Chapter 4.5
Firepaw and Greypaw walked across the clearing and then sat down. Greypaw pointed at the tall, smooth rock.
"You know the highrock already, Bluestar always addresses the clan from there. Her den is down here, it was carved out many moons ago by an ancient stream." He meowed.
Then, Greypaw pointed at a large bush with its branches hung low.
"The warriors sleep over here. The senior warriors sleep nearest to the center, where it's the warmest, they usually share their fresh kill together over by the clump of nettles. The younger warriors eat nearby. Sometimes they are invited to join the senior warriors for eating, which is a big honor." He meowed.
"What about the other clan cats?" Firepaw asked.
"Well, the queens share warrior quarters when they work as warriors, but when they are expecting kits, or nursing them, they stay in a nest near the nursery. The elders have their own place on the other side of the clearing. Come on, I'll show you." Greypaw explained.
Firepaw followed Greypaw across the clearing. Firepaw was fascinated by the traditions and rituals of clan life, but he was overwhelmed by so many of them. He knew he would be able to remember them, though. Firepaw and Greypaw passed Spottedleaf's den and Firepaw begin to wonder what powers Spottedleaf may have. He thought that because she was a medicine cat, she could have the gift of growing plants or healing cats faster and as for Ravenpaw, since Firepaw saw his wings, he must've thought that he could fly. Firepaw got closer to Greypaw.
"So, what's Spottedleaf and Ravenpaw's power?" he asked.
"Well, Spottedleaf has the power to camouflage." Greypaw begin.
"Really? I thought she would have the power to heal cats faster or grow herbs." Firepaw meowed surprised.
"Oh she has that too. Spottedleaf can grow herbs and berries." Greypaw meowed.
"Really?! Cats can have more than one power?!" Firepaw asked shocked.
"Yeah, some cats can. For example, take Mousefur. You see that small dusky brown she-cat with amber eyes over there? Well, she has the power to feel, has the fur, can turn into, and has the hearing of a mouse. Since Spottedleaf is a calico, she'll definitely have the power to camouflage." Greypaw explained.
"Wow…and what about Ravenpaw?" Firepaw asked.
"Ravenpaw was wings and the sight of a raven." Greypaw answered.
"Cool. Will the elders have powers?" Firepaw asked.
"Yes, all clan cats have powers, even the kits!" Greypaw meowed.
Firepaw and Greypaw reached a fallen tree with a patch of lush grass as it's entrance. As Firepaw and Greypaw reached the entrance, they poked their heads through the grass. Firepaw saw six cats; a dark brown tom with black stripes, white chest, missing half of his tail, yellow eyes, old white wings, and a feather-like pelt crying and laying his head on a pale grey she-cat with amber eyes and was partly blind. Both cats nuzzled each other for comfort. A white tom with black ears, paws, muzzle, tailtip, chest, and yellow eyes had his eyes closed, his ears flattened, and was crying.
"That's my uncle Patchpelt. Redtail was his brother." Greypaw explained.
Firepaw nodded and continued scanning the den. There was Smallear and two other she-cats digging into a large rabbit.
"Dustpaw and Sandpaw must've brought them that, one of the apprentice duties is catching fresh kill for the elders." Greypaw whispered explaining.
"There was nothing you could've done, Halftail. Apprentices go their own way after so many moons of training." The pale grey she-cat meowed.
"I know I know, its just…I felt like I should've been there. I promised Tawnyspots that I would make sure he was alright and…" he meowed.
Greypaw and Firepaw looked at Halftail with sympathy.
"Halftail was Redtail's mentor when Tawnyspots retired. Redtail got along with Halftail during the rest of his apprenticeship." Greypaw whispered.
"Hello there youngsters." Smallear meowed.
Halftail wiped his tears and all the elders looked at the apprentices with welcoming smiles. Greypaw and Firepaw approached the elders.
"Hi Smallear." Greypaw greeted.
"This must be the new apprentice. Firepaw, isn't it?" Smallear meowed.
"That's right." He meowed.
"I'm Halftail, welcome to the clan." He introduced, purring.
"Have you two eaten?" Smallear asked.
Firepaw and Greypaw shook their heads.
"Well there's enough here, Dustpaw and Sandpaw are turning into fine, young hunters. Dappletail, Rosetail, would you mind if these youngsters share a mouse?" Smallear meowed.
Rosetail shook her head.
"No, of course not." Dappletail meowed.
"Thank you." Greypaw meowed eagerly.
He took a mouse from the pile and sat next to Firepaw.
"You still haven't tasted mouse?" Greypaw asked.
"No, not yet." Firepaw meowed.
"Well in that case, you have the first bite. Just save me some." Greypaw meowed.
Firepaw nodded. He crouched down and took a large bite from the mouse. It was wonderful, it was meaty and juicy and it was fill with all kinds of flavors from the forest.
"So, what do you think?" Greypaw asked.
"Fantastic!" Firepaw meowed overjoyed.
"Well move over then." Greypaw meowed amused.
Firepaw moved a bit and allowed Greypaw to take a bite of the mouse. The two apprentices continued sharing the mouse.
"How long before Bluestar appoints a new deputy?" Smallear asked.
"What did you say, Smallear?" the pale grey she-cat asked.
"Ah I think your hearing has become as poor as your eyesight! I said how long before Bluestar appoints a new deputy?!" he meowed annoyed.
The pale grey she-cat glared at Smallear, then she turned her head at Dappletail.
"Dappletail, do you remember the day when Bluestar herself became deputy?" she asked.
"Oh yes, it was so many moons ago. It wasn't long after she gave up her kits." She meowed.
"She won't be happy appointing a new deputy, Redtail served her long and well, but she'll need to make up her mind quickly. According to clan custom, the choice has to be made before moonhigh, after the death or retirement of an old deputy." Smallear meowed observing.
"Don't forget Smallear, Bluestar also lost Oakheart. I wouldn't mind if Bluestar needed more time." Rosetail meowed.
"Clan custom is clan custom, Rosetail. Even you should that!" he growled.
"Give Bluestar a break, Smallear! At least this time, the choice is obvious." Halftail meowed.
Everyone went silent and looked down, Firepaw swallowed his food and looked up.
"What did he mean? Does he mean Tigerclaw?" he thought.
I mean it was obvious, Tigerclaw had avenged Redtail, but he also killed Oakheart, Bluestar's mate. Firepaw didn't think Tigerclaw had a chance, after all, he did break Bluestar's heart. Greypaw swallowed the last piece of mouse and looked at Halftail.
"I'm sorry about uncle Redtail, Halftail. I know he was your apprentice." He meowed.
"Thank you Greypaw, I know he was your uncle and Patchpelt, I know he was your brother." He meowed.
"Yes, he was my younger brother." He meowed solemnly.
A loud yowl broke off the silence. Firepaw, Greypaw, the elders, and everyone else gathered at highrock. Bluestar was at the ledge; looking solemnly and sad.
"A new deputy must be appointed, but first, let us give thanks to Starclan for the life of Redtail. Tonight, he sits with his fellow warriors among the stars, and now, I shall name Thunderclan's new deputy. I say these words before the body of Redtail, so that his spirit may hear and approve of my choice. Lionheart, will be the new deputy of Thunderclan." Bluestar announced.
Firepaw looked at Tigerclaw, but saw no reaction of anger or joy. Firepaw looked at Greypaw and saw joy in Greypaw's eyes, causing Firepaw to smile. He looked back at Bluestar.
"Redtail was also a mentor to young Dustpaw. Since there must be no delay in the training of our apprentices, I shall appoint Dustpaw's new mentor immediately. Darkstripe, you are ready for your second apprentice, so you will continue Dustpaw's training. You had a fine mentor in Tigerclaw and your first apprentice Longtail has proven to be a brave and loyal warrior, so I expect you to pass on some of the excellent skills you were taught." Bluestar announced.
Darkstripe nodded. He and Dustpaw stepped forward and quickly touched noses before heading back to the crowd.
"I shall keep a vigil with Redtail's body tonight, before we bury him at sunrise." Bluestar finished.
She leaped down and sat next to Redtail's body once more. Redtail's friends, family, Dustpaw, and Halftail joined her.
"Should we sit with them?" Firepaw asked.
"No, only cats closest to Redtail will share his final night. Come on, I'll show you where we sleep. The apprentices den is over here." Greypaw meowed.
Firepaw followed him to a mossy tree stump with ferns as the entrance,
"The apprentices share their fresh kill by this stump." Greypaw meowed.
"How many apprentices are there?" Firepaw asked.
"Not as many as usual. Just you, me, Ravenpaw, Dustpaw, Sandpaw, and Chestnutpaw." Greypaw meowed.
"Oh, which cat is Chestnutpaw?" Firepaw asked.
"That would be me." A voice meowed.
