I sat over her body in the glowing moonlight. The only life lost in the battle, for both clans. The sky was cloudy a rain poured from the sky, showing Starclan's sadness for her death. Creekpaw and Leopardpaw were next to me, comforting me.
"She was a fine warrior." Creekpaw mewed
"And she would have been a great leader." Leopardpaw said
I know...I didn't reply to them. I couldn't speak right now. I no longer smelled her scent, for it was covered in lavender and covered her tawny red fur and I couldn't see her eyes ever again. Redheart was dead, my mother was dead..So young! I felt someone's tail brush my back and, upon seeing a fleck of gold, it turned out to be Leopardpaw. I smiled at her, and she smiled back. I looked back at my mother's body and my heart wrenched. I wouldn't leave her.
"I'm keeping vigil." I managed to say
"With me."
I looked up to see Mossclaw pad toward me. His gray eyes were full of sadness as he looked at Redheart's body.
"She was my mate, I deserve to be with her for one last time." He mewed
I nodded. Mossclaw laid next to her body. It had happened so fast! Redheart was fighting Oatfur and as she was pinned, Leopardpaw got him off of her. I didn't even see him bite her neck. I walked over, trying to get her up, but she wasn't moving. I noticed the blood and walked away. Sadness turning to anger as I fought any Windclan cat! I tried to find Oatfur, but he was gone...Creekpaw said I fought like Lionclan and Tigerclan combined! It meant so little to me, for Redheart was dead. I laid my head on her body, trying to ignore the stabbing pains in my heart. Leopardpaw got up and left with Creekpaw, not saying another word. Birchstar had joined to say goodbye to his loyal deputy, who had served him for before I was born.
"Goodbye Redheart." I thought, "May Starclan welcome you into their ranks as Redstar! The leader of Riverclan, who would have given her 9 lives to her clan, as though they were her very kits. Starclan shall honor you as you walk with now dead friends and family and you shall become the brightest star in the sky, shimmering a vibrant red, in honor of your spirit."
At the first sign of the sun, I sighed sadly. My last moments with Redheart were over. I stood up and walked over to the elders den. I knew they'd be up soon, no matter how much I wanted to stay with Redheart, my time was done. I looked up at the faint outline of Silverpelt. Either I was tired or it had happened, I saw a faint outline of Redheart spirit leave her body and disappear into the stars.
"Sorrelfall? Crowwing? Skyheart?" I asked
The three elders looked up from their slumber.
"What is it Robinwing?" Crowwing asked
"It's time. Redheart..Redheart has to be buried."
Sorrelfall nodded and I walked away. Her corpse was laying in the middle of camp with the sleeping body of Birchstar. Poor tom must have been tired. Mossclaw was still awake, though his eyes were tired.
"Are..Are they coming?" He asked
I nodded in reply. The black tom stood up and padded over to me.
"I know how close you were to Redheart. But, she's with Starclan now. We can remember her, but it can't take over our lives." He told me
I shrugged. She'd never leave my memory. I looked to see the three elders walking from the den. I nudged Birchstar's side and heard him murmurer something.
"Thank..Thank you."
Thanks for what? His eyes opened and he looked up.
"Sorry."
I shrugged as he stretched. I walked away from the two toms and entered the warrior's den, where everyone was still asleep. My fur was still wet, for it was still raining, but softly now. The camp luckily hadn't flooded. I began grooming my fur so it wouldn't be such a mess. I was still sad about her death, but nothing could be done. Redheart was now in Starclan, where she deserved to be.
"All cats who are old enough to swim, gather under the Rock Ledge for a meeting." Birchstar called
He must want to discuss the battle. Cats raised their heads from their slumber and quickly got up. Some cats were under the ledge already. I finished grooming and walked out. I saw Leopardpaw again and smiled. She looked beautiful. A ray of sunlight peeked through the clouds and fell on her pelt, making it shine. My heart skipped a beat when she turned to me. She flicked her tail and I walked over.
"Hey..Hey Leopardpaw." I mewed
"Hi Robinwing." She replied calmly
I looked up at Birchstar, who was speaking.
"As we all know, we have just fought Windclan. Two apprentices I saw fought extremely well. After consulting with their mentors, I think the only way to repay them is with their warrior names."
I glanced at Leopardpaw, who was lashing her tail happily. She might gain her name today!
"Bluepaw, Leopardpaw, step forward." Birchstar announced
"Good luck." I said
She turned to me and nodded. I watched her join Bluepaw up front. They both looked calm as Birchstar told us,
"Bluepaw, do you promise to protect Riverclan at all costs? Even your life?" He asked
"I do." Bluepaw replied.
"Then I give you your warrior name of Bluepelt. Starclan honors your fighting skill and loyalty and we welcome you as a full warrior of Riverclan." Birchstar said
"Bluepelt! Bluepelt!" We shouted
Even though I didn't particularly care for him, he was becoming a warrior. A great accomplishment.
"Leopardpaw, step forward."
I smiled as the golden apprentice stepped forward.
"You took the challenge of fighting Oatfur, a senior warrior and defeated him." Birchstar told her
She was a great fighter! I remember seeing her attack him and he was yowling for mercy!
"Do you, Leopardpaw, take the oath of protecting Riverclan and serving the warrior code, even at the cost of your life?" Birchstar asked
"I do." She replied
"Then I give you the name of Leopardheart. Starclan honors your bravery and skill in battle and we welcome you as a full warrior of Riverclan."
"Leopardheart! Leopardheart!"
I wondered about her name as I chanted. Was it because of her pelt and personality, or because she tried to save Redheart? Either way, it fit her. Leopardheart leapt down from the Rock Ledge and joined the group.
"Finally," Birchstar began
What else could there be? No kits were ready nor were any other apprentices.
"I need a deputy. Thanks to a dream last night from Starclan themselves.."
That's why he was talking in his sleep!
"I know who my deputy shall be. They've shown great bravery, loyalty, kindness to their clanmates, strategic, and finally, intelligent."
I was looking at the senior warriors. I thought that it might be Barkwhisker or maybe Blossomlight. They'd be good deputies.
"Starclan and I have chosen this warrior. Robinwing, you shall be the new deputy of Riverclan." Birchstar announced
Me? I looked around to see the cats chant my name as I got up to sit on the rock next to the ledge, where the deputy sat.
"Birc..Birchstar! You and..and Starclan chose m..me?" I asked
"Yes. You are a wonderful warrior and you have great potential as our deputy. You will make a fine leader when I am gone." Birchstar told me
I listened to the cheering of my name. I smiled and looked toward Leopardheart, who was cheering my name the loudest.
