Duskflower's Story

Chapter 21: New Changes

   Almost two moons had past the kits had become apprentices and Duskflower was thrilled because Stormstar had given Lavenderpaw as her apprentice.  Flowerpetal had peacefully died of old age. But Stormstar didn't believe that and tightend the rules.

   Duskflower thought that with time maybe Stormstar would relax a little and discontinue the rules but she couldn't be more wrong. If anything he had grown more paranoid. Along with the other new rules he started to create even more. One of her least favorite one's were that instead of two cats guarding the whole camp day and night, cats would have to guard the nursery and the elders den along with the entrance.

  The whole Clan hated it so much but couldn't say anything against it. LightningClan was a very strict about the warrior code. They prided themselves on being the only Clan without forbidden mates. Hazelwind tried to convince him to remove the rules but he didn't listen. 

   One morning Stormstar called a Clan meeting. As he exited his den everyone could tell that their once fearsome leader was no longer himself. Duskflower was heartbroken to see her former mentor like this. 

"Um...All cats old enough...ok whatever just everyone come over hear."

"What is wrong with him?" She overheard Whitefang to Sunsettail.

"Whitefang hush!" Said Leafwind angrily.

"I have decided that LightningClan will no longer be participating in the Gatherings."

This caused every single cat to gasp and started to gossip.

"Has Stormstar got mad!" Said Flyspark.

"Honestly I think Stormstar should just stop being leader." Said Fallsplash.

"Hazelwind do something." Yowled Whitefang.

Hazelwind looked confused and was looking all around. She finally decided to intervene.

"Stormstar, as your appointed deputy I think we should discuss before we decide anything."

"Discuss all you want, I'm not changing this."

"Stormstar! You are no longer fit to be the leader. We all feel that Hazelwind should be the leader." Yowled Whitefang.

"Whitefang, not every cat said that!" Said Willowheart.

"I'm sorry Willowheart but we can't have such a leader. 

"Stormstar just needs to take a break, maybe Hazelwind can be in charge until he's better." Said Crystallight.

Many cats also agreed with her. Duskflower also was with her.

"Fine, so we have decided that Hazelwind will be in charge but not the leader. Let's say after a moon Stormstar can come back to his duties again." 

Stormstar agreed and Hazelwind decided to get rid of some rules. She changed the guard and the identification before entering the dens. She kept the check up though.

"So I want a hunting patrol and a border patrol. Mentors and apprentices can go train and Tansyleaf can you please do a check up on Stormstar."

Everyone was reassured by Hazelwind's strong leadership. The Clan started dispersing and Lavenderpaw ran towards Duskflower.

"Good Morning Duskflower! What a morning right?"

"Yup. Anyway are you ready to take a tour of our territory?"

"Of course!"

The two she-cats walked up the Lightning Path and left the camp. 

"So on this side we have the forest. We have a small forest all to ourselves. Here we hunt squirrels and vole, and more."