Side Note: A little shorter of a chapter, but very much necessary and fun to write. Another announcement, this story is being added onto a website called under the username 'Labeester' if you wish to go check out my stories there. I will still continue to update my stories here as well but I just thought I'd announce it. Thanks and enjoy!


CHAPTER 13

Icepaw's entire body shook next to me and Soulflame rubbed his tail comfortingly down her back. Mothflower was at my side, her head was bowed. Flowerwhisker was sobbing by the warrior's den and Whitefoot was at her side with Shadepelt. A giant mess.

"It has been confirmed that Wildpaw has joined ThunderClan," Russetstar announced sadly from the Tallrock. Gorsepaw was below it with Firelily who was talking to her quietly about Wildpaw. "Everyone needs to get back to their duties. Thank you." Then he jumped down from the Tallrock and started talking to Gorsepaw as well.

Wildpaw had been missing for several days and the only one who wasn't panicking was Gorsepaw. Icepaw confronted her, not kindly might I add, and she broke down and told her that Wildpaw had run off to join ThunderClan with our father. Just shameful and embarrassing.

"Jaypaw?"

I sat up, Mothflower's voice bringing me out of my thoughts. "Yes? What is it?" I asked, turning my head towards where my mentor was sitting.

"We still have work to do if you're up for it," Mothflower mewed softly, like it was some big surprise that Wildpaw skipped out on us.

I nodded at her and she led the way to our den, slipping inside.

"Why do you think they're pretending it's a shock that Wildpaw left?" I asked as she pulled out herbs for us to sort.

Mothflower shook her head. "For some of them it was. But none of us paid attention to him. We did even notice he was gone until Icepaw and Whitefang pointed it out. This is good for him, they'll understand that soon."

"Icepaw and I are WindClan cats, we always have been. And Wildpaw's just been a bit different…" I shook my head at them. Now they were pretending like they were upset he was gone, we were better off without him. He had always been weak and probably disloyal. ThunderClan could have him, he fit in there.

She gave me some herbs and I smelled them. Burdock Root and Raspberry Leaves. "Have you checked on Dawnpool's kits lately?"

"No, I thought you were going to today," I responded and set the two herbs in their pile. "I can check on her now if you'd like?"

"I'll do it. I haven't saw her in a while," Mothflower mewed and left the den quickly.

I sighed softly and began to put the herbs back on the shelves. She seemed upset. Was she upset with me? I had a destiny to worry about and The Dark Forest battle coming up, I didn't have time to worry about her feelings.

"Help!" someone called in a panicked voice and I pricked my ears as WindClan scent washed over me. "Jaypaw, it's Mousefang."

I quickly grabbed some Cobwebs and Marigold and rushed over to Mousefang. The scent of blood was overwhelming. More excitement, joy. "What happened?"

Mousefang let out a gasp. "The Dark Forest cats attack Icepaw and I!"

My stomach dropped like a weight. "Well, where's Icepaw? Is she okay?" I touched my paw to his shoulder where the blood was gushing out. I quickly coated it in Cobwebs. "Where is Icepaw?" I growled when no one answered.

"The Dark Forest cats took her, Jaypaw…"

I stepped back from Mousefang, unable to control my shaking. "W-What?" I whispered and then heard Mothflower rush in.

She gasped loudly and took the herbs from me. "What's going on? Jaypaw, what happened?"

I couldn't speak, I was panicking now. What did they want with Icepaw? Did they know about our destiny somehow to take them down? How could this happen?

"Jaypaw!"

"The Dark Forest cats took Icepaw," I blurted to Mothflower and I could hear her sharp gasp. "I-I need to go get her, I-" I rushed forward but was stopped by Soulflame.

"I will go get her, Jaypaw," Soulflame mewed. He was much, much bigger than me. "I'll come back when I have her." Then he left the den quickly.

"Sit down." Fernpaw was guiding me to a nest now and I climbed in it. I was numb from head to toe. "It'll be okay, Soulflame will get her."

Mothflower was talking to Mousefang but the pounding in my head was much louder than her voice. My anger welled up in my chest. I was going to explode.

"How could you just let them take her?" I snapped at Mousefang and the whole den went quiet. "Don't you claim to be mooning over her and you just let them take her?" I climbed out of the nest shakily and padded towards where Mousefang was.

The warrior stumbled over his words. "W-We both fought for our lives! They had me pinned and they just took her! I don't know why they didn't take me! J-Jaypaw, I swear."

I got up close to his face and narrowed my blind eyes. "You better hope she comes back alive," I hissed into his ear and then stomped back to my nest where Fernpaw was watching silently.

Mousefang settled into one of the sick nests and I could hear Stonetail, Fernpaw, and Mothflower talking at the entrance of the den. About me.

I just needed to not think for a while…


"No luck on Icepaw," Soulflame murmured in defeat. I could feel how upset and angry he was. "We'll try again later, okay Jaypaw?"

I shook my head a little, unable to do anything more. It wasn't a good feeling that was building in my stomach. Sure, Wildpaw could run off to ThunderClan without a problem, but Icepaw...

"You're excused, Soulflame. I need to speak with Jaypaw," Russetstar mewed in his deep leadership voice and Soulflame scrambled away. Russetstar took his place next to me. "I know you're upset about Icepaw, but you need to focus on your duties, Jaypaw. There's plenty to be done around here for the battle."

I shifted uncomfortably. "Look, Russetstar, I know you're trying to help but I really don't need this. You don't even understand-"

He cut me off, "I do understand. I lost my mate and kit at the same time, I've lost an apprentice before and my parents. Now I am holding onto Dawnpool and Cinderleaf like crazy. If something happened to either of them I think I'd lose my mind. I know how it feels, Jaypaw."

Guilt instantly flooded through me. "You're right, I'm sorry…" I trailed off, unable to explain myself any further.

"It's the chance that she's still alive, still out there but just outside your grasp, that is killing you. I know that, too. You can do this, Jaypaw. She'll be back soon, I'm doing everything in my power to get her back."

I nodded numbly, trying to push down my fear. I'd already lost Wildpaw to ThunderClan, I couldn't lose Icepaw. Especially not with the prophecy hanging in the balance.

Russetstar rose to his paws. "I have to check on my sister and her kits. We'll talk later." Then he quickly padded away to the nursery.

What did The Dark Forest cats want with Icepaw? Was she dead? Were they torturing her? I didn't understand.

Fernpaw padded up to me quickly. She seemed rather nervous. "Look, Jaypaw, The Dark Forest cats are no doubt torturing your sister, she'll bleed out or die from infection if she doesn't get treatment soon…"

I tilted my head. "You're right. I should give myself up to The Dark Forest cats…" I rose to my paws, my heart pounding in fear.

But the other apprentice pushed me back into a sitting position. "No!" she growled lowly. "I'm sorry, Jaypaw, but you're blind, that's a fact we can't avoid right now. That won't help our situation, that won't help Icepaw. I have to go. Tell Stonetail and Mothflower where I've gone, I've dealt with The Dark Forest cats before, I can do this." She seemed like she was trying to convince herself.

"Are you sure? You still flinch when you talk about The Dark Forest cats. You have to save Icepaw, not freeze up on her, that won't do any good either."

She nodded at me firmly. "I can do this, Jaypaw." Her nose pressed against my cheek. "We'll be back soon, I promise." Then I heard her padding away quickly.

My heart was pounding in fear. Icepaw could be dead by now and we would never know. Stonetail would be so upset with Fernpaw…

"Jaypaw!"

I jumped as Mothflower spoke my name, turning my body to face her. "W-What?"

"Stop daydreaming!" I felt her cuff my ears. "That's all you've been doing lately and it's getting on my nerves. Now, come on, Larkstar and Russetstar want to speak with the medicine cats. Where's Fernpaw? I thought I saw her talking to you," Mothflower told me firmly.

"I'll tell you in the den," I responded and quickly padded away to the leader's den, hearing her behind me. They were going to be so mad. I might even get punished.

We slipped into Russetstar's den where I could hear him abruptly stop speaking to Larkstar. I could feel their eyes on me as we entered.

"Stonetail, where is Fernpaw?" Larkstar asked in a very unkind voice.

I felt my pelt heat up in embarrassment. Here we go... "She went to save Icepaw…" I felt all eyes turn on me. "Icepaw is probably being tortured and bleeding out… She needs a medicine cat. I offered to go but because I'm blind Fernpaw said she would go… I know it isn't ideal but-"

Russetstar growled in frustration, cutting me off. "Now we're missing two apprentices?" He seemed angry. "What if they kill her?"

Larkstar spoke up now, "No, they won't. If they want to keep their prisoner they'll take Fernpaw in and let her treat Icepaw. That's how they are. It's good she went, Russetstar, she's dealt with The Dark Forest cats before."

Stonetail stepped forward next to me. "If she doesn't come back I will personally hold all of you responsible." Then he exited the den furiously.

Larkstar sighed loudly. "We were going to tell you a plan but with two cats over there, we can't risk it. If anyone asks, just say we have it handled. We don't need to freak anyone else out, okay?"

I nodded immediately, wanting to flee their gaze.

"You may go."

Quickly, I left the den and Mothflower followed me. "You let Fernpaw go into a death trap? She still has nightmares about what they did to her, Jaypaw!"

"You don't think I know that!" I growled back at her, equally at furious. "Icepaw might die, Mothflower! I would've sent anyone over to save her! Fernpaw volunteered, she knows what she is doing and she knows the camp well. If anyone can get Icepaw back, it's Fernpaw," I snapped back. I could tell she was upset, but so was I. "Please, leave me alone. I want to be alone."

Mothflower shoved her face into mine. "You'd better hope she's okay, Jaypaw, or I will never let you live this down!" She began to walk away and I heard her snarl, "This isn't what I signed up for!"

I listened to her go and hung my head in shame, the fear pushing itself through me. Me either, Mothflower.