AN: I know this chapter is short, but I really wanted to get to the point. And I did. So here's chapter 34. There's still a few things to drawl out in Blizzardstar's life, and I'll be sure to mention the mystery of Larksong's latest addition later on. This story may end up being over fifty chapters long depending on how long I can drawl it out. So be sure to check in for constant updates ^^

-CHAPTER 34-

A half moon hovered above the hollow, its light illuminating the dens and the cats sitting outside them. Stars gleamed around it, their own light far too distant for Jadeleaf to touch. Her paws fidgeted underneath as she paced around her apprentice. Cats were staring anxiously at the elders' den as they waited for their medicine cat to come back. A moan of pain quickly broke the deadly silence that had fallen over the gathered Clan. She stared at the den, eyes wide with alarm when she realized just how desperate the situation had become.

Ashpaw and Stonebrook had been kept from traveling to the Moonpool tonight. Larksong had started to moan in pain when they were getting ready to leave. She'd been moved to the elders' den soon after she spoke with Stonebrook. Apparently she started to feel pain in her belly, and she didn't want to wake her denmates. Her cries had woken up most of the Clan that now waited anxiously outside the den. Jadeleaf had already been awake at that point, pondering over what Blizzardstar had told her the past few days. It seemed as though seasons had passed since he told her that she would lead the Clan after his passing. In reality it had only been a few days. She'd worked her paws off to avoid confrontations with the leader. She didn't want to see the look in his eyes each time she came back with Dawnpaw at her side. He knew what her destiny was already, and that worried her more than anything else. Even Stonebrook seemed certain that she would lead the Clan in the future.

She glanced at Blizzardstar, suddenly aware that he'd lost another life during the last few days since their confrontation. Stonebrook had spoken to her and only her for some reason. The medicine cat had been very discrete about what she said. She was worried about what the rest of the Clan might think. Jadeleaf tried to tell herself that it was the reason Stonebrook cast her aside. There was really no other excuse except that she was important to the Clan. If her Clanmates began to think that she was getting special attention, they might grow jealous.

Her heart skipped a beat when Stonebrook emerged from the den. By now the moans of pain had ended. A deathly silence had fallen over the hollow as the Clan anxiously waited for the news. The medicine cat's gaze was filled with sorrow when she met Jadeleaf's gaze. It felt as though a stone had wedged its way between her heart.

She didn't make it, she thought dully. Larksong is dead, and Blizzardstar will name a new deputy. The thought made her breath come quickly. What would her Clanmates think if Blizzardstar named her as his deputy? She glanced around, all too aware that they would argue. Pineroot would argue the most, even though he was an elder now. Squirrelfang would side with his brother, though she was certain that Robinflight would snap at him.

"I'm afraid she has joined our ancestors," Stonebrook meowed when she met Blizzardstar's gaze. A look of utter horror had shown within his yellow eyes. "There is more though. . ." Her voice was cut off when a loud mewling sound echoed from the den. Jadeleaf's eyes narrowed slightly when she glanced at the elders' den anxiously. She heard Petalcloud shuffle in the den, snorting in annoyance at the sound. "Blizzardstar, you should come and see," she told the leader.

The large white tom pushed Jadeleaf aside as he bounded forward. She staggered slightly. Dawnpaw's muzzle was pressed against her fur was she listened. Kindlefur sat by her side, eyes widen with disbelief. Emberpaw was staring at the den anxiously, obviously waiting for her brother to come back.

"She had a kit!" Blizzardstar's cry made Jadeleaf's ears flatten. Her fur stood on end when he peered out of the den. "A little black tom!" His expression was full of pride and sorrow mixed into one gaze when he looked at his Clanmates. When no cat met his gaze, Blizzardstar glared at them. "Why isn't anyone happy about this?" he demanded when he stepped out of the den. Anger now replaced the joy in his eyes when he stared at his Clan. "A kit will do this Clan good." Jadeleaf couldn't meet his gaze. She felt a hollow lump in her throat where she would have swallowed. There was something almost ominous about this news. Clouds had covered the moon, showing that StarClan were not happy.

"That's enough, Blizzardstar," Stonebrook scolded when she noticed the tension rising. She met Jadeleaf's gaze, but the young warrior tore it away before she could speak to her. "You must appoint a new deputy before the moon disappears."

The ThunderClan leader held her gaze for a few minutes, unsure whether she was keeping him from his true intentions. Larksong's kit must have meant more to him than Jadeleaf realized. When she looked at Dewfur and Marshstep, she saw that their heads were bowed. A look of shame gleamed within Dewfur's eyes, though Marshstep looked a little excited to have a younger brother. Would they accept the fact that they had a new sibling to worry about? She shook her head and prayed that they would. Larksong would have wanted her kits to accept the latest addition to ThunderClan. Especially since Blizzardstar was so proud of it.

He'd climbed up the Highledge and was looking at the Clan from below now. Jadeleaf couldn't help but look away as he stared at her. It felt as though most of her Clanmates were staring at her as well. Every cat seemed to expect that either she or Squirrelfang would be named as the new deputy. Squirrelfang would have been a better choice, since he was older and had more experience. He'd taken over Larksong's duties more than once since she'd moved into the elders' den. Yet he was too quick to jump into battle, like his brother. His ambitions were strong enough for Blizzardstar to see right through them.

"I say these words before the spirit of Larksong so that she may hear and approve my choice. Jadeleaf will be the new deputy of ThunderClan."