Chapter 30

The four friends hurried toward home, with Shade in the lead. She was, after all, the one who knew the path the best; She was the one who used it most recently. Shadepaw was so overcome with excitement and bliss she would be home soon. She would see Silverheart and Watersong and Rainstar. All her friends, friends she missed so much.

But, she realized, she was much closer with Shadow, Icewind and Knight, even though they had spent just a quarter moon together. They had been through something that none of the cats back home would understand, or go through themselves. It was fear that brought them close together, that made them depend on one another.

"Shadow," she murmured, turning her gaze so she could look him in the eye. She dropped her pace, letting Snakewind lead. Knight went on ahead, guessing this was a moment that required privacy.

"Yes, Shadepaw?" For a minute, the word caught in her throat, unwilling to hurt her friend. But she had to know.

"How do you love me when you've known me for such a short time?" Shadow eyes swelled with emotion, but it was not hurt. The unexpected feeling was pride.

"When you first came, when I first saw you, you were the most beautiful cat I had ever seen. You still are. I wanted to know everything about you. I… um.. I sorta watched you. From a distance. I… wanted to see what you were like." Truthfully, shadepaw was completely creeped out. But she had hurt him once, she wouldn't do it again.

"Don't be scared. I think it's comforting. It's nice to know one cat in that cave didn't want to hurt me. It's like you were watching over me." She paused then meowed, "I'm so sorry I hurt you. I think you're a great cat Shadow. Really. I'm so sorry. I never meant to hurt you."

He nodded, "We can still be friends, I won't ask for more than that. Could you tell me about the clans' traditions?"

Shadepaw was grateful for the subject change. "Sure." she and Shadow bounded forward, catching up with Shadow and Icewind before she launched into the tale of the making of the four clans and all of the warrior code.

…

"Was that ok, Silverheart?" Cloudpaw asked.

Silverheart got up and shook the dust from her pelt. "Yes that was great Cloudpaw. You are coming along very well." Cloudpaw's blue eyes danced, happiness and pride swirling and twirling in her glee. Silverheart gave her a lick and added, Come on, let's go back to camp. You can change the elders' bedding and then get some rest. You've had a long day." Cloudpaw dipped her head and followed as Silverheart lead the way back to camp.

The Riverclan camp was in mourning when they arrived. Smallflower lay in the center of the clearing. She laid there still, unmoving, unbreathing. Silverheart knew she was dead. She pushed through the cats so she could lick the deputy's fur and murmur, "The clan will miss your wisdom and your kindness." She stepped back and asked Reedpelt what happened. "She got greencough, and almost right away died." Rainstar was gazing at his deputy, raw sorrow in his eyes.

Rainstar had caught greencough too, almost as soon as he recovered from losing his seventh life from the battle with Shadowclan. Already weak, he lost his eighth life quickly, before Watersong had a chance to do anything. Rainstar was the first cat to have the sickness, and it seemed like that was where Smallflower had gotten it.

Watersong was keeping a careful eye on the whole clan, but so far not else had succumbed to the sickness. Rainstar took a breath, drawing strength before leaping onto the Mossrock. Summons were unnecessary, so he began without it. "Smallflower was a great deputy. She will be missed greatly, for I truly believe she would been Smallstar, leader of Riverclan, after I was gone. The clan must have a new deputy, but right now I wish to thank Starclan for giving us her life, and allowing her to live with us thus far."

The cats bowed their head respectfully, and Rainstar slid off the Mossrock. He padded to his den, tail drooping, head down, and ears laid flat against his head.

The sun slipped away, allowing the moon to take its place. Before long the moon was dancing in the middle of the sky, unaware of the sadness it was shedding light on. Rainstar again took his place at the head of the clan. He was still sad, but he had to push aside his own feelings for the good of the clan. "Clanmates, it is my duty to name the new deputy. I say these words before the spirits or our ancestors, and before Smallflower, so that they may hear me and approve my choice."

He paused, and then went on as strongly as before. "Silverheart will be the new deputy." Utter silence greeted his words. Silverheart was in a daze. She knew that she had to step forward and give a some kind of speech, but her paws seemed frozen. Oakstorm, at his usual place beside her, nudged her almost knocking her off her paws. She steadied herself and slowly took the deputy position, standing at the base of Mossrock. The gazes of her friends and family made her uncomfortable, looking as though they expected her to be much wiser now. Silverhear wasn't sure she could live up to their expectations.

"Thank you for this honor, Rainstar." She meowed uncertainly. "I vow in the name of Fishcreek and Smallflower to do everything I can to protect you and all of Riverclan." Whispers broke out. Gossip was flying back and forth. Why had Rainstar picked Silverheart when she hadn't finished training Cloudpaw? Surely there were other more experienced cats who could do the job better? And why would they need protection? Surely their biggest threat was ShadowClan, or anyone who would cross their borders?

Cloudpaw walked forward and dipped her head to the new deputy. "Congratulations. I know Rainstar had his reasons for picking you and I accept his choice. Silverheart, I greet you as the new deputy." She dipped her head once more, and backed away. Silverheart was stunned again. Where was the enthusiastic furball who seemed to idolize her? How did she grow up that fast? That was something she had expected a warrior would say. Silverheart realized that Cloudpaw was growing up. Slowly over the last four and a haft moons, she had matured into a respectable cat. She still had her humor, and her love, but she was changed.

Everything was changed. She almost flinched at the sound of her clanmates. Their voices brought her back from her thoughts. Shinewhisker and Oakstorm began the chant, Rosedrop, Watersong and Willowshadow picked it up. "Silverheart! Silverheart!" Soon the whole clan was caught in it. "Silverheart!" She caught a glimpse of Rockshade, staring at her proudly. She gave him a little smile. Everything was changed, but change didn't have to be scary or bad.

"Smallflower was also mentor to Thrushpaw. Thrushpaw, please step forward." As the apprentice made his way through the clan, Rainstar jumped from Mossrock. Thrushpaw padded up to him. Rainstar announced, " Your mentor was Smallflower, and the clan grieves for her. But you must continue your warrior training a new mentor. Frostwhisker, you are kind and intelligent. Pass these qualities onto Thrushpaw." Frostwhisker stepped out of the crowd and greeted her new apprentice. Thrushpaw, though grief stricken, accepted her greeting. The two cats touched their noses together, and submerged into the crowd.

The days went by so quickly they blurred together. Training Cloudpaw, assigning patrols, and working harder than any cat with her own duties left Silverheart exhausted. When she woke up on the day that marked the fifth moon since Shadepaw left, she went down to the stream for a drink. She gazed into the forest, hoping and haft expecting Shadepaw to pop out at any moment. But at least she sighed and returned to camp. Shadepaw just couldn't be summoned or wouldn't appear because she so desperately wanted her too.

"Graymist, would you take Webpelt and Shinewhisker to renew the Thunderclan border marks? Oakstorm, you take Rockshade, and Splashspot and Icepaw and renew the Windclan border." The cats nodded and set off. Silverheart looked around at her clanmates and said, "Frostwhisker will you go hunting with Wetfoot and Rosedrop? Take Thrushpaw too. Reedpelt you can go hunting with Willowshadow and Sandclaw. I'll come too, with Cloudpaw.

They had a successful day's hunting, and when they got back they weren't the only ones in good spirits. The whole clan was content. All signs of the greencough sickness was gone. Rainstar looked healthly and sleek, all traces of the sad defeated cat that named her as deputy was gone. He sprang onto the highrock, and yowled the summons. "Let all cats old enough to swim gether around Mossrock for a clan meeting." When everyone had settled down, he began. "Rockshade, Willowshadow is it your wish to give the name of a warrior and join the elders?"

Silverheart's parents meowed in unison, "Yes."

"The clan honors you both, and we thank you for all your service. I call upon Starclan to give you many moons of rest."