C H A P T E R S I X
Silverfur must have been crouching by the ground where Frozenfur was buried for ages.
He turned around and saw Shinypelt, Iceclaw and Snowtail solemnly sitting behind him, their eyes fixed onto him. Silverfur nodded and on a silent signal, they padded stiffly out of the camp. Silverfur glanced back. Winterstar, Frozenfur and Stonestep had been buried right in the main clearing. He wondered when he would ever return. On a silent signal, the four of them left their camp, which had been their home once.
It was a miserable journey. Iceclaw had cut her paw on a thorn and was limping. Just then, there was a yowl in the distance. Wolfclaw was bounding towards them, followed by Willowfur and Holyblaze. “You’re alive!” He nuzzled them one by one.
Holyblaze beckoned them with her tail. “Come with us! We have found some shelter!”
The four cats could not believe their luck. Silverfur felt his spirits lifted. Even Iceclaw was trying hard not to show her pain and tiredness. Willowfur stayed at the back to help Iceclaw while Holyblaze lead the group. Wolfclaw was walking beside Silverfur, his tail held high.
They ventured deeper into the Whispering Willows and saw places that they had never seen. There was a cave at the bottom of a waterfall, with a few stepping stones leading towards the entrance. They entered the dark cave. Inside, there was a gap at the top, allowing light from the sun to shine through. There were a few shadows inside. Taking a deep breath, Silverfur stepped inside.
“Silverpaw!” Sharpclaw got up and there was relief in his eyes. “It’s Silverfur now,” Silverfur purred and lightly batted the blue-gray tom’s head. “I’m so glad you’re back with us,” Sharpclaw murmured into his ear. With that, he stepped back and allowed them to walk through.
The cave was surprisingly large. In the centre, Lilyfur was soundly resting with Ripplekit and Wildkit. Silverfur frowned. Where was Bluekit? Sharpclaw seemed to have read his thoughts. “Bluekit breathed in too much smoke. She did not make it. Oakfur too.” His tail drooped miserably and flicked his tail towards the small blue-gray pile of fur lying at the corner of the cave.
Silverfur felt a lump of sadness in his heart. He felt sorry for Sharpclaw and would miss the company of the brown elder. “Winterstar, Stonestep and Frozenfur didn’t make it.” He croaked. Sharpclaw bowed his head in grief and padded away.
Silverfur glanced around the cave. Where was the rest of the Clan? He must have said it aloud without realising it when Holyblaze replied, “Shadepelt and Blizzardfoot had gone out to search for prey. Hailstone is on his way to the Shining Stone to receive his nine lives.”
Silverfur felt uncomfortable as she stared at him with mysterious green eyes. He could still feel her eyes burning on him as he turned away.
He could see Minnowfur, Whiteclaw and Grayfur having a heated discussion in hush voices. Tuftyfoot was arranging all the herbs he had managed to carry with him when he escaped from the fire and Echoshine was snoozing with her tail curled protectively over Swiftkit.
Iceclaw limped over towards him. She winced,” Willowfur applied dock juice onto my wound.” Silverfur gave her a pitiful look. The white she-cat lowered her voice. “Frostclaw and Grayfur are gone. No sign of them.”
Silverfur was shocked by the unexpected news. He was speechless. Shaking his head, he padded towards a corner of the den where Shinypelt was stretching and fell into an uneasy sleep.
(sorry if you feel offended)
Iceclaw 
Silverstream 
Congratulate them 
