River Of Blood (The Forest In The Sky (book 1))

Chapter 35

Ackleyfire's pov

"Cats of MysteryClan! Firstly, I want to say, Moringabelly was a respectful deputy, and a friend to everyone in this clan, Midnightbird was a fierce warrior and their names will be known for moons to come, we have decided on a deputy." The whole clan cheered as they said those words. Ackleyfire joined in, but not as enthusiastic as the others. Who would be the deputy? I can't wait! "This cat has shown determination and strength in battle and has never given up hope, they always find some way around a bad situation and solve problems to the best of their abilities." That sounds like Cloverfern. "This cat is a smart, loyal cat who we wish to serve as our deputy and maybe leader. We hope our decision it a rightful one and we hope we can trust them." Dolphinstar announced. She dipped her head towards Duskystar.

"This was a very hard decision and although they haven't had an apprentice, they will mentor one of Lindsaystream's kits." Lindsaystream, who was gathering up her kits, Bravekit, Smilekit and Trickykit, seemed to look at Ackleyfire and Tilleypaw. Coincidence? Ackleyfire didn't know why she looked at him. "We will announce the deputy after we say a few words to AuroraClan." Duskystar paused. His light-orange pelt glowed as he looked down on his fellow clanmates. He looked proud. "We just want to say these words on behalf of our clanmates who have been murdered by some of our clanmates. Their soul lies with us for the rest of our lives, we will remember the cats who fell in battle and fell for no good reason, I hope AuroraClan understands why we chose this cat as deputy. This cat has great potential, is very good at tracking, hunting and fighting, if we die and they take our place as leader, they will make the right decisions on who is deputy. Anyways, Dolphinstar, would you like to say anything more?" Duskystar stood back in allowance for Dolphinstar to come forward.

"And don't think we can't find the murderers because I assure you, you'll regret killing our clanmates, we will make you pay." Dolphinstar hissed and continued. "And before we announce the deputy," the suspense is killing me! Ackleyfire heard Lunarpaw say and Cindermist and him agreed. "Droppaw, Honeypaw, Weedpaw, Wirepaw, Wrenpaw, Simmerpaw, Briarpaw, Ombrépaw, Colouredpaw, Elkpaw, Cedarpaw, Tilleypaw, Brackenpaw, Grasspaw, Unitedpaw, Islandpaw, Lunarpaw, Wolfpaw, and the FallenClan apprentices, your warriors assessments will be tomorrow, I hope you're ready." As soon as Dolphinstar said that, cheers of happiness filled the camp ground. Dolphinstar muttered something to Duskystar before announcing the deputy.

Finally, it's happening! Ackleyfire cheered in his head.

I know! I wonder who it'll be, maybe Cloverfern, or Shadowstep or Hamsternose? Honeypaw mewed happily.

"I'm extremely happy to announce the deputy and I wish that they take this spot because we don't know who else would be great at being the deputy like this cat," Is it Hamsternose? "the cat who will now serve our clan with Cypressfoot," is it Cloverfern? Nah, maybe Orchidfang.... "the cat who will serve our clan with Cypressfoot is Ackleyfire."

What!

Tilleypaw's pov

YAY!

Yowls of happiness and confusion were set off inside the camp. Ackleyfire on the other hand, was totally shocked. Tilleypaw burst with excitement, because not only was she receiving her warrior name, Ackleyfire was deputy! Her best friend since she was a kit, was next in line to be leader! Dolphinstar and Duskystar stood proudly up on the rock. Some cats gasped, some in a friendly way, some in a sad way.

Oh gosh, why's everyone gasping.

"Ackleyfire!" Someone called. It was Tilleypaw's mother and father, Cypressfoot and Lindsaystream.

"Ackleyfire!" Tilleypaw joined in with them, and so did her friends.

"Ackleyfire! Ackleyfire!" Most of the clan cheered. Other cats, like Fleurface and Sunflowerstem were not amused. They were definitely unhappy.

They're just jealous! Tilleypaw mewed in her head. She was very happy and excited for him, that she whizzed around Ackleyfire doing a little dance. "Yippeeeeeee!" She cried happily, but she made sure she didn't say it too loud for the disappointed others. Accept it Ackleyfire!

B-but.

Just do it! You are the deputy!

Oh—o-okay.

"I-I accept, Dolphinstar and Duskystar." Ackleyfire cleared his throat. "Thank you." He dipped his head.

"Good, clan, dismissed!" Dolphinstar yowled and the cats broke up. Tilleypaw followed Ackleyfire up to the leaders den.

"I-I-I don't think I can be deputy......" Ackleyfire mewed sadly.

"Why's that?" Duskystar said, eyeing Tilleypaw from time to time.

"Well, firstly, I don't even think I'm full-clan, I'm half-clan. I don't even know my pare-" Ackleyfire was cut offf by Dolphinstar as she flicked her tail.

"Yes, you do know your parents, you met them a long time ago, do you not remember, Ackleyfire?" Dolphinstar was holding a mouse in her paws.

"No, I don't, I thought I was half-clan. I don't know who my mother or father were but I thought one of the queens were my mother. Don't you remember? You've lived longer then me, so tell me, who's my mother, who's my father, why did you choose me? Why!"

Tilleypaw felt sympathy build up in her stomach. She'd known her parents, so why didn't Ackleyfire know his? Did Duskystar and Dolphinstar not tell him? Why didn't they tell him. Surely the queen could've told Dolphinstar or Duskystar to tell him when he was older?

"No, you don't understand, you see, we were
going to tell you ages ago, but you kept playing with the kits, you were never interested and never asked, so we never told you. So," Duskystar paused for a moment, taking a glance at Dolphinstar and then Tilleypaw. "Do you want to know who your mother and father are? I'm sure they wouldn't mind if we told you now. Just don't tell anyone apart from your mind-talking friends." Duskystar gave a raspy laugh. Neither Tilleypaw nor Ackleyfire even realised what they had just said.

"Please tell me, I'm sure they wouldn't mind either, I still don't understand why I got chosen though." Ackleyfire wailed slightly. Pawing the ground, Tilleypaw made herself comfortable for this. She wasn't sure if Ackleyfire would be shocked or happy.

"Ackleyfire......" Dolphinstar took a moment to breathe. It looked like she had choked on something. "Ackleyfire. We are your parents...." Dolphinstar sighed in a happy way.

Really!? What! That's so cool! Wow. No fair! Tilleypaw thought to herself happily. Ackleyfire didn't seem happy or sad. He looked....stunned. Dolphinstar gulped.

"I....uh wanted to tell you, but you would always talk to the kits, you'd never talk to us about anything and about your parents so we never told you. I didnt mean to upset you....or stun you...." Dolphinstar trailed off and looked out of the den.

"N-no, th-thats actually, f-fine. Thank you for tellin-g me." Ackleyfire stuttered on his words a little. Tilleypaw couldn't tell if he was happy or not. He seemed excited. Dolphinstar and Duskystar relaxed, their muscles no longer tense.

"Thank you, we didn't just choose you because you were our kin, we chose you, because when you become leader with the other deputy, you will make the right decision on the deputies and clan meetings and we know MysteryClan will survive will you as their leader. We are both growing old, and I'm afraid we may not make it to the next moon or so, but we'll see. Good luck Ackleyfire...."

Tilleypaw was astonished by these words. I'm so glad I met you Ackleyfire. You are such an amazing cat, I love you so much. Would he tell Tulipvine, Phoenixclaw and Novaspike?