Chapter 20

Darkspirit awoke a moon later in the warriors' den. It was pouring down rain, and thunder was booming overhead. Every cat knew what was going on in the leader's den; Pinestar was dying. The ShadeClan leader had caught a disease a moon back shortly after Darkspirit and the others returned from the rats, and the black tom had been struggling to fight off the disease. Now, Blackfeather constantly sat with Pinestar, trying to heal the tom, though it was very difficult. Volekit was practically apprentice medicine cat; while Blackfeather worked with Pinestar, Volekit sorted herbs and told the warriors to gather new ones with detailed descriptions of their looks and scents. Darkspirit still remembered how Toadstripe continued to mutter mutinously as he had to retrieve the herbs.

Darkspirit stood and padded from the warriors' den, only to find that a group of cats were already awake, restlessly mewing to one another. Velvetfur was weeping with her kits nearby. Darkspirit padded to Bramblestripe and questioned, "What's going on?"

Bramblestripe nodded to Velvetfur. "Pinestar's almost gone. He's requesting cats, now, and Velvetfur was first, then Dustfur, then Toadstripe, and now Oaktail. He's only gotten worse, and Blackfeather knows he is going to die; all of us know."

Darkspirit nodded as Oaktail made his way from the den, face grim. Blackfeather poked his head from the den and called, "Darkspirit! Pinestar wishes to see you alone!"

Darkspirit turned and picked his way to the leader's den. Blackfeather edged to the side and padded off to assist Volekit in sorting juniper berries. Pinestar lay on his side inside, gasping for air as he struggled to stay alive.

"Darkspirit," he rasped, sharp as ever to know if Darkspirit had entered. Darkspirit winced at the rasping in his voice, and how quickly was the rise and fall of his chest, but he did not say how tense he was about it. Pinestar continued, "Darkspirit, I know you will take care of this Clan. You know that this is my last life." He grinned. "I suppose the rumors are true; I will die all of my lives through sickness. I know that Raggedstar is dead, so you will receive all nine lives. I want you to be careful in whom you choose as deputy; I know you always wanted Finchtail as your deputy, but it isn't possible anymore. ShadeClan is deprived of great cats now; I need you to change that, please."

Darkspirit's eyes brimmed with tears as he watched Pinestar fading. The black tom whispered, "Darkspirit, I know you will encounter many troubles, as you already have. I've tried all I can to make sure you are raised well, because I knew you would be great. When I learned that Raggedstar was you mother, I knew you would be the future leader of ShadeClan. I don't care what Lightheart says about you; it isn't your fault she acts this way. She lost her kits, and she has grown cold because of it. Try to take care of her, but tell her all that she needs to know about you. I know you're strong, Darkspirit; you've gone through much more than any cat combined, and I know that the mate you wanted died."

Darkspirit caught his breath, "You… you knew?"

"Yes," Pinestar gasped. "I knew that you loved Hawkstorm, and when she died, I feared you would break. But you didn't. I am proud, to have you as my Clanmate and deputy. But, I must leave you. I'm sorry that it had to happen so soon." Pinestar's breathing quickened and his eyes focused on something Darkspirit couldn't see. "Lynxfoot, have you come for me? I'm ready." Darkspirit flattened his ears as Pinestar closed his eyes and murmured, "Farewell, Darkspirit. I will see you again at the Moontrees."

Darkspirit stayed with Pinestar even after the black tom had stopped breathing and the scent of death began to settle on his body. Darkspirit dragged Pinestar from the den and the cats in the crowd parted to let him through. Velvetfur wailed as she saw her mate's limp body, and Darkspirit set Pinestar down in the center of camp. A long line passed through, paying their respects, before Darkspirit was the final cat to do so.

"You saw, when I did not," Darkspirit whispered. "You knew long before I did, and though you made faults, you always trusted that StarClan would guide your path. Farewell, Pinestar, may you find good hunting, and shelter when you sleep."

Darkspirit licked Pinestar's cold body and sat down for vigil, his eyes focused upon Pinestar's face. Time passed, and the rain poured down upon the cats. Eventually, the rain cleared and so did the clouds, and the day passed with few cats lurking about ShadeClan territory for patrols. Finally, Darkspirit padded over to the Shade Pool and called the Clan together.

Darkspirit felt different standing where the Clan leader should, though he felt confident in his choice for deputy. "ShadeClan cats," he announced, "we have been struck by a heavy blow by Pinestar's death, though I will travel to the Moonstone and make this Clan strong. Our Clan will defend our territory greatly and we shall forever reign as one of the greatest Clans ever!"

The ShadeClan warriors before him brightened up a bit at this, and Darkspirit announced, "The new deputy of ShadeClan will be," he paused, surveying the cats' eager faces as they leaned in to hear who the new deputy would be, "Duskfoot."

Duskfoot gasped and her eyes were wide in surprise. She stepped forward. "I accept this, Darkspirit."

Darkspirit nodded to her and leaped over to Blackfeather. The black tom had already prepared travelling herbs. The two toms set out after eating their herbs and raced through the territory. Darkspirit arrived at the Moontrees with Blackfeather close by, fearful of the future. Darkspirit padded forward and touched his nose to the moss of the willow. Then, he dreamed.

Darkspirit awoke to find himself lying in the forest. It's home, Darkspirit thought and looked around.

"Darkspirit." The voice surprised him and he spun around to see Yelloweyes and Stonewish standing before him. The stars above circled around and the outlines of seven other cats appeared. Blackfeather made his way forward and sat down, watching Darkspirit and the StarClan cats. Yelloweyes padded forward and mewed, "It is time." The she-cat padded forward and touched her nose to Darkspirit's forehead. "I give you a life for courage. Use it well to lead your Clan into battle."

Pain flashed through Darkspirit from where Yelloweyes had touched her nose and he flinched, digging his claws into the ground. Yelloweyes stepped back and Stonewish proceeded forward. Stonewish murmured, "I give you a life for justice. Use it well to judge others for their actions, and decide who is enemy and who is ally."

Darkspirit felt as though claws were being dug into his pelt, flashing through him as sharp as thorns. Stonewish stepped back and Lynxfoot padded forward. Darkspirit felt bad that he didn't know the tom very well, but felt reassured when Lynxfoot mewed, "I give you a life for knowledge. Use it well to be wise and give advice for your Clanmates and other Clans."

Lynxfoot rested his muzzle on Darkspirit's head and pain flashed through him, spreading from ears to tail-tip. Lynxfoot stepped back and Hissingshine padded forward. The black tom murmured, "I give you a life for wisdom. Use it well to make wise decisions for your Clan."

Pain flashed through Darkspirit, but it wasn't as sharp this time, he just felt as though there was a heavy weight on his shoulders. Hissingshine stepped back and then came Pinestar. Pinestar touched his nose to Darkspirit's head and mewed, "I give you a life for love. Use it well to protect your Clan as if they are your kits."

Ferocity filled Darkspirit, and he felt that forever he would defend his Clan, and he would never stop until every last enemy was dead. He had never realized how ferocious a mother's love could be. Pinestar stepped back and then came Finchtail.

Darkspirit flattened his ears as Finchtail mewed, "I give you a life for loyalty. Use it well to remain loyal to your Clan and Clanmates, no matter what happens."

Pain flashed through Darkspirit, though it was not as bad as before. "Finchtail, I'm sorry I couldn't-" Darkspirit began.

"Shh," Finchtail cut him off, and flicked his brown-striped tail. "There's nothing to be sorry for. I died for my Clan, and that is what I've always wanted. My spirit lives on in my kits, and I know Ashblaze will take care of our kits. Take care of Tigerkit and Dewkit, Darkspirit."

Finchtail stepped back and Darkspirit spotted Pheasantspirit making his way toward him. Pheasantspirit whispered, "I give you a life for strength. Use it well to push through all of the sorrows in life and give your Clan the power to remain strong."

Pheasantspirit touched his nose to Darkspirit's forehead and Darkspirit felt the feeling as though he could lift anything. Darkspirit felt that he could do anything for his Clan, and that he could inspire feelings into every cat around him.

Pheasantspirit stepped back and then came Darkspirit's beloved Hawkstorm. His eyes brimmed with tears at the sight of her. Hawkstorm came close to him and put her head under his, mewing, "I give you a life for nobility, peace, and sight. Use it well to be noble for all the other leaders to look up to, to keep peace among the Clans, and to notice things before any other cat."

Warmth flowed through him at the same time as pain. Claws seemed to pierce him, though his love for Hawkstorm softened the blows. Hawkstorm stepped back and whispered, "Your old life is no more. Now, you have nine lives and you must lead your Clan." Her voice joined the others as they chanted, "Darkstar! Darkstar! Darkstar!"

The new leader looked at Hawkstorm, and one look told everything. Everything faded around him, and the last thing he saw in StarClan, was Hawkstorm's eyes and heard her whisper, "I will travel with you again, soon, my love."

When he awoke, the first thing he saw was Blackfeather's face. The two ShadeClan toms raced through the territories, soon to arrive at the ShadeClan camp. The new leader entered and yowled, "I have received my nine lives! I am Darkstar!"

"Darkstar! Darkstar! Darkstar!" the cats around him chanted, just as the StarClan cats had. Darkstar lifted his head.

The ShadeClan cats smiled around him, obviously happier now... except for Toadstripe, Ratstorm, and Lightheart; they were all frowning. But, that's what Darkstar would have expected.

Duskfoot began to order patrols, "Toadstripe, take Ratstorm, Ferretleap, and Bramblestripe out for hunting patrol at the MistClan border. Whiskerpelt, please take Lightheart, Poolshadow, and Bloodwhisker out for border patrol at the MistClan border. I want Dovetalon to take Birdpool, Wingbreeze, and Thorncry for a border patrol at the Gathering and Moontrees borders. Also, I want Deerpelt to lead Oaktail, Snakefall, and Sloeberry for border patrol at the rogue border. Flytooth, please take Molefur, Ivyfoot, and Rosebranch for partner-hunting near the Withering Oaks. That is all."

Duskfoot looked at Darkstar and padded over to him. "How did I do?" she asked, looking nervous.

"Wonderful," Darkstar replied, whiskers quivering. "You're doing much better than I did, that's for sure."

Duskfoot smiled and trotted away, happy and excited. Darkstar trotted into the nursery and noticed Ashblaze, Foxwing, and Velvetfur crowded in the nursery with their kits. "Uncle Darkstar!" a kit squeaked, and Darkstar looked down to see Tigerkit, who looked, painfully, exactly like Finchtail. Dewkit stood beside her brother, her gray tabby pelt darkened by black stripes. Whitekit, Brackenkit, and Brightkit were Weasalflight and Foxwing's kittens.

Darkstar purred, "Hello, kits!"

Volekit bounced up and down and squeaked, "Please make us apprentices! Please! Please! Please!"

"No, Volekit," Darkstar told the small tabby gently, "you're not quite old enough yet. You still have about two moons to go."

Darkstar twitched his nose as Volekit flattened his ears and sighed, "Oh. I was hoping I could help Blackfeather permanently."

Darkstar purred and touched noses with the little tom. "Don't worry, it'll be soon enough, I promise."

Volekit nodded, though he still looked upset. Darkstar flicked his tail and meowed, "So, how's Whitekit, Brackenkit, and Brightkit."

Brightkit opened her eyes and looked up at him, pale ginger pelt standing out against the darker pelts around her. Brightkit bounded over to Darkstar, yellow eyes wide. "Are you the new leader of ShadeClan?"

Darkstar nodded. "Yes. Speaking of which, in two days is the Gathering." Darkstar looked up at Velvetfur. "Do you want to come to the Gathering?"

Velvetfur nodded slowly. "Yes."

"Ashblaze can take care of your kits," Darkstar informed her. "Don't worry, they'll be fine."

Darkstar led his Clan toward the Gathering Rock. He was nervous, as he hadn't ever done this before. Darkstar twitched his nose as Duskfoot mewed, "How much are you going to give about Pinestar."

Darkstar, remembering all the times that Pinestar had told him his plans before the Gathering, he meowed, "Only that he passed away and I have taken his place. I will not let the Clans know that we were so weak that we had to hunt rats for prey. I know we weren't weak, but it may make the other Clans think that."

Duskfoot nodded, looking thoughtful. "Alright. What about Robinclaw and Finchtail?"

"I won't say anything," Darkstar replied. "MistClan and FireClan already know they are dead, and that is all we can handle."

"The Tribe is staying with MistClan," Duskfoot observed thoughtfully, "do you think they will come to the Gathering?"

Darkstar shrugged. "I do not know. We can't try to expect reactions from the Tribe; they are completely different from the Clans. They may be cats like us, but their way of life is different."

Duskfoot nodded and asked, "What if MistClan challenges about the territory?"

"We will defend ourselves," Darkstar replied calmly, "though we will try to keep peace."

Duskfoot nodded and remained silent now. When the cats arrived at the Gathering, MistClan was already there, and a few Tribe cats were there as well. Darkstar felt nervous, though he lifted his chin as his Clan began to mingle with the MistClan cats. Not long afterward, IceClan and TreeClan arrived together, Icestar and Treestar mewing in the lead.

Soon, Jaystar followed, leading FireClan in. Icestar, Treestar, and Sparrowstar stood upon the Gathering Rock. Jaystar leaped onto the Gathering Rock and Darkstar followed him.

"Let the Gathering begin!" Darkstar yowled before the other leaders could say anything. He turned to Sparrowstar and gave her a nod.

Sparrowstar twitched her nose and stepped forward. Sparrowstar announced, "There's not much to announce for MistClan, simply that we have two new apprentices, Mallowpaw and Silverpaw!"

"Mallowpaw! Silverpaw! Mallowpaw! Silverpaw!" the cats below cheered.

Sparrowstar stepped back and Icestar shouldered Jaystar out of the way and yowled, "IceClan is doing great! We have some news to share, though! Jaystar led his FireClan cats against IceClan! We fought him and won without losing a single warrior! IceClan will not bend to Jaystar's cruel reign!"

Cheers came from the IceClan cats, though Darkstar bristled. That wasn't fair! Jaystar had not been cruel to IceClan in any way! Darkstar did not speak despite his anger.

Icestar continued, "Our cats are prospering, and we have a new warrior here tonight; Rockfrost!"

"Rockfrost! Rockfrost! Rockfrost!" cats cheered far below.

And so, Jaystar and Treestar went forward, and then came Darkstar. He stepped forward, and saw the faces of many cats below. He shuddered in fear, but lifted his chin and yowled, "ShadeClan is strong! We lost Pinestar, and I have received my nine lives as Darkstar, leader of ShadeClan!"

"Darkstar! Darkstar! Darkstar!" yowled the cats below, and Darkstar felt proud at the cheers.

Gaining his confidence, Darkstar yowled, "ShadeClan is strong with two more litters of kits; one of Ashblaze and Finchtail with two kits, Tigerkit and Dewkit! Then, there's a litter with Foxwing and Weasalflight, three kits; Brightkit, Whitekit, and Brackenkit!"

"Tigerkit! Dewkit! Brightkit! Whitekit! Brackenkit!" the cats cheered below.

Darkstar continued, "The prey is running well, and that is all!"

The leaders departed and the cats mingled. Darkstar sat down by the deputy spots and Duskfoot mewed, "You did well, Darkstar. I couldn't have done better myself."

"What do you mean?" Darkstar asked, confused.

"What I mean is," Duskfoot explained, "is that you were meant for this role. You seemed so confident up there, after you were so nervous. I'm proud of you."

Darkstar smiled, happy that his former mentor had praised him so. Darkstar waited for a while, letting his Clan continue to mingle, until Velvetfur approached him, pelt silver in the moonlight. "I need to return to my kits," she meowed softly to him.

Darkstar nodded and called, "ShadeClan! We must return now!"

The ShadeClan cats crowded around him and he began to lead them back through the tunnels. Darkstar led his cats onward, and there was little talk, as the Gathering had gone by peacefully. Darkstar could tell that this had happened because of the travels he and the other Clans had sent some of their cats upon. Darkstar knew that this was a result of that, and Jaystar obviously had not wanted any trouble.

When the ShadeClan cats returned to camp, Velvetfur headed into the nursery, and Darkstar padded into the leader's den. Darkstar curled up in his nest, though he was used to the cold, he wished Hawkstorm could curl up next to him and cover him in her scent. Darkstar quickly was covered with the warm blanket of sleep.

Me: Yay! Darkstar's leader of ShadeClan now!

I do not own, or claim to own, Warriors, Erin Hunter does.