Chapter Seven

"I say these words before Russetfur's body and I hope that she approves of my choice of the new deputy." It seemed like all the cats were holding their breath as Blackstar started again, "Rowenclaw will be ShadowClan's new deputy."

I kept my nose in Russetfur's pelt and I sobbed all night. I couldn't stop. She was so kind to me, just like a mother would be. When it was morning, Tallpoppy nudged me away softly while she and Cederheart lifted the old deputy to the burial place. I sobbed and cried as she was taken away.

Then I felt a tail on my shoulder. I turned around to see Flametail standing next to Toadfoot. They both stared sadly as all the elders and leader gathered around Russetfur's body.

Tallpoppy mewed sadly, "we will miss her wisdom." It looked she was about to break down in sobs. I just realized that Russetfur is a lot older than Tallpoppy and the other elders! There was a lot more grey on Russetfur's muzzle than Snaketail's or Tallpoppy's.

While Russetfur was being dragged away, Snaketail mewed sadly with pain in his voice, "many hard-won skills and memories have died with our clanmate." Then he looked up to the grey sky ready to start raining. It's like even StarClan was greiving for our loss.

Ratscar approached the grave with the new deputy, Rownclaw beside him. I smelled Russetfur and she smelled like pine trees. I looked at Flametail and the look in his eye was obvious. He covered her with pine sap to hide the scent of death.

The brown tabby named Owlclaw sniffed once and meowed, "a hard farewell."

I saw Shrewfoot lean against Owlclaw. I saw them sit together sometimes and talk and even nuzzle. Shrewfoot then said sadly with her voice cracking, "was there ever an easy one?"

Blackstar slowly walked up to Russetfur's side and he hung his head sadly, his yellow eyes were full of greif and pain of leaving behind his deputy, "she died fighting bravely." He said sadly placing a paw softly on Russetfur's neck, "we ask no more of our warriors."

Cederheart looked at me sadly. He told a while back that Russetfur was also his mentor. His usually cold eyes glimmered. And he glanced at me while he said sadly, "she was my mentor and taught me well."

I sat down and nuzzled into Russetfur's warm dusty fur that smelled like pine trees. "She was my mentor as well. And I share your pain, Cederheart..."

"She came to ShadowClan a rogue and died a warrior." Rowenclaw said dipping his head.

Blackstar stepped back and he looked up at the sky as he adressed the Clan, "StarClan will welcome her. What we have lost, they will gain." His voice struggled to continue, "may her memories become our memories, and her skills become our skills." Then I saw him nod at Rownclaw. His orange pelt glistened in the sun as he grasped Russetfur's scruff and hauled her over the edge of the grave. Then the cats walked away before the whole scene could become too painful. I saw Flametail slowly walk away but I caught up with him.

"Where are you going?" I asked flicking my ear.

"To see the battlefield." He said, "but I'm going to ask my father where Littlecloud is first."

"I'll come with you." I purred quietly.

Flametail nodded and quickly caught up with his father at the camp entrance. "Hey Rowenclaw? Have you seen Littlecloud?"

Rowenclaw blinked and answered, "he's exhausted after a night of treating battle wounds. Blackstar ordered him to rest. He'll share tongues with Russetfur at the moonpool. He can say his good-byes then." Then he glanced at us. "Flametail, you should get some rest as well. You were at his side until dawn." Then he looked at me. "And you must be so tired, Fallenpaw. You didn't even get your wounds looked at."

"I'm fine." I hissed.

Then I glanced at Flametail. His paws looked a little sore and like he could use a good rest. But he shook his head and said, "I can rest later. I just wanted to see the battlefield."

Rowenclaw nodded at us. "Good. The land we lost should burn in both of your minds until it is regained." Then he touched his muzzle to his son's head before turning around and entering ShadowClan camp. I looked at Flametail and we both twisted around to walk to the clearing that was lost to those ThunderClan savages.

We reached the clearing at last and we both gazed at the scene of the attack. I carefully avoided the splotches of blood dotting the ground. I remembered the exact same spot where Russetfur died and right then, I vowed to myself to one day kill Lionblaze, no matter how impossible it must seem.

Suprisingly, Flametail turned around and asked, "I bet your twoleg life wasn't nearly as dangerous as this."

"Middle school hallways are." I joked. But when I saw the confusion on his face, I sighed and explained.

"There's three types of schools for apprentices. The first is called Elementary, Then middle school, then high school. I was in middle school when I died." I looked away. "I guess it's really difficult for you to understand. If you were a human, you'd understand the joke." I lashed my tail and sat down. "I miss my mom and dad. I miss my friends..."

Flametail sat down. "Did you ever love someone in that other life?"

I flinched at that question. But now since I'm dead, it doesn't even matter that much. I looked at him and answered, "yeah. I was madly in love with a boy named Kevin. But we were only friends. He probably never even knew that I liked him."

Flametail wrapped his tail around me. "Maybe he wasn't the right one."

"Or maybe I was always just too afraid to ever admit to anyone that I liked him." I twitched my ear and blinked sadly.

Then Flametail whispered quietly to me, "I like you."

I turned around to face him. I blushed fiercely. "Like... like, like me?"

"That confuses me." Flametail said tilting his head.

"I know. I'm sorry." I admitted. "More crazy human talk."

He then slowly twined his tail with mine. I looked up and saw that his nose was bright red. "I know that medicine cats like me aren't allowed to ever fall in love but... Fallenpaw, I really like you." He looked up at me and he grinned like a fool while averting his gaze, "I love you."

Then he flinched like I'd reject and remind that I still love someone else. But I didn't. I loved Flametail more than I ever liked Kevin. I purred and rubbed up against Flametail feeling like my heart could explode at any second. Then I purred quietly in his ear, "I love you too, Flametail."

We sat there for a while, purring like mad and twining our tails with our fur rubbing against each other. It's almost like a cheesy romance novel brought to life, only that it's more forbidden and that this is all about cats.

I wanted to be carrassed in his warm ginger fur forever, like nothing could ever hurt us. Like nothing in the world could hurt us. Not even the warrior code.