Brightspirit woke with a start. She lifted her head and squinted as sunlight shone into the warriors den. She yawned and stretched and crawled out of the den.

Brightspirit came out to see several cats gathered in the clearing. Two elders were carrying Darkheart's body into the forest.

Farewell, brother.

Then Brightspirit ran out into the open. She yowled to get every cats' attention.

"Okay, can I have Nightwing lead a border patrol..."

As Brightspirit sent cats out of camp Snowstar padded up behind her.

"Brightspirit," he meowed. Brightspirit jumped as he spoke. She turned to face him.

"Snowstar, you scared me out of my fur!" she meowed.

Snowstar purred and then dipped his head. "My apologies," he meowed. Then he stepped closer to me. "I need to talk to you," he looked to see if other cats were around,"alone."

Brightspirit nodded and followed Snowstar out of camp. When they were in a good place, Brightspirit sat down in front of Snowstar, her tail twitching nervously.

I wonder what this is about, she wondered.

Snowstar cleared his throat and sat down. He wrapped his tail neatly around his paws.

"What did you want to talk about, Snowstar?" Brightspirit asked. She then met his gaze, he sighed.

"I have something very important to tell you as deputy, Brightspirit," he started. Brightspirit nodded nervously.

"Your time as leader is coming very soon."

Brightspirit tilted her head. Snowstar looked down at his paws. "As you may know, Darkheart ripped one of my lives away. The Clan thinks I have three lives left..."

Then he sighed and lowered his voice to nearly a whisper,

"I don't have three lives left, I have one."