Chapter Text
It was late in the evening, and the sun has already set some time ago. Whiskerheart sat at the edge of the clearing in camp, staring up at the darkened, cloudy sky. She took in a deep breath and exhaled slowly, trying to ignore the pain from her bandaged ear.
Poppywish had done well taking care of the small injury after her fight with a rat out on the territory, and the pain was manageable, but there were other things plaguing her mind that made it feel so much worse.
It felt silly to be worrying about her role as deputy so soon. Galaxyclan had only just started up a few moons ago along with the other clans, and these cats who she hadn't known prior had no reason to look down on her or feel upset over any kind of inaction, but she still felt as though every time they looked at her they were judging her abilities. Whiskerheart hadn't had an apprentice, no one had when the clan started, and although now she had one she still felt as though she wasn't prepared for such an important position. After all, she was nowhere near as skilled or as confident as Sandstar was, everyone trusted him, and why shouldn't they? He was an excellent choice after all, even in the first few moons as leader he was able to keep all of them together and agreeable even during their struggles.
But Whiskerheart? She didn't feel like she had done anything to prove she deserved to be deputy. She could hear the beginnings of whispers pass around between certain cats, and after she had come back to camp with an injury she could tell that even Cinderpaw felt a bit embarrassed. After all, his brother had clearly gotten the better mentor. It felt like even Starclan was looking away from her already with the sky so cloudy.
Just as she was beginning to feel overwhelmed by her own imagined failures, another cat approached and sat by her.
Turning her head, Whiskerheart met the gaze of Burdockfoot, a concerned expression on the other warrior's face.
“It looks like something’s bothering you.” She stated plainly, “If you're worried about that rat I swear to you I'll get back at it for you if it isn't already dead”
Whiskerheart chuckled nervously, doing her best to smile and quickly shook her head. “No no, it's not that, you don't have to worry, but I appreciate it..” She replied, immediately becoming quiet again and gazing back up at the sky.
“Then what is it?”
She sighed, not looking back to the other as she spoke in a whisper. “I.. I don't know if I'm the right choice for deputy. I want to prove that I am, I think I could be someday I just.. I don't know. I feel like I don't know as much as everyone else. I feel like Sandstar should have picked someone else..”
Burdockfoot was quiet as she explained, and she almost began to worry that she had overshared until she spoke again. “I don't think you have to worry, just the fact that you want the clan to have a good deputy and that you want to do better means you're a good choice.”
Whiskerheart nodded but sighed again, still not convinced. “But what if something were to happen to Sandstar? I don't think I'd be ready to be a leader, I don't think I can protect the clan.. What if something were to happen to me?”
She was startled when Burdockfoot quickly placed her paw overtop of her own, eyes widening as she saw the serious yet hopeful look on the other she’s face. “If something happens to Sandstar I'll avenge him first, then we'll protect the clan. Together. Nothing’s going to happen to you as long as I'm here, and if it does I'll make sure whoever or whatever did it is sorry.”
Although Burdockfoot's way of comforting her was a bit intimidating, and made her worry what would happen if any of the other clans hurt so much as a strand of fur on any Galaxyclan cat, she smiled. Even if she wanted to be able to protect herself if anything happened, it was nice to know that someone was in her corner.
“Thank you..”
“No problem. If you need anything else I'm headed off to the warriors den for some rest”
Whiskerheart nodded and smiled as she watched her walk away, feeling a warmth in her chest. She was about to follow after her, knowing she would need rest to train Cinderpaw in the morning, when she looked back up at the sky.
The clouds had parted slightly, letting a few stars shine down on the camp. Maybe this was a sign..
Maybe things would get better.