Chapter 16

Silverpaw walked back into camp with a snow hare dangling from her jaws. Foamfur was in front of her and had managed to catch a spotted owl. The golden she-cat had taken over Silverpaw's training after Paletree had retired to the elders den. Foamfur wasn't that bad but, Silverpaw missed Paletree. The old white cat had the best stories and sometimes after training she would tell them to her. Sighing Silverpaw dropped her catch on the freshkill pile.

"Well done," Snowyowl purred. Silverpaw smiled at him. Other than being back with her sister and mother, Snowyowl was probably her favorite thing about being back in Frostclan. The fluffy white tom was always so cheerful and nice. She loved that about him.

"Want to share it?" she asked. He nodded. Silverpaw bent down to pick it up again but Foamfur stuck her tail in front of her.

"You should feed Paletree first," Foamfur mewed. Silverpaw glanced at Snowyowl apologetically. He just shrugged and sat down to wait. Silverpaw grabbed another rabbit that was on the pile and hurried to the elders den. Paletree was sunning herself outside the old tree and looked up as Silverpaw ran to her.

"Here you go," Silverpaw mewed, dropping the rabbit.

"Thanks," Paletree purred before she buried her mouth in it. Silverpaw dipped her head to her before hurrying back to Snowyowl. He was still waiting for her next to the freshkill pile.

"I'm back," she purred. Snowyowl smiled and picked up the rabbit. He walked next to the apprentices den and settled down to eat. Silverpaw lay next to him. "So what's happened while I was gone?" she asked.

"Blackice was killed," he mewed sadly. Silverpaw almost choked on her mouthful of freshkill. She looked at him. His eyes were wet and a single tear rolled down his cheek.

"I'm so sorry," she mewed quietly. He shrugged. Silverpaw snuggled closer until their pelts were mingled together. She bent over and licked his cheek. "He was a wonderful warrior," she complemented. Snowyowl nodded.

"He was a great dad too," he sniffed. Dad. The word echoed in Silverpaw's head. She had never had one. Creamfoot had never told them of their dad. Did she even have one? Was he dead and Creamfoot just didn't want to bring it up? The questions burned in her head and she looked around for Creamfoot, planning to ask her. The cream colored she-cat was nowhere in sight so Silverpaw pushed the thoughts away and turned to Snowyowl.

"How did he die?" she dared to ask.

"He was murdered," Snowyowl mewed. Silverpaw was plunged into a memory. She was standing on the border with Oceanclan when she was attacked. It must have been the same cat, she thought to herself.

"Did you find out who did it?" Silverpaw questioned. Snowyowl shook his head. Silverpaw dug through her memory, trying to find something that could help her find out who it was. He had nothing to give himself away except for one thing. He had talked. Silverpaw sat upright. Snowyowl glanced at her sudden movement.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"The day I disappeared I was attacked. I was trying to remember everything about the attacker and I remembered his voice. He said something to me before Roarpaw saved me," she mewed quickly. Snowyowl didn't look as excited about the news as Silverpaw thought he would have. "Snowyowl this means I can find out who the murderer is," she mewed to him.

"I know," he sighed.

"Don't you want to find out who killed your father?" she asked. He looked at his paws.

"I have to go," he finally mewed. Getting up he walked away. Silverpaw stared after him in confusion.

"That was odd," she whispered to herself. Shrugging she turned back to rabbit.

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Snowyowl walked into the woods. His mind was whirling. What if Silverpaw found out who had killed Blackice? He would kill her for sure. Snowyowl wasn't even supposed to know but he did and he knew he knew. He had threatened him. He had told him to keep it a secret and ever let anyone know or he'd kill them all.

Snowyowl didn't doubt him. He defiantly had the power to. He was sneaky enough and everyone loved him. No one would ever suspect it was him killing the clan. Snowyowl dug his claws into the ground. He had to stop Silverpaw. If he didn't he would kill her!

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Duskpaw ran her eyes over the herb store. She had to make sure everything was there. Tomorrow night she would be going to the Star Tree for the second time. Everything had to be in order before she left.

"Do we have enough poppy seeds?" Twigshade asked.

"We have more than enough. We were gathering them for a battle," she answered. Twigshade nodded.

"How 'bout tansy?"

"Are supply is low but it should last us until we get back," Duskpaw mewed. Twigshade smiled.

"I guess we're done then," he mewed. "No more gathering herbs till after the half-moon. Now we can continue to learn what herb does what," he smiled. Duskpaw groaned inwardly. Time to memorize some herbs!

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Snowyowl walked back into camp with a vole. It was measly and stingy and would hardly feed Furledkit or Bigkit. More than a few cats gave him disappointed looks as he dropped it on the freshkill pile.

"Is that all?" Orcafin asked. Snowyowl twitched his ear in frustration.

"Yes," he hissed.

"But you've been out all day," Orcafin protested.

"Well some cats are just normal and aren't as great as you of brother," he growled. His eyes blazed as he looked at his brother. Orcafin backed away. Fear stretched across his face.

"It's okay. It's a nice vole," he soothed. Snowyowl snorted and turned away. The clan was staring at him. He ignored them and walked to the entrance. As he reached it he felt a new gaze drift to him. He glanced back to see Silverpaw watching him. Her blue eyes were tinged with fear. Growling under his breath Snowyowl left.

"Idiot. Now she thinks you're a monster," he punished himself. Shaking his head in anger he ran into the woods.

"Maybe you are," a voice growled. Snowyowl stopped. Glowing eyes stared at him from the shadows of the forest. "Everyone has an evil side. Some are just more in tune to it." Snowyowl backed away.

"No leave me alone," he hissed. The eyes narrowed.

"Are you sure that's what you want? We are the same after all. Turned away for are strength and shunned by our siblings," the voice said. Snowyowl tried to block out the voice but it echoed in his head. "But I brought an end to that. And I can do it for you too."

"No. I know what you did and I don't want any part of it. Silverpaw loves me," he yelled. Teeth gleamed in the darkness as he smiled.

"I don't know. She seemed quiet scared of you. I think she's more interested in your brother. Besides he was a warrior moons before you were. Not to mention his strength is beyond yours," he hissed. Snowyowl dug his claws into the ground.

"No," he yelled.

"I know how to make sure she loves you," the voice echoed through the forest. Snowyowl fought with himself. This cat only did bad things. This could only mean death. But then he thought of Silverpaw. Did she really love Orcafin? Was she really scared of him? "Do you truly love her?"

"Yes, of course," Snowyowl insisted.

"Then you will do anything for her?"

"Yes," Snowyowl mewed.

"I can make that much easier. But first you must pledge yourself to me and I can make sure she will love you and only you. Do you promise to serve me?"

Snowyowl was silent. He looked at his paws. When he raised his head his eyes they had taken on a new tone of blue. They were darker somehow. "I do," he promised.

A/N:

Well I don't know about you but I think that was awesome. I also think it deserves some reviews people. I worked really hard on that chapter and I'm very proud of it. Please review 'cause if you don't I think I'll cry. Now please feel free to ask me any questions and comment on anything.

P.S.

Jacob: What are you doing?

Me: Writing

Jacob: Why?

Me: For my fans

Jacob: Whatever. It's not like people actually read that.

Let's prove Jacob(my brother) wrong by reading and then *drum role* reviewing! Sorry I'm pressuring you but I feel like fewer and fewer people and that makes me sad.