Rusty gazed up at the high tree tops that seemed to shake paws with the sky. Smudge had told him of vicious wildcats that thrived off of the birds that lived in those very trees and killed each other in ferocious battles, yet Rusty felt the familiar pang of longing to join them.

Ignoring the pleas of his housefolk to join them in a warm, comfortable bed, Rusty waited for them to be quiet and go back inside. Once they did, the flame-colored cat leapt off of the fence and into the woods.

Moonlight illuminated his path, but he was still sure to step carefully. A thorn could stab his paw, or a fox could come and eat him, or-

Of course. A wildcat could attack him.

Rusty slashed fiercely at his attacker's face. Soft tortoiseshell fur tore easily as he battered its face with thorn-sharp claws. The cat yowled more in fury than pain and bit down hard on his ear. Yowling in pure pain and terror, Rusty's blows became more desperate. The cat staggered away, mewling in horror and snarling in fury, as Rusty realized his claws had given a nasty blow to its eye.

"I'm so sorry!" The ginger house cat bounded to the tortoiseshell's side. It stared up with an angry green eye.

"Stupid kittypet! Anyway, I'll be fine. You didn't blind me." From the sound of its voice, the cat was a female. She lapped at her white chest fur where Rusty had made a small scratch. "I'm Stormpaw, by the way. And you are?"

"Rusty." Kittypet? Stormpaw? Sone funny words this cat knew.

"Very well, Stormpaw. You dealt with this intruder well," rumbled a meow from deeper in the forest. A large gray tomcat strode out of the shadows, head held high and proud. Amber eyes gleamed in the dark, strong and cold. Rusty had never seen such a fearsome cat in his life.

Stormpaw's good eye sparkled with happiness. "Thank you, Ashstar!" she purred.

The big gray cat turned his attention to Rusty. "Young kittypet, you certainly have a warrior's spirit inside of you. How would you like to join SkyClan?"

"Fireheart! Stormdusk! Fireheart! Stormdusk!" Ashstar gave SkyClan's newest warriors an affectionate glance before joining in the cheer. Fireheart sat up straight with pride and pressed against his best friend's side. How far they'd come from that fateful day when Stormpaw attacked Rusty the kittypet.

Stormdusk's single eye shone with happiness. She'd been wrong when she said she wasn't blinded, as Squirrelstep, the medicine cat, hadn't been able to save her left eye. Fireheart was still struck by a pang of regret every time he saw the irreversible injury.

The pair of cats padded towards the camp entrance and silently, alertly began to watch over the camp.

"I say these words before the body of Nightclaw, so that his spirit may hear and approve my choice. Fireheart will be the new deputy of SkyClan."

Fireheart's green eyes opened wide with shock and excitement. Stormdusk, now his mate, sat by him with their kits, Crowpaw, Smokepaw, and Blazepaw. She gave him a playful nudge before the new deputy half stumbled, half strode forward to stand beside Ashstar.

"Greetings, Cinderfur." The ShadowClan deputy sat by Stonefur and Deadfoot, other Clan deputies. Fireheart noted how old and frail Cinderfur had become since the last Gathering. His ragged pelt hung as loose as a cat's pelt on a newborn mouse. Ribs showed through the thin gray fur, and Fireheart worried for his newfound friend in the aging ShadowClan deputy.

"ThunderClan, attack!"

The SkyClan deputy whipped around, eyes wide in horror, to see the ThunderClan leader and deputy racing at the head of a group of screeching cats. Tigerstar and Darkstripe, two of the most feared warriors of the forest.

Terrified, he gazed up into the amber eyes of the ThunderClan leader. He feebly scrabbled at the dark tabby's belly, but it was no use. Strong jaws were locked around his throat, and everything went black.

Fireheart gazed down on SkyClan, eager to see who would become deputy in his place. He had been deputy for moons and would surely miss the respected position. He needed to make sure this was the right cat for the job.

"I say these words before the body of Fireheart, so that his spirit may hear and approve my choice. Stormdusk will be the new deputy of SkyClan," Ashstar yowled to the sky.

Fireheart smiled down on his mate. His kits, Blazeclaw, Smoketail, and Crowshade, seemed to be filled with mixed, conflicting emotions. Distraught at their father's death, ecstatic at their mother's new position.

The former deputy laid his head down and closed his eyes, mind filled of the sprited, amazing, loving one-eyed tortoiseshell he was proud to call his mate.

Yes, Ashstar, my spirit does approve of your choice.