Note: In the original book Tigerclaw says "she is in the HANDS of StarClan now." Hands?... I changed it to paws. And in the rat attack, Bluestar says it was her fifth life she lost, meaning she had four. Then Tigerclaw announced Bluestar lost a life in the ShadowClan, and she has four lives left still. Uh... I got confused. So I made Bluestar lose her sixth live against the rats and her fifth life against ShadowClan, so she has four by the end of this. (sorry if this makes no sense what-so-ever)

Chapter 26: The New Deputy

Tigerclaw sat outside of the Mouthermouth cave, fur still ruffled from the previous night. Ravenpaw was looking around, jumping as the bushes rustled noisily when a strong wind blew. Greypaw was grooming his thick fur.

Tigerclaw felt uncomfortable cold as the air buffeted his fur.

Tigerclaw stiffened as pawsteps came from the cave. Bluestar appeared with Firepaw close behind, Bluestar seemed a little agitated. "Tigerclaw," she greeted him.

Tigerclaw relaxed. "What did you learn?" He asked. Did you receive any guidance? He mocked in his head, denying that he had fled from the cave because of StarClan.

"We must return to camp immediately." Bluestar said calmly, but her tone didn't fool Tigerclaw. The desperation in her eyes proved she wasn't telling her everything.

• • •

Warrior, leader, and apprentices had been traveling back quickly.

A unfamiliar cat scent drifted on the breeze. Tigerclaw narrowed his eyes, tensing.

"Look!" Came Firepaw's meow to his companions. A black and white cat was padding up to them, a loner.

Who is that? Tigerclaw thought suspiciously. "This is Barely," Bluestar meowed though reading his mind. "He lives near this twoleg nest."

"Hi!" The loner greeted them. "I haven't seen any of your Clan for some moons. How are you, Bluestar?" Barley remarked.

"I'm well, thank you, and you Barely?" Bluestar dipped her head politely. Come on. Bluestar! Do you really trust this cat? A stranger, who could be dangerous!

"How's the hunting going since we last passed this way?" Bluestar continued on. Tigerclaw dug his claws into the ground impatiently. You seemed pretty rushed to get to the clan before, and now you're just chatting with a loner! Get a move on Bluestar!

"One good thing about Twolegs—you'll always find plenty of rats nearby." Barley purred.

The black and white tom added, "You seem in more of a hurry than usual. Is everything all right?"

Tigerclaw glared at him, unable to hold back a growl. Why do you want to know? You want to attack us or something?

"I don't like to be away from my clan for too long." Bluestar replied briefly. Tigerclaw was still looking at Barely. Why would a loner come up to chat? Loners don't act like that, or at least no loners I know of.

"As always, Bluestar, you are tied to your Clan like a queen to her kits." Barley teased. This is stupid. Tigerclaw, annoyed, interrupted. "What so you want Barely?"

Barely gave him a slightly hurt but haughty look and told them, "I just wanted to warn you that there are two dogs here now. You'd be safer going back into the cornfield instead of the yard."

Idiot! We just wasted our time! "We know about the dogs we saw them earli-" Bluestar cut in. "We are grateful for the warning. Until next time..."

Yes yes, let's go let's go. Tigerclaw thought impatiently. "Have a safe journey." Barely waved his tail in farewell.

Bluestar began heading towards the cornfield. "Come." She meowed. Where are you?... You're actually taking his advice?...

"You trust the word of a loner?" He looked warily back at Barely's retreating shape.

"Would you rather face those dogs?" Bluestar asked. Doesn't she remember? "They were tied up when we passed before."

"Well they might be untied now." Bluestar continued to walk through the cornfield. Tigerclaw gave an inaudible sigh of annoyance and followed.

It was Sunhigh. The sun warmed their pelts as they crossed the field.

The sharp scent of rats stung Tigerclaw's nose. What?...

A squeal of pain sounded from up front. Tigerclaw felt a pain in his front leg. A huge rat had bitten him hard.

"Rats!" I knew we couldn't trust Barely! "Barley sent us into a trap!" Tigerclaw slashed at the one biting him, and he heard the others yowling and fighting as well.

Tigerclaw flung one rat to the side and kicked at another one, but three more flung themselves onto his back.

He killed one with his teeth, another with his claws, and once the rats saw their dead companions, they began to scatter.

"They're running away!" Tigerclaw yowled triumphantly. He sent a final rat flying, and made sure every last rat was gone.

Tigerclaw turned to see how his clanmates were doing. What?! Barely is here! The loner was looking at the rats disappearing beyond the field.

"You set us into a trap!" Tigerclaw snarled at him. Leaping, he pinned Barely down. "I didn't know the rats were here!" He defended himself.

Oh sure you didn't! I'm sure you had no idea! I'm not going to believe you. "Why did you send us this way?" He demanded.

"The dogs!" Barely hissed. "The dogs were tied when we passed them earlier!" You aren't getting away with that excuse! "The Twoleg unties them at night. They guard their nest." The loner gasped.

"Tigerclaw! Bluestar is injured!" Firepaw's voice came from a little way off. At this bit of news Tigerclaw released Barely and quickly came over.

Bluestar was unconscious, looking barley alive. Yes! If she loses a life that will make my place as leader someday much quicker!

Sniffing her wounds, though he had no study of medicine, he sat back and pretended to sigh. He had no idea if they were enough to make her lose a life but if they just sat back and didn't do anything the wounds could get worse... Making her lose a life.

"She is in the paws of StarClan now." Tigerclaw meowed. Firepaw looked horrified.

For once Ravenpaw wasn't jumping around like a rabbit, he was still and in shock. "Is she dead?"

I hope she is! One less life for me to take if the time comes! "I don't know. We must wait and see."

Bluestar shifted. Raising her head slowly, she blinked blearily at them. Firepaw was trembling. "Bluestar?" He mewed.

"It's all right." Bluestar croaked. "I lost a life, but it wasn't my ninth."

Pity is wasn't. Well, if it was her ninth I would had Lionheart in the way. "Right," he meowed aloud. "Ravenpaw, fetch some cobwebs for Bluestar's wounds." The apprentice quickly scampered away.

"Greypaw, find some marigold and horsetail." Tigerclaw kept watch for any more rats.

"Here!" Ravenpaw came back with a huge swath of cobwebs. Firepaw looked at Tigerclaw and asked, "shall I put them on her wounds? Yellowfang showed me how."

"Very well." Tigerclaw muttered absent-mindedly. He wasn't really listening. How many lives does Bluestar have now? If there comes a time I need to kill her more than once it would be useful to know just how many times I need to do it.

Tigerclaw turned back to where Firepaw was just finishing up dressing Bluestar's wound, with Ravenpaw and Greypaw watching curiously.

"We should rest here while Bluestar recovers." Tigerclaw ordered.

"No." Bluestar staggered to her paws. "We must return to camp. Let's keep going." Fine, whatever you want. Tigerclaw thought irritably.

They continued onwards, and Tigerclaw edged towards Bluestar. "It's a long time since I've seen you lose a life Bluestar." He meowed casually as he could. "How many have you lost now?"

"I have five lives left." Bluestar murmured, limping as quickly as she could.

So that was your sixth life? Only five more lives left Bluestar, you'd better be watching out.

• • •

Tigerclaw opened his jaws to taste the air, checking for ShadowClan scent. He was surprised when Bluestar meowed, "don't worry about ShadowClan barriers. There won't be any here today."

How do you know? Tigerclaw thought suspiciously, half wondering if her injury was so bad it was messing with her head.

They were almost at the camp, crossing over the border of WindClan. Why can I still smell ShadowClan? Yuck, their stench is so strong it must be carrying over WindClan territory.

Tigerclaw's unease began to grow as they continued to head steadily towards the ThunderClan camp. This isn't normal, why can I still smell ShadowClan? Pelt prickling, he looked warily around.

Suddenly a faint shriek came from the forest. Tigerclaw snapped his head towards the noise.

Ravenpaw stopped in his tracks. "Can you hear that?" He whispered.

The patrol went silent. There was a distinct screeching of cats, and shrill wails of kits. Tigerclaw felt cold realization wash over him.

"Quick!" Bluestar yowled. "It is as StarClan has warned me, our camp is being attacked!"

What?! Tigerclaw immediately launched himself forward, sprinting towards the ThunderClan camp. Bluestar you idiot! Why didn't you tell us earlier? We could've ran here much faster! Did those StarClan fools tell her to only warn us when we were near the camp?

The entrance was looming up ahead, noise of battle growing louder. Tigerclaw dashed into the camp.

ShadowClan cats were battling furiously with ThunderClan. Tigerclaw hurled himself into battle.

Tigerclaw sank his claws into a brown tabby tom's shoulder. The enemy warrior whipped around and aimed a swift blow towards Tigerclaw's eye. He dodged, and flicking out a hind-paw tripped the ShadowClan warrior and bounded away to fight another cat.

A small apprentice jumped at the sight of him. Tigerclaw narrowed his eyes. You're not worth my time. He leaped and grabbing his scruff roughly, drawing blood, he flung him across the clearing. The ShadowClan apprentice landed a little way off.

Tigerclaw looked up to see what was happening in the battle. Bluestar was fighting harshly even with her injuries, Firepaw was sticking his head in the nursery for some reason. Not even fighting. Whitestorm was wrestling with a tortoiseshell she-cat and Darkstripe was yowling, pinned down under two warriors.

Tigerclaw dragged one of the warriors off Darkstripe forcefully, slashing claws across his face. The enemy yelped and fled.

Tigerclaw dug his claws into another enemy warrior, flung him away, before pinning a scrawny she-cat down and biting down viciously. Tigerclaw released and she scampered, blood dripping from the wound he made.

The battle was a glorious haze of claws and teeth, skills and technique. There is only room for the best!

Tigerclaw noticed more and more ShadowClan warriors were fleeing. Good! Tigerclaw fastened his teeth into a white tom's neck, and he howled, struggling to free himself. Tigerclaw let go and the tom raced out of the camp.

Whitestorm and Darkstripe finally chased the last enemies out of the came, spitting and hissing angrily.

Tigerclaw sat down, half-wishing the ShadowClan warriors would come back so he could fight again. Exhilarated by the fighting and victory, he looked around the camp.

Most cats were liking their wounds or discussing the battle. Tigerclaw suddenly noticed Spottedleaf patting herbs on an unmoving shape frantically. Who's that she's treating?

Tigerclaw padded around to get a better view. The limp bundle of golden fur was bleeding heavily. Lionheart!

Horror crashed into Tigerclaw. In a flash he remembered his and Lionheart's mock battles when they were apprentices, cheering loudly for each other when they got their warrior names, fighting side by side as senior warriors.

Stop that, what are you, a pathetic kit who wants it's mother back? This is your chance! Lionheart was deputy and now he's dead! Tigerclaw pushed away the grief, replacing it by hope and certainty he was going to become deputy.

Lionheart's apprentice suddenly came into Tigerclaw's view. Greypaw let out a wail of grief and raced towards his mentor. Stop over-reacting Greypaw.

"He's gone!" Greypaw cried after a few moments. The clan went over to share tounges with their deputy for the last time.

Tigerclaw wasn't thinking of Lionheart anymore. Even if I do become deputy Ravenpaw could still say he saw me kill Redtail, and then I'll be no where.

Tigerclaw soon went with Bluestar to sit beside Lionheart, pretending to be mourning his dead clanmate. Tigerclaw fixed his eyes on Ravenpaw's tattered fur, wondering how to make him not spill his secret to ThunderClan.

Tigerclaw absent-mindedly began licking Lionheart's fur. Perhaps I could suggest Ravenpaw did something horrible... That would make clanmates turn on him and he would lose his nerve. But what thing?

Tigerclaw's mind began to wander around. The Moonstone... He suppressed a shudder. Terrible place... Even Ravenpaw didn't fall to pieces like that! Shame washed over him for a heartbeat.

Those ShadowClan cats chose the perfect time to strike. Strongest warrior, leader, and three apprentices gone from camp. Tigerclaw pushed the Moonstone and StarClan out of his head. They got lucky with their timing of battle.

Oh! An idea shot through his head. Of course! I can suggest that Ravenpaw told ShadowClan to attack today! He knew this wasn't true, he had been there with them the entire time. Plus he'd be way to weak and scared to even try.

Tigerclaw rose and stared at the sky. The moon was nearing its peak. Moonhigh soon. The thing I've waited for! The hope of his deputyship chased thoughts of the Moonstone, Ravenpaw, and the ShadowClan cats out of his mind.

Bluestar stayed with her fallen deputy a while longer, before padding towards the Highrock and leaping up. Cats gathered around for the announcement of their new deputy.

"It is nearly Moonhigh." Bluestar rasped. "And it is once more my duty—much, much too soon—to name ThunderClan's new deputy."

Much too soon? More like much too long! I've been waiting for such a long time! Tigerclaw watched, every hair quivering with anticipation.

Tigerclaw felt every cat look at him. Yes that's right! You know who it should be!

Bluestar took a deep breath. "I say these words before the body of Lionheart, so that his spirit may hear and approve my choice." Bluestar paused agonizingly.

Go on, go on! Tigerclaw felt like screaming at her to continue.

"I have not forgotten how one cat avenged the death of Redtail and brought his body back to us. ThundClan needs this fearless loyalty even more now."

Yes! Yes, Yes! Tigerclaw felt ecstasy shoot through him.

"Tigerclaw will be the new deputy of ThunderClan."

YES!

Tigerclaw did his best to appear calm and collected, though his insides were jumping with triumph and joy. He let the chorus of cheers and congratulations wash over him.

"Tigerclaw, Tigerclaw!" Some cats yowled. The new deputy leaped onto the Highrock with Bluestar.

"ThunderClan," he purred. "I am honored to accept the position of Clan deputy. I never expected to gain such high rank, but by the spirit of Lionheart, I vow to serve you the best I can." ThunderClan will never be looked down on or beaten again!

Tigerclaw sprang down from the rock, and stalked proudly through the clearing.

"-Took care of Redtail-"

Tigerclaw suddenly heard the timid voice of Ravenpaw. What's he saying?! Tigerclaw turned his head sharply. His apprentice was looking downcast, talking to Firepaw. About Redtail!

Tigerclaw instantly walked as causally but as quickly as he could to the apprentices.

"Took care of Redtail?" Tigerclaw heard Firepaw repeat in shock. Tigerclaw reached them, fury boiling through him.

"Are you telling Firepaw how I protected Redtail?" Tigerclaw growled dangerously, eyes flashing with malice. Ravenpaw's eyes widened in terror. Firepaw jumped in front of the black apprentice as if to shield him from Tigerclaw's words.

"He was just saying he wished you had been here to take care of Lionheart as well, that's all!" Firepaw meowed hastily. Tigerclaw looked in Ravenpaw's scared face and to Firepaw's defiant expression.

That wasn't what you two were talking about and I know it. You're lying, Firepaw. Tigerclaw glared at the apprentices' gleaming green eyes. I'll be keeping a closer eye on you.

• • •

"Spottedleaf, will Bluestar be okay?" Tigerclaw growled. The medicine cat was with him, both cats looking at their leader grieving for her former deputy.

"That is just grief. No herbs will help." Spottedleaf murmured. "But she did lose a life in the battle against ShadowClan, and she told me she lost a life from rats when coming back from the Moonstone."

Oh! So she only had four lives left now does she? Tigerclaw thought triumphantly. Good, good, my leadership can't be too far away.

• • •

Tigerclaw passed his tounge over his wounds from yesterday's battles. Time to put my plan into action.

Tigerclaw nudged Darkstripe and Longtail awake. Longtail shifted position and raised his head. Darkstripe rolled onto his back and opened his eyes blearily.

"What are you doing waking us up at the crack of dawn?" Darkstripe croaked irritably. Longtail flicked his ear in agreement. Tigerclaw whispered, "meet me out in the clearing near the dirtplace."

Tigerclaw pushed himself out of the warrior's den without another word, and padded over to a clump of bracken that was nearby the dirtplace. He saw Longtail emerge, followed by Darkstripe. The two warriors went over to him.

"So what do you want?" Darkstripe muttered. Tigerclaw explained his plan to them.

"I'm going to call a meeting. Bluestar is going to be too tired to contradict me." I hope. "I'll tell the clan she lost lives and you need to be bodyguards."

"Bluestar lost lives? When?" Longtail asked. Tigerclaw shook his head, "not important. And..." He pretended to hesitate.

"Go on." Darkstripe muttered. I must not tell them it's a lie, I need their performance as convincing as possible.

"I believe Ravenpaw told ShadowClan to attack us." Tigerclaw meowed. Longtail gasped. "That traitor!"

Tigerclaw noticed more cats up and about. "We'll talk later." He hissed.

He bounded off, and leaped up onto the Higrock. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join beneath the Highrock for a clan meeting!" Tigerclaw yowled.

Satisfaction warmed his pelt as he saw cats poke their heads out and gather below. This is what it will feel to be leader. If everything goes well, I will feel this power many more times.

Once every cat was gathered below, Tigerclaw began. "During the battle, our leader lost another life. Now that she has only four of her nine lives left, I am going to appoint a bodyguard to stay at her side constantly. No cat will be allowed to approach her unless the guards are present."

He allowed his eyes to glance at Ravenpaw, making sure cats knew he was marking him out subtly. I'll bring more attention to that.

"Darkstripe and Longtail," he added, "you will act ad Bluestar's gaurds."

They nodded, standing a little taller.

"Thank you, Tigerclaw, for your loyalty."

Bluestar was behind him, sitting on the rock. "But the Clan must understand that I am still here for them. No cat should hesitate to approach me, and I am happy to speak to anyone with or without my bodyguards." Her gaze flickered to Tigerclaw, flashing momentarily with slight disapproval.

Probably wants me to have asked her first. Whatever, I can take that.

"As the warrior code says, the safety of the Clan is more important than the security of any single member." Bluestar reminded the clan.

The warrior code! A bunch of badger droppings, useless and weak!

"And now I wish to invite Yellowfang to join ThunderClan."

Excuse me?! Tigerclaw fought the urge to stare at her in disgust. Let that piece of ShadowClan filth come join ThunderClan? She could betray us at any moment!

"Her actions last night proved that she is brave and loyal. If she wishes it, we would welcome her as a full member of this clan." Bluestar purred.

Yellowfang stood up slowly. "I am honoured Bluestar, and I accept your offer."

Because you would have no where to go since no cat wants you! Tigerclaw thought, outraged.

"Good." Bluestar meowed. Tigerclaw couldn't believe it. This flea-ridden little warrior! This sneak is my clanmate! No way!

Bluestar spoke once more, turning the subject back to the ShadowClan battle. "Last night we successfully defended ourselves against ShadowClan, but they are still a great threat. The repair work we began this morning will continue. Our boundaries will be patrolled constantly. We must not assume the war is over."

What good will that do? We should attack them immediately and get revenge!

Tigerclaw stood up abruptly, looking down at the one cat he was forced to mentor.

"ShadowClan attacked while we were away from camp." He snarled. Listen up Bluestar! Not every cat is perfect and deserve unlimited chances!

"They chose their moment well. How did they know that the camp was so poorly defended? Do they have eyes inside our camp?" He shot a meancing glare at Ravenpaw, full of meaning, making sure every cat could see what he was suggesting.

"We still have a while before sunset. We must concentrate on rebuilding our camp. Meanwhile, if you suspect anything, or any cat," -he shot a swift look at Ravenpaw once more- "tell me. Be assured, anything you say will be in confidence."

He nodded commandingly to dismiss the clan. He turned to Bluestar so he could flat out explain his theory of Ravenpaw.

Before he could start Bluestar spoke first. "I, am the leader still Tigerclaw." She said it very calmly, but her eyes flashed with a strange defiance. "I am not that old or weak or that near death."

"Of course," Tigerclaw murmured convincingly. "I didn't mean to insult you. I only meant to help, I'm sorry if I went too far."

Bluestar nodded to show that she accepted his apology. Tigerclaw was about to tell her about what he thought about his apprentice but she had already jumped off, slipping into her den.

• • •

Tigerclaw padded out of the entrance, and slinked into the shadows with Longtail and Darkstripe. They hadn't gone a couple pawsteps when they heard rustling, indicating some cat was going out.

"Darkstripe," Tigerclaw hissed, "get them away we don't want them overhearing." Darkstripe nodded and walked out to greet whoever it was.

Tigerclaw and Longtail waited, hearing a sharp retort from Darkstripe and an answering voice. Soon Darkstripe had returned to them.

"It was only nosy Firepaw looking for some garlic because the 'all-knowing' Yellowfang told him to." Darkstripe spat.

Tigerclaw snorted. "Come on, let's go."

The trio continued onwards and reached a small clearing. Tigerclaw sat down near clumps of ferns which were growing.

"Now, I'm going to tell you about Ravenpaw." Tigerclaw murmured. He had his lies ready to tell.

"Ravenpaw wasn't with us almost the whole journey. Bluestar was too intent on getting to the Moonstone to take notice, and though I was suspicious I didn't want to disturb her, she didn't seem to be in the mood for talk."

Darkstripe pondered this. "Was Bluestar that desperate to meet StarClan?" Tigerclaw's amber eyes flashed. "Desperate enough to ignore a missing apprentice."

"But why would Ravenpaw betray his clan?" Longtail protested. "We must know that before we can accuse him, Bluestar would need to be told and we need proof!"

"S-StarClan knows!" Tigerclaw managed to snarl. StarClan! They don't know anything! "My apprentice has shown little promise from the start, but I never expected him to turn traitor!"

"How long did you say Ravenpaw was missing on the journey to Mouthermouth?" Darkstripe asked.

"Enough to travel to the ShadowClan camp and back." Tigerclaw growled.

Longtail was getting more excited. "He must have told them that ThunderClan's leader and the strongest warrior had left the camp. Why else would the attack when they did?"

Exactly! You are catching on, catching on!

"We are the last clan to stand against ShadowClan. We must remain strong." Tigerclaw purred silkily.

"And the clan will be better off without a traitor like Ravenpaw." Darkstripe hissed.

Yes! Exactly, exactly! This is going perfectly. Don't get to excited though, you must remember this is your apprentice, you should be devastated he turned traitor.

"I have to say I agree with you Darkstripe." Tigerclaw murmured despairingly. Yes, that's a good tone! "Even though he's my own apprentice..." He trailed off convincingly as if it was too terrible to talk about.

This will get rid of that nosy apprentice from blabbing my secret to any cat for sure! And now that I am deputy, my plans can go forth!

Ahhh... I'm not good at battle scenes (*cough, Rat and ShadowClan battle *cough those battle sequences were horrible in this chapter aarhg .). Unfortunately Tigerclaw's story has a lot of battles so... Gotta improve i guess. :P

Please check out my other Fanfiction, Raining Feathers!

Review!