I awoke with a start. The secrets that had been shared with me began to sink in. Leafpool watched me with wide eyes. "I'm a-I'm a Twoleg," I mumbled.

Leafpool's pelt was bristling with fear. She began to back away. "Leafpool," I meowed, "it's okay. I won't hurt you. I'm still Stealthheart, of ThunderClan." I paused. "Well, I'm Stealthstar, now, but I'm still the same cat." Well, I'm not a cat, though, a voice said.

We walked out of the cave in silence. Then, after a long pause, she broke it. "Can you speak like them?" she asked.

I hesitated. When I was an apprentice, I had heard a Twoleg calling for their dog (or cat), Buster. But I could feel that I couldn't speak it. "No," I replied. I remembered the series of drops on puddles that I made near my kits as a queen. "but I can sing."

"What's that?" Leafpool meowed.

"Well...um...........here, let me just sing you a song."

I cleared my throat and let out a meow.

This is the end
Hold your breath and count to ten
Feel the earth move and then
Hear my heart burst
Again
For this is the end
I've drowned and dreamt this moment
So overdue I owe them
Swept away I'm stolen
Let the sky fall
When it crumbles
We will stand tall
Face it all
Together
At skyfall

"That's nice," she purred. "Do it again."

I sang her many songs. The one I sang to my kits; Rue's Lullaby, Someone Like You, Set Fire to the Rain, Rolling in the Deep, Shooting Star, Fireflies, To the Sky, and This Isn't the End.

We finally got back to camp. Leafpool stared at me. "Don't mention this to anyone," she warned. "No pressure. Just go up and call upon a new deputy." She her tail swished as it disappeared behind the entrance.

How can I pretend nothing happened? I thought. This isn't a happen-and-then-done situation. I'm a Twoleg! 

I shakily climbed up the ledge. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join here beneath the Highledge for a clan meeting!" I called. The warriors and apprentices excitedly chatted amongst themselves as they left their nest for the meeting.

"The Dark Forest has attacked us," I began, "but they have not won. Our leader has died, but I am sure he still watches over us from the stars." The cats moaned in sadness and respect for their lost leader. "But, new trials also marks new beginnings. I have just returned from the Moonpool, and have received the nine lives of a leader."

"Stealthstar! Stealthstar! Stealthstar! Stealthstar! Stealthstar! Stealthstar!"

"The time has come to appoint a new deputy. I say these words before StarClan, that the spirits of our ancestors may hear and approve my choice." I bit my lip. Mousebrain! I scolded myself. You don't even know who to call!

The words escaped my mouth before I could even think. "Eagleheart will be the new deputy of ThunderClan."

"Eagleheart! Eagleheart! Eagleheart! Eagleheart!"

Eagleheart, with a surprised expression on his face, stepped proudly up to the rock. "Thank you. I will serve this clan with my life if I have to," he promised. The clan burst into cheers as they welcomed their new deputy.

Oh, Eagleheart, I pleaded silently. Please don't promise me that.