"I see you thought that Jumpberry's story was too tragic. Perhaps you would like a story of hope? I know one that I think you would like."
It had been raining for many moons, and quite frankly, Ravenstar was growing tired of the endless rain. She glared at the raindrops that fell outside her den, there was less prey and the river was close to flooding the Riverclan camp.
"Ravenstar! Come quick!" Ravenstar's ears perked at the yowl that was coming from outside of her den. She got to her paws and exited out into the rain, standing there was a small gray tabby.
"What is it Troutpaw?" Ravenstar asked the apprentice. "It's your brother." Troutpaw said softly, looking down at his paws.
Ravenstar looked to the young tom and said. "Where is he?" She snapped, worry clouding her voice.
"I'm afraid he drowned in the river…We couldn't save him." Another voice said, a golden she-cat had come to stand by Troutpaw.
"Minnowflower. How did this happen?" Ravenstar asked, meeting the golden she-cat's eyes.
"A kit had wondered by the river and Furzepelt rescued the kit but slipped and fell into the river. The currents, they were to strong…." Minnowflower said, her voice catching as she spoke of the death of her mate.
Ravenstar gently put her tail on Minnowflower's shoulder. "Don't worry. We will mourn for him and we will sit vigil together tonight. But, now, I must choose a new deputy." The Riverclan leader said softly.
Ravenstar's hear ached and she desperately wanted to throw herself to the ground and curse Starclan for claiming her brother's life but she was a leader. She had to remain strong for her clan.
Ravenstar stepped out and called for a clan gathering. "As you know, we lost a fine warrior today. We will all mourn for Furzepelt. But I have to choose a deputy." Ravenstar paused as she glanced at her mourning clan. Her eyes landed on a white tabby. "I have chosen a deputy, and in hopes Starclan approves, Icestream."
The white tabby looked shock but bowed her head in respect. Ravenstar and her touched noses before Ravenstar went to sit with Minnowflower.
"I'm expecting his kits." Minnowflower whispered, as Ravenstar sat close to her.
"They will grow to be great warriors." Ravenstar said gently. She knew that Minnowflower must be in so much pain. She herself was also in pain, but she couldn't show it. Ravenstar closed her eyes and thought back to when she and Furzepelt were apprentices.
(Flashback)
"Ravenpaw! Look at me!" A red tom exclaimed as he dived into the river. Ravenpaw let out a purr of amusement as her brother swam.
"You look like a fish!" She called out to him.
"Well I'm a Riverclan cat for a reason." Furzepaw replied as he climbed out of the river.
He shook out his fluffy pelt, sending drops of water all over Ravenpaw. "Hey! Watch it!" She exclaimed glaring at her brother.
"Sorry..Ravenpaw. Do you think we will be leader and deputy when we get older?" Furzepaw asked glancing at his agitated sister.
"I'm sure! Think of it, one of us will be a leader and the other deputy! We will be the best leader and deputy the clan has ever seen!" Ravenpaw replied, her eyes glinting in excitement.
(fin)
Ravenstar opened her eyes as the memory faded away. She sighed, at least their dream had come true, only if it had been for a short while. Her brother was never going to be a leader and that haunted her.
"Where is Minnowflower?" Troutpaw's voice broke into Ravenstar's thoughts. She looked to her side and saw that in fact, the golden queen was nowhere to be seen.
"I'll go look for her." Ravenstar said getting to her feet. She caught scent of Minnowflower near the camp entrance. She followed the scent to the river where she saw Minnowflower standing.
"Minnowflower! No!" Ravenstar cried, but it was too late, the she-cat and thrown herself into the roaring river. Ravenstar could barely hear the she-cat's desperate yowls of help through the thundering rain.
Ravenstar snapped out of her shock and quickly sprang to action, she managed to grab the queen by the scruff, she bit down as hard as she could, tasting blood. Using all her strength she pulled Minnowflower to shore and dragged her far from the river shore.
Minnowflower started coughing water and her breath came in ragged gasps, but she was alive which was all that matter to Ravenstar.
"Minnowflower, what were you thinking!? Your kits. Furzepelt wouldn't have wanted this!" Ravenstar snapped.
"He told me too. He said he didn't want to be alone anymore." Minnowflower muttered, her voice was light and there was a distant look in her eyes.
"Who told you…" Ravenstar stopped talking when she saw a dark figure across the river.
"Dear sister, you don't have to watch over her. I'll see you soon. So very soon."
Ravenstar glared at the figure. "You leave her alone, whoever you are." She hissed. The figure was ontop of her in seconds.
"Don't you recognize me, Ravenstar?" The dark cat hissed, his claws digging into her throat.
"Furzepelt!?" She managed to gasp before her mouth was filled with blood, as her vision faded she saw Troutpaw with Minnowflower.
Minnowflower was going to be okay, the kits were going to be okay, and she was going to Starclan, even if Furzepelt had ended up in the Dark Forest to her surprise. It made her wonder what he had done to go there. But yet, Ravenstar knew deep in her heart that everything was going to be okay. There was still hope for the kits and her clan mates.
