The patrol made their way back to the Windclan camp. Everyone was either missing clumps of fur or bleeding with scratches and gashes, other than Blazefire, who had somehow only managed to take a couple small scratches and bites. Sparrowflight carried the body of Gingerpaw, who was killed on the thunderpath after running from the rogues. Gingerpaw was lucky enough to have her body carried back. They couldn't say the same for Antfoot and Thorntail, who still laid dead on the battlefield.
      Once the group padded back into camp, the Clan stared in shock as an eerie silence filled the air. Sparrowflight didn't take the time to notice their shocked expressions. Sparrowflight gently laid down Gingerpaw's body. Tigerpaw stared in shock "G-Gingerpaw?" She asked quietly. She nosed her sister's flank "Gingerpaw you have to get up. Sparrowflight tell her to wake up!" She said, tears streaming down her face. Sparrowflight shook his head "She's dead Tigerpaw." He whispered. Tigerpaw shook her head "N-no...she can't be dead. She can't be." She sniffed before breaking into sobbing, burying her face in her sister's fur. Icesplash had padded out of the nursery and sat back, watching her daughter cry into the fur of her other daughter, who was dead. Sparrowflight sat next to Icesplash in an attempt to comfort her. She sniffed "N-not Gingerpaw. She was so strong and so brave." She then, also began to sob. Sparrowflight awkwardly placed his tail on her back to try and calm her down. Once Icesplash's cries began to die down, she straightened her posture. She turned her head to look at Sparrowflight "Where is Antfoot?" She asked "He should be here. Is he out hunting? He's such a caring tom. Out hunting after a hard battle." Sparrowflight frowned and looked down at his paws "Antfoot isn't out hunting." He murmured softly. Icesplash tilted her head, confused. "He was killed, after saving Gingerpaw. Thorntail was killed too." Icesplash's eyes widened "What? A-Antfoot is d-dead?" She repeated, as she began to cry again "Oh Antfoot. What will I do without you?" She asked, looking up into the sky before sobbing again. Sparrowflight shook his head. Antfoot was like a second mentor to Sparrowflight. He was everything he wanted to be. Kind and caring, yet brave and fierce when he needed to be. Strong, and respected by every cat, surrounded by a family who loved him. Antfoot's death would surely shake the Clan. Thorntail was also a strong warrior. Sparrowflight looked across camp to see the sick Sunpelt, having the news broken to her by Hawkstar, beginning to mourn the loss of Thorntail, who was her litter mate. Then the thought hit him. Antfoot was deputy! Who would Hawkstar choose? He would have the rest of the day to make up his mind, as it was still a ways away from moon high. Sparrowflight then remembered his conversation with Batfeather. Could he be chosen as deputy? Sparrowflight pondered the thought. He did have an apprentice, and he was a good warrior. But was he too young? Sparrowflight shook his head and looked around at the other possible prospects for the position. There was Hareleap, who was an experienced warrior, but his muzzle was noticeably graying as he was only a couple moons away from the elders den. There was Badgerstep. He was a good warrior, but Sparrowflight didn't know if he had been a mentor before. There was Mudpool. She would be a good choice, thought Sparrowflight. She had mentored Batfeather, and was experienced, yet still had many good moons ahead of her. Sparrowflight's eyes finally rested on Blazefire. He was an excellent fighter, no doubt, but he did seem a bit eager for battle. However, he did help Hawkstar and Antfoot plan for the battle with the rogues. Sparrowflight shook his head. There were many possible choices. He then turned his attention to Hawkstar, who was walking towards him. "I want you to get checked out by Sparkstorm, then you can bring Blazefire, Lilystem, and Tigerpaw to go hunting. We need prey to get our strength back after this terrible battle." Sparrowflight nodded, and then the thought hit him. I'm leading a patrol! Does this mean I could be chosen as deputy?
     This thought made Sparrowflight feel a bit better as he walked to the medicine den. When he got there, he saw Sunpelt who was still sick, unlike her daughter Lilystem, who had recently recovered. Badgerstep was there, with a large gash on his stomach. Sparkstorm had just noticed Sparrowflight and she huffed tiredly "Great, another cat to treat. What is it?" She asked Sparrowflight. "The worst is a wound on the back of my neck. The rest I can manage." He told her. Sparkstorm nodded and went to the back of her stores, coming back with herbs and cobwebs.
Once Sparrowflight was all patched up, he gathered his cats and led them out of camp. Tigerpaw was reluctant to leave Gingerpaw's body, and Sparrowflight couldn't blame her, since he remembered what it was like to lose Dustbreeze. "Come on!" Blazefire had scolded "You've been grieving for ages." Sparrowflight had stood up for the young she cat. "Let her be!" He had snapped. "She just lost her sister, who happened to be my apprentice! Show some respect!" Blazefire had looked taken aback by his outburst. "Sorry... I just wanted to get going."
Now, Blazefire walked beside Sparrowflight, which he didn't protest, despite it being his patrol to lead. Lilystem and Tigerpaw, who had become close friends, were chattering like blackbirds. "Who do you think the new deputy will be?" Tigerpaw asked. Lilystem thought for a moment. "I think it should be Hareleap." Tigerpaw flattened her ears and giggled "You're just saying that because Hareleap's your father."
"Am not!"
"Are too!"
"Well, if you're so smart, who do you think the deputy should be?"
Blazefire had interrupted them with a growl "Can you two quiet down! You'll scare away all the prey."
Tigerpaw rolled her eyes and ignored her mentor "I think Sparrowflight should be deputy." She said, smiling at him. Sparrowflight weakly smiled back and flattened his ears. She's probably just saying that because I stood up for her earlier.
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The patrol walked back into camp with Sparrowflight and Blazefire each carrying a rabbit and Lilystem carrying a grouse. Tigerpaw hadn't managed to catch anything, and Sparrowflight assumed that it was because she was still grieving. Blazefire had scolded her for it, but Sparrowflight had pulled her aside and whispered, "Pay him no mind, you're doing fine. I know what it's like to feel grief." After that, the apprentice seemed to feel a bit better, but Sparrowflight could tell she was still sad.
      "All cats old enough to run the moor, gather for a Clan meeting!" Sparrowflight sat down after hearing Hawkstar's call. He heard Sparkstorm say something about him losing a life in the battle. Sparrowflight didn't know how many he had left, but he knew it wasn't much. "I say there words before Starclan and hope that they approve of my choice.." Sparrowflight leaned forward in anticipation. Who would he choose? "..the new deputy of Windclan will be.." Sparrowflight looked around restlessly, finding it difficult to deal with the suspense. "Blazefire!" Sparrowflight had to cover his mouth with his tail to prevent himself from gasping with shock. Blazefire? He was a good warrior, sure, but a leader? Sparrowflight shook his head, trying to hide his disappointment. "I have one more thing to announce!" Sparrowflight looked up at Hawkstar in surprise. What would he say? "Since Blazefire will now have to deal with the duties of Clan deputy, I would like Sparrowflight to help him with Tigerpaw's training." Sparrowflight's eyes widened in surprise again, and he noticed Blazefire looking like he wanted to protest. "Hawkstar, I'm sure I can deal with my own apprentice." Hawkstar then silenced his new deputy "Blazefire, I think it would be helpful for the two of you two work together." "But why does Sparrowflight have to help me just because his apprentice died?" "That apprentice has a name!" Sparrowflight's head snapped over to the voice to see that it belonged to Icesplash "Her name is Gingerpaw and she's my daughter! You will call her by her n-" She broke off, choking on grief, and began to cry as Tigerpaw led her towards the nursery. Hawkstar looked shocked "Icesplash, I do not believe Blazefire meant to offend you. Now, tonight we will sit vigil for the cats we lost." The leader then sighed "These are tough times for our Clan."