AN: I hope you enjoy this chapter. It may be one of my favorite! Enjoy!
Chapter 20
Bramblestar padded out of his den. The sun was setting toward Sun-Drown place where Midnight lived. Squirrelflight was giving out orders, padding around with difficulty because of her bulging belly. Should I have a new deputy? I'm not sure if I should. She would probably be mad at me.
Bramblestar sat next to Highledge. Squirrelflight padded over and licked him behind the ear. ThunderClan's leader let out a long purr. "Bramblestar," Squirrelflight mewed with uncertainty. Bramblestar blinked at his mate and stared into her green eyes. "When I have my kits-uhhh. Our kits, can you set up a temporary deputy. I don't want to have ThunderClan be without a deputy, but I don't want to resign. Could you set up a temporary deputy?"
"I have someone in mind. I was actually just thinking about that. I would like to ask you if the cat I have in mind is good. Squirrelflight come here," Bramblestar mewed. He lifted his head up to his mate and whispered in her ear.
The ginger deputy nodded her head, "I think that would be the perfect choice as a temporary deputy. It would help him out. I'll go ask him right now if he would be willing to accept the position until our kits become apprentices. Maybe a little after, since I may be a little rusty after being in the nursery for a long time."
Bramblestar purred at the thought of having his feisty restless ginger deputy in the nursery. Even when she had been foster mothering Lionblaze and Jayfeather, she would go out and hunt. "Go tell the future deputy. We need to see if he would agree, even though I'm almost positive he would. Hurry though. It is almost time for the gathering. I would like to appoint him before we leave. I will pick the cats I think should go. You just hurry as quickly as you can with your pudgy belly. You sent him on a border patrol earlier. He should be next to the ShadowClan border."
Squirrelflight glared at her mate, but her eyes were sparkling. She raced as fast as a pregnant queen can through the tunnel and out into the dim forest. Bramblestar stood up, and yawned as he stretched, his muscles rippling under his fur.
"The following cats will be going to the gathering: Brackenfur, Cloudtail, Thornclaw, Sorreltail, Spiderleg, Birchfall, Whitewing, Poppyfrost, Foxleap, Icecloud, Moleclaw, Dewfur, Snowstorm, Amberfrost, Stonepaw, Swiftpaw, Graystripe, Sandstorm, and Dustpelt. Jayfeather, Squirrelflight, and Lionblaze if he feels up to it. Now, everyone grab something quick to eat before we leave. This will be the last gathering for Squirrelflight until after she kits. This is the first gathering since the six apprentices have been lost. I will tell the other Clans, but this is not a time to show weakness," Bramblestar mewed to his Clan.
Squirrelflight came rushing in with the border patrol and the hunting patrol. "He agreed!" Squirrelflight mewed, trying to catch her breath. "I went as fast as I could. We need to hurry. I saw WindClan cats heading toward the tree crossing bridge."
Bramblestar dipped his head to his deputy, "Rest Squirrelflight. I'll take care of the rest." The dark tabby tom climbed up to Highledge. "All cats old enough to catch their own prey, gather beneath Highledge for a quick Clan meeting." The cats that were eating gobbled down their remains and walked over to sit under the ledge. Squirrelflight walked to under Highledge and lay down. "As everyone knows Squirrelflight is expecting kits. She has requested that a temporary deputy is set up in place until she can return to her duties."
He paused at this part in his speech, the cats letting out gasps and remarks. Bramblestar held up his tail for silence, "I say these words before StarClan, so that the spirits of our warrior ancestors may hear and approve my choice. The temporary deputy of ThunderClan will be Lionblaze."
The Clan cheered Lionblaze's name as he mewed, "I will do my best Bramblestar. I'm glad for you and Squirrelflight. I know you will have beautiful kits together. I just wish I could be their more for you." The golden tom dipped his head to his leader.
Bramblestar jumped down, "It is now time for the gathering! Let's go!" He led the cats out of camp, and down toward the lake.
"The gathering will start!" Onestar mewed from the ledge. He was sitting next to Bramblestar. "If you don't mind, I would like to start with my Clan's report." Mistystar, Bramblestar, and Blackstar dipped their heads to the brown leader. Onestar stepped up, "WindClan has two new warriors, Deerpetal and Grassfur!" He flicked his tail to the two warriors, Bramblestar stretched his neck to see them. Deerpetal was licking her chest fur in excitement, but her brother Grassfur was soaking in all the looks. "We have four new apprentices, Stormpaw, Eaglepaw, Shrewpaw, and Runningpaw." The four apprentices were smiling and looking around. "Heathertail and Sedgewhisker have both kitted, and we have three healthy kits in the nursery. WindClan is doing well, and the rabbits are running, but not fast enough for WindClan warriors!" The WindClan leader stepped back. He whispered, "Bramblestar are you going next?"
"No Onestar. I would like to go last. Mistystar? Would you like to go," Bramblestar mewed back. The gray she-cat nodded and walked forward.
"I'm sad to say that one of our queens, Icewing died. She left her kit, Whitekit, here all alone. Luckily Petalfur, her daughter, said she would nurse this three moon old kit. She herself has not had her's and Mintfur's kits. We found a lone kit on our territory, and have taken her in. Her name is Sparkkit, she had already had a name, so we did not want to change it. Troutstream as kitted, and she was blessed with one kit since she had been sick, Rainkit. The fish are swimming, and the Clan is thriving," Mistystar mewed. She went back to her seat.
Blackstar walked forward, "We have good and bad news in ShadowClan. Littlecloud has gone and joined StarClan. We grieve for him, and we miss him as our medicine cat. Mistpelt has taken the job on as medicine cat all on her own, and we know she will do well since she had a great mentor." The cat's in the clearing all murmured their sadness and loss of Littlecloud. He had been popular throughout the Clans. The cats raced their voices and cheered Mistpelt on. "Now, good news. We have three new kits! Olivenose kitted and she has Fernkit, Larkkit, and Brownkit. Leafbare has not ended, but we are thriving. The prey is running well in ShadowClan territory. He stepped back to his spot, "Your turn Bramblestar."
Bramblestar nodded his head and stepped foward. "Squirrelflight is going to kit soon, so we have a temporary deputy. Welcome Lionblaze as the temorary deputy of ThunderClan!" The Clan cats gasped in surprise but congratulated Squirrelflight, Bramblestar, and Lionblaze. We have two new apprentices, but they are not here today. Icecloud and Squirrelflight are both expecting kits, so ThunderClan is thriving. We have three new warriors here, Snowstorm, Amberfrost, and Dewfur!" He paused in his speech as the Clans cheered for the new warriors. How am I supposed to say this?
"Six apprentices have gone missing. We found their blood in our territory, but we do not think they are dead. They are missing. Bramblepaw, Goldenpaw, Cinderpaw, Firepaw, Poisonpaw, and Duskpaw are the six apprentices missing. Dovewing's and Bumblestripe's kits, Poisonpaw and Firepaw are new apprentices, not even been in training for a moon. Poisonpaw was Jayfeather's apprentice. He showed signs of being a great medicine cat. He already knew so much. Poisonpaw survived eating deathberries, but he had side effects. His tortoiseshell pattern disappeared leaving him white, and his right eye lost all vision," Bramblestar mewed. The Clan cats all gasped and made small comments.
"Firepaw has no injuries, but was showing great accomplishment in his moon of training. Bramblepaw, Goldenpaw, and Cinderpaw are all sisters, kits of Lionblaze and Cinderheart. They had about a moon and a half of training. Each of them could do well in battle training, and they did really well at hunting. Duskpaw is the kit of Blossomfall and Toadstep. Her brother and sister are Swiftpaw and Stonepaw. Each of them are here, they are continuing training. They miss their sister, but they will not let them stop their training. They are strong cats. Cinderheart, Blossomfall, and Dovewing are all grieving for their lost kits. Other than the loss of the six apprentices, the Clan is thriving. That is all I have to report," Bramblestar finished. He backed away.
Onestar, Mistystar, and Blackstar all talked together. Bramblestar wanted to talk to the RiverClan deputy before he gathered his Clan to leave. He walked through the crowd of cats and scented out Reedwhisker. The tom was standing in the bushes away from the other cats, talking with a ShadowClan queen. It was was Olivenose! The cat that just had kits. Bramblestar leaned in to hear. He could here tiny mewlings and small cries.
"Reedwhisker! You need to take them. ShadowClan is having sickness in camp. I don't want them to get sick and join StarClan," Olivenose mewed, coughing slightly. "They remind me too much of you. Their names are Fernkit, Larkkit, and Brownkit. I didn't pick the names I really wanted because I knew they would be going with you." She lowered her head and licked each of her kits. "They are half a moon. They were born on Half-Moon."
The black deputy leaned his head down and licked his forbidden mates head. "I will take them, but we will name them what you want them to be named. What did you want to name them?"
Olivenose looked up, "The first she-kit was going to be named Willowkit. She is really sweet. The other she-kit was going to be Oakkit. The only tom I wanted to name was Duskkit. Fernkit would be Willowkit, Oakkit was Brownkit, Larkkit would be Duskkit. They remind me of ShadowClan and RiverClan."
Reedwhisker nuzzled his mate, "I love them. I love you too. They will become great warriors of RiverClan. Troutstream will nurse them for me. She only has one kit. I'll see you next moon. Bye Olivenose." He lifted his head up, and saw Bramblestar's amber eyes. "Oh no!" he whispered to Olivenose.
Bramblestar stepped out of the bush he was hiding in, "I won't tell anyone. This will be our secret. Just promise me it won't end up with bad lies. I don't want anyone to get hurt. That has already happened to me."
"I promise Bramblestar. This will not get in the way of our loyalty to our Clans. Reedwhisker promised to tell the kits when they were old enough to understand," Olivenose dipped her head. "Thank you Bramblestar." Olivenose brushed muzzles with Reedwhisker and raced off toward ShadowClan territory.
Reedwhisker stared at his kits. "Bramblestar... Thank you. I don't know what to say." Reedwhisker admitted. He glanced at Bramblestar, and the tabby leader let out a purr.
"Pretend you are on a hunting patrol, find shelter somewhere in RiverClan territory where no cat goes often, keep the kits warm. In the morning, hunt a little, bring the prey with you along with the kits. You can say you were hunting, and you found the kits on the territory with no mother. Say it was probably left my a loner or rogue, and ask if you could foster these kits. Mistystar will surely say yes. She loves kits, and she would take in the kits. If you have to, tell her they are half-clan. Tell her that you fathered these kits, and that the mother is from ShadowClan. She will understand; she herself is half-clan. If need be, tell her to come to ThunderClan's camp with Willowshine or Mothwing, and I will talk to her about it," Bramblestar suggested.
Reedwhisker dipped his head, "I will do just that Bramblestar. I know I have ThunderClan blood in me because Mistystar does, so I'm sure my mother will understand. I will have her come and talk to her. Thank you Bramblestar." He picked Willowkit up in his jaws, and set her on his back, set Oakkit on his back, and carried Duskkit in his jaws. He carefully walked toward the RiverClan territory.
Bramblestar walked back into the clearing after seeing that Reedwhisker safely crossed the tree bridge. He walked over to Mistystar. "Reedwhisker has gone to hunt a little for your Clan. He said the elders had little food when you all left, so he wanted to hunt for them."
"Thank you Bramblestar. I will talk to him in the morning when he gets back," Mistystar mewed. "Gather RiverClan cats! We are going back to our camp." The ShadowClan cats, and WindClan cats all gathered, saying goodbye to friends. "May StarClan be with all of us this next moon!"
"Lionblaze. Please gather ThunderClan," Bramblestar mewed to his new deputy. Lionblaze dipped his head and gathered the two apprentices, and new warriors.
"Let's go ThunderClan!" Bramblestar mewed, leading his Clan back to the camp, not looking back toward RiverClan territory at all. The trees of ThunderClan comforting him.
ALLEGIANCES
THUNDERCLAN
LEADER
BRAMBLESTAR- dark brown tabby tom with amber eyes
DEPUTY
SQUIRRELFLIGHT- dark ginger she-cat with green eyes
MEDICINE CAT
JAYFEATHER- gray tabby tom with blind blue eyes
APPRENTICE, POISONPAW
WARRIORS (toms and she-cats without kits)
BRACKENFUR- golden brown tabby tom
APPRENTICE, BRAMBLEPAW
CLOUDTAIL- long-haired white tom with blue eyes
BRIGHTHEART- white she-cat with ginger patches
APPRENTICE, GOLDENPAW
MILLIE- striped gray tabby she-cat with blue eyes
THORNCLAW- golden brown tabby tom
SORRELTAIL- tortoiseshell-and-white she-cat with amber eyes
APPRENTICE, DUSKPAW
CROWFEATHER- dark gray tom
SPIDERLEG- long-limbed black tom with brown underbelly and amber eyes
APPRENTICE, SWIFTPAW
BIRCHFALL- light brown tabby tom
WHITEWING- white she-cat with green eyes
BERRYNOSE- cream-colored tom
HAZELTAIL- small gray-and-white she-cat
MOUSEWHISKER- gray-and-white tom
APPRENTICE, FIREPAW
POPPYFROST- tortoiseshell she-cat
CINDERHEART- gray tabby she-cat
LIONBLAZE- golden tabby tom with amber eyes
FOXLEAP- reddish tabby tom
ICECLOUD- white she-cat
TOADSTEP- black-and-white tom
ROSEPETAL- dark cream she-cat
BLOSSOMFALL- tortoiseshell and white she-cat
APPRENTICE, CINDERPAW
BRIARLIGHT- dark brown she-cat
BUMBLESTRIPE- very pale gray tom with black stripes
DOVEWING- pale gray she-cat with blue eyes
CHERRYFOOT- ginger she-cat
MOLECLAW- brown-and-cream tom
APPRENTICE, STONEPAW
LILYSTREAM-dark tabby she-cat with white patches
SEEDTAIL- very pale ginger she-cat
DEWFUR- gray tom with amber eyes
SNOWSTORM- white tom with amber eyes
AMBERFROST- pale gray she-cat with white patches
APPRENTICES (more than six moons, in training to become warriors)
STONEPAW- gray-and-white she-cat
SWIFTPAW- dark gray tom with black and white patches
MISSING APPRENTICES (on the journey)
DUSKPAW- black tabby she-cat with white tail tip
BRAMBLEPAW- silver tabby she-kit with golden paws and ears with light blue eyes
GOLDENPAW- black she-kit with golden face and amber eyes
CINDERPAW- black she-kit with golden paws and green eyes
FIREPAW- dark ginger tom with black stripe and blue eyes
POISONPAW- white tom with black patch over right eye and blind in that eye, has blue eyes
QUEENS (she-cats expecting or nursing kits)
DAISY- cream long-furred cat from the horseplace
IVYPOOL- silver-and-white tabby she-cat with dark blue eyes; Has Foxleap's kits: Wildkit, Honeykit, and Mintkit
LEAFPOOL- light brown tabby she-cat with amber eyes, former medicine cat; Has Crowfeather's kits: Badgerkit, Barkkit, and Snowkit
KITS
WILDKIT- ginger tabby tom with blue eyes (4 moons)
HONEYKIT- pale golden she-kit with white tabby pattern (4 moons)
MINTKIT- tortoiseshell she-kit (4 moons)
BADGERKIT- white tom with black stripes with amber eyes (2 moons)
BARKKIT- light brown spotted she-kit with blue eyes (2 moons)
SNOWKIT- white she-kit with black patches and golden tip tail and muzzle with blue eyes (2 moons)
ELDERS (former warriors and queens now retired)
GRAYSTRIPE- long-haired gray tom
DUSTPELT- dark brown tabby tom
SANDSTORM- pale ginger she-cat with green eyes
PURDY- plump tabby former loner with a gray muzzle
SHADOWCLAN
LEADER
BLACKSTAR- large white tom with jet-black paws
DEPUTY
ROWANCLAW- ginger tom
MEDICINE CAT
MISTPELT- spiky-furred pale gray she-cat
WARRIORS (toms and she-cats without kits)
OAKFUR- small brown tom
TOADFOOT- dark brown tom
APPLEFUR- mottled brown she-cat
CROWFROST- black-and-white tom
RATSCAR- brown tom with long scar across his back
APPRENTICE, DARKPAW
SNOWBIRD- pure white she-cat
APPRENTICE, BLACKPAW
TAWNYPELT- tortoiseshell she-cat with green eyes
KINKFUR- tabby she-cat, with long fur that sticks out at all angles
OWLCLAW- light brown tabby tom
SHREWFOOT- gray she-cat with black feet
APPRENTICE, PINEPAW
SCORCHFUR- dark gray tom
IVYTAIL- black, white, tortoiseshell she-cat
DAWNPELT- cream-furred she-cat
TIGERHEART- dark brown tabby tom
APPRENTICE, BERRYPAW
FERRETCLAW- cream-and-gray tom
STARLINGWING- ginger tom
APPRENTICE, NIGHTPAW
SPARROWCLAW- brown tabby tom
DEWFROST- gray she-cat
APPRENTICES (more than six moons old, in training to become warriors)
BLACKPAW- white-and- black she-cat
PINEPAW- brownish-ginger tom
BERRYPAW- ginger-and-black she-cat
DARKPAW- dark gray she-kit
NIGHTPAW- black tom
QUEEN (she-cats expecting or nursing kits)
PINENOSE- black she-cat; Has Tigerheart's kits: Rainkit, Lilykit, and Rosekit
OLIVENOSE- tortoiseshell she-cat; missing her kits: Fernkit, Larkkit, and Brownkit
KITS
RAINKIT- dark gray tom (5 ½ moons)
LILYKIT- light gray she-kit with white patches (5 ½ moons)
ROSEKIT- gray she-kit with amber eyes (5 ½ moons)
ELDERS (former warriors and queens now retired)
CEDERHEART- dark gray tom
WHITEWATER- white she-cat with long fur, blind in one eye
WINDCLAN
LEADER
ONESTAR- brown tabby tom
DEPUTY
ASHFOOT- gray she-cat
APPPRENTICE, STORMPAW
MEDICINE CAT
KESTRELFLIGHT- mottled gray tom
WARRIORS (toms and she-cats without kits)
OWLWHISKER- light brown tabby tom
WHITETAIL- small white she-cat
GORSETAIL- very pale gray-and-white tom with blue eyes
APPRENTICE, SHREWPAW
WEASELFUR- ginger tom with white paws
LEAFTAIL- dark tabby tom with amber eyes
SUNSTRIKE- tortoiseshell she-cat with large white mark on her forehead
EMBERFOOT- gray tom with two dark paws
APPRENTICE, RUNNINGPAW
SWALLOWTAIL- dark gray she-cat
WHISKERNOSE- light brown tom
FURZEPELT- gray-and-white she-cat
APPRENTICE, BLOSSOMPAW
BOULDERFUR- large pale gray tom
LARKEAR- gray she-cat
APPRENTICE, FLOWERPAW
CROUCHFUR- black tom
APPRENTICE, EAGLEPAW
DEERPETAL- black-and-brown she-cat
GRASSFUR- gray striped tom
APPRENTICES (more than six moons old, in training to become warriors)
BLOSSOMPAW- white, orange, black tortoiseshell
FLOWERPAW- light brown-golden she-kit
STORMPAW- tortoiseshell she-kit with strikingly wide blue eyes
EAGLEPAW- dark brown tabby tom
SHREWPAW- white-and-light brown she-kit
RUNNINGPAW- white-and-brown tabby tom
QUEENS (she-cats expecting or nursing kits)
HEATHERTAIL- light brown tabby she-cat with blue eyes; Has Breezepelt's kits: Leafkit and Cloverkit
SEDGEWHISKER- light brown tabby she-cat; Has Emberfoot's kits: Nightkit
KITS
LEAFKIT- fluffy light brown she-cat with white tail tips and paws with green eyes (3/4 moon)
CLOVERKIT- cream she-cat with brown spots (3/4 moon)
NIGHTKIT- light brown she-cat with black spots around eyes and stripes on tail with green eyes and gray paws (1/4 moon)
ELDER (former warriors and queens now retired)
TORNEAR- tabby tom
RIVERCLAN
LEADER
MISTYSTAR- gray she-cat with blue eyes
DEPUTY
REEDWHISKER- black tom
MEDICINE CAT
MOTHWING- dappled golden she-cat
WILLOWSHINE- gray tabby she-cat
WARRIORS (toms and she-cats without kits)
MINTFUR- light gray tabby tom
APPRENTICE, FEATHERPAW
DUSKFUR- brown tabby she-cat
MOSSPELT- tortoiseshell she-cat with blue eyes
MINNOWTAIL- dark gray she-cat
PEBBLEFOOT-mottled gray tom
MALLOWNOSE- light brown tabby tom
APPRENTICE, TANGLEPAW
ROBINWING- tortoiseshell-and-white tom
HOLLOWFLIGHT- dark brown tabby tom
MOSSYFOOT- brown-and-white she-cat
APPRENTICE, SILVERPAW
RUSHTAIL- light brown tabby tom
CURLTAIL- tortoiseshell she-cat
PODFUR- dark gray and brown tom
WATERFOOT- blue-gray tom
WILLOWTAIL- gray she-cat
APPRENTICES (more than six moons old, in training to become warriors)
TANGLEPAW- brown and white she-cat
SILVERPAW- gray tabby she-cat
FEATHERPAW- tortoiseshell she-cat
QUEENS (She-cats expecting or nursing kits)
PETALFUR- gray-and-white she-cat; nursing Whitekit & Sparkkit; expecting Mintfur's kits
TROUTSTREAM- pale gray tabby she-cat; nursing Reedwhisker's kits; Duskkit, Oakkit, and Willowkit; Has Hollowflight's kit; Rainkit
KITS
WHITEKIT- white she-kit (3 moons)
SPARKKIT- light brown she-kit with white paws and belly, whitish gray tail and blue eyes (1/2 moon)
RAINKIT- gray she-kit with white belly, splotches, tail tip, gray spot over eye and green eyes (New-born)
WILLOWKIT- fluffy light gray she-kit with silver tail tip and white paws with blue eyes (1/2 moon)
DUSKKIT- dark brown tom with silver spots and blue eyes (1/2 moon)
OAKKIT- brown she-kit with blue eyes (1/2 moon)
ELDERS (former warriors and queens now retired)
GRAYMIST- pale gray tabby she-cat
AN: So, did you like? You can tell me by clicking that review button at the bottom of the screen! :-D
Don't forget to check out my other story!
Random Fact Time: Did you know that Tigerclaw's original name was going to be Hammerclaw, but Erin Hunter decided that cats don't know what Hammers are. XD
~~Brambleheart~~
~CandyBunnies~