Disclaimer: I, KatieK101, do not own Warriors. If I did than Crowfrost and Dawnpelt would be the power couple of the Warriors world.

Chapter One - It's Not Easy Being Me

"Cause the haters goanna hate, I'm just goanna shake it off." – Taylor Swift

Crowfrost's POV

Sometimes it was hard being me.

Oh, who was I kidding? It was always hard being me!

Crowfrost. The handsome new deputy of ShadowClan, who was practically perfect in every possible way.

Alright, maybe perfect was a bit of a stretch. No one was perfect, and no one ever would be. But I was so close that it was scary.

Call me arrogant if it helps you feel better about yourself, but in my defense, I was only so cocky because of what my Clanmates always told me. 'Oh Crowfrost, you're so handsome!' 'Oh Crowfrost, Rowanstar couldn't have chosen a better deputy!' 'Oh Crowfrost, you're practically perfect in every possible way!' Was it sad that my Clanmates adored me even more then StarClan themselves? Yes. But who was I to crush their admiration?

"Well, well, well," a voice meowed from behind me, and I flicked an ear as I recognized Scorchfur. The dark gray tom was padding over to my side and sat down beside me, mischief dancing in his amber eyes. "Looks like yet another she-cat has her heart set on you."

I blinked and followed Scrochfur's gaze until my frosty blue orbs landed on a pale brown tabby she-cat with light green eyes. Grassheart. Our eyes met for only a second before she blushed and looked down at her paws, and I bit back a stinging retort. "I'm good," I meowed curtly, and then stood up so that I could head towards the Warriors' Den. I could feel my friend's amber eyes bore into the back of my head, but I pretended to ignore the burning sensation.

Scorchfur wouldn't ask why the teasing comment bothered me. He already knew; Grassheart trained in the Dark Forest as an apprentice.

I heaved a heavy sigh as I laid down in my nest and started to groom my sleek black fur. Scorchfur would follow me into the den, I knew he would. He always did.

"You know, you can't hate them forever." Ah, there he was. I looked up and saw the dark gray warrior standing in front of the den entrance.

"It's their fault." I said simply. Scorchfur sighed, more tired than annoyed, and padded lightly over to his nest, which was right beside mine. "Careful," I teased, in an attempt to lighten the mood. "You're starting to sound like an elder."

Scorchfur's head shot up and a look of indignation flashed across his features. "I'm younger than you are!" He protested. I purred and nudged his shoulder, relief flooding through my body when he didn't press the topic. I didn't like discussing it.

"I was only joking; lighten up."

Scorchfur snorted. "What, like you? If you ask me you're already too light as it is."

"You're just jealous that every she-cat in every Clan desires me." I retorted childishly.

Scorchfur rolled his amber eyes. "First off, I have a mate who is expecting my kits that I'm quite fond of, and couldn't care less about any other she-cat-"

"Suck up."

"Secondly, you sound like an arrogant fur-ball."

"No, I sound like a handsome arrogant fur-ball."

"Thirdly it is impossible to sound handsome, and lastly, what good does it do you to have she-cats mooning over you if you don't have any interest in taking a mate?" Scorchfur finished, sounding annoyed.

"Hey!" I protested. "It's not that I'm not interested! It's just... I haven't found the right she-cat yet."

Scorchfur gave me a look of unbelief. "That's why you've had flings with Ivytail, Olivenose, Pinenose, and Sedgewhisker, right?"

"Okay, in my defense I didn't know demanding Ivytail was, or how awkward it would be to be mates with my former apprentice, or how much of a gossip Pinenose is, and I forget Sedgewhisker was in WindClan."

The dark gray tom raised an eyebrow. "And how, pry tell, did you forget that Sedgewhisker lived in WindClan?"

"I... got lost in her eyes?" I offered weakly. Scorchfur shook his head.

"You're terrible."

I sighed and laid my head on my paws, sobering up. "Alright, so maybe I'm a bit of a player. But I... it just..." I huffed, frustrated when I didn't have the words to describe how I felt. "I-I don't know how to describe it."

"Clearly."

"I mean, I guess I want a mate," I continued, ignoring my friend's jab. "I just don't know how to tell which she-cat is the right one. It's like... how do you feel every time you look into Snowbird's eyes?"

A smile slowly played across Scorchfur's lips, and his amber eyes became alight with adoration. "Like I would die for her in a heart-beat." He meowed without hesitation. "I would do anything for her. I want to be by her side forever, make her every wish come true, absorb all the pain's she's ever felt, and make sure she'll never feel it again." His eyes met mine. "I don't really have the words to describe it, other then I love her."

I chuckled dryly. "Well, I guess I can scratch Ivytail, Olivenose, Pinenose, and Sedgewhisker off the list. I've never felt that way about anyone, ever. The closet I've ever come to feeling like that towards a she-cat is with Whitewater, but I don't think ShadowClan would approve me mating with my deceased foster-mother." I groaned dramatically. "Oh Scorchfur, why couldn't you have been born a she-cat?! Then I wouldn't have any problem finding a mate!"

Scorchfur cuffed my ear. "Stop that right now," he ordered. "It's creepy."

I shook my head. "No, really, it would have solved everything! You're warrior name could have been Scorchsky, or maybe Scorchheart. No, wait, I have it: Scorchpetal! It's perfect!"

"You," Scorchfur growled. "Are an incompetent lizard-brain who is going to burn this clan to the ground."

"And you are my soul mate trapped in a tom's body, Scorchpetal." I retorted. "Get over it."

Scorchfur opened his mouth, a witty remark on the tip of his tongue, when someone cleared their throat. My head spun around and I saw Stoatfur, looking rather confused. "Um, am I interrupting something?" she asked. Scorchfur developed a sudden interest in his nest, and I shook my head. Alright, playtime's over.

"Not a thing," I replied smoothly. "What's up, Stoatfur?"

The tortoiseshell-and-white she-cat perked up noticeably and seemed to glow when I said her name, as if I'd just told her she was the most beautiful she-cat I'd ever laid eyes on. I didn't know whether to smirk because the she-cats made it too easy, or to roll my frost-colored eyes. "Rowanstar wants to see you in his den," she explained. I nodded and thanked her briskly, and the young she-cat pranced away happily.

"It's sad that all you have to do is say their name, and she-cats throw themselves at you," Scorchfur observed.

I shrugged, as I finally allowed myself to smirk. "It is," I agreed. "But I can't help it that I'm just so desirable. And let's face it: if you were a she-cat, you'd act the exact same way."

The dark gray tom's eyes widened, before he shuddered. "I'm afraid you might be right."

Dawn Frost

I could feel my Clanmates' eyes trail me as I padded towards Rowanstar's den. Most of them were she-cats who stared at me like I was a StarClan warrior, but jealously shone clearly in the toms' eyes. I was tempted to shoot a glare their way before I discarded the idea. Not only was I their Clan deputy, but I was young considering the position. I was an outstanding warrior. I was handsome. I had dozens of she-cats from every Clan throwing themselves at me. I had nothing to prove to anyone.

Let them be jealous. It's not like it wasn't justified.

I paused outside Rowanstar's den and twitched my ear. Even though his voice was shushed, I could tell he was arguing with someone. "But this is so unfair! You promised-"

"For the last time Dawnpelt, I'm not changing my mind!" I curled my upper lip when Rowanstar confirmed my suspicions. He was arguing with Dawnpelt; his daughter. Dawnpelt. Ugh. Her name left a bad taste in my mouth.

Dawnpelt was spoiled rotten by her Clan, always praised for everything she did. From catching a toad on her first hunting expedition to defending ShadowClan with all her might. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if Rowanstar wasn't her father, but alas he was, and she had him wrapped securely around her paw. Now that I actually thought about it, this was one of the few times I'd ever heard them fight. It was usually Tawnypelt who had to put Dawnpelt in her place.

Dawnpelt had a fiery personality and quick wits to go along with it. She was intelligent, loyal, brutally honest, and my hatred for her grew every time she opened her mouth. However I seemed to be the only one to despise her, probably because she was breathtakingly gorgeous. In that aspect I supposed she could be considered my counterpart; toms drooled over her like she-cats threw themselves at me. Except, unlike me, Dawnpelt hated how much attention she received from toms. Something about how she wasn't some prize to be won, or some other junk. I never really listened.

It was just as well that I loathed the creamy-colored she-cat, for she despised the very ground that I walked on.

I was so wrapped up in my thoughts that I didn't notice the she-cat burst out of Rowanstar's den, and before I could even think about moving out of her way, we collided head-on. I was almost knocked off my paws and groaned when my head started to throb, and shot the she-cat in front of me an icy glare. "Watch where you're going, Dawnpelt!" I spat her name like it was an insult.

"Watch where you're standing, Crowfrost!" Dawnpelt hissed, as venom dripped from her voice. "Who just stands in front of Rowanstar's den?!"

"His deputy, who was waiting on you to finish your argument!" I retorted. "And by the way, no, my skull doesn't feel broken, but thanks for asking!"

Dawnpelt snorted. "Oh please, you're skull is as thick as they come. Nothing short of a monster could have a hope of cracking it."

I smiled sweetly and meowed, "Don't underestimate yourself, sweetheart; you're just as heavy as one." Dawnpelt's chestnut-colored orbs widened.

"Lizard-face!"

"Fox-breath!"

"Mouse-heart!"

"Dung-face!"

"That's enough!" Rowanstar's voice boomed from the entrance of his den, and I flattened my ears against my head. Dawnpelt's hazel gaze fell on her paws, ashamed. But I wasn't fooled; I saw storms destroying forests in her eyes. "What's the meaning of this?" Rowanstar demanded. "Great StarClan, were you trying to gain StarClan's attention? Because you sure gained everyone else's!"

I glanced briefly around camp and saw that our Clanmates had stopped what they were doing, and watched us with a mixture of emotions splashed across their faces. I only had to narrow my frosty blue eyes before they quickly looked away, and went on with their business. That's what I thought. Rowanstar exhaled heavily when neither of us answered him, and he turned to look at Dawnpelt. "Really?" He questioned, sounding like they'd had this conversation a thousand times before, and he'd grown tired of repeating it.

Dawnpelt looked like a mixture between shocked and betrayed. "Why are you looking at me?!" she demanded. "Crowfrost's the one who started it!"

I scoffed. "Me? Oh, please! I was just waiting for my audience with Rowanstar, when you come racing out of his den like a hive of wasps were chasing you! If I had known you were going to tare across the camp, I would have moved."

Rowanstar growled, his amber eyes never leaving Dawnpelt. "Is this true?" He demanded. For a minute Dawnpelt looked like she didn't know what to say, as she didn't seem to be able to put together coherent sentence. If I weren't so aggravated with the pretty she-cat I would have found her flailing amusing.

"W-well I just... it's only because..." Dawnpelt's frustration built at a rapid pace and it wasn't long until she was acting like a fox I a fit. "It's your fault I rushed out anyways!" she snarled. "Just leave me alone!" And with that the hazel-eyed she-cat shoved roughly past us and stormed out of camp.

"Well," I started bitterly. "I see your daughter is just as pleasant as usual."

Rowanstar sighed heavily and shook his head. "I can't say her reaction surprised me, although I had been hoping that she would take the news better…" I glanced away from the camp exit and looked curiously at Rowanstar. What news?

"Come on," Rowanstar said with a flick of his tail. "You've waited long enough." I nodded and followed him into the Leader's Den, where he and Tawnypelt slept. The large ginger tom padded over to his grassy nest and sat down, before giving me his full attention. "It's almost time for Wasppaw's Warrior Ceremony," he explained.

My ears perked forward. Wasppaw's final assessment had been held at dawn, right after I finished assigning patrols. I wasn't aware that it had already ended; Wasppaw was definitely going to be a strong warrior. "So then he passed?" I inquired.

Rowanstar's eyes gleamed with pride as he answered, "Tigerheart said that he performed flawlessly." A small smirk traced my features. Tigerheart was Rowanstar's son, and Wasppaw was his very first apprentice. Rowanstar was proud that Tigerheart was capable of training such an impressive apprentice.

I was also proud. Wasppaw had been the last kit born to Shrewfoot and Toadfoot, the latter who had died a noble death while fighting the Dark Forest. My frosty-blue eyes darkened as I thought about him; Toadfoot, although we weren't as close as Scorchfur and I, or Smokefoot and I, had been a friend of mine. We shared the same dens for many moons, and it was still strange to walk into the Warriors Den and not see his nest. Shrewfoot retired to the Elder's Den shortly after his death. Were you watching Wasppaw this morning, Toadfoot? I couldn't help but wonder.

"When are we holding the ceremony?" I asked.

"Tomorrow afternoon," came Rowanstar's reply. "Right before the evening patrols go out."

I nodded, absorbing the information and making a mental note to delay the evening patrols. Thinking that the conversation was over with, I stood to my paws. "Sounds like a plan," I meowed. "Now if you'll excuse me, I-"

"I wasn't done yet, Crowfrost."

My tail dropped and I fought back a sigh of defeat. Great, I knew where this was going. "Yes, Rowanstar?" I asked purely out of formalities. I knew what else he wanted to discuss.

Rowanstar seemed to sense this. He stood to his paws as well, and beckoned me to follow him to the lip of the den entrance. Once there we both sat down, and for a moment neither of us said anything. We simply observed the Clan's activates, watching as the returned from the dawn patrols, ate fresh-kill, and shared tongues. "You know it can't be avoided," Rowanstar finally meowed.

"Not avoided," I replied mildly. "Just put off."

Rowanstar turned to look at me, eyes narrowed. "I know you're not on good terms with Ratscar, but his kits have done nothing to deserve your malice. As the Clan deputy it's your job to put aside any personal differences you may have with your Clanmates."

No, as the Clan deputy it's my job to assign patrols and be present as ceremonies, I thought bitterly. But I dared not voice my thought, for only Dawnpelt could get any with such a comment. I would get my ears shredded. So instead I dipped my head and said, "You're right, it's just… a challenge." Clearing my throat I went on. "So then I assume you want to discuss mentors for Hailkit, Honeykit, and Cloverkit?"

Rowanstar nodded. "That's right. I already have one in mind for Hailkit though."

"Oh? Who?"

"You. You haven't had an apprentice since Olivenose, and she's turned out to be a credit to ShadowClan. I'm sure that you're capable of training another excellent warrior." I gritted my teeth as Rowanstar spoke. It was obvious that although he worded it like a suggestion, he'd already made up his mind. There would be no changing it. Besides, I suspected he had ulterior motive for assigning me Ratscar's son.

But ulterior motive or not, I couldn't help but feel a bit excited at the prospect of mentoring another apprentice. It truly was an honor to receive an apprentice, and Hailkit was a strong young cat. It wouldn't be hard to mold him into an impressive warrior, even if he was his father's legacy.

"I'll do my best," I promised.

"I expect nothing less." Rowanstar replied. "Now that leaves just Honeykit and Cloverkit."

I narrowed my frosty-blue orbs and focused on the two she-kits, who were tussling just outside the nursery, with Hailkit sitting a few tail-lengths away, watching them idly. Cloverkit, who was just slightly bigger than her sister, soon pinned Honeykit down, and mock growled in her face. I snorted, faintly amused by their antics. I remember when that was me and Smokefoot. I made a mental note to visit him in the Elders Den when I finished business with Rowanstar.

And actually, now that I thought about Smokefoot, I had the perfect mentor for Cloverkit. "What do you think about Owlclaw to mentor Cloverkit?" I suggested. "He's level-headed and an excellent hunter. Cloverkit's bound to be a natural when it comes to fighting; Owlclaw would balance her out nicely."

Rowanstar looked faintly impressed, and I assumed that he figured I wouldn't put much thought into choosing the kits' mentors. With an agreeable nod he said, "Owlclaw sounds like a good match for her. He's a good warrior." Although his attention had returned to the kits, he spared me a side glance. "Smokefoot trained him well."

"He did," I agreed. Maybe I was displaying a bit of favoritism towards my friend's former apprentice, but I had other reasons for suggesting Owlclaw. Smokefoot and I trained Olivenose and Owlclaw together, and I probably had a better relationship with him than I did my own apprentice. Plus Owlclaw hadn't stepped a single paw into the Dark Forest. If I was going to train Hailkit, who would undoubtedly want to train with his siblings, then I wanted the other mentor to be someone I liked.

"And now we have little Honeykit," Rowanstar meowed.

"I don't suppose she wants to train as a medicine cat?" I inquired. "She enjoys helping Littlecloud." But Rowanstar shook his head.

"I wish, but none of them have mentioned it to me. I think Honeykit's just curious." A thoughtful expression dawned on Rowanstar's features. "While I'm glad that Honeykit is curious, I don't want that curiosity to press her into getting into trouble. She needs someone who will keep a stern eye on her."

I shot the ginger tom a look. "Ivytail?"

"Ivytail." He confirmed.

"Hmm," I mused as I returned my attention to the kits. "Well, I can speak from personal experience that nothing gets past Ivytail. She'll keep a close eye on her for sure."

A smirk traced Rowanstar's lips. "Who would have thought that your player ways would be useful to assigning mentors to kits?" I rolled my frosty blue eyes. Even my Clan leader had labeled me a player.

Just then the kits' mock growls and snarls turned into excited squeals, and my head snapped around just in time to see them tackle… wait, Dawnpelt?

I stared in shock as the three kits danced around Dawnpelt's paws and crawled over her body. And she was letting them? Dawnpelt had a very strict "keep your paws to yourself" rule that every tom in ShadowClan was terrified of breaking. An accidental brush of your pelts? That was fine. But licking her nose or nuzzling her cheek? Yeah, no. Not if you valued your life.

But here she was, Miss Untouchable (literally!) was letting six moon old kits nip her ears and play with her tail. I'm not over-exaggerating when I say my jaw dropped to the ground.

From his spot beside me Rowanstar sighed, suddenly sounding like our conversation had drained the life out of him. I finally managed to drag my astonished gaze away from Dawnpelt and the kits, and regarded my leader carefully. He had worn that exact same expression when he finished fighting with Dawnpelt, and that realization led me to a new one; I still didn't know why they had been fighting in the first place.

The question must have appeared in my eyes because Rowanstar answered it before I could even ask. "Dawnpelt had hoped to mentor one of the kits," he explained. "At first I was willing, but the more I thought about it the more I questioned whether or not she's ready for such an important task."

"And you decided she wasn't?" I asked, a bit shocked. Dawnpelt always, always got what she wanted whenever Rowanstar was involved. To lead a patrol full of senior warriors when she was fresh out of the Apprentice Den? Done. Attend more Gatherings in one season than some cats did their entire lives? Of course. Heck, as a kit she had demanded that Ivytail be her mentor! Rowanstar had never even blinked at the mention of any of her previous requests. I wondered why this one was so different. "Any particular reason why?"

Rowanstar shook his head. "None that concern you."

Rude! I thought huffily, although I couldn't say his response surprised me. Just as I began to stand to my paws and excuse myself, Rowanstar spoke once more. "Crowfrost, I have a favor to ask you." I blinked when the large ginger tom sounded hesitant. Rowanstar was usually a very confident cat. Curious, I sat back down and nodded.

"Of course."

Rowanstar exhaled softly before saying, "I'm asking you this not as your clan leader, but as your friend and Clanmate. When you start training Hailkit, could you ask Dawnpelt for her assistance?"

My jaw dropped to the ground. Again.

"W-what?!"

Rowanstar didn't even flinch when I screeched. "Dawnpelt was convinced that she would mentor one of Ratscar's kits, especially when Tigerheart received Wasppaw. My reasons for not letting her are of no importance, but I would appreciate it if you would let her help you." He spoke so nonchalantly now, even though he was basically asking me to torture myself. What kind of friend did he think I was?!

"I don't know if you've noticed this or not," I started a bit coldly. "But your precious daughter and I don't tend to get along."

Rowanstar narrowed his eyes in a warning. "I'm fully aware of your relationship with Dawnpelt, which is another reason why I'm asking you to do this. Crowfrost, you and Dawnpelt have more in common than you know."

I growled softly and lowered my gaze to my paws. I hated it when my Clanmates told me that Dawnpelt and I had a lot in common. As far as I was concerned, the only similarity we shared was that we were without doubt the most attractive tom and she-cat in ShadowClan. But the similarities ended there.

Rowanstar laid his tail across my back, and when I looked up I saw that his gaze had softened, although it remained firm. "It's not an order, Crowfrost," he said. "It's me asking my former apprentice for a favor." My whole body stiffened.

Oh. No. He. Didn't.

He did not just use the whole "former apprentice" excuse on me! Why that sly, no-good, sorry excuse for a Clan leader/friend/former mentor! He knows I won't say 'no' when he puts it like that! Because for all my faults, I was pathetically loyal. Oh, he is good!

"Just think about it," Rowanstar continued smoothly. "I think it would be good for both of you." And without waiting to hear my response, he stood up and padded out of his den and towards Tawnypelt.

With a heavy, defeated sigh, I stood up as well and padded towards the Elders' Den. Smokefoot would love this.

I am never going to live long enough to become leader.

Dawn Frost

I regretted my decision to tell Smokefoot about my dilemma almost immediately.

The smoky-black tom was currently laughing at me, very rudely so. I simply glared at him the entire time, and even used my special glare on him (the one I reserved for Dawnpelt), but he hardly noticed. He finally stopped laughing when his lungs could no longer handle it and he started coughing roughly. "Careful," I mocked him cruelly, fully aware of his breathing problems. That low-down, dirty, sorry excuse for a childhood best friend deserved it!

When Smokefoot continued to cough my bitterness gave way to concern. "Hey, are you okay? Should I go get Littlecloud?" I offered worriedly. But Smokefoot shook his head, and a few seconds later the coughing ceased.

"I-I should have mo-monitored myself," Smokefoot wheezed, as he fought to win his breath back.

He should have monitored how much he laughed? I thought sadly. This is the cat who could run to the lake and back without feeling winded. And now he has to watch how much he laughs? All of a sudden I was washed with an overwhelming desire to take on the entire Dark Forest by myself.

Smokefoot had taken a patrol to ThunderClan during the Dark Forest battle, and on their way back to ShadowClan, were ambushed by a few lingering traitors. Most of the patrol escaped with only a few scrapes or patches of missing fur, but they had slammed Smokefoot hard against a pine tree, permanently damaging his lungs. It soon became clear that while he was still quite young, Smokefoot would never be able to perform his usual warrior duties. Thus, he retired early to the Elders' Den at Littlecloud's urging. It broke my heart to see my childhood best friend in such a feeble state.

"Are you sure you're okay?" I pressed. "Littlecloud's sorting his herbs right now, but your health is more important than a bunch of dumb flowers and stems."

"Crowfrost," Smokefoot said sharply. "I'm fine. If you go get Littlecloud, I'll shred your ears off your head."

I drew away from the dark tom and frowned. "Alright, sheesh. I was just trying to help."

Smokefoot rolled his dark blue eyes. "I don't need your help, lizard-brain. I just laughed a little too hard, that's all." I huffed and glared at the den walls, inwardly glad that the other elders were too busy sunning themselves outside to notice their Clan deputy pouting. Stupid friend, always too stubborn for his own good.

I snapped out of my thoughts when Smokefoot laid his tail across my back. I looked up to see that his dark blue eyes were filled with amusement, and I frowned lightly. "Jerk."

"You know you're not really mad at me."

"I can still act like I am though."

Smokefoot rolled his eyes, although there was no venom behind the action. "Getting back to our conversation," he started, "why did Rowanstar ask you of all cats to partner up with Dawnpelt? You're not exactly on friendly terms."

"That's what I said!" I exclaimed. "But nooo, Rowanstar thinks this will be good for us, like we'll bond through Hailkit and form some unbreakable friendship and mutual respect." I rolled my pale-blue eyes. "He needs to just accept the fact that his daughter is a spoiled brat and we'll never get along. Everyone else has!" Smokefoot still looked amused.

Why isn't he taking my anger more seriously? Jerk.

"He really used 'former apprentice' excuse on you?" Smokefoot inquired.

I nodded fiercely. "Yes! He really did! I mean, how low is that?!"

Smokefoot shrugged his broad shoulders. "Well, in Rowanstar's defense-"

"Wha- Rowanstar doesn't get a defense! Don't you dare defend him!"

"You used to brag about how the deputy was your mentor all the time after Blackstar selected him," Smokefoot continued, as if I hadn't even spoken. "And may I remind you that he became the deputy after you became a warrior?"

Jerk. Jerk, jerk, jerk, jerk!

"Whose side are you on?" I challenged.

Smokefoot shrugged again, this time in a peaceful manner. "I'm not on anyone's side, Crowfrost. I'm just trying to help you see reason." Help me see reason?

I glared at him coldly. "You've been spending time with Scorchfur recently, haven't you?"

"… he might have stopped by this morning." Smokefoot looked at me curiously. "Do you honestly believe that if Scorchfur was a she-cat, all your problems would be solved?"

I groaned and laid down, so that I could bury my face in my paws. "Of course I don't!" I cried, my voice muffled. "I just like messing with that little snitch!" A pause, and then I smirked. "Did he really come in here to tattle on me?"

I didn't lift my head, but I heard Smokefoot's chuckle and could easily visualize his own smirk. "Not necessarily tattling on you, more like complaining."

We shared a soft chuckle and I finally looked up from my paws. "You know, Snowbird only has a couple moons until the kits are here. Then Scorchfur is going to be a father, and we're going to be uncles!" I sighed. "Who would've thought that Scorchfur would have a family before either of us?"

"Maybe because he's been padding after Snowbird ever since he could walk," the dark gray tom meowed. "Meanwhile we've been jumping from she-cat to she-cat like frogs jump on lily pads." Smoekfoot paused and wrinkled his nose. "Actually, when you think about it, it's a miracle that we aren't fathers yet!"

I cocked my head to the side, curious. "Are you ever going to take a mate?" I asked. "Or are you going to continue your player ways even from the Elders' Den?"

Smokefoot licked a paw and drew it over his ear. "Who knows?"Came his vauge response.

I opened my jaws to pester him about it when a new voice beat me to it. "Smokefoot, Littlecloud asked me to… am I interrupting something?" I turned around and barely resisted the urge to scowl when I saw Applefur; another traitor to ShadowClan. The mottled brown she-cat didn't meet my piercing blue gaze, and lowered her head shamefully. She knew how I felt about cats who trained in the Dark Forest.

"No, its fine," I said stiffly as I stood to my paws. "I was just leaving."

Applefur nodded, although she still didn't look up. I noticed she held a wad of honey between her jaws. She must be delivering it for Littlecloud. I couldn't help but frown. Is the order of herbs really so important that Littlecloud sent a traitor to deliver Smokefoot's medicine? The next time Littlecloud left to meet with the other medicine cats, I was going to sneak into his den and rearrange all his precious herbs on purpose.

"I'll talk to you later, Crowfrost," Smokefoot meowed, as he laid his tail across my back. I nodded but didn't say another word as I strolled out of the den, leaving the two warriors alone, although I didn't trust Applefur to not find a way to poison the honey.

Maybe Rowanstar has a point, I thought idly to myself. As the deputy I shouldn't play favorites with my Clanmates. But then again, how can I not? I thought I could trust every cat in ShadowClan at one point, and the next thing I know I'm being ambushed by cats who I used to sleep beside. I shrugged as I argued with myself. It's their own fault I can't trust them, not mine. They only have themselves to blame.

I stopped walking for a moment. Dawnpelt was still playing with the kits, and Pinenose and Ratscar watched them proudly only a few fox-lengths away. I sighed inwardly when I noticed that Hailkit and Ratscar had the exact same build, along with the exact same dark blue eyes.

Disregarding the fact that mentoring an apprentice is an honor, I just don't understand how Rowanstar expects me to mentor the kit of a traitor. And with Dawnpelt's help no less!

Today was my last day of blissful freedom. Tomorrow the torture would commence.

Sometimes it was hard being me.

Question of the Day

Are you partaking in Camp NaNo month this year?

Hello KatieKats and those who have never heard the word before, welcome to my new story that I shouldn't be starting!

But I actually have a legit reason for publishing this; this is my entry for Camp NaNo month! I wasn't planning on participating this month, but my FF BFF Jeffrey Dahmer talked me into it, so that we could support each other, and make sure the other didn't quit half-way through the month. So for the remainder of July my other stories will be on Hiatus, so that I can dedicate all my time to 'Dawn Frost'.

Just to clear up any confusion, 'Dawn Frost' takes place after the Dark Forest Battle and about two moons after Blackstar's death, however the events of 'Bramblestar's Storm' will not be taking place; therefor, this story is slightly AU. Some cats who were mentioned as dead in BStorm are alive, and some who were mentioned as alive are dead. The allegiances will be posted at the end of the next chapter.

For those of you who don't already know, Camp NaNo month is just like Nanowrimo month in November, except instead of the 50k word limit, you can choose your own personal goal. I've decided that my goal will be 20k words.

Reviews are the best motivation! I will be responding to them with a PM.