Chapter Six:

"The new deputy is Followriver," Streampool claimed, staying standing only with the help of Tendereye and Tinypaw.

Cheers went up for Followriver, who held herself a little higher in spite of her injuries. "Thank you, Streampool. I am honored for such a position. I promise to try very hard to protect this clan." she purred.

Whirlpaw cheered loudly, rushing up to his favorite cat in the world. "I'm so happy for you!"

She licked his head, purring as they intwined their tails. "This doesn't mean your duties change."

He laughed.

"Eh hem."

"Russetstar!" Tinypaw exclaimed, and Whirlpaw glanced over.

"Am I interrupting something?" Russetstar asked politely.

"No, not at all," replied Streampool calmly, "I am leaving tonight to get my leader name, and I just named my new deputy. Tendereye, go get Poppyshade."

"Poppyshade?" exclaimed Marshpaw, Mistypaw, and Owlpaw, exchanging glances in delight.

When they saw her, they were shocked.

"I don't remember her looking so sad," Mistypaw mumbled.

Owlpaw meowed, "Poppyshade!"

The older cat purred throatily, looking like she would cry. "Owlpaw. Mistypaw."

"Little cat!" Tinypaw grinned when Rainpaw limped over to greet him.

Rainpaw flicked her tail. "Tinypaw!"

"Thank you," Russetstar meowed graciously, "It was very kind of you to care for our cats. We will never forget what you have done for us."

"It is you we owe, Russetstar, for coming to our defense when our cats were almost dead on their paws from fighting. So, we must thank you," Streampool dipped her head to the other leader.

"Thanks."

Poppyshade waved her tail and followed Owlpaw and Mistypaw and Rainpaw.

"Bye, Tinypaw!" meowed Rainpaw, touching her nose to his.

Whirlpaw smiled at Tinypaw as he walked over to his siblings. "haven't forgotten about us yet, Tinypaw?"

"Never. But you're always with Followriver so much that it's hard to catch you alone."

Briarpaw rolled her eyes. "Lucky you that you two and Echopaw have cats to follow around."

"What?" Tinypaw exclaimed, insulted, "I'm a medicine cat apprentice!"

"It's obvious that you like Tendereye," yawned Briarpaw, "Come on, you should sleep with the other apprentices tonight. We miss not being near you."

"Okay."

So that night, he slept with his siblings.

He woke to Whirlpaw walking into the den.

"Hey, where were you?" Tinypaw whispered.

"Oh." Whirlpaw sounded surprised. "I go outside every night to be with Followriver. When I become a warrior, we're going to be mates."

"Just like Echopaw and Nightpaw, huh?" teased Tinypaw lightly.

"I guess. She's only a few moons older, Tinypaw. She got an apprentice-Spottedpaw-two sunrises after she became a warrior."

Tinypaw stopped teasing when he noticed how serious his brother was.

Whirlpaw continued, "And you've got Tendereye. Don't think that we didn't notice."

"Streamstar is back!" Tinypaw jumped to his paws and raced out to Tendereye.

"Don't worry," Tendereye meowed to him, "You can go next time."

He flicked his tail with a smile, "I'm not worried. I'm happy you're back safely. So is she Streamstar now?"

"Yes." both she-cats answered.

~The next night~

"Then I name you Whirlwind. May you use your intelligence and bravery to assist LakeClan always," Streamstar rested her head briefly on Whirlwind, and then he ran over to Followriver, both purring loudly, "And, Echopaw is now Echovalley, and Briarpaw is Briarshine. Nightpaw is Nightfall; Spottedpaw is Spottedlight."

Tinypaw flicked his tail a little in jealousy, but cheered his good friends loudly. "Briarshine! Echovalley! Whirlwind! Nightfall! Spottedlight!"

Tendereye touched her tail to his flank. "You'll get your name soon, Tinypaw." They purred, entwining their tails.

~Dawn~

Briarshine stood stiffly and tiredly as Tinypaw walked over to them, smiling at them.

"How was your vigil?" he asked.

"Tiring," grunted Echovalley, pressing against Nightfall, "And cold."

Nightfall purred at her, rubbing his head against her fur. Whirlwind looked at them impatiently for a moment and then meowed, "Where's Followriver?"

"You know, I really don't know, or care. I don't want to be stuck in the middle of your love lives, so would you want me and Briarshine to leave?"

"That actually is a good idea," yawned Briarshine, following Tinypaw, "Do you need any help sorting?"

"That'd be nice. There's a gathering tonight, too," Tinypaw meowed.