Chapter 9

A few moon cycles later, Thin woke up, finally ready to be a fighter and the full leader of Thicket Group.

It was today, that her dream finally came true.

She leaped excitedly on the branch. "Everyone gather below the branch!"

When everyone had gathered she jumped down into the crowd. "Wave, take over."

Wave nodded and jumped onto the branch above him. "Today I, temporary co-leader of Thicket group, have decided that we have a cat ready to be a fighter. Thin, step up."

Thin stepped forward, smiling.

"Thin-tail, you've been trained to hunt and fight and have grown to be a true cat. You are ready to be a fighter. I, temporary co-leader of this group, welcome you as a true cat and fighter of Thicket Group." Wave jumped down from the branch and touched his nose to hers, just as Thin had with Silver. Thin's entire body felt filled with excitement. "Thin-tail, as temporary co-leader of this group I welcome you to Thicket Group as a true cat and the second fighter to be made. You will defend the group with your life and hunt with the other fighters like a true cat." Wave finished and lifted his head.

"Thank you," Thin said.

"I also welcome you back as leader of this group. You will be loyal to it. And you will lead to the best of your abilities."

Thin smiled. "Yes. I will."

Wave whispered, "I'm so proud of you Thin." and jumped back onto his branch. Thin leaped up onto hers.

"We also would like to address that finally, White has had her kittens. Their names are Berry, Cream-splotch, and Cresent-moon. And, we have a new cat. She is ready for a trainer. Blue, step up."

Blue stepped forward with a smile. Her ears were no longer pinned and she held her head high.

"Blue, you are now ready for a trainer. You are four moons and can now train with you're trainer..." Thin paused for effect. "...Storm."

Blue raced up to her trainer and sat next to him. Storm smiled down at the young cat.

"That is everything that needs to be addressed therefore everyone is dismissed."

Thin jumped off the branch and Wave followed behind her. "Wave could you set up a scouting group? I'm going to check on Cloud."

Wave dipped his head and rushed over to Maple and Pine. Thin walked over to the healing hole, half-hoping Cloud would be beginning to wake up.

"How is he doing?" she asked Chestnut when she arrived.

"He's ok but still unconscious," Chestnut replied. She was going through some berries, pulling out the good berries and discarding the bad ones.

"He'll be fine, Thin-tail," White said. "Stop worrying."

"I'll try. Maybe the kitties know what to do?" Thin suddenly had a feeling she needed to ask Caramel about Cloud.

"Hm. Caramel could know. He used to be a stray," Chestnut agreed. "You should go ask."

"I will, tell Wave he's in charge while I'm gone." Thin raced off out of the healing hole to the entrance of the thicket, crashing straight into Caramel.

"Why are you in such a rush, Thin-tail?" he asked.

"I was actually coming to find you. I need to ask you about something." Thin said.

"Sure, what is it?"

"Do you know how to get a cat unconscious?"

"Have you tried the orange berries?"

"Yes."

"Have you tried blue berries?"

"No."

"I can show you where to get some but it's really far from here."

"Ok. I just need to tell the group. Follow me."

Caramel followed Thin back into the thicket. Thin jumped up on the branch and Caramel followed. "Everyone gather beneath the branch!" she yowled.

Everyone gathered below her.

"Caramel has told me how to heal Cloud, however, it is a long journey and I will follow him along this journey. Wave-stripe will be in charge will I am gone."

"What?" Wave protested. "No! I'm coming with you!"

"No one is coming with me," she ordered. "It's dangerous. Besides you have to stay here. White isn't ready to return to her position as co-leader yet."

"But I-"

"No. Final answer."

"Fine."

Thin turned back to the crowd. "Everyone is dismissed." Then she jumped off with Wave and Caramel behind her.

"Please?" Wave asked.

"Wave, I'm sorry. You can't come. It's too dangerous," Thin told him.

"But... Ok..." Wave finally agreed.

Thin turned away and trotted out of the thicket before letting Caramel take the lead.