ThornClaw's Destiny

Chapter 6

Thornkit stood petrified as the monster shot off into the distance. He turned his gaze to Cinderpaw, as she lay, limply, at the edge of the thunderpath. The sound of pawsteps announced the arrival of Tigerclaw, who stared down at Cinderpaw, rigid with shock. Fireheart padded stiffly forward and sniffed her flank. The only sign of life was her flank, rising and falling in uneven breaths. "She's alive," Tigerclaw growled. He met Firehearts gaze. "What was she doing here?" "She came to find you," Fireheart whispered. "You sent her here?" Firehearts eye's widened. "I told her to stay in camp!" Fireheart objected. "She came by herself." "We must get her home," grunted Tigerclaw. He bent his head, ready to pick up the lifeless body, but Fireheart nudged him away and picked her up by the scruff before Tigerclaw could touch her. He gently carried her into the bush and out of sight. Thornkit was shaking with fear. His own sister had just been hit by a monster! That could've been him! He turned around quickly and rushed back to the camp, following Fireheart and Cinderpaw from a distance. His mind was a mess of worry and fear. Fear for his own sister, whom he had played with and teased with. And now she was fighting for her life. As he reached camp, he slipped through the dirtplace and headed for the medicine cat den, meaning to check on Cinderpaw, only to be intercepted by Frostfur. "Where have you been! You should not disappear like that! I thought that Shadowclan had taken you again!" She nudged him towards the nursery. "Cinderpaw is injured! Badly! She got hit by a monster!" The words tumbled from Thornkit's mouth before he could stop them. Frostfur stiffened. "What! Is she okay? Oh, my kit, my kit! Starclan be with her! She's not...dead, is she?" "No, she's alive! At least, I think. I hope. She was breathing when I last saw her. Fireheart took her to Yellowfang." Frostfur said no more, but took off at a run, her paws pounding through the snow, into the medicine cat den. Thornkit was too tired to run after his long walk through the territory. He stumbled into the nursery and was bombarded by Brightkit. "Where were you! I thought Clawface had come back again!" she mewed, licking him affectionately behind the ears. "Cinderpaw got injured. She got hit by a monster." Thornkit mewed bleakly. Brindleface looked up sharply. "Is she okay?" Thornkit shook his head. "She's not moving," he mewed. Brindleface stood up, dislodging her kits, and padded towards Thornkit. She gently lifted him up and laid him in his nest. He snuggled into the warm bracken and Brindleface began to lick him. "She'll be fine. Yellowfang will look after her," Brindleface mewed softly. "Is Frostfur with her?" Thornkit sleepily nodded. He felt dizzy with pain, shock and sorrow. His dreams were full of worry and he barely slept a wink that night, with worry for Cinderpaw.

"Thornkit. Thornkit. Stop moving. THORNKIT, YOU'RE SQUASHING MY TAIL!" Thornkit started awake to find Brightkit wailing underneath him. He had somehow accidentally rolled on top of her. "You were thrashing around, and I tried to calm you and you fell on my tail!" Brightkit yelped. Frostfur stumbled into the nursery. "What are you kits up to now?" Frostfur asked absently. "How's Cinderpaw?" Thornkit and Brightkit demanded in unison. "She's fine, darlings. Why don't you go outside and play?" Frostfur mewed. "Are you sure? Can we go see her now? Is she-," Thornkit questioned, but before Frostfur answered, Brightkit pushed him outside. She pointed with one paw to Brackenpaw, who was strolling out of the apprentice's den, bleary-eyed with sleep. Thornkit waggled his haunches with glee, and began stalking silently towards Brackenpaw, who had stopped by the fresh-kill pile and was studying the remains. Thornkit creeped forward slowly. One step at a time and... "Charge!" Yelped Thornkit as he and Brightkit leaped towards their target. "Shadowclan, get out!" Brightkit squealed. Brackenpaw purred, and threw himself towards Thornkit. Thornkit feinted to one side and jabbed at Brackenpaw with a soft paw. From behind, Brightkit jumped on top of Brackenpaw and began pummelling his belly with her white paws. Brackenpaw tussled with them both for a while, before graciously admitting defeat. "Do you surrender?" growled Thornkit. "I surrender," grunted Brackenpaw. "Thunderclan is way stronger than Shadowclan!" "We defeated the enemy! Thunderclan is safe!" yowled Thornkit. Bluestar wandered over from talking with Tigerclaw beneath the highrock and stopped beside the littermates, her eyes warm. "I can see that you will be a great warrior one day, Thornkit," Bluestar meowed. "And me! I want to be a warrior too!" yelped Brightkit indignantly. "Of course. It shall be an honour to fight alongside you." Bluestar meowed smoothly. A call came from the nursery. "I do hope that you kits aren't annoying Bluestar!" "They're fine, Frostfur," called Bluestar. "Now, you kits can continue your battle. However, Brackenpaw has training to do." "Can I be an apprentice?" Thornkit blurted. "Not yet Thornkit. However, you are right. You are approaching your sixth moon and you shall have to be apprenticed. I shall think about who your mentors could be." With that, Bluestar wandered away. Fireheart approached her and they started a friendly chat. Thornkit stared after her, wondering what it was like to be leader. Would it be fun, to lead the clan? It would be hard, that would be sure. A fluffy paw clouted him softly on one ear and he turned to see Brightkit darting away. His thoughts forgotten, Thornkit chased after Brightkit and bowled her over. Being leader could wait. He could have fun before all the duties began.

thanks for reading, from aivil