Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters, or the Warriors by Erin Hunter.

My Faithful Deputies: Lionheart and Whitestorm

Lionheart:

Lionheart, the brave golden tom that had always held warmth and wisdom. He never was my deputy as leader, because he died before I became Fireheart. But he had been deputy of ThunderClan, therefore he was my deputy.

I first saw him after my tussle with Graypaw. He frightened me and comforted me at the same time. He first had objected to allowing me in the Clan as Rusty, but warmed up later. I believe Lionheart sparked the fire in my soul, for when I was introduced to the Clan; Longtail was very uncomfortable with me becoming a ThunderClan cat. Lionheart gave me the courage to fight the tabby, and win, earning my right to join the Clan.

Lionheart became deputy after Redtail's death, and became my mentor along with Tigerclaw. He taught me how to fight and how to catch prey. Lionheart told me that I could not walk a paw in each world, either I became a Clan cat, or resumed being a kittypet.

I didn't spend much time with my deputy, and when I journeyed to the Moonstone and back, he had been killed by a ShadowClan cat. But I always remember him.

Lionheart gave me my first life before I became Firestar. He gave me the life of courage, and during that time, I became extremely aware of what he had felt through his life, loyalty to ThunderClan, loyalty to StarClan and the warrior code. I now know him more then I did when he was alive.

Whitestorm:

Whitestorm was always there to support me. He came and met me with Lionheart, to take me to ThunderClan. Whitestorm was an old cat when I met him, but a respected senior warrior. He was a big tom, short haired with amber eyes and white pelt. From the scratches you could see, he was a well known fighter.

Whitestorm had trusted me as an apprentice, enough to go against his deputy's orders, and listen to me instead. He followed my decisions when rescuing Frostfur's kits. He didn't like it, especially because the cat they had been searching for, Yellowfang, was actually innocent and helping ThunderClan. Whitestorm recommended Graystripe and I to become warriors, after returning.

After then, he confided in me and always respected me, even though he was more experienced. I valued his friendship and trusted him as much as he trusted me. When I became the deputy, he followed without question, and even through times where he didn't like my suggestions, he padded onwards, because he was loyal to ThunderClan.

Whitestorm and I both were aware of Bluestar's troubles, and after Tigerstar's deceit, she was broken mentally. We both understood how fragile she had become and stuck together for Bluestar's sake. The wise warrior was hurt when Bluestar sacrificed herself to save ThunderClan. He blamed himself because he was supposed to guard her and keep her safe. I never gave him reason to think it was his fault, because Bluestar had her own mind, and Whitestorm couldn't have changed it.

I knew I had to pick a new deputy when I became Firestar; Whitestorm was the best choice because of how loyal he had been, up to his death.

I hated it when he died, but being in the middle of a giant war, I couldn't stop to grieve. I nodded and knew he was going to StarClan, and he told me kindly that he had felt he served his Clan best through his life, and that he was honoured to be my deputy.

When I go speak with StarClan, I see him in their shining ranks, yet I miss him in life, because a spirit cannot walk with you.