1Chapter 15
Flamepaw could sense the tense air around them. It has only been a while since Graystripe and his patrol returned with Mistystar's news and Stormfur's decision.
Sandstorm and Firestar were sitting side by side underneath the highrock with Graystripe pacing in front of them. His worry was clear on his strained face.
"Graystripe, will you quit pacing? You'll tire yourself out," Firestar meowed.
"I can't help but be worried, what if they don't return?" Graystripe meowed.
"They will return, Graystripe, you have to believe they will return," Firestar meowed, though Flamepaw could see the anxiety on Firestar's face.
He's worried about Tigerclaw, Flamepaw guessed.
"With Stormfur looking for them, I don't think we need to send out anymore patrols, they could be back anytime now," Sandstorm meowed.
"I want to find my brother," Squirrelpaw meowed, padding to join her father.
Firestar shook his head, "it's too dangerous," he meowed.
"Stormfur got to look for his sister, why can't I look for my brother?" Squirrelpaw retorted.
Firestar sighed, "I know you miss him, Squirrelpaw, and you fear for his safety, but he has Feathertail with him and with any luck, Stormfur will bring them back soon," he meowed, gently.
"But..." Squirrelpaw began.
"No buts, you can't go search for them," Firestar insisted.
Flamepaw padded to join them, "Firestar's right, Squirrelpaw," he meowed.
"Shut up, Flamepaw," Squirrelpaw hissed.
Flamepaw narrowed his eyes but didn't reply.
"I want to find my brother, it's unfair, Stormfur gets to look for Feathertail," Squirrelpaw meowed, her eyes narrowing.
Firestar and Sandstorm exchanged glances and Flamepaw saw worry was filling both of their eyes.
"He's just worried about you, Squirrelpaw," Flamepaw meowed, "how do you think he would feel if you never came back?"
Squirrelpaw whirled around, her eyes narrowing to tiny green slits.
"Think about it, Squirrelpaw, if neither you or Tigerclaw don't return, how do you think Firestar will feel?" Flamepaw persisted.
Squirrelpaw snorted, "it's not like we won't return, I'll watch over that furball and make sure he returns," she pointed out.
"But what if something happens and you don't return?" Firestar whispered, his eyes were wide. Sandstorm pressed herself against Firestar and licked his ears.
Squirrelpaw sighed and Flamepaw realized Firestar had gotten through to her. "I just want to help," she meowed, "I want to find him, and Feathertail too."
"I know you do," Firestar meowed, licking her ears, "but..." He didn't finish and Sandstorm licked his ears again, murmuring something in his ear.
Squirrelpaw sighed, and turned around before padding back to the apprentice den.
Firestar watched her go before turning his attention back to Graystripe. "Graystripe, will you send out the sunhigh patrol along the Shadowclan border?" he meowed.
"Of course, Firestar," Graystripe meowed, "Cloudtail, will you lead the Sunhigh patrol, take Thornclaw, Sorreltail, and Ferncloud with you."
Cloudtail nodded and, calling to the other warriors, headed out of the camp.
Flamepaw watched him go then turned around to find Squirrelpaw sitting outside the apprentice den, looking around.
Flamepaw padded over to her and sat down beside her. "You miss you're brother don't you?" he meowed.
"Of course I do, and I want to find him," Squirrelpaw meowed, her green eyes wide with determination.
"What are you going to do?" Flamepaw asked.
"I've sneaked out of the camp when I was a kit, I think I can now," Squirrelpaw meowed.
Flamepaw widened his amber eyes, "you can't mean?" he gasped.
"I'm going after them, I'm going to find them, just in case Stormfur doesn't find them," Squirrelpaw meowed.
"But, you can get into serious trouble," Flamepaw pointed out.
"I know, but I want to find them and I want to do whatever I can to find them, but....I just don't want Firestar and Sandstorm to worry," Squirrelpaw meowed.
"Then don't go," Flamepaw meowed.
"I want to, Flamepaw, can't you see that? What if Stormfur fails? I have to do whatever I can to find them," Squirrelpaw meowed, her voice was so low, Flamepaw had to strain to hear her.
"But, what about Firestar and Sandstorm?" Flamepaw persisted, "they'll be worried sick if you go."
"I know, if I go, they'll never know where I went, and I wouldn't be able to tell them," Squirrelpaw meowed.
"I could tell them for you," Flamepaw offered.
"But, then you'd get into trouble and they'd send a search patrol after me to bring me back," Squirrelpaw protested.
Flamepaw shrugged, he really didn't care if he got into trouble, "just leave and make sure you're well away from here by tomorrow, because thats when I'm going to tell them," he meowed.
Squirrelpaw looked at him with bright green eyes, "I have your word on it?" she asked.
"I promise, and before you go, I suggest you give one last coded message to Firestar, just in case they figure out before I get the chance to tell them," Flamepaw meowed.
"I'll try," Squirrelpaw meowed.
"I'll come with you," Flamepaw offered and padded after her as she lead the way toward Firestar's den. Graystripe and Sandstorm were no where to be seen.
"Firestar?" Squirrelpaw called.
"Come on in," Firestar's call sounded from behind the lichen that covered the entrance to the den.
Great Starclan, this is going to be easier then I thought, Flamepaw thought as he followed Squirrelpaw into Firestar's den.
A/n what do you think?
Stardream: wonder what he's talking about?
Tigerstar: how should I know?
Stardream: just wondering
Tigerstar: yeah, yeah, yeah, whatever
Stardream: hey, thats my line
Tigerstar: is not
Stardream: is too (punches Tigerstar in nose)
Tigerstar: (has broken nose) ok, ok, it's ours
Stardream: I thought so
Tigerstar: (grumble)
Stardream: please review, next chapter as soon as possible