new she was expecting pups soon, but how would that bring danger I nodded still feeling stunned. I decided to not tell her but try to keep her in the camp. I saw her begining to leave, I ran over.

" Snowstorm don't go" I cried urgently.

 The alarm in my voice caused her to whip her head and look at me in surprise. "Hey whats wrong. I'm only going to get a drink"

 " No I thnik you should stay. Please" I suddently felt as if I would never see her again. She licked me in reasurrance.

" Don't worry I'll be back." With that she walked out. I felt as if though I had done a big mistake. I looked up at the glittering stars over my head.

"Oh SpiritClan" I whispered to our Warrior ancestors." I sure hope you know what you are doing."

*       *       *       *       *        *         *       * 

I ran excitedly to where I would meet her. We have been seeing each other for months. I finally saw her coming down a hill, her swollen belly swaying. I greeting her with a touch or our noses.

"Hey Aniu"

"You can't call me that anymore"

For a second I thought she was angry wiht me, but i heard no hostility in her voice.

"I'm Snowstorm now. I'm a Warrior" she said proudly.

"Thats really great" I said responded beaming for her

 We sat down and lay our heads against each other, enjoying each other's company. A few minutes passed by and she let out a gasp of pain. I lept to my feet at an instant. 

"Are you okay"

"McKinley...I...I think they're coming"she panted

 "What!" I exclaimed feeling a bolt of electricity go through me "Now!?"

She began to lie down. I licked her flank and was murmuring things to comfort her. She was losing a lot of blood. The first pup came but she seemd too exhausted to take care of it. I like and it it opened its mouth to take a first breath. Three more came and were each alive.

"McKinley" I only just barely heard her.

 I immedieately ran to her side. She seemed to be slipping away

 "Take care of the pups. I love you." she rasped

I shook my head in disbelief  "Don't leave me Snowstorm, I need you here"

"Karti" she wispered very softly, as she lay her head down.

 That was the last word she had ever spoken. I didn't know who or what "Karti" was but she was gone. The truth stabbed at me like a dagger.

"Snowstorm" I gently nudged her not wanting to face the truth. She didn't respond. I raised my head a howled loudly to the whole forest.

"SNOWSTORM!"

*       *       *        *       *       *        *

 I buried her at the same spot she died. Her scent was still strong but mixed with the scent of blood.

"Oh Snowstorm what will I do without you"

 She meant everything to me. The sound of whimpering brought me back to earth. I glanced down and saw four bundles. One was pure white like Snowstorm, another was chocolate brown, a third was a light gray/sliver and the fourth was a pale brown. You need a mother was the first thing that came to my mind. Without thinking twice I gently picked up the chocolate grown puppy and rushed to my town. I had to hurry or they'll die.

 *        *        *       *       *       *       *        *

 All that Cross Country running has finally paid off, because I sprinted like never before. I arrived at the shipwrecked boat and came bursting in, making Coedae jump in alarm.

 "McKinley whats wrong?"

" I need you to take care of him" I said in a rush, as I gently put down the pup.

 "But why?!"

 " I have no time to explain" I panted "Please Coedae, I have to get to the others"

 "What?!" she exclaimed, her eyes wide "There are more?!"

"Please " I begged.

 She hesitated for a moment. The puppy whimpered loudly. her expression softened. She let out a sigh. "Oh, of course I'll take him" She picked him up and carried it over to the basket and allowed him to suckle at her stomach. I would've wanted to watch him settle, but I ran out to save the rest. The snow crunched beneath my feet, desperatly running towards the forest. I saw my house and halted.

"You dumb-dumb" I said outloud to myself.

 It would be much faster if I cut across my home. Without I secong thought, I burst through the Doggie Door. The house was strangely empty, with neatly packed boxes scattered in various places. I kept going anyway, until I was roughly grabbed around my collar.

"There you are, Mckinley, come on, we gotta go"

 How could I be so stupid. I have known that we were moving for ages, but I have been so busy with Snowstorm, I wasn't aware of what has been going on around me. I tugged and tried to get out of his grasp, but he only held on tighter.

 "Come on, whats gotten into you. Bad dog!"

 "No the pups" I howled, but I knew that he couldn't undrstand. I struggled harder, but I was only chocking myself.

 I was dragged into an automobile. My nails scrapped agianst the metal, but it did no goo. I howled and barked for all that I was worth, but it did no good. I heard the familar rumble of the machine and we began to leave the town. I saw the forset move further and firther away form my view. Snowstorm I thought, I'm sorry, I lost the pups I thought sadly. They were all that I had left from her. I lost my mate, I lost my pups, I lost everything. The weather echoed my thoughts as snow slowly began to drift. I felt hopeless.

Sound the bugle now - play it just for me

As the seasons change - remember how Iused ot be

Now I can't go on - I can't even start

I've got nothing left - just an empty heart

I'm a soilder - wounded so I must give up the fight

There's nothing more  for me - lead me away..

Or leave me lying here

We stropped to rest I sat on top of a hill, not to far away, and let the snow fall around me.

Sound the bugle now - tell them I don't care

There's not a road I know - that leads to anywhere

Without a light I fear that I will - stumble in the dark

Lay right down - decide not to go on

 A fog drifted in and I smelled a sweet famiiar sent.

Then from on high - somewhere in the distance

There's a voice that calls - remmeber who you are

If you loose yourself - your courage soon will follow

So be strong tonight - remmber who you are

 I sat too stunned to speak. She touched my nose with hers and felt my heart flutter

 "McKinley, I'm not angry with you. I'm in SpiritClan now"

"Snowstorm" I whispered, shocked.

"The pups are fine. They all have a mother to take care of them, except for Blizzardpup"

I noticed the white pup that had appeared next to her.

"I love you, take care"

She howled and disappeared with the wind.

Ya you're a soilder now - fighting ina battle

To be free be once more...

Ya that's worth fighting for

I smiled " Good - bye my love"

*       *       *       *       *       *       *       *

"Snowstrom" I yelped

I suddenly woke up. I could still smell the scent of blood. I was still in my den. It was just a dream I tried to tell myself. But it seemd so real. It was faded, but I heard whipereing pups and Snowstrom wailing. I shakily stood up and decided to go to Barksnout's den to ask him about it. As I walked in I saw my father inside talkimg to him. Not wanting to interrupt I sat outside, but I could still hear the conversation.

"SpiritClan have spoken to me" he said sadly "Snowstrom is dead"

I felt ice grip my throat

"But how" I heard my father whisper in a hollow voice

" SpiritClan have not shown me that much"

I remebered our arguement. It seemed stupid now, I despratly wanted to be with her. Her turned to leave but saw me at the enstrance.

"Karti" he said sounding surprised " I didn't -"

"She isn't dead" I said quitly

" Karti I'm sorry, but Barksnout wouldn't lie"

" He's lying." I was starting to raise my voice "Snowstorm isn't dead' I was practically shouting "I'll prove it"

Ignoring my fathers protests I ran out of the camp and ran though the forest, calling her name.

" Snowstorm!" I howled, but I heard no response.

"Snowstorm answer me" I shouted , but in reality I knew she was gone.

I went into a treeless area, our favortie place to hang out together.

" Please" I whispered " Answer me"

I rasied my head and saw the glittering stars overhead. For a second I was angry with SpiritClan. Angry for taking away my sister, but I let out a sigh and desperatly wished more than ever for her to be with ne. A slow fog drifted in and I felt even more alone and scared. I longed for her reassurance. Snow bean to fall and I felt my paws go numb, but I hardly felt it. Nothing no longer mattered anymore. She was gone. She was truly gone. A sweet scent drifted in and I felt someone touch my nose. I snapped my head back up. Standing against the falling snow stood my beloved sister. Her fur glowed like the moon's refelction in a lake. I felt joy fill inside of me. she wasn't dead after all!

"Hi Karti"

" Snowstorm! I knew you weren't dead!" I exclaimed, but she slowly shook her head.

"No, I'm in SpiritClan