Graystripe goes to visit the nursery to check up on his kits. A purr rises in his throat as he sees Goldenflower with them all unharmed. They are snuggled against her belly along with Bramblekit and Tawnykit.
"I'm glad the kits are alright."
Speckletail sniffs in distain, and goes back to cuddle with her son Snowkit.
"Pay her no mind Graystripe." Goldenflower mews.
He nods, but inside his heart aches. He knows his matehood with Silverstream went against the code, but he can't stand the looks his clanmates give him. Some of them seem to understand and aren't as harsh, but it still hurts. He never meant for things to go the way they did.
"I am glad as well. Thunderclan will need strong warriors." Goldenflower adds.
Speckletail hisses, "Even if they're….."
"They are still Thunderclan kits regardless of who their mother is." Goldenflower snarls in response. Speckletail looks shocked at Goldenflowers harsh reaction, but Graystripe purrs softly, He's glad his kits have a protective adoptive mother. They will be good littermates to Tawnykit and Bramblekit. Now that he looks closer at the tabby brown kit he notices his pelt is similar to Tigerclaw. Though he shoves those thoughts down, Bramblekit and Tawnykit are innocent kits, just like his kits are. They aren't responsible for what Tigerclaw or he did. Their only fault is that they are linked to them.
"Thanks Goldenflower." he meows, still grateful to the queen.
Then he leaves the den, not wanting to bother the other queens. Looking at the fresh-kill pile he notices most of the food is trampled on, or too dirty to eat. Without permission he goes out into the forest to hunt. Though the sight of his friend's body being slathered in lavender makes his heart ache.
Once in the forest he runs up the ravine and through the undergrowth feeling the wind in his fur. The fresh scents of the forest are almost enough to make him relax and forget about the horrible events that happened earlier. Stopping, remembering he is supposed to be hunting for the clan, he sniffs the air for prey-scent.
Catching a whiff of mouse, he follows the scent trail. It's a good thing it's greenleaf, he thinks to himself. Once the scent gets stronger he slows down and gets into a crouch. Seeing the mouse nibbling on some nuts at the base of a tree, he gets ready to pounce. Pouncing on the unsuspecting mouse he quickly gives it the killing bite.
The mouse's warmth bleeds through him, making his belly rumble with hunger. The clan must be fed first, Graystripe meows in his head as he digs the mouse into a hole to collect it later.
Sniffing the air, he continues onward.
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Walking into the camp entrance he's proud of his catch, three mice and a chaffinch. Putting it on the pile he notices Whitestorm come up to congratulate him.
"Well done Graystripe. With the other hunting patrols editions the Clan will be well fed tonight."
"It was no problem, Whitestorm."
"I know." His amber eyes then turn sorrowful as he looks at Fireheart, "I just wish we hadn't lost such a good warrior. His intelligence and gathering information would have made him a fine leader."
"He would have been great." Graystripe meows, agreeing with the senior warrior.
"I wonder who Bluestar will choose for deputy? Perhaps you."
"Me! No, I can't be deputy. I broke the code…. Everyone will not approve of me…. I barely trained…."
"I think you're the obvious choice though. Despite your code breaking, you were a friend to Fireheart and one of the cats who knew the truth. And Bluestar can't trust many cats who didn't see past Tigerclaw's perfect persona. Only you and Fireheart did."
Graystripe claws dig into the grass, "Surely…."
"Don't worry. I know you'll do great. And you already have my support."
"Despite…."
Whitestorm chuckles, "Yes despite what you did. You have a chance to prove your loyalty to Thunderclan and you brought strong kits into the clan. I know they won't replace Fireheart, but with Tigerclaw on the loose we will need strong warriors to help us defend ourselves."
"Thanks."
"You're welcome. Now see to your scratches before they get infected."
Walking to the medicine den, he also notices Brokentail's body getting ready for vigil as well. Did he die of his wounds? Or did some cat kill him during the battle? He shakes his head, that isn't important. Going into the Medicine den he notices only Cinderpaw is in there, tidying the den up. Though that makes sense, Yellowfang must be still prepping the bodies for the vigil.
"Oh, Graystripe, what can I help you with?" Cinderpaw asks.
"I just need you to check my wounds from the battle. Yellowfang said they weren't too bad, but I want to make sure I am fit to take care of warrior duties, while the more serious wounded cats rest." Graystripe tells her. He can't but also look at Cinderpaw with sadness. She used to be Fireheart's apprentice before her accident. She also lost someone close to her.
Cinderpaw begins checking his pelt and reaffirms what Yellowfang told him, "They don't look too serious. I'll put some poultice on them though to make sure they don't get infected."
He nods, and as Cinderpaw puts the poultice on, he feels a little relieved of the little stinging pain the scratches were causing him. "How are you, in the Medicine den?" He asks.
"I feel great. I am sad I won't be a warrior but at least I can still help my clanmates by being a Medicine cat. Though I am sorry about Silverstream…."
Graystripe wraps his tail around Cinderpaw's shoulder, "I'm sure Yellowfang couldn't have done any better than what you did. You also saved my kits. Besides, I don't blame you for her death. I blame myself for wanting to see her before our kits were born, because if she lived, I wouldn't be able to see them, ever."
Cinderpaw purrs, "It's not your fault either. You couldn't have known the kits would have come early."
"At least they have a place in Thunderclan with Goldenflower. So I can be with them and be the father they need."
"True. Now I need to finish tidying up and sorting herbs before Yellowfang gets back."
He nods and walks out of the den. The sun is almost down, and yet he hasn't heard Bluestar announce her choice for deputy. Whitestorm also mentioned he thought he was a good choice for the position, meaning she hasn't announced a deputy at all. But it's close to Moonhigh, so she has to choose a deputy soon. Or their ancestors will be angry.
They're probably already mad at him for breaking the code with Silverstream. But they fell in love. Silverstream was beautiful, funny, and talented. She taught him how to swim so he wouldn't have to be afraid of drowning with his heavy fur. They had fun together. It was nice.
But it didn't last. Their perfect reality shattered that night on Sunningrocks. Looking at the nursery he once again promises to be the best father he can be.
Taking a mouse from the pile he eats alone. Until Sandstorm comes up to him with a squirrel in her jaws. Which surprises him. They weren't on good terms as apprentices…so why? Sandstorm then sits down with him, placing the squirrel on the ground.
"I am sorry for the loss of Fireheart."
"Why are you sorry?"
"He was my friend too, once you disappeared so often."
Guilt pricks his belly as she reminds him of just how little he spent time with Fireheart after they were made warriors.
"I know, and I regret it."
"I didn't mean to….. I'm sorry."
"Who are you and what have you done to old Sandstorm?"
Sandstorm chuckles, "I guess I just changed. Fireheart was as good as any clan born warrior. He would have made a great leader someday."
"Me and Whitestorm share the same sentiment."
"I'm glad. I just wish he wasn't taken from us so soon." Her green gaze lingers at where Fireheart is laying.
Graystripe nods, sadness returning at the thought of what could have been. It pains him all the more of how foolish he was to spend most of his time with Silverstream. Not that he didn't like spending time with the gray she-cat, but now her and Fireheart are dead. Never to be seen again until he joins Starclan which won't be for many more moons to come.
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All of Thunderclan gathers to where Fireheart's body has been all day. The night sky glimmers with stars, but the stars show no emotion. Just glitter in the cold night sky. Sitting beside Sandstorm, the vigil begins.
Yellowfang meows, with Cinderpaw beside her, "Fireheart was a great warrior despite his kittypets roots. May he find swift hunting, and shelter where he sleeps." She buries his nose in his pelt and licks his fur. Graystripe joins her, as does Cinderpaw, Brackenfur, Sandstorm and Bluestar once she finally comes out of her den. They all share one last night together.
When dawn comes Bluestar leaves the cats and jumps onto highrock.
"All cats who can hunt come to the highrock for a clan meeting!" she yowls.
All the cats who went to the dens come out, looking expectantly at Bluestar.
She announces, "I say these words before Starclan so they may hear and approve my choice. Graystripe is the new deputy of Thunderclan. Cloudpaw will also need a new mentor with Fireheart's untimely death. Graystripe you mentored Brackenfur well, I hope you will do the same to Cloudpaw. That is all."
Bluestar leaps off highrock and returns to her den. Graystripe stands stunned, dread filling up in his belly. The cats around him, specifically those who sat vigil for Fireheart give him congratulations, plus Whitestorm. Though he does notice Brackenfur look a little hurt at his promotion despite him saying congratulations. Others whisper among themselves, probably thinking that Bluestar must be delusional in picking him. And they are right. He broke the code, so how can he be rewarded with being deputy and being given a new apprentice as well. It makes him sick to his stomach. He looks up at the dawn sky praying to Starclan to help help him be a good deputy despite his and every other cats doubts.