Brambleberry's Path

Chapter 32:

Dear Starclan! I didn't think right after I published chapter 31 I would get 800 reads XD seriously, that amazes me. I want to thank you guys again for reading this. I'm glad you guys like it and I will keep continuing it. We have a long way to go until the end of the book XD and I almost have it caught up to the present in Brightstar1210's book, Waterclan's Prophecy. So, without further ado, read on, and have a great day! :D

~Infinite

Brambleberry watched Hawkwing as Brightface exchanged hushed words with her before she leapt onto HighBranch and called for all the cats of the clan. Hawkwing glanced at Birdsong as she sat next to her and then turned her attention back to Brightface.

"Cats of Waterclan! I have.... distressing news!" She announced. The clan rippled with unease and Birdsong glanced at Hawkwing with confused amber eyes.

"Wetstar.... is dead." She continued on. There were wails of sorrow and Brambleberry sighed. How many deaths had there been? He had lost count.

"Which means I will need to go to Moonrock to receive my nine lives. I also need to appoint a new deputy." She mewed, and Brambleberry's ears pricked up. Who would she choose? Brightface scanned the cats in the clan before she stared at one in particular.

"I make my choice before the body of Wetstar so that he and our ancestors may approve of the new deputy. Hawkwing will be the new deputy of Waterclan until either one of us joins our ancestors in Silverpelt." Brightface called. Hawkwing's eyes widened as the cats in the clan turned to her and cheered. She glanced at Birdsong and stood before padding up to the front of the gathered cats. She looked up at Brightface with gleaming eyes and dipped her head.

"I must journey to MoonRock. I will need two warriors to accompany me." Brightface mewed, scanning the clan.

"I shall travel with Birdsong and....." Her sapphire eyes landed on Brambleberry and she seemed to hesitate. "And Brambleberry." She finished. There were mews of confusion but they died down as soon as Brightface stood on the branch.

"This meeting is over!" She called before she leapt down to the ground and padded up to Hawkwing. The new deputy nodded her head at Brightface and turned to go get herbs from Birdsong. She almost ran into Riverpaw as the small apprentice looked up at her with wide amber eyes.

"You're the deputy?" She asked her. Hawkwing purred and nodded her head.

"But it's not as cool as having a parent as the leader. Your mother will be the greatest leader Waterclan has ever had, just watch." She mewed, looking over her shoulder at Brightface. Riverpaw stared at her mother with wide, proud amber eyes. Birdsong padded out and set down the herbs she was carrying at Brightface's paws.

"These should give us enough energy for the trip to the Moonrock and back." Birdsong mewed, glancing between Brightface and Brambleberry. All three cats gulped down the bitter leaves and Brightface stuck out her tongue.

"Why do herbs always have a bad taste?!" She asked Birdsong, who purred with laughter. The silver tabby turned around to Hawkwing and stared at her with trusting sapphire orbs.

"I need you to watch the clan while I'm gone. Think you can do that?" Brightface asked. Hawkwing purred and head-butted her shoulder gently.

"I can manage. Trust me." She mewed with amusement. Brightface purred and stood up, stretching her limbs.

"Alright, let's go. I want to get there before sundown." She mewed. Brambleberry stood and stared at Hawkwing with soft amber eyes.

"Will you be ok without me?" He asked her. She glared at him and her eyes flashed with anger before she turned and padded away, muttering under her breath.

"Arrogant fish-brain." He heard her say and felt his heart clench painfully. Birdsong and Brightface padded out of camp with Brambleberry at their heels. He paused and glanced back at Hawkwing one more time before following the two she-cats into the forest.

They swam away from the camp and towards the Lightning tree on the other side of the island. Once they got to the stream on the other side, they swam across to the Gathering Clearing, where the Moonrock waited in a cave that served as the leaders' spot on the top of it. It was dark and damp in the small tunnel as they padded onward and weaved through the cave to reach their destination. They got to the Moonrock as soon as the moon's rays shone onto it, making the rock glow a warm color that illuminated the three cats.

Brightface lay down and touched her nose to the cold, smooth surface of the Moonrock. She closed her eyes and Birdsong sat down beside her, curling her tail around her paws. Brambleberry rolled his eyes and curled into a ball in the corner of the cave. He rested his head on his paws and heaved a sigh before he closed his amber eyes and sleep claimed his conscious.