He was gone and she was alone in the world for the first time. There was still a deep ache inside her. Yes, she'd shared tongues with him for the last time, over seen his burial and she had made her trip to Moon Stone with ThunderClan's Medicine Cat, Ashrain. She was blessed with 9 new lives now and she was no longer Ravenwing. She was now Ravenstar, ThunderClan's newest leader in a great line of direct decedents from Firestar. Here she was now, all alone, seated a top High Rock for the first time, looking out over the see of faces that belonged to warriors, apprentices, elders and queens.
The little female sat a top the gray rock in the middle of Leaf-Bare so that she might choose ThunderClan's new deputy. She had narrowed it down to three choices. There was one of her sister's children, a cousin and one of her brothers now grown kits. They were all direct, or nearly direct descents of Firestar and that was the way it needed to be. Now, as she sat before her Clan, Ravenstar knew who she would need to help her lead ThunderClan. She spoke softly, and then Clan quieted immediately so that they could hear their pitch black leader better.
"I have thought long and hard over who shoulder be ThunderClan's Deputy and I have come to my decision. "
She paused here, more to collect herself then for actual dramatic reasons.
" I say these words before StarClan so that they may hear and approve my choice, the new deputy will be Tangleweb. "
Blinking in surprise, her brother's son rose to his feet and came forward to thank Ravenstar. He was a handsome ginger and white tom. He wasn't exactly large but not small either and his emerald eyes shone with intelligence and good humor. She had always been close to him and knew in a moment that he would be good for the Clan in leaf-bare. She smiled faintly as she began his speech.
" ThunderClan, I am honored to be chosen as your deputy, truly I did not expect it. I swear to you, good cats of ThunderClan and to you, Ravenstar, that I will give ThunderClan my undying loyalty, my tireless energy and my life if it is necessary. "
The large Clan began to chant his name and he dipped his head, receiving the praise modestly. Ravenstar mean while gazed up at the stars. They twinkled merrily overhead, telling Ravenstar that the noble StarClan warriors were pleased with her choice. Her attention was directed back to the cats as the chanting began to die down. There were apprentices to be made warriors yet, and she knew that it was her duty to raise them up even though she was extremely tired from everything that had transpired.
Her father had been sick for several moons now and only Ravenstar and Skyfeather had known that he was on his last life. It was almost as if he had regressed back to his youth. Because of this, Raven had led the Clan in those moons. Her father had neglected the raising of apprentices and luckily they had all been patient. She was lucky also that there had been no kits born. Though several of the queens were very heavy with kits and due any day know.
Her father had not been found in his den the morning before last. No one had seen him. Ravenstar had taken a patrol out through ThunderClan territory and they had come upon her father, dead upon Sunning Rocks, though he looked for all the world as if he were sleeping. They found no signs of a struggle and there was no reason to suspect foul play. He had died in his favorite spot. It was as if he knew the time had come. The patrol had become a funeral procession. The Clan mourned her father greatly and openly. Ravenstar alone held the grief deep inside her.
True, she had prepared herself for this moment ever since he had first taken ill. But, no amount of preparation could prepare you for the death of a loved one. She had cried when they'd found him. But she had only cried then, after that she had forced herself to be strong. ThunderClan needed her to be strong. The transfer of power was never an easy time for a clan but they had recently discovered Two-legs intruding further into their territory.
The silence that rang loudly drew her thoughts back to the matters at hand. There were three apprentices out of the 7 of them that needed to become warriors that day. Of course, they should have been raised up long ago. Her fathers negligence had been a test of their patience. She called the three forward in a soft yet commanding tone.
" If Quickpaw, Midnightpaw and Firepaw will come forward I will give them their much over do Warrior names. "
She waited patiently as the females, Quickpaw and Firepaw came forward followed by the startlingly black male, Midnightpaw. All three were fully grown, Midnight being larger then the two females. All three of them had been apprenticed together and she was glad that she could make them warriors together. None of them were related though, they had all been only kittens in 3 separate liters. The sometimes secretive leader looked down at her soon to be warriors and pondered the names they would get. She knew much about their personalities, especially Firepaw who was her own apprentice.
" Firepaw, I know you long to fly with the birds and so from this day forth you will be known as Firefly. ThunderClan honors your enthusiasm and unique personality. Serve us well. "
The stunning orange tabby female grinned in her customary goofy manner and reached up to touch noses with her former mentor. Firefly was always a handful and she had been a test for Ravenstar in the beginning. Once she matured though, she had proved a valuable asset to ThunderClan and Raven was glad to have been able to train the rarely colored she-cat.
" Quickpaw, We have all watched you race the breeze through the forest and you are nearly as fast as it. Thus, from this day forward you shall be known as Quickbreeze. ThunderClan honors your skills and your energy. Serve us well. "
She dropped her head to touch noses with the petite and light boned female cat who sported a stunning back and white coat with china blue eyes to match. Quickbreeze was tireless, though she wasn't as reckless as Firefly, she went along with her friends schemes because she enjoyed a good adventure. Quickbreeze moved off to sit next to Firefly, the pair of she-cats smiled happily at one another. Firefly's attention focused on Midnightpaw though. It was easy for everyone to see how much they cared for each other. The pair thought they fooled the Clan, but really the elders and warriors just chuckled and let the pair go on courting each other.
" Midnightpaw, you are a strong cat and very skilled. I know how much you love the rain and hence from this day forward you shall be known as Midnightstorm. ThunderClan will honor your skill and undying loyalty. "
The emotionless cat, allowed a brief flicker of happiness before he slipped back into his shell. The stunning black male touched noses with Ravenstar, his golden eyes clashing with her emerald green ones. Then he moved off to sit next to Firefly, entwining his tail casually with hers. Ravenstar watched this with a smile on her face. She turned her attention back to the assembled Cats as they began to call out the names of the newly made warriors.
Ravenstar watched them, hoping that she was worthy of the burden laid upon her by her father. It was hard to forgive him for up and dying on her like that. She was still so young, not ready for this, no not ready at all. Her black ears flicked and she raised her voice to decree that they should all get some sleep because the gathering was the next night. All of them should sleep except for the three new warriors. They were required to sit vigil.
Her ears flicked as she hopped off the rock, several of the cats greeted her kindly as she moved over to her den. As she approached she saw that Tangleweb was waiting for her and two of the remaining 4 apprentices were helping him to pull clean bedding into the den for her. She let out a soft smile and thanked her nephew and the apprentices, Twilightpaw and Shadowpaw. When they were done she crawled into the den and lay in the mossy bedding that had been thoughtfully lain out for her.
Ravenstar tried to sleep, but it was a futile attempt. Her thoughts strayed constantly to her father and to what she was going to say at the gathering the following night. It wasn't an easy thing to ponder. She had never really done anything like this before. Sure, she had spoken on her father's behalf but she had never spoken for herself before. It was a daunting task that loomed on the horizon, ready to come up and pull her down if she let it.
After hours of tossing and turning, the exhausted female slipped into sweet oblivion just as the first rays from the morning sun slipped through the lichen curtain and a lit upon the dirt floor.
The soft rhythm of sleep was broken only hours later by the normal noise from the now wide awake clan right outside her den. The little black female slowly opened her emerald eyes and the unfamiliar location cause her to panic for a moment before she let out a soft sigh and relived the moments of the past two days. Lifting her finely crafted head off the side of her front paws, Ravenstar let out a large yawn, exposing sharp off white teeth. Her emerald eyes turned toward the lichen curtain and she perked her ears at the sound of voices. What could they be discussing?
Getting to her feet, she stretch luxuriously and pushed her way through the curtain that tickled her fur as she moved through it. The cat stood there for a moment, head tilted slightly to the left as she surveyed the scene before her. Tangleweb was surrounded by cats, trying to assign patrols while they were all clamoring to see who would be going to the gathering that night. Her ears flattened and she cleared her throat.
"ThunderClan!" Raven's usually soft voice rang out over the mass of other voices, masculine and feminine alike.
All head turned toward her and one or two of the cats offered sheepish smiles. Raven gazed out at the sea of face, mostly all of the warriors and all of the apprentices looked back at her as well as the queens. She looked back at them, wondering what to do next. Why not another meeting? Her ears flicked and she moved over toward the rock, beckoning with her tail.
"There's to be a meeting. All cats old enough to catch their pray, gather beneath High Rock. "
Bunching her muscles, she leaped on to the rock and landed with the grace of a dancer. Turning she cat before the clan that had quickly assembled. Apparently they were as nervous about the gathering as she was. Of course it wouldn't do for her to show it. She needed to be a rock for this large Clan that needed a little help getting back on its feet. Little did she know. Clearing her throat again for silence, she pitched her soft voice so that it could be heard by all.
"ThunderClan, I am well aware that there is a gathering tonight, and I have decided who will go. " She paused as the cats murmured among themselves. Then they fell silent as they realized that Raven would only speak when they shut their mouths. "I will be taking both Shadowpaw and Twilightpaw. " Both of the apprentices had been expecting this, Shadowpaw would be made a warrior in less then a moon, and Twilightpaw went everywhere with him.
Ravenstar paused again as the two apprentices exchanged glances. Her warriors were next. Ravenstar had chosen the cats that would come with her carefully. She needed warriors that would support her whole heartedly and stand by her even if she lost it. It was because of this that she had chosen Redhawk. She and Redhawk and trained together and they had been the best of friends all through their lives. She had also chosen Firefly because the little cat had been her apprentice.
"I would like for Redhawk, Firefly, Midnightstorm and Snowfur to accompany us. Also, Both spider and Dayspell and whichever of the queens who feels up to coming."
There was muttering and Redhawk raised his head to cast her a reassuring grin. He knew why he had been chosen to come with her and he was also not at all mad that she had picked Tangleweb over him for Deputy. Redhawk was not a descendent of Firstar and thus was not eligible for the position of Deputy. He didn't really want the position anyway. Ravenstar sat waiting for the Clan to quiet down.
"In the mean time though, patrols need to be organized. Redhawk, take a patrol along Sunning Rocks. "
She watched as the red cat nodded and turned to leave on his patrol, collecting his apprentice, Twilightpaw and Swiftfoot as he went. Ravenstar turned her attention next to the fact that the fresh kill pile was running low. She could use this as a final test for the more the capable Shadowpaw who should have been made a warrior with Firefly and Co. Then again, it wouldn't do to upgrade to many apprentices at once.
" Shadowpaw, take a patrol of apprentices out to hunt. I'm leaving you in charge of the younger ones. If you do well, I will upgrade you to a warrior after the gathering. "
Dipping his head in a sign of respect and to show that he understood, the deep brown cat turned to leave, silently collecting Nettlepaw and Rosepaw as he wove his way through the throng of cats. Shadowpaw was a large cat, bigger even then the Maine Coons which were the largest of the cat family. He was very talented and though he was large, he was very slender. Nodding to herself, the black cat called out that those cats going to the gathering should be ready by moon high. Then, Raven star leapt off the rock going to lead a patrol near tree-cut place. Silently, she collected Firefly and Midnightstorm as she went, her thoughts already on the gathering.