[Fate of Five Staff]

BLUEWAVE

The dead had been buried before the clouds had finally broken open, both cooling the tempers of the RainClan loyalists and piling on the grief. The camp seemed to hold the mournful silence of a perpetual vigil, though there was an air of anticipation now. After this final, brutal massacre, Bluewave had made up his mind.

They were going to the Wooded Cove as soon as the storm subsided enough; they would confront Swanfeather, the murderers would be punished, and the Clan would slowly begin the long process of repair. The rain sounded much lighter than before, and Bluewave stood up, shaking scraps of moss from his thick gray pelt as he exited the warriors’ den. The stench of sickness still clung to the leader’s den, and besides, without a ‘star at the end of his name, he did not feel comfortable sleeping there. Not yet.

His whiskers collected water droplets as he stood in the center of camp, letting the rain fall over him. He could see the clouds beginning to shift, and the bright light of the moon struggling to break through the storm. Then, at last, the clouds parted, and RainClan’s camp was filled with an almost supernatural moonglow.

Bluewave frowned, feeling a prickle of uncertainty in the air. He glanced, by happenstance, towards the River Stone, and gasped.

Timberstar, looking far healthier than she had ever been while living, her rich ginger pelt glossy and her eyes bright with the light of the stars, stood proudly surveying her Clan.

Bluewave, speechless, simply stared for a few heartbeats, then found his voice.
"Are you here to give me my nine lives?”

Timberstar shook her head, and gestured with her tail to the warriors’ den. The first cat who walked out, the moonlight making his fur glow silver in the inky night, was Stormheart. Bluewave, not about to question the will of StarClan or his late leader, silently moved aside to allow Stormheart to take his place before the River Stone.

Starlight glimmered all around RainClan’s camp, as cats both alive and long dead seemed to appear out of the rushes and ferns, murmurs of shock and delight and confusion breaking out amongst the Loyalists. Some, it seemed, could sense what was going on, and others were in the dark.

Bluewave moved aside again to let Ottersplash come through, the nervous young healer looking mesmerized—and a little relieved.

@dreamer , Amber

---

Instructions:
Wait until the ceremony is finished to post your cat's reactions.

BlooRey DVD , Fawn , @sparrow , Hellion , @jem , @marshymutt , Phoenix , @savagewolf , @snowfall , @zen , @sparrowkeeper , @bluebird

A second thread will go up after the ceremony which will be the Loyalists vs Purists battle.

[Deleted]

STORMHEART

His uncomfortable rest in the warriors den was interrupted by an odd need to leave. He needed to go to the River Stone. Why? It didnt matter. His paws heaved his slate gray bulk to his paws and out of the warriors den before he could think twice and into a scene he could never have expected or understood until now.

If there had ever been a time where Stormheart had envisioned greeting Starclan, it was not in a situation such as this. Silvery forms lined the edges of the clearing, but one in particular perched on the River Stone looking down on clanmates as she had during her life, full of vigor again. Timberstar's eyes were hard but also seemed free of the burdens which she had held in life. She looked to her clanmates around her before declaring, "Starclan has made its decision, has elected to act, on behalf all of Rainclan. You may not feel ready, or prepared, but Starclan has judged you capable Stormheart, capable to succeed me and end this violence. Bluewave, for his faithful service, has earned his rest."

Timberstar nodded her gratitude to Bluewave before turning once more to Stormheart.

"Do you, Stormheart willingly accept this charge."

Finally Stormheart gathered his wits back to himself after having stared like some new apprentice, his jaw gaping at the sight. It was only then that he noticed how clear the sky was, and how the Starclan cats seemed to be almost solid moonlight. Half of Rainclan was present for the sight, although only some saw it. Drawing himself up, with a quick glance at Bluewave for his respect and even slight permission, he locked eyes with Timberstar.

"I do."

Once he had said it, Timberstar nodded and motioned to the spectres who encircled the clearing.

To Stormheart’s surprise and happiness, Emberflower was the first cat to approach. Other than Sleetpaw, she had been the first to leave him, and he had missed her gentle presence, even if he wasn't overly expressive with his emotions. She approached with a purr and a smile, and once again he felt a safety and security he had not felt for many moons. He wished for a moment that he could snuggle into her warm fur, and that everything that had happened in the last few moons would disappear.

Emberflower nearly sang, "Stormheart, it’s good to see you, although perhaps bittersweet under these circumstances. But I know you can make it through this, and I know that you will lead Rainclan to the healing it needs." Her words warmed Stormheart and he unconsciously puffed his chest out just a little. She chuckled slightly before touching her nose to the top of Stormheart's head, right between his eyes, murmuring, " I give you a life of hope, that you may never fall into the darkness of despair, and remember that Starclan is always watching you."

As she spoke, he felt like a claw of ice had punched through his chest, and he stood breathing raggedly for a moment, eyes clouding. But it was not over, as the small sliver of ice seemed to be rapidly overwhelmed by warmth which melted it. It was an odd feeling, but somehow, he felt, almost perfectly fit the understanding of the life he had been given.

His mother waved farewell with her tail, which he returned, and was replaced by Sleetpaw. Claws dug into the ground, Stormheart lowered his head slightly so he could look Sleetpaw in the eyes. He had never reached his warriorhood, and the memories of his brothers death, so long ago, and the events surrounding them, returned to Stormheart like a slap in the face. Although Aldertail had never returned to the clans, and had likely died alone and never made it to Starclan, Stormheart still sub-consciouly searched for him in the faces surrounding him. He took a deep ragged breath. “Sleetpaw, I felt the loss of your presence keenly. I felt without direction without you sometimes. I wish you had not done what you did.” Sleetpaw shook his head, silencing him.

“No Stormheart, I did only what should be done, and only what you would do. If you ever saw a cat like Aldertail in your clan again, you would stop him, right? And so I did, I just didn’t expect what happened.” Sleetpaw saw Stormheart stiffen at the mention of Aldertail, the hatred flicker there. “ Stormheart, you let me go once, and you can do it again. Don’t go back to something after you’ve finally healed. You have to take Rainclan past this, you gotta to teach them to say goodbye. One last time.” Stormheart nodded slowly, taking a deep breath to steady himself. “Now, Stormheart, I give you a life of strength, may you use it to endure in the most harrowing situations, and face any challenges that may arise before you.”

Once Sleetpaw touched him, Stormheart felt an odd rushing sensation, like adrenaline, which grew and grew and grew, until it was like fire in his veins. His limbs shook as he locked up completely until it passed, yet he remained on his feet. Sleetpaw smiled at him again before backing away.

Before him now was his father. Although this loss was fresher to Stormheart, his Birchshadow had died a happy elder, looking forward to see his mate in Starclan. He smiled warmly at his son, appearing far younger than when Stormheart had last seen him. “Well, it looks like you did get as far as I thought you would. Tell Grasswind I won our wager.” A rare smile quirked at Stormheart’s muzzle. Birchshadow shook himself slightly, before speaking, “I give you a life of Empathy, for while it is not currently one of your great strengths, it will be necessary for you to see the pain but also joy and other emotions of others, to feel it and take it on, so you can lead your clan faithfully.” And with a quietly whispered “Good luck.” Birchshadow touched his head.

The pain was less physical as it was mental. A cacophony of feeling and emotion assaulted him, and it seemed every possible emotion he could feel was filling him at once. Had it lasted any longer, Stormheart felt he might burst, but soon it subsided and he gasped for hair, his fur slightly fluffed up from the experience.

Birchshadow bounded back to his mate to rub affectionately against her. Stormheart, as sad as he was to see them go, knew they were happier together. Now that most of his family had gone, Stormheart raised his head, curious to see who would be next, and felt his heart skip a beat. Aspenpaw. The brown tabby apprentice stepped up, looking wary and even a pinch hostile, with his yellow eyes narrowed. Stormheart’s mind and vision went white, replaced once again by the apprentice’s ragged corpse in front of Stormheart, oozing blood. Crimson coated Stormheart’s paws and the sounds of battle surrounded. But he was frozen, petrified in a vision of his one great sin. A screech filled his ears as a she-cat raced up to Stormheart, driving him away from the apprentice’s body.

Then he was back to the camp and the moonlit apprentice was before him, unmarred except for his starry pelt.

“Hello. I don’t think we met before, well before the battle where I died. My name is Aspenpaw.” He said, somewhat begrudgingly, but politely. Stormheart raised his chin slightly, his hackles raising in fear, and shame. “I know, I made it a point to learn your name. I wish things could have been different, that you had survived to live your full life.” Aspenpaw nodded absently.

“Some things happen in war that you can’t stop. But, you should know something. When the prophecy was given, cats thought it meant you had to get rid of Stoneclan.” Aspenpaw’s eyes flashed. “Swanfeather lied, it was instead a warning, to try and prevent it from happening.”

Stormheart felt his world reeling, and he glanced out towards the other Starclan cats, anger radiating from him. Every reason he had based his beliefs on, had promised himself he had done the right thing, was shattered from beneath his paws. Where was his ground? If Starclan could not be trusted to protect them, who could. With a low growl, he turned to the other Starclan cats. “So all this time, you have known of her lies, and let her continue as medicine cat? How many other lies has she told! How much damage has she done?”

Aspenpaw hissed at him. “No, you misunderstand. Starclan is letting me to give you the chance to fix this mess. So I give you a life of Honor. Honor the code, honor your clanmates, and honor Starclan, to avoid this ever happening again.” Then he roughly touched Stormheart’s forehead.

Immediately it was as if a huge weight had settled on him, a weight of seasons, of moons, a weight as ancient as Starclan settled on his shoulders, and Stormheart fought not to bow beneath it, but he set his feet apart and grit and bore it.

Looking up, Stormheart found Sandstar in front of him. It was honestly a shock to see the tom after so many moons since his death. Stormheart’s anger had still not faded towards Starclan, and it was clear that Sandstar could see it. “I see that you are not convinced, my friend. I understand your struggles, as I went through them when I first joined Starclan. Yet, eventually I came to see that if Starclan were to intervene in every case, any chance of free agency for the clans would be gone. Even so, Starclan does recognize when interference is necessary. There are those who believed that we should not intervene even now… yet here we are. And we did intervene with Stoneclan, just perhaps in not so spectacular a way. As the new leader of this clan, we are giving you the tools to dispense justice. But we are also trying to reaffirm you in your belief. So, my life is a gift of Faith. That you may see Starclan in the most important parts in life.” He touched Stormheart, and Stormheart felt a spasm go through him, as for a single moment, he saw the world as Starclan saw it, in all its complexities, saw the lives of cats intertwined. Even glimpsed for a moment Swanfeather speaking to cats in the grove. The world was rolled out like a map, with many indistinct places and cats, the clans seen from above and beyond. And then it was all gone, and the memory was dim, but he felt his anger draining away to be replaced with a more cautious respect.

Sandstar nodded and then returned to his place with the other Starclan cats.

Duckquack was the next to approach, and he too looked far better than when he Stormheart had seen him last.

“Duckquack, I am glad you made it safely to Starclan. I am so sorry I could not have arrived in time… but Lizardleap is safe.” Stormheart murmured, eyes troubled.

Duckquack nodded smiling a little smile. “I-I know you tried. Thank you for taking care of Lizardleap… can you…” He looked over Stormheart’s shoulder for the she-cat who had been his mate for so short a time. Whether or not he saw her, Stormheart did not want to turn around and look as well, this was his leadership ceremony after all. Duckquack eventually turned back to Stormheart with a slightly embarassed look to his face. “Can you… can you just tell her… Tell her that I miss her, but that I want her to keep living and be happy. Hopefully our kits will make her happy. I’ll always be watching over her. Tell her…” He scrunched down even more, embarassed. “Tell her I love her.” Stormheart nodded, his posture softer towards the tom. Duckquack laughed nervously. “I’m lucky I guess, to get to give you a life. So, I give you Love. I know you’ve never had a mate, or reason to show love, but its something you need in life, to give to everyone, and to receive. Or else you will never be happy.” With a jerky movement he reached forward to Stormheart.

Warmth spread through all of his limbs, cleansing them of other pains, the warmth did not however manage to completely numb the feeling of some piece of him being ripped away, just softened it, and allowed him to endure it better than the other lives he had felt.

“Thank you.” Stormheart sighed to the tom. Duckquack bobbed a little nod before heading toward where he had spotted Lizardleap, sitting near her, but not being able to speak with her, just smile and mouth the words “I love you.”

Stormheart turned his attention back to the front to see another victim, Glowflower, approaching.


Glowflower nodded respectfully to Stormheart. “Im glad Starclan chose you, I think you’ll be a great leader. Still… try to solve things as diplomatically as possible okay? We’ve had enough bloodshed.” She looked towards Bitternwing. “Cats need time to grieve and move on, and war won’t help that.” Glowflower seemed to zone out for a moment in deep thought, but Stormheart did not interrupt. After a moment she started, and returned her attention to him, speaking solemnly, “I Glowflower, give you a life of Vision. May you see what needs to be done, what solutions are available to lead your clan with confidence and certainty.”

She touched him and suddenly his eyes seemed to explode with light as everything became brighter, clearer, sharper. Too much so. He scrunched his eyes shut and tucked his head down, and only after a few moments did he cautiously open them again. Everything was back to normal as if it had not even occurred.

Glowflower was checking to see if he was okay, her face concerned and she seemed about to ask when he straightened abruptly. “Thank you,” he said gruffly. Hesitantly, she nodded and returned to her place with Starclan.

The next to approach him was Vultureback. The appearance of the senior warrior, made STormheart immediately more careful, he had to maintain his image. Had his clanmates seen his demonstration of weakness a few times during his getting a new life. His legs felt as weak as water, but he still held himself tall, refusing to fall to the strain or pain. Vultureback also nodded, but this was the nod of one equal to another, or perhaps an equal acknowledging a victory. Stormheart nodded back.

“Congratulations on reaching a leader position, I guess I should say. Well we both have places to be. So I give you the life of Justice. Avenge those of us that died, and institute law and order in Rainclan once more, united we must stand, or divided we will fall. Now its up to you. Good luck.” He smirked slightly before poking him on the forehead.

Suddenly it seemed as if Stormheart was being pulled in two directions, as if he were being torn in two. It lasted for several seconds, until he somehow found a way to balance himself. The pain disappeared, leaving him shaky but still standing. Vultureback flicked his tail in acknowledgement and slunk back off to wherever he had come from.

Stormheart knew what was coming next as he faced Timberstar once more, and took a calming breath and Timberstar leaped down from the River Stone to approach him

“Stormheart, I know you think this an abrupt choice, deciding against Bluewave. However, what the clan needs right now is a leader who has not been driven ragged by the conflict. A cat who can take the struggles and meet them head on without any baggage and we think that cat is you. So, for your life I give you Forgiveness. This clan will need to forgive each other in order to move on, and you as leader will need to forgive those cats who may have made the wrong choices but did not break the code. Forgive them, and encourage the clan to forgive each other, or the clan will never be united again.”

She finished, finally, and with a sigh of relief, pressed her nose to his forehead. Tiny claws began stabbing him from all sides, and he gritted his teeth once more as the pain grew and grew until finally it was washed away and replaced with a peace he had rarely felt, and had not felt since before the split. Maybe everything would turn out alright.

Timberstar returned to her perch on the River Stone, this time speaking loudly so that no cat could miss her words..

“I Timberstar hail you by your new name, Stormstar. Your old life is no more. You have now received the nine lives of a leader, and StarClan grants you the guardianship of Rainclan. 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.”

Then she began to chant his name, and Starclan and the rest of Rainclan took it up and yowled it to the sky.

“Stormstar!Stormstar!Stormstar!”


And Stormstar took the few precious moments to relax, gather himself and smile at the stars while he waited for their chanting to end.

I'm not standing still. I am lying in wait.

background image | word count | tagged | table by phoenix

[Fate of Five Staff]

BLUEWAVE

The cries of StarClan and RainClan both could be heard as far as the Wooded Cove. It would be a surprise to no one to think that the Purists were daunted by the fierce chant taken up by so many cats, young and old, alive and dead.

"Stormstar! Stormstar! Stormstar!" Bluewave met Timberstar's gaze, and he conveyed a silent thank you in his stare, relieved that she had come here herself to pass on the guardianship of RainClan to a cat far worthier than he.

While the StarClan cats were beginning to fade and the exultation of Stormstar started to soften to a low chant, Timberstar stepped forward to deliver one final message to their new leader. "The time to act has arrived. Surgeclaw, Shadefrost, Leopardyowl -- these are the three with blood on their claws. Do with them as you see fit. You must resolve this now, or the waters we know and love will never be clean."

With the message delivered, RainClan's camp began to empty itself of the StarClan cats, their ancestors returning to their peaceful home far above, the air growing still and cool, moist from the passing rain but full of promise.

The promise of a reckoning for the Purists.

The guilty had been named. The time for inaction was over.

@dreamer

---

Instructions:
Ceremony Complete!

[Deleted]

STORMSTAR

As the cries of his clanmates and Starclan rolled over him, Stormstar felt oddly relieved. Now he would not have to wait on orders, now he would not be constrained to act under some other cats authority. Yet even with that relief came the understanding of the burden he was carrying. Now he himself would be the one to deal out Starclan's will, he would have to guide Rainclan. And as the cheers died down and Timberstar finally spoke, naming the murderers, Stormstar's eyes lit with icy resolve. 

"Thank you. Rainclan shall cleanse its land of the guilty and return to peace and unity." He dipped his head respectfully to Starclan, and watched them all fade away, including each of those who had given him lives. H waited until the last of them were gone, and then taking a deep breath, he launched himself onto River Stone for the first time. Was it his imagination or did he feel a slight tingle in his paws from the departing Starclan cats? Shaking his fur out slightly, he stared at all the assembled clan.


"Warriors of Rainclan! We have all witnessed today a miracle, and a promise. Starclan stands with us, and after everything we have been through, it is a comfort to know that our ancestors trust us to make things right, and that we indeed are the righteous cause." He paused to let the cats process his words. "The murderers have been named, and now is the time for action. As leader it is my place to appoint a deputy. While I have not had long to consider it, I have decided that what we need as a clan is a young deputy with energy, drive, and loyalty." Indeed Stormstar had not had long to consider, but now was not a time for indecision. Several names of loyalist cats passed through his head and were imediately discarded, until a single one remained. "I say these words before Starclan, that they may approve my choice. Rsuhwhisker is the new deputy!" He waited for all the cats to settle, and for Rushwhisker to approach. He wished he could have conversation with the tom, explain his possibly odd and confusing choice, but there was just so little time.

"Now that we have settled that, I will be taking a patrol to the Wooded Cove. The Purists must return to us, and the murderers must surrender themselves within a day. Or we will attack the Wooded Cove and drive out all remaining cats as rogues on Rainclan territory." Pausing, he looked at the cats surrounding him, trying to remember who had been out recently, who had injuries, who would be emotionally unstable. "Russethawk, Jaycry, Duststorm, and Badgerpaw. You will be coming with me." He gestured with his tail at each cat as he picked them. "Rushwhisker, keep watch over camp, make sure every warrior not assigned to something gets their rest. They will need it." He waited for his deputy to ascent, and then finally turned to Bluewave. "And Bluewave... take Minnowsplash and Blizzardclaw and bury Timberstar. We may not have mourned her, but it seems she is content in Starclan, and we have pressing matters. Give her all the honor you can without a vigil." Bluewave nodded slowly, grateful for this last honor.

Stormstar again turned to his clan, watching as many faces hardened just as his. "Alright, dismissed to your duties!"

He leaped from the River Stone and headed straight for the entrance, collecting his patrol as he went, paws directed straight to the Wooded Cove.

I'm not standing still. I am lying in wait.

background image | word count | @zen Fawn @jem @marshymutt @savagewolf BlooRey DVD @poptart | table by phoenix

[Deleted]

The sight of star-clan cats all around the camp was completely unexpected. Then again, he wasn't sure anyone was really expecting this. Yet as Duststorm stood, staring in shock at the spirits of his deceased clanmates,he could not deny this was happening.

He couldn't speak, there were simply no words to say for this sort of situation. So instead, he listened and watched as the starry cats explained their reason for appearing before them and began to give Stormheart his nine lives. 'Surely' He thought. 'This must mean the end of the split. If Starclan wills it then it must be so.'

When all was said and done however, the newly named Stormstar stood before all of Rainclan, and there was no denying the sense of hope that seemed to spread throughout the clan. Each cat, young and old chanted the new leader's name and it soon became impossible for Duststorm to imagine this going any other way. Yes, they would punish the murderers and bring the purists home. Before long they would be whole again and nobody would have to worry when they left camp anymore.

Surprised as he was by the new leader calling him to go on a patrol to the Wooded Cove, the brown and white tom steeled his nerves and nodded. For once, he didn't shake or tremble at the mere thought of conflict. He knew that showing such weakness would be a bad move on his part, so he stepped, sure-footed and strong behind his leader, happy to be a part of this patrol. Happy to be able to see the moment when their clan would become whole again.

Word Count: 276 || Tags: || Notes:

He thought it happier to be dead,
To die for Beauty, than live for bread.

[Fawn]

36 Moons. Loner. Tom. - What's going on? It was as if the stars had fallen down from Silverpelt. Crowblaze, still yearning to go fight the Purists skulking in the Wooded Cove, had been one of the first cats to leave the warriors' den. The last thing he expected, however, was to see his old mentor standing on the river stone, the light of the moon making the stars in her pelt twinkle like dew in sunshine. Crowblaze stared, normally scornful gaze turning soft with wonder as starry cats seemed to fill the island. With a jolt, Crowblaze found a familiar tabby pelt amongst the fallen warriors, and his heart froze in his chest as his mother, Falconleap, smiled at him. Mother! She lifted her muzzle to the river stone, indicating something. Crowblaze looked. Standing there, giving Stormheart a life, was Vultureback -- looking healthy and happy, his father's strong presence washing over him like a soothing pool of water. Crowblaze dug his talons in, throat raw with emotion. They really made it. They're together now. And the fleabitten mongrel that had killed his father could never tear them apart again. An inner peace settled over him just then, and he added his voice to the many that cheered Stormstar's new name. "Stormstar! Stormstar! Stormstar!" He turned and saw Bitternwing pressed against his flank, his little sister's eyes as wide as pebbles. "Did you see?" She whispered, voice nearly breathless with excitement and awe. Crowblaze nodded. "They look happy." Bitternwing nuzzled his shoulder, staying beside him as the ceremony drew to a close. Crowblaze, feeling Heronstrike appear on his other side, basked in the light of StarClan as the cats began to fade back into memory. A simple glance around at his Clanmates told him which ones could see them and which ones couldn't. He saw a flash of dark brown fur as Lotuswhisker hurried into the warriors' den, shock in her eyes. Coldrush was as indifferent as ever, his face emotionless, icy gaze fixed on Stormstar without awe. Russethawk, however, was grinning, the relief and joy on his face so clear to see. This mess isn't over yet, fishbrain. Crowblaze snorted, tempted to remind the ruddy tom of the hard truth. Yet he stayed where he was, angling his ears back to catch Stormstar's deputy announcement. "I say these words before Starclan, that they may approve my choice. Rushwhisker is the new deputy!" Bitternwing gasped beside him, and Crowblaze frowned. What's the big deal? Rushwhisker seemed like an alright sort of tom. Fair. He had the deaf apprentice he was training, and Crowblaze could respect him for taking on such a difficult case, but why was she getting herself all worked up? Crowblaze watched, expression blank as Bitternwing broke away from him to go greet the tabby warrior. He could hear her purring from here, and didn't need to be within earshot to understand what she was saying. "You'll be an amazing deputy, Rushwhisker." He read in her mew, and Crowblaze's tail twitched, understanding dawning on him when Bitternwing pressed her nose to Rushwhisker's shoulder in a surprisingly affectionate gesture. The dark tabby's eyes narrowed, and he waded through the crowd to deliver his own 'congratulatory' words. "You seem like a decent cat," he mewed evenly as Stormstar's peace patrol was beginning to gather near the entrance. "Don't screw it up." And he didn't mean his new title. Word Count: 563 Words Tags: @zen @dreamer Notes:

[Deleted]

I look ahead to all the plans that we made and the dreams that we had.
I'm in a world that tries to take them away, but I'm taking them back.

---

Rushwhisker had been doing his best to keep his sister calm after she had had the misfortune of finding several bodies outside of camp, all covered with their uncle's scent. He had gotten her to retreat to the warriors' den when the rain started, but she was restless, getting up from her nest and turning in circles impatiently, angrily, occasionally casting glares around the den. Rushwhisker would sigh heavily and rise to rest his tail on her shoulders, trying to get her sit still again so she didn't disturb everyone else taking shelter in the den.

Poor Lizardleap. The young she-cat had lost everyone most important to her to this mess. Her sister, her mate, her parents. He glanced around the den, finding her empty nest. Ottersplash was taking care of her after she had nearly gotten killed herself. She had suffered such incredible loss in so short a time. His ears flattened in shared grief for his Clanmates, and in anger for what his Clan had become and how many had been hurt for stupid a reason.

Suddenly Stormheart rose from his nest, looking for all Rushwhisker could tell as though he had a singular purpose in mind, and strode from the den. That's when the starry pelts appeared, brushing past into the heart of camp. Rushwhisker's heart skipped a beat, hope fluttering in his chest. StarClan? Was he dreaming? He rose, looking back at his sister who seemed just as angry and restless as before. He nudged her, his voice hushed with awe, “Ashpaw, look!”

She paused to stare at him, “What?”

He blinked in surprise, “Don't you see them? StarClan?”

She narrowed her eyes, “Do you have bees in you brain?”

She... she couldn't see them? He looked around, wondering if he DID have bees in his brain, but others were reacting the same way, following each other out into the open. He shook his head, “Come on, something is happening!” He nudged his sister toward the den entrance and she padded out, giving him a curious look.

StarClan cats filled the camp. And in the center of it all, Stormheart stood, braced to receive another life. Rushwhisker's ears angled forward. This was... a leader ceremony? Rushwhisker felt rooted to the ground, unable to do anything but stare as Stormheart became Stormstar right before every cats' eyes.

Beside him, Ashpaw frowned in confusion, “Rushwhisker... what is Stormheart doing?”

He tore his gaze away, whispering excitedly, “You really can't see them? StarClan is here, Ashpaw! They're giving Stormheart nine lives!”

She blinked at him, clearly still not believing him, and looked back to Stormheart, then around the camp where cats were murmuring and staring around in awe. Was StarClan really here? Did she care? Maybe that's why she couldn't see them. Her ears flicked back in annoyance and she sat to wait out whatever the heck was going on. Suddenly cats began to chant Stormstar and after a moment's hesitation, Ashpaw joined her voice to everyone else's. Even if she hadn't seen it, what Rushwhisker had said must have happened, and others had apparently seen it too.

“Stormstar! Stormstar!” Rushwhisker called with the rest of the Clan, and with StarClan, until they began to fade away. He turned sharply as a fluffy white pelt caught his eye and his heart leaped into his throat as icy blue eyes met his. Icepaw raised his fluffy tail in greeting to his brother, right before he disappeared with the rest of StarClan.

Feeling overwhelmed with all the emotions that had been thrust upon him in the last couple days, Rushwhisker tore his gaze away from the last spot he had seen his brother and up to the River Stone as the newly named Stormstar addressed the Clan. When his new leader spoke of naming a deputy, Rushwhisker's gaze immediately found Russethawk in the crowd, just waiting for his mentor's name to be called. He certainly met all the criteria Stormstar had mentioned. Sure he was a senior warrior, but only just. He was still young, certainly driven and loyal and-

His eyes widened as his gaze snapped back to Stormstar. It was HIS name that had fallen from the leader's mouth. Beside him, Ashpaw actually purred, giving him a hard nudge with his shoulder when he took so long to respond to the announcement. He nearly stumbled, but dug in his claws, managing to find his voice, “I... I'm honored, Stormstar.” He kept it short, sensing the urgency both in his leader's words and around the camp as a whole. This war would end today, one way or another. Now was not the time to ask why him, there would be time enough later. Right now RainClan needed leadership, and for now that fell to Stormstar, and now to him as well.

He listened intently, doing his best to focus on Stormstar's words and not on his uncertainty or confusion at his new position. He nodded as Stormstar told him to watch camp and gathered his patrol to pay the wooded cove a visit. As the patrol left, cats began to mill around him, offering congratulations, asking what they should do while Stormstar's patrol was out. He cast his gaze about briefly for Russethawk, hoping to get some help from the older tom, and then remembered he was on Stormstar's patrol.

Bitternwing was suddenly beside him, pressing her nose to his shoulder, telling how he would make an amazing deputy, and he had a moment to breathe. Her scent filled his lungs as he took a deep breath and touched his nose to her cheek gratefully, “Thank you.” Her brother Crowblaze approached shortly after her, towering over him. His words were... vaguely threatening, and he realized after a moment that he was talking about more than just his new title as deputy. His ears twitched back, unsure how to respond, then others were pressing in again, wanting direction, offering their own suggestions, and Rushwhisker waved his tail to quiet them.

“All right,” he looked around at the gathered cats, trying to think quickly about what needed to be done, and which cats would be best suited to which tasks. With Stormstar delivering his ultimatum to Swanfeather's followers, he didn't want to too many cats out of camp right now in case of retaliation, but too many idle paws mixed with all the excitement going on might cause problems. He didn't want to send any cat out that wasn't pure RainClan, knowing the purists would target them, “Lilystream, Ashpaw, Coldrush, and... Owlflight. You're on hunting patrol. Stay close to each other and don't go anywhere near the wooded cove.”

The last patrol that went out had all come back to camp dead. His gaze lingered on his sister, wishing he could just tell every cat to go back to their dens and be safe, but the Clan still needed to eat, and if he didn't keep his sister busy he was afraid she would sneak out to try to settle this whole war on her own. “Lilypool, take...,” he cast his gaze around, trying to make sure he picked only cats with pure RainClan blood, afraid to lose anymore Clanmates before this war came to an end, “Ashclaw, Shellstep, and Snowfrost to the NightClan border.” And what about StoneClan? He was quickly running out cats, and Stormstar had told HIM to watch camp, so he couldn't go himself.

Taking a deep breath, he reluctantly chose a few cats that he knew might be targeted, deciding to send a slightly larger patrol in the hopes that it would make them safer, “Roselight, Crowblaze, Dawnstep, Whiteash, and Piketooth, check the StoneClan border.” He glanced around. That was good, right? Clearing his throat, he addressed the rest of the Clan, “The rest of you, stay in camp in case Swanfeather's followers decide to attack. Silverscar, Quietstream, and Mistsong, keep watch. Oh, and border patrols, feel free to hunt on your way back to camp, just remember to stay close to each other.” He waited a moment, but every cat seemed to think he was going to say more, “Erm... dismissed.”

He flicked his tail awkwardly and watched the patrols he had named form and head out, breathing a sigh of relief now that that was over, sending a silent prayer to StarClan, StarClan, watch over them all. Ashpaw flicked her tail against his side encouragingly as she passed and he gave her a small smile of gratitude. As the guards he had assigned set themselves up about camp and the rest of cats left behind moved toward the edges of camp or went back to their dens, he turned and settled himself at the base of the River Stone, tail curling over his paw as he sat alert, planning to keep watch himself until Stormstar returned.

---

Cause all of this time I've just been too blind to understand what should matter to me.
My friends this life we live, it’s not what we have, it’s what we believe in.