Chapter 18

"Okay, which way should we go?" I asked.

Silentstorm, Boulderfang, Tallblaze, and I were at the border, the last place we scented Deathfire. It was still raining and there was no chance of us finding her that way. We'd just have to look and listen. Well, in my case just listen. I was not the most important member of this team for certain.

"We can split up and go in opposite directions," Silentstorm suggested. "Silkshade and I will head towards the SunClan border and you two can head towards the SnowClan border."

"Sounds good to me," Boulderfang agreed. "Come on, Tallblaze!"

The four of us headed in opposite directions. Tallblaze was definitely taking this the hardest, or at least was the most obvious about it. Even after Tallblaze became a medicine cat, the two were almost inseparable. They were undeniably best friends and cared about each other a lot. They talked about all their problems and always confided in each other. He was probably a little lost without her.

I was surprised Boulderfang was handling it all so well. He was always very vocal about his worry, specifically about Deathfire. She was constantly getting herself into trouble and he was constantly trying to keep her out of it. I would have expected him to be reacting the worst, but he seemed to just be pretending everything was okay or at least that everything would be okay. I was starting to think it wouldn't be. Perhaps he did too and was just hiding it. I didn't know.

Part of me figured Silentstorm was more helping because of me rather than Deathfire. After all, it was a hopeless search and she knew it. Honestly, I knew she found Deathfire annoying, but I didn't really know what her opinion of her was other than that. Even if she did care, she just pushed her emotions deep inside so I'd never know.

And me? I was trying to stay positive, but I was beginning to lose hope. We had no chance of finding her and I knew it. I was already exhausted and she had only been kidnapped since last night. There was no way we'd be able to search like this every night. Maybe we could take turns searching. Two cats one night, two others the next. I'd have to suggest that.

"Huh, that's a big rock," Silentstorm remarked.

"We aren't looking for rocks," I told her.

"Yeah, you're right," she said, hesitating a moment before following.

I just hope we can find her before they hurt her too much.

I dragged my feet as I walked across camp. I was exhausted, but had things I need to do. I was heading over to the apprentices den to wake them up. I somewhat regretted staying up all night, especially since we hadn't found Deathfire. I still had to try though. I wasn't giving up all hope yet.

"Hey Silkshade, do you know where Deathfire is?" Songkit asked. "Boulderfang won't tell us."

"Is she okay?" Gravelkit asked.

"Is she dead?" Tigerkit asked.

"Kits, leave Silkshade alone. She's busy," Boulderfang told them.

"Deathfire will be back eventually," I told them. "She's alive, we just don't know where she is."

"I want Deathfire back now!" Songkit exclaimed. "Where is she? I wanna see her!"

"I'm sorry, we don't know where she is," I responded.

"Was it those mean cats that tried to take her before? Did they take her?" Tigerkit asked. "You remember them, don't you Boulderfang? Those mean cats you fought to save her?"

"Yes, I know who you're talking about," Boulderfang answered. "You don't need to worry about this, okay? Everything will be fine."

"It was, wasn't it?" Tigerkit asked. "They took her and you just don't want to tell us cause we're little."

"I'm not little! I'm bigger than Deathfire and they tell her important things!" Songkit exclaimed.

Boulderfang took a deep breath, probably wishing the kits would stop asking so many questions. "Yes," he answered hesitantly. "They did take her, but hopefully soon we'll find her and get her back. There's nothing for you to worry about. Everything will be fine."

That's when I realized: he was keeping it together for his family, his brother and his kits, trying to convince them everything was fine.

"Are they gonna kill her?" Gravelkit asked. "Is she gonna go to StarClan?"

"I don't want her to die yet," Songkit said.

"She's not going to die," Boulderfang told them. "She's super strong and tough. Probably one of the toughest cats I know. She'll make it through and will get home safe and sound."

"You promise?" Songkit asked.

"I promise," Boulderfang responded. "Now run along and play. Deathfire wouldn't want you to worry."

I heard the kits talking to one another as they scurried away about what game they were going to play. Boulderfang sighed.

"Are you okay?" I asked him.

"No, but I've got plenty of other cats to worry about," he told me. "I have plenty to keep me busy and that'll be enough to keep me going. And I meant what I said, she's one of the toughest cats I know. If anyone can hold through, it's her. I have faith we'll get her back eventually. Anyway, could you watch my kits a moment? I need to check on Tallblaze."

"Oh, yeah, sure," I agreed. Wait, wasn't I doing something? No matter. "I'd be happy to!"

"Thanks! I owe you one!" he responded.

I walked over to where the kits were playing. "What're you playing and do you care if I join?" I asked.

"We we're going to play mossball but couldn't with three cats, but if you join we can!" Songkit told me.

"How are we dividing the teams?" I asked.

"She-cats versus toms!" she declared. "You're on my team!"

"We're gonna lose, aren't we?" Tigerkit asked Gravelkit.

"Don't talk like that! We've got a chance!" Gravelkit responded.

I began playing with the kits, but I wasn't fully into it. My mind kept drifting back to the fact Deathfire was still missing and there was a chance we'd never get her back. I shook my head. Boulderfang was right about one thing: Deathfire was tough. She'll be fine. Everything would be fine.

Author's Note: Sorry for not publishing last week. I'm back though and have been writing to the next book some so I'm being productive! Yay! Anyway, leave a review if you'd like. They are always appreciated. Anyway, until next week!

-Rowan W.