"Nightstar, we need you!" "Nightstar, how can I serve you?" "Nightstar, you're amazing!" "Nightclaw!"
"Nightclaw!" came the sharp voice of his leader, Gingerstar. Oh, Gingerstar, I should be the one leading this Clan, not a soft-belly like you!
"Yes, Gingerstar?" "Get out there and organize some patrols, furball! I can't do everything!" "No, Gingerstar." "Indeed. Now go!"
Nightclaw named a few warriors, then padded to the nursery. "Poppypool?" He called softly inside.
"Oh, hello, Nightclaw!" Poppypool exclaimed. "What's going on?" "Poppypool, Gingerstar's in a mood." "Again?" she asked. He nodded. She licked his ear. "I know you're trying. Just let him be. It is his eighth life, you know-"
She slapped her tail over her mouth. "You'll never speak of this to anyone!" And it wasn't a question, it was merely a statement.
"Because if you do-" she hissed, "If you do, Gingerstar and I will rip your fur off!"
"What's this?"
Gingerstar poked his head in the nursery, his expression dark. "What's going on?" He thrust aside Nightclaw until he was nose-tip to nose-tip against Poppypool. "You told him, didn't you." This was also not a question.
"Yes,I-I did. B-but, Gingerstar-" he cut her off. "You may have comprised the Clan's safety!"
Poppypool became angry. "How dare you! I was giving information to this cat, your deputy! The cat you appointed! He ought to know!" "No, he oughtn't!" protested Gingerstar, but Poppypool shouted him down. "And have you forgotten that this cat was almost your littermate? You taught him everything you knew when you were a kit! I knew him too! You would keep this from him?" Gingerstar hung his head. He looked at Nightclaw. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier. But I'm sure CloudClan will lead a raid soon, and I didn't I could trust many cats." Nightclaw cocked his head. "They will?" This was his chance! He could let them kill Gingerstar, then he'd be leader! It was a dream come true! Now all he had to do was convince CloudClan...