Warriors: Calling Wild

Chapter Seventeen

Rainclaw never did get to take Sootpaw out for battle training. The last time Sootpaw saw his mentor was at warmrocks. He hasn't returned since then. He wasn't at the warrior ceremony, or when the hunting patrol came back. Apparently no cat had seen him since that morning. Sootpaw was starting to get worried. Without a mentor he wouldn't be able to finish his training and would never be a warrior!

Snowflight noticed his look of worry and padded over to him. She and her litter mates would be sitting vigil over the clan tonight, but it was only sunhigh so she could do whatever until then. The rest of the clan had gone back to regular clan life.

"What's on your mind Sootpaw?"

Sootpaw shifted his paws nervously and avoided the new warrior's gaze.

"Have you seen Rainclaw today? He's been missing since dawn. I'm worried about him."

Snowflight purred softly and rubbed her muzzle against his own.

"Come on, I'll help you look for him. Who do you want on the patrol?"

Sootpaw didn't know of she was authorized to make a searching party, bit obliged.

"Cheetahclaw, Snowpelt and Mistytail."

Mistytail was Rainclaw's sister and Snowpelt and Cheetahclaw were the two best trackers in the clan. They would be helpful in finding the tabby tom. Snow flight gathered the cats with the permission of Splashfoot, who would be coming along. Snowflight and Splashfoot went towards the river, Cheetahclaw went towards the gathering rock and Mistytail and Sootpaw went towards RainClan territory.

The gray she-cat padded beside her brother's apprentice and kept her jaw parted slightly to catch the faintest scent of her kin. Sootpaw knew what it was like to lose family, but he couldn't imagine losing a littermate you grew up with. Sootpaw mirrored her actions and kept his eyes peeled for any sign of fur on brambles or paw prints in the mud. Sootpaw also tried to keep an eye on Mistytail. Rainclaw was her only living kin, without him, she would be all alone. She never took on another mate after Stormwhisker died, and never had any kits. The only kin she would ever have were Featherfoot's kits. Rainclaw was the father.

All of a sudden, Mistytail took off full speed into the trees. Sootpaw followed her and tried to catch up, but she was running as fas as she could. She stopped abruptly, causing Sootpaw to run into her haunches. Them he saw why she had skidded to a halt. In the dirt lay a body. Blood still gushed from Rainclaw's wounds and his body was cold. His green eyes were dull and lifeless. Mistytail yowled in anguish and rushed over to the tom. She pushed her muzzle into his sodden fur. The ground was stained with the sticky red liquid and clouds gathered above. Rain drips began to pour as if StarClan was mourning for the slain warrior. Who would do such a thing?

Cheetahclaw, Snowflight, Snowpelt and Splashfoot arrived soon after the rain started. It seemed as though the tom had been murdered, but no cat said anything about it. A thick red gash opened his throat. The patrol gathered around the tom and mourned him for a moment.

Sootpaw was disturbed. "We need to take him back to camp for guidance to StarClan and burial." His voice was tight and strained. He was trying not to let his feelings cloud his thoughts. His pressed his muzzle into his flank and said a shirt thanks for his mentoring and stepped away for the warriors to carry him back home. Sootpaw began to think about Featherfoot. Her kits will never know their father.