A Thief in ThunderClan/Part 1

==Chapter description==
:Four moons after BloodClan's defeat, Brightheart still experiences nightmares of the pack attacking her and Swiftpaw by Snakerocks. The ThunderClan warrior fears she'll never be the same after the attack, but she's glad she has her mate Cloudtail by her side. While hunting, Brightheart expresses her concerns about her Clanmates since Tigerstar's betrayal, though Cloudtail insists they have nothing to worry about since Firestar is their leader now. Brightheart demonstrates her hunting prowess, though Cloudtail lightheartedly grumbles about her belief in StarClan.
:Firestar calls a Clan meeting when they return to camp to appoint Whitestorm and Willowpelt's three kits as apprentices: Sootpaw to Longtail, Sorrelpaw to Sandstorm, and Rainpaw to Cloudtail. While Cloudtail is delighted to be a mentor, Brightheart can't help but feel disheartened that she wasn't chosen. However, Cloudtail asks if Brightheart can help with Rainpaw's training. On a border patrol, Longtail points out to the two apprentices the Thunderpath marking their territory with ShadowClan, but Brightheart grows suspicious when Longtail lingers his gaze over ShadowClan's territory. The next morning, Ashfur accuses Thornclaw of eating his squirrel he caught the other day, though the tabby warrior denies it. Brightheart abruptly feels ill and visits her sister Cinderpelt in the medicine cat's den. The gray she-cat happily informs her sister that she is expecting kits. Brightheart spares the joyous news with her mate, and soon the entire Clan shares their congratulations. Cloudtail and Brightheart muse later that night about their future family.
:A moon later, Brightheart spots Longtail and Bramblepaw speaking with Oakfur and Bramblepaw's sister, Tawnypaw, by the Thunderpath. Suspicious, Brightheart informs Firestar, but the ThunderClan leader insists she must have faith in her Clanmates. Firestar also dismisses Graystripe's concerns about repairing the elders' den before he abruptly leaves the camp. The next day, Firestar names Bramblepaw a warrior with the name Brambleclaw. While the rest of the Clan cheers, Brightheart worries why Firestar named the tabby warrior after his father, Tigerstar. She and Cloudtail also comment how the fresh-kill pile was empty that morning.
:Brightheart visits her sister again to see if she can help with her clumsiness and issues sleeping, and Cinderpelt suggests she should move into the nursery. However, Brightheart still struggles to fall asleep that night and notices the fresh-kill pile is mysteriously empty. She accuses Longtail, who is keeping guard that night, of stealing their prey and giving it to ShadowClan. Longtail insists he's a loyal ThunderClan warrior despite his former friendship with Tigerstar. Cloudtail and Brightheart search for Firestar the next morning, and they find him alone in a clearing. After listening to their worries, Firestar asks if Brightheart has any evidence of Brambleclaw or Longtail stealing prey. When she realizes she doesn't, Firestar elaborates that the two warriors have demonstrated their loyalty to ThunderClan numerous times, and that there must be a logical reason for the missing prey. When Brightheart asks why Firestar gave Brambleclaw his father's name, Firestar explains that he gave it to help ThunderClan move on from the past. While musing over their leader's words, Cloudtail and Brightheart vow to find the prey thief.
==Characters==
===Major===
===Minor===
===Mentioned===
==Important events==
*Brightheart learns she is expecting Cloudtail's kits.
===Ceremonies===
==Errors==
*Ashfur is depicted with a torn ear, despite not gaining it until Sunset.
==Trivia==
*This chapter aligns with chapter two of Firestar's Quest.
==Notes and references==
Category:Graphic novel arc
Category:A Thief in ThunderClan
Category:Chapter subpages