[217]

Originally Posted by Lonestar23

More then anything else in this world, the grey tom loved Tawnyflight. He loved her more then the sun, and the moon, and the stars put together. He loved her more then RiverClan. If there was a choice between saving his leader or saving her, it would be her. After all... a leader had nine lives to give. But warriors? They only had one. So why, then, was it warriors who were expected to give their lives for their leader? Shouldn't it be all the warriors who had nine lives if they were expected to die for a single cat? Thunderstorm had always been confused about that, although make no mistake... he was willing to die for his leader and his Clan.

"Yeah... yeah, that sounds good. I wonder if we're feeding ShadowClan or if they're going to bring their nasty frogs here?" The tom mused aloud. It made sense to him that ShadowClanners would be eating frogs. Disgusting, revolting... Thunderstorm hated the thought of those cats coming here and bringing their disgusting customs as well. He was alright with them being here, but if they were about to try and turn this into a pity party for ShadowClan, uh-uh. He wasn't having any of that. The tom stood up, gently putting his tail on Tawnyflight's back. He would never get tired of doing that and feeling a pleasant warmth spread throughout his body, as though every time it touched her it gave him the sensation of warmth and life.

It was wonderful. And Thunderstorm was very easily able to appreciate it, considering he had felt unloved since Tigerpaw had chosen Otterpaw over him... then he had seen her with that golden tom, Lionpaw... then Shypaw had passed away, leaving Thunderstorm alone. But Tawnyflight filled in that void in his heart, that void that he had believed could be filled by nothing else. It was as though there had been a spot just for her, like a jigsaw puzzle, and she had filled that spot in beautifully. The grey tabby glanced around at their surroundings. It was so peaceful here, why didn't they just stay? Though he knew the answer, he certainly didn't want to think about it. RiverClan wouldn't flood.

They were safe here. ShadowClan was safe with them. Everybody was safe, and Thunderstorm was glad of it. Even though he might despise the other Clan, the last thing he wanted was for there to be four Clans again. The fifth had just been discovered. Was he ready for another change?

Another yawn erupted from Tawnypelt as she stood up as well, smile widening at the light feeling of a tail on her back. "You've got me there," she said, "I don't think they're bringing their frogs here, though. I mean, maybe, but I doubt it." The tawny tabby feline wasn't sure how a cat could eat a frog, it seemed disgusting to her. But to each their own. She thought about RiverClan being in ShadowClan's situation. It would be horrible. Staying with a bunch of unfamiliar cats of a different Clan in said Clan's camp.... It'd be plain uncomfortable, and Tawnyflight couldn't imagine the true mix of emotions she'd be feeling if that happened.

"I mean," she began, lifting her paw to take the first step of many back to camp, "You've got to hand it to them. They must not be very comfortable either, staying in a camp they aren't used to with cats they don't know... I know I'd be uncomfortable, that's for sure." And she'd absolutely hate it. She didn't have to experience the situation herself to know that. RiverClan felt cramped with the extra Clan around, but surely ShadowClan felt so too, sharing a camp with another entire Clan.