Rise of FireClan

Chapter 11: Matters To Attend To

Firestar yawned as he stretched his limbs that were stiff with slumber. He had spent a good few hours resting as he recovered from the ceremony. But as he sat there grooming himself he recalled the craziness he and Ghost had returned to. Greystripe and Mistyfoot along with Orion had shown up not long after. After clearing things up he was more then delighted to welcome his old friend, Mistyfoot, and the three apprentices into the clan. Sure it meant more mouths to feed but it also meant more strength and safety for the clan. Greystripe had filled him in on everything that had happened back in the old forest on the other side of BloodClan's territory of twolegplace. Tigerstar's demands, WindClan being wrongfully attacked, ThunderClan's new leader in Brackenstar, Leopardstar's clan being taken over by Tigerstar to form TigerClan, and the power hungry tom's war on non-clan born and half-clan cats.

It was chaos.

Well, it wasn't his problem anymore.

He had his own clan to lead and take care of so as much as he worried for his old friends back in the other clans their problems weren't his right now. But the problem he did have right now was picking a deputy before moonhigh. There were a few possibilities. Longtail was older and while he could be arrogant the pale warrior had more experience; that would be valuable to the clan. The next option was his mate, Sandstorm but she hadn't had an apprentice and that was one law he dare not change so she was off the table. That left Mistyfoot and Greystripe whom had just arrived into the clan. Mistyfoot was Bluestar's daughter, sharing many of her mother's good qualities but was also much older then any of them which gave her the wisdom and knowledge to lead. Then there was Greystripe whom he had faught, trained with, and gone into battle with countless times. There were few cats at this time he trusted his life to, Greystripe and more recently Longtail being one of the small pawful.

A glint of determination burned in his emerald depths as he rose to his paws. His mind was made up as he left his den and called, "May all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here beneath the High Branch for a clan meeting!"

This caught the attention of everyone as they hurriedly gathered around while Siren ushered her two kits inside before coming out to join the crowd. The clan was not big since they were just beginning. But they were more then big enough to defend and hunt and care for each other easily.

"During this meeting I have several matters to take care of this evening but first thing's first."chirped Firestar, "I say these words before StarClan, that the spirits of our ancestors may hear and approve of my choice. The new and our first Deputy of FireClan shall be...Longtail."

The pale tabby's jaw dropped at hearing this and for once in his life was speechless. He wasn't sure what to say as cats around him mewed their words of congratulations. Longtail bowed his politely towards the ginger leader even though he knew full well the younger tom could not see the gesture of respect and gratitude he was giving. "I humbly accept the potision you have given me, Firestar."

"Longtail! Longtail! Longtail!"

Firestar purred at this as he locked onto Greystripe's scent. "I'm sory old friend but you're just too new into the clan. I must do what's right for FireClan."he thought. He then lashed his tail to motion for silence. "Now for the other matters to attend to, I believe this is long overdue. Swiftpaw, Cloudpaw, and Brightpaw please come forward."

The trio eagerly raced forward to stand on a massive root of the old tree each just below the High Branch. Swiftpaw and Cloudpaw were shaking from excitement while Brightpaw's whiskers were quivering from anticipation as their leader spoke. ""I, Firestar, leader FireClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these apprentices. They have been through many ordeals then most and have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as warriors in their own right."