Thistlebrook

Thistlebrook was born in a barn of rogues. She spent much of her early days in the barn, eventually becoming the leader of the rogue group. She became mates with Sootstone, and close friends with a cat called Firefur. When Mapletail came recruiting cats for her clan, she was quick to jump on the opportunity.

Thistlebrook was named as Firestar's first deputy, and became close with Mapletail. Not long after earning her deputyship, Sootstone was killed on the thunderpath, much to Thistlebrook's dismay. However, she found a new mate in Foxpelt, with whom she had three kits: Daisyheart, Birchfrost, and Stormblaze.

Both Thistlebrook and Flameheart caught green-cough during leaf-bare, but their medicine cat, Lionsong, only had enough greenleaf to save one cat. Thistlebrook sacrificed herself, soon after succumbing to the disease and ascending to StarClan to reunite with Sootstone.

Early Days
Thistlebrook's mother was a rogue, living among the rogue territory of Meadowglen. Growing up, Thistlebrook was surrounded by many cats, with ample opportunity to become well-socialised and friendly. Thistlebrook started to become extremely popular among the other rogues in the barn, eventually becoming something of an unofficial leader. This attention brought Sootstone to her, a tom cat with whom she became very close. The two eventually became mates, but Thistlebrook decided that she didn't want kits until she felt safer. However, she and Sootstone lived a fairly content life in the barn, leading the group of rogues together.

MapleClan
When a strange cat called Mapletail came to the barn, speaking of a new clan she was forming under the will of StarClan, Thistlebrook recalled the stories she had heard about StarClan and was intrigued. She told Sootstone that she wanted to join, and he agreed, commenting that if the clan became established, then it would be a safe place to have kits together. Thistlebrook agreed, and so the two joined Mapletail and came back to her camp with her.

Having spent many moons as leader of the group of rogues, Thistlebrook was not interested in becoming the leader of MapleClan. However, she had fostered a close relationship with Firefur, one of the two cats competing for leadership, and supported him in his ambitions. When Firestar eventually rose as leader of MapleClan, ordained by StarClan, he appointed Thistlebrook as his deputy, a position she was happy to accept.

All went well for Thistlebrook for a long time. She and her mate adapted to clan life quickly, and had started to make plans to have kits when they were delayed after both of the two cats became mentors. Thistlebrook took her training of Foxpelt very seriously, as did Sootstone training Flamepaw, and so they put their plans on hold. However, their plans were never realised, as Sootstone was hit by a monster during a border patrol. Thistlebrook was left heartbroken by the death of her mate, who had been there with her through thick and thin. She mourned him fiercely, and seemed great comfort in her apprentice during her mourning period.

After Foxpaw gained his warrior name, the two remained close. Thistlebrook took comfort in the presence of the young cat, and Foxpelt deeply admired and respected her. Friendship grew into love as time passed and Thistlebrook's grief began to lessen, and the two cats eventually became mates. Not long after, Thistlebrook gave birth to Foxpelt's kits: Daisykit, Birchkit, and Stormkit, almost dying in the process. Though she had been frightened by her near-death experience, it only strengthened her feelings that she would do anything to protect her clan and her new family. She had looked death in the eyes and worried only about her kits.

As Thistlebrook started to grow older, she took more joy in watching her kits grow up, become apprentices, and taken on their own warrior names. Her relationship with Foxpelt became more distant, and the two spent less time together, as Thistlebrook frequently longed for her first mate, Sootstone. Thistlebrook started to doubt whether or not she still made a good deputy for MapleClan, and did all she could to ensure that she was carrying out all her duties aptly.

Death
When green cough gripped the clan in a hard leaf bare, Thistlebrook was horrified to learn her leader had lost one of his lives from it. Shortly after, she came down with a small cough of her own, and was told that she had white cough when she visited Lionsong. Though Lionsong tried to treat her white cough early, Thistlebrook saw how low his supplies of greenleaf were and refused. Her white cough eventually worsened, fast becoming green cough.

Thistlebrook was devastated to hear that Flameheart had also caught green cough. The two lay beside each other in the medicine cat den as they tried to recover. Thistlebrook felt increasingly plagued by the idea that Lionsong might choose to save Flameheart over her, knowing deep down that there were not enough herbs for the both of them. As Flameheart's condition rapidly deteriorated, Thistlebrook pulled Lionsong aside and told him to use his greenleaf on Flameheart, knowing full well that she was signing her own death contract. Lionsong reluctantly agreed to do so, and Thistlebrook requested that he ensure that Flameheart become deputy after her. Lionsong promised her he would make sure Flameheart succeeded her as deputy, and Thistlebrook knew that she could die happy. As she drifted off for the last time, she was greeted at the entrance of StarClan by her beloved Sootstone, both of them happy, energetic, and together once more.

Deputy Ceremony
Firestar: I say these words before StarClan, so that the spirits of our warrior ancestors may hear and approve of my choice. The new deputy of MapleClan is Thistlebrook.