Frostpool's POV

I sat on top of the highrock, watching the clan gather below me. Thunderpaw was sleekly groomed, and puffing with pride as he stood beside Ninjafruit.

I was proud of my brother; he has trained hard for this. From an annoying little kit full of mischief, into a cat the whole clan can rely on.

This warrior ceremony was also a very eventful one. Today I will openly reject Starclan and their beliefs in front of the clan.

I motioned for my brother to come forward, speaking as he did so. "Thunderpaw has completed his training, and is ready to become a warrior."

My eyes glittered and I asked, "Thunderpaw, do you promise the clan that you will fight to the death to protect them, and work tirelessly in our times of need?"

Thunderpaw looked startled for a second. He knew that these were not the correct words. A heartbeat passed before he eagerly agreed, "I do!"

I smirked, "Then by the authority I have as the clan leader, I give you your warrior name. Thundertail!"

As the others cheered his name I sprang down from my rock. Thundertail ducked down a little; being notably taller then I was. I pressed my nose against his and he purred.

Redpaw bounced over to him and rubbed her head against his shoulder. He smiled at her and the two of them settled down to share a squirrel.

I smiled to myself. It would appear my brother was growing affectionate with Redpaw. She was the best of all the current apprentices. The strongest, and the bravest. The two of them would make fine kits together one day.

Zander padded over to me and asked, "Frostpool, would you like to go for a hunt?"

I asked teasingly, "With which of my bodyguards?"

He grinned and flexed his claws. "I can save you from cars and dogs. I think I can hold off anything we might find in the forest."

Flicking his ear with my tail I purred, "I don't know those voles have a nasty bite."

With a playful growl Zander sprang at me, and I darted out of the camp.

We were on the border, not really hunting at all, when the snow hit.

It came hard and fast, and the two of us were totally unprepared.

I was born during the end of leaf-bare, so I didn't have any experience with snow at all. Zander had been three moons old, and that was when the dog incident happened. He said he never really noticed the snow.

We knew better then to wander in it. We might end up somewhere we were not familiar with and that meant trouble.

Zander fretted, "Frostpool, it's too cold out in the open. We both have short fur."

I could barely see his dark coat. I knew I must be invisible to him. The only scent I was able to pick up was the sharp scent of the wind.

I bounded forward and pressed my flank against his shoulder. I tried to decide which way to go. We were near the border, so as long as we did not go west we'd still be in our own territory.

Frostpool.

I perked my ears in surprise. Wolfstar?

Frostpool, you must find shelter. Follow me.

I looked around in confusion. Follow him?

Suddenly the faintest trace of a large gray body appeared in front of me. I turned to Zander, "Stay beside me." He pushed forward until we were walking step in step. I didn't want to risk getting separated in this.

Wolfstar kept the tip of his tail on my shoulder as we began to run. We were racing through the territory at a risky speed, kicking up the powdery white dust as we went.

"Frostpool, where are we going?" Zander asked. "I don't recognize this path."

I didn't, either.

Don't you trust me, dear one? You and your mate will be safe if you only follow.

I felt my ears flick back in surprise. My mate? Is that what Wolfstar thought we were?

Zander growled uneasily as we skidded around a boulder neither of us have seen before.

I mechanically tried to ease his nerves, "It's fine, Zander, just keep up."

I felt his body relax. He had total faith in me. It was startling to learn that.

It was not too long before Wolfstar skidded to an abrupt halt. I wasn't sure if I could crash into him, but I didn't take the chance. I dug my claws into the freezing soil and jerked to a stop. Zander skidded a little as he tried to do the same.

"Are we here?" He asked, looking around. I wasn't sure of the answer. It looked like we were in the center of the marsh. How would that help us?

Do you see that far-off juniper thicket? Go to it.

I meowed, "Almost, come on."

The two of us squelches out way through the muddy waters and untangled each other when we got stuck in the tall grass. Soon we were in front of the little tree.

Go to the trunk, you will find a crumbly hole under the roots. Dig your way in.

I felt terror lance through my body. What if it collapsed on us? What if the entrance caved in?

I took a hesitant step back. I felt Wolfstar's icy body, colder then even the snow, roughly shove me forward.

He snarled, Are you a kit, or a leader, Frostpool?

I bristled at the question. Jerking my chin higher I demanded, "Follow me."

Zander hovered a mouse-length away as I located the little hole. I started to dig the hard soil away, making it big enough for Zander to fit through.

He hissed, "Are you crazy? We'll get snowed in! What if it freezes over, how will we get out?"

I looked him right in the eye and asked, "Do you trust me?"

Two heartbeats passed with us just staring at one another. After those two moments were over, he lowered his head and nudged me aside while he took over the digging. I slipped inside and he followed me.

We retreated all the way to the back. The hold was barely large enough for the two of us, and we were rather small. It must be a foxhole.

It was warm, though, pressing up against each other in these close quarters.

Zander shivered and complained, "I think I froze a whisker off!"

I laughed at him. He flattened himself to the ground and asked, "How did you know about this place? I thought we were supposed to stay out of the marsh."

We found out very early on that there were little snakes and biting turtles in the marshes. Un-necessary risks and injuries. I deemed the marsh off-limits to us all.

I evaded answering his directly, "That doesn't matter. At least we're not going to freeze to death out there."

Zander growled, "It matters to me."

I glanced at him in surprise. He elaborated sadly, "You never talk to me anymore, Frostpool. Ever since we became a clan you're all secrets. I hate it."

Suddenly, nothing seemed very important anymore. Not the clan, or being a leader, or being lost in the heart of our own territory. Nothing except Zander.

He was more then my best friend. He was my confident, and we were drifting apart because of all the complicated plotting with Wolfstar.

I hated it, too.

I used to tell him everything about my life. Secrets that would have gotten me killed for spilling, my deepest of desires. Now he felt like a stranger to me.

Then tell him.

I glanced towards the entrance of the makeshift den. Wolfstar was lying there, blocking the wind from entering.

He smiled at me.

I shifted so I was facing Zander. "Do you believe in Starclan?"

He thought about it for a moment before sighing. "At first, no. You told us all of the myths, but you didn't really seem to trust them yourself. The others didn't notice, but I did. I could see it in your eyes, the doubt."

He smiled, "But after your first dream with them, I knew you were right. I'd never seem your eyes so bright and full of wonder. I knew whoever Starclan is, you must have really met them."

Well, the first dream was when I met Wolfstar, but there isn't really a difference.

I felt myself bubbling with warmth. He really did trust me, more then I trusted myself sometimes.

And after how many times he's saved my tail, I know that if he asked me to I would trust him as well.

I closed my eyes and purred happily. His rough tongue started to groom my wild fur. I didn't let any other cat be that affectionate with me. Not even Shadowclaw anymore.

I didn't want any other cat to be.

I remembered what started this conversation. "I have a friend, Zander. His name is Wolfstar. In a way, he's like a Starclan cat. Except he believes in me, and he knows I am a good leader. He led us here."

I didn't mention he was in the den. It didn't bother me, but it would creep Zander out for sure.

I turned my head and out eyes met. His gaze was a little bit too intense. He realized it and ducked his head.

I felt my heartstrings starting to tug me towards him. It wanted me to accept a fact I have been trying to deny.

I shifted closer, pressing myself against him. "Zander, I think I love you."

I watched with a smile as his yellow-green eyes stretched wide.

After a few heartbeats he announced, sounding dazed, "I think I love you, too."

That was all we said for the rest of the time either of us were awake.