Chapter Fifteen

The Clan gathered in shock as Sleetwhisker's broken body was carried into the center of the clearing. Hollycloud, who had just came back from patrol, let out a wail and rushed to her son's body. Sagepelt met her there, having already begun to lick the blood from their kit's fur. Redfur and Silverleaf were gathered as well, solemnly hanging their heads as their parents grieved.

"Where's Rainfall?" Yellowsky demanded, sweeping her three kits back into the nursery. "He needs to be here."

A rustling through the tunnel sounded in response. "I just got back from patrol. What is it? What's going on?" Rainfall asked, before his eyes caught sight of Sleetwhisker lying in the clearing.

A loud wail rang out as he rushed towards him. "What happened? Sleetwhisker! Oh no, Sleetwhisker! Why? Why you? Who did this?"

Shadowheart watched in stunned silence, his heart breaking at the sight of the cats that gathered around their medicine cat's still, broken body. Pinefrost had gotten back to her paws, staggering over towards Sleetwhisker's body. It took Shadowheart a moment to realize she was unharmed; that the blood plastering her fur belonged to Sleetwhisker.

"What happened?" Rainfall instantly demanded, his silver eyes blazing. His muscles were tense and his claws was unsheathed. Shadowheart knew that in an instant the gray tabby was ready to go after whatever cat did this to his littermate.

Pinefrost collapsed beside Sleetwhisker, gazing down at him for a long moment. "Hawk." Was all she said before she closed her eyes and drifted into a strange sleep-like trance.

Blood running cold, Shadowheart felt his chest tighten. Hawk attacked the medicine cats? Why? Was it in retaliation to what he, Firelight, and Blackflame had done a few days ago? Was this all their fault?

For once he hoped to see reassurance in Firelight's gaze as he looked at her, but he didn't get that. Instead, the normally feisty she-cat was subdued, her eyes round with grief as she gazed at their dead Clanmate and friend. Ivyfrost gently shooed Yellowsky's kits back into the nursery as she leaned against her sister; the two of them coming to join the vigil.

Foxstar stood atop the High Oak now, her ginger fur blazing like fire in the setting sun. "It has been made clear to us that Hawk will stoop to low levels to get his revenge," her voice rang out, steadily shaking. "From this point onward our Clan will not be caught off guard again. Every cat will have two more with them, no cat will leave without the others knowledge. Patrols will be doubled and medicine cats and apprentices are not to be alone outside of camp at any time."

"And what about Hawk? We can't let him get away with this!" Rainfall demanded, his hackles raised. "He killed my brother! And I'm going to shred him!"

Foxstar fixed him with an amber glare. "You will do no such thing," she snapped. "Every cat is angry at this injustice, not just you. We will get our revenge, but for now we must pay our respects to Sleetwhisker so that his spirit is to travel to StarClan in peace tonight. No cat is allowed to leave camp tonight, and that is final. Anyone caught outside will have to deal with me personally." She added this with a pointed look at Shadowheart.

"Sleetwhisker was a dedicated young medicine cat from the time he was Whispersong's apprentice," Foxstar mewed sadly. "He trained Pinefrost well, and I know he will be resting easy in StarClan knowing he has left her behind to look after the Clan he so loved. May StarClan light his path tonight, and may we share tongues with him one last time."

At the end of her speech, Foxstar climbed down the High Oak to touch her nose to Sleetwhisker's fur. Nettleleaf limped over with Jayeyes, and Frosttail as they began to clean the young medicine cat's light gray fur. Ravenpaw rushed out of the medicine cat den then, holding a leaf wrap with chamomile and poppy seeds for Pinefrost, and any other cat who needed them. Shadowheart was surprised to see his apprentice so knowledgeable about herbs, and wondered if maybe, perhaps, he true calling wasn't to be that of a warrior.

However now was not the time for that. Shadowheart sat a ways off, while the Clan gathered around Sleetwhisker. His long gray fur shone silver in the rising moonlight, and now that he was all cleaned up, looked as if he was nothing more than sleeping. Blackflame joined beside Shadowheart, wrapping his tail in his. Grateful for his brother's silent support, the two toms watched as their Clanmates shared a silent vigil for their fallen medicine cat. Grief stabbed at his heart like a claw. Shadowheart remembered how kind and committed Sleetwhisker had been to his Clan; but now it was ripped away by Hawk. Yet another thing to be counted against the rogue leader. While they hadn't trained together, Shadowheart saw Sleetwhisker as a friend; one of the very first cats he had met when he joined LeafClan all those moons ago. And now, now he was gone. Tears blurring his eyes, he sat with his head bowed as the Clan sat vigil; thankful for the warmth of Blackflame as they sat.

The next morning Sleetwhisker's body was carried off for burial, Rainfall insisting to be there to bury his littermate's body. Blackflame and Shadowheart offered to do the dawn patrol, both having felt guilty over Sleetwhisker's death. Amberfur, Brownclaw, Snowfoot, Ravenpaw, and Larkpaw were with them; Amberfur temporarily taking over Larkpaw's mentoring while Hollycloud grieved for Sleetwhisker.

The snow was cold under Shadowheart's paws, but he ignored it. Nothing felt safe anymore. Hawk had left a permanent sense of unease over the forest, threatening them from the shadows at every turn. Dread came over Shadowheart as he walked. He still couldn't shake the feeling of guilt that hung over his head; where Sleetwhisker might have made it back alive had he not provoked the rogues with Blackflame and Firelight. Shaking his head, he knew it was too late for regrets. Sleetwhisker was dead. All he could do now was stay with his Clan and protect his Clanmates from Hawk and the rogues.

"Larkpaw, get back here!" Amberfur's growl snapped Shadowheart out of his thoughts.

The white tom had bounded ahead, the ginger splotches in his fur like fire against the snow. The sounds of a loud bird screech being cut off told Shadowheart that the young tom had tracked down a thrush while on the patrol. Amberfur growled under her breath as she raced after the apprentice. The others quickly followed, in hopes that the young tom wouldn't get hurt. A loud shriek sent chills up Shadowheart's spine and he quickly ripped Ravenpaw behind him as he skidded to a halt.

Standing before them a long line of cats, Larkpaw being held under the powerful claws of their leader. Hawk was in the forest. And he was here for war.