Eaglestar padded out of his den, staring up at the sky. It was a bright and warm morning, which he loved to see. It would bring all the prey out of their hiding. All the snow had melted in the past week and new leaf was crawling across the forest. Eaglestar leaped onto the clan rock and called, "May all cats old enough to catch their own prey join beneath the clan rock for a meeting!"
Crescentshine had been laying down in Eaglestar's den, her belly already starting to get swollen with kits, but she got up anyways with a quiet huff. She ambled out of the den and started heading down to the area beneath the rock.
Dewpaw sat at the outskirts of the group silently, a few herbs he'd been putting away still in his jaws.
Duckwing yawned and stretched, heading over as well.
Lilypaw's ears pricked up as she heard her father's call. She bounded out of the apprentice's den, scattering dust and leaves as she went.
Raintuft rose out of the warriors den, stretched, and headed out to attend the meeting.
Tawnyleaf was already awake, sorting through herbs, and she set them down to go settle by her apprentice.
Crescentshine made it to the ground and sat down, sighing.
Dewpaw nodded to Tawnyleaf as a greeting when his mentor arrived.
"Unfortunately," Eaglestar began, "Our deputy, Whitefeather, died in a border skirmish with Marshclan. A new deputy must be appointed immediately." He paused. "I say these words before the body of Whitefeather so that his spirit may hear and approve my choice. The new deputy of SunClan shall be Raintuft."
Coppershine looked at the ground with grief. Her mentor was dead? This should have been a time of celebration, but now it was a time of mourning.
Dewpaw nodded, seeming pleased with the decision, but still not speaking.
Duckwing and Crescentshine both chanted Raintuft's name like everyone else.
Coppershine chanted quietly with the rest of the clan. It felt disrespectful to pick a new deputy so quickly, but who was she to question the code?
"Raintuft! Raintuft!" Chanted Lilypaw, and she pressed against her mentor. "I can't believe it! My mentors the deputy!" She exclaimed loudly.
"Hush, Lilypaw," the gray warrior grumbled, getting to his paws and dipping his head. "It would be an honor, Eaglestar. I accept."
Eaglestar beamed down on him. "Clan dis-"
"Wait!" Lilypaw shouted. "Aren't we gonna attack Marshclan?"
"No. We cannot afford to lose any more warriors." Eaglestar explained.
"But-" Lilypaw protested.
"It's not open for discussion" her father hissed. "Clan dismissed."
Coppershine turned to look at the small apprentice who had spoken. “Even though we know our clan is the strongest, we still need to carefully think about the consequences of battle,” she mewed. “Right, Eaglestar?” she asked, looking to her leader for approval.
Eaglestar gave Coppershine a Curt nod. "Yes, Coppershine is correct. We shouldn't fight a battle unless we have to."
Crescentshine went back up on the rock and sat beside Eaglestar, nuzzling against him affectionately.
Dewpaw eyed his sister warily. Her questions were fair, of course, but far too blunt and straightforward. This could end badly if she wasn't careful.
Coppershine smiled. Getting validation from her leader made her feel like maybe, she could be an important part of the Clan one day.
Lilypaw huffed and padded over to her brother and plopped down beside him. "It's not fair that MarshClan should kill Whitefeather and get away with it." She paused but her expression lightened. "But my mentor's the deputy!" She bounced around her brother. "Isn't that cool?"
Eaglestar licked his mate's ear, purring softly
Dewpaw nodded, watching Lilypaw jump around. His expression was cheerful enough, and he seemed content and relaxed now that his sister had left their leader alone.
Crescentshine purred as well. "Our kits will be here in a moon or so…"
Coppershine padded over to Raintuft. “Congratulations on your promotion, sir Deputy,” she purred jokingly. “Would you mind sending me out on a hunting patrol? I wanna get out of camp today, if you know what I mean.” She tried for a flirty wink, but the sadness in her face was clear.
"They'll be beautiful," he purred, "Just like you."
"Thank you," Raintuft purred. "Of course. Take Lilypaw with you, please. Duckwing can join you as well."
Crescentshine purred louder, seeming content. "I hope they'll be like you. Dewpaw already looks rather like me." She looked down at Dewpaw, who was still just watching Lilypaw. "He's been especially silent lately… I'm beginning to get a bit worried."
“Hey, Duckwing! Lilypaw!” Coppershine called. “You’re coming with me on a hunting patrol!” She flicked her tail playfully.
Duckwing looked up and trotted over. "Alrighty. Courtesy of our new deputy, I presume?" He laughed, bumping against Raintuft playfully.
"He'll be fine," Eaglestar reassured her. "He's a smart cat and a fine medicine cat apprentice. I'll tell Tawnyleaf to keep an eye on him. He's in good paws."