It was Heartstorm's shift. He yawned as he padded towards the camp entrance to relieve Deerflame from her duty. As he emerged from the entrance, he was surprised to see Deerflame pacing around looking attentive. She beamed when she spotted him. 

             "Didn't fall asleep?" yawned Heartstorm. 

              "Of course not!" exclaimed Deerflame in horror. "I'm on duty!" 

              "Reedpelt and Frogleap aren't back yet..," sighed Heartstorm, glancing around. The air was cold and everything eerily silent. 

               "Hope they found an alternative to going near ShadowClan," said Deerflame worriedly. 

               "Bet they did. It's Reedpelt," Heartstorm said. "And they can't hurt a medicine cat." Deerflame raised her eyebrows. 

               "It's ShadowClan, you never know," she said. 

               "Well, you should go get some rest," Heartstorm told Deerflame. 

              "It's alright, I'll keep you company for a while," Deerflame assured. 

                "Thanks," smiled Heartstorm. They listened to the quiet air around them and Heartstorm fluffed up his fur, shivering slightly in the cold. 

                 "How are Brightkit and Bumblekit doing?" asked Deerflame. 

                 "Great," Heartstorm said. 

                  "I'm really sorry about Sagekit," sighed Deerflame. 

                  "Yeah, me too," whispered Heartstorm. "But he's in StarClan." 

                   "Yeah, he's with Brightheart," Deerflame nodded. 

                   "Do you hear that?" Heartstorm said suddenly. He pricked his ears. He had definitely heard something disturb the silence. They heard the crunch of cats padding. 

                   "Yeah, I definitely hear that. Not trying to be quiet, are they?" Deerflame said. 

                    "Nope," Heartstorm chuckled. Reedpelt and Frogleap appeared from the bushes. 

                    "Reedpelt!" exclaimed Deerflame, rushing to her father. He nuzzled her happily. Frogleap didn't look impressed. 

                    "It's Reedstar now," he said flatly. Deerflame's eyes widened. 

                     "Woah! Dad," she exclaimed happily. Reedstar smiled, giving her an affectionate lick on the forehead. 

                    "Gotta tell your mum," he said. 

                     "No, you gotta tell the Clan first," Frogleap replied. Reedstar padded to Heartstorm and winked. 

                   "Didn't set the camp on fire," he teased. "Good work." Heartstorm beamed. 

                    "Congratulations, Reedstar," Heartstorm said, dipping his head in respect. Reedstar smiled and slipped into camp after Frogleap. Seeing Deerflame's look, Heartstorm nodded at her to follow them. 

                     "Go on, it's a special day for you," he said. Deerflame smiled, flicking her tail at him. 

                     "Thanks," she said, trotting into camp after her father. Heartstorm watched the night sky, hearing a commotion in camp. He wanted to go back in and join the others asking Reedpelt questions but he stayed put. The night was quiet and calm. Heartstorm doubted ShadowClan would attack but they needed to be careful. Heartstorm felt himself getting tired and the excited talking in camp became distant. He sat down, not as alert as before and waited. His eyes drooped. A cat slipped beside him. He jumped up. 

                 "Hey," said Stripedfur. "It's just me." Heartstorm heaved a sigh of relief. 

                 "Oh hey, is my shift already over?" he said, trying to cover a yawn. Stripedfur chuckled. 

                 "Go get some rest," she urged. Heartstorm smiled gratefully and slipped back into camp. The commotion about Reedstar had subsided and cats returned to their nests. Heartstorm slumped into his nest, glad for the rest. It felt like a minute after his head had hit the soft nest, he was being nudged to wake up once more. 

                 "Heartstorm," came Deerflame's hurried voice. "Wake up! It's important." Somebody nipped Heartstorm's ear. He groaned. 

                 "Come on," Eelfrost urged. "You lazy old cat." Eelfrost nudged him quite hard in the stomach and Heartstorm groaned and struggled up. 

                 "What was that for?" he asked annoyed. 

                 "Come on, it's a Clan meeting," Deerflame said and she padded out. Eelfrost waited for Heartstorm, shoving him playfully to walk faster. 

                  "I'm tired alright?" Heartstorm muttered. 

                  "Not my fault. You made the shifts," grinned Eelfrost. They sat behind the whole crowd of cats, gathered around the High Rock. Reedstar stood on top, surveying RiverClan. He smiled when he spotted Eelfrost and Heartstorm joining the rest. 

                  "As all of you know by now, I have received my nine lives," Reedstar announced. "I am now leader of RiverClan and I swear I will lead RiverClan loyally and I will serve RiverClan with all my heart." Reedstar dipped his head. Cats around nodded in approval and there were a few cheers. Heartstorm was just awed. He was glad that RiverClan had a dedicated leader that Thornstar had chosen himself. 

                   "Now, as you know, we do not have a deputy. The deputy I have chosen, with Thornstar's advice, is very brave, loyal and talented and although he might not think he is good enough, Thornstar, Frogleap and I know he will serve RiverClan with all his heart and soul," Reedstar continued. Heartstorm glanced around as cats began murmuring. Whoever had been chosen must be a very good warrior. Blacktail or Moorpelt perhaps. 

                 "Wow, Reedstar must really like this cat," whispered Eelfrost. "Do you think it's Deerflame?" Heartstorm shrugged, it could be. 

                 "I say these words before , so that the spirits of our warrior ancestors may hear and approve of my choice. The new deputy of RiverClan is...," Reedstar declared. "Heartstorm." Heartstorm's ears rang and Eelfrost leapt to his feet beside him. 

                  "Heartstorm!" he exclaimed in amazement and excitement. "Y-y-you're you're the deputy!" Heartstorm's mind whirled. He must have heard wrong. He wasn't the deputy. It couldn't be him. Who would have chosen him? Thornstar would've known better. Cats turned to Heartstorm, edging him on. Heartstorm caught Silverdrop's eye, shaking his head in confusion but she just smiled, her eyes twinkling with love and pride. He looked down and spotted Bumblekit and Brightkit, jumping up and down. 

                 "Go on, Heartstorm," came a gentle voice. Deerflame had padded to their side. "You're the deputy." Heartstorm was dazed as he walked slowly towards the High Rock. Cats around were murmuring. He didn't know if they were approving or not. He caught Blacktail's eye as he walked up. Blacktail gazed at him back with pride. 

                "Go, my apprentice," she mouthed. And Heartstorm knew he could do it. He climbed onto the High Rock and stood tall and strong. Reedstar padded to him. 

                 "Thornstar said you'd be a great deputy. It was his one wish before he retired. That I made you deputy. If he thinks you can do it, then you can. So don't doubt yourself," Reedstar whispered into his ear. Heartstorm wasn't very encouraged though. 

                 "Thank you," he whispered softly. Suddenly, there was a roar and cheering broke out. Heartstorm's ears were filled with cheers and cries of approval. He leapt down from the High Rock as everybody crowded around him. He didn't understand fully how he could have been chosen. He didn't understand why everybody supported him but he knew he would be able to lead and serve RiverClan much better now. That was all he had ever wanted.