Rise From Darkness {COMPLETE}

Thornstar's Terror -Prologue-

"Congratulations." Feathernose purred loudly, the medicine cat's blue eyes glowed happily and his fluffy tail waved eagerly behind him. "Five kits is certainly a blessing, I can't remember the last time this many kits were born at once."

"It certainly wasn't easy." A very exhausted Nightwing lifted her head from the nest as five kits nursed eagerly at her belly. Hawktalon looked down at the love of his life and his brand new kits with love surging through his entire body. He never knew this kind of love was possible.

"You did wonderfully, my beloved." He nuzzled Nightwing's cheek. "I am so proud of you...my beautiful bird." He purred so loudly, unable to contain his love for his mate and his children.

"I will leave you lot to rest." Feathernose dipped his head. "I will return shortly with some herbs for you Nightwing." He turned away and padded out of the nursery leaving Hawktalon and Nightwing with their kits as well as the other queen, Dovewish and her two kits Flowerkit and Stormkit.

"We're going to have to name them." Hawktalon said softly, looking down at the five kits.

"You're right." She purred. "Any ideas?"

His eyes rested on one of the brown toms, he had a little dark striped tail and was the biggest of the bunch, he was instantly reminded of his best friend from when he was an apprentice. "Could we name this one Tigerkit?" He asked, nuzzling the little tom who squeaked in complaint.

"I think that is a wonderful idea." Nightwing looked at him lovingly. "What about...Crowkit for the bigger black she-cat."

"It's perfect." He looked at Crowkit, she was the second biggest of the litter. "And the other she-cat..." He thought deeply. "What about Rainkit?"

"I love that." She touched her tailtip to Rainkit's head and kept purring. "And for the other brown tom...what about Bramblekit?"

"Wonderful." He purred loudly and looked at the last kit, looking at him Hawktalon couldn't help but be reminded of his brother, Falconclaw. The two looked almost identical with the tom being just a little bit lighter in color. He stared at the little kit for a long time, he looked small next to his brothers, and even Crowkit. The only cat he was bigger than was Rainkit. He needs a fierce name. One that will remind him of how strong he is... "How about...Thornkit?" He spoke aloud, the name sounding so natural.

"Thornkit...its perfect. They're all so perfect." Nightwing purred loudly. "Tigerkit, Crowkit, Rainkit, Bramblekit and Thornkit. Our perfect little litter."

*****

A few days passed by with the kits seemingly finding their legs quickly. Despite his small size, Thornkit seemed to be the most determined little kit Hawktalon had ever seen. He once again reminded Hawktalon of Falconclaw, always ready to go, always at the lead, he wouldn't be surprised if Thornkit became leader someday, but maybe that was just his bias as a father.

On the subject of Falconclaw, he hadn't visit the kits nor even really spoken to Hawktalon since their birth. The two of them had never been...close. Especially as they grew up, Falconclaw always seemed to be independent. He never had many friends, the few he had were long gone by now. Falconclaw was rigid, unapproachable and strict. He was a dedicated warrior, no cat could deny it, but Hawktalon couldn't help but worry about him. He worried if he was happy, worried that he had no friends, no mate, nothing. He was always so isolated from everyone.

Hawktalon found his brother lurking near the back of the Clan while eating a squirrel, his intense amber gaze watching over the Clan like the bird he was named after. His expression was muted, he was always impossible to read. Hawktalon approached his brother confidently, his tail high. "Falconclaw!" He called to him and his brother's amber gaze shifted to Hawktalon.

"What do you want?" He asked, not even trying to mask the annoyance in his voice.

"I was hoping you wanted to come meet your nieces and nephews." Hawktalon urged. "They are your only living blood after all, aside from me."

"I've seen kits before." Falconclaw twitched his tail. "They're squirrely, annoying little hairballs. They're not impressive."

Hawktalon withheld his annoyance and suppressed a sigh. "But they're your family, your kin. Doesn't that change anything?"

"No." Falconclaw said impassively. "They're just kits, they're not mine. They're yours."

"You haven't even asked what their names are."

Falconclaw sighed. "What's their names?" It was clear he really didn't care, but Hawktalon was going to tell him anyway.

"Tigerkit, Bramblekit, Thornkit, Rainkit and Crowkit." He said proudly.

"Oh wonderful, they have Clan names." Falconclaw grumbled. "How could I ever have guessed?"

"You could at least fake caring about your family." Hawktalon said, feeling rather defeated.

"You and I both know I'm well past that. I'm a warrior, not an apprentice. It doesn't matter to me what you or those little kits think of me. They'll just be more SunClan warriors to me."

Hawktalon sighed again, he wasn't going to give up yet. "You know Thornkit looks just like you. He could grow up to idolize his uncle, wouldn't that be nice?" Falconclaw narrowed his eyes a bit, clearly something about that statement struck something in his brother.

Falconclaw let out an annoyed sigh. "If I go see the little runts will you leave me alone?"

Hawktalon couldn't help but feel a little smug. "Of course."

"Fine. Let's go." He discarded his squirrel and started trudging towards the nursery with Hawktalon who waved his tail happily.

They arrived at the nursery and the two brothers poked their heads in, Hawktalon noticed with annoyance that Falconcaw refused to even look at Dovewish and her kits. His didn't even attempt to hide his hatred of the former kittypet and her two daughters. Hawktalon hated this, but he wasn't openly hostile towards them, he just kept his distance like he did all the other cats in the Clan.

Hawktalon motioned to his kits proudly while Nightwing looked at Falconclaw, she never liked him much and Hawktalon didn't really blame her, but he didn't think he would ever stop trying to have a good relationship with his brother. "Here they are." Hawktalon mewed and motioned to each of them in turn.

Falconclaw's eyes rested intently on Thornkit and there was...something deep in his amber gaze. Something that Hawktalon couldn't identify, and he couldn't tell if it was good or not. "Well, they're certainly kits. I don't know what you want me to say."

Hawktalon sighed. "Well, thank you for at least meeting them. You can go now."

Falconclaw turned away without another word and Hawktalon just settled down beside Nightwing, not wanting to leave her side. "I wish I knew...why he is the way he is." He sighed.

"You've never been able to control him...no one has." Nightwing glanced up. "Falconclaw is just...Falconclaw. You can't blame yourself, at least you're trying."

"I know." He nuzzled her, purring loudly. "I wish I could reach him, but if he doesn't want to...then I don't know what else I can do."

"You're such a good brother, Hawktalon. I know how much you care for him, you've always loved him. Sometimes cats are just...not that pleasant to be around and we can't change it. He came and met the kits which is more than I thought he would ever do. You did good, and our kits will still grow up knowing nothing but love."

"I know they will." He purred even louder, looking over the five kits. He had never felt such love and pride, he loved all five of them so much and he knew deep down that they would all do incredible things.