Thunder (book)/Chapter 2

==Chapter description==
:Nightheart purrs, noticing how well Sunbeam was settling into ThunderClan easily. He notes that he is happy she came with him, and that they could be together after all. The two lay close together in a patch of sunlight at the edge of the hollow, with Bayshine and Myrtlebloom. The last hunting patrol had returned, and Nightheart remembers that Fernstripe, Flipclaw, and Sorrelstripe would be leaving in time for the border patrol.
:Bayshine begins teasing Myrtlebloom, claiming that Sunbeam snores less than some of their denmates. Myrtlebloom snaps back, asking Bayshine if he was saying she snored. Bayshine winks at her, and replies with a maybe. Sunbeam speaks up, saying that she hadn't heard Myrtlebloom snoring. Myrtlebloom passes word to Bayshine, and then nods at the warriors' den. Myrtlebloom tells Sunbeam that she fixed up her nest earlier. Sunbeam asks if she really did, and Nightheart recalls how Sunbeam had spent her first night in camp sleeping on a pile of ferns beside Nightheart. Nightheart mentions how he helped quickly, and how the pair had wove her nest and lined it with moss. Sunbeam thanks him, and Bayshine tells Sunbeam that he hope the warrior's den isn't too crowded for her.
:Sunbeam meows that it is a little crowded, but not that she minds. She continues by saying that ShadowClan's warriors' den is a bit bigger, but awkwardly takes it back before she offends them. Nightheart feels sympathetic for Sunbeam, knowing that being a new warrior in a different Clan was difficult. He remembers his own experience in ShadowClan, noting how he hadn't wanted to seem disloyal to his former Clan, but he had wanted to prove to ShadowClan that he was serious about joining their ranks. Nightheart runs his tail along Sunbeam's flank and tells her that it's always strange to sleep somewhere different. He notes that he is still surprised that she had followed him back to ThunderClan, and how she'd appeared the day before and told every cat that she loved him so strongly, she left her clan to be with him. Nightheart purrs louder, and tells Sunbeam that he's just glad she is sleeping beside him.
:Bayshine begins to wash his face, put pauses to look at Sunbeam. He tells Sunbeam that one time Nightheart put a live vole on the fresh-kill pile. Bayshine continues by saying that when Squirrelflight went to pick it up, it bit her on the chin. Myrtlebloom chimes in, asking Bayshine about that time Nightheart got stuck in the Sky Oak. Nightheart indirectly asks them to stop, wondering if they'll bring up his failed assessments next. He meows that they don't have to tell Sunbeam every embarrassing mistake he has made, but Sunbeam replies by saying yes she does and that she wants to know everything about him, with a twitch of her whiskers. Nightheart notices that Lilyheart and Sparkpelt were padding towards them, and Bayshine brings up the time when Nightheart got stuck in a rabbit burrow and how Lilyheart had to dig him out. Bayshine looks at the small dark tabby she-cat and asks if she remembers that.
:Lilyheart's whiskers twitch, and she confirms she does. She adds that he did manage to catch a rabbit s=when he was down there, with an affectionate glance at Nightheart. Sparkpelt remarks that Nightheart always found his own way of doing things, and Nightheart narrows his eyes and tries to decipher if she is criticizing him. Sparkpelt continues, saying that she thinks he has the makings of a great warrior. Nightheart relaxes, noting that since her returned, his mother had been treating him as if he were a different cat. Nightheart watches Sparkpelt as she dips her head to Sunbeam, and meows that she is pleased that Nightheart had found a mate that loved him enough to leave her clan. Sparkpelt ends by saying that Nightheart deserves it, and he thinks that perhaps it was good that he had left, but is glad to be back. Lilyheart informs Sunbeam that if she needs any help around her new territory, to just let her know.
:Nightheart feels grateful for his former mentor, and to all of his Clanmates. he remembers how before he had left, he had felt criticized and unappreciated, as though no cat understood him. He thinks about how not even his kin had cherished him then, and it had contributed to the reason he left for ShadowClan. He corrects himself, he remembers how that had not been the only reason. Nightheart looks at Sunbeam, appreciating her beauty. He remarks to himself that when he had returned, he had felt excepted and valued in a way he had never felt. He thinks about even his littermate, Finchlight, had welcomed him home as though she had never been angry at him for leaving. Nightheart thinks about how journeying to ShadowClan had been tough, and how Sunbeam's mother, Berryheart, seemed to hate every cat that wasn't from her Clan. He remembers how that wasn't the only reason he'd come home, but because he had left too many problems without any solution. Nightheart recalls how it had been hard to watch Bramblestar struggling as leader, and how he had wanted to help.
:Nightheart notes that now, with conflicts arising, he had decided to stand with the clan that raised him. Nightheart feels uncomfortable at the thought, and sees that Sunbeam is still talking with Bayshine and Sparkpelt. He notices how at home Sunbeam looked, and questions what she would do if she faced ShadowClan in battle. Nightheart remembers how she had admitted to him that she might not be able to fight her former Clanmates, and he wonders what ThunderClan would say to that. Poppyfrost offers to share out the fresh-kill pile, which looks untouched. Lionblaze asks if there is enough, and walks over the the pile. He asked if they should send out another patrol, which Poppyfrost argues that it seems a little late to do so. she frowns, and says that Bramblestar and Squirrelflight will be leaving for the Moonpool soon. She suggests that they all be here to see them off, and glances at Squirrelfight as though for an answer.
:Squirrelfight seems to have not heard her, continuing to pace at the foot of rock tumble. Ivypool crosses the clearing, responding to Poppyfrost. She says that a hunting patrol could go out with a border patrol once the leader and deputy leave. Bramblestar chimes in, saying it sound like a good idea, and asks Squirrelflight if she is ready. Squirrelflight looks up, and tells them that she is almost. With a glance at Alderheart, who was sorting herbs with Jayfeather. Squirrelflight tells him to get something to eat, and says the same to Nightheart. Nightheart is surprised, and Squirrelflight meows that she wants him to come.
:Nightheart notices Sparkpelt's gaze light up with pride, and feels joyful. He wonder if Squirrelflight choose him to go to prove he was trustworthy, or that she respected him as a warrior now. Nightheart is pleased by the thought, but anxious to leave Sunbeam alone with the Clan. He thinks that they will be kind to her, but that she might not feel comfortable with the Clanmates she barely knew. Nightheart asks if she will be okay, and Sunbeam tells him yes, and that she thinks she can survive one night without him jokingly. The Clan began taking fresh-kill, and Poppyfrost carries a shrew to Alderheart before dropping a mouse beside Nightheart. He offers to share with Sunbeam, be she tells him the eat it all and instead shares a squirrel with Myrtlebloom.
==Characters==
===Major===
===Minor===
===Mentioned===
==Important events==
*Squirrelstar names Ivypool her future deputy.
==Errors==
*The chapter header image for this chapter is the cat looking diagonally to the left when it should be the cat looking downward, the next in sequence.
==Notes and references==
Category:Thunder (book)
Category:A Starless Clan arc
Category:Chapter subpages