Chapter Ten: Couldn't be Happier

"How sweet." Winterpaw stiffened. Flickertail was awake. "How heart-warmingly sweet. The brother you killed came to help you kill your own father!"

"That's enough." Copperstar rose to her paws, this time ignoring the protest Dreamstep mewed. "Flickertail, you are defeated. You have lost this battle."

Just as she said this, Wildpath thrust her way into the den. "Copperstar, the RiverClan cats fled for home and we captured the traitors!"

Flickertail hissed, but didn't fight back as Copperstar and Wildpath led him out into the clearing. Winterpaw limped after them, though after he'd taken a few step Dreamstep came to support him as he walked. Winterpaw was surprised at how many cats had fought for Flickertail. Birdcall sat in front of the traitors, one ear torn and ragged but her head held high, even in defeat. Darkpaw and Flyingpaw crouched next to their mother, trembling under the glares of their Clanmates. Silkwing was bent over Swampleg, who lay unmoving on the ground, and Kernalpaw and Seedpaw were huddled together a tail length away. Ripfang was on the ground not far away from the ShadowClan cats. One of her legs jutted out at an awkward angle, explaining why she had not fled with her companions.

Redpaw looked up from where he was tending to a long gash on Lightfoot's side. His eyes brightened when he saw his father's murderer captured, and he whispered something to Blazepaw excitedly.

"Go see Redpaw about that limp of yours." Dreamstep mewed, nudging Winterpaw towards the medicine cat apprentice. Winterpaw stumbled over to Redpaw, who finished with Lightfoot and started sniffing over Winterpaw's wounds. As he started to put cobwebs over the gash on Winterpaw's leg, Copperstar climbed up to High Branch and gave the traditional summons, though there was no need; everyone was already assembled.

"Cats of ShadowClan-" Copperstar began, though she was cut off when another cat hurdled through the entrance into the clearing. Every cat bristled and turned to face this new intruder, but it was only Foxmask.

"Winterpaw!" Foxmask yowled, not realizing what was going on. She dashed over to the white apprentice and pressed her muzzle against his cheek. "Winterpaw, I didn't mean anything I said. I know you care about me. I-"

"I know, Foxmask." Winterpaw purred, licking her flank. "It's been a hard day for all of us. But I think we should talk later." Foxmask tilted her head to one side, confused. She jumped when Copperstar cleared her throat.

"May I continue, Foxmask?" The leader purred good-humoredly. She looked tired as anything, but her eyes sparkled with laughter. Foxmask nodded in embarrassment and sat down hard next to Winterpaw, who started to groom her ruffled fur comfortingly.

"As I was saying," Copperstar continued. "Cats of ShadowClan, Flickertail has betrayed us, and because of it we have lost many good cats. Flickertail, you will not be forgiven, but I will give your followers a chance to renounce their actions." Her gaze swept across the group of traitors.

Silkwing was the first to move. She stepped away from her dead mate and looked up at her leader pleadingly. "I never wanted to hurt you, Copperstar." She was shaking, but her mew was strong. "Swampleg talked me into it. He said I had to fight against you for the good of our kits. I know now he was wrong…" She gave Swampleg one last longing look, then went to sit next to Gingerheart, who gave her a friendly lick. Kernalpaw and Seedpaw followed her, averting their eyes from all the other cats.

"Thank you, Silkwing. ShadowClan forgives you and your kits." Copperstar mewed gently. She returned her gaze to the other cats. "What about you, Birdcall? Will you abandon your mate?"

Birdcall spat. "In your dreams, kitty. Don't think this is over."

"Very well. You are banished with Flickertail." The ShadowClan leader commanded. "Leave now and never return. If you are found again, you will be killed as enemies."

Flickertail scowled. He and Birdcall headed for the exit, but looked around when they saw Darkpaw and Flying paw weren't following them. "What are you waiting for?" Flickertail spat at his kits. "Aren't you coming?" Flyingpaw jumped and hurried to join his parents. Darkpaw however, didn't move.

"Come on, Darkpaw, let's get out of here!" Flyingpaw's voice shook. His sister didn't meet his eyes. Instead she looked up at Copperstar.

"I-I don't want to go away." Darkpaw murmured. "I want to stay with ShadowClan, even if I have to abandon my family."

Copperstar's gaze was soft. "You can stay here, Darkpaw. No one will think badly of you for turning your back on the likes of Flickertail." Relieved, the small brown apprentice ran to sit by Cracklepaw and Blazepaw. The two pressed against her comfortingly.

"Fine!" Flickertail snarled. "I don't need you. I don't need any of you. Come on, Birdcall." The broken family left the camp without a second glance.

"Flashfire, follow them and make sure they leave the territory." Copperstar ordered.

"Gladly, Copperstar." The gray she-cat raced out after them.

Finally Copperstar's gaze rested on Ripfang. "And what to do with you, Ripfang."

Ripfang spat angrily. "You can't do a thing to me. You're not my leader." She looked away and began to wash her blood-matted fur.

Copperstar stared at her a moment longer, then meowed, "Thank StarClan I'm not. We'll dress your wounds for now, but first thing tomorrow, Dreamstep, I want you to go alert Shimmerstar of what has happened. You may take an apprentice with you, though I think you should leave Redpaw here to continue attending to injuries."

"Yes, Copperstar." Dreamstep bowed his head respectfully.

"ShadowClan has suffered many loses today." Copperstar sighed. "As well as the betrayal of Flickertail and Birdcall, Swampleg, Barkpelt and Whistlepaw are dead. We-"

"What?!" Gingerheart yowled. Her cry was echoed by many of the other cats gathered below. "Whistlepaw and Barkpelt are both dead?! How did this happen?"

"Whistlepaw was run over by a twoleg monster." Winterpaw spoke for the first time since he had left Copperstar's den. "He was hit while trying to go after Flickertail. And…And I killed Barkpelt."

Silence settled eerily over the ShadowClan camp as all eyes turned to the small white apprentice. Winterpaw stared into his mother's startled gaze, unsure of what to expect as a reaction. But it wasn't Gingerheart who spoke next; it was Silkwing.

"He's as much of a traitor as Flickertail was!" The tabby she-cat wailed. "He killed his own father! He probably killed Whistlepaw too! How could we have ever let a demon live this long right under our noses?"

"How dare you!" Foxmask leapt to Winterpaw's defense. "Winterpaw has always put his heart and soul into serving his Clan, which is more than I can say for you!"

Arguments broke out all over the clearing as each cat tried to make themselves heard. Winterpaw crouched low, trying to escape the anger that was all directed at him. He felt he should stand up for himself for once, but he didn't know how.

"ENOUGH!" Copperstar bellowed. The fighting stopped immediately under the leader's gaze. "I'll tell you what happened: Winterpaw came to my den when he saw I was missing from the battle. Flickertail was there, trying to take another life of mine while I was still recovering. Winterpaw fought against Flickertail like a warrior, until Barkpelt came and knocked Flickertail out. Barkpelt tried to kill Winterpaw, but Whistlepaw's spirit from StarClan appeared to drive Barkpelt back. That's when Winterpaw killed him."

The ShadowClan cats looked at each other, unsure of what to think of this. Most of them had never trusted Winterpaw in the first place, though not enough to attack him the way Barkpelt or Flickertail had. Despite the uneasy feelings towards the white apprentice, no other protests were made.

Copperstar broke the silence. "Though Winterpaw fought valiantly, I cannot make him a warrior today." She announced. "Winterpaw, I'm sorry, but you have only been apprenticed a moon. You have much more to learn."

Winterpaw nodded. "I understand, Copperstar."

The tunnel leading to the camp rustled and Lightfoot stepped back in. "Flickertail and Birdcall went to the RiverClan boarder." She reported. "I followed them as far as the thunderpath…Whistlepaw's body is there."

Copperstar nodded. "Yes…He will need a proper burial. Lightfoot, I hope you don't mind being sent out so much, but would you take one more cat with you and go fetch Whistlepaw?"

Lightfoot nodded and looked first at Winterpaw, but averted his gaze. He didn't need nor want to see his brother's mangled body yet again. Whistlepaw would understand. So instead Lightfoot took Gingerheart to gather up the fallen apprentice.

"Now, there is only one more ceremony…" Copperstar raised her gaze to the sky, where the sun was about half-way in its journey to sunhigh. Then she looked down on where Flashfire and Wildpath were respectfully carrying Sunstreak's body from the medicine cat's den. The former deputy's tail dragged limply through the dust and his head lolled to one side. All laughter was gone from his face, and his eyes stared blankly into the distance. The two cats carrying him laid him gently before High Branch, then stepped back with their heads bowed respectfully.

"I say these words before the body of Sunstreak, so that his spirit may hear and approve my choice." Copperstar closed her eyes as her voice faltered. Winterpaw realized today had been especially hard on the leader. Not only had she lost many good warriors, but she had been forced to lose a life, withstand a mutiny, and replace a good and loyal friend and deputy. Finally Copperstar opened her eyes and announced, "Wildpath will be the new deputy of ShadowClan."

Wildpath's eyes opened wide in astonishment. She was young, and had not yet mentored an apprentice. However, before anyone could object, Copperstar continued, "With Flickertail's betrayal, Blazepaw is left without a mentor. Wildpath, you will be Blazepaw's new mentor. Pass on all your determination and maturity to this apprentice." The young cream cat blinked twice, then nodded shakily and stepped forward to touch noses with her new apprentice. It was certainly a lot of responsibility thrust on one cat all at once, but Copperstar seemed to know that Wildpath could handle it.

"Next, Darkpaw, with…With Sunstreak's death, you are also left without a mentor." Copperstar announced. "Flashfire, you will be Darkpaw's new mentor. Pass on your spirit and passion to this apprentice."

Flashfire flicked her ears uncomfortably, and Darkpaw looked away in embarrassment. Any cat would tell that Flashfire training the kit of her mate's murderer would be hard on both cats. But Flashfire hesitated for merely a second before stepping up to meet her new apprentice. She would teach this young cat with all the wisdom and compassion that Sunstreak would have.

With that, Copperstar jumped down from High Branch, signaling the end of the meeting. Each cat went to their respective dens, too exhausted even to stay and gossip. Winterpaw was herded with a couple other cats by Dreamstep towards the medicine den to rest and recover. Foxmask followed him, though she had come too late to fight and wasn't injured.

As he followed the medicine cat to his den, Winterpaw passed by Sharpclaw and Blusterstorm carrying Barkpelt's lifeless form from Copperstar's den. The dead warrior's face was still twisted in a scowl of hatred and fury, his dull blue eyes seeming to burn even in death. Winterpaw barely suppressed a shudder and Foxmask pressed against him comfortingly.

Finally, after what seemed like a moon of horror and endless battles, Winterpaw was able to curl up in a soft moss nest in Dreamstep's den with Foxmask snuggled up against him. Even after all that had happened, Winterpaw couldn't be happier.

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That was a long one! Lots of ceremonies and technicalities to take care of. About five pages on my computer :P

Anyway, I've got a pretty clear idea on how this will end now. I'm thinking one more chapter and an epilog that will foreshadow…A SEQUEL!!! Dun dun dunnnnn

Oh yes. I'm not done torturing poor Winterpaw just yet. Anyone else notice that I never let anything go right for him? Geez.

I'm a bit worried that I haven't gotten any new reviews since Chapter six. (Chapter 8 if you go by Fanfiction's numbering) Can we fix that please? I know someone's gotta be reading this…

Let's just say for now that I won't update until I get one new review, okay? I don't think that's too much to ask…However, that doesn't mean you can get off with not reviewing just because someone else already did! I love hearing what people think of my work.

So please read and review! Thanks!