Warrior Cats: Shadow Propechy (ENG VER.)

CHAPTER 17

The leaf-bare season would soon begin. The winds were gradually becoming stronger, more violent and cold. The light rain would soon tighten, and it would become so cold that it would freeze, turning the green fields into rivers of freezing white.

Prey, once so scarce, has now become practically non-existent. Kits would die, and the warriors, apprentices, queens and elders would slowly weaken, becoming thinner and thinner.

Wolfstar had a lot on his mind. He went over all the events over and over again, trying to create and find possibilities in which he could prevent a war. The commotion of the Meeting was still fresh in his mind.

Could Mountainstar really have stolen prey from the GroveClan? Or was Sapstar just creating stories to take advantage?

No, I can't jump to conclusions, he whipped his tail. But even so, he continued to meditate, his yellow eyes moving in all directions of the camp as he thought.

Meanwhile, a few tails away from Wolfstar, the apprentices meowed among themselves, exchanging hunting and fighting ideas of practices.

The apprentice who stood out among all was Tinypaw. The tom, previously as small as a kit, was now bigger and stronger than the others, looking like a warrior. His thick white fur hid the thinness of his body, making him appear slender and fierce.

Wolfstar glanced over, examining each of the three with his eyes. All were loyal and capable of becoming warriors, but Wolfstar was hesitant. If they became warriors now, it would mean that they would have to fight on the front lines in possible battles. Just thinking about deaths made Wolfstar reprehensible.

Wolfstar then noticed that Sludgepaw was not among the older apprentices. Looking around, he saw Sharpear, who was meowing orders to a hunting party, led by Mudfur, followed by Treestripe, Snakefang, and his apprentice. After sending them, the deputy turned around, walking towards Wolfstar.

The leader meowed as soon as he got close. "Where is Sludgepaw?"

Sharpear seemed uneasy at that question. "Well, I imagine with Morningcloud," He signaled to the medicine cat's den. "That's where he spends his time when I'm not sending him out on patrols."

Wolfstar nodded slowly, understanding. Sharpear had already talked to him moons ago about Sludgepaw, and now his fears seemed to be coming true.

Unwilling to continue the conversation on this topic, Wolfstar remembered the new apprentices. Snakefang had just left with Pigeonpaw, and earlier, Batwing with Crowpaw earlier in the day. But, to his surprise, Brownpaw was standing in front of the nursery, head down.

Wolfstar looked around. "Where is Salmonnose?"

Sharpear did the same, suddenly confused. "Strange, I thought I saw him just now" He looked at the apprentice alone.

Wolfstar frowned, standing up and walking over to Brownpaw. The apprentice quickly noticed Wolfstar's presence, and straightened his body, however, he still had a sad expression on his face.

"Brownpaw. Where is Salmonnose?" He looked around. "Shouldn't he be with him?"

"Salmonnose is hunting" He looked away, as if feeling guilty. "He asked me not to say anything, but..."

"But?" Wolfstar came even closer, now with Sharpear beside him. "Tell me Brownpaw."

"It's nothing!"

The apprentice got up, running towards the apprentices' den, bumping into Sunnypaw on the way.

Wolfstar stared seriously as the tom's brown tail disappeared. Something didn't seem right in Wolfstar's vision, but he felt like he was the wrong cat to question Brownpaw and Salmonnose.