if Mapleshade's kits lived

Chapter 39

"I want all cats, old enough to catch their own prey, gather beneath highrock for a clan meeting." Larch announced, he felt as if he was leader of MapleClan now that Patchstar had gone on so many walks, where was he going?

He spotted Bramble and Rosepaw step up, as well as Redsquirrel and Fire. "Redsquirrel, your mentor will be Copepod, and Fire, your mentor shall be Fred," he announced, just realizing that Patchstar wasn't here to see his kits' ceremonies.

They're the only memories he has of Destiny, he thought, "Bramble, do you promise to protect and defend your clan even at the cost of your own life?" Larch asked the big white tom, Bramble dipped his head, "I do," he meowed.

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you the power of a warrior, may StarClan light your path, always," he swam in the sounds of Bramble's name being announced, remembering him becoming a warrior himself.

"Rosepaw, do you promise to protect and defend your clan, even at the cost of your life?" Larch swished his tail, "I do," the pretty orange she-cat meowed, "Then, by the powers of StarClan, I give you a warrior name, Rosepaw, you shall be known as Rosebush, StarClan honors you, and we honor you as a full warrior of MapleClan."

Rosebush and Bramble touched noses, "You both will sit vigil, this meeting is over," Larch headed to the barn, curling up.

Appledusk watched Patchstar nuzzle Duskwater, he sighed, he should be leading his clan, he thought, I wish I can tell Patchstar about Mapleshade, because Bramble isn't lying about this. suddenly, soft fur brushed against him, "Reedshine," he meowed, "Appledusk? What are you doing here?" the pretty orange spirit asked, "My son, he's making bad choices,"

he answered, Reedshine glanced at the tortoiseshell tom, "But, Appledusk, he has another mate, you know that you did the same while you were alive with me," Reedshine meowed, Appledusk's eyes shown with guilt, "I know I did that, and I regret it." he admitted, "Instead of trying to stop Mapleshade I flirted with you." he meowed.

"It'll be fine, Appledusk, he'll realize what he's doing eventually, but for now he'll have to lose a life to get back to normal." Reedshine mewed, sitting next to him. Appledusk sighed, "I hope you're right Reedshine, if Patchstar is to sacrifice his life for this clan, he'd better do it quick."

The cold air filled Petal's nostrils, she sighed, she exiled herself from the clan to join RogueClan with Angus and Ruthstar, Petal wrapped her tail around her paws, thinking of her daughter, only surviving daughter, Sunrise, she was back in MapleClan with her uncles Patchstar and Larch, Petal curled her lip, "What a horrible cat my mother was to make my whole clan not trust me." She wanted to prove Bramble right, but her brother, Patchstar, would just say, "I don't want to listen to your nonsense" and go off for a walk. Petal twitched the tip of her tail. I left. Though not many regrets passed through her mind, Patchstar wasn't the same, If I'm able to tell him Bramble is right, Patchstar won't be like this.

Patchstar bared his teeth, he knew his siblings were doubting him, just by the looks in their eyes. He loved Duskwater, she was the only cat who gave him comfort. Why worry? Mapleshade is dead, would they listen to me? Or a scrawny apprentice? Bitterness drove through him.

His claws slipped from his sheaths. Duskwater had sorrow in her eyes. "You have to be grateful you had parents in the first place." Patchstar felt anger burn his chest. "My parents weren't good cats!" He spat. "But- But- I never had parents, they were dead, Patchstar, my littermates died, my parents died as loners, I was nearly dead, if Perchflight and Nettlebreeze hadn't found me, I'd be a wreak!"

Patchstar blinked slowly.