Though it was late and all of the cats were asleep, Icestar was still awake, pacing just outside her den. Sparrowtail watched her from the shadows of the reeds, his eyes troubled.
"StarClan is angry" Icestar spat, her blue eyes flashing angrily at nothing in particular "My Clan is angry!"
"Icestar," Sparrowtail said wearily "Your Clan stood behind you. We always will. StarClan cannot expect anything more then your best."
"My best?" She growled "StormClan escaped!"
"There was nothing else you could do..." He tried "You couldn't have killed them."
"I could." She growled softly "I should have."
"Icestar you don't mean that..." Sparrowtail said.
"No." She sighed "I don't."
"Icestar." Sparrowtail said patiently "What you did tonight... what we did tonight wasn't necessarily in accordance with the code. But StarClan will see that you had the forests best interests at heart."
Icestar turned her troubled blue gaze to the stars, shining bright after the storm. "Sometimes I wonder why they bother seeing if they cannot help." She murmured.
"You have been a great leader for many moons, don't doubt yourself now Icestar."
The snow white leader sat down heavily, suddenly looking older then ever. "I am not a young cat anymore Sparrowtail." She rasped "A Clan leader only has so many lives."
"Don't talk like that Icestar" He urged "I don't want to be leader yet!"
Icestar glanced at him, a hint of the old spark returning to her blue eyes "I reckon it'll be awhile yet." She purred, rising to her paws and arching her back in a stretch "I've still got a few tricks up my sleeve!"
Sparrowtail smiled along with her, happy that the Icestar he knew and respected was back. "Shall I fetch you some fresh-kill? You haven't eaten yet."
"Thank you, Sparrowtail." She said gratefully, heading towards her den.