"Am I made of paper, Cause I tear so easily Am I made of vapor, Because I disappear Do I have to have a reason, For anything I feel Just be glad I'm real, Glad I'm real Am I real Are you made of lead paint, A bulletproof Picasso All the virgin saints, Put you here to care for me I don't need a reason, For anything I feel Just be glad I say what I mean, And mean what I say to you..." Bulletproof Picasso, Train

Chapter Thirty Seven

"This should be an interesting Gathering tonight." Emberheart made a small noise of agreement as he sat between Lilyflower and Orangestripe. It had been some time since he was at his last Gathering. It would be nice to see how Bubblesong and the other apprentices he had gotten to know were doing.

The best part about him being deputy was that he'd get to go to ever Gathering now, unless an emergency came up. Hopefully that wasn't the case. Emberheart tried to hide his excitement by organizing extra patrols before the Gathering. He wanted to ensure that the borders were safe while half of the Clan was gone.

"I'm more curious as to how Brightstar's going to explain Falconwing's death," Orangestripe muttered. Emberheart could almost hear the disdain in his brother's voice. It was strange to think that they actually were brothers, given the circumstances. But Emberheart had learned to accept the truth. Maybe in time he would tell Orangestripe, but until than he would keep it to himself.

"Hopefully when all is said and done, the other Clans will accept what's happened." Emberheart flinched when he heard Willowshade's voice coming from behind. He looked over his shoulder to see that she was watching them.

"But aren't you worried about how the Clans will react?" Orangestripe pointed out. "After all Emberheart is so young." He looked at Emberheart uneasily, and Emberheart could suddenly understand why.

The other Clans would want to know what had happened to Falconwing. And why Brightstar was foolish enough to name his own son as deputy. Although Emberheart wasn't sure whether or not the other Clans knew. He tried shaking off the uneasy thoughts, reminding himself that he probably didn't want to know.

"I always worry about the other Clans," Willowshade muttered under her breath. Emberheart glanced at her warily before stalking away, leaving the pair to argue. Lilyflower was close to his side, keeping an eye on them.

"I'm surprised Willowshade's back on her paws," Lilyflower sniffed, keeping her pace alongside Emberheart. "Considering all that's going on and everything." Emberheart couldn't help but hide his own agreement, realizing that she was right.

After what had happened in RiverClan, he was surprised too. Then again Willowshade had not made any promises to help RiverClan with their problem. Cragheart would need to find an apprentice on his own. Emberheart did wonder how that worked out. What did it mean to become a medicine cat? He only understood how the herbs worked and where to find them, and that was only thanks to Willowshade teaching him.

Brightstar knows what she's doing, he reminded himself. And so does Willowshade. Emberheart was sure that sooner or later Willowshade would find someone who could become her apprentice. After all the Clan had once thought he would be her apprentice, and he managed to prove them wrong.

"Emberheart, have you ever thought of what it would be like to be a father?" Lilyflower's question made Emberheart falter in his step. He felt a knot form in his belly as he looked at Lilyflower.

"Why would you ask that?" he countered, trying to shake off the uneasiness that threatened to overwhelm him. He was in no hurry to start a family of his own, as nice as that did sound. But seeing the look Lilyflower gave him made him feel even more uncomfortable.

"Just wondering," she replied with a shrug, suddenly looking hurt. Emberheart tilted his head to one side, trying to figure out why she was acting this way. "I always wanted to have a family, little kits in the nursery asking for stories, watching as they grow up."

But you're barely a warrior! He desperately wanted to say that out loud. But something stopped him from doing so. Instead he did something he wasn't expecting; he nodded in agreement and scooted closer. Lilyflower only looked at him in surprise before letting out a sigh of relief.

The more he thought about it, the more Emberheart realized that this was what he wanted. He did want to start a family of his own. And he desperately wanted the kits to know that they would always be loved. They wouldn't be judged by their size or appearance. He would make sure of that. Lilyflower seemed to sense his sudden change in attitude; he noticed that she wasn't as upset as she had been moments before.

"You know, maybe starting a family wouldn't be such a bad thing," he murmured halfheartedly. Lilyflower finally looked at him in surprise as he ducked his head in embarrassment. "But maybe now isn't a good time to think about it," he suddenly added.

He had to admit that it would be nice seeing more kits in the nursery. But putting their lives in danger now would be selfish. He couldn't do that to them, or to Lilyflower. Instead he would bide his time, wait until he was sure Leopardfang wouldn't attack the Clan. Thankfully Lilyflower seemed to understand this when he told her. He left out his fear of Leopardfang, knowing that telling her about his sister would only put her life in danger.

"I guess you're right," she sighed after an awkward silence fell between them. "Maybe we are a bit too young." That wasn't entirely what he had said, but it was close enough. He hoped in time they could actually start a family of their own, without the worries of losing any kits in the process.

Once that was taken care of it was soon time to leave already. Emberheart made sure that his fur was well-groomed as Brightstar emerged from her den. To his surprise she didn't have that same distant look in her eyes from the other day. Instead she kept her head held high and trotted forward, tail brushing against the grass as she reached the gorse tunnel.

"I've organized all of the patrols as you asked," he meowed after padding over to her side.

"Good, I want to ensure that the borders are safe, now more than ever." Emberheart couldn't help but nod in agreement, knowing full well what she meant by that. "I want Berrypool, Smokefang, Dustfur, Ravenfeather, Blacksplash and Lilyflower to go with me to the Gathering tonight. Everyone else is to stay here and guard the camp."

Emberheart felt his shoulders sag at the mention of his mother's name. He looked over to see that she was standing beside Ravenfeather. The former queen didn't seem fazed by the fact that Berrypool had completely disowned her kit. He tried pushing the thought aside as he followed the ThunderClan leader.

Excitement surged through him as he bounded after her, picking up a pace that would get them to Fourtrees in no time. By now the moon was almost fully risen. Only a few clouds covered the sky, the moon turning them a silvery white. Despite how beautiful it looked it was horribly cold. Emberheart's fur fluffed out against the cold wind that seemed to pierce right through him. Leafbare was coming back with a vengeance.

Thankfully it didn't take them long to reach Fourtrees. Emberheart could almost feel the anticipation rolling off of everyone. This Gathering would be an important one for him and the rest of his Clan. He only hoped that it would be a peaceful one in the end.

Brightstar stopped on the hill that sloped down towards the clearing. Emberheart's ears flattened when he saw that ShadowClan was already there. He wondered if Bubblesong would be there. He actually missed her cheerful personality the most. Bubblesong always seemed to have a way to break the tension between those around her. He tried shaking the thoughts aside as Brightstar led the way down the slope.

"Hi Bubblesong!" It didn't take him long to find her. She looked different, but not the point where he didn't recognize her.

"Emberheart, it's good to see you again," she purred once they rubbed noses. He wasn't even sure why he was so happy to see her. But it was good to see an old friend. "How's life treating you?" she asked, tilting her head to one side as Lilyflower stalked over to them.

"It's going well," he replied, forcing back a purr of his own. He looked over at Lilyflower and noticed the odd glare she was giving Bubblesong. "Bubblesong, this is Lilyflower. Lilyflower, this is Bubblesong."

Lilyflower's tail flicked irritably as she glared at Bubblesong. "So this is the ShadowClan warrior I heard about," she hissed. Emberheart stared at her in disbelief, surprised by her sudden attitude.

"Does it really matter what Clan I'm from?" Bubblesong asked with a shrug. Emberheart forced back a purr of amusement when Lilyflower shook her head in frustration. "Anyways, I think I may have finally found someone who actually cares about me... You may not remember Patchnose, but we've been spending a lot of time together."

Emberheart couldn't help but congratulate her. She deserved someone in her life that cared about her. He was lucky to have Lilyflower.

"That's great news Bubblesong," he meowed. Bubblesong ducked her head in agreement before looking over at Lilyflower once more. He couldn't tell whether or not Lilyflower was still glaring. He wasn't even sure why she was so upset. "Something else has happened in the past couple of days... something big." He looked up at the Great Rock where Brightstar sat, perched next to Cedarstar.

He wasn't given a chance to explain. Moments later and WindClan arrived; their scent made his nose wrinkle in annoyance. WindClan carried an unusual scent mixture of heather and grass. He had gotten used to the scent after going to the last few Gatherings, but it still made him feel uncomfortable.

He nodded his goodbye to Bubblesong before padding over to the Great Rock. Lilyfur, the ShadowClan deputy, looked at Emberheart scornfully.

"What is that doing here?" she sniffed.

"You must be ThunderClan's new deputy." Emberheart stiffened at the sound of Ryefoot's voice. The WindClan deputy glared at Lilyfur before taking his place beside her.

"Since when has ThunderClan needed a new deputy?" Lilyfur demanded. Embarrassment crawled over Emberheart's shoulders as the two deputies looked at him. "I thought Falconwing was going to be leader some day."

Emberheart did his best to ignore her comments. He knew that the gray and white she-cat was always like this. She did not live up to her namesake. Far from it, she had an attitude that was more like an angry fox than that of a lily.

"Brightstar will explain everything when the Gathering starts," he explained.

He ignored the hostile look Lilyfur gave him. It was at that moment RiverClan decided to join them. Emberheart felt his shoulders sag with worry when he saw that Cragheart wasn't among them. He remembered what Willowshade had said about Cragheart. Maybe the old medicine cat had finally joined StarClan. He wouldn't find out until Kindlestar made the announcement. The moment Kindlestar sat on top of the Great Rock was when the Gathering began.

"All is well in WindClan," Cloverstar began. "We have one new warrior, Redthorn, and Nettleclaw has received his full medicine cat name."

The Clans cheered their new names, and Emberheart couldn't resist joining in. The naming of a warrior was always an honor, and so was becoming a full medicine cat.

"ShadowClan is doing well. We have had a small problem with a fox, but Lilyfur managed to send a patrol and take care of it. The fox won't be causing any trouble from this moment on." Emberheart didn't miss the look that flashed in Cedarstar's eyes. "Wingfeather has also moved into the nursery. She is expecting Stripedtail's kits."

More yowls of congratulations followed his words. Emberheart didn't know much about Wingfeather, but he did know that she was popular with the other Clans. Having kits meant that ShadowClan's future was bright as always.

"RiverClan is thriving." Emberheart rolled his eyes at Kindlestar's statement. The last thing he wanted was for the other Clans to know that Cragheart was dying. "We have a new medicine cat apprentice, but Dovepaw could not make it tonight."

He could see Willowshade's eyes lighting up in surprise. The other medicine cats around her were murmuring to one another quietly. Emberheart held his breath when Kindlestar was finished. Nothing else had really happened. He had announced that Cragheart wasn't doing well and would need the care of Dovepaw to help him move on.

"ThunderClan too is thriving," Brightstar meowed. Emberheart ducked his head as he braced himself for what would follow. "I am saddened to say that Falconwing has joined the ranks of StarClan. He was a brave and noble deputy, and he will be missed." It sounded like every word was forced from her breath. "Emberheart is now my deputy."

Silence followed her words. For a moment Emberheart thought he could hear an owl hooting in the distance. Than came something he wasn't expecting. It was like a combination congratulations or protests that followed.

"What is she thinking?" He rolled his eyes as a light brown WindClan she-cat spat the words. "He's barely a warrior!"

"Enough! StarClan is angry!" Ryefoot's yowl cut her off, much to Emberheart's relief and surprise. He followed the WindClan deputy's gaze and saw that Ryefoot was right. Clouds had begun to gather around the moon, blocking out it's silver light.

Soon enough the four Clans parted ways. Emberheart's moment of relief was short-lived as he was joined by his Clanmates.

"That could've gone better," Smokefang murmured. Ravenfeather nodded in agreement.

"It doesn't matter what the other Clans think," Brightstar meowed as she joined them. Emberheart couldn't tell whether or not she was telling the truth.

"You say that now, but they might think we're vulnerable," Ravenfeather pointed out. Ears flattening in embarrassment, Emberheart wondered if she was right.

After all I'm barely a warrior, like Lilyfur said, he thought bitterly. Maybe he wasn't so cut out for the roll as deputy after all.

AN: So there's chapter 37! Quite a lot happening there, and more characters introduced as Emberheart goes up the ranks. Also, is anyone else looking forward to Train's new album? I know I am!

QOTD: E-books or real books? Just 'cause I'm curious.

Skyfrost14 - XD It's okay, I know quite a few people with the same problem. They did calm down, but not enough :P

Spirit of Writing - Hehe, you're not the only one! I tend to do that when watching shows like Agents of SHIELD or House Hunters.

Ghost129 - Is that a good thing or a bad thing? ;)

Wyldclaw - I think so too. She's already got the compassion for a medicine cat. Otterpool does care, she just gets... frustrated very easily and quickly.

Foreststar of WindClan - XD That was the idea :P I love confusing my readers! Otterpool is very snappy and rude, but that's just how she gets out her frustration, unfortunately for Dovepaw.

ShadowQuest2000 - I'm glad you like her :) You'll have to read on to find out, Volepelt is definitely going to side more with Otterpool now. And thank you, I'm glad that you enjoyed that view of RiverClan. I love writing in the points of view of different Clans :)

Guest - Yep, Appledusk is female in this story. She doesn't play a very important roll, but I did kind of name her that on purpose :P I couldn't resist doing that.