Vixonpelt gave a satisfied sigh. She wanted Braveheart to know how she felt when he started ignoring her. She followed Lionfang out of camp and wondered where he would take her. She had never had kits before; she was nervous, excited, and scared all at once. What if she was a horrible mother?

Lionfang stopped walking at Snake Rocks. He looked at Vixonpelt nervously as well. "So you are completely sure about this?" he asked. Vixonpelt thought about it carefully. "Yes, I am. I think you will make a great father for my kits." Lionfang gave her a thankful look and took a deep breath. Vixonpelt did the same. But just as Lionfang took a step towards her, they both stopped to look at what had just tumbled through the bushes.

"Braveheart?" Vixonpelt mewed questioningly. Braveheart got up and stared wide eyed. "Don't Vixonpelt!" he yowled out of breath. Lionfang bristled. "Braveheart, we are over. I'm sorry but…wait, I'm not sorry. Just go; you have Morningfur and now I have Lionfang. You made the choice so now you can pay." Vixonpelt snarled back. She was tired of Braveheart trying to run her life.

Lionfang hissed, "How could you even think you were worthy of a she-cat like Vixonpelt?" Braveheart glared at him. "You're no better than me, you are worse fox dung!" He said it colder than Vixonpelt had ever thought possible. Lionfang spat coldly. Braveheart lost it. He pounced onto Lionfang. Lionfang was ready; he jumped sideways and Braveheart fell to the ground. Lionfang then jumped onto Braveheart snapping at his neck. Braveheart fought back uselessly.

"Lionfang! That's enough…don't kill him!" Vixonpelt mewed. Lionfang let go of Braveheart's soft neck and mewed softly, "If you wish Vixonpelt." He got off of Braveheart and sat beside Vixonpelt proudly. Braveheart starred at Vixonpelt for a long moment. His eyes were full of sorrow and longing to be her friend again. But he never can be again; that is all in the past, Vixonpelt thought. Braveheart turned on his heels and ran clumsily away. Lionfang looked back at Vixonpelt. She nodded.

Vixonpelt and Lionfang padded back into camp quietly. It was past Moon High and all the cats were asleep. Vixonpelt had thought about how late she and Lionfang were staying up, but she didn't care; she had no desire to return to camp and face Braveheart.

Lionfang licked her affectionately. They walked into the warrior's den and laid down side by side. As Vixonpelt started closing her eyes, two red ones had their gaze locked on her. They were questioning and hurt. Vixonpelt blinked her own blue eyes. The red ones closed and didn't open. Vixonpelt sighed under her breath and closed her own.

The next morning Lionfang nudged Vixonpelt's side warmly. His breath made all of her bones quiver in delight. She opened her eyes. Lionfang's green eyes looked into hers with a much different gaze than the two red ones. These green eyes were warm and happy. Lionfang bent down and licked her. Vixonpelt yawned and stood up. Lionfang playfully tugged her ear. Vixonpelt stretched out her forepaws. Then she followed Lionfang out of camp to hunt. But they ended up doing more than that. They came back to camp with two voles and a bird and mouse. They dropped it off on the fresh kill pile. Vixonpelt was getting ready to follow Lionfang out of camp to scratch the itch again when a gaze hit her and seemed to freeze time. It was Braveheart. His gaze held everything in it. Pain, sadness, sorrow, longing, suffering, and worst of all, a broken heart. Time unfroze and Vixonpelt flicked the gaze away. Why should she care? Braveheart broke her heart, this was his price. She followed Lionfang out of camp and they played tag like a couple of kits. Vixonpelt never dreamed she would be playing tag with Lionfang; but he was a loyal mate. He didn't run off with every she-cat in the clan.

Finally the itching season was over. Though it was over, Vixonpelt longed more everyday to be with Lionfang. He seemed to be making a mark on her heart. Braveheart's love faded out of her mind and she knew she was falling for Lionfang for real. The way he walked was so attractive. His run was majestic and noble.

A week later Vixonpelt knew she was carrying kits, Lionfang's kits. The days went on until one day something terrible happened. Shimmercloud died. The clan mourned for him a long time. Brightstar finally walked over to his body and shared tongues one last time. Lionfang and Spiritpaw carried the body out of camp to burry.

At Moon High Brightstar walked out of her den to announce the knew deputy. She started without jumping onto High Rock.

"Cats of Thunder Clan, we have lost our deputy Shimmercloud today. May his spirit live on in Star Clan. The new deputy of Thunder Clan will be Lionfang." Vixonpelt was shocked. She looked at Lionfang who was equally shocked. He got up and walked towards Brightstar. "I accept Brightstar." Brightstar nodded and the clan shouted, "Lionfang, Lionfang, Lionfang!" Vixonpelt joined them cheerfully. She was now carrying the kits of the deputy!