SkyClan's Deputy Ceremony

Spottedleap stood atop the Tallbranch, surveying the camp as the last rays of the day shone over the camp. Sagelight and Tinystar would be taking him to Highstones after the clan meeting he was about to call, and he'd come back a different cat. It was daunting to say the least. For now, though, his task was to assign a new deputy to take his place should some tragedy befall him on the path to the moonstone. The cold leaf-fall breeze ruffled his fur. Spottedleap was quickly running out of time, and the lingering sense of being rushed headlong into something he wasn't ready for once again washed over him. Growing frustrated with his own weakness, he shoved aside his doubts and called out to the clan to gather them beneath the Tallbranch. "Let all cats old enough to climb a tree gather beneath the Tallbranch for a Clan meeting!"

Foxfire peaked from the medicine den, being swiftly patched up from his most recent fight. It was embarrassing that he had been attacked shortly after leaving the camp - he had just wanted to take some time to him and had apparently been at the wrong place at the wrong time... But he was no worst than wear, and he wasn't even sure if that warrior had been...Okay. It wasn't really something he wanted to dwell on, at any case. He glanced nervously at Sagelight, giving a soft, sheepish smile before he padded from the den without a word.

He would return to Sagelight's den afterwards - he had a feeling that he knew what this ceremony was for and he wasn't going to get a couple wounds get in the way of seeing who Spottedleap would pick as his deputy! It felt so weird, Spottedleap had only been named deputy a short time ago yet here they were, he was to be leader...Foxfire glanced around the gathering cats, wondering who would be named deputy - there were so many good choices such as Daylily or Leaftwirl.

"Must be time for your deputy naming ceremony." Basilpaw trilled softly as she padded up behind Foxfire. The she-cat purred and rubbed up against her companion. Her eyes saddened for a brief moment as she measured his wounds. The sweet young cat hardly had a moment for training between the changes of leadership. Every desire to race through the forest had to be put on hold. But her longing to soar between the trees was dampered the thoughts of doing so alongside the russet tom, "How are you feeling?"

Foxfire sighed at the sound of Basilpaw approaching, glancing over his shoulder to look at her although his eyes glimmered with amusement. "I've told you, I'm not going to be-ow," his words were cut off in a hiss in surprise and pain as she gently rubbed against him, enough to upset his recent wounds. The pain quickly died as she took a step back, his expression softening at her sad look. "I'm fine, its nothing major," he responded, and it was the truth. He didn't think it was going to scar or anything, mostly under Sagelight's care. "...Guess I am a bit embarrassed with how quickly I got into another fight thought," he mumbled, shaking his head. "And as I was saying, I'm sorry to dash your dreams but I'm going to become deputy," he stressed, glancing at her. He really did love how much faith she had in him but...He was nothing special - he had managed to get into not one but two fights in his short span as a warrior - not that the second one was technically his fault. But...He was just going to let her down, he knew he would. "I'm really honored that you think so highly of me but there are plenty of other choices that Spottedleap would be crazy not to pick."

Having cleaned out the leader's den earlier that day, Tinylegs had moved himself to the elders den. It was a weird adjustment, to say the least, but he would get used to it, one of these days, but he couldn't get comfortable just yet. Ears perking up at the deputy's call, the little legged leader seated himself outside the entrance of the den, looking up at Spottedleap. There was no doubt in his mind that he would make a good leader, and hopefully the cat they'd talked about choosing for the next deputy would as well...

Flowerpaw drug herself out of the apprentices' den. Her once full of life eyes seemed to get duller with every passing moment. Scanning the gathering cats, she saw Foxfire and Basilpaw. Of course.. Those two never seemed to be to far from each other. Her eyes soon landed on the former leader. He betrayed them by stepping down. At least that is how she felt. It seemed no one else felt the same way. She settled just outside the apprentices' den. She didn't want to get closer. She didn't want to interact. She just stared at the to-be leader, disinterest clear on her face. It didn't matter to her who was deputy.

He gathered his breath as the clan joined in the clearing. Not long ago, he would have sat among him. Spottedleap would probably never be down there again, spectating important life changes and clan news like the rest of them. When he was satisfied that everyone was gathered, he squinted out at the setting sun, and then addressed SkyClan in his loudest, most confident voice.

"Cats of SkyClan, my clanmates... with the announcement from Tinystar...legs... e-earlier, you all know that I will be leaving tonight as Spottedleap and returning as Spottedstar. I will name a deputy to look after you in my absence and follow in my pawsteps at my death." He paused. He'd already stumbled over his words as his first appointment as leader; he could only hope SkyClan supported him enough to look past his painfully apparent flaws. "I say these words before StarClan, so that the spirits of our warrior ancestors and the leaders be me may hear and approve of my choice. The new deputy of SkyClan will be Foxfire."

He waited on baited breath for Spottedleap to make the announcement, a soft purr rising in his throat as the deputy was named. His mouth moved, instinctively carrying up the chant that had started. "Foxfir-" That was as far as he got before it hit him, his mouth freezing open as the words died in his throat. Foxfire. His name. He was...No. His eyes narrowed to pin-points as he snapped his gaze upwards, meeting Spottedleap's gaze as the Clan chanted his name - Basilpaw being the loudest by far. No...No, he couldn't be - it had to be a dream. Why would Spottedleap ever pick...? He jumped to his paws, only to wince as pain flickered from his recent wounds. Okay...Ow. No, not a dream. Or at least a very realistic one.

Slowly, he felt the burning gaze as the Clan turned their attention onto him. No. Nonononono. This couldn't be right, he didn't even mean the qualifications to be a deputy! He had been a warrior for not even a moon and he didn't even have an apprentice - Oh StarClan. He wanted to shrink away, find a hole to go hide in as the weight of everything came crashing onto his shoulders but he somehow managed to stand tall, swallowing past the fear that was rising in his throat. "I...Thank you, Spottedleap," he meowed numbly, not really sure if he wanted to thank his old mentor for this but...

Oh StarClan...He was deputy.

And Basilpaw was never going to let him live down the fact that she had been right.

What? What? Okay maybe it did matter who the next deputy would be. The white apprentice looked over to the ginger tom. Blue lifeless eyes locked on him. She didn't know what to think of this. She didn't know whether to be happy or sad. Too many thoughts were in her head. It was great because her friend was the deputy! He had power to right the wrongs in the clan! But at the same time... he forgot about her.. Any chance that he would remember her now were gone... He was already so busy she couldn't imagine how it would be now..

She could feel an invisible vine gripping at her heart, giving a tight squeeze. Her teeth clenched tightly as she bit back calling out for her friend. Bit back her emotions once again. She had already released enough of her emotions during her training with Spottedleap. If she made another deal now? Who knows how she would be treated.. She looked at Foxfire once again. Did he even notice she was here? Did he even care? Her gaze turned towards the ground, her tail low, dragging in the dust as she walked back into the apprentice den.

"I knew it!" Basilpaw chirped at the naming of Foxfire. She wasn't surprised, not in the least. In fact, if another cat had been name dshe wouls have been utterly confused. Since kithood, she had been decided on the fact that the russet warrior was indeed the greatest warrior ever. In everything that she did, she hoped to be as incredible as him someday. He was her best friend, her idol, and now deputy of Skyclan. The bicolored she-cat's soft voice rose in a cry with the rest of the clan. In youth, she had been excitable, but never too boisterous, and that had only mellowed out as she grew. Yet the natural zest for life had thankfully not yet died. With a rumbling purr, she nuzzled the tom for a brief moment before pulling back to meow, "It seems you owe me a squirrel, deputy sir. Maybe we can finally go hunting together!"

Listening as Spottedleap spoke, Tinylegs gave a nod when Foxfire's name was announced. He was sure that the two toms would work quite well together, which brought the tiny legged leader some peace. SkyClan was in good paws, that was for sure. "Foxfire! Foxfire!" the former leader called with the rest of his clanmates.