Wow, a double update. I decided to update quickly, because, I am finally gaining interest in this story again. I was reading other stories, and well, they inspired me.

Stormikat: You caught up! Thanks for reviewing both chapters. I felt like I was rushing too, and it feels like this isn't really going anywhere. But that will change over the next couple of chapters, trust me

Chapter 7

Two days had passed since Roseleaf and her kits were accepted. Mistsong had visited Waterdream after Ashstorm ordered her. The deputy had noticed the wounds, and was worried they could become infected. Waterdream gave her some herbs to work off the wounds, and the next day, allowed her to go hunting with Flamepaw. Flamepaw hadn't mentioned anything about her powers since she told him. She knew that he wanted to ask her more, but she kept her jaws firmly shut when he tried to ask.

Snow had fallen as well, since the fight between Highjump and Bearclaw. It glistened against the bright sunlight, nearly blinding Mistsong. During the night, when she had traveled with the border patrol, they had scented Eclipse. Mistsong shuddered at the feeling of EclipseClan watching her every move. One day, they were going to strike. The attack would be unexpected, just like it was when they had killed Sunstep and Flickerkit.

Mistsong didn't want to think of how many cats had died during Eclipse's reign. He had murdered so many warriors, and so many rogues while he lived in EclipseClan. But what made it worse, was that Grayfeather had gone mad and joined them. She had a feeling that Eclipse would use their mother against her, in more ways then one.

She sighed and shook her head to clear the thoughts away. Now was not the time to think about bloodthirsty rogues. She had an apprentice to train. And Roseleaf, who was finally able to move properly, was out for the first time as well. The tortoiseshell queen trembled beside Flamepaw, nearly falling over several times as she made an attempt to hunt for her new Clan. Her kits were being taken care of by Cinderfoot and Chillgaze, who were much obliged to take care of them.

Ashstorm had decided to come with her, to help with teaching Roseleaf how to hunt in ThunderClan territory. Most of the warriors had been wary to show the new queen the ways of a ThunderClan cat. After all, she could easily return to WindClan and give away all of their secrets. But Roseleaf had promised that even if she did return to WindClan, she would never turn a traitor against the ones who took her in.

"This snow is ridiculous," Flamepaw muttered as a pile of snow fell from the branches onto him. Mistsong chuckled and flicked her tail across his shoulders as he shook it off. "It's everywhere!"

"Snow is good for the forest," she meowed when he was finished. "It helps the plants grow."

"By freezing them?" Flamepaw murmured.

Mistsong knew he was only just getting used to the snow. Normally, an apprentice would go wild if this was their first snowfall. But Flamepaw was already acting like an older warrior, who seemed to have the sense that snow was bad for the forest. Sure, it was bad for prey. But in newleaf, it would make prey better.

Roseleaf's eyes gleamed with amusement as Ashstorm led her to a less covered area. Mistsong remembered hearing that WindClan cats didn't use the thick undergrowth like ThunderClan. It made hunting and battling in ThunderClan territory almost treacherous. It also made things easier for ThunderClan, because they were used to hunting in brambles, bracken and ferns.

Lightningstar had even begun to use the trees as a way to defend themselves like squirrels. She had told Mistsong to teach Flamepaw how to climb. In a battle, they could use the branches to jump from one to another and ambush the opposing Clan. It was a brilliant tactic, and it seemed to work well on prey. No mouse or rabbit suspected a cat hiding in the lower branches of a tree.

"Now, how does one hunt in the snow?" Mistsong asked Flamepaw.

Flamepaw narrowed his eyes thoughtfully. "The snow will muffle your sound, so you have to step lightly. Mice won't usually hear your pawsteps until it's too late." He looked at her, and she nodded.

"Right, lets see you do it," she prompted.

The ginger tom dropped to a crouch immediately in response. He looked uncertain, and yet, excited to try this out. As a kit, he had practiced his crouch in the nursery. But now, he was able to do it for real in the forest, with his mentor to watch instead of his brothers.

Suddenly Flamepaw stopped in mid-crouch. His amber eyes gleamed when he looked up at Mistsong. She returned his gaze sharply.

"Why haven't you ever spied on EclipseClan?" he asked.

The question was unexpected. It should have angered Mistsong. And yet, it only made her tilt her head in confusion.

She had never thought of spying. Her powers would have been perfect for it. Eclipse would never have suspected that she was there. But, he would have spies of his own if he found out what was happening amongst the Clans. And Mistsong couldn't hide the fact that he could even have spies in ThunderClan. If one of his spies found out she was among EclipseClan, Eclipse might use it as an excuse to attack.

I am not that type of warrior, she thought with a lash of her tail.

"Lets go," she growled through gritted teeth.

Flamepaw stared at her in surprise, but didn't argue. He knew better then to fight with her. Especially when she could use her powers against him.

With a shudder, Flamepaw bounded after her.

Mistsong allowed the snow to fly around her. She didn't want anything to do with spying on other cats. It was wrong, and deceitful. Not only would it look bad for her own Clan, but it would make other warriors not trust her.

When they reached the ravine, Mistsong made certain there weren't any WindClan cats around. With Roseleaf on their side, Mistsong was sure that Foxstar would use this as an excuse to attack. Flamepaw was still behind her, huffing most of the way as his limbs began to tire. She turned her head to see that he was falling behind.

She glanced towards the trees that surrounded ThunderClan camp. All was quiet, and Mistsong realized that she could just take her time. It felt as though a sense of peace had surrounded her. The frosty white snow that glittered around her was still there. And Flamepaw was finally catching up.

Just when Mistsong felt as though battles seemed far away, she heard a low snarl coming from ahead. Her eyes narrowed when she spotted something moving through the undergrowth. It was obvious they weren't used to moving in the thick brambles and ferns that surrounded ThunderClan territory. But the snow muffled their sounds as well, despite the fact that they were moving confidently.

"Flamepaw, go and warn the Clan that WindClan has invaded," she growled softly to her apprentice.

He did as he was told and immediately disappeared towards camp. Mistsong felt her body disappearing into her surroundings. The WindClan cats had not noticed her, or Flamepaw. It looked as though Foxstar had brought his entire Clan. But they were as skinny looking as Roseleaf. Perhaps worse.

"What about you know who?" growled a cream-colored tom. It was Milkweed, a cat she had met during the Gathering.

"If I lay my claws on her, I will rip her to pieces and take the kits that are rightfully mine," snarled Foxstar.

A shiver went through Mistsong's spine. So Roseleaf was right. Foxstar wanted nothing to do with her. He just mated with her so WindClan would have more kits. The thought was wrong, and horrible.

"We won't let that happen." Foxstar stiffened, and Mistsong's ears pricked forward at Lightningstar's voice. She spotted her leader, and saw that the whole of ThunderClan had arrived. "This couldn't wait until the Gathering, could it?" Lightningstar added in a mocking tone.

"I will make you eat those words!" Foxstar yowled.

Mistsong suddenly sprang into action. She startled the WindClan cats enough to make them spin around in confusion. Her form was shrouded in mist, which blended in perfectly with the snow.

Suddenly a paw slammed down on her. Mistsong gasped and fell. The mist cleared, and the WindClan cats stared at her in amazement. Mistsong looked to see who her attacker was. It was Speckledface, the warrior she had feared the most.

Uh-oh, a cliffie. Poor Mistsong, getting caught in the middle of WindClan warriors. Don't worry, the ending won't be too terrible :)