Chapter 7

Duskpaw hurried to Maplestar's den. Silverpaw had been gone for a long time and Foamfur and Orcafin hadn't even returned yet. Duskpaw paused by the entrance to Maplestar's den.

"Maplestar," she called.

"You can come in Duskpaw," Maplestar called. Duskpaw entered the den. Maplestar was talking to Shardclaw and Blackice. Duskpaw stopped and stared at them. She hadn't meant to interrupt anything. Maplestar noticed her discomfort. "You may leave," she mewed to her senior warriors. The rose to her paws and left, dipping their heads to her as they left.

"Maplestar I'm worried about Silverpaw," Duskpaw mewed quickly. Maplestar looked surprised.

"Why?" she asked.

"She's been gone all day," Duskpaw fretted. Maplestar smiled warmly at her.

"Foamfur and Orcafin are training her," Maplestar purred. "It must be a hard lesson," she insisted. Duskpaw stared at her, willing her to understand.

"Maplestar I really think something's wrong," she persisted. Maplestar sighed.

"Fine. Take Tundrafoot and Stormstep to look for them," She said giving in to Duskpaw's pleas. Duskpaw dipped her head to her and rushed out of the den. Tundrafoot was washing himself outside the warriors den. Duskpaw ran to him.

"Maplestar said you need to come look for Silverpaw with me," Duskpaw mewed. He nodded. "Oh we need your brother too," she added.

"He's sharing tongues with Whitefox ," Tundrafoot informed her. Duskpaw nodded. The two headed towards the entrance, calling to Stormstep as they passed. Duskpaw could smell Silverpaw's scent. It was stale and fading but, it was still there. Duskpaw followed it quickly.

"What's the rush?" Stormstep asked.

"We have to find her," Duskpaw mewed.

"Why?" Tundrafoot questioned.

"Because," she answered. She took off before they could ask anything else. Silverpaw's scent led to a thorn bush. Obviously her sister had fallen in for it was covered in silver fur. Duskpaw sniffed to find the trail that she had taken after she escaped. It lead towards the Oceanclan border.

"What was Silverpaw doing here?" she could hear Stormstep whisper to Tundrafoot. Duskpaw ignored it. She hurried after her sister. When they reached the border she saw something that made her heart stop. Blood. Her sister's blood.

"Silverpaw," she gasped. The blood was across the border and she ran to it.

"Duskpaw," Tundrafoot called racing after her. Stormstep followed. Duskpaw stopped and looked around. Silver fur was scattered across the ground along with blood. The ground was scratched up so there had obviously been a struggle. Duskpaw sniffed, trying to detect the scent of who had attacked her. All she could detect was fox-dung.

"Duskpaw," Tundrafoot breathed. "What happened?" he asked.

"I-I don't know," she stammered. Stormstep looked around suspiciously.

"It looks to me that a fox attacked your sister," he mewed. Duskpaw glanced at him. "But that means she's," he trailed off and scent a sympathetic look to Duskpaw. She refused to believe him.

"She's alive," she growled. Her eyes trailed over toward Oceanclan territory. "I know she is."

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Silverpaw blinked open her eyes. She was in a small cave with a sandy floor. The sweet scent of fresh herbs hung in the air and she could hear the sound of roaring water outside. Confused she attempted to rise to her paws and look around but her legs sent pain shooting through her. Gasping she fell back down.

"You won't be able to stand up for awhile now," a voice mewed. Silverpaw turned her head. A dark tabby tom was sitting at the back of the cave. His back was to her and he appeared to be sorting herbs.

"Who are you and where have you taken me?" she growled. The tom still didn't look at her.

"I'm Sealfeather," he said warmly, "and you're in the Oceanclan medicinecat den." Silverpaw gasped.

"What?" Why am I here? Where's my clan?' she shouted in confusion. Sealfeather turned to her.

"Roarpaw found you by the border being attacked by a cat. He fought off the cat and brought you here," Sealfeather said softly. Silverpaw looked at the ground. She remembered the attack, how she had given up. I'm a coward, she thought. "Sandpaw and I have been fixing you up," Sealfeather continued.

"For how long?" Silverpaw asked, hoping Frostclan wasn't worrying about her.

"All day," Sealfeather mewed. "You'll probably have to stay here for a long time," he informed her. Silverpaw stared at him.

"Why?" she questioned.

"Look at yourself," Sealfeather exclaimed, "Your legs are broken, you've lost a lot of blood, and you're probably in shock."

"I'm not in shock," Silverpaw hissed. "Besides if you take me back Twigshade and Duskpaw can look after me," she pointed out. Sealfeather looked surprised at her words.

"So Twigshade has finally taken on another apprentice," Sealfeather murmured. Silverpaw cocked her head.

"He's had one before?" she questioned. Sealfeather nodded.

"But that doesn't matter," he shook his head. "Any ways I'm sure they could look after you but it's far too dangerous to move you right now," Sealfeather insisted. "If you hit a bump or anything your legs could be permanently broken or even more blood could spill out of you."

"Couldn't you put a sprint on it or patch me with cobwebs?" she asked, hoping to Starclan there was some way they'd let her go back to her clan. Sealfeather shook his head sympathetically.

"I'm afraid your stuck here," he sighed. Silverpaw felt sick as she lay back down in her nest. She was stuck in another clan, her clan didn't know what had happened to her, and there was a murderer running loose. Today was not her day.

"I found some more marigold," another voice mewed. Silverpaw glanced at the entrance. A golden and white she-cat was walking in with a bundle of golden leaves in her jaws. She dropped them next to Sealfeather. "There's a new patch at the top of the cliff," she purred. "Now that the snow has fallen from the cliffs we can find lots of new herbs." Sealfeather nodded to his apprentice.

"Well done Sandpaw," he praised. She lifted her chin proudly. Silverpaw rolled her eyes and huffed. Sandpaw glanced at her.

"Your awake," she mewed.

"Yep," Silverpaw agreed.

"Well Roarpaw's been wanting to see you," Sandpaw said. She glanced at Sealfeather. He was quiet. "I suppose I'll go fetch him," she said heading towards the entrance. When she returned a silver tom was following her.

"So you're my rescuer," Silverpaw mewed attempting to sit up. She failed and ended up laying back down. Roarpaw nodded.

"Yes. I chased away your attacker," he mewed. His yellow eyes were soft and filled with kindness.

"Well then, thank you," she purred. Roarpaw smiled.

"So who was your attacker?" he asked, curiously.

"I was hoping you could tell me," she mewed. Roarpaw glanced at Sandpaw worriedly.

"So someone just randomly attacked you?" he checked. Silverpaw nodded. "Do you know of anyone that would have a reason to attack you?" he asked. Silverpaw glared at him.

"I'm not in an argument with anyone," she hissed. "Our clan is at peace right now," she lied, thinking of Snowypaw.

"That's certainly odd," Sealfeather breathed. "I'll consult Starclan about it when we go to the Star Tree tonight," he decided. Silverpaw perked up. Duskpaw would be there too.

"Will you tell Duskpaw and Twigshade I'm okay?" she asked. Sealfeather nodded. Silverpaw let out a relieved sigh and sunk back into her nest. Suddenly she felt exhausted and her legs began to ach and her wounds to sting. Sealfeather noticed her sudden tiredness.

"Alright now let my patient sleep," he said, ushering Roarpaw towards the door. Roarpaw winked at Silverpaw before he disappeared. Silverpaw hissed under her breath. What a furball, she thought in aggravation.

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Duskpaw hesitantly left the camp with Twigshade. After they had found the blood, Tundrafoot, Stormstep, and Duskpaw had wandered through the forest until they found Orcafin and Foamfur. They had informed them that they were waiting for Silverpaw to track them down.

Returning to camp they had told Maplestar what they had found. She had taken a search party out but they still hadn't found her. Maplestar had called a meeting and told the clan. Duskpaw remembered how everyone had flocked to Creamfoot and her, telling them how sorry they were. She had been relieved when Twigshade had fetched her but now that she was leaving she felt bad.

Who would look after the clan while they were gone? What if someone needed something or Snowypaw woke up or Seakit got worse? Duskpaw shook her head trying to free herself of the dreary thoughts. Starclan will protect the clan, she told herself. Twigshade walked beside her, his pace was swift and he kept glancing over his shoulder. Duskpaw guessed he didn't want to be the next victim of some cat's heinous crimes.

When they reached the border with Moonclan they walked along it. Duskpaw gazed over the open land. The snow was melting in some places and made it look like a huge brown and white pelt. The moon glowed on the ice and made it sparkle. She smiled at the beauty of it. Then a shadow caught her eye.

Looking closer she saw it was the shadowy outline of a cat. She nudged Twigshade. He glanced at her. She tipped her head in the direction of the cat. Twigshade narrowed his eyes at it. Sniffing the air he smiled.

"Leafcloud," he called. The cat stopped and looked at them. Green eyes sparked in the dark. Quickly the cat ran to them.

"Twigshade," she greeted him. The cat was ginger with white splashes. She glanced at Duskpaw. Her eyes widened. "Gentlekit," she whispered. Duskpaw cocked her head. That name sounded familiar. "I've found you," Leafcloud gasped.

"This is Duskpaw. My apprentice," Twigshade growled stepping in front of Duskpaw. Leafcloud looked at him, then back at Duskpaw. She shook her head.

"Sorry, I thought you looked like someone else," she mewed. Duskpaw could tell she didn't mean her words. "Can I walk with you?" she asked, changing the subject. Twigshade nodded. The three cats walked to the edge of the territories then started back towards Frostclan territory then stopped.

"We can wait for Sealfeather and Thunderstreak here," Twigshade mewed. Duskpaw was eager to meet the medicine cats from the other clans. She knew both of the other medicine cats had apprentices too. They sat in silence, the only sound was that of birds singing good night in the distance.

"There they are," Leafcloud mewed. She pointed in the distance. Duskpaw squinted until she could make out the shapes of four cats walking towards them. When they got closer she could see them clearly. One was a dark tabby tom, one a gold and white she-cat, one a silver she-cat, and one a ginger she-cat.

"Thunderstreak," Twigshade greeted the ginger she-cat. "and Sparklepaw," he nodded to the silver she-cat. She dipped her head to him. Then she glanced at Duskpaw.

"Who are you?" Sparklepaw asked.

"I'm Duskpaw," she mewed. Sparklepaw smiled at her.

"It's about time Twigshade got an apprentice. He's so old," she purred. Duskpaw smiled. She glanced at the tabby and the golden cat. Twigshade had his back to him and was completely ignoring them so Duskpaw guessed they were Oceanclan. The golden cat walked over to them.

"Hi Sparklepaw," she greeted her. Sparklepaw purred to her.

"This is Duskpaw," she introduced her. "Duskpaw this is Sandpaw," she said turning to Duskpaw. Duskpaw dipped her head, Sandpaw dipped her head.

"That's my mentor, Sealfeather," she pointed to the tabby who was now talking to Leafcloud. Duskpaw nodded politely. Sandpaw smiled.

"Let's get moving," Thunderstreak mewed. The other cats nodded their agreement. Together they stood up and headed away from the clans. It only took a while but soon they had reached the tallest tree Duskpaw had ever seen. It was even taller than the White Tree! It glowed silver in the moonlight and even sparkled with golden flakes that looked like stars.

The medicine cats moved into places by it and settled down. Duskpaw hurried to a place next to Twigshade. He glanced at her before touching his nose to the silvery tree. Duskpaw followed his lead. Closing her eyes she drifted to sleep.

Duskpaw blinked open her eyes and found herself in a beautiful place. It was full of short, twisted, white trees. Instead of a blanket of snow under her feet it was soft grass. The sky overhead was bright blue with fluffy white clouds racing across the sky. A warm breeze whispered through the trees and swirled her fur. Duskpaw smiled in amazement.

"Welcome Duskpaw," a calm voice mewed. Duskpaw turned around in surprise. Standing behind her was a pure white she-cat. She had dark blue eyes. "I am Softsnow," she purred. "I was the medicine cat before Twigshade, and you shall be the medicine cat after him," she said dipping her head. Duskpaw gawked at her.

"Does that mean you accept me?" she asked.

"All of Starclan does," Softsnow purred. Duskpaw let out a relived purr. Softsnow smiled at her. Then her eyes grew dark. "There is a dark cloud hanging over your clan," she whispered. Duskpaw stared at her.

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"There is a traitor amongst you," she mewed. Duskpaw gulped.

"Who?" she asked.

"I cannot see," she sighed. "But beware those you hold close," she added. Duskpaw blinked in confusion.

"What does that mean? Are you saying they did this?" she questioned. Softsnow looked at the ground.

"I can't tell you," she whispered. "Trust your heart young one and always remember Starclan is with you," she added as she began to fade.

"Wait," Duskpaw cried but she was already gone. Duskpaw was left alone in the forest. However soon that was gone too. Duskpaw closed her eyes and opened them, expecting to be back at the Star Tree but to her surprise she was in Frostclan territory. Snowypaw was crouched in front of her. Duskpaw waited for him to notice her but he never did.

"I must be invisible," she gasped. Carefully she approached Snowypaw. Shouldn't you be in the medicine cat den? she thought. Then it hit her. She was seeing him before the attack. Settling down she watched him sniff around the roots of a tree. He approached a bush and stuck his head in. Duskpaw heard him gasp and withdraw his head. His face was full of surprise.

"Hello. Is someone there?" a voice called from the other side of the bush. Leaping to his feet Snowypaw started to run away. Duskpaw raced after him.

He finally stopped in a small clearing. Standing under a tree he tried to catch his breath. Duskpaw recognized the place as where she found his body. Pricking her ears she could hear the sound of running feet. "Run," she yelled, but he couldn't hear her. Suddenly a dark shape burst out of the bushes. The last thing Duskpaw saw was Snowypaw's eyes widen in fear before everything went dark.

Blinking open her eyes she saw the Star Tree. The other medicine cats were waking up around her. Sparklepaw's eyes were bright and she looked happy. She must have had a good dream, Duskpaw thought. I wish I could feel the same she thought of her troublesome dream.

"Well I guess we'll see you at the gathering," Thunderstreak mewed. She dipped her head before turning and walking away. Sparklepaw followed her with Sandpaw and Sealfeather.

"Let's go," Twigshade growled. He marched off without telling Leafcloud good bye. Duskpaw shrugged and hurried after him. Duskpaw followed him back to camp, all the time thinking about her dream.

A/N:

Hum that was kind of rushed and unorganized. Sorry. We're repainting my room so I've been moving furniture out and haven't had much time to write. Anyways I hoped you liked it. Please review people, I've been getting fewer and few reviews don't help me keep writing. But anyways for all those who do review, thank you. Now please review and keep reading. Byeeeeeeeeeeeeee.