hope for the future [shadowclan deputy ceremony]

Black ears perked as his name left Leopardsun's mouth. It appeared that he had underestimated his leader. She had been able to set her personal feelings of dislike for him aside, or perhaps she just couldn't deny Starclan's will, either way Sablestrike wouldn't complain. The path that fate had provided for him was finally being tread upon.

Golden eyes narrowed as the older tom began to speak. At one point in his life Sablestrike would have taken the comparison to Nightstalker as a compliment, especially from the tom himself. Now however, it forced his blood to a boil. "Your copy?" The tom retorted. "You still think that highly of yourself?" It was laughable! Sablestrike was no mere copy of the old disgraced leader, he was the improvement- the upgrade. He had learned from Nightstalker's idiocy, he would be better than his mentor.

Every muscle tensed as the black tom closed the distance between them. The threat earned no response from Sablestrike, though it did unsettle him.

Sablestrike didn't let himself linger on those words too long, letting his attention be brought back to Leopardsun as she addressed him. "You made the right choice Leopardsun, I might even say it's the best decision you've ever made in your life." She was already showing excellent decision-making as their leader, hopefully she would make a trend of it. "If I thought I was anything like Nightstalker I'd have drowned myself in the marsh moons ago. I will not let that mangy elder shake my resolve." Becoming a deputy hadn't been some lifelong goal, it was his fate. Starclan would guide him well as they had since his birth, to doubt himself and that fate now would only welcome failure.

Besides, unlike Nightstalker I have Starclan's blessing. He didn't dare speak those words aloud, anyone close enough to hear would undoubtedly grow jealous. Stars, he should probably say something humble shouldn't he? The black tom gave a respectful dip of his head. "Thank you for this opportunity Leopardsun, I will work hard to validate your trust in me." Not that it would be hard.