Chapter 19

Silverpaw was in a forest much like the one in Frostclan territory. It was full of short, twisted trees and new grass was growing out of the soft ground. The only difference was this forest seemed to shimmer and shine. It almost looked like it was full of stars.

"Where am I?" she asked. Her voice echoed through the empty forest.

"Silverpaw," Snowyowl mewed. Silverpaw turned around. The white tom was walking out of the surrounding trees. He looked confused. "Where are we?" he asked.

"I was just asking the same question," Silverpaw sighed. Snowyowl glanced around uncomfortably. "Do you think we're dreaming?" she asked. Snowyowl shrugged.

"It's possible," he mewed. Walking to her side he sat next to her. "So what do we do now?" he asked.

"Tag," Silverpaw mewed. Mischievously she poked him in the side and ran off. Snowyowl jumped to his paws and ran after her. The two chased each other through the sparkling forest until they couldn't anymore. Silverpaw slowed to a halt and turned around to look for Snowyowl. He was nowhere to be seen.

"Snowyowl," she called. He didn't answer. Silverpaw walked back to find him. Her footsteps echoed eerily through the trees. Feeling uncomfortable she quickened her pace. She went faster till she was running again. The trees whizzed past her in a silver blur. Silverpaw could swear she heard the sound of following footsteps and she ran faster.

"Snowyowl," she screeched as the following footsteps grew louder. Suddenly a large root loomed in her way. Silverpaw was going too fast to veer and tripped over it. Glancing behind her she saw eyes gleaming in the darkness. Then there was a flash of silver. Silverpaw closed her eyes in fear.

She opened them to see her own nest. She was back in the apprentices den. Her heart was bounding and her legs ached like she had really been running all night long. Silverpaw glanced around. Dawn light was flitting through the entrance. She yawned tiredly. After waiting a moment to see if anyone would come get her she curled up to go back to sleep.

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Snowyowl shot up in his nest. His heart beat was flying and he was wet with sweat. Tundrafoot yawned and looked at him from where he was sleeping.

"What's wrong Snowyowl?" Tundrafoot mewed.

"Nothing just a bad dream," Snowyowl replied. Shaking his head to clear it he walked around the sleeping warriors. Making his way to the entrance he climbed out of the tunnel and looked around camp. It was deserted. "Good," he muttered. Crawling out of the den he walked into the forest.

Birds flittered above him and sang happy little songs. Snowyowl ignored them. He didn't want to hunt. He wanted to forget the dream. It had stared out so perfectly. He and Silverpaw were walking in the starry forest and then they had started to play tag. Snowyowl had tripped on some ivy and had fallen behind Silverpaw. When he had went looking for her he found him. The one who killed his brother. He was going after her. Snowyowl had longed to sink his claws into his pelt but something had stopped him.

"I do," the words had rung through his mind and he couldn't move. All he could do was watch him approach her. Luckily before anything had happened she had woken up.

"Thank Starclan," Snowyowl mumbled. He looked to the sky. Was Starclan even watching him anymore? Had they turned their back on him? Surely Orcafin had. Blackice too. To ashamed of his son's actions to watch him anymore. Snowyowl sighed and sat down. He had really messed up.

"No you haven't," a familiar voice hissed. Snowyowl whipped around. He was back. "You've done well," he hissed.

"No I haven't. My family probably hates me now and it's all my fault my brother died. If I hadn't talked to you he would still be alive," Snowyowl growled.

"True. But now you don't have to worry about Silverpaw falling in love with him," the voice pointed out.

"I never did before. Orcafin had a mate. He loved Foamfur. Now they'll never be together. Orcafin will never get to be the father to her kits," Snowyowl mewed.

"But you can. You will be the father to Silverpaw's kits, well when she has them," he mewed. Snowyowl glared at him.

"Like she'll live that long. I saw you trying to kill her last night," he hissed.

"It was only a dream. I wasn't actually trying to kill her," he shrugged. Snowyowl unsheathed his claws.

"I don't believe you," he growled.

"Perhaps not right now but, you will later. When your anger takes over," the tom smiled. Snowyowl let out a yowl and jumped at him. His paws flew through empty air and crashed onto the ground. He was gone. Snowyowl lashed his tail in annoyance.

"I will kill you," he vowed. Turning around his heart sunk. Duskpaw was watching him through narrowed eyes. "I can explain," he started but she held up her tail to stop him.

"Choose the right path Snowyowl. Starclan is watching you and so am I," she mewed. Quietly she turned around and walked in the direction of camp. Snowyowl watched her disappear.

He turned back to the sky when he could no longer see her. "I'm sorry brother, father," he whispered. Dropping his gaze to his paws he shambled into the woods.

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Duskpaw walked back into camp tiredly. Her legs ached just like her heart did. She was troubled by what she had seen. Surely Snowyowl wasn't the murderer. He had been so kind as an apprentice and he himself had gotten attacked. Not to mention he had rescued her sister.

"It just can't be him," she insisted as she walked into the medicine cat den. Twigshade's nest was empty but Duskpaw didn't give it a second thought as she settled into her nest. Still arguing with herself she closed her eyes to go to sleep. Twigshade's scent drifted into her nose and she opened her eyes.

He was walking into the den with a bundle of marigold. He twitched his ears to her before placing the herbs in their storage hole.

"How was the Star Tree?" he asked, turning to her.

"Fine," she lied.

"Did Starclan say anything about who was the murdered?" he asked.

"Nope," she lied again. Twigshade looked disappointed. Sighing he settled into his nest. Duskpaw closed her eyes again and thought about what Softsnow had told her. Snowyowl would lose all those he held dear to him. Including her sister. Her heart twisted when she thought of loosing Silverpaw. She had to save her sister from Snowyowl.

A/N:

Sorry for another short chapter. I'm afraid I'm starting to make a habit of it. I need to try and break it so hopefully the next one will be longer. Well tell me what you think. Please review people. Byeeeeeeeeeeeeee.