Chapter 12

"Come, Mothbright. It's time for Falconpelt's burial and for Lionstar to name the next deputy."

Mothbright looked up from where she sat on her bed, stitching a tear in a shirt. "Coming," she answered, putting down the shirt and following Lilyheart.

Falconpelt lay in a coffin in the center of the clearing. Firelight, Scorchpaw, Brackenpaw, and Nightpaw were dressed formally in the fur of the rare black bear, tears on their faces.

Lionstar stood behind Falconpelt's coffin and lifted his head to the starry skies. "I thank StarClan for the life of Falconpelt, warrior of LightningClan, deputy of LightningClan, mate of Firelight, father of Scorchpaw, father of Brackenpaw, and father of Nightpaw. He served his Clan well for his entire life. Today he was struck down by a rogue from No-tail place in a battle defending LightningClan. His life and spirit will be honored forever. May he rest in peace with his kin and Clanmates long gone."

Smokepelt wiped a tear from his face. "I was supposed to meet with him after the battle for a scolding with my brother," he said. "I honor his wisdom."

"He was a perfect mate," Firelight sobbed.

"A fine deputy," Willowtail rasped.

"The fiercest warrior in the Clan," Birchfoot agreed.

"A great mentor," Sunpaw added sadly.

"A wonderful father," Brackenpaw choked.

Scorchpaw's head drooped. "I miss him."

Nightpaw sighed deeply, as if many seasons older than he actually was. "I wish I had known him longer," he said solemnly. "He was the giver of advice to me and to the whole Clan." Then he broke down. "Falconpelt, why did you die?" he cried.

"It was his time," Lilyheart murmured.

"We all miss him," Blueleaf concluded.

The leader raised his head again. "I say this before the spirit of Falconpelt, that StarClan may hear and approve of my choice." He waited for one tense moment. "Floodfang will be the new deputy of LightningClan."

The light-haired man stepped forward solemnly. "I am honored, Lionstar," he said, "and I hope I prove to be as good a deputy as you believe I can be."

Lionstar smiled. "You are very capable. I am honored to appoint you as my deputy." He raised his head. "Elders, the time has come to bury Falconpelt. Family of Falconpelt, you may come, as well as anyone who feels moved to do so."

Birchfoot and Whitewhisker picked up the coffin and held it between them. Falconpelt's kits and mate, as well as his sister Flameflower, followed Falconpelt's coffin out of camp. Waterclaw and Smokepelt went with them, in addition to Floodfang and some other nekos. The procession left the camp with Lionstar at the back.

Mothbright allowed herself a few moments of grief for the lost deputy. She hadn't known him well, but he had been a great teacher, father, and deputy. LightningClan had benefitted from his position. Now Floodfang would be deputy; he would try to follow Falconpelt's example. Maybe if Floodfang becomes leader he'll get one of his lives from Falconpelt.

"Hey, Mothbright."

Mothbright pricked her ears at the familiar voice. Splashpaw came up next to her, his wrist wrapped in leaves.

"How are you feeling?" Mothbright asked.

"Really weird," he admitted. "I got a poppy seed for the pain and took a nap. I don't think it wore off yet, though." He squinted at Mothbright. "Why are there two of you?"

"You should get back to your bed," Mothbright advised.

"Good idea," Splashpaw mumbled. "'Night."

"Sleep well," Mothbright called teasingly.

Mothbright turned at the sound of footsteps. Those who had attended the burial were back and looking a bit more at peace.

"He's with StarClan now," Eggfoot pointed out. "He's among old friends, and don't forget his parents and brother."

Flameflower's eyes glistened. "Yes," she agreed, "he'll be happy with Blazeheart." Mothbright wasn't familiar with the story, but apparently the brother of Flameflower and Falconpelt had frozen to death while sitting vigil. Mothbright still felt that the death had been unfair; he had been made a warrior after his siblings and clearly deserved the position. But we had unfair odds in that battle. We have no control over some things.

Floodfang looked around the camp. Mothbright followed his gaze to the cleaning area where animals were prepared for cooking. There were two squirrels there, not enough to feed a whole Clan. "We need food," he decided. "Anyone up to it?"

Mosspaw raised her hand. "I'll gather berries and such, if no one else will," she offered.

Iceberry looked at Mosspaw. "Sorry, but no. I need you in my hut today."

Mosspaw's shoulders sagged.

"Don't worry, it'll be fine," she promised. "Remember, tonight's the half moon."

Mosspaw brightened. "Okay." She followed Iceberry away.

"I'll get the berries," Flowerpaw offered, "if it's okay with Blueleaf."

Blueleaf nodded. "I'll come, too."

Flowerpaw suddenly looked nervous.

"It's not your final assessment," Blueleaf added with a twitch of her whiskers. "Though it should be coming up soon."

Sunpaw pumped his fist in the air. "Who will be my mentor?" he demanded, turning suddenly to Floodfang.

The deputy twitched his whiskers with a smirk. "Eager, aren't you? Your mentor will be Rainclaw, if that's okay with you?" he asked as the man walked up.

"That's fine with me," Rainclaw rumbled.

"You have initiative, Floodfang," Lionstar noted. "That can be good, but don't overuse it."

Floodfang dipped his head. "All right, Lionstar," he answered with a gleam in his eye.

Mothbright tilted her head. They're good friends, it seems.

Floodfang turned to the nekos. "Okay. Flowerpaw, Blueleaf, you two can collect berries and herbs for food. You should take someone with you…Mothbright, would you go?"

Mothbright nodded, surprised.

"And—"

"May I go?"

Mothbright turned, whiskers twitching, to see Splashpaw. His eyes were bright; the poppy seed must have just worn off. His wrist was bound in comfrey leaves held together with thin strips of bark.

"Where do you think you're going?" That was Mosspaw, just behind Splashpaw. She caught him by his right forearm, pulling him back. "You can't go out in the forest, not now."

Splashpaw turned around to address the medicine neko apprentice. "Please let me go," he begged. "Flowerpaw, Blueleaf, and Mothbright are going. It's not like I'll be alone. And they're just getting food!"

Mosspaw hesitated, gazing into Splashpaw's green eyes. Mothbright winced; was that pity or something more in her sister's gaze?

"Please," he repeated.

Mosspaw glanced back toward the medicine hut, obviously looking for her mentor. Iceberry was not outside the hut. She turned back to Splashpaw. "I'm sorry, but no," she said finally. "The best thing for you to do now is to rest that wrist." Splashpaw opened his mouth to protest, but Mosspaw kept talking. "You could hurt it more, and then it would take longer to heal. And that means you would have to wait to be a warrior."

Splashpaw winced. "I'll go and rest," he mumbled, walking dejectedly away.

Iceberry slipped up behind Mosspaw. "Good job," she murmured. "Come on!"

Mentor and apprentice departed, leaving Flowerpaw staring up at the older nekos. Her belly rumbled, and Mothbright winced sympathetically.

"When are we leaving?" Flowerpaw asked, a little too loudly.

"Right now, of course, unless you have a better idea," Blueleaf answered.

"No, that's okay," Flowerpaw replied quickly.

Blueleaf stood nearby as Mothbright slung her quiver over her back. Just before they joined Flowerpaw by the exit, Blueleaf elbowed Mothbright and muttered, "He's watching you."

Mothbright looked around bewilderedly until she noticed a young man sitting on a log outside the medicine hut. The setting sun blazed behind him, and for a few heartbeats Mothbright didn't recognize him at all, just took in the shape of his relaxed, muscular shoulders, handsomely uncut hair, and angled ears. Then she made out the green eyes of Splashpaw, which looked nearly the color of the forest at dusk. His eyes widened as she caught his gaze, but he didn't look away. Mothbright felt her face grow hot, and she blinked and turned away.

"He likes you," Blueleaf whispered.

Mothbright's temper flared at the older woman. "It's no one's business," she growled. "I…I don't even know anything like… There's nothing…."

Mothbright turned very subtly to look back at Splashpaw. He hadn't looked away yet, and she couldn't hold in a gasp as his gaze met hers again. Then she felt Blueleaf tap her arm and pull her away.

"We have to get food," she reminded Mothbright.

Mothbright felt as if her head was full of clouds. "Right," she stammered awkwardly. "Let's go."

As the three young women left the camp, Mothbright imagined she could still feel Splashpaw's eyes at her back.

Mothbright wasn't even aware of her walking. She kept replaying the scene in her mind. Splashpaw had always seemed less mature to Mothbright, but that was because she had known him since he was a tiny kit… Right? Yet when she had seen him in the sunset she hadn't known who he was. His eyes weren't even blue anymore. They've been green for some time now.

Splashpaw's grown up.

"Mothbright!"

Mothbright turned, surprised, at Flowerpaw's call. The young woman was crouching with Blueleaf by a cluster of leaves. Blueleaf was digging intently with a trowel.

"You just kept walking," Blueleaf said, not looking up from her digging. "I swear you would've walked straight into the Gathering hollow if Flowerpaw hadn't yelled."

Mothbright's cheeks burned, but Blueleaf kept talking. "Flowerpaw, look here. See these roots?"

"They look nice and fat," Flowerpaw commented.

"Yes, but look at the color. They're not good for eating. This plant is bad, and we should get rid of it so it can't grow anymore." She grabbed the plant by the stems just above the soil and yanked hard. The plant came up so easily that Blueleaf lost her balance and stumbled backwards. Mothbright wrinkled her nose at the sudden odor.

Flowerpaw gasped. "Yuck!"

Only one of the roots looked reasonably healthy. The rest were blackened by rot or splotched with a sickly orange color. Blueleaf hurled the plant onto a pile of leaves left over from leaf-fall and used her trowel to scoop earth and dead leaves over it.

"Now it won't spread," she said with satisfaction, dusting off her hands.

Flowerpaw looked at her mentor. "I know a place where we can find more roots," she offered.

"Lead the way," Blueleaf instructed. "And Mothbright, watch where you're going, for StarClan's sake!"

The three women returned carrying roots, berries, and herbs. Flowerpaw had fallen into a raspberry bush, which allowed them to pick both the berries for eating and the leaves for Iceberry. A few cuts were scattered on Flowerpaw's skin, and her clothes and hands were stained with the juice, but she was very proud of herself.

Splashpaw dashed over, taking some of the larger roots from Mothbright's hands. A shiver went down Mothbright's spine as his hand brushed hers. "Wow!" he exclaimed. "You've got a lot! And just in time, too—Robinheart is hungry. But aren't we all!"

Mosspaw trotted over, sniffing the air. "Raspberry leaf?" she guessed. Blueleaf offered them to her, and the medicine neko apprentice accepted them happily. "With greenleaf here," she explained, "we'll have more kits. Iceberry used the last of the raspberry leaf on Robinheart. Where did you find it?"

"Near the StreamClan border," Mothbright told her absentmindedly, staring across the clearing to where Splashpaw was rinsing the roots in the stream that trickled near the edge of the camp.

"I fell into it," Flowerpaw moaned good-naturedly.

"You'd better wash those off," Mosspaw advised. "We have plenty of herbs, and I know you don't get infected easily, but it's still for the best."

Flowerpaw nodded. "I'll wash off some more roots while I'm at it."

As Mosspaw left, the scent of Emberblaze drew Mothbright's attention away from Splashpaw. He was entering the camp with Rainclaw, Sunpaw, and Dawnstripe at his heels. All the women were holding prey; only Emberblaze was empty-handed.

Mothbright went over to him. "Hi," she said. "Did you catch anything?"

"Nope," he replied cheerfully.

That was unusual. Emberblaze was the type that would lose his temper if so much as a sparrow got away from him.

"Had a good day?" she asked, following him as he went to slip his quiver and bow into the storage log outside the men's warrior hut.

"A great day," he corrected her. "Now I'm going to help clean the fresh-kill. You want to come?"

Mothbright didn't like the job, but Splashpaw was looking over at her. She opened her mouth to agree, but Iceberry called her name from the medicine hut.

"Sorry, I can't," Mothbright apologized, just as Emberblaze was saying, "I guess Iceberry needs you. Maybe another time?"

Surprised by his politeness, Mothbright nodded. "Another time," she echoed as Iceberry called again.

Mothbright hurried over and slipped into the hut. "What is it?" she asked.

Mosspaw was there, pushing some herbs into the storage—including the raspberry leaf—and pulling others out. "We want you to come to the Moonriver," she said breathlessly.

Mothbright blinked, shocked. "Me? If you needed a warrior escort, why not some other warrior? I haven't even eaten—I've been out all day—"

Iceberry looked over. "No, Mothbright. Mosspaw needs you. Now hurry up and eat! We're leaving shortly."

Mothbright had no choice but to sigh and mutter agreement.

Word count: 2,228. This chapter took a long time for me to get around to completing. The funeral section was written more than a month—most likely more than two or three months—before the end of it. Now I'm totally going away from the original here. Let's just say I've started following the general guidelines ;). Please review!