Book Four, The Building Task

Chapter Nine

Rosefall's POV.

I'm so happy Batstar has returned. The ongoing tension in the camp has fallen significantly since their arrival. Once Batstar learned about the death of Brambleheart, she had been very sad. Brambleheart was her first deputy, and I knew they were close.

"Let all those old enough to catch their own prey, join beneath Highledge for a clan meeting." Batstar's call echoed around camp. I rose from my nest where I was laying feeding my kits.

"Stay here young ones, I'll be back after the meeting." My kits surprisingly didn't complain but then it seemed like they were tired.

It was late evening and I wondered what possibly the meeting could be about. I padded forward to sit with Ivysong.

Her and I seemed so much more distant since I had my kits and I wondered if it was because she wanted kits herself.

"What do you think this meeting is about?" I asked trying to spark up conversation, but Ivysong just shrugged and muttered "Dunno."

I sighed and walked away from her and settled down beside my mate. "Hello my love, how are you doing?" Fallensky asked me.

I smiled. I love it when he calls me that. "I'm doing well, you?" He smiled back and rubbed up against me. "Happy to be home."

I rested my head against his shoulder as Batstar readied herself to speak. Finally, she stood tall and addressed her Clan.

"Cats of StormClan, ShadowClan had captured my patrol and I, going against the warrior code by being dishonorable cats and attacking those who aren't on their territory and stealing their prey." Batstar's voice rang throughout the Clan.

Meows of anger and frustration flowed through my fellow Clanmates. "Cowards!" I heard Juniperbrush yowl.

Batstar gave a firm meow to signal the Clan to calm down. "They agreed to give us back for exchange of prey and water. StormClan cannot afford that right now, but we can afford another battle - which they threatened. ShadowClan is weak and they made the mistake of showing that; therefore I have made the decision to stay and wait for them to attack. We will be ready."

Meows of agreement rose from the Clan. Some anxious mews came from some, including mine. "What about mine and Lilly's kits? Might I remind you in the past we've lost kits to battles.."

"I understand your concern, Rosefall, but we do have Winnie to guard the nursery, and I will instill a few other warriors to the nursery for the battle." Batstar answered my concerns.

"I'll help guard the nursery, Batstar." Fallensky stood up. I smiled at him.

"Right. Winnie, you and Cinnamonsky." Batstar nodded to the warriors. "Now we must address the matter with Lilly, her kits, and Domino."

Batstar shifted her position slightly as the Clan muttered amongst themselves. "I've learned that Rosefall let Ivysong train Domino as her apprentice. It shall stay that way if he wishes to stay. What do you think, Domino?"

Domino stepped forward in the crowd. "I would love to stay here. Lilly is my sister and I would like to be here for her kits. I already know she wants to stay."

Batstar nodded. "Lilly can you please step forward next to Domino?" Lilly nodded. Poor thing. She looked so sad, she misses her mate.

"Domino, do you agree to learn our ways and defend this Clan with your life?" Batstar asked him.

Domino took a breath and nodded. "I do."

"Would you like a traditional Clan name?" Batstar asked. I was surprised, I thought she'd just give him a name.

"Respectfully, Batstar, I decline. Domino is who I am." He looked bravely into her eyes. Batstar blinked. "Then I proudly present StormClan's newest apprentice, Domino!"

"Domino! Domino! Domino!" StormClan cheered for him.

"Lilly shall join the Clan aswell as we have talked prior. She is a queen, so once her kits are apprenticed, she will be aswell." Batstar concluded. "Now we must discuss a sad matter. Our beloved deputy Brambleheart has passed away as many of you knew before I did."

"I have decided that Ivysong will be the new deputy of StormClan." Batstar announced, raising her head and looking at Ivysong proudly.

I gasped, shocked. I was so happy for her! A purr rumbled in my throat as she padded up to accept her place beside Streamsight and Nightpaw beneath the Greatledge.

The whole Clan cheered for Ivysong's new place in the Clan, she was a very popular cat, after all. I smiled and padded up to her to nuzzle her.

Ivysong grinned but didn't really acknowledge me. She's probably just overwhelmed. I thought to myself. Becoming deputy was huge for her!

Batstar hopped down from the ledge. "I want each member of the Clan doing work today. Cinnamonsky, Batwing and Frogsong, you three will refine the nursery. I want no holes in the den at all." The three cats nodded and rushed to do it.

"Sweetwish, Oakleaf and Skywing; patrol the borders. Moonwish, Frostedwing, Fallensky; go hunting. Stonefall, Juniperbrush, Dewfall and Quartzshine; refine the outer walls of the camp. Ivysong, take your apprentice battle training and Larkfeather, Winnie you can stay here and guard the camp with me." Each cat ran to do their job.

I sighed and walked up to Batstar. "What can I do?" Batstar turned to me. "Feed and care for your kits, I don't need anything else."

"What about hunting? Surely another cat hunting couldn't hurt." I asked her. I really wanted to do something other than lay around all day.

"No, Rosefall. It's really important you care for your kits. They need you." Batstar replied. I sighed. "I feel bad laying around all day doing nothing.." I whispered.

"You're not, you're caring for StormClan's future warriors and that's important enough. Being a mother to kittens is one of the most honorable jobs in the Clan. And you do that everyday, for that StormClan thanks you." Batstar responded. She gave my shoulder a lick of encouragement.

"You're my kin now, Rosefall, I'm so happy you and Fallensky are together. I couldn't imagine a cat better for him." She gave me a smile. "You're a great mother, Rosefall."

"Thank you so much, Batstar, really." I replied to her, astonished that she could possibly say something so kind. I didn't think she accepted me as a part of her family. That makes me feel so happy inside.

"It's no worries. Now go and care for your kits." Batstar gave me a smile and turned to go out of camp.

I shook my pelt slightly and padded toward the nursery. I gave a smile as I passed Cinnamonsky, Batwing and Frogsong as they were patching up the nursery.

I entered the nursery and my kits squealed for me. "Rosefall we missed you!" Flickerkit came bounding up to me. "I missed you too, my sweets!" I gave them licks on the head and laid down next to Lilly.

"Do you think you will take a traditional Clan name when you become an apprentice?" I asked Lilly. She raised her head and stretched out her neck, "Maybe, I'll just have to see how I feel then; that'll be not for another.." she paused to think, "Three moons? It will be leaf-fall then."

"That's fair," I replied. I yawned. Today was a good day, I'm so happy to have Fallensky back.