The Forgotten Clans~ Black River

Chapter 14

Cloudstar stared at them in shock. Aspenlight, Cloudstar, Silverspark, Willowflame, Pooldapple, Raven, and Brambleflash were in Cloudstar's den, feeling a little crowded. "Quite the adventure." He mumbled then looked at Raven. "You wanted to join our clan?"

"No." He set a paw down. "I came for the treatment."

Cloudstar eyed him then looked at Brambleflash. "Thank you for helping our cats and you may be dismissed. Would you like a patrol to take to home?"

"No thank you." He dipped his head.

"I'll take him out." Silverspark offered and he felt grateful.

Silverspark padded close to him as the cats stared at them and slipped out of camp. Silverpaw trotted a little further and she stopped. "Thanks for everything." She purred.

He smiled and purred. "May Starclan be with you." He touched her nose with her and ran off.

Silverspark walked slowly back in and was stopped by Spiderclaw. She looked at him and his eyes were filled with relief and love. "Spiderclaw!" She purred.

He said nothing but licked her forehead and rested his head on hers. "I'm glad your back."

Silverspark smiled and nuzzled him. "Me too." She backed away from him. "I have to go back."

"Want to hunt later?" He asked hopefully.

She nodded then ran back to Cloudstar's den but skidded to a halt when Raven limped out. "Where's the medicine cat den?"

Silverspark nodded and lead him to her sister's and Mothberry's den. She touched Skypaw's nose and walked in and Skypaw lowered her gaze as Raven shuffled by. "Don't worry. I'll will be out of here soon." He grunted then plopped down in a bed of moss.

Skypaw glanced at Mothberry and back at the grumpy tom. Silverspark blinked then slunk out.

...

"I was going to be furious with you two." Cloudstar explained, pacing in front of Willowflame and Silverspark. The two looked down guilty. "But Starclan spoke to me and I'm proud of you both."

They smiled at them and Cloudstar dismissed Willowflame and Aspenlight trotted in.

"I want you to apologize." He ordered.

"For what?" She flattened her ears.

"You hurt Silverspark." He growled.

She hesitated. "But she left with out permission! She needed to be punished!"

Cloudstar growled at her. " Aspenlight, I'm afraid that I must replace you in your position." He said.

Her eyes grew wide and looked at Silverspark. "I'm sorry!" She looked at Cloudstar, desperately. "I did it!"

Cloudstar lowered his head. "I'm afraid this isn't the path Starclan has chosen for you." Hatred flared in her eyes and she whipped around and stalked away. Cloudstar looked at the young warrior, Silverspark. "I'm sorry you had to see that. Run along now and it won't be long until I choose a new deputy."

Silverspark nodded then ran off but before she reached the exit, she turned around. "May I see your kits?"

He purred deeply. "Of course! Bring Sandflame some food while your in there please."

"Of course." She nodded then leaped out. Once she saw tree fresh-kill pile, she remembered how starving she was and she gobbled down a vole and a squirrel then choose a bird for Sandflame and she ran off in the nursery. Familiar memories flooded her memory: the place she never wanted to return to but now wanted to go back to be safe in here with her mother and father still alive. She remembered when she fought with Willowflame and gave her that vee nick in her ear.

Silverspark saw Sandflame watching her kits. They left when Sandflame was having her kits. She had three healthy kits, a dark drown tabby, a cream tom, and a orange tom. She set the squirrel down at Sandflame's paws and she purred. "Thank you Silverpaw."

"Silverspark." She said respectfully.

"Oh?" She blinked but didn't ask any further. "Well these are my kits." She flicked her tail to the tumbling furs. "Robinkit, Flintkit, and Beekit, come say hi to Silverspark."

They tumbled forward and stopped at her paws. "Hello!" They said in unison.

Silverspark purred. "Hello." She looked at the kits. Flintkit, the cream cat ran up to her placed his paws on hers. "Can you be my mentor?"

Silverspark laughed. "That's up to your father."

Spiderclaw's face appeared in the mouth of the den and she said her goodbyes to the kits and Sandflame then leaped out.

"Ready to hunt?" He asked.pl

"Cloudstar wants to choose a new deputy."

"What's wrong with Aspenlight?" He asked. He was concerned about his mentor.

"Well, she DID claw me in the face." Silverspark said like it was obvious—which it was.

Spiderclaw twitched his tail. "Once."

Silverspark rolled her eyes and walked away not wanting to fight with him this early.

"So..." he padded beside her trying to put that behind them. "You're name is Silverspark now?" She nodded. "I'm sorry I wasn't there to congratulate you."

"It's ok." She said.

There was an awkward silence and then he spoke again. "So who is that black cat?"

"He tried to kill us but I beat him and yeah..." she chuckled lightly.

He flinched. "And you took him here?"

She nodded. "I wanted to help him. I hate hurting other cats."

He grunted in amusement then Cloudstar yowled then all the cats gathered around.

"I want to start by saying welcome back to the cats who retrieved the missing cats." Mumbles went through the crowd. "I also want to appoint another deputy." Gasp of shock ripples through the crowd and Silverspark felt Spiderclaw flinch. " I say these words before StarClan, so that the spirits of our warrior ancestors may hear and approve of my choice. The new deputy of Leafclan is Pooldapple." He said then disappeared back in his den.

"Wow." Spiderclaw blinked.

"I know right." Silverspark agreed. She looked and saw Aspenlight slink through the camp and ran away. A familiar pelt went after her a few heartbeats later. "Willowflame!" She ran to her with Spiderclaw behind.

"Silverspark!" She flicked her tail over her ear in greeting.

"Where are you going?"

"To the river." She said.

"Want to come hunting with us?" She asked. Spiderclaw looked disappointed but to his relief she said no then disappeared with a goodbye.

Silverspark shrugged. "Ready?"

Spiderpaw nodded then they both slipped out of camp.

...

Silverspark tested the wind then leaped on the rabbit, killing it swiftly.

Spiderclaw was holding two squirrels and a vole then struggled to pick up the rabbit. Silverspark laughed then took some of the prey then dug a hole and buried them.

"You are an amazing hunter." He purred. "It's amazing that Starclan gave you this much talent."

She purred not knowing what to say. "Thanks, Spiderclaw."

Silverspark tested the air and smelled Willowflame's scents. She flicked her tail for him to folllow and the ran to her and found her trotting to camp with her tail held high.

"Hi!" She touched her nose to her shoulder.

"Hey! I just caught a fish!" Willowflame meowed and glanced at Spiderclaw then back.

"That's Cool!" She smiled.

"I can teach you tomorrow?" She offered.

Silverspark nodded excitedly then asked Spiderclaw and he sadly agreed.