Red Snow

CHAPTER 12

     Bright, new-leaf sun shined through green, narrow slits. Jaws parted in a massive yawn, Snowhsade stood up and began stretching his back. He had a long journey ahead of him. He padded out into the clearing and felt a pang when so few cats were outside. Most of them were cooped up in their dens, coughing to death. The worst were Flintstar, Sandspirit, Gingerleaf, and Larchpaw. His apprentice had only gotten worse since the tiny cough he sputtered a few sunrises ago.

"Hey, Snowshade! I've got your traveling herbs." Goldensplash mewed through a bundle of herbs. She sat it down at his paws, and began to speak again. "I remembered what herbs are used so I wrapped it up for you." Her eyes shone with pride.

The deputy leaned down and sniffed the herbs. He'd never had traveling herbs before, so he wasn't sure what he was looking for. Despite that, he licked them up and scrunched his face at the bitterness on his tongue. "Yuck! Thanks, Goldensplash. I'll miss you." He purred.

Goldensplash licked her chest fur in embarrassment. "It's no problem at all. Be safe on your journey, oh and tell Swiftprance we miss him!"

As she walked away, Snowshade heaved a sigh. Tell Swiftprance we miss him. He never should have let the medicine cats flee, and his Clanmates might die because of his foolishness. He shook his head and kicked away the leaves from his bundle, then pushed his way into the nursery where Brindlepaw was cleaning out the nests. "Where's Sandfeather? And the kits?" He tipped his head and looked around.

     The tortoiseshell apprentice shrugged, "dunno."

     Grunting in dissatisfaction, Snowshade backed out of the nursery and looked around. Only Batwing, Finchfoot, Bluefire, and Aspenfall were out. Where could they be? He didn't want to leave on his journey without saying goodbye to his sister. The camp was oddly quiet and he felt chills up his spine. Something was wrong. "Sandfeather?" He called.

"Are you looking for your sister?" Bluefire meowed as she sunned herself. "I saw her go that way." She pointed with her tail towards the WindClan border. "I thought she was just going for a stroll."

Heart racing, Snowshade inches closer to the she-cat. "Were the kits with her?" She went towards the WindClan border. Was she going back to them?

The blue she-cat sighed, "I didn't see them."

"We need to get a patrol together! Bluefire, take Yarrowfur and Thistlepaw, and-" He looked around swiftly. "Foxtail. Now go!" He hissed.

     Bluefire stood up and shook the dust out from her fur quickly. "On it!"

     The deputy watched anxiously as the patrol got ready to leave. They were standing at the thorn entrance when they stepped back to reveal sandy fur.
"Sandfeather!" Snowshade gasped, and ran forward. "What were you doing out there? Where are the kits?"

     Baffled, Sandfeather stepped aside and Bramblekit and Ashkit came tumbling into the clearing. "We just went for a walk. What's all the fuss?"

     "Kits aren't supposed to leave camp. And next time, tell someone- anyone- where you're going for StarClan's sake. You nearly scared us to death." Words jumbled out of his mouth and his heart rate started to slow down. He didn't know what he'd do if he lost his sister again. He already lost his mother and brother.

     Sandfeather scoffed, "oh please, I think I can take care of myself. I am a trained warrior thank you very much." She pushed past the warriors and strides confidently towards the nursery. "Come on, kits."

     Snowshade watched bewildered as she just walked away. Something caught on his nose, though. Was that WindClan scent? I must be imagining things. He fur on the back of his neck started to lay down and he took a deep breath, taking in what just happened. His sister was safe, he had his traveling herbs, now he needed to make an announcement. Bending his haunches, he leaped onto the High Ledge and looked down. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join beneath High Ledge for a Clan meeting!"

     Winterpaw, Spicepaw, and Brindlepaw came jumping out of the apprentice's den, and Spicepaw even whispered, "do you think it's out warrior
ceremony?"

     "We're not old enough you mouse-brain!" One of his sisters hissed.

     Next came Poppysky and Goldensplash, talking in hushed whispers. The elders all came and sat outside their den, looking at Snowshade with interest. More warriors gathered and finally, the sick cats stood outside the deputy's den with eyes glazed, but eager. "As you all know, I will be embarking on a journey to bring back our beloved medicine cats. The pressure of becoming BloodClan seemed to be too much for them at first, but now that they've had time to process it, I think they are wise enough to make the decision to return to us, to return to their home. There is a good chance Swiftprance and Echoleaf are together, along with our former Clanmates. I will give those who fled the chance to come home, but if they refuse, I will leave them be." Snowshade yowled.

     "Leave them be? They betrayed us! You should kill them!" Batwing called.

     Yowls of agreement sounded through the clearing, and Snowshade felt sick to his stomach. He'd killed before. Three times. Three lives he had taken. It was sickening. He thought of Cherrymoon, and if he would reunite with her. Is she even still alive? Would she come back with me? For me? "No. I will not start a fight. If they choose to, then I will finish it."

     A few cats dipped their head, while others still had their claws out.

     "While I am gone, someone will have to take my place as temporary leader. Toadclaw, you have proved your loyalty again and again, and you've had experience being the deputy of ShadowClan. I trust you to take care of my Clan. Goodbye, everyone. We will meet again." He leapt off the ledge and into the crowd of Clanmates who were saying their goodbyes. Before he left, he went into his old den and looked upon the sick cats. Larchpaw was laying in his nest, his flanks heaving up and down as if he was trying his hardest to breathe. He looked small, frail, as if a feather could break him. The sight made Snowshade want to curl up next to him and comfort him back to health. He started to back out of the den, when the burnt ginger tom stirred. "Snowshade?"

     "It's me." The deputy whispered. "I'm going on my journey. By the time I get back, you'll be back and ready to train again." He soothed.

     "I hope so." Larchpaw sighed weakly. "I miss being your apprentice."

     "Hey, i'm still your mentor. We're just... waiting to train until you're perfectly healthy. You don't want to fight Thistlepaw while you don't feel well. You'll be unable to beat when you're better."

     He smiled, "you're right. Thanks, Snowshade." A half second later, his eyes closed and soft snore signaled that he was asleep. Snowshade left the den and headed straight for the entrance. He squished his wide shoulders through the thorns and stood at the top of the ravine, his head swirling. He didn't know where this journey would take him, but if he got to help his Clanmates, he would succeed.