◈ RUNNINGPAW ◈

[ Theredthunderwolf ]

Sparks were flying as Runningpaw and Hawkpaw hissed at each other, their fur bristling. Both of them were agitated, and it was obvious that they were having an argument.

It was unusual for Runningpaw to be generous with his words, as he usually preferred to stay quiet. However, it was no surprise that Hawkpaw was currently carrying a cold demeanour.

The sun was brighter today, yet the situation between the two brothers was not bright as they bickered. The chilly air of leaf-fall only served to emphasise the brothers' coldness towards each other.

"If you had told Sorrelspot that you had forgiven her, you wouldn't be feeling so terrible about it!" Runningpaw hissed, lashing his tail; he was getting frustrated with his brother.

"Sorrelspot wouldn't have died if you had been more alert! Your patrol was nearby when she died - how could you not find the murderer?" Hawkpaw snapped back, with an edge to his voice.

"Well, if you hadn't said all those hurtful words to her, she wouldn't have decided to take a walk alone!" Runningpaw retorted, his eyes narrowing. Any remaining calmness had dissolved within that moment, replaced with deep hostility.

Hawkpaw stumbled back, as if Runningpaw's words had hit a nerve. "I..."

The dark brown tabby tom spun around and ran towards the camp entrance, not looking back.

Runningpaw gasped, rushing forward to give chase. However, he was stopped by Onyxgaze, his mentor. "Give him some time alone, Runningpaw. He needs space to think."

The dark brown apprentice flattened his ears, but nodded reluctantly. "I just hope he's all right..."

Runningpaw decided to wait for Hawkpaw's return by waiting near the entrance of DriftClan's camp. I really didn't mean to make him feel so hurt.

As time passed, the dark brown apprentice was getting worried. The sun had began to prepare for its slumber, ready to make way for the moon to rise to the skies.

With his worry heightening, he contemplated if he should inform his father, Claystar, about his argument with Hawkpaw. Onyxgaze appeared next to the apprentice, his expression grim. "No one has seen Hawkpaw since this morning."

Runningpaw felt his panic start like a clutter of sparks ready to ignite a flame. The flame spread around her body like a wildfire, mercilessly blazing down the apprentice's calm. Tension ran up his face as his breath became more rapid and shallow, making him look like he was scrunching up his face. "W-We have to tell Claystar!"

Onyxgaze's golden-amber eyes were flinty, despite the tom's usually quiet and reserved demeanour. "We must hurry; Hawkpaw could be in serious danger."

Taking his mentor's words seriously, Runningpaw rushed to Claystar's den, his heart pounding painfully against his chest. Please be all right, Hawkpaw.

Onyxgaze and Runningpaw entered Claystar's den hastily, dipping their heads to a large, sandy-coloured figure. Onyxgaze took the initiative to explain their audacious action of bursting into their leader's den, unannounced. "Claystar, we have urgent matters to discuss with you. Please forgive us for our rude interruption."

The DriftClan leader rolled over to face the mentor and apprentice, his dim green eyes dimmer than usual. "I don't want to hear it. Let Skyfrost hear about it instead. Now, leave me."

Runningpaw felt a rush of anger and annoyance. His father really needed to pull himself together and act like a leader of DriftClan. "Listen, Claystar-"

"I said, leave me!" Claystar's voice echoed loudly throughout his den, making the ground below their paws seemingly tremble at his might.

Runningpaw flinched, backing away slightly. However, he had no intention of letting his father continue wallowing in self-pity. Stomping an authoritative paw, the dark brown tom snapped at Claystar. "I don't care that you're grieving about Sorrelspot. What's the use of grieving about the dead when someone living is in possible danger? Shouldn't you focus your energy on that instead?"

The large sandy tom widened his eyes, tilting his head in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"It's Hawkpaw..." Runningpaw muttered, swiftly looking at his paws. His earlier outburst of rage diffused almost instantly, replaced with a hint of regret. "He's gone..."

Claystar immediately shot up from where he was laying down, his tail lashing. "What do you mean gone?"

Runningpaw's voice became softer, barely audible to both Claystar and Onyxgaze. "We... We had an argument. He got upset and... Ran off."

Runningpaw's words sent Claystar into a wild frenzy - his dim green eyes were dilated, ears flattened, and tail lashing wildly. His body quivered violently as he let out angered yowls. "Skyfrost! Anyone! Send search patrols right now! Find Hawkpaw!"

The dark brown apprentice felt another rush of anger - his father was not keeping his calm. However, he ignored it, his desire to find Hawkpaw stronger than lecturing his father. Skyfrost, the DriftClan deputy, rushed into the den, looking worried. Her fur was ruffled, and her sky blue eyes dimmed to a dull blue. Runningpaw narrowed his eyes, his fur bristling. Claystar must have pushed all his responsibilities onto her... I wish he would consider her feelings, not just his own!

Claystar had collasped onto the ground, his body wrecked with choked sobs. "H-Hawkpaw... Please, don't leave me. I-I can't bear to find another family member dead."

Runningpaw noted that despite how ruffled and crazed the DriftClan leader looked, he genuinely cared about his son. He felt a pang of guilt. It's my fault... My fault that he ran.

As per Claystar's request, Skyfrost sent out multiple search patrols, with each cat pondering why they needed so many cats on the job. The deputy seemed immensely worn out, but no words of complaint ever showed on her face, much less from her mouth.

Feeling even more motivated to find his brother, Runningpaw joined a patrol which consisted of Onyxgaze, Rockstorm, Frostfeather, and Ghostpaw. He noted that Rockstorm, Hawkpaw's mentor, looked worried, constantly swishing his tail and darting his eyes around restlessly. He let out a sigh and followed behind the patrol as they headed out. We have to find him. With practically the whole Clan searching for him, one of the patrols is bound to come across that mouse-brain!

The patrol of cats weaved through the trees that swayed hastily against the chilly leaf-fall breeze. Could it be StarClan's way of showing us the way to Hawkpaw?

Runningpaw shivered involuntarily and quickened his pace to walk beside Onyxgaze. His mentor had a solemn expression, and kept silent. His gaze flickered to Rockstorm, and noted that his anxiety seemed to have gotten worse. A sharp, metallic scent crashed into his nostrils, making him shrink back in utter disgust. Blood?

The dark apprentice tasted the air, and his eyes widened in horror. It's blood! No wonder Rockstorm seemed disturbed! Could it be his- no!

He flattened his ears and dismissed his thoughts. He did not believe it was Hawkpaw's blood. Frostfeather walked ahead with Ghostpaw, informing the rest of the patrol that she would check for danger first. Runningpaw had no objections - he did not want to be ambushed by anyone, and preferred to stay back this time. If I was injured, how will I find Hawkpaw?

A shrill shriek pierced through the air, alerting the DriftClan cats immediately. Runningpaw, Onyxgaze, and Rockstorm rushed towards the direction of the shriek swiftly. It seemed to have been Ghostpaw who cried out, as the white she-cat was trembling in shock, curled tightly into a ball behind Frostfeather. The white warrior had her jaws agape in fright and horror. Before the white she-cats was a lacerated body of a seemingly silver cat. Runningpaw turned his head away, feeling sick. Who could have done this? Could it be the one who killed Sorrelspot?

"It's Silverfrost..." Rockstorm muttered, closing his eyes in defeat. "The murderer must have gotten to her."

Silverfrost's pelt was so disfigured, it was hard to tell she was a cat at all. Her claws were unsheathed, as if she had been struggling. Runningpaw turned to Rockstorm, flicking his tail uneasily. "What are you implying?"

"Hawkpaw may be kidnapped by the murderer, if not killed," Rockstorm mumbled, his eyes downcast.

Runningpaw felt sick in his stomach, heat churning in his belly. His thoughts accelerated in his mind, almost overwhelming him. He could not keep up with the demands of air from his lungs as he burst into staggered gasps, collapsing onto the ground. "K-Killed?"

Onyxgaze dipped his head, his golden-amber eyes gleaming with sympathy. Runningpaw felt as if a whole tree had crashed into his skull as he broke into sobs of pain and regret. "T-There's no way... H-He can't be dead."

Frostfeather turned away from the scene, guiding her apprentice away from the scene. She twisted her head briefly to glance at Runningpaw. "You have to face it, Runningpaw. He may never come back."

With her heavy but truthful words, Runningpaw could not help but yowl in anguish, which echoed throughout the forest.

Anguished and regretful of his argument with Hawkpaw, which was the trigger to Hawkpaw's disappearance.

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▣ Author's Note ▣

I'm not proud of this chapter, but I'm glad I finished it! Please do leave some feedback, so I can edit it during my free time.

Do you think Hawkpaw has been killed or kidnapped?

What do you think the murderer's purpose is?

Please take note that school has already started for me, so I don't have much time to write. However, I still plan on updating this every few days. The next chapter will be up by tomorrow, or the day after tomorrow.

I hope you've enjoyed this chapter, despite how crappy it is. I apologise - I've possibly fallen sick with a terrible cough, and I simply don't feel too good.