Chapter 12! We are about half-way through the story now! I am really sorry about the shortness of the last chapter, this, I hope, makes up for it! I am also very pleased about the fact that nearly all of you want a sequel! I am happy, because this series (I hope there to be six 'books') is really going to go places you wouldn't expect! There is also a big surprise couple emerging from inside the Clan (who could it be…)

Replies to your reviews!

Laughing Rain: I haven't read Eclipse yet (!), I am currently reading Outcast, but me being me, I always keep on top of all Warriors events, and I can't help seeing what happens! If you could tell me when Sol met Midnight, I could tell you if he has or not. At the moment, we are currently between Sunset and The Sight, so…I don't know I'm afraid…

Nianque: I know it's short, and to be frank, I didn't like it very much. I hope this more than makes up for it…:P I can confirm that Leafpool does have kits…quite soon, in fact…

Dawnstar: Yay, you want a sequel!!

Cinderfoot: The way I wind the story around entertains me, because I love thinking of all the things that make the story more entertaining.

About the quote, I didn't know my Britishness (is that a word?) was showing through in my writing! LOL! I guess that is very much British sort of humour: the dry, witty comments we come out with have just managed to worm their way into my story.

I saw about Sol's absence in my allegiances, and I will probably update it, when I get a chance. I also knew about Ravenclaw's white tipped tail, and I should stop being so lazy…

I hated the fact that that chapter was very short, and I wish it wasn't. But I hope that this longer one, which is quite a turning point for the story, will more than make up for it.

This is the longest reply to the longest review! LOL!

Leafxcrow: You should get up to date, we passed Chapter 6 moons ago! Jokes! Nightpaw is a little mysterious, isn't he…

~Jill~: remember, Sol has not met ShadowClan in my story…so he didn't turn ShadowClan atheists, or get blamed (for a while) for Ashfur's murder…

Avatar: It's nice that you would like another book of the story written! Um, DarkClan are very mysterious and their territory is unknown (not even I know where it is!)

Finally, onto to the story!! This is from Stonepaw's POV (exciting isn't it!)

Happy Reading from Leopardstorm!

Chapter 12 – Murder in the Moonlight

I love life in EarthClan. The apprentices are friendly, the atmosphere is good and everything seems peaceful. I've got a brilliant mentor, in the form of Brambleclaw. He is…well, quite cool. He is very popular within the Clan, and he is also highly respected. I feel honoured to be his apprentice. But the thing that makes my life the best is her. Her tortoiseshell fur, her green eyes, and her wonderful kits. Oh, she made my life fantastic. (A/N Have you figured out who it is yet…) But I doubt she'd like me in the same way as I do. She already has kits, and it's too soon after her old mate leaving for her to think about another mate…

"Stonepaw. Stonepaw! STONEPAW!" Brambleclaw yowled at me impatiently.

"Yes, Brambleclaw?" I replied shakily as I liked my chest fur roughly after the fright.

"We are going to do some hunting today," my mentor said in frustration. He must have been telling me this when I wasn't listening. "Show me everything you've learnt."

I lowered my body, searching for any sort of life in the undergrowth. Just then, I spotted something. It was a mouse, scurrying around the grassy paths of the Oak Forest. Immediately, I took my chance. I got into the hunter's crouch and ever so silently padded along the forest floor. It hadn't noticed me. Light pawsteps, light pawsteps…

I kept going until I was a fox-tail's length away from my prey. This was one mouse I couldn't afford to miss. I pounced, the mouse finally realising that it was being stalked by a furry monster. I flicked it up into the air, letting it have a final squeak until I clawed it. It was dead.

I looked back at my mentor, who was nodding his head in approval. I brought it back to Brambleclaw and dropped it at his paws.

"Well done," he praised. "It's definitely time."

Time? Time for what?

Brambleclaw just gestured back to camp as he ran off to the gorge's direction. I followed him at lightning speed, as we dodged bits of forest debris littered across the territory. Finally, we got into the camp, but all the cats were gathered around the GorgeRock. This is embarrassing…

"Ah, the cat of the moment has arrived," Crowstar said, clearly amused. "Jump up here, Stonepaw!"

Was he going to punish me for being late? I jumped onto the GorgeRock, shaking like a tree in a thunderstorm.

"Did Brambleclaw tell you what was about to happen?" Crowstar asked softly.

"N-n-n-no," I spluttered. I felt stupid.

"Well, I think you find this to be a pleasant surprise," Crowstar looked up, "Brambleclaw, do you think this apprentice has learnt the ways of the warrior code?"

"He is ready to be a warrior, through and through!" Brambleclaw smiled.

I was going to be a warrior. That's why I'm up here!

Crowstar had noticed the surprised look in my eyes as he let out a mrrow of amusement. "I, Crowstar, leader of EarthClan, ask my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. He has learnt the ways of your noble code and I commend him as a warrior in his turn.

"Stonepaw, do you promise to protect and defend the ways of the warrior code, and EarthClan, even at the cost of your life?"

"I do," I stated, surprised that I was so confident in my answer.

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Stonepaw, from this day forward, you will now be known as Stonewhisker. StarClan honours your bravery and your loyalty, and we are proud to call you a full member of EarthClan." Crowstar mewed as everyone chanted my new name. Stonewhisker. I felt proud of it.

"Congratulations, Stonewhisker!"

"Nice name, Stonewhisker!"

"Congrats!"

The swarms of voices and scents flowed over me. I was truly home.

"I think you deserve the rest of the day off today," Brambleclaw came up to me after he congratulated me.

I mewed my thanks and headed over to the nursery. I went in there to see that Sorreltail was at the front sharing tongues with her mate, Brackenfur. She looked up at me when she saw I had arrived.

"Oh, hi Stonewhisker. Congratulations on your warrior ceremony. I'm guessing you're here to be with her, aren't you?" she commented dryly. Was my love for her so obvious?

"Yes, where is she?" I asked nervously.

Sorreltail yowled in laughter, "She's in the back, playing with the kits."

I bid farewell as I pushed my way through the nursery to the back. The kits leapt on me as they said hi.

"Oh, hi, Stonewhisker!" the love of my life called from the side of the clearing. "Congrats on the warrior name. It's really nice."

"Thanks, Tawnypelt," I was standing around nervously. What was I supposed to do? Jump around like a rabbit?

"Sit down!" she insisted, gesturing at a piece of moss by the side of the play-area.

"Um, thanks…" I sat down nervously. "Er…how are the kits?"

"Oh, they're growing everyday," she said wistfully. "Before you know it, they'll be apprentices, then warriors!"

"Oh, I'm sure you'll-" I stopped abruptly. I had almost said, "have more kits".

"I'll what?" she asked patiently.

"Um….er….um…be…very…proud…yes, yes, you'll be very proud!" I was so nervous. You stupid cat! Just. Act. Natural.

"I sure will," she sighed. She looked up, and most definitely noticed my nervousness. "What's up?" she asked softly.

"Nothing!" I said a little too quickly.

Her voice hardened, "come on, tell me.I know something is bothering you!"

"I am absolutely fine!" I insisted. My heart said tell her now how much I wanted her, but my mind begged to differ, and told me to say nothing.

"Stonewhisker," she began. "I've noticed the way you look at me from across the clearing, or when you are playing with the kits. Have I upset you?" she asked seriously.

Upset me? "No, you haven't upset me," I sighed. I had to tell her. "Lately, you have helped me get better and get my life back on track. If it weren't for you, I might still be wandering the land of nowhere, alone for the rest of my life. I have so many new friends, but you are by far the best,"

She opened her mouth to speak, but I stopped her, "But I feel more than just friendship. I have since I met you. I can't help it. I love you," I whispered, looking at my paws. Now you've done it! My mind scolded me.

Tawnypelt just sat there expressionless. She doesn't like me back! I fretted. But then she looked at me with such warmth and joy and muttered, "I love you too!"

My life was now complete as we sat and watched the kits play, tails entwined.

-x-

I had spent the rest of the day with Tawnypelt, relishing in the time I spent with her. But now it was time for my vigil, and tonight shouldn't be so bad, considering it was still green-leaf.

"You'd better watch the kits," I said as I walked out of the nursery.

"No, you're going to need some company!" Tawnypelt said.

"But the kits…" I trailed off as she shook her head.

"Ferncloud said she'll watch them for tonight. She is so helpful, I'm glad she joined EarthClan."

I nodded as we took up position at the centre of the camp. As the time went on, all you could hear were cats' snores echoing from each of the caves. We chuckled silently.

The snores got slightly annoying after a while. But then, I heard some rustling. Was it a cat? It must have been the wind…

But it happened again, the rustling getting louder and louder until….YOWL! A cat's screams filled the air as the rustler burst off into a bush…but not any bush…the nursery! Another cat's yowl of pain split the silence and little mews were heard going out of the camp!

We ran to the nursery as quick as we could, but almost tripped over a body at the entrance. It was Sparrowpaw, who was on guard at the time. Her grey and brown body smelt unmistakeably of death, as we picked our way through the broken barrier. There was more blood-scent throughout the den as we found Sorreltail helping a queen regain consciousness. It was Ferncloud.

"Ferncloud, what happened?!" Tawnypelt asked in deep concern.

"Cat…kill Sparrowpaw…knock me out…take kits…" she recalled in sharp, painful breaths

"They took the kits?!" Tawnypelt yowled. "Come on; let's get you to Cinderpelt…"

We dragged Ferncloud together by the scruff toward the medicine den, where Cinderpelt was already standing outside.

"I heard screams, what happened?" Cinderpelt asked quickly. "And where is Nightpaw?"

Nightpaw was missing?!

"We don't know, and there's no time to explain!" I told the medicine cat. "Tawnypelt's kits are missing; we're going to see Crowstar, then look for them."

"Go! I look after Ferncloud," Cinderpelt ushered the queen into the patients' area as we set of to behind the GorgeRock.

"Crowstar! Crowstar!" We yowled as we entered the small hollow in the cave.

"Stonewhisker, what are you doing out and around?" the leader's voice gave away the fact that he was still half-asleep.

"Tawnypelt's kits are missing, and Sparrowpaw has been killed!" I recounted quickly as Leafpool yawned.

"Then we need to act now!" Crowstar was definitely awake now as he leapt out of the den and onto the GorgeRock.

"Everybody gather!" there was no time for the traditional call. Everybody was grumbling that their sleep was being disturbed.

"Tawnypelt's kits are missing, and Sparrowpaw has died defending the nursery! We need to act-" Crowstar was interrupted by a clumsy entrance from the black medicine cat, Nightpaw. He was covered in mud and filth, and was soaking from nose to tail.

Everyone looked at him as Crowstar continued, "We need to act now! Brambleclaw, sort out search parties! Let's go…"

We searched, and searched, but to no avail. They were gone. As I tried to comfort Tawnypelt, I couldn't help thinking that DarkClan's reign of terror had truly begun.

Nice long chapter! Tell me what you think of it, and what's gonna happen next.

REVIEW! (please!)

Have a nice night wherever you are, but from the UK it is goodnight!

From Leopardstorm!