Elsi: 'Ello, lovelies! I thought that I would give you guys a present, since it's been quite a long time since I've updated. This is a chapter that I have been waiting quite a long time to write, and it's super important to I guess the general flow of the story. As you guys know, this is definitely AU, having diverged after Fading Echoes. This is one of those major diverging points.

Elsi: If you guys remember back to Chapter 8, the last Lionblaze chapter, he's in something of a relationship with Cinderheart, and Icecloud asked him for some help with her battle skills so she can train Cherrypaw. Also remember Jayfeather's ending comments of Chapter 10, which have to do with choosing between the two of them. Well, here's a continuation of that general idea!

Elsi: I hope you guys enjoy this action-packed chapter! The next one will be a DIRECT continuation, and will pick up with Doveheart back on the battle field. I would really have liked to write it tonight, but it's a Sunday night and I haven't started ANY of my homework. So I should probably get on that. Who knows, I may be able to pick up with the Doveheart chapter later!

Elsi: I also don't own ANY of these characters (although the shadow warriors is kind of my idea). Happy reading!

Chapter 11

Lionblaze

"Off we go, off we go!" cried Cherrypaw, bouncing on her paws as she scrambled out of camp. Lionblaze followed after the ginger apprentice, a smile on his face as he watched her frolic amongst the frost-brushed ferns.

"Wait for me!" squealed Molepaw, and Lionblaze fell aside as the little brown tom came barreling out of the camp entrance to fall into step behind his littermate. Icecloud squeaked in surprise as Lionblaze tumbled into her accidentally, but an exchanged glance made them both dissolve into laughter. His heart light, Lionblaze let Icecloud pass ahead of him and watched her and the two apprentices head into ThunderClan territory.

"Thank you for coming with us, Lionblaze," said Rosepetal, falling into step with him. "The apprentices are certainly a handful, and I think it's good for Molepaw to have a tom like yourself to look up to."

"Hmmm?" Lionblaze had been watching Icecloud ward off the two apprentices, who had attacked her in a fit of excitement. "Oh, yeah." He gave Rosepetal a happy smile, and the two warriors bounded after Icecloud and her assault party.

"Come on, you two," Rosepetal said, her whiskers twitching in amusement. "Quit messing around. There's prey to be caught."

"But it's such a lovely day, Rosepetal!" said Molepaw, flopping on his back and rolling around in a patch of pale ferns.

"All the better for your hunting," Icecloud said in a sweet voice. She nudged the dark-coated apprentice up with her nose. "You don't want Jayfeather to get cranky because he hasn't eaten today, do you?"

Lionblaze laughed aloud as Molepaw and Cherrypaw sprung to attention, their little eyes going wide. After the shadow warriors had attacked, his brother had become the most terrifying and amazing cat in the Clan to these kits. Lionblaze suspected that Jayfeather actually liked the reputation quite a lot, as it kept the apprentices from trying to interfere with his work. Icecloud gathered Molepaw and Cherrypaw around her, her blue eyes calm and affectionate.

"You two have been apprentices for a month," she said sternly. "You aren't kits anymore, and you should start acting as such. Your first priority should be taking care of the Clan. You can have fun later. Understand?"

"Yes, Icecloud," said Cherrypaw submissively. The two sat up straight and bowed their heads in unison. "We're sorry."

"You'll learn," Rosepetal meowed, approaching the pair of apprentices and distracting them. "Come on, and I'll show you the place the squirrels like to go."

That seemed to excite them enough to get them out of their state of desolation, and before Lionblaze could say anything else, the littermates were bounding after Rosepetal. He caught up with Icecloud then and smiled at her.

"You're fantastic with them," he said warmly. "I can't believe you ever doubted yourself as a mentor."

"You've been such a big help," said Icecloud. "Thank you so much, Lionblaze. I'm glad we get to…spend time together."

Lionblaze was glad, too. He felt so comfortable when he could spend time with Icecloud; they had been tentative friends as apprentices, but they hadn't talked much as warriors. This apprentice thing – Jayfeather's mission to Lionblaze and just wanting to help out – had really given him a great way to grow close to her.

"Come on," said Icecloud. "Rosepetal and the others are way ahead of us." She touched her nose to his ear, almost shyly, and then pushed off into the trees. Lionblaze watched her go, only a few paw steps behind her. How had he missed Icecloud before this? She had really blossomed while he wasn't looking, and had gone from a goofy she-cat that tripped over her paws and grew afraid of everything that moved...to this. Now she was honest, and dependent, and elegant. When he was around her, Lionblaze felt that he could be himself. He didn't have to pretend not to be a good warrior, and he didn't have to feel like he was being judged at all times.

That was the problem he kept happening upon when he was with Cinderheart. He loved being with Cinderheart: she was fun, and trust-worthy, and above all else his friend. But she had always expected things of him – being a good mentor, and doing the right thing, and now loving her as she loved him. Lionblaze didn't want to let her down, and it bothered him all the time.

When the two of them happened upon the clearing, the two apprentices were practicing their hunting techniques.

"How about we split up," suggested Rosepetal, sweeping her thick tail from side to side. "It may help these two focus if they aren't together."

"Good idea," said Icecloud. "We'll meet back here just before sun-high."

"We get Lionblaze!" cried Molepaw, springing up from his position at Rosepetal's feet. Casting a shrug over his shoulder at Icecloud, Lionblaze followed Rosepetal and Molepaw deeper into the woods.

"Now, Molepaw," said Rosepetal. "We're hunting squirrels today. Tell me – are there any nearby?"

Lionblaze sniffed the air in time with Molepaw, keeping himself carefully trained so as not to reveal the location of nearby prey. The dusky apprentice nodded confidently.

"I definitely scent squirrel," said Molepaw. His ears revolved towards the scent, and he dropped into a crouch pointing at a nearby clump of bushes. Lionblaze exchanged a pleased look with Rosepetal as the young tom began his creep. It was clumsy, but then again, Molepaw had only been an apprentice for a moon or two. It was to be expected.

They watched as the young cat gave his pounce, and heard him hissing in dissatisfaction before giving chase. Exchanging another glance, Lionblaze and Rosepetal bounded after Molepaw, hoping to still keep him in sight and help with the catch if necessary. Lionblaze knew as well as any cat that squirrels could run, and chances were that Molepaw would lose this one. But that was okay – he needed to learn to let the prey go.

Then they heard Molepaw screech, and skidded into sight of him in time to see a magnificently dark shadow warrior looming over the dusky apprentice. Forgetting about Cinderheart, about the squirrel, about everything, Lionblaze roared and leaped into battle, his claws slashing into the shadow warrior. It simply batted him away with a paw, leaving him dazed on the ground. Looking up through blurry vision, Lionblaze saw the shadow warrior launch itself towards Molepaw, but all of a sudden, Rosepetal threw herself before it.

"You leave him be!" yowled Rosepetal, her shadow falling over Molepaw. The shadow warrior froze, its jaws still open in a sneer, and for a second, the two locked eyes. Then Rosepetal began to shake, as if under serious effort.

"No," hissed Rosepetal. "No, you're lying! Get away!"

Lionblaze stared at the shadow warrior, trying to climb to his paws and help, but he couldn't help but watch the scene. The shadow warrior was saying nothing.

"I don't believe you," said Rosepetal, but her voice was weaker this time. Regaining his balance at last, Lionblaze hissed in fury and wrenched the attention of the shadow warrior to himself. Rosepetal's legs gave out, and she collapsed in a heap.

"Rosepetal!" cried Molepaw desperately. Lionblaze wanted to look back and help, but focused instead on the beast and sank his claws in to its shadowy form. For once, it seemed to take hold, and the shadow warrior gave a responding spit before shaking Lionblaze away and vanishing into a cloud of dust.

"Rosepetal!" wailed Molepaw again, and Lionblaze turned to rush over to the pair of them. He nosed the creamy warrior, his blood still boiling from the battle. After a few tense seconds, Rosepetal gave a tiny whimper and opened her eyes.

"What happened?" said Lionblaze. Rosepetal shook her head.

"It just…spoke to me…I can't remember what it said…did you hear it?" Lionblaze and Molepaw shook their heads. "Oh. Well, it's gone now."

"Are you alright?" asked Molepaw, helping his mentor get to her feet. Rosepetal gave an unsteady smile towards her apprentice.

"I'm just a little tired," she said. "Thank you for getting rid of it, Lionblaze. You're a good friend." Lionblaze nodded, turning his eyes towards the space where the warrior had been moments before. Now they could speak?

He was taken back by a soft push on one side, and turned to find Icecloud pressing herself into his pelt. Cherrypaw was with her, but had gone straight to her littermate while Icecloud stood before Lionblaze.

"What happened?" she asked. "You're hurt!"

"I'm okay," said Lionblaze, shaking her away so he could take a breath. "We got attacked by one of those things. It…" He cast a look at Rosepetal, who was explaining the situation to an awestruck Cherrypaw. "It…spoke to Rosepetal, somehow. I attacked it, and it went away, but…I've never heard of it speaking before."

"Speaking?" said Icecloud, her eyes going wide. "What did it say?"

"I couldn't hear," said Lionblaze. He shook himself. "It threw me. I was dazed so I couldn't hear anything. Molepaw didn't hear anything, either, though, and it was right behind him."

"Well, I'm glad you're okay," said Icecloud, hastily pressing her face into his neck fur. "I would be devastated if something had happened." Her voice was very quiet, as if she didn't want to admit it. Lionblaze's breaths came easy, and he found himself licking one of Icecloud's ears.

"Me, too," he said. "You're a very good friend, and I wouldn't want to lose you."

Icecloud looked up into his eyes, and for a moment, there was nothing Icecloud expected him to say. He didn't feel as though he had to explain, or give more details, or anything. He could simply be, and Icecloud would understand.

XXXX

"But you're absolutely sure you're alright?" asked Cinderheart, her whiskers twitching. Lionblaze nodded, assuring her for the sixteenth time that he was more than alright. She bent down to continue eating the finch they shared, and Lionblaze felt a vibration of sorrow pass off of her.

"What's wrong?" asked Lionblaze. He hated it when Cinderheart was sad – she was such a good cat. She certainly didn't deserve to be sad, especially if it was his fault somehow. Cinderheart had always been there to pick him up, and he knew that he needed to do the same.

"It's silly, really," said Cinderheart, looking away self-consciously. "I just miss spending as much time with you. You're always off with the apprentices."

"I'm helping the Clan," said Lionblaze. "I'm helping Rosepetal and Icecloud with their apprentices." He was confused. Was Cinderheart really mad at him for helping out?

"Have you ever considered letting Rosepetal and Icecloud mentor their apprentices?" asked Cinderheart wryly.

"I am letting them mentor their apprentices."

"No other warrior hangs out with them as much as you do."

"So?"

"So, don't you think that's a little silly? I mean, you aren't Cherrypaw's mentor. So why are you on every single patrol with her and Icecloud?"

"The apprentices like me!"

"I'm sure they do, but is your help really appreciated?"

"Rosepetal and Icecloud are glad to have my support."

Cinderheart didn't pursue the matter further, but it was apparent that she was still frustrated over the matter. Lionblaze put his head on his paws, no longer hungry. It was getting late anyways – maybe he should just go get some rest.

"I'm sorry," said Cinderheart. "You should do what you think is best. You'd never listen to anyone else. You never do."

"Cinderheart – " called Lionblaze, but his…well, his Cinderheart was storming away. Frustrated, Lionblaze stared down at the half-eaten fresh-kill. He could ask Doveheart or Jayfeather if they wanted the rest of it.

"Why so gloomy?" Lionblaze looked up to see Icecloud standing over him, her pelt that lovely silver color that it often was in the moonlight. "Lionblaze?"

"It's nothing," said Lionblaze, not really sure he wanted to divulge his latest fight. "Do you want the rest of this?"

"I already ate," said Icecloud. She sat down anyways. "Really, Lionblaze, what's the matter? You rarely seem so down."

"It's silly, really," said Lionblaze. "Cinderheart and I were arguing, that's all."

"Do you want to talk about it?" asked Icecloud, genuinely concerned. "Maybe talking it out would help. I'm sure you're not really mad at her. You two are close."

It wasn't a demand, and Icecloud wasn't expecting anything of him. She was openly inviting him to speak, and if he decided to say nothing, he had a feeling that Icecloud wouldn't press him further. But she seemed to genuinely care, so he took a breath.

"You don't feel like I'm not letting you mentor Cherrypaw, do you?" asked Lionblaze.

"What?" Icecloud asked. "Of course not! Cherrypaw is my apprentice. You're just tagging along to see if you can help. It's a really big help."

Relieved at her answer, Lionblaze nodded. Why was Cinderheart so upset? He was trying his best to step back and let Icecloud and Rosepetal do all the work, but he loved being along for the ride. It frustrated him that Cinderheart couldn't understand that.

"Hey, I know what would cheer you up," said Icecloud, twitching her tail. "Let's go for a walk. How about that?" Lionblaze looked up, his ears perking with interest. She was probably right. The fresh air and her company would definitely improve his mood. Beaming, Icecloud pulled him to his paws and started to lead the way.

"Where are you two off to?" asked a curious voice, and Lionblaze glanced backwards to see Brambleclaw trotting towards them.

"Just for a walk," said Lionblaze, unsure why his pelt was heating up.

"Would you mind turning your walk into the midnight patrol?" asked Bramblestar. "Blossomfall and Rosepetal was supposed to go with Molepaw, but Rosepetal is recuperating with Jayfeather. How about you two take Cherrypaw instead?"

Knowing that despite the phrasing of the statement, they really had no choice, Lionblaze meowed a confirmation.

"Excellent," Brambleclaw said. "I'll get Cherrypaw and Blossomfall."

"So much for a nice walk," Icecloud said with a small smile. Lionblaze shrugged. They were soon joined by Icecloud's now-tired apprentice and Blossomfall.

"Why do we have to do the midnight patrol?" Cherrypaw complained.

"Because all warriors have to do the midnight patrol," Icecloud said, sweeping her tail over Cherrypaw's muzzle to quiet her. "Let's head to ShadowClan first."

They headed out into the dark forest, and the chilly night air swept over Lionblaze's pelt. He shivered, but suddenly, Icecloud was beside him. Lionblaze cast a soft look at her, finding that she was still intent on getting their nice walk. That was nice. He appreciated the sentiment, and he most definitely wanted them to be able to spend the time together. It was a shame that they couldn't speak openly, or he would have told her more about his fight with Cinderheart. He didn't know why he wanted to tell Icecloud, but he knew that she would help.

Blossomfall was leading in silence, but Lionblaze could tell that it was a content silence. That was odd – up until about a month ago, Blossomfall had been frustrated and cranky to nearly every cat, so much so that senior warriors would often snap at her. This was completely different – but it was a good different.

They were starting to approach the ShadowClan border when something moved very suddenly in the trees, making Cherrypaw squeak.

"Don't worry," Blossomfall said. "It was probably an owl." Cherrypaw's eyes went wide, as she had never seen an owl before. The poor thing had probably only heard stories from the elders.

Then something else moved behind them, and Lionblaze spun, unsheathing his claws.

"And that was an owl, too?" Icecloud muttered under her breath. Lionblaze drank in a breath, hoping to find some source to the sudden movement. It wasn't a ShadowClan patrol, nor another set of ThunderClan warriors. Maybe just squirrels?

Then something moved in front of his vision, and dark claws smeared in front of his face. Lionblaze yowled in protest, but found that he was fighting darkness itself. A shadow warrior!

"You have to aim for the belly!" cried Blossomfall, but her voice sounded far away. Keeping this advice in mind, Lionblaze tried to focus on the patterns in the darkness before launching out at the nearest shadowy form. His claws locked in for a second before sharp claws raked through his shoulder, making Lionblaze kick backwards. There he made contact again – two of them! Fighting and spinning furiously, Lionblaze scratched and kicked and howled. It was hardly about finding the belly of the creatures, but staying on his paws. In the darkness, these shadowy creatures had the advantage, for they were darkness itself.

"Lionblaze! Cherrypaw's been bitten!" At Icecloud's desperate mew, Lionblaze's world quit working, and he suddenly knew where he needed to be. He fought his way through writhing black figures, finally focusing on the one that shone silver in the faded glimpses of moonlight. He tripped over something, but Icecloud steadied him quickly. Cherrypaw moaned faintly underneath them.

"What do we do?" cried Icecloud, scratching out at something before him. Lionblaze twisted and turned through the fighting dark forms, unsure what to tell her. He had to stay in the battle. He had to protect his Clanmates.

Suddenly, shadow warriors screamed as Blossomfall pushed her way through.

"I'm quickest – I'll take Cherrypaw back to camp," said Blossomfall, pulling the soft-furred apprentice onto her shoulders. "Hold them off for just a little longer, okay? I'll fetch Firestar right away." Then she took off.

"Hold them off?" Icecloud giggled nervously. She was afraid. She was so afraid, and that made Lionblaze angry. His claws dug into the ground as he stared at the approaching mob of shadow warriors. He would protect Icecloud.

With a battle cry that send shivers up his spine, Lionblaze reached out with claws of anger and jaws of fury, snapping and scratching his way into the approaching black mob. He felt sharp claws jam down his flank and gasped out in surprise – was this what it felt like to get hurt in battle? Lionblaze fell back suddenly, finding himself on the outside of the mob, shook himself, and plunged back in. They had to stay strong, and he had to protect Icecloud.

He found her fighting with tired eyes, and he growled furiously.

"Icecloud, go back!" cried Lionblaze. "I'll keep them back for a little while longer."

"You can't!" protested Icecloud. Lionblaze winced as two shadow warriors melted into dust above them. He had to protect her. She had to be alright.

"You're hurt," he insisted. "Go back. I can hold them back, but you need to get help."

A sudden set of jaws clicked inches from his throat before vanishing into a cloud of dust, and Lionblaze glanced over his shoulder to see that Icecloud's claws had just saved him from being bitten. He realized very suddenly that this was not a battle in which he was invincible. Here, he was just like any other cat. Here, he could die.

Icecloud's eyes were blazing blue, and her pelt was still bright even under the shade of a dozen piles of shadows. She looked terrifying – and more beautiful than Lionblaze had ever seen her.

"I will not leave you," said Icecloud. "I will never leave you."

Lionblaze's distraction paid off when he was suddenly kicked backwards. All the breath kicked out of his lungs, Lionblaze heard Icecloud scream and fell into the dirt. He responded instantly, attempting to leap forward and attack and reach her again, but the darkness was too great. Now, he couldn't even see Icecloud.

"ICECLOUD!" screamed Lionblaze, and then nothing in the world could have stopped him. Even though he could hardly breath, and his body ached, and the world was starting to spin, he sprang forward once more, slicing mercilessly through warrior after warrior. Why hadn't Icecloud gone back? She could be hurt, and he hadn't been able to save her!

Then shadow warriors began to scream, and the sounds of warrior battle cries filled the air. He found Icecloud, her pelt's bright color beginning to fade as she lay limp. Lionblaze locked his jaws around Icecloud's scruff and pulled her free. As he gasped for air, freedom finally reaching him, he collapsed beside her. Icecloud's light blue eyes opened.

"Lionblaze?" mumbled Icecloud. Lionblaze reached for Icecloud, helping her to her paws. A lithe grey form dashed up to them – Doveheart.

"Get back to camp!" ordered Doveheart. Her eyes scanned Lionblaze, and fear crossed over her face. "Please!"

Not hesitating any longer, Lionblaze nudged Icecloud forward, and the two of them started into a jog as they headed back for camp.

"You should have gone back!" roared Lionblaze. "You could have died!"

"I could have died!" screeched Icecloud. "You would have died had I left you! You couldn't fight them alone!"

Lionblaze stared at her in the darkness, and she went on.

"I wasn't going to let you die so easily," Icecloud snapped. "You don't know what that would do to me, Lionblaze!" Lionblaze's paws still thudded in time with his increasing anger.

"Yeah, well, I would rather die than watch those things get to you!" roared Lionblaze, and all of a sudden, they were within camp. His words faded out on a chaotic camp, but those cats that had overheard suddenly fell silent, and Lionblaze was aware that a million eyes were on him. Sucking in a breath, he felt his anger fade away. "I care too much about you, Icecloud."

Her façade of frustration and worry melted, and the only thing in Icecloud's eyes then was the one emotion he felt pounding through his own heart. He needed her and cared for her more than anything else in the world – than Doveheart, than Jayfeather. And because it was Icecloud, there was nothing Icecloud expected him to say or do. He didn't feel as though he had to divulge, or move closer, or jump through hoops to love her. He could simply be in love with her, and Icecloud would understand.

Elsi: Also, forgive me for how I'm portraying Cinderheart in this chapter. I adore Cinderheart, and there are so many things about her that are brilliant, but Cinderheart isn't Lionblaze's soulmate in this story. I'm kind of approaching the LionXIce relationship from the standpoint that Lionblaze is really looking for some sort of break from his chaotic and ridiculous world. Since Cinderheart has ties to Ivypool and Jayfeather and Hollyleaf, she's not exactly helping there.

Elsi: Okay, so, as I mentioned, the next chapter is about Doveheart, and the battle with the shadow warriors Icecloud and Lionblaze fled from. While fighting these mighty foes, Doveheart finds herself back to back with an unlikely ally...but WHO? Stay tuned!

Elsi: God, that was corny. Anyways, bye. Pop me a review if you get the chance - they are definitely one of the biggest reasons to keep writing for me. Everyone's support means a TON. Thanks!