CHAPTER 10
Snowfur passed away that night. Bluefur grieved so heavily for the coming moons, she wouldn't eat or hunt for the clan. She was relived all her duties as a warrior. Whitekit became an apprentice, Whitepaw. He is now an apprentice and is really good friends with the other apprentice, Tigerpaw.
Thistleclaw and Lionheart have frequent clashes. Thistleclaw would like to see Lionheart dead, if it was the last thing he would do. He blames Lionheart for Snowfur's death because he says if Lionheart had never had kits with her, she would have never died because she would have never talked to Bluefur, and that she would still have been a warrior.
Sunstar gathered the cats around the highrocks "Tawnyspots, Thunderclan's deputy had greencough and would be relived of her deputy duties. Till Tawnyspots recovers, Thistleclaw you will stand in as deputy.
Lionheart could feel Bluefur's annoyance Thistleclaw! Possibly the worst deputy that Thunderclan could choose. We need a sensible cat to step up to the role, not a mouse-brain murderer!
Lionheart decided to confront Sunstar on his choice of stand-in deputy.
Sunstar bowed his head as the golden warrior walked in
"Good Evening Sunstar, do you have a moment?"
Sunstar nodded "Of Course, Let's take a walk in the forest"
The two cats walked together in the forest
"Sunstar, I understand that you are leader, I respect your choices. But I do not understand why you chose Thistleclaw as your deputy while Tawnyspots is sick." Lionheart hesitated, trying not to upset the clan leader
Sunstar nodded understandingly "I understand, after losing Snowfur and learning that Whitekit is not his kit, he has been giving you a rough time. It is hard to lose someone you love and trust. To be honest, I have been doubting my has told me the chances of Tawnyspots surviving is very small but I hope she will pull has called her, but I have yet to choose a full time deputy. I think Thistleclaw would not make a good leader, but may be a strong deputy as long as I keep him in line. Bluefur, she too would make an excellent deputy and an excellent leader. All hates aside, who do you think would be a loyal deputy? I think you are a trustworthy cat, Pinestar spoke so highly of you when I was deputy."
Lionheart thought hard about the decision. "Thistleclaw was an excellent hunter and fighter, so he would be a good deputy and an excellent battle planner if the clan was in trouble. Bluefur on the other hand was kind, caring, understanding and is an excellent hunter and fighter. I think that Bluefur would be my choice, but you go with what you think Sunstar."
Sunstar smiled "A brave warrior, that is trustworthy. Just like your destiny says."
Lionheart stared out at the distance.
"I know his destiny, Starclan told me. I must say that it is Thistleclaw's kit to protect his destiny"
Protect the clan from life or death. He is an important member of the clan."
"Kits! How are you expecting kits!"
"I have to protect you."
"Snowfur, No!"
The voices whirled around his head, the truck still seemed so near, he could still hear her desperate meows as she was taken away from him.
He snapped back into reality.
"Lionheart? Are you ok?" Sunstar asked calmly
Lionheart looked at the large golden tabby and nodded quietly "Yes, Thank you Sunstar. I am still grieving for Snowfur as much as Bluefur."
Sunstar nodded "I understand. You were very close. Whitepaw looks just like you. I hope he will be as brave as his father"
Lionheart was stunned "How did-"
Sunstar laughed "Thistleclaw was never apart of Snowfur or your destiny, and he never will has thick fur like yours, so it was easy to tell the father is, the rest of the clans don't seem to piece it together- but I guess they don't know your story."
Lionheart growled to himself "The whole clan seems to know about my life- except for me! Snowfur, Bluefur and now Sunstar!"
Lionheart was done being the only cat who doesn't know his own destiny "What is my destiny Sunstar. The whole clan seems to know except for me!"
Sunstar lowered his head "You do have a right to know. It is your life, I suppose."
Sunstar continued "It all started back when you were a kit..."
FLASHBACK SUNSTAR POV
I was only an apprentice then, I was just starting my training. You and Goldenflower had just been born. Starclan came to me in a dream. It was directed at me, which I was shocked about. I thought only medicine cats could talk to starclan. _ gave me a message. "A Lion's Roar will lead the battle-"
END FLASHBACK
Lionheart cut him off, a surge of anger and disappointment surged through him "A lion's roar will lead the battle!" Thats it? I mean I shouldn't judge starclan- but you could have just told me! A battle? I thought it was some amazing opportunity!
Sunstar sighed at Lionheart "I wasn't finished."
FLASHBACK SUNSTAR POV
"A Lion's roar will lead the battle which will determine life or death. We have been waiting for that battle ever since. Pinestar knew the phropecy too, so did Snowfur and Bluefur."
END FLASHBACK
Lionheart stood next to his leader "Why did Snowfur and Bluefur know?"
Sunstar rolled his eyes "They weren't meant to know. I was telling Pinestar about your prophecy and guess who stuck there nose straight into our conversation.. Bluefur, who at the time, was Bluekit. She was such a nosey kit!"
Lionheart laughed at the memory of Bluekit at her apprentice ceremony.
Sunstar looked at darkness casting a shadow on the trees. "We should go back to camp now. The rest of the clan will be wondering where there loyal warrior and the clan leader are!"
Lionheart felt sadness take over him as he remembered Snowfur, who said that the night before she died. She is in Starclan now, with her mother and the leaders of the past."
Sunstar saw his distress. "I had a older sister, she died in a battle when I was younger, I was an apprentice then. She died fighting and is now in Starclan"
Lionheart comforted the Thunderclan leader "I'm sorry. She lived a good life as a warrior, and she would have been a loyal clanmate."
Sunstar and Lionheart walked back to the camp.
Sunstar nodded his head goodbye "Have a good night Lionheart. Snowfur watches over you."
Lionheart bowed his head "Goodnight Sunstar. Thank you for telling me my destiny. I will be ready to fight."
Sunstar went into his den. Lionheart padded quietly toward the warriors den, before going in, he looked up at the stars.
Are you really watching over me Snowfur? He said quietly to himself
A bright star twinkled in the sky to his reply. Lionheart smiled to himself and went to sleep, with the comfort of knowing Snowfur was safe in Starclan.