Warrior Cats #1: The Battle of Thorns

Chapter Three

SilverShadow sighed with relief as she saw Birdclaw limp into the den. Blood covered his flank and forehead, and he immediately fell to the ground. His chest heaving with exhaustion, he lifted his head to smile at his mate.

Skykit ran over to her father and licked him several times. Lionkit also shared in the welcome, until SilverShadow pulled them away. "Careful, your father's injured. He needs rest." She murmured to them, and quickly herded them off.

•. •. •. •. •. •. • •. •

The next day, Birdclaw woke to birds singing merrily in the trees outside the den. SilverShadow was awake and had a squirrel at her paws. Her eyes flashed with happiness as she met his gaze.

Quietly, so as not to wake the kits, she picked up the squirrel and laid it at his paws. Then, she laid down beside him and licked his cheek.

"What happened, Birdclaw? You know, between you and Shadowfur?" She asked after a few moments of silence. "You both used to be the best hunting buddies in the clan..."

Birdclaw growled. "The clan was forgotten long ago, SilverShadow! Ever since, we just haven't been the same together. There were binds that only the clan created, and without them, we were torn apart." SilverShadow sighed and rubbed against him comfortingly.

"But, you met me. And now look at us, we have our own kits. Maybe one day they'll join a clan-" she was cut off by his sharp interception. "My kits will never join a clan!" He exclaimed, flinching as he attempted to stand.

SilverShadow pressed against him softly. "Don't stress yourself, you need rest. We'll talk about it later."

Birdclaw nodded and took a happy bite into the squirrel, rubbing his head against SilverShadow. "Thank you." He said. SilverShadow stood quietly and turned toward the kits.

Skykit was sleeping innocently on A rock nearby, Lionkit huddled with her. They were so peaceful... It was so hard to believe what was in store for them.

After a while, SilverShadow nudged Skykit and Lionkit gently, herding their tired little paws over to the den entrance. "Mamma, if there are clans, then why aren't we in one? After all, daddy was in one once." Skykit asked, yawning tiredly. Lionkit blinked his eyes and nodded. "Yea, aren't clans great? They help eachother out... And fight battles only Starclan could dream of!"

SilverShadow growled roughly. "No, no, no, I assure you. Clan life is no better than the life we lead right now. Your father went through terrible things in Sunclan." Without waiting for her kits' responses, she padded out of the den.

Let's face it, clans just weren't ideal among Skykit's family.