The Dawn of Thunder

Chapter 3

        When Thunderkit woke up she didn't know where she was. She didn't know the smells around her, or why she had this horrible pain in her paw. She let out a wail before everything started spinning and she passed out again.

        "She smells like Sunclan. Should we bring her back?" Thunderkit didn't open her eyes when she heard voices. But she did still feel the pain in her paw so she let out a small whimper. She felt a tounge rasp over her ear and breath on her paw.

"No, she's still in bad condition. It's still not certain that she'll even pull through. But it's looking good so far." Another voice meowed.

"Should I announce that we have her tonight? Or is it unwise?" The first voice meowed, voice filled with confusion.

"Not unless they say something first. Make sure Lionstar goes before you and if he does say something, tell him that we found the kit but she was injuried so we are taking care of her. Let Darkshine explain why. They'll belive him better than you." Thunderkit let out another whimper as she felt the second cat lick something into her paw, causing it to hurt more. But Thunderkit sighed as it began to feel better.

"Seems like she's responding now." The first voice meowed.

"Better than before, that's for sure. Now if you have nothing else to say, leave. She needs space." Thunderkit heard pawsteps fad away before she slipped into sleep once more.

Lionstar P.O.V.

        "Have you found her yet?" Hollywind shook his head. Lionstar sighed. "We'll have to stop for today. We have a gathering to attend."

"Will you say anything about Thunderkit?" Coalfoot asked, worry shining in her amber eyes.

"Yes, I'll alert the clans and perhaps one of them found her, but hasn't had the chance to return her," 

"Lionstar!" Blazingglory padded up to Lionstar. He looked exaughsted, his fur was matted since he hadn't been keeping it clean. Every one of his ribs showed and there was a red rim around his eyes.

"Yes Blazingglory? What is it?"

"May I attend the gathering tonight?" Lionstar narrowed his eyes. He knew that Blazingglory had been looking harder than any other cat for his daughter, and Lionstar was unsure if he was in good condition.

"You may go," Blazingglory's eyes lit up. "But you are to eat and give your pelt a wash. And check with Brackentail too. If she says you aren't in good condition, you can't go." Blazingglory opened his mouth to argue but thought the better of it and dipped his head before padding off to the fresh-kill pile. Lionstar watched sadly as he pulled out a small scrawny mouse and began to knaw on it.

"He'll be better once we find Thunderkit." Lionstar relaxed a bit as he breathed in Nighwing's scent. 

"I hope so," Lionstar sighed. "He's a good warrior, I don't want to lose him.

        Lionstar stood proudly, looking down at the cavern before giving the signal to go. The carvern of falling water has been the gathering place for the four clans to many many moons. There were trees that bent so far that they intertwined with other trees. It sheltered the cavern from most rain. To the side, there was a small waterfall. There was also a rock jutting out from the middle, the leaders used it to address the clans below.

"Lionstar! Good to see you again, old friend!" Whitestar, leader of Iceclan, walked up to him, waving his tail in greeting.

"Whitestar! Good to see you too!" Lionstar nodded to him. "Are we ready to begin?"

"Just waiting on Moonclan. I'll meet you up there then." He gave another nod before bounding up to the rock. Lionstar looked around and spotted Scarstar, the leader of Clawclan, talking to his deputy, Honeystep.

"Scarstar," Lionstar dipped his head to the leader. "I hope prey is running well in your territory?"

"Just fine!" He snapped back, voice laced with suspision. 

"Relax Scarstar, Lionstar wasn't trying to get any information out of us." Honeystep rested her tail on Scarstar's shoulder. She turned to him. "I'm sorry, he's been nervous lately. I think you know why." Lionstar nodded before walking up to join Whitestar on the rock. Scarstar was the oldest of the four leaders, and every cat knew he was on his last life. He was getting old too so age was eating away at his judgement. Lionstar twiched his ears when he heard a yowl indicating that Moonclan was here. Willowstar, leader of Moonclan, ran into the hollow and leaped up to join Lionstar and Whitestar, Scarstar scrabbled up behind her with Honeystep supporting him. Whitestar walked up to the front and yowled, silencing the chattering cats below.

"Cats of the Sun, Moon, Claw, and Ice! Welcome to the gathering! Willowstar, would you like to go first?" Whitestar stepped back as Willowstar took his place. 

"I'm happy to annouce that Moonclan has two new apprentices, Bluepaw, mentored by Silverwind, and Amberpaw, mentored by Greeneye. We also have two new warriors, Cinderwind and Whitewillow!" She stepped back to let the other clans to cheer for the new apprentices and warriors before nodding to Scarstar to go next.

"We have two new apprentices," Scarstar rasped. "Barkpaw, mentored by Eagleheart, and Nightpaw, who has chosen a special path as a medicine cat apprentice, with Bramblewind to guide her she shall learn well." Scarstar copied Willowstar before nodding to Lionstar to go. Lionstar stepped up and breathed in before speaking.

"We have two new warriors, Mudfur and Hawkfeather are here tonight as full members of Sunclan!" Lionstar waited for the cats to quiet down before speaking once more. "There is one more thing. A couple days ago, we had four kits sneak out of camp. Only three returned. They told us that the fourth would return later, but she never did. This kit's name is Thunderkit, and she is a ginger she-cat with bright blue eyes. Leaders, if any of you see her, could you please return her? Thank you, that is all." Lionstar nodded to Whitestar before stepping back.

"We have no new warriors or apprentices, but," Whitestar looked back at Lionstar. "I believe we have found the kit you are looking for." Yowls from Sunclan exploded from the clearing, demanding the kit back and calling Iceclan kit-stealers.

"Silence!" Lionstar roared, walking up to stand beside Whitestar. Once all was quiet, he spoke. "Whitestar, why hasn't the kit been returned? You smelled Sunclan on her, I'm sure, so why didn't you return her.

"I can explain that, Lionstar," Every cat turned to face Darkshine, the medicine cat apprentice of Iceclan.

"Then please do, Darkshine."

"When we found Thunderkit, she had been struck by something and injured her paw. She was by a ravine and would have fallen in if Blueface hadn't saved her just in time. She was brought back to our camp and Skyface has been taking care of her. She hasn't woken up yet, but even if she did, she couldn't be moved. We don't know the damage of the wound yet, we aren't even sure if she will pull through. So for now, I request that we keep her. But once she is well enough, we will return her. I swear it by Starclan." Lionstar stared at Darkshine in shock.

"I swear it by Starclan too," Whitestar said, facing him. "And if-"

"Wait!" All cats turned this time to face Blazingglory. "You said she might not pull through. So I want to go to the camp to stay with her. Please!" He dipped his head and sat down.

"If it is okay with you Whitestar," Lionstar looked him in the eye. "I would also like Blazingglory to go be with Thunderkit, especially if she might not pull through. Once she is well enough, he can take her home."

"Very well," Whitestar narrowed his eyes. "He may stay with us.

A/N

Okay, I've been writing a lot. It's just been coming really well! Like a flowing river. This might be the last one, I don't know. But next chapter will be quite interesting. Bye!