◈ FLAREFUR ◈

[ -Zeferyx- ]

Taking a sharp intake of breath and embracing the feeling of the onrush of fresh, crisp, leaf-fall air flowing into his lungs, Flarefur padded out of the warriors' den. He was in utter bliss.

Despite the fact that EclipseClan had recently suffered from a crushing blow of humiliation, this particular warrior seemed to have kept his optimism up.

However, the truth was that he was simply trying to help his Clanmates keep their own optimism up. The morale of his Clanmates was very low, and he really wanted to cheer everyone up.

The fire-coloured tom heard someone calling his name in an annoyingly dragging way, causing him to turn. He pricked up his ears and tilted his head slightly in wonder. The deputy, Yellowjacket, was calling him. Does he need me for a patrol?

The EclipseClan deputy lazily strolled towards him, his face holding a bored expression. "Apparently, there is a fox in our territory. Zephyrstar told me to pull together a patrol to chase it out."

Flarefur frowned, unimpressed by the deputy's nonchalant attitude and hebetudinous demeanour. He knew Yellowjacket was a lazy cat, and usually took orders instead of giving them, but since he was the deputy, he should step forward and take responsibility.

"I'm in the patrol, right? Who else will be coming with us?" Flarefur enquired, eying Yellowjacket, who was staring blankly ahead.

"Yes, you are. Stoneheart, Rainspirit, Cloudhawk, and Willowbranch will join us," Yellowjacket meowed, his voice draggy.

Flarefur's ears flattened, and he narrowed his eyes. "Willowbranch? Why her? She's still injured!"

"It doesn't matter. Other cats are busy with other patrols. Probably," the deputy spoke, stifling a yawn. "Let's hurry."

Flarefur seethed in anger. I know we're dealing with a fox and need many cats, but why take an injured cat with us?

Wordlessly, the fire-coloured tom followed the black tom. He has bees in his brains, Flarefur thought angrily.

They met up with the rest of their patrol, and Flarefur noticed Willowbranch looking slightly worn out. The dark brown tabby she-cat gave him a straight look, lifting up her chin proudly. "Do not underestimate me."

Flarefur put on his facade, smiling warmly at Willowbranch. "Don't worry, I believe you can handle this!"

The dark brown tabby she-cat recoiled in distaste. "Right."

Flarefur sighed once the she-cat turned away. I wish she wasn't so proud and confident of herself. She's obviously severely injured, and requires rest.

The patrol headed out into the spruce forest silently, tense. They would be facing a fox, which was no joke; a fox can be deadly, even if a patrol of cats go in together. Flarefur glanced at Willowbranch once more, his worry gnawing at him to stop the she-cat from following. He paid no attention to the squirrels scurrying away from them hastily, dropping their daily activities to escape from the cats' radar. The pigeons that nestled comfortably on the branches fluttered away, flustered by the appearance of the clowder of cats.

Cloudhawk stopped in his tracks, tasting the air. Flarefur paused, sensing his Clanmate's adrupt lack of movement. He turned his head back and asked, "What's wrong?"

The silver-and-white tabby tom narrowed his eyes, leaning towards the ground. He seemed to be listening hard, yet Flarefur could not deduce what the tom had detected.

Farther in front, Yellowjacket paused, realising that two of his cats had stopped following. Stoneheart, Rainspirit, and Willowbranch stopped as well, turning towards the two toms. Willowbranch winced slightly when she turned, but continued wearing her signature glare to show her strength.

"What seems to be the matter?" Yellowjacket asked, flicking his ear.

Pushing away his annoyance, Flarefur walked towards the EclipseClan deputy with a small smile. "Cloudhawk probably found something, but he's still trying to confirm it."

Yellowjacket frowned and tasted the air. "I don't detect anything suspicious."

Stoneheart and Rainspirit exchange glances, tasting the air as well. Yellowjacket took steps back as he looked around, absorbing the surroundings around him.

Flarefur felt a tingling sensation, as if he was being watched. He shivered. Something must be wrong.

With a swish, a slender, russet-furred figure darted out from a bush and pounced on Yellowjacket. Its jagged teeth reached for the deputy's throat, and almost connected, but Cloudhawk had darted forward just in the nick of time, ramming the deputy aside. Snarling, the silver-and-white tabby time faced the figure. "Fox."

Feeling intimidated by the fox's cunning nature and piercing amber eyes, Flarefur backed away slightly, clenching his teeth nervously. If Yellowjacket couldn't even detect the fox, what good would he be as a patrol leader?

"Everyone, get back!" Yellowjacket barked, pushing Cloudhawk off of him. "Let's surround the fox and close in on it."

The patrol yowled in acknowledgement and circled around the fox. The fox swept its brush and curled its lips into a fierce snarl.

Cloudhawk bit into the fox's fore paw, with Stoneheart going in for the other. Rainspirit was glancing worriedly at Willowbranch, who had staggered and could barely stand upright. Flarefur flattened his ears. I knew this would happen! For the love of StarClan-

Flarefur's thoughts were interrupted by surprised hisses from Cloudhawk and Stoneheart, who had been flung by the fox shaking its paws wildly. The fox snarled at the cats and leapt back, eyes narrowed and alert.

The fire-coloured tom snapped his head to Yellowjacket, who seemed to be in a frenzy. The black tom was shaking violently, and his eyes darted back and forth repeatedly. Flarefur scowled. Is he scared?

Rainspirit's sudden cry startled Flarefur, making him turn to her direction. The fire-coloured tom yowled in horror. Willowbranch, who had engaged the fox in a fight, got caught in the fox's jaws. The fox had grabbed the dark brown tabby she-cat by the scruff and was shaking her violently, making her too stunned to resist.

"Willowbranch!" Rainspirit yowled, darting forward to help the she-cat.

Stoneheart pulled the she-cat back abruptly, effectively stopping her from recklessly charging towards the fox. Tired of seeing their deputy so weak, Flarefur marched in front of the black tom with a sharp glare.

"You better get your act together, Yellowjacket! You're not a kit - you're a warrior. So stop acting like a kit and start acting your age! You're the deputy, for StarClan's sake! If you don't step up and fulfill your role that has been entrusted to you, who will?" Flarefur snapped, his tail lashing furiously.

Yellowjacket finally ceased trembling and looked at Flarefur with his brilliant golden eyes. "I know that I'm an incompetent deputy. I know I have a duty to fulfil. It's just... Just that... It's hard, you know? It's hard being the leader."

Flarefur tilted his head in confusion. What is the deputy talking about?

"I was tired of leading. Tired of all the responsibilities. I just wanted to be a good warrior," Yellowjacket murmured, shifting his golden gaze to Willowbranch and the fox. His eyes burned brilliantly and with clear fervour. "I thought, if I acted the way I did, I wouldn't have to be deputy anymore."

"But-" Flarefur began, but was cut off by Yellowjacket charging towards the fox, claws outstretched. "Yellowjacket!"

"What is he doing?" Stoneheart yowled, horrified.

"Yellowjacket!" Rainspirit gasped. The she-cat had wanted to save Willowbranch herself, but Stoneheart had held her back.

"This will be how I repent," Yellowjacket meowed calmly, although his quivering body betrayed his anxiety.

All the cats of the patrol -including Willowbranch, who had opened her eyes - watched in horror, calling his name. "Yellowjacket!"

With all his glory, the black deputy leapt towards the fox, his eyes softening into a gentle stare. The air around Flarefur seemed to stop, generating scenes of everything moving in slow motion. The leaf-fall leaves twirled down in a sad bow, as if dreading what was coming next.

And with that, the EclipseClan deputy was gone.

◈°◉❀◉°◈

▣ Author's Note ▣

First off, I want to apologise deeply for how long I took to get this chapter out, despite saying I'd publish it sooner. I was hit with an unexpected wave of work load, and was swarmed for the whole month.

Secondly, I'll admit that this chapter isn't great. It's rushed and initial plans for it were cut off. I apologise if you found it dissatisfying to read. I'll be posting the next chapter not too soon, but probably before November.

Thank you for being patient with me - I'll be sure to ensure that my schedule isn't packed before promising an early update. I hope you enjoyed the chapter! Please do leave some feedback - I'd live to hear it!

What were your initial feelings about Yellowjacket?

Who do you think will be the next deputy?