Agh, sorry it took so long to update, it's just school and stuff. So here's the seventh chapter. Please review and keep on reading! Thank you!

Chapter 7: A Warning Unheeded

The tall cliff walls surrounding the ThunderClan camp seemed to close in on Icepool, making her feel suffocated. She shook her fur out, trying to dispel the feeling but only succeeding in shaking some remaining sand out from her pelt.

Pinetail's patrol followed Molefur, who kept looking back nervously, as if he was afraid the five cats would jump on him viciously. Seapaw, who was walking cheerfully next to Icepool, was interestedly taking in the view of the camp, her eyes bright and excited. Icepool couldn't help but admire her spirit.

"What happens if you fall off the side?" asked Seapaw in a high-pitched voice, batting at Molefur's tail experimentally.

"You die," replied Molefur scathingly, yanking his tail from the apprentice's grip.

Pinetail shot Seapaw a warning look and shook his head, meaning for her to stop talking. But Seapaw smiled and continued.

"So has that happened before? Why did you pick this place to settle if it's so easy to fall over the cliffs? RiverClan seems much safer than this camp. I mean, you probably like it fine, but I don't really like it too much. Do you know what I mean? Huh?"

Crabclaw suppressed his laughter by burying his face into the scruff of Icepool's neck. The gray she-cat bit her tongue as Pinetail's ears went back in embarrassment for his apprentice. Seapaw knew exactly what she was doing. It was her way of lightening the mood of the RiverClan patrol and Icepool was grateful for it.

"Do you ever shut up?" hissed Molefur.

"Wow, you have an awful attitude," observed Seapaw, "I bet you don't have an apprentice yet right? It's probably because you're so mean."

Molefur cursed under his breath and glanced back at the black and white apprentice reproachfully as he led them to the center of the camp.

The patrol of RiverClan cats were greeted with mistrustful looks and quiet mutterings. Icepool couldn't blame them; they obviously had heard about Strongstar and were frightened for their Clan's well-being.

"Pinetail? What are you doing here in ThunderClan?" a light brown tabby she-cat asked, trotted up to the RiverClan deputy, her white paws flashing in the moonlight.

"Applefall," greeted Pinetail, "we have come with a message for Redstar. It is of the utmost importance that we see your leader now."

The deputy of ThunderClan looked suspiciously at Pinetail, her ears flicking back and forth. Icepool glanced around ThunderClan's camp clearing, confused. A strange amount of cats were milling around, eating, sharing tongues, or just sitting, looking bored, around the camp. What were all these cats doing up in the middle of the night?

Applefall must have noticed Icepool's bewilderment because she said, "We're always on our guard these days. Most cats are too afraid to fall asleep. We must stay alert."

"We need to talk to Redstar," insisted Rainwhisker, "it's for the good of all the Clans."

Applefall hesitated and then nodded. "Fine. Come with me. But I don't want five cats trooping into his den. Only two of you may come."

Pinetail stepped forward and then looked over his shoulder. "Icepool, come with me."

Surprised and flattered that Pinetail had picked her to meet with ThunderClan's leader, Icepool padded after the deputy, leaving the two toms and Seapaw in the center of the clearing.

Icepool followed Applefall up a steep path that led to a large cave in the rock face. The light brown deputy disappeared into the crevice, her white tail melting into the darkness. Pinetail and Icepool glanced at each other and then tiptoed into the cave, their paws making soft noises on the stone floor.

Redstar was lying down on a pile of moss, his tail stretched across the floor, his green eyes wide open. He looked tired and worn-out but the agitated way his paws were twitching told Icepool that he wasn't ready to sleep anytime soon. His ginger fur was tangled and covered in pieces of moss and twigs. A pang of pity shot through Icepool's heart at the sight of the leader. He looked a mess.

"Ah. Pinetail, welcome to ThunderClan," Redstar said slowly, heaving himself to his paws.

"This is Icepool," introduced Pinetail, flicking his tail at the she-cat. "We're here because of Strongstar's seizure of ShadowClan's territory. Silverstar has asked us to give you a message."

Redstar nodded lethargically. To Icepool, it seemed like he was underwater, trying to resurface. She wondered if he was sick.

"I know about ShadowClan's predicament. It is a shame," Redstar sighed.

Icepool felt an uneasiness creeping over her. She glanced at Pinetail. He was staring at Redstar, a trace of perplexity etched on his face.

"Silverstar proposes that ThunderClan and RiverClan join together," Pinetail said, "it is the only way to defeat WindClan and save ShadowClan from a terrible demise."

Applefall looked pensive but Redstar shook his head quickly.

"Oh no," he murmured, "I can't put my Clan into any more danger. WindClan is too strong. They'll kill us all."

Icepool saw Pinetail's jaw drop.

"If we don't fight them, they'll slowly take over our Clans too!" exclaimed Pinetail.

"Yes," Redstar said sadly, "I know. But if I force my Clan to fight, more cats will die. If I let Strongstar take over peacefully, we'll all have a better chance of living."

Icepool's eyes widen in horror. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. "Are you joking?" she asked, her voice trembling, "you're just going to sit back and watch while cats die? You don't understand do you? Strongstar doesn't want your cooperation, he doesn't care if you want him to take over peacefully! He wants you dead!"

"Icepool," Pinetail warned, flicking his eyes towards the ThunderClan leader. But Redstar didn't even flinch at Icepool's words.

"I understand your determination to protect your Clan," he said, "but this is my choice. I am prepared to allow Strongstar to have some of our land. As long as my cats are safe. I've sent Badgerclaw and Bluesky to talk to Strongstar. They left last evening."

Applefall looked horrified and she glanced at Icepool, letting the warrior know she had no idea of her leader's intentions. The cave was silent for a moment, Redstar's condemning words sinking into everyone's minds. Icepool straightened up, rising to her full height, her blue eyes glowing in the darkness of the den.

"Cats will die," hissed Icepool quietly, "and if you won't help RiverClan defeat Strongstar then we'll do it ourselves and prove what our freedom is worth!"