Hello! Juro here :) this is my first time writing a warriors fanfic, so I do hope you enjoy it :D if you like it, follow/favourite/review to show your support! And with that, I'll leave you to read the first chapter~ Oh, and in case it wasn't apparent, this story is a "super edition" about Rainstar (which explains the title and summary) ^^

Rainkit yawned and blinked open his eyes sleepily, having been woken up by the sunlight streaming through the bramble walls of the nursery. Beside him, Thistlekit, who was snuggled against the soft belly fur of their mother, stirred briefly, but soon went back to sleep. Rainkit's eyelids were heavy, and he felt like going back to sleep too, but it suddenly dawned on him that today was the day that Mintfrost had promised to let him and Thistlekit explore the camp.

"Wake up, Thistlekit!" He squeaked, giving Thistlekit a few firm prods. "It's our first day out of the nursery, remember?" Thistlekit groaned, turned away from his brother, and fell asleep almost immediately. Mintfrost had agreed to let Rainkit and Thistlekit leave the nursery and explore the camp, since they had both opened their eyes a sunrise ago. Rainkit was bursting with excitement at the prospect of exploring the camp after being stuck in the nursery for so long, and he could not understand why Thistlekit wasn't feeling the same way.

"Rainkit, it's much too early, the dawn patrol have barely even gotten up. Be a good kit and go back to sleep." Mintfrost murmurred groggily, giving Rainkit a quick lick on the ears before shutting her eyes once more, making it clear that she was not going to budge.

Rainkit's shoulders slumped, and he felt like wailing in despair. He didn't want to spend another heartbeat in the nursery, when there was so much more to do outside. Then, an idea popped into his head, and he cheered up considerably. If his plan succeeded, he might get to go out after all!

Rainkit crept across the nursery cautiously, making sure not to brush past Mintfrost and Thistlekit. His heart was pounding so loudly that Rainkit thought the sound alone could wake up every cat in ThunderClan. As he neared the entrance of the nursery, Sundapple, another queen who was staying in the nursery, stirred, and Rainkit froze, deathly afraid that she was going to stop him. He knew that if the fierce she-cat saw him sneaking out of the nursery, she would nag his ears off, and he would get told off by Mintfrost as well. Much to his relief, she curled into a tighter ball, and went back to sleep without even glancing in his direction. Rainkit hurriedly padded out of the nursery before any cat stirred again.

After taking couple of pawsteps towards the clearing, Rainkit had to squint against the stinging, bright sunlight, and he feared he might go blind. He blinked several times, allowing his eyes to adjust to the brightness, and was overwhelmed by what he saw. All around him, warriors were bustling around, getting ready for the day ahead. Fallenshade, ThunderClan's deputy, was standing in the middle of the clearing, appointing cats to go on the dawn patrol. Rainkit could see his father, Smoketuft and his apprentice, Dewpaw preparing to head out on the dawn patrol, together with Bushclaw, Snowstorm and Mossfur. To his right, Scruffypelt and Robinflight were sharing tongues in front of the elders' den, enjoying the warmth of the sun on their pelt. Acornpaw, Owltail's apprentice, had a bundle of herbs in his jaws, and was padding over to the medicine cat den, where his mentor was sorting out the stores of herbs.

A cool breeze ruffled his pelt, and Rainkit shivered, unused to the feeling of the wind. It must be leaf-fall now. Rainkit thought as he observed several brown and yellow leaves being blown off the branches of the large tree that overlooked the ThunderClan camp. Mintfrost is always telling us how the leaves and the trees can tell you what season it is.

"Greetings, Rainkit." A voice sounded from behind him. Startled from his thoughts, Rainkit whirled around, and saw Petalstar standing a tail-length away from him. He had been so deep in thought, that he had completely failed to notice Petalstar approaching him. He gave his chest fur a couple of embarrassed licks, and stared down at his forepaws, not wanting to meet the Clan leader's eyes.

"It's quite early for a kit as young as yourself to be awake." Petalstar commented. Rainkit looked up at the brown she-cat, expecting to see disapproval, but instead saw amusement twinkling in her eyes.

"I know," Rainkit mewed, "But it's me and Thistlekit's first day out of the nursery since we opened our eyes, and Mintfrost promised to let us out today, but she didn't want to wake up, and when I tried to wake Thistlekit up, he went back to sleep, and I didn't want to stay in the nursery, and I was so excited about today that I just-"

"Wanted to explore the camp on your own?" Petalstar said gently. Rainkit's eyes widened, and he nodded. How did Petalstar know what he wanted to say?

"I was a kit like you once, many moons ago. I remember how excited I was to leave the nursery, and explore the world beyond." Petalstar meowed wistfully. Rainkit's ears perked up, and he gazed hopefully at the Clan leader. She understands how I feel!

"But you have to be careful, Rainkit. There are many dangers outside the nursery, and your mother wouldn't want you to get hurt, do you understand?" Petalstar mewed, her voice full of concern. Rainkit nodded. Of course he wouldn't let himself get hurt! After all, he wasn't a completely helpless newborn kit. He was sure that he would be able to deal with whatever danger Petalstar was referring to. Satisfied with his response, Petalstar dismissed him with a flick of her tail. Just then, Thistlekit bounded out of the nursery, with Mintfrost following closely behind. Upon catching sight of Rainkit, the grayish-brown queen stalked over to him.

"Rainkit! I was so worried when I couldn't find you in the nursery." Mintfrost fussed, giving the dark gray kit a few firm licks with her tongue. "How many times have I told you not to go anywhere without asking me first?" Rainkit mumbled an apology, while Thistlekit sat nearby, smugly watching his brother getting scolded.

"Thank you for helping me keep an eye on Rainkit, StarClan knows what trouble he would have gotten into if you hadn't been here." Mintfrost dipped her head gratefully to Petalstar. Rainkit flattened his ears. He wasn't a troublemaker!

"No worries, Mintfrost." Petalstar meowed warmly. "Rest assured, Rainkit was no trouble at all. You should be proud to have kits as brave as these two, they'll make great warriors for sure." Rainkit sat up taller and puffed out his chest proudly, the Clan leader's praise warming him from the tip of his tail to the top of his head. Rainkit glanced over at Thistlekit, and saw that he too, was sitting up proudly at the sound of Petalstar's comment.

Suddenly, Rainkit remembered that he and his brother had yet to explore the camp together. Every heartbeat they spent here was time wasted, and Rainkit shot his mother a pleading look, hoping that she would get the message. Mintfrost hesitated, before giving a curt nod of approval, and Rainkit raced off, with Thistlekit soon on his tail.

"Catch me if you can, Thistlekit!" Rainkit taunted, casting a quick backward glance to see how far behind his brother was. He sprinted harder, determined not to let himself get caught.

"Try not to get under any warrior's fur, and remember to stay together!" Mintfrost called after them, but the kits barely heard her over the pounding of their hearts and the roar of the blood in their ears.

As they reached the other end of the clearing, Rainkit tripped over a large branch which was on the ground, landing on his chest with a bump. Pain shot through his body, but soon subsided, and Rainkit lay there in a daze.

"Caught you!" Thistlekit mewed triumphantly, pouncing on Rainkit.

"That wasn't a fair chase," Rainkit protested. "That branch got in my way. If it wasn't there, you would never have been able to catch me." He flicked his tail crossly.

"No cat trips on branches, not even newborn kits!" Thistlekit mrrowed, and Rainkit slapped his brother's nose with his tail. Thistlekit jumped away in time, and much to his annoyance, Rainkit's tail swished harmlessly through the air. Rainkit got up, and surveyed their surroundings.

They had come to a stop in front of the medicine cat den, and the two kits were gazing curiously at the large stone den, which had long tendrils covering the entrance. How could any cat stand living in there? Rainkit thought as he wrinkled his nose at the strange smells coming from within.

"Are you sure we should go into the medicine cat den? We're only kits, and we might give Owltail and Acornpaw trouble." Rainkit was hesitant about angering any more cats after being called a troublemaker by Mintfrost.

"If we're going to explore the camp, we might as well explore every last tail-length of it." Thistlekit seemed undaunted. He marched into the medicine cat den without looking back, and Rainkit had no choice but to scramble in after his brother.

As soon as they stepped into the hollow, the pungent stench of herbs struck Rainkit as sharply as claws swiping across his face.

"Hello, Thistlekit. Hello, Rainkit." Acornpaw dropped his bundle of herbs on the ground, and gave each kit friendly nudge in greeting. Rainkit decided that he liked the amicable brown-and-white apprentice.

"It's your first day out of the nursery, isn't it?" Owltail looked up from sorting out a pile of black seeds, and Rainkit nodded.

"Well, it looks as though you two are perfectly fine," The dark brown tom observed, his ears twitching irritably. "Run along now, and come back only if you actually need treatment. The medicine cat den is small enough without you kits messing around in it." Rainkit exchanged looks with Thistlekit. No cat has ever spoken to us like that before! Rainkit thought, still reeling in shock from Owltail's sharp response.

"Don't mind him," Acornpaw said in a hushed voice as the two kits forlornly made their way out. "Owltail is usually a little cranky in the mornings. He doesn't mean any harm though." Acornpaw said kindly. Rainkit shot the medicine cat apprentice a grateful look, before finally stepping out of the hollow.

"Owltail was so mean!" Thistlekit squeaked once they were a good distance from the medicine cat den. "I wonder how Acornpaw feels, having him as a mentor."

"Like Acornpaw said, I'm sure Owltail isn't like that all the time." Rainkit mewed. He didn't know why, but he felt the need to defend the dark brown tom. Thistlekit flicked his tail, but said nothing, and they continued walking. Soon, they ended up in front of the beech tree where Rainkit had seen Scruffypelt and Robinflight sprawled in front of earlier. Rainkit guessed that the den beneath it was where the elders resided.

Thistlekit paused for a heartbeat in front of the den's entrance, hesitant to enter because of their previous experience, and Rainkit nudged his brother teasingly. "Having second thoughts about exploring every tail-length of the camp?" Thistlekit had a competitive streak, and Rainkit knew that he wouldn't back down from a challenge.

"Am not!" Thistlekit meowed indignantly, and slunk into the den, with Rainkit following. The kits weaved their way through the tangle of vines and branches, until they finally reached an open space. Scruffypelt was lying on his side, grumbling to himself, and Robinflight was stretching her legs. I wonder why it feels like to be an elder. A fleeting thought crossed Rainkit's mind.

"Ah, the apprentices are here," Scruffypelt rasped. "Did you get the mouse bile from Owltail? I've got a few ticks that I can't seem to get." The dark gray tabby tom sighed.

"We're not apprentices yet, Scruffypelt, we're still less than a moon old." Rainkit mewed respectfully.

"Your eyesight must be getting worse, if you thought that these young kits were apprentices," Robinflight purred.

"Kits!" Scruffypelt exclaimed, taking a closer look at Rainkit and Thistlekit. "We haven't had kits in moons, not ever since Dewkit, Beechkit and Acornkit became apprentices..." The tom trailed off, and he had a wistful look etched on his face.

"I thought you'd be the last cat to say that, Scruffypelt. You were always so gruff around kits, talking their ears off if they so much as breathed too loud." Robinflight teased, her eyes twinkling.

Scruffypelt's tail-tip twitched. "Don't tell me you haven't missed having kits around the camp to pounce on your tail." He retorted.

"Oh, I sure have. Every cat has, if they were honest with themselves," Robinflight mewed. "There will soon be more kits than you can count, because it won't be long before Sundapple's little ones arrive." The reddish-brown she-cat licked her paw and started grooming herself. Rainkit exchanged excited looks with Thistlekit. They would finally have new denmates to play with! It was boring with only him and Thistlekit in the nursery, and Rainkit was already looking forward to the new litter's arrival.

"So, where did you kits go exploring on this fine morning?" Scruffypelt seemed curious to know, so Thistlekit recounted the story of their visit to the medicine cat den, and Rainkit interjected with bits of information that his brother missed out.

"Sounds like Owltail was his usual self." Scruffypelt commented once they had finished.

"He's a good medicine cat though, you can't deny that." Robinflight pointed out in defense of the dark brown tom. "If you've got a thorn in your pawpad, or a bad bellyache, Owltail's the one you'll want to see." Thistlekit flattened his ears slightly, and Rainkit guessed that his brother wasn't looking forward to another encounter with the medicine cat.

All of a sudden, a throbbing pain erupted in Rainkit's head, and it felt as if it was going to swallow him alive. The pain was so great, that Rainkit had to close his eyes and grit his teeth to stop himself from crying out. The pain faded away as suddenly as it had arrived, and Rainkit stood there gasping for breath, surprised at how much energy had been drained from the experience. He slowly opened his eyes, and found Thistlekit standing a mouse-length in front of him, staring at him with wide, blue eyes.

"Rainkit, are you alright?" Robinflight eyes pooled with worry.

"You should go see Owltail if you don't feel like yourself." Scruffypelt meowed, his voice tinged with concern.

Rainkit shook his head. "No, I'm alright. Thank you Robinflight, and Scruffypelt." His chest felt tight, and he still felt short of breath, but something told him that he shouldn't tell any cat about this. What's happening to me? Rainkit wanted to wail.

Gasp! What's wrong with Rainkit? Well, that's what this whole book is about, so you'll find out eventually :) remember to read and review if you enjoyed it! :'D