Chapter 3

                                    

                                          
Moonshadow followed his brother as Sunglow led them into the woods; he waited for them to get deeper into the forest so the brush would hide what he was about to do. Sunglow tasted the air for prey scent before jumping into the nearest tree, he flicked his tail to motion for Moonshadow to get in the tree next to his before moving towards the blue jay that just landed in a tree ahead. Moonshadow followed his brother's orders and together they crept up on the bird, Sunglow made the leaves rustle against each other and the bird fluttered its wings. While it was distracted Moonshadow jumped into the tree and killed it neatly.
                          
            "Nice catch." Sunglow commented.
                          
            Moonshadow nodded and let the prey drop to the ground, Sunglow turned around to get out of his tree but felt a large weight land on his back. He clawed at the branch but ended up crashing to the ground. Moonshadow heard his brother's body land on the ground with a dull thump, he looked down and saw Sunglow's head was at bad angle, when he climbed down to see if he was successful in killing him. As he got closer he could see that the golden fur on his chest was still, Sunglow was dead. 
                          
            Moonshadow picked up Sunglow by his scruff and carried him back to camp, he left the bird he'd caught under some leaves so that a cat could pick it up later, as he approached camp a Nightwing let out a shriek.
                          
            "What happened to him?" She yowled. 
                          
            Moonshadow waited until he was in camp and had the attention of all the cats. "Sunglow was hunting with me... I caught a bird and we were climbing out of the tree. He slipped and fell before I could catch him." 
                          
            Sharpstar came back into camp with his patrol and pushed through the gossiping cats, he nuzzled his deputy's fur before letting Frecklewish prepare Sunglow's body for burial. Nightwing stayed by her mate's body, she was going to tell him about how she was going to have kits in a few moons, now she wouldn't get the chance. Sharpstar climbed to the top of the rock pile and called for a clan meeting, overhead the moon was starting to rise in the sky. 
                          
            "The time has come to appoint a new deputy. I say these words on behalf of Sunglow's spirit, so that he may approve of my choice." Sharpstar looked down at the cats below. "Moonshadow will be the new deputy of Skyclan." 
                          
            The clan called out Moonshadow's name before breaking up to sleep, grieve, or mourn the death of their old deputy. Sharpstar sat by Sunglow's body and Frecklewish joined him.
                          
            "Are you sure Moonshadow is the right choice?" She whispered.
                          
            "Yes, Moonshadow is a loyal warrior and always has been. Besides I need a cat like him, strong and young, to take over the clan when the rest of my lives are gone." 
                          
            She glanced toward where Moonshadow was speaking with his mate; Fallenbird nuzzled him before padding over to Clearpaw and telling her something. The apprentice ran over to the medicine cats' den and came out with a bundle of herbs. Sensing something was wrong Frecklewish ran over.
                          
            "Why are you giving her herbs?" She asked.
                          
            "Fallenbird said she was in pain." Clearpaw replied. 
                          
            "Of course she is! She's going to be a queen soon!" 
                          
            Frecklewish ran over to where Fallenbird was walking towards the nursery and redirected her to the medicine cats' den. She had the soon to be queen lay on her side and ran her paw along her side. 
                          
            "You're kits should be coming soon. In a sunrise or two so make sure you stay in camp." 
                          
            Fallenbird got up. "Can you tell if they're okay?"
                          
            "I'm sure they're fine. You're healthy and that means they will be." Frecklewish assured her. 
                          
            Fallenbird ran over to Moonshadow and told him the news before he immediately ushered her back to the nursery. Frecklewish and Clearpaw watched the deputy carefully.
                          
            "Do you really think the prophecy's about him?" Clearpaw asked.
                          
            "I'm not sure... but if it is then Moonshadow is doing a wonderful job of hiding it." 
                          
            "Or maybe's he's just waiting for Sharpstar to die." 
                          
            "I'm afraid he might not wait... Moonshadow might just murder him while no one is around." 
                          
            Clearpaw looked at her mentor. "Do you think he killed his brother Sunglow?"
                          
"Starclan knows maybe... but cats have died from falling out of trees before."