Disclaimer: I do NOT own Warriors. It belongs to Erin Hunter.
'Thoughts' Dreams Memories
Sandpaw crouched with the rest of ThunderClan's demons at her father's body, the fact that she was a demon still didn't sit right with her and she wished that he was here to talk to her. Why did he hide that fact from her and what did it mean for Sandpaw herself? If he was a demon...what did that mean for her? Would the Clan turn on her too?
Shaking her head, the pale ginger molly buried her muzzle further in her father's fur and let out a single cry. Everything now would be different and Sandapw didn't know how she was going to move on from here.
Eventually, when the moon reached it's highest point, Bluestar stood and turned to the Highrock, jumping up with one powerful bound and looking down at Redtail's body and the ones gathered around it.
"It is moon high and per tradition, I must choose a cat to succeed Redtail as Clan deputy." Here Bluestar paused, first her gaze going to the demons in her Clan to the normal cats who were filled with fear and hatred before taking a deep breath.
There was only one cat in her mind that she thought would the prefect choice to lead by her side...but now...with all this turmoil in her Clan, Lionheart would have to wait. And while it was very tempting to have Whitestorm at her side, Bluestar noticed the white cat seemed somewhat conflicted about the whole issue with the demons. She wasn't sure if he was willing to play such a role right now.
She couldn't have her Clan divided but at the same time, she couldn't appoint another demon to deputy. There was very little options left, so little options, but Bluestar thought that the cat she chose would be a good enough pick for the time being. She would only hope that this cat would step up to the challenge ahead.
Besides, she needed to make sure the normal cats in her Clan didn't think she was showing favoritism. She needed their loyalty and their support. This cat would soothe out that issue, at least for now and Bluestar wouldn't have to worry about cats demanding so much of her.
Bluestar breathed in deep and raised her voice for all to hear. "I say these words before the body of Redtail so that his spirit can hear and approve my choice. Darkstripe will be the new deputy of ThunderClan."
All of the Clan, all of it, was shocked by Bluestar's decision. What are earth possessed her to choose Darkstripe? He was an alright warrior, but was he good enough to fill the role as deputy? He was known for wanting to keep his Clan safe, but was this enough? Darkstripe was known to be arrogant and sly. Such attributes didn't make him that popular in the Clan. But...he was a loyal warrior and perhaps he would be mellowed out with his new position. The dark furred warrior sat in the shadows, his eyes giving nothing away as he walked forward, his tail and head held high.
He stood before the Highrock, bowing his head towards Bluestar before turning to the Clan. "I am honored to be given this position and I promise to do all I can to protect ThunderClan til the very end."
Most cats said nothing after he was done talking, only giving minute congratulations before things settled into an even deeper quiet. Bluestar narrowed her eyes, but the ceremony was done and she jumped down to go with the elders to bury Redtail.
Darkstripe watched and waited for a moment before turning his gaze on the demons, seeing them give him unsure looks. Of course, he knew that Bluestar appointing him as deputy came right out of nowhere and every cat else knew it too, but he had to try and make the best of it.
Letting out a snort, he walked over to the group, once more bowing his head. His gaze fell to Lionheart and the two males stared at each other. There was a crushing silence before Lionheart spoke, tilting his head to the others by his side.
"So, you're deputy now. Does that mean we can trust you? Will you treat us with contempt or will you stand by our side without fear?"
"I think that-" Darkstripe began before Lionheart turned away, ignoring him.
"You don't have to lie. I know you don't trust us. It's fine. There's enough of us to protect ourselves. That's all you need to know."
"Lionheart..."
"You should go and look after your Clanmates, Darkstripe. Make sure they feel safe tonight, after all, who knows what can happen at this point?" the golden male growled softly, turning fully to Willowpelt to talk with her about something.
Darkstripe stood before the group, his tail lashing for a moment before he turned to do as Lionheart suggested. As he came to the warrior's den, he was greeted with a more spirited greeting. Longtail came and pressed his nose to the darker cart, his eyes shining.
"This is great! A warrior that we can trust! Bluestar made the right choice choosing one of us as deputy! A wretched demon wouldn't be able to understand what it meant to truly act for the Clan."
'But Redtail seemed able to do a good enough job.' Darkstripe thought, though he kept his mouth shut.
"I will do what I can to make sure all of ThunderClan stays safe." the dark cat muttered, though he did flatten his ears, he felt his usual arrogance faltering here. How was he supposed to do that? He didn't even know where to begin with fixing this rift. 'But I'll figure it out. The Clan will look to me as much as Bluestar to keep them safe.' Darkstripe tried to reassure himself but soon his thoughts are broken by a hiss from Runningwind.
Darkstripe turned to see Willowpelt and Goldenflower trying to enter the den. Runningwind's hissing grew louder when the pair didn't move and soon Mousefur and Longtail stood to stand by the swift warrior, growling and baring their fangs. The meaning was clear; get out.
The two mollies narrowed their eyes then turned to Darkstripe who stared back before coming in between both parties. "Let them in. They are warriors, your Clanmates." he growled softly, his tail twitching.
"They are demons," Runningwind growled, unsheathing his claws and taking a step forward. "They could eat us in our sleep, they can't...they won't stay here!"
"I am your deputy now, and I order you to-" Darkstripe started but noticed movement from the corner of his eyes. The two females were retreating.
"It's okay. We'll stay outside, we'll let the others know." Goldenflower grunted, not turning to look at the others while Willowpelt stayed close to her side. Darkstripe took a step forward but had no idea what to say and in the end, he was left alone.
XxXxX
Bluestar came back with the elders later that night from burying Redtail, her eyes downcast and troubled. As she was walking she noticed half of her Clan, the demonic half was sleeping outside of their nests, huddling together in the cold. The elders returned to their own den and Sandpaw, her paws dragging, lumbering over to the slumbering group, her head tilted.
Ravenpaw woke when he heard her approach and after a few whispered words and a startled snort from Sandpaw, went back to sleep. She found Firepaw still up, staring at the sky. The two ginger mollies looked towards each other and Sandpaw lowered her head.
"I don't...know what to do." Sandpaw muttered, shaking her head. "My father...was a demon...half the Clan are demons! I-I might be..."Sandpaw couldn't force herself to finish and only quietly whimpered. "Everyone is turning on each other! Everything is so messed up! What am I supposed to do?"
She looked at the slightly younger molly, who didn't speak and only nudged her to the huddle pile and laid her down. "Sleep. Your father would want you to live and become strong. There's a storm coming and you will need your strength. Sleep."
Sandpaw looked up at Firepaw and the demon leaned down, giving the paler female a lick on the forehead before settling down next to her, their fur brushing together.
Bluestar heard all of this and form that could guess what happened. The leader sighs and walks away. It's late and such a matter would have to be dealt with sooner. As she was on her way to her den, she spots Spottedleaf headed outside her own, towards her.
"How is everyone?" Bluestar asks, though she catches the younger molly's dark expression and turns her head away.
"Everyone will live. And it seems like they haven't caught on to the fact that I am half demon too. A pity really. I would have loved to see them try to patch their own wounds and cure their own sicknesses." The healer replied, her voice full of bitterness.
Bluestar felt her neck fur rise and she showed her fangs, Spottedleaf looked at her briefly, her own fur fluffed up before turning away. Both mollies' claws glinted in the moonlight.
"That's not fair! You can't possibly think that!" Bluestar hissed softly, taking a step forward and snorting when Spottedleaf didn't flinch.
"You think so!?" Spottedleaf snarled, finally looking Bluestar in the eye and seeing how her body went slack and she growled, her fur bristling more. "No! Listen to me!" Her enraged voice seemed to cut through the fog for a moment and Bluestar stood straighter, if only for a minute.
"Do you really think that this is okay?! None of this is okay!" Spottedleaf snarled, gesturing to her sleeping Clanmates outside their nests. "We are loyal! My brother would have never allowed this!"
When Spottedleaf closed her eyes to seethe, Bluestar felt her mind coming back. "Spottedleaf, I-"
"No, nothing you can say right now will fix this. Just...drop it, Bluestar. I need to be with my brothers." the younger molly said, her shoulders sagging.
As she began walking towards the pile of warm fur, a star streaked through the sky. Spottedleaf then felt a tremor go through her and she gasped, her whole body feeling cold and her body trembled heavily.
Bluestar blinked and walked towards the younger molly, her paw outstretched when Spottedleaf shook out her fur and took a deep breath.
"A message...from StarClan." Spottedleaf let out a small breath as she looked to the stars, her gaze trying to find the one that house her brother's spirit. "Redtail..."
"Well, what did they say?" Bluestar asked, narrowing her eyes and raising her voice a little louder than she meant.
Spottedleaf sneered and gave her leader a dark look before returning her eyes briefly to the stars. Finally, when she was ready, she looked over to Bluestar once more.
"A prophecy. Only with the sand's guiding storm can fire blaze and save the Clan."
"Sand's guiding...fire... But fire is feared by all the Clans! And with a storm? How is that possible? How can either help us?"
"You know that StarClan prefers to talk in riddles, Bluestar. Whatever the phohecy is referring to, I'm sure that we will learn in due time. Though I would think that that is the least of your problems." the healer then shook her head and started to head for the group of demons sleeping together. "I'm going to sleep with my brothers."
"Spottedleaf..." Bluestar tried calling after her, but the medicine cat did not acknowledged her and the ThunderClan leader realized there was nothing else she could do but go to her own den.
