A/N: I'm so proud of myself, I updated quicker than last time! (I think). This chapter didn't really go as planned, but whatever. Also, Pinestar's personality was the story's fault! I didn't really make her up, I just wrote down what was happening inside my head! Disclaimer: I don't own anything. It's some isolated room in my mental world that produces this stuff, not me. I just record what's happening! I don't really feel like I need to do disclaimers, actually, because everyone knows that if it's here, than it's fanfiction, and we don't really own it. I'm rambling, I know, I just want to say everything I need to before I post. So yeah, enjoy!

Chapter 11: Thin Ice

Two nights later, Stormpaw prodded Willowpaw awake. The half moon casted its pale, silvery glow, making the snow glitter and the hollow light up. Falconheart was standing guard outside the entrance tunnel, as planned. His kind green eyes looked over Willowpaw before landing on her sister.

"What now?" he whispered. Stormpaw's insides squirmed. It felt odd telling another cat what to do, especially a warrior.

"We need to visit the place where we first scented the fox. We're going to try to track it from there. Once we find the scent trail, we'll review the rest of the plan," Stormpaw meowed quickly and quietly. She had spent the two days planning the capture of the fox and a strategy to defeat it. A small part of her knew this was stupid and dangerous, but the thrill of adventure kept her from listening to it.

Apart from the slight crunching of snow underfoot, the three cats ran silently through the shadowy forest until they finally arrived at their destination. Immediately Willowpaw began inhaling slowly and deeply. Stormpaw and Falconheart stood back, aware that the silver tabby's nose was better than theirs by a large margin. After several tense heartbeats, Willowpaw stiffened. Turning around, she meowed,

"I think I've got something. Stay there, I don't want any more scents confusing me than there already is." Stormpaw flicked her tail in anticipation. She heard Willowpaw muttering, "That doesn't make sense..." when she finally beckoned with her tail, "I found it, follow me."

"Wait! When we find the den, we can't just rush in there. You two can approach it head on, but I think it might be better for me follow in the trees," Stormpaw hated leaving her sister, but knew Falconheart was a capable fighter and wasn't an idiot.

Willowpaw looked skeptical, "You hate climbing. And look at these trees! It's going to be nearly impossible."

Stormpaw shook her head. "I've been practicing, and with a good route, I'm sure I can do it. Besides, this way, I can take any fox by surprise." Willowpaw frowned, but stopped arguing because Stormpaw had that look on her face, the one where the only thing that mattered was the plan. "Remember, don't attack if there's more than two foxes, and where to run. Falconheart, do you-"

Stormpaw was cut off by Falconheart, "Yes, we know. Now, come on, the moon is hidden, but that won't last long."

Yes, Stormpaw knew. Her entire plan was based on the shadows and darkness. "Okay, let's go," she meowed, making her way up an unusually thick birch tree. Her fur blended in well with the gray bark, its tabby markings breaking up her shape. As Stormpaw had practiced, she traveled from tree trunk to tree trunk, each leap becoming more graceful and silent than the last. Even her sturdy build didn't hinder her progress.

Several times Willowpaw stopped, but her pace gradually quickened until she broke into a run, with Falconheart by her side. Stormpaw had to admit they were an excellent couple, though she wouldn't dream of telling them that. Finally they slowed to a stop, with Stormpaw seated a couple trees away. It was agreed that Falconheart would draw out the foxes, despite Willowpaw being the fastest, because that way they could transition smoothly. Stormpaw waited until a yelp was heard from inside the den. She could see Willowpaw's fur bristle, and hoped that she wouldn't run in to help, but had no time to dwell on it before Falconheart came racing out of the den, followed by two russet shapes.

Falconheart's P.O.V.

Falconheart's heart was pounding as he led the foxes to the designated place. But he kept his head clear, improvising with his route when needed. He put on a burst of speed when the first checkpoint came into view, disappearing into the snow while Willowpaw continued for him. After catching his breath, he followed on foot.

Willowpaw's P.O.V.

Willowpaw jumped down from the spruce she was hiding in, leading the foxes away from where Falconpaw hid. She hoped they didn't notice the change in cats, but hope was all she could do. Despite having to run the farthest, she decided to have a little fun. Gleefully, she slowed enough for the foxes to snap at her tail, but accelerated at the last moment. Trees slipped by, no more than a blur, but Willowpaw barely noticed. Her attention was on the foxes, steadily gaining. She didn't worry though, in fact, she was pleased. It meant that the plan had a better chance of working. As the closely growing alders appeared, she used the last of her energy to vanish behind them, the darkness helping hide her.

Stormpaw's P.O.V.

Foxdung! Stormpaw's tail was caught between two branches. Her claws worked furiously to get it loose, but only succeeded in tearing the skin. Bracing herself between the two branches, she managed to get it out, but not without wasting precious time. Already spitting mad, the foxes didn't hesitate to attack Stormpaw when she came into their sight. Thinking fast, the apprentice dodged to the left before running the final stretch.

The river neared, and Stormpaw's heart started pounding even faster. She turned to face the russet creatures, trapped with the ice behind her and teeth in front of her. The foxes howled and raced for Stormpaw. Five fox-lengths... three fox-lengths...one fox-length...now! Stormpaw jumped, paws outstretched, reaching for an overhanging branch. Her shoulders slumped in exhaustion when her claws found cracks in the branch and a thrill of satisfaction shot through her when the foxes' cries met her ears. Slowly Stormpaw rocked back and forth and executed a sloppy jump to solid ground.

"Stormpaw!" Willowpaw's shriek split the air. Stormpaw turned to see an unfamiliar cat pinning her sister down.

The cat hissed. "Don't move. Where are the foxes?" His voice crackled and rasped, like he wasn't used to talking.

Stormpaw's eyes narrowed. "Why do you care?" The figure, still shadowed by the alder stalked toward her. His eyes widened when they alightened upon the cracked ice and red fur stuck to the sides of the ice.

"Recovrev! Wreanl!" he cried, the words deep and guttural. Then he did something strange. Solemnly, he sat on his haunches and wailed.

"What's he doing?" Falconheart panted. Stormpaw stared at him. Was he mourning? She hadn't wanted the foxes to die, exactly, but she wasn't sad about it. What...

"He's the fox-cat," Willowpaw whispered. "They were his family." Stormpaw whipped around.

"What do you mean?"

"Ask him yourself."

Stormpaw assumed her typical expression, one that showed no expression, but stayed carefully neutral. "Why don't you?" she replied.

"Because you asked the question," Willowpaw's face was equally unresponsive.

"You're more sympathetic."

"If he attacks you're better at defending yourself."

"You're-" started Stormpaw.

Falconheart sighed loudly. "Fine, I'll do it," he hesitantly approached the mourning tom, whose fur now glinted with gold and russet hairs. The moon was sinking, but it's cold beams still reflected off the dark water.

"Stormpaw! Willowpaw! Falconheart!" a yowl caused all their heads to whip around. Stoneclaw's dark gray head appeared, followed by the rest of his body. His dark blue eyes were blazing. "Firelight! I found them!"

The crashing of paws grew louder until Firelight was there, with Oakfur by her side. "We heard yowling and foxes, what happened?" Oakfur asked. Stormpaw groaned. They had a lot of explaining to do... and certain punishment to receive.

Pinestar sighed as she looked down at the young cats. The rest of the clan was asleep, and Stormpaw guessed her leader would have like to be the same.

"Why would you go out to fight the fox on your own?" Pinestar snapped. Why couldn't we? Stormpaw thought irritably. "Falconheart, I expected better! You were made a warrior not a half moon ago and you-"

"No, don't blame him. I was the one who persuaded them to help," Stormpaw surprised herself by defending them; she wasn't usually that cat, preferring to hide among others, trusting them to help take the blame.

Pinestar shook her head. "That doesn't matter, although, instead of missing his first gathering as a warrior, he can help with the apprentice duties for a moon. You two, however, will miss the next gathering. Stormpaw, you will assist Falconheart in taking care of the elders, while the other apprentices won't have to, for the moon that your punishment takes place. Now go away and don't go on any more midnight adventures please. Or else more severe actions will take place," Pinestar padded to her nest and sank into the moss.

"What about the rouge," Stormpaw asked bluntly. Pinestar muttered something under her breath that sounded like "foxdung", but Stormpaw couldn't be sure.

"He can sleep in the spare den. Ask Oakfur and Firelight to guard him. I would like to question him tomorrow," she yawned. Stormpaw nodded and left to tell Firelight and her mate. Stormpaw smirked at the prospect of being the cause of their horrified expressions.

When Stormpaw was finally able to sink into her soft, feather-lined nest, it was almost dawn. She was just getting warm and comfortable when Leafpaw woke up.

"Good morning! Where'd you go? Firelight didn't seem too happy, are you going to get in trouble? Ooh, I bet you won't be able to come to the gathering! You must be tired, staying up all night. Did you catch the fox? Why didn't you let me come along? I could have fought it in my sleep!"

Stormpaw groaned. Leafpaw's yellow paw was so close, yet just out of reach... come on, a little closer...

Leafpaw squealed in pain. The sound was a beautiful substitute for her annoying chatter. Stormpaw knew she would pay for it later, but then all her thoughts turned to sleep. In a matter of heartbeats Stormpaw was sleeping, nose tucked under her white-tipped tail.