AN: Here's chapter one! Now you'll find out why Squirreltail was listed in both the nursery and warrior's list. And it's snowing outside! Isn't it a bit too early for snow on the East Coast of the US? Oh well, it's a Northeaster so who knows... Anyways, enjoy the chapter!
Chapter 1
Morning sunlight drifted through the warrior's den. A groan escaped from Stormsong's lungs when she felt a paw jab at her side.
Her eyes snapped open when she saw Dustpelt glaring down at her. Beside him were Ashfur and Brambleclaw. All three toms looked annoyed as they waited for something to happen. Her eyes widened when she remembered that she was ThunderClan's new deputy.
"Have you organized the patrols yet?" Dustpelt growled.
"Erm... Ashfur can lead a hunting patrol to Tallpines," she meowed.
"I led a hunting patrol just last night," Ashfur hissed. "I'd rather be part of a border patrol."
Embarrassment washed over Stormsong before she tried to swallow it. "Okay, Brambleclaw can lead the hunting patrol. Take Squirreltail and Sandstorm with you. Dustpelt, you can lead the border patrol by sunningrocks. Make sure RiverClan hasn't crossed the border."
Ashfur narrowed his eyes when he wasn't told to lead a patrol. His tail lashed before he stalked after Dustpelt.
A sigh of relief escaped from Stormsong's lungs. Being deputy was harder than she'd imagined. Not only did she have to organize patrols but she also had to keep an eye on Larchpaw's training skills. Larchpaw was her first apprentice. She wanted to show how skilled she was as a mentor.
"Have you sent out the morning patrols?" Firestar's mew sounded from outside the warrior's den. Stormsong sighed once more and padded out. Camp was buzzing with activity. Cloudtail and Brightheart were sharing a mouse while Snowpaw practiced a fighting move. Brackenfur was leaving the nursery to join Brambleclaw's hunting patrol, despite what Stormsong had told him.
"Yes, they're all organized," she replied. "I just have to take Larchpaw out for some training."
"You should also think of who will lead the sunhigh patrol and evening patrols," Firestar told her. His green eyes narrowed and he held her gaze. "I know it takes time to get used to this new schedule, but you will learn," he added when he noticed how stressed she looked. Her fur bristled slightly before she nodded in hopeful agreement.
Right, she told herself. Rainstorm can lead the sunhigh patrol, and Sootpelt can take out a patrol near the Thunderpath.
Stormsong knew that organizing the patrols would take work and patience like Firestar had said. So once she was finished deciding who would lead the patrols today she decided to take Larchpaw out for some training. Her apprentice was young and still had much to learn.
Larchpaw was watching Snowpaw practice and advanced move. Birchpaw had bounded after Squirreltail when she left with Brambleclaw, Sandstorm and Brackenfur. Now Larchpaw looked more bored than ever as she leaned against a branch beside the apprentice's den.
"Time for some battle training," she announced when Larchpaw looked up in surprise. "You need to work on your fighting skills."
The tortoiseshell's eyes lit up before she sprang to her paws. Within heartbeats they were already out in the forest.
Signs of newleaf showed everywhere. Warm sunlight bathed Stormsong's already dark fur. She welcomed the warmth and remembered the bitter cold days of leafbare. Memories of the mountains filled her thoughts, and she suddenly remembered Spiderfang.
He died saving the Clans, she thought when she remembered what he had said. It was because of him she had been found and saved. Had it not been for Spiderfang she might have lived her life as a loner, or not lived at all.
"Are you okay?" Larchpaw asked when she bounced alongside her.
"I'm just remembering your brother," she murmured.
"Spiderfang or Shrewkit?" Larchpaw tilted her head to one side. Stormsong remembered hearing that Shrewkit had died before he became an apprentice, like Hollykit. The thought made her sad and she wondered if Ferncloud was destined to lose a kit from every litter she had.
"Both," she decided to say.
Larchpaw nodded at that and reached the training hollow. Stormsong stalked past her and stood on the other side. Her green eyes narrowed into tiny slits before she studied Larchpaw carefully.
The apprentice was smaller than her in size. But what Larchpaw made up for in size, she made up for in speed. Stormsong had begun to notice a change in Larchpaw's attitude as well. Larchpaw wanted to prove that she was worthy of becoming a warrior.
Stormsong flicked her tail and ordered Larchpaw to attack with any move she had learned. Larchpaw sprang forward with sheathed paws and pummeled into Stormsong. With a mighty yowl she tried to push Stormsong to the ground, but her strength failed.
With swift movement Stormsong had managed to send her apprentice reeling across the sandy hollow. Larchpaw yelped in surprise when she tumbled.
She recovered from the motions and lunged once again. This time Larchpaw aimed for something that Stormsong wasn't expecting. Her paws swiped across Stormsong's paws, and as she landed she managed to keep away from Stormsong's nips.
"You've improved greatly," she purred after letting Larchpaw shake dust off of her pelt.
Larchpaw's eyes glowed with triumph when she looked at Stormsong. "Do you think Firestar will make me a warrior now?" she asked when she stood in front of her mentor.
"I doubt it," Stormsong replied. "You're still too young, and Snowpaw hasn't even earned her warrior name yet. I'm sure in due time you'll earn your warrior name." She nuzzled her apprentice before glancing up at the sky.
It was a clear blue. She had never seen such a blue sky, and it reminded her of the prophecy that Bluestar had once told her. Out of rain and sky comes the frost that kills. Those words had refused to leave Stormsong's mind, no matter how hard she tried to push them away.
"Come on, let's keep practicing," she meowed when Larchpaw stared at her in confusion.
Thinking about him wasn't going to get her anywhere. She was just going to have to wash away his image from her mind.
They continued battle training until dusk arrived. Stormsong had told Larchpaw that it was time to get back. Darkness quickly took over the forest, and an uneasy feeling washed over her as she led Larchpaw back.
The uneasy feeling didn't go away until they reached camp. By the time Stormsong was back she felt relieved to see her Clanmates wandering about doing their usual business.
Sorreltail's kits were playing outside the nursery while Squirreltail watched them fondly. A proud look gleamed within Brambleclaw's eyes when he sat beside her. Stormsong's eyes narrowed when she realized what was happening.
"Hey Stormsong, guess what?" Squirreltail mewed when she bounded forward.
"Let me guess... you're expecting kits?" She didn't need to use her powers to understand what Squirreltail was thinking. The look in her eyes made it obvious.
"Yes, I'm expecting Brambleclaw's kits!" The happy yowl made Stormsong jump in surprise. Brambleclaw purred when he looked at Squirreltail fondly.
"Leafpelt said that they would be due in two moons," he meowed.
It was than that Stormsong noticed how huge Squirreltail's belly was getting. She blinked in surprise and wondered how she could have missed it.
It's not like we've been spending every heartbeat together like we used to, she thought sadly.
Those days were long over. She longed for the days when she would play-fight Squirreltail and Leafpelt outside the nursery.
But she was ThunderClan's deputy now. She had a responsibility for the Clan, and that meant making sacrifices that would make her unhappy in the future.
