Firstly I'm SO sorry for my late update. I've been on camp so I haven't really had time. I swear my updates will be quicker from now on - at least every 2 weeks:)

Just in case you've forgotten what happened - Foxwhisker is blanking Shadefrost leading her to believe that he doesn't love her anymore, Scorchstorm died of greencough and Bloodspill was appointed the new deputy of CaveClan. Hope that helps, feel free to go back and read up on previous chapters!

Shadefrost watched as Bloodspill stood up and walked smugly towards the oak tree where his leader sat. He perched on the roots at the bottom and lifted his chin, his blood red eyes filled with pride for himself. Horror rose in her chest and she had no idea why. "What?" she screeched. "Bloodspill?"

Every cat in the clearing turned their eyes on her. "Sorry," she muttered, embarrassed. She saw Bloodspill narrow his eyes at her. She had no idea why she had said that. What was wrong with Bloodspill being deputy?

The eyes slowly filtered away from her and back to Polarstar and Bloodspill. Sparklepelt turned to face her. "You realise it too, don't you?" she whispered.

Shadefrost frowned. "Realise what?"

"That Bloodspill shouldn't be deputy."

Shadefrost stared at her friend, amazed. "Bloodspill's your brother. Why don't you want him to be deputy?"

Sparklepelt hung her head. "I know that I'm supposed to support him and I'm really ashamed of this, but something doesn't feel right. Bloodspill's only been a warrior for two moons. He's too inexperienced to be deputy. Polarstar should have picked Talltail or Slashclaw instead. I just have a nagging tug that this is going to be bad for the clan."

Shadefrost realised that the same nag tugged at her heart. "You're right," she murmured. "You better keep a good eye on him. Make sure that he doesn't go astray."

The two she-cats had been so engrossed in their conversation that they only realised that the gathering was over when the cats around them started to disperse. Finchpelt touched Shadefrost on the shoulder. "Are you coming?" she asked.

Shadefrost nodded. "Sure, just let me say goodbye first." She turned to Sparklepelt. "I'll see you soon," she said, touching her friend on the shoulder. "Goodbye."

Sparklepelt touched her nose to Shadefrost's. "Bye. I'll keep an eye on Bloodspill." She turned and bounded off to where her clanmates were forming.

Shadefrost was about to join her own clanmates when a black paw blocked her way. She looked up and her green eyes met blood red ones. "Shadefrost," Bloodspill hissed.

Shadefrost stared back at him defiantly. "Bloodspill."

Bloodspill snarled. "Do you doubt that I can be a deputy?" He didn't give her time to answer. "Because I'll show you. You're right. I can't be just a deputy. I need to be a leader. Polarstar's old, on his last life. Soon he'll die and I'll be Bloodstar. And when that happens you and your weak clan better watch out. Because I'll always be watching you. I'm an ambitious cat Shadefrost. I want my clan to be the most powerful clan in the forest. Nothing will get in my way." He stepped back from her. "Enjoy yourself," he spat. "While you can."

Shadefrost watched as the padded to join his clan. Bloodspill wasn't just nasty, he was evil. The worst thing was that there was no one than she could tell. No cat in her clan would believe her. She would just have to put her faith in Sparklepelt and hope that her friend could keep the ambitious deputy under control.

A cat called her name. "Shadefrost, we're going." It was Shrewfur. Shadefrost turned and ran to join the WoodClan patrol, worries about the future of CaveClan piling up in her head.

As Shadefrost entered the warriors den, she tried vainly not to panic. It was not good when one of the most important cats in the forest held a grudge against you. Surely Polarstar wasn't that old. Surely he would rule CaveClan for moons to come. Anyway, Bloodspill's words would not come true. There were good cats in CaveClan. They would never let their leader ruin their clan. She let these thoughts comfort her and slid through the bracken entrance.

She had been at the back of the group when they had returned from the gathering and so all of the patrol was already in their nests. Shadefrost saw Foxwhisker, looking at her with troubled eyes. She took a step towards the tom, before remembering that he didn't love her anymore. She veered away awkwardly, not looking back to see his expression.

She approached the spot where Finchwing and Creekfall slept. The two of them were sharing tongues quietly so as not to wake the cats that slept around them. When Shadefrost joined them, Finchwing looked at her, concerned. "Has something happened between you and Foxwhisker?"

Shadefrost sighed. She didn't want to be reminded that he didn't want her. "I don't want to talk about it," she mumbled.

"Are you sure?" her sister pressed. "I could help..."

Shadefrost jumped to her paws. She didn't want to be badgered. "I don't want to talk about it," she repeated, snarling.

Finchwing looked quite taken aback. Creekfall wrapped his tail around her paws. "Don't talk to her like that," he hissed. "She was only trying to help."

"Sorry Finchwing," Shadefrost whispered, her voice softened. "But I really don't want to talk about it." She padded away, not listening to her sister's reply.

Shadowheart and Sootwhisker were sleeping at the far edge of the den. The two of them were not far apart, the tips of their hairs touching. Shadefrost wandered what had happened between the two of them on the tracking expedition that had made them so close. Whatever it was it had been a good thing. There was not much room beside them but Shadefrost had no choice. The other three corners of the den were taken up by Finchwing, Foxwhisker and Rootheart and the centre was only for senior warriors. Squeezing her body into the small gap between Sootwhisker and the edge of the den, she curled up. Her side pressed uncomfortably against the prickly wall of the den but Shadefrost was too tired to care. Sleep crashed over her like a tidal wave.

So Bloodspill is evil? You'll have to wait and see what happens in CaveClan.

Thanks for all the reviews - JeLlYbEaN iS mE, xDreamsongx, XxXxSkyheartxXxX, CRAZEDREADER96, XLeafheartX, Silversong x2, Hawkfur the Ninja, Blossomgleam, ArrowFey, Simplicityy22 and {myself(JK).} I'm sorry you had to wait so long for this chapter.

I'll update soon (I mean it this time) - Please leave a review:)