All of Thunderclan were in the elders den, which was larger than many thought. Everyone was silent, few were actually thinking of who they were going to sacrifice.
Finally Jayfeather spoke, "has anyone made any sort of decision?"
"I think we should give her Leafpool!" Spiderleg spat.
"Leafpool's eyes widened with fear, they darted back and forth. "Why me? What have I done to you?"
"Because of you we have your daughter murdering the clan. Because of you, there will be no more Thunderclan."
"Jayfeather, what do you think?" Leafpool looked at her blind son, her eyes glazed and her eyes pleading. These visuals meant nothing to him.
"I do not think you should be killed, but I will not say you are innocent. Spiderleg has a very good point," He answered, Leafpool's head drooping. "You broke the warrior code. I completely understand Spiderleg's reasoning. On the other paw; you are my mother; even if you've done a terrible wrong, I don't want you dead." It wasn't friendly, but it was the nicest thing Jayfeather ever said.
"Who else agrees?" Spiderleg called. At first nobody moved, but soon, the majority of cats moved to Spiderleg's side.
Leafpool burst into tears. She could not believe that her clan was giving her up to a torturous and terrible death.
…The Next Day…
"Doomclan, Thunderclan. Appear before your queen!" Hollystar was very proud of how she called her clans.
Once all the cats had shown up, she continued, "Have you decided who shall be sacrificed?" This was the most evil thing she'd ever done.
All was silent until Leafpool stood up and stepped forward.
Hollystar was surprised, "I hadn't actually thought you were going to get to make a decision. This can't have gone well with her. But there is one problem: I choose when Leafpool dies… and how. Choose someone else."
Leafpool was taken aback, she wasn't sure how to feel. She was happy she wasn't going to die now, but then she wasn't sure if that was good or bad. Was she just postponing an inevitable horrible death? She also wasn't sure how to react to her clanmates; they had just tried to kill her! What would they do now? Next time someone had to die, would she be pushed to the front of the line?
"You have until Sunhigh. Choose wisely." Hollystar disbanded the meeting and she walked away, irritated. They had chosen the one cat who she didn't want dead… yet. It had been to long since she'd killed someone, and she needed blood.
Thunderclan slowly walked back to the crowded elders den, Jayfeather stepped instep next to Leafpool, "I'm glad you're still alive." He swiftly moved towards another group of cats.
…
"I'm sorry Leafpool, I was under pressure…" Spiderleg awkwardly apologized.
"We don't have time for apologies," Jayfeather said. "We have a task at paw that could end up in more than one cat's death. Someone has to be chosen."
"And who do you suggest, O' great Starclan warrior?" Berrynose spat.
"I would say the cat who has no value to the clan, is absolutely useless." He stared blindly at Berrynose, "They have to have no value at all; no one loves them, and they have or benefit to the clan. I would suggest all of you, but I will not vote for anyone."
"So you care nothing for your family, or your clan!? Who you swore to protect!?"
"I guess Lionblaze was okay, but this isn't important. If we don't choose quickly, Hollystar will kill three of us. And it would be your fault for stalling!"
"I will go." A small she-cat said.