Disclaimer: Warriors isn't mine.

Chapter 34

The fiery light danced off the water, streaking it pink, orange, with hints of dark red, some of the stones catching the light and shining. The ripples added to the effect, making waves that rippled the water, which cast dapples of light over the fallen log. The falling water that caused the ripples spilled from the top of a stone, leaves and twigs caught at the top.

Falconheart rested his head on his paws, watching the memorizing display idly. It was soothing, the babbling of the creek only added to the effect.

A twinge of guilt pricked at Falconheart, he blinked, feeling shamed at his outburst yesterday. The Clan had more or less avoided him, clearly not sure where they stood with him, or where he stood. Falconheart had wandered off earlier, deciding to let the Clan figure it out on their own, figuring they'd act if he gave them the space to.

He continued to watch the fading lights on the water, not responding to the sound of approaching pawsteps. Shadowthorn sat down next to him, his tail brushed Falconheart as he curled it around his paws.

"You know, Buzzard would've never said something like that."

Falconheart snarled, flinching at the insult. Surely Shadowthorn wouldn't go back! But maybe, if he'd seen the truth behind Falconheart, maybe Buzzard seemed more appealing.

The black tom gave his former mentor a blow to the head, cuffing him with a paw. "Can finish my thought or do you want to react first?"

Falconheart chuckled, having his own words thrown back at him, settling down. "Sorry." He flattened his ears, StarClan can't I control my emotions?

"What I meant was Buzzard would never have admitted he was unfit to lead." He gave Falconheart a measured look, as though he disagreed with Falconheart's opinion.

"Lionstorm called a meeting. This was once we got over most of the shock and realized how long you'd been missing. Some of us were a little hurt at first."

"How bad was it?" Falconheart asked quietly, staring at his paws.

Shadowthorn let out a slow breath. "Honeynose was worst, she just seemed so stunned. A little mad too, but when Lionstorm called the meeting she'd had time to calm down. She and Featherstep spoke for a long time too."

Falconheart was silent, letting it sink it.

"Anyway, the important part was the meeting," he continued, "the Clan still supports you."

Falconheart glanced at him, Shadowthorn shrugged in response. The light off the creek shone on his black fur, Falconheart could see the difference between Shadowthorn and the starving cat named Rook he'd met moons ago.

"You made a mistake. Buzzard's made far more. But he'd never admit to any of them. Lionstorm asked the Clan, we still want you to lead us. He didn't ask, so I don't know if all the Clan does, but I still think you should be Clan leader. I got the impression that Lionstorm did too, but he understands your choice."

Falconheart licked his paw, and muttered. "I'm not fit for the job. An outburst like that, betraying the Clan to be with Ciara, the fact that I want everyone to care about me, I'm not made to be leader."

Shadowthorn shrugged again, though he looked like he still disagreed. "Pantherstar thought so."

"Not at the end he didn't." Falconheart whispered, not letting Shadowthorn hear him, speaking to his paw.

Shadowthorn prodded Falconheart with one paw, "At least you admit that you're a cat. We've all messed up. We want you back."

Falconheart stood up, and nodded. "All right."

Shadowthorn let him lead the way back, silent for several moments. "You know, Icepaw had a dream. She told us. She dreamt of a flood, that left silt behind on a bank. A falcon, a silver one, scratched at the silt and a plant grew. The water in the creek rose, and the plant got bigger."

Falconheart stopped. "She dreamed I'd save the Clan?"

Shadowthorn shrugged. "I'm a warrior, not a medicine cat." His green eyes met Falconheart's. "But I'd say yes."

Falconheart let out a slow breath, something Shadowthorn had told him once coming back to him. "Are you still jealous of Pantherstar?"

Shadowthorn nodded. "I think so. At least I know you still love him."

The silver tabby swallowed. "I'm sorry." He didn't have anything better to say, what did you say to someone who envied the relationship you had with your brother?

"It's not like Buzzard was such a great cat, Falconheart."

Falconheart didn't argue, his mind on the argument he'd had with Pantherstar.

Shadowthorn added softly. "There's something else."

"Should I be concerned?"

"Don't go hide in the forest for a day again." Shadowthorn ordered jokingly. "And no."

"I'm feeling concerned."

Shadowthorn chuckled. "Someone came to camp. They want to see you. Ciara said it was important."

"Ciara?" Falconheart felt his pelt grow warm, and stood up a little straighter, even as he felt a pang of concern. Would the Clan accept her?

"Oh no, did I let that slip?" Shadowthorn looked disgusted at himself. "That was supposed to be a surprise, especially when you saw the kits- whoops!"

Falconheart grinned, his spirits rising with each heartbeat. "Kits? You're doing this on purpose."

"Obviously. I'd hate to have to knock you unconscious and drag you back to camp, but I will if you won't go willingly."

Falconheart chuckled, sort of bouncing on his paws in excitement. "The Clan's okay with Ciara being there?"

"Why wouldn't they be?" Shadowthorn tilted his head, green eyes friendly. "Honeynose was already talking to her."

Falconheart whirled, ready to race to camp, his paws felt like they were on fire, when Shadowthorn added. "Wait."

"What?" Falconheart tried not whine like a kit.

Shadowthorn hesitated, his gaze drifting upward, eyes narrowing slightly. "We've accepted your decision, but we want you to, well name a fellow deputy, sort of."

Falconheart flicked his ears, "Hmm?"

"We want someone who's ready to take over in case something were to happen to you." Shadowthorn admitted, his ears flattened, "we hope it doesn't but…"

"I get it Shadowthorn." Falconheart spared him from having to continue. "Lionstorm's the obvious choice. Having mentored an apprentice, really, he's the only choice. I'll inform the Clan when we get back." He shifted his weight, the urge to run to camp returning, feeling the need to speak to Ciara, to see, Great StarClan he had kits!

"So if you have anything else to tell me can you just spit it out now?" Falconheart almost wiggled like a kit, his impatience building.

"Well, one thing." Shadowthorn suddenly tore past him, "Race you back!"

"Hey!" Falconheart chased after him, laughing as his legs devoured the ground under him.

Usually I'd have Falconheart step down, but there's no one to replace him. Lionstorm isn't overly familiar with the territory, and they all support him, despite his mistake. Plus in the middle of a war isn't the time for a change in leader. But he'll never be leader. Deputy yes, leader no. Unless something was to change, something drastic, Falconheart would refuse to step up.