SIXTY FOUR

It had been less than a week since Birdflight earned her warrior name. She worked hard to provide for her Clan by hunting whenever she could and keeping watch. The borders weren't safe as WindClan posed a threat. Other creatures such as foxes and badgers constantly proved to threaten the Clan as well. Thankfully the threats in question hadn't been that big of a deal. The Clan was constantly on edge though as scents lingered near the border, and Birdflight knew that WindClan was keeping an eye on them. She suspected they were biding their time for a perfect attack, which meant they had to be prepared for anything.

She felt guilty knowing that Spruceleaf and her uncle were also part of WindClan. Or they had been until they were exiled. Spruceleaf hardly ever talked about her old Clan, but she would venture into the territory every now and then. It was obvious that Spruceleaf cared about her Clan, in spite of the betrayal that followed.

She tried pushing those uneasy thoughts aside as she made her way back to where SkyClan was hiding.

Where we're hiding, she thought bitterly. Why were we forced into hiding when we have every right to a piece of territory here?

She was tired of always being on the run. Of always looking for a new home, just to be chased out again. Most of her life had been spent on the move because her Clan had left the gorge before she was born. Her mother did her best to explain what the old territory looked like, but she had little idea of what her home could have been like. The only thing she did know was that she had no true home. Her Clan had no place to call home, and they didn't feel safe. That was what bothered her more than anything else.

It's bad enough we were ambushed in the mountains, then for the Clans to refuse us makes it worse.

"… Kits are a good news for the Clan." Birdflight was shaken from her thoughts at the sound of Lightningstrike's voice. "We're in desperate need of new kits and warriors."

"How many do you think we'll have?" Wrenflight asked.

Birdflight's ears flattened with embarrassment when she suddenly felt like an intruder. Dewspots was with them, along with Emberstar. To her surprise though, they were out in the open where everyone could see them. Then again, it was hard to find privacy in a place like the barn.

"Judging from what I felt, you'll have three at the very most," Dewspots meowed confidently. "As long as you continue eating the way you have been, they should all be healthy."

Wrenflight was purring with embarrassment as Lightningstrike nuzzled her affectionately.

It was a strange sight to behold for Birdflight. She had never known affection like that, aside from the love she felt for her mother. She never had a cat that she truly cared about, and she preferred it that way. Still, she realized with a start that she was happy for them. She cared about the Clan far more, and that was what mattered.

She shook her head and returned to her nest after spending most of the day patrolling. She had plans to meet with Flamestrike and Spruceleaf later that evening. She wasn't sure if Reedriver would meet with them, but it didn't matter. They had a prophecy to fulfill, whether they wanted this destiny or not.

...

Most of the Clan was sound asleep aside from the guards posted at the barn's entrance. Ever since the Gathering, Emberstar made sure to keep a guard or two set up. With WindClan's aggression advancing on them, he wasn't taking any chances. His attentive nature had paid off that night, as a cry of alarm sounded from Birchpelt.

Birdflight was startled from her sleep as cats poured into the barn shortly after. She recognized the mixture of scents almost immediately thanks to her time at the Gathering. They were both WindClan and ShadowClan, working together in an attempt to drive them out. Her hackles rose with fury when she spotted a light brown tabby rushing towards her.

She managed to avoid getting hit with ease, though not without lashing out in the process. Birchpelt's teachings kicked in as she dodged each blow. The tabby was fast and his attacks could be lethal if they landed, so she made sure they didn't. Just as the tabby had begun to exhaust himself, Birdflight launched herself onto his back without warning. He didn't have the chance to react as her claws scored deep wounds into his back, stopping him before he could throw her off. She jumped off just as he recovered from his initial surprise, and she used his distraction to deliver a few more blows before he finally had enough.

Just as he was sent running, another took his place. Spruceleaf and Wildheart had finally joined in the fight when they realized how badly outnumbered SkyClan was. Too many cats from opposing Clans had begun moving in on SkyClan's warriors, and Birdflight knew they would lose if they couldn't defend themselves. Thankfully, Spruceleaf covered any blind by fighting alongside her.

She noticed with a start that the cats were concentrated in smaller groups though. WindClan didn't seem to get along with ShadowClan, and it showed in their fighting skills. She recognized a few of the cats that had been at the Gathering, and from the way they acted around each other, this was an uneasy alliance. She shared an uneasy glance with Spruceleaf, suddenly aware that they could use this to their advantage.

They worked together in pushing whatever restraints were left. Most of the cats had already been chased out by those who weren't badly wounded. Even Dewspots, in spite of being a medicine cat, fought back with the ferocity of a queen protecting her kits. Eventually the last remaining cats were left staggering, wounded and furious.

"Leave now, before we force you to leave," Emberstar snarled, baring his teeth at the opposing WindClan warriors.

Birdflight's eyes narrowed with annoyance when the warriors glared at Spruceleaf, who was still standing beside her. To her relief, the cats finally fled after realizing they were given the chance to flee with their lives intact. Though Birdflight doubted they would be welcome back with open paws when they returned to WindClan. If Icestar was anything like she suspected, he wouldn't accept this loss without some form of rebuttal towards his Clan.

"ShadowClan and WindClan must have thought we were vulnerable enough to attack," Hollowstorm scoffed.

"We were vulnerable enough," Mothflower snapped. "They easily broke through our defenses and left us heavily wounded. Imagine what the other Clans will say when they see us again?"

You mean if they see us again, Birdflight thought guiltily.

She wanted to say it out loud, but she knew that wouldn't get her anywhere. She had only just become a warrior, and she was barely old enough to understand what was happening. The only thing she did know was that the Clans had no reason to attack them.

"Birchpelt and Darkflower were murdered!" Birdflight stiffened at the sound of Ebonypelt's voice. Her heart nearly skipped a beat when she saw the black she-cat standing where the guards had been before the battle. Sure enough, both Birchpelt and Darkflower were on their sides, mouths agape and eyes glazed over in death. "That's how those foxhearts were able to break through our defenses. Someone ambushed them from behind!"

A shiver of rage swept through Birdflight as realization dawned on her. Their throats had deep looking bite wounds that looked as if they were recently inflicted. Birchpelt had clearly tried fighting back judging from the way her body was positioned differently. Her heart sank when she realized her mother had been murdered from behind, giving her little chance to fight back.

Stars above, this happened while we were sleeping!

She didn't know how to react as she made her way to the bodies. Her Clanmates were watching the scene with mixtures of emotions. None of them knew how to react. The fight happened so suddenly that they didn't have time to comprehend what happened. But as Birdflight reached the bodies, a mixture of grief, rage and confusion swept through her.

She never had the chance to meet her father. He died before the Clan left the gorge, and her mother had to raise her without him. Her mother did her best to explain what he was like, but that was never enough. She pressed her muzzle into Darkflower's body, suddenly aware of the fact that not only had she lost her mother, but she also lost her former mentor as well.

"I'm so sorry," Spruceleaf whispered when she joined her. "I know what it's like. I lost my mother and my father." Birdflight didn't even know how to respond. She closed her eyes and tried picturing what the Clan had been like before this mess. All she ever knew was traveling and struggling to survive. That was all her Clan had ever known since they left the gorge. "If you need someone to talk to, don't be afraid to reach out."

Again, she didn't respond. Spruceleaf's presence was gone heartbeats later, leaving her to process what just happened.

...

Dewspots had already finished checking on everyone to ensure that they were properly treated. ThunderClan's medicine cat had been kind enough to offer some of their herbs, but it wasn't enough to treat everyone. There were herbs available for injuries, but there were none available for grief. The medicine cat had been busy for most of that evening. Birdflight was well aware of that notion when she finally reached her. She hadn't left Darkflower's body since the fight ended. She was still struggling to cope with the loss of her mother, and she refused to acknowledge anyone that tried approaching her.

"Your wounds need to be treated," the medicine cat meowed after reaching her.

"I'm fine," she hissed through gritted teeth.

She knew it was a lie. That WindClan cat managed to inflict serious injuries before she chased him off. There was also the added fact that she was grieving. Her heart felt torn as she realized that she had no family left. The only thing she had now was her Clan, and she was worried that she could lose that as well.

"If you had wings I might believe you," Dewspots rolled her eyes in exasperation. "But, seeing as you don't, I think it's safe to say that your injuries need to be treated."

"Save your herbs for someone else who needs them," Birdflight snapped.

Dewspots didn't let her argue any further. She worked carefully on the worst injuries, making sure that those wounds were covered first in cobwebs. Once that was finished, she worked on patches of fur that were torn out in the fight. Birdflight struggled not to flinch as she felt paws gently sifting through her fur, carefully making sure that all of her wounds were addressed.

"All cats, gather around for a Clan meeting!" Emberstar's yowl shook Birdflight out of her resolve. Her shoulders sank with relief when Dewspots finally stopped and let her join the others. She knew this was an important meeting. Emberstar needed to name a new deputy for SkyClan, since Birchpelt had been his deputy for seasons. "Tonight, we grieve over the loss of Birchpelt and Darkflower. They were fine warriors who earned their place in the Clan, and Birchpelt was one of the best deputies I could ask for. This attack will not be left unchecked; I plan on addressing this problem at the next Gathering."

He paused as yowls of agreement rose among the Clan. Everyone was furious over the fact that both WindClan and ShadowClan ambushed them. Then there was the added fact that Birchpelt and Darkflower were murdered in cold blood. Birdflight knew that this wasn't something they could take lightly. They needed to stop the Clans before they were either chased out or disbanded entirely.

"There is also the matter of naming a new deputy. As much as I hate to say it, I will need a replacement for Birchpelt," Emberstar put in. Everyone fell into uncomfortable silence as they waited to hear who the new deputy would be. He was spoiled for choices. Birdflight glanced around, not missing the fact that both Hollowstorm and Thorntalon were watching him expectantly. "I say these words before the spirit of Birchpelt so that she may hear and approve my choice: Birdflight will be my deputy."

It took a few seconds for Birdflight to register what he just said. Almost at once, yowls of outrage followed from several cats. Mostly older warriors who had more experience than her. A shiver swept through her when she realized that he wasn't joking. Emberstar had been serious about his decision to name her as his deputy, and his glare said it all.

"You can't be serious? She's only just become a warrior and she hasn't even had her first apprentice!" Hollowstorm cried.

"For once, I have to agree with Hollowstorm. She's hardly had enough experience to be a deputy," Mothflower nodded in agreement.

Why would he choose me as his deputy? she wondered.

"Enough!" Emberstar cut off their protests with a yowl of his own. "As leader of this Clan, my word is law! And my decision stands firm: Birdflight is my deputy. As soon as Wrenflight's kits are ready, she will mentor one of them."

Birdflight couldn't help but stare at him in disbelief. She didn't want that kind of pressure on her shoulders. There was also the added problem that Wrenflight's kits wouldn't be born for another couple of moons. Then she would have to wait even longer for them to become apprentices. So much could happen within that time, and she knew the others were right to accuse her of not being ready.

"This is such a mousebrained idea," Lightningstrike muttered under his breath. "No offense to you, but we need someone who has more experience."

She was hardly offended by his accusation. He made a good point, and she couldn't help but think that Emberstar was out of his mind. She knew the shock of Birchpelt's death was still weighing him down. She had to wonder if that was the reason behind his decision. But as she caught his piercing gaze, she could tell he was of sound mind.

"Birdflight, I want to have a word with you," he meowed after cutting the meeting short.

Everyone was muttering under their breaths, complaining about his newest decision. Not that Birdflight wasn't surprised. She doubted this would help Clan morale. Still, she couldn't ignore him as he led the way outside the barn, away from prying ears.

"You've just made my life that much worse," she hissed when they were finally alone. "Why in StarClan would you choose me as your deputy?"

"Because I know who you are, Birdflight," he replied without missing a beat. Birdflight just stared at him as he looked at her calmly. "It was written in the stars seasons ago that the great five leaders would someday return to the Clans when they were at their lowest points. I believe that time is now. You are Sky… you always have been."

She didn't know what to say when those words sank in. She had known about the prophecy since their journey over the mountains. She, Flamestrike and Spruceleaf had worked together in order to interpret the prophecy. Reedriver was still reluctant to join in, but at least he had some interest in the prophecy. Now, she wasn't so sure if this was the destiny she wanted.

"What makes you think that I'm directly related to Sky?" she demanded.

"I didn't say you were directly related to Sky," Emberstar reminded her. "I said you are Sky." He paused to let that sink in, and a shiver of unease swept through Birdflight as realization dawned on her. "I know this is a lot to think about, but you must become SkyClan's leader. It was written seasons ago, and it will happen just as it was predicted."

Birdflight couldn't bring herself to respond even if she wanted to. She simply stared at him, mouth hanging open in disbelief. Her heart was racing so fast that she hardly noticed Wildheart approaching them. The former WindClan cat looked incredibly sheepish when he reached them, but his sheepishness wore off when Emberstar acknowledged his presence.

"Palemist and I have been talking about it for some time, and we think that we're interested in joining SkyClan," he explained after Emberstar asked what he wanted. Birdflight's eyes widened in surprise. The last thing she expected was for a WindClan cat to join them. "I realize that even if we were given the chance to return to WindClan, it wouldn't feel safe. Our kits deserve a future where they are secure."

I'm not sure if SkyClan's future is secure, Birdflight wanted to say out loud.

She didn't want to say it out loud, but she knew it needed to be said. Emberstar was risking the Clan's future by making her his deputy. He put a lot on her shoulders by claiming that she was Sky. While she knew he was right, that didn't mean he should assume. If he had been wrong, it could have ruined everything.

"Would you be opposed to letting Birdflight mentor one of your kits?" Emberstar asked curiously.

"Of course not," Wildheart purred in encouragement. "That's the other reason we want to join. Our kits have grown fond of this Clan, and it only seems fitting that the deputy can mentor one of them."

Birdflight's heart fluttered a little when she realized what the skinny tom was implying. The fact that he trusted her enough to train one of his kits left her heart fluttering with joy and relief. She wanted to prove herself more than anything else, but she knew it would take time for that to happen. For the time being, this was the next best thing.