Wow, that was fast, Neon Wish. Thanks for the review. Too bad it took me so long to update. My teachers have been giving a lot of homework lately (naughty teachers), but since I had a few spare minutes I figured I'd give you chapter 7. So, here it is.
CHAPTER 7
Briarlight squeezed out the back of the den before Jayfeather noticed. She dragged herself through the forest. She settled a few moments later.
If I had interpreted the dream, I could have told Squirrelflight not to go on the patrol! I should have figured it out! That's what the dream was! The fleeing squirrel...
Call yourself a medicine cat? A small voice inside her head challenged.
She should have done something. Bramblestar wasn't himself anymore.
The sun was still high in the sky. She wouldn't miss Squirrelflight's vigil and the deputy ceremony.
She began to follow a path that she had traveled on only a few nights before. When she reached the Moonpool, the sun had started to set. She set her nose to it and lapped up a few drops.
...
Briarlight opened her eyes and flinched. It was light and sparkly like usual, but in the distance it became dark and misty and the trees were leafless.
She dashed forward, grateful that she could use her legs again.
The border of respect! The wind whispered.
The border wasn't marked, but it was quite obvious where it was.
"Follow me," Honeyfern whispered.
Honeyfern took her straight to the border.
Many cats were gathered. Dawnpelt was crouched on the border, gazing at the StarClan cats, then dragging her gaze to the Dark territory, then back to StarClan territory.
Where does she belong?
"Blackstar!" Yellowfang snarled. She chased him over the border. "You were supposed to prove your loyalty to us! Killing Dawnpelt proved that you belong on the other side of the border. Go!"
"I'll chase you deep in!" Bluestar added. "I did it to Thistleclaw; I'll do it to you."
Blackstar turned and walked away.
"Dawnpelt, you are to prove your loyalty to StarClan. You will stay here for two moons. You have ten fox-lengths of territory." Leopardstar turned to Beetlewhisker.
"Beetlewhisker, will you go and set a line five fox-lengths in?"
Shaking, Beetlewhisker walked into the place where his body lay.
Squirrelflight sat between Firestar and Hollyleaf. Briarlight dashed over.
"I'm sorry, Squirrelflight. If I had understood the omen, I might have been able to prevent-" Firestar cut her off.
"You weren't meant to save Squirrelflight. Yellowfang made us send that dream. I don't know why."
Before Briarlight could reply, she woke at the edge of the Moonpool. The moon was rising. She dragged herself back to the camp as fast as she could.
Bramblestar was still in his den when Briarlight got back.
Briarlight peered into the den. Bramblestar was crouched, whimpering.
"Bramblestar? It's nearly moonhigh."
Bramblestar let out a loud whimper and flicked his tail to show that he'd heard.
"Briarlight, where've you been?" Jayfeather called.
"I went to the Moonpool. Squirrelflight's settling in well."
"Glad to hear it." Jayfeather mewed sadly.
At moonhigh, Bramblestar left his den and crept slowly onto the highledge.
"I say these words over the body of Squirrelflight so that her spirit may hear and approve my choice." his mew caught in his throat. He swallowed, then went on.
"Graystripe will be the new deputy of ThunderClan."
"Graystripe! Graystripe!" the clan chanted.
"Bramblestar chose well." Briarlight muttered.
"Congratulations, Graystripe!" Brackenfur called.
Jayfeather carried soaked cobwebs over and pressed them into Squirrelflight's wound. Briarlight cleaned the blood from her fur, then chewed mint and rubbed it over her.
Bramblestar jumped down and rested his nose in Squirrelflight's cold fur.
"We will meet again, I promise."
...
What do you think? Did Bramblestar choose well?