Colorful Doom

Chapter 6

Nightpaw screwed her eyes shut as ShadowClan sat vigil for their fallen leader. The moon hung bright in the sky, and the stars twinkled with extra brightness. Nightpaw desperately hoped this was a good omen. In these past moons, ShadowClan had suffered. Was StarClan angry with them? Is this why Oakstar died?

Shadeclaw, now Shadestar, had gone to alert the other Clans with Blazefur.

Leaftail was quietly grieving for her mate, her kits huddled around her. Sunkit looked the saddest of his siblings, the shock plastered on his face, giving him an older look.

Nightpaw's ears pricked as Shadestar quietly re-entered the camp, Blazefur close behind.

"Cats of ShadowClan!" Shadestar yowled from the Dark Rock. "We grieve for our fallen leader. Oakstar will be remembered as the great cat he was, loyal and determined. In his words, our faith in StarClan must not waver. We must travel towards the dawn, not flee from it. So now, while his body still lays among us, a new deputy must be chosen. The new deputy of ShadowClan is Mistflower."

The gray she-cat looked absolutely shocked, and Nightpaw couldn't help but share her surprise. The obvious choice seemed to be Addertooth or Pebblepelt.

However, the two were still the first to cheer.

"Mistflower! Mistflower! Mistflower! " The cries rang through the camp, as loud as thunder.

Mistflower dipped her head to her Clan. "This is a total shock. I would have never expected this. I am honored to be chosen, and I pledge to bring ShadowClan to glory."

Blazefur stepped forward. "May I also speak?" He asked, glancing at Shadestar.

The pale brown tom nodded. "Of course. Go ahead."

Blazefur turned to face his Clan. "One thing I have always loved about this Clan is how close we all are. We play together. We fight together. We grieve together. We are like family. This is a sign of a strong Clan, and a Clan that will prosper."

Nightpaw nodded in approval. His words were perfect, giving the Clan a hopeful air.

Foxfang padded towards Oakstar's body, and layed lavender over him. "Farewell, Oakstar. May you find good hunting, swift running, and shelter when you sleep."

Beethorn and Marshfur, gazes clouded with sadness, picked up the dark brown tom and carried him out of camp for burial. Leaftail trailed after him, her kits close behind.

Lily and Thistle seemed out of place in the vigil, staying in the medicine den for the majority of the ceremony. Nightpaw noted how close to birth Lily was getting.

Nightpaw felt a tail curl around her. Sparrowwing was holding on to her. Her ears grew hot for a few moments, but she didn't move away. She liked this. It felt right.

》》》》》》》》

Nightpaw bunched her muscles and leaped, landing square on the vole in front of her. It let out a squeak as soon as it spotted her, and slipped out of her paws. She let out a hiss. "Foxdung!"

The long-furred apprentice froze as a tom padded out of the bushes. He smelled of ThunderClan. Nightpaw immediately recognized him as the gray tom from her first battle.

She narrowed her eyes as he began to speak. "You almost caught that vole." He laughed.

Nightpaw growled. "What do you think you're doing on ShadowClan territory?"

The tom smiled. "Meeting you."

Nightpaw blinked. Was he stupid? "You can't be here! Leave."

He shook his head, stepping closer. "No, no, no. See, Nightpaw, I don't think you really want to chase me out, do you? Not before I give you my message?"