The sound of thunder echoed in the distance.
What a great way to start the day, thought Phoenixwing dismally.
Rivertail was sleeping next to her. Even though she wouldn't admit it, with Raindrop so busy, he had become one of her closest friends. Nightsky, on her other side, wasn't that bad either. Petaldust was always great for advice.
The rain poured down harder and harder as Phoenixwing walked out into the clearing. Silverpaw walked past her, holding wet leaves in her mouth.
"Someone was up early." she remarked.
"Des wur for you, vut dey got weth." Silverpaw said through clenched teeth.
Phoenixwing purred appreciatively, and placed the soggy leaves down so they could dry. The splat woke up Nightsky, who stretched out and went outside.
The three kits were running around the camp, jumping in puddles and playing mossball.
Lightningstrike stood pacing the lower boughs of the Hightree, flicking his tail like a cobra. "Anyways, patrols will be Dark- I mean, Petaldust, Stormmind, Nightsky and I on hunting, and Clawpelt, Trunkthorn, Bluewing, Growlclaw and Sandclaw on the RainClan boundary."
"What about us?" asked Ivywhisker, motioning towards the remaining cats.
"Stay here. Guard the camp."
There was a general consent, until Trunkthorn asked, "Where's Moonstar?"
Lightningstrike's eyes went wide, but he replied cooly, "She went out early in the morning. She'll be back soon."
"That's not a good enough answer!"
"What if she's been taken?"
"We can't lose another cat!!!"
Chaos filled the camp, thunder crackling over hisses and rain pouring down by the gallon on everyone. Clawpelt tried to jump up onto the Great Tree but Lightningstrike smacked him down.
Through the rain, a lone figure entered the camp. Moonstar's blue eyes glowed in the storm as she held up a white and brown kit. It looked like a white-and-brown Lightningstrike- but it had her eyes.
"I'm sorry. I was out hunting when it happened." Moonstar said, dipping her head to the gathered cats.
Swallowfern ran up to her and took the tiny kit into the medicine den. Moonstar followed after.
"Okay everyone, back to-" Lightningstrike announced.
"What about the other kits?" asked Petaldust.
"Who's going to care for them?"
"We don't have anymore queens, after all..."
"I'll do it." Nightsky said.
All heads turned to her. "I hate Silentpelt more than you will ever know, but that's not the kits' fault. I'll take care of them."
The three kits turned to her, confused. "You mean... mami's not coming back?" asked the red one, Scarletkit.
"No! You're lying!" spit the white kit, Cloudkit.
The golden furred Sunkit walked to Nightsky and purred, burying himself in her fur.
Nightsky, with a smile, purred back. Tears streamed out of her eyes.
Thunder crackled, roaring like a lion, but in the DragonClan camp, gentle silence fell like a blanket. Through the early leaf-bare air, snow fell all around.
Kits looked up,Silverpaw and Windpaw gasped and warriors swiveled around in confusion as faster and faster, snow began to blanket the dreary world.
