Warriors: Shadows in the Light - Veiled Stars

Chapter Ten

CHAPTER TEN

SHELLPAW | SHADOWCLAN CAMP

"Volepounce is the new deputy," Snakestar's raspy voice echoed around the dead-silent camp.

A pale brown tom padded up, looking uncertain. Finally, cats began cheering. Did Snakestar make the wrong choice?

"Volepounce! Volepounce!"

"I am honored to serve ShadowClan as deputy." Volepounce meowed shakily. Shellpaw highly doubted Volepounce wanted to be deputy.

Snakestar glanced up at the cloudy sky, whiskers twitching as a thoughtful look rested on his face. "I believe the moon will be rising soon. Tawnythorn, I will have a warrior escort you and Seedpaw to the Moonpool. Whoever killed Maplefern may be lurking around."

Tawnythorn nodded, stepping back from Maplefern's body. The late deputy had a sweet scent emitting off of her and her pelt glistened with something gooey-looking.

"It is time we say our goodbyes to Maplefern." Snakestar rasped, jumping down from his perch.

Shellpaw licked his muzzle nervously. Whenever he looked straight at Maplefern's face, he began to remember what he witnessed.

"Seedpaw and I should be heading out by now," the medicine cat began pacing, "we mustn't keep the other medicine cats waiting."

"Pay your respects first." Snakestar pressed.

Shellpaw studied Tawnythorn's expression. Annoyance gleamed in her eyes.

"I already have. Besides, I'll see her in StarClan." Tawnythorn's claws slowly slid out, grazing the dirt.

Snakestar's gaze shone with disapproval at her revoking his orders, but dismissed her with a flick of his tail. "Go ahead and commune with StarClan." He meowed, his polite laced with spite.

Tawnythorn's tense shoulders relaxed a little and she ushered Seedpaw out. The medicine cat paused at the exit.

"Which warrior is accompanying us?" Tawnythorn asked without looking at Snakestar.

Snakestar twitched his whiskers, unwilling to look at Tawnythorn. "Sunnycloud, you will accompany the medicine cats."

Sunnycloud stepped out from the crowd, looking surprised and upset. "But Maplefern is my mother."

Snakestar scowled. "I don't care. Go with them, now."

Sunnycloud looked like she was on the verge of tears. With her tail tucked between her legs, she led the medicine cats out of the camp.

Snakestar's losing his mind. Shellpaw felt awful for Sunnycloud. Not only did her mother die, but Snakestar snapped at her to escort the medicine cats in the pines where her mother had just died.

Littlewish's tail was taut and face stony. She faced Shellpaw, face creasing into one of concern. "Snakestar isn't well. I can tell and I... I don't think he should be leader any longer."

Shellpaw was about to reply when a warrior beat him to it. "I agree, Littlewish." It was Coaltooth, directly behind Shellpaw. Shellpaw realized Littlewish had been talking to Coaltooth, not him.

"Do you think we should vote for him to retire? We only need the majority of the Clan, and I believe every cat just wishes for Snakestar to live a peaceful life in the elders den." Littlewish fretted, tail swishing.

"Yes, but what about Volepounce?" Coaltooth replied. When he said Volepounce, he said it as though Volepounce was no better than crow-food.

"What do you mean?" Littlewish furrowed her brow. "Volepounce isn't going crazy."

"True, but he has no self-confidence." Coaltooth shot a withering look in Volepounce's direction.

Littlewish snorted, catching on. "You want to be deputy, don't you?"

"I deserve to be deputy." Coaltooth bared his teeth. "Not that excuse for a cat."

Shellpaw flinched at how Coaltooth belittled Volepounce like that, his new deputy, but Littlewish looked completely fine with his insult.

"We can vote for him, too. Don't worry, you'll get your-" Littlewish seemed to just realize her apprentice was in between the two warriors. "Shellpaw!" she scolded, furious. "Why are you eavesdropping?"

"I-I didn't mean to-" Shellpaw's ears burned as he scrambled backward.

When Shellpaw was out of earshot, Littlewish turned back to Coaltooth, dipping her head in apology. He swore as he read Littlewish's lips she said that he was a mouse-brained apprentice.

I'm... mouse-brained? Shellpaw stumbled away, feeling numb. Today was just declining as the day went on. Shellpaw looked up, hearing thunder rumble in the distance.

A few minutes passed where he just stood there, studying the cloudy sky. He was spooked out of his skygazing when Littlewish appeared at his side, touching his side with her tail-tip.

"I want your forgiveness, Shellpaw. I didn't mean to make you feel horrible." Littlewish murmured, giving her chest a lick.

Shellpaw didn't respond. He was angry at her, so he decided to give his mentor the cold shoulder.

"I understand." Littlewish withdrew.

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-artemis