"I say these words before StarClan, so they may hear and approve of my choice," Harestar meowed solemnly. "Sweetberry will be the new deputy of WindClan." Sweetberry could barely suppress her yowl of shock. Deputy! She had never expected THIS! This was supposed to be Suncreek's destiny! Sweetberry turned and faced her sister. She didn't know what she had expected- pride, joy, shock- but her sister's face showed nothing but fury. Her ice-blue eyes were blazing, her tail was lashing, and her claws flexed, gouging the earth. "Sweetberry! Sweetberry!" yowled WindClan. But Suncreek remained silent. Sweetberry turned to Harestar, who appeared unfazed by his warrior's reaction to her sister being made deputy. Perhaps he had expected it. After all, he was the only cat who had known that strong, ambitious, and brave Suncreek wouldn't be deputy after all. Instead, he had chosen hard-working, true, and loyal Sweetberry. Suncreek stormed to her side. "Suncreek I-" began Sweetberry. Her sister whirled to face her. "This was my destiny! I am supposed to be leader! Not you!" she spat. "He just chose you because you're a moor-runner." Sweetberry opened her mouth to protest, then closed it. Of course. Harestar chose her over Suncreek because Suncreek was a tunneler. "Suncreek, I didn't want to be deputy. Harestar chose me," retorted Sweetberry. "So go talk to him about it." Suncreek snorted. "I'll never forget this," she growled. "I've waited for moons, Sweetberry! But you stole it from me. I'll never forget!" Without another word, she raced away. Sweetberry felt a stab of sorrow. I didn't ask for this! As she watched Suncreek's creamy golden tail disappearing into the warrior's den, determination shot through her. I will make you proud of me, she thought. Whatever it takes.
For -shadowsky-'s CC.
