Wolf and Moon

Chapter 17: Hollyfrost

She's gone... My kit is gone... Hollyfrost couldn't help but the think the worst. What if he hurts her? What if he kills her? He's going to brainwash her...

She looked around at all the startled faces. Thunderstorm started walking back and forth, trying to think of a solution. Mooncross was trying to calm her down, murmuring things like, "We'll get her back" and smoothing down her fur. Hawkfeather just sat on the hill, looking off into the distance where Shadowstar had disappeared; his silhouette glistened in the moonlight. Mooncross's eyes narrowed as he stared at Hawkfeather with complete fury.

"We should go tell Cloudstar what happened before another battle starts," Crosswind was anxiously glancing from Mooncross to Hawkfeather. Hollyfrost quickly jumped up and led Mooncross back to camp. As they all started to move off, Hawkfeather still didn't budge. Thunderstorm stopped in his tracks and glanced back at his friend, mouth parted as if he was about to say something.

"Just leave him be; he'll need some space," Crosswind whispered to her mate before he could say anything. Thunderstorm paused for a moment before nodding in agreement and staring off again.

As they all entered into camp, everything seemed normal. The sun had started to tint the sky red with its rays, and Cloudstar was sitting on top of the Leader's Rock, being watchful of his surroundings. Lightningstrike, Forestshine, Riverwave, and the kits were all gathered around the nursery with joy filled eyes. Crosswind, Hollyfrost, and Mooncross padded over to them, while Thunderstorm followed his way over to Cloudstar. The older three excited cats greeted them as they got closer, and the kits surrounded their mothers. Hollyfrost glanced inside of the nursery and noticed that there was extra bedding along the wall of the den.

"We've got news!" Forestshine gleefully smiled.

"Well who's we?" Hollyfrost asked.

"Lightningstrike and I. I'm expecting kits!" she squeaked.

"Oh, that's great news, Forestshine!" Crosswind congratulated them.

"Are they Lightningstrike's?" Hollyfrost asked quietly with her head down.

"Well of course! Lightningstrike is my mate; why would they be anyone else's?" she laughed.

"No reason," Hollyfrost whispered, barely audible.

"Anyways, make yourself at home! If you ever need anything, you can just say something," Crosswind led Forestshine and the kits into the nursery.

"Our parents would be so happy," Riverwave followed.

Hollyfrost, Mooncross, and Lightningstrike all sat in silence for a moment outside of the nursery.

"So where were you all?" Lightningstrike finally broke the silence.

"Oh, um, we were just getting a better view of the Red Dawn," Mooncross responded.

"Where's Hawkfeather?"

"He...just wanted to stay there and watch the sun for a bit longer," Mooncross fidgeted uncomfortably beside Hollyfrost.

"Out there in the freezing wind and snow?"

"He has a long coat; he'll be alright."

"I'm assuming that Jadekit is with him?" Lightningstrike pushed on. Alright, that is enough. Anger surged through Hollyfrost, but she tried to hide it.

"Yes, she's with him," Hollyfrost butted in, then turned to Mooncross. "Let's go find Thunderstorm and Cloudstar."

Thunderstorm and Cloudstar were talking in Cloudstar's den behind the waterfall. The two padded over to the den; Cloudstar had a baffled look on his face.

"So what are we gonna do?" Hollyfrost interrupted their conversation.

"Sadly, we will have to wait for a solution from Spiritclan; there's not much else we can do. I will notify Earthpoppy and Diamondshine about this so they can be aware, and I will most definitely alert the rest of the clans about this at the upcoming Gathering. These are dangerous times for all...," Cloudstar announced disappointedly with his head lowered.

"Thank you, Cloudstar; I appreciate your help and effort in our situation with Shadowstar," Hollyfrost dipped her head with respect and led Mooncross out of the den. Deerkit and Quietkit both ran up to their mother with worry and suspicion in their eyes.

"Where is Jadekit and Hawkfeather? I haven't seen them since last night, before we all went to bed," Deerkit spoke for the both of them. "I noticed y'all left during the night, but I didn't think it was anything serious. Crosswind and Lightningstrike both told us two different stories."

"What did Crosswind say?"

"She told us that they went to go look at the deer prancing around in the snow."

"Well, after they watched the deer, they watched the Red Dawn, since it's so magnificent at this time of the season," Hollyfrost lied to her kit.

"Oh," Deerkit dipped his head sadly. "Why couldn't we do that, too?"

"Have you kits tried mouse, yet?" Mooncross quickly changed the subject.

"No. Mother won't let us; she says we're too young. Can we now?"

Hollyfrost looked at the silent Quietkit, trying to read his thoughts. He looked at her with suspicion and desire. He wanted to know where his sister is, but he also wishes to try mouse.

"Could we?" Deerkit said once more.

Hollyfrost looked into her innocent, young kits' eyes. "If you both are careful. Be sure to chew it thoroughly."

Both of the kits both smiled gratefully as they bounded off to the fresh-kill pile, forgetting about their lost sibling. As Hollyfrost and Mooncross followed the kits to the fresh-kill pile, they heard a rustling in the camps tunnel. Hawkfeather emerged with a blank expression on his face. The kits looked up with confusion at their father as he approached without Jadekit at his side. Hollyfrost saw that Deerkit was about to ask about it, so she quickly placed her tail over his mouth. The kit could tell from his mother's eyes to keep his mouth shut.

"What are y'all doing?" Hawkfeather asked Deerkit and Quietkit.

"Mother finally gave us permission to try at least a little bit of mouse," Deerkit excitedly told his father. Hawkfeather glanced at Hollyfrost and she could sense that he felt uncomfortable with Mooncross around. Hollyfrost sent a message to Mooncross, informing him about it. He seemed to understand and started to head past the kits towards the nursery.

"I'm going to go see how Forestshine is doing," he announced. After Mooncross was out earshot, Hollyfrost informed Hawkfeather about how Forestshine's expecting. Just then, Valleybreeze motioned Hawkfeather to come talk to her over in the Warriors' den. He looked confused, but he obeyed his mother and took one last glance at Hollyfrost before treading off.

Hollyfrost settled next to her kits in the nursery, who were staring awkwardly at the untouched mouse. Foxkit and Heatherkit were napping peacefully near Mooncross, Lightningstrike, and Forestshine, who were all chatting in the back of the den, while Crosswind noticed Hollyfrost staring over at Valleybreeze and Hawkfeather.

"I know that something's bothering you, and I can't even read your mind. What's going on?" Crosswind laid next to her.

"What's not to be worried about? Sooner or later we're gonna have to tell all the kits about where Jadekit is, and...Hawkfeather probably hates me, but I don't blame him... I've noticed Valleybreeze giving me a few glares ever since they started talking," Hollyfrost whispered so no one but Crosswind could hear her. "I know he's saying bad things about me. Hawkfeather's parents are going to dislike me even more than Hawkfeather himself does whenever he's done telling them everything."

Crosswind hesitated for a moment, not knowing what to say. "I know it'll be hard without Hawkfeather, but some things you just have to let go. You have Mooncross now, and a family. Maybe things will get better; only Spiritclan knows. Or maybe you're meant to be with Mooncross. Don't even worry about what Valleybreeze or Specklefur think of you. If you ever need to talk to anyone, talk to me or Mooncross," Crosswind looked thoughtfully at Hollyfrost. Hollyfrost just stared off at the soft white crystals blowing in the breeze.