KitsoftheStorm

Chapter Three

Tigerstripe pushed into ShadowClan camp behind Lightningkit. Lynxheart stared at the RiverClan warrior, pelt bristling slightly. Lightningkit bounded over to the nursery, where Stormcloud was sitting with the other three kits. Tigerstripe saw him mew something, and the small family padded into the den. Lynxheart stepped in front of Tigerstripe, blocking him from following.

"What are you doing here, RiverClan?" She hissed loathingly.

Tigerstripe sat and wrapped his tail around his paws. "Lightningkit wandered into our territory, so I brought him back," the tom replied coolly. "I thought the ShadowClan deputy would be able to keep track of the kits in her clan, but I guess not."

Lynxheart's eyes flashed. She dug her claws into the dirt, swelling with rage. "Do not," she growled, "Tell me what to do in my position!" She tensed to pounce on him, but Maplestar pinned her down.

"Lynxheart," The leader warned. "Don't act like a kit, just because he beat you in the newleaf competitions. That was many moons ago. Let it go." She lectured her best friend. Lynxheart wiggled loose of Maplestar's hold, shot Tigerstripe a look, and stalked over to the fresh-kill pile.

"I'm sorry about Lynxheart," Maplestar meowed. "She never learned to let go of a grudge. Anyway, thank you for bringing Lightningkit home. Shouldn't you be heading back to your territory though?"

"About that…" Tigerstripe looked down at his paws. "I…I was wondering if I could see Stormcloud." He cast a glance at the entrance of the nursery, where the queen was watching the four kits. After Maplestar granted permission, he padded up to his mate.

"Tigerstripe!" She purred, pressing her muzzle into his black and ginger pelt. "Lightningkit told us what happened. Thank you so much for bringing him back. He is so mischievous. But what about…" She looked at him, eyes clouded with worry.

"About what?" He pressed.

"Cottonstar!" Stormcloud mewed. "The whole of RiverClan. You took one of her lives, Tigerstripe! Do you know what this could mean? If you go back," She shuddered. "They might kill you!" She glanced towards the apprentices den, where the tom kits had gone to bother Oakpaw. She sighed. "When we were forced out of the clan, I lost you once." She gazed into his green eyes. "I won't lose you again! Stay here, with us, in ShadowClan. Maplestar will understand. Just—whatever you do—don't go back to RiverClan!"

A few days later, Tigerstripe was sharing tongues with Stormcloud by the nursery. He had heeded his mate's warning, and stayed in an abandoned badger set, instead of returning to RiverClan. He visited ShadowClan every day, and brought fish as a gift to the clan he wished to join.

Maplestar jumped onto the low hanging branch above her den, and sat regally, about to make an announcement. "Would all cats old enough to catch their own prey please gather under Lowbranch for a clan meeting?" She watched as cats filtered out of their dens, and into the small clearing below. "Cats of ShadowClan," she began. "Many of you have been worrying about the RiverClan warrior that has been in our midst. Some of you shorn him," her eyes fell on Lynxheart, "while others of you seem to be getting on fine.

"From what Lightningkit has told me, Tigerstripe saved this tom-kit from an attack by Cottonstar. Tigerstripe, step forward." The black warrior stepped forward, hesitantly. "Your family came to ShadowClan after an incident with RiverClan. Stormcloud claims that you were there. Explain what happened."

Tigerstripe cleared his throat. "When I found Stormcloud in an abandoned foxhole, I knew I had to help her. We brought the kits to the Halfbridge, when I sensed someone following us. It was Cottonstar and Brownspots. Stormcloud and I fought them, and Cottonstar ran off when the Twolegs came. I chased after her, but when I returned to Halfbridge, I couldn't find Stormcloud and the kits anywhere. I couldn't track her by scent because the rain had washed it away."

"So how did you come across Lightningkit?" Maplestar mused.

"I was on patrol with Cottonstar, Waterclaw and Adderfang." The tom mewed. "Cottonstar suggested that we split up to hunt, but I knew she was up to something. When the other two weren't looking, I followed her scent trail, and saw her pounce on Lightningkit. I followed my first instinct: Protect Kin. I…" His strong voice faltered. "I took one of my sister's lives to protect my kit…" He looked at his paws before continuing. "Lightningkit told me that they had come here after the accident, so this is where I brought him. I'm sure that the whole of RiverClan knows I did it. I don't want to abandon my family again, even if it means I have to live in a badger set."

Maplestar gazed at the tom. "You won't have to, if I have a say in it." She looked over her clan. "Does anyone have an objection to having Tigerstripe join ShadowClan?" There was silence for a moment. Maplestar opened her mouth to continue, but was cut off by Lionfang.

"I do. This is RiverClan's problem. This whole mess wouldn't have happened if we hadn't helped Stormcloud." The golden-brown tom cast a glare in the queen's direction. "It doesn't have anything to do with us!"

"It has everything to do with us. Doesn't what happened to Brackenstar worry any of you? It was only two moons ago that he was killed. And no cat knows why it happened."

"So the deputy revolted and took over the clan. Lynxheart could be planning the same thing!"

The clan turned to face Lynxheart, who bristled. "Why would I be planning that? I wouldn't overthrow Maplestar. And you should all know that by now!"

The group was hushed at this. Birchpelt shifted uncomfortably. "Brackenstar had kittypet blood." She pointed out. "If that's what Cottonstar is driving out, there could be a whole other Brokentail to deal with.

"Lionfang scoffed. "Brokentail is an elder's tale, made to scare the kits. You don't believe that mouse-dung, do you?"

"It's not an elder's tail." Cedarpelt hissed. "My mother, Rowanclaw, lived it. The way she described it was horrible. She also told us about Tigerstar, who tortured and killed half-bloods after merging Shadow and River to form TigerClan. It was a sad time in our clan's history. And I don't want anything like that to happen again, even if I can't prevent it myself."

"Does that satisfy your objection, Lionfang? The stronger our clan is, the easier it will be to stop Cottonstar from destroying peace in the forest. Tigerstripe, come up here." The tom stepped forward. "Is it your wish to serve ShadowClan, even at the cost of your life?"

"It is." Tigerstripe murmured.

"Then, by the power of StarClan, I confirm your warrior name, Tigerstripe. Welcome to ShadowClan."