#Mitepaw

[rippleclan]

RippleClan: Moon 65

Clammask gives birth to three healthy mollies not long after Halibutdusk gets greencough. Worried, Clammask decides to name them early.

[Image ID: With Halibutdusk in the background sporting + CONDITION: GREENCOUGH under them, Clammask faces three newborn kits; one red tabby, one white tabby, one black tabby. Under the red tabby, it says NEW PLAYER: POTTERYKIT, 0, FEMALE, SELF-CONSCIOUS. The white kit says NEW PLAYER: MOONKIT, 0, FEMALE, QUIET. Lastly, the black kit says NEW PLAYER: VERVAINKIT, 0, FEMALE, FEARLESS. Under Clammask, it says - CONDITION: PREGNANT, + CONDITION: RECOVERING FROM BIRTH.]

Somehow, giving birth to three kits was more exhausting than five. Perhaps it was all the stress of recent moons; Scrubmask’s death, three of Clammask’s four kits coming down with food poisoning, casually seeing Halibutdusk only to become pregnant… that was a lot for one molly to handle! Add in the fact that the moon did not shine over the Clans on the first day of autumn’s third moon when Clammask felt a familiar pain in her gut, and Halibutdusk was stuck in the quarantine den with a loud case of greencough, how could she not be stressed?

This kitting was shorter, thank StarClan. It was still nightfall when Clammask cleaned off her last little kit and helped her snuggle up to her belly. Oilstripe, Tallowkit, and Slushkit had vacated the nursery for a while to give Clammask room to kit, but Lemmy, her belly fat against her thin frame, still slept inside, dreams undisturbed by the new life born to the Clan. The only other cat in the nursery was Troutpool (Clammask simply couldn’t ask her own son to help deliver her kits, it felt so strange!). 

The head cleric carefully examined the three mollies at Clammask’s side while the golden molly caught her breath. The first was red with markings that reminded Clammask of her father. The second-born kit was white, with pale gray rosettes along her back. Although she was still slick from birth, Clammask could tell she would be long-furred in the future. The youngest looked so much like Drumtooth that Clammask was taken aback for a moment.

“They all look very healthy,” Troutpool said, stepping back. She placed her dirty bowl (once full of strengthening medicine for the kitting) and the broken stick Clammask bit into a basket at the den’s edge. “I don’t notice any deformed limbs or other issues. I… I won’t try to predict their future this time.” Clammask licked each kit’s head. None of them looked like her lost golden daughter. Perhaps that was for the best. “Do you still want me to perform that ceremony we discussed?”

“It would make me feel better,” Clammask sighed. Troutpool nodded and stuck her face into her basket. She took out a tiny jar; the gouges carved in for teeth holds left little room on the inside. She peeled off the thin leather lid trapping the contents. The jar was full of dirt. Troutpool sprinkled a bit of dirt over each kitten’s back. Each was too caught up in the shock of being alive, mewing and nursing, to really care.

“Dustfur, Celestial of the Newborn,” Troutpool prayed, setting the jar at Clammask’s head, “you taught the Clans not to mourn the stillborn and those taken before they even got a chance to see the faces of their kin. You were the one who revealed to us how StarClan accompanies litters on their way to the Clans and return to Silverpelt when their time is done. One of Clammask’s kits was one of these StarClan guardians. We do not know what awaits these kits in the coming quarter moon, but we ask you, give them souls of their own. Allow them to grow into strong and proud individuals who will make RippleClan proud. Do not taunt Clammask once more by taking a kit away. Allow them all to live, Dustfur. Give us your celestial blessing.” The ritual done, Troutpool licked the dirt off the kittens, sneering at the taste. 

“If one of your daughters is a StarClan warrior,” Troutpool explained, “performing this ritual so soon after their birth may allow them to become cats of their own, rather than a protector for the others.” Clammask nudged her little mollies back to her belly, purring as they cried outrage at yet another grooming. “When you feel strong enough, we can move you to a fresh nest and get rid of all this dirty moss. Do you need anything else?”

“Maybe a leather pelt over my back?” Clammask asked. “It’s a cold night.”

“I’ll also have Mosspounce build a fire outside the den when he wakes up,” Troutpool promised with a nod. She touched noses with Clammask and trotted off. 

With a few moments alone in the nursery, Clammask stared at her daughters. Halibutdusk’s daughters too. Scrubmask wasn’t one to hold grudges, Clammask doubted she would be mad at her for finding another mate. But was she right for Halibutdusk? Her feelings for them were not a perfect match to her relationship with Scrubmask. Perhaps it was because she grew up alongside Halibutdusk, shared every heartbreak and celebration alongside them. Scrubmask was a whirlwind that pulled Clammask into a new life, a new family. Halibutdusk had just… always been there. They were the ocean, forever licking the shore, something whose absence Clammask could not imagine.

She prayed she would not have to live in that absence soon.

“I’ll warn you now,” Troutpool said, entering the den with a stitched-up pelt thrown across her back, “your sons are chomping at my tail to see you.” Troutpool threw the pelt over Clammask’s haunches.

“Send them in,” Clammask purred.

“We can come in? Finally!” Honeybuzz and Splashtuft shoved their way into the nursery, bumping shoulders to get a better look at their new siblings. Leathermask and Drumtooth lingered behind them, trying to catch a glimpse from the side. Honeybuzz and Splashtuft almost knocked Troutpool over.

“Is that all of them?” Leathermask gasped, squirming between his two boisterous brothers.

“They’re all mollies,” Clammask purred. “How funny is that?”

“Big brothers for little sisters,” Drumtooth hummed, finally managing to get into the den by shoving Splashtuft’s big flank to the side.

“I don’t suppose you can let me out?” Troutpool chuckled, slipping her basket around her neck.

“Sorry, Troutpool,” Splashtuft chirped. He moved to the side and knocked Drumtooth against the den wall. Troutpool left before she became the next victim of the litter’s excitement.

“How do you feel, Mom?” Honeybuzz asked. His clerical eye studied Clammask’s messy nest and the newborn shine on his sisters’ pelts.

“Very tired,” Clammask admitted, “but very happy. And I'm a little nervous if I’m honest.” Clammask nuzzled her daughters once more. “I want to do something, but I’m afraid you may judge me a little, Honeybuzz. I know I should wait to name them, like Scrubmask and I waited to name you four, but I don’t want to do that this time around. I want them to have names now.” Clammask was right; the enthusiasm in Honeybuzz’s face froze as he tried not to let it drop.

“Don’t do that,” Drumtooth huffed, appearing on the other side of the pack and shoving Honeybuzz’s shoulder.

“If you want,” Clammask sighed, “you can help name your sisters. We can keep it between the five of us for now.” 

“Really?” Leathermask gasped softly. “Honeybuzz, let’s name the red kit first!” Honeybuzz squirmed a bit, but joined his brown-furred brother in study of their red-colored sister.

“Could we call her Redkit?” Honeybuzz suggested.

“That’s such a boring name,” Splashtuft scoffed. Clammask couldn’t help but laugh at that. He looked so much like Scrubmask in that moment.

“Troutpool left something behind,” Leathermask pointed out. The small jar with the ritual dust still sat at Clammask’s head. “Huh. The jar is the same color as the red kit’s fur. What if we called her Potterykit?”

“I approve,” Clammask purred. “Let your other brothers name the white molly.” Drumtooth squirmed closer to Splashtuft and they turned their gaze to the long-furred kitten.

“I want to name her Moonkit,” Drumtooth said.

“But our Clan’s guide is called Moonpaw,” Honeybuzz reminded him. “That feels… wrong, in a way.”

“StarClan isn’t going to ban the use of a prefix for the rest of history just because of one cat,” Splashtuft scoffed. “I like it, Drumtooth. Potterykit and Moonkit.”

“But what in the world do we call the last kitten?” Leathermask sighed. All four brothers leaned so close to the black molly, they were practically touching Clammask’s belly.

“I can’t think of a single good name for her,” Splashtuft muttered.

“Nightkit?” Leathermask suggested.

“How many black cats in history have been named Nightkit?” Drumtooth said. “Don’t we want our sister to stand out?”

“Stormkit, Butterflykit, Oysterkit…” Honeybuzz muttered. “Hootkit?”

“Hootkit?” Splashtuft laughed. “Do you want apprentices to make fun of her at Gatherings?”

“Hear me out, hear me out,” Drumtooth said, his soft voice catching his brothers’ attention. “Vervainkit.”

“But vervain is purple,” Splashtuft said.

“And drums are brown,” Drumtooth pointed out. “Vervains are pretty flowers. Something about their color reminds me of her.”

“Potterykit, Moonkit, and Vervainkit,” Clammask declared. She leaned over and nuzzled all of her kits, toms and mollies, newborn and adult. “Welcome to the family.” All four toms purred deeply.

“Do you think Halibutdusk will be upset that we named the kits without them?” Drumtooth wondered. 

“To be fair,” Splashtuft chuckled, pulling back, “we don’t have to tell them.”

“I know you all said you were happy for me,” Clammask said, shuffling tighter around the newborns, “but I want to be sure here. They aren’t a replacement for Scrubmask. I wasn’t trying to do that.”

“We know, Mom,” Honeybuzz promised. “We’ll still love the kits. We’re happy to have little sisters to care for.” Clammask’s purrs took over her entire body. Her sons gathered around her and groomed her tired pelt as she soaked in the joy.

(Clammask: 59, female, caretaker, righteous, lore master, good teacher)

(Halibutdusk: 57, nonbinary (they/them), warrior, gloomy, masterful storyteller, clever)

(Troutpool: 26, female, cleric, insecure, ghost sense)

(Honeybuzz: 13, male, cleric, daring, constantly fiddling with tools)

(Splashtuft: 13, male, historian, adventurous, fast runner, student of art)

(Leathermask: 13, male, warrior, nervous, great speaker, good fighter)

(Drumtooth: 13, trans male, caretaker, loyal, great hunter, clever)

(Potterykit: 0, female, kit, self-conscious)

(Moonkit: 0, female, kit, quiet)

(Vervainkit: 0, female, kit, fearless)

Lavendertwist works with the AshClan historians to make a proper record of the Rippling Ashes (Darkkick, Weedfoot, and Paleseed) and their exploits in the Dark Forest.

[Image ID: Lavendertwist and Splashtuft face a black rosette apprentice. Under her, it says NEW PLAYER: MITEPAW, 7, FEMALE, INSECURE, QUICK TO MAKE PEACE.]

---

“It’s hard to believe our former leader would grow to hate us so much…” sighed Minkshine, an AshClan historian. She and two other historians, Blackmist and Comfreytoe, sat along the AshClan border while Lavendertwist and Splashtuft lounged on their side, sharing tongues with their forest counterparts. It was sunhigh, after all, and if the group was going to spend most of the day describing the official story of the Rippling Ashes, Lavendertwist and Splashtuft were going to relax.

“When you’re stuck in your ways like he was,” Lavendertwist sighed, “friends can quickly become enemies.”

“So Autumnstar used his Dark Forest powers to curse AshClan…” Blackmist muttered, grooming Splashtuft’s long fur as he spoke. “So many of our friends and family died because of him… their names have to be recorded in the story. All of them.”

“Ah, name memorization,” Lavendertwist chuckled, squirming. “My old nemesis.”

“I can handle that,” Splashtuft chirped. “Start listing out names, Blackmist.”

“Actually,” Comfreytoe groaned, glancing back into the trees of AshClan, “we’re still waiting on someone. She should be here before we continue.”

“Who’s our special guest?” Lavendertwist asked, leaves crunching underneath him as he rolled onto his back. 

“Someone who needs a fresh start,” Comfreytoe sighed.

“It’s still hard to believe Eelstar and Barkfur agreed to this,” Blackmist muttered, letting Splashtuft take a turn grooming him, “but if Mitepaw can find some peace from it, so be it.”

“Mitepaw?” Lavendertwist hummed.

“I’m here!” a young voice gulped. While Lavendertwist heard the cat crunching leaves under her paws and panting, he only saw her once she stood in front of a pale bush. She was one of the blackest cats Lavendertwist had ever seen, with even blacket rosette markings. Pale yellow eyes bounced between Lavendertwist and Splashtuft. Bouldersong, one of AshClan’s caretakers, joined the small apprentice.

“RippleClan,” Bouldersong purred, placing his tail on the apprentice’s back, “I would like you to meet Mitepaw. She would like to join your Clan.”

“What?” Splashtuft gasped, sitting up so quickly that his head smacked Blackmist’s jaw. 

“Both of her parents died as a result of the chronic frostbite that kept infecting our older Clanmates,” Minkshine explained as Mitepaw rubbed a paw deep into the leaf litter. “She’s struggled in our Clan ever since. We believe that in order to give her a fresh start, she needs to leave our home for another. Since RippleClan’s developed a reputation for accepting wayward apprentices, we thought she would fit in well with you.”

“Eelstar is letting one of his apprentices join RippleClan?” Lavendertwist scoffed. “I thought he hated us.”

“His opinions are more nuanced than you’d think,” Comfreytoe insisted. “Mitepaw is an artisan apprentice. She has a knack for woodwork and should take to your Clan’s crafts well.”

“You really want to join us, Mitepaw?” Splashtuft asked. He risked crossing the border to approach the small apprentice. Since no one clawed his ears off, he kept going. “This isn’t a decision you can take back.” Mitepaw hesitated, words getting caught in her mouth. She looked at her Clanmates, as though waiting for someone to snap at her. She swallowed hard.

“I don’t like AshClan,” Mitepaw said. “Everyone is grieving. It makes it hard to breathe. I don’t want to grow up in a Clan that’s carrying such hurt with them.” The AshClan historians grew lost as Mitepaw explained herself. No one countered her claim.

“I’m sure Downstar will welcome you, then,” Splashtuft purred, touching noses with Mitepaw.

“You can always talk to your old Clanmates at Gatherings, Mitepaw,” Bouldersong sighed. “I hope RippleClan will be better for you than we have been.” Bouldersong licked Mitepaw’s ear. The young apprentice purred softly. She left Bouldersong’s side and joined Splashtuft.

“So you’ll take her to your camp when we’re finished here?” Minkshine asked.

“Absolutely,” Lavendertwist promised as Splashtuft led Mitepaw across the border. “We have just the mentor for her.” 

(Lavendertwist: 31, male, historian, playful, great singer, good storyteller)

(Splashtuft: 13, male, historian, adventurous, fast runner, student of art)

(Mitepaw: 7, female, artisan apprentice, insecure, quick to make peace)

[Image ID: Rapidleaf, Asterpaw, and Elmsprout stand behind Mitepaw as she listens to Rattlepelt say, “It will be better for you to live in a Clan that is loyal to its members. You’ve escaped a rotten place, Mitepaw.”]

Later that day, as RippleClan buzzed with sunset activity, Mitepaw took in the sights of her new home. The shipwreck was so tall! Despite the late autumn cold, the sand felt warm from the sun. Even the air felt lighter in RippleClan! This was the right choice, Mitepaw was certain of it. There was a glimmer in everyone’s eyes as they surrounded her following her new apprentice ceremony. She soaked it all in as she stood beside her strange and famous new mentor; Rattlepelt. 

“Mitepaw!” A long-furred gray molly made her way to the front of the crowd of unfamiliar faces. A brown molly and a silver tom followed close behind.

“Hello,” Mitepaw chirped softly, bowing to the strangers. 

“No need to bow to your Clanmates in this Clan!” the silver molly said. “You’ve probably heard about me. I’m Elmsprout.”

“Oh, Eelstar’s daughter,” Mitepaw gasped. She took Elmsprout in a second time; she could see Eelstar’s color in Elmsprout’s darker tints. “Your father’s told the kits about you.”

“I guess I shouldn’t be surprised,” Elmsprout chuckled. “He and I have… an awkward relationship. I wanted to make sure I could talk to you after your ceremony, because I’ve been where you are. We all have. We’re a bit of a Clan-within-a-Clan, you could say. We’ve all left our original Clans to join RippleClan. This is Rapidleaf and Asterpaw.”

“I’ll show you how to adapt to life in RippleClan,” Asterpaw promised, raising his tail high.

“Leaving my Clan was hard for me as well,” Rapidleaf said with a nod. “Like you, staying in LynxClan would have been too painful. RippleClan has built itself on second chances. Elmsprout befriended me as we both recovered from a bought of food poisoning a few moons ago, and we’ve both looked after Asterpaw since his arrival. If you need help, we promise to look after you, too.” 

“That’s…” Mitepaw purred, her whole body rippling, “that’s amazing!”

“It will be better for you to live in a Clan that is loyal to its members.” Oh, right! Rattlepelt was still standing there! She was so unlike any other cat Mitepaw had ever seen. Who else would have the courage to wear a fox pelt? She looked more like a fearsome warrior than the talented artisan Lavendertwist and Splashtuft made her out to be on the walk to RippleClan. “You’ve escaped a rotten place, Mitepaw.”

“I’m excited to learn under you, Artisan Rattlepelt,” Mitepaw said, bowing once more.

“Mitepaw, we don’t bow here!” Elmsprout laughed.

“Leave her be,” Rattlepelt scoffed. “If she wants to bow and use honorable titles, let her. It’s nice to be respected. Now Mitepaw, how would you like to learn the intricacies of leather-making from a master?” Mitepaw’s eyes sparkled. Learn to craft a leather pelt with the quality and skill of Rattlepelt’s fox fur? Learning in a Clan so bright and welcoming, under a mentor that was clearly wise and strong and clever, better than her old mentor in every way?

“Yes please!”

(Mitepaw: 7, female, artisan apprentice, insecure, quick to make peace)

(Elmsprout: 32, female, caretaker, charismatic, helpful insight)

(Rapidleaf: 84, female, warrior, lonesome, prophecy interpreter)

(Asterpaw: 12, male, caretaker apprentice, thoughtful, has lots of ideas)

(Rattlepelt: 48, female, artisan, bloodthirsty, leather artist)

Tallowkit reminds himself it will all be okay while Slushkit chews on a stick.

[Image ID: Tallowkit says “She won’t choke, she won’t choke…” as he watches Slushkit. Under Tallowkit, it says + NEW SKILL: SPLASHES IN PUDDLES. Under Slushkit, it says + NEW SKILL: QUICK WITTED.]

(Tallowkit: 1, male, kit, skittish, splashes in puddles)

(Slushkit: 1, female, kit, polite, quick witted)

Scaleripple and Tempestshade officially become mates.

[Image ID: Scaleripple and Tempestshade face each other. Under Scaleripple, it says + MATE: TEMPESTSHADE. Under Tempestshade, it says + MATE: SCALERIPPLE.]

---

Scaleripple couldn’t help but be in awe of Troutpool and Honeybuzz’s skill. When he had found Tempestshade half a moon prior, leg encased in a shimmering silver jaw, he had been certain it would have to come off. Yet there they were, half a moon later and still possessing four legs, even if one was so bandaged and slathered in ointment that it could hardly be called a leg. Honeybuzz had changed the bandages not so long ago, but Scaleripple could already see dots of blood leaking through. Not that Troutpool and Honeybuzz would notice; no, when Scaleripple visited Tempestshade that day, the Clan had a bit more exciting news to swallow.

“Our instincts are never more controlling than when a queen is kitting,” Troutpool explained to Mosspounce, waiting eagerly outside the den as she and Honeybuzz collected a few supplies into a basket. “Lemmy will know what to do with her kits, but she’ll need spiritual and emotional support. We’ll be with her the entire time, Mosspounce.”

“Are you sure Tempestshade can’t join us?” Mosspounce groaned, glancing around Troutpool to Tempestshade, whose nest sat in a quiet, warm corner of the medicine den. Scaleripple sat beside her, ice-faced and observant. “I want my kits to meet all of their kin.”

“Mosspounce, your kits won’t be able to meet anyone for a while,” Honeybuzz laughed. He slipped the basket around his neck. “They’re born with their eyes and ears shut. They’ll get to meet Tempestshade in the future, don’t worry.”

“But I wanna meet them,” Tempestshade whined. They laid sprawled across the nest, mangled leg carefully frozen on the edge. Their dark green eyes lacked some of their usual sparkle, devoured by the pain.

“You will, I promise,” Mosspounce said. Honeybuzz joined Mosspounce outside the den and the two trotted to the nursery. Troutpool, however, lingered, eyes wandering to Scaleripple.

“Will you be okay while we help Lemmy?” Troutpool asked.

“I won’t die,” Scaleripple growled. He laid in a loaf against Tempestshade’s nest, ignoring Troutpool’s gaze. Tempestshade chuckled, a soft, almost feverish sound. Troutpool shuffled her paws about.

“I didn’t want to have that vision,” Troutpool gulped. “I thought revealing it would spare Tempestshade a guilty verdict and protect RippleClan. I wouldn’t use StarClan to hurt them.”

“Did I say that’s what you did?” Scaleripple scoffed, daring to look up, even if Troutpool’s awkward expression made his skin hurt. “You don’t need to explain yourself. You just have to live with making Tempestshade a living omen of death.” Troutpool bowed her head low, closing her eyes. She followed her former apprentice and Mosspounce to the nursery, where Scaleripple could already hear Lemmy panting with the effort of her kitting.

“You showed her,” Tempestshade mumbled, purring. Scaleripple stared at Tempestshade. Why were they seemingly the only cats who truly understood the other? Scaleripple’s family loved him, he was certain of that, but did they know him like Tempestshade? Did they understand the strange way he worked, which separated him from everyone else? And did anyone else in the Clan dare to face the blunt of Tempestshade’s curse just to spend time with them? Did they appreciate their youthfulness, their honesty, their loyalty? From everything Scaleripple knew, two cats who were as close as he was to Tempestshade could only be called one thing.

“Tempestshade, are we mates?” he asked. Tempestshade cocked their head. A little life came back to their eyes.

“Haven’t we been mates since the summer?” they laughed. Oh. Well then.

“Maybe so,” Scaleripple purred. He rested his head on the edge of Tempestshade’s nest, a whisker length from their nose. Tempestshade hummed happily. They stretched and quickly touched noses with Scaleripple.

For once, Scaleripple didn’t mind.

(Scaleripple: 18, male, warrior, lonesome, formidable fighter)

(Troutpool: 26, female, cleric, insecure, ghost sense)

(Mosspounce: 26, male, caretaker, adventurous, talented fire-starter)

(Honeybuzz: 13, male, cleric, daring, constantly fiddling with tools)

(Tempestshade: 26, nonbinary (they/them), caretaker, childish, incredible cook)

Mosspounce wants to be a father with different motivations than his own, and feels proud when Lemmy delivers four healthy kits.

[Image ID: Lemmy and Mosspounce watch four newborn kits; a tortoiseshell, a black molly, a silver molly, and a gray tabby. Under Lemmy, it says - CONDITION: PREGNANT, + CONDITION: RECOVERING FROM BIRTH. The tortoiseshell says NEW PLAYER: WEEVILKIT, 0, FEMALE, BULLYING. The black molly says NEW PLAYER: RAVENKIT, 0, FEMALE, SWEET. The silver kit says NEW PLAYER: SILVERKIT, 0, FEMALE, DAYDREAMER. Finally, the gray tabby says NEW PLAYER: WOLFKIT, 0, FEMALE, POLITE.]

(Mosspounce: 26, male, caretaker, adventurous, talented fire-starter)

(Lemmy: 41, female, codekeeper, cold, deep StarClan bond)

(Weevilkit: 0, female, kit, bullying)

(Ravenkit: 0, female, kit, sweet)

(Silverkit: 0, female, kit, daydreamer)

(Wolfkit: 0, female, kit, polite)

Downstar is almost intimidated by the knowledge Asterpaw has gained in his short time in RippleClan and confidently names him Asterblaze.

[Image ID: Asterpaw, now Asterblaze, is an adult! Under him, it says LEVEL UP! ASTERPAW -> ASTERBLAZE, HAS LOTS OF IDEAS -> CONSTANTLY FIDDLING WITH TOOLS.]

(Asterblaze: 12, male, caretaker, thoughtful, constantly fiddling with tools)

While Troutpool and Honeybuzz are on patrol, Troutpool sees strange shimmers in the distance. They encounter a kittypet who grew up with old stories of RippleClan and wanted to raise her kits in the wild. Troutpool and Honeybuzz help welcome five more kits to the nursery.

[Image ID: Troutpool and Honeybuzz approach a brown and white molly and five kits; one light brown, two red, and two brown, all with white markings. Undee the mother, it says NEW PLAYER: HARVEST, 53, FEMALE, NERVOUS, GOOD FIGHTER. Under the light brown kit, it says NEW PLAYER: ANCHOVYKIT, 0, MALE, CHARMING. Under the upper red kit, it says NEW PLAYER: CURRENTKIT, 0, MALE, POLITE. The second red kit says NEW PLAYER: ROBINKIT, 0, MALE, UNRULY. The first dark brown cat in the upper corner says NEW PLAYER: YARROWKIT, 0, FEMALE, NOISY. The last brown kit says NEW PLAYER: BILLOWKIT, 0, MALE, BOSSY.]

(Troutpool: 26, female, cleric, insecure, ghost sense)

(Honeybuzz: 13, male, cleric, daring, constantly fiddling with tools)

(Harvest: 53, female, queen, nervous, good fighter)

(Anchovykit: 0, male, kit, charming)

(Currentkit: 0, male, kit, polite)

(Robinkit: 0, male, kit, unruly)

(Yarrowkit: 0, female, kit, noisy)

(Billowkit: 0, male, kit, bossy)

[fanclangen]

Update 3

-Pythonpaw is given her warrior name, Pythonclaw

-Gravelpaw is given her warrior name, Gravelwhisker.

-Harvestbite asks to join the clan, offering his healing skills in exchange for a home. Both Jasperstar and Slitjaw agree to let him join. Harvestbite enters the clan with his two kits, Hopekit and Mitekit.

-Hopkit joins the clan with her father, Harvestbite.

-Mitekit joins the clan with her father, Harvestbite.

-While Harvestbite and Slitjaw are out on patrol they find Canaryheart and his two kits, Glowkit and Lostkit, in a bush. The two medicine cats approach Jasperstar, asking to let him and his kits join. Jasperstar agrees.

-Glowkit joins the clan with his father, Canaryheart.

-Lostkit joins the clan with her father, Canaryheart.

[goosehascats]

Moon 6: Part 1

CW: Emotional manipulation, verbal abuse, trauma response.

“Again, Mitepaw?” Duskstar said sternly, eyebrows furrowed. “Surely you can pounce on a field mouse.” 

“I’m sorry, Duskstar,” Mitepaw said with a steely, determined expression. She had been struggling with hunting today, but she couldn’t figure out why. She was tasting the air, she had her ears on the swivel, perfectly down wind, but her pounces were just… Off, simply put. And she was paying the price now with Duskstar’s temper. She sat, back straight, but looking just down at Duskstar’s chest rather than at his eyes. 

“Do you think sorry is enough, Mitepaw? Do you think sorry feeds mouths?” Duskstar’s tail lashed, though his body remained composed. His eyes were dark and his ears were turned back, and this was about as outwardly angry as Mitepaw had ever seen him. She continued to stare coldly at his chest, knowing that any flicker of emotion could warrant more berating. 

“No, Duskstar.” Mitepaw’s voice was even, but she felt hot shame burn under her fur. She was better than this. She knew she was. And she had to be, she was Duskstar’s apprentice. His patience was not for her because she needed to represent him as a leader. If she went back to camp empty handed, what would that say about him? 

“Then what is the problem.” Duskstar demanded. It wasn’t a question, it was a command to speak. To give him a reason. To give him ammunition for the next leg of his rant. 

“I…” Mitepaw started. She knew she should have a reason. She knew that something should be different about today than yesterday, or any other day she’s hunted. She knew she was so close to her warrior name but if she kept having days like today, she’d never get there. So she needed something to be different, to be wrong. “I’m sorry, Duskstar.” She said again, tilting her head to stare solidly at the ground. “I’ve been distracted. I… I believe I had a vision from Starclan last night.” 

The silence that fell between Duskstar and Mitepaw was thick and heavy. She felt her skin crawl over her, thousands of little legs pricking at her skin as she waited for him to believe her lie. Her legs began to just barely quiver when she felt a tail on her back. She looked back up to see Duskstar with an observant but neutral expression on his face, eyes lighter and eyebrows lifted. 

“What did you see?” He asked in a soft, soothing tone. It was better than him being angry at her, but Mitepaw felt herself grow nauseous at the thought of having to give him details for a fake vision. 

“Oh, well,” Mitepaw started, looking away from Duskstar. “It was… A dream that I had last night, and it was… Clear, but it was soft in the way dreams are. There was…” Mitepaw looked around the horizon, her eyes landing on an awkward hump in the ground. “A burrow. Perhaps a tunnel, or a den underground. Hollow dirt.” Her claws tore up the dirt underfoot. “And there were…” Fox-dung, what’s a Starclan-y sign?! Mitepaw thought to herself in a panic. “Um, stars. There were stars in the den underground. I was being chased, or maybe just followed. But I found some water, and… And then I woke up.” 

“You just… Woke up when you saw the water?” 

“Well, yes, but only… Only after I looked into the water.” 

“And did you see yourself?” 

“Um… No. No, I saw Honeystream there.” 

“Hmm,” Duskstar hummed in thought, getting up on his paws to walk a circle around Mitepaw. “I see… I can’t quite make sense of it on my own, I think, but Snaillake would be rather delighted to hear this I’m sure.” Duskstar was purring by the end of his sentence, in a much better mood now. “Really, Mitepaw, I wish you had mentioned this sooner, this is far more important than a few field mice.” 

“Yes, Duskstar. Sorry, Duskstar. I wasn’t… Sure if it was real or not, but I’ll make sure to bring up any more visions to you and Snaillake.” Mitepaw felt her chest tighten as if she was going to cry, or maybe vomit. If he finds out I’ve lied about this… She shook the thought from her head. She would keep up the lie. She had to. If the vision was vague enough, perhaps Snaillake wouldn’t be able to parse it either. And then maybe they could forget about it and Mitepaw could hunt better tomorrow. All that mattered now was that Duskstar wasn’t mad at her.

[plushieclan]

Moon 4 Gathering

< previous | next > | all >>

“Ish dish enough frefkill?” Nightflower muffled through two mice crammed into her mouth.

Darkstar chuckled. “Hey, you shouldn’t have your mouth full when speaking, Nightflower.”

She spits the mice out onto the ground. “Heh, sorry Dad.”

Still, he nodded affirmatively. “With Shimmersky’s fish and Gingerclaw’s bluejay, we should have enough food for the gathering.”

“Darkstar! Darkstar!” a large bundle of orange fur barreled towards the two cats, crashing into Nightflower.

She laughed. “What’s wrong, Tigerkit?”

The ball of fluff straightened himself out until he resembled a normal cat. “Applepaw’s being mean again. She snapped at Pebblekit!”

Darkstar sighed. “Acting out isn’t going to make me change my mind. I’ll have a talk with Blossomtail.”

“About what?” Nightflower asked.

“I decided to have Applepaw stay behind this Gathering. She’s been too irresponsible as of late.”

“I suppose that makes sense.” she probably also would have been sulking if she was left behind.

“You know, since I’m so helpful…” Tigerkit started.

“No Gatherings until you’re an apprentice.” Darkstar sighed.

—

The Gathering itself was just as bustling. The fresh kill was deposited atop the grates of the flaming barrel for the after-gathering feast. Nightflower still didn’t do well with fire, so she handed off her freshkill to Dawnpaw. She decided to meet up with Lynxpaw and Firepaw while Dawnpaw took care of the food.

Firepaw wasn’t hard to find. Her bright red fur was like a beacon, even among a sea of other ginger cats. She was sat with Lynxpaw, who looked very happy.

“What’s the occasion?” Nightflower asked as she padded over.

“My warrior ceremony!” Lynxpaw declared, the enthusiasm palpable in her voice. “I’m Lynxclaw now.”

Firepaw looked glum. “I wish. My mentor’s been ignoring my training… I’ll never be a warrior at this rate.”

Lynxclaw paused. “I’m sorry Firepaw. That sucks.”

“Ah… whatever. I think Smallcloud is just getting sick or something. I don’t know why he’s been ignoring me.”

“Oh… I can’t imagine how you must be feeling.” Nightflower said. Even Leopardcloud, stuck in the nursery, still made sure she kept up her training when she wasn’t able to be there.

A large silence fell over the Gathering. It was time to start; the first leader stepped to the front. This moon, it was Redstar.

“To start, Swampclan has been well. Our kits are well-fed, and will grow strong. Our apprentices, even more so.” Redstar stated simply, before stepping back.

“I heard that those kits born last moon were his.” Lynxclaw whispered to Nightflower. “Jaggedkit and Sharpkit, I think they’re named. Poor kits. Now they have to turn out evil with those names.”

Nightflower wasn’t so sure, but she wasn’t willing to be scolded for talking during the Gathering.

Next, Finchstar took the front.

“My son and his mate have had a litter of three healthy kits! We thank Starclan for them.” He showed an uncharacteristic amount of emotion, before frowning again. His tone was grave. “Unfortunately, one of our border patrols was ambushed by a coyote. One of our apprentices, Splinterpaw, did not make it. We ask other clans to increase their patrols and stay wary until the coyote has left our lands.”

Whispers carried over the crowd— uncertain, and somewhat panicked, before the Wanderers representative spoke up.

“It will not take long for the coyote to leave. The Twolegs will chase it out once they notice it. Remain alert, but calm, while on patrol.” the representative stepped back, allowing Badgerstar to step forward.

“We have two new warriors, as well as one new cleric apprentice.” he drawled, seemingly not caring. “Lynxclaw, Locustclaw, and Mitepaw.” He paused to allow the clans to cheer.

Nightflower made sure to cheer extra hard for her good friend, who seemed extremely flattered by all the attention. Firepaw, on the other hand, looked like her flames had been doused by a heavy rainfall.

After the noise had died down, he spoke again. “We grieve the loss of our beloved Seedwhisker, who succumbed to illness. May my son carry on his path of benevolence in Starclan, just as he did in life.” he bowed his head, ushering in a moment of silence.

Nightflower looked over at Starleaf. Her mother was close with Seedwhisker, right? He was one of the members of her prophecy journey. Her mother was huddled up with her Grangeclan friends, Dovelight and Pearlheart.

The silence was broken with a single exclamation.

“Seedwhisker!”

Now, every clan was looking at the three mollies. Pearlheart was staring at the faded outline of a tom, though Nightflower couldn’t pick out any of the details. He was glowing a bright blue, which certainly wasn’t a real pelt color. Was that… a Starclan cat?

“What’s she looking at?” Lynxclaw asked, confusion lacing her voice.

“You don’t see the glowing cat in front of her?” Nightflower said.

Firepaw shook her head. “She’s just staring at nothing.”

“Well, there’s a Starclan cat right in front of her!”

Nightflower quickly looked around. Badgerstar had his head in his paws, and Bonestripe looked shocked. Finchstar merely looked confused, and Redstar was simply annoyed.

Clouds began to crowd around the full moon, blotting out all but a small circle in the middle.

Darkstar took the front, interrupting the moment. “Starclan has spoken. The Gathering has ended for now.” he jumped down, gathering the clanmates.

Nightflower barely had a moment to say goodbye to her friends when she was pulled away with the rest of Crystalclan.

He padded over to Nightflower as they left the Gathering. “Your mother is staying behind.”

“What was that?” Nightflower asked her father.

“You could see it, couldn’t you? How well?” he dodged her question.

“But— well, yes. I could see the glowing blue cat. I couldn’t tell who it was though. Was he from Starclan?”

He nodded to her. “So not well. I see… yes, that glowing cat was a Starclan cat.”

“But why did that ghost appear?”

“To say goodbye.” Darkstar replied. “or maybe to give a warning. We won’t know until we ask your mother.”

“I guess that food will go to waste now…” she said absentmindedly.

“It won’t. Don’t worry about it.” he licked her forehead. “Come on. Let’s go home.”

As he walked away, Nightflower could only wonder what Starclan was thinking. Perhaps she’d ask her mother. Hopefully her mother was willing to share what she’d learned.

—

“Beware the jagged thorns of the lake, for they will sink into you like a lifeline.” Pearlheart repeated back to the other two.

“What could that mean?” Starleaf asked, worry in her eyes.

“I don’t know Leafy.” Pearlheart had a worried look on her face. “But he said the message was for you.”

Dovelight turned to Starleaf. “If you need extra warriors, Grangeclan will send them.”

Starleaf shook her head. “No. I will not put your clanmates in danger. We will handle this ourselves.”

Pearlheart pressed against Starleaf’s side, letting out a sad huff. “Be safe Leafy. Please.”

“I will, Pearlheart. I promise.” Starleaf spared one last look towards the spot where Seedwhisker supposedly stood, thoughts swirling with confusion and fear.

She turned and walked away.

[somerandomicthings]

Garlicclan Moon 4!

After a big hiatus, since june, here's Moon 4 from Garlicclan, Moon 5 is already on the making, Scorchkit and Mitepaw got a promotion! Now as Scorchpaw and Miteclaw, and i found interesting that Lightingstar choose Raggedthud to be Scorchpaw's mentor, hope nothing bad happens to them :) Also, Scorchpaw and Hailkit is not as close as they used to be, and a little bonus in the end, the Starclan's guide, Sycamorebeam.

First

Previous

Next

[emotional-damage-book-series]

Shoreclan moons 250-300

Moon 251:

- Conenoise has been lost

Moon 252:

- Whimsystripe becomes deputy

- Trembleclaw brought three kits back to camp! Brightkit, Heronkit, and Gorgekit

- Coastshimmer is expecting!

- Murkwhisker joins the clan

Moon 253:

- extinction! Silverfoot, Pondkit, Heronkit, Leopardsnow, Slugkit, Frosttooth and Brightkit drown

Moon 254:

- Coastshimmer had 5 kits with Tawnyburr- Condorkit, Comphreykit, Coniferkit, Rabbitkit and Deltakit

- Crabkit becomes Crabpaw and is apprenticed to Comphreywhisker

- Ripplekit becomes Ripplepaw and is apprenticed to Trembleclaw

- Gravy joins the clan

Moon 256:

- Grouseshine died of heat exhaustion

- Rookkit becomes Rookpaw and is apprenticed to Whimsystripe

- Wingkit become Wingpaw and is apprenticed to Tawnyburr

- Blizzardkit becomes Blizzardpaw and is apprenticed to Ripplebriar as a med cat

- Mitekit becomes Mitepaw and is apprenticed to Egretstripe

- Willowkit becomes Willowpaw and is apprenticed to Hollystar

- Riftkit becomes Riftpaw and is apprenticed to Brackenspot

Moon 257:

- Quarter Pounder joins the clan

Moon 258:

- Gorgekit becomes Gorgepaw and is apprenticed to Fuzzybreeze

Moon 260:

- Condorkit becomes Condorpaw and is apprenticed to Coastshimmer

- Comphreykit becomes Comphreypaw and is apprenticed to Gulltail

- Coniferkit becomes Coniferpaw and is apprenticed to Thrushpelt

- Rabbitkit becomes Rabbitpaw and is apprenticed to Murkwhisker

- Whimsystripe and Graythrush were killed by rogues

- Deltakit died from a claw wound

- Mitepaw died

- Murkwhisker becomes deputy

Moon 261:

- Ripplepaw becomes Rippleleaf

- Crabpaw adopted Sandkit and Raggedkit

Moon 262:

- Crabpaw becomes Crabfeather

- Wingpaw becomes Wingslip

- Willowpaw died of yellowcough

- Gorgefade has a vision while on patrol of blood running down the beach

- Ben joins the clan

Moon 263:

- Rookpaw becomes Rookshade

- Blizzardpaw becomes Blizzardegg

Moon 264:

- Riftpaw becomes Riftgill

Moon 265:

- Gorgepaw becomes Gorgeplume

- Raggedkit becomes Raggedpaw and is apprenticed to Woodbloom

- Sandkit becomes Sandpaw and is apprenticed to Trembleclaw

- Cobaltkit joins the clan and is adopted by Comphreywhisker

Moon 266:

- another extinction!!! Fuzzybreeze, Gorgefade, Rabbitpaw, Comphreywhisker, Quarter Pounder, Gulltail, and Cobaltkit die from tainted freshkill

- Ben drowned

- Coniferpaw becomes Coniferdrizzle

- Hollystar moves camp to higher ground

- Comphreypaw becomes a med cat apprentice

Moon 268:

- Ripplebriar is expecting!

- Comphreypaw becomes Comphreynip

Moon 269:

- Condorpaw becomes Condorpelt

- Barleythistle joins the clan

Moon 270:

- Ripplebriar had 4 kits! Tidalkit, Shrewkit, Veilkit and Snakekit

- Robinscreech joins the clan

Moon 271:

- Sandpaw becomes Sandback

- Murkwhisker got poisoned

Moon 272:

- Hollystar lost a life

Moon 273:

- Bluzzardegg is expecting!

- Condorpelt brought a kit back to camp- Tansykit

- Song joins the clan

- Raggedpaw becomes Raggedflake

Moom 274

- Hollystar loses his last life

- Murkwhisker becomes Murkstar and gets lives from Frosttooth, Gorgefade, Rabbitpaw, Mitepaw, Gulltail, Silverfoot, Fuzzybreeze, Whimsystripe and Hollystar!

Moon 275:

- Blizzardegg and Rookshade had 5 kits! Boughkit, Prancekit, Flounderkit, Roarkit, and Mottlekit

Moon 276:

- Wingsip is expecting

- Tidalkit becomes Tidalkit and is apprenticed to Egretstripe

- Shrewkit becomes Shrewpaw and is apprenticed to Trembleclaw

- Veilkit becomes Veilpaw and is apprenticed to Riftgill

- Snakekit becomes Snakepaw and is apprenticed to Rippleleaf

- Robinscreech is expecting

- Sunny, Sagekit and Bramblekit join the clan

Moon 277:

- Tansykit was killed by a snake

- Crabfeather has been lost

Moon 278:

- Wingslip had 6 kits! Spindlekit, Plumkit, Shiningkit, Thistlekit, Archkit and Rabbitkit

- Robinscreech had a kitten, Drizzlekit

Moon 279:

- Murkstar lost a life

- Sagekit was taken by a hawk

Moon 280:

- Bramblekit becomes Bramblepaw and is apprenticed ro Raggedflake

Moon 281:

- Woodbloom is expecting

- Boughkit becomes Boughpaw and is apprenticed to Sunny

- Prancekit becomes Prancepaw and is apprenticed to Gorgeplume

- Flounderkit becomes Flounderpaw and is apprenticed to Rookshade

- Roarkit becomes Roarpaw, and is apprenticed to Comphreynip as a med cat

- Mottlekit becomes Mottlepaw and is apprenticed to Coniferdrizzle

Moon 282:

- Veilpaw becomes Veilfur

- Prancepaw got broken back

- Bramblepaw died in a flood

Moon 283:

- Woodbloom had 4 kits: Yellowkit, Mosskit, Kitekit, and Icekit

- Tidalpaw becomes Tidalfeather

- Shrewpaw becomes Shrewspeck

- Snakepaw becomes Snakesnap

- Song becomes a med cat

Moon 284:

- Egretstripe retires

- Spindlekit becomes Spindlepaw and is apprenticed to Tidalfeather

- Plumkit becomes Plumpaw and is apprenticed to Riftgill

- Shiningkit becomes Shiningpaw and is apprenticed to Murkstar

- Thistlekit becomes Thistlepaw and is apprenticed to Shrewspeck

- Archkit becomes Archpaw and is apprenticed to Veilfur

- Rabbitkit becomes Rabbitpaw and is apprenticed to Thrushpelt

- Drizzlekit becomes Drizzlepaw and is apprenticed to Rippleleaf

- Blizzardegg is expecting

- Sunny brought a kit to camp- Fidgetkit

Moon 285:

- Blizzardegg and Rookshade have 4 kits!- Hopkit, Sproutkit, Webkit, and Saltkit

Moon 286:

- Pricklekestrel joins the clan

- Boughpaw becomes Boughheather

- Boughheather died

- Thistlepaw got head damage

Moon 287:

- Mottlepaw becomes Mottlebracken

- Yellowkit died of Yellowcough

Moon 288:

- Flounderpaw becomes Flounderpelt

- Drizzlepaw died of whitecough

- Piggyfur joins the clan

- Leaflaurel joins the clan

Moon 289:

- Mosskit becomes Mosspaw and is apprenticed to Sunny

- Kitekit becomes Kitepaw and is apprenticed to Rippleleaf

- Icekit becomes Icepaw and is apprenticed to Wingslip

- Prancepaw died

- Extinction! Coniferdrizzle, Riftgill, Mottlebracken, Woodbloom, Pricklekestrel and Piggyfur go missing in the night

- Burnetdapple joins the clan

Moon 290:

- Trembleclaw died

- Spindlepaw becomes Spindledazzle

- Plumpaw becomes Plumstripe

- Shiningpaw becomes Shiningpelt

- Rabbitpaw becomes Rabbitburst

- Fidgetkit becomes Fidgetpaw and is apprenticed to Rookshade

Moon 291:

- Shrewspeck had 4 kits! Gullkit, Applekit, Sandkit and Sporekit

- Deertooth joins the clan as med cat

- Hopkit becomes Hoppaw and is apprenticed to Spindledazzle

- Sproutkit becomes Sproutpaw and is apprenticed to Tidalfeather

- Webkit becomes Webpaw and is apprenticed to Shiningpelt

- Saltkit becomes Saltpaw and is apprenticed to Robinscreech

- Thistlepaw died of head damage

Moon 292:

- Roarpaw becomes Roarwhisker

- Archpaw becomes Archwhisker

Moon 293:

- Hailkick joins the clan

Moon 294:

- Appledawn joins the clan

Moon 295:

- Kitepaw becomes Kitefluff

- Icepaw becomes Iceheart

- Burnetdapple died

Moon 296:

- Mosspaw becomes Mossclaw

- Murkstar is expecting!

- Murkstar has been lost

Moon 297:

- Coastshimmer becomes Coaststar and receives lives from Coniferdrizzle, Comphreywhisker, Woodbloom, Clawrush, Deltakit, Rabbitpaw, Leopardsnow and Hollystar

- Kitefluff died

- Fidgetpaw becomes Fidgetmuzzle

- Hoppaw becomes Hopwillow

- Webpaw becomes Webfeather

- Gullkit becomes Gullpaw and is apprenticed to Shrewspeck

- Applekit becomes Applepaw and is apprenticed to Tawnyburr

- Sandkit becomes Sandpaw and is apprenticed to Thrushpelt

- Sporekit becomes Sporepaw and is apprenticed to Rabbitburst

- Shiningpelt becomes deputy

Moon 298:

- Murkwhisker had three kits outside the clan! First outsider litter! Welcome Flutterkit, Driftkit, and Dahliakit!

- Sproutpaw becomes Sproutrain

- Saltpaw becomes Saltwillow

- Extinction! Fidgetmuzzle, Webfeather, Spindledazzle, Sproutrain, Plumstripe, Gorgeplume, Applepaw, Egretstripe, Rippleleaf, Thrushpelt, Raggedflake, Blizzardegg, Sandback, Mossclaw, Saltwillow, Sunny, Sandpaw, Archwhisker, Appledawn and Rookshade go missing

Moon 299:

- Brackenspot is expecting

- Snailspot joins the clan

Moon 300:

- a war with Pearclan begins

- Rabbitburst and Sporepaw are injured

@residents-of-the-darkforest, @starfalcon555, @wills-woodland-warriors, @basil-writes-legends-of-tomorrow

[mysteriesofthehiddenclans]

Mitebreeze

Warrior

A light brown-tan spotted short furred she-cat.

Affiliation: Alphaclan

Previous Names: mitekit, mitepaw,

Kin: canineskip (Father) flywing (Mother)

Apprentices: webpaw

Proceeded By: none

breed

Bengal 50% Savannah 50% Serval 25% Toyger % Ocicat 50%

Mitebreeze is a snarky she-cat, who has short fur and gladly bullies and threatens cats she dislikes or considers beneath her in some way. And when she's scaring or threatening her victims and anticipating their fear, she chuckles. Mitebreeze takes great pride in being yarrowthorn’s right-hand warrior and hangs around her often; she’s willing to complete whatever tasks needed of her, on Matter if they’re cruel and unsavoury, if it means she stays in her good graces. Mitebreeze is a smug smiler and She's prone to doing this, especially when she receives praise from yarrowthorn. With yarrowthorn Both of them torment any unfortunate cat or creature in their path, and mitebrezze practically attached to the other’s hip.

Facts:

the mitebreeze thrives on any form of attention.

Has a affinity for death berries

has secretly killed one of her clan mates.

Some believe her power is that she’s immune to the poison.

Mitebreezes voice - Olivia Olson t.umblr.com/redirect?z=http%3A…

[rippleclan]

So many kids in this house, let's turn the sound up!

Silverkit, Yarrowkit, Wolfkit, Weevilkit, Vervainkit, Robinkit, Ravenkit, Potterykit, Moonkit, Mitepaw, Harvest, Currentkit, Billowkit, and Anchovykit.

[goosehascats]

Moon 4: Leechpaw is having a wonderful time discussing recent Clan news with Mitepaw.

[goosehascats]

Moon 4: Part 1

CW: Brief mention of an implicitly abusive moment between two characters.

Mitepaw’s pelt rippled with nervous energy, claws peeking just out of their sheathes as she followed Duskstar out of camp. She knew it was only going to be a border patrol, and with no other Clans around, the possibility of actually having to fight was low. But Duskstar had been teaching her so much about takedowns and pins that she couldn’t help but dream about actually getting to use them. So, out of desperation for an excuse to fight, Mitepaw kept her ears on a swivel. Duskstar, without so much as a glance in her direction, seemed to pick up on this. 

“Anticipating something, Mitepaw?” He asked in a tone she couldn’t place. She walked directly behind him, only able to see the back of his head and ears, but she was certain his voice was lacking its normally smiley tone. He was in one of his moods again. Mitepaw knew well enough that it meant she shouldn’t push anything- Duskstar could be surprisingly intimidating one on one, something she wasn’t sure most of the rest of the Clan actually knew. 

“Nothing for certain, Duskstar,” she said in a neutral tone. “Just antsy, I suppose.” 

“Hm,” was his only response. She let out an even breath, thankful that she hadn’t set anything off in him. Border patrols seemed to put him on edge. It appeared as though these odd moods of his only seemed to really happen on them, at least, though he’d certainly gotten this way during one training session. She tried not to think about it much. It was early in her apprentice hood, and she had been careful to not push him like this since. 

The two continued to walk for some time, heading to the Northern border closest to the mountain range. Here there were more trees and shrubs. Not quite a forest, but not as open as the fields the Clan’s camp was in. The sun hadn’t quite reached its peak yet, but with how warm it was getting as they approached greenleaf, Mitepaw welcomed the scarce shade still. The two traveled awhile, silent as the land itself, marking their border as they went. 

They neared their final border marker for the North end when Duskstar’s body froze mid-step. He hunkered down, a paw still lifted, staring straight ahead with hair width pupils. Mitepaw immediately lowered herself down next to him, staring ahead as well, ears straining and mouth open, pleading with Starclan to give her a hint as to what he could’ve sensed. All she could smell was herbs, but a lot of them. Less like a bundle of a specific kind, but a wafting cloud of herb scent that reminded her of Snaillake. And beneath it, the smell of milk. She immediately looked to Duskstar, certain that he must also sense it. She had been yearning so strongly for a fight, but if there was a queen nearby… She wasn’t sure she could handle hurting a family. 

Duskstar only glanced at her, tilting his head forward once. The two set into a low stalk, staying downwind of the scent’s source. They seemed to be nearing a grouping of shrubs. Upon closer inspection as they neared it, it appeared as though the branches had been pulled closer, woven together with long grass to create a sort of den wall. 

Clever, Mitepaw thought to herself. She didn’t think it looked as cozy as the repurposed hare burrows, but it certainly looked better than sleeping on the fields, bare to the weather. Duskstar opened his mouth again, and Mitepaw did as well. They had to get a sense of how many cats were occupying the den before they could make their move, but the smell of herbs was making it difficult. Duskstar glanced at Mitepaw again, straightening up as though he had already determined stealth was no longer necessary. His tail flicked for Mitepaw to go ahead of him.

“Go around till you find the den entrance,” he murmured in her ear. “I’ll announce our presence, but they’ll be less likely to attack a younger cat.” 

Mitepaw nodded stiffly. She knew she could take some medicine cat in a fight, anyways. She began to walk forward, pelt prickling just a little at her unease at being conspicuous now. She tried to force it smooth, to keep the calm exterior that Duskstar had, but she couldn’t help but imagine all the ways someone might try to come at her- and all the ways she could put them on the ground for doing so. 

The entrance was on the North side, and as soon as they saw traces of flattened grass and exposed dirt, Duskstar piped up. “Hello?” He asked curiously, a light lilt in his voice. “Hello, we noticed-” A face appears in the entrance, white and a pale gingery color. The cat within looks weary, but too tired to fight. Mitepaw tries to not let her disappointment show, but allows relief to make her shoulders ease. “Ah-” Duskstar says. “I apologize if we’ve interrupted your rest.”

“Not at all,” the cat mewed, eyes looking between the two Clan cats with a mixture of pleading and hope. “The youngin’s have been keeping me up, I’m afraid.” 

“I suppose that is a tendency of theirs,” Duskstar joked lightly. “Are you aware you are on Clan territory?” 

The cat visibly deflates a little, ears drooping just slightly. “No, sorry. I’m afraid I didn’t realize cats lived out this far.” The cat looks back into the den, a few pitiful mews wailing from within. “I suppose we can relocate perhaps tomorrow… Or perhaps y’all could use a bit of wisdom?” The cat looked back at Duskstar and Mitepaw. “I don’t know much about tribe life or clan life or whatever it is y’all called it, but I do know quite a bit about plants and-” The cat looks back into the den briefly. “Well, if y’all keep me around I suppose your group will have some fresh blood as well.” 

Duskstar’s smile widens, gaining a genuineness that made Mitepaw smile as well. “That would be absolutely wonderful,” Duskstar said with a purr. “Why don’t we take you back to our camp then and get you settled?” 

The cat’s eyes lifted some. “Really? Well darn, and here I was thinking my luck had run out,” the stranger laughed in relief. “Let me get the youngin’s cleaned up a little and we’ll be right out. Name’s Norman, by the way.” Norman paused a moment, giving a sheepish look. “And uh, I know it might be a li’l unconventional, but I am a tom.” He glanced back at Duskstar and Mitepaw. “These are my kits, but I know who I am at heart.” 

Mitepaw opened her mouth, an eyebrow raised in mild confusion, but Duskstar’s tail brushed over her muzzle to hush her. “I don’t see how that’ll be a problem for us, Norman. You and your litter are plenty welcome, no matter your personal circumstances.” Mitepaw looked up at Duskstar, doubly confused now at his lack of questioning. Duskstar did not return her look, instead adding; “Why don’t you let Mitepaw and I help carry the little ones, and you can tell us how you ended up all the way out here on the way back?” 

“Hm,” Norman said, setting down two kits, appearing to be about a moon old. “I think that sounds alright.” He motioned to the two kits. “These here are Hoot and Rye.” Norman motioned to the cinnamon kit and fawn kit respectively. Mitepaw picked up Hoot and Duskstar Rye, and the three adult cats set off walking, Norman starting on a rather long story.

[goosehascats]

CW: Dead animal (prey)

Moon 5: Duskstar and Mitepaw go hunting, Mitepaw successfully catches a squirrel.

Just a gal, being proud of herself :)

[goosehascats]

Moon 2: Mitepaw tells Beeflick the story of how she and Leechpaw escaped a dog together.

Beeflick might be deputy over Mitepaw, but she's still close enough in age to Mitepaw to warrant a little bullying. And Mitepaw does find Beeflick awfully easy to scare.

[goosehascats]

Moon 6: Part 3

“Hm. Norman,” Snaillake said in a cool tone. “Do you think you could perhaps give Duskstar and I a moment?” 

Norman glanced up from sorting the herbs that he’d gotten that morning, looking up at the other medicine cat and his leader. “Sure thing, I’ll get back to these when y’all are done talking.” He stood, meandering out of the medicine den’s entrance. 

Duskstar had been coming around the medicine den quite a bit lately. Secretive, Clan things, Norman figured. Things that Norman probably wasn’t quite ready for yet, if he ever would be. But it didn’t bother him- he didn’t want or need to learn the intricacies of Clan life, as long as he was being useful enough that he and his kits had food and shelter, he was happy to just have a safe place to live. Instead, he set foot toward the apprentice den, deciding to check up on Leechpaw. 

When he entered, he found Mitepaw curled up beside Leechpaw, bathing her. Mitepaw glanced up at Norman, and sat up some. Her face seemed tired, but Norman didn’t pay it any mind. He knew she wouldn’t appreciate him prying anyways. 

“Sorry, might I have a moment with Leechpaw?” Norman asked gently. Mitepaw stood, dipping her head politely. She got up to leave the den, but stopped in passing Norman. 

“She, um… She seems to be doing better,” Mitepaw said in a soft tone, looking into Norman’s eyes. “I hope you find the same.” Norman nodded once, noting the anxious tension in Mitepaw. 

“I’ll be very thorough with my checkup,” Norman reassured her. Mitepaw left the den without another word, and Norman stepped in. 

“I haven’t been coughing at night anymore,” Leechpaw chirped up, kneading at her bedding. 

Norman smiled patiently. “That’s good! Let me listen in on your heart and lungs for a moment, I’m sure you’ll be able to get back out there soon.” 

Leechpaw rolled onto her side, stretching her legs out so that her ribs were exposed to Norman. He leaned down, placing his ear against her chest, and listening carefully. Leechpaw began to take the deep, even breaths she’d had to do during every one of these check ups. Her chest rose and fell confidently, no quiver to the muscle, and Norman noted a strength to her heartbeat. He sat up again, and began to examine her face as well. 

“Well, your breathing is good and you seem to not have any mucus build up anywhere. Your hearing is about even. I think you’ll be set within another dawn or two, but don’t do anything till Snaillake’s had a chance to confirm that for me, alright?” 

Leechpaw grinned excitedly. “I’m just glad to be feeling better, I’ll wait for Snaillake’s opinion. Just… Make sure he hurries, please.” 

Norman chuckled a little at the apprentice’s enthusiasm. “I’ll make sure he visits as soon as he and Duskstar’s business is over with.” Norman stood, going to exit the den. As he did, he nearly ran into Duskstar heading into the apprentice den. The two narrowly missed knocking heads with each other, taking a step back. Norman looked up, catching Duskstar’s eyes in his. 

Thunder, Norman found himself thinking. His eyes… Like a storm rolling over the hills.

“Sorry, Norman,” Duskstar said with an apologetic smile. “Is Mitepaw in here?”

“No,” Norman said, shaking Duskstar’s eyes out of his head. “She uh, just left. Perhaps she’s in the dirt-place, or heading to the training grounds?” 

“Perhaps, I’ll try there. Thank you,” Duskstar dipped his head and, as quickly as he’d come around the corner into Norman, he was gone. 

Norman stood there for a moment, taking a moment to collect himself. He continued to walk out of the den, back toward the medicine den. Despite his attempts at calming himself, he couldn’t quite get those thoughts out of his head.

Thunder… Thunder over the hills…

[goosehascats]

Our next cat on zulius's base is Mitepaw, an apricot and white she-cat with gold eyes. She has a resting smirk and is confident and bold. Mitepaw looks friendlier than she is, opting for an independent mean girl approach to socializing with any cat around her age or younger. Her mentor is Duskstar, which certainly does not help her ego. She and Leechpaw are tentative friends, though they go through waves of fighting and hating each other and making up again.

[goosehascats]

Moon 0: Coming Home

CW: Death of an apprentice, emotional manipulation/abuse Panting and struggling into the burrow, Beeflick wriggled into the tight fit after the rest of the Clan. There weren’t many of them yet, but a burrow even this spacious felt cramped with 8 of them in there. Duskstar purred warmly just to her left, closing his eyes. “A tight squeeze to be sure, but it is secure and we are warm.” 

Eager to please her leader, she nodded once with a bright smile. “It is rather cozy and safe here,” she echoed, looking over the rest of the cats. Honeypaw offered her a supportive but awkward flash of a grin, and the other two apprentices started cleaning themselves off. Snaillake’s tail flicked dismissively at her, an eyebrow raised with unimpressed indifference. Roachchirp had her paws folded neatly underneath her, seeming to ignore the cheery optimism of both her leader and deputy. Mosquitofur was the first to pipe up in response. 

“As much as I’m happy to leech the warmth off of you youngsters, I could use some help getting dry first,” she rasped. She wasn’t ill, though she sounded it. Mosquitofur’s voice was simply a rather dry, husky noise by nature. Had been for longer than either Duskstar or Beeflick had known her, at least. Snaillake gazed over at the elder, dipping his head. 

“Of course, Mosquitofur, I apologize for not thinking of you.” He seemed to put a slight edge on the last half of his statement, which Beeflick chose not to recognize and which had Mosquitofur’s ear twitch in annoyance. Snaillake approached and began to clean her to dry her off regardless of his tone, though, and everyone settled down to outlast the rain. 

It wasn’t until well into the next morning that the rain fully stopped. Hiveclan agreed to hold off on moving on until the sun had dried some of the wet out of the dirt. Duskstar was chipper as always, and Beeflick glanced at the rest of the Clan, hoping that his attitude was rubbing off on the less enthusiastic cats. The apprentices seemed happier- Leechpaw and Mitepaw poking and nudging each other, and Honeypaw seemed to just be scanning the horizon with interested, wide eyes. Snaillake was as stoic and annoyed looking as ever, but he moved without dragging his paws. Roachchirp stalked behind everyone, head lowered and almost appearing fox-like. Beeflick felt her pelt shift slightly and she looked back forward, swallowing down her nerves. Mosquitofur came up on her other side, running her back along Beeflick’s. 

“Excited to finally find our camp?” She asked, her New-leaf green eyes sliding over to gaze at Beeflick amicably. 

“Of course,” Beeflick dipped her head in agreement. “I just hope we get there sooner rather than later. Being on the move this long has me…” Beeflick glanced around at her other clanmates, lowering her voice so they couldn’t hear her. “Nervous,” she whispered, with a tinge of shame. Mosquitofur let out a breath through her nose. 

“Oh we’re nearly there, Beeflick. I can feel it, in my bones.” She ran her tail over Beeflick’s comfortingly. “These old bones haven’t been wrong yet.” 

Beeflick smiled tiredly. “I hope you’re right.” 

The Clan walked without stop till about midday, when the 8 cats came across a rather wide river. Duskstar’s mouth barely dipped out of a smile, but it was obvious he was uncertain about the water. “Hm,” he hummed. He turned to the Clan. “It seems as though we will need to swim across. The water seems to be rather slow, so it should be safe.” His steel gray gaze turned to Beeflick. He smiled warmly at her. “Beeflick, why don’t you go first? Ensure that the rest of us will be safe in crossing like a deputy ought.” 

Beeflick lifted her tail and ears toward Duskstar, an eager smile spreading over her muzzle easily. “Of course, Duskstar!” She trotted on her thin legs to the water’s edge, looking down into it. It was murky and brown, and if she had to guess, it was swollen from the rain. She thought to glance back at her clanmates, but decided against it for worry that she would look as though she doubted Duskstar’s request of her. So she stepped in, feeling the tug of the water on her limbs. She shivered, getting used to the wet and the cold. She walked into the river until she couldn’t anymore, and began to swim across. Beeflick wasn’t a stranger to swimming, but the cold and dirt in the water seemed to make it heavier, and she felt herself struggle just a bit. But even still, she found herself on the other side of the river, heaving herself onto it’s muddy bank and thanking Starclan for the sun on her pelt. “All safe, Duskstar! It’s a tad thick but I think our Clan is strong enough!” 

Duskstar nodded approvingly. “Well done, Beeflick!” He turned his head to the others. “Roachchirp, help Mosquitofur cross next. You’re our strongest cat, I trust you to pull her out should she need the help.” 

Roachchirp’s eyes slid over Duskstar without a change in her expression, but she nodded. She and Mosquitofur approached the water together, and Roachchirp glanced at her elder. “You go ahead, I’ll follow right behind.”

Mosquitofur dipped her head once, looking nervous about the water. But she got in, swimming across with what strength she had, Roachchirp following directly behind her. Roachchirp assisted Mosquitofur out of the water, supporting her back legs as she hauled herself up onto the slick grass. Roachchirp herself managed to get out of the water with a graceful bound, sitting immediately to lick the water out of her fur. Leechpaw and Mitepaw came next, but Honeypaw hesitated at the opposite bank, staring at the water and shaking. 

“Come on, Honeypaw,” Duskstar nudged the young tom lightly. “We need to cross.” 

Honeypaw, shaking hard with his fur sticking out at all ends, shook his head. “I-I can’t. It looks like the water that took Petalkit.” He looked up at Duskstar with teary eyes. Duskstar gave him a kind gaze, and then glanced at Snaillake. Snaillake raised an unkind eyebrow in turn, looking at Honeypaw with disdain. “Do you think wetting yourself at the edge of a river is how Petalkit would want you to remember her? Would you not rather overcome your silly fears of water to be brave?” Snaillake’s tone was sharp and low, and Beeflick couldn’t quite hear any of what was being said from across the river. 

“Honeypaw!” She called out. “Do you want me to come over and swim you across?” 

Honeypaw’s shaking body was bristling now with more than just fear- anger, at himself, for being so scared. “N-no!” He shouted back with determination. “No, I can do this!” He stepped up to the edge of the water, chest puffing out as he took a deep breath. He stepped into the water, staring at it as he walked in up to his elbows. He took another breath before jumping forward and paddling frantically. 

Beeflick looked on in worry, lips pursed some, but she wanted to let him accomplish this on his own. Honeypaw flailed over, head dipping below the surface a few times, but his determination kept him afloat amidst his coughing and sputtering. Beeflick perched at the edge, ready to pounce in the water. Honeypaw’s head went under again, and when he came back up, he was notably weaker. Beeflick jumped in immediately, paddling desperately toward his body and grabbing his limp form before it went under again. Snaillake and Duskstar both were swimming across as she got back to shore with Honeypaw. She laid him on the grass, pawing at his stomach and chest clumsily to encourage him to cough up excess water. His breathing was shallow, eyes partially open. 

“... Beeflick?” He asked tiredly, coughing again. 

Beeflick let out an exhausted breath of relief. “Yes, Honeypaw?”

“I’m sorry… For being scared and for being too weak to do it.” Honeypaw curled up on his side, body shaking. Beeflick just looked down at him, eyes concerned. 

“You’re allowed to be scared, Honeypaw. You still tried to do your best, and that’s all we can ask of a warrior.”

Roachchirp scoffs from the sidelines at that line, but says nothing. 

At this point, Snaillake was across, and approaching Honeypaw. He wordlessly nudges Beeflick out of the way, inspecting the young apprentice. “I’ll need to start gathering herbs as we travel. He’s going to develop some kind of disease or infection with how much water he’s taken in.” He turns his gaze to Beeflick sharply. “Next time, consider helping your quivering apprentice before he nearly kills himself.” 

Beeflick took a step back at his tone, ears back and eyes wide and apologetic. She didn’t say anything for a moment before lowering her head. “You’re right, Snaillake. I’m sorry, Honeypaw.”

Honeypaw only mrrp’d reassuringly in response. “I’ll carry him so he can rest,” Beeflick said to Snaillake, bending down to pick the young apprentice up by the scruff. She was by no means a large or strong cat, but Honeypaw was just 7 moons and still on the small end, so she barely had any trouble carrying him. 

The Clan discovered their camp by the next morning, in a low sort of miniature valley in the flower fields with a series of abandoned hare dens. Snaillake and Beeflick immediately set about gathering herbs for Honeypaw’s lethargic condition, but by the time they got to treating him, an infection in his lungs had already set in. The two tended to him night and day, but by the third day of being in camp, Honeypaw passed due to complications with his breathing. Not wanting the first Clan death to be an apprentice out of worry that it would be bad luck to the Clan, Duskstar decided to give Honeypaw his warrior name at his vigil, even if he’d only been an apprentice for a moon and a half. 

He was named Honeystream.

[goosehascats]

Moon Update

Moon 7:

Patrols: Snaillake takes Leechpaw on an herb gathering patrol to replace the herbs she used. Duskstar suggests now would be a good time to teach Mitepaw new fighting techniques. Both cats have a nice practice session, swapping their best tips and tricks with each other. Beeflick goes hunting alone and catches a mouse.

Roachchirp has a running nose. Duskstar names Mitepaw Mitebreeze and honors her strong will. The infection in Norman's wound has abated and he has healed from the strain of having a litter. Beeflick appreciates how Scuttlekit always seems to ask how she's doing. Mitebreeze stands tall when Leechpaw walks by. Mitebreeze tells Scuttlekit she caught the prey just for him when she delivers it.

Moon 8:

Patrols: Duskstar and Mitebreeze find a kittypet who wishes to join the Clan. He takes little convincing. (French joined Hiveclan) Frenchfern and Beeflick go on a border patrol together. Frenchfern falls when a tunnel below him collapses in, but Beeflick reassures him while she digs him out. Leechpaw trains alone while Roachchirp is seek, thinking about her last vision. Training puts her into an almost meditative state, and she both works out her vision as well as improves upon her skills.

French changed his name to Frenchfern. Ryepaw is apprenticed to Duskstar. Hootpaw is apprenticed to Mitebreeze. Snaillake's tail was badly injured by a dog. Ryepaw has gotten a runny nose. Mitebreeze mews congratulations to Beeflick for a job well done. Duskstar thinks Frenchfern hasn't been doing very much work lately. Ryepaw finds a bit of fluff that smells like Norman and adds it to his nest. Hootpaw dies of kittencough.

Moon 9:

Patrols: Duskstar and Ryepaw find an opening to a new set of tunnels. They determine that a wolverine has made it's home there and leave quickly. Mitepaw and Leechpaw find a fox eating a whitetail fawn carcass. They try to chase it off but fail, leaving without injuries. Beeflick and Frenchfern find a fox eating a calf carcass. They try to chase it off, but a coyote yip sends the fox and the cats both running.

Scuttlepaw is apprenticed to Beeflick. Roachchirp is no longer ill. Beeflick finds a bit of fur that smells like Roachchirp and adds it to her nest. Mosquitofur jokes about exploring Two-Leg place with Duskstar. Duskstar is surprised by Ryepaw being thoughtful. Scuttlepaw has been listening to Beeflick talk about how difficult herb memorization is. Frenchfern bickered about something trivial with Duskstar.