Chapter 12

Snowypaw woke early and headed for the medicine cat den. His legs didn't bother him at all now. Stepping inside he saw Duskpaw curled up in her nest. Her silky silver fur was swirling softly in the breeze and her ears twitched occasionally, showing she was dreaming. Snowypaw hesitated, he didn't want to disturb her dream incase it was from Starclan. To his relief she yawned and woke up without him having to move.

"Duskpaw," he mewed, quietly. Glancing at Twigshade he saw the old medicine cat still sleeping soundly. He turned back to Duskpaw. She was sitting up and was staring at him expectantly. "I know where Silverpaw is," he mewed. Her eyes widened.

"Really?" she asked. He nodded. Her eyes grew wet and a few crystal tears fell into her nest. "After all this time. Oh Silverpaw," she sobbed. Snowypaw rested his tail over her shoulders.

"We should tell Maplestar," he said quietly. She nodded and sniffed. Blinking away her tears she rose to her paws and left the den. Snowypaw padded after her. The camp was deserted. Only Stormstep was out, keeping watch while the clan slept. The two cats walked to Maplestar's den.

"Maplestar," Duskpaw called softly.

"Duskpaw?" a voice called tiredly.

"Yes Maplestar," she mewed.

"Come in," Maplestar yawned. Duskpaw and Snowypaw entered the den. Maplestar was sitting in her nest. She looked tired and her fur was unwashed. "What is it?" she asked when they sat down. Duskpaw glanced at Snowypaw.

"I know where Silverpaw is," he mewed. She looked surprised. "At the gathering last night I smelled her scent coming from Roarpaw, the Oceanclan apprentice. So that must mean she's there," he finished. Maplestar was quiet as she considered what he said.

"Are you sure?" she asked. He nodded.

"With all my heart," he vowed. She rose to her paws.

"Then there's no time to waste. Quickly go fetch Creamfoot, Shardclaw, and Orcafin," she ordered. Snowypaw jumped to his feet and raced out of the den. Walking to the warriors den he ducked his head in.

"Creamfoot, Shardclaw, Orcafin," he called. The three cats lifted their heads and looked around. Seeing Snowypaw they rose to their feet.

"What's wrong?" Shardclaw asked.

"We've found where Silverpaw is," he informed them. Creamfoot shot up.

"Where is she?" she demanded. Snowypaw backed away to let them get out before answering.

"She's with Oceanclan," he answered. Creamfoot looked baffled.

"Why is she there?" she asked. Snowypaw shrugged.

"We'll find out when we get her," he answered. They didn't say anything to that, instead they followed him across the clearing to where Maplestar and Duskpaw were waiting. "We're ready," Snowypaw mewed when they reached her.

"Good," she nodded, "let's go." The ginger leader bounded towards the entrance with her patrol following her. Snowypaw ran swiftly, eager to find Silverpaw and return her to the clan. Duskpaw ran beside him, her eyes fixed ahead and her tail up.

"Won't the clan wonder where we are?" Tundrafoot whispered behind them.

"Who cares we've got to rescue Silverpaw," Orcafin answered. Snowypaw smiled at his brother's retort. None of the other cats talked as they ran towards Oceanclan territory. They didn't even pause at the border, but ran right over it. The scent of Oceanclan stung Snowypaw's nose but he pushed on. Gotta get Silverpaw, he thought over and over again.

When their scent was almost overpowering Snowypaw knew they must have made it to the camp. Maplestar brought them to a halt at the edge of a cliff. Then she disappeared. Snowypaw gasped. Shardclaw disappeared next then Creamfoot and Duskpaw. As Snowypaw reached the edge he saw a trail leading down the side. He sighed in relief and followed his clanmates.

A pale ginger she-cat was sitting next to a cave ahead. She jumped to her feet and sounded the alarm when she saw them. Cats poured out of the cave she was next to and blocked the trail. A familiar white tom stepped in the front.

"Belugastar," Maplestar growled. Snowypaw recognized the tom as the cat that had stolen Silverpaw and Duskpaw when they were just kits. The tom glared at Maplestar.

"What are you doing here?" he asked.

"We're here to collect our apprentice," Maplestar answered. Belugastar glanced behind him. Snowypaw followed his gaze to see Silverpaw stepping out of a cave farther down the trail. Her eyes brightened when he saw them. Rather stiffly she hurried towards them but two warriors blocked her path.

"Hey," she growled.

"Silverpaw," Duskpaw and Creamfoot gasped. She stared at her mother and sister.

"Duskpaw, Creamfoot," she called. The two warriors pushed her back. "Let me go," she growled. Snowypaw felt rage burning inside him. He rushed forward.

"Leave her alone," he growled in pure fury. The ginger she-cat let out a surprised yowl as he barreled into her. He pinned her to the ground and sunk his claws into her fur. Then he was hauled off.

"Get off of Beachfur," Belugastar hissed. He threw Snowypaw back towards his clan. Maplestar stepped in front of him.

"Give us Silverpaw," she ordered. Belugastar flicked his ear.

"I'd rather not," he mewed lazily. Maplestar narrowed her eyes.

"We will fight for her," she hissed. Belugastar's gaze traveled over the Frostclan cats.

"Maybe but you would but I think my clan could handle them," he mewed. Maplestar glanced at her clan then back at the Oceanclan cats. They greatly outnumbered them. She lashed her tail in annoyance.

"Retreat Frostclan," she growled. Belugastar smirked. Snowypaw glowered at him. He glanced at Silverpaw one last time before turning to leave with his clan. She was staring after him with tears in her eyes. He met her gaze.

"I will always find you Silverpaw," he called, rising onto his hind legs so all could see him. Dropping back down he left. If it is the last thing I do I will bring you back, he vowed. As he walked away he began to plan how to rescue her.

"We're supposed to accompany you to the border," Seagullfur mewed. He was accompanied by Crabclaw and Tidefur. Maplestar didn't argue as the cats tagged along. She only turned to them when they reached the border.

"Good bye," she growled. Seagullfur dipped his head and led his clanmates away. Snowypaw watched them leave through narrowed eyes.

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Duskpaw returned to camp with a heavy heart. They found Silverpaw but she seemed even farther away now. How could her clan defeat Oceanclan when in the last battle with them they had had even more members but had still lost? She dropped with sadness. Creamfoot pressed her fluffy fur against her comfortingly.

"We'll get her back, don't worry. I'm sure Maplestar won't let her go," she comforted her. Duskpaw nodded.

"I know," she sighed. Looking up she saw Maplestar heading towards the White Tree. Jumping onto her branch she called for a meeting.

"Let all cats old enough to hunt for themselves gather beneath the White Tree for a clan meeting." Stormstep and the patrol gathered beneath the tree. The rest on the warriors sleepily stumbled from their den and walked over. Twigshade joined them. "This morning we went to fetch Silverpaw from Oceanclan. As you can tell we were not victorious. We will fight them for her in one moon. To prepare for then I want extra hunting patrols and every cat shall participate in training activities," she ordered. He cats who had just woke up let out confused gasps.

"Silverpaw's with Oceanclan?" Foamfur mewed. Maplestar nodded. "How'd she get there?"

"We don't know but we will get her back," Maplestar growled. Jumping from the tree she signaled the end of the meeting. Duskpaw glanced at her mentor.

"We need to go pick herbs for the battle," he mewed. Duskpaw nodded. Together they set out to gather herbs.

A/N:

Well what do you know, I got another one up. In that case I might put up some more before camp. I guess it just depends. Oh well. So I guess this chapter answered Dragon's question about if they'll let her go. Thank you for reviewing Dragon I appreciate it. As for everyone who isn't reviewing I'd appreciate it if you did. I've noticed the same like three people keep reviewing but there are like fifteen people reading so please review. Byeeeeeeeeeeeeee.