"It is a great loss for these cats to have join StarClan so soon." - Brambleclaw began his speech from the high ledge. - "They died serving their clan, and we will never forget them. Clan will always honour you, Firestar, saviour of the forest and a great leader, Squirrelflight, the brave and inquisitive warrior, who helped to find the new home for us all, and you, Leafpool, a medicine cat with great spirit and compassion, whose great wisdom guided you to find Moonpool."
All cats were sunk in mourning of their clanmates. Nobody would suspect that they all had to leave ThunderClan so quickly. Cold wind was blowing over the camp, and starlight was illuminating three dead cats lying peacefully in the middle of the clearing.
"The cat who led to their death will not be forgotten, and I promise that ThunderClan will avenge their death." - He looked around, noticing that each cat approved his decision. They all wanted to take revenge on Blackstar, who they thought was responsible for this.
"But for now, let's share tongues with our friends for the last time, and accompany their spirits in their journey to the StarClan. May our ancestors welcome them in glory they deserve". - After finishing his speech, Brambleclaw jumped off the high ledge and approached the body of his leader.
Elders did their best preparing his body for the vigil, but all this blood that dried on him was too difficult to wash off, and the fox trap left his head barely hanging to the rest of his body.
"You did so much for me. You always did what you thought was right. I hope I won't disappoint you." - he said, after what he began to groom his leader's pelt.
"I know this was the right thing to do. I hope you will understand," he added in his thoughts, convinced that his spirit would hear it.
"I never said how sorry I am for what happened then..." - Brambleclaw heard Longtail's last words to Firestar, when he was moving away.
Coming to the Squirrelflight's corpse, he passed Sandstorm, who was looking like shadow of a cat. Her gaze was dead, and her fur was ruffled. She lied next down to Firestar.
Brambleclaw looked at Squirrelflight. She was lying peacefully, like never in her life. He always enjoyed the energy that flew out of her, and gave him strength each day. She could finally find rest.
"I knew we would be great together. But now, you will give your fire to StarClan." - he said, touching nose to her cold fur for the last time.
"I hope we will see each other in StarClan", he added in his thoughts.
He moved to her sister.
He couldn't find words to say goodbye to her. And to say goodbye to her kits.
The whole clan sat vigil for their lost clanmates, contemplating on their loss.
It wasn't until dawn that Brambleclaw managed to say another word.
"What happened was a terrible blow to the clan, but we must continue on living. Their spirits have joined StarClan, so the elders can bury them now." - He looked at the Goldenflower, Longtail and Mousefur, and all three cats nodded, and proceeded with carrying on his order.
"ShadowClan surely knows we are weak now, so we must watch our border carefully. We need a double patrol there. Brackenfur, take Spiderleg and Thornclaw and start patrol from the lake." - Three cats agreed, and ran out from the camp.
"Dustpelt, take Rainwhisker and Cloudtail and take the patrol from the second side of the border." - They also agreed, and eagerly began their patrol.
"We are tired, and we don't have cats now to patrol WindClan border. But if they sense our weakness, they will attack, so things have to appear as normal. Brightheart, take Whitepaw and Birchpaw and renew the scent markers. After that, take the hunting duties," Brambleclaw ordered.
"Brook and Stormfur will stay and guard the camp", he added.
"I'll go and hunt, then." - Sandstorm meowed.
Brambleclaw saw how weak the she-cat was. She could collapse under her own weight at any time.
"No, Sandstorm. You need to rest. Yesterday's events affected you more than any other cat, and we can't lose you as well now." - He looked sternly into her empty eyes.
"If you say so." - She replied blankly and went to the warriors den.
"It will be hard with so few warriors. We are already overstretched..." - Brambleclaw thought, but his thoughts were broken by Mousefur's voice.
"We need to talk, Brambleclaw," she said.
Curious what elders wanted, he pushed in to the elders' den.
They were all anxious, but he could see warmth in the gaze of his mother, which relaxed him.
"So what are you going to do now?" - Mousefur asked bluntly.
"I'm going to go to the Moonpool and receive my nine lives and leader name." - he meowed. He thought it was obvious, but something must have been bothering the cranky elder.
"And who is going to introduce you? You need a medicine cat, and we have don't have one," - she meowed sternly.
He hasn't thought about that. It really complicated his plans.
"So what can I do?" - he asked, counting on the elders support.
"There is an old tradition, stating leader may order any cat from his clan to become medicine cat, if there is no medicine cat or apprentice in the clan. You're not leader yet, but this is a special situation and nobody will dare to refuse," - Longtail explained calmly.
"He would have known that if he visited elders more often," - Mousefur growled.
"I would have visited elders more often, if they didn't throw their accusing stares every time I was near." - Brambleclaw wanted to say, but he decided not to in the last moment.
"So who do you think I should choose?" - he asked, wondering who is the best choice.
"Brightheart has the most knowledge about herbs, but she would have to break up with Cloudtail." - Goldenflower meowed quietly.
"Daisy won't be a warrior anyway, so maybe she could help clan this way?" - Longtail suggested.
"Are you mouse-brained? She doesn't respect our traditions. We can't have a kittypet as a medicine cat." - She retorted angrily.
"Sandstorm lost her whole family, so she wouldn't need to give up anything." - Mousefur added with a pang of pity.
"Whoever you will choose, that cat will need to be introduced by other medicine cats at half moon first." - She continued.
"What? But the last one was yesterday! I will have to wait whole moon for that!" - He spat back angrily.
It was too long for him. Not to mention, that without properly appointed leader, clan would be even more weakened.
"As you wish. I will go out and push moon for you, so you don't have to wait." - Mousefur replied.
"It won't be necessary. I will ask a medicine cat from another clan to introduce me." - He proposed.
"You know we can't trust other clans." - Longtail said.
"If WindClan will know how bad shape we are in, they won't hesitate to attack," Goldenflower meowed.
"And ShadowClan should all go to StarClan," - Mousefur added.
"I can go to RiverClan. We don't share border, so they can't attack us and they didn't show any animosity lately," - Brambleclaw suggested.
"It might work. But I wouldn't trust them, if I were you," - Longtail warned him.
"Don't worry, I'll handle it. I'll better go out now." - Brambleclaw decided.
"Alone? We can't afford to lose our leader now!" - Mousefur spat out angrily.
"I know what I'm doing," - he said and left the elders' den before he had to listen to any more disagreements.
He pushed his way through the thorn tunnel. Brook and Stormfur didn't stop him. He was the leader of ThunderClan now, even if StarClan didn't approve of him yet. Would they do it at all? Brambleclaw felt uneasy. He would meet with StarClan. He would see Firestar again. Maybe he would forgive Brambleclaw... No, there was no point in deluding oneself.
On his way to the border he thought about decisions he would have to make when he will be leader. Someone will need to be a medicine cat, and Brambleclaw wasn't sure who should he make one. No one would want to be medicine cat. The choice of a deputy was an easier one, but he still had his doubts. Brackenfur loyalty and dedication were undeniable, but he wasn't sure if the old warrior would be happy if he knew all of Brambleclaw's plans. And he lacked initiative. Sandstorm used to do handle most of deputy responsibilities after Graystripe was kidnapped, but before Brambleclaw was made the deputy. And she would most certainly want to take revenge on ShadowClan. But maybe these event crippled her permanently? It was too early to say if she could return to her old self. Dustpelt was an experienced warrior who would approve of Brambleclaw's plans, but he never appeared to Brambleclaw as a leader type. The choice wasn't as easy as he thought at first, but at least he knew who to choose from.
It took him shorter than he thought to arrive at the ShadowClan border near the lake. This place brought back all the memories he wanted to forget. He wanted to get away from here as fast as he could, but acting rashly could get him into serious trouble. He scented the air, trying to find whether there were any patrols here recently. Brackenfur was here not so long ago, but he couldn't sense any of the ShadowClan cats.
It was risky, but he didn't want to want for something that could possibly not happen. Besides, he had right to be there, if he stayed close to the lake. But ShadowClan was never keen on respecting the rules...
His worries were unnecessary, he managed to cross ShadowClan border without meeting any cat. Or scenting any cat, for that matter. What was happening there?
He swiftly moved through uncovered territory of the ShadowClan and approached RiverClan territory. But this one wasn't unprotected, he could see Hawkfrost and Blackclaw running close to the border in the direction of the lake.
"Stop right there! What are you doing on the RiverClan territory?" - Patrol must have noticed him and swiftly ran to him.
"I need to talk with Mothwing, Hawkfrost." - Brambleclaw answered calmly.
"Mothwing?" - He asked suspicious, narrowing his eyes.
"Yes, Mothwing. It's important."
"Go fetch her, Blackclaw." - Hawkfrost ordered the second warrior.
"Yes, Hawkfrost," - Blackclaw lowered his head, and after that he ran toward RiverClan camp.
After he was out of hearing range, Hawkfrost started conversation.
"So, what do you need Mothwing for?" - he asked.
"I need to be introduced to StarClan by a medicine cat, if I want to be recognized as a leader. I don't care, but some clanmates may not recognize me as a legitimate leader if I don't stick to the tradition," - he replied.
"Hmm," - Hawkfrost was watching Brambleclaw carefully.
"What if StarClan tells her what you did?" - He asked with care.
"Isn't she our ally?" - Brambleclaw was surprised by Hawkfrost's question.
"Mothwing is... Difficult to read. I'm not really sure on which side she is. But she is strong and clever, like all Tigerstar children, so you shouldn't underestimate her."
Brambleclaw was surprised by Hawkfrost's words. Was she trying to grab power as well? A Medicine cat? It can't be...
Mothwing jumped out of ferns, Blackclaw following her. She came closer without hurry.
"Yes, Brambleclaw? What did you asked for me?" - She asked.
Brambleclaw realised he never talked with her before. He looked into her amber eyes, which displayed mild curiosity. He observed her carefully. Even though she was a medicine cat, her muscles seemed strong, and her stance was determined.
"We have a patrol to finish, let's go, Blackclaw." - Hawkfrost ordered, and they both ran closely to the border, leaving Brambleclaw and Mothwing alone.
"I need your help. I want to you to introduce me to StarClan as a new leader of ThunderClan," - Brambleclaw explained.
"Firestar is dead?" - she sounded concerned.
"Yes, unfortunately. Can we get moving? I want to do it as quickly as possible," he urged.
Mothwing didn't seem to be a cat that quickly falls to authority, she didn't move a single paw-step.
"Go ask Leafpool. I won't sneak behind her back." - she answered without grudge in her voice.
"Leafpool is dead," - Brambleclaw explained coldly.
Mothwing tensed her muscles, and her eyes were burning with golden fire.
"Who did it?" - She growled.
"Blackstar."
Golden she-cat was staring at Brambleclaw, but her thoughts were somewhere far away. He didn't noticed when she unsheathed her claws and started to tear grass underneath her with great fury.
"So that's why you asked me. I will do it... I hope you didn't eat anything today?" - She asked, and he noticed her anger slowly faded.
"No, I had so much duties that I completely forgot to eat something."
"Good. Let's go," - She said.
They went back through ShadowClan territory. They were both carefully looking for any signs of ShadowClan cats, but couldn't find any. Mothwing was strangely alert, as if she wanted to jump on ShadowClan patrol that could appear out of nowhere. Rest of their journey went quietly. There was no threat on ThunderClan's territory, and WindClan patrol didn't stop them when Brambleclaw explain his reasons for going to Moonpool.
Finally, they arrived at the sacred pool located at the bottom of the small stone hollow. Brambleclaw never was here, and he was surprised by the number of claw-marks and signs of paws here. How many cats were here before?
Mothwing led him to a stone lying on the edge of the pool. He looked in the surface of water and saw his terrible reflection.
Was that blood-soaked cat with a smug smile him? Of course it was, there was nobody else there.
"Touch the water with your nose," - Mothwing ordered him.
He closed his eyes and lowered his head to touch the water. The mysticism and tension were flowing in the air.
And then, he felt the cold touch of water.
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