Chapter Text
Every branch bristled with thorns and, as Leafpool looked closer, she saw that they weren’t thorns at all, but cats’ claws, strong and curved and pointing outward to keep out ThunderClan’s enemies.
Bramble claws! Her initial thought filled her with dread. Brambleclaw was a strong warrior, but he was young, often abrasive and rude, and had not yet had an apprentice. Besides, he met often with Hawkfrost and Tigerstar, training and talking until sunrise. Surely, he would not be the cat StarClan chose to be their deputy, not when it would break the code that guided them.
Leafpool took a closer look at the wall. It rose high and foreboding. A second warrior came to mind. Thorns made of claws. Was Thornclaw the warrior they had chosen? He was often headstrong and an argumentative furball, but he was a loyal member of the Clan and had been for several seasons. Unlike Brambleclaw, he had had several apprentices and had guided the Clan well through the destruction of the forest and the Great Journey, even when Shrewpaw died. The thought of him being deputy drained her dread. He would learn and grow to be a strong deputy.
She woke up at peace with her dream. She had prayed for a sign from StarClan, and she got one. Thornclaw would lead ThunderClan well and serve them loyally and faithfully.
As she left her den, she saw her Clanmates keeping their vigil for Graystripe. There would be no body for the elders to carry away and bury. She wondered if Graystripe would ever find StarClan, so far away from the Clans. She padded quietly to her father's den by the Highledge. It was nearly moonhigh and nearly time to name the new deputy. She had to let him know who StarClan had chosen.
Firestar was sitting in his nest, deep in thought. His eyes were clouded with grief, but they brightened on seeing Leafpool.
"I wonder if I'm making a mistake," he said, half to himself and half to her. "I could call the whole vigil off." She could see the pain in his eyes, not wanting to let go of his oldest friend.
"And then what?" she asked. "Name your deputy days later, far after moonhigh? Let the Clan struggle to see them as legitimate like they struggled to see you?" He had told her and Squirrelflight tales of his struggle to be accepted as deputy when Bluestar would not name him until after moonhigh, moons ago back in the old forest. "We're living in unprecedented times, Firestar. We need to hold on to this one normalcy as best as we can."
"I suppose you're right," he said. "Anyway, you had to have come in here for a reason. The moon is nearly at its highest point in the sky. I have to name the deputy soon."
"That's what I'm here about," she said, explaining her dream as fast as she could.
"Thornclaw, you said?" he asked when she was done, and she nodded. "He's a loyal warrior," he said, and his eyes grew misty with nostalgia. "The first one I ever named, at that." Leafpool nodded. she had heard the story hundreds of times, but didn't have time to hear it again, not when the Clan was waiting outside. "I had about decided to name his brother Brackenfur deputy. He would be a good deputy, but in times like this, I have to remember that I'm choosing the next leader of ThunderClan. Maybe Brackenfur would be ready one day, but Thornclaw is ready now."
Leafpool nodded, though she hoped it would be several seasons before the Clan would see Thornstar. She didn't want her father to die, of course, and Thornclaw could use a few more seasons to grow used to leadership and mellow out some.
"He's one of the few cats in the Clan who has had an apprentice before." He had had two-- Sootfur, who had died to a badger in the same attacks that had taken her own mentor, Cinderpelt, and Shrewpaw, who had died trying to hunt for the Clans back in the forests. Leafpool felt a pang in her chest for her lost Clanmates. "He's a good choice."
"He is," Firestar said, his voice indicating he was lost in thought. Quickly though, he shook himself out. The moon was rising more by the minute, and he had no more time to waste. "If he's good enough for StarClan, he's more than good enough for me. Come on now, Leafpool. They're waiting for us."