✧ Devious Fates ✧ | COMPLETE WARRIOR CATS FANFICTION STORY |

// Chapter Ten

Spottedpelt was sprawled out on the floor of camp. Her father was dead. She felt grief, even though Jayheart was never very kind to her. Jayheart was still her father. Spottedpelt knew the battle would not lead to anything good, but she was still sorrowful about the WindClan warriors who were killed. She remembered Flakepelt, who actually sympathized with her. She wanted revenge on ShadowClan, but at the same time, it was WindClan's fault.

Spottedpelt was confused on how to feel. She could sympathize with ShadowClan. But Goldenheart had kits with a half-Clan cat! She should be punished! Spottedpelt knew WindClan had unnecessarily killed warriors and even a kit when Goldenheart was the only one at fault. Was her Clan truly that brutal?

WindClan cats were cautiously strolling around camp. Many had wounds sliced over their body with poultices stuck onto them. Few patrols had gone out the rest of the day, only making sure ShadowClan wouldn't retaliate and attack them back or to hunt. The patrols sent out were only cats that were mildly wounded or defended camp, as the rest were too weak.

Spottedpelt lifted her head to notice Vinestar ambling out of his den with narrowed eyes and a cross look on his face. Willowheart trailed behind the robust WindClan leader with a satisfied look.

Vinestar climbed on top of the Wind Stone. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here beneath the Wind Stone," he grumbled, barely enough for the cats of WindClan to hear. It's time for him to choose a new deputy, Spottedpelt realized.

According to the warrior code, a new deputy after the death or retirement of the previous one, must be selected before Moonhigh. And Vinestar obeys that part of the warrior code after he's broken it by killing Rabbitear, Spottedpelt thought bitterly.

Littlefoot, Fiercetalon, Buzzardpaw, and Lionrage limped over towards the back of the gathering cats. Spottedpelt arranged herself in the middle, surrounded by Sorrelpath and Darkpool. Tigertail and Tansybranch sat right behind Spottedpelt, and Amberstripe in front. Amberstripe rose her shoulders and lifted her chin in pride, as if she already knew she was being chosen for the deputy role.

Vinestar waited for the last of the warriors to settle in front of the Wind Stone. Cinnamonpaw, Gingerpaw, and Brokenpaw arrived last. They glanced up patiently at the WindClan leader.

"We will mourn Jayheart for moons to come," Vinestar started. "He was a great deputy, and served our Clan well. But we must choose a new deputy." It didn't feel that way to me..

Vinestar gave an irritated glance to his medicine cat with his eyes narrowed. Willowheart responded with an incoherent hiss. Vinestar rolled his eyes. "May StarClan approve my choice," he muttered. "Our medicine cat has insisted that a certain cat should become deputy..."

Spottedpelt felt her fur bristle. She shifted her pupils over to look at Willowheart. So that's what she was arguing with Vinestar about. But who? Amberstripe narrowed her eyes in confusion and lowered her muzzle. Spottedpelt felt a great feeling of doubt come from Amberstripe.

Bewildered chatters zigzagged through the crowd. Every cat exhibited curious glances toward another. Spottedpelt felt a few gazes absorb into her for a few heartbeats before they travelled on. Vinestar seems pretty indignant to his medicine cat's choice. It can't be Amberstripe.

Willowheart fiddled her paws in the grass, staring restlessly at Vinestar. The broad WindClan leader formed a growl in his throat. Spottedpelt's fur bristled in uneasiness. Cats were abruptly going stiff around her. Amberstripe lowered her chin at the ground. Her whiskers were twitching resentfully.

"The new deputy will be," Vinestar growled in incensed. He paused to think his choice through. "Spottedpelt."

Spottedpelt froze. Me? Cats were giving her puzzled glances. Why in the name of StarClan would Willowheart want me deputy? Spottedpelt didn't speak a word. Willowheart had a satisfied look on her face.