[Taxx]

where there's smoke, there's fire

Smokestar, with Sandblaze at her side and the two warriors she'd taken to the Moon Tree, felt relief that her trek was nearly over. Her paws brushed against the gravel leading up to the camp; Pebblefrost was standing guard outside, her tail raised in greeting at the returning four. Her head dipped low to Smokestar, who nodded back in acknowledgement. "Come inside," she told the white she-cat before sliding through the barrier and pausing inside the camp.

It was quiet, as expected this early, but with dawn approaching it wouldn't bother anyone to hear her speak. Besides, she had a deputy to appoint, and that was best done immediately. She just needed a moment to think about who to call to the rank. Settling down in front of the fresh-kill pile, nodding at Brightmane and Wolfjaw as they did the same. For just a few minutes, while they ate, the camp was peaceful; Smokestar's thoughts weren't. They spun, her head still full of the cats she'd seen and the lives they'd given her before pausing again on the matter of which cat she would name her deputy. Her first deputy... and as if in response to the question she remembered what Hawkstar had told her once. How, when he had been newly named leader, how he had chosen his deputy.

Wolfclaw had been older, calm and trusted, a steady presence among StoneClan. Perhaps... in the wake of the death of their leader, it might not be such a bad idea to follow his example, until StoneClan had recovered from this tragedy. But who among them? She couldn't quite help but reject Hawkfall- it wasn't his fault he bore the same prefix as Hawkstar, and she didn't really need any more reminders of her predecessor than she'd already get. She kept on, sorting through the rest, picking out potentials and trying to imagine how well they would do together.

By the time she'd finished her thrush, she had one- one she hoped would be well accepted and received by the Clan. The sun's light was stronger, and a rustle of fur at the nursery drew her attention. Mistcloud, her eyes briefly shadowed by worry, brightened at the sight of Smokestar. The new leader bounded over to her, gently bumped her head to the queen's, and whispered just for her ears. "I saw Silverstorm. I'll tell you and Mother all about it later." Mistcloud's tail flicked over her shoulder as Smokestar turned away and headed for the Rock Pile, springing to the top before turning to survey the waking camp.

A deep breath before she gave the call for the first time: "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join beneath the Rock Pile for a Clan meeting!" She watched as cats began to emerge from their dens, a crowd forming in the clearing; the sun was warm despite the cold air breezing through the camp. Stretching to her toes for a moment, Smokestar waited for the Clan to settle before beginning to speak.

"I've been to the Moon Tree and have received my lives and my name. And now it's time to name a new deputy. I say these words before StarClan, that the spirits of our warrior ancestors may hear and approve of my choice." Her gaze scanned the crowd, resting briefly on the few she'd considered before raising her voice and speaking clearly the name of the cat she'd chosen. "The new deputy of StoneClan will be Valiantstride."

Smokestar of StoneClan

Made by Fawn || Tags

[KARAZHAL]

Birdtalon slept in one of the many nooks and crannies inside of StoneClan's camp. Although the jumble of boulders looked precarious on the outside, enough large rocks had fallen in ways that propped themselves up, with smaller ones and gravel filling in the gaps. It was quite the stone formation.

The sound of paws on pebbles stirred the stone-gray tom immediately. He leapt from his spot and landed on all-fours. His emerald eyes widened at the sight of a small smoke tortoiseshell at the head of her party. "Smokestar!" he greeted warmly, glad for her safe return. Birdtalon bowed his head to her and he scampered off through a gap to wake up others of his Clan. Smokestar had returned from the Moon Tree!

He kicked through from the elder's den with the remaining two in tow. Dust flew into the air, and sand grains tumbled over their tiny dunes. The opening had gotten too uncomfortable for Birdtalon, so he figured a taller opening would help the stiff elders. They all took sharp inhales at the sight of Smokestar instead of Hawkstar upon the Rock Pile, sunlight coming in. The familiar clarion call echoed throughout all of camp and soon their clanmates all joined in the big opening.

Smokestar's announcement caused Birdtalon to straighten. Deputy! He glanced over at the clustered warriors, wondering who among them would be his leader's choice. A deputy would be a cat of strength, discipline, and well-respected. Likely one of our senior warriors, the most experienced of us. Birdtalon searched faces until he saw Rabbitfur's pied pelt, thinking she would be a strong choice.

"The new deputy of StoneClan will be Valiantstride." Birdtalon straightened and craned his neck, trying to pick out the golden tabby. He just had to follow the eyes of everyone else. He approved of Smokestar's choice and so he chanted his clanmate's name in pride. "Valiantstride! Valiantstride! Valiantstride!"

Hellion for valiantstride mention Taxx for smokestar Ghost the Undead Goddess for rabbitfur mention

[Hellion]

If home is where the heart is

I'm homesick for you

In the time since Hawkstar's passing. Valiantstride found himself caught up in his thoughts. He watched his kits, saw them head out on patrols. He laid closer to Skunkspots in their shared nest. The ache in his chest, the worry in his heart growing. When death so boldly took two lives at once, it was impossible not to worry about his kin. The ones closest to him, the cats he feared to lose.

He had experienced death before. His parents had been a challenging one to overcome. A kit that watches their parents fade away is taught the reality of their own mortality. Reminded that everyone dies. No one is left untouched by the cold claws of death.

Despite not being overly closer to Hawkstar, Valiantstride mourned the loss of him and his mate with everyone. He admired Hawkstar for his ability to be level headed, to lead with the good of the Clan as driving force. Valiantstride had faith that the memory of Hawkstar would live on in every kit born. They'd know the greatness he brought to StoneClan. Similarly, they speak of Frozenrain, the she-cat who stood by his side. Stories would be told and retold until they became a legend.

As dawn peaked its way into the camp clearing, Valiantstride slowly woke. Pressing his nose into Skunkspots's fur for a moment. Whispering a good morning to the she-cat he devoted his life to.

His ears perked upon hearing the nearby call of Smokestar It came to no surprise that she'd call a meeting in the early minutes of the day. A deputy needed to be chosen, Clan life had to move forward.

Exiting the warrior's den, Valiantstride found a spot for him and Skunkspots to sit. As Smokestar confirmed she had been given her nine lives, Valiantstride found solace in that. StoneClan would continue on, a new reign would be starting.

"The new deputy of StoneClan will be Valiantstride."

As his name was called, Valiantstride's eyes went wide. Turning slightly to glance at Skunkspots to ensure it wasn't a dream. Once confirmed, the golden tabby stood up, the chanting of his name overwhelming.

Never in a million moons had he thought himself a deputy of StoneClan, but nevertheless he felt honored. A polite dip of his head toward Smokestar was enough to show he accepted.

Valiantstride
The Deputy of StoneClan

background image | homesick | base table by phoenix

[Fawn]

Skunkspots

68 Moons, Warrior-Queen, StoneClan

"The new deputy of StoneClan will be Valiantstride."

Skunkspots' shock hung suspended on her face for several heartbeats. Too many heartbeats. It wasn't until Valiantstride looked her way that time seemed to catch up with the she-cat enough to make her drop the expression into something more like approval. Beyond the glassy-eyed look she gave Smokestar as the Clan's new leader announced her Valiantstride as deputy, Skunkspots' thoughts were an absolute mess.

The deputy is the first one to push themselves too hard. The first one to go into battle. The first line of defense. The one every enemy would aim for to send a message to their Clan. Skunkspots' heart trembled inside her breast. It was as if Smokestar had dipped her claw in blood and painted a sign on Valiantstride's back, letting everything in the forest know that he was a pillar of StoneClan now. That he was a target.

The world spun as her breathing grew shallower, until a firm nudge to her side brought her out of the spiral.

"Congratulations, Dad." It was Beetlejaw. Her surly son looked grim, but his eyes held a warmth she hadn't anticipated. He looked proud, as if seeing his father in a position of leadership had shaved off some of the heartache of a few moments ago. Skunkspots sucked in a breath, realizing her placement in the world. In his world. Seeing Valiantstride as deputy wouldn't be a source of worry for their kits. Valiantstride was their hero. He was their rock, even more so than Hawkstar had been. He was their father, and he was being recognized for his capabilities and his strengths.

Her place was by his side, supporting him no matter the circumstances. Proving to their kits that they were a united front.

Skunkspots' stomach unclenched little by little, until she found that she could move and speak and behave like a normal creature again. "I'm proud of you, Valiantstride," she mewed softly, counting the rosetted pattern on his flank until she could properly meet his gaze. When she did, she put up a meek smile. The best she could do while her heart adjusted to so much change. "Please be careful." Skunkspots whispered, stepping close enough to press her nose into his cheek. I can't lose you too.

When I'm all alone, they show up on their own
Inner demons don't play by the rules

Original code by Phoenix | Hellion @zen | 343 Words | Notes