-CHAPTER 23-

Light filtered through the warriors' den as Jadeleaf struggled to sleep in. She knew that sleeping in was not tolerated by most cats, but she had been on a late hunting patrol. Yet the light refused to leave her eyes. She struggled in her nest, squirming as she tried to get comfortable once more. When her eyes finally did open after several heartbeats later, she saw that it was close to sunhigh. She suppressed a groan when she realized that most of the warriors were already gone. Only a couple had slept in. Her pelt brushed against Eagleheart's as she rose to her paws.

Where is everyone? she wondered as she glanced around. Airstorm's nest was empty, as was Larksong's. She pressed her nose against the bed of moss to find out that their nests were cold. They'd been gone for most of the morning, as far as she could tell. Her eyes gleamed with annoyance as she stretched out her back. The warriors could have at least woken her up if something was wrong. She reminded herself that it was her responsibility to wake up, not her Clanmates. They had their own duties to worry about, let alone hers.

She quickly padded out of the den, careful not to wake the others. Outside camp was quiet. Jadeleaf looked around to see that several cats were lined outside Stonebrook's den. A sudden sense of worry began to overwhelm the young warrior as she padded forward. Had something happened to the deputy? Oakfire had been sick for over a moon now. Perhaps his life was hanging only by a strand of blood. Jadeleaf shook her head at the thought. Nothing was worse than losing a deputy. Oakfire had been Blizzardstar's deputy for moons. Who would he choose if Oakfire was found dead?

She glanced around at the possible choices. There weren't many. Pineroot was too quick to jump into battles. Squirrelfang had an attitude about him that made her fur crawl. Airstorm would have been a better choice, but he had yet to mentor an apprentice. Jadeleaf's eyes traveled towards Darksmoke, Airstorm's brother. The dark gray warrior would have made a better choice as deputy than any other cat. He was young, yet he had enough experience to tell him what was wrong and right. Blizzardstar had mentored him himself. Jadeleaf's ears pricked forward at the thought. Yes, Darksmoke would have made a better choice than anyone else.

Her thoughts were cut short when Stonebrook emerged from her den. Sorrow gleamed within her eyes when she met the gazes of her Clanmates. A wail suddenly echoed across the hollow, loud and mournful. Jadeleaf's head hung when she guessed what had happened. Shrewtail and Robinflight had been in the medicine cat's den, according to Freezemist. She sat outside the den, keeping a close eye on Whitesnow as the white-furred queen took care of her kits. Oakfire was the only kin to Shrewtail and Robinflight. Applewhisker, their mother, had been killed in the battle against WindClan. Jadeleaf glared at the ground as she thought of what would happen next.

"I've done everything I could," Stonebrook whispered when Jadeleaf limped forward. "He is hunting with his sister, now." She was looking at her paws when Jadeleaf's tail brushed against her shoulder. Most of the Clan had gathered around the clearing, wondering if Blizzardstar would make his announcement right away. She glanced towards the Highrock to see that he was whispering urgently to Larksong. The black and white she-cat only shook her head, muttering something under her breath.

"He will feel welcomed in StarClan," Jadeleaf murmured.

Before Stonebrook could reply, Blizzardstar had climbed on the Highrock. The sun was still high in the sky. Jadeleaf looked up and saw that not a single cloud had whisked in front of it. She wondered if StarClan themselves were mourning over the death of Oakfire.

"Let all cats old enough gather around the Highrock for a Clan meeting!" His voice rang across the rocky walls. Jadeleaf sat beside Stonebrook as warriors emerged from their dens. Eagleheart and Darksmoke emerged from the den, blinking sleep from their eyes. The two cats looked at Blizzardstar in alarm when he glared at them. "I know that we have just suffered a major loss, but life must carry on," the ThunderClan leader meowed. He gazed up at the sky, as if he knew that Oakfire was now watching them. "We will hold a vigil for Oakfire tonight, but I must name a new deputy before moonhigh." After he finished speaking a hushed whisper surrounded the clearing. Jadeleaf shuffled from paw to paw uncomfortably. "I say these words before the spirit of Oakfire, so that he may hear and approve my choice. Larksong will be my deputy."

Shocked mewls rippled among the crowd. Only Dewpaw and Marshpaw exchanged excited looks. Jadeleaf tilted her head in confusion when she saw the look of surprise within Larksong's eyes. She thought there was a hint of desperation within the black and white she-cats gaze as well.

"Excuse me for butting in on good choices, but why choose Larksong?" Petalcloud rasped. "She may be young and strong, but she has little experience." The warrior flinched at Petalcloud's rough tone.

"Larksong is a good choice like any other cat in this Clan," Blizzardstar snapped.

"Yes, but Pineroot would have made a decent deputy as well." Jadeleaf glared at the cat that spoke up. Addertail's fur was ruffled as he glared at his leader.

"Larksong is my deputy, and any cat who wishes to challenge my decision will be punished." Blizzardstar turned away before cats could say anything else.

The Clan was shocked into silence. Jadeleaf had left Stonebrook's side by the time fury swelled within her belly. Addertail was always trying to stir up trouble. Larksong may not have been Jadeleaf's favorite choice, but it was better than rushing into battle any chance the new deputy would get. She was wise and would know what was right or wrong. Darksmoke would help her.

Jadeleaf joined her sister outside the nursery as Freezemist comforted Robinflight. Squirrelfang had joined his mate while Shrewtail paced around the medicine cat's den entrance. Whitesnow's gaze was filled with exhaustion as Applekit and her siblings bounced around the nursery's entrance. Dawnkit and Toadkit were busy playing a game with Boulderkit while his sisters chased one another.

"How are you feeling?" Jadeleaf asked when she nuzzled her sister affectionately.

"A bit tired, actually," Whitesnow replied through a yawn. "These kits have kept me up most of the night." Jadeleaf knew that she was referring to her own kits.

Her belly had swollen considerably over the past moon since she joined the nursery. Stonebrook had told them that it would be a large litter. Jadeleaf wondered if the medicine cat knew who the father was. She knew that Whitesnow had promised to tell the Clan as soon as they were born, but she didn't know if Whitesnow would have the guts to do it.

"Want me to hunt?" Jadeleaf asked after realizing that thinking about it wouldn't help.

Whitesnow shook her head. "You should rest too," she murmured. "You've been so busy lately. I don't want your leg to give out." She glanced at Jadeleaf's leg.

The pale gray cat winced at the memories that coursed through her. The limp she had was a permanent one. Stonebrook had told her that she would never get over that. Jadeleaf shook her head and tried to push the thoughts away. Now was not the time to worry about something like that. She had an entire Clan to worry about.

"Stonebrook wanted to see you," Eagleheart meowed as he passed them.

Jadeleaf waved her tail at him. She knew that he had feelings for her like Kindlefur had for Whitesnow. But she wasn't interested in love. All she cared about was her Clanmates and what sort of future they would have. She shook her head and mewed her goodbye to Whitesnow before leaving.

Stonebrook waited outside her den as Jadeleaf padded forward. The medicine cat dipped her head slightly, ignoring Jadeleaf's look of surprise.

The two of them slipped into her den without a word. Jadeleaf fought back a shudder when she saw Oakfire's body. It had been covered in herbs and other ointments in preparation for the night's vigil. Stonebrook looked at the body sadly. She could see grief gleaming within the medicine cat's eyes.

The Clan has already suffered enough, Jadeleaf thought as she sat down beside the body. Why did StarClan have to take Oakfire's spirit? We needed him now more than ever!

"I've spoken to StarClan the night before," Stonebrook murmured after settling down in front of Jadeleaf. Her ears pricked forward with interest when she met Stonebrook's gaze. "They've told me about your...meetings with StarClan." Jadeleaf tried not to flinch when Stonebrook narrowed her eyes. "I know that you and your sister share an important destiny. One that will save the Clans."

"Cloudfur and Snowstorm only want what is best for us," Jadeleaf growled.

I can't save the Clans! Her mind reeled as she thought of the stories that were told about cats who saved the Clans in the past. Many cats often thought of Lionstar, Jayfeather and Dovewing. The three cats who stopped the Place Of No Stars from taking over the lake Clans. She thought of Firestar, the greatest legend of all times. Firestar had saved the Clans from TigerClan and BloodClan many seasons ago.

Stonebrook was shaking her head. Frustration gnawed at Jadeleaf's belly as she waited for her medicine cat's reply.

"StarClan wants what is best for the Clans," Stonebrook told her. "I've watched you fight off infection from your sprained leg, and I've watched you fight the grief that you felt when your mother and father died. You and your sister are strong enough to take on anything."

Jadeleaf backed out of the den. Her fur was bristling by the time Stonebrook's stare broke. There was something almost ominous about the way the medicine cat looked at her.

She's right you know. Jadeleaf's legs stiffened when she heard Cloudfur's voice.

What do you mean? Jadeleaf was glowering at her paws by the time she reached the clearing. By now most cats were gathered around the center. She spotted Robinflight and Shrewtail sitting together with their mates. Oakfire's body was being dragged out of the medicine cat's den by Stonebrook.

Stonebrook was right to single you and your sister out, Cloudfur whispered. Her pelt brushed against Jadeleaf's as she sat down beside her daughter. I only come to warn you that the worse has yet to come.

I don't understand! Jadeleaf's tail lashed from side to side. Haven't we suffered enough?

Every great warrior must suffer, Cloudfur murmured softly. It makes them stronger.

Jadeleaf glared at the rocky walls that loomed ahead. She knew that her mother was right. A warrior only grew stronger when they learned from past mistakes. Her own life was filled with mistakes that would prove to make her stronger.

Blizzardstar stood beside his mate as they mourned over Oakfire's death. Jadeleaf stared at the path ahead. Time would go by slowly for ThunderClan. Stonebrook herself had told the young warrior that she was destined to save the Clans. And if that was the case, she knew that she could do it.