Clans of the Forest:1: Stone and Silver (COMPLETE)

Chapter 7

Silverpaw watched in horror as Greenmoon's body was dragged into camp. His lifeless eyes stared at the sky.

"Who did this to him?" Rainstorm demanded as soon as the patrol reached the camp. Silverpaw had never seen her so angry.

"Pinebreeze," Moonbeam said softly. "We met a BlizzardClan patrol and they attacked us. Don't worry, he's alive." she added when tears started pushing their way through Rainstorm's eyes. 

Firefly stepped forward. "I'll go talk to Bluestar." she head to the leader's den.

Moonbeam carried Greenmoon's limp body to Powersnow, who was watching in shock. They rest of the patrol split up. Silverpaw followed Stonepaw to the apprentice den.

"Why so sad?" he asked when he saw her sitting, staring at her paws. "I mean, other than Greenmoon getting hurt, of course."

"It's all my fault." his cousin hissed so harshly that Silverpaw flinched back. He decided not to talk to her, instead curling up in his nest and wishing for sleep.

 . . .

Silverpaw's dreams were full of battle and bloodshed in the middle of leaf-bare. He watched as newborn kits fought experienced warriors and pregnant queens fought dying elders. Life was harsh and cold, and when ever Silverpaw tried to help them, they either slashed his muzzle and turned away, or not notice him at all.

He watched as one by one, the cats all died from sickness and hunger and battle wounds. Even the youngest kits and strongest warriors. It wasn't fair. All of the Clans were starving, feasting on nothing but a few scraps of scrawny mouse every once in a while.

He dreamed that he was running through the forest with Greenmoon just ahead of him, crying for help, but he could never get close enough to help the gray tom.

A starling yowl sent him into deep sleep.

. . .

Something was prodding Silverpaw in the side. He shifted in his nest, trying to stay warm. The prodding continued. Slowly, he opened his eyes. Moonbeam was nudging him.

"Greenmoon wants to see you." was all she said.

Silverpaw's heart lurched. Was Greenmoon going to say his dying words? Was he okay? He followed Moonbeam, his heart pounding terribly. He slipped into the medicine den. Powersnow, Rainstorm, Firefly, and Stonepaw were sitting in a circle around Greenmoon, heads bowed. Silverpaw gulped.

He sat down beside Stonepaw. All of the watched and waited anxiously.

Finally, Greenmoon looked up at them with misty eyes. "I knew a tale once," he began."I knew a tale once of six unique cats, and I think they have returned." he gaze turned first to Powersnow. "The first cat was as compassionate and gentle as a cat can be, put in her clanmates first. Yet enormous bravery lurked beneath the quiet shell." he turned to Rainstorm. "The second cat had the ferocity of a LionClan warrior, but was as gentle with kits as though they were made of dandelion fluff." he looked next to Firefly. "The third cat was determined, willing to prove herself, and to pursue her dreams." his gaze shifted to Moonbeam. "The forth cat was quiet and collected, guarded and shy, but could easily outwit even the smartest LeopardClan warrior." next was Stonepaw. "The fifth cat was reckless but brave, caring and smart, willing to fight but preferring not to." Finally, it was Silverpaw's turn. "The sixth cat was quiet and smart, but in the darkest of times, listened to the heart rather than the mind." he paused, wheezing, and then sighed. "Now I must go. StarClan is waiting for me."

"No!" cried Rainstorm. "We were going to raise our kits together!" Silverpaw gazed sadly at her slightly round belly. These kits would never know their father.

"It's all my fault!" shrieked Stonepaw. "I never should have caught that squirrel. I should have stayed with the group." she pressed her muzzle into Greenmoon's fur at the same time as Rainstorm. Rainstorm gently licked the spot on his chest where Pinebreeze had struck him.

After a few tense moments, Greenmoon's flank rose and fell for the last time. Rainstorm and Stonepaw broke into a heartbreaking yowl of grief. It filled the air, and Bluestar came running. "What-" she paused when she saw Greenmoon's body. Sadness filled her eyes. "We need to let everyone know, and then bury him."

They followed her out of the clearing and watched as she leaped onto the Highstone. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Highstone for a clan meeting."

The rest of the cats arrived, and Bluestar began. "I must break the news to you. G-Greenmoon is dead."