CHAPTER TEN

SHELLPAW | SHADOWCLAN CAMP

"Volepounce is the new deputy," Snakestar's raspy voice echoed around the dead-silent camp.

    A pale brown tom padded up, looking uncertain. Finally, cats began cheering. Did Snakestar make the wrong choice?

    "Volepounce! Volepounce!"

    "I am honored to serve ShadowClan as deputy." Volepounce meowed shakily. Shellpaw highly doubted Volepounce wanted to be deputy.

    Snakestar glanced up at the cloudy sky, whiskers twitching as a thoughtful look rested on his face. "I believe the moon will be rising soon. Tawnythorn, I will have a warrior escort you and Seedpaw to the Moonpool. Whoever killed Maplefern may be lurking around."

    Tawnythorn nodded, stepping back from Maplefern's body. The late deputy had a sweet scent emitting off of her and her pelt glistened with something gooey-looking.

    "It is time we say our goodbyes to Maplefern." Snakestar rasped, jumping down from his perch.

    Shellpaw licked his muzzle nervously. Whenever he looked straight at Maplefern's face, he began to remember what he witnessed.

    "Seedpaw and I should be heading out by now," the medicine cat began pacing, "we mustn't keep the other medicine cats waiting."

    "Pay your respects first." Snakestar pressed.

    Shellpaw studied Tawnythorn's expression. Annoyance gleamed in her eyes.

    "I already have. Besides, I'll see her in StarClan." Tawnythorn's claws slowly slid out, grazing the dirt.

    Snakestar's gaze shone with disapproval at her revoking his orders, but dismissed her with a flick of his tail. "Go ahead and commune with StarClan." He meowed, his polite laced with spite.

    Tawnythorn's tense shoulders relaxed a little and she ushered Seedpaw out. The medicine cat paused at the exit.

    "Which warrior is accompanying us?" Tawnythorn asked without looking at Snakestar.

    Snakestar twitched his whiskers, unwilling to look at Tawnythorn. "Sunnycloud, you will accompany the medicine cats."

    Sunnycloud stepped out from the crowd, looking surprised and upset. "But Maplefern is my mother."

    Snakestar scowled. "I don't care. Go with them, now."

    Sunnycloud looked like she was on the verge of tears. With her tail tucked between her legs, she led the medicine cats out of the camp.

    Snakestar's losing his mind. Shellpaw felt awful for Sunnycloud. Not only did her mother die, but Snakestar snapped at her to escort the medicine cats in the pines where her mother had just died.

    Littlewish's tail was taut and face stony. She faced Shellpaw, face creasing into one of concern. "Snakestar isn't well. I can tell and I... I don't think he should be leader any longer."

    Shellpaw was about to reply when a warrior beat him to it. "I agree, Littlewish." It was Coaltooth, directly behind Shellpaw. Shellpaw realized Littlewish had been talking to Coaltooth, not him.

    "Do you think we should vote for him to retire? We only need the majority of the Clan, and I believe every cat just wishes for Snakestar to live a peaceful life in the elders den." Littlewish fretted, tail swishing.

    "Yes, but what about Volepounce? Is he fit for leader? I like him, but he's not the type to lead." Coaltooth replied.

    "What do you mean?" Littlewish furrowed her brow. "Volepounce can have moments of authority."

    "True, but he has no self-confidence." Coaltooth shot a look in Volepounce's direction.

    Littlewish snorted, catching on. "You want to be deputy, don't you?"

    "Well, it doesn't matter. Any other cat besides Volepounce. Perhaps you?" Coaltooth winked.

    Not interested anymore in the flattery talk, Shellpaw backed away, bumping into a bigger cat. His shoulders tensed, awaiting the warrior to snap at him to pay attention.

    "Are you okay?" Rootflower's voice made him relax his tense position.

    "Yes." Shellpaw turned around, smiling reassuringly at his adoptive mother. "I'm just a little mixed up. I don't know how to feel."

    Rootflower made a thoughtful humming sound. "I'm sure every cat is. We're all confused on why this mysterious cat would kill our deputy?"

    "I'm sure it's the same cat who killed those other ones..." Shellpaw murmured.

    "Let's hope we catch them before they kill another innocent soul." Rootflower meowed, whisking her tail. "I'd be heartbroken if I lost you or Seedpaw." He heard an intake of breath, as though she was about to say "just as I had lost my own kits" but those unspoken words hung in the air.

    "You won't lose Seedpaw and I."

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