Chapter 16

Crazyheart was surprised to see Fernstar arrive near sunhigh after the reception she had received the last time. The WindClan leader just didn't seem to realize that ThunderClan did not appreciate her presence.

Fernstar immediately spotted Crazyheart and padded over. "Where's Flamestar?"

In his den, trying to rest.

"He's out hunting," Crazyheart lied. "He won't be back for a while. Why don't you just head on back to your camp, I mean, there's no sense in waiting, is there?"

Fernstar clearly didn't get the hint, because she sat down on the ground instead of leaving the stone hollow. "I have time. I can wait."

Crazyheart gritted her teeth. I am so tempted to rake my claw's across that pathetic she-cat's face. Perhaps that will stop her visits. ThunderClan owes absolutely nothing to WindClan, and it's time that she realizes it.

Of course, now was the time that Flamestar had to leave his den. Fernstar glared at Crazyheart, and then feigned a look of hurt, as if Crazyheart's lie had actually harmed her. Crazyheart rolled her eyes and waited to see what her father would do. Please, Flamestar, force her just to leave now! Show her that she can't just stroll right into the middle of camp whenever she wants to, regardless of how "important" her message is!

Flamestar sighed. "Fernstar, you do not have the right to travel on our territory wherever and whenever you like without our permission."

"But Flamestar, this is urgent!" Fernstar whined, sounding like a kit that had been told for the first time that they couldn't leave the camp until they were six moons old.

"Make it fast." Flamestar paced back and forth, as if to express his impatience.

Fernstar leapt to her feet, her eyes blazing with fury. "Flamestar, RiverClan drove out their elders! Would you like to know how I know that? Because they showed up at my camp begging for me to let them stay! Cherrystorm almost didn't even make it to my camp! There's no way that a cat that old should have to walk that far!"

WHAT?! Is this actually true or was the story exaggerated? Why would Pebblestar drive out the elders? Has he gone rogue and completely abandoned the code?

Crazyheart made sure that she kept her expression carefully neutral. "And? Did you let them stay?"

Fernstar looked offended, as if Crazyheart had violated some rule by asking her that. "Of course we did! WindClan could never turn away helpless elders who can't fend for themselves."

"Do you know why Pebblestar would do that?" Crazyheart studied the WindClan leader's expression, and unfortunately, she looked like she was telling the truth.

Fernstar shook her head. "You never know what a fox-heart like Pebblestar's motives would be."

"Why did you come here to tell us about this?" Flamestar narrowed his eyes. "And what does it have to do with ThunderClan?"

"WindClan has decided that it is not wise or safe for their to be a Clan around the lake that no longer respects StarClan or follows the warrior code. If they drive out their elders, then they deserve to be driven out themselves. Tomorrow, at sunhigh, WindClan will attack the RiverClan camp. We would like our allies to send two battle patrols to help us. And by our allies, we mean ThunderClan," Fernstar said. "Surely you haven't forgotten how WindClan helped you when Ivystar attacked."

Flamestar, please say no! I'm sure Pebblestar had good reasons for driving out the elders, if he even did. Besides, we don't owe WindClan anything for something that happened moons ago.

Flamestar looked at her, directly in the eyes. "This is not ThunderClan's fight. We will not risk our warriors lives over such trivial matters, especially ones that we cannot be sure are even true at all."

"It's true!" Fernstar insisted. "You know it's true! You know what Pebblestar is like! A tabby can't change his stripes!"

Flamestar began forcefully pushing the WindClan leader towards the camp entrance. "You're most certainly right about that last part. You would know better than most."

"We will see you at the RiverClan camp tomorrow at sunhigh!" Fernstar yowled.

Yes, you will see me there. But I will not be fighting on your side.

A/N: Sorry for the long time with no update, I have been mainly focusing on the WBI(Warriors: Bumblestripe's Insanity) series! If you haven't read it, I hope you check it out WBI is definitely my favorite book I've ever written, as well as what I believe to be the best one. Please comment, I hope you enjoyed the chapter!