Here's another chapter from the story, I hope you liked the other one, so please read and review!
Hawkfrost raced into camp with Mistyfoot clutched in his mouth. The whole clan gasped as he set her body in the middle of the camp.
"Hawkfrost, what has happened to Mistyfoot?" Leopardstar demanded, her eyes filled with sorrow, and her fur bristling with fury.
"This is a terrible loss for RiverClan, and you can blame ThunderClan for that!" Hawkfrost put on an act of fake sympathy. His head was bowed, but he raised it long enough to give Stormfur a look of sheer and utter contempt.
"What does ThunderClan have to do with this?" Leopardstar hissed.
"I saw two cats murder Mistyfoot, it appeared to be Squirrelflight, and her daughter Rainpaw," Hawkfrost smirked at Stormfur, knowing that he had sneaked up on him, and saw what had really happened to Mistyfoot. All of RiverClan gasped.
"We must attack ThunderClan!" Heavystep yowled.
"No!" Leopardstar hissed. "Not now, we will talk and possibly attack at the Gathering tomorrow night.
"But, Leopardstar, you know the Gatherings are a time of peace, you cannot attack other clans," Mosspelt's voice rung out from the crowd of cats.
"I know, but do you kill cats in cold blood?" Leopardstar looked down on Mosspelt. Mosspelt bowed her head and shrank back into the crowd.
"This was a terrible tragedy," Leopardstar bowed her head, showing traces of how old she really was. "But, it is time for a deputy ceremony."
She leapt up onto the Reedpile and chanted the familiar words. "I say these words before the body of Mistyfoot, so that her spirit may hear and approve my choice. Even though he has once been a rouge, this cat has shown his loyalty to RiverClan many times over. Hawkfrost will be the new deputy of RiverClan." As soon as the last word came out of the leader's mouth, the camp erupted in cheers.
Hawkfrost leapt up on the Reedpile. "Cats of RiverClan, I never expected to gain such a high position in my clan, but I vow to serve you all well." The clan once more exploded in cheers after the popular cat's speech. Stormfur just glared at the Reedpile in disgust. He knew Mistyfoot's spirit wouldn't approve that choice. He stalked off to his den, shaking his head.
&&&&
A slender cat slipped through the cool, night air. She cautiously put one paw in front of the other, as if someone was following her. She finally reached WindClan territory, and rubbed against the cat who was obviously waiting for her.
"Hello, Leafpool, I have missed you," the dark gray tom spoke, purring in delight.
"I know, we have to get together more often," Leafpool exclaimed licking her mate.
"Did you know Mistyfoot is dead?" the WindClan cat said.
"Crowfeather! You're lying," Leafpool cried in astonishment.
"No, I talked with Stormfur during a border patrol, apparently Hawkfrost is the new deputy," Crowfeather exclaimed, a scared look in his eyes.
"Hawkfrost! No, he can't be deputy, he just can't," Leafpool cried shaking her head in disbelief.
"I know, the day he becomes leader will be a sad day for the forest indeed," Crowfeather sighed.
"I hope that doesn't happen, maybe he will die or StarClan won't accept him," Leafpool clung to a strand of hope.
"I don't know, but I will protect you with my life if he decides to hurt you," Crowfeather purred and rubbed harder against his mate.
"As I would do for you," Leafpool replied.
"Are you going to the Gathering tomorrow?" Leafpool asked.
"I'm not sure, but I hope so, you will go right?" Crowfeather answered.
"I'm a medicine cat, I have to go," Leafpool said.
"I have to go back to my clan," Crowfeather said, his eyes full of sadness and love.
"Ok, I should be going back too, good-bye my sweet warrior," Leafpool relented and slipped into the shadows once more.
&&&&
"I'm sorry about what happened yesterday," Birchheart told Raincloud the next day at breakfast.
She glared at him, "It's fine."
"Will you eat with me?" the warrior asked shyly.
"If you really want to. But, it's okay if you are in love with Applefur, I know how close you guys were on the journey here," Raincloud pushed against Birchheart. "And, I don't think I'm ready to fall in love."
Birchheart just blinked at her. It meant the world to him to hear her say that. "Okay, maybe I do like Applefur, but can we still be friends?" he whispered.
"Forever," she smiled.
"All cats old enough to catch their own prey, come over to the Highledge for a clan meeting," Firestar's voice rang out.
"Isn't it too early to announce the list for the Gathering? It's tomorrow," Raincloud glanced at Birchheart.
"I'm not sure," he was puzzled also.
"I know the Gathering is tomorrow but, I will announce the cats now," he firmly said. "Squirrelflight, Sandstorm, Leafpool, Cinderpelt, Brackenfur, Birchheart, Raincloud, Brambleclaw, Sootfur, and Whitepaw will come to the Gathering." The group of cats went their separate ways after the announcement.
Birchheart slipped out of camp and headed to ShadowClan territory. He saw Applefur with her apprentice again, he hissed for her to come over. She looked alarmed but sent her apprentice away. He motioned to a bush nearby.
"Birchheart! What are you doing?" Applefur exclaimed.
He looked at her beautiful fur, her glowing eyes and felt nervous. He said, "Applefur, I think I'm in love with you."
"What! But this can't be...you can't... I can't," Applefur looked at the tom. "But I do."
"You love me too," Birchheart brightened up.
"Of course I do," Applefur smiled. "So come and live in ShadowClan with me.
Birchheart just stared at her, "Why can't you come to ThunderClan?"
"I love my own clan, and I have my kin too," Applefur protested.
"Me too," Birchheart cried. "Maybe we should start our own clan." Birchheart joked.
"I have to go now," Applefur smiled and gave him a lick, then walked off.
"I hope I'll see you at the Gathering tomorrow!" Birchheart called after her. Applefur just looked back and winked. The young tom ran back to ThunderClan feeling as if the weight of the world was off his shoulders.
Well, Birchpaw and Applepaw always get together! They're just so damn cute! Please read and review, I think there will be just two more chapters. :( This has been a really fun book to write. Please R&R!