Chapter 3

Rain began pouring down on the valley early in the morning. Icepaw shook out her already ruffled fur and grumbled in annoyance.

She didn't mind getting wet. It was the cold she hated more than anything else. Since it was still newleaf the air often got cool during storms like these. The wind that picked up didn't help make things any easier.

Her mentor seemed oblivious to the rain though. Raincloud was taking her hunting along with Owlpaw and Shadepelt. The fresh-kill pile was getting low, and hunting was a good way to pass the time when it was raining.

I doubt the prey's gonna be out this morning, she thought angrily.

The only prey she had caught was a mouse hiding in the undergrowth. From what it looked like the mouse was trying to keep itself dry. Icepaw almost felt sorry for it. But that didn't stop her from delivering the death blow. Her Clan needed to be fed.

She managed to catch a squirrel shortly after that was trying to run for the nearest tree. In it's moment of confusion, it fled towards her instead. Amusement coursed through Icepaw when she saw the panic in it's eyes. She killed it quickly and added it to the mouse she had caught earlier.

Once she figured she had enough, she scurried back to where Raincloud and Shadepelt were waiting. The rain had finally slowed down, but not enough for her to dry off. Annoyance flared within Icepaw when she noticed that the two mentors were whispering to one another. She buried her prey and stalked towards them, hoping the mud that now covered her coat would keep her hidden.

"...worried about them now more than ever," Shadepelt whispered. His tail was flicking from side to side. Icepaw knew that he was anxious about something. Her ears pricked forward as she listened for more. "What if they start getting suspicious?"

"Shadepelt, the moment they were born the Clan was suspicious," Raincloud murmured. "If they really do care about you than they'll understand why you didn't tell them the truth. It was for their safety as well as yours." That didn't seem to help calm him down. In fact, Shadepelt looked more nervous than ever.

"But wouldn't that make me a coward?" he demanded crossly.

"What are you doing?" Icepaw nearly leaped out of her fur when she heard Owlpaw's voice. She whirled around to see him standing behind her. His expression was full of amusement as he watched her reaction.

"Absolutely nothing!" she hissed back.

Owlpaw didn't bother saying anything else. Instead he gave the ground a wary sniff before emerging from the bush. Icepaw tried not to roll her eyes as she followed him. Way to break apart the secret meeting.

"Owlpaw, you're back early," Shadepelt remarked after realizing they were not alone.

"Icepaw, where's your fresh-kill?" Raincloud asked.

"I buried it somewhere around here," Icepaw replied. She turned towards the spot where she had buried her fresh-kill. It was now a mound of mud and dirt mixed together. Her eyes narrowed in disgust as she unearthed her fresh-kill.

It's not that I don't hate the rain, she reminded herself. She just couldn't stand soggy prey.

"We've got enough to feed half of the Clan," Raincloud purred.

Excitement coursed through Icepaw when she said that. Becoming a warrior meant you had to become the best hunter as well. Due to her white coat prey spotted Icepaw more easily. So to respond to that, she often covered her fur in dirt to keep herself hidden. Others may have thought it looked foolish, but look where it got her now!

She followed them back to camp, eager to get out of the rain that now soaked her fur. Raincloud and Shadepelt kept whispering to one another. They seemed oblivious to the two apprentices watching them curiously.

They returned to find the camp buzzing with activity. Icepaw and Owlpaw dropped their fresh-kill on the pile before returning to the apprentice's den. Most of the Clan was gathered around the Rockmound with Oakstar standing on the top.

"We need to do something about this!" Rowanfire spat.

"They're stealing our prey, and you're letting them get away with this!" Nettlepelt added.

Both cats were standing side-by-side. Icepaw's nose wrinkled in disgust as she watched them argue. If she didn't know any better, she would have thought they were mates. That would make a terrible combination.

"Enough!" Oakstar snapped. "Unless they have caused real harm to us or our territory, than there is nothing I can do," he added when the two warriors glared at him. "Ashcloud, have you received any messages from StarClan foretelling future battles?" he asked the medicine cat.

Icepaw didn't even notice how old Ashcloud was getting. Now she could see silver lining his already gray muzzle. By now he was beginning to loose weight, and she wondered if he was passing up on the fresh-kill Bluelightning brought him.

"StarClan has been quiet," he replied with a shake of his head. "If they did tell me anything, I would know."

Oakstar looked more frustrated than ever. He let out a sigh of annoyance before looking back at the Clan.

"I would like to consult with my senior warriors about this," Oakstar meowed. "For now I want extra guards posted at the camp's entrance." He shot Rowanfire and Nettlepelt cold looks before gathering beside the senior warriors.

"I can't believe StreamClan would do this," Fogpaw murmured.

"What did they do?" Icepaw asked. Cloudpaw stared at her in surprise until she realized that Icepaw had not been around for half of the meeting.

"More stolen prey, and this time even further in our territory," her sister explained. "Their scent was all over the bushes when Nettlepelt returned with Featherstorm and Goldenleaf. It's as if the boundaries don't even matter to them anymore!"

"Maybe something's wrong with their own territory," Icepaw suggested.

She couldn't imagine Sandstar would admit that his Clan needed help. Knowing him he would keep this a secret until the Gathering. Icepaw only hoped that it didn't lead to a war between all four Clans. She knew from stories of the past that wars could lead to devastation.

So many lives had been lost when Silverstar ruled FireClan. If Sandstar wanted a battle, she would defend her Clanmates with her life.

AN: Here's the next chapter! Glad I got this chapter, and there's foreshadowing for the future of this story :) Thanks to Sleetstorm and Cookies and Cream for reviewing! You guys are awesome!