Disclaimer: I do not own the Warriors series or its characters
Sorrelpaw sat the kill in the pile and made her way back towards the entrance of the camp. Apprentices still weren't allowed to leave camp without a Warrior, in fear of former BloodClan cats returning. She decided that most likely something wouldn't happen, and if it did, that she could take care of herself. But as she was about to leave, a gray head poked through the tunnel.
Graystripe brushed past her with Dustpelt, Cloudtail, Thornclaw, and Sootpaw following close behind, making their way towards Firestar, who was sitting underneath the Highrock. Thornclaw stopped and murmured something to Sootpaw who unhappily stalked towards the Apprentice's den. Thornclaw then went over and took his place with the others around Firestar.
She saw Firestar's dark ginger fur began to bristle as they urgently spoke. Sorrelpaw watched them, overwhelmed with curiousity. 'What's wrong?' she wondered. Suddenly an idea of what could be the problem came to her mind.
'Could they have caught Sandstorm's scent too?'
Sandstorm growled in frustration as her sibling dissapeared out of sight. What would she do? How could she be able to convince Rain that Shadow wasn't who she seemed?
"I can't believe she's being so ignorant!" Sandstorm meowed furiously. She began to pace back and forth, her tail lashing. She stopped to sit back down and closed her eyes, as if forgetting what just happened would make everything fine again. She would open her eyes and be back in the camp, watching the kits play outside the nursery and hearing the elders complain and grumble. Then she and Firestar would take a walk to Sunningrocks, one of their favorite places...
But she opened her eyes only to see the cold stone floor. Nothing was fine now, and she was certain it never would be again. She could never forget what her sister had just said, and more frightening, what she would become.
"A savage, just like the rest of them," she said to herself quietly.
But what caused her more pain and fear than the thought of her sister being the cause of a lot of bloodshed, was the choice Sandstorm was forced to make. Either not join BloodClan and risk her life and everyone's she held close, and try to save her sister from the evil that was consuming her. Or, join BloodClan and be the cause of the destruction of the forest, without even knowing if her mate and friends would live through the bloody battle anyway. Both options made her shiver.
Sandstorm didn't have any idea what to do. She wanted more than anything to stay at her sister's side to make sure she stayed safe. But that would mean becoming a part of BloodClan. That would mean becoming the enemy. But her sister was family. She couldn't imagine Rain in a battle, needing back up, while the other selfish BloodClan cats were too worried about themselves as she was one swipe from her opponent away from dying. Her sister needed her. Didn't she?
"The Clan comes first. Always."
Her mentor Whitestorm's words echoed in her mind. That was the first thing he taught her when she was an Apprentice. No matter the costs, no matter the sacrafice, the Clan was most important. She had always believed that, too. It was that which kept her from eating a mouse she had caught in the middle of leaf bare before going back to the camp, no matter how hungry she was. Those words kept her fighting in the largest battles, knowing she could die for her Clan, but also knowing it was worth it. She had not once questioned her loyalty. But why when she thought of those words did she feel like such a traitor?
Firestar nodded to Graystripe as he with the rest of the morning patrol came to report. At first, everything he reported seemed to be nothing unusual. They chased out a kittypet who had wondered into their territory, the stale scent of a fox was near the river, not seeming much of a threat since the scent was stale, but still something to watch out for. The borders seemed uncrossed...
Wait, did he hear correctly?
Sandstorm's scent going through the ShadowClan border?
But she wouldn't have crossed the border to hunt. She wasn't like that.
"Are you sure?" Firestar asked his deputy, his fur beginning to bristle. "She wouldn't have gone into ShadowClan territory."
"I'm sure. But she wasn't here this morning..." Graystripe said.
""What are you saying?"
Graystripe looked down, relunctant to say anymore. But Cloudtail blurted out, "We think Sandstorm may have crossed the border to meet someone."
"What?"
Insanely short filler chapter, I know. It was going to be longer, but I decided to just put it in the next chapter, which I've already started typing. So maybe you guys won't have to wait five months for another update. Unless I get the horrid writer's block again.
Please review. Good? Bad? Please tell me!