The deep green shadowed Fourtrees' clearing was edged with silver beneath the light of the half-moon, and the hums of cicadas and chirps of crickets rang in Frostmask's ears as she strode towards her and Paledusk's usual meeting spot. Her journey over there had been pleasantly uneventful.

Frostmask's tail twitched with indecision as she slunk through a patch of lush bracken.

Maybe it's not such a bad thing that Cedarfur went after the foxes… If they were still here, traveling alone would have been risky.

But, if the foxes had still been lurking around, Frostmask wasn't sure if that would've been enough to deter her. Even though it felt as if she grew more exhausted and stressed by the day as her duties piled up, she had been looking forward to this meeting with Paledusk. Since ShadowClan had missed the previous gathering, he would be her only source of news from the other clans for this moon. And, Frostmask was sure Paledusk must be equally as eager to hear her news, albeit to know why ShadowClan had not attended the previous gathering.

And, it's nice to get away from the Clan for a bit. Frostmask admitted to herself, her ears flattening. I don't have to be 'the deputy' if it's just me and Paledusk.

She spotted Paledusk now, waiting for her under the shade cast by some dense ferns. Even in the dark, his white fur caught her eye quickly. His pelt was as immaculately groomed as always, and he sat with his thick-furred tail wrapped neatly around his paws. Frostmask lifted her tail in greeting, and he dipped his head, his eyes bright as she padded up to him.

"I'm very glad to see you," Paledusk purred. "I feared the worst when ShadowClan was absent from the gathering. Are you doing well? Is your clan alright?"

"I'm fine," Frostmask said, taking a seat next to him. "ShadowClan is too. Well…" She glanced away for a moment. "Mostly. Grovepelt died shortly prior to the gathering. The Clan was still grieving him, so that's why we missed it."

Frostmask's gaze made it back over in time to see Paledusk blink, and Frostmask couldn't help but wonder if he realized that by 'the Clan,' she really meant Sedgestar.

"I'm sorry to hear that," Paledusk rumbled. "Everyone who ever met Grovepelt knew that he was a noble warrior. He will be missed."

Frostmask nodded, some grief for the old deputy twinging in her chest in echo of Paledusk's words.

"All of ShadowClan must feel his absence," Paledusk continued, his brow furrowed. "Although I suspect that Sedgestar will most severely."

Frostmask dipped her head in agreement.

"They were like kin," she murmured. "I think Sedgestar feels a bit lost without him."

"It's normal to feel adrift after the loss of an old friend. Especially one that you've known since kithood." Paledusk tipped his head to the side in contemplation. "It can be oddly freeing though too."

Frostmask's brows arched in surprise. Every death she'd experienced so far had felt like another weight of burden upon her back. She'd never dream of calling the experience 'freeing.'

"How so?" she asked hesitantly.

"Most close relationships are anchoring," Paledusk explained with a thoughtful blink. "In them there is safety and familiarity, and without that anchor you may find yourself in a new, frightening place. Strangeness is scary, yes. But, it can also bring opportunity. You may find things there that you never would have encountered before."

Frostmask mulled this over for a moment, unsure of how to respond. She still did not feel totally convinced by his way of thinking, but it seemed rude to just flat-out disagree.

"It sounds like you're speaking from experience," she commented finally.

Paledusk gave a soft, melancholic purr.

"Yes, you're quite right," he said, turning to gaze out into the shadowed trunks of the forest in the distance. "I remembering feeling similarly once I lost my brother. We'd been inseparable before, and of course I grieved his loss. But, it was only once he was gone that I was able to grow closer to my other clan-mates, since my time was no longer so focused on just him."

Frostmask's eyes narrowed uncertainly.

"But, wouldn't you have preferred him to have still been alive?" she prodded.

"Of course," Paledusk responded, glancing over at her again as his eyes widened with emphasis. "I don't mean to sound callous. But, tragedies that we have no control over will happen, whether we want them to or not. The most we can hope for is try to make the best of them."

"I suppose that's true," Frostmask conceded finally. "Sometimes though, it's just hard to move on."

Paledusk nodded solemnly.

"Of course it is. Especially when the wound is still so fresh." He paused for a moment. "I just hope that ShadowClan is not so consumed by their grief that they can't see this as a kind of… fresh start."

Paledusk blinked at her, his green gaze intent.

"That you can't see this as a fresh start."

Frostmask's tail curled around herself as she fidgeted a bit defensively under the heat of his gaze.

"…What do you mean?" she asked.

"All I mean is that it may be easier now for you to inspire respect from your clan-mates as deputy," Paledusk said smoothly. "After all, Grovepelt is no longer here for them to look to and wish for him to still be deputy instead."

"But, I don't want to replace Grovepelt," Frostmask protested, her brow furrowing. "He did so much for ShadowClan and for Sedgestar."

"Of course," Paledusk said with a soothing blink. "You wouldn't be 'replacing' him. But, although Grovepelt was a noble warrior, he was also a member of the old guard. Those cats tend to be… stuck in their ways. But, you are youthful and full of fresh, good ideas. You will be able to guide ShadowClan towards a brighter future. You will be able to prove yourself as a good leader in your own right."

Frostmask relaxed slightly. Pineshade had said something similar about now being Frostmask's chance to prove herself. Frostmask had thought that the best thing to do would be to try to keep things as much the same as possible while ShadowClan was going through such a turbulent time. But, if both Pineshade and Paledusk were encouraging her to assert herself… maybe it wasn't such a bad idea after all.

"Perhaps," she said. "Although I still miss Grovepelt."

"It's not mutually exclusive. It is possible to grieve for him and still want to do the best by your Clan at the same time," Paledusk pointed out, angling a single ear towards her. "You can miss him while still working to make ShadowClan stronger. Or, would you prefer to grieve helplessly?"

Paledusk's words sent Frostmask's mind drifting to Sedgestar's all-consuming grief and how it had crippled him, and therefore, the Clan. Her tail flicked uneasily against her side. Sedgestar had seemed a bit more interested in the going-ons of the Clan since the fox incident, but he still wasn't back to the leader that she'd known before. Or would he never fully recover? After all, things couldn't exactly go back to the way they used to be— Grovepelt was dead, and there was no changing that. Maybe this was the new normal, even if Sedgestar's distance put more pressure on Frostmask and the rest of the Clan.

Then Paledusk must be right— surely it would be better if they could somehow use the unfortunate situation of Grovepelt's death to drive them to help ShadowClan, rather than bringing more harm to it. It would even be what Grovepelt would've wanted, right?

"No, I wouldn't. And you're right… it probably would be better for ShadowClan if my clan-mates respected me a bit more," Frostmask admitted.

Frostmask glanced away from Paledusk, her ears folding down with embarrassment as her thoughts shifted to the recent incident with the fox attack. Although Sedgestar's absence had contributed to the situation, it wasn't the only source of the problems that day. If only Dampfang hadn't taken so many warriors out on patrol, if only Cedarfur hadn't gone after the foxes on purpose, if only cats had listened to her, the whole situation would have been a lot less precarious. It was true that everything had ended up alright in the end, but what if it hadn't? What if the warriors she'd sent weren't enough to drive off the foxes because Dampfang had taken out too many others? Well, the foxes probably wouldn't have even attacked in the first place if Cedarfur hadn't tracked them down, disobeying her… And, then Lizardstrike wouldn't have been forced to lie to her to cover for him.

Frostmask exhaled a quiet sigh through her nose.

"But, I don't know how to make them respect me," she said. "Sometimes it feels impossible."

"Just put your head down, work hard, and be diligent," Paledusk urged, his intent tone drawing her eyes back to him. "Give them nothing to complain about."

"They'll find something to complain about," Frostmask pointed out drily.

Paledusk's gaze shimmered in a faint hint of amusement.

"Then tell them they're being unreasonable."

Frostmask tilted her head, considering.

"Still, easier said than done," she meowed, huffing another sigh. "But, okay. I'll keep working at it."

Paledusk gave her a single, approving nod.

"You'll succeed with time," he said confidently, but then his gaze abruptly darkened. "Although, I fear that ShadowClan may not have much of that at the moment."

Frostmask stiffened at his rapid, grim shift in tone, her stomach flipping with worry.

"Why? What do you mean?" she asked, her paw-pads suddenly damp with perspiration.

"I have something important to share. News from the gathering," Paledusk said soberly. "The other clans are still displeased about Sedgestar appointing you to deputy, and I think they saw ShadowClan's conspicuous absence from the following gathering as another slight. I'm afraid that ShadowClan may have even lost its closest ally."

Frostmask's ears jerked up in consternation.

"ThunderClan? Really?!" she asked.

Paledusk nodded, his expression grave.

As Frostmask's surprise faded, her ears went from pricked and alert to flat against her skull as her worry grew.

"But… Acornear had been so nice to me last gathering. And—and Morningstar… he doesn't seem like that kind of cat. Right?"

"Morningstar has always been a bit weak-willed," Paledusk said, a subtle sneer creeping across his features. "I don't know if you're too young to recall, but he almost let ThunderClan starve to death the leaf-bare you were born. All because he wouldn't fight WindClan to stop them from stealing his prey."

Frostmask gave a small nod.

"No, I remember," she said in a soft voice.

"I'm afraid he's fallen prey to the other leaders' influence again," Paledusk growled, his muscles stiffening. "I heard Willowstar whispering in his ear, convincing him that he's allowed ThunderClan to become Sedgestar's play-thing— yanked around at the ShadowClan leader's whim. Morningstar didn't announce anything publicly, but after the gathering ended, I heard him with my own ears speaking with Rabbitstar, Fennelstar, and Willowstar, condemning Sedgestar and ShadowClan."

Frostmask's blood chilled.

Morningstar didn't speak out in defense of ShadowClan at the previous gathering either, after the other clans dogpiled on us. Has ThunderClan really betrayed ShadowClan? After we've done so much for them?

Frostmask's tail twitched uncertainly.

Although I'm not sure if I could call it a 'betrayal' since I know we no longer are within the time frame of our initial alliance. And, truthfully Sedgestar has manipulated Morningstar on occasion… But, ShadowClan cats have also died for ThunderClan! And, I guess I just assumed that ThunderClan would stay on our side after all the battles we fought together.

Paledusk met Frostmask's gaze, his eyes sharp and bright like two small, green suns.

"There may be trouble coming for ShadowClan. And, sooner rather than later. They want to punish Sedgestar for 'acting as if he's above StarClan.'"

Anxiety tensed Frostmask's muscles to knots, making her claws unsheathe and dig into the ground. If Paledusk was right and ThunderClan had truly turned against them, then ShadowClan could be in grave danger.

We would stand no chance against all four other clans!

Frostmask ducked her head down, her stomach twisted up so tight, she felt sick.

And, this is all my fault for being deputy! Should I resign? Or will that just make ShadowClan look even weaker, and be more of target? Oh StarClan, is this really happening!?

Paledusk's tail brushed against her side, rescuing her from the whirlpool of silent panic that was threatening to pull her in. He lowered his head so they could meet eye-to-eye. Instead of burning like the sun, his gaze was round and soft now, glinting in the moonlight, and Frostmask surfaced enough from her anxiety to feel shame at the fact that he'd seen her starting to break down.

"Don't get too worried yet," Paledusk soothed, his voice low. "I think there is a solution. There may be a new ally for ShadowClan."

"W—Who?" Frostmask rasped, forcing in a deep breath and sitting up slightly.

Paledusk's gaze never left hers.

"SkyClan."

Frostmask blinked, her brow furrowing.

"But, Fennelstar is one of the leaders that hates Sedgestar," she said, her tail twitching.

"Yes, but Fennelstar is old and his illness is worsening," Paledusk said, his brow knitting in concern for his leader, but only for a moment. "Everyday, he entrusts more and more of the duties of running the Clan to me. He is well aware of the fact that, possibly very soon, he may pass on to StarClan, and I will be SkyClan's leader. If I advise for SkyClan to make a new alliance, Fennelstar will heed it."

Frostmask's tail still flipped with worry, thumping against the ground.

"But, SkyClan and ShadowClan have been at war for seasons now. Can our clans really put that behind them? Would you really convince your clan-mates to fight for ShadowClan just to help… me?"

"Although of course I want to help you, this is so much bigger than just you or I," Paledusk rumbled, his eyes smoldering with conviction. "This is about making a statement, showing that traditions aren't always the right way, even if they are the way that it has always been done. There will be other rogue-born clan cats, or other half-clan cats in the future— that's inevitable. Should they face the same struggles and prejudice as you have? Should they be rejected— disallowed from becoming deputy or leader just because of the circumstances of their births?"

Paledusk lifted his chin and straightened his spine, rising above Frostmask's eye-level once more.

"Not only would an alliance between SkyClan and ShadowClan simply bring benefits to our two clans, it could have a lasting impact on the forest and the nature of the clans themselves," he said, puffing out his chest slightly.

Frostmask blinked in surprise. The vision Paledusk was proposing seemed grand and noble, sure, but also near impossible.

"But, the clans are so stuck in their ways," Frostmask muttered, glancing down at her paws. "Even if SkyClan and ShadowClan joined forces, will that make any sort of real difference? Didn't you even once tell me that it's impossible to change the clans' minds?"

"That was then. Winds are changing, Frostmask. You must sense that," Paledusk said, his voice oddly hollow as if his mind was far from here.

Frostmask lifted her eyes back towards him, and she saw his contemplative gaze was pointed upwards, towards the stars.

"The others can see it too. That's why the other leaders are all abuzz about Sedgestar appointing you deputy," he continued. "Sedgestar took the first step towards change by doing that. But, the others want to stick to the old ways, and so they will fight, fang and claw, to keep it that way. It will be easy for them to stop it if they move quickly— kill it before it grows too strong. Because they know that even a single droplet can turn into a flood…"

Paledusk's eyes dropped, finding hers again.

"And, we can help it along," he rumbled in a low voice.

Frostmask couldn't hold the intensity of his gaze, so she looked away, fidgeting slightly as Paledusk continued.

"The other clans will want to move fast. That means that we have to be even faster. ShadowClan and SkyClan would have to strike first—"

"But, I'm worried that my clan-mates won't want SkyClan's help," she admitted, flashing a glance back over to him.

Paledusk's brow furrowed slightly at the interruption, but he shook it off with a twitch of his ears, refocusing his attention on her.

"Now may be one of your best chances at changing their minds," Paledusk said. "Your influence in your clan is growing. Plus, SkyClan and ShadowClan's tallies against each other are about even. These 'tit-for-tat' battles can't go on indefinitely, right?"

"But, ShadowClan cats are proud. It will be a sour herb for them to swallow to accept SkyClan's help after so many moons of hostility." Frostmask argued, flexing her claws anxiously.

"ShadowClan may not have any other options," Paledusk pointed out.

Frostmask dipped her head at Paledusk's foreboding implication.

He's right. ShadowClan will need a new ally.

"That's true," she muttered. "But, it would be better for everyone if they accepted an alliance willingly, and not because we are backed into a corner… But, I don't even know where to start with convincing them."

"Start small. Gauge interest carefully and be discreet about it," Paledusk said, his eyes flashing in the moonlight. "Time is of the essence, but it would be even worse to push too hard too quickly and lose them entirely. Although, you may be surprised at your clan-mates pliability to the matter. After all, you have friends in SkyClan— myself and Larchtail, right? Some of your clan-mates may have friendly relations with other SkyClanners as well, in which case it could be easier to convince them."

"They may view me as traitorous for even suggesting it though," Frostmask said, a soft growl entering in her voice as an image of Dampfang formed in her mind. "There are some who still question my loyalty to ShadowClan entirely."

"But, your role as deputy is to be involved in the leading of your clan, and your clan's relationship to the others. There is no way around the fact that you will be involved in inter-clan politics," Paledusk pointed out with a dismissive flick of his tail.

Frostmask sighed, her whiskers drooping.

"Yeah. You're right. I guess I just don't see this as winning me any favors with my clan-mates," she muttered.

Paledusk's whiskers twitched with bitter humor.

"Just wait until ThunderClan is growling at your borders. I think your clan-mates will be a lot more grateful for this proposed new alliance then."

Frostmask's neck fur prickled.

"You really think ThunderClan will start provoking ShadowClan?" she said in a rasping whisper.

The edges of Paledusk's lips curled down in a slight frown.

"I fear it may be even worse than that. ThunderClan may even attack ShadowClan outright. As I said earlier, the other Clans will want to move quickly to nip this at the bud. ThunderClan also almost certainly believes that they have the element of surprise, as well as the numbers on you at the moment, thanks to the other clans' support. They would have no reason to delay."

"Then, even if we did have an alliance, what could we do to stop it?" Frostmask asked, her stomach twisting. "You were saying just… strike first?"

Paledusk gave a single nod.

"Precisely," he said in low tones. "We need to prove that ShadowClan is not weak, if we want to have any chance of preempting a bloodier war. SkyClan and ShadowClan flank ThunderClan. Together, we could potentially land a devastating attack, teaching ThunderClan, and the other Clans too, that we are not to be trifled with."

Paledusk's tufted ears angled back, his fur rising slightly with urgency.

"But, we would need to make our move soon. Before they can," he said, an ominous edge to his words.

"Soon? How soon?" Frostmask fretted, her claws flexing in and out again. "ThunderClan hasn't done anything yet. Plus, it will take me some time to try to convince my clan-mates, and the next gathering is only a quarter of a moon away. Do you think they will attack before then?"

Paledusk shifted uncertainly.

"Waiting until the gathering may be fine. But, I worry chances of attack will rise with every passing sunrise," he warned.

Frostmask nodded, although her pelt crawled with apprehension.

But, what else is there to do? We can't attack ThunderClan without any solid proof that they pose a danger. Paledusk's word is the only evidence I have on it right now, and I can't even share that with my clan-mates! They can't know that Paledusk and I've been meeting.

At least if we wait until the gathering, ShadowClan can see for ourselves if ThunderClan has turned hostile.

"Perhaps you and I should speak again sooner, and we can share any new information then," Paledusk continued, pulling Frostmask from her thoughts. "How about we meet on the night of the waning half-moon this time? It will allow us to discuss shortly after the gathering and see if an alliance should be put into effect."

Frostmask dipped her head.

"That sounds reasonable," she agreed.

Paledusk nodded.

"It's settled then." He rose to his paws. "Sorry to cut our meeting short, but I need to get going soon. Do let me know how things develop with your clan-mates about the alliance."

"I will," Frostmask said, rising to her feet as well.

Anxiety still whirled like a storm in her chest, but she did her best to shove it down. She wasn't even sure what aspect caused her greater strife— the fact that ThunderClan may have turned on ShadowClan, or that she may need to convince her clan-mates to accept an alliance with SkyClan to protect them. That would definitely require some very delicate maneuvering, which Frostmask wasn't certain if she was cut out for. She was no expert at politics like Sedgestar or Paledusk. All she knew was, one paw-step out of place, and Dampfang would surely be at her throat, accusing her of treason.

Frostmask's brow furrowed deeply.

Or maybe it's Sedgestar who will turn on me. He's the one that knows I have kin in SkyClan, and he's already done it once before…

Frostmask gave her head a small shake, attempting to dislodge the grim thoughts.

Maybe I shouldn't do anything right now, except for keep an eye out. After all, Paledusk could have misunderstood. Maybe ThunderClan isn't actually angry at ShadowClan at all. Maybe Morningstar had just been pretending in front of the other Clan leaders, to get them off his back.

Frostmask clung to that idea, every inch of her wanting it to be true.

Yes, I'll wait. All will be more clear after the next gathering. And, besides, we can't attack ThunderClan if they've done nothing yet.

"Goodbye. And, good luck." Paledusk said, blinking at her solemnly.

Frostmask echoed his goodbye a bit absentmindedly, her focus still on her thoughts. As Paledusk trotted off, Frostmask turned away from him, heading back towards ShadowClan territory.

Moving as quickly as she could while still remaining as quiet as possible, Frostmask prowled over the thin strip of ThunderClan land between Fourtrees and the thunderpath, her ears pricked as she listened for any approaching monsters or other cats. But, the world around her was dead quiet— it seemed like even the insects had gone to sleep.

On swift paws, she dashed across the dark stone, releasing a sharp breath once she reached the other side.

Trying to still the anxious hammering of her heart, Frostmask inhaled slowly, but she froze as she caught a strong scent. She lifted her muzzle towards the breeze, the deep, nutty odor of ThunderClan settling in her nose.

…Did the ThunderClan scent here seem more powerful than normal? Was it just wind-blown scent markers, or had a ThunderClan cat actually wandered so close to ShadowClan territory? Even possibly crossed the thunderpath?

Each one of Frostmask's hairs bristled out when a sudden rustling from the undergrowth on the other side of the thunderpath filled the air. Cold fear gushed through her, winding her muscles up.

Was someone following her? Had they seen her cross the thunderpath? She couldn't be caught here. If Paledusk was right about the fraying alliance between ThunderClan and ShadowClan, then a patrol finding the deputy of ShadowClan lurking so close to their borders would damage the potentially already fraught relationship even further.

Not waiting to see who or what emerged from the bushes on the ThunderClan side of the thunderpath, Frostmask instead whirled around and fled into the darkness of the pines.

Author's Note: I'm glad I got through this chapter so quickly! I suspect it being so much shorter than the last one definitely helped lol. Anyway, thanks as always for reading! :)