Whiteriver's Truth

Chapter 16

   "No, this can't be!" Minttail cried as Swiftfeather broke the news to her about her mate passing. "We were expecting another litter."
   The white she-cat medicine cat wrapped her tail around the grieving queen. "I'm sorry. I tried all I could." She whispered.
   "It's not your fault, Swiftfeather." The queen responded. "It was just too soon." She shook her head and then started licking her swelling belly.
   "We will leave you be. Again, I'm very sorry Minttail." Swiftfeather turned leaving the queen to grieve alone. She flicked her tail signalling for Whiteriver to do the same.
   She followed the medicine cat out of the nursery where Bramblefoot's body was being laid in the middle of the camp. "I feel so sorry for her." She said turning to Swiftfeather when they stopped.
   Swiftfeather sighed and then made her way back to her den. She stayed behind because she thought the she-cat would need some time alone for a bit. She then walked over to the dark brown tabby tom that's laid still amongst the group of cats. Robinflight had buried his face into his father's neck and his body heaved with each silent sob he let out into the fur. She saw Bravepelt sitting beside him with his tail wrapped over his former apprentice.
   "He was a great deputy." She said as she approached them.
   "Yes he was." Bravepelt responded.
   The young tom didn't look up, but his mother eventually came over and took Bravepelt's place to comfort her son. He finally lifted his head and leaned into his mother.
   "Why?" He choked out through sobs.
   Minttail just shook her head and gave him a comforting lick on his ear. Bravepelt walked over to Whiteriver and flicked his ear over to the fresh-kill so they could give the family some space.
   "I wish I could do something." Bravepelt finally said.
   "He's hunting in StarClan now. What else could we give." She meowed putting her tail over him.
   "I could never think of losing either of my parents." He looked down to the ground.
   Whiteriver didn't know what to say to comfort her mate so they sat there in silence.

***

   The sun jaded set and the moon was rising higher in the sky. Goldenstar leaped on top of the High Rock and called a gather that every cat knew the reason to. It was almost sun high so he would have to choose a new deputy.
   Once the clan had gathered around, Goldenstar started. "I say these words before the body of Bramblefoot, so that the spirits of our warrior ancestors may hear and approve of my choice." He started to scan the clearing for the cat he was going to choose then he turned back to focusing on the ceremony. "The new deputy of ThunderClan will be Bravepelt." He finally said.
   The crowd cheered out his name showing how much they approved of the leaders choice. Beside her, Bravepelt looked shocked and embarrassed, but also grateful that the leader chose him. She also saw in the background, her brother looking on at her mate with jealousy and anger and then he turned away when he saw her staring at him.
   I wonder what that was about? She thought to herself a bit of fear bubbling inside her.
   "Thank you, Goldenstar. I will do the best I can." He responded once the sound had died down, bowing his head in respect to his leader.
 
   Throughout the night, Goldenstar, Minttail and Robinflight sat vigil for Bramblefoot, close to his cold body. Once the light of dawn filtered into the camp, the elder's started to prepare the body to be taken away. Bravepelt stayed up all night sitting near the back of the camp to give the grieving cats some space, but he said to Whiteriver that night that as next deputy, it was the respectful thing to do for him.
   As Whiteriver rose from the warrior den, she saw Bramblefoot's body being taken away for burial and the tired eyes of her mate.
   "You should've gotten some sleep." She purred rubbing up against him. "You can barely keep yourself awake and you have such a busy day ahead of you." She meowed in concern.
   "I'm fine, Whiteriver. Thanks for your concern, but I can handle it." He yawned and then stretched. "Besides, I'll get a good night sleep tonight with how tired I'll be."
   Whiteriver couldn't help but chuckle at his optimism. "I love your spirit. You were definitely the right choice."
   He purred in response and gave her a quick lick on the ear. "Would you be up for dawn patrol?" He asked.
   "Of course." They went over to the fresh-kill pile where Clovernose and Dapplehope sat sharing tongues.
"Would you like to join dawn patrol, Clovernose." He asked the she-cat.
"Of course I would." She purred.
"Oh I remember the days I went on patrol. I once caught a big squirrel. It was so fat it could feed all the elders. Sadly I didn't get to taste it, but I bet it was good." Dapplehope meowed.
"Sounded like it was mouse-brained." Clovernose chuckled as she stood up to leave.
They collected two more warriors, Greytalon and Berrytuft. Then before they left, Bravepelt gathered a hunting patrol to leave as well as a dusk patrol.
The cold air of new leaf-bare ruffled Whiteriver's fur. Prey was scarce as it always was during this time of year, but they were able to catch some prey for themselves and some to bring back for the clan. There seemed to be no scent of trespassers making the patrol successful.
Once back in the camp, they set the prey down into the pile. "Looks like you got a good catch." Whiteriver turned around to see Frostpoppy approaching her.
"Well any prey is good at this time." She responded.
"That's right." She nodded. "I've already told Swiftfeather and Birchblaze, but I thought I should tell you next since you're Birchblaze's sister.
   "What is it?" She pressed.
   "I'm expecting Birchblaze's kits." She purred with a smile on her face.
Whiteriver didn't exactly feel happy about it, but she was glad that new kits would be joining ThunderClan. "Congratulations. You'll be an amazing mother." She responded.
"Thank you Whiteriver." She purred and bowed her head before walking away.
I hope none of them end up with Birchblaze's personality. She thought.