Prologue
Bent down the thicket gleaming eyes and a flash of white fur went by then they sprung energy rushing through them. So close than a white fur blocking them snow filling their faces. What had happened? So close to the first pray in weeks. Looking up a snow pelt found her gaze at Winterclaw a fellow tom cat in wind clan with a snow white pelt just like her. She glanced at the dead rabbit under her. Wow, they still killed it she thought. Then she saw a crimson red patch on his flawless pelt.
"Sorry!" Snowcloud whimpered. In horror of what she had done to the powerful warriors pelt.
Winterclaw laughed and slowly walked off back to camp without a word.
When returning she dropped the rabbit into the empty food pile. Then as she walked past the medicine cats den she heard Winterclaw and Morningleaf talking in a low voice.
"You really should be more careful it isn't green leaf and even then it is bad luck to have a cat beaten by a rabbit," then her eyes narrowed "it was a rabbit wasn't it?"
"Don't fret I am strong and will heal soon enough." Winterclaw looked back at Morningleaf with tenderness in his eyes.
Then as soon as Morningleaf left, Snowcloud strode in. "Winterclaw," she meowed, "you didn't have to cover for me"
He lifted his head "I know but I would rather face humiliation then have you get in trouble." Than with a grin he stalked off.
She left him and went to go see how the training was going with the apprentices. I hope they have more sense than to attack a cat instead of a rabbit, she thought bitterly, the clan was slowly dying and next time a cat made a mistake they might not be so lucky.
"Don't be angry at Snowcloud she meant no harm, and it's hard to tell in the blizzard" Winterclaws voice interrupted her thoughts.
"How is it you always seem to know what I'm thinking?" She purred back at him not daring to meet his eyes.
"I know you. I also know your bitterness comes from grief. Do not grieve for me." Winterclaws voice faded farther and farther off and then he disappeared.
"Don't leave me", she cried "I can't do this without you!" While she had raised her voice she knew that he was already gone. He always seemed to leave her when she needed him most.