Warrior Cats Fanfiction- Ripples of Fear

Chapter 22

  An icy wind howled through the ReedClan camp, gripping the pelts and hearts of all the cats gathered there. Snow had been mercilessly falling for the whole day, and it lay over the entire territory, making it seem like a whole new world to the youngest cats there.

  "Sharpfang, Mossysplash, Bronzeheart, Poppyshine, Echostep, Timberblaze, Bearface, Blackfur, Bonefoot, Foxpaw, Rosepaw, and Silverpaw will be going to the Gathering tonight." Froststar announced, his ragged white fur glowing in moonlight.

  Silverpaw flexed her claws in the soft snow. Yesterday morning, Shadedpaw was gone. Patrols had gone in and out of the territory, scenting for any trace of the marbled tabby apprentice. However, each one had returned empty-pawed. Now that they were going to the Gathering, they would find out if any of the other Clans had seen her or know anything about where she is.

  "I'm sorry," a voice meowed behind her. Silverpaw spun around, and was surprised to find Breezepaw, green eyes unexpectedly sympathetic, sitting behind her. "About Shadedpaw."

  "It's okay. We'll find her." Silverpaw promised, though she knew deep inside that her sister was gone forever.

"What?!" A voice wailed from a fox-length away. Every cat whipped around to see Stormpaw sitting there, eyes shining in irritation. "Why can't I come?" He wined.

  Blackfur stalked up to face him. "Flea-brain!" He spat, his gaze uncharacteristically cold. "You're not even part of ReedClan! Keep your muzzle shut!"

  Stormpaw flinched, before shuffling his paws and turning to trudge away, while Blackfur flicked an ear in irritation.

  Froststar gave his fluffy tail a wave, before turning and plunging into the snowy woods. Silverpaw raced after him, with Foxpaw right ahead of her, and Rosepaw hard on her paws. Her pelt tingled with anticipation. After all, the Clan Gatherings were always exciting, and she needed to know what had happened to her littermate.

  Foxpaw fell back beside her, matching her pace. "We'll find Shadedpaw." He assured her, as if reading her thoughts, giving her a sympathetic smile.

  "Of course we will." Silverpaw agreed, trying to swallow the feeling of unease that welled up in her throat.

  "Foxpaw, tell me about some of the battle moves you've been practicing." Rosepaw chimed in, eyes shimmering in the darkness. "Er... in case we'll have to fight to find her."

  Foxpaw' gave brightened. "Okay!" He agreed, clearly eager to brag about the more advanced battle moves he had learned. "So there's this one that I just learned a few sunrises ago, where you have to leap over your opponent, and while you're in the air..."

  Silverpaw didn't care to listen to the rest of his sentence. She trotted forward a couple paces, until she was walking behind Blackfur and Timberblaze.

  "I just can't believe it," Timberblaze was muttering, clearly not realizing that Silverpaw was listening. "Two cats gone, in less than three moons..."

  "And with Shadedpaw as sick as she was, she could never have made it in the wild, especially in a leaf-bare like this!"

  Timberblaze shook his head sadly. "StarClan help us." He sighed.

  Shadedpaw slowed her pace. How could they think that Shadedpaw could be dead?! She couldn't die! Not yet!

  "Silverpaw, are you alright?" The silver tabby and white apprentice jumped at the sound of her mentor's voice.

  "I'm fine, Mossysplash. I'm sure Shadedpaw's okay."

  Mossysplash dipped her head. "We can only hope." She meowed, touching her nose to Silverpaw's ear.