The Clan sat in the clearing, whispering.
"Who do you think will be the deputy?"
"Thistlefrost looks like a great choice."
"You're just saying that because you have a crush on him, Lavenderlaugh! Besides, I think Whitestar is going to choose Briarwish."
"That's what you think, Cherrywind, but I'm entitled to have opinions, aren't I?"
"Poor Stonewhisker, did you see his limp?"
"Hush!" yowled a amber-colored tabby called Amberspots. "Whitestar is speaking!"
The clearing went dead silent.
"You are all wondering who the new deputy is. Now, you shall find out.
"I say this before StarClan."
Every cat held thier breath.
"Briarwish will be the new deputy of ThunderClan!" Whitestar yowled.
Cheers erupted. "Briarwish! Briarwish!"
"I told you so!" Cherrywind crowed to Lavenderlaugh, who was scowling.
"Briarwish!" Starsong threw her head back and yowled her friend's name to the starry sky.
"Briarwish, wanna go hunting together?" Starsong asked, trotting up to her best friend.
"I'm deputy. I don't have time for petty things like that. Go on patrol with Hollyheart and Rainwhisker."
Tail drooping dejectedly, Starsong walked over to her friends.
"Come in," Whitestar called.
Briarwish entered to find the huge white tom nestled deep in the shadows, lemon-yellow eyes gleaming. "What is it, Briarwish?"
"Sir, I just wanted to-to ask why you chose me to deputy, out of all the cats in ThunderClan," she answered nervously.
"Ah, yes." He laughed. "Brairwish... I have seen many cats in my lifetime, many cats, but none of them have been quite like you."
"I don't know what you mean, sir," she replied timidly.
"Oh, you will someday. But you are special, Briarwish. You are special."
Somewhat enlightend and utterly confused by this convesation, Briarwish left the leader's den.
"Briarwish, will you go hunting with me?" Starsong asked the next morning.
"No! I told you I didn't have time for petty hunting trips where nothing gets done! I'm deputy! In fact, I have no time for friends, either!" she spat, a hint of a snarl in her voice.
"But we were such great friends," Starsong mewed, voice quivering.
Briarwish advanced. "I am deputy. I am my own cat. I choose my own friends. Now go away!" she hissed.
Starsong ran away, tears dropping on the sandy floor, wailing in distress.
I am special, Briarwish thought. No one is worthy to be my 'friend'.
Then she thought something that made her smile even wider.
Good riddance, Starsong.
