Chapter 20

(A/N)

Lonepath- 3

Badgerfang- 2

It's so close! Agh! Reviewers get a cute little Lonepath plushie and a hug!

Tigerstar767- you get a delicious chocolate cookie!

XFeanathielx- you get a yummy shortbread cookie!

And I know that to become Deputy, a warrior must have one apprentice, sorry! There is lots of stuff I forgot, like the warrior's silent guarding vigil, but bear with me.

"I love you."

"Always."

Moonbeam linked her tail with Lonepath's, and sighed. "I feel so inexperienced. Why did Amberstar make me deputy?"

Lonepath gently touched his nose to her ear. "Because," he whispered in her ear, his breath soft "You are just right for the job. I wouldn't choose any one else."

/

"Moonbeam, I don't want any other cat. You're the one I love."

Moonbeam's heart jolted. She did love Badgerfang, but she loved Lonepath too!

Lonepath was her dark, sneaking out side and whispering words of love in the inky blackness. Badgerfang was her light, burning for her in view of the world.

Volepaw was talking to Lilyheart, who had recently joined the elders den with her mate Stonecrack, and was boasting to his mother's mother.

Suddenly his face contorted in pain and Moonbeam padded over to him. "What's wrong Volepaw?"

Volepaw cast a guilty glance at Shiftpaw. "Nothing, um… it must be the prey."

Lilyheart frowned. "I feel fine."

"Volepaw, did you and Shiftpaw go near Carrionplace?" Wolfheart said to his apprentice sternly.

Shiftpaw looked at his paws.

Moonbeam stepped forwards. "Shiftpaw, Volepaw, what did you eat?"

Volepaw muttered something.

"Excuse me," Wolfheart said in an icy tone of voice. "I don't believe the deputy heard you."

The two apprentices stayed silent.

"Fine," Moonbeam snapped. "Go to Nosewhisker and get some herbs. Didn't your mentors tell you that you must not EVER eat anything from Carrionplace?"

Badgerfang came up. "What's this?" he asked Shiftpaw.

The apprentice looked away from his mentor.

"Shiftpaw and Volepaw decided to have a bit of fun and try the prey at Carrionplace." Moonbeam said.

Badgerfang's face fell. 'Shiftpaw, Volepaw, haven't we told you 100 times not to go near Carrionplace?"

Moonbeam laid her tail on the tom's shoulder. "Leave them be, Badgerfang. Amberstar and Fallowgrass will give them a good tongue thrashing already, you don't have to add it on."

/

The two apprentices were sick for 8 sunrises, and when they could finally begin their duties again they found out something shocking.

"We've held your final assessments back for a moon."

Volepaw was outraged. "What? You've no right!"

"I have every right," Moonbeam snapped. "I am your Clan deputy. And it was, in fact, Amberstar who issued that order. The elder's nest needs cleaning. Go."

The two apprentices left, grumbling under their breath.

Great StarClan I'm exhausted! Moonbeam thought.

A terrible cough was going around ShadowClan, and from what the other Clan's had said at the Gathering the night before, they were suffering too.

"Moonbeam, can I talk to you for a second?" Amberstar asked.

Moonbeam nodded.

"Nosewhisker has just informed me that Hollowfoot, Stonecrack and Archstorm have whitecough."

No!

"We need to be extra vigilant about clean bedding and clean fresh-kill. It seems that this rain will not stop."

Moonbeam nodded. Even more to do.