#curlearrings

[bitterclan]

we're back! this moon was an absolute pain to draw because so much happened and there were so many cats

[residences-of-the-darkforest]

What if Curlear grew close with one of the bullies' (Rubblefall's) mentors after snapping at the apprentices for so long?

What if that mentor understood and confided in her that he felt incompetent as a mentor, not being able to handle his apprentice's behaviour? Curlear begins to reassure him as a teacher, and he reassured her as a mother.

They grew closer and closer, never officially mates, but pretty close to it in everyone's eyes.

Then she realized she was pregnant, and told him. He was over the moon! Already spilling with names--

when Smalljump and a patrol burst through the entrance carrying Rubblefall's injured and barely-living body.

A devastating accident, they were sure. Her now-mate would visit Rubblefall often, with Curlear a shoulder to lean on.

It was during one of these visits that she fretted how Smalljump had come so close to dying too, and how she wanted to tell him about her pregnancy soon.

But for some reason, her son's name made the Rubblefall stir...She woke, and told the most horrid tale.

The next thing Curlear knew, her son was being exiled for murder and attempted murder.

And her whole world crumbled.

Her son, her precious baby who couldn't hurt a fly, turned into a monster.

He was a murderer, and he was the one to cause permanent damage to her love's apprentice.

He felt betrayed that she would still care so much for her baby after what he did, how she mixed his nest with hers, making him have to smell that traitor's stench as well.

So she was alone, with only her newborn Daisykit to keep her company.

-----

@elementaldeityoffood some Smalljump lore for you

[warriorcatfindr]

Swanswoop:

A pure white cat with ears that curl slightly back and one blue eye and one yellow, gifted with a difficult to control connection to their ancestors.

[hinterland-clans]

how do each of the clans feel about outsiders and is it different for kittypets, loners, and rogues?

good question! i go into detail on this on the toyhou.se pages for each clan, but here's a rundown:

kittypets:

Glenclan is okay with accepting them into their ranks, as long as they prove themselves loyal to their Clanmates. Foxtuft and Hawktalon both have kittypet blood.

Pineclan, being the closest to twolegplace, is the most accepting to kittypets, though Vinestar tested this a bit with his strict loyalty values. Blackreed, Heronstalk, Thicketburr and Mistybush, Sunbelly and Curlear, and Jadewing started as or are descended from kittypets.

RiftClan will accept former kittypets or their descendants as long as they can prove their loyalty, though they can be less than accepting towards their Clanmates who seek out relationships with kittypets. Oceanroar and Whiskertail both have kittypet blood.

rogues: this goes for all three Clans, but the general definition i use for rogue is "cat(s) who are hostile towards or were banished from the clans." therefore, all three are very wary towards their like. Examples include banished cats like Tangleswirl, or rogue bands like Tempest. It is rare for a rogue to be brought into a Clan, but it does happen, like with Perry and Honeyglow.

loners:

GlenClan tends to be a little hesitant towards loners, generally harmless but still outsiders. They have a great relationship with the North Face band, where Jaystorm and Hawktalon originate from. They will accept loners into their ranks.

Loners hold immediate value to PineClan cats for the outside knowledge they can bring. They are seen as outsiders, but can easily trade information for other resources the Clan has. They will accept loners into their ranks, including Nitfeather.

RiftClan is wary of all outsiders, but will hesitantly accept a loner into their ranks if they need immediate aid or can prove their loyalty. A cat taking a loner as a mate can be harshly looked down upon, but if their mate were to join the Clan they would be peacefully recieved.

[signs-of-the-moon]

Moon High: Chapter 8

Hazepaw's belly was feeling funny when he made it back to the Twoleg Settlement Bridge. The sensation had started not long ago, but he couldn't understand what was causing it. It wasn't painful, thank Starclan, but it wasn't comfortable either. And since he wasn't suffering, Hazepaw decided not to see Curlear or Bluesky about it. Still, he'd like to know what it was. Maybe he had to make dirt? But Hazepaw hadn't eaten anything today, to ensure his senses would be sharp for his solo hunt. Perhaps he was hungry? The growl rumbling in his gut confirmed this suspicion. Hazepaw decided once he gave his mouse to Beckycreek, he'd grab something for himself. Then he could finally start to feel better.

But thinking about the mouse made Hazepaw's belly feel a little bit worse. It reminded him that this prey was not actually his. It was that Treeclan cat's--Moonpaw's. Did that mean it was actually guilt that he was feeling? No. Hazepaw knew what the twist in his belly felt like when he was guilty. This sensation wasn't as sharp, or nauseating. The feeling in Hazepaw's stomach felt as though he'd swallowed a school of tiny fish. It was like they were swimming around in there, their tail fins brushing against his intestines in a way that almost tickled. It was really annoying. Hazepaw tried to push the feeling away as he padded across the camp, up to the abandoned car that made up the nursery.

Inside were the den's remaining residents. Richfur, the Den Mother, was sunbathing up on the flat platform next to the car's front window. And in the makeshift nests below, Beckycreek was busy cleaning her youngest kits. She was diligent in her work, hardly registering the apprentice's appearance. Her older kits, however, took notice.

"Woo, it's Hazepaw!" Cheered the only tom of the litter, Currentkit. He rushed over to greet the fluffy white apprentice, tail held high. His sister Stonekit came crawling out from beneath one of the nests to join him. The last of the litter, Whisperkit, watched from her perch overtop the nests, excitement glittering in her soft yellow eyes. Hazepaw nodded a greeting to each of them as he walked over to their mother.

"This is for you," he told the queen as he placed his prized mouse in front of her.

Beckycreek purred with gratitude. "Thank you, Hazepaw. It was kind of you to bring us something to eat." Grabbing the mouse, Beckycreek called for the attention of her younger kittens, Turtlekit and Duckkit. "Look my loves, here is some prey for you to try."

Whisperkit leaped down from her perch, into her mother's nest. She smiled, raising her tail. Beckycreek did not look pleased to have the older kitten in her space. "May I have some of that too, mom?" Whisperkit asked sweetly. Her littermates exchanged a look then ran for the nursery's exit.

Beckycreek remained silent for a few moments, tearing off chunks of her meal to share with her little ones. She almost seemed to be ignoring Whisperkit. "This isn't for you," she meowed eventually, voice monotone. "You're old enough to eat on your own anyways." Whisperkit's eyes watered a little.

So Beckycreek isn't going to share? Hazepaw felt a little shocked. Although he shouldn't, considering the queen usually gave her oldest litter the cold shoulder. He could hardly remember a time when she was genuinely comforting towards them. She was good at mothering, that much was certain; but she wasn't a very good mother. At least not to them. Turtlekit and Duckkit, however, were treated with the utmost love and care. It was strange. Hazepaw couldn't wrap his mind around why Beckycreek would show more favor for one litter over another. Maybe it had something to do with their fathers.

"Here sissy, share with me!" Squeaked Duckkit at Whisperkit, pushing her piece of prey closer to her older sister.

Whisperkit purred at the kit, perking up a little. But when she reached out to take her share, Beckycreek growled at her, pullling Duckkit back and snatching up her portion of the mouse. Whisperkit's ears lowered, and although she looked sad, she didn't seem surprised by the queen's actions. A pang of smpathy squeezed Hazepaw's heart.

"Hey, why don't you come share something with me outside?" He offered, touching his tail-tip to her back. Whisperkit smiled at him a little and nodded. She followed behind as the fluffy white tom took his leave without saying another word to Beckycreek.

Over by the fresh-kill pile, Urchinpaw and Otterpaw were sharing tongues, with a half eaten seagull sitting in front of them. Whisperkit padded in their direction while Hazepaw fell behind apprehensivly.

"What about this fish?" Whisperkit suggested, turning to meet Hazepaw's gaze.

Hazepaw gave a shrug. "Doesn't matter to me. Food is food."

Whisperkit giggled in response. She grabbed the fish by its tail and dragged it from the fresh-kill pile. It was fairly large, it probably took two cats to fish it out judging by its size. Whisperkit was struggling to move it on her own. So Hazepaw padded over to help, carrying it with her about a fox-length away.

"Aww, look at that," Urchinpaw crooned mockingly from the sidelines. "Hazepaw's finally learning to play nice with others!"

"I never thought I'd see the day," chimed Otterpaw, lifting a paw to her muzzle. She was pretending to suppress a giggle. "I was sure hedgehogs would fly before he would be nice to anyone besides himself."

"Guess we'd better go and look for those hedgehogs then!"

Hazepaw growled in annoyance. He tried to keep his calm, really he did, but the obnoxious laughter of his denmates set him off. "Yknow what, that sounds like a great date idea for you two!" He sneered, forcing a malicious smile to curve the corners of his muzzle. "And while you're at it, you can talk about the names of your future kits together. I'm sure they'll be just as loud mouthed as stupid as you both."

Urchinpaw let out a snort, while Otterpaw gave him an indignat look.

"Hazepaw..." Whisperkit mewed in a warning but wary tone. Hazepaw wanted nothing more than to continue making fun of the other apprentices. To make them pay for their attempt at bullying. But that wasn't what he'd originally planned to do. He was trying to cheer up Whisperkit; and it was clear she wasn't having as much fun with being a jerk as he was. So, when he heard her tone, he dropped the conversation, returning his attention to the little gray tabby.

~~~

As the day grew older, dark foreboding clouds gathered in the sky. The once warm, inviting afternoon turned into a cold, windy evening. A few drops of rain began to trickle through the roof over Oceanclan's head. Warriors hurried back to camp as the weather grew violent just outside their sheltered home. It would be too dangerous to fish now, with the ocean's waves crashing in the storm. And the rain seemed to come down in sheets like ice over a river. It was hard for a cat to see past their own nose out there.

Hazepaw fluffed up his pelt as he made his way to the apprentice's den. He squeezed his way past the two large boulders, and down the small slope to where his nest was placed. The clan's other apprentices were there as well, settling down for the evening. A rumble of vocal commotion echoed off the den's walls, as the young cats spoke of adventures and accomplishments earned in the day. Urchinpaw and Otterpaw were being particularly obnoxious. But they silenced themselves once Hazepaw came into the den. They shot him indignat glares; waiting for him to lay down before continuing their conversation. Their voices became hushed, and their eyes drifted on occasion back towards the fluffy white tom. It was obvious they were talking about him, from the giggles they made after each glance. Hazepaw huffed, tucking his face beneath his tail, trying to block the pair of annoying furballs out. He was relieved when sleep came to him. Only the sound of rain echoed in his mind as he drifted off into a dreamless slumber.

When he awoke the next morning, the loud thrum of the downpour remained overhead. A few claps of thunder sounded, nearly shaking the den Hazepaw laid in. With a hardy stretch, the white tom rose to his paws and pushed his way into the camp. Outside, the sand underpaw was soaked. The camp looked to have turned into a giant puddle overnight. The salt in the air made it obvious that the ocean had a part to play in it. It must have flooded while everyone was asleep. And the rhythmic push and pull of the tides sounded closer to home than ever before. If he were to venture out, Hazepaw bet he could spot the waves lapping at the edges of the Twoleg Settlement Bridge.

"Let all cats strong enough to brace the ocean's waves gather here beneath the Mighty Dune for a clan meeting," Wavestar called, his voice muffled beneath another rumble of thunder. Hazepaw practically had to wade to make his way to the meeting. By the time he reached the dune's base, his underbelly was heavy and soaked. But he stood tall, listening to what his leader had to say.

"As we get further into the season of Newleaf, so too do we enter one of the hardest times of year for our clan. I can tell by the churning of the waves and the darkness overheard, that things will become more dangerous for Oceanclan. And so, I have decided that we will be moving to the Forest Patch, until the worst of the storms have blown over."

"When will we make the move?" Ripplesnout, one of the senior warriors asked.

"We must evacuate at once. Apprentices need to help the elders along the journey. All available and former queens will be carrying the clan's kits."

Oceanclan was moving? Hazepaw was shocked to say the least. He'd never heard of the clan retreating to the Forest Patch for more than a day or two to escape the storms. But from the sounds of it, Wavestar planned for the clan to stay in the woods until the end of the season. But that would be moons from now. And they were Oceanclan, for Silverpelt's sake! They weren't meant to live among the foliage and trees like most of the other clans did. How would the warriors fish, being so far away from the ocean? Would they be expected to eat land prey all the time now? Hazepaw didn't like the thought of that.

"Let's go, Hazepaw!" Samson, one of the older apprentices caterwauled, pulling Hazepaw out of his thoughts. "We can't be wasting time daydreaming while the weather's getting worse. Sandybreeze wants you to walk with Tunafin on the journey."

Hazepaw resisted the urge to bristle. He didn't want to take orders from another apprentice; muchless a former kittypet. But Samson said the orders were from Sandybreeze. And if that were true, Hazepaw knew he'd be in trouble if he ignored them. So, with a huff, the fluffy white tom splashed his way over to the elder's den. All while wondering why his mentor couldn't come talk to him herself.

As he padded along, Hazepaw spotted Sandybreeze by the nursery. With one paw on the edge of the deceased car, she waited as Richfur passed along kits to be set aside and taken to the new camp. Hazepaw instantly understood why his mentor had to delegate instructions to others to pass along. She was doing her job as a deputy. Protecting the clan, while ensuring everything ran smoothly. Hazepaw hoped to have the same opportunity one day.

Wasting no more time, Hazepaw ducked his head beneath the overturned boat to find the elder, Tunafin. The old tom was still curled up in his nest, sound asleep. He hadn't heard Wavestar's announcement, likely dozing through the entire meeting.

"Ey, Tunafin!" Hazepaw called, only to be met with snores. "Tunafiiiin!"

The old silver tabby stirred with a cough, shooting an angry glare over his shoulder, before tucking himself back into his nest. Hazepaw growled in frustration. He moved under the den, grabbing the old cat by his scruff.

"Wavestar's ordered an evacuation. Let's go!"

Tunafin jolted, swinging around with unsheathed claws. He aimed for Hazepaw, striking him in the muzzle. The white tom dropped the elder at once with a yelp.

"What'stha big idea handlin' me like that, ya lil' barnacle?" Tunafin snapped with nostrils flared.

"You wouldn't get up!" Hazepaw argued backed.

"Ya couldn't 'ave one of ma denmates come an' wake me instead of ya rude self?"

"No! Sandybreeze told me I have to be your escort. It's too dangerous for an old gull like you to travel alone. Besides, the other elders are being moved to the Forest Patch already. It's just you an' me now."

"Ya don' say?" Tunafin mused. He gave his pelt a shake, then stood as tall as he could. He gave another cough then drew himself toward Hazepaw. "Ya know ya could'a just said that earlier. A'right then, youngin'. Let's get a move on."

Finally, Hazepaw wanted to sigh with relief. Instead, he flanked Tunafin, helping the elder make his way out of the den and into the camp.

The remaining members of the clan were there, gathered by the edge of the clearing. They braced themselves for the journey across the territory, with fur fluffed. Then, bravely, they made their way into the storm. Oh great, we're probably the last cats to leave, Hazepaw griped in his mind, following the tail of Puddlefur as he nearly slipped from sight.

"Good gracious! Ah haven' seen a storm as narly as this since ah was a 'Paw!" Tunafin piped, an eye closed and ears flat as the rain assaulted him. Hazepaw, too, cringed in the face of the storm. The raindrops struck hard in the whipping wind, searing the skin beneath his thick pelt. His ears tingled from the stinging cold; sight blurry in the poor conditions. Sediment and rain slaptter created a fine mist all around them, making navigation difficult. Only the warmth of the elder by his side, and the silhouettes of his clanmates ahead, made Hazepaw push through.

"Has anybody seen Shellsplash?" Kinkfoot called, pausing to whip her head around and search the faces of her clanmates.

"Wasn't she with Puddlefur?" Caterwauled Clamleg in reply as he passed, head lowered.

"Yeah! She went on the hunting patrol!" Seaweedfang chimed in.

"I didn't see her come back," Puddlefur answered. "But she mentioned wanting to stay out later. Maybe she's still hunting?"

"In this weather? She's crazy!" Scoffed Kinkfoot with a disapproving pelt shake.

"It doesn't matter. We'll have to look for her later," Clamleg decided, with the other warriors grunting in agreement.

At Hazepaw's side, Tunafin began to pant. His body shook, tongue sticking out of his mouth. Despite the cold, the old tom appeared to be overheating. Or fatigued.

"You ok?" Hazepaw asked the elder.

Tunafin glanced at him the best he could, eyes dull. "A bit worn already. But ah'll make it," he answered back simply. But his movements were growing more sluggish by the heartbeat. Tunafin began coughing once again, the sound rattling in his ribcage. I hope you're right, Hazepaw held back the words, allowing the old tom to lean against him more.

Ahead, just past the edge of the beach, a barely visible wall appeared. It became clearer with each step taken, and the shape of trees grew more defined. They'd nearly made it to the Forest Patch. It was only a couple of tree-lenths away now.

The ground squished uncomfortably underpaw as Hazepaw took his first steps into the woods. But the rain suddenly felt ordinary as stood beneath the cover of leaves. And tree trunks blocked the worst of the wind, making the storm much more tolerable. The discomfort he felt upon arrival had become quashed by an overwhelming sense of relief. No wonder why Treeclan loves the forest so much. Maybe the next few moons wouldn't be so bad.

"We're almost to the camp!" Hazepaw heard a warrior announce along the winding path ahead.

"You hear that, Tunafin?" Hazepaw checked. But the elder shook his head. He stopped suddenly, sitting down in the mulch.

"Yeah. Jus'-Jus'...gimme a moment," he requested, his panting turned into labored breaths. Hazepaw paused beside him, watching Tunafin go from his seated position to a lay in a few heartbeats. His head lowered to his paws; propped in an awkward position. He was starting to smell strange; like sickness.

"Maybe I should go on ahead?" Hazepaw wondered aloud. "You need to be seen by a medicine cat. I can get one."

Tunafin shrugged, prompting Hazepaw to go through with his plan.

"Keep an eye on Tunafin for me," he asked Seaweedfang as he passed by with urgency in his step. "I need to get Curlear." Hazepaw wasted no time to listen for the warrior's response. He sprinted past a few other clanmates, searching for a healer.

At the entrance to the temporary camp, Bluesky and Sharktooth stood, taking a count of each cat who came through. They each greeted Hazepaw as he approached, a bit confused by his rush.

"Tunafin needs assistance," Hazepaw told Bluesky, turning on his paws immediately to lead him to the elder. Bluesky and Sharktooth shared a glance before the blue-gray tom followed to see his new patient.

As the pair approached where Tunafin was settled, Seaweedfang padded over to meet them. A grim expression was set on her face, and Hazepaw could feel his heartbeat pounding. Bluesky nodded his head, following the warrior to the old tom's side. Tunafin was laying on his flank now, his mouth agape slightly. Yet no breath came in or out. His eyes were still open, glazed over with a telltale sign of his passing.

"Did he say anything?" Was all that the medicine cat asked.

"He said 'I'm so tired.'" Seaweedfang replied, voice low.

And that was it? Hazepaw thought, trying to stop his legs from trembling. This would be his first encounter with death. Hazepaw had never thought a cat would treat it so casually. Yet Bluesky and Seaweedfang seemed hardened to the sight of it. Perhaps it was because Tunafin's demise could be considered "peaceful", compared to many other cats. Perhaps the older cats were used to seeing corpses. But Hazepaw felt sick at the sight. Tunafin had been fine a short while ago. And now?

"Go ahead of us, Hazepaw. Give the news to Wavestar. Seaweedfang and I will bring Tunafin home." Bluesky rested his tail on the younger cats shoulders. It was clear the healer had taken notice of the young tom's discomfort. "Maybe speak to the queens, as well."

Hazepaw almost felt relieved being sent ahead. It gave him some time to process what he had seen. As he entered into the temporary camp, he could hear Urchinpaw's voice calling to him. Yet it sounded so distant, even as the black tom approached him.

"What's gotten into you? You look like you've seen a ghost!" Urchinpaw teased, tapping Hazepaw's shoulder with a paw. Hazepaw gave back a hollow glare, then kept moving. Urchinpaw seemed to pause at this, and Hazepaw could feel his heavy gaze baring into the back of his head.

"Hazepaw?" Wavestar questioned, as he noticed the look the young apprentice wore. He glanced over his shoulder, probably to Urchinpaw, then gave his attention back to the other tom as he approached.

"Tunafin died on the journey here. Bluesky and Seaweedfang are bringing him to camp," he stated, voice monotone. Hazepaw didn't know how to feel in that moment. But whatever emotion it was, it wasn't pleasant. He hadn't been close to Tunafin in the slightest. But he'd never wanted to see him dead either. He didn't want to see any cat dead.

Wavestar grunted. "I knew he was not long for this world. But...I didn't think it would happen this soon. Thank you for informing me." Hazepaw nodded numbly, turning around to settle himself somewhere relatively isolated and dry. He laid on his belly, setting his chin upon his paws. If he closed his eyes, he could see the blank stare of the elder; the light that had been present only moments before, gone. Hazepaw shivered. Then, he felt warmth against his side. Hazepaw nearly jumped out of his fur, settling as Otterpaw fixed him with an odd look.

"I overheard the news you shared with Wavestar," she explained. "I'm sorry you had to experience that. Its always hard to lose a clanmate. Even if you aren't close with them." Otterpaw sounded wise beyond her years. Hazepaw wondered what she had gone through in her time living with Grassclan.

By the camp's entrance, Hazepaw spotted Bluesky and Seaweedfang dragging Tunafin's body. They set the old tom in a dry spot in the clearing, then went back to their assigned duties. Only Wavestar came to sit beside the elder, along with Sharktooth. But the two kept a respectful dictance, only bowing their heads to honor the old warrior.

"Was Tunafin not well liked?" Otterpaw piped suddenly, her eyes trained on the body of the silver tabby.

"He was highly respected," was Hazepaw's response.

"Then why isn't anyone sitting vigil?" Questioned Otterpaw, her voice low.

"I don't think he has any living kin." Hazepaw shrugged, licking his shoulder fur.

"Is that how it works here? Only those related will mourn the loss of a dead cat?" Otterpaw scoffed, rising to her paws. "Oceanclan is so strange." With that, she padded over to where Tunafin laid. She bowed her head next to his, speaking something into the elder's ear that Hazepaw couldn't hear. She remained with Tunafin for a good few heartbeats. Then she gave the old silver tabby a respectful lick on the shoulder before returning to Hazepaw's side.

Hazepaw stared at her, perplexed. Why had she gone over to Tunafin like that? He wasn't anything to Otterpaw.

"He was our clanmate. He deserved to be wished well on his journey to Starclan," she answered his unspoken question. Hazepaw grunted, trying his hardest to seem understanding of her actions. But an awkward silence fell over the pair. In it, Hazepaw's thoughts began to drift towards darkness; of the future, of the fate of the cats around him. But before he could spiral too deep into despair, Otterpaw spoke once more;

"Yknow, at times like this, we should look on the bright side of things. That's what my foster father taught me. Tunafin lived a long life. And the clan is strong, thanks to his seasons of dedication. Life will go on, because he gave his."

Hazepaw hummed thoughtfully. He'd never considered things that way before. As he glanced around, deep in his contemplation, Hazepaw realized that Otterpaw was right.

Den Keepers were busy constructing shelters from surrounding shrubs and tree branches. Curlear sat beneath a lopsided birch sorting through whatever herbs he'd brought to the new camp. Currentkit and Stonekit were playing tag, getting under warriors' paws. Across the way, Bluesky was checking Sunnystream's belly, with Whisperkit watching attentively. The two mewed with delight as they discovered a litter of kits would soon join Oceanclan's ranks. Life indeed went on. And though a heaviness still sat in Hazepaw's chest, a blossom of hope grew in his heart. The future wasn't so dim. And the odd feeling in his belly from yesterday finally dissolved.

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[residences-of-the-darkforest]

Wait....

what if what stopped Curlear from leaving the Clan...

what if she was pregnant?

And what if Daisydust is her daughter? And sister/half-sister to Smalljump??? Or maybe grand-niece?

Mother’s Loving Embrace (short story)

“MAAAAAAAAA!”

Smallpaw scampered across the clearing, feeling himself trip over his paws as he ran blindly to where he scented, and just barely saw, his mother.

He half-collided into her, and, feeling her soft fur brush against him, burrowed his face into her chest as she wrapped a paw around him. “Little one! What happened? Did you trip?”

“No!” Smallpaw muffled into her fur. “Th-th-they pushed me,” he paused to sniff, “into the dirt and our mentors did nothing andnowIhavedirtinmyeyescanyoupleasegetitout?”

“Dear, I cannot hear you,” Curlear told him, licking his head. Smallpaw pulled his head back, eyes blurry. “Oh my little one,” she murmured sadly, and he knew that she could see the dirt around his eyes. He closed them tightly as she groomed them clean, gentle as a mother but rough in her anger that someone had upset her kit. Smallpaw let it distract him, focusing on her warmth, her fierce love, and not on the anger or embarrassment swirling in his chest.

After several strong licks, she pulled back and inspected his face. “Better?” she asked. Smallpaw didn’t feel the grit anymore. “Thank you, mama,” he responded. His head was ducked, and she lifted his chin with her paw to make him look her in the eyes. “Now, do you want to tell me exactly what happened?”

“We were battle training, and I lost because I always lose, and our mentors told us to stop but Rubblepaw thought it would be funny to push me into the dirt, so she did and they all started laughing and none of our mentors did anything, so I ran and they were yelling at me to stay but I came to you instead, and they’re gonna be mad at me now!”

“No they won’t, little one,” Curlear pulled him close. “I’ll make sure of it, and I’ll make sure they punish Rubblepaw and those bullies too!”

Smallpaw knew it wouldn’t do much. Curlear had tried countless times to get the trio to lay off his back. When they were kits, she told their parents off, and now that they’re all apprentices, she told their mentores off. Even if it did work, what would she do when they all became warriors? Smallpaw shuddered at the thought of having to sit vigil with all of them. Don’t think about that now, he told himself. Instead, he burrowed deeper into his mother’s embrace. Her paws wrapped around him, she began to pur, licking at his back. Smallpaw’s head wobbled. He felt himself dozing off, and welcomed it. Trouble could wait, for now his mother could protect him.

Smalljump blinked open his eyes. A beetle crawled across his nose, and he smacked it away. He laid for a few long heartbeats, feeling the dream– memory, rather, drain away to be replaced by the present. He sat up, looking ahead at nothing.

Curlear…. His chest tightened. Would his mother even still be alive? He remembered the look of shock and despair on her face as it was revealed that he had attempted to kill three of his Clanmates, killing one. She must be so disappointed in him. Just as Sharplight always said she was. Rotten mousebrain! He deserved what came to him! Curlear understood that, didn’t she? She still loved him, didn’t she?

“Small! Small!” Smalljump was distracted from his thoughts by a familiar voice, and he turned around to see the orange-flecked warrior, Sparktail practically bouncing on her paws. Her eyes were bright and friendly as she looked at him, something Smalljump was still getting used to. “I saw something really cool and I think you should see it! Come on.” 

She turned around and, after a few steps, looked behind her shoulder to make sure Smalljump was following. Opening his jaws in a massive yawn, Smalljump shook out his fur, and followed.

========================================

–Featuring @elementaldeityoffood ‘s character, Sparktail, because it can’t be a Smalljump story without her, can it?

–I feel like Curlear would have joined her son in exile, but something held her back. Not sure what yet.

[luupiirto]

I’m not really into Warrior Cats but my partner really likes it so I made a sona! 

[ornerycattery]

Curlkit | Curlpaw | Curlear

Curlear is a playful, motherly molly. Being completely deaf, she isn't the greatest hunter or fighter, but over her life she's established herself as one of the Clan's best tunnelers, quick footed and incredibly observant of the world under her paws.  Although she can speak to an extent, she much prefers sticking to Root Clan's version of cat sign language.

She had a very difficult time as a queen, losing two small litters before having her son, Phloxnose. As a result, she’s deeply and fiercely protective of him, even after her son gained his warrior name. A note: Curlear was one of the first digital pieces I made, and I was super happy with how her og protrait turned out, so I just ended up adding onto it lol. Also, feat Curlear's apprentice, Goldenpaw and his best friend, Icepaw!

[mandareeboo]

Guys I’m overthinking cats again

[courtjester]

Allegiances (new)

CoastClan

Leader

Snowstar – albino cat (4 lives)

Deputy

Blackfire – black molly with striking ginger markings and yellow eyes, mentor of Owlpaw

Medicine cat

Smallblaze – ginger munchkin tom with yellow eyes

Warriors

Wolfnose – dusty brown and white tabby tom with green eyes

Vixenrush – sorrel abyssinian molly with green eyes, mentor of Rookpaw

Graydawn – blue abyssinian tom with green eyes, mentor of Hailpaw

Violetfrost – lilac molly with fluffy fur and orange eyes

Plumtuft – lilac point tom with blue eyes and soft fur

Peanutbelly – chocolate cat with a broad face and orange eyes, mentor of Nightpaw

Junipertuft – blue and white oriental tom with green eyes, mentor of Cherrypaw

Rowanmask – cinnamon and white tabby oriental tom with green eyes

Honeytuft – cinnamon calico oriental cat with yellow eyes

Oakcrest – cinnamon calico tom with yellow eyes and curly fur

Squallclaw – blue mink point molly with striking blue eyes and curly fur, mentor of Bumblepaw

Maplestorm – ginger molly with blue eyes, mentor of Ebonypaw

Cloudsong – longhaired blue and white tom with amber eyes

Ashstep – giant silver tabby and white tom with yellow eyes

Flameripple – longhaired cinnamon calico molly with amber eyes

Burncloud – longhaired cinnamon calico tom with green eyes, mentor of Rampaw

Grizzlystrike – gigantic dusty brown tabby cat with dull yellow eyes (bobcat hybrid)

Littleheart  - small black and white tom with green eyes

Stumpyfeather – black spotted tabby munchkin tom with horrible scars, white on his neck and orange eyes

Eagleheart – chocolate and white long-legged cat with green eyes

Apprentices

Nightpaw – black molly with amber eyes (11 moons, Nightfang)

Hailpaw – blue tom with amber eyes (11 moons, Hailrunner)

Curlpaw – black silver ticked tabby cat with folded ears and yellow eyes (10 moons, Curlear)

Rookpaw – black and white tom with long fur and amber eyes (8 moons, Rooktuft)

Bumblepaw – torbie molly with long fur and copper eyes (8 moons, Bumbleheart)

Cherrypaw – torbie munchkin tom with long fur and amber eyes (8 moons, Cherrynose)

Rampaw – blue and white cat with curly fur and yellow eyes (6 moons, Ramskip)

Owlpaw – cinnamon and white molly with curly fur and amber eyes (6 moons, Owlcry)

Ebonypaw – pudgy black smoke molly with big ears and green eyes (6 moons, Ebonyshine)

Queens and kits

Cinderspark – charcoal bengal molly with orange eyes, mother of Vixenrush‘s kit and five adopted kits

Chickadeekit – sorrel abyssinian mix tom with green eyes (3 moons, Chickadeewing)

Dandelionkit – fluffy white molly with one green and one blue eye (2 moons, Dandelionfoot)

Hemlockkit – fluffy chocolate and white tom with hazel eyes (2 moons, Hemlockstep)

Magpiekit – fluffy black and white molly with hazel eyes (2 moons, Magpieflight)

Dustkit – fluffy grayish black tabby and white molly, green eyes (2 moons, Dustgaze)

Parsleykit – fluffy grayish torbie and white molly, green eyes (2 moons, Parsleytuft)

Dawnsong – longhaired ginger tom with amber eyes, father of Wolfnose‘s kits

Shinekit – ginger and white tom, green eyes (0 moons, Shinegaze)

Sorrelkit – torbie and white molly, amber eyes (0 moons, Sorrelleap)

Elders

/

ShoreClan

Leader

Orchidstar – dilute torbie van tom with odd eyes (6 lives)

Deputy

Peachfeather – cream molly with a bushy tail

Medicine Cat

Morningleaf – ginger and white molly, mentor of

Twilightpaw – pretty chocolate calico tom with green eyes

Warriors

Moonwhisker – black and white tom with long fur, mentor of Kelppaw

Applebreeze

Cedarstep

Spottedswirl

Bogshine – dark black tabby tom with green eyes

Barklight – black tabby tom with a white chest and yellow eyes

Mudtail – black tabby van tom, mentor of Antpaw

Bearclaw – skinny chocolate and white tom

Stormwalker

Foxblaze – red silver tabby cat

Shadesong – black molly with a white tail tip and orange eyes

Woolpelt

Willowleaf

Pebblenose

Skygaze

Doebelly – chocolate tabby and white cat with green eyes

Cloverstep

Skunknose – black molly with white paws and a white stripe on her face

Urchinsting – black tom with green eyes

Apprentices

Antpaw – tiny frail black smoke tom with a white muzzle and paws

Kelppaw – lilac lynx point tom with white paws, blue eyes and a stubby tail

Applepaw – a slender dilute tortie tom with curled ears and a plumey tail (Appleclaw)

Queens and Kits

Frostleap – blue tabby van molly with long fur, mother of Bearclaw’s kits

Dewkit – fluffy blue and white tom (2 moons, Dewspring)

Firkit – black tabby and white molly (2 moons, Firmask)

Smokeflurry – blue and white cat with piercing yellow eyes, dam of Skunknose’s kits

Penguinkit – black and white molly (1 moon, Penguinfeather)

Orcakit – white molly with black spots (1 moon, Orcasplash)

Sharkkit – blue tom with a white underbelly (1 moon, Sharkwhisker)

FogClan Leader

Daisystar – longhaired dilute tortoiseshell molly with white paws and muzzle (5 lives)

Deputy

Junipertail – skinny blue and white tom with green eyes

Warriors

Cloudface – handsome cream point tom with long fur

Magpiefur – black and white tom

Squirrelheart – fluffy black molly with dark eyes and an underbite

Suneye – a small cinnamon molly with yellow eyes

Apprentices

Smokepaw – a longhaired blue ticked tabby molly with blueish green eyes and white paws (7 moons, Smokeshimmer)

[bitterclan]

[residences-of-the-darkforest]

A Journey To Meet Again (short story: part 1)

“Curlear?” Daisydust prodded her mother with a gentle paw when the older she-cat failed to respond.

“Do you think it would be a good idea?”

“If it matters so much to you,” Curlear mumbled, “go. Don’t stay for my sake if it makes you unhappy.”

Daisydust sighed. “I do want to go,” she said, leaning against her mother’s side. “But I won’t be happy if I’m without you. What do you think? Sure, the place smells worse and there’s almost no prey and the cats are rather unfriendly, but…Smalljump is there.”

Curlear tensed. Her eyes shut tightly. She never said it, would never say it out loud, but Daisydust could read her as well as she could read the claws on her paw, and she knew that it was the reason that Curlear had never joined the Dark Forest to be with her beloved son, not when she first died and not even when news spread that StarClan cats could go to the Dark Forest to have new kits. 

She believed that Smalljump died a second time.

In life, he was weak, skinny and frail and with no shred of confidence to make up for it, and he was sent to a place with ruthless murderers. If she went to the Dark Forest in an attempt to reunite with him, she would only have to face the fact that he was dead again and gone forever, with no hope of ever seeing him again. A glimmer of hope for an action never to be taken, because the moment it is taken, the hope is stripped away. 

Daisydust rubbed her cheek against her mother’s own. “Just a visit? Not seeing him doesn’t mean he’s not there,” she tried. “And…maybe we could be a proper family.”

Curlear looked at her, eyes glimmering. “Are we not a true family?”

“We are,” Daisydust reassured her, “but everyone else….I think you can agree that it’s a little messed up. I never properly knew Flipstep as a father–and I don’t want to,” she added quickly when Curlear frowned guiltily. “But it was always us. Us against them, us against the world. Us against our own family….I just….I want a fresh start.”

Curlear met her eyes, pupils shifting and muzzle twitching as she thought. Then she let out a long exhale that deflated her body. “One visit,” she decided.

“Really? Thank you!” Daisydust nuzzled her, pressing so roughly that Curlear was pushed to the ground with a startled purr. 

“You’re as heavy as a badger!” Curlear chuckled, though she made no move to wriggle free, and instead held her daughter close with her paws. 

“You won’t regret it,” Daisydust promised her. “I swear it!”

[bitterclan]

"No one will remember your mistakes"

Speak for yourself Rimey I'm still betting on a few more failed confessions lmao

but Boulderpaw doesn't know that<3

[residences-of-the-darkforest]

A Daisy Nest (short story)

“Curlear,” Poppysand’s tired, enthusiastic voice broke through the haze of fading pain. “A single kit,” she announced, setting the kit next to its mother’s belly after giving it a thorough washing. “Keep her warm and close.”

I know how to take care of a kit, Curlear nearly snapped, but she held her tongue. It wasn’t Poppysand that had upset her. The medicine cat had been rather helpful throughout the process. It wasn’t her pain speaking for her, either.

It had been almost a moon since her fight with Flipstep, when his anger at her for missing her exiled son, who had injured his former apprentice, escalated to a shouting match. 

—-

“How can you still keep pieces of him? Why is his nest so important for you to hold onto?” he had demanded when she had scrambled to fix her nest–which she had mixed with Smalljump’s–after a young apprentice had tried to pull out the old bedding. 

“He is my kit,” Curlear had defended herself, shocked that he would have to ask. “I will always keep whatever that is left of him.”

“You want to know what is left of him?” Flipstep had asked in what had almost been a sneer, before pointing his tail across the camp and at his former apprentice and one of Smalljump’s victims, Rubblefall. Rubblefall had limped to the fresh-kill pile, the scars on his body still long and deep where the rocks had struck. “That is what is left of him.”

Curlear shook her head. She didn’t want to think about this now. They had held each other close when Rubblefall was injured. Then Smalljump’s….actions…were revealed to the Clan, and Flipstep became distant. He would still nuzzle with her, talk with her and share tongues, but there was always something distant in his eyes, like he was somewhere else–or wanted to be. But he had never shown outright anger at her. “Where is this coming from?”

Flipstep snorted. “I’ve been upset from the very start, but of course you’re too selfish to notice!”

“What are you talking about?” Curlear stared at him, trying to ignore the eyes on them as their voices grew. 

“We share a nest!” Flipstep snapped! “Because we’re mates and that’s what mates do, and then you add his nest, the cat who injured my apprentice, who tried to kill my apprentice to our nest, and you expect me to just be okay with it? You didn’t even ask me!”

“You could have said something!” Curlear growled half-heartedly, but she couldn’t feel much anger past the utter shock. “He’s still my kit. I just wanted what was left of him–the only thing I have left!”

Flipstep curled his lip, eyes like fire. “If it’s the only thing left of him, then we should let it burn!” He took a threatening step toward the nursery. 

Curlear rushed to block his path. “Don’t touch it!” She screamed. 

Flipstep backed up slightly, clearly thrown off by her sudden reaction. He frowned, ears flattening. But he didn’t look angry, he looked sad. “Don’t you care how I feel?”

“I do!” Curlear insisted. “But you never told me how you feel, and now you’re being so mean out of nowhere–”

“I shouldn’t have to tell you. Mates are supposed to know those things. They’re supposed to pay attention to their partner. But you can’t be bothered.”

“I didn’t know there was anything to bother about!”

“Exactly!” Flipstep swished his tail. “Maybe if you had been a better mother than you are a mate, nothing would have ever happened!”

“How dare you?” Curlear lunged at him, swinging her claws at his muzzle, but he ducked just in time and she only smacked his whiskers. 

“I’m sorry,” he told her quickly. “I didn’t mean to say that. It just slipped out!”

Curlear’s body was locked tense, quivering with rage. “How dare you?” she repeated, the only thing she was capable of saying for a few heartbeats.

“I didn’t mean to say it–”

“But you meant it. If you said it, you meant it.”

“That’s not–”

“Do you blame me?”

“Of course not!” Flipstep gasped. “It’s not your fault, it’s his! He’s a traitor, why can’t you understand that I want nothing to do with him?”

Curlear didn’t say anything. Flipstep took that as permission to pad closer. “Honey,” he began, about to lick her cheek–

“Get away from me!” Curlear pulled back sharply. “You do blame me! You think I’m a terrible mother!” Her voice cracked, the words echoing her own buried feelings. She is a terrible mother. She blames herself. That was hard enough, but her own mate felt the same way? “Do you think I’m going to be a terrible mother to these new kits as well? Is that where this is coming from? You think I’ll mess them up too?"

“No,” Flipstep answered, but he was hesitant. 

That lie of a response was the spark to Curlear’s fire. “Well, you won’t have to worry about that,” she decided as if he hadn’t spoken. “And you don’t have to worry about our nest, either!”

“What are you talking about?” It was Flipstep’s turn to stare in shock.

“Get out of my sight,” Curlear told him coldly, as cold as she had ever been. “I want nothing left to do with you, and these kits will have nothing to do with you.”

“Curl, please, just think for a second–”

“You made your nest,” Curlear growled. “Now lie in it.”

—-

“Have you thought of any names?” Poppysand asked, pulling Curlear back to the present.

“A few,” she answered, tired, “but I wanted to meet them–her, before deciding.”

“Wise choice!” Poppyswarm dipped her head. 

A noise at the entrance made the medicine cat turn. She padded away, then returned with wet, soaked moss. “Another gift from Flipstep,” she announced, partially muffled.

“Great,” Curlear commented unenthusiastically. 

“I’ll add it to the pile.” Poppyswarm padded a few tail-lengths away, then set the moss on top of a few other bundles of drying moss. Curlear had refused to allow her former mate in the den when she had gone into labor, but that didn’t stop the tom from pacing as close to the entrance as he possibly could, and dropping off sticks and moss for Curlear to use–not that she touched any of it. She already had enough sticks and moss anyways, she didn’t need anything from him. “Perhaps I should call it the ‘don’t touch unless you want fleas pile’!”

Curlear couldn’t help but let out a weak chuckle despite her exhaustion. 

“At least I won’t have to gather some for a while,” her friend went on. “Leaves more room to collect daisies and fennel, we’re running low…”

Daisy…

She looked to her little daughter suckling at her belly. 

Her mind traveled back once again, to moons long ago. Smallpaw had been tormented by three older apprentices constantly, and one of the few places he was able to hide away was a patch of daisies that grew behind the nursery. A round bumble bee had buzzed by, landing on his shoulder. Smallpaw, normally so terrified of bugs, had giggled, and it had warmed Curlear’s heart so much to see him happy. 

She wasn’t foolish enough to name her daughter after her brother, suggesting that she was only as important as his memory, which was why she avoided names like ‘Littlekit’ or ‘Leapkit,’ but Daisykit felt distant enough. Far enough to be her own name and allow her to be her own individual, but still close enough to honour what was good in her brother.

“That’s all you need from me now,” Poppysand was rambling on, “but if you want me to stay, I can tell you about the duck that almost landed on me…”

“Daisykit.”

“What?”

“Daisykit,” Curlear said, more decisively. “She will be called Daisykit.”

==================

Poppyswarm is a young medicine cat, a young adult. She knows about Curlear's anger with Flipstep more than anyone else in the camp since she was the one that spoke with her the most due to all the visits when Curl was pregnant, and she's very much on Curl's side.

I imagine it as a similar friendship as Leafpool and Sorreltail.

[residences-of-the-darkforest]

We got an official reason for why Curlear never went to the Dark Forest to be with her baby boy!

She believes that Smalljump didn't survive in the Dark Forest, and doesn't want to have her worst fears confirmed. She would rather never see him again and have that hope that he's still okay than finding out her worst nightmare is true--but she doesn't know that he's actually doing great