Chapter Twenty-three

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Rosestar

"Rosestar," murmured a tall black she-cat, bowing her head with respect. "The ThunderClan cats have kept to their side of the border, not once stepping out of line since the meeting you and Sharpstar had yesterday. He has kept his promise, and his cats tell me he will only give us another half-moon to decide. That is all." It was quiet for a few moments before Rosestar replied.

"Very well," Rosestar muttered, hoping she'd have more time. "Tell Sharpstar that I am thinking about it, and thank him again for the offer. Such a clever cat, he is. He's the reason that monster is gone, and the reason I'm sane again. WindClan is no longer threatened." Rosestar looked to Blackpelt with suspicion, waiting for a reply to a question she never said aloud.

"No, WindClan will not be threatened any longer," Blackpelt agreed, a fear in her voice. "Rainfur and Sweetpaw have left and have not been scented since. May I ask, however, if you have decided about Sharpstar's offer?" Rosestar sighed, hoping that her deputy wouldn't ask. She knew she had to answer, though. It was a very important matter.

"I have not decided, but I have been thinking about it," Rosestar told the tall black she-cat. "WindClan is my prized possession, with purity greater than any Clan has ever known. To have it combined with that loner-filled waste-land would be very wasteful." Blackpelt sat down before nodding.

"Sharpstar has killed Yelloweye, the kit of the loners we found just a few seasons ago," Blackpelt reminded Rosestar. "He has also made Frostpaw work harder, refusing to let Snowdrift give him his full medicine cat name. Sweetpaw is nowhere to be found, and Robinwing's kits are to be executed as soon as they are born, according to Sharpstar."

"They better be!" Rosestar spat, hissing with anger. "How dare Ravenstar keep such a monster within his Clan! At least Sharpstar has sense. With Robinwing's kits being the offspring of that monster, they must be killed. Otherwise I will not agree to his deal." Blackpelt dipped her head with respect.

"You are remembering our part of the deal, aren't you?" asked the brave deputy. "We will finally have twice the territory we used to have, and we'll be able to prove our strength to RiverClan and ShadowClan. We will also have all rights on the queens, giving us power over all of the kits, including Robinwing's." Rosestar sighed.

"But remember, though, that we won't have any say over our own Warriors," Rosestar reminded Blackpelt. "Sharpstar will lead them, making me unable to control my own Clan."

"Rosestar, he is stronger than you are," Blackpelt reminded the moody leader. "With only one life, you need to step down and let him lead this Clan. Sharpstar is the best leader I have come to know, and with him leading our pure Clan, we can be sure that he will make it stronger." Rosestar nodded, giving another sigh.

"You are right, Blackpelt," Rosestar told her, a smile on her face. "I am lucky to have a deputy as good as you." With that, Blackpelt dipped her head in respect before leaving the den. Rosestar stayed, her thoughts coming to overwhelm her.

I must decide within a half moon, Rosestar thought. It's so difficult! And with all the bad things that could happen. . .I must remember, though, with Sharpstar's lead that monster will never return! Yes, that would be good, but what about my Warriors?

I can't decide too quickly though, for Harestar told me to be sure of myself. Oh Harestar. . .what am I going to do? You led this Clan as if it were as easy as playing, but how did you do it? And how did you know about the offer? Why are you telling me to be smart about my decision? You would jump at an offer like this, doing anything to make you're Clan strong. Why are you telling me to be smart about this? It's as if you're telling me it's a trap. But why would it be? Sharpstar is my hero! I don't like him as much as you, of course. Oh, Harestar. . .I wish you were here. . .

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