Lilykit snuggled closer to Moonfur.  Her dark pink nose buried itself in the queen's soft silver-grey fur.  The new and sweet scent of milk from Moonfur detected that her kits were still only a few days old.
          A small paw with petite and prickly claws prodded Lilykit's side.  "Come on Lilykit!  We want to play outside but Moonfur says we can't until you wake up!"  Shimmerkit's whispering and impatient voice could be heard next to one of her Lilykit's tabby ears.
          "Just because you whisper Shimmerkit, doesn't mean I still can't hear," Moonfur informed, "Let her sleep if she wants to."
          "But we want to go outside!"  Stormkit, Lilykit's brother declared.
          "You wont be going anywhere while its raining out.  I want you looking your best when your father comes to meet you." 
          Our father.  Lilykit's heart leapt with excitement and suddenly she opened her eyes, too eager to rest.  Timberfall was a great warrior and one of the best in the clan.  
          Moonfur shifted as she noticed her kit moving from her side to sit up.  "Awake now little one?"
Lilykit angled her neck to gaze at her mother who gave her a warm look.  Lilykit beamed, "Yes!  I can't wait to meet Timberfall.  He's the best warrior in the clan!"
Moonfur purred, "One of the best my dear."  The queen ran her tongue over her daughter's soft brown striped head.  "One day, you all will be great warriors and Starclan will light your paths with your destinies."
Lilykit proudly lifted her chin and squared her shoulders, "I'll be the best warrior in Thunderclan."
Another purr rumbled in Moonfur's throat, "I'm sure you will."
"Me too!"  Stormkit squeaked loudly.
"And me!"  Shimmerkit flicked her tail once before pouncing on her brother who fell with a thud onto the mossy carpet of the nursery floor. 
Lilykit's eyes narrowed before she too sprung at her littermates.  She landed evenly on Shimmerkit's haunches.  The three kits tumbled around the den until they bumped into another soft, plump body.
A hiss departed from the other queen who laid in the nursery.  Morningfrost, a pale silver and white spotted she-cat with hazel eyes glared at the three kits.  Lilykit glanced down at her belly and saw how extended it was.  She was due very soon to have her own litter. 
Annoyance laced Morningfrost's grumpy voice as the kits stepped back with guilt.  "Watch where your playing,"
"I'm sorry Morningfrost," Moonfur started, "My kits haven't been outside yet so they are very anxious as you can see."
Morningfrost huffed a breath but her temper was gone now, "Did Timberfall come to see them?" 
Moonfur's face fell but recovered quickly, "Not yet.  He's been so busy helping Silverstar and Thistleheart with the patrols lately."
"Hmm.  Has Windclan been hunting in our territory still?"
"I'm not certain.  I'll ask Timberfall when he comes."
"Did someone say my name?"  A deep voice came from the nursery entrance.
"Timberfall," Moonfur hummed with delight, "Your kits have been waiting to meet you for some time."
"I am sorry I've kept them waiting," The brown tabby tom said.  He looked over to where his kits huddled back beside Moonfur.  "Oh, they are lovely Moonfur.  They look just like you," He came deeper inside the den. 
Lilykit saw his pelt was slick with water from the downpour, making it appear darker than it was.  A few droplets trickled down her father's ears and muzzle.
"And you," Moonfur gave Lilykit a glance that passed only between the queen and her mate. 
Timberfall followed Moonfur's gaze and his eyes rested on Lilykit, "Indeed.  Tell me, what are their names?"  His vision flicked back at the queen and then to the three kits again.
"I'm Stormkit!"  The little grey tabby tom puffed out his chest fur that was very fluffy and stuck out large clumps. 
"I'm Shimmerkit," Shimmerkit shyly licked a silvery paw and ran it over her ears.
"And I'm Lilykit."
Timberfall looked to the light brown tabby kit and gazed into her pale green eyes.  She was a spitting image of Timberfall, except for the patch of white fur on her right paw and deep blue eyes.
"Hello Stormkit, Shimmerkit and Lilykit." Timberfall turned to his mate, "I can tell they will be great warriors."
"Just like you," The mates touched noses and Timberfall gently licked Moonfur's cheek.  "Have you heard any news of Windclan?"  Moonfur asked.
Timberfall's gaze darkened and Morningfrost's attention picked up as she leaned in closer to hear.  "We found traces of Windclan all along the boarder and into our territory.  We also found remains of a few kills they made. . ."
"Inside our border?"  Moonfur's pelt bristled along her spine. 
"Yes.  And Thistleheart wants Silverstar to send a battle patrol to warn them off," Timberfall informed.
"Are we going to fight?"  Morningfrost chirped in.
"I'm not certain.  It depends on if Thistleheart can persuade her.  She's meeting with him and Maplegleam now,"
"Well let's hope it doesn't come to that.  Too much blood has been shed this season."  Moonfur sighed.  The mood shifted in the den from interested to concerned.  
All of Thunderclan would know what the queen was speaking of.  Nearly a moon ago, Shadowclan tried to take over some of Riverclan's territory.  As strong as Shadowclan is, Riverclan is as wise.  After three large battles it ended with a great amount of deaths from both clans and no territory gained or lost. 
"I'll rip those Windclan flea-pelts to shreds!"  Stormkit growled and crouched in a hunting position. 
"I'm sure you would," Timberfall said.  The warrior took a last look at his kits before turning around to the entrance of the nursery.  "I'll be back.  I have to meet Silverstar with Tangleclaw and Larkblaze after her meeting with Maplegleam and Thistleheart.  Sleep well my kits,"
As her father left, Lilykit was excited that she had met him but it seemed like he and Moonfur were plagued by the thought of fighting Windclan.  Lilykit hoped that Starclan would guide Thunderclan well. 
"Come," Moonfur beckoned to her kits with a flick of her tail.  "It's time you've all had some sleep.  Tomorrow the sun will shine again and you will be able to explore the camp,"

----------

When dawn came, light shone through the gaps in the nursery.  Lilykit sat up and a large yawn overtook her.  She flexed her claws, raking the mossy floor quietly.  Moonfur still slept as Lilykit woke her littermates. 
"What Lilykit?"  Stormkit grumbled. 
"I'm going outside to see the camp, come with me."
Immediately Stormkit and Shimmerkit were awake and ready to bounce out of the nursery, "Remember to stay inside the camp you three," Moonfur's soft voice advised her kits.
Lilykit looked back and saw her mother was still curled inside her nest but she had one eye open that was watching her kits. 
"We will," Lilykit promised.
"Off you go then," Moonfur said.
With glee the kits sprang out of the den and raced out into the open clearing of the camp.  Everything was bustling with a pace, except for the branches quietly whistling and the wind softly moaning.  Cats of all colors and builds rushed about, calling commands to apprentices and other warriors.  Lilykit noticed Timberfall across the clearing, barking an order at a young cat with a prompt tone. 
"What's happening?"  Shimmerkit wondered.
With surprise, the kits jumped at the raspy voice of a cat behind them.  "What are you doing?  Your going to get in the way," A longhaired ginger tom with amber eyes demanded.
"Easy there Halftoe, it's probably only their first time out of the nursery," A white she-cat with green eyes padded up beside Halftoe.  "Let them be,"
Halftoe scoffed with irritation, "We are at war Whitestone!  Everyone is trying to get prepared and your telling me what to do."
"Your telling those innocent kits what to do," The she-cat enlightened.  "Besides, we aren't at war Halftoe.  Silverstar is only going to let Windclan know they can't steal prey from us.  Plus, your too fat to even reach the lake."
Halftoe gave up, mumbling as he walked away.
The she-cat rolled her eyes at the tom cat and introduced herself to Lilykit and her littermates.  "I'm Whitestone," She pointed with her tail to the ginger tom who was still walking away, "And that lazy old Fox-brain elder was Halftoe.  Don't worry about him, he just has a temper,"
"Are you a warrior?"  Lilykit asked.
Whitestone turned her green gaze to the tabby kit, "Not anymore, I'm too old to hunt and fight now so I live with the other elders."  As the white cat spoke, Lilykit saw that Whitestone was thinner, her pelt more clumped and her eyes held a pained expression.  Lilykit noticed her left hip protruded awkwardly as she sat down.  "You're Moonfur and Timberfall's kits aren't you."
"Yes," Lilykit said proudly.
"Well, would you like a tour of the camp?  I'd be more than happy to show you around," Whitestone offered.
"Yes please!"  Shimmerkit accepted fervently and the three kits followed Whitestone around the camp.

----------

"Having fun?"  Moonfur asked her kits as Whitestone led them back to the nursery.  The white elder had shown them the camp and explained the duties from being an apprentice to being the leader of Thunderclan.  For Lilykit, it was hard to imagine the territory could be so vast considering the camp was so large itself. 
"Whitestone showed us the entire camp!"  Stormkit informed the nursing queen. 
"That was very kind of her," Moonfur's gaze swept past her kits and settled on the old white she-cat.  "Did you thank her?"
Lilykit and her littermates turned around to face Whitestone.  "Thank you," They said in unison. 
"Of course, it was a pleasure to meet the newest members of Thunderclan."
Suddenly, every cat's attention was fixed on the highrock where the Thunderclan leader appeared at the top.  "All those old enough to catch their own prey, gather under the highrock for a clan meeting!"  Silverstar's booming vocals could be heard throughout the camp.  Her pale silver-almost white pelt was streaked with thin black stripes. 
Moonfur exited the nursery, followed by Morningfrost.  "Come here," Moonfur told her kits who huddled next to their mother.  Whitestone padded away to join the growing group of cats under the highrock but Moonfur, her kits and Morningfrost sat just outside the den so they would be able to hear. 
"What's going on?"  Morningfrost whispered to Moonfur. 
Moonfur leaned closer to Morningfrost and hissed, "I think Silverstar is going to talk about Windclan."
At that moment, Silverstar spoke up.  "For the past moon, Windclan has taken advantage of our territory.  Even though we have been sending out extra patrols, they continue to hunt on our lands.  This will not go unanswered.  Windclan will pay for what they have done and we will defend our territory.  I will take a battle patrol to the boarder and we will confront them of their crimes.  If it comes to it, we will fight but let's hope it doesn't."  Silverstar looked to a dark ginger tabby tom, "Redwind, you will be in command of the camp until I return.  Those I have selected for the patrol, we leave now." 
Silverstar jumped down from the tall rock and trotted to the entrance of the camp.  The warriors of the patrol followed her as she led them out of the camp and into the forest.  Timberfall was among them and Lilykit saw her father glance back at the nursery.  It seemed a silent promise of return passed between Moonfur and her mate as he left to defend his clan.  But through the throng of cats leaving, Lilykit felt as though the future held something terrible in store.  It was something she couldn't put out of her mind as visions of death and blood set fire in her eyes. 

----------

They returned just before moon-high.  Their pelts were tattered, scratched and ripped.  Blood of enemies and fresh wounds caked the fur of those who fought long and hard.  No cat hollered a victory cry.  Moonfur sat at the nursery entrance, waiting for Timberfall.  Her kits were snuggled in their nest.  Stormkit and Shimmerkit were fast asleep but Lilykit watched with wide eyes as the patrol came back from a battle they obviously had fought. 
Silverstar led the patrol back with a low head.  Her eyes were no longer full of light and instead filled with sorrow.  Looking past their leader, Lilykit saw her father appear through the brambles but something was wrong.  He and another warrior drug a lifeless body into the clearing by the scruff.  They laid the cat's body down in the center of the camp. 
It was Thistleheart, the Thunderclan deputy. 
Lilykit watched as Silverstar called a meeting again.  She told the clan that they had won the battle but lost their deputy.  "He died with honor and courage.  He will now live on in the memories of his clanmates and will forever thrive in Starclan.  Let us share tongues with our loyal friend one last time." 
Thistleheart's body was hidden by the crowd of cats closest to him assembled to share tongues and sit vigil for the dead warrior.  Moonfur walked over to the group and gave her farewell with Timberfall who gently wrapped his tail over her haunches. 
Thistleheart had been Moonfur's brother.
At moon-high, Silverstar stood upon the greathighrock again.  She addressed her clanwith clarity but still held a woeful tone to her voice.  "As moon-high arrives, I must appoint a newdeputy for Thunderclan."  Silverstarclosed her eyes for a moment before opening them again to speak to theclan.  "I say these words before Starclan, so that the spirits of our warriorancestors and the spirit of Thistleheart may hear and approve of my choice.  The new deputy of Thunderclan is Timberfall."