Chasing Thunder
Disclaimer: I do not own, or claim to own, warrior cats.
Here it is! The sequel to Hollyleaf's second chance! To anyone who hasn't read the prequel to this, I would recommend it for a better understanding of the characters, and I will make many references back to the original of this, however it is not completely necessary, and this may be read as a standalone story! This starts off about two moons after the battle with Frostclaw, and during that time, Thornclaw, Brightheart and Cloudtail moved to the elder's den, and Lillyflower revealed that she was expecting Snowstorm's kits (I changed it a bit, because it used to be Seedpelt and Amberclaw, but then a reviewer pointed out that they were both she-cats so... yep...). Anyway, without further ado, onwards!
Alliances
Thunderclan
Leader: Bramblestar
Deputy: Lionblaze
Medicine cat: Jayfeather (Apprentice: Deeppool)
Warriors:
Spiderleg
Birchfall
Whitewing
Hazeltail
Ivypool
Dovewing
Toadstep
Rosepetal
Bumblestripe
Poppyfrost
Molefur
Cherrytail
Briarheart
Pigeonwing
Dewfrost
Snowstorm
Seedpelt
Amberclaw
Cinderheart
Queens:
Lillyflower (expecting Snowstorm's kits)
Featherleap: (Kits- Burrkit, Ashkit and Twigkit)
Elders:
Thornclaw
Cloudtail
Brightheart
Graystripe
Dustpelt
Prologue
Padding out into the open air, the grey tom swept his gaze over the surrounding hillside, taking in the starlit moorland around him. Behind him, another tom, a lighter shade of grey, pelt latticed with tabby stripes, stood, blue eyes staring straight ahead, whiskers rustling in the breeze.
"Kestrelflight should be here by now…" The second tom's voice was low and concerned as he tilted his nose towards the sky, breathing in a deep huff of stone-scented air. Murmuring a reply, the first cat also looked around, focusing in on the stars, watching the silver orb of the half-moon ride high above the clouds.
"Do you think we should carry on? We're wasting moonlight…" Hearing the hint of desperation, the tabby turned back towards the younger tom, his eyes losing their sharp edge.
"Hollystorm will be waiting for you, Deeppool, whether we're late or not." A sigh rose in the darker tom's throat, and he opened his mouth to speak, however his words were silenced as a speckled shape bounded into view, eyes flashing in the starlight.
"Sorry!" it called out, voice resounding over the moors, before skidding to a halt before the other two cats. "Fernlight was kitting, and I couldn't leave. I ran all the way here." The medicine cat forced out his explanation between heaved breaths, and the tabby tom stepped forwards.
"Healthy kits, I expect?" The dappled tom nodded breathlessly.
"Yes, Jayfeather. A tom and a she-kit, both happily sleeping in the nursery." A small smile creeping onto Jayfeather's face, he beckoned Kestrelflight and Deeppool forwards, his sightless eyes illuminated in the moonlight, giving him and eerie, ghost-like presence.
"Come on. Starclan is waiting." With that, the tabby medicine cat took a step forwards, and, followed by the other cats, began the climb up the inclined ground, pawsteps falling confidently, the route mapped out in his mind. Deeppool followed, paws skimming the short tussocks of grass, feeling the cool breeze whisper over the exposed fur of his back. Walking in silence, he tilted his head upwards, surveying the stars, watching their infinite brightness, gaze reaching out over the sky until the bushes that shielded his destination loomed before him. Ducking slightly, the grey tom shuffled underneath the fingered branches of the plants, feeling the twigs scrape against him before her wriggled out into the open again.
The Moonpool stretched out before Deeppool, a sheet of silver, reflecting the shimmering light of Silverpelt, the cloudless night tainting the water almost black, rippling gently in the breeze. Wordlessly, the medicine cat took a step forwards, legs shaking with anticipation, lowered himself towards the ground, and pressed his nose up against the glassy water, the cold sensation sending shivers down his spine as he flicked out his tongue and scooped up the water, the sensation of swallowing liquid moonlight slipping down his throat. Darkness pressing into the corners of his vision, he drew back from the pool, laying his head down to rest on the smooth stone ground, back curving into a dip of the rock as his eyes flickered shut and he faded into sleep.
When he awoke, he was surrounded by starlight. Gleaming white trees, throwing illuminated streaks upon the star-specked ground, bright light scattered across the horizon as far as the eye could see. Inhaling heavily, the scent of moonlight, stone and the forest rushed to fill Deeppool's senses, causing his eyes to flutter shut in content.
"Hello, Deeppool." The voice that greeted the tom's ears almost caused his heart to fly out of his chest, and his blue eyes flew open to see a she-cat, fur scattered with stars, eyes glowing with green fire, a smile upon her face- a smile that the medicine cat never believed he could live without.
Hollystorm.
A sob rising in his throat, the blue-eyed tom threw himself forwards and pressed up against the Starclan cat, breathing in her sweet, forest-like scent, taking in the sleek pattern of her raven-black fur and the light that spilled from her eyes. A purr rising from Hollystorm's chest, she pushed Deeppool away gently, a laugh spiralling into the air.
"Careful! You'll smother me!" obeying the she-cat's orders, the medicine cat fell back on his haunches, love shining in his eyes.
"I missed you…" his voice was barely a whisper, but Hollystorm caught it before it was torn away, and smiled weakly.
"I missed you too…" blinking slowly, she flicked her tail, and opened her mouth to speak, but was interrupted, as her form flickered perilously, the stars whirling dangerously, her body jumping in and out of focus, panic lighting in her eyes. Calling out desperately, Deeppool tried to lunge forwards, but found his paws jammed to the ground, frozen, unable to move. Heartbeat pounding out of control, he pulled desperately, trying to free himself, shouting out as he watched Hollystorm's form shudder and waver. The she-cat opened her mouth and called out, voice static and jumbled, hazy and far away.
"There are cats coming, Deeppool! Be warned! They have the power to destroy the clan, and will plague you like a disease! Ashkit, Burrkit and Twigkit! They will-" Her voice was cut off abruptly , and Deeppool's eyes flew open to see Willowshine standing over him, paw clamped down on his shoulder, Kestrelflight and Jayfeather looking towards him, concern in their eyes.
"No! Hollystorm!" He called out, squeezing his eyes shut, trying to force himself back into his dream, but only darkness greeted him. Hopelessness dragging at his mind, the grey tom blinked his eyes open, a whimper escaping him and splitting out into the air, a shudder passing along his body.
"What's wrong?" Willowshine's eyes were brimming with worry, wide green orbs, "You started thrashing in your sleep- I thought you were being attacked…" Deeppool shook his head, a groan rising into the air as it escaped his jaws, an ache springing to life in his head, heartbeat thrumming loudly in his ears, a grimace etched onto his face.
"Nothing…" he whispered, voice barely audible over the rush of the wind. "A bad dream, that's all…"