best if Dustpelt stays within the medicine cat's den for now so Runningnose can look after his wounds. As for you two," Tigerclaw gestured to the dark ginger she-cat warrior, "Russetfur can show you a good place to rest at the moment."

Darkstripe and Longtail warily glanced distrustfully at the rather intimidating, dark ginger ShadowClan warrior, who's dark green eyes seemed to be attempting to set the pair's pelts on fire. With no such luck, unfortunately. Regardless, Russetfur gestures for them to follow her and hesitate at first, they eventually follow after her.

Fireheart helped Runningnose support Dustpelt, the young tom's amber eyes drooping and glazed over with immense pain, and helped half-carry and half-drag him towards Runningnose's den.

Tigerclaw gestured to Blackfoot to come closer after watching the three be taken away. The dark tabby's loyal follower instantly comes to share his opinion on the matter. "I don't think it was wise to let them stay," Blackfoot grunted, glaring off towards where Russetfur and the other two former ThunderClan cats had gone. "They could be the ones that killed Whitethroat for all we know."

"I don't believe they had anything to do with his death." Tigerclaw admitted, "they haven't been in ThunderClan for some time seeing as their forest scent has faded entirely. The scent of ThunderClan was strong and fresh on Whitethroat's body when we found it."

"Still doesn't mean that they won't try something," Blackfoot pointed out, causing Tigerclaw to nod in agreement.

"No it doesn't," Tigerclaw meowed, his smoldering amber eyes narrowing in thought, "we'll have to keep a close eye on them for now. Just until we know what their future outlook will be. Either they stay, or we throw them out, or they leave on their own accord. We'll just have to wait and see."

"Hopefully we'll know soon." Blackfoot grunted, his black paws scraping the ground. "I don't like how unstable we are. We have the basic routine down, no problem there. However we still don't have a proper leader or deputy. We're weak without one and Runningnose can fake it all he wants, but he doesn't have a single clue as to what he's doing."

"I know." Tigerclaw quietly replied, "though I hope that soon that can be remedied."

Excited squeals that came from his kits interrupted their conversation as both Tigerclaw and Blackfoot were assaulted by his horde of kits. A wave of soft kitten fur crashed over them and tiny claws kneaded the warriors pelts. Blackfoot let out a grunt of irritation that was smothered by fur, and Tigerclaw didn't even pretend to be angry. Standing up, both warriors shook off the kits who tumbled off their pelts into two separate piles.

"Did we surprise you?" Bramblekit excitedly squealed from underneath two of his sisters.

"Not at all." Tigerclaw lied, his whiskers twitching in amusement as his children shared gleaming looks of pride.

"Speak for yourself." Blackfoot muttered before walking off, leaving Tigerclaw to the pack of kits.

"Who was that cat with mother and Runningnose?" Mothkit asked, always the observant one. "Is he a prisoner?"

"No, he is a guest." Tigerclaw said, watching his kits share another look amongst themselves. "I'm not entirely sure how long he will be staying, so don't ask."

Tigerclaw didn't know whether he was supposed to feel pleased that his kits didn't seem to recognize their old Clanmates. They were still young, and it has been quite a while since they had last had any contact with their former Clan. But either way, Tigerclaw's kits were now part of his Clan once again.

"Come, let's go bother your mother." Tigerclaw gestured for his kits to go on ahead, his eyes gleaming on how things were turning out.

Life was good.

O0O0O

And thus we have another chapter!!! Not as long or as plot driven as I wanted but it's still progress!! (I got tired when I wrote this!!!)

We have Dirtstripe, Longtail and Dustpelt now in ShadowClan!! (Though I have something more elaborate planned for them!!!)

Russetfur and Blackfoot totally have a thing going even though there are hardly any romantic scenes with the pair!!!

Tigerclaw is still Tigerclaw, just more merciful!!!

Next chapter will be the fire scene I swear by StarClan!!!