Chapter 32
The clan roared their approval. Silverheart had never heard them so enthusiastic before. A cheer of "Shadewhisper!" began, and was taken up by the whole clan. The clan took awhile to quiet down, but when they did, Rainstar had more news. "I would also like to announce Icepaw, Cloudpaw, and Thrushpaw's warrior assessment will be today. I'm sure the whole clan wishes them well." Cheers broke out again, congratulating them and, like Rainstar said, wishing them good luck. Silverheart could hardly believe it. Their assessment! She was so distracted by her new duties, Shadewhisper's homecoming, and her relationship with Oakstorm she had forgotten Cloudpaw was near the end of her apprenticeship. Cloudpaw hurled herself at Silverheart.
"I'm so excited! This is so unexpected! You never said a word!" She purred. That's cause I didn't know, Silverheart thought in guilt.
She should have remembered! "I wanted to surprise you. I know you'll do a great job."
She gave her apprentice a lick. Cloudpaw smiled. "Only cause I have a great mentor!" She had missed the end of the meeting since she was talking to Cloudpaw and now Rainstar was heading in her direction.
"Cloudpaw, would you get your littermates please? I'd like to start the assessment as soon as possible." Dipping her head respectfully, Cloudpaw shot off in search of her siblings. Silverheart noticed Splashspot and Frostwhisker waiting by the entrance to camp.
Silverheart and Rainstar padded to the entrance too, to wait with the other mentors. "I will help with the assessment." Rainstar announced, just as Cloudpaw, Icepaw and Thrushpaw padded over.
They exchanged looks, excitement and honor mingling in their gazes. "Um, what are we supposed to do for the assessment?" Thrushpaw asked.
All eyes turned to Rainstar, who chuckled. "Just a hunting expedition. You many get started as soon as you're ready." Icepaw and Thrushpaw left immediately after he finished speaking. Cloudpaw touched her nose to Silverheart's before following.
"It's easy to see how close you two are." Splashspot commented. Rainstar and Frostwhisker nodded in agreement.
"She's great." Silverheart meowed. "Shall we go?" Rainstar nodded and the four cats bounded after their apprentices.
Rainstar followed Silverheart as she tracked her apprentice through the forest. Easily, she found the white she-cat by the river. Silverheart felt a ripple of satisfaction and pride at how serious Cloudpaw was. She stared at the river, her concentration and intensity surprising even Silverheart. She swiped at the river, and a fish popped out. Her death bite was clean and efficient. She'll be a great warrior, Silverheart thought. She even looked like a warrior.
Rainstar left, but not before giving Silverheart a nod of approval. Silverheart smiled and guessed he was off to check on the other apprentices. After Cloudpaw caught a few more fish, she picked up her prey and headed into the forest. Silverheart crept silently behind her, following her into the canopy of trees. Cloudpaw buried her prey between the roots of a gnarly old oak tree. There was a breeze in the air, blowing in the direction of the snowy apprentice. She opened her mouth to taste the air, and alarm flew into her eyes. She sprinted off in the direction of the Shadowclan border. Silverheart followed, seriously alarmed. What had spooked Cloudpaw?
She tried to smell, but the wind wasn't blowing anymore. Trusting her apprentice, she picked up speed, no longer concerned about the assessment or staying hidden. Silverheart caught up with Cloupaw easily with her longer legs. "What's wrong?!" Silverheart gasped.
"ShadowClan scent!" Cloudpaw's blue eyes were round with horror and fear. She skidded to a stop, causing Silverheart to crash into her.
"Rainstar!" Silverheart yowled. He turned to look at her but it was too late. The black and brown paw, with claws unsheathed, struck him. Rainstar cried out, falling to the ground in a heap of gray fur.
Letting out a battle cry of pure hatred, Cloudpaw sprang at the brown and black tabby. Silverheart identified the murderer as Treepelt, but didn't spare him a second thought. She raced to Rainstar's side. "Oh Rainstar…NO! oh no!" She lapped at his wound, ignoring the tang of blood. Tears pooled in her eyes, making her blind. The drops fell down her face and onto the dying leader's pelt. "It's ok, everything will be ok. I'll get you home and-"
Rainstar let out a murmur of protest before continuing in a somewhat clearer voice. "I'm… done Silverheart. There's nothing… left. Nothing more I can… give to the clan. But you …you can give them all… of your life. You can be Silverstar the… heart of Riverclan. The heart that will… always beat in the forest." The effort to speak was almost impossible for the gray tom.
Forstwhisker, Splashspot, Icepaw and Thrushpaw stared at their leader and deputy. They must have come while Rainstar was talking. Silverheart didn't notice them, nor did she notice Cloudpaw chase Treepelt off Riverclan land. She was too busy with Rainstar. "No! No I can't! Please Rainstar, I can't do it! I need you!" She had taken him for granted. She never imagined what it would be like when he died; she realized that she had been living in the present moment.
"You won't be without…me. I'll watch over you…from Starclan. I'll never forget..you...never leaving." He closed his eyes slowly, and took his last breath. Rainstar, the wise and caring Riverclan leader was gone.
"Rainstar! NO!" Silverheart yowled her grief to Starclan, and the tears streamed faster down her face. What was she going to do without him? Cloudpaw walked up to her grief stricken mentor and pressed her pelt against hers. Silverheart trembled, and buried her head in Cloudpaw's shoulder.
Splashspot walked up to the two cats, with Frostwhisker and the apprentices behind him. "We should go home." He murmured softly. Silverheart nodded, and slipped her back under Rainstar's belly, gathering him on her back. She nodded numbly to the patrol and they walked home slowly. Silverheart had never seen such a dark day.
Back at camp, she placed Rainstar in the center of the clearing, and the cats stared at the leader shock flaring in their eyes. Silverheart walked to the base of Mossrock, but didn't jump up onto it. The Mossrock was for leaders, and Silverheart had never felt less ready to become one. "Riverclan," she started, but stopped when she heard her voice wobble. This was one test she wasn't sure she had enough strength to pass. But she had to go one, her clanmates depended on her. Steadying her voice, she continued, "Rainstar lost his last life today, struck down by Treepelt of Shadowclan. It is unclear why he was on our territory." Wails of sadness and dismay broke out among the clan. Silverheart bowed her head in respect and grief for Rainstar.
"We will never forget you Rainstar. May the sun warm your back and the fish leap into your you find safe shelter and swift running where you lay. " Silverheart's voice seemed to echo around the camp. "Remember, tonight is the Gathering. However much we are grieving, we must go. Before you are dismissed, I'd like to talk to Frostwhisker and Splashspot." The two cats walked forward, and Silverheart spoke to them in a low voice. She was uncertain if she should have the warrior ceremony. However much the apprentices were ready, was it appropriate to name three new warriors the eve of Rainstar's death? Watersong padded forward after a moment.
"You should go ahead to the ceremony. Rainstar would have done the same if he were here. And you are his replacement. It is your duty." Silverheart nodded solemnly, but was still uncertain as she called for quiet.
"Three apprentices have completed their assessment today. Would Cloudpaw, Icepaw and Thrushpaw please step forward." The three cats shuffled up to the deputy. "I, call upon Starclan to look down at these apprentices. They have trained hard to understand the ways of the code, and I give them to you as warriors. Thrushpaw, Cloudpaw, Icepaw do you promise to uphold the warrior code and defend this clan, even at the cost of your life?" The warriors glanced at each other, noticing she had messed up some of the words. Was she really ready for this?
"I do." The three cats said in unison, their voices stiff with grief. This is not how a warrior ceremony should be. They should be happy and excited. This is a major step in their life.Silverheart thought. She didn't voice her doubts, instead going on with the ceremony.
"Then by the powers of Starclan, I give you all your warriors names. Thrushpaw, from this moment on, you will be known as Thrushwing. Starclan honors your wisdom and faith." She placed her head on his shoulder, and he licked her shoulder respectfully before stepping back into the crowd.
Silverheart turned to Icepaw. "From this moment on, you will be known as Icepelt. Starclan thanks you for your kindness and determination." She placed her head on Icepelt's shoulder, and she too licked her shoulder before backing into the crowd.
"Cloudpaw from this moment on, you will be known as Cloudfall. Starclan acknowledges your bravery and skill." She placed her head on her former apprentice's shoulder, and Cloudfall licked Silverheart before joining her siblings.
"The cats who will come to the Gathering are Watersong, Shadewhisper, Reedpelt, Graymist, Shinewhisker, Wetfoot, and Rosedrop. We'll leave shortly. You're dismissed." In silence Riverclan settled beside Rainstar, keeping him company as he journeyed to Starclan's hunting grounds.
Watersong walked up to Silverheart."You know you need to name the new deputy before Moonrise? You should do it before we leave. It'll be late when we get back." Silverheart nodded.
How was she supposed to pick a deputy? She felt too disheartened and her mind whirled with the impossibility of the task. It seemed like a monumental choice to her. How would she know who to pick? Focus. This is an important decision.She went through each cat in her mind. Surely there had to be one cat who towered over the rest? The answer came to her in a moment. He was smart, loyal, caring, and supportive. He would be a fine deputy.Perfect.
"Before we leave for the Gathering, I wish to name the new deputy. I say these words before the spirits of Starclan and Rainstar, so they may hear and approve my choice." Silverheart hadn't seen the need the call the clan together. They were already out, settled around Rainstar. She took a deep breath, and continued, hoping desperately she picked the right cat. "Reedpelt will be the new deputy."
The clan was sincere in their approval of Reedpelt. He dipped his head, seemingly embarrassed. "Thank you, Silverheart. I'll watch over and care for Riverclan till I walk the stars."
Silverheart licked his cheek, and murmured, "Starclan grant that you'll be here for a long time." She gave him a final nod and sought out Oakstorm. She really needed him right now. She was more exhausted than she had been in her whole life, and she still resopnsiblites tonight.
She spotted him with Rosedrop. She forced her paws to carry her over to him. She sank to the ground and lost herself in the softness of his gave a lick on her head, which she returned. "You can do this. You're the strongest cat I know." he nuzzled her lovingly.
Too soon, she had to part from him, and lead RiverClan to the Gathering. She gathered them with a swish of her tail, and they set off to Fourtrees. As they ran, Silverheart recalled her first Gathering. How easy and simple life was back then!
Before she plunged into the clearing, she turned to her clanmates. "Do you all remember what Shadewhisper and Nightfur and Shadowfoot told us the night they returned from their journey? About those evil cats?" The clans nodded. Silverheart continued, "Then we are to be friendly with every cat. These cats will have to be our allies. Be nice, even to Shadowclan." Nods came from her cats. "Then let's go." She turned and plunged into the clearing, Riverclan streaming out behind her.
"Riverclan is here. We can start. Where is Rainstar?" Heatherstar said, from where she sat on the Great Rock. The other two leaders sat with her, curious as well.
The new Riverclan leader padded to the base of the rock and said, "He has been killed today. I will lead Riverclan now, and get my nine lives tomorrow." Despite her strong words, her voice wobbled and the words didn't come out as strong as she wanted them to.
The leaders nodded, and Honeystar gave her a sympathetic look. Uncertainty, Silverheart scrambled up the Great Rock. Trying to maintain her dignity she nodded to the other leaders, reminding herself she was their equal.
Honeystar, Heatherstar and Mudstar passed along trivial news; Nothing was more important then what Silverheart needed to share. She was last to speak, fear and impatience growing inside her.
When she was finally allowed to speak, she stepped forward and began her report with the news of Shadewhisper's homecoming, the warrior ceremony and the death of Rainstar. Then she got to the crucial part. "Shadewhisper told us of a malicious gang living in the mountains. They killed all of the Tribe of Rushing Water, and their greed doesn't stop there. They want our territories too."
Surprise broke out among all the clans. There were several moments before Silverheart could go on. "But if we all fight together, we can win. Firestar and Blackstar and Leopardstar, and Tallestar won against Scourage. We can win this battle too." Heatherstar glanced at Honeystar, who was looking back at her. Mudstar glanced over all the cats in the clearing. It was a long silent moment before any cat spoke again.
"WindClan will join you in this fight." Heatherstar meowed at last. This didn't surprise Silverheart but she was glad to hear it.
The other leaders talked amongst themselves for another moment before they declared they too would join in as well. All four clans would fight as one when the time came. The cats in the clearing looked and spoke and nodded to each other. Some talk turned to strategy, others to the astonishment of the death of the Tribe.
Honeystar raised her voice over the crowd, and the cats quieted again.
"I nominate Silverheart to lead us in this battle. Clearly she has more information than any of us."
Heatherstar nodded and said, "I agree."
Mudstar looked at them as though they had grown an extra head. "She doesn't have any experience. She doesn't even have her nine lives and name yet!"
"How much information do you have on these cats?" Heatherstar spat, furious.
Mudstar narrowed his eyes in thought. Alas he bowed his head, "You're right. I was wrong." He dipped his head to Silverheart. Though he conceded, his eyes still held anger in them and he didn't look happy.
She nodded and thanked the three leaders, hoping they didn't see her falling under the weight of all four clans.
A/N: WOAH! Longest chapter ever. Like 2,300 words geez. Which meant I had to stay up late to finish it. I was really tired, but I kept going for you guys. Please don't hate me for killing Rainstar. I love him just as much as you do, and was legit crying as I wrote his death. So we have 2 more chapters and then the epilogue and THE SEQUAL! So excited for that! Yay. Please leave a review. And thanks for reading.
Also, I have just uploaded a Poll on my profile. So if you could vote in it that would be cool. The question is 'After finishing Silverkit's Struggle, should I immediately start writing the sequel, or should I wait a month or so? Please keep in mind I will need about a week so I can gather and organize ideas no matter which way you vote.' So basically, should I wait longer than a week to upload the new story? If it turns out that you guys do want me to wait, I may upload another one, asking how long I should. I wanted to let you guys know about the poll asap because if you don't want me to wait, I'll have to start thinking right away. Please don't respond to my question in a review. Please do so using the poll. Have a good night.