#Dovefrost

[mochaxswirl]

hi! im back :)

here are some wc appearance headcanons!

squilf is a tortie and leafpool is dilute ginger.

(sandstorm is a dilute tortie in my headcanon! this also leads to me headcanoning jayfeather as blueish gray because that’s a diluted version of black!)

dovewing is a pastel gray with hints of brown. ivypool is also pastel gray but with hints of blue and tabby stripes underneath the white spots.

bristlefrost, who I renamed dovefrost, is a dilute tortie!

that’s all for now. im gonna make some designs at some point!

[maerynaire]

Here's RiftClan! They live in a gorge. More under the cut!

RiftClan is the most isolated and independent of the clans. They keep to themselves and have a biiit of a collective superiority complex.

Freezestar is the leader. He's calm, cold, and stern. When he was younger though, he was essentially the opposite. Some undisclosed traumatic event happened and changed everything. This resulted in his mate at the time, Shrewthorn, breaking things off shortly before the birth of their daughter Quietthrust. Neither have told her about it. Freezestar later got with Ashrain and had two more kits, Skygaze and Sparktail. He was fairly distant with them, as well. He isn't the greatest of dudes, but he's trying.

Quietthrush is the deputy and she takes this very, very seriously. She's a bit bossy, but responsible, and would do anything for her clanmates. She has a son, Swiftpaw, who she cannot see eye-to-eye with at all now that he's in his rebellious phase.

Shrewthorn is Riftclan's oldest medicine cat and former mate of Freezestar. She's very competent at the healing aspect of her job, but not quite spiritually inclined. She doesn't care though, who needs prophecies? She has a good relationship with her grandson, Swiftpaw, who she really wants to take under her wing as her apprentice, but he's already been put on the path of a warrior.

Ashrain joined the clan as a former wanderer and later got with Freezestar, having two kids with him. She has a good relationship with both, and enjoys embarrassing them greatly. She's the cool aunt of the clan.

Dewstripe, if he were a human, would be into cryptocurrency. That's all you need to know about him.

Dovefrost and Sunsplash are mates and parents to Snowlotus, Cloudstrike, and Fogfern. They also have one grandkid through Snowlotus in Brookpaw. Dovefrost is relaxed and go-with-the-flow, and Sunsplash is Mom Prime.

Snowlotus and Skygaze are the clan's other two medicine cats. Skygaze has clairvoyance of a sort and is plagued by constant visions. He does the heavy lifting for the spiritual side of medicine cat duties due to this. Snowlotus is a Jerk and he's my favorite. He has a daughter, Brookpaw, whom he had following a tryst with a Ridgeclan cat, Frostwillow. The only people he really cares about are his immediate family, Frostwillow, and Skygaze. The latter of whom he helps in any way he can due to his violent dreams and visions.

Pounceleap and Bluestreak are in the background smooching at any given moment. They never left their honeymoon phase and they never will. They have three kits over two litters. The first is Finchwing and the others are Rainkit and Stormkit.

Sparktail is Freezestar's second daughter and mate of Goldfur. She's a very serious person, even considered a bit boring by others. Her mother enjoys finding little ways to get her to drop the facade and get her goat.

Goldfur is the daughter of a very well-respected warrior who was part of a prophecy that never came to pass. As such, she has a bit of a chip on her shoulder and a desperate need to prove herself. She's mates with Sparktail, who balances her out.

Fogfern and Cloudstrike are the siblings of Snowlotus. Fogfern is the more personable of the group and Cloudstrike is an angsty man.

Wildstag is brother to Leafwater, mate to Finchwing, uncle of Fallenpaw, and father of Bloomkit. He and his sister are very Large. They were brought to the clan as itty bitty babies by an unknown party. This causes Wildstag much angst. He's a bit prickly, but is an absolute sweetheart to his family.

Leafwater is mean. She enjoys fighting and being alone. This causes problems with her daughter, Fallenpaw who was more or less raised by her aunt and uncle. Leafwater isn't abusive in any way to Fallenpaw, she's just not suited to be a parent. At all. Fallenpaw's father is unknown.

Finchwing is a ray of sunshine and the first person to get through to Wildstag. She has a good relationship with her son, Bloomkit, and her more-or-less-adopted-daughter-niece, Fallenpaw. She's the clan mediator.

Runningbreeze and Duskhawk are angsty little shits. Their father was the former deputy who died under mysterious circumstances. Freezestar seems uncomfortable around them and they are very suspicious of him. That situation will probably boil over soon.

Brookpaw tries very, very hard to be like her father, Snowlotus. She is very much a daddy's girl. She tries to be calm and reasonable and above-it-all but has a very explosive temper. She gets this from her mother who she's never actually met.

Fallenpaw has a rough relationship with her mother, and tries very hard to impress her. This often means misadventure and dragging her friends, Brookpaw and Swiftpaw, into danger.

Swiftpaw is confident and kind of a klutz. He's in a rebellious phase and is more than happy to go along with whatever it is Fallenpaw wants to do. He's got a natural talent for healing, but is pretty insecure about this.

Rainkit and Stormkit are babies.

Bloomkit is also babie.

[mandareeboo]

Cats who I know for sure have Old ShadowClan blood in them: Fogfur, Nutstripe, Tedwing, Beetooth, Melonfrost, Pringles, Sweetshine, Hootpaw, Ashpaw (father's side)

Cats I know for sure DON'T have Old ShadowClan blood in them: Weaselstar, Spiderstar, Flintpoppy (half ThunderClan, half RiverClan), Dovefrost (half ThunderClan, half RiverClan), Adderpelt (3/4's ThunderClan, 1/4 RiverClan), Squirrelwhisker, Ice Cube

A really fun thing about Deep Dive that I don't think will be brought up much is that between the merging of ThunderClan and others leaving to become kittypets, there's actually a pretty strong line of cats in the series that are related to Old ShadowClan

[10leftau]

I love this!!! Is there anything you can share about Hawkkit and Dovekit?

Sure!!

Hawkkit and Dovekit are very close as kits and in their early apprenticeship but grow apart as time goes on. Hawkpaw is mentored by Lionblaze while Dovepaw is mentored by Mossyfoot.

One downside to naming your kid after someone dear to you is you may expect characteristics to be shared, and that does kinda happen with Ivypool and Hollowflight. They are surprised to see that Dovepaw is loud, confident, and a fighter, while Hawkpaw is reserved, jumpy, and scared of trying new things.

Minnowstar gives Hawkpaw to Lionblaze in hopes of boosting his confidence, while she gives Dovepaw to Mossyfoot in hopes that a stricter mentor would tame the rambunctious apprentice. 

Hawkpaw is named Hawkflight after his father’s suffix.

Dovepaw is named Dovefrost after her skill in battle and her clever nature.

[mandareeboo]

Title: Deep Dive

Summary: In a world where ThunderClan absorbed ShadowClan seasons ago, young warrior Weaselface is tasked to rebuild the fourth Clan and take her place as leader. But how can she betray all she’s ever known and loved, all on the word of one ghost with a grudge?

Chapter Title: Wassup homeboys just gonna. Double ur Clan.

Excerpt:

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Weaselstar asked.

"They're old enough to cross on their own," Pringles meowed calmly. He'd joined her on the sprint across the Thunderpath, meeting Ted and Partridge in the field. Across the way, Ice Cube was explaining the road to the kittens. "'Sides, it's late. No cars are gonna be out this late."

Weaselstar swallowed heavily. She didn't know an exact age on the kits, true, but they didn't even look four moons yet.

To her dismay, they went- not at full pelt, not even at a jog, but at a casual stroll, one following the other following the other, with Ice Cube walking beside the one at the head; Pavementkit. "'Sides," Pringles repeated, not catching on to Weaselstar's private horror, "It's kinda cute to see them trying to look like the Beetles."

Loner parenting is hardcore.

Sorry for the delay! I was trying to decide what all interactions I wanted to have in the single night. I felt it best for Squirrelwhisker to go stew in her juices a bit, bc I feel like after talking to Hootpaw she'd be all like "FINE I guess NO ONE cares what I think" and sulk for a bit. This will not last, of course lol.

Next chapter is gonna be primarily set in-camp, and miiight lead up to a flashback? I'm not entirely sure yet.

Commissions Are Open!

[mandareeboo]

I wanna know more about Flintpoppy. What kind of cat snitches on their own mom like that?

One who takes after said mom, actually! I don’t have a concrete name in mind yet, but I’m seriously considering Finchmask, so I’mma use that name here.

Anyway, Finchmask was a manipulative liar from day one. She had a “mate” in ThunderClan, but everyone knew it was just for show, and when she gave birth the father refused to say they were his (bc they aren't). Finchmask constantly guilt-tripped him and the other warriors, wailing about how her husband turned out to be such a deadbeat he couldn’t even accept his own daughters. Flintkit and Dovekit were stuck in the middle of it all, and Finchmask got them to do shit like stop their father before he could leave on patrol and ask why he didn’t love them, why he never visited, did he want to play, etc.

As they got older, Dovepaw moved past that shit. She’s a gossip, but she’s not a bitch about it. But Flintpaw learned that kindness can get you basically anywhere, and she honed that to perfection. It was especially useful when long-time denmate and friend Spiderpaw got a crush on her, and as everyone knew he was next to line to be leader (Spiderstar learned his shit from his daddy) Flintpaw knew she could be set for life.

When Finchmask got pregnant again, there was no one she could pass them off as, since the mate had died and no one had so much as sniffed her way since. Flintpaw got a LOT of shit about it; and, fearing she would get caught up in the undertow and lose all her hard work, she started sneaking out to see where Finchmask went every night- specifically, who.

She confronted Finchmask in the middle of the Clan (like on the leader branch and everything) and ThunderClan rallied around her, seeing her as the darling caught up in her momma’s problems. Finchmask was exiled by her own daughter’s slyness, and because of her actions Flintpoppy got her name a bit early. Spiderpaw was smitten.

[mandareeboo]

Title: Deep Dive

Summary: In a world where ThunderClan absorbed ShadowClan seasons ago, young warrior Weaselface is tasked to rebuild the fourth Clan and take her place as leader. But how can she betray all she’s ever known and loved, all on the word of one ghost with a grudge?

Excerpt:

Elmkit's pelt was shiny and smooth, and she was pouting about it, ears flat against her head. "I wanna go see grandpa too!"

"You'll get to see grandpa when you're apprentices," Adderpelt reassured her.

"That's forever. Why can't we go now?"

The black and white tom stretched his nose out to prod her with it. Elmkit squeaked, tickled. "Because, grandpa and grandma want you to be safe, just like we do. You don't wanna worry grandma and grandpa, do you?"

"Yes," said Spottedkit, straight-faced. Honeykit broke into giggles.

Larkkit gave them both a solid headbutting, cheeks poofing out. "You should bring prey! It always makes me happy when someone brings me prey."

"Sure," meowed Weaselstar, fighting back a smile. Man, how mad would he be if I ate it in front of him?

I REALLY need to improve my action scenes lol, which is the wonders of having warriors fanfics to write!

Squirrelwhisker is really fun this chapter, mostly bc she's so DoneTM. She might not like Weasel, but she hates how ThunderClan has treated her more, and she's not afraid to be a bitch about it.

Commissions || Ko-fi

[mandareeboo]

Title: Deep Dive

Summary: In a world where ThunderClan absorbed ShadowClan seasons ago, young warrior Weaselface is tasked to rebuild the fourth Clan and take her place as leader. But how can she betray all she’s ever known and loved, all on the word of one ghost with a grudge?

Excerpt:

By the time the sun started to rise over the hills, Weaselstar was ready to collapse. The Gathering, which had felt like seconds and hours all at once, had left her exhausted, and it occurred to her as they waited to cross the Thunderpath that she hadn't slept at all. The two kitten-sized boulders on her back and the kitten-sized one in her mouth didn't exactly help things. Stars, how are they so big already? They're just barely two moons old!

Dovefrost came up on her side after crossing. "We should probably iron out some details on how this will work."

Weaselstar blinked at her, sluggish.

"Do you have any idea who your deputy will be? Your medicine cat?" She paused, then leaned in. "Do you have your lives?"

She lifted her chin pointedly. Dovefrost took Larkkit so she could speak. "I have my lives. I have no idea who will be deputy. Dew is going to be medicine cat."

Dovefrost's muzzle screwed up. Her words were muffled around the kitten's fur. "Are you sure that's wise? Our first medicine cat being a rogue who doesn't even believe in StarClan?"

"Do you know how to apply mallow?"

"No, but neither does Dew."

Time for a lot of den-building, training, and Weaselstar stumbling her tail into respect. The next coupla chapters are gonna be breathers of sorts, watching the kitties settle in and go to their first Gathering as ShadowClan, before heading into a new arc.

Heya I’m doing commissions!

[mandareeboo]

Title: Deep Dive

Summary: In a world where ThunderClan absorbed ShadowClan seasons ago, young warrior Weaselface is tasked to rebuild the fourth Clan and take her place as leader. But how can she betray all she’s ever known and loved, all on the word of one ghost with a grudge?

Excerpt:

Grass crunched underfoot, making her ears prick, though she didn't bother to look as Fogfur joined her. It'd been good luck that they'd all been put on hunting patrol today, just as it was good luck Weaselface had been able to pull Dovefrost away. She'd assumed two in one day would be too much.

"Woof," Fogfur meowed, sneaking a glance behind her. "What'd you say? She's fluffed up like a pinecone."

"Just something mouse-brained."

"Must've been a pretty big mouse-brained thing to get her going like that." The gray tabby leaned in, eyes twinkling. "Tell me?"

Weaselface sighed again. You know what? Why not. Fogfur's never betrayed me to Spiderstar either, even when she was mad at me. "I think I've been getting dreams from StarClan."

Fogfur blinked at her. "Isn't that a good thing?"

"No," Weaselface said grimly, and told the whole story. 

This chapter is more talking than doing, but next time will be one helluva DoingTM chapter.

Fun Fact: there's basically no description of ShadowClan's lake territory on the wiki. So I basically pulled a hunk of rocks out of my butt and set them there to be DramaticTM.

Heya I’m doing commissions!

[mandareeboo]

Title: Deep Dive

Summary: In a world where ThunderClan absorbed ShadowClan seasons ago, young warrior Weaselface is tasked to rebuild the fourth Clan and take her place as leader. But how can she betray all she’s ever known and loved, all on the word of one ghost with a grudge?

Chapter Title: Meet the Pa- I mean Clan

Excerpt:

He paused, studying her a moment. "Is this... about that apprentice she always talks about?" he asked hesitantly. "Antpaw?"

Weaselstar felt herself beginning to tense, and actively forced herself not to. If you do this every time someone says his name, they're gonna get suspicious! "Yes."

"What... was he like?"

She worked her jaw a moment to consider. It was strange to think there were cats in her Clan who didn't know about Antpaw. It felt like his name followed her everywhere she went. "He was... a rebel. He'd always go sneaking out at night, and he used to toss acorns down on the dawn patrol when they'd tell him not to climb trees. I was pretty desperate to follow the rules at that age, so we'd go at it constantly. He left frogs and burrs in my nest a couple of times, but I used to put ants in his, so I think we're even." Weaselstar stifled a chuckle. "One time he got into the catmint supply and chased imaginary butterflies all day. Spiderstar almost cuffed his ears off." 

"Huh," mewed Ashpaw, having clearly not expected that. "He would've been a good ShadowClan warrior."

Weaselstar felt a pang. She hadn't considered that. "Yeah. Yeah, I guess he would have." She found herself purring. "The kits take more and more after him every day. Featherkit has his playful energy. Elmkit has his rebellious streak. And Spottedkit-"

"You... mean Larkkit and Honeykit?"

I just wanna note that the reason Ashpaw could figure it out was less "10,000 iq strats" and more just. How dang obvious it is they're all half-siblings when you hang out with them constantly. The one downside to raising the two litters together, I guess.

Next chapter will have a bit more spice to it! Drama, shall we say?

Commissions Are Open! || Ko-fi

[mandareeboo]

NOW ON AO3

Drabble prompt! I can never get enough of your warrior kitties, so how’s about Birchfoot being a good father figure to Ratpaw?

Ratpaw watched with a heavy heart as ThunderClan gathered to go to the island. It didn't seem fair that his own father got to go to the Gathering when he couldn't, simply because he'd asked for another hunting assessment.

"C'mon," Bumblepaw meowed, gently nudging him. "Let's get some sleep."

Ratpaw saw, out of the corner of his eye, Weaselface sneaking a quick glance at them before vanishing behind Adderpelt, her belly heavy with kits. Slowly, he nodded.

It's not fair, he thought, once again, nestling his chin in Bumblepaw's shoulder blades. The molly had quickly fallen asleep, no doubt exhausted from a long day of doing proper warrior work. Ratpaw wished he could say the same. Bumblepaw stood up for me. We're friends. She should be at the Gathering with everyone else.

He'd started to fall asleep when a gentle paw touched his back, rousing him. Ratpaw raised his head to see Birchfoot hovering over them, tail-tip twitching with anxiety.

"You wanna go night hunting?" he meowed.

Ratpaw looked at Bumblepaw, then the warrior. Shouldn't he be asking her? She's his apprentice, not me. "Isn't that against the rules?"

"I got it cleared with Dovefrost," Birchfoot replied, shrugging. "What Spiderstar doesn't know won't hurt him."

Ratpaw felt himself smiling in spite of himself. He'd always liked the night; it was quiet, peaceful. Carefully disengaging himself from his fellow 'paw, he stood up and nodded.

Birchfoot smiled back and led the way. Just as he'd said, Dovefrost was guarding the brambles that led into the territory, and nodded them on without a second glance. Flintpoppy sat with her, and shot the white she-cat a look, but said nothing. Ratpaw had noticed she tended to be more subdued when with her littermate over her mate.

Into the night they went, and Birchfoot never once told him to stay close or demanded he choose smaller prey. He simply corrected his crouch and congratulated him on successful catches, brushing noses in a manner that made Ratpaw feel safe.

Not for the first time, he wanted, more than anything in the world, to be like Birchfoot when he grew up.

[mandareeboo]

Random Background OC Facts bc I Can

Raintail's father left the Clans when she was a kit

In the original concepts I had of Willowthorn and Smithy, Clover was another one of his kits, making them half-sisters. Whether they still are is up to you!

Volespring had a crush on Littlepelt as a 'paw.

Antpaw's warrior name would've been Antspots or Antskip

Ravenwind's mentor had future visions, and knew what she would become

Ravenwind was named after WindClan, bc it was a WindClan warrior that ended Leopardpoppy's life

Smokestripe is considering a second litter

Raintail and Ravenfur was raised mostly by Hailface and Badgerberry, and were therefore pretty close growing up

Finchcloud regrets not being a medicine cat, and fears that his son is StarClan's retribution

Flintpoppy never had half the respect Dovefrost did in ThunderClan

Sweetshine’s mother was named Berrybird. That has absolutely no effect on anything I just rlly like that name.

In an original draft of Deep Dive, Spiderstar would’ve taken Weaselface to ShadowClan and revealed that Brackenstar was alive and inside of it- a duty given to potential deputies was to carry this knowledge, and take one of his lives. Brackenstar would’ve been mostly decay and rot and empty, and Weasel would’ve taken his last life, freeing him.

Ice Cube is 100% inspired by plucky anime protags. He’s got spikey fur and an upbeat attitude, and if he could he’d say dattebayo

Ngl I’ve had this one cat ya’ll haven’t met yet who’s either gonna end up as Lioncreek or Stripeface’s adopted kid, I legitimately haven’t decided which, if not both, and I find it hilarious that they might end up bonding over sudden fathership

[mandareeboo]

Title: Deep Dive

Summary: In a world where ThunderClan absorbed ShadowClan seasons ago, young warrior Weaselface is tasked to rebuild the fourth Clan and take her place as leader. But how can she betray all she’s ever known and loved, all on the word of one ghost with a grudge?

Excerpt:

The cadence of familiar pawstep brought her eyes back to the warriors' den. Adderpelt gingerly stuck his head inside, then paused contemplatively. The black and white tom glanced over his shoulder, making eye contact with her. Weaselstar stood, patting the ground beside her invitingly. He looked at it, then her, then slowly shook his head and went inside.

Thorns pierced Weaselstar's heart. He must be so mad at me.

The longer she thought about it, the harder it was for Weaselstar to believe that her Clanmates had all come willingly, and without resentment. The newly-made ShadowClan cat slowly sank to the dusty ground, laying out on her side. Ratpaw wanted to get away from Smokescar. Bumblepaw's always supported him. But Dovefrost doesn't want any part in this- she only came because she wanted to retire of her own volition- and Birchfoot put his apprentices over his own beliefs. And Sweetshine... A sudden emptiness caved in her chest, leaving cold ash behind. Weaselstar couldn't help but wonder if she'd only come with to keep their kits happy.

She squeezed her eyelids shut to force out the burning sensation. What kind of leader am I gonna be, if this is the start of my legacy?

Bit of a boring chapter, but next time we'll be meeting a new friend, so look forward to that! It feels really important to me to highlight that the way Weaselstar parents has changed as well, putting her Clan above her own kits, and that will one day affect the relationship she has with them. Especially Elmkit.

For the worried fella wondering if i'm still working on Brightfur- I am! I have the next chapter in my docs as we speak. I've also recently been given a new, more interesting way to portray what's coming next. The end of the second story is a doozy.

Heya I’m doing commissions!

[mandareeboo]

Title: Deep Dive

Summary: In a world where ThunderClan absorbed ShadowClan seasons ago, young warrior Weaselface is tasked to rebuild the fourth Clan and take her place as leader. But how can she betray all she’s ever known and loved, all on the word of one ghost with a grudge?

Chapter Title: And you get a kit name! And YOU get a kit name!

Excerpt:

The journey was just as winding, but a little less confusing. They cleared the fields with quick hops, walked across the empty Thunderpath, and followed along the wood teeth into the Twolegplace. Weaselstar was a bit worried she wouldn't be able to find the alleyway pivot, but found she didn't have to, greeted by Ice Cube's gray and white pelt at the head of it.

He spotted her and brightened. "You came!"

"I made a promise, didn't I?" she returned. "Did anyone actually decide to join us?"

"Oh, yeah, of course," he meowed, as if that was somehow common sense. "Teddy's on his way now- he's bringing his grandpa to meet you, and picking up a straggler on the way. The kits have been talking about it all moon."

All of them? Weaselstar thought, pleased.

It felt best to seperate this into two parts! Next time will be everyone going home together lol. I've mentioned it before in passing but I don't think I ever fully explained it, but I have this hc that cats "cross paws" as a sign of friendship/trust. Just kind of tapping the bends of their footsies together. It's like a handshake only without grabbing. Add that to the random and incredibly overthought concepts in this chapter, alongside my painfully obvious Toy Story reference.

Commissions Are Open! || If you like my stuff, consider subscribing to my patreon!

[mandareeboo]

Title: Deep Dive

Summary: In a world where ThunderClan absorbed ShadowClan seasons ago, young warrior Weaselface is tasked to rebuild the fourth Clan and take her place as leader. But how can she betray all she’s ever known and loved, all on the word of one ghost with a grudge?

Excerpt:

"How'd it go?" Adderpelt asked as she grew nearer, shuffling over so she could settle in by him.

Weaselface didn't take the unspoken invitation, sitting in front of the rabbit. "Smokescar ruined Ratpaw's chances again, but Bumblepaw did pretty good."

"I still don't see why Spiderstar gave Smokescar his own son. We all knew it was going to be a disaster."

"I mean, who else could take him? All the other warriors were training us."

"Switch out Birchfoot and Smokescar. Bam. Everyone has a decent mentor." Adderpelt cocked his head to the side. "What's the matter? You love rabbit."

"I'm... just nervous, is all."

"Oh?"

"Dovefrost was giving me dung again."

He rolled his eyes. "Dovefrost is a great mentor, but she couldn't curb her tongue if she rammed it into a wall."

We'll be getting into the meat of the Antpaw lore soon enough. For now, have awkward kids being awkward first-time parents in the making.

Heya I’m doing commissions!

[mandareeboo]

Drabble prompt! I can never get enough of your warrior kitties, so how’s about Birchfoot being a good father figure to Ratpaw?

Ratpaw watched with a heavy heart as ThunderClan gathered to go to the island. It didn't seem fair that his own father got to go to the Gathering when he couldn't, simply because he'd asked for another hunting assessment.

"C'mon," Bumblepaw meowed, gently nudging him. "Let's get some sleep."

Ratpaw saw, out of the corner of his eye, Weaselface sneaking a quick glance at them before vanishing behind Adderpelt, her belly heavy with kits. Slowly, he nodded.

It's not fair, he thought, once again, nestling his chin in Bumblepaw's shoulder blades. The molly had quickly fallen asleep, no doubt exhausted from a long day of doing proper warrior work. Ratpaw wished he could say the same. Bumblepaw stood up for me. We're friends. She should be at the Gathering with everyone else.

He'd started to fall asleep when a gentle paw touched his back, rousing him. Ratpaw raised his head to see Birchfoot hovering over them, tail-tip twitching with anxiety.

"You wanna go night hunting?" he meowed.

Ratpaw looked at Bumblepaw, then the warrior. Shouldn't he be asking her? She's his apprentice, not me. "Isn't that against the rules?"

"I got it cleared with Dovefrost," Birchfoot replied, shrugging. "What Spiderstar doesn't know won't hurt him."

Ratpaw felt himself smiling in spite of himself. He'd always liked the night; it was quiet, peaceful. Carefully disengaging himself from his fellow 'paw, he stood up and nodded.

Birchfoot smiled back and led the way. Just as he'd said, Dovefrost was guarding the brambles that led into the territory, and nodded them on without a second glance. Flintpoppy sat with her, and shot the white she-cat a look, but said nothing. Ratpaw had noticed she tended to be more subdued when with her littermate over her mate.

Into the night they went, and Birchfoot never once told him to stay close or demanded he choose smaller prey. He simply corrected his crouch and congratulated him on successful catches, brushing noses in a manner that made Ratpaw feel safe.

Not for the first time, he wanted, more than anything in the world, to be like Birchfoot when he grew up.