Wolf and Moon

Chapter 4: Thunderstorm

  "What should we do about Reedpaw's death? It could be a sign for anything," Thunderstorm asked quietly.

Cloudfog was silent for a moment, lost in thought. "When Arrowpoint was still leader, and y'all were still kits, Lilyray had this vision from Spiritclan. Arrowpoint told me the message, and told me to watch closely over everyone. Something that lingers in my thoughts, is when he said 'beware the wolf'... Have you noticed how odd Wolftail has been acting? Ever since he had to stay an apprentice a while longer? I know what he did to Rockstone. Who knows what else he has killed. But it's not just him either. The prophecy had more. The wolf and moon stand together. Sometimes I see Wolftail and Mooncross in the shadows discussing something in private... I don't know what I should do about it. It's like they're being influenced by something..."

"I know about the prophecy. Crosswind overheard Arrowpoint and Lilyray-"

"I'm sorry, what? She overheard their conversation?"

"Yeah, she was hiding behind some boulders. But anyways, she heard them and then told me about it. I've noticed change in Hawkfeather and Hollyfrost, and it seems to go with the prophecy. They aren't like most cats, and they noticed it, too. Hollyfrost told Crosswind how she can go into the thoughts of others and how Hawkfeather can see very far away. She also said that Mooncross is like them, too. He can control the minds of wild animals, and sometimes other cats, though I have not witnessed it myself. But these abnormal traits are meant for much more, and I think I know why. Hawkfeather, Hollyfrost, and Mooncross may be the only cats to have these powers. Sometimes in my thoughts, I'll hear a voice. It's another cat that used to be leader of this clan: Shadowstar. He says I have this secret power within me. He talks to Wolftail and Mooncross, and I heard he's looking for more. But maybe Hollyfrost can change Mooncross. Just maybe...," Thunderstorm was in too deep of thought.

Cloudfog thought about this for a moment. "Maybe. And if she can't?"

"I know her. She will. Do you not have faith in her?" Crosswind pitched in. Thunderstorm immediately felt guilty for not remembering she was still there. Or was she ever there? How long has she been there?

"Of course I have faith in her; I'm just looking at all the possibilities."

Thunderstorm rolled his eyes. "I guess we'll just have to wait and see. Now, I'm going to go talk to Breezepaw to see if she is okay after losing her sister."

Thunderstorm left the den and went towards the apprentices. He peeked inside and saw a white pelt beside a black pelt. Breezepaw and Shadowpaw. He saw Breezepaw move and Shadowpaw lifted his head and licked her ears then whispered something in her ear before putting his head back down.

"Breezepaw?" Thunderstorm asked calmly. "May I speak with you?"

"Yes, but I already know what your gonna say. I'm fine. All I need is Shadowpaw," she licked Shadowpaw's ear in return before getting up and following Thunderstorm behind the waterfall, near Cloudstar's den.

"Since you have no more kin in this clan, would you like to go to Waterclan with your father? If it makes you feel better?"

"To Waterclan? Ew, no! I would hate to eat that slimy fish all the time. And they're all so fat and slow. I haven't even met my father yet, and I don't want to see him. I don't need anyone else other than Shadowpaw. He makes me feel like no other," she said softly, looking flushed.

Thunderstorm smiled. "Well I'm glad that my son is treating you right. But it's up to you if you choose to live in Waterclan. If you want to, come tell me."

"Alright. But I can assure you that I'm staying right where I am," she called behind her back, scampering off to the apprentices' den back to Shadowpaw.

After laying in the sun for a few moments, Thunderstorm spotted Wolftail near the fresh-kill pile. He picked up a sparrow and found a spot behind some rocks. He ripped the sparrow up angrily before devouring it like he hasn't had a meal in days. Wolftail seemed to have a somber smirk on his face like seeing that sparrow get ripped to pulp pleasured him. Thunderstorm had a look of disgust and horror on his face after seeing his friend do such a thing.

After Wolftail finished his sparrow, he found Boneshadow and smiled happily and licked her ears. Are they a thing now? He wondered to himself. The Red Dusk was started as the sky turned into a blood red and the stars of their fallen ancestors came out. Thunderstorm watched as Wolftail and Boneshadow walked together side by side. They laid next to each other and Wolftail wrapped his body around Boneshadow as they started to fall into a deep sleep. His fur seemed to look a little clumped together as if it was still drying after getting wet. Boneshadow is clueless about him...

Thunderstorm wanted to warn her to protect her, but he didn't know how. But maybe he won't hurt her if he truly loves her.

As he watched over the rest of the clan, he found Hollyfrost and Hawkfeather surrounded by he and Crosswind's kits. They sure seem good with the little ones. I wonder when they'll open up and have kits of their own. He smiled at the thought of Hollyfrost and Hawkfeather having kits together. His kits tried to jump on Hawkfeather and tackle him for fun, but they were no match for him. Hawkfeather was much bigger and much more masculine than even Hollyfrost. They were all about as big as Hollyfrost now; she was a perfect match for the apprentices to spar with. He watched Irispaw tackle Hollyfrost and send her to the ground. Thunderstorm would be surprised if Hollyfrost didn't get hurt from the blow, but she seemed fine. He laughed. It was cute that they were playing with his kits. Jealous a little but adored by it.

"Hey, Thunderstorm? Can I speak to you please?" Crosswind walked up to him. He nodded but was confused and worried by it.

They walked out the camp and walked towards the Shadeclan border. He remembered when the last time Crosswind took him out the camp to the Flower Meadow. She told him that she was expecting his kits. He was so excited. He was jerked back to the present as they came up to his father, Smokesong's, grave.

"Remember when we went to meet him that night? Before we buried him, I saw that he died from wounds. Not ones that were previously closed but fresh ones. Ones inflicted by a cat. That scent you told me you couldn't recognize was Wolftail's," she told him with sympathy. "And I brought you here to tell you that.... I'm expecting your kits again!"