Chapter 44
Jaysong knew that when Firestar had appointed her deputy- Jaysong still didn't believe what had happened at the meeting- he had never imagined her doing this. As soon as Tigefur had told her of Blackstar's illness, Jaysong had left her camp without even thinking about Firestar and her clanmates. To Jaysong's surprise, Rushleaf had followed her before she had barely gotten out of ThunderClan territory. Rushleaf had said that Firestar gave her permission to visit Blackstar instead of sitting for her vigil. Even if StarClan would be angry, Jaysong was glad that Rushleaf was running beside her.
Tigerfur led them into ShadowClan territory and Jaysong suddenly had apprentice memories flooding back to her, especially the day of the ShadowClan fire. Jaysong followed Tigerfur to ShadowClan's camp, Rushleaf hard on her paws. When Jaysong entered ShadowClan's camp after Tigerfur, she saw all her mate's clanmates staring at her. There was no surprise in their eyes though. Everyone must have known that Tigerfur had gone to get Jaysong. The golden brown warrior followed Tigerfur towards a large den that Jaysong took to be Blackstar's den. Outside the den, Rabbitpaw sat, his green eyes dull with grief. Dawnclaw- his mentor- stood over Rabbitpaw, rasping her tongue over his ears.
"Jaysong!" A voice called and Jaysong turned, spotting Oakfur rushing over to her. "Thank StarClan, you came. I didn't want to be the one to tell Blackstar he wouldn't be able to see his kin before he went to hunt with StarClan." Jaysong blinked in surprise. Tigerfur had said that Blackstar was sick; never that he was going to join StarClan. Obviously Oakfur realized what had surprised Jaysong because he meowed gently, "I'm sorry. Littlecloud and Flamecloud are with him right now. When they come out then you can go pay your respects. No one will intrude on you, Rabbitclaw, or Rushpaw."
"Rabbitclaw, you're a warrior?" Rushleaf mewed in surprise, glancing over at Rabbitclaw who had begun to pad over to them. Rabbitclaw's eyes were still dull with sadness, but Jaysong knew that seeing his mother and sister would help his grief. Rabbitclaw dipped his head to Rushleaf, explaining, "Blackstar gave me my warrior name yesterday. He..." Rabbitclaw gulped before continuing, "He said he wanted to see me become a warrior before he was called to join StarClan." Rabbitclaw bowed his head and Rushleaf padded over to him, licking his ears gently. Jaysong saw Dawnclaw glare at Rushleaf with annoyance.
"So am I! Firestar made me a warrior this evening! I'm now Rushleaf!" The black-and-white warrior meowed excitedly. Rabbitclaw cocked his head in surprise, asking, "If Firestar made you a warrior today then shouldn't you be keeping your vigil?" Rushleaf opened her mouth to explain, but at that moment, Littlecloud and Flamecloud appeared. Jaysong rushed over to them, flanked by Rushleaf, Oakfur, and Rabbitclaw.
"I've prepared him for his journey to StarClan. You may see him now," Littlecloud mewed sadly, padding away with Flamecloud at his heels. Oakfur bowed his head in grief, surprising Jaysong. The golden brown warrior thought that Oakfur would be happy Blackstar was joining StarClan. After all, Oakfur would be leader next. Oakfur flicked his tail to Jaysong and her kits, telling them that they could see Blackstar before him. Rabbitclaw darted forward and Dawnclaw took a step towards him, but shook her head instead sitting beside Oakfur. Jaysong and Rushleaf followed their kin into Blackstar's den.
Jaysong saw Rabbitclaw crouched over Blackstar, who was lying down, his gold eyes watching them. Rushleaf followed Rabbitclaw and sat down next to her brother, licking Blackstar's neck fur. Jaysong padded forward until she was standing above Blackstar. Letting her fur brush against Blackstar's, Jaysong meowed, "Blackstar." As Jaysong looked at him, she remembered Gray in the mountains and at that moment she knew whatever she felt towards the Tribe cat could not compare to the love she felt for Blackstar. Jaysong glanced at Rabbitclaw and Rushleaf, the two things that came from her love with Blackstar.
"Jaysong, its so good to hear your voice again. How are you?" Blackstar rasped and Jaysong knew that her mate was only trying to pretend things were normal. Giving Blackstar's ear a gentle lick, Jaysong mewed, her voice cracking with grief, "I returned from the mountains today and there were dozens of foxes here to greet me. You should tell the patrols to keep an eyes out for them. Brambleclaw died in the attack and Firestar made me deputy, but enough about me, how are you?" Jaysong's voice was shaky as she tried to talk to Blackstar as though nothing was going to happen. Jaysong knew that Blackstar saw through her.
Purring in a weak voice, Blackstar rasped, "Firestar made a worthy choice. I wish I could have seen you in the position." Blackstar coughed and Rabbitclaw meowed, "Save your strength, Blackstar." Rabbitclaw's eyes glittered with worry at the thought of losing his father and leader in the same day.
Blackstar looked at Rabbitclaw and Rushleaf, as though he was seeing them for the first time, "Rabbitclaw, you are my son, my warrior, and it pains me to leave you, but I know you will help your clanmates take care of ShadowClan. Also don't be afraid to hide your feelings. StarClan knows I didn't." Blackstar gave Rabbitclaw a nod before mewing, "Rushpaw..."
"Rushleaf," The black-and-white warrior corrected Blackstar. The ShadowClan leader purred and meowed, "Thank StarClan, I got to see you as a warrior, Rushleaf. You are my daughter and a worthy warrior of ThunderClan. They are lucky to have you because StarClan knows that I have wished for you to live in ShadowClan with me. You and Jaysong." Blackstar glanced around at his kin before mewing, "I will miss you all deeply. Tell Oakfur he will be a good leader."
Then Jaysong watched as her mate closed his eyes and left to join StarClan.
