Through the Lion's Eyes
Well hoped you all liked the last chapter. I just had to get Lionflame in here. This chapter will start out with a look at Silverstorm and how she feels after discovering Snowfall and Lionflame are together. Now sure if I'm going to bring Tiger in this chapter or not but he will come. I'll see where it goes. So Hope you enjoy Chapter 15. It will be harder to update now that school is in. So bare with me I will update as much as possible.
Me: Hello
Lionflame: Don't forget-
Me: Yea, yea I know, the disclaimer
Lion: good creator
Me: -rolls eyes-
Me: Well I do NOT own warriors.
"Talking"
'Thoughts'
Dreams
/Last time Crowstar shares his feelings about Lionpaw to Stoneclaw and Shadowflame, telling them of the prophecy surrounding Lionpaw. Oakpaw has gotten his medicine cat name which is Oakleaf. Oakleaf learns about the prophecy and shares it with Skypool. Soon Lionpaw earned the new name of Lionflame/
It's been only a few sunrises since Lionflame became a warrior and the group of friends moved in the warriors den together.
Silverstorm woke up when her former mentor, Stripefur poked her in the side. The silly and friendly tom looked down at her. "You on a morning patrol with me, Brambleleaf, and Shimmerpelt" he meowed.
"Okay I'm up" Silverstorm got up and followed the grey tabby out and saw her mother and Brambleleaf already waiting.
"Come on, you can eat while we are out" Brambleleaf meowed as she took the lead out of the camp.
The sun was hardly out, the orange light barely breaking through the clouds and Silverstorm suppressed a shiver from the slightly chilly morning.
"So where do we patrol?" Silverstorm asked.
"Shadow clan, another patrol is doing Wind clan" Brambleleaf meowed and the brown tabby led the way to shadow clan border.
Silverstorm paused as a mouse scurried by and in a flash; the silver tabby warrior caught the mouse.
"Go ahead and eat" Stripefur meowed, his green eyes showing the usual affection he'd always given her as an apprentice.
She ate with a few swift bites and she and her mentor quickly caught up to the two other she cats.
"The border is fine…no tricks for a change…" Brambleleaf meowed.
"So how do you feel about your brother fathering kits?' Shimmerpelt asked.
The tabby warrior's green eyes shown with affection "Well... I figured if he ever did…it had to be Frostfur…the three of us were close from kit hood…I was hoping they would before we become elders being as we are senior warriors and all" Brambleleaf meowed.
"That is true" Stripefur meowed.
"Are you ok with not having any of your own?" Silverstorm dared to ask.
"Nah, I don wan to experience it. Frostfur will do that for me. And long as I get to see cute little brown tabby kits running around with my brother's blood. I'm ok with that. I can go to Star clan happy" Brambleleaf meowed and continued the walk of Shadow clan border.
When they arrived at camp Silverstorm saw Lionflame with Snowfall and pain clawed at her heart at the sight. She shook her head to try and clear her thoughts 'I don't' understand…why do I feel…so lonely?' the silver tabby even noticed Nightfrost showing interest in Talonclaw and realized everyone was pairing off. 'So where does that leave me?'
"What's wrong Silverstorm?" The silver warrior took notice that Lionflame was near her, his grey eyes holding concern.
"I'm fine" she meowed and walked pass him to rest.
Later Lionflame approached Silverstorm "Come on, the others are going to train together so we won't get out of shape" meowed the blind tom.
Silverstorm nods and gets up onto her paws. Snowfall, Talonclaw and Nightfrost were already waiting.
"Well Talonclaw was going to train with me and Nightfrost was going to train with Snowfall" Lionflame meowed.
"I'm just the odd cat out…" Silverstorm sighed. "That's ok…I'll just train with-"
"Hey my old apprentice, I would have asked you to join me but you all seem to be training together" Stripefur had appeared.
"Oh, thank you and I can train, just like old times" Silverstorm meowed and walked away from the group and towards Stripefur.
"Are you sure?" asked the tabby warrior.
"Well… I thought-"
"Of course, it wasn't an even amount of us anyway" Silverstorm meowed quickly, interrupting Lionflame and mentor and apprentice pair walks off together.
Silverstorm sighed once they were alone.
"Are you ok?" Stripefur asked. "You only sigh like that when you are troubled" he added before the silver she-cat could say anything.
"Well…it's just that I feel left out…" she confessed. "Lionflame and Snowfall are mates…and I know Nightfrost and Talonclaw will be mates eventually...everyone are pairing off and …and" Silverstorm choked up on her words and her vision started getting blurry.
"Oh Silverstorm" Stripefur gave his old apprentice a comforting lick. "I think you are mostly jealous that Snowfall won Lionflame's affection…perfectly normal…as for your friends, well if they were your friends they will always be with you…but if all else fails…I'm still here" Stripefur meowed his green eyes glittering in the way she remembered.
"Thanks Stripefur, I could always talk to you" she meowed and touched noses with her mentor.
"Now let's see if you remember those moves" Stripefur meowed and dropped to a crouch and in a flash attacked his former apprentice.
Lionflame layed on the ground next to his friends, they worn each other out from all the practicing and battling but Nightfrost insisted that they keep practicing.
"I'm so tired I don't think I can ever move again" Talonclaw meowed.
"Hey…you think Silverstorm is acting a bit weird…she hasn't said much lately" Lionflame mentioned.
"She's spoken to me recently…but today she does seem to be ignoring you and Snowfall" Nightfrost meowed.
"Yea, I've spoken with her as well" Talonclaw meowed.
Snowfall got up and groomed her white pelt as they talked not seeming to care too much "I dunno what's gotten into her but it needs to stop, it's annoying" Snowfall asked.
"Did you say something to her?" Talonclaw asked, ignoring the white she-cat comment.
"No…I say hi and hunt with her as always."Lionflame meowed and got to his paws as he heard the paws of his friends scrambling against the ground to get to their own paws.
"It troubles me greatly…she was always bubbly and did everything she could to make sure we were happy, right there with us, like a warm light" meowed Nightfrost.
Lionflame took a moment to think 'Star clan said something about a silver light' "Yea, I'm a bit worried about her…maybe I'll talk to her later" he meowed. He couldn't shake the sudden anxiety though he did his best to hide it.
"Well, it's always been the five of us in the nursery…Oakleaf is on a different path so…" Nightfrost meowed and turned to Snowfrost. "Why don't you care Snowfall? She's your sister…or least you share her mother" Nightfrost meowed as everyone knew Snowfall wasn't Shimmerpelt's real kit, her real mother died giving birth to her.
Snowfall bristled in defense "Look I just think we shouldn't let how she feels effect the rest of us. I am perfectly happy, being with Lionflame and having you two as my good friends, now if she is unhappy that's just her" she meowed. She pressed into Lionflame, hoping for his defense.
"I'm surprised at you…you of all cats should be the most concerned…come on you guys lets go back to camp. It's getting late…I can feel the sun's heat drifting away" Lionflame meowed and headed back to camp.
Nightfrost shot the white she-cat a glare and walked back with Lionflame leaving Talonclaw and Snowfall trailing behind.
Silverstorm was back in camp sharing tongues with Stripefur as Lionflame and the others returned, each carrying a piece of fresh kill.
"You guys were out for awhile" Stripefur meowed.
"Yea, it was hard to give up" Talonclaw meowed and they each dropped their catch in the fresh kill pile.
From the distance they saw the fluffy grey body of Stormkit leaving the elders ten, she had bounce in her step but the tiredness shown in her eyes, moss tangled in her pelt.
"The kits are working hard" Nightfrost mentioned.
"Yea…I feel bad…it's only because I became a warrior" Lionflame sighed.
"No worries, you deserved this, you waited for moons" Snowfall meowed.
"Of course" Stripefur meowed, he glanced at Silverstorm who hasn't stopped grooming to speak.
"Hey you guys"
They turned his head and saw Oakleaf and Stormkit.
"Oh, let's go, see you in the den Stripefur" Nightfrost meowed and with a flick of her tail she lead the others towards the brown tabby with Snowfall leading Lionflame gently, brushing against him ever so slightly.
"Silverstorm…" Stripefur murmured and turned to the silver warrior.
"Hmm?" she questioned and paused in her grooming.
"You shouldn't avoid them…I wish I had friends like them…Lightfeather and Mudshadow and I didn't stay nearly that close…as you can see we barely talk now…keep the friends you have" he meowed and got to his paws and went into the warriors den to turn in early.
Silverstorm sighed and thought of following but too late, Stormkit came over to her. Her blue eyes so tired yet filled with kit like innocence. "Silverstorm?" the kit questioned as she stared at her.
"Yes Stormkit?" she replied.
"Care to join us…Oakleaf asked about you…well yea and I don't think it's the same without you…I like all of Lionflame's friends, that means you too" Stormkit meowed.
Silverstorm purred "Well…I think I'm going to turn in…and you should too, I know you been working hard cleaning bedding and feeding the elders, doing the responsibilities you not supposed to be doing for a few moons yet" Silverstorm meowed.
"But I like doing it…I want to be a real Thunder clan cat… I feel like I'm doing my part…" Stormkit meowed, the kit like innocence fading into a cat that held many problems in their heart, with worries a kit shouldn't have.
Silverstorm, being touched decided to go to them for Stormkit's sake "Ok I'll go, just for a bit" she said and followed the kit. She felt their eyes on her but focused on either Oakleaf or Stormkit, it wouldn't be hard because they were next to each other.
"Welcome" Oakleaf purred and the friendly tabby touched noses with Silverstorm.
They chatted and it felt almost normal for Silverstorm and she even broke out of her comfort and chatted with Nightfrost who was all too happy to respond and soon the sun went down and the moon was up instead.
"Wow…I keep forgetting how great you look in the moonlight, like a Star clan cat" Oakleaf meowed looking like he was caught in a trance. "I keep thinking of Sparklepaw, she really shined like you…only her eyes were pale blue and not a deep blue like yours" Oakleaf meowed
"I wondered how Duskclaw is…he was sad because he was in love with Sparklepaw but she became a medicine cat apprentice" Silverstorm meowed.
Nightfrost bristled slightly and fumbled with her paws "Don't worry about him, he is a River clan cat after all, he just need to find another she-cat, I mean there's got to be plenty right?" the black she-cat meowed.
"Maybe he can't…maybe she was the only cat he ever wanted to be with…how could he just possibly settle for some other she-cat?" She asked. "What if his only chance for love has been taken right under his paws?" she added and got to her paws. "Well I'm heading to bed" she meowed and walked off.
"You think…?" Nightfrost mumbled to Lionflame while the others were stretching.
"Nah, I don't think so" he meowed and they all went to the warriors den.
Silverstorm was woken up by a sharp poke in her side. She could make out a white figure in the pitch darkness and knew it was Snowfall.
"Follow me" she hissed softly and padded outside.
Silverstorm thought of curling up and not moving but decided she better follow. She got up from her place beside Shimmerpelt and Stripefur and padded softly around them.
Soon they were out of camp and into the woods and Snowfall stopped.
"So what do you want?" Silverstorm asked. "I was having a good sleep, I was dreaming I caught the biggest piece of prey" she meowed.
Snowfall just hissed "What's your problem? You've been ignoring everyone for days. You got Nightfrost to verbally question things and even Lionflame is worried" she meowed. "You been seeing less of us and you keep spending your time with Stripefur, what gives?" she asked.
"So what if I had, Stripefur is nice" Silverstorm meowed.
"This is silly, I've known you my whole life, something is up…"Snowfall came to the realization and narrowed her blue eyes. "This has something to do with me and Lionflame….you didn't start acting funny until the clan found out we were mates" she meowed.
Silverstorm wasn't surprised Snowfall figured it out but refused to answer.
"You have feelings for Lionflame…don't you?" Snowfall asked suddenly.
"What does it matter?" Silverstorm answered with a question.
Snowfall bristled defensively "I figured you did, but I got to him first. He and I are together so stay away from my tom… I won't let him be taken away from me" Snowfall hissed.
Silverstorm was taken aback by the out of character change in the white warrior. "Why fight a battle I can't win…" Silverstorm padded away from Snowfall, her heart broken and she just wanted to wail into the night sky. She suddenly knew how Duskclaw felt.
She went to bed and let her sadness pull her into sleep.
Lionflame woke up to a gentle poke to his side, any form of touch was all that it took to wake up the blind tom. He woke up and scented that it was Blazeclaw and he sat up instantly, claws scraping against the moss.
"Woah, settle down Lionflame, surprised that it's me huh?" he asked.
"Yea, so what is it Blazeclaw?" Lionflame asked.
"Mind joining a hunting patrol with me and Hawkstorm?" asked the deputy.
Lionflame blinked in bewilderment, he was never asked to join on anything, he was always told to join patrols. "Oh…um sure" he meowed.
"Well wake another cat and join us, the pile is down to one mouse and Stormkit just gave it to Brownflower, Thunder clan needs it's best hunter out for the first hunting patrol" Blazeclaw meowed leaving the den.
Lionflame felt proud as he realized the deputy just praised him. He took a moment to scent the cats in the den. He smelt Brambleleaf, Shimmerpelt, and Silverstorm and realized others are either out training or patrolling borders. 'This could be my chance to talk to Silverstorm' he got up and gently prodded the she-cat.
"Silverstorm….wake up…" he murmured softly.
"Mmm…What?" Silverstorm blinked open her dark blue eyes and jumped the moment she met grey eyes. Her heart raced the moment she realized how close he was to her.
Lionflame mistook the rapid movement for being surprised and took a paw step back "Blazeclaw told me to pick another cat to go on a hunting patrol" he meowed.
"Ok, I'm coming" she meowed and followed Lionflame out and couldn't help but feel a little happy he invited her.
"I can't believe I'm going to be a father soon" Hawkstorm meowed as the patrol went into the forest.
"She's due any day now from what Crowstar tells me…and Lionflame…Crowstar is noticing how hard you are working, you and your friends train everyday without fail" Blazeclaw turning his attention to the blind tom.
Lionflame could only dip his head "Thanks, I'm just doing my best, just because I got my warrior name doesn't mean I can slack up…in fact It means I have to do more to show I deserve it" he meowed. He paused as he heard grass rustling and turned his head.
Hawkstorm caught sight of the mouse Lionflame had indicated and he crouched down. Lionflame felt a tail brush against his chest and realized it was holding him and realized someone was going for the mouse and sat still. He heard the thudding of paws and knew the mouse was caught.
"How about we spit up, each going around near the borders, we will catch more prey that way" Blazeclaw suggested as Hawkstorm scraped earth over the catch.
"Brilliant idea, Silverstorm and I can head near the Wind clan border, maybe some rabbits will cross the border and we can have some nice healthy rabbits to eat" Lionflame suggested making the choice before Silverstorm tries to avoid him, with them alone he could finally talk to her.
"Great, well Hawkstorm let's get going" Blazeclaw meowed and with a flick of his tail let the senior warrior off in one direction.
"Well, come on" Lionflame meowed to the silver warrior and lead the way on the opposite direction and to his pleasure he felt her pelt brush against him slightly as she followed.
Silverstorm wished she could have spoken quicker but now was alone with Lionflame. 'What if we run into Snowfall? She'll let me have it next time we are alone' Silverstorm remembered last night. She never saw her sister get so defensive only when they have battled against Shadow clan or during their training.
She paused as she saw Lionflame drop low and she saw his attention must be on the squirrel and allowed him to sneak silently eyeing his rippling muscles as he bunched up to spring and in no time the squirrel was in his jaws. Scraping dirt over it he turned to Silverstorm.
"Hey Silverstorm…why are you avoiding me? Did I so something wrong? If so I'm very sorry" he meowed as they continued to walk.
Silverstorm shut her eyes in order not to see the hurt on his face. "I…I just…things have been on my mind, you've done nothing wrong" she meowed.
"I have…. I've hurt you somehow…and I feel terrible, please just tell me…I haven't told anyone this…but I can…sometimes feel emotions, it's like I'm feeling them but slightly different. It happens if I focus on a specific cat, or sometimes if the emotions are strong enough it comes at me…right now I feel uncertainty and pain…and knowing it's from you out of all cats…." He couldn't finish what he wanted to say and pressed his face against hers.
Silverstorm didn't know he could do that and knew it was no hiding after all. "Well…. I don't like how you and Snowfall are together ok!" she wailed letting everything go. "I realized you two are together and I know it's only a matter of time before Nightfrost or Talonclaw confesses their love for each other and they will be mates…. I'm alone ok…I have no one that loves me" she meowed saying mostly everything that bothered her. 'I wished you were that one…' was what she wanted to add.
Lionflame froze when she said this and sighed "No wonder you hate me…you feel alone now…you know…you were the first friend I ever had…in the nursery you'd always try to talk to me. No matter how much I ignored you, you'd always come back…I'm happy…because of you you've opened my heart to friendship….but…but Snowfall…she opened my heart to love…she was…" he paused and shook his head. "I let you down…I'm sorry Silverstorm…" he meowed and gave her ear a comforting lick.
Silverstorm felt warm from the ear tip to her tail from that sign of comfort. "I...it's ok…I'm glad I'm your friend at least" she said walking away trying to hide her real affection from him.
"You are very important to me Silverstorm…but…for some reason…Snowfall got to where I don't think calling her a friend is right…I'm a bit confused on feelings…ironic huh?" he said considering he felt other cats emotions for so long. "I will always care about you…even more so than Nightfrost and Talonclaw…" he meowed and realized two she-cats were close to his heart and for the first time dread and guilt clawed at him as he found himself wondering who was closer.
"Hey you guys" the serious atmosphere vanished as Oakleaf walked up with Stormkit bouncing along side him.
"Why is she here?" Silverstorm asked.
"I'm on a mission. I came with Oakleaf to collect more moss for the bedding." Stormkit mewed.
"Yea I figured as long as I was looking for herbs it would be safe" Oakleaf meowed. "So far I've collected more poppy, cob webs, and borage" he added as he placed his herbs on the ground.
"You two seem like pals" Silverstorm pointed out.
"Yes, while Lionflame is away she tends to visit me and chat. She's really fun" Oakleaf purred and licked the gray kit on her ear affectionately.
Lionflame purred "She's claiming all my friends now, get your own you little fur ball" he meowed.
"I can't help your friends love me" she meowed playfully and she paused as Lionflame froze, his ears twitching away.
"What do you hear?" Oakleaf ask.
"Like…like a humming like noise" Lionflame meowed.
"Oh…bees perhaps? New leaf they like collecting liquid flowers from the forest and on the plains of wind clan and making honey…that's good the sore throats…I collected some a few moons ago…but it's hard to come by with all the stinging bees" Oakleaf explained.
"I bet Skypool would be happy if we collected them" Stormkit meowed.
"Well… we have to be careful" Oakleaf meowed and turned to the warriors. "Care to help?" he asked.
"Sure" Lionflame lead the small patrol to where the buzzing came from but he froze and so did everyone else. A smell the blind tom remembered a long time ago, badger.
Oakleaf shields Stormkit and they all crouch low. The young badger was apparently trying to get honey from the bee hive but the bees were swarming around the badger when it managed to knock the hive to the ground, breaking it.
The badger swipes its paws at the bees, giving a roar of annoyance from the stinging and it trampled off, bees following it.
"Lionflame guard Stormkit, Silverstorm help me grab some of honey" he meowed and the two manages to break off a piece with the golden liquid hanging from it.
"Well we got more than enough to share…so how about we get some and the rest goes to Skypool" Oakleaf suggested and they all agree.
Lionflame was the first to try and an explosion of sweetness came to him and his fir prickled. It slithered down his throat, and he could see why it would handle sore throat.
When they all had some Stormkit was more energetic than ever.
"Well I think we better get going, I got my herbs so it's time she got her moss for the bedding, meet you back at camp" the brown tabby and the grey kit walked off together.
A yowl pierced the camp, it was Frostfur, it was time for her kits.
"Someone get Skypool" Rosethorn called.
"Don't worry I am coming" the grey and white she-cat appeared.
Applekit, Rainkit and Pinekit was told to leave and was outside in curiosity.
"Where is Stormkit?" Rainkit asked yawning as the yowling woke him up from his nap.
"She left camp with Oakleaf to collect moss" Applekit meowed.
"What makes her so special that she can leave?" Pinekit grumbled.
"Better yet where is Hawkstorm?" Applekit commented.
Soon Oakleaf and Stormkit returned with herbs and moss and another yowl could be heard and Oakleaf rushed in the nursery knowing with the new found borage this would be useful.
"You came in time, ok relax Frostfur, you fought many battles, but the pain of kitting is a whole new fight, so try not to tense up too much" Skypool instructed, Rosethorn and Brownflower were nearby ready for assistance and comfort.
"Ok I can see one coming…" Oakleaf meowed.
Frostfur hissed and soon the first kit was out.
"It's a tom" Skypool meowed and passed to Oakleaf who gently licked the kit and it didn't take long for it to squeal and he passed it to Rosethorn who placed the kit to Frostfur's belly.
"Good job, you can do it….another one" Skypool meowed and with some encouragement the second kit was born, same fur as the first kit.
"Two tabby kits, Hawkstorm will be happy" Oakleaf meowed and gently licked the kit.
"And a tom at that, ok now one more Frostfur and I think that should be it" Skypool encouraged.
Frostfur yowled and the last one came out with ease.
"A she-kit" she meowed and Oakleafe licked her and for a moment the she-kit didn't respond.
"No... my she-kit…oh no" Frostfur wailed.
Oakleaf licked roughly and soon the kit squeaked making everyone sigh in relief.
"Congratulations, three beautiful kits" Brownflower meowed as she placed the last one near Frostfur who tiredly swept them with her tail and each kit started to suckle.
"Where…where is Hawkstorm?" she asked tiredly.
"He's still out, eat these to make sure enough milk is produced" Oakleaf meowed nudging some borage and the queen ate them.
Lionflame and Silverstorm met up with Blazeclaw and Hawkstorm and all four of them had jaws full of prey.
"Well done, let's head back to camp" Blazeclaw meowed and they patrol headed back.
"Congrats" Nightfrost meowed as the brown tabby placed his catch on the pile.
"Why?" he asked.
"You're a father you mouse brain" Brambleleaf hissed.
"I'm…Frostfur…" he couldn't even get the words formed but he knew Frostfur has kitted and rushed to the nursery.
"Oh Frostfur…I was on hunting patrol and I'm so sorry I missed it" he meowed.
"Be quiet you fur ball or you will wake the kits" she purred showing she wasn't angry. "Fathers don't really get to see anyway, you didn't miss much. The two tabbies two are your sons, and the blue grey and white is your daughter" she meowed.
"Do we name them now?" he meowed.
"Yes, but not now. I'm a little tired" Frostfur closes her eyes as she says this.
"Ok. I'll have form fresh kill for you later" he meowed and left the den.
All the cats surrounded Hawkstorm to congratulate him and ask how it feels.
"I have to set up more patrols, grab another cat and gather the remaining prey Hawkstorm left, he'll be too happy to go back." Blazeclaw meowed to Lionflame.
"Come on Silverstorm…feel like going?" he asked.
"I'll go with you" Snowfall meowed and glared at Silverstorm knowing Lionflame can't see it.
"Snowfall" he purred and brushed against his mate. "Come with me then" he meowed and walked off together.
Silverstorm stared after them and sighed but still felt happy. She felt a tail brush against her flank and saw Stripefur.
"You look better than yesterday…care to share?" he asked and dropped a rabbit at her feet.
"Ok, if you share your catch that is" she meowed and the two sat together and eat.
"Well Lionflame asked me what was wrong…well I found out he can feel other cats emotions so he knew I was lying to him when I said I was ok…so well…I told him and well he told me how important I am to you…I know I'll never mean as much to him as Snowfall…but knowing I am important to him means a lot…" she told him in hush tones, not wanting anyone to know what was going on.
"I'm glad you are happy now Silverstorm" he meowed. "Lionflame always did care for you, though…I always assume you'd be the one instead of Snowfall" he wondered out loud.
"Silverstorm...Talonclaw and I are going to train so would you like to come?" Nightfrost asked as she approached.
"Sure, see you around Stripefur" Silverstorm meowed as she got to her paws and followed her friends.
"I see you were with Silverstorm" Snowfall meowed as the followed alongside Lionflame.
"Yea, I talked to her and I think she's ok now" Lionflame replied.
"Well what was wrong?" she asked.
"Well…she felt lonely…we were together and I suppose Talonclaw and Nightfrost would eventually get together and that left her alone…I felt bad… I told her I'll be there for her and she seem to warm up to me afterwards" he replied.
He froze when he heard Snowfall hiss and knew it wasn't like her.
"You don't get it…that maybe what she told you for sympathy but I know why she's acting like that" Snowfall hissed and Lionflame felt anger and a touch of uneasiness.
He pressed against her "Relax…." He purred and licked her cheek. "Why was she so upset?" he asked.
"She likes you, loves you ok. She's upset you picked me over her. I think she even tried to use Stripefur to either get your attention or just to fill the void" she meowed.
Lionflame remained unreadable as she told him this 'she…she loves me?' he suddenly had a flashback to the times she tackled him as a kit. How she would trail behind him and try to talk to him. To her as an apprentice and that one night at the gathering where he fur shined. Even to now and he shut his sightless eyes.
"I…I had no idea…I can't believe she loves me" he murmured.
Snowfall wasn't sure to make of his reaction "Well so do I…and you chose me…but I see you just going to run to her" she spat and stormed off, tears streaming down her face. She didn't want to lose him to her and she couldn't read that expression on his face, was it only surprise, or was he thinking of being with Silverstorm instead?
"What make it worse is that he's not even chasing me…" she murmured softly as she walked into the forest some more. She paused and turned to go back to camp with the prey she helped collect.
"I win" Stormkit mewled when she pinned Pinekit to the ground. He growled in annoyance, his golden eyes flashing and he got up off the ground.
"Beaten by a barn cat" he hissed and got up and groomed his fur.
Stormkit ignored him and went to Rainkit and touched noses with him. "Cleaver she-cat" he meowed.
"I know, well with fighting a mouse brained tom it wasn't that hard" she meowed and swiped his ear.
"Kits, come on, it's time to share tongues" Brownflower called.
"Oh...I forgot to bring them fresh kill" Stormkit meowed and grabbed a mouse.
"She's my mom, I'll get it" he said trying to grab it.
"Well she's taking care of me and I am just doing my job and bringing fresh kill" she hissed tugging back.
"Stop trying to do work like you are a clan cat, you don't belong" he hissed.
Hearing that made Stormkit drop her fresh kill, tears welling up inside. "I…I just…why you always so mean" she wailed and ran off to Skypool's den.
Pinekit narrowed his eyes before grabbing the mouse she dropped.
"Pinekit that was mean" Applekit meowed looking back at the gray kit vanishing into the den.
"Apologize now" Rainkit hissed "You been calling her horrible names and being just a piece of fox dung for moons" Rainkit added.
"You know she doesn't belong here, the three of us were happy together until she came along" He meowed.
Rainkit hissed and tackled into Pinekit, his tiny claws scraping Pinekit. The toms hiss and spat as they tumbled in the dirt.
"Rainkit, stop this instant!" the gray tom leaped off Pinekit who was dirty and ruffled a thin red line was on his cheek from the scratch.
"But father I-"
"No excuse Rainkit, clan mates do not attack each other and I know this wasn't playing" Stoneclaw hissed, his eyes narrowed at the kits.
"What's going on?" Brownflower poked her head out the nursery.
"Apparently our sons were fighting" Stoneclaw meowed.
"Pinekit your cheek" she meowed and licked it gently.
"Rainkit clawed at me!" Pinekit yowled.
"It's all your fault Pinekit! You think you can do whatever you want because you are the leader's son. You just say whatever you want without giving a mousetail who you hurt" Rainkit hissed back.
"What happened?" Crowstar meowed approaching at last.
"Rainkit attacked me"
"And why?" Crowstar asked calmly to the grey kit.
"Because your son is a spoiled mouse brained piece of crowfood" Rainkit hissed. "He's been treading on Stormkit's tail from day one. Today he went too far, all she was going to do was bring Brownflower something to eat and we could all relax and share tongues. But he had to say she doesn't belong in the clan. He made her cry for Star clan's sake, and as many times as he teased her she never cried. You can punish me if you like Crowstar but I'm glad I gave him that scratch to remember me by" he explained, his soft green eyes glaring at the tabby kit.
Stoneclaw didn't dare show pride that Rainkit got in a fight and pretty much won it. He would have to talk to his son later.
"Pinekit Stormkit may not have been born a Thunder clan cat but she's just as important and she is now a clan member. You will apologize" Crowstar meowed.
"Why should I? She just been found and brought here and now she thinks she's a clan cat. And she is not she will always be a barn cat, basically a kitty pet" Pinekit meowed.
"I'm sure the elders told you about Firestar, he was Thunder clan's greatest leader. You know he was a kitty pet once upon a time. Let me hear you hurt that kit again and see what happens, you will be in the nursery by yourself when your friends become apprentices" he threatened and this made Pinekit's golden eyes widen and he instantly shuts up.
"Where did she go?" Brownflower asked.
"Skypool's den" Rainkit meowed.
"Well when she calms down I want you to apologize to her. Brownflower make sure he does" he meowed and walked away.
Rainkit looked to his father, hoping he wouldn't be too mad.
"Rainkit…I'm not proud that you attacked a clan mate…but I'm proud that you stood up for what is right and defending a friend. That is something a warrior would do" Stoneclaw meowed and he walked away.
Rainkit felt pride bubble up inside, he had the qualities of a warrior 'I'll do my best to defend Stormkit against Pinekit'
"I'm going to check up on the new kits, care to join me?" Oakleaf meowed. Stormkit sat with him for awhile and the two shared tongues, well more like he groomed Stormkit and shared some fresh kill. He knew she was upset but didn't push anything.
"Hmm…ok" she meowed she didn't want to go but knew she'd had to face Pinekit eventually.
"Ok, let's go" he meowed as he lead the way into the nursery.
"Oakleaf hi, more herbs for me?" asked Frostfur.
"Yes, and I was itching to know if you named them yet?" Oakleaf asked as his eyes swept to the two light brown tabby kits and the one frosty blue grey she-kit taking a closer look he noticed she paw white paws and chest when she rolled over.
"That kit is interesting, always moving around" Frostfur meowed and soon enough the blue kit rolled back over and nuzzled against her siblings.
Hawkstorm walked in moments afterwards "Hey sorry it took so long…how about we name the kits" he meowed.
"I decided to name the first born tabby after you" Frostfur meowed.
"Hawkkit…oh Frostfur" he purred and licked his mate gently.
"How about the other one?" Stormkit asked.
"Well…how about Owlkit?" Oakleaf asked.
"That's nice…" Frostfur meowed thinking of how Owlkit would sound.
"I want to name him Treekit" Hawkstorm meowed.
Frostfur soften at that "After your father" she meowed.
"And your mentor" Hawkstorm added.
"And the she-kit?"
"Mistkit?" Applekit suggested.
"Kits, don't get in the way" Brownflower meowed.
"It's ok" Frostfur meowed.
"Icekit?" Rosethorn meowed.
"After the old Thunder clan leader" Hawkstorm murmured.
"I like it" Frostfur meowed.
"How about…Bluekit…other than the white she reminds me of Bluestar…that leader the elders talk about" Rainkit meowed staring at the she-kit.
"You are right…now that you mention it. I like Bluekit better" Frostfur meowed and licked each kit.
"So Hawkkit, Treekit, and Bluekit" Hawkstorm meowed.
"Good idea Rainkit" Oakleaf meowed.
"Well have a good night Frostfur" he meowed and gently gave each of his kits a lick. "Goodnight my kits" he murmured softly and the warrior left the slightly cramped nursery.
Oakleaf yawned "Goodnight, make sure you eat the herbs Frostfur" he meowed and turned to leave.
"Stormkit where you going?" Brownflower meowed and Oakleaf turned to see Stormkit following behind him.
"I don't want to sleep here tonight, I rather sleep with my friend Oakleaf and Skypool, the scents of herbs are soothing" she meowed.
"But kits always sleep in the nursery" Applekit mewed as she got in the nest with her mother.
"Well…yea, that's where clan kits sleep" she meowed and looked to Oakleaf, her eyes big. "Please…can I sleep with you Oakleaf?"she pleaded with the tabby apprentice.
Oakleaf soften up instantly "Come on then, don't worry Brownflower what safer place in camp other than the medicine cat den?" he meowed and nudged the fluffy kit out before following.
"Great job Pinekit, you chased her out the nursery, I hope you are happy" Rainkit hissed, his pale grey fur ruffling.
"Enough Rainkit, get to bed" Rosethorn hissed and settled down when the last of her kits have gotten in the nest.
"The nest feels so much better knowing we made them ourselves" Applekit murmured sleepily.
"Mhmm" Rainkit meowed.
Pinekit yawned and crawled into the nest though he could feel the disappointment from his mother and sighed mentally 'Guess I'll have to apologize' this was the last thought before he closed his golden eyes.
Lionflame settled into his nest he realized the closest scents were Stoneclaw and Nightfrost, with a pang in his heart he realized he must have angered Snowfall.
Felling heavy hearted he just closed his eyes.
"The silver light will warm your heart" murmured voices.
"I don't understand" Lionflame called.
"The fallen snow will melt you but the silver light will warm your heart" meowed the voice again.
A sweet scent filled his nose it was familiar but before he could think on who it was Icestar appeared before him. The leader's blue grey fur twinkled with stars in his pelt.
"Congratulations on becoming a warrior, you have come a long way" Icestar meowed.
"But…why did you come…I expected Graycloud to visit me" Lionflame meowed. Now that he thought about it Graycloud never came to visit him and it made him sad.
Icestar's blue eyes stared at him and he looked like he wanted to say something.
"A step has been taken Lionflame, The flames of the roaring lion will protect its clan. You need faith, strength and courage to fight it. Thunder clan will need you more than ever" Icestar meowed though his eyes still looked troubled.
"Me…what am I supposed to do for Thunder clan?" Lionflame asked.
"Beware of the Tiger Lionflame, the Tiger will shake the clan to its knees. It's up to you" Icestar meowed and he began to fade.
He awoken the next morning he expected to have Snowfall next to him but remembered he slept near Nightfrost and Stoneclaw.
Lionflame suddenly needed the she-cat by his side and took the scents around him. A lot of cats have gone and he sighed as he took a moment to thing. Just yesterday he found out Silverstorm loves him, he wasn't sure to feel shocked or happy about it 'I love Snowfall…but…me and Silverstorm?' he wondered. He found himself remembering how stunning Silverstorm looked and his heart hammered in his chest and he grew warm all over. 'That dream…Silver light will warm my heart? Is Star clan telling me Silverstorm is my true mate?' he shook his head 'No! Snowfall is my mate…and…and I love her' he argued with himself.
"Lionflame?" Nightfrost entered the warriors den.
"Hm?" asked the tom.
"Be my hunting partner" Nightfrost meowed.
"Sure…but what about Talonclaw?" he asked.
"I don't have to hunt with him all the time, I have more than one friend" she meowed.
"Ok then, lets hunt" Lionflame meowed and the two friends went off together.
"Come on, let's play" Pinekit meowed looking bored.
Applekit's eyes were sparkling as she watched the new kits from outside.
"Pinekit we got work to do like feed the elders" Rainkit meowed.
"Kits" Applekit purred.
"Applekit all they do is mewl and suckle, they not big enough to play" Pinekit meowed annoyed his friend was paying so much attention to the kits.
"We were like that too at one point" Rainkit meowed grabbing a mouse to take to the elders.
Pinekit rolled his eyes and picked up a vole to take and followed the grey tom.
"Ahh…that feels nice" Copperfur meowed as Oakleaf dabbed mouse bile on the ticks on the rusty colored ton's lower back. Stormkit sat close and watched.
"Ahh...our morning meal" Windpelt meowed as Rainkit and Pinekit came in.
"Stormkit" Rainkit meowed and touched noses with her. She in turn purred gently.
"I missed you" he meowed.
"Ah to be young again" Windpelt meowed wistfully as she watched them.
"To love so innocently" Copperfur purred.
Rainkit shuffled his paws and Stormkit tilted her head to the side in confusion and looked to Oakleaf.
"What's next?" she asked.
"We go and sort herbs in the storage, get rid of the dried up ones and see what we need" he meowed.
"You are spending a lot of time with Oakleaf young one. Do you plan to become a medicine cat?" asked Windpelt wondering if Thunder clan had another interested kit.
"I just like being with Oakleaf, I'm not sure what I want to be" Stormkit meowed.
"Aren't you going to play with us?" Rainkit asked as he watched Stormkit leave.
She paused and turned to look at him "Sorry, not right now" she mewed.
Rainkit watched her go with a heavy heart 'Will Stormkit ever come back to us?'
Lionflame had just caught a mouse, his stomach grumbled as the scent of his catch flooded in his nose.
"I say we eat this one, we caught plenty of prey "Nightfrost meowed also getting hungry.
"Well…" Lionflame looked uncertain.
"Come on, we can share it" insisted the black she-cat
That convinced him and the two cats shared the mouse he caught. When they finished the wind blew and he froze, hissing.
"Lionflame…you smell-" a sharp growl could be heard.
Lionflame fur stood on end, he recognize fox scent from the faded scents of the old fox dens. His ear twitched as the fox charged and was closest to his left so he dodged just in time and heard the click of the teeth snapping together. Nightfrost hissed and scratched at its legs and Lionflame leaped on top of its back, claws digging into its sides.
Lionflame heard a yowl of pain and blood flooded his nose. Rage that the fox hurt his friend he bit hard at the fox's neck hard causing the fox to flail and run around. He was determined and dug his claws in, the fox rammed him hard into a tree and he found himself unable to focus and everything faded.
Nightfrost hissed as she got to her paws, scarlet liquid poured down her shoulder but she had to fight. She heard running and thought with dread another fox had come but it was Stripefur.
"Nightfrost" he meowed ready to jump in.
"NO! Go get help please, I can never make it with my injured shoulder, I'll stall, just get more warriors" she yowled and dodged a swipe of the fox's paw.
Stripefur nod and he ran off as fast as a wind clan cat leaving the black she-cat to face the fox alone. She glanced to see Lionflame's ginger pelt on the ground, she had to protect her fallen friend at all cost.
"Fox dung!" she cursed when the red beast went for her again, she used her agility to weave in and out from the fox's legs.
Lionflame saw stars and a brown she-cat came to him.
"Lionflame, you must wake up! Your friend is in danger" the brown she-cat mewed with urgency.
"I would if I could but I just can't, even if I did its no way I can face that beast, it killed Graycloud" he meowed slumped over. He again wondered why this she-cat continued to visit him and not his own mother.
The cat looked impatient, her brown eyes flashing in annoyance "You can! Do it for Graycloud, You must protect your friend. She would do the same for you" she meowed and she touched her nose to him and a surge of energy, determination flooded into him.
Lionflame jerked awake and got to his paws ignoring the throb in his head, with new found energy he was ready. A flash came to his vision, it was an instant but he learned to capture it. It was the fox shaking Nightfrost like a rat.
Filled with rage he tackled the fox hard he and the fox fell to the ground and he squirmed to get away and heard the scrambling of Nightfrost somewhere and knew she would be okay.
Lionflame scratched at the fox's legs and quickly weaving as the fox tried snapping at him. For an instant he took a wrong turn and the fox swiped at him hard, claws digging into his chest and he yowled in pain.
'This is it! I'm going to join Star clan…I failed the clan…I failed Nightfrost…and worst of all…I will be leaving Silverstorm and Snowfall behind…and even Stormkit…I'm sorry' this was his last thoughts as he fell to a crumpled heap on the ground.
Another flash and this time it was a golden brown tabby with black tabby stripes leaping and knocking into the fox.
He heard yowling and hissing he wasn't sure who was winning but soon enough the scent of Thunder clan had come he couldn't' scent anyone through the blood. He heard a crunch and a loud thud. The fox had fallen.
"Lionflame you alright? Oh no Nightfrost is badly injured, someone take her back to camp" meowed Blazeclaw.
"I got it" Mudshadow grabbed his sister by the scruff and hauled her lip body back to camp.
"You, rouge, you coming to camp with us" Blazeclaw meowed.
"I got you Lionflame" it was Stoneclaw and Lionflame felt glad as he got to his paws his chest was on fire and more blood scented his nose and he felt dizzy.
"Woah, we've got you buddy" Talonclaw came to his other side and the two toms supported him and brought him back to camp.
Crowstar stood at the center of camp clearly worried about his daughter; he felt dread when he saw Mudshadow carry her limp and bloody body to camp.
"Oh dear, good thing I gathered more cob webs" Skypool meowed and got to work. "Oakleaf you see if Lionflame needs any treatment, I need to tend to Nightfrost" Skypool meowed as she followed Mudshadow into her den.
Snowfall paced the camp clearly worried for Lionflame.
"He'll be ok" Silverstorm meowed her words more confident than she felt.
"How can you be sure? Lionflame is blind! If Nightfrost is hurt he could be worse! He could have already joined Star clan" Snowfall wailed as she paced the camp clearly anxious.
Silverstorm had nothing to say, she stared at the camp entrance worry clawed at her belly.
She resisted the urge to run to Lionflame when he came in limping was Stoneclaw and Talonclaw's support and blood oozing out his chest, turning his chest fur scarlet.
Snowfall ran to them only to stop at Crowstar's glare "Save the reunion for later, Oakleaf tend to him in Skypool's den" Crowstar meowed.
"Come on" Oakleaf walked to his den with the others following him.
"And who is this?" Crowstar glared when Blazeclaw came with a golden tom, broad strong shoulders, black tabby markings and leaf green eyes only injury was a long claw marks down his flank but he didn't dare limp or show signs of pain in front of these cats.
"This is a rouge we found, he was fighting off the fox when we arrived. We managed to kill the fox, we discovered it was a female, probably defending her pups" Blazeclaw meowed.
"Later we will find the den and eliminate the pups, we do not need them to grow up and become a problem for Thunder clan" Crowstar meowed. He looked to the tabby rouge "Rouge, state your name" he demanded as his warriors gather.
Brownflower huddled Rosethorn's kits and Pinekit into the nursery.
"I am Tiger, I realized I was in cat territory but found myself getting more and more lost. Next thing I know I heard yowling and I came to help, where I come from foxes are a real problem, especially during new-leaf where pups are born" Tiger meowed.
"You saved our warriors, but until we figure out what to do with you will be guarded at all times, Blazeclaw you and Hawkstorm will take first watch" Crowstar meowed and stalked off and headed for the medicine cat den.
Skypool had finally stopped the bleeding though nearly all her cobwebs are gone. Nightfrost had gone to sleep with the help of poppy seeds but Lionflame refused to go to sleep.
"I need to see Snowfall…please" he meowed
"I know you want to see your mate but you must rest, your chest injury was deep and it's hard to place cobwebs in fur as long as yours. Do me a favor and rest" Skypool meowed.
"But…" Lionflame meowed.
"Lionflame please just rest….you are my best friend…and I don't want anything to happen to you…and Stormkit was worried sick, she was going to stay but I told her to go. She is worried, please rest and get your strength" Oakleaf meowed.
"Crowstar…does he blame me?" Lionflame meowed as he scented the seeds Skypool pushed to him.
"No of course not" Skypool purred and gave his ear a lick.
"I…I don't want my blindness being a danger to anyone…if I could see I would have been more useful…he would make me a elder for sure" Lionflame murmured as the seeds kicked in and his eyes closed.
"Don't worry" Oakleaf meowed.
"Rest young warrior" Skypool meowed.
Soon Lionflame fell to a deep sleep.
"Yes Crowstar?" Hawkstorm walked in the den to see Blazeclaw, Shadowflame and Stoneclaw inside already.
"We need to talk about Tiger, I got my experienced warriors to help make judgment" Crowstar meowed.
"We can't take him in" Stoneclaw meowed. "It's bad enough our clan is known for taking in loners and kitty pets, that our clan blood is impure now. I mean sure Stormkit is young enough so the other clans won't have to know she's not from thunder clan…but surly questions will rise if he is to go to gatherings" he finished.
"Well Lionflame is half clan" Hawkstorm pointed out.
"He has Thunder clan blood" Shadowflame meowed.
"What makes Thunder clan is the hearts of every warrior, rather they have strength, courage, and loyalty makes them a Thunder clan cat, not who their blood ties are" Crowstar meowed.
Blazeclaw dipped his head agreeing with Crowstar "Though he is a strong warrior, better he's on our side than on Shadow clan" he meowed.
"Surly he could stay if he chooses, he did save Nightfrost" Crowstar meowed glancing at the other toms.
"Oh, you chase my sister out for loving a clan cat but here some rouge saves your daughter and you willing to accept him open pawed" Stoneclaw growled.
Crowstar narrowed his eyes but Hawkstorm cut in "Surly you wouldn't feel grateful if he saved Rainkit or Applekit from death? I know I would if he saved my kits, for what it's worth he saved Lionflame too, your kin, you sister's kit" he meowed
The grey tom forced his fur flat "I say we don't"
"Blazeclaw? Hawkstorm? Brother?" Crowstar asked the other toms.
"Well… I say yes, if only because he is strong. I think at the very least not make an enemy of him" Blazeclaw meowed.
Shadowflame looked undecided.
"Well… I sort of feel uncomfortable with a stranger around; I guess I feel protective of my family. He could be trouble" Hawkstorm meowed taking Stoneclaw's side.
"Shadowflame?" he asked.
"Alright brother, but in the end it's your decision, a lot of points have been made. Why don't we give the clan a chance to decide, and let Tiger himself get a choice, he did say he was lost. Maybe we can just escort him home" Shadowflame meowed.
Crowstar gave a nod. "Okay I will announce this to the clan" Crowstar got to his paws as the most experienced warriors left the den first.
By then clan members murmured and were out of the dens, staring at the sleeping tabby that was now guarded by Mudshadow and Talonclaw.
"All cats old enough to catch your own prey gather under high ledge for a clan meeting" meowed Crowstar but everyone was pretty much out already. The queens were out though, warily pressed together yet each guarding the nursery, their precious bundles inside. Though they still managed to peak out to hear and listen what was going on.
"As we all know there was a fox spotted on our territory, two brave warriors, Nightfrost and Lionflame have been hurt protecting the clan from this threat. I thank Stripefur who just happened to be in the right place at the right time who came and got help to them just in time" the clan meowed anxiously to one another. Stripefur shuffled his paws for being mentioned but looked happy enough.
"However in the process a rouge has been found, fighting the fox, defending our fallen warriors and assist in killing the fox, step forward" Crowstar meowed.
Tiger got to his paws his green eyes dull with pain and clamped his mouth shut when Mudshadow gave him a shove and he walked up to the highledge allowing everyone to get a good look at him.
"A rouge? What was he doing in our territory?" Copperfur growled as he left from his den. Age has not gotten its claws in the copper warrior.
His question caused everyone to murmur as well Tiger did not shrink away but he sat as tall as his injured side would allow.
"You may speak" Crowstar meowed at Tiger.
"My name is Tiger, if you call a cat who wonders on their own than yes I'm a rouge. A pack of foxes has taken over my own claimed territory so I left to find more. I didn't realize I was in the territory of such a massive number of cats. I tried to find my way out of the forest but I ended up getting lost. I scented fox and I heard the yowling of…what do you call yourselves?" he asked pausing to stare up at Blazeclaw.
"Warriors" he answered.
"Oh, I heard your warriors, I look and I saw the black one…the she-cat…injured and barely on her paws as the tom was on the ground bleeding heavily from his chest. I couldn't let a fellow cat get hurt, that and I hated foxes more than ever after my territory being overran. So I just leaped into action, then that's when the group of cats came and took me and the injured warriors away…. I had no desire I invade territory that belongs to other cats" he meowed and dipped his head.
"You must be in pain, your wounds are flaring, infection is setting in" Windpelt meowed as she approached closer.
Skypool nodded in agreement and Oakleaf just kept thinking about his injured sister and friend he had to leave inside.
"Until your injury has healed you will stay in Thunder clan camp. You are to be guarded at all times, if you have to make dirt you will ask permission of who is guarding you" Crowstar meowed. "Skypool, you have any herbs to spare?" he asked the grey and white she-cat.
"Of course Crowstar, I know just the thing he needs" she meowed.
"Is this clear Tiger?" Crowstar asked.
"I understand, you wish to be cautious, very smart indeed" he meowed and the cats left the clearing as Crowstar leaped down from his place.
"Come Tiger" Skypool meowed and the tabby cat followed the two medicine cats inside. He looked and saw the two cats laying down. He eyed the she-cat and then the tom and hoped they would be ok.
"I'm glad you saved my sister…Crowstar is too, we're his kits" Oakleaf meowed as he went to get brudock root.
Tiger felt proud he saved someone the leader cared about. He let out a surprise hiss when Skypool gave his wounds a lick.
"Sorry, I got to clean it first; you did good with showing no pain." Skypool meowed gently.
"I wasn't sure what would happen…I learned to show no weakness" he meowed. "And I'm glad I can help, I know all too well what foxes can do" he meowed and Oakleaf thought he saw his eyes flickered with sadness.
"Is it ready to be applied Oakleaf?" she asked.
Oakleaf approached with the chewed brudock leaf in his mouth and applied it to the scratches.
"That feels nice" Tiger murmured, his eyes closing.
"This takes care of infections. You won't be doing much moving. Give the injury rest. Only move as needed" Skypool meowed.
"Thanks…um…what are your names? I want to say healers" Tiger meowed his voice was calm and smooth, laced with curiosity now he wasn't in pain anymore.
"I'm Skypool, this is my apprentice Oakleaf and we are the clan medicine cats.
"Skypool….Oakleaf…I never heard names that long before…well…how about those two?" he asked looking to the two sleeping warriors.
"The tom is Lionflame…my sister is Nightfrost" he meowed.
"Night…wow…a cat I cared for is named Night" he meowed and Oakleaf saw joy for a split second before it became sadness.
"I take it you are hungry, I'm sure you can get kill from the fresh kill pile" Skypool suggested.
"It feels weird…I'm used to hunting for my food…do you think it's ok?" he asked the she-cat.
"Well yes, you will be staying till you are healed" Skypool replied.
"Bye Oakleaf…Skypool" Tiger meowed still trying their names on his tongue as he left the den. He spotted Blazeclaw approach him and he waited.
"Ah, Crowstar wishes to speak with you" Blazeclaw meowed.
"Ok, take me to your leader" Tiger meowed and followed the ginger tabby. He went up to the den with Blazeclaw. Inside Shadowflame sitting beside Crowstar, Tiger noticed they had the same built, same eyes.
"Blazeclaw you can continue setting patrols" Crowstar meowed and Blazeclaw left.
"Crowstar" Tiger dipped his head in respect.
"Tiger I want to personally thank you for saving Nightfrost, I don't know what I'd do if she came back a limp dead body" he meowed.
"It was by chance, it could have been any of your warriors… I know how pesky foxes can be" he meowed.
"I will ask the clan's decision about this but I have considered making you a member of Thunder clan. Of course this is your choice as well. We will cause you no harm, we will escort you safely out our territory and we will ask you not to come back. So do not feel like you have no choice" Crowstar meowed.
Tiger blinked, green eyes reflecting shock, he had not expected this "I…I haven't thought of that… I was thinking I would be dead by now…" he meowed.
"Thunder clan has never killed unless the whole clan is threatened… don't worry you don't have to make the decision now, you have a few days till you are healed. Then I expect a decision, you say yes and I will ask the clan for their permission. Even as leader I have to do what's best for the clan. If all the clans agree or disagree, then this is my decision. In the end I'm one cat" Crowstar meowed.
Tiger dipped his head "Yes Crowstar" he meowed.
"Shadowflame, tell Mudshadow I want him to guard Tiger if he's doing nothing" Crowstar instructed and the tom left the den Tiger trailing behind him.
"I feel so terrible…yesterday I yelled at him…" Snowfall meowed Talonclaw.
The tabby was deeply sad about Nightfrost, her being too weak to even open her eyes. He missed her confident attitude, she was strong, brave and beautiful she-cat with a sharp tongue and he would give anything to hear her sharp sarcastic tongue. 'Nightfrost be strong…I'd…I'd never make it without you'
"Why did you?" Talonclaw asked feeling as if he understood her sadness, the cats they cared for most was hurt.
Snowfall paused and looked around, they were alone in the forest, they were supposed to be finding and eliminating fox pups or checking out anymore signs of foxes.
"Well… I pulled Silverstorm aside and asked her what was wrong…she's…she's in love with Lionflame too…" she meowed sadly.
Talonclaw chuckled, "No surprise" he meowed. "Then what?" he asked.
"Well I'm mad she wants to be gloomy about this when me and Lionflame are together….well…anyway… I told Lionflame about it and his reaction wasn't what I needed…I'm insecure about this… I loved Lionflame for so long…. I don't want my own sister taking him away…" she wailed.
"What was his reaction?" Talonclaw asked getting interested. 'Could it be possible Lionflame has an interest in Silverstorm as well? Lucky tom'
"He didn't… I guess he was shocked…but…the look on his face…as if he were thinking…what if he was thinking of being with her instead of me…I mean…she was the first kit to really be friends with him…the others and I kind of avoided him because he was mean back then… I personally was shy…I didn't want him to yell at me… I wanted to be friends with him from the start, the moment I knew he was blind…I wanted his friendship…but I couldn't do it…not till I became an apprentice" meowed Snowfall.
"I see…just talk to him…I think he loves you…because he was so worried when you were sick in leaf-bare" Talonclaw touched noses with Snowfall for comfort. "I see how he feels now… my Nightfrost is in there hurt…more vulnerable than I ever seen her" he meowed.
"You love her…you should tell her" Snowfall purred.
"I… I can't…when it comes to playing and talking, you know how she is with her sharp tongue…I can always find a comeback…but when I try to speak of love…I feel as if I can't find the right words….it be a way she looks at me…or how her fur shines in the sunlight or when we brush pelts as we hunt… I think she likes me back… she hunts with me more than any of you if she's not on a patrol… but… I can't get the words out" Talonclaw hissed in frustration.
"So cute" Snowfall purred.
"Any ideas?" he asked but before Snowfall could answer she heard whining and whimpering. The pups were found.
To their horror there were many pups inside the nest "Thanks Star clan they are still small" Talonclaw meowed.
"Ah you found them" Blazeclaw appeared with Stoneclaw.
"Yep, glad the fox trail lead back to this spot" Snowfall meowed. They were following the fox scent but it traveled everywhere so the patrol spitted up, in the end the different trail led to the fox den.
"So many pups…" Blazeclaw hissed as Stoneclaw pulled out the pups, the small bundles whined and whimpered.
" So helpless…" Snowfall meowed.
"We have to or they could grow and be a problem for us" Stoneclaw growled and silenced the first pup.
The patrol silenced all four pups and they placed them back in the den and sealed it off so that no more foxes would be attracted to that spot.
"Great job, let's go back" Blazeclaw meowed and the patrol headed back.
"You saved Nightfrost" the shining blue grey fur of Icestar appeared before Lionflame.
"I'm dead…" Lionflame murmured.
"No, you are alive…you must gather your strength…the clan will need you now the tiger has come. Have courage, have faith, you are the one. Let the sharp Talon be your strength, the mighty Oak as your support, the bright Light will guide you with its gentle touch, and Silver storm will carry you, and the Night will follow you, let your mighty roar lead you to victory" Icestar meowed his blue eyes gleaming.
Lionflame felt his pelt prickle he felt like he could take on all the other clans to protect his own. "I will do my best, I will have courage and faith" he meowed.
Icestar touched noses with Lionflame "That's all I asked" he meowed and walked away.
As Lionflame woke up pain shot through his chest and he let out a gasp. 'Nightfrost? Snowfall…oh Snowfall…Silverstorm…I need to tell them I'm alright…where is everyone?'
He didn't dare move but scented the room and pricked his ears, herbs clouded his nose and he heard the soft breathing of Nightfrost.
"Oh my…Lionflame" Skypool murmured gently as she came back with a mouse.
"Skypool?" he asked and was surprised by the tone of voice and wondered if it was his.
"Yes my dear, Oakleaf went to eat with the others. He wouldn't stop watching you guys. He's worried about you" she told him.
Lionflame closed his eyes "Worry…it's more than I deserve…if…if I wasn't so weak Nightfrost…Nightfrost wouldn't be sitting here…if Talonclaw went with her and not me…." Lionflame felt hot liquid flow from his eyes.
"Oh Lionflame…you did your best dear" Skypool started groom the blind tom.
Lionflame clawed at his moss "I'm so useless…." He meowed.
"Now don't say that. You did all you could" Skypool's soothing voice turned harsh. "I sit in my den hoping you would make a warrior and see you doing your best. I know you will be a great asset to the clan…. I just know it…" Skypool meowed.
"But-"
"No buts, I have faith in you, Oakleaf has faith in you, Stoneclaw has faith in you, your friends have faith in you, even young Stormkit has faith in you. Lionflame you are the one cat I know have so much to offer" she meowed.
'I am the one…Icestar….he something about me being the one…' Lionflame looked at her. "Skypool…thanks so much…" he meowed.
"Now eat this" she meowed and pushed her mouse towards him.
Lionflame didn't realize how hungry he was until the mouse was in front of him. As the mouse filled his mouth he ate swiftly. "How long was I out for?" he asked.
"Hmm… you were out for the whole day pretty much. Now it's early in the morning" she meowed.
"That long?" he asked looking surprised and knew that was why he was hungry.
"Everyone came to visit you every chance they got. Even Crowstar came for Nightfrost. The kits even came by" Skypool purred "See how many cats care about you?" she added.
Lionflame let out a choked purr, his chest bothering him. "Can… I see them…I need to see my friends I never realized how much I care for them…." Lionflame asked.
"Hey ?"Oakleaf paused.
"Lionflame?" Stormkit poked her head in and her blue eyes brightened up. "Lionflame" she squeaked tears bubbling inside as she ran inside and pressed her face against his cheek. "I'm happy you are awake, so much has happened…" he felt so much joy and concern from Stormkit he rasps his tongue across her ear.
"I miss you too Stormkit…" he meowed. "But what has happened?"
She looked to Oakleaf and Skypool "It's not my place to speak" she meowed.
Oakleaf purred and wrapped his tail around her small body "Silly kit, you do have a place to speak on what's happening in the clan. Well Lionflame…well a golden tabby with black tabby markings has been held somewhat captive in camp. He was the cat to save you till Blazeclaw's patrol came…he's injured too but not like you guys. The clan is very wary of the rouge…some fear he may join the clan…though he seems nice enough…he came to visit you guys too…" Oakleaf meowed.
A flash appeared of the golden top leaping and his form changed to look like the ancient tiger in Tiger clan. His heart thumped wilder in his aching chest.
"I see… he may have saved me…but…something just feels wrong…" he meowed.
"Some cats say that…well mostly Stoneclaw and Hawkstorm, though Hawkstorm is less aggressive about it than Stoneclaw…" Skypool meowed.
"I see…well… is it ok if I see someone…I feel…the desire to see more cats..." Lionflame meowed.
"Can I find someone?" Stormkit asked.
Lionflame nods "Yes, go ahead" he meowed and heard her leave.
"Some cats are guarding the rouge and others are on patrols...so maybe one of the others can spare a moment" Oakleaf meowed.
"Sorry…your friends have left already…but some others would like to visit" Stormkit meowed.
"Lionflame" Rainkit, Applekit and Pinekit meowed together.
"Ah, kits…hello" Lionflame purred.
"How is Nightfrost Oakleaf?" Pinekit asked as he padded to his sister's still form.
"She's still sleeping. Lionflame had more wounds than Nightfrost so if he's up maybe she will too. But it's just like kits opening their eyes, they do it when they are ready" Oakleaf meowed.
"Lionflame, you know Hawkstorm got kits now. When you are able to walk again you should see them. They are tabbies like Hawkstorm and the other is a blue grey color with white paws" Applekit meowed.
"She really likes the young kits" Oakleaf purred.
"Yes I do, they are so cute" Applekit squealed and of course the medicine cats and Lionflame knew she would definitely be a queen. Being a warrior was important but being a queen was honorable, being the one to help the clans produce many future warriors. Lionflame expected this as she was always a soft kit at heart.
"Oh how wonderful, maybe they will be opening their eyes and walking soon. I still feel so very weak right now" Lionflame meowed as he found it hard just to breathe from his chest pain.
"Ok kits, go play now. Lionflame needs more medicine" Skypool meowed notices the breathless sounds coming from the blind warrior. And all but Stormkit left, up till yesterday she's been with Oakleaf.
"May I stay?" she asked.
"I'd like some company…" Lionflame meowed before Skypool can object.
"Ok" Skypool meowed "Just for awhile"
Stormkit left the nursery and looked around camp "Hey…Ba-Stormkit?" Pinekit called, he had been hanging around nearby.
The gray she-cat glanced his way and thought the better of avoiding him "What do you want. The mighty Pinekit is talking to a kittypet, a non clan born kit" she gasped in a mock surprise.
The tabby kit sighed "I'm sorry… I didn't mean what I said…I feel guilty" he meowed.
Stormkit gave him a hard look "Sure…you never care about anyone who's not your family…" she hissed.
Pinekit sighed and was about to turn away "He means it Stormkit…please…I miss you…" Rainkit meowed as he approached them.
Stormkit touched noses with Rainkit. She trusted the light grey tom and turned back to Pinekit "Ok…I believe you Pinekit…I just want to belong…I try so hard…yet…you're the only one…only one who hates me…" she meowed. "I only wanted your friendship…" she meowed and sighed.
"I won't harass you…that's all I can do, we are sharing Brownflower after all" he meowed and walked away and Stormkit realized it was his way of going easier on her.
"I missed you too Rainkit" she meowed. "Come on then let's play" she purred and soon the kits start kicking the moss ball around.
Tiger opened an eye he stretched he stayed under high ledge all night curled up. He looked up and saw Lightfeather standing watch. But the light made her white fur glow and the ginger patches spark like fire.
"Woah, woken up to true beauty" he murmured.
Lightfeather's tail tip curled at the compliment "Why thank you, if you didn't look as young as my former apprentice I'd be deeply flattered" Lightfeather purred. Her tail traced his slashes, it was still an angry red color and he flinched back.
"Sorry, should have known it would hurt" Lightfeather meowed.
"It's fine…maybe I'll have…um Skypool…yea…that's it…maybe I'll ask her to place more of that stuff on it" he meowed. At the corner of his eye he saw kits playing.
Lightfeather followed his gaze and her eyes softened "Ah kits, the clan's feature…" she meowed.
"Wow…they are cute…" he meowed and made himself sit up. "Is it ok…if I get something to eat?" he asked his green eyes meeting her blue ones.
"Sure, just one of course" she meowed and the golden tom walked and grabbed a small mouse. He didn't feel right taking a big piece when he's not catching his own food.
"What's your name by the way? I suppose while I'm here I'd learn the names around here" he meowed.
"Lightfeather" she meowed.
"Hmm your fur does glow rather radiantly in the sunlight…great name" he meowed once again giving the she-cat a reason to curl up her tail.
"You flatter me…but it's how the names work around here. We get names we have earned…like me because of my fur…and hmm…that kit over there is Stormkit…it's because her dark grey fur looks like a storm cloud in the sky" Lightfeather meowed using one of the kits as an example.
"As those kits grow and develop they will gain qualities that earn the second part of their names. I earned feather because of my gentle nature, so I'm told" Lightfeather tried to explain.
"So the clan goes through name changes…weird" Tiger meowed and wondered if he wanted something added to his name. He played with some stuff but realized he liked the name he was born with. Just plain Tiger, he couldn't get use to the fact the cats around here change names.
"Lightfeather, great news, Lionflame has woken up" Oakleaf meowed as he appeared with some herbs for Tiger. He sniffed at the scratches he frowned as it was red and swollen still.
"Oh how great, I can't wait to see him" She meowed to him but she wanted to go so bad but couldn't.
"That feels nice" Tiger meowed as more herbs was applied to his injuries. "Oh…is it ok if I see? I kind of want to meet the cat I saved…" he asked.
"Well…sure, come on" Oakleaf meowed and Lightfeather happily got to her paws.
"Lionflame wake up, you have some company" Skypool meowed and gave the tom a lick on the ear.
Lionflame groaned softly and stifled a gasp as he breathes in and opens his eyes and scented the room.
"Lightfeather" he meowed and curled his tail. He wrinkled his nose slightly as he scented another cat. He just smelled like pine…pine and herbs, brudock to be precise. "Lightfeather and…I guess this is the rouge everyone is talking about" Lionflame repeated.
"Very good" Lightfeather purred and started licking her old apprentice so happy to see him awake and talking.
Lionflame stifled a purr, Lightfeather always had her moments where she was so motherly to him. His ear tips burned as he didn't want to be too affectionate in front of others.
"Why he has to guess who I am? I don't understand" Tiger asked.
"I'm blind…but before you judge me I'm sure half the clan if not everyone will jump to my offense. I haven't let that stop be from being the best warrior I possibly can…not when I had Lightfeather as a mentor" he meowed and gave his mentor a lick on the cheek. He will always love Lightfeather as she been with him, guiding him and supporting him when he felt he was useless. She was like a second mother to him which he really needed. 'Was she the light that's supposed to guide me?' he wondered this.
"Lionflame has gotten mature over his responses too…normally he'll just bite your ear off about it." Oakleaf purred.
Lionflame could feel surprise from the rouge but it turned to admiration "I know a blind cat once…she was too scared to do anything…but I'm glad to see a blind cat isn't so vulnerable after all… I'm Tiger by the way" he meowed.
Lionflame felt something went off in him, he didn't feel right it was something about the name. But Lionflame felt friendliness come off the tom in waves and he felt anxiety. Lionflame nods his head.
"Hello, I'm Lionflame as I'm sure you were told" he meowed.
"Nice to meet you…you're the first cat not to give me a strange look…ironic because…well you know" he meowed.
Lionflame felt tension everyone expected him to have a sharp reply but his whiskers quivered in silent laughter. "I guess that's so…I am still capable of expressions of course" he meowed.
"Ok, I'm still not off duty yet… so I better get back to guarding Tiger…I'll be sure to have some of your friends come by, oh speaking of it I see Talonclaw shall I get him?" Lightfeather asked.
"No…he's probably tired anyway" Lionflame meowed.
"Alright, come on Tiger" Lightfeather lead the tom out.
"Silverstorm…I think it's great you are still spending time with me even though you are a warrior, believe me I am, but it doesn't feel right knowing you are still ignoring your friends" Stripefur asked as he were out on border patrol having two warriors guarding Tiger at a time, patrols had to be stretched out.
"Well, half of them are hurt…and well I'm mostly avoiding Snowfall… she hates me for liking Lionflame…I don't blame her…I would too if I knew someone was in love with my mate…." She meowed.
Stripefur placed his tail on her flank "I understand…just find a new mate then?" He suggested.
She laughed "As if, there is no one else in Thunder clan. I mean everyone who wants a mate has one but me" Silverstorm meowed as she helped scent mark the border with shadow clan.
Stripefur sighed realizing this he also realized soon after she wasn't fully correct and his ear tip to his tail burned when he realized he too was without a mate. 'That's my apprentice, it's my job to help her deal with the Lionflame issue' Stripefur shook the thought of his old apprentice as a mate, mostly the possibility as him as a candidate.
"Psst…Silverstorm" the silver warrior stopped as she heard a voice from the Shadow clan side of the border.
"Maplefrost? What is it?" she meowed as she recognize the voice. Sure enough the tortoiseshell and white she-cat appeared from behind the bushes.
Stripefur hissed "What do you want Shadow clan? Don't you even think of crossing the border" he hissed.
Silverstorm walked up to the border much to her old mentor's dismay. "Relax, she's a friend of Lionflame's she's a decent cat. Now what is it? I won't want either clan catching us talking" Silverstorm meowed.
"Fox has invaded our territory and has injured some warriors…I was worried and decided I'd better give Thunder clan a warning…but I could never find the right cat…when I find one it's not the right time…so I wanted to give you all heads up" Maplefrost meowed.
Silverstorm sighed "That was kind of you…but…the fox came here…Lionflame and Nightfrost got hurt in the process…but we killed the fox so it won't hurt anymore cats" Silverstorm meowed and watched a flicker of emotion crossed Maplefrost's face.
"Lionpaw became a warrior? That's wonderful. Is Lionflame and Nightfrost ok?" she asked, smartly disguising her concern for only Lionflame by adding Nightfrost into the equation.
"He woke up today I heard. I haven't seen him yet. So he should be fine…I'll be sure to tell him you asked of him" Silverstorm told her.
"Ok…well I better get going. I'm supposed to be helping Mudpaw collect herbs while Frostclaw is treating the cats" she paused for a minute. "But don't think for a minute that Shadow clan has weakened" she said as gruffly as she could before stalking off into the trees again.
"Silverstorm be careful next time what if it was a trap…you got hurt last time…I…" the tabby warrior clamped his mouth shut when his apprentice turned to look at him. Her silver tabby fur glitter just right in the sun. He felt warm again 'don't think about your apprentice that way!' he yelled at himself as Silverstorm approached him again and cuffed her mentor's ear as he used to do.
"I'm fine. That was a starving Wind clan during leaf bare…this is Maplefrost. Lionflame trust's her enough. That and I have the best warrior around to help if I'm in trouble" she meowed and with a flick of her tail she dropped to a hunter's crouch.
Stripefur watched her muscles ripple under her silver tabby fur and he shook his head again and watched her skills. He fell into the role of mentor again, he noticed her form was perfect silently stalking the squirrel and she leaped and did a swift and clean kill.
"Great job as always" he meowed and watched her blue eyes glitter in the way she always did when he complimented her as an apprentice.
"Thanks, I think I'll give this to Lionflame" she meowed as she picked up the meal.
"Nightfrost you are awake at last" Oakleaf meowed and licked his sister happily.
"Oakleaf" she purred happily.
"Lionflame?" she asked.
"Oh, he was awake for awhile. He's just napping now" he meowed.
"Take it easy now, you still have a hurt shoulder, try to rest up" Skypool warned as Nightfrost tried to stretched out.
"Ok…ouch…" she hissed as she realized how much her shoulder hurt.
"See" Oakleaf meowed and as if on cue Crowstar entered and their golden eyes met.
"Father" Nightfrost purred and touched noses with her father who in turn gave her a lick on her cheek.
"Nightfrost, I don't know what I would have done if I lost my only little she-kit" he purred and it made Nightfrost burn in embarrassment. Her father hasn't called her his she-kit in seasons.
"I'm tough. Had it not been for Lionflame I would be crow food." She meowed.
"He was worried he failed you" Oakleaf spoke up.
Crowstar looked at the sleeping tom "He fought hard. He didn't fail. Tell him that for me" he meowed to Oakleaf.
"You going to have to tell him yourself" Oakleaf meowed.
"Perhaps later…" Crowstar meowed and left his den soon after Silverstorm came in with a squirrel in her jaws and Talonclaw came in with a vole.
"Hey you guys" Silverstorm meowed.
"Talonclaw and Silverstorm" Nightfrost purred.
Lionflame yawned and as food flooded his mouth he woke up fully. He took in the scent of Silverstorm and purred. "Silverstorm and Talonclaw how good to see you" he added when he scented Talonclaw.
"You are awake" Silverstorm purred and placed a squirrel at his paws "I caught this for you while on patrol…" Silverstorm meowed shyly.
Lionflame's pelt burned as memories of Snowfall telling him that Silverstorm loved him came back. His heart hammered in his chest at the thought.
"Thanks" he meowed.
"I'm glad you both are up now. I was worried" Talonclaw meowed as he placed his vole in front of Nightfrost.
"Thanks so much Talonclaw" she meowed and dug into her vole as hunger clawed at her belly. Lionflame was doing the same with his squirrel though he had eaten earlier he didn't want to refuse her offer.
"Lionflame guess what happened while I was on patrol with Stripefur?" she asked.
"A patrol with just you and Stripefur?" Nightfrost questioned with a hint of tease in her voice.
Lionflame felt prickly all over at the thought of her alone with Stripefur 'why should I care? I got a mate' "What is it?" he asked.
"I ran into Maplefrost at the border of Shadow clan, she came to warn us about the fox as the fox must have injured some of the cats in Shadow clan" meowed Silverstorm.
Lionflame thought of his friend fondly, happy she tried to warn Thunder clan though it was obviously too late. "Then what?" he asked.
"Well I told her you and Nightfrost was injured. She looked concerned and wanted to know if you were ok. Don't give me that look, I didn't tell her about Tiger" she meowed.
"Tiger…who is Tiger?" Nightfrost asked looking at everyone in the den.
"He's a rouge who your father is keeping at camp till his injuries are healed. He helped saved you guys by fighting off the fox until Stripefur came back with the patrol" Oakleaf meowed.
"Oh…my dad kept a rouge around camp…odd" Nightfrost meowed.
"Well he's making two warriors guard him so it's no chance he would run off or try and hurt someone. So Blazeclaw have less cats going on patrol than normal to keep many cats around camp" Slverstorm meowed giving reason to her being alone with Stripefur.
"Hmm…what's he look like?" Nightfrost meowed.
"A golden color with black tabby markings. Kind of how Tiger clan cats looked like back then" Silverstorm meowed.
"He's very nice but very anxious which I don't blame him. I mean… being held like a prisoner surrounded by strangers" Lionflame meowed. "But I get such an odd feeling with him…I can't explain it…I guess I'm being suspicious of him because he's a rouge…if he stays he'll be a clan mate" Lionflame meowed.
"True… I want to meet this Tiger for myself" she meowed.
"Ok, I'll fetch him" Oakleaf meowed and walked outside.
Tiger was being watched over by Mudshadow and Brambleleaf. Tiger was crouched low with his ears flat on his head trying to look as harmless as he could with Mudshadow's piercing eyes staring him down.
"Mudshadow cut it out" Brambleleaf hissed in annoyance.
Mudshadow gave a grunt of displeasure and lashed his tail irritably. The thought of a cat in his camp was enough to drive him mad. 'When I'm leader…we won't allow rouges to be in our camp…no matter who he rescued' he meowed.
"If looks can kill" Oakleaf meowed as he approached his older brother "I came to fetch Tiger, I have to check on him anyway. If it makes you comfortable feel free to stand by the medicine cat den" he added.
"That will do, come on rouge" Mudshadow hissed and shoved him to his feet and Tiger let out a hiss in the process. This made Mudshadow extend his claws.
"Don't be so rough" Oakleaf hissed. "He still has injuries. The quicker he heals the quicker he is out of here remember" Oakleaf meowed annoyed with his brother as much as Brambleleaf.
Tiger licked at his bleeding scratches, his tail lashing in annoyance. "And I felt so good all day" he meowed as he followed the medicine cat and Brambleleaf.
"Skypool get some cobwebs please, my mouse brained brother made Tiger injuries reopen" Oakleaf meowed as he entered the den again.
"Why hello, both cats are up this time…and oh…it's more cats around as well. Hello." Tiger meowed as he looked from the cats in the nests to the Silverstorm and Talonclaw.
"Silverstorm" Silverstorm meowed.
"What a lovely she-cat. Nice to meet you in person" Tiger meowed and looked to Talonclaw.
"Talonclaw" he meowed.
"Ah, nice to meet you too." Tiger let out a small sigh as Skypool applied some cobwebs on his scratches; scarlet liquid was quickly being absorbed.
"I called for you mainly because my sister wishes to see you" Oakleaf meowed.
Tiger allowed himself to get a good look at Nightfrost and recognition flashed through his eyes. "You look like Night" he meowed to her.
"Night? Who is that?" she asked.
"Night…well she was a special cat…she had the softest pale green eyes though…but you look like her though" he meowed, a wistful tone came to his voice.
"Well I'm me, Nightfrost, a loyal Thunder clan cat ready to fight" she meowed.
Tiger laughed "I know, you are just so pretty you made me think of my good friend Night, she's the reason why I saved you. Killed by foxes" he meowed.
For once Nightfrost didn't have a comeback as guilt flickered across her face "I'm sorry" she meowed.
"It's ok," he meowed. "So how are you two feeling" he asked quickly changing the subject.
"Good enough" Lionflame meowed.
Skypool removed the used cobwebs when the bleeding stopped and let the juice from the chewed brudock soak in.
"You got that from the fox?" Nightfrost asked.
"Yea, but it's no big deal. I'm not hurt like you because by the time I arrived there and started fighting your clan members came" he meowed.
"Well that's it. Don't make Mudshadow mad ok. Though he'll have a piece of my mind if he makes your injures open" Skypool meowed as Tiger got to his paws.
"Thanks again" Tiger said and Lionflame got a flash of green eyes staring at Nightfrost. Lionflame didn't like that look of interest in his eyes.
"Take care now" Silverstorm meowed.
"Alright you guys it's way too many cats in here now. Come back tomorrow, it's already sundown" Skypool meowed.
"Bye Lionflame" Talonclaw meowed and touched noses to his friend. He went to Nightfrost and gave her ear a lick. "I'm happy you are ok now…" Lionflame caught him whispering to the black she-cat. 'Just tell her you love her already mouse brain'
"By Talonclaw" Nightfrost meowed and leaned to touch noses with Silverstorm "Thanks for seeing me today too. I'm surprised the snow puff didn't see us…least she should have seen you Lionflame" Nightfrost meowed clawing dread in his heart.
"He doesn't need her anyway. I came to visit him so it's ok…right?" Silverstorm asked.
Lionflame's pelt burned again but he purred and gave her cheek a lick "Of course. You made me happy by coming. Please come back tomorrow…" he meowed.
He felt her heart hammer in her chest just as his is making the feeling double.
"Bye for now" Silverstorm walked out with Talonclaw.
It was night, the moon was the only light in the sky besides the stars. A silvery grey pelt left camp eager to reach his destination.
He heard flapping and knew it must be an owl. A moment later he reached the lake. The lake reflected the sky and for a moment the silver grey tom didn't know what was up or down.
"Stoneclaw" the grey tom looked and saw a long haired grey she-cat, a ginger tom was beside her. Their eyes were wide as moons and it was filled with concern.
"Hello Graycloud…Firetail" Stoneclaw meowed. "Why so troubled?" he asked.
"Well…Shadow clan got fox trouble, Ambergaze got hurt" Firetail meowed.
"Then who did you visit?" Stoneclaw asked perplexed.
"Maplefrost" Graycloud meowed. "I'm so proud she got her warrior name" she meowed
"She knows now…Ambergaze didn't keep the secret anymore once Shadow clan accused Maplefrost for not being loyal. They noticed how close she and Lionpaw were, too close to be cats from another clan" Firetail meowed.
"I see…well …does she know he's her brother?" asked Stoneclaw
"Yes she does and she loves him more than ever. Though… I don't know if she'll ever forgive us…but anyway she told us Thunder clan had a run in with the fox as well and Lionpaw got hurt…she met with Silverstorm at the border…but now we worry for Lionpaw" Graycloud meowed.
"He's fine, he fought hard to protect Nightfrost, they are both resting with Skypool…and Lionpaw is now Lionflame" Stoneclaw meowed.
"Really? This is wonderful my kits are warriors" Graycloud meowed.
Firetail looked like he could yowl for all of Star clan to hear "My son" he meowed.
"Yea and he has taken Snowfall as a mate" Stoneclaw added.
"Snowpaw? Lionflame picked sweet little Snowpaw, how cute. Do I have grandkits yet? Though I was sure Silverpaw would be the one…I mean she was bright and open with him as kits…well things happen when you become apprentices" Graycloud meowed.
Stoneclaw meowed "I thought so too…but no. No kits yet." Stoneclaw meowed. "Speaking of which Hawkstorm is finally together with Frostfur. They have three kits, two are tabbies, Hawkkit and Treekit and there is a blue grey and white she kit, Bluekit" Stoneclaw meowed.
"It's about time" Graycloud meowed but she kept glancing at Firetail both looking worried.
"Look…Stoneclaw have-"
"Lionflame found a kit in leaf bare during a snow storm….the she-kit is dark gray and is very fluffy and have blue eyes…I do notice some faded flecks….she looks just like you Graycloud…explain" he meowed.
"Ok we had more kits. I thought we were safe now we don't belong in the clans…unfortunately we weren't from sickness…one of them got sick and died…the she-kit survived…but not much longer than her brother's death she left…I got a dream that told me she went to the clans.. Her name is Storm…" she meowed.
"Stormkit is what we call her. She's safe in Thunder clan. My kits adore her…Rainkit… I'm not sure if it's more than what he should…they are kin after all" he meowed.
"She has her mom's beauty" Firetail purred.
"Oh Firetail…but I don't think it will happen…now she's in Thunder clan…I know Crowstar knows…it's only a matter of time before our secret gets told…but till then let them feel as they please. Besides kits have little crushes all the time. But we sometimes don't even remember them as we grow older and focus on training" Graycloud meowed.
Stoneclaw nods his head "I hope this secret comes out…I'm tired of keeping this lie…but I am doing this for you. I'll be by Lionflame all the way if I have to" meowed the gray warrior.
Graycloud purred and licked her brother's cheek "I miss you so much Stoneclaw. Don't worry though, it will all work out" she meowed.
"Alright, I just have this feeling everything will fall down, a loner came to Thunder clan in the process…I don't trust that cat one little bit." Stoneclaw meowed.
"Give him a chance, I mean Thunder clan can never have too many strong cat." Firetail meowed.
"Yea but this isn't your clan Firetail, it's a feeling…maybe I'm worrying because I got kits now" Stoneclaw meowed.
"Soon they will be apprentices and you will worry even more" Graycloud purred and gave her brother a lick. "We better get going. My mind is at ease knowing Stormkit found her way to Thunder clan…I know it's a lot to ask with your own kits and Lionflame…but please just look out for her" Graycloud added.
"I was from the moment I noticed she looked like you. Goodbye for now" Stoneclaw meowed.
"Goodbye"
Stoneclaw watched his sister walk off into the distance with her mate. He sighed wishing she could come back and things would be better off.
YES! I got Tiger in there, I'm going a time skip next chapter. Lionflame and Nightfrost will be healing up and Tiger will make his choice to either stay in Thunder clan or leave to make new territory for himself.