Bramblestar’s Storm

“Cats of ThunderClan,” Graystripe began, sounding slightly awkward but determined to have his say, “I’m so glad that I came back to find ThunderClan. I could never have made the journey without Millie, and I was so blessed by StarClan to have a second chance to raise kits.” His glance traveled around the clearing, resting on each of his friends in turn. “I’ll never forget Silverstream or Stonefur,” he went on, “and I can scarcely believe that my daughter Mistystar is now leader of RiverClan. But I have no quarrel with StarClan for the path they chose for me, and I’m proud of all my kits. Blossomfall for her courage and skill in battle; Bumblestripe for his loyalty and compassion; and Briarlight for her bravery, her humbling spirit, and her hopefulness. I shall be watching all of you from the elders’ den; you can be sure of that.”

“I won’t be long behind you, Graystripe,” Millie purred, giving her mate a loving look.

Graystripe blinked at her. “I will wait for you, my dear.”

Bramblestar waited for a moment, recalling the two cats’ long relationship and the kits they had given to ThunderClan. Then he stepped forward and glanced from Graystripe to Sandstorm. “Are you ready?”

“Almost,” Sandstorm mewed. “I just want to say that I will continue to serve my Clan and the warrior code, even from the elders’ den.” Her green gaze, full of love and loyalty, swept around the circle of her Clanmates. “I wish Firestar were here at my side,” she went on, her voice shaking, “but I know he’s watching over me, and over all of us.” With great dignity she dipped her head to Bramblestar. “Go ahead.”

“Sandstorm, Graystripe,” Bramblestar began, “is it your wish to give up the role of warrior and go to join the elders?”

There was regret but no uncertainty in Sandstorm’s voice. “It is.”

“It is,” Graystripe echoed.

“Your Clan honors you and all the service you have given us,” Bramblestar went on. “I call upon StarClan to give you many seasons of rest.” He laid his tail across Sandstorm’s shoulders, and the ginger she-cat bowed her head, then stepped back. When Bramblestar had repeated the gesture for Graystripe, the two cats padded over to stand beside Purdy.

“I’m lookin’ forward to company in the elders’ den,” the old tom meowed. “We’ll have plenty o’ stories to tell each other.”

For a moment Bramblestar thought that he could see Firestar and Dustpelt weaving around the two new-made elders, the four cats united again. But before he could be certain, the image faded.

Chapter 34

“Uh… Bramblestar?” Frankie walked into the circle of cats. “Can I ask you something?”

Bramblestar dipped his head. “Of course.”

“I want… that is, I’d like to join ThunderClan, and stay in the forest forever. If you’ll have me,” Frankie finished humbly.

Murmurs of surprise rose from the cats who surrounded them, but Bramblestar was pleased to see that none of them looked hostile at the idea of accepting a kittypet into the Clan. The gray tabby had more than proved his loyalty in the battle with the badgers, and his willingness to hunt and patrol.

“We’d be honored to have you,” he responded.

Frankie’s eyes shone with pride. “Thank you, Bramblestar!”

“Frankie,” Bramblestar went on, “from this moment you will be known as Stormpaw, in recognition of the storm that brought you here, and as a memorial to your brother Benny. Squirrelflight, you will be mentor to Stormpaw. I’m sure that you will teach him everything he needs to know.”

Squirrelflight’s green gaze met Bramblestar’s for a moment; then she dipped her head and beckoned to Stormpaw with her tail. “Touch noses with me,” she murmured as he approached her.

“Stormpaw! Stormpaw!” the cats in the hollow yowled.

As the clamor died away, Minty stepped forward. “Er… I don’t want to stay here! No offense—you’ve all been really kind—but please can I go home now? I want to see if my housefolk have come back.”

“Of course,” Bramblestar meowed with a purr. “We’ll take you home. Thank you for everything you’ve done.” He glanced at Jessy, but she said nothing, and did not meet his gaze. Bramblestar’s pelt prickled. There’s a question waiting to be asked and answered, but neither of us is ready to say it out loud.

Pushing that to the back of his mind, Bramblestar turned to Minty. “We’ll take you home now, if you want.”

Minty hesitated. “Please, may I stay one more night? I want to finish the nursery, and Purdy said he would tell me a story about a blind chicken, and I promised to help Leafpool sort some herbs, and… oh!” Her voice rose into a wail. “I will miss you all so much!” she blurted out.

Millie, who was standing nearby, rested her tail-tip on Minty’s shoulder. “We’ll always be here, if you ever want to visit,” she meowed.

“Yes, you’ll always be welcome.” The rest of the Clan gathered around Minty, letting out friendly purrs.

“You have to come see my kits!” Cinderheart purred.