A/N: Thank you for reviewing, Runestripe and Olivia-Della-Robbia! You dislike Blackflower already, O.D.R? Well, she's dead, so we shouldn't see anything more of her.

To my other readers: Recently I discovered the 'stats' section of my account—you know, the place where it tells you how many hits your stories have gotten, how many reviews, etc. (Yes, I really did only just discover that. I never claimed to be the brightest Crayola in the box.) Anyway, my point is that I'm on quite a few peoples' "favorites" lists and eight people have this fic on their alert list. So if this thing is so well-liked…where are your reviews? You'll put me on favorites and alerts but you won't drop a review?

Please, please review after you read. Tell me what you like/don't like, if anything seems "off", if I screwed something up, ask questions if you have them…please.

I'll shut up now.

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Deputy Rising

Cold moonlight filtered through the stark-black trees, touching the snow to silver. In the center of the camp, a still, dark shape lay curled. Two cats flanked the lifeless body, holding the mourning vigil.

Eyes flashed from the shadows; those who had already paid their last respects to the fallen deputy were sheltered deep inside their dens.

"Rootclaw said he died just after moonhigh," said Raintail, her voice low. Her pale blue gaze traveled up to Silverpelt, scanning the stars.

"Mudstar won't have to name the next deputy until tomorrow night, then," Morningcloud replied, her voice thick with near-sleep.

At the mention of naming a new deputy, a glimmer of anticipation darted through Sunfire. Even if she was not the oldest warrior, she was just as experienced as senior warriors like Jaywing and Quickriver. She had been mentored by Lightningstar—and, if she was fully honest with herself, Sunfire suspected that had she not been expecting her kits when Mudstar first became leader, she would have been selected as deputy then.

Perhaps.

As if hearing her thoughts, Icestorm shifted, moving his neck so it rested on her shoulder. Leaning close to her ear, he whispered, "It's got to be you."

A rush of warmth spread through Sunfire; releasing a short purr, she ran her tongue across his cheek and wrapped her tail around him. She heard Raintail murmur agreement; she had caught Icestorm's words. Her confidence on the rise, Sunfire turned her gaze to the sky; the moon was sinking below the tree-tops.

Sighing lightly, Sunfire closed her eyes. I hope you have found peace in StarClan, Darkcloud. She huddled deeper into Icestorm's dense pelt, seeking warmth from the penetrating cold of the snow.

;-;-;-;

"Sunfire, wake up."

Opening one eye to the barest green slit, Sunfire saw Jaywing standing over her. She pushed herself to her paws and shook herself, shedding the sleep that clung to her fur. "What's up?" she asked, flexing her shoulders.

"Mudstar's going to name the new deputy." As he answered, the smallest glint of excitement flickered through his eyes. Sunfire realized that as senior warrior, Jaywing would certainly anticipate that Mudstar would name him as deputy. Standing, Sunfire gave Jaywing a small bow of the head. "Good luck," she said, her tail tip twitching slightly.

Jaywing returned the gesture. "The same to you," he replied sincerely. He turned and padded towards the clearing. Slipping from the den, Sunfire saw Mudstar sitting just outside his den. Granitestone sat beside him; the two had their heads close, in private conversation. The whole Clan was gathered in small groups, waiting for Mudstar to climb the Hightree and call a meeting. Darkcloud's body had been shifted from where it had lain overnight; Sunfire saw a dark mass carefully placed by the bottom of the slope.

Picking a scrawny mouse from the fresh-kill pile, Sunfire padded over to where Raintail sat with Softsteps and Icestorm. Settling down, she began to pick at the meager meat on the mouse. Softsteps peered around Raintail's shoulder and spoke:

"Nightwhisker's moving into the nursery."

Pausing in her chewing, Sunfire glanced up and looked around camp, spotting the black queen nestled close to Badgerclaw. "Again?" Sunfire mumbled around the mouse.

Raintail nodded. "We overheard her telling Badgerclaw. She also said that Rootclaw thinks it may only be a single kit again."

Swallowing her mouthful, Sunfire flicked her tail. "We could use more kits." Copperkit was the only kit in the nursery, and he was barely two moons old; once Dapplepaw and Hailpaw became warriors, there would be no apprentices in ThunderClan for some moons.

As Sunfire finished the last scraps of mouse, Mudstar leapt onto the Hightree and called a meeting. Excitement thrilling down her spine, Sunfire rose and padded closer to the Hightree. Icestorm settled beside her, giving her a light nudge.

As the Clan settled, Mudstar began to speak:

"Cats of ThunderClan, it is my duty now to name ThunderClan's next deputy. First, however, we have an apprentice who is in need of a mentor." He beckoned with his tail, and Dapplepaw wove her way to stand before the Hightree. Normally bright and cheerful, the little tortoiseshell held her tail and head low.

"Dapplepaw," Mudstar continued, "you had a fine mentor in Darkcloud. He taught you well, but now it is necessary for another warrior to teach you." His gaze settled on the front of the crowd. "Granitestone, you are ready for your first apprentice. You will assume Dapplepaw's training." As the gray tom walked up to Dapplepaw and touched noses with her, Mudstar added, "You were well-taught by Icestorm, Granitestone, and I expect you to pass on his lessons to Dapplepaw."

Granitestone dipped his head. "Certainly, Mudstar." He locked gazes with Icestorm as he led Dapplepaw to the edge of the gathered Clan; the two toms exchanged respectful nods.

Sunfire's whiskers twitched as Mudstar continued. "Now I must name ThunderClan's deputy." He took a deep breath, and Sunfire's pelt tingled as she heard the ritual words.

"I say these words before the body of Darkcloud, so that his spirit may hear and approve my choice."

Tension pounded through Sunfire's veins. She was reminded of her warrior ceremony, all those moons ago; the momentary pause before Mudstar declared the deputy stretched a lifetime, just as the pause before Lightningstar announced her warrior name had stretched. Icestorm nudged her lightly, and Sunfire felt a rush of confidence; focusing on Mudstar, Sunfire actually held her breath when he opened his mouth again, and as his gaze swung down to fix upon the warrior he had chosen—

"Sunfire will be the next deputy of ThunderClan."

Fire leapt in Sunfire's heart, rushed through her blood. She became aware that she had stood; unable to speak, she bowed her head low to the ground, hoping the Clan understood. Raising her head again, she saw the Clan was nodding approvingly; some were threading their way to her. Icestorm was purring in her ear; Raintail mewed her congratulations, her eyes bright with honest happiness for Sunfire. As cries of approval began to rise from the Clan, Mudstar yowled for silence. Sunfire stared up at him, conveying her thanks silently by bowing her head again.

Mudstar bowed his head in return, then said, "We shall need a dawn patrol, Sunfire."

Heart still pounding, Sunfire looked around; at the mention of sending out a dawn patrol, her mind had gone strangely blank. She spotted Badgerclaw sitting a couple of tail-lengths away; she beckoned him with her tail.

"I want you to lead the dawn patrol," she said, feeling suddenly, oddly, awkward. "Take Raintail and Quickriver," she added, naming the first cats who came to mind, and pushing aside the odd feeling. "Be sure to be careful around the RiverClan border, after what they pulled yesterday." She let a slight growl creep into her voice.

Badgerclaw studied her intently, his gaze unwavering. He had never been friendly towards Sunfire, being against half-bloods and outsiders in general, and no friendliness showed in his eyes now. He did, however, bow his head. When he looked up, his green eyes held grudging respect. He called to Quickriver and Raintail, and they set off up the slope.

Sunfire realized that some cats still lingered, wishing to offer their congratulations up close. Once they left, she turned her gaze to the rising sun, which could just be seen over the tree tops, casting its fiery glow over the snow. A breeze filtered down into the camp from the forest, and with the wind came a rush of power and determination to serve the Clan to the fullest. As Sunfire inhaled, something stopped the feeling of power and achievement dead.

He's here.

She smelled Hawkclaw on the breeze.

He's finally come.

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