Edited ✔️

Icepaw's fur was sticking up on end. He picked up Squirrelkit in his jaws, and Flamepaw began to lead the way, as fast as his paws could take him. Silverkit ran ahead of him, Dewpaw at her side, to make sure she didn't fall behind. Why can't he help me? Squirrelkit is almost the size of an apprentice—he's heavy! thought Icepaw with anger.

Dewpaw seemed to realize, and fell back a little, lifting up the other half of Squirrelkit's unconscious body. Icepaw nodded his thanks to him, and the two continued on, chasing after Flamepaw as he headed closer and closer to MoonClan. It felt like Dewpaw's and Icepaw's continuous searching and scouting all around DarkClan earlier had been stupid.

There was this easy path the whole time and they didn't know about it! But suddenly, a shrill shriek yowled up ahead, and Silverkit tripped down into a hole. Icepaw gasped, releasing Squirrelkit to Dewpaw.

"Go on, I'll catch up!" yowled Icepaw, leaping after the silver she-kit.

Silverkit clung hard onto a branch, and Icepaw realized that the hole was deep. His eyes widened, and he reached for her with his jaws, grabbing on to her scruff. Thankfully, she was lighter than her brother. But lifting her up would still be no easier than carrying Squirrelkit.

"C'mon, help me! Haul yourself up, Squirrelkit," encouraged Icepaw.

"I'm Silverkit!" she squeaked back, the anger clearly heard in her tone.

Icepaw almost felt embarrassed for a second, and mumbled, "Sorry," at the same time she skidded her claws onto the branch. With the effort the two put into it, they finally made it. Silverkit was panting hard, and Icepaw could practically feel her little heart beating two times it's normal rate.

"That was close—" Silverkit began.

"Hush," Icepaw cut off. He could make out pawsteps with his ears. The enemy was close. He pushed Silverkit deeper under ground, hiding her radiant pelt from beaming in the light so she would not give them away. She opened her mouth once more, but Icepaw rest his tail over it before she let out another word. Silverkit talked too much! Why couldn't she once keep her mouth shut?

She must of realized that DarkClan was near, and she shrunk back into the underground darkness, hiding behind a small tangle of roots that came from the top of the hole.

"Are you sure they went this way?" a familiar voice hissed. It was Sandstar! He hadn't seen that old crazy she-cat leader for almost two moons!

"Yes, I am sure of it. It is mixed with Flamepaw's scent as well . . ." another she-cat murmured.

"Flashpelt, I hope you are right," growled what it sounded like Toadpaw. "Flamepaw better not be betraying us. Last fight with MoonClan, he was reluctant to attack."

"My son wouldn't betray us!" spat Sandstar. A loud thud sounded. Icepaw guessed that Sandstar had tackled the smaller and weaker apprentice down. Toadpaw grunted with surprise, and Sandstar hissed once more. "Take that back! He was only thinking about our Clan! You know he doesn't want us to fight at times like this! He is thinking merely about our strength!"

"I-I'm sorry, Sandstar," murmured Toadpaw. "I did not mean to bad-mouth Flamepaw like that. I didn't realize it—"

"Oh, save it!" growled Flashpelt.

Sandstar hissed to Flashpelt. "You, be quiet! This has nothing to do with you!"

"Y-yes, Sandstar," murmured Flashpelt.

Icepaw's heart kept racing. Sandstar is Flamepaw's mother! he thought with a shrill of fear. But those two are so different. And I thought kits weren't supposed to be mentored by their parents!

"Hey, I found something," gasped one more voice—a tom cat Icepaw couldn't recognize. "They are very, very close . . . I smell that annoying, talkative piece of fox-dung, Silverkit."

Silverkit flinched, clearly offended, but Icepaw shook his head, indicating it was not true.

"Find her right now or I will rip your heart out while it still beats!" Sandstar ordered once more.

Silverkit tensed beside him, and Icepaw shoved her deeper into the roots, following her within the shelter himself.

Sandstar had driven her Clan to fear, Icepaw realized. They all always seem to be trying to please their leader. No wonder they are all harsh to the other Clans. No wonder they do not know the real warrior code. It's as if DarkClan is a Clan of rogues!

"Flashpelt, Toadpaw, look around this area," Sandstar meowed, her voice harsh. "I will go back around camp with Tigerfang to see if the two MoonClan crow-food did not stray that far."

"Yes, Sandstar," the two almost said at the same time. Sandstar began padding away with Tigerfang. They were so obedient! Did Sandstar not listen to her Clan's suggestions? He shifted uncomfortably closer to Silverkit, scared that Flashpelt and Toadpaw would discover their hiding spot.

The pawsteps were awfully close. "I swear I could've scented something disgusting around here . . ." muttered Toadpaw, while at the same time Flashpelt grunted of agreement.

"Hey, Flashpelt! Toadpaw!" called another cat. He easily made out that the voice was Flamepaw's. Then that means that Dewpaw and Squirrelkit safely got back over the MoonClan border. "Erm, guys, I think I scented Silverkit and Squirrelkit that way. Let's go, I even saw flashes of their pelts!"

"Huh?" asked Toadpaw. "Are you sure?"

"Are you defying me?" asked Flamepaw, his voice almost as tough as Sandstar's. It was almost unrecognizable.

"I'd never defy you!" insisted Toadpaw.

"Lead the way, Flamepaw, we're following you," meowed Flashpelt obediently.

"Let's go," Flamepaw said sharply, his paw steps thudding away to someplace else. The two other cats followed him, until they were not heard anymore.

Icepaw's racing heart was cooling down. They were gone! He made sure once more by straining his hearing beyond the hole, and nothing could be heard. He sighed of relief, and led Silverkit out, giving her a boost from his shoulders.

Silverkit was trembling. She almost ripped back down, but caught herself immediately and ran away from it, behind Icepaw. "That was close!" she meowed, still trembling.

"Yes, I know," meowed Icepaw curtly. "Next time you should be more careful. And next time keep your mouth shut too!" He felt his scolding was too harsh, but he can't take it back. Silverkit had to learn.

"I'm sorry, Icepaw," she meowed, her ears dropping back. "But . . . Flamepaw is gone, he cannot lead us back home. And Dewpaw and Squirrelkit are gone too. We are lost. What are we gonna do?" She looked back and forth. "I can't even remember which way their camp was and where our territory is!"

Icepaw opened his jaws, scenting the air. He could smell something. It was Dewpaw's and Squirrelkit's and Flamepaw's fresh yet faint scents, leading away. They had left a trail!

"Follow me, Silverkit, and for StarClan's sake, do not stray away or open your mouth!" Icepaw meowed, beginning to follow Flamepaw's careful scent trail.

"Yes Icepaw," she murmured, her voice low.

* * *

Soon, the borders of MoonClan were made out. After a long walk, he had made it! As soon as he reached the border, he also had run into Skypelt, Brightstar, Volepaw, Adderclaw, and Sparrowheart. Behind them all, Dewpaw stood. He waited for him!

Eagerly, Silverkit left Icepaw's side and ran straight for her father. "Skypelt!" she called, her voice shaky. She crashed into his white pelt, and nuzzled him. "Skypelt, I thought I'd be gone forever! I thought I'd lose you too!"

Skypelt soothed his daughter. "Don't worry little one," he murmured, his voice smooth. "You're here now, thanks to Dewpaw and Icepaw."

"Where's Squirrelkit?" she asked.

"Your brother woke up, and was escorted back to camp with Sweetpaw. He didn't seem to be in good condition, he seemed sick," meowed Skypelt. "But don't worry. We are going to go back to MoonClan right now!"

Icepaw smiled at the reunited family.

But suddenly, a piercing pain stabbed into his spine. "You're not going anywhere!" hissed Sandstar, dragging Icepaw back into the darkness of her Clan.

Icepaw struggled and flailed. "Let me go!" he yowled, managing to flip himself over and kick her off. She was strong and heavy. What now? Another battle with DarkClan?

Sandstar hissed angrily, and her claws released. Behind her, trailed her Clanmates, coming one after another to the clearing. Their angry eyes sparked and blazed, their claws were unsheathed, and they looked ready to battle. MoonClan was outnumbered . . . Great StarClan! Help! Icepaw thought.

A/N: Yay, two chapters in one day :D Sorry it is shorter than usual. But, YAY~ ANOTHER CLIFF-HANGER! XD Thanks for those who have kept updated with my story and those who have decided to comment and stuff ;w;

It means a lot

Well, anyways, I've decided to give those people dedications sooner or later cuz they're so nice >:) And thx for almost 200 votes and almost 60 comments and almost 4k reads :D IT MEANS EVERYTHING!

keep updated
~l.tc