Petalsplash: Yeah. And don't worry, you'll find out who the blue-eyed cat is eventually. ;)

DappledleafTheBootiful: Yeah, same.

Guest: Thank you!

Onto the chapter!

Chapter 35

"No!" Greystorm wailed. "He ran away! He's out there all alone and it's probably all my fault!" Wrenpaw, not wanting Greystorm to feel bad stepped up to comfort him even though he was distressed as well.

Feeling the need to do something, Goldensun meowed urgently, "Wrenpaw. Go back to camp and tell Shadestar what happened. We're going to go looking for Grasspaw." At hearing his name, Wrenpaw looked up at Goldensun and nodded, before taking off towards camp. As the apprentice disappeared into the undergrowth, Goldensun caught a glimpse of Pinenose glaring at her out of the corner of her eye.

"You had no right to do that!" He exclaimed. "If you don't remember, I'm the deputy and I'm the leader of the patrol, not you."

Goldensun was a bit embarrassed at being scolded by the deputy, but kept her cool and responded, "One of our clanmates is missing. I'm worried for him and think that we need to at least try to find him."

Pinenose sighed and Goldensun saw the anger in his eyes fade. "I value your care for Grasspaw," He began but was interrupted by a loud rumbling sound from the sky. Goldensun followed the deputy's gaze as he looked up, and realized that the entire sky was nearly covered in ominous storm clouds. "I can't let you search either," Pinenose continued. "There's a storm on its way and I can't let another clanmate be at risk."

Goldensun heard a gasp from Greystorm before he objected, "My brother is out there all alone and you plan on leaving him?"

Pinenose looked conflicted but responded with his usual confidence. "Yes, I hate to leave an apprentice on his own, but I can't let either of you put yourselves at risk to look for him. Come on; let's get back to camp." The deputy took one more glance at both of them before turning around and taking off at a brisk pace in the direction of camp. As Goldensun turned to follow him the first flash of lightning cracked through the sky causing her worry to spark up again. I sure hope Grasspaw will be fine on his own for one night.

By the time the patrol reached camp the clearing was empty due to the downpour and Goldensun's fur was soaked and clinging to her skin. Goldensun, Greystorm, and Pinenose all raced for the Warriors den as thunder rumbled loudly overhead. Although she had previously been upset at having to come back to camp, Goldensun saw the wisdom in Pinenose's decision. It would have been impossible to find Grasspaw in this storm anyways, she thought as she ducked into the warriors den and out of the rain, but deep down she still felt like they had done the wrong thing. Shivering, Goldensun padded over to her nest where Spidereye nodded to her in greeting. "Any luck?" he asked hopefully.

Goldensun shook her head and sat down in defeat. "I'm afraid not." She muttered. "The scent trail crossed the border and Pinenose wouldn't let us follow it any further."

Spidereye peered outside to look at the dark stormy sky. "I don't blame him." He meowed before continuing. "In fact, I'm glad he stopped you from doing anything too reckless. You could have been hurt wandering into unknown territory in these conditions."

Goldensun flexed her claws angrily. "Don't you understand?" She snapped, all her thoughts about being glad at returning gone from her head. "Grasspaw is out there in that storm! All alone!"

Spidereye looked taken aback by Goldensun's sudden anger. "I know, I know," he said calmingly. "And I care about Grasspaw's safety just as much as anyone else. The truth is that, well…" He trailed off nervously before continuing. "I love you Goldensun, and I don't want anything to happen to you."

Goldensun felt a sudden tightness in her chest as she looked as Spidereye's hopeful face. Spidereye loved her? But do I love him? She wondered. She had debated that question in her mind many times before, but now that he had confessed his love for her, the golden she-cat's mind was blank. She knew she had to say something, but what? As Goldensun opened her mouth to formulate some sort of response, she was saved by two loud confrontational hisses from somewhere else in the camp. She leaped to her feet and raced out into the rain, Spidereye quick in pursuit.

"It's all your fault!" a voice spat, leading the two warriors to the apprentice den. Upon entering Goldensun was shocked to see Lavapaw pinning Foxpaw to the ground.

"What's going on here?" Goldensun exclaimed in surprise at the sight.

The apprentices quickly diverted their attention to face the warriors, but Lavapaw did not release his hold on the other apprentice as he growled, "Why don't you ask Foxpaw why she drove Grasspaw away?" Goldensun took a step back at the hatred in his voice.

"What do you mean?" Spidereye asked from behind her.

"Well to start, Foxpaw has always hated Grasspaw and has always been horrible to him. Not only that, but Wrenpaw told me that the place where Grasspaw was last seen smelled strongly of this foxheart. Clearly, Foxpaw did or said something to make Grasspaw leave!" Goldensun was too shocked to respond, but by looking down at Foxpaw and seeing the hateful but smug look on her face, she realized that Lavapaw's theory might not be that far from the truth.

And there you have it! I apologize for not posting earlier, I've just been really busy.