A/N: Thanks for reviews! I got back from the beach on the nineteenth; hadn't written anything, but gimmie a break, I was on vacation.

;-;-;-;

A lithe shape moved through the forest, its coat glinting with pale fire. The cat's eyes flashed dully in the shadows. A long tail trailed limply to the ground. The cat's steps were heavy, leaden. It barely noticed when a thin, gray drizzle began to fall.

Sunfire moved steadily through the trees, mixed emotions raging inside her. It was the morning after she'd found Icestorm talking to Shadowfur, and she'd taken Softpaw hunting. The tawny apprentice had bounded far ahead, leaving Sunfire to dimly follow her scent. In retrospect, she probably should've asked another cat to take over Softpaw's training for a day; she was too distracted by last night's happenings.

She felt she'd been fully justified in essentially telling Icestorm he'd turned traitor. StarClan proclaimed ice would take part in darkening the forest, and no other Clan cat was named "ice". Besides, she'd caught him at it. Talking to Shadowfur, not chasing him away. She'd also had dreams. One she recalled vividly was one where he abandoned her on the mountains, with Nero and Shadowfur backing her off a cliff.

Yet at the same time, she knew that Icestorm would never think of betraying the Clan. Thought that she'd jumped to a conclusion like she always did.

Damn, she didn't know what to think. She knew she'd probably wrecked any relationship she'd had with him, and regretted that immensely.

"Sunfire?"

She looked up from the forest floor, which was growing wet because of the drizzle. Softpaw stood in front of her, a fat mouse by her paws, a contemplative look on her face. After a moment of silently regarding Sunfire, she said crisply, "Something's wrong."

Standing up straighter and squaring her shoulders, Sunfire shook her head. "I'm fine."

Softpaw scowled, which for some reason made Sunfire suppress a chuckle. "The credit you give my observational skills is insulting," said Softpaw. Frowning, she added, "Older cats always think apprentices won't understand. I know something's wrong, and it involves Icestorm."

Sunfire almost choked on air. Feeling a strange twinge in her belly, she gave in. "Yes. But really, Softpaw, it's too complex for you. Or any cat in the Clan."

Softpaw twitched her nose and looked up into Sunfire's face, squinting her eyes against the drizzle. "Are we friends, Sunfire?" she asked, changing the subject.

Perhaps it was the look of reverence in those amber eyes, the hope in the little voice. Something softened in Sunfire, and for the moment she forgot her problems. "Yes," she answered. "I think we're friends."

It was the small trill of happiness that Softpaw made that made Sunfire truly happy for the first time in days.

;-;-;-;

That evening, Sunfire lay under the shelter of a buckthorn bush, Raintail and Sorrelflower beside her, the drizzle having strengthened to almost a downpour. Across camp, Waterdrip's three kits were playing happily, splashing their paws in the collecting puddles, squeaking when they slipped in mud.

"Don't know why Waterdrip doesn't take them into the nursery," commented Raintail. "They'll get hurt sliding in the mud like that."

"They haven't seen rain for some time," said Sorrelflower. "And they're leaving the nursery soon, so I expect she's just letting them be kits."

That surprised Sunfire. "They're being apprenticed?"

Raintail nodded. "Yes. In two days."

"Are you getting one?"

"No." Raintail sounded like she didn't care. "I'll have to wait awhile before getting an apprentice. Besides, I'm happy leading hunting patrols."

Sunfire thought it was unfair Raintail wasn't getting an apprentice; they'd been made warriors together, after all. "Bet Badgerclaw gets one."

"He deserves it," said Sorrelflower. "Fine young tom, him." Sunfire snorted, and Sorrelflower added, "Oh, shush. He's devoted to Nightwhisker and Granitekit. He's loyal. Just because you don't like him doesn't mean other cats feel the same way."

Sunfire supposed she saw reason in that.

;-;-;-;

Two evenings later, Sunfire sat with Raintail flanking her in the middle of the gathering Clan; Lightningstar had just called the meeting. Glancing around, purposely avoiding looking at Icestorm, Sunfire looked for cats who might be mentors in a few minutes; contrary to the usual, no word had spread about who had been chosen. She saw Jaywing sitting straight, looking proud, but doubted he was going to mentor one of his kits; such a thing was rarely done. With a painful lurch, she spotted Icestorm seated beside him. She quickly looked away, feeling the already-familiar rush of guilt and justification.

"We are gathered here tonight for a naming ceremony," called Lightningstar from the Hightree. "Come forward." He beckoned to Waterdrip's kits: Rootkit and Fogkit trotted forward, but Dewkit lagged behind. Sunfire thought she looked ill; normally bright-eyed and energetic, Dewkit's blue eyes were cloudy and dull, and she sneezed twice on her way to the Hightree.

"From this moment on," Lightningstar said, "These apprentices are to be known as Rootpaw, Fogpaw, and Dewpaw. Badgerclaw, you will be mentor to Fogpaw." Badgerclaw strode forward, pride showing plainly on his white-streaked black face. Sunfire saw Nightwhisker looking out from the nursery, gazing admiringly at her mate.

"Quickriver," said Lightningstar, moving along, "You will mentor Dewpaw." The pale brown she-cat stepped forward, and Sunfire could not blame her for flinching slightly when Dewpaw nearly sneezed in her face. Now only Rootpaw remained, a small figure before the crowd.

Treeshadow then stepped up to the Hightree, his tabby pelt perfectly groomed. He began speaking: "Cats of ThunderClan, I have been your medicine cat for uncountable moons. Many leaf-bares have passed since I accepted this duty, and now is the time for me to take on an apprentice." He beckoned to Rootpaw, who stepped up shyly. "Rootpaw has accepted the post of medicine cat apprentice."

Mews of surprise and congratulations sounded from many cats' throats; Sunfire added her voice. Rootpaw looked both pleased and embarrassed at all the attention. Lightningstar signaled the end of the meeting and headed for Treeshadow.

"Did you see Dewpaw?" Sunfire asked Raintail.

She nodded, her blue gaze dark. "She really didn't look well. Wonder if it came from playing in the rain."

"Getting wet does not make you sick," snorted Sunfire.

"No, but if she already had a cough and was in the cold rain, it could've made her worse," countered Raintail.

Sunfire grunted, giving in, and gazed across camp. Icestorm remained beside Jaywing, talking to his friend; despite the distance, Sunfire could plainly see his normally sparkling eyes were dull.

StarClan, I just want to know if I'm right in my suspicions or if I'm mistaken. Sunfire knew that despite the indication that Icestorm had turned traitor, she still loved him.

I'm just so confused.