Chapter 22

Duskpaw stood next to Twigshade by the mossy boulders that marked the entrance passage. The cats that would be attending the gathering waited with them. Silverpaw wouldn't be attending this one so as not to enrage the Oceanclan cats further. Her sister stared at them longingly. Duskpaw sighed and walked to her side.

"I'll tell you everything that happens," she mewed.

"Thanks Dusk," Silverpaw purred. Duskpaw dipped her head to her before running back to Twigshade. The old tom smiled fondly at her.

"You and your sister are very close," he commented. Duskpaw nodded.

"Ever sense we were kits," Duskpaw replied. Twigshade smiled. Duskpaw thought she saw a hint of envy in his yellow eyes. She could understand why. As far as she knew, Twigshade was an only kit. Before she could think any more about it Maplestar charged out of the camp. Her clan ran after her.

Duskpaw fell into the pace as they ran to Frozen Falls. Maplestar ran like she was afraid she'd be late. Glancing up at the sky Duskpaw realized they probably would be the last ones there. She didn't mind. That just meant they'd stare at her.

When they reached the gathering Duskpaw found she was right. They were the last clan to arrive. As they charged onto the still frozen ice everyone's head turned to stare at them. Duskpaw fluffed out her fur and walked towards the other medicine cats.

Thunderstreak and Leafcloud smiled at her as she sat next to Sparklepaw. Sandpaw and Sealfeather trotted away when she arrived. Obviously not happy about how she had taken back her sister. Leafcloud stared after them, looking puzzled. Before she could ask about it the leaders called the meeting.

"Moonclan has done well this past moon. Brightlight's kits are growing stronger every day. The clan has many hopes for them," Swiftstar finished. That was short, Duskpaw thought. Greystar took his place.

"Stormclan is doing well also. The queen Quickstep has given us three new kits: Bluekit, Littlekit, and Forestkit," Greystar mewed. The clans let out cheers of congratulations. "Unfortunately we have also suffered lose. Our elder Mummbleweed died of greencough this moon," Greystar finished. He stepped back for Belugastar to go next.

"Oceanclan is thriving well despite the power hungry neighbors," he spat the last words. Greystar bristled.

"My clan has done nothing to harm you," he hissed.

"I wasn't speaking to you," Belugastar growled. His flaming gaze turned to Maplestar. "Frostclan have stolen an apprentice from us this past moon," he yowled the words so every cat could hear them. Maplestar glared at him as cats from other clans gasped and back away from the Frostclan cats. Remaining calm she stepped forward.

"Let me justify this accusation so wrongly thrown upon us," she mewed evenly. "The apprentice we stole from you was rightfully ours to began with. Silverpaw is Creamfoot's kit and Duskpaw's sister. When she went missing the clan went frantic. It was our new warrior, Snowyowl, that discovered she was in Oceanclan camp. When we tried to retrieve her Oceanclan withheld what was rightfully ours. Duskpaw and Snowyowl devised a plan to retrieve her and bring her to her true home," Maplestar finished. Her green gaze turned to Belugastar challengingly.

"Your warriors had no right to sneak into our camp and steal her," Belugastar growled. Duskpaw felt awkward as the other medicine cats turned to look at her. Thunderstreak was staring at her with a look of disbian.

"She went into another clans territory and stole an apprentice," she whispered to a nearby cat. Duskpaw ignored them and turned back to the leaders. Belugastar was bristling and looked ready to pounce on Maplestar. Greystar and Swiftstar watched worriedly from where they sat on different ledges.

"Give her back," Belugastar demanded. Maplestar still remained calm.

"Why?" she asked, tipping her head. She looked out at the Oceanclan cats. "Surely you have enough warriors already."

"She got that right," some cat muttered. Belugastar glared in the direction of the noise.

"Why should another clan have to shrink so you can grow?" Maplestar questioned. Belugastar looked at her when she spoke. He was beginning to look confused and doubtful. He had obviously expected the other leaders to be on his side. He had probably thought Maplestar would lose her temper and attack him, but all she did was question his actions. "Do you have no answer for me?" she asked.

"Yes, no, I-I don't know," he stuttered. Lashing his tail in frustration he jumped down from the waterfall. "Oceanclan is leaving," he stated. Stiffly he walked across the ice and into his territory. Greystar and Swiftstar exchanged a glance.

"Moonclan is leaving too," Swiftstar mewed. His clan followed as he walked onto the surrounding moor.

"Come along Stormclan," Greystar mewed as he left. The Stormclan cats followed him. Frostclan was left alone in the clearing. Maplestar didn't call them to leave. She just stared after Belugastar. The Frostclan warriors shuffled impatiently. Shardclaw leapt onto the ledge with her. Leaning forward he whispered in her ear. Turning around he jumped back down. Maplestar stared ahead for a moment more then shook her head as if to clear it.

"Let's go Frostclan," she mewed as she jumped down. Walking to the front of the group she lead them away. Duskpaw took up the back of the group. The front was made up of Maplestar, Shardclaw, Creamfoot, and Twigshade. They were most likely discussing important things and Duskpaw probably wouldn't be able to help so that was out of option. The middle was made up of Tundrafoot, Snowyowl, and Stormstep. They had their heads together and looked to be deep in discussion. That left only the back open for Duskpaw.

Slowly she walked behind her clan. It wasn't the greatest spot to be but it wasn't that bad. There was no one to bother her so she could think for a while. She let her mind wander as she walked through the forest. She thought of Blackice and Orcafin. Both of them had been killed. There had to be some connection to their murders other than they were related.

Both of them were close to Snowyowl. Both of them were black. Both of them were strong and powerful fighters. Both of them were loyal to their clan. Duskpaw shook her head. None of those were reasons they were killed, unless the murderer was pelt races and didn't like black cats. She rolled her eyes. That wasn't it.

They had reached the camp by then and Duskpaw stopped thinking about the murderer and went to find Silverpaw. She had promised to tell her everything that happened. She walked towards the apprentices den. When she got close she heard voices coming from it. They belonged to Silverpaw and Snowyowl. Duskpaw ducked under.

Silverpaw glanced at her. She smiled happily when she saw her. "Hey Duskpaw. Snowyowl was just telling me about the gathering," she explained.

"I thought you wanted me to tell you," she mewed. Silverpaw shrugged.

"Snowyowl wanted to and it's not that big of a deal so I let him," she mewed.

"Can I talk to you for a moment?" she asked. Silverpaw nodded. Snowyowl remained in the den. Duskpaw glared at him. "Alone." Sighing Snowyowl got up and left. Duskpaw sat next to her sister. "Do you really like him?" she asked.

"Yes. Snowyowl is special to me," she mewed. Duskpaw looked down.

"Be careful Silverpaw. He's not who you think he is," Duskpaw mewed. Silverpaw tipped her head.

"What does that mean? Do you think he's the murderer?" Silverpaw demanded.

"I don't know," Duskpaw sighed. Silverpaw stiffened.

"Snowyowl is not the murderer. I know he can get really mad but he would never kill his dad and brother. He loves his family," she growled. Duskpaw looked up at her.
Silverpaw's eyes were blazing.

"Just be careful," Duskpaw mewed. Silverpaw's eyes softened.

"I know your just trying to protect me but honestly sis. I'll be fine. Snowyowl would never hurt me," she mewed. Duskpaw was still doubtful. "Just trust me on this one," Silverpaw added. Duskpaw looked into her eyes. They were so sure. Obviously she had no doubt that Snowyowl wasn't the murderer. Duskpaw smiled.

"I do trust you Silverpaw. I guess I can give him a chance," she mewed. Silverpaw purred and affectionately head-butted her shoulder.

"Thanks," she purred. Duskpaw playfully swatted her ear before she got up to leave.

"Bye Sil," she called over her shoulder as she left.

"Bye Dusk," Silverpaw called back.

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Snowyowl watched Duskpaw enter the medicine cat den. his claws dug into the ground. He was mad at her. She was trying to take Silverpaw away from him. She was stealing the thing that meant the most to him. Suddenly a calm peace filled him. Orcafin's scent bathed his tongue.

Control your rage brother. You are meant for more. Remember what Silverpaw said. She loves you and no one can take her away. She even got Duskpaw to give you a chance, Orcafin's voice echoed in his ear. Snowyowl gasped and looked around.

He could barely make out the shadowy outline of his brother standing behind him. Snowyowl felt tears well in his eyes. It had been so long sense he had seen his brother, and it was all his fault.

"I'm sorry Orcafin," he whispered. Orcafin nodded.

I know, I know. I forgive you Snowyowl. He looked up at the sky. The stars seemed to be shinning brighter. I must go now. Look after Foamfur for me. Tell her I love her, he mewed as his form began to fade.

"I will Orcafin," Snowyowl promised as he disappeared completely. Snowyowl felt like he was lighter. Like he had been weighed down with chains and now they were gone. His new promise had freed him of his old promise. He was free.

A/N:

I'd like to thank everyone who reviewed last time. That's why a got another chapter up so quickly. If you want to read another one soon you need to review. Oh and I thought I should warn you. We're getting to the part where everything gets tense and then starts to fall into place. If that made any sense to you good, if it didn't then I'm sorry. You're not alone though, I'm not even sure I understand it. I know that's kind of weird to write something you don't understand, but if you hadn't realized it from the story yet I'm kind of weird. Sorry I was rambling but if you've even read to down here please review cause if you just read all that pointless stuff then you have to or I'll through my computer out the window cause it's so slow and stupid and then you'll never know what happens. *Takes deep breath* okay I think I'm done now. Byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.