The Search - Part 1

    The wind drifted heavily, making the tree's branches sway violently. Cats in the forest were not prepared for such an early leaf-bare, and some of them had already died from the cold temperature. 

    "Get in your nests immediately!" A brown tabby called as his pelt was covered with snow. "We can't afford to lose any more cats!"

     Most of them were closing their eyes, making sure the droplets didn't nearly blind them. Once they were all there, the tabby spoke again, this time, addressing only one cat. "Blueclaw," he meowed, "do you think we should try to get in one den?" 

    Blueclaw's tail twitched. "But why would we do that, Oakstar?" Her grey-blue fur was shivering severely now.

    Oakstar waited for a few heartbeats. "We'll be warmer that way." He sensed Blueclaw nodding her head and heading towards the medicine cat den.

    He padded over to the nursery where Brindlepelt was shaking with fear, her kits, Specklekit and Duskkit, huddling close against her. "Brindlepelt, get to the warriors den. I'll carry Duskkit there." The tortoiseshell queen rose to her paws, picking up her kit. His amber gaze quickly traveled over to another queen, Fernheart, with Dapplenose at her side. 

    "Oakstar!" Fernheart exclaimed. "Where's Brindlepelt going?" Her kits, Skykit and Snowkit, were burried in her grey fur. 

    "To the warriors den, where's there's more cats to get warmer, and I need you too to go now, also." Oakstar picked up the scrambling brown tom, trotting over to his Clanmates. Blueclaw appeared behind them, watching Silvertail and Rosepaw run to the huddle. 

    He turned to his deputy. "Are the apprentices there?" 

   "Yes, Oakstar." 

  "Good. Now go to the den and tell me if there's any room left." 

   Blueclaw raced off, leaving the tabby behind to quickly bring in the fresh-kill to the den. Amazingly, he got all the fresh-kill over to them in a single trip.

    Oakstar's mate, Poppyfur was in the front, and she nuzzled her muzzle against his, purring loudly. "I'm so glad you're here!" Her tail rustled the frozen leaves. 

    A few moments of silence had passed when they heard a yowl from the back of the den. "My kit! My kit! Snowkit has disappeared!"