Here we go again! Back to WindClan XD Okay so here's pretty much how the book's schedule works: Travelers, ThunderClan, WindClan, ShadowClan. You can of course request a perspective.

Chapter 9

Willowspring blinked open her tired eyes and sat up, groggily taking in the sharp glare of the morning light. Sighing, the queen hauled herself to her paws and padded outside. Moonpaw was already darting from the medicine den to the warriors' den, mouse-bile in her jaws. No doubt Runningbrook has ticks again! Willowspring smiled wryly. She turned to pad out of the camp. "Willowspring?"

Turning with a sigh, Willowspring met the concerned eyes of Crowflight. The dark gray tom demanded, "Where are you going?"

"Out to look for Foxpaw." Willowspring admitted.

"Again? Look I know it's hard to understand but it's time we accepted Foxpaw might be-,"

Willowspring lunged forward so that she was snout-to-snout with her brother, "Did I ask for your opinion? This is my firstborn son! I'm not going to let him go that easily, even if he is dead! I want to find him, dead or alive." Her eyes flared with emotion, and she whimpered, "You will never understand the pain a mother goes through when she loses her kits. I am still connected with him, and I will never lose that, got it?"

Crowflight gulped, "Uh, yes ma'am."

Willowspring nodded and stalked away. It wasn't long before Gorsepelt caught up to her, "There you are!" He paused before adding wryly, "You sure put Crowflight in his place back there!"

Willowspring flashed him a look that showed she wasn't in the mood for his small talk. Gorsepelt straightened, and murmured, "As much as I love to prove him wrong, he has a point. Foxpaw has been gone for a little over a moon now. I mean, you go out looking for him everyday! If he was still here, some cat would have found him."

"I don't care." Willowspring retorted, "I would walk to the ends of the earth to find him!"

Gorsepelt stepped in her path, and gently told her, "I wouldn't let you…not carrying my kits anyways."

Willowspring raised her chin, "Come off it Gorsepelt. I've always been stronger than you."

She roughly pushed him aside and continued walking. "See, nothing you can do will stop me!"

Gorsepelt padded over, and told her, "I'd come with you…I'd follow you to the ends of the earth." His gaze clouded, "But I wouldn't leave our other kits behind like you."

Willowspring abruptly halted, her heart thudding. He was right of course; the other two of Willowspring's first litter meant the world to the proud parents. Gorsepelt went on, "I know that Foxpaw is safe. He's my son too, and I'd kill for him same as you. But I wouldn't give up my other kits either." He turned and padded away.

Watching him go, Willowspring felt sadness trickle through her. She raised her muzzle to the sky, and whispered, "I haven't forgotten you, my lost love. I will wait here for your return…forever. I swear not to leave until you return."

After a pause, Willowspring heard soft mocking laughter from behind her. Turning, the queen could see Mudclaw and Oakpaw sitting a couple fox-lengths away. Oakpaw's head was bowed and turned away from his scornful mentor. Mudclaw rose to his paws, and yowled, "Haven't you heard Willowspring? Your son is as of today presumed dead."

Moonpaw trotted along the ShadowClan border with her mentor, her muddy paws barely touching the ground as she raced to keep up with the lithe warrior. The day had grown dark and stormy; Onewhisker pointed out that leafbare was upon them. Closing her eyes, Moonpaw wondered if it was sunny or stormy wherever Foxpaw was. "Come on Moonpaw! Keep up!"

Sighing, the apprentice darted after her mentor. Once they reached the RiverClan border, Onewhisker applied his scent. Moonpaw scanned the bushes on the other side of the river. There were usually a few cats fishing or sunning themselves, but today nothing stirred. Maybe it's the weather, Moonpaw wondered, but then she noticed a pair of dark amber eyes watching her in the bushes beyond the border. "Onewhisker! Someone's watching us!" Hissed Moonpaw nervously.

Onewhisker followed her gaze and lifted his hackles menacingly. Suddenly, the huge burly shape of Blackclaw could be seen stalking towards them. He perched on the border, and snarled, "Can I help you?"

"I could ask you the same." Retorted Onewhisker, "Why were you watching us?"

Blackclaw laughed, "Watching you? I was observing you. Guarding my clan!"

Onewhisker ignored his mocking laughter, and spat, "When Stonestar hears of this-,"

"Stonestar ordered this!" Blackclaw interrupted with a cruel grin, "He ordered a guard at every border."

Onewhisker exchanged a shocked glance with Moonpaw, and Blackclaw swept on, "We know one of you did it. One of the clans murdered the others and protected the one who did it! It could be Brambleclaw and Squirrelpaw, Troutstar is a likely option, or even-,"

Moonpaw snapped, "Are you accusing my brother of murder? He's an eight moon old apprentice! He's not capable of killing five cats!"

Onewhisker added, "Besides, how do we know Feathertail and Stormfur didn't kill them? They're both warriors, and would probably have an easier time killing two apprentices and a warrior."

"And a leader? With nine lives on him? Honestly Onewhisker let's face it Troutstar is the most obvious suspect." Blackclaw pointed out, "He's been killing off cats right from the start."

Moonpaw flushed red. She had never met Troutstar, but she knew her mother cared about him. "Insult Troutstar again and I'll kill you!" She snapped.

Onewhisker glanced at the apprentice skeptically. Blackclaw laughed, "Really? You're willing to support the tom who probably killed your dear brother?"

Moonpaw raised her chin, "I'll support who I want. And I don't believe Troutstar killed Foxpaw."