#blacksight

It was one night from the battle with BloodClan, the kits had been trained to fight as much as possible, as well as Cinderpath. Their hope was that BloodClan wouldn’t breach their camp with kits and elders inside, but they had no reason to believe they wouldn’t.

   He was terrified.

   What if he died? What if kits and elders were hurt in this battle, Cinderpath, Swiftflame..

   Could they really take that chance?

   He was snapped out of his thoughts as Blizzardspots approached him, a soft expression across her face. She didn’t look happy, but she didn’t look upset, either.

   “Hey,” She mewed gently. “Firestar asked me to do a little hunting for the elders and kits.. did you want to come with?” A glint of fear sparkled in her yellow eyes. She didn’t want to go out alone.

   “Sure,” Longtail rose to his paws. He followed the white bouncy she-cat out of the camp, the sun bouncing off her white fur beautifully. Maybe.. this was his chance to tell her what exactly was on his mind. “Hey, uh.. Blizzardspots?”

   The she-cat popped out of the tall grass, gazing at him with a puzzled expression, “What’s up?”

   “I.. uh..” The words were on the tip of his tongue, but as his ears flattened, he recoiled. “Nevermind. It’s nothing.” He turned away with a flick of his tail, padding farther into the forest. 

   He approached a squirrel, digging around in the dirt. He dropped into a hunters crouch, slowly creeping toward the creature. He soon leapt at the squirrel, digging his sharp claws into its sides.

   “Nice!” Blizzardspots smiled, holding a small gray mouse in her jaws, “Did you want to talk to me about something? Like, seriously, you can. Anything, Longtail, your my friend.”

   “No, it’s okay,” He said through gritted teeth. “Let’s get a bit more prey and take this to the elders and queens.”

   Longtail nestled into his mossy nest, his long tail curled over his muzzle. He closed his eyes in the dim light, though he felt a pelt brush against his.

   It was already late into the night, though they were just getting to sleep, himself and Blizzardspots. They'd stayed out hunting most of the day, collecting what prey they could.

   Blizzardspots slid into her nest, curling up into a tight ball. She looked to be shaking a little bit, and it wasn’t from the night cold.

   “Blizzardspots?” Longtail said in a low voice, doing his best not to wake the other warriors around them. “Is everything okay?..”

   “N-no,” The she-cat quivered. “I’m so, so scared. W-what if.. what if you die tomorrow? I don’t know what I’d do around here without you.. and, w-what if I die, Longtail? What happens to me? Would StarClan accept me?..”

   He paused, “Of course they would,” He scooted a bit closer to the she-cat, resting his paw atop of hers. “You're a warrior of ThunderClan no matter where you came from. Look at Firestar, he was once a kittypet, now he’s been accepted as a leader by StarClan. And if I die.. I’d be waiting for you in StarClan.”

   “Y-you would?” Blizzardspots sniffled, brushing her falling tears away with a paw.

   “I would,” A soft smile crossed his face.

   “Thank you, Longtail.” Blizzardspots gave a gentle smile, curling back up in her nest. He did the same, falling into a deep sleep.

   “ThunderClan,” Firestar's voice echoed through the camp. “Today is the day we take on BloodClan. RiverClan and ShadowClan have agreed to fight alongside us, as well as WindClan. No matter what happens today, we will forever be cats protected by StarClan. We fight as one, and we fight with the power of StarClan beside us.” He gazed down at his clanmates with determination in his green eyes.

   Longtail knew all that was true. And he would fight for his clan til the very end. A loyalty unwavering.

   Firestar leapt down from the High Rock, padding out of the camp with his clan behind him. Darkears and Mousefur padded on his sides, as well as Blizzardspots and Runningwind. The group rushed after the rest of the clan.

   Longtail narrowed his eyes as fourtrees came into view, the other clans, along with BloodClan settled inside. The clan cats and BloodClan cats alike bared their teeth and showed their claws, ready to fight for their home.

   “Last chance to back out,” Scourge growled.

   “Never,” Firestar growled back, launching himself at the small tom. The rest of LionClan followed after his lead, taking on one or two BloodClan cats at a time.

   Longtail hurled himself at a brown tabby she-cat, her pelt already torn up with scars. He barreled her over, digging his claws into her sides. Though, she wasn’t helpless, kicking him off with her hind legs, dragging those claws down his stomach.

   He slashed his claws at the she-cats muzzle, blood dripping down her muzzle. She flattened her ears, scampering out of the hollow. He turned his attention on a black and white tom, looking similar to that of the deputy, Bone. Longtail almost jumped at him, but saw that Bone had Firestar pinned to the ground. His eyes narrowed once more, leaping at the BloodClan deputy and knocking him off the ThunderClan leader.

   “Thank you,” Firestar murmured, out of breath from fighting. All Longtail gave was a simple nod, engaging back in battle with another BloodClan tom.

   “Firestar!” Graystripe yowled, rushing toward his mate. Soon enough Sandstorm joined him, her ears flattened tight to her skull.

   Longtail rose to his paws, gazing at the ThunderClan leader. He’s a leader, Longtail thought, though his ears flattened. But.. last time Scourge killed someone.. He thought back to Tigerstar, who had lost all nine lives at once from the BloodClan leader.

   But he was soon proven wrong, Firestar rising to his paws.

   “What..? But, how—I-I killed you!” Scourge stumbled backwards, “You should be dead!”

   “I am a leader blessed by StarClan,” Firestar hissed, eyes narrowed to slits. “And therefore I am given nine lives. That is where you are weak,” He growled. “But I understand where you're coming from, Scourge.”

   “What?” Graystripe hissed, “He tried to take the forest, Firestar!”

   “I understand that,” Firestar glanced around at the BloodClan cats in the hollow. “But they are cats, just like us. And Scourge is their leader. He was only looking out for their well-being, much like us with our cats,” He flicked his tail. “I'd like to offer you a place in ThunderClan, for your cats, if you'd take it.”

   “.. I—“ Scourge stammered, staring at his paws, “That would nice, Firestar.” He whispered, looking back up at the ThunderClan leader.

   “I’m not joining some mouse-hearted clan,” A black and white spotted tom growled, earning a nod from another tom that looked similar. “I'll take over BloodClan to replace our mouse-hearted leader.” He hissed, earning approval from plenty of other cats. The cats who wanted to leave followed these two cats, padding back to twoleg place.

   “I'll come,” The black and white tom they'd come to know as Bone padded up behind Scourge, nuzzling the tom.

   “Me as well,” A black tabby tom padded up behind them. “I’m Midnight, by the way.” He flicked his tail in greeting.

   “Than come along,” Firestar dipped his head. “We have warrior ceremonies to conduct. And.. I must name a new deputy,” He took a deep breath. “Come.”

   They all trotted back to camp, the three new cats settling beneath the High Rock.

   “These cats are joining our clan not as outsiders, or enemies, but as new friends and clanmates.” He smiled down at the three tom's, “From now on, Scourge you will be known as Tinyfrost.” He mewed, “And Bone as Bonespot. Midnight will be known as Blacksight. We welcome them as warriors of ThunderClan.”

   “Tinyfrost! Bonespot! Blacksight!”

   “And one more thing,” Firestar continued, silencing the crowd. “Whitestorm has passed to StarClan.” He mewed solemnly, hanging his head. “So I must name a new deputy. And I could think of no better cat, one of my strongest and most trusted warriors.”

   Graystripe, probably. They’ve been best friends since they were apprentices, Longtail thought with a flick of his tail.

   “Longtail,” Firestar called his name, beckoning him forward. His green eyes stretched wide, padding forward into the clearing. “We have had our ups and downs. When I first joined the clan you had opposed so, though, you have learned to trust me as a warrior and a leader. And I have learned to trust you, as well.” He smiled, “Under the eyes of StarClan, do you accept this position as deputy, and protect and defend your clan with your life?”

   “I would be honored to, Firestar.”

   “Than under the watchful eyes of StarClan I name Longtail as the new deputy of ThunderClan.” Firestar meowed.

   Longtail was settled into his next, a gentle breeze filtering in through his thinner fur. He was sound asleep, comfortable and quiet. Though, his ears twitched at a rustle at the entrance.

   He rasied his head to see a fluffy brown tail wading out of the den. His green eyes narrowed, his eyesight much fuzzier than it was when he would usually wake up—but he could see enough. He blinked a few times, clearing it so he could see better.

   Longtail slowly got to his paws, padding out of the den with gentle paws. Though as he slipped out, so did this other cat. He lent over, picking up the scent trail of ThunderClan warrior Brambleclaw.

   He swiftly trotted out of the camp, Brambleclaw’s scent fading a bit, but strong enough where he could follow it. And soon enough, he realized where it was leading.

   “Tawnyfang!” Brambleclaw mewed, nuzzling his sister. Sure, the warrior had a harsh temper with an apprentice, but he was a well shaped warrior and loved his family. And, he was much better than his father, Longtail could give him that. “So, do you think the others will come?”

   “I’m not sure.” Tawnyfang flicked her tail, “Lets hope they do, though.”

   “.. Brambleclaw! Tawnyfang!” A sweet, soft voice filled his ears. “It’s good to see you! I’m happy It’s cats we know.” Feathertail flicked her bushy tail, her brother, Stormfur, padding in behind her.

   “Was he chosen, too? They said one cat per clan.” Brambleclaw mewed, flattening his ears. Chosen? Chosen for what? Longtail thought with narrowed eyes. And whose gathering them here? StarClan..?

   “No, he wasn’t. But he insisted on coming when I told him about my dream,” Feathertail smiled. “He didn’t want me meeting with random cats. But its only you two!”

   “And me,” A raspy voice came from behind them, a small black cat with large ears and river blue eyes. “Crowpaw. WindClan.”

   Thats Deadfoot’s kit, Longtail thought.

   “Than thats all of us?” Tawnyfang prompted.

   “Nope!” A more high-pitched voice came from behind Brambleclaw, a small red and white she-cat appearing out of the bushes. “Squirrelpaw!”

   Squirrelpaw! Longtail let out a hiss. Sneaking out of camp! What was she thinking?! He leapt out of the bushes, hissing at the small she-cat.

   “L-longtail!” Squirrelpaw recoiled, flattening her ears tight to her skull. “What.. what are you..”

   “I saw a warrior sneaking out of camp in the middle of the night,” He shot daggers at Brambleclaw, who recoiled as well, “I didn’t think one of my warriors would do this, without talking his leader. But my apprentice?” Longtail growled, “You’re all going to explain this. Now.”

   “You’re not my deputy, or leader,” Crowpaw growled. “I dont have to listen to you.”

   “I’m a deputy nonetheless,” Longtail hissed, glaring at the young apprentice. “And I happen to know your father quite well, Crowpaw. He wouldn’t be so happy if he heard about any of this.”

   “Give him a little respect, Crowpaw.” Tawnyfang mewed, gazing at Longtail. “It’s nice to see you healed and still the same cat I knew while in ThunderClan.”

   “.. Same to you, Tawnyfang. And a warrior, too.” Longtail mewed, curling his long tail around his paws. “So, explain.”

   “We’ve.. each been getting these dreams, well, beside Stormfur.” The gray striped tom flicked his tail with a nervous smile. Brambleclaw mewed, “From StarClan. Telling us we had to meet here on the full moon, at midnight. That there would be others, and we’d be told what we have to do, or why we were getting these dreams in the first place.”

   “You should have spoken to Firestar, or me, at the least.” Longtail sighed, “I have to tell him, you understand that.”

   “I know,” Brambleclaw murmured. “But.. I thought that you wouldn’t understand it. That he wouldn’t let us go.”

   “Of course he would understand!” Longtail hissed, “Firestar had dreams of StarClan when he was a warrior. And now he’s a leader guided by StarClan themselves. There’s no one who would understand more.”

   “.. I-I suppose that’s right,” Brambleclaw mumbled, flattening his ears.

   “Let’s go,” Longtail took a sharp breath, “And this isn’t the end of this for you, Squirrelpaw. You weren’t even chosen.. for whatever this is. I suggest the rest of you go back to your camps and talk to your leaders.” He narrowed his eyes, turning back toward camp with his clanmates in toe.

   “.. Longtail?” Squirrelpaw mewed softly, her ears flattened, her tail tucked between her legs. “I-I’m sorry. I thought.. well, I-I don’t know what I thought. But—I’m sorry.”

   Longtail sighed. “Maybe you had good intentions. Maybe you weren’t thinking.” He replied, glancing at her. “Either way, you shouldn’t have snuck out of camp. It’s dangerous out there at night for a barley trained apprentice, okay? I'll have to tell Firestar, and you'll receive punishment.”

   “.. I.. understand.” She murmured, making a beeline for the apprentice den as they entered camp.

   “.. What about me?” Brambleclaw murmured.

   “I have to talk to Firestar about that.” Longtail replied, “I saw your intention, Brambleclaw. You were only following the will of StarClan; but there are people here who can help and rationalize these situations. Get some rest and we'll talk in the morning.”

   Brambleclaw dipped his head, padding over to the warriors den. He slipped inside, beyond the bushes, a few warriors hissing and grumbling as he did so. 

   “Longtail?” A gruff, sleepy voice came from the entrance. He turned around, claws unsheathed, only to see Darkears standing there. “Relax. It’s me. What are you doing up?”

   “I could say the same for you,” He replied, settling down in the soft sand beneath his paws.

   “I went to the dirt place.” Darkears padded farther into camp. “And what about you, what’s your excuse?”

   I can’t say anything til I talk to Firestar, Longtail thought, “I couldn’t sleep. I went for a stroll is all.”

   “And why’s that?” Darkears raised an eyebrow.

   “I don’t know,” Longtail mumbled. It wasn’t exactly a lie; the reason he'd woken up in the first place was because he was sleeping rather light. He was having trouble getting good sleep, ever since the rabbit attack and loosing his eyesight. Not being able to see as well put him.. on edge, half the time. “Ever since loosing my good eyesight I’ve been on edge.”

   “You have no need to be, Longtail.” Darkears flicked his ear with his tail, “You have a clan behind you that would protect you if you came into trouble. If your eyesight was holding you back.” Darkears mewed softly, “But I think you're still that strong apprentice I trained all those moons ago.”

   “I’m.. I-I’m not so sure,” Longtail flattened his ears. “I feel like I’m less of a warrior because of my eyesight. I don’t want others to have to protect me, I’m their deputy, I should protect them.”

   “Don’t think like that.” Darkears gently lifted the tom's chin with his paw. “You're no less of a warrior. You're no less of a deputy, Longtail. Just because you need protecting sometimes doesn’t make you weak.” He smiled softly, “Now get some sleep, mouse-brain.” He gently nudged his shoulder, padding into the warriors den. Longtail let out a scoff, following the dark tabby tom into the den.

   He watched as Darkears curled up beside Blacksight, the two toms snuggled up and comfortable in a nest. Darkears had reintegrated into the clan; he'd healed from Tigerclaw, he'd made his amends. He'd gotten a new mate, a happy, loving life once more. He was happy for him; he was apart of the clan again. And so was Longtail, deputy, a mate—expecting kits—it seemed like everything was so perfect.

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