Lilystream sat with the other deputies at the base of the Great Rock. The other three were talking to each other, but were acting like she was a disease. Brightleaf glance warily at her and that upset Lilystream. "What?" She hissed, baring her teeth.
"Nothing." Brightleaf meowed in surprise. "It's just that you're a new warrior and you just became deputy. There's something not right with that. You were also given an apprentice in the same ceremony that you became deputy." She stared into Lilystream's eyes and Lilystream dropped them in embarrassment. "I don't deserve it." She whispered sorrowfully. "Can I trust you not to tell any cat?"
Brightleaf nodded assuringly. "I know you're friends with Softpaw and she's my brother's mate. You can definitely trust me."
"Well Halfpaw is my apprentice, but he's only four moons old. Blackfur was my mate, but I'm expecting kits and he doesn't want them. Blackfur is making Dapplespot have Badgerstripe's kits, even though her mate is Adderfur. He is making cats mate with one another so we can have more kits and stronger ones too. And I have to give my kits to Ashclaw because she's expecting kits not too long before me. Our clan is just a mess!"
"Wait." Brightleaf meowed loudly. "You said Blackfur?"
Lilystream nodded slowly. "Yes, why?"
"I heard he had a nasty temper."
Lilystream turned the right side of her face away from the Thunderclan deputy, revealing an ugly scar near her eye. "I would say he does. This was because I told him I was having his kits."
Brightleaf purred sympathetically. "Riverclan is worse than Shadowclan."
Lilystream jumped back and hissed at her. "You know nothing! Leave me alone."
"That concludes the gathering." Blackfur announced. He jumped down from the Great Rock and padded over to Lilystream.
"Let's go." He snarled. Lilystream flinched and followed him all the way to the Moonstone. He left her at the entrance and she sat in silence, shivering with cold and fear.
He can't become leader. She thought desperately. He'll destroy Riverclan. Please Starclan don't grant him leadership.
After a while, piercing yowls penetrated Lilystream's ears. She raced into the cave, but stopped instantly when she saw the glittering stones on the cave walls. She padded along slowly, staring at the breathtaking crystals. The smell of blood tinged the air, so Lilystream sped up. She stopped at the Moonstone and froze when she heard a gurgling noise. Blackfur lay in the shadows with one of the beautiful stones crushing him. "Help me." He whispered, sounding like he was gargling rocks. "Help me." He repeated. His chest fell and didn't rise again. The sweet smell of Lilystream's mother filled the cave. "Your prayer was heard." Luna breathed. Her starry pelt shimmered as she padded forward to touch noses with her daughter. "Starclan were listening. We never foresaw Blackfur's dreadful plans. He has been banished to a place we call the Dark Forest. It is for the cats that don't belong in Starclan."
"I don't want to be leader." Lilystream blurted. Luna blinked understandingly. "We know it's not your time yet. Cedarfoot will be leader. Go to your clan and tell them the good news."
She started fading away until Lilystream was alone with Blackfur's body. She dragged him out from under the rock and out of the sacred cave and piled rocks over him so no cat would know he was there. She sighed with relief when it was done and padded back to camp with them moon shining brightly overhead.