Frozen Secrets-Chapter 6

Streamwing felt Cloudedstar's belly and sighed. "They're doing well. They'll probably be born in a moon or so." She told Cloudedstar before giving her a pile of parsley leaves.

Cloudedstar licked up the herbs before speaking, "Don't you have to go to the Moonpool tonight?"

Streamwing nodded. "You're going to have to take care of yourself while I'm gone." She replied as she headed for the den's exit.

"Hey Streamwing," Cloudedstar called after the medicine cat.

The delicate white and gray she-cat looked back.

"You need an apprentice." Her leader continued.

The medicine cat narrowed her river-blue eyes before leaping out of the den.


Streamwing ran towards the WindClan border. She could see the other medicine cats approaching.

"How's Cloudedstar?" Littlecloud asked her as they began to walk on the path that lead to the Moonpool.

After the Gathering, word had somehow gotten out that Cloudedstar was sick, much to Streamwing's annoyance.

"Better." Streamwing replied tiredly.

The brown tabby looked at her. "Have you considered getting an apprentice? You can't do everything yourself you know."

"Don't need one." Streamwing replied stubbornly. Her whiskers twitched when she realized none of the other medicine cats were talking. When she looked back, she saw Jayfeather staring at her, a thoughtful expression on his face. Feeling uneasy, she went ahead of the others.

Once all the cats were there, they all settled down and curled up.

As Streamwing laid her head down, she let her nose touch the cool water before closing her eyes.

When Streamwing opened her eyes, she was in StarClan facing a beautiful white she-cat. "Lady, it's nice to see you again." Streamwing purred.

Lady's green eyes lit up. "You're looking well, Streamwing. I trust the Clan is thriving?"

"Yes it is." Streamwing replied.

As the two began to walk, a creamy brown she-cat, equally as beautiful as Lady joined them.

"Hello Pastel." Streamwing greeted.

"Streamwing, it's nice to see you." Pastel replied. "Are you having any luck with the toms?" she whispered, smirking.

Streamwing rolled her eyes. "Honestly Pastel. You know medicine cats can't have mates." She muttered.

They stopped talking when they realized Lady was staring at something fearfully.

"W-what's happening?" Streamwing gasped.

Shadows were crawling on the trees in front of them, causing the parts they touched to wither and die. Darkness covered the sky as winds began to howl and whip at their fur. Shadows started to form on the ground, leaving patches of wilting grass.

Streamwing looked at the scene before her fearfully.

A loud creaking sound echoed throughout the clearing and the three cats jumped back as a thick branch fell onto the spot they were standing on a few heartbeats ago.

"Night shall reign and shadows shall creep, among those awake yet asleep. Only the gentle frost and milky sky can save those who are set to die." Lady said, facing Streamwing.

Lady and Pastel vanished and Streamwing was left alone.


Streamwing woke up to see the others beginning to stir. As they said their farewells to each other, Streamwing trekked down the path back to camp, thoughts in a storm.


Milkpaw walked with Badgernight, Hailfang, Flowerflare and Owlspots on dawn patrol. She suppressed a yawn as she saw camp approaching. Once at the heather covered entrance, Badgernight blocked her path with his tail. He motioned for Milkpaw to follow him as he sat by the by the side of the roots of the tree.

"You have the potential to be a great hunter, Milkpaw. I want you to prove that. Go hunting by yourself and I'd like you to bring back five pieces of large prey. That means no mice, shrews, eggs or anything smaller than a blackbird. Understood?" Badgernight asked her.

Milkpaw gulped. I won't be back in camp until nightfall if I have to catch five pieces of prey. And I haven't even eaten yet. Why does Badgernight have to do this to me? She thought. Sighing inwardly, Milkpaw nodded and started to scent for prey.


Birchpaw was in hot pursuit of a flock of thrush with Shadespark beside her. Birchpaw gave herself an extra burst of speed before leaping to catch a thrush in her jaws. Turning around, she saw Shadespark's eyes glow with pride.

"Great job, Birchpaw." Shadespark praised, setting the fat thrush she had caught on the ground.

That'll feed the queens and the new kits. Birchpaw thought happily. Suddenly, she felt her fur bristle slightly. Her thoughts suddenly wandered to how Milkpaw didn't return from dawn patrol. Setting her catch down, she looked at her mentor. "Do you know where Milkpaw is?"

Shadespark blinked. "I haven't seen her since she left for dawn patrol." She replied.

Alarmed, Birchpaw hurriedly asked, "Can I take the thrushes back to camp?" At Shadepsark's nod, Birchpaw took the two birds in her jaws and rushed back to camp.


Once Birchpaw dropped the birds at the fresh-kill pile, she ran to the apprentices' den. Squeezing into the small entrance, she entered and searched the cave-like den and realized no one was inside. Birchpaw grew more worried. Milkpaw never said anything about going anywhere. Perhaps Badgernight knows, Birchpaw thought and left the apprentices' den. She looked around camp and found the warrior at the fresh-kill pile, tearing intently at a mouse. "Badgernight," Birchpaw meowed softly, the larger warrior intimidated her slightly. "Do you know where Milkpaw is?"

The black warrior didn't answer.

Birchpaw tried again. "Um… Do you know where Milkpaw is?"

The warrior still didn't look up.

Quickly getting irritated, Birchpaw snarled. "Don't you care what happens to her? How dare you ignore me as though I'm not here!"

Badgernight finally looked up. His icy blue eyes were blazing. "What did you just say to me?" he growled.

The apprentice gulped. I didn't mean to get mad. Birchpaw thought. "I-I d-"

"What in the name of StarClan is going on here?" Someone behind them interrupted.

Birchpaw spun around. It was Creekdrop, with Batfang close behind.

Creekdrop looked at her sternly."Well?"

"I accidentally yelled at Badgernight." Birchpaw whispered, head held low.

Batfang narrowed his eyes. "And how could you possibly 'accidentally' yell at someone?"

Birchpaw lowered her head further. "I was just mad he didn't want to tell me where Milkpaw was…" she replied, voice trailing off.

Creekdrop looked at Badgernight before speaking. "Why did you ignore her?"

"I didn't hear her." Badgernight replied. "Besides," he continued, turning to address Birchpaw. "My apprentice is perfectly capable of taking care of herself. Milkpaw doesn't need you to watch her every move."

Birchpaw looked at Creekdrop desperately. "B-but she's my best friend."

"Just because she's your best friend doesn't mean you follow her like a shadow. Just look at me and Cloudedstar. We've been best friends since kithood. Right now she's sick and I'm worried about her but I don't have to ask how she is every heartbeat." The deputy told Birchpaw gently.

Birchpaw's tail drooped. "I'm sorry." She mewed. But I'm sure something's wrong. I just wish I knew what. Birchpaw wanted to add something but thought better of it. Instead, she hung her head and slowly walked to the apprentices' den, tail dragging behind.