I always got the impression that Lightning Tail could have feelings for Thunder(star), especially with how jealous he acted about the Thunder/Star Flower near-romance. I thought LightningxThunder would make a cute couple, actually. Totally shipped it. Wasn’t sure how deep Thunder’s feelings ran in return.
Then, from the latest novella:
"It would be so much better to have Lightning Tail with me, Thunderstar thought. From their kithood adventures to the fiercest battles of carving out the Clans’ territory, Thunderstar had always fought better, climbed higher, thought more quickly with Lightning Tail by his side.”
“His [Thunderstar’s] eyes met Lightning Tail’s and he knew he and his deputy were thinking the same thing.”
“Thunderstar ran, Lightning Tail beside him. His heart was pounding...”
“’Okay,’ Lightning Tail agreed, and both cats hesitated for a moment, back to back.”
“Dimly, he saw a black shape racing toward him. Lightning Tail. No, he thought. Save yourself! Don’t come back for me.
But Lightning Tail was already there.”
“He tried to shift closer to Lightning Tail, so that he could curl around him and try to stop the steady gush of blood, but he couldn’t move.”
“‘If I was a good leader,’ he whispered, ‘it’s only because I had you to rely on. I could never have formed ThunderClan without you.’
There was no answer from Lightning Tail. The world was being eaten up by a thick, gray nothingness, like fog. Thunderstar blinked slowly, and shadows crept in, the gray replaced by darkness.”
“‘Lightning Tail truly did save you.’ He looked at the black cat proudly. ‘And there is nothing more important than protecting the cats you love.’
Lightning Tail stepped toward Thunderstar, his green eyes shining. ‘StarClan gave you nine lives for a reason. ThunderClan needs its leader. You must go on.’
‘But I can’t do it without you,’ Thunderstar pleaded. Lightning Tail had been beside him every step of the way, since they were kits together. ‘You’re my deputy. You’re the only one I can trust to help me lead.’
‘I expect I’ll be watching over you from StarClan,’ Lightning Tail replied, glancing at Gray Wing, who nodded. ‘And you’ll find the right cat to be your new deputy. But I will always be right beside you, Thunderstar.’
Thunderstar opened his mouth to protest again, but it was too late.”
“Thunderstar lay down beside the body of his deputy, their fur touching. Tonight he would not sleep. He would not leave Lightning Tail alone, not yet.”
“He had spent the night lying close beside Lightning Tail, remembering his deputy. They had always been together; when they were kits, the older cats had joked that they were a storm in the making. It seemed so unfair that Lightning Tail was dead and Thunderstar alive.
Thunderstar looked down at Lightning Tail’s body. He looked peaceful at last, his bright green eyes closed and his strong body at rest. Thunderstar, too, felt more at peace than he had the night before. Spending the night watching over his friend one more time had been the right thing to do.”
“This would be easier if I wasn’t alone, he thought with a pang of sorrow. Would he miss Lightning Tail at every turn from now on?”
“Lightning Tail deserved to be laid in the earth the right way. The thought gave Thunderstar new strength, and the strain of his muscles was almost comforting: He was doing this for Lightning Tail.”
“They were all fine cats. None of them were Lightning Tail. No one was.”
“Talking about Lightning Tail made Thunderstar’s heart lighter.”
“Thunderstar purred. Lightning and thunder together, just like he and Lightning Tail had always been.”
“He hadn’t lost Lightning Tail, not forever. Lightning Tail will always be with me...”
