Skyclan's Deputy | February 2024

Wolfblossom sat on the tallbranch, blue gaze thoughtful as she gazed out over camp. The evening sun cast long shadows and a soft, ruddy glow through the trees. It hadn't snowed for a couple of days, leaving only small patches of white in the most shaded areas of the camp. A soft breeze rustled the leaves as her clanmates milled about below, a patrol returning and dropping prey on the fresh kill pile.

She could almost imagine it was peaceful, if not for the healing injuries still present along the pelts of several warriors. If not for the reason she now sat on the tallbranch with her heart pounding loud enough she was sure Windclan could hear it from across the forest.

Birdstar... I don't want to do this without you. But she was gone now too. Wolfblossom had delayed the decision for as long as she could, just as she had delayed accepting the bitter, agonizing truth. She was Skyclan's leader. She needed a deputy.

Tonight, one of those would be solved. She could not delay any longer, not with theclan depending on her.

She did not rise from where she sat on the tallbranch, afraid her trembling paws might send her careening to the ground below if she tried.

"Skyclan!" Something burned in the back of her throat, and she swallowed. "Let all cats old enough to climb a tree gather beneath the tallbranch!"

Stormwatcher roused from his nest, still sleeping off the wounds of battle and trying to forget what all had happened. He got to his aching paws and settled near the back of the camp looking at Wolf. She was in charge now. Birds death had not really set in for him until this moment, seeing Wolf up on the gathering spot.

Wolfblossom's voice rang out across camp and Falconmoon sighed, somewhat with relief and a twinge of guilt for doing so. She'd accepted that Birdstar was gone, but what now lay before her was a long and tough road. She inherited enemies on two sides of their borders and a clan that was internally falling apart. The deputy choice was important, so he hoped she would choose wisely. He came quietly to the Tallbranch and sat down, offering an encouraging gaze to his mother, but no words at all.

Sunfire's surly gaze peered up at Wolfblossom as she stood up on the Tallbranch. She'd been up there for a long few moments, and the tom knew why. His mother had finally accepted Birdstar as being gone... truly gone. It was a hard lesson to learn, he realized, though perhaps one that was both beneficial and necessary to her own safety. Relying on some absurd fairytale about being able to come back to life once you were leader was a surefire way to end up in the same state as her predecessor, and right now his mother was the only thing holding the clan together.

He was in too much discomfort to get up and sit beneath the Tallbranch, so he just stayed where he was, hoping that Wolfblossom's pick for deputy would be one that had promise to make SkyClan stronger - and safer.

Honeydew

Honeydew was sunning herself in the clearing, watching Mintglade's kits play near the nursery, when she heard Wolfblossom's summons. Honeydew blinked against the sunlight as she lifted her head and watched as many of her clanmates made their way toward the tallbranch. She carefully lifted herself up, testing her strength, and smiled as she found her strength gradually returning.   The wound was nearly fully healed, and Honeydew had been allowed to return to light duties. It was strange, not being able to go on patrols or train like she wanted to. But this clan meeting she could be there for.

The clan had been able to mourn Birdstar and Beechfang during her time in the medicine den. When Thymelight had given her permission to stretch her legs, she visited the spot where the clan had buried them, and taken time to grieve for them herself. It was clear, however, that Wolfblossom was still having a difficult time processing everything. How stressful it must be to have to ascend to leadership and choose a deputy while in the throes of grief for her own mother. Her thoughts flickered to Thornstalker as she settled herself next to Yewpaw, leaning into his form.

"This is it," she whispered to Yewpaw, glancing around at their clanmates.

Bubblebeam knew what the summons were for. The latent fear that had swallowed her every pawstep flared up again as she quietly joined the crowd staring up at the Tallbranch. She didn't want Great-Aunt Bird to be gone forever. She didn't want Gramma Wolfblossom to be leader--not because she would do badly, but because she knew that her grandmother was stressed and tired and needed a break. She wouldn't get one now. But now, the idea of who was going to become deputy scared her. As she sat in the midst of the crowd, glancing around for her friends and Clanmates--Honeydew was with Yewpaw, she didn't want to bother them--where were her siblings?--she couldn't help but notice several cats who she didn't want to take Wolfblossom's place. Her father... Sunfire. She was sure he would like the position, but every time she saw him now, golden coat gleaming, she thought of red. So hurriedly she moved her eyes away. Then there was Wolfblossom's other son. Honeydew's father. If she was being honest, some quiet part of her deep inside wished that the leadership wouldn't be kept entirely within their family. She loved her family members, but what if this caused them to spiral down? What if the reason they made decisions like going to war was because they all wanted to protect each other too much? It would be good to have peace. It would be good to have balance. It would be good to have... someone new. While she sat by herself in the crowd, surrounded by Clanmates in a cloud of frenzied expectation, all she could do was quietly wish that whoever was picked would be different from Gramma Wolf. Different enough to want peace, different enough to not immediately dismiss cats of other Clans as anything but mouse-brained enemies... different enough to not continue the cycle.

She had been out in the clearing with all of her kits when she saw Wolfblossom ascend the Tallbranch, and it was at that moment that she'd looked to all of them. "Come on now, little ones, let's go sit by your father," Stern enough that she wasn't going to take any of their sass, but kind enough that she wasn't reprimanding them. As Mintglade herded them in the direction of Sunfire, she could spot Bubblebeam--and for a moment, her heart ached. She wanted to go sit with her friend, but maternal duties had stolen that from her. Going over to the blue-furred molly, she gave her a gentle headbutt in greeting. "Hey, Bubs. I gotta go sit with Sunfire, in case mister grumpy pants decides he's going to go on another tangent. But, I think the kits said something about wanting to play with Big Sister Bubblebeam later, if you'll come by?" It hurt her heart to know the position that she'd landed the both of them in, but this was the best she could do. Her voice was quiet enough only for Bubblebeam to hear, lest her kits get the idea of also bothering their other half-sister.

With a final nuzzle of friendliness, Mintglade eventually followed after her horde of kits, settling right beside Sunfire. Immediately, a purr rumbled in her throat to attempt to soothe whatever aches would undoubtedly be roiling through her mate's body, and her gaze stayed right on all of her kits. "Alright, troublemakers. Your grandmother's going to be making an important announcement. Be on your best behavior for her, okay?"

Rabbitkit had heard the yowl of Wolfblossom while rustling through a pile of old mossballs she'd collected from her fellow kits. Her ears twitched, bushy tail stilling its motions as she turned to see the other queens of the nursery head out with their kits in tow. She squinted, head tilting as her mother's soft voice reached her ears, telling her to follow along with the rest of the litter. She did as she was told with a rather disgruntled expression, hating being beside so many normal-sized kits while she had to trudge along with a slightly hunched demeanor as if that would hide her height.

Despite her internal struggles, she was very much pleased to see the kind medicine cat from earlier. Thymelight, she believed was her name. She looked around, tail curled over her paws as her litter pounced on one another, a firm mew from their mother telling them to quiet down. Rabbitkit took the distraction to slink away towards Thymelight, brown gaze determined to get a seat next to the older cat.

"What's going on?" She whispered to Thymelight once she'd come closer, body low to the ground like she wasn't supposed to be there. And technically, her mother hadn't said not to wander off, so she should be fine.

Voices rippling through camp drew Lighttail from her nest, where she’d recently fought off a panic attack. The ex-ShadowClanner had a feeling what this meeting would be about. SkyClan needed a deputy. Oh stars, what if Wolfblossom picked Stoatclaw? She’d be happy for him, but was he ready for the job?

Was anyone?

The clan gathered below, and Wolfblossom took a slow breath. A few kits were in the crowd too, though they would be disappointed to learn that this was not any of their apprentice ceremonies. Thymelight had appeared from her den, Sunfire had not moved from where he already sat. Falconmoon, Honeydew... Lighttail, who had left her home clan to be with her mate and had been met with nothing but chaos.

So many lives depending on her now. Her heart felt like it was going to pound right out of her chest. Maybe it would and she would join her sister in the stars, and some other unfortunate soul could pick up the pieces. Maybe Skyclan would fracture, the cats who held such strong opinions unable to exist within the same camp.

No.

She wouldn't let that happen.

She would choose a deputy, she would lead them. This was her clan, her family, and Wolfblossom knew what she had to do. She had thought over her options, finding little sleep the last few nights between her grief and the thoughts of what was to come. If Skyclan were to survive, they would need strong leadership. But they would need reasonable leadership, who would be guided with logic and look ahead, not focus on the short term.

Someone who wouldn't be in danger of losing it the moment someone foolish decided to antagonize them for their loses, for their hubris and stubborn pride. As Wolfblossom had run down the list of her warriors, she had realized just how slim her options truly were.

Stormwatcher was a far cry from the layabout he'd been. He had grown into a responsible tom, but a bloodthirsty one. Sunfire, too. Shatteredsky was asocial at best, alienating and divisive at worst. Someone to be managed, not to manage others. Lighttail had only just joined the clan, and Stoatclaw, while a good cat, was not someone to lead. Briarthorn had led them before, she would be a good option for deputy, if only she wanted it. Graywind was too passive, and Stoneheart had shown little interest beyond her duties. Bubblebeam too fragile, and Wolfblossom could not stomach putting such a weight upon her shoulders. Crookedlight and Creamsky could have both made a solid case, but one was too ill and the other not as present... And likely not as interested. Rainfrost was lost in his grief over Birdstar, something Wolfblossom was struggling with too.

Two options. She had two viable options. And the thought of putting the burden on either of their shoulders was enough to almost make Wolfblossom sick. They each had shown a sense of responsibility beyond their years. Both tactful, both had shown they would put the clan first.

It seemed like an impossible decision, one that had paralyzed Wolfblossom in her nest more than once.

But the clan needed someone. And she knew, eyes lifting to the darkening sky where the stars were slowly beginning to appear, that the decision needed to be made.

"Skyclan," The lump in her throat made it hard to speak as her gaze turned back toward her clanmates, "Birdstar... Is dead. I will go to the moonstone, but before I do, we all know what must happen first. A deputy must be named." Wolfblossom fought to keep the rising panic from her tone, fought to keep her tired face neutral. If Birdstar, Beechfang, or any number of the cats she cared about were watching above, she certainly didn't feel it.

"We've been through a lot, lately. Illness, our alliances proving we can only rely on ourselves... War." She closed her eyes, "The responsibility of being a deputy is the responsibility to lead. To put the clan first. I have considered my options for days now, and I do not make this decision lightly. The decision I have come to is a cat that is respected, who has shown a level of responsibility beyond their years. They have shown care for their clanmates, and I believe they would seek for cooler heads to prevail when those of us blinded by emotion might lose our tempers. Young, perhaps less experienced than some within our ranks... But so was I. So was Birdstar. They have shown maturity beyond cats who are older than they are. I believe they will learn from the mistakes of those before them. Some of you might not agree, but you will respect it." Blue eyes slowly traveled the crowd, meeting those of her clanmates, those who would meet hers, anyways. She hoped, prayed that she was making the right choice. She would keep the doubt from her features, keep it from her voice. The clan needed to know that this was a decision she had made for good reason, and it was one she would stand by.

"I say these words before you, Skyclan, and before Starclan that they might hear and approve of my choice." She began, "Honeydew will be the deputy of Skyclan."

Honeydew

Honeydew leaned on Yewpaw, for support, for warmth, and for strength, as she listened intently to her leader's words.
Wolfblossom is going to the moonstone to be blessed by StarClan, Honeydew realized. This meeting and her grandmother's words felt bittersweet.

She could feel the grief behind her words as she announced Birdstar's death - Wolfblossom's own sister - and Honeydew remembered Brackenpaw. She hadn't allowed herself to grieve Brackenpaw, because despite so many other cats believing he was dead, Honeydew had been determined that he'd survived - not unlike her mother-figure standing before her on the tallbranch now. Honeydew's heart ached for her missing brother. Would she ever get the closure to know for sure whether or not he survived the wolf attack at the Southern Lake?

As Wolfblossom reflected on their hardships, Honeydew felt her stomach clench. The actions of a single cat had cost so many lives, and caused so much grief. It has to stop. Her fur began to rise on end, imagining which cat Wolfblossom would choose to become deputy. The future of SkyClan lies in the heart of whichever cat is chosen. Her gaze swept over her beloved clanmates  - which of them would be able to step up to the task? Anyone but Sunfire. His episode in the clearing after the battle should have been enough to show Wolfblossom that he was not fit to lead. If Sunfire were chosen, Honeydew pondered, a ice cold rock sitting in her stomach, then SkyClan would face certain doom.

Honeydew shook that thought from her head. No. Even through her grief, Wolfblossom wouldn't put SkyClan in danger like that. It had to be someone experienced, wise, and clear-headed. A senior warrior? she wondered, her eyes finding the knot of battle-worn, scarred warriors.

Which cat is respected, and shown responsibility beyond their years? Honeydew wondered. The anticipation was setting her paws on fire. She shuffled anxiously, her pale blue eyes darting from cat to cat. Cooler heads to to prevail when those of us blinded by emotion might lose our tempers... Young... less experienced... will learn from the mistakes of those before them...

The more Wolfblossom spoke, the less certain Honeydew felt. The leader's eyes didn't linger on any cat in particular as she addressed the clan, and as her speech came to a head, Honeydew felt the tense anticipation of her clanmates like static around her. She glanced at Yewpaw, but he didn't seem to have any answers, either. She re-focused her attention on Wolfblossom, just as she was about to announce the name...

Honeydew will be the deputy of Skyclan.

...Huh?

Honeydew's eyes grew round with a mixture of shock and bewilderment. Me? She was suddenly aware that she had jumped to her paws, and her eyes found those of her clanmates. Everyone was suddenly looking at her, and she felt the weight of their unspoken words. Some were proud and supportive, some even excited, but others were shrouded with doubt. How could she blame them? What is Wolfblossom thinking? She stared up at her leader in awe. When Honeydew tried to imagine herself standing up there on the tallbranch, it seemed like a silly kit-dream.

What does it mean to be deputy? she wondered. How could I ever be as good as Wolfblossom? Every cat looks to her. She has been the glue holding SkyClan together. Could I also do that? Her head was swimming with thoughts, and she realized she needed to speak. Every cat was waiting on her.

Honeydew took one tentative step forward, casting once last bewildered glance back at Yewpaw. What does he think? Then, another step, less shaky this time. Honeydew's heart beat wildly in her chest. She raised her chin and padded slowly into the center of the clearing, the eyes of her clanmates following her. She lifted her tail and did her best to keep a strong posture, despite her injury that weakened her. Once in the center of the clearing, she stopped.

She looked around, meeting eyes with her clanmates before turning back to Wolfblossom, dipping her head low.
"It... it is an honor, Wolfblossom," she mewed. "I will... do my best to serve my clan," she declared. Is this what I'm supposed to do? Suddenly, the words she'd thought and spoken so many times before found their way to her tongue, and danced through the air smoothly as her voice picked up a stronger note. "I will be a deputy that SkyClan can be proud of. And..." she hesitated, remembering Wolfblossom's words from just a moment ago. "I will learn from the mistakes of those cats before me." Her icy blue eyes sought Sunfire in particular, and held his gaze for a moment, an unspoken challenge in their depths. This is a chance to guide the clan away from the path of blood and violence, she realized at once. An idea danced at the edges of her mind. But for now, she looked up at her leader, lifting her head proudly and accepting her new role.

I am deputy of SkyClan, she thought. I will do my best for all of you.

The clan began to gather around, and Sunfire watched as they did without lifting his head from his paws. Eventually, Mintglade was among them, and as she moved to sit next to Bubblebeam, Sunfire flicked an ear, grateful at least that his daughter had someone she could trust... but the exchange didn't last very long before his mate was padding over to sit beside him, instead.

He lifted his head to greet her with a quiet chirp, the stub of his tail flicking once against the ground. Sunfire stretched his forelegs out, digging his claws into the dirt and taking a deep breath as Wolfblossom started speaking. He didn't really care who his mother picked, really... as long as it wasn't him - any of the senior warriors would be a good choice. Not Falconmoon, either. His brother was smart, but there was just something weird about him that Sunfire couldn't place... and he'd so readily attacked his own clanmate - his own kin.

Sunfire searched for Falconmoon in the crowd, but still hadn't found him by the time the words left Wolfblossom's mouth: Honeydew will be the deputy of Skyclan.

Huh?

Sunfire didn't react, other than to abandon his search and slide his gaze to Wolfblossom on the Tallbranch. Certainly he'd misheard? But the leader's stare was fixed firmly on Honeydew's golden pelt, and the cats around her had already began congratulations. Dread pooled in his gut, almost nauseating in its intensity. Had Wolfblossom lost her mind? Honeydew? That weakling? The same cat who'd dissolved into tears under the pressure of battle? The one who had to be dragged back home? She was barely out of her apprenticeship, and yet it was Honeydew that now led SkyClan at his mother's side?

He felt her stare burning his pelt, and an instant later, their eyes met. There was something there, in her expression, that both surprised and amused him. Was she challenging him? Him? Sunfire could have laughed, if this were time for drawing attention... but what he had learned from last time was that the louder you yelled, the less others tended to listen. Words could never hope to command attention in the same way that teeth and claws could.

Sunfire held her stare for a moment longer, eyes shining with amusement, then yawned and looked away, leaning into Mintglade's side.

It felt odd to be alone in the crowd like this. With so many Clanmates related to her, with so many family members... perhaps she ought to have been the one to approach, but lately, she'd been feeling like a sore paw among the other warriors especially. Maybe she should try and talk to someone else? But--no, that was Mintglade approaching. Minty, her best friend. Bubblebeam's eyes brightened, and she turned around to welcome the larger she-cat. But even as she opened her mouth to say something, a greeting, she stopped. "Hey, Bubs. I gotta go sit with Sunfire..." Her heart sank. Of course. They were mates now, weren't they? They had kits... Without even waiting for a response, her friend--Mintglade--smiled and walked off, saying something about her being a big sister. Tightly, her throat clenched, swallowing the response she'd been about to make. What could she even say to that? Replaced. Not only to her father, but her friend. The nuzzle that Mintglade offered on her way out didn't feel as comforting as it once had. The yawning, hollow emptiness inside grew a bit stronger. Is... is there still a place for me here? She couldn't stop her eyes from following Mintglade where she walked. Sunfire. He... didn't even look at her.

Right before the internal pain could get too great, her savior arrived. Thymelight, with a warm smile. Just like at the Gathering. Bubblebeam leaned into her sister's side, pressing close and feeling the mesh of their fur. This physical closeness radiated comfort, different from her friend's nuzzle. If no one else cared... she had her sisters. "Thanks," she murmured quietly.

But this wasn't any ordinary meeting--it had a purpose. And when Wolfblossom spoke up again, Bubblebeam was forced to remember what it was. Great-Aunt Birdstar... dead forever. Which left an empty slot that needed to be filled. The pain on her grandmother's face was plain to see. Bubblebeam listened, though, taking strength in Thymelight's presence to pay full attention. Hard times--that was certainly true. Truer now than ever. As Wolfblossom continued, it was difficult to try and track where she was going with this. Who did she mean? Who was she talking about? Bubblebeam was under no delusion of herself as an option; her grandmother wasn't stupid. Besides, the way everyone looked at her even now, requiring the support of a medicine cat to even stand in a meeting, disabused that notion before it could even begin. But she became increasingly confused and intrigued as she listened. Wise beyond their years... Care for their Clanmates... Young, less experienced... So not Sunfire, then, the realization of which took some of the immense weight off of her chest. Likely not any of the older toms who had yelled in camp. No Stormwatcher, no Falconmoon. But then who--?

"Honeydew will be the deputy of Skyclan."

Like everyone else, Bubblebeam turned to look at the she-cat in question. Honeydew... her best friend. When had that changed from Mintglade? Her friend looked startled, even shocked, but the emotions going through her mind were plain to see on her face. Surprise... thoughtfulness... resolve. Strength. Honeydew was so strong. Bubblebeam couldn't help but admire her. With a smile on her face, she began to celebrate, leading the cheers that arose from the stunned and tense silence. "Honeydew! Honeydew!" Her voice, loud and full of joy, would hopefully help remind the others that this was a ceremony. After a quick nuzzle of Thymelight's fur to offer thanks, she made her way over to the newly named deputy. "Congratulations, Honeydew! I'm sure you'll be a wonderful deputy." Bubblebeam purred warmly, headbutting her friend's shoulder. "In my opinion, Wolfblossom couldn't have made a better choice." For the first time in a while, she felt... hope. And she remained blissfully unaware of Sunfire's refusal to celebrate.

Stormwatcher blinked as the new deputy was announced.  He gave a slow nod and head nod to her in apporval.  He liked the choice overall, she seemed like a level headed warrior from what he had seen.  He had not spent as much time as he probably should have with her, but her leadership of getting the kits out of camp when the wolves were attacking came to mind.

He had rescued Ospreykit and she had saved the other paledove kits.

Overall he was pretty happy with this.  Mostly he was glad not to have been picked, deputy sounded like a lot of work and while he was getting used to doing more as a warrior he was glad to not be piled on more while trying to improve as a warrior first.


"AYE!!! CONGRATS HONEY! he cheered in applause