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Graypaw walked up timidly to Sunseer to bid him a farewell. She hadn't really been close to the leader, hardly knew him, but the loss struck her still. She waddled over to to listen to the clan meeting.




Splitnose wandered around aimlessly most of the day after visiting Sunseer to pay his respects. He wasn't sure what to do. It was late when Skysong returned after she'd disappeared and called a meeting. It felt weird to hear her say the lines with a random tree in it. Still he rose to his paws and gathered with the rest.




Stormsong helped moved their brave leader into a proper placed in the sun. Gently he nudged legs and tail into appropriate positions then stepped back to allow others to visit their fallen leader. "He hunts with SunClan now," he murmured softly to Skysong then faded back to keep out of the way. Stormsong watched as she at last had to step away to hunt.

He checked on his sisters to see how they were doing, and waited for the day to end. It wasn't much longer until dusk when Skysong called a meeting. He joined the rest of the clan and waited for her to speak.




Flamepelt was glad when Robinpaw also came over to join Littlepaw. The more support she had around her, the better it'd be. He wasn't all that close to her and he doubted he really helped all that much. He nodded back to Robinpaw and set the packet of herbs near the two apprentices. Flamepelt settled down nearby as a third apprentice joined the group. His tail wrapped around his paws as he sat quietly nearby, but far enough away to give them some privacy. He turned his head to watch Skysong.

Riverpaw stayed with Littlepaw, Ropbinpaw, Lilacmoon, and Flamepelt for the remainder of the day until Skysong had returned. She had taken a turn grooming her grieving friend but never really tried to cheer her up. Though most everyone else was grieving the loss of their leader, Riverpaw knew the unfortunate truth that leaders could be replaced and with the clan in such poor shape a new leader would probably step up soon. Fathers could not be replaced as easily and it was clear how heavy of a loss Littlepaw was feeling. Riverpaw thought of her own family and the pain she still felt over loosing them.

It was in that loss Riverpaw relied on her clan and developed her drive to protect them so that others wouldn't have to feel the pain she felt, the pain Littlepaw was feeling now. Silently she hoped Littlepaw would grow stronger, closer to her clan from this painful experience. Riverpaw's own determination to do better for the clan flared up. She was going to make sure the next leader, Skysong probably, was not going to starve the way Sunseer did.

Hearing Skysong call a clan meeting reinforced the idea to River that the pale she cat was to be the next leader. She stood and stretched with a light yawn before looking to see what the others were going to do about Littlepaw. Seeing Robinpaw start to nudge Littlepaw towards the gathering, Riverpaw stepped up next to them to help steady the still grieving medicine cat.

Edit addition:
Hearing the news from the newly claimed Sunsong, Riverpaw had a strange mix of emotions. Sadness was still present from the loss of Sunseer but there was hope for Sunsong. Hope that the clan's luck was finally going to turn around. It was relieving in a way to hear about Sunseer in Sunclan but so much change so fast was a bit scary and set doubt and fear in the back of her mind.

After a few minutes of thought to sort through her emotions, Riverpaw mewled her approval of Sunsong as their leader and her congratulations.

The familiar words struck a cord in Dawnstride's heart, a pang that made the pressure in his chest flutter uncomfortably. Clenching his jaw, he pushed it aside. The hope of a particular apprentice fueled his resolve, and it was only furthered by the sound of Silverstreak's voice. The tom smiled somewhat wearily into welcoming icy eyes. "Thank you," he murmured to the she-cat, a bit of warmth accompanying his place at her side. With so much changing, the tom was a bit surprised to find that it was easier to be grateful for her friendship, even through the heavy haze of emotional fatigue. Had he been...ungrateful, before? His verdant eyes blinked, roving slowly over the faces of his clanmates. How many others had he taken for-granted?

Observing their faces spoke volumes, even if it didn't answer his initial question. There was a feeling of hope among them, it seemed. It was jarring. Just earlier, they had buried Sunseer, and he had not be the only one tail-deep in despair. Yet now - Sunsong spoke to them, straight from SunClan - and there was a flame among the other cats, a quick little spark of promise. Dawnstride wasn't sure he believed this whole thing about 'nine lives', but he did believe that she was their new leader. And maybe that meant there was some hope for them.

His head turned, along with Silverstreak's, to regard Dustfeather. Though he did not stand as she did, his ears flicked the sandy tom's direction. His question was a valid one, especially now: structure was reassuring, and they would no doubt be seeking to build on that reassurance. Glancing at his companion out of the corner of one eye, his lips twitched in a half-smile before looking to see how Sunsong would answer.

The older she-cat blinked slowly, realizing that, yes, that was her responsibility now. "An important question, Dustfeather." She thought a moment on it. She knew who she would like as deputy, but was not sure if it were fair or right to put that weight on them. "I purpose Goldenleaf as deputy. I feel that she carries the same ideas as I do and knows where her paws lead her. She is a strong cat, but, there is an obvious issue with naming her outright."

Sunsong's cool eyes met with those of the mother-to-be. There was respect there. "I will not choose for you, Goldenleaf. You will be a mother soon, an important duty that will strengthen our clan. No one would fault you for choosing that role over this one. What say you?"

During the commotion of it all Goldenleaf had kept rather quiet. It wasn't for lack of effort or trying, but the queen had instead watched. She observed the clan, her nose wrinkled at times and eyes hard. This journey was taking more out of them than she had apprehended; and they had only just started. She had been willing to go on this journey. Her children needed a safe home and she had always spoke up about traveling when she could. Staying at the old camp was impossible for survival. Goldenleaf had been more than excited to leave the camp and at least try for a better life than sit around in their camp and slowly rot.

The hope hadn't blinded her, either. She knew the journey would be hard and they'd lose before they'd gain. But something about actually seeing it was different. Watching previously bright faces fall as they began to understand the gravity of the situation was harder than theorizing it.

So, she watched, taking in everyone's condition. They were struggling, that was for sure. The loss of Sunseer had hit them, and hard. Her eyes drifted to Littlepaw, a sympathetic frown to her features. Sure, she had cousins, but Goldenleaf knew how close Little had been with her father. Losing him and now being effectively alone... well, it hadn't been something Little had time to prepare for. Sunseer wasn't showing the signs of death. He had been strong, until he wasn't.

Her thoughts were startled when Sunsong said her name. The queen snapped her head to meet Sunsong's eyes, instantly honing in on cat. Her? Deputy? Her ears twitched, eyes narrowing in thought. She already knew the other cats thoughts; "A pregnant queen? Is Sunsong sure?" She felt it down her spine. The clan had been unconventional as of late. Littlepaw became too accountable for everyone's health far before she became medicine-cat apprentice, they had gone deputy-less for ages, and now this.

She felt the judgement and concerns rolling down her back. Goldenleaf shook it aside; pregnant or not, she had always one goal -- a better life for her clan. Of course her kits fell into that. Of course she wanted her kits safe and would break the world apart for them and everything it stood for. But her loyalty to her clan had always been undeniable. Goldenleaf was fierce when needed to be and willing to take steps most cats weren't.

Pregnant or not, it wouldn't stop her from doing her damn best.

That, and pregnancy didn't last long. Hers wasn't, surely. She was almost bursting. That and queen duties didn't last too long, either. Deputy duties was a lifelong responsibility. Giving your kits milk wasn't. Goldenleaf was passionate and she knew she could do something. Knew she'd at least try until her paws failed her and she took her last breath. The clan needed that -- needed someone who pushed for the clan. Frankly, Sunsong was an excellent choice in leader in her eyes; they shared the same views and Goldenleaf approved of the tenacity Sunsong showed.

It'd be an honor to serve her clan in this way. She could protect her kits better. Protect her clan better. It seemed a no-brainer, even if the eyes on her said otherwise.

"I've never been quiet on my opinions or thoughts for the clan," she breathed, standing upright. "My children will always be my life, but my clan has been, too. The clan has been everything to me, in ill-health and not. I'll need a helping paw in the beginning, yes, but we've been in a habit of changing things up, haven't we?" A smile quirked on her lips, head titling.

"I would be honored to be at your side, Sunsong." The pregnant queen decided to ignore the stares for now. She didn't need to worry about her own ability to lead -- Goldenleaf had known for a long time she was a capable warrior. She wasn't afraid or insecure, that was for sure. Goldenleaf could count on one paw the times she felt truly unsure. This was not one of them.


Snapped out of her stupor by a lick to her ear, Littlepaw glanced up. She had been quietly registering the ongoings around her. It was hard, but Littlepaw was slowly accustoming to a world without Sunseer. Her eyes blinked as she refocused, head snapping to look at Robinpaw. Yes, there had been a queen for deputy before. Deputies had gotten pregnant during their duties, sure, but one stood on her mind the most.

"My mother," she croaked, blearily blinking back the sun. It was as if she had finally returned to reality, taking a moment to settle back in. Death was almost cold to her. She had seen it so many times and soldiered on. Something about Sunseer, the only cat she ever truly wanted to impress, hurt the most.

That, and well, he was her only immediate family member.

"It'll...." She trailed off, eyes narrowing in thought. "It'll be hard. The strain the pregnancy and birth would put on her would be difficult, but cats have faced worse. I suppose... she'd do well with someone to assist her for the first month or so. Someone who can either warm the kits when she needs a moment, or someone to help her get places. But... if Sunsong sees this best, then I guess..."

Her mother was supposed to do it. Deputies before had done it. It was possible. It had to be a stubborn and strong cat, of course, but Goldenleaf was known for that.

“It just means she'll need help before she can stand on her own. But I do believe in her strength and determination. We should try it. Our options are running thin. We'll need to work together as a clan. I'd like to try the option. It might be unconventional, but so is half of all this. So was me, after all.... maybe it'd do us well.”

Her heart hammered as she watched Sunsong address Littlepaw. Her chest swelled against the nerves; this was happening. She had dreamed of having a chance to help. Having an opportunity to step forward to help push these cats to safety and peace. She glanced at her swollen belly, pride catching in her chest. She could make a difference. With Sunsong she could help protect these little lives and the cats she had grown close to.

It was a no brainer, really.

"Of course." As tired as she was from the constant kicking of her kits and their insistence that it would be sooner rather than later that she'd get to meet them, her voice carried strong and determined. If this was the role she was to play she'd do so, and happily. Her eyes softened as Sunsong glanced at her, tail tip twitching.

"It'd be an honor."


She had never been sentimental over discussions of her mother. How could she be when she never met her? Yet, something about Sunsong's comment made her chest thump warmly. Her mother was probably a strong deputy in her day. Littlepaw was vaguely proud of the strong blood that ran through her veins; a leader and a deputy, bonded together through dedication and love. It was romantic, even.

And now her father was reunited with the cat he never got over. Some cats move on from dead mates; not her father. She wondered how happy he must have been, and yet conflicted as she waited still on the living side. Regardless, his father was with her mother now, and she was sure that's what he had been waiting for.

Bloodoath sat... numb at the moment. He wasnt the choice for deputy... His emotions were concealed well and while jealousy burned every inch of his pelt he couldnt help be proud of the she-cat carrying his kits. He knew that kits were temporary... and deputy was for life... but right now... the clan Needed an able body. Thats why sunseer had put his strike off to name Sunsong as deputy. And now they would be back to the same state... a Deputy in name only wasnt really a deputy...

He listened... unhappy but not wiling to state his opinion, afterall, if anyone could juggle being pregnant and being deputy it was Goldenleaf. He watched them talk and he decided that he would just have to make sure that his kits were safe. If Goldenleaf started to forget about them or something... he would step in. He would make sure they became big and strong.

But then the idea of helpers enraged him a bit. Name Goldenleaf deputy and while she is being a queen... another cat works twice as hard and then gets nothing to show for it?! But his rage was scattered when he was appointed with Lilacmoon. He blinked a bit shocked but nodded. "Of course."

He looked to Goldenleaf and then looked down. Not just any cat.... it would be him... working twice as hard... to get them to their home... to make sure the clan runs efficiently... and then once they are settled and she doesnt need to milk anymore... It would all go away. His mind traveled to the original prophecy.... split like the river... Perhaps... He settled into his thoughts when their leader started a naming ceremony...

Silverstreak blinked when she recalled the previous deputy, Morningsky. She lowered her gaze in momentary shame for forgetting about the queen who had been both deputy and expecting in her time. She glanced at Littlepaw, who was looking more lively and then back to Goldenleaf when she accepted the title of deputy. When Bloodoath and Lilacmoon were assigned as her helpers, she smiled a little. Thank SunClan that her Clan knew how to band together in times of need. Silverstreak felt relieved that she hadn't been chosen as a helper. She was already a helper: to her siblings.

When Sunsong then called forward the names of some of the apprentices, she found herself purring softly. She watched Graypaw stumble forward looking both thrilled and bewildered. Her whiskers twitching in amusement, she remembered how Dawnbreak and Duskwing had looked during their warrior ceremony. They hadn't looked too different, she recalled.

"Looks like we're getting some good news in these ceremonies, at least." She murmured to Dawnstride, whom she still leaned lightly upon.



Goldenleaf had accepted the position of deputy and Bloodoath and Lilacmoon were assigned as her helpers. He nodded his agreement of the two. Between Bloodoath being her mate, as far as he could tell, and Lilacmoon was so motherly that he had no doubt that she would readily accept the position of Goldenleaf's helper.

Then, when Sunsong went on to calling a pawful of apprentices forward, such as his own apprentice, Eclipsepaw, he perked his ears. Eclipsepaw was a hard worker and had trained hard too. He nudged Duskwing, a smile on his maw.

"How long until Robinpaw will be up there next?" He inquired after her apprentice, while he watched the called apprentices step forward.


Robinpaw perked her ears, of course! Morningsky, Littlepaw's own mother, had been the deputy with her mate, Sunseer. She blinked slowly in sympathy at her kin and rubbed her cheek against hers, listening to Sunsong officially name Goldenleaf the deputy. Then, when she called Littlepaw, Graypaw, Eclipsepaw and Pigeonpaw to the front. "Omigosh, Littlepaw!" She exclaimed. "Go on, get up there!" She mewed, scooting backwards to give Littlepaw a shove forward, before she retreated to sit close to Riverpaw. "That'll be us some day!" She told her friend.