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8. The deputy will become Clan leader when the leader dies, retires or is exiled.
"Wolfspirit never had an apprentice."
"What?"
"Why? That's against the code!"
"I know... But at the time... He was the only cat I could trust."
"That's ridiculous! There were plenty of loyal warriors who had trained an apprentice at the time!"
"You don't understand..."
Rabbitleap shook his head violently, trying to get what she meant.
"What don't we understand...?" He muttered, looking up towards the leader's den. He knew Echostar was most likely in there, looking as weak and tired as ever. It worried him. It worried the whole Clan. True, they now had Mottleface as deputy, and no cat could doubt his loyalty, but... Well, Echostar was the only leader he ever knew. It would feel so different without her, even if she did break the code.
I guess me and her aren't so different, huh? The bitter thought crossed his mind. He winced as Silverwing's face appeared in his mind. It was his fault she was dead. It was his fault that she walked with StarClan.
"Every cat old enough to catch their own... own prey, gather under the... hazel branch for a Clan meeting." Echostar wheezed, catching the young warrior's attention. It had only been two days after the death of Mumblefoot and Wolfspirit and his once proud leader looked like nothing but a sack of bones and fur.
"I... I want it to be known... That... When I pass on, Mottleface will not be leader."
"What?"
"Is she crazy?"
"Then why name him deputy?"
What are you doing, Echostar? Rabbitleap frowned as he watched her. She waved her tail for silence and it came in a heavy coat.
"Instead, I want my son, Hollowstrike, to become leader." Rabbitleap was stunned. Not only was he surprised that Hollowstrike was her son, but he was also surprised she dared to name a cat who was not her deputy the next Clan leader. He looked towards his former mentor to see the dark tabby's ears flicked back and a mess of emotions glowing in his eyes.
"Echostar, I-" The warrior started, but Echostar only cut him off.
"You heard me. And you know that the leader's word is law. I won't hear any more on the issue." With that she stumbled back into the leader's den. Slowly, all eyes turned to Hollowstrike, who seemed too stunned to move. Rabbitleap had never seen the powerful tom so confused and frightened. The rest of the day passed slowly and as the sun started to set, the brown and cream warrior noticed Hollowstrike pacing outside of the leader's den. Despite his dislike for the tom, he did feel sorry for him.
"What's wrong?" The young warrior brought himself to ask as he approached the older tom.
"I... I just don't understand." He muttered. "Why would she do this? Why would she break the code a second time?"
Rabbitleap soon noticed Holliowstrike was only talking to himself, not acknowledging his former apprentice at all. Ears flattened, he went to the warriors den, only to be stopped by Wildpelt and Hazelear.
"I can't believe she did that." Hazelear stated, looking from Rabbitleap, to where Echostar rested, then back.
"I know..." Was all Rabbitleap could say. Silence fell between the three. It felt heavy to Rabbitleap and he hated the feeling. Slowly they made their way into the warriors den. Without saying goodnight, they laid in their respective nests. However, Rabbitleap found he couldn't sleep so easily. Every time he closed his eyes, his earlier apprentice years flashed into his mind.
"Silverwing, you have shown great patience throughout your moons as a warrior, so I will entrust you with young Rabbitpaw here. I hope you can you can be able to time this lively apprentice."
Echostar... Back when she was still proud...
"No, Rabbitpaw, you can't hunt like that. You have to keep your tail low and calm, not swishing it around and making noise."
He gave a weak purr. He never was the best hunter...
"Sometime's you're too much to handle, you know that?"
Rabbitleap knew he had been... If only he had been a better apprentice...
"I really want you to be a great warrior. You can't just walk all over the code and expect to get away with it."
I know...
"You silly furball, you've got bramble thorns all over you. We're hunting mice, not berries."
A sob found it's way to his throat. That was when they had first started to get along...
"I'm proud of you..."
Rabbitleap froze. That one wasn't a thought. He whipped around to see Silverwing, the stars in her pelt shining brightly.
"You turned into a fine warrior." She said with a purr, approached him slowly. The sob in his throat made him tremble as he slowly placed her muzzle on his head. "I knew you'd make me proud."
"Silverwing..." His mew was course and like the whine of a kit then the sob of a warrior. She pulled her head back and looked at him with kind yellow eyes.
"I'm sorry I can't stay long this time."
"W-why not?"
"There's someone joining StarClan as we speak. And please, tell Hollowstrike he doesn't have to be leader. It's Mottleface's place, not his."
"W-wait, nothing bad is going to happen..?" To his relief she shook her head.
"No. Not unless you don't tell him. Hollowstrike may not be young, but he's not ready to be leader. Wolfspirit wasn't either." She explained. With one last purr she was gone and he was left with the darkness in his mind. It wasn't long until he opened his eyes. A startled yowl caught his attention. He and his clanmates gathered outside to see Brownwhisker and Hollowstrike. The medicine cat turned his head and called to everyone.
"Echostar is dead."
Yowls and murmers rushed like waves through the gathering of cats. Rabbitleap had no idea how to feel. He mourned for his leader, but he was glad she wasn't suffering. As he looked at Hollowstrike, Silverwing's warning echoed through his ears. As the elders padded past to bring the body out, Rabbitleap approached the dark brown tabby. This time it seemed Hollowstrike had noticed him.
"Yes?" There was no emotion in his voice. It was hard to tell if he was hurt.
"I just wanted to say that you don't have to become leader. I don't think Echostar meant it." He flinched when Hollowstrike glared at him, but soon the glare faded and the younger warrior relaxed.
"Very well..." He muttered. "It's Mottleface's place, not mine."
Rabbitleap lingered for a moment then padded away. He knew loss was hard. He had felt its pain before.