Deputy
The clan waited as until it was moonhigh as Nightfrost helped Whitestorm with the patrols for the day. The cats whispered anxiously as who will be the new deputy decision was not made yet and a deputy was suppose to be chosen before moonhigh. Sandstorm growled, agitated and padded off to the warrior's den.
"Sandstorm? Where are you going?" asked Dustpelt.
"To Fireheart."
"To that kittypet?" Dustpelt's eyes were wide in disbelief.
"Yes."
Sandstorm simply padded to his brother as they meowed some words. Soon, Bluestar stumbled around the Highrock from her den. She looked old, weary as she sat down in front of the rock, making no attempt to climb it. "Cats of ThunderClan," she rasped, barely loud enough to be heard over the anxious muttering. "Listen and I will appoint the new deputy."
Every cat was already turning toward her, and the clearing fell chillingly silent.
"I say these words before StarClan, that the spirits of our ancestors may hear and approve my choice." Bluestar paused again, staring down at her paws for so long. Nightfrost looked around to see the clan worried and anxious .
One or two cats had begun to whisper uneasily, but as Bluestar raised her head again, they stopped.
"The new deputy will be Fireheart," she announced clearly. As soon as she had spoken she rose to her paws again and padded back around the rock on legs that seemed made of stone.
The whole Clan froze. Fireheart appeared frozen, his face of shock.
Then Cloudpaw's shrill voice raised gleefully. "I knew it! Fireheart's the new deputy!"
Close by, Darkstripe snarled, "Oh, yes? Well, I'm not taking orders from a kittypet!"
A few of the cats padded over to Fireheart and congratulated him. Graystripe and Sandstorm were among the first, but there were other cats slipping away quietly, and did not speak to him at all. It was clear that they were startled by Bluestar's choice. His friend padded to Fireheart.
"Well, Clan deputy," Whitestorm meowed softly. "What would you like me to do now?"
"Yes…now…" Fireheart began, ""Food. We all need to eat. Cloudpaw, start taking fresh-kill to the elders. Get the other apprentices to help the queens in the nursery."
Cloudpaw shot off with a flick of his tail.
"Mousefur, Darkstripe, find yourselves two or three warriors each and go out on a hunting patrol. Split the territory between you. We'll need more fresh-kill right away. And keep a lookout for those rogues or Tigerclaw while you're at it."
Mousefur moved away with a calm nod, collecting Brackenfur and Willowpelt as she went. But Darkstripe glared at Fireheart for so long that Fireheart returned it. He met the pale blue gaze steadily, and at last Darkstripe turned away, meowing to Longtail and Dustpelt to follow him.
"All Tigerclaw's sympathizers," Whitestorm observed as he watched them go. "You'll need to keep an eye on them."
"Yes, I know," Fireheart admitted. "But surely they've shown that they're more loyal to the Clan than to Tigerclaw? I hope they'll accept me if I don't tread on their tails."
Whitestorm gave a noncommittal grunt.
"Anything for me to do?" asked Graystripe.
"Yes." Fireheart gave his friend's ear a quick, friendly lick. "Go back to your nest and rest. You were badly wounded yesterday. I'll bring you a piece of fresh-kill."
"Oh, okay. Thanks, Fireheart." Graystripe returned the lick and vanished into the den. Fireheart padded to the fresh-kill pile. He clawed out a magpie and was about to head to Bluestar's den when he dropped it. Fireheart stared at the prey when Yellowfang padded to him.