Chapter 79
Jaystar pushed into her Clan's camp, flanked by Brackenspot and Mousewhisker who were carrying Stripepool's body for her vigil and Thornclaw who was dragging Rosestripe byy her scruff. Jaystar glanced backwards and saw that Rosestripe's limp tail had left a trail in the dirt. Shrugging away the grief she felt for her lost deputy, Jaystar flicked her tail to the center of camp where Stripepool will put for her vigil and then the darkest corner of the camp where Rosestripe would stay until it was time for her uncermonious burial. Brackenspot and Mousewhisker obeyed their orders while Moonwhisker bounded over to his sister and former mentor, his green eyes wide as he glanced down his mother.
Moonwhisker gave a loud yowl of pure grief that sent Spiderleg racing out of the nursery, his two youngest kits- Rustkit and Tigerkit- tumbling after him. Spiderleg took one glance at Stripepool and practically collapsed on his paws, his jaws shrieking silent cries of grief for his mate. Rushleaf padded out of the nursery- Butterflykit and Coalkit peaking out from the entrance- and nudged Rustkit and Tigerkit away from Spiderleg. From the warriors' den, Brownfeather and Heavystorm were stumbling out, wondering what could have made their father and littermate yowl with such pain. Brownfeather shrieked at the sight of Stripepool and raced over to Moonwhisker's side, pressing his muzzle into his littermate's thick fur. Heavystorm- meanwhile- padded over to Spiderleg and sat by him, covering his fur with brisk licks. Was this what life was all about? Did the parents help their children when they were young and then the favor was returned later on in life?
Jaystar glanced where Rosestripe laid, noticing that only Thornclaw and Rosestripe's kin- Daisy and Toadflower- were crouched next to the dark ginger warrior. Thornclaw's tail waved as he explained to Daisy and Toadflower what had happened to Rosestripe. Bearpaw and Badgerpaw were hidden in the shadows and Jaystar knew that Rosestripe was their half-kin. Even if a cat had broken the warrior code, you still had some loyalty to them because of blood. Jaystar wondered if Rosestripe's other half-kin were sparing her any glances, but Berrynose and Hazeltail were crouched beside Mousewhisker, looking at Stripepool's limp body. Spiderleg- who was still being soothed by Heavystorm- gave his dead daughter not one glance of sadness.
Jaystar noticed that Cinderheart and Poppyfrost- Stripepool's sisters- were also at Stripepool's side, pressing their muzzles into their sister's side. As Jaystar glanced at them, she realized that she had lost all of her sisters today. When she woke up, Jaystar had seen Cinderheart, Poppyfrost, and Stripepool as kin, but now she realized they were only Clanmates and now Stripepool was none of those things. Jaystar glanced away and noticed that Leafpool was padding towards her, borage in her jaws. Jaystar was confused until she remembered that Blossomwhisker's kits were close to being due. Seeing the knowing look in Jaystar's eyes, Leafpool meowed, "Blossomwhisker had her kits today. Three healthy she-kits. Toadflower should be with her, but Rosestripe's death has made him forgetful of Blossomwhisker and her kits. I think Blossomwhisker would benefit from a conversation with you." Leafpool glanced at Stripepool's limp body and added sadly, "Just because StarClan took a life from us this evening, we shouldn't forget that they also brought us life. Go to Blossomwhisker, Jaystar, and can you bring her this borage?"
Jaystar nodded and picked up the borage, padding in the direction of the nursery. Pushing inside, Jaystar noticed that the nursery was more empty than usual. Ferncloud was probably outside, attempting to comfort Spiderleg- her son- while Daisy was still sitting by Rosestripe. Only Rushleaf and Blossomwhisker remained and Jaystar's daughter was crouched over Stripepool's kits as well as her own. Rustkit, Tigerkit, Butterflykit, and Coalkit were all curled up together, sleeping despite all the trouble around them. Blossomwhisker was facing Jaystar, her three kits suckling hungrily. There were two black-and-white kits like Toadflower while the third made Jaystar immediatly think of Stripepool. The tiny kit had the same light brown fur and the same darker brown stripes slashing through it.
"They are beautiful kits, Blossomwhisker. Have you thought of any names?" Jaystar asked after dropping the borage at Blossomwhisker's paws. Blossomwhisker licked up the herb before meowing, "This is Crookedkit." Blossomwhisker nodded at one of the black-and-white kits and Jaystar noticed that her tail looked bent as though it was broken. "The other black-and-white she-kit is Cedarkit and I've decided to call the only brown tabby: Stripekit." Jaystar bowed her head as she glanced at Stripekit... the kit who reminded her so much of Stripepool. Did Blossomwhisker see this similarity too or did she only name her kit that since Stripepool had died that very day?
"Jaystar!" Jaystar heard one of the Clan elders- Mousefur- call for her. Saying her goodbyes to Blossomwhisker and Rushleaf, Jaystar padded out of the nursery and was face to face with almost every single member of her Clan. "Jaystar, it is almost moonhigh! You must pick a new deputy." Jaystar glanced around at the cats surrounding her: her courageous apprentice, Bearpaw; her good friend, Applefrost; her first love, Bumblethroat; her brilliant former mentor, Squirrelflight; her selfless friend, Ashgaze; and of course Mousewhisker who didn't know that he was chosen to be ThunderClan's next deputy.
"I say these words before StarClan so that they may here and approve my decision." No use in saying Rosestripe's name in the ceremony. Rosestripe had turned her back on StarClan when she murdered Stripepool. "Mousewhisker will be the new deputy of ThunderClan." Many cats looked surprise, but none like Mousewhisker. That was one of the reasons Jaystar had chosen Mousewhisker. He would have had no idea.
