Thunder squinted his eyes against the rising sun as he entered the camp. Another sunny day with slushy snow all around. He'd gone out to hunt early in the morning after a long night of storytelling. He had hardly gotten any sleep.
He was just glad he wasn't chosen for the Gathering. He couldn't imagine seeing ThunderClan again.
He crossed the clearing to the medicine den, a robin in his jaws.
The others were doing their daily tasks. Ivy Breeze was changing the apprentice's den bedding. Dappled Pelt was sorting through herbs, tossing out stale plants while talking with Yellowfang in low voices, looking worried. Jackdaw's Cry sat close by, grooming Hawk Swoop. Tall Shadow was on the Flat Boulder as usual. Jagged Peak was yawning and stretching outside the warrior's den while Ravenpaw crouched beside the tabby.
Yesterday, Cloud Spots had asked if Jagged Peak could show Cinderpaw good exercises for her bad leg and Jagged Peak had reassured her that she could be a warrior in no time. Thunder had been happy for his friend. He had also been checking up on the new kits. Petal stayed with them in the nursery, but still attended to her warrior duties as Turtle Tail fed them.
Thunder gazed around the clearing. Where were Acorn Fur and Lightning Tail? Had they gone hunting? He'd been looking forward to catching up with his friends. They had been the only ones he hadn't seen face-to-face yet. He and Lightning Tail had grown up like brothers practically.
He scanned the clearing and caught Jagged Peak's eye. His uncle blinked and nodded to the medicine den.
Thunder headed for the den. Cinderpaw lay in a nest. "Thunder." She grinned broadly.
Thunder stopped beside the nest. "I brought you something to eat."
"Thanks." Cinderpaw purred gratefully.
"How are you feeling?"
"She's doing pretty well," Cloud Spots mewed from the shadows of the den.
Thunder sighed in relief.
Small pawsteps sounded from outside the den.
"Which herbs are you using for Cinderpaw again?" Pebble Heart asked, padding in.
"Marigold for the gashes and dock for the aches," Cloud Spots explained.
"Is it necessary to give her poppy seeds when she has to sleep?" Pebble Heart asked, looking thoughtful.
Thunder was surprised by the young kit's knowledge and big questions. He hardly knew the names of any herbs. When did Pebble Heart become so mature?
"In this situation: No, it's best for her to sleep this pain off," Cloud Spots answered. "Or else if it does hurt she would be numb to knowing and that wouldn't end well."
"I'll see you later," Thunder spoke up and backed out of the den.
Outside he saw Jagged Peak and Air Leap teaching Owl Eyes, Sparrow Fur, and Cloud Tail battle moves.
"Why are you teaching them to fight?" He asked nervously. Jagged Peak looked at him.
"Um, so they can defend themselves. Skystar and Dappled Pelt had a warning about a big battle with Thistlestar coming up."
Thunder's heart dropped. He knows. He knows and he's getting back at me! Was this StarClan's warning about Thistlestar's revenge on Thunder for his betrayal.
"Thunder?" Air Leap asked, concerned. Thunder realized his fur was bristling and his ears flat, body trembling. "Are you okay?"
"Yep," he managed to say and turned, racing across the camp. He huddled under a bush sucking in breaths to calm himself.
"Are you okay?" He looked up to see Hawk Swoop lowering herself into the bush beside him. "You look like you've seen a ghost."
And maybe I will…
"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine," He shook his head of horrifying thoughts.
Hawk Swoop licked his ear. "It's so good to have you back. Your siblings are very happy to see you again."
Thunder smiled, remembering how his sisters had pestered him for more details about his expedition.
"And I know Lightning Tail and Acorn Fur will be happy as well. They'll be back soon from their hunting assessments."
They're already getting one of their assessments? I really need to catch up!
He assumed Leaf had let him sleep in after the long night, but he had gone out to hunt, feeling guilty about sleeping in. Some cats like Shattered Ice and Jackdaw's Cry would have sniffed in disapproval.
He sighed. "Do we have to teach the kits to fight too?"
"Well, in order to defend themselves. Thistlestar is a bad cat. He won't spare kits as you can tell with Misty's kits and then kicking out Cinderpaw. That poor young cat." Hawk Swoop sighed sadly.
"Alright, then I'll help you all prepare."
He padded out into the clearing about to head over to his brother and uncle when suddenly he heard a loud yowl.
"Look out!"
He turned only to be barreled into by a black cat and was thrown to the ground. Pawsteps raced around him in circles and he caught a flash of brown.
"Hey, Thunder!"
"We've missed you!"
"Lightning Tail, Acorn Fur," he broke into a hoarse purr and forgot about his worries for once as he caught up with his best friends in the whole world.
Brackenpaw scrambled up the ravine after his mentor, the snow crisp on the boulders. The sun shone in the pale blue sky.
"Hopefully, the sun will bring out the prey," Graystripe commented.
"Not with that stalking!" Dustpelt smirked, following with Brackenpaw's brother, Thornpaw. Brightpaw was practicing fighting techniques with Cricketpaw and their mentors in the Sandy Hollow.
If only Cinderpaw were with us…
Thunder had been gone for a while now. Brackenpaw found it strange though…Thunder disappears after taking Cinderpaw away and Thistlestar doesn't say a word about it?
Although he did catch the leader always glaring off into the distance with a dark look in his amber eyes that made Brackenpaw shiver.
Brackenpaw distracted himself with training and spending time with his littermates and mother, who hovered over her three remaining kits anxiously nowadays similar to Mistyfoot with Cricketpaw.
A faint breeze stirred the surface of the snow, filling in small dips in the surface. A rabbit trail.
Brackenpaw spotted the brown creature sniffing at a clump of bracken, where a few green spikes of grass poked through the snow. Without being asked he dropped into a hunting crouch, then drew closer, trying to even out his weight. At the last moment, the rabbit sensed him and sprang up, but it was too late. Before it could run, Brackenpaw pounced and swiftly killed it.
"Well done, Brackenpaw," Graystripe purred. "When we get back to camp you can give that to Spottedleaf. We'll give our catches to the elders and queens."
Warmed by his mentor's approval, Brackenpaw forgot about his grief and worries and skipped after the patrol.
They had a good rest of the day hunting and returned to camp.
The golden-brown tabby took his rabbit to the medicine den right away. Ducking inside, Brackenpaw saw Spottedleaf sifting through her herb store, looking troubled.
"Oh, thank you, Brackenpaw," she meowed when she noticed him set the rabbit down. She gave him a searching look for some reason, but he just dipped his head and left.
I wonder what's up with her.
Gray Wing entered the camp. Jackdaw's Cry, Shattered Ice and Dappled Pelt were heading for the Flat Boulder where the others were gathering.
Skystar stood on the rock, his head high.
Thunder stood back at the edge of the clearing, looking downcast.
"Gray Wing!" Tall Shadow hurried over. "Skystar invited Wind Runner and Gorse Fur officially."
Gray Wing smiled. "It's about time." He hurried toward his brother, who had hopped off the boulder. "What's wrong?" he asked. Wind Runner and Gorse Fur were exchanging nervous glances.
Skystar frowned. "Wind Runner is expecting kits."
"Kits?" Gray Wing echoed. He smiled, joy warming his body. "Congratulations!"
"Kits will mean extra mouths to feed. And with the worrying vision of battle…will it be safe for them?" Wind Runner sighed. "I don't want to join the group unless they know who they're really welcoming."
Gorse Fur nodded. "We don't want our kits to be a burden."
"Why would they be?" Gray Wing asked. Turtle Tail's kits were always hungry and getting in the way as well as Misty's young kits.
"Wind Runner won't be able to fight if there's a battle," Skystar added. "And there'll be more kits to defend."
Gray Wing stared at him. "If there's a battle," he echoed. "More kits will make us fight harder. It will give us something worth fighting for."
Skystar nodded and climbed onto the Flat Boulder again. Gray Wing led Gorse Fur and Wind Runner to sit at the base of it.
Skystar began. "Wind Runner and Gorse Fur have helped us when we first met them. They have been loyal allies, and helped us find new ways to our lives. It is an honor to welcome them as members of our Clan."
Wind Runner looked up at the pale gray tom.
Gray Wing stepped forward and added, "Wind Runner is expecting." He let his gaze sweep the crowd. Hawk Swoop and Jagged Peak were smiling.
"Congratulations!" Rainswept Flower came forward.
Jackdaw's Cry looked uneasy. "Can we feed more kits?" He eyed the nursery where Birch and Alder, named by Petal, sat, looking around curiously. Nearby Cloud Tail flicked snow at Pebble Heart's pelt, the older tom-kit not doing much to tell his foster brother off as he watched Skystar and Gray Wing.
"Of course we can!" Acorn Fur meowed.
Lightning Tail nodded. "We have plenty of apprentices and warriors and plenty of prey even in this harsh leafbare."
The others murmured in agreement.
"But will the kits be okay in this season?" Fircone asked from beside Nettle and Leaf.
"Remember we can track rabbits into their tunnels like Wind Runner taught us!" Shattered Ice yowled.
Skystar was nodding in agreement at their words.
"Wind Runner and Gorse Fur have done so much for us," he said. "They have earned food for their kits and their kits' kits."
Jagged Peak nodded. "They rescued Thunder and I from the collapsed tunnel," he said. "We would be dead if it hadn't been for Wind Runner."
"Gorse Fur taught us apprentices how to hunt underground," Lightning Tail chimed in.
Acorn Fur nodded. "He was so patient with us. You'll be a great father, Gorse Fur!"
Turtle Tail stepped forward. "Wind Runner showed me the best places to hunt. Even though I was expecting myself she made me feel useful."
"We would never have explored the tunnels if Wind Runner and Gorse Fur hadn't shown us how," Jackdaw's Cry said. "Now we have a place to shelter from the cold."
"And escape routes!" Dappled Pelt added.
Gray Wing smiled at his clanmates. "We are lucky to have cats so strong and loyal as our friends."
"Wind Runner and Gorse Fur took on new names to fit in with us and it is with these new Clan names that we welcome them." Skystar jumped down from the rock and walked up to Wind Runner. The two touched noses. "Welcome, Wind Runner."
He did the same to Gorse Fur. "Welcome, Gorse Fur."
Chanting rose in the camp.
"Gorse Fur! Wind Runner! Gorse Fur! Wind Runner!"
Voices soared into the sky, warm with welcome.
Gray Wing smiled. They were united. And when united, they were stronger than any storm.
Whatever happened with ThunderClan they would face it with courage.
As the Clan feasted, Fire Heart sat with Hawk Swoop, Jackdaw's Cry, Jagged Peak and Air Leap. Ravenpaw had gone to get Cinderpaw and was helping her out of the den right now.
"What's going on?" She asked, blue eyes wide as she watched the cats, laughing and eating together happily.
"Wind Runner and Gorse Fur have been officially welcomed into the Clan," Ravenpaw murmured to his niece.
Cinderpaw looked worried. "Do you think Skystar will ever welcome me like that?"
"He did it once for me, so I don't see why not," her uncle assured with a purr.
Hawk Swoop watched Cinderpaw limp to the fresh-kill pile. "If we ever have kits actually born with disabilities I think we should find ways to help them."
"Like what?" Air Leap asked, interested.
"Maybe a deaf kit for example," Hawk Swoop began, green eyes shining. "We could make…like signals or something!"
"Great idea!" Fire Heart exclaimed. It could work and they wanted to help all cats as best as possible. "Maybe we could make movement…with our tails!"
"And ears, whiskers! Paws!" Hawk Swoop added, excitedly.
The two ginger cats started twitching their ears and whiskers and flapped their tails behind them, trying to make up signs.
The other three toms watched them, confused.
"I…have no idea what they're on about," Jackdaw's Cry muttered as he watched his mate and best friend try to communicate with paw movement and ear flicks.
Gray Wing was woken up by a murmuring voice. He blinked his eyes open and peered out of the warrior's den, but could see no one.
"We can't talk here," Rainswept Flower was saying anxiously. "We'll wake someone."
"Let's move further away," Jagged Peak mewed.
Gray Wing sat up, feeling uneasy. He watched them move across the camp and exit the tunnel, meowing something to Nettle, who was on guard.
Slowly, he got up, hoping he wouldn't disturb Ravenpaw and Fire Heart, who were stretched out side-by-side together nearby.
He climbed a slope and peered through a clump of grass into the forest. Rainswept Flower and Jagged Peak sat on a rock.
"We've got to make ThunderClan see reason!" Rainswept Flower said. "We never bothered them anyway! Thistlestar is getting into their heads."
"And what if they take it straight to Thistlestar if we tell them 'no, please don't fight us!'," Jagged Peak whispered sarcastically. "Gray Wing was suggesting talking to him! To Thistlestar! Even Brokenstar would probably have listened to us! If Gray Wing waltzes into their camp, Boom! He's done for."
"He'll put us all in danger," Rainswept Flower added. "Even the smallest mis-wording could result in war."
Gray Wing stiffened. Why hadn't they come to him with these worries? Should he confront them?
No.
He was afraid if they knew he was there, they wouldn't be sharing these thoughts.
"Gray Wing and Skystar are the last cats Thistlestar would want to see. And Thunder," Jagged Peak fretted.
"But we have to do something," Rainswept Flower argued. "Thistlestar won't stop until he takes over the Clans. Or dies trying."
"Thistlestar needs to be taken down," Jagged Peak meowed. "But how can we do that?"
"What if we…united the other Clans?" Rainswept Flower suggested.
"That's…actually a pretty good idea!" Jagged Peak said excited, suddenly. "WindClan is already on our side!"
"We just need ShadowClan and RiverClan. Or at least one of them should be enough to take Thistlestar down."
Gray Wing felt hurt. Did they not trust him to share these ideas? Sure, he had made the stupid suggestion of talking with Thistlestar (in which Skystar had knocked him over the head, telling him to see reason) but he just wanted to avoid a war. ThunderClan needed help to see reason. That was all. Thistlestar was the only obstacle in the way.
"What about you?" Jagged Peak said.
Rainswept Flower gasped.
"Thistlestar may hate almost everyone, but since you're so nice he may give you a chance to at least talk!"
"I don't know, Jagged Peak." Rainswept Flower sounded doubtful and nervous. "I don't think he'll care for what I have to say."
"But you'll think about it?" Jagged Peak coaxed.
"I'll think about it," Rainswept Flower sighed.
This can't be good…