Shadowclan's Deputy

"Let all cats old enough to capture their own prey gather underneath Jaggedrock for a clan meeting!" Thrushstar yowled.

Sandfire padded out from the Warriors den to listen smiling some.

Brokenpaw padded from the apprentices den Denard sat next to her mother.

Marigoldleaf followed Sandfire out of the warriors den.

Mudkit bounded out of the nursery. The clan leader and deputy were so interesting, he couldn't help but watch.

Deadpaw ran over to Brokenpaw and sat beside her. He looked up.
"This must be for the new deputy," Deadpaw murmured.

Leopardfang looked up from the lizard he had just finished. Quickly burying the bones, he sat up and swiped a paw over his muzzle to make sure there was no blood left over. He looked up at Thrushstar, perhaps the oldest in the Clan. It didn't show; the leader was still strong and solemn-looking to Leopardfang. He respected Thrushstar far more than any other cat in the Clans.

When the clan was gathered, Thrushstar looked down at them. This was going to be his third deputy ceremony... It was hard to think that he'd lost two great warriors in his span of leadership. First Cormorantpelt and now Bearmask. It was painful to try to replace his own daughter, but unfortunately, he had to. With a solemn look on his face, he began to speak. "As you all know, it's been some time since Bearmask has been with us. I don't want to fear the worst and I don't want to replace her, but there must be someone to fill the deputy position," he told them, pausing a moment to clear his thoughts and speak clearly. He already had a clear choice in his mind. "I say these words before Starclan so that they may hear and approve of my choice. The new deputy of Shadowclan is Leopardfang." It was almost like he betrayed his daughter when he spoke. However, it needed to be done. Shadowclan needed to move on.

Deadpaw looked at Leopardfang and let out an excited yelp that he couldn't suppress.
"LEOPARDFANG! LEOPARDFANG!" Deadpaw yowled.

Marigoldleaf joined in. "Leapordfang!"

The spotted tom could sense the reluctance in his leader's voice and it made him apprehensive. At the mentioning of Thrushstar's daughter, it clicked in his mind what the ceremony would be about. Not another apprentice or warrior, but rather a new deputy--and it was him. Of course, part of Leopardfang wasn't shocked. He was ready to lead the moment he opened his eyes in the nursery. It wouldn't look good to the Clan to not seem at least a little bit astonished, so he met Thrushstar's gaze and responded over the cheers, "Thank you for your trust in me, Thrushstar. I promise to be the best deputy I can be." He glanced around the clearing, giving a small nod of thanks to the cheering cats, and looked for the familiar black pelt of his former apprentice.