The next morning, Blazefire, now known as Blazestar, and Sparkstorm came back from their journey to high stones. Blazestar looked like a completely different cat, with a new aura of confidence added on to his already big ego. The Clan whispered amongst themselves, gazing upon the new leader. Badgerstep was the first to greet him "Welcome back Blazestar!" Blazestar gave him a small smile and nodded before brushing past him and walking towards the highledge, leaping up onto it. He's not wasting any time. Sparrowflight glanced around for Tigerlily, but when he saw her sit with Badgerstep he turned his back on her, shaking his head. He decided to sit next to Batfeather, who had a fixed gaze on Blazestar "What's wrong?" Sparrowflight whispered. Batfeather shook her head "Blazestar's arrogant and egotistical. I never really liked him." Sparrowflight frowned "Give him a chance. Maybe he'll change." Batfeather snorted "And hedgehogs fly."
     "All cats old enough to run the moor gather for a Clan meeting!" Most cats were already gathered, but the ones who weren't sat down. "I say these words before Starclan so they may hear and approve of my choice. Sparrowflight will be the new deputy of Windclan." Me? Sparrowflight swallowed and looked around, self consciously straightening his posture. He looked around and saw supportive gazes from Batfeather, Tigerlily, Lilystem, and Mudpool. Sparrowflight smiled. Maybe I do deserve this. He then turned to look up at Blazestar confidently "I accept." He meowed clearly. Blazestar nodded "Good." The new leader then lifted his head to address the Clan. "Now that I'm leader there's going to be some changes. Patrols will only have three cats maximum so that we can send out more throughout the day. Sparrowflight, with your new position I expect you to enforce those patrols." Sparrowflight nodded "I will Blazestar." Blazestar then returned his gaze to the Clan "Now does anyone have any questions?" He asked, his gaze sweeping the camp. Sparrowflight turned his head, surprised to see Hareleap step forward. The white and brown tom looked around before looking up at Blazestar. "Blazestar, I think it's no secret that I've gotten a lot older." That comment earned a few chuckles from Clanmates "I'd like to request to join the elders den." Sparrowflight actually wasn't surprised by this request. He looked back at Blazestar, expecting him to accept this request, but to his surprise, the leader shook his head. "No." The Clan weren't silent and Hareleap's eyes widened in shock "What?"
"You heard me." Blazestar growled "If you become an elder you're abandoning your Clanmates. You can still hunt right?" Hareleap, glanced down at his paws "I guess so-" Blazestar slammed his paw down loudly on the rock "You will look at your leader when I'm talking to you! You can hunt. That means you can still be a warrior." His voice softened "You cannot turn your back on your Clanmates like that." Sunpelt stood by her mates side protectively "Blazestar, Hareleap and I have discussed this for moons. You can't just-" Hareleap silenced his mate with a glance "Blazestar is right Sunpelt, I can't abandon my Clanmates." Sparrowflight's eyes widened. Blazestar just guilt tripped him out of the elders den! Batfeather gave Sparrowflight a rough nudge on the shoulder "You're deputy, say something!" She hissed. Sparrowflight turned to her "I can't go against him on my first day!" He hissed back "Why not?" Batfeather replied "The meeting is dismissed!" Blazestar yowled, leaping off the highledge and walking into his den. "Well, you missed your chance." Batfeather muttered, walking away.
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Sparrowflight waited at the border for Blissnose. She was late, but Sparrowflight wasn't upset because it gave him time to think. What am I doing here? I'm deputy now, I can't be out here..... but I love her........don't I? Sparrowflight shook his head. I do love her. Blissnose emerged from the bushes with a smile and she nuzzled Sparrowflight affectionately. Sparrowflight hesitated before nuzzling back. Blissnose then stepped back, still smiling. "I have news, Sparrowflight." Sparrowflight tilted his head "I'm expecting kits." Sparrowflight's eyes widened. Kits? But we're in different Clans. "That's, er, great." Sparrowflight replied. "I know it's gonna be difficult, but I think we can get through it." Blissnose meowed, leaning forward to nuzzle him again, but Sparrowflight took a step back. Blissnose tilted her head, surprised. "What's wrong?" She asked him. Sparrowflight glanced away "I, uh, I got chosen as deputy today." Blissnose smiled widely "You did? That's wonderful!" She purred, but Sparrowflight raised his tail to silence her "If I'm deputy, then I have to be loyal to my Clan." Blissnose frowned "But what about our kits?" Sparrowflight looked back up at her and saw the hurt in her eyes and he immediately felt guilty. He pulled her close to him, letting her put her head on his chest. "We can split them up." Sparrowflight suggested softly. "I take some and you take some." Blissnose glanced up at him "And what then?" She asked quietly. "W-Well after that I...I don't think we should see each other anymore." Blissnose's eyes widened. "But why?" Sparrowflight glanced away "I'm deputy now." Blissnose's sadness was suddenly replaced with anger and she batted at his chest hard, sending him stumbling back. "After all we've been through you're just gonna leave like that?" Sparrowflight flattened his ears "P-please don't be angry." He pleaded "It's not that I don't love you." Blissnose glared at him "If you loved me you'd stay!" She hissed "My kits are due in a quarter moon. I'll see you then." Sparrowflight frowned. They couldn't end on such bad terms, could they?
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Sparrowflight had spent the next morning sending out patrols, and he realized how much work being deputy was. He purposely didn't put himself on any patrols in the morning due to how tired he was from seeing Blissnose the night before. He also made sure to limit Hareleap's patrols, so the old cat could rest. "Aren't you ever gonna go on a patrol?" Sparrowflight turned to see Tigerlily, with a teasing smile. Sparrowflight smiled back "I was actually going right now." He lied "And you're coming with me." Tigerlily playfully rolled her eyes. "Starclan help me, I have to patrol with the bossy deputy." Sparrowflight nudged her shoulder "Who are you calling bossy?"
Once they made it out into the territory, Tigerlily glanced at Sparrowflight. "I just went to see Sparkstorm." She told him. Sparrowflight turned his head to look at her "Are you alright?" He asked, concerned. Tigerlily smiled "I'm better than alright. Badgerstep and I are expecting kits." Sparrowflight's eyes widened. "Really? That's, uh, that's great Tigerlily." Tigerlily frowned "I know you don't like him, but I thought you'd at least be happy for me." Sparrowflight flattened his ears "I am happy for you. You'll be a great mother. I just..." He trailed off "You wish they were with someone else." Tigerlily answered for him. That's one way of putting it, Sparrowflight thought to himself. He forced himself to smile "I'm very happy for you Tigerlily. They'll be wonderful kits." Tigerlily smiled "You're a great friend Sparrowflight." She purred, brushing up against him. Sparrowflight frowned sometimes I wish it was more than that....

Comment your thoughts below! Also who do you guys ship more Sparrowflight x Blissnose or Sparrowflight x Tigerlily?