Chapter 9
Leaf-bare was finally over, and with it, the most severe bouts of greencough were gone. Petalwhisker had named her kits Shadowkit, Riverkit, Thunderkit, and Windkit.
"Rockpelt! Lead a patrol towards the Windclan territory. Choose any warrior you want. Smokefoot! Bring Beestripe with you and help Snowfall gather some herbs. Since it is the beginning of green-leaf there has to be a lot of new herbs sprouting. Coppertail, Falconwing, Shadewhisker! We are going on patrol near Shadowclan! Ferretclaw, find some warriors and get a hunting patrol out. We only have a mouse." It felt good to be deputy. I felt more responsible, more powerful. I loved how the warriors looked up to me, even the veterans like Rockpelt.
I was going to have to talk to Swanstar later, see who will be going to the Gathering tonight. And I was going to have to convince Rockpelt to finally go the unused elder's den. It was empty for so long, since not a lot of warriors made it to the age of the den.
I patrolled with my group and as I was heading back, I saw a mouse. I hunted for a few hours until the sun was dipping. I carried back the mouse and thrush I had caught and left it at the fresh kill pile. Swanstar beckoned me towards her den. I leapt and clawed and eventually reached the top.
"Yes Swanstar?" I asked.
"I want Duskpelt, Aspentail, Beestripe, Coppertail, Blazethunder, Smokefoot, Shadewhisker, Fishpelt, and Falconwing to go to the Gathering tonight. Please tell the whole crowd." I did so quickly and night fell quickly. When we headed towards the Four Trees, I saw Riverclan coming in. When I scanned the warriors, I did not see Swiftstar. In the front, Otterfur. I guessed the deputy was now leader. To my left, I saw Shadowclan and in front Foxstar looked fragile. He seemed to be on his nearly last lives, if not his last. When we finally arrived, I seeked Rosecloud and Talonflame. Harefrost was already with me, and I found out that the badger had terrorized not only our clan but also had killed Redfur of Shadowclan. I later realized that it had also killed Rosewillow and Badgerclaw from Riverclan, and had killed Morningfire from Windclan. It had terrorized every clan, and every clan was in mourning. We reached Talonflame and I heard from Weedwhisker that Rosecloud did not attend the Gathering this moon. I felt a pang of loneliness but I talked and shared tongues with Talonflame and Harefrost.
"Let the Gathering come together," called out Swanstar, "I know all the clans are in mourning for the losses that the badger had inflicted. Let us have a moment of silence for the cats who hunt in Starclan now. After the silence, she continued. "Thunderclan is strinving. Although our apprentices had a good half moon left of apprenticeship, they have become warriors for showing courage in the battle with the badger. Please welcome our newest warriors, Duskpelt, Beestripe, Smokefoot, Coppertail, Shadewhisker, Fishpelt, and Blazethunder." Murmurs of congratulations rang around the circle. "Since Chestnutheart has died, I have appointed Ambersong to become the newest deputy. We also have a new litter of kits, thanks to Petalwhisker. Their names are Riverkit, Shadowkit, Thunderkit, and Windkit." Their were hostile hisses as the name of the clans were attached to the kit names.
Foxstar called out, "You know the warrior code Swanstar. They may not become leaders as they would become as equal to the founders of the clans. We established that when we were at the hands of Riverstar the rogue. We cannot taint their names no matter what." Cats nodded and Swanstar dipped her head in respect.
"I know the warrior code. And Petalwhisker does too. She expects her kits to become the best warriors or medicine cat they can be, depending on what path they will choose." After a moment of confusion, Swanstar continued once more. "I would also like to congratulate Otterstar for becoming the newest leader of Riverclan. May Starclan light your path, and we all mourn for Swiftstar. He was a just and kind leader and we hope for the best as he joins Starclan."
Next, Foxstar told the Gathering that they had new warriors too. Toadclaw and Darkfur. After, Blazestar told they had new apprentices. Beechpaw, Pinepaw, Sprucepaw, and Oakpaw. Finally, Otterstar said his first words in the Gathering as a leader.
"I would first like to thank everyone who has helped me become the leader of Riverclan. It is a big responsibility and I know that Riverclan is mourning, but we are strong enough to defend our territory." He lifted his chin and continued. "I have also elected Rosecloud to become the newest deputy but I am sorry to say that she is under greencough at the moment. She is a strong cat however and she will beat it soon."
"The Gathering is to a close, please converse for a few moments, until we leave." Called out Foxstar.
As we came back, there was a yowl. Was there another attack? I raced towards camp, my fellow warriors at my tail. When we reached it, we did not see any creatures… except. Sigh. It was only Thunderkit and Shadowkit playing.
Yeah, I decided that this story is coming out way faster than I expected. I was thinking I would write ten chapters in a year but I just wrote like 10 chapters in less than a week. Proud of that, and again, if you have any more ideas of who should be leader, what should happen, and who should die, just comment and review. Thanks, storyteller over and out.