Disclaimer: I own nothing of the Warriors series. Anything that you recognize in this story from Warriors isn't mine.
A.N. : I just thought of this idea and wanted to write it. Brackenfur was just so insignificant up 'till then. This is just what I thought was running through his mind at the time.
Graystripe is gone. We got Cloudtail, Brightheart, Leafpaw back and Squirrelpaw and Brambleclaw right before them, but Graystripe is gone, possibly dead. He was carried off by the two-legs. No cat can really believe it. I mourn as much as the other cats, though some believe he will return, including Firestar. I just don't know how he could....this is two-legs we're talking about.
Right now many cats are urging Firestar to choose a new deputy before moonhigh. Although he is resisting, they are still sharing ideas on who it should be. Ashfur, Whitepaw, Frostfur, Cloudtail, and Thornclaw, among others were watching Brambleclaw. Squirrelpaw was glaring at them, detest in her narrowed eyes. She had said before that she knew Graystripe would come back, agreeing with her father.
As I look closer, I realize Mousefur and Rainwhisker's gaze is on me. Me, of all cats, deputy? Mousefur is saying I would be a good choice. She's going on about how I'm a young and strong cat and that I've earned my warrior name many times over. Rainwhisker keeps nodding in agreement as I rack my brain, trying to recall when I have done an exceptional job at anything. I'm your average ThunderClan cat, devoted to the warrior code, ready to die to save my clan. As I keep trying to remember all my 'exceptionally good deeds', Firestar interrupts my thoughts. He growls about how Graystripe is still our deputy. His tone lightens though, and he agrees that some cats need to take over Graystripe's duties. He assigns me to organizing hunting patrols, Sandstorm to organize work inside of the camp and for Brambleclaw to accompany him in trying to persuade ShadowClan and RiverClan to leave the forest with us. The fact he doesn't say anything about border patrols greatly saddens me. It's been a while since we've had border patrols and I just want everything to be back to normal.
Firestar stalked off with Leafpaw scurrying after him. As I padded off to gather some hunting patrols, I felt a strange twinge in my stomach. I knew that this time it wasn't from hunger, but I couldn't tell you if it was relief or disappointment. Did I really want Firestar to name me deputy? Did I want to have that pride? Well, yes, of course – But did I want all the responsibility that came with it? The slim chance that someday I could be Brackenstar? No, I decided. Brambleclaw would make a better deputy if Graystripe didn't return. Besides, I thought, watching Sorreltail pick up a scrawny mouse for Ferncloud, I have something better than being Firestar's deputy to do.