AN: Sorry for the wait, I've been super busy with job training and all of that fun stuff. Plus we went to the carnival this weekend and... yeah. Just not a lot of time updating. Thanks everyone for your reviews, and here's chapter seven!

Chapter 7

Sunpaw's injuries had recovered after two days had passed. Rosefall made a point to avoid the medicine cat's den while he was recovering. Ivypelt was constantly visiting him to make sure everything had gone smoothly while Heatherstorm and Birchpaw worked on his wounds. At one point Heatherstorm had gotten tired of seeing Ivypelt all of the time, and managed to send the she-cat off.

"I'm just saying that this wouldn't have happened had WoodClan kept their cool," Dewstep muttered when Rosefall stalked past him.

Rumors were spreading like wildfire since Duskstorm had attacked Sunpaw. Rosefall noticed that cats were sitting in small groups discussing the rumors. Such rumors were nothing more than that - and they could lead to battles in the future.

A shudder coursed down Rosefall's spine as she remembered what had happened the last time. NightClan had attacked because they thought Graystar was going to steal more of their territory. Graystar managed to stop Specklestar soon after the battle had started. But none of that would have happened had everyone stayed quiet.

"I don't want any cat saying a thing about this encounter," Swampfoot snapped when he overheard Dewstep. The dark brown tabby was glaring at Dewstep now as the younger cat flinched. "The last thing we need is another pointless war over something that could have been avoided." He sent another glare towards Whiteclaw, who simply ignored it by finishing the vole he had picked from the fresh-kill pile.

"Are you saying I am not capable of training my apprentice?" Whiteclaw demanded after he swallowed the last bit of meat.

"I'm saying that if you cared more about your Clanmates than none of this would have happened," Swampfoot hissed.

Rosefall's ears pricked forward with interest when Swampfoot nearly pressed his nose against Whiteclaw's. The two had never gotten along very well even when they were apprentices. Rosefall remembered how bitter Whiteclaw had been when Swampfoot beat him in a fighting competition.

"I care about my Clan's safety!" Whiteclaw spat.

His amber eyes were blazing with outrage as he glared at Swampfoot. Rosefall leaned forward as more cats padded forward to see what was going on. Even Graystar had peered out of his den to find out what the noise was about.

"So it's just the Clans you care about." Swampfoot's reply came out in a sneer, and Rosefall suddenly remembered what he was talking about. His sister, Sedgeflight had been killed on a hunting trip with Whiteclaw and her apprentice, Seedpaw.

Rosefall remembered what Whiteclaw had said when a patrol found him. He was covered in wounds, and Sedgeflight's throat had been sliced by the claws of a cat. Seedpaw had been drowned in the stream nearby heartbeats later. Whiteclaw had blamed the attack on a band of crazy rogues, but some cats believed he was the reason behind their deaths.

"That is enough!" Both cats flinched when Graystar yowled. "You two are acting like senseless kits! If you cannot get your act together, than I suggest you sleep in the nursery tonight."

Swampfoot bowed his head in embarrassment while Whiteclaw simply lashed his tail in response. Rosefall couldn't help but smirk when she watched her former mate disappear into the warrior's den. She knew that this was far from over. Whiteclaw was going to finish this one way or another, even if it meant going against everything he was taught.

. . .

"Well done Icepaw!" Pride surged within Icepaw when she managed to leap over Seawhisker's back. The silver tabby didn't have time to whirl around and strike back. Icepaw had dodged to the side and tripped her. "You're getting better and better every day," Seawhisker purred when Icepaw gave her chest fur a few embarrassed licks.

A day had passed since the Gathering, and Owlflight and Lightpool's warrior ceremonies. Icepaw and Seawhisker had traveled over to the training hollow in order to practice fighting moves. Icepaw was more focused on her training now more than ever since the Gathering, and Seawhisker was beginning to notice the change.

"Why don't we try something a little more complicated," Seawhisker murmured. "Try flipping me over while I'm charging at you."

Icepaw narrowed her eyes as Seawhisker dropped to a crouch. Seawhisker was much larger than her, but Icepaw had longer legs than her. Icepaw used this to her advantage as Seawhisker began bounding towards her at full speed. Without warning she caught Seawhisker's leg with her front paws and managed to fling the silver tabby over. Seawhisker landed on the ground with a light thud, grunting in surprise when she hit the ground.

"I didn't hurt you did I?" Icepaw's eyes widened when Seawhisker groaned in what she thought was pain.

"No, I just wasn't expecting you to learn that so quickly," the silver tabby admitted when she struggled back to her paws. "You're a quick learner when you put your mind to it. That will come in handy when you're a warrior."

Pride surged within Icepaw's chest before she looked down at her paws. She knew that Seawhisker was right - she had learned quickly. But part of her believed it was just natural instinct kicking in. Besides, almost every other apprentice seemed stronger and more confident than ever.

"I think we've caused enough damage today," Seawhisker added when she looked around the already torn training hollow.

Any mud and dirt that was in the hollow had been kicked out by Icepaw's effort in tackling Seawhisker. Bramblepaw and his mentor had been here earlier practicing their moves. Once they were gone Icepaw and Seawhisker began practicing more advanced moves in order to see how far Icepaw could go.

For once Icepaw didn't argue as she followed Seawhisker back to camp. By now dusk had settled around the forest, and the stars were beginning to show. They had been out most of the day hunting or patrolling the borders. Seawhisker seemed just as pleased with Icepaw's progress when she caught the faint scent of rogues near the bog again. Though the scent was stale Flarepelt made sure that cats were constantly watching the border.

Icepaw wasted no time in grabbing something from the fresh-kill pile when they returned. Seawhisker joined Whitefoot and Reedshine outside the warrior's den as Icepaw grabbed a shrew. She spotted Brightpaw speaking excitedly to Bramblepaw and shook her head in frustration.

What are you doing Brightpaw? she wondered when her denmate shot her an innocent look.

"You should've seen the way Icepaw tackled her mentor!" Bramblepaw exclaimed when Icepaw sat nearby. "Seawhisker never saw it coming!"

"She's going to make a good warrior," Windpaw muttered.

Windpaw didn't usually praise anyone unless he was really impressed. Icepaw's ears pricked up when the older apprentice simply shrugged when Brightpaw stared at him in surprise. He was quiet like Owlpaw, but when he did speak it was usually to address Fawnpaw or Pinepaw.

"Hi Icepaw," Brightpaw purred when she joined her. She gave Icepaw a knowing look, which was returned with a glare.

"What are you trying to do?" she hissed under her breath.

"I think Bramblepaw really likes you," Brightpaw whispered as Bramblepaw and Windpaw returned to the apprentice's den.

"And?" Icepaw's tail flicked irritably as she began eating the shrew. She couldn't imagine where Brightpaw would have gotten that idea.

"And maybe it would look good if you found someone," Brightpaw explained. Her voice was filled with anxiety as she looked down at the ground. "I mean, isn't that what we would have done if we were still..." She broke off when she realized where she was headed. Icepaw simply rolled her eyes when Brightpaw tried to find a better excuse. "Erm, finding someone who cares about you is a good thing, isn't it?" she finally mewed.

Icepaw stared at her in disbelief. After everything they went through, all she could think about was toms? Icepaw was about to scoff at the idea when she realized that Brightpaw was nothing like her. Brightpaw was always so happy and go-lucky compared to her. She was willing to forgive despite everything that had happened to her.

"That isn't my life," Icepaw sighed. Brightpaw looked at her in surprise as she went on, "besides, having a mate means I can't become leader if I ever get that chance."

"You want to be the leader?" Brightpaw's mew was filled with shock.

"Why not?" Icepaw meowed with a shrug. "I just have to keep working at it."

Brightpaw simply looked at her like she had gone insane. Icepaw rolled her eyes and finished the shrew soon after silence fell upon them.

She didn't care what they thought of her. She was determined to become leader or deputy, no matter what it took. And she was determined to show them that it could be done.