Happy Halloween! Here is a treat for you guys! The next chapter up a day early! Don't forget to review, follow, and favorite! Thank you for reading and have a great Halloween! I like candy! XD *shoves handful of candy into mouth* Omnomnom….
Chapter 12
Hanging Onto Hope
Meanwhile with Thunderclan, Blazestar and the others return to camp, carrying some of the dead with them. The cats still at the camp, watch them come in as they laid down Fernface, Silverfur, and Flameflight's dead bodies. Daisywhisker ran over to Silverfur, buried her face in her neck, and cried. Everyone circled around them as they mourned their fallen clan mates. Blueclaw, Icepaw, and Dirtpaw ran over to Blazestar and Ashfoot.
"Blazestar, where's Nightpaw?" Blueclaw asked. Ashfoot turned his head as Blazestar lowered his head and began to cry. Blueclaw's eyes grew wide as she began to cry. "No, no please. She can't be." Icepaw buried her face in her mother's side as she too began to cry. Dirtpaw lowered his head as tears began to run down his face. Blazestar, without looking up, walked into his den without saying another word. Blueclaw sat with her kits for what felt like forever, until she finally stood up and turned to them. "It will be alright. Your sister is strong. I'm sure she will be fine." Dirtpaw wiped his face with his paw before walking back to the apprentice's den. Icepaw just looked up at her mother as though she was pleading her to bring her sister back. Blueclaw nuzzled Icepaw's neck before she started walking toward the leaders den.
Ashfoot was inside talking to Blazestar, as he paced back and forth. Blazestar was laying down with his face buried underneath his paws.
"Blazestar…maybe she isn't dead….maybe she is still alive. We could send out a search party to Twoleg Place and we could-" Ashfoot started until Blazestar stood up and interrupted him.
"Don't give me false hope, Ashfoot." Blazestar growled. Ashfoot stepped back as Blueclaw ran into the den. She walked up to Blazestar and swatted him in the face with her paw. Blazestar looked at her in utter shock.
"What is wrong with you? We just lost one of our kits and you're just going to lay in here and sulk?" Blueclaw hissed. Blazestar met her gaze.
"Blueclaw…..there is nothing we can do. She could be anywhere. We don't even know if she-" Blazestar began to say until Blueclaw hit him in the face again. Blazestar looked at her in anger. "What do you expect me to do?!" Blazestar yelled. Blueclaw looked at him with fury and tears in her eyes.
"To start acting like her father instead of her leader!" Blueclaw hissed before running out of the den. Blazestar closed his eyes and sighed.
"Ashfoot." Ashfoot walked back over to him.
"Yes, Blazestar?" Ashfoot asked. Blazestar walked over to the entrance of the den and looked back at Ashfoot.
"Watch over everyone for me." Blazestar said before walking out and jumping up onto the Highrock. Everyone gathered around as Ashfoot jumped onto the highrock next to Blazestar.
"Blazestar, what are you thinking?" Ashfoot asked him. Blazestar just smiled at him as he began to speak to the clan.
"Listen up. I know we have been through a lot….and we have lost clanmates…including a certain apprentice who could never listen to orders….I know you all think I've given up…..and at first….I did….but we must move on as the sun moves each day, so should we. So….I've decided to name more of our apprentices as warriors. Dirtpaw and Icepaw…I am so proud to have such talented kits…but you are no longer kits…today you are warriors. Dirtpaw will now be known as Dirtfur. Icepaw will be known as Icepelt. Lightpaw will also be known as Lightclaw." Blazestar said as everyone chanted the new warrior names but soon Blazestar silenced them as he began to speak again.
"I have one last thing to say. I believe in all of you. You're strong and proud. We can overcome any obstacle thrown our way. So, I know you will be fine without me for a while. I'm going to Twoleg Place to search for Nightpaw." Blazestar said as the group of cats started an uproar. Some of them started to panic and ask questions. Ashfoot looked at Blazestar.
"But, Blazestar, you-" Ashfoot began until Blazestar silenced him with a wave of his tail.
"Do not worry. Ashfoot will lead you in my place until I return. I promise you I will be back and I know that Ashfoot will lead you well." Blazestar finished as he jumped down from the highrock. Ashfoot followed him and grabbed his tail.
"Wait, Blazestar. You should not go alone. What if the rogues attack you?" Blazetsar looked back at him and smiled.
"I still have enough fight left in me and don't worry about leading the clan…..I know you will do fine." Blazestar said. Ashfoot smiled and nodded.
"You're still as stubborn as you were when we were kits." Ashfoot meowed. Blazestar chuckled before running out of camp and into the forest. Ashfoot watched him go as he smiled. "Thank you, Blazestar."