Silent as Snow

Chapter 1
Icewing sat, her head down, in front of Dapplefur's grave. She felt guilt burn inside as she stared at the mound of earth.

''It's my fault she's dead. It's my fault Longwhisker is gone. It's my fault that Tigerwind won't speak to me. ''

Icewing shook her head angrily, trying to clear her mind. She dreaded going back to her Clan, knowing that only scorn and mistrust awaited her there...

A twig snapped behind her. She whipped around and found herself face-to-face with Tigerwind.

"Wh - What do you want?!" she stammered, backing away a few steps.

His eyes were stone cold as he stared at her.

"I want to talk to you. Now." Icewing flinched at the icyness in his tone. She followed him through the bushes and to the stream. He faced her, still staring her down. Icewing stared back.

"What?" she said, a little too harshly.

"Well, what did he say to you?" he snapped back.

"Who are you-" Icewing realized he was talking about Longwhisker. Sadness pierced her heart like a shard of ice.

Tigerwind growled impatiently.

"He...he said goodbye," she managed to say without choking up. There was a pause. Images of Longwhisker disapearing into the forest kept appearing in Icewing's mind. She pushed them away wearily. Nightmares had kept her from getting any sleep.

"Are you still...with him?"

She nodded slowly.

"Well, now it's against the code. I doubt you'll ever break that again," he mewed mockingly.

"Shut up. Love isn't against the code and you know it," the fur on her neck rose threateningly.

"When you're not in the same Clan, it is!"

"I've had enough!" she snarled, pushing her face close to his until their noses nearly touched. "I get it, you want me to love you instead! Well I don't, mouse-brain!"

"Watch who you call mouse-brain!" he shot back, his voice slowly rising.

"Just because I'm still going to see him doesn't mean-" Icewing stopped, shock rippling through her. She had said too much.

"So you have been seeing him!"

"No, no! Not...yet.." she trailed off. "Please, Tigerwind, I'm begging you. Don't tell the Clan!" Icewing held her breath as he thought, waiting for his answer.

"I won't tell them," he mewed finally. "Come on, let's go back."

Icewing reluctantly followed him to the barrier, her tail down. She wanted to say sorry, but she didn't know how. Why couldn't he just see she didn't love him? Was it really that difficult to notice?

''Redstripe, give me your courage and strength. I need it, ''she thought as a chilly wind whipped her fur. Several soft flakes came with it, making her pelt uncomfortably wet.

Leafbare had arrived.

Chapter 2
Sorry, I can't write anymore.