GREYFUR'S LOVE

Allegiance
 ShadowClan

Leader-Redstar: a large brown tabby tom with red/brown eyes

Deputy- Blizzardsong: a silver and white she-cat with bright blue eyes

Medicine Cat- Gentleflight: a pale, long furred small tom

APPRENTICE:MARIGOLDPAW

Warriors- Brightsky: a ginger she-cat with white splotches along her back

APPRENTICE: GREYPAW

Warriors-  Ambebirdr: a golden brown she-cat with amber stripes SENIOR WARRIOR

Brindleclaw: a large tabby tom with bright green eyes

Owlfeather: a huge brown tom with yellow eyes

Apprentice, Bluepaw

Thrushfang: a dark spotted tom with one blue eye and one green eye

Addershade: a muscular spotted tabby tom with huge shoulders SENIOR WARRIOR

Apprentice,  Mistypaw

Whitefur: a handsome white tom with one green eye and one amber SENIOR WARRIOR

APPRENTICE:MINTPAW

Shimmerstream: a silver flecked she-cat SENIOR WARRIOR

Ravenfire: a solid black she-cat with bright amber eyes SENIOR WARRIOR

Robinflight: a small brown tom with dark stripes SENIOR WARRIOR

Shadefang: a smoky grey, almost black, she-cat

Endorstep: a solid black tom with icy blue eyes

Goldenpool: a beautiful yellow she-cat senior warrior

Cherrypool: a beautiful white she-cat with amber eyes

Sagefur:a small grey tabby she-cat

Ivyfoot: alight brown she-cat with black ear and tail tips

Apprentice, Boulderpaw

Sunblaze: a golden she-cat

Pounceleap: a huge tabby tom

Creekpelt:a silver tom with brown specks

Moonstrike: a white and grey she-cat

Apprentice, Nightpaw

Silverlight: a silver she-cat

Apprentices- Marigoldpaw: a white she-cat with dark brown spots

Mintpaw: a silver she-cat with a white underbelly and pale green eyes

Oakpaw: a handsome, muscular tabby tom

Greypaw: a beautiful grey she-cat, small frame, and white speckles with a fluffy pelt

Boulderpaw: a large grey tom with muscular shoulders

Nightpaw: a small black tom with reddish amber eyes

Queens- Bluemoon- a blue/grey she-cat

MATE- REDSTAR                 KITS- EXPECTING

Hollywhisker- a brown she-cat with black stripe

KITS- Snowkit, Whiskerkit, and Gingerkit         MATE- Creekpelt

Flameheart: a bright ginger tom with bright green eyes

KITS-FLINTKIT AND GREENKIT MATE- OWLFEATHER

Elders- Longwhiskers: a white tom with long whiskers

Voletooth: a brown blind tom

Brokentail: an old grey tom with a crooked tail from where it had been broken in the past

Chapter One
The sun shone brightly but barely warmed the cold, snow covered earth. Greypaw’s beautiful white speckled grey pelt was covered in snow. It weighed down on her as it got caught in her fur. “Yuck! My fur is going to be soaked by the time we get done,” she huffed. Oakpaw, a handsome tabby tom, snickered at her. “Hush Greypaw! We need to find prey for camp or Redstar will have our pelts!” growled Robinflight. Greypaw rolled her eyes and sighed shaking the snow from her pelt again. Oakpaw padded up infront of her to stop her and began licking her fur repeatedly. “What are you doing?” she whispered quietly in his ear. “Helping you,” he meowed between licks. The two padded side by side througout the snow covered forest. The icy cold wind was like cold claws running down Greypaw’s back. The ground felt like tiny needles on her pads.

Greypaw looked around the white and grey scene. If there is any prey here is must be half dead in this cold she thought hopelessly. Just then, something caught the beautiful grey she cat’s attention. A squirrel was chewing on an acorn on the root of an oak tree. The tree was grey and bare from its leaves. The squirrel blended in quite well to it with its grey fur. Luckily, Greypaw had a good eye for hidden prey. Greypaw crouched low until her belly barely touched the ground. She slowly crept toward the squirrel, one paw in front of the other. She glided silently over the snowy ground, bunched up her muscles and pounced on the little animal. She sank her claws into it’s side and bit down on its neck, killing it.

“Nice catch,” Oakpaw observed. Greypaw turned back to look at him, the squirrel in her jaws. “Thanks,” she purred, her voice muffled because of her prey. She saw that Oakpaw had a scrawny dead mouse at his paws. “Looks like you found something yourself,” she meowed, setting her squirrel down on the cold snow.

Once back at camp, Greypaw and Oakpaw deposited their prey on the fresh-kill pile. “I guess I’ll go talk to Redstar about our turn out with the prey,” Robinflight sighed. “No, let me,” Greypaw meowed. Robinflight looked hesitant. “Let her do it, Redstar has a soft spot for her, he trained her when her previous mentor was on the journey,” Brightsky meowed. “Fine,” Robinflight agreed. Greypaw had a different mentor before Brightsky. His name was Iceblaze but he never made it back. Greypaw started toward the highrock and cast a glance back over her shoulder at Oakpaw. His ears were flat to his head. He looked hurt. Did I do something she wondered.

“Redstar?” Greypaw called from outside the ShadowClan leader’s den. “Come in!” He called. Greypaw entered the den slowly, her eyes adjusting the darkness and her body feeling good because of the warmness. She saw the leader’s eyes brighten when he saw it was her. “Greypaw, uh what brings your lovely self in here,” Redstar asked nervously. She could tell he was flustered. Greypaw continued closer to him and he padded up to her until their muzzles were touching. “I’ve missed you,” Redstar whispered in  her ear. Greypaw gave him a comforting lick on his ear. “Me too,” she meowed. “I’ve thought about everything,” The large tabby began. Greypaw and Redstar had their own thing between them. Greypaw knew the Clan leader was in love with her, but he had a mate and kits on the way. Greypaw had asked him to be with her in secret and for moons he had been thinking and still not answered. “I want to be with you, we can keep a secret from everyone. Just you and me,” Redstar purred. Greypaw’s eyes lit up. “I love you,” Redstar said slowly. Greypaw’s stomach turned and felt like it was full of butterflies. She had been waiting to hear those words forever. “I love you too,” she purred. “Now, how did the hunting patrol go?” Redstar mewed, sitting up straight. “Not well, we only found a squirrel and a few scrawny mice,” Greypaw mewed reluctantly. “Greypaw do not be afraid to tell me things, I will never be mad at you,” Redstar reassured her, resting his tail tip on her shoulder. “This leafbare has been hard,” He continued. “It is common for prey to be scarce. I will just have Blizzardsong double patrols,” He mewed.

Just then, the two were interrupted by a soft voice outside the den. “Redstar, may I come in?” Ravenfire called. Greypaw immediately backed up a few fox lengths away from the Clan leader. “Of course,” Redstar replied. Greypaw watched as the solid black senior warrior padded in. She glanced at Greypaw then back at Redstar. “Bluemoon is asking for you,” she mewed. “Tell her I am busy and I’ll see her before I go to the Gathering,” Redstar replied. Ravenfire cast a suspicous glance at Greypaw and then backed out of the den. “What are we going to do about Bluemoon?” Greypaw asked. “I will avoid her until the kits are apprenticed then leave her,” he replied. Greypaw stared down at her paws. Am I responsible for breaking up a family? “Don’t worry I wont make it obvious,” He purred padding over to her to lick her on the ear. “I think I am going to try to catch one of the border patrols before the Gathering,” Greypaw mewed starting to head out. “Come see me as soon as you get back,” the large brown tabby tom called. She flicked her tail in acknowledgment as she padded out.

“Was he angry?” Oakpaw asked, padding up to her as soon as she made it to the ground. “No,” She replied. Greypaw pushed past her friend and padded up to Blizzardsong, the Clan deputy. “Blizzardsong I was wondering who would be selecting the next border patrol,” Greypaw meowed. “That would be Whitefur,” The deputy reported. “Thanks!” Greypaw purred.

“Greypaw! Wait up!” Oakpaw called. Greypaw stopped looking back to see the handsome muscular tom running to catch up with her. “Oh I’m so sorry Oakpaw, I just wanted to get in on the next border patrol,” Greypaw apologized. She stared at her friend. He has been incredibly clingy lately. “Oh well I was gonna ask you to share a squirrel with me, I don’t think you have eaten yet,” He suggested. Greypaw heard the kindness and concern in his voice. He has always took care of her during their apprenticship. “I would love to,” she purred. The two padded together towards the fresh kill pile.

Greypaw sank her teeth into her half of the squirrel. She didn’t realize how hungry she was. This past leaf bare prey has been so scarce, she got use to not eating. She savored every bite of the scrawny squirrel. It helped settle the empty pit in her stomach. Licking her lips she began smoothing her pelt.

“Greypaw, I hear you wanted to be on my patrol,” Whitefur meowed padding over to the two apprentices. “Yes I did,” She meowed. “Well I would love your company if your mentor is up for it,” Whitefur purred and began to get to his paws. “Whitefur wait,” she began. “Yes?” His ears were perked and eyes were wide. “Well, I was wondering why we were having a border patrol. Usually we have them at Sunset,” She wondered aloud. “Yes, well with it being leaf bare everyone is desperate for food and we don’t want anyone trespassing and hunting on our territory so-” “So Redstar doubled the patrols,” Greypaw finished for him. Amusement was shown in the handsome white tom’s eyes. “Precisely,” He nodded at her with approval. Greypaw watched as he strolled off. She loved impressing the senior warriors.Greypaw knew she was very sharp compared to other apprentices. She had been an apprentice so long she was dying to be a warrior.

Warmth surrounded Greypaw like a blanket. “What do you think you are doing?” Growled a large pale brown she-cat. “Mousestar?” Greypaw gasped. Mousestar was a very famous leader in ShadowClan. She was very intelligent and one of ShadowClan’s greatest leaders. Greypaw couldn’t believe her eyes. “Mousestar it is such a pleasure to meet you! I can’t be-” “Silence!” snarled brown she-cat. “What do you and Redstar think you are doing?” She yowled. Greystar woke up with a jolt. She could still smell Mousestar’s sweet scent. She kept imagining her pale brown fur with white speckles. She had noticed the stars in her pelt.

“Greypaw? What’s wrong?” Nightpaw squeaked. Nightpaw was a new apprentice. He and his sister Mintpaw had been apprenticed yesterday. “Yes, I- um just had a bad dream,” She meowed, quickly exiting the den. I need to speak with Marigoldpaw Greypaw thought desperately. She carefully squeezed through the crack in the wall that led to the medicine cat’s den. There she saw Marigoldpaw all alone sorting herbs.

“Hello Greypaw!” Marigoldpaw chirped. “What can I do for you?” Greypaw looked hesitant. What do I say? “Is something wrong?” Marigoldpaw asked. Greypaw could hear the concern in her sister’s voice. “Have you had any dreams from StarClan lately?” she whispered. Marigoldpaw’s eyes widened. “I was just wondering because leaf bare has seemed a little tough,” Greypaw explained quickly. Her fur felt hot from lying. “No, but it wouldn’t be my place to tell you,” Marigoldpaw snapped. “I- I’m sorry,” Greypaw replied and quickly exited.

Wow she was harsh she thought. But that sort of thing shouldn’t be shared with just anyone Greypaw understood. She found herself heading for the High Rock. I should talk to Redstar but suddenly Greypaw felt her paws stop. She realized she didn’t want to share this information with him. What if he decided he didn’t want to be with her anymore? It was just a bad dream that’s all Greypaw said, trying to convince herself.

“Greypaw! Let’s go,” Brightsky called from the entrance of the camp. Greypaw looked up the hill that led to the opening of the camp. There sat Whitefur and his apprentice Mintpaw, Brightsky, and Thrushfang. Greypaw bounded through the snowy clearing to join them.

The whole time they were patrolling, Greypaw’s mind was on Redstar. He had finally told her he loved her. But every time she thought about it, her mind drifted back to that awful dream with Mousestar. Their ancestors have nothing to do with this.

“Greypaw can you please try to focus!” Brightsky scolded. Greypaw realized she was walking almost over the border between ShadowClan and WindClan. “Sorry,” Greypaw mumbled, padding to join her mentor in the middle of the patrol. “This isn’t like you to be so careless. Is there something on your mind?” The ginger she-cat asked. Greypaw could hear the concern in her voice. “I have just been feeling unwell with the cold and not eating enough,” She replied. “What do you mean not eating enough?” Brightsky inquired. “I’ve gone days without eating because I want our Clan to have enough,” Greypaw admitted. She was feeling the hunger claw at her stomach now. She forced herself to ignore it. “Greypaw that is very generous but very dangerous. Especially with the cold,” She gasped. Greypaw shrugged and went to walk with Whitefur. She didn’t want to be lectured about it for the entire patrol.

The patrol was heading back to camp. So far everything was quiet and there were no signs of trespassing. Greypaw felt her strength starting to fade away. Every step she felt like her paws were stones. The snow was coming down hard and it was very cold against her pelt. It was difficult to see where they were going. It’s dangerous to be too far away from camp during these weather conditions.

“We need to take shelter somewhere until this calms down,” Whitefur called out. “I agree, it’s only going to get worse we need to wait for this storm to pass,” Thrushfang yowled from the back of the group. Greypaw had never been in a snowstorm before. She was scared. What if something happens?

Whitefur led the patrol into an abandoned twoleg nest. “Wait here, I’m going to make sure it is safe,” Whitefur instructed. Greypaw watched as the handsome white tom disappeared into the nest. A few heart beats later Greypaw saw the senior warrior poke his head out and signal that it was safe. The patrol immediately entered into the nest, getting out of the snow.

In the nest there were holes in the top of it, letting in some of the snow. It was made out of snow and there were holes in the walls. It was really just a stone structure in the middle of no where. The patrol huddled together to keep warm. Mintpaw was in the middle because she just recently was apprenticed, therefore she was the youngest.

“What if we die out here,” Mintpaw wailed. “Shut up,” Greypaw growled. “Be nice. We are not going to get anywhere by fighting,” Whitefur scolded. Greypaw huddled closer to her clanmates. All she could think about was Redstar. He was going to be so worried. If he thought I disappeared, would he go back to Bluemoon? She just wanted to be in his den with him cuddled against him.

The wind continued to howl outside the twoleg nest. It had been a very long time since they had left camp to patrol. By now the Clan would’ve noticed that the patrol had not made it back. “Do you think Redstar will send out a Search Patrol?” Brightsky asked, looking at Whitefur. “Not with the snowstorm. He wouldn’t want to risk any more warriors,” He replied.

Greypaw began to cough harshly. “Greypaw, did you eat today?” Brightsky asked quiet enough for only her to hear. “Part of a squirrel,” Greypaw replied before breaking off into a cough. Greypaw was trying to focus on Redstar, but her vision began to blurr. “Whitefur something is wrong with Greypaw,” Mintpaw squeaked from the middle of the group. Greypaw was trying to stay on her paws. But suddenly she felt her body hit the cold ground and everything went black.

CHAPTER TWO COMING SOON BETWEEN THE DATES JULY 9-11