{Buckheart's future} Chapter two is up

Chapters 1-5


Chapter 1-

"Stop your pointless blaming" A large white Tom with amber eyes stood between Mistylight and Buckheart. His head risen high and looking down on the blubbering she-cat. "He was guilty of killing many of your clanmates and my son. The cat that was supposed to be your mate. This isn't his fault. It's your fault for playing so many cats against each other with Sunstar." Mistylight stared in shock at the rouge and shut her muzzle. Buckheart blinked at him and stepped up next to him.

"I need to talk to you. Mind meeting me in the leader's den?" The brown and cream tom asked quietly. White nodded in agreement and left the crowd with a flick of his tail. Buckheart hurried behind him until they both squeezed into the den. "White, this clan needs change."

White flicked his ear, his eyes shining with curiosity and surprise. "I agree. Was that all you wanted to talk about?"

"No. White, how long are you and your friends staying here?"

"I'd say about however long you all need until your clan is doing alright." The tom yawned and shook his fur as he stretched.

"About that, this clan needs a leader White. They need you. You and your rouges were amazing in the battle. You were so in control. I think the clan would be happy to have you as our leader." Buckheart meowed. "It might take awhile to get use to a rouge being leader but-" White cut off Buckheart's sentence by slapping his tail over his mouth.

"No way. I'm not taking control of the clan."

"But why? You and the other rouges seem to get along just fine with us. Surely the others wouldn't complain." Buckheart raised his voice.

"It's not about that" White growled. "I'm not meant for clan life. I need to be able to roam wherever I want and I can't do that if I'm a clan leader. I go where the wind blows. I am only drifting through here." White sighed and looked back at the other tom. "They need you to lead. You'll do fine." He brushed pelts as he slid outside. "I'll be here until the clan is well again and after my son is buried."

Buckheart sighed and left the den after the older tom and headed towards the center of camp. Onepath limped up to him and raised his unkempt muzzle up to look at him. "Are you almost ready to get your nine lives?"

"Me?"

"Well of course you." Onepath snorted. "Ashblossom said she's staying in the nursery until Mistylight's kits are six moons and told me she doesn't want to be a leader. The clan agrees it should be you. Besides, you were deputy before Sunstar lost his mind. Now come on." The old tom hopped closer to his den. "I already have the herbs prepared for our trip."

"Are you sure you're okay to make the trip?" Buckheart asked concerned.

Onepath snorted again. "I made the trip okay with Sunstar just fine and that was only about five moons ago."

Buckheart sighed deeply and his shoulders sank a little. "It feels a lot longer than five moons."



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Chapter 2-

"Don't worry, it'll be fine. Every leader goes through this." Onepath mewed, attempting to soothe Buckheart's anxiety.

"Thanks. I'm sure I'll be fine." The cream and brown tom held his breath as the moonlight shimmered down inside the tight, small cave. He took a few paw steps forward and touched noses with the stone. The cold made his body ache and shiver. He settled down and closed his eyes.

"Look how far you've come. I was so sure I was going to be leader before you. Guess you won the bet" The skinny, brown tom greeted him with a cheeky grin.

"Ratpelt!" Buckheart raced towards him and tackled him. "You flea bag. You weren't supposed to die so soon!" The two toms laughed, taking turns pawing at each other's faces and nipping at ears until Ratpelt stood up.

"Sorry we can't visit long. But you have a clan to get back to and I have a bunch of inpatient cats waiting for me to finish." The long muzzled tom touched his nose to Buckheart's shoulder. "For your first life, I give you pride. Be proud of the clan you're leading and of your kin. Even if some of that kin doesn't have clan blood."

"Thank you Ratpelt."

The tom padded away and a small cream she-cat came up.

"Buckheart, it's been so long and I'm so happy to see you so grown up. I wish your father could be here to see you." She mewed. "But I'm not here to talk about family. I'm here to give you a new life. Buckheart, I give you courage. Use it to create the life you want for yourself without fear." A new feeling of bravery entered the toms body. "Farewell."

"Buckheart." A little high pitched voice startled him. A tiny brown tom with a mix of cream fur met his eyes. "I wanted to show you that I'm happy here and there's no need to worry about me."

"My son. I'm so sorry I let Sunstar-" Buckheart looked down at his paws in shame. The kit shook his head and touched him.

"My gift to you is forgiveness. Forgive those who hurt you and accept the past. It's the only way to be happy." The feeling of fresh air wrapped around him and relief set in.

"I'll miss you." His throat tightened as he stared at the son Sunstar had killed. "I should have stopped him." The kit shook his head.

"I belong here now and I'll wait for you, Ashblossom, and my siblings. But that'll be a long time." He purred and vanished.

"Ghostsight? Sunstar?" Buckheart's eyes widened.

"Hello Buckheart." Ghostsight grinned. His amber eyes lighter and full of life even more so than when he was alive. "Don't worry. He's changed. Even Ratpelt has moved forward."

"Yeah, after attacking me." Sunstar pouted. He looked over at a stern looking Ghostsight. "Yeah, yeah I know. I deserved it."

"Anyways, it's good to see you Buckheart. Congratulations on becoming leader." The white Tom touched his nose to Buckheart's chest. A mix of sorrow and anger crashed over him like a wave. "This is the gift of understanding. Use it to help your clanmates in difficult situations."

"And this is communication. What you don't know can kill you and others around you. Use this to be sure you understand why someone acts a certain way before being rash." The black and gold tom mewed. "I'm sorry for what has happened to you. I hope you can forgive me within time."

Ghostsight nodded at his old mentor before wrapping his tail around Sunstar's and padding away into the stars.

Chapters 12-17

Chapters 24-29

Fan stuff-

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Yah! New story! I'm really looking forward to this, because your sequels always get me attached to character I either don't care for or don't know much about.

Same!

Hum, I wonder if I should write another one-shot off this series. I've got a good excuse now.

I'll just finish up a couple of comic pages and I'll start one.

Bump

Buckheart by me :3

*whistles* That picture is lovely!!

That looks so good. O.O I love your style. The colors work surprisingly well together.