I thank my reviewers for letting me write this chapter!
Chapter 8: Gentle River
Icestar climbed up onto Highrock, yowling, "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join here under Highrock for a meeting." It was finally moonhigh, time to announce the deputy. Once every cat was settled down, Icestar spoke again.
"A new deputy must be appointed. But first, let us give thanks to StarClan for the lives of Fallenstar and Brokenwind, tonight they sit among our warrior ancestors."
There was a silence like no other. Every cat was staring up at Silverpelt, searching for two stars in particular.
"And now I shall announce the new deputy. I say these words before StarClan, so that they can hear and approve my choice," the new leader meowed. She searched the crowd of cats before continuing. "Darkpelt will be the new deputy of ShadowClan."
The cats gave mews and yowls of joy. Everyone purred as they nudged the warrior. Darkpelt looked up at Icestar, who was smiling warmly down on him. He returned the smile.
Friends stick together.
"Ow, cut it out, Gentlepaw!"
"You! If you want to become a warrior then fight!"
Icestar watched happily as the two apprentices screeched at each other. Their small quarrel brought back sweet memories of her own past, when Tigertooth and Singefur and she would play together, fight together, and even eat together. Their quarrels would be somewhat like Riverpaw and Gentlepaw's, but it would last much longer.
"Icestar, Gentlepaw twisted my ear and it HURT!" Riverpaw complained.
"Well, we are supposed to fight, aren't we, Icestar?" Gentlepaw meowed.
"Yes, you are supposed to fight. But Gentlepaw, don't twist your brother's ear."
The apprentices both nodded. Riverpaw padded over to his leader. "Well? Whaddya think? Can we be warriors, or do we still have to train?"
Icestar shrugged. "You fight very well. Although…"
"What? What do you mean?" Gentlepaw asked nervously.
"You'll get your names tomorrow!"
The apprentices let out squeals of joy. They were getting their names! Riverpaw began to talk about what his name would be, and the sweet Gentlepaw started to chatter about her name as well.
They bring so many memories… Icestar thought with a smile. So many, Singefur.
Icestar paused at the top of the slope. Fourtrees seemed so far down, like the raging water of the gorge. But with a flick of her tail, the warriors she had chosen, Silverwind, Moonriver, Riverpaw, Darkpelt, Mudpoppy, and Oakfur, all plunged down the steep slope. They halted in the middle of the clearing. RiverClan and WindClan were already there.
"Hello, Icestar!" Loststar greeted. He had become the leader of WindClan when Sandstar and Runningpelt died. "Are you all right?"
"Strained, that's all. I think these kits will come in a few days!" the ShadowClan leader exclaimed.
Lightstar, the RiverClan leader, padded over to join them. "A leader about to have kits? I've never heard such a thing!" Though she talked like that, her eyes were dancing in the moonlight. "Icestar, do StarClan know?"
"Of course, Lightstar! When they gave me my nine lives they knew!" Icestar was puzzled that the leader didn't know that as well.
Wildstar bounded into the clearing, his warriors close behind him. "Well, it looks like you are about to have kits, am I right?" The leaders exchanged a few more words before leaping on Great Rock and beginning the Gathering. Loststar went first.
"A new litter of kits was born yesterday, and we have a new warrior named Jaggedfang. All our Clan mourns for Sandstar and her deputy, Runningpelt. Although it was wise for Icestar to kill them. Our Clan was suffering from starvation from her leadership!"
Next was Lightstar.
"One of our apprentices was made a warrior, his new name is Sorrowheart. As Loststar said, our Clan is also in mourning, but we were suffering from greencough that Rippedstar would not allow to be fixed."
Then it was Wildstar's turn.
"One of our apprentices was also given his warrior name, and it is Oneface. One of Sunflower's kits died from an unknown and deadly sickness under Fernstar's reign."
Finally, it was Icestar's turn.
"Many apprentices were given their warrior names, two litters of kits were born, more apprentices are in training, a warrior from another Clan joined our Clan, and I am about to have my own kits."
There were yowls of shock and purrs of amusement as she said that. Icestar felt her fur growing hot.
"The new warriors are Moonriver, Dawncloud, Brindlefur, Blacktail, and Gingerpelt. Moonriver is training to be the next medicine cat. The apprentices are Gentlepaw and Riverpaw and Moon, a warrior from BloodClan, has joined our Clan."
Loststar stepped forward. "And we both have an announcement to make. Fallenstar was not our real father. Mudpoppy was not our real mother, but Squirreltail and Brambleclaw of ThunderClan were our parents."
The cats stared at them for a long time. No one made a sound, except for the wind rustling through the four oaks. Finally, out of true courage, Wildstar walked forth. "This is surprising, we always thought that they were just warriors, never a mother and father. But it does explain why you two are always loving and caring, but fierce."
Lightstar joined in. "Yes, and I truly think that you two are living up to your dreams and destinies."
Brother and sister smiled. In the moonlight, their fur was pale. They looked like true leaders in the moon's silent gaze. The meeting continued until the warriors and leaders were all tired. The Gathering ended; the Clans went home.
The next evening, Icestar was even more strained. She could tell the kits were coming soon, but that didn't stop her from giving Riverpaw and Gentlepaw their warrior names. She yowled for the Clan, and gave the ritual words.
"Riverpaw, Gentlepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your lives?"
"I do." Riverpaw's voice was firm, and strong.
"I do," Gentlepaw mewed.
"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior names. Riverpaw, from this moment you will be known as Riverwing, StarClan admires your speed and intelligence, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ShadowClan." Mentor and apprentice touched noses. "I am so proud of you Riverwing," Icestar murmured. Riverwing gave her shoulder a respectful lick, then sat down beside the other warriors.
"Gentlepaw, from this moment you will be known as Gentlefrost, StarClan admires you strength and courage, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ShadowClan." Gentlefrost did the same as Riverwing. Her green eyes shone like emeralds.
The Clan started to chant their new names. "Riverwing! Gentlefrost!" The new warriors beamed as they took their places at the end of the camp wall. Icestar sighed deeply as she entered her den.
The kits nuzzled her belly as they searched for their mother's milk. Icestar nudged them closer to her body. One kit was ginger in color, another gray, and the third a tortoiseshell. Icestar was still choosing names for them as Moonriver entered her den. The she-cat shifted her paws nervously.
"Uh, Icestar? I need to tell you something," she mumbled.
"What is it, Moonriver?" Icestar whispered.
"I…I'm going to have Moon's kits."
Cliffy! claps hands Cliffy! claps hands
Me: That was the surprise!
Icestar: I cannot believe you…
Moonriver: SQUEE!
Moon: purrs
Me: Did you like that?
I: NO!
MR: YES!
M: DUH!
Next Chapter preview:
PART 4 ALLEGIANCES!
