Hope everyone likes THE SUSPENSE!

Chapter 13

Darkpool awoke to the sound of mewling. She yawned, and gently nudged Sunkit and Gentlekit closer to her belly. Sunkit was a bright golden tom with brown stripes and amber eyes, while his sister was a light tabby with yellow eyes. "Only a moon old and already they bounce around the apprentices' den! You are lucky Darkpool." Purred Tallpoppy.

Darkpool agreed, "It seems like yesterday when Mothflutter, Troutleap, and Hawkclaw were here!"

Her gaze drifted away at the mention of Hawkclaw, and she closed her eyes, trying to convince herself that he was happier with Sorreltail. Tallpoppy went on, "At the gathering, you'll never guess what. A WindClan warrior found Hawkclaw and his mate, and helped them find a new home in a barn! They live there with a pair of loners now…Sorreltail must have birthed!"

Darkpool's heart soared, and she gasped, "That's wonderful…I must see Hawkclaw! I need to know that he's happy."

Tallpoppy eyed her, skepticism lighting her eyes as she gazed at Sunkit and Gentlekit. Darkpool sighed, "I suppose I'll have to wait until these two are apprentices…"

Tallpoppy nodded sensibly, and Tigerstar poked his head into the den. Darkpool purred, and gently nudged her children awake. Sunkit instantly dove over to his father, and squealed, "Can I go hunting today father? I swear I'll behave!"

"Now now, not until you're an apprentice!" Darkpool reminded her son.

Sunkit scowled, but Tigerstar nudged him fondly, "Come on, I'll show you the border if you want."

Sunkit flew out of the den, while his sister followed at a slower pace. Darkpool sighed with relief. Suddenly, Tigerstar's caterwaul could be heard close by, and he soon appeared clutching Gentlekit while Sunkit rushed behind him. The warriors emerged from their dens to here him pant, "Invasion! WindClan and RiverClan have banded together!"

Darkpool gasped with horror, and bundled her kits into the nursery. Tigerstar Darkpool hissed at Tallpoppy, "Watch them!"

She turned back and faced the entrance. Instantly, Tallstar appeared in the tunnel, Leopardstar at his side. Tallstar bared his teeth, but Leopardstar drew herself up to Tigerstar. She growled, "Tigerstar, you have a choice. You can either hand over your kits, or let your clanmates die!"

Tigerstar spat furiously, "You can try you pathetic flea-bitten half-breed!"

The other ShadowClan warriors yowled in agreement, but Darkpool stiffened as a new cat stood beside Leopardstar. Snag was graciously walking beside the RiverClan cats, his eyes calmly drifting from one cat to another. Leopardstar went on, "My newest warrior Foxclaw told me about your kits."

Foxclaw purred, "Hello Tigerstar!"

Tigerstar trembled, unable to hide his rage. He turned to Darkpool, and hissed, "I need you to go to Firestar. Tell him we need his help or our kits will be lost!"

Darkpool nodded, and waited for Tigerstar to initiate the battle. Tigerstar circled the other leaders carefully, before Leopardstar broke the line, screeching, "Attack!"

Tigerstar barreled into Foxclaw with a roar, while Leopardstar collided with Troutleap. Blackfoot and Tallstar faced each other, and Crowflight locked his teeth onto Littlecloud's tail. Darkpool waited for her chance, and exploded into action. She dove past Deadfoot. She gasped with horror as Stoneclaw, the RiverClan deputy, grabbed her leg with his teeth, and shook it, sending droplets of blood in all directions. Darkpool sliced his nose furiously, but the skillful deputy clawed at her back. Darkpool screeched, but pushed on. She managed to outrun the gray tom, and soon reached the enemy territory. Darkpool limped into the forest, only to collapse on a clump of bracken. "Get up!"

Darkpool groaned as she met the gaze of Tawnymask and Brambleclaw. She murmured, "Need…help!"

Darkpool realized even with blood dripping into her eyes, she could vividly see the resemblance between Tigerstar and the two ThunderClan warriors. She shook her head, and began to run past the patrol. Brambleclaw rushed after her, but she had a head start. Finally, Darkpool reached a bracken tunnel, and on the other side was the ThunderClan camp. Warriors surrounded her instantly, but Firestar called out, "Calm yourselves! Darkpool, what happened?"

"RiverClan and WindClan attacked us, they'll take my children if we lose! Firestar you must help!" Darkpool wailed.

Firestar looked around, but already warriors were preparing to fight. "Okay," He agreed, "ThunderClan shall fight!"

Mothflutter shrieked in a panic as Stormfur attacked, his fur bristling. She kicked him away, but was horrified. They were losing. Russetfur was already sprawled out in the medicine den, but many other warriors were bleeding from many wounds. Tigerstar had lost a life, as had Leopardstar, but he furiously circled the nursery. Mothflutter gasped with shock, as Darkpool burst into the camp, Firestar and his warriors at her side. Mothflutter purred to see her father's eyes widen with surprise, as Firestar knocked away the tabby that was attacking the ShadowClan leader. Tigerstar and Firestar eyed each other for a moment, before they both leapt back into the fray. Mothflutter yowled with delight; to see a tabby apprentice laden with cobwebs approach her. The tabby set down the herbs, and explained, "I'm Cinderpelt's apprentice, Leafpaw. I am here to help!"

Mothflutter dipped her head in greeting, and dragged Rowanclaw out of the battle. The young warrior's leg was badly torn, and his ears were shredded. Mothflutter ordered, "Lie still!"

The warrior obeyed, while Leafpaw handed Mothflutter the cobwebs with a mew of, "Sorry, but I've only been apprenticed for a quarter moon."

Mothflutter gave a quick nod, and bandaged Rowanclaw's leg. Rowanclaw blinked at her gratefully, and charged back into battle. Suddenly, Graystripe let out a low, eerie yowl, and the warriors parted to reveal Leopardstar, her teeth neatly pinned against Darkpool's throat.