Thirteen moons later...
Cloverstar was in the clearing, sharing tongues with Foxleap. As it was a very sunny day, so were many others joining the in the clearing.
Cherryfall and Redheart sat outside the apprentices den with their kits, now apprentices, as they told their parents about their day. Applepaw and Snakepaw had been apprentices for one moon now, and the apprentices den was crowded, with also Frostflower's kits, Graypaw, Leafpaw, Smokepaw and Sparrowpaw. They were five moons and a half into their apprenticeship, and their ceremony wouldn't be far off.
Gingerclaw was returning from a patrol, having just lead her first ever border patrol.
Squirrelfur, her brother, was also returning from a hunting patrol, and padded straight over to the apprentice's den to take Applepaw, his apprentice, for her battle training. Gingerclaw wasn't far behind with taking Snakepaw with her and chased after her brother. She was proud of her kits, now with lives and apprentices of their own.
Mosscloud and Spottedsky had both moved into the nursery around the same time. Mosscloud was expecting Squirrelfur's kits, while Spottedsky nursed Breezeheart's kits, Icekit and Dappledkit. Icekit was white like her father, while Dappledkit was silver and dappled like her mother. Silverwing was close to having her kits too, and the father was Blazestrike.
Graypaw was apprenticed to Stormcloud, while Silverwing was a queen now, and Echoheart had a mate too, Oakfall.
Yes, their kits were all grown up.
Yes, she still grieved for her lost friends, Brightcloud and Willowfrost, but she also had a clan to run. Sandbreeze was a big help now a days. She new she made the right choice making her deputy.
"WindClan are attacking!"
Loud and clear, came Leafpaw's terrified meowed. Her call reached throughout the camp. Just in time too.
WindClans skinny pelts came charging into the camp, led by no other than Harestar. He had recovered from his Whitecough/Greencough that had kept him from attending the Gathering all those moons ago, much to Cloverstar's dismay.
"WindClan, attack!" He yowled.
The battle was easy enough for ThunderClan. While WindClan held the element of surprise, it disappeared after the first couple of moments and ThunderClan fought back harder than ever. They had the advantage of fighting in their own turf.
She soon pinned Harestar, resisting the urge to take his life in the small pathetic battle that he brought upon himself, and let him go, sprinting away with his tail between his legs.
But what she didn't know, was that they didn't run home, no. They ran to get reenforcements from RiverClan, who apparently had a bone to pick with ThunderClan aswell.
Too late ShadowClan brought help. Gingerclaw had ordered Smokepaw to go to ShadowClan and ask for Rowanstar's help. But it was too late. Harestar and Reedstar, the cowards, crept up on her together, and took her life. She awoke in StarClan, but this was not like before, when she could return to her clanmates and help them win. No, this was different. That was the last life she had. Now Sandbreeze would be leader, and a fine one at that.
Looking down through the clouds, she saw as the battle stopped in the forest, and cats huddled around her body in grief and surprise. Harestar and Reedstar quickly offered their condolences, and left with their clans as fast as they could. Soon ShadowClan left too, and RhubderClan was left to haul their leader's body back to their camp.
She watched as Foxleap, Gingerclaw and Squirrelfur ran up as fastas they could and took in the sight. It was too much for Cloverstar to watch, so she looked away.
As she did, a voice spoke to her.
"You lived a short, but good life, Cloverstar. Sandbreeze will make a wonderful leader in your place."
She reconized that voice.
"Brightcloud?" She meowed.
"Yes, and Willowfrost." Brightcloud answered, stepping into view.
Together, they led Cloverstar to StarClan, where she met Fireleaf, Squirrelflight, Brackenfur and Rainkit, all the cats she missed most, not including Brightcloud and Willowfrost.
"What now?" She asked curiously.
"We wait." Brightcloud answered sadly but seriously.
"For what?" Cloversplash asked, confused.
"You'll learn soon enough." Willowfrost replied.
She was chosen to give Sandbreeze one of her lives as a leader, and she was very excited. She, along with Brightcloud, Willowfrost, Rainkit, Squirrelflight, Bramblestar, Firestar, Bluestar, and Yellowfang, padded down a slope to the very same spot where she had received her lives and name.
They found her with Jayfeather, waiting patiently in the clearing. Sandbreeze looked nervous, but Cloverstar knew she'd be fine.
"Greetings." All the cats travelling with her, herself included, meowed together.
Sandbreeze looked up and Looked fearful for a moment, then straightened up and lifted her head high.
"Are you ready to recieve your nine lives and leader's name?" The StarClan cats asked.
"I am." Was all Sandbreeze replied.
"Then step forth."
"With this life, I give you friendship," Cloverstar meowed, stepping up to her friend and touched her nose to her forehead, giving her the life. "Use it well to stand up to your enemies, to defend your clan at all cost." Sandbreeze's body shook violently. Cloverstar knew this life would be painful to recieve, but it would be worth it. The ferioucity of their friendship throughout the years meant so much to Cloverstar, more than Sandbreeze could ever know.
The look Sandbreeze gave her after the life was given showed that she understood.
"With this life, I give you patience. Use it well to listen to the needs of your clan, even when it s hard." Brightcloud meowed softly, repeating the act. This life was less painful to recieve.
"With this life, I give you peace. Use it well to know the difference between battle and anger." Willowfrost meowed, giving her friend her third life.
"With this life, I give you love." Squeaked a tiny voice every cat knew belonged to Rainkit. "Use it well to order your clan, and Snowstorm." He meowed. Now this life was the wrist to recieve. As Cloverstar watched, Sandbreeze body convulsed in various spasms, and took a while for her to recover.
"With this life, I give you hope. Use it well to find your way out of tight situations." Squirrelflight meowed. She could see why the former deputy gave this life, but she couldn't say it yet.
"With this life I give you justice. Use it well to serve your clan in times of need." The next cat was Bramblestar, followed shortly after by Firestar.
"With this life, I give you courage. Use it well to lead your clan into battle." He meowed, giving her her eighth life.
"With this life, I give you strength. Use it well to pursue your dreams, even when some say it's doubtful." Yellowfang meowed, giving her her ninth, and final life.
"I hail you by your new name, Sandstar. Your old life is no more. You have now received the nine lives of a leader, and StarClan grants you the guardianship of ThunderClan. Defend it well; care for young and old; honor your ancestors and the traditions of the warrior code; live each life with pride and dignity." Cloverstar meowed, her voice tight with emotion. She was so proud of her friend.
"Sandstar"
"Sandstar"
"Sandstar"
StarClan cheered, led by Cloverstar herself.
Now all that was left was to wait...