Yowls of shock and horror echoed through the camp as they watched the light brown tabby trying to nudge the tortoiseshell awake, not caring for the blood that was getting onto his fur, "Redtail! Redtail! Please! Don't leave me!"

The dark gray tom gently sets the body down allowing the light brown tabby to push his face into the fur as he yowls in grief. Blazepaw feels Briarpaw run by her joined by a cream and red cat with darker red splotches, their blue eyes streaming tears.

Bluestar blinks back the grief in her blue eyes, "Darkstripe...how did this happen?"

The dark gray tabby takes a breath, the black stripes rippling like shadows, "Redtail and I met five RiverClan warriors beside the stream, right across from Sunningrocks..Oakheart was among them.."

There were mutters at this while Blazepaw was confused by all these names. The dark gray tabby winces as blood drips down his sides, his tufted ears pinned on the back of his head, "Redtail..he warned Oakheart to keep his Clan out of our territory..he said the next RiverClan cat found on Sunningrocks..will be going home with extra scars..but..but Oakheart would not back down..He said his Clan had to be fed, whatever we threatened. Darkstripe takes a deep breath as he sits down, even though his wound is bleeding heavily he look straight at Bluestar with yellow eyes.

"That's when RiverClan attacked. There were more than five at that point.. I..I couldn't see well..there were so many of them..but I saw Oakheart pinning Redtail to the ground..then the next thing I knew Redtail was dead..afterwards there was a rock fall. Oakheart was gloating that RiverClan was going to keep Sunningrocks when the rocks fell on him...RiverClan went back to their territory..but Oakheart was dead.." at that moment his eyes roll into the back of his head as he dropped to the ground in a faint.

A pale tortoiseshell tabby bounded towards him, her green eyes filled with concern as she crouched at his side. She licked Darkstripe's cheek briefly before he turned her head, "Spottedleaf!"

The tortoiseshell that Blazepaw saw Briarpaw sitting next to comes out from the fern-shaded corner. Blazepaw could see pain and grief in her amber eyes as she hurried over to Darkstripe while meowing at the cat to stand back so she can get a better look. Using her pink nose she rolls the Warrior over so she could take a good look at his wound. Her eyes narrow but she looks to white cat, "It's alright..his wounds aren't fatal Brindleface but I'm going to need to get some cobwebs,"

While Spottedleaf sprinted back to the ferns several cats came forward, some holding bandanas in their jaws. Briarpaw and the other two were licking at Redtail's bedraggled fur, grooming him while purring hushed praises.

Blazepaw kneads her paws into the soft ground as she watches them, feeling like she was intruding on something. But at the same time she wanted to know what they were doing..

"They're speaking their last words to his spirit," Blazepaw jumps up a bit and turns to see a sandy gray cat gently smiling at her. He had some sort of brown wrapping around his forelegs that had bits of feathers braided in them. He smiles gently at her, "Until Gwynata comes for him,"

"What do you mean by Gwynata?" Blazepaw asks curiously, making the cat chuckle.

"I heard from Bluestar that you called the Twolegs Gods but I didn't know it was this bad," he licks the white flash on his chest, "Gwynata is one of the Four Gods and the Goddess that WindClan was blessed by. The Legends said that after the death of her mate and kits she ran up to Silverpelt to speak to Arianus herself, to only ask for their happiness in the afterlife. Her courage to do so impressed the Mother so much that now every night we can see Silverpelt and only she can bring them the souls to Arianus," he gently explains.

Blazepaw must have looked confused, because the cat meowed gently, "Arianus is the Mother of all cats, either they be Toys, Rogues, Loners or Clan cats..we all descend from her..while Silverpelt is where we go when we die. We can only see it at night, it's the thick band of stars you see stretching across the sky..each star is one of the fallen, Redtail will be among them tonight.

Blazepaw nods at this and looks to the sky, her green eyes sparkling in wonder. Was this the light that her grandmother explained all those moons ago.

When she looked back down, most of the cats had finished paying their respects, and now Bluestar leapt down from the Highrock and walked slowly over to Redtail's body, ignoring Briarpaw and the two others. The body was now covered with flowers and wrapped in bandanas. The other cats retread and watched as their leader crouched down to Share Tongues with her old comrade one last time.

When she finished she raised her head and spoke with grief in her voice, "Redtail was a brave warrior.. one that I am proud to call my Clanmate. His loyalty to ThunderClan could never be doubted..many of us relied on his judgement, for it bore witness to the needs of the Clan..he was never swayed by self-interest or pride. He would have made a fine leader of ThunderClan,"

Then she lowered herself onto her belly, her head bowed, her paws stretched neatly before her and silently grieved for her lost friend. Several other cats joined her and the other three, laying besides them in the same position.

Blazepaw watches this with awe in her eyes. She may not know Redtail but couldn't help but feel move. When a cat died in the Settlement it was just a shrug of shoulders before moving on..here it was mourned. She glanced over at the crowd of gathered cats, seeing a large dark brown tabby squatting near Redtail's body, next to the cream and red cat. Both eyes were full of grief and Blazepaw could feel her heart going out to them.

"That's Dustpaw, Redtail's apprentice..the she-cat next to him is Sandpaw, Redtail's daughter.." the sandy gray cat sighs, "Such a shame too..Dustpaw and Sandpaw are so close to getting their Warrior name and now this.."

"How..how long will they sit with him?" she couldn't help but ask.

"Probably the whole night..the same with Bluestar," he replied nodding his head to the Leader, "Redtail was Bluestar's Deputy for moons now, having taken the spot after Sparrowsong retired to the Elder's Den..none of them want to let him go to quickly..he was one of the best Warriors. Not as big as most ThunderClan cats are..but clever and almost as fast as his mate, Wildstep," he sighs shaking his head, "He and Bluestar were rivals for Deputyship when they were younger..he was a wise choice.." the tom sighs sighs and shakes his head before standing up and nudges her, "Let's give them their moment..after I check on Darkstripe I'll show you around," he then blinks his green eyes and chuckles weakly, "I never introduce myself didn't I? I'm Thrushflight,"

Smiling, Blazepaw follows Thrushflight around the grieving cats towards the spot where Darkstripe laid. Blazepaw had to swallow hiss at the sight of Robinwing who was watching Spottedleaf. The dark tortoiseshell was crouched over the gray tabby, using her teeth and front paws to press wads of cobwebs against the bleeding shoulder. Blazepaw's ears twitch when she hears Spottedleaf talking underneath her breath.

Blazepaw looks up at Thrushflight, "What's she doing?"

"Stopping the bleeding from what it looks like..while whispering Prayers to make sure it doesn't get infected. While the herbs do work it is a good thing to pray to the Gods for a good recovery.."

"So Spottedleaf," Robinwing addresses the Witch with a confident meow. Her ear that Blazepaw had ripped up was covered in cobwebs along with her shoulder, "How is he? I don't want him to die from a couple of those Afonal Blessed that dare call themselves cats. I don't want my efforts to be wasted,"

Brindleface who was laying beside Darkstripe looks up with anger blazing in her green eyes, "Oh yes a pity, if after all your valuable training he dies! Robinwing, shouldn't you be in the Nursery by now?" Robinwing glares at the molly with a hiss coming out of her throat before she looks down at Darkstripe.

"Alright you! Get up! It's just a wound and you know Warriors are supposed to suffer their pain in silence!" Darkstripe groans in pain, opening his eyes as he tries to sit up but Blazepaw meeps as Thrushflight runs over, putting himself between the wounded warrior and Robinwing.

"That is enough Robinwing!" he growls at the she-cat, the fur on his back puffing up, "It's up to Spottedleaf, the Witch to decide if he's ready or not..not you. By the looks of it he needs to stay still until the cut has healed..not jumping about to please you as if he was still your Apprentice,"

Blazepaw waited, holding her breath as Robinwing seemed to double in size. She guess that few cats dare to give orders to her..or that she never liked being ordered reddish brown cat stiffened and was about to speak when Spottedleaf purrs, "Thrushflight is right Robinwing..and if you won't listen to him, listen to me. Leave Darkstripe alone so he can heal," her amber eyes seemed to shine with some sort of light in them, "Even you know better than to argue with a Witch, Robinwing,"

Robinwing huffs before she storms away, knocking into Blazepaw which almost sent the reddish brown tabby to the ground. Shaking her fur, she slowly walks over just as Darkstripe opens his eyes, "Is she gone?"

Brindleface purrs, licking his ears, "Yes dear..Robinwing is gone.." the gray tortoiseshell molly sighs and shakes her head, "What was Pinestar thinking when he gave you to her I don't know.."

"She did trained Leopardspot.." Darkstripe mumbles before his yellow eyes caught the sight of Blazepaw, "Who's this?" he asked as Blazepaw came closer with his yellow eyes narrowing.

"This is Blazepaw..your aunt asked her to join the Clan.."

Darkstripe eyes lighten up, "Oh so you're the Toy that Bluestar has been interested in..she's been seeing you looking out from your Twoleg's boundaries for Moons now..I thought she was kidding when she said that she was going to ask you to join.."

Blazepaw couldn't help but flinch but Thrushflight purrs while swiping his tail on Darkstripe muzzle, "Oh she has potential..she's the one who cut into Robinwing's ear when the blasted she-cat decided to attack her,"

Darkstripe blinks at this and looks more closely at Blazepaw. He then purrs, "Maybe you are more than a Toy if you were able to do that..let's see if you have the potential to become a real cat,"

Blazepaw sat up straight, trying to calm her nerves before Spottedleaf hisses in frustration, "Ok that's enough. Darkstripe lay down..and you two go away!" she turns her head to Thrushflight and Blazepaw, "How can I help him if I keep getting interrupted!" she impatiently flicked her tail at the two and pushed her way between them and Darkstripe. Spottedleaf was serious but the glimmer in her warm eyes and Brindleface's chuckle told Blazepaw that she wasn't mad.

"Come along Blazepaw," Thrushflight mewed as he began to walk away, "I'll begin the tour," he waves his tail in goodbye to the group of three cats as Blazepaw follows him across the clearing.

"You already know the Highrock," he nods his head to the large boulder that sat in the middle of the clearing, "Bluestar always addresses the Clan from there. Her den is down there," Blazepaw looks to the hollow in the side of the Highrock, "It was said that the den was carved out many moons ago by an ancient stream," Hanging lichen draped the entrance, sheltering the Leader's nest from wind and rain.

From a few paces away from the Highrock was a large bush. Blazepaw could see that it was positioned there so it would have a clear view of the Camp's entrance. The branches of the bush hung low but if Blazepaw crouched down she could see a shelter space inside where blankets laid.

"The warriors sleep over here," Thrushflight explains, "The senior warriors sleep nearest to the center where the Heat Stones are put in..stones that have ruins engraved in them to collect heat and to keep it," he then points his nose to the clump of nettles, "They also eat over there with the younger warriors nearby..sometimes they are invited to join the senior warriors, which is a big honor,"

"What about other Clan cats," Blazepaw asked, fascinated, "I mean..I know you all hunt and fight..but is there more?"

"Oh much more," Thurshflight chuckles, "There are the Watchers," he points to the trees that hang on the sides of the ravine, "They watch for not only intruders but for hawks in the sky that would love to eat a small kitten..then there are the Blacksmiths," he points to a hollow that was carved in the side of the ravine, "They use the metals that we get from WindClan and ShadowClan to make Battle Claws.." he then hums and looks to her own paws, "We better go there and give them your claw size..I don't doubt that Bluestar wants to slow your training in the use of those,"

Blazepaw trots after him, "What are Battle Claws?" her eyes then widened when Thrushflight held out his paw and unsheathed his claw..and when he did so some sort of metal covered them. She looks up at him in amazement, "How did you do that?"

Thrushflight chuckles, "Battle Claws are long-claw like metal sheaths that slip over our own claws. Inside them is a rune that matches the rune that is engraved on your own claws once you are a Warrior. The rune allows you to only think of putting on your Battle Claws..that way if you find yourself in Border Battle, you won't find yourself without them..they were created by the first Blacksmith, Lightning Tail the brother of Thunderstar who wanted a way to protect his brother even more,"

Once Blazepaw enters the cave she looks around. There were pits with stones that glowed with heat..and many Battle Claws hanging from the ceiling of the cave. Hearing a hiss of annoyance she turns her head to see the white tom with scars on his back. His blue eyes were lighted with annoyance as he pour water from a leave onto one of the pits, which cause smoke to rise.

Thrushflight chuckles before he stomps his paw on the ground, which makes the white tom turn his head. His blue eyes blinked at them and he tilted his head.

Thrushflight points his tail at Blazepaw before showing his Battle Claws. The white tom nods his head before he kicks dirt onto the pit. "Featherheart is one of ThunderClan's best Blacksmiths but he's born deaf..you'll be learning to communicate with him using body signals.." he smiles as Featherheart comes over with a bunch of metal in a pouch that he carries in his mouth. He sets it down before he motions Blazepaw to hold out her paws.

Featherheart's ear twitches as he stares at her claws, "Must be blessed by Cysgalis than in just the pelt..I'm surprised Bluestar didn't name you Tigerpaw.."

Thrushflight snorts, "True but Tigerclaw only just got his warrior name one Leaf Cycle ago..it will be awhile before any kitten is named after Cysgalis,"

"True.." Featherheart then sighs, "I'm going to have to find something to trade ShadowClan for the metal for her Claws..she is going to need something light and speedy,"

"Ask Spottedleaf for some herbs..from what I heard from the last Gathering they had a hard time with finding any from Leafbare,"

Featherheart nods before he goes back to the stone pit, mumbling under his breath.

Blazepaw follows Thrushflight out of the Blacksmith cave and back out to the camp, "Other than the Blacksmiths and Watchers, other duties are Sewers, they make fur pelts, blankets and pouches out rabbit fur and deer fur we find from dead deers..and also sheep fur that we trade with WindClan during the Gatherings..we also have Listeners,"

"Listeners?" Blazepaw was confused..what does listening have to deal with being a Warrior?

"Listeners are those who you talk about your feelings..the Clans don't want you to think your alone or stuck with your thoughts in your head..I'm one of them along with my cousin Rosetail," he points his tail to a dilated Tortoiseshell with a pinkish orange tail who was talking to the huge dark brown tabby that sat next to Graypaw during the meeting. His amber eyes turn when he obviously feels her stare and he glares at her.

Blazepaw glares back and hisses before looking back at Thrushflight, "Other than that, we have the Nursery where Monarchs go to when they are expecting or nursing kits but you already seen that. Then we have the elders who have their own place on the other side of the clearing. Come on, I'll show you,"

Trotting after Thrushflight across the clearing they stopped besides a fallen tree that sheltered a patch of lush grass. Crouched among the soft greenery were two ederly cats tucking away into a plump rabbit.

"One of the jobs of being an apprentice is to take care of the Elders and Queens. Its part of the Warrior Code..they along with sick or injured cats and kits must be fed before apprentices and warriors… Unless you have permission you may not eat until you have hunted for them,"

Blazepaw nods her head in understanding as the pale gray she-cat looks up. Blazepaw had to hold back the gasp of horror at the sight of the knotted scar that covered the lid of her eye..her other eye was a faded yellow but her nose twitched, "Ah Thrushflight..and this must be the new apprentice..welcome to ThunderClan young one,"

"T-thank you," she mumbles, nodding her head respectfully. The other Elder was a gray tom with his ears curled. His amber eyes narrow and he scrunches up his nose, "By the Gods..you fucking stink with that Twoleged smell..Robinwing is right..your going to scare all the prey away," the tom then yelps when the molly besides him swats his head.

"Oh leave the poor dear alone! The smell will be gone as soon as she eats natural prey and you should know it Smallear..you yourself were a rogue when Pinestar let you and Brindleface in!" the molly then turns to Blazepaw, "Don't mind him little one..even after many Leaf Cycles in the Clan he still thinks as a Rogue..honestly I think the only cats he trusts are Brindleface and me,"

Smallear hisses at her before going back to the rabbit making the molly chuckle and shake her head. Thrushflight rumbles in amusement before he turns to Blazepaw, "Have you eaten yet?" at Blazepaw's shake he turns to the Elders, "Brighteye, Smallear do you mind if this youngster takes a mouse?"

"Of course not!" Brighteye replies picking up the mouse that was laying beside the rabbit..Blazepaw licks at her muzzle at the wonderful smells that hit her nose, her mouth watering. At Thrushflight's encouraging nod she crouches down and takes a large bite. She couldn't help but shiver at the juicy flavors of the forest which makes her mouth even water more.

"Bluestar better make a new choice of Deputy soon..it's almost Moonhigh. She has to appoint the new Deputy before the Right Eye of the Mother gives passageway for Gwynata to take Redtail's Spirit to Silverpelt."

"Oh yes.."Brighteye nods her head, "Do you remember when Bluestar was chosen as Deputy herself? It was either her, Thistleclaw or Redtail..poor Tawnyspots just couldn't make it through another Leafbare..but then poor Bluefire at the time..losing Lilykit and Puddlekit,"

Smallear snorts as he munches on the rabbit, "Its Mossthorn's fault..if she had the patient to wait to become an apprentice to explore the Forest..then maybe Lilykit and Puddlekit would still be.." he stops at the growl that escapes from Thrushflight.

"That's enough Smallear! You know that Mossthorn still feels guilt over her siblings' deaths!" Smallear winces a bit and mumbles an apology to Thrushflight.

Brighteye shakes her head, "Still..Bluestar won't be happy to be appointing a new Deputy..Redtail served her well just as Sparrowsong did.."

"Grief can not cloud her judgement Brighteye," Smallear rasps, "At least she will have many good choices to make,"

Blazepaw looks around the clearing. She could tell that Smallear was right. All the warriors looked worthy to become Deputy. Would it be Patchbelly? Lionheart? Or even Darkstripe? Stretching out her body, licking the last traces of mouse, she quickly stands up as Bluestar's voice echoes through the Camp. Redtail's body glowed gray from underneath the moonlight. Bluestar takes a deep breath, "A new Deputy must be appointed.." she meows her eyes closed in grief, "But first let us thank Arianus for giving us Redtail..tonight he sits with his fellow warriors in the World of the Gods,"

Silence fell as all the cats looked up into the sky, as if they could find Redtail's star in Silverpelt.

"And now I shall name ThunderClan;s new Deputy," Bluestar continues, "I say these words under the Right Eye of Arianus and before the body of Redtail so they can hear and approve my choice,"

Blazepaw looks around, wondering who Bluestar would choose..she saw many cats with their fur up, anxious to hear who will be chosen.

"Lionheart," meowed Bluestar, "will be the new Deputy of ThunderClan,"

Yowls erupted from the Clan as Bluestar walked over to the golden tabby and presented him with a broach. Looking at it, Blazepaw could see that it was shaped like a cat's head with a bolt of lightning in it. Once he had it around his neck cats came over to him nuzzling him and congratulating him.

Thrushflight was nodding his head, "Lionheart is a good choice..it was about time she chose a younger cat,"

"Why is it good to chose a younger cat?" Blazepaw ask but turns to Brighteye who was sitting besides her and purrs.

"Well when a new Leader is appointed its traditional to appoint a Deputy who is older than them, to help them get use to their new position. While after many seasons of leadership its traditon for them to pick a Deputy younger than them, to train them to become Leader themselves. Bluestar has been Leader for many Moons now..and hopefully for many more Moons to come..but it would be wise now to start training a successor,"

Bluestar spoke again, making Blazepaw turn her gaze back to her Leader "Redtail was also mentor to Dustpaw..and even though his training is almost done..I still need to appoint him a new mentor. Nightfire," she turns to a black molly with a white chest with amber eyes who was sitting next to a gray molly, "you are ready for your first apprentice..you had a fine mentor in Speckletail, and I expect you to pass on some of the excellent skills you were taught,"

With amber eyes shining in pride, the molly nods her head with acceptance. Stroding over to Dustpaw she bends her head, and rather awkwardly touches noses with her new apprentice. And while he did flick his tail respectively, Blazepaw could see that his amber eyes were dull with grief for his dead mentor.

Bluestar raised her voice, "Now I shall keep vigil with Redtail's body tonight. Chestnutshade, Dappletail you're on Watcher Duty tonight," a brown tabby with ginger and white splotches and a tortoiseshell molly with white patches nod their heads before climbing up the trees. With a flick of her tail to dismiss the meeting, Bluestar jumps down from the Highrock to lie beside Redtail's body. Many cats joined her, among them was Briarpaw.

Thrushflight yawns, "I'll show you where you sleep..I know that Bluestar will want to show you the territory as soon as the sun begins to rise.." Blazepaw follows Thrushflight to a thick bush of ferns that lay begins a mossy tree stump.

"This is where you'll be sleeping until you earn your Warrior name. Apprentice share their fresh-kill by this stump," Thrushflight tells her.

"How many apprentices are there?"

"Not many this Leaf Cycle.." Thrushflight eyes flash in pain, "We lost a lot of kits to Leafbare and to Eiraus' Tears..there's just Sandpaw, Dustpaw and Bristlepaw who are almost warriors..then there is Graypaw and Ravenpaw who started their training late..Briarpaw is a Warlock Apprentice...and now there is you,"

At that moment a young cat emerges from the ferns. Blazepaw blinks at his silver gray fur that matched Graypaw's own just with more dark black stripes. His blue eyes narrow at her and his long tail thrashes about. "So here comes the new apprentice," he spits out.

"Oh there he goes..being rude again.."

It was only moons of practice that she didn't react to the sight of the Ghost that followed the silver tabby. Her long fur was dark red and her thick tail thrashes angrily as her amber eyes glare at the apprentice. Blazepaw could see the bones poking from underneath her fur, which means that she died from starvation. It was still odd for Blazepaw to see few ghosts. In the Settlement she saw a ghost around every corner, haunting the cat who killed them..but here in the Forest she has only seen three..the cat she followed..the cat that followed Bluestar..and this one.

The young cat stalked up to her and rudely sniffs, "Yuck!" he sticks out his tongue, "She smells like a Toy! Don't tell me we're going to have to share our den with that revolting stench!"

Blazepaw hisses, her fur puffing up in anger. She was tired and sore and right now all she wanted to do is sleep, "Are you ok? I think you may have a furball stuck somewhere? Since you're being so bad tempered!"

The tabby looked like he wanted to pounce on her when white tom with tufted ears and yellow eyes came over, "Bristlepaw! I expected you to be more welcoming to this newcomer,"

Bristlepaw holds up his head and look defiant, "Sorry Dad.." just by the sound of his purr he was not sorry at all, "I just didn't expect to be training with a Toy , that's all"

"And I'm sure you'll get use to it," the tom meows his eyes narrowing in warning, "If you keep up with that I will tell your mother..you know Willowheart was once a Toy as well," Bristlepaw looks down pinning his ear, "Now it's getting late, and training starts early tomorrow..for all of you..so go get some sleep," he brushes his tail against Bristlepaw's side before he and Thrushflight walks off. Bristlepaw glares at her before he spins around and vanishes into the ferns.

Sighing, Blazepaw follows in. Easily slipping into the sleeping area, the ground was covered and lined with not only blankets but with moss, feathers and some weird fluffy white stuff, with everything turned a delicate shade of green from the moonlight. Bristlepaw was prodding some moss together next to Graypaw who was already asleep..

"You..you can sleep over here.." turning her head she sees a black tom with flecks of white on his chest and on the tip of his tail, which was waving nervously. His copper eyes looked like he was afraid that she was going to yell at him. Blazepaw opens her mouth to thank him when her nose twitches at his scent. At first it smells like a molly before she gains the scent of a tom.

"Oh that look when the Toy's scenes become stronger.." the ghost chuckles in amusement, "Out here in the Wild of the Gods, cats who decided to either be a tom, she-cat or neither, their scents change to match it..Toys just don't have that keen of smell because your Twoleg's corrupt it..dull it.." she smiles at Blazepaw, "The longer you stay the stronger you become little one,"

Blazepaw turns her gaze back to the tom who was now looking at her in confusion, "Thank you..I'm Blazepaw"

"I'm..I'm Ravenpaw.." he meows as Blazepaw comes over. Raking bits of moss and feathers together, she kneads it a bit while circling before she settles down. Her whole body, sore and tired now also felt drowsy with contentment. She felt..at home..it didn't matter where she was from.

She was now a part of ThunderClan.