Here is chapter seven. Enjoy!
"Clans, we gather beneath the moon." Echostar of WindClan called out to start the gathering, "I will go first."
No one objected.
"All is well in WindClan. We have a new apprentice, Skypaw!"
The Clans called out cheerfully, especially WindClan. All eyes were on Skypaw. Firepaw saw she looked cool, but her shining eyes betrayed how excited she was. I hope I don't blow it! She thought anxiously.
Echostar stepped back to let Marshstar of RiverClan speak.
"RiverClan had trouble with a white rogue, but we chased him off. We give thanks to Dapplerain and her patrol."
Murmurs of praise swept through the enormous crowd. Dapplerain flicked her ears. Firepaw noticed she sat near Aspenclaw and two other cats.
"Is Dapplerain the RiverClan deputy?" Firepaw whispered to Fernstep.
Fernstep nodded briskly then angled her ears indicating Firepaw should pay attention. Firepaw turned to face forward.
"RiverClan has nothing else to report." Marshstar finished nodding to Willowstar.
Willowstar came forward and began, "ThunderClan has been fortunate. We have two new apprentices, Firepaw and Cloudpaw."
Everyone turned and stared at the sisters. Suddenly, Firepaw's nerves left her and she lifted her chin. Cloudpaw did the same, but they still pressed against each other. (Aw, they are so cute! Oh, I'm a bit lazy, so I'm not going to make the leaders report much).
"Coppersplash is expecting Grasspelt's kits." Willowstar finished.
Hawkstar, ShadowClan's leader, stepped forward. Firepaw noticed that though big and scary, he looked noble.
"ShadowClan has nothing to report other than the prey is plentiful." Hawkstar meowed deeply.
It's now or never! Lichenfur thought.
"Wait! I have something to say!" Lichenfur called.
Firepaw craned her neck to see who was talking. Sedgefur, an orange she cat, blocked her view. She stood on her hind paws to see. A large black she cat with flaming orange eyes was standing.
"Cats of WindClan and ThunderClan, you have traitors and half clan filth among you!" she snarled.
Oh, no! Does she know? Please tell me this is a nightmare! Firepaw thought, horrified. Her family looked just as fearful. The clans murmured in puzzlement and outrage.
Lichenfur whipped her tail from side to side and climbed up the Great Rock (what, I don't know what else to call it) declaring, "Longtail of RiverClan and I saw Appleleaf of ThunderClan and Eagleclaw of WindClan together, acting WAY to friendly to be from rival clans. A few moons later, Appleleaf has a kit and no one steps forward as father and Eagleclaw has a daughter with a "rogue". The foster mother was Leaffeather, who had lost her kits to leaf bare. Put two and two together. Then, we saw Fernstep and Silverlake tonight introducing their kits to one another and said that it was too bad their parents were from different clans. Better yet, their mates know their secret."
Outraged caterwauls rang through the air. A brown ShadowClan cat sprang at Appleleaf and Fernstep. Emberstone intercepted her and swatted her out of the way. Silverlake, Eagleclaw, Skypaw, and Longwhisker raced over to them.
Willowstar and Echostar made their way.
"It is decided you won't be punished. But you must get home. Go, we will fight them off!" Echostar hissed.
"But-" Silverlake started.
"Go!" Willowstar yowled.
The families tore off in different directions, Appleleaf, Fernstep, Emberstone, Cloudpaw, and Firepaw towards ThunderClan's camp, Eagleclaw, Silverlake, Longwhisker, and Skypaw towards WindClan's camp.
Twigs lashed at their faces. Firepaw struggled to keep up. Fortunately, being part WindClan and part ThunderClan made her fast in the underbrush. Not quite as fast as the big cats.
They skidded, panting hard, into camp.
"Now what?" Firepaw asked.
Ooh, another cliff hanger. Sorry, I can't help it, I'm tired. Looking for salamanders will do that to you. REVIEW! DON'T BREAK MY HEART!
