Rosethorn's Nine

AN: This oneshot features a character from my first story, Stormstar's Promise. A warrior of Ravenclan, Rosethorn must face her old leader Silverstar in Starclan and obtain her nine lives.

Mist lay heavily on the ground and Silverpelt glittered overhead. Rosethorn shuffled her paws awkwardly as she walked beside the medicine cat Pebblesplash. The tension in the air was almost tangible. Rosethorns' skinny reddish brown tail swayed over the damp grasses that lead to high stones. Her cream colored chest rose and fell with each shaggy and nervous breath. Her black ears flicked at every rustle and whimper of small forest creatures.

Pebblesplash trotted confidently beside the deputy. Her own blue gray pelt rippled in the moonlight.

"Why are you so nervous? I assume most deputy's would be excited to become leader," Pebblesplash mewed loudly, shattering the still silence around then. Rosethorn bristled.

"Are you suggesting that I don't want to be leader?" she hissed with accusation. Pebblesplash cast her a side long glance as they crossed Seaclan's beaches to reach the glowing cave.

"I suggested nothing. Your own words revealed your hidden fears," the medicine cat replied evenly. Rosethorn sighed and stopped walking to stare at her black paws. Her sharp claws unsheathed in frustration and she tore at the ground.

"I never asked to be deputy. I never asked for this responsibility," she spat.

"Then why did you accept?" Pebblesplash asked plainly.

"Because at the same time being leader is all I ever dreamed of. But if I gain my nine lives...the part of my life as a warrior will be over. I wouldn't be able to have kits or mingle with other warriors at gatherings. I would become separated."

"But you would be leader," Pebblesplash countered. Rosethorn sighed again, knowing she couldn't explain her true feelings, and they continued the trek towards the glowing cave. The herbs they had eaten before kept Rosethorns hunger at bay, but that could just be because she felt like vomiting. Then suddenly the waterfall loomed before them. Behind the heavy spray was dark caves beckoning them forward into the chasm of emptiness.

"Perhaps you are nervous because you feel Silverstar did not wish for you to be her successor," Pebblesplash wondered aloud. Rosethorn opened her mouth to protest but closed it.

"Silverstar and Shadelight are the closest sisters I've ever met. I've never had the kind of relationship they possess, with anyone. When Silverstar became leader after Crowstar everyone knew Shadelight would be her deputy. It was so obvious Shadelight was meant to be deputy. But then her and Larkflight had kits..." Rosethorn trailed off. Pebblesplash was aware of the rest of the story.

"Ivorykit and Ebonykit," Pebblesplash continued with a fondness in her voice. Ivorykit had become her apprentice in the ways of herbs and healing. Rosethorn herself had mentored Ebonykit when at six moons she became a 'paw. Ebonykit and Ivorykit seemed to resemble Shadelight and the Silver furred leader immensely. Not appearance wise, Ivorykit was whiteish silver and Ebonykit was as black as her father Larkflight. But Ebonykit had the same ambitions as Silverstar and the same dedication to Ravenclan. And Ivorykit harbored Shadelight's old desire to become a medicine cat. Shadelight never went down the path of healing because she couldn't bare the separation from Silverstar.

Shadelight stepped down from the position of deputy temporarily to become a queen. Silverstar didn't take another deputy in that time period, breaking the code. But she was never much of a rule follower anyways. No one was surprised. But no one ever guessed that once Ivorykit and Ebonykit were off as apprentices that Shadelight would decide not to become deputy again. Her words struck a chord with everyone in the clan as she rejected her sister's offer to reinstate her as deputy.

"A clan deputy serves to take over as leader once the current leader dies. How can I do that duty knowing it means waiting for your death."

That's when Rosethorn first understood how deep Shadelight's loyalty to her sister ran. She was so loyal she would chose not to be clan deputy, as ironic is that is. So Silverstar had no choice but to chose a new clan deputy. And that was Rosethorn. Perhaps because Rosethorn had mentored Shadelight's kit. Perhaps because she was a strong senior warrior. Or perhaps because she was the first name that came to the leaders mind and Silverstar didn't care because no one could ever compare to her sister.

"Silverstar did not want me as her deputy." Rosethorn finally said. "It was always supposed to be Shadelight."

"And you fear Silverstar will not accept you when you come face to face in a few moments?" Pebblesplash murmured. Rosethorn managed a nod. "Don't fear, Silverstar picked you for a reason. You care more about Ravenclan than even she. Family to Silverstar was always first. But Rosethorn, to you clan is first. And Ravenclan needs your dedication. Silverstar knew exactly what she was doing when she named you as deputy."

Rosethorn was surprised by the high praise of the medicine cat. But she still had her doubts.

"Silverstar died so soon after she named me as deputy though...little over four seasons. What if I'm not ready?"

"But you are still a senior warrior, no? You are ready Rosethorn. Silverstar lived a very full life. She was old when she passed. She was ready. Shadelight will follow her soon as well, but maybe she'll hang on a little longer for the sake of her mate Larkflight and Ebonyclaw and Ivorypaw."

Ivorypaw was currently back at camp tending to her mother who resides in the elders den with Larkflight. After Silverstar's passing Shadelight aged practically overnight. She would follow her sister into Starclan soon surely.

Rosethorn, for the first time, thought of who she might crown as her deputy when she would become leader in a few short hours. The thought sent chills through her fur. By dawn she'd be leader of Ravenclan. Ebonyclaw was a capable warrior but still much too young to be deputy having never mentored an apprentice yet. Starlingheart was the senior warrior above Rosethorn. And she'd considered him a friend. Morning come she'd name him as her deputy.

Pebblesplash guided the soon to be leader towards the center cave, the glistening glow worms crawled along the ceiling and cast Rosethorn and Pebblesplash in an eerie glow. Rosethorns' eyes widened at the sight of the illuminated creatures. Pebblesplash waited for Rosethron to touch noses with the silk of a worm, once the deputy did so the medicine cat copied. Both cats were immediately asleep, they opened their eyes in Starclan.

Everything in Starclan seemed brighter and more vivid than it did on earth. The grass was long and lush and birds chirped songs. Rosethorn and Pebblesplash found themselves in the middle of a large clearing. On the outskirts of the clearing the cats of Starclan began to appear, stars shimmered in their fur. The previous medicine cat, Leafcloud, greeted Pebblesplash warmly before stepping back to allow the first of Rosethorn's lives to appear.

Rosethorn gulped before stepping forward to receive her first life. A gentle cat stepped forward, she seemed kind and careful.

"My name is Applefrost," the cat mewed. Rosethorn dipped her head in respect for the Starclan warrior. "I died giving birth to my kits. But even from Starclan I watched over them. A mothers love never dies," Applefrost continued. "For your first life I give you the life of love. Always love your clan and watch over them like a mother watches over her kits."

Suddenly Applefrost pressed her nose to Rosethorns and a blinding pain seeped into the deputy. I was like she had been struck by lightning and was drowning all at the same time.

"Never underestimate the power of love," Applefrost warned before stepping back to the ranks of the Starclan warriors. As the next cat came forth Rosethron was still struggling to catch her breath.

"My name is Darkpool," the cat boomed. Rosethorn cringed away, nervous for the pain this life would bring.

"I died in a battle between Ravenclan and Seaclan. I give you the life of mercy, know when to let an opponent accept a graceful defeat," Darkpool growled.

The pain from this life was different from the pain of the last life, instead of feeling like she had been struck by lightning Rosethorn felt the claws of enemies plunging into her fur. Darkpool then retreated away, only to be replaced by the third life.

"My name is Owlstar. I give you a life for guidance, never lead your clan astray. Be the leader they deserve. Be the leader Starclan knows you can be," Owlstar mewed. With this life came a burning sensation. The fire crept all over Rosethorns pelt before ravaging her mind with its flaming talons. Then the feeling dispersed and the fourth life was padding forward. Rosethon realized it was just a kit.

"My name is Emberkit," Emberkit squeaked. "I died during leaf bare when there wasn't enough food. I give you a life for providing for your clan mates. Use this life to take care of them," the kit chirped. Rosethorn had to stoop down to touch noses with the kit. When they made contact she felt a claw of hunger stab her belly, she felt herself weaken and whither away. She let out a feeble whimper from the pain before reassuring herself, only five more lives to go...

The next cat to give her a life was a tabby she cat, battle scars covered her body from ear to tail tip.

"My name is Brokenwing," the cat rasped. Rosethron gulped, earning a chuckle from the she cat. "I died in my sleep. it was a peaceful death. But I almost didn't make it to Starclan because of what I had done during my life time. Do not seek revenge like me. I give you a life for forgiveness." Brokenwing touched Rosethorns nose. The pain of this life was indescribable, Rosethorn collapsed onto the ground in agony. Then the pain ebbed away and Rosethorn hauled herself to her paws once again.

"I am Cedarstar, the first leader of Cedarclan," A gentle tom announced. Rosethorn stared at him in awe. Leader ceremonies were very secretive but she knew getting a life from a founder was a rare occurrence. "I give you a life for understanding. Understand when someone choses another over yourself. Understand the needs of your clanmates. Understand that sometimes you are a second choice," Cedarstar said gravely. Rosethorn was reminded that she was Silverstar's second choice as deputy behind Shadelight.

The next cat to appear came quickly and left just as quickly, all she said was, "my name is Brightsong. I give you a life for patience."

Then the cat had vanished. Only two more lives to go...

Rosethorn squinted as the next life stepped out of the haze. She was quickly running forward to meet the Starclan cat.

"Redfeather!" she cried and drank in the she cats scent. "Mom." Rosethorn murmured again. Redeather stared at her daughter with fondness in her eyes. No words needed to be uttered between them, only the life had to be given.

"I give you your eighth life, a life for remembrance. Don't forget those who helped you along the way. With this life you will lead your clan to greatness," Redfeather sighed and they touched noses. Then she was gone and Rosethorn was left craving her mothers comfort.

The final life appeared and Rosethorn was not surprised at the arrival of Silverstar, only nervous.

"How's life in Starclan?" she greeted her old leader jovially. Silverstar had passed from age just last night. The pain of her death was too fresh to be felt properly. And seeing her here and now, well Rosethorn felt like she never left.

"Not too shabby, how are things in Ravenclan?" Silverstar replied with the same banter. Rosethorn's smile slipped away.

"I'm not sure if they'll accept me as their leader."

"Why wouldn't they? I accept you as leader. That's why I am here to give you your life."

"They know Shadelight was your first choice," Rosethorn said meekly. Silverstar smiled regretfully.

"Let me tell you a little secret. You were my first choice Rosethorn. I just couldn't see it till Shadelight made me. My sister is not a leader. She is the tide which follows the moon. She is the nest for the robin. She is more constant than the rising sun, but she is not the turn of the sky. She is what makes a leader great, but she is not a leader herself."

Rosethorn couldn't help herself. She buried her nose into the older leaders scruff and let herself cry. She had been so afraid of letting the clan down. She had been so afraid of their criticism and judgment because she thought Silverstar did not want her. But that was not the case at all. She broke apart from the leader and dried her tears.

"I'm ready to lead your clan. I'm ready to serve Ravenclan with every single life. I'm ready for your last life."

Silverstar smiled. "I give you a life for confidence. With the right attitude you can conquer the world."

The pain this life was brief. Rosethorn was blinking her eyes open as Silverstar walked away and the warriors of Starclan were chanting Rosethorns' new name.

"Rosestar! Rosestar! Rosestar!"