Longstar AU - Chapter One
Longtail padded around camp, grabbing a piece of fresh kill in his jaws. Turning around, Darkears came into his eyeline. Following instinct, he padded over to the dark tabby tom. He'd done the same as him, denying Tigerclaw's request to leave with him. And, Darkears had mentored him.
   âLongtail,â Darkears greeted, flicking his dark tabby tail.
   âDarkears,â He greeted back, lying beside him. â.. Howâs Fernpaw's training going?â
   âWell,â He murmured. âSheâs a good apprentice. Focused, loyal. She'll make a good warrior.â
   âThatâs good,â Longtail mumbled back.
   â.. I have a question,â Darkears turned his amber gaze on Longtail, who cocked his head.
   âWhat is it?â He questioned.
   He sighed, âItâs been a week since Tigerclaw was exiled,â Darkears flattened his ears. âAnd I canât.. help but think.. not going with him was the wrong decision.â
   âWhat?â Longtail hissed, flattening his ears tight to his skull, âHeâs a traitor to ThunderClan! He betrayed the loyalty that we shared; Bluestar chose him as deputy, trusted him to help and maybe run the clan, and he turned his back on her!â He growled, âHow could you ever think it was the wrong choice..?â
   âThe clan is run by a weak leader and a kittypet deputy,â Darkears narrowed his eyes, hissing his words with venom. âAnd plus, they'll never trust us the same way they did. We were friends with Tigerclaw, trusted him the same way they did, but somehow weâre the bad cats. Do you see the way that Fireheart looks at you? Like you're going to pounce on him the minute he turns his back.â
   âIââ Longtail was lost for words. Because Darkears was right. But trust and loyalty could be earned back, couldnât it..? âI still think we made the right choice, Darkears.â
   âIf thatâs what you think, Longtail,â Darkears rose to his paws, flicking his tail irritability. âHave fun with your loyal, trusting clanmate's.â He padded away, leaving the feathers of his prey behind. Longtail watched as he went, mind racing.
   Darkears was right. The clan may never trust him the same again; but that didnât mean he couldnât try to earn it. He had a loyal apprentice, and a few friends in Runningwind and Mousefur.
   âHey! Longtail!â
   He whipped his head to see Swiftpaw lying beside Brightpaw and Cloudpaw, a bright smile across his face. With a soft smile, he padded over to his apprentice and friends.
   âI heard Fireheart saying he was gonna have you lead the moon high patrol,â Swiftpaw mewed, glancing at Brightpaw and Cloudpaw, who nodded. â.. Can we come with?â
   âWell, you can,â Longtail flicked Swiftpaw's ear. âBut Brightpaw and Cloudpaw have to ask their mentors.â
   âIâm sure Fireheart will be okay with it,â Cloudpaw shrugged, âI think he was gonna go, anyway.â
   â.. Is he?â Longtail's fur pricked up a bit. What, did he not even trust him to lead a patrol? âOkay.. than, uh, Brightpaw can ask Whitestorm. If he says itâs okay than you can come.â
   âThanks, Longtail!" Brightpaw gave the tan tabby tom a smile, brushing past him with a purr. She bounded over to Whitestorm.
   At least she trusts me. And so does Swiftpaw, Longtail took in a sharp breath. Iâm not sure about Cloudpaw. He looks at me kinda sideways. He glanced at the apprentice, across the clearing, speaking to Fireheart.
   At Swiftpaw's rather raspy, he snapped out of his thoughts.
   âYes, Swiftpaw?â Longtail settled down beside his apprentice, âSomething wrong?â
   âNot really,â He shrugged. âBut.. Iâm almost over twelve moons old.. shouldnât I have become a warrior already? Iâve had my assessment. And so has Brightpaw and Cloudpaw. Thornpaw, too..â
   â.. You should have,â Longtail murmured, gazing at Fireheart across the clearing. âI'll speak to Fireheart about it, okay? Maybe he can get that message to Bluestar, since she doesnât seem to even wanna see her own clan.â
   Swiftpaw leaned on his side, âThanks.â
   With a content purr, Longtail rasped his tongue over the top of Swiftpaw's head. Than, he noticed Fireheart and Cloudpaw bounding toward him.
   âI'd like you to lead the moon high patrol,â He mewed softly. âIâm going to come along, along with Cloudpaw. Whitestorm and Brightpaw are coming, too.â
   âAlright,â Longtail said with a hiss to his words. âSwiftpaw's coming, too.â
   â.. Of course,â Fireheart flattened his ears, adverting eye-contact.
   âAnd Iâd like to speak with you, Fireheart,â Longtail narrowed his eyes.
   âYou donât need to be all serious about it, Longtail.â Whitestorm padded up behind him, nudging his shoulder. âYou can talk to your deputy without making a scene, you know.â
   âWell, yes, Iââ
   âIâm kidding with you, Longtail,â Whitestorm let out a purr of laughter. âNow, come on. Letâs patrol and get to bed. Iâm an older cat, I need my rest.â
   Fireheart twitched his whiskers. âYes,â He smiled. âLetâs go.â He flicked his bushy tail, signaling for Longtail to take the lead. As he did, Fireheart joined up at the front with him, and the three apprentices fell in the back with Whitestorm.
   âWhatâd you need to talk to me about, Longtail?â Fireheart flicked his bushy tail. âIt seemed important.â
   âI'd say,â Longtail hissed. âSwiftpaw, Brightpaw, Cloudpaw and Thornpaw should become warriors. Theyâve passed their assessments, and are more than ready. Especially Swiftpaw.â
   âYou do understand thatâs not my job, Longtailââ
   âYes, but your her deputy!â Longtail yelped, âAnd why isnât she talking to the clan anymore? No meetings, no patrols. She doesnât visit kits. No ceremonies. We donât even see her! What in StarClan is going on?â
   âLongtail, Iââ Fireheart sighed, âI understand your concerns. I will talk to her about it.. but sheâs very.. shaken, from Tigerclaw. Sick, at that. You have to understand.â
   âWe all were,â Longtail flattened his ears. âSheâs our leader. And she needs to start acting like it.â