Book 1-Thundering Cry
Chapter 1
Story by PokefanKIV
The whole camp bloomed with flowers. An amazing sight, unlike anything Wolfkit had ever seen. He bounced among them, inhaling deeply and sneezing, but returning for another joyful sniff.
"Almost a cruel testament to all the bloodshed," Sparrowstar, the leader, sighed.
A quarter moon ago, the Clans had broken the sacred peace, fighting at a Gathering. Wolfkit, too young to understand, sniffed the flowers again, a mixture of relief and awe washing over him. He called to Sparrowstar, "Come play with me!"
"No, Wolfkit," the large ginger tom replied. "I'm getting old, and these flowers hold no appeal for me right now. They feel more like a mockery."
Shyfeather, the Clan's medicine cat, interjected, "Sparrowstar, don't be so negative! Perhaps they're a blessing? A reminder from StarClan of the beauty and joy in life."
"Hmph. StarClan," Sparrowstar muttered under his breath. "If they even exist..."
"I heard that!" Shyfeather exclaimed.
Wolfkit hated it when Sparrowstar spoke this way. After his parents' death, Sparrowstar and Shyfeather had cared for him, but since then, Sparrowstar had grown increasingly critical of StarClan. Wolfkit couldn't help but be bewildered by his words.
Shyfeather, sensing his distress, interrupted his thoughts. "Wolfkit, why not play with me? How about... catch the kit?"
She lunged playfully, sending Wolfkit tumbling back with a happy squeal. They tussled gently, Shyfeather eventually giving in, allowing Wolfkit to land on top.
"Gotcha, Shyfeather! I win!" Wolfkit declared gleefully.
"You win, you win," the silver she-cat conceded, laughing. A rustle from the camp entrance caught her attention. "Oh! The hunting patrol's back. Are you hungry, Wolfkit?"
"Yes, yes! Can I take food to the elders?"
Shyfeather smiled. "Of course, Wolfkit. Why don't you share some with grumpy old Sparrowstar too? He might be getting close to elder age himself!" she teased.
"I heard that!" Sparrowstar called back playfully, mimicking Shyfeather's earlier comment.
Shyfeather chuckled. "Well played, Sparrowstar. Well played."
"Can I eat now? I'm hungry," Wolfkit whined.
"Of course. Remember to share with the elders! They'll have some wonderful stories for you."
"Yay!" Wolfkit raced to the fresh-kill pile, grabbing a mouse before returning to the elders' den, repeating this until each elder had a share, including himself.
"Thank you, Wolfkit," said Tailbare, the oldest elder, born with the unusual trait of lacking a tail.
"Yes, thank you," echoed Songstorm, the other elder. "Ready for a story?"
"Yes! Yes!" Wolfkit squealed.
"Well, it all began..." Songstorm started, but Wolfkit couldn't focus. A faint voice called his name repeatedly, drawing his attention away from the story. Confused and afraid, he spun around, searching for the source.
"Wolfkit? Are you even listening? What's wrong?" Songstorm finally asked, his voice cutting through the distant call.
"I thought I heard someone calling me, from far away. When it started, I couldn't hear anything else. Weird," Wolfkit replied, anxiety lingering in his voice.
"That is strange," Tailbare agreed. "But most likely just your imagination. Shall we continue the story?"
"Yes, please," Wolfkit mumbled, unable to shake off the feeling of the unsettling voice and its mysterious origin.