“Bluefur’s kits were taken by a fox,” Sunstar announced. Spottedleaf could remember the fresh scent of a fox being around when she went to the Gathering the following day. She felt a pang of sadness hit her as Bluefur had lost her kits forever. She looked to the blue-furred cat, noticing she looked very sad.

“On top of this sad news I must appoint a new deputy,” Sunstar began. Spottedleaf saw Thistleclaw’s eyes brightening up for once but not with happiness. It was something more than that, as if he knew he was definitely going to be deputy, and it looked more like the thirst for bloodshed. “From this day on, Bluefur will be our deputy.”

Thistleclaw looked shocked while Bluefur looked surprised. A wise choice, Spottedleaf commented to herself. “Bluefur has gone through a lot, staying strong. She will make a great deputy.” Tawnyspots’ eyes were shinning with approval while Thistleclaw looked frustrated. Stonetail, Bluefur’s father, looked proud as he stared at the newly-appointed deputy.

“Blufur! Bluefur!” ThunderClan began to chant. Spottedleaf joined in while Tigerclaw and Thistleclaw remained silent, not looking pleased with Sunstar’s choice. Several cats around the clearing did look surprised but were also happy.

“Congratulations, Bluefur,” Spottedleaf heard Redtail congratulate the new deputy. Bluefur smiled slightly while Thrushpelt was also proud.

“I have something to say,” Rosetail announced. Sunstar stared at her and then gave a nod for her to say what she had to. “I’d like to become an elder.” An elder? She’s still young to continue to be a warrior, Spottedleaf thought with surprise. Thistleclaw, Rosetail’s littermate, looked even madder.

“Very well,” Sunstar mewed. “Rosetail, is it your wish to give up your warrior duties and retire to the elder’s den?”

“It is,” Rosetail replied, sounding very sure of her choice.

“Your Clan honours you and all the service you have given us. I call upon StarClan to give you many moons of rest.”

“Rosetail! Rosetail!” the Clan once again began chanting. Stonepelt, who had retired moons ago due to a scar, looked happy to see Rosetail joining him in the elder’s den. Sunstar flicked his tail, dismissing ThunderClan from the meeting.

“Are you okay?” Spottedleaf asked Bluefur as she walked up to her. Bluefur stared at Spottedleaf and gave a nod.

“I’m fine. I just wish my kits weren’t taken away by a fox.” She let out a sigh. StarClan chose their time to die. But why when they were just kits? They would have made great warriors.

“Spottedleaf!” Redtail was trotting over to her. “Brindleface has a bellyache.” The medicine cat began to follow her brother into the nursery, where Brindleface lay on her side.

“I need you to go to the dirtplace so the nursery will be clean,” Spottedleaf told the queen. “I’ll meet you there with some yarrow.” Brindleface nodded and Redtail began helping her up. Spottedleaf walked out of the nursery and began to trot swiftly over to the medicine den.

She walked into it, picking up a bundle of yarrow, turned and walked out of it. She saw Brindleface and Redtail walking over to the dirtplace and jointed them. Brindleface turned and stared at her with worry. No cat liked yarrow as it was yucky and made them spit out anything.

Spottedleaf placed the yarrow at Brindleface’s paws and the she-cat lapped up the leaves. She began to wince as the bitter juices of the yarrow filled up in her mouth. Brindleface began to gag before throwing up several mouthfuls of slime. Then she began licking her lips to get rid of the foul taste.

“That’s better,” Spottedleaf meowed approvingly. “You can’t eat for the rest of the day in case you get your bellyache back.” Brindleface didn’t look too happy and just gave a nod. Redtail looked relieved to see his mate was feeling better.

The cats began to leave the dirtplace and Spottedleaf saw Thistleclaw on the other side of the clearing. The warrior was with Tigerclaw, his former apprentice, and they were murmuring something to each other. Tigerclaw then casted a glare at Bluefur, who was sitting with Frostfur and Dappletail. I have this feeling they’re up to something, Spottedleaf thought.

A moon had passed. Willowpelt had given birth to Darkkit, a black tabby. Darkkit’s eyes had opened and he was outside the nursery, licking his forepaw. Spottedleaf saw Tigerclaw eying him thoughtfully as if he had a plan in his paws. What are you up to, Tigerclaw?

Darkkit saw Lionkit, Speckletail’s kit, and leaped onto him, knocking him onto the ground. Lionkit was taken by alarm and Spottedleaf noticed Darkkit’s claws were unsheathed. She was about to yowl at Darkkit to stop before Willowpelt came along.

“Darkkit, sheathe your claws!” she hissed. “You do not under any circumstances have your claws unsheathed.” Darkkit’s ears flattened as he glared at his mother. Spottedleaf was taken by surprise at the kit’s hostility towards his mother.

Lionkit shook dust off of his pelt, looking annoyed as he stared at Darkkit. Spottedleaf walked over to the tom with worry in her eyes. I hope Darkkit didn’t hurt him.

“Are you okay?” Spottedleaf asked the tiny kit. Lionkit’s gaze fixed onto her and he nodded, the annoyance going away from him. “I wouldn’t be if that clumsy cat continued to attack,” he replied.

“What do you have to say to Lionkit, Darkkit?” Willowpelt questioned with anger. Darkkit turned to Lionkit, looking mad.

“Sorry,” he muttered. Spottedleaf noticed Tigerclaw’s face had a slight smirk to it. Is he putting things into Darkkit’s head now? Darkkit then stalked into the nursery, Willowpelt following behind. Spottedleaf began to examine Lionkit’s pelt, finding no wounds.

“What happened?” Goldenkit, Lionkit’s sister, asked. “Darkkit looks really mad for some reason.”

“That stupid cat knocked me to the ground,” Lionkit replied. “But he’s gone now so I’m fine.” Goldenkit didn’t seem to be paying any attention to her brother. Spottedleaf looked at where the kit was looking, noticing she was staring at Tigerclaw. Goldenkit didn’t seem to be terrified of Tigerclaw at all.

Bluefur had joined the three cats. “Is everything alright?” she asked with concern. “I saw what happened with Darkkit and Lionkit.”

“Everything’s fine,” Spottedleaf replied. “It was just a good thing Darkkit didn’t claw Lionkit’s fur off.”

“I’d have beaten Darkkit by hitting him on the head with a mouse,” Lionkit meowed. “But there’s no need to worry about me. I can take care of myself, thanks.” He sounds like he’s a warrior, Spottedleaf thought as she stared down at the golden tom.

“Willowpelt wouldn’t be too pleased if you beat Darkkit with a mouse,” Bluefur meowed. “But at least it’s better than fighting with claws. It would be a bit funny to see cats fighting with mice.” Lionkit’s eyes brightened slightly.

“At least no cat would get hurt,” he agreed.

“I don’t think fighting is good for cats,” Goldenkit put in. “It looks so scary!”

“Goldenkit, Lionkit!” Speckletail called her kits’ names. At once the two kits began to pad into the nursery, looking happy. I wonder if Bluefur has noticed how Tigerclaw  and Thistleclaw glare at her, Spottedleaf wondered as she looked at Bluefur. There must be some rivalry between those three.