⤴

⤴This is Streamstar⤴

Puddlekit watched as Sreamfur-No, Streamstar-and Minnowflight left camp on their journey to the Moonpool. He couldn't stand it! The clan leader's son? No! That was too much responsibility. He couldn't even become an apprentice. Now his father was the most important cat in RiverClan. Carrotpaw bounded over to him. 

"I can't believe Streamstar is Clan leader now," she mewed. "It will be great! I don't mean I don't miss Specklestar but don't you think it will be awesome, being the clan leader's kits?"

Puddlekit sighed and turned away. "Maybe. . ." He definatly didn't think it sounded so awesome. It was scary. Too much responsibility. A clan leader couldn't have a seven moon old kit who hadn't even become a proper apprentice yet. 

The moon was rising. It was getting late. Carrotpaw had seemed fidgety and impatient for most of the evening and Puddlekit wondered what she was thinking. She had been acting differently for nearly one and a-half-moons. Ever since falling in that river. . .  

The moon was nearly full. Tomorrow night, there would be a gathering. And Puddlekit was dreading it. 

Then Streamstar burst into camp and leaped up onto the Highledge. "It is nearly moonhigh," he announced. "And I need to choose a deputy. I say these words before StarClan so the spirits of our warrior ancestors can hear and approve of my choice. The new deputy of RiverClan is Pikewing. I trust you to serve RiverClan well."

Pikewing looked very shocked. "Th-th-thank you, Streamstar," stuttered Pikewing. "I promise to serve my clan well." 

Puddlekit gasped. Now not only was his father clan leader, but his mentor was deputy! He would probably be expected to be the very best apprentice. 

After the ceremony, Codpear came up to Puddlekit. "Are you sure you don't want to sleep in the apprentice den tonight?" she asked. Puddlekit wasn't sure. His mother asked him every night but Puddlekit always decided to sleep with his mother in the nursery. But tonight he couldn't decide. He was going to have to one day. And Carrotpaw had some secret. Puddlekit needed to find out what it was. But could he? "Um, maybe. . . " he meowed. "I'm not sure."

Codpear smiled at him. "Carrotpaw and Potatopaw will be with you," she meowed. "They'll look after you."

"ok," Puddlekit mewed. "I think I will."

That night, Puddlekit couldn't sleep. He was afraid. And then he heard a noise. Someone was getting out of their nest. Puddlekit curled deeper into the moss and peeked up to look. It was Carrotpaw. Her nest was now empty. She had done it again! Where did she go when she snuck out of camp? Why did she do it? Puddlekit knew he had to find out. He gently pawed Potatopaw.

"Potatopaw! Wake up," he whispered. Potatopaw sat up and shook her head. "Puddlekit?" she muttered, sleepily. "What's wrong?"

"Carrotpaw left the den," Puddlekit mewed. 

On hearing that, Potatopaw became fully alert. She muttered something to herself that Puddlekit didn't hear and then calmly looked at him. "She's probably gone to the dirtplace," she whispered calmly. "She won't be gone long. Come on, let's get back to sleep."

But Puddlekit couldn't. He knew that wasn't where his sister was going and he didn't believe Potatopaw thought it too. For some reason, she had lied to him. 

Why?