Disclaimer: I do not own Warriors or its characters
(By the way, the first part of the chapter is during the same time Sandstorm was thinking about what to do in the last chapter)
"What?" Firestar asked, "Sandstom is not a traitor."
Longtail bowed his head before speaking, "Sandstorm has always been loyal, but her scent kept going through ShadowClan territory. But we don't know how deep because we wouldn't go into another Clan's territory without permission."
Firestar began to feel like an icicle had pierced his chest. Sandstorm would never have done that, would she?
"Where is she now?" Firestar hadn't seen her all morning, and he wondered if that was the reason.
"That's another thing, she hasn't returned to camp," Graystripe said.
Firestar padded over to the Warrior's den, motioning with his tail for the others to follow him. He walked inside, and prodded Brackenfur in the side.
The brown tom groaned and looked up sleepily. He sat up and bowed to his leader. "Yes, Firestar?"
"When you were on watch last night, did you see Sandstorm leave?"
Brackenfur's ears perked up."Yes. Right after moonhigh she said she couldn't sleep, so she decided to go night hunting. Why?"
"Because she hasn't come back."
The brown warrior's eyes widened.
"Graystripe, organize a search patrol. I want the whole territory searched." Firestar ordered.
"Yes Firestar."
Sorrelpaw raced over to the Apprentice's den where her brother was sitting.
"Sootpaw!" she called.
Sootpaw lifted his gray head to face his sister. "Hi Sorrelpaw."
"What's going on?" Sorrelpaw asked.
"I'm not really supposed to talk about it."
"Please. It's kind of important that I know..."
The gray tom narrowed his eyes at his sister. "Why is it so important that you know?"
"Is it about Sandstorm?"
Sootpaw shifted his paws uncomfortably and looked at the ground. "Yes, it's about Sandstorm. We caught her scent running through the ShadowClan border."
Sorrelpaw's eyes turned to saucers. "We need to go look for her, she-"
But she was cut off by Firestar calling from the Highrock.
"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join underneath the Highrock for a Clan meeting!"
Sorrelpaw quickly padded out of the den and sat beside the other apprentices, anxiously looking up at her Leader.
A small growl formed in Sandstorm's throat as an all too farmiliar she-cat approached. "What do you want now?"
"Oh, just checking on the prisoners," the gray she-cat meowed. "I see the old one is still sleeping like the lazy kittypet he is."
Sandstorm was a little surprised she used a Clan term, but she still glared at Rain. "You wouldn't think of an elder like that if you stayed with the Clan."
Rain rolled her eyes. "Enough with this, Sandstorm. You're very smart, so why can't you see what Shadow is doing is best for everyone? She was right to continue Scourge's plans."
Sandstorm tried to keep her temper under control, but to no avail. Fangs bared, she hissed at her sister, "Scourge wsa an evil cat just like Shadow. Scrouge was the reason why my mentor Whitestorm is gone! His deputy killed him without mercy! And you think of him as a hero?"
"Sacrafices must be made! You obviously don't understand this all." Rain growled back.
"I don't understand? Look around you, Rain. You tell me right now, that you don't have any guilt about this at all. That you think Shadow is everything she tells you she is. That you've never had your suspicions, and I'll join you."
Sandstorm stared intently at the gray she-cat, her fur bristling. After several heartbeats, Rain finally answered, meowing quietly. "You have no idea what I've been through. Shadow's been like a mother to me."
"Whitestorm was like a father to me," Sandstorm then turned her back, rage burning through her.
She heard Rain's rapid footsteps fade, but Sandstorm didn't move.
Rain stalked outside, teeth bared. "What does she know anyway?"
She stopped when she stepped in a puddle, her paw soaked with filthy water. Scowling, she looked down into the murky water. Past all the disgusting things floating in the puddle, she could make out her reflection. Her mind drifted back to when her mother used to take her out into the forest to explore, and how fresh and clear the water was. But she had gotten used to the bitter water, and after a while, she didn't even notice the various messes from the twolegs.
She walked on past the puddle, not daring to look at her reflection again. She felt very confused, more than she had in a long time. 'I'll just go talk to Shadow, she always knows what to say.'
I won't be able to update for the next couple of weeks because my school's going on a trip to Washington D.C., and I'll be spending most of next week getting ready for the trip. But when I get back, I promise I'll finish the next chapter and will post it.
ZeldaPanterStar101: Thank you so much for reviewing, and I will continue this story, because it's pretty much my main focus righreviet now.
ScrougexScarlet: I would also like to thank you for reviewing. Thanks for your kind words!
Please review. I read every review, and they mean so much to me :) And I would love constructive criticism!
-FC