Berryfrost padded out if camp to get some fresh air. She padded along the trail, checking the air for prey or trespassers. She smelled blood. Panicking, she searched around for the source of the smell. She found a small clearing and padded to it. She saw Willowstar, lying in the middle of the clearing, her head bleeding heavily.
"Willowstar! I-I'll go get the medicine cat." she said, panicking and not knowing what to do.
"N-No... my deputy. N-nothing Shadowfur could do would help me now." said Willowstar weakly. "Stay here."
"No, you can't die. I-I'm not ready to be a leader! Don't leave me!" she said, desperate.
"I'm sorry, my young deputy. But I must go. I'll see you soon..." Willowstar trailed off as his eyes glazed over and his body grew still.
"No, Willowstar. No. Don't leave me here alone." Berryfrost whispered, not knowimg what to do.
She picked up his small body, and hauled him back to camp. She placed him in the center of the clearing. Many cats made surprised noises as they saw the deputy and deceased leader.
Berryfrost slowly padded up to the Mossy Stone, and jumped up onto it.
"Cats of LeafClan, join together for a Clan meeting." she yowled.
Cats emerged from their dens and gathered around the deceased leader.
"I found Willowstar in the clearing in the forest. He had this horrible injury and i sat with him while he passed." Berryfrost dipped her head.
Some wails were heard, and some growls, and everyone began to mourn their leader.
Somecat spoke up.
"When are you gonna go to the Star Cave?"
"As soon as possible, I think." replied Berryfrost. She jumped off the Stone and padded towards Willowstar, whispering her good byes and sharing tongues one last time.
"I will leave now. Whitewhisker is in charge while I'm gone." she said, padding out of the camp. She headed towards the Star Cave.
Thoughts whirled around inside her head.
What if I'm not accepted?
What if I mess things up?
I'm not ready for this!
Berryfrost shook her head to clear her head, and kept padding towards her destination.
She arrived at the Cave and took a deep breath, entering the tunnels. She followed the tunnel until she reached a large cave with a pool of silver water at the back. She padded towards the pool, sat down, and took a drink.
Berryfrost opened her eyes, and found herself in a completely different place. Right cats began to pad towards her. She saw a familiar light brown pelt.
"Willowstar!" she exclaimed. She tried to run to him, but her paws were stuck in place.
The eight cats just kept padding towards her.
They finally entered the clearing and sat down. The ceremony had begun.
Berryfrost received Confidence, Strength, Speed, Protectiveness, Honesty, Respect, Responsibly, and Judgement.
Finally, the ceremony was over. Willowstar cane close to Berrystar.
"You are ready. You will do great things. Now, wake up."
Berrystar jolted awake, her old leader's words still echoing in her head. She padded out of the cave.
Everything is gonna work out fine, She thought as she headed home with a new view on life.
AN: Phew, that took me a while. I hope you guys liked it!