Thunder Rising/Chapter 23

"I'll never stop being grateful for [Clear Sky's] help. And if supporting him means defending the boundaries with every tooth and claw I've got, then that's what I'll do. I owe Clear Sky."

— Petal about Clear Sky in Thunder Rising, page 247

Thunder Rising
Chapter number:	23 (of 27)
Page numbers:	244-256
Point of View:	Thunder
Chronology

Below contains in-depth information for chapter twenty-three of Thunder Rising. If you are looking for a shorter summary of the entire book, please check the main article.

Chapter Number: 23 (of 27)

Page Numbers: 244-256

Chapter description

Thunder patrols the boundaries of Clear Sky's territory with Frost and Petal. Thunder notices Frost limping and feels sorry for the white tom, remembering how he had stepped onto a burning branch during the fire. Frost stops when he hears a sound in the overgrowth and demands to know who it is. A skinny tortoiseshell cat emerges from the fern fronds, and Thunder recognizes her as Bumble. The tom asks what she is doing here. Bumble proudly explains that she is a wild cat now, but Thunder can see the former kittypet's desperate look in her eyes. Petal and Frost tell the tortoiseshell she-cat that she is trespassing on Clear Sky's territory. Bumble indignantly replies that she can go wherever she wants. Petal unsheathes her claws and takes a step forward. Bumble tries to stand her ground, but when Petal gives her a snarl, the former kittypet turns around and flees, Frost and Petal pursuing her.

Both cats return after a few moments, and Petal decides that they should return to camp for Clear Sky's meeting. She asks Frost what he thinks Clear Sky is planning, and the white tom guesses that the leader wants to expand the territory to the four oaks. Thunder is privately horrified since the four trees are far away. Petal guesses that Clear Sky will assign cats more responsibilities. She and Frost begin to talk rudely of their denmates, shocking Thunder. He interrupts them, asking if this is how they talk about their denmates. Petal replies to his question in a spiteful tone before dashing off to chase a mouse.

They head back to camp, Thunder taking the rear to avoid listening to Frost and Petal speak to one another, when Wind Runner emerges from the bushes. Thunder knows he should chase the she-cat off, but he remembers her friendliness and how helpful she had been to the moor cats, and he does not want him to make her an enemy. Frost confronts Wind Runner for trespassing, which confuses her. The rogue explains that she has been here longer than any of them have and tells them to get out of her way. Frost is insulted by her tone and launches himself at her. The two cats begin wrestling each other with fury. Thunder watches them, unsure what to do, and he notices Petal watching as well. Frost pins down the wiry brown she-cat on the ground. Wind Runner looks at Thunder helplessly, wanting him to help her, but Thunder knows that his campmates will report him for betrayal if he helped her. Before he can decide what to do, Wind Runner frees herself from the white tom and disappears down a rabbit hole. Petal and Frost rounds on Thunder, asking why he did not attack her. Thunder does not reply, hoping they would drop the subject if he lets it go. The two cats glare at him before Petal beckons them back to camp, saying they do not want to miss Clear Sky's meeting.

Clear Sky begins the meeting by announcing his plans to extend their territory, much to Thunder's disappointment. He continues by saying that the fire has made hunting harder. He wants to start expanding their territory at dawn. As the meeting concludes, Clear Sky calls Thunder over. He asks Thunder to be part of the morning group to mark the borders. Thunder becomes conflicted, wanting to prove himself to his father, but does not feel it is a good idea for Clear Sky to expand their territory. In the end, he agrees to his father's request.

Characters

Major

• Thunder

Minor

• Frost
• Petal
• Bumble
• Wind Runner
• Clear Sky
• Quick Water

Mentioned

• Gray Wing
• Fox
• Petal and Fox's mother
• Falling Feather
• Leaf

Errors

• Wind Runner is mistakenly called Wind despite having changed her name earlier in the book.