#he is berrypaw.........for Now

[mintedcats]

Berrypaw's dilemma (pt.1)

(Snowshard, Honeypaw and Thistleskip belong to @turnaboutsisterz )

(Softtail belongs to @roobjoshi )

[willicewc]

More gay battle cats >:)

I refuse to accept that Cinderheart became Lionblaze's mate because she was obviously Hollyleaf's girlfriend >:( so Lionblaze can have Mousewhisker instead !

I didn't read the books for a long while now, but from what I remember, Mousewhisker is a very bland character, being even less unique because he is a carbone copy of his slightly more interesting sister Hazeltail.

At this point, Warriors is kind of known for having a metric ton of useless, bland background characters with interchangeable personnalities. I know it's now necessary to have so many background characters to lower the inbreeding... but I feel like the Erins are really having a hard time creating any actual recurring background character with any kind of actual, active role.

At this point, most of the background characters' personalities are made out of headcanons from the fandom ??? :(

That is also why Brackenfur started being known as "patrol guy" and Mistystar was "the one cat who just won't die", because after their little arc (if they ever had one), they stopped being revelant and the Erins don't know what to do with them anymore :(

So I decided to try to make Mousewhisker a bit more "unique" ? Or at least, to make him a bit less forgettable ? His brother is Berrynose, the classic bully who kept going after the Three when they were kits / apprentices. I don't feel like Mousewhisker would ever have the backbone to confront his brother about that, but he would keep apologizing to everyone his brother may offend. Mousewhisker is just a nice, well-rounded little dude, he is really close to his mother Daisy, with way too much empathy for everyone else. His personnality would be very similar to that of his sister, caring and generally well-meaning. I feel like he would always be near the nursery to be with Daisy or entertain the kits. He might even be like Fernsong later and become a "queen" ? A "king" ? He would be such an icon.

Also, knowing that Fernsong is Lionblaze's canon son, if in this au Lionblaze and Mousewhisker ever manage to find some kittens somewhere and adopt them, Mousewhisker would for sure spend all of his time in the nursery with his kits, becoming the first "male queen", which would then prompt Fernsong to later do the same to help Ivypool, and hopefully more toms would do the same and father their kits properly (looking at you, Spiderleg)

Talking about Spiderleg, Mousewhisker clearly had a beef with Spiderleg (who was his mentor ??? I forgot about that ??? All the potential drama in this Clan !!!) because Spiderleg was awful with Daisy and their kits and Mousewhisker won't allow bad parenting in this Clan anymore. He would have been pushing Spiderleg to take care of his kits properly.

Also in the book if I remember well, there was this... Weird obsession with the fact that Hazelpaw, Mousepaw and Berrypaw were not clanborn, and everytime they were picked for something such as going to a gathering, the Three would immediately notice it. This is kind of weird, because it would imply that Thunderclan, despite being led by an ex-kittypet, would STILL be telling their kits that cats who are not clanborn don't belong here. The behavior the Three display when noting everytime that Mouse, Hazel and Berry are not clanborn is a learned behavior, which means that Thunderclan never actually improved and learned from Rusty becoming Firestar ??? This may again just be a neatpick from me but it's still a bit weird, knowing that the most anti-kittypet cats are now "reformed" and have improved (Longtail would be a good example)

In my au, Lionblaze is a reincarnation of Scourge, and as such, it is possible that Lionblaze would be more open minded about Daisy's kits not being clanborn. I feel like Scourge despized the Clans because they were something that he would have loved to be a part of : A community where he would be accepted and where he could belong. Somehow Lionblaze would know that bloodline isn't something that can determine if you belong somewhere. This is even more revelant because his grandfather is literaly an ex-kittypet

I don't know how Lionblaze would end up having his kits with this pairing yet, I thought about the two of them finding stray kittens abandonned by twolegs ? I really enjoy the trans Lionblaze headcanon, but I don't want Lionblaze to be trans JUST so he can have kits :( Being trans should be part of his childhood and the way he grows up, it is a journey of self-discovery, with his family accepting him (because of course Squirrelflight would accept her child whether they are a guy, a girl or non-binary!), and making Lionblaze trans just so he can have babies doesn't seem to be the greatest choice in my opinion ? :( Don't hesitate to tell me what you think is the best option, I am all out for more LGBTQ+ representation in Warriors ! :) Your feedbacks would be very appreciated, even more if you are trans yourself and can give me your advices ! :)

If I do make Lionblaze trans in this au, be ready to see a lot of trans Lionblaze drawings because I will need to flesh that out >:)

[disgruntleddemon]

goddd this video took forever. i worked on it off and on for months hgjhj.

anyway, this is supposed to be set during that journey with Crowfeather in po3. Crow was just being polite asking about training, but is now feeling glad he doesn't live in Thunderclan lmao

this is one of my favorite Scooby Doo clips ever. i swear it gets me every time, so i absolutely had to do a vid with it. i debated back and forth between using Tawnypelt and Crowfeather, but i feel like Crow made the most sense tbh.

characters in order are: Crowfeather, Lionpaw(blaze), Berrypaw(nose), Mousepaw(whisker), Cinderpaw(heart)

i like these frames, but they're only shown briefly lol

[residences-of-the-darkforest]

Dark Forest Resident: Berrypaw

Aliases / Nicknames: Brat, Bratpaw, Annoying Flea

Gender: tom

Sexuality: bisexual

Family: unnamed mother, unnamed father, five unnamed littermates

Other Relations: unnamed mentor

Clan: ThunderClan

Rank: apprentice

Characteristics: talks back, childish, shameless, bold

Motive to Harm: fun

Number of Victims: 1+

Number of Murders: 0

Murder Method: N/A

Method of Harm: disrespecting his leader, disrespecting StarClan

Known Victims: Specklestar, StarClan in general

Victim Profile: his leader, his ancestors

Cause of Death: crushed by fallen branch

Cautionary Tale: ??

Story:

He learned early on that the best way for cats to pay attention to him was to annoy them.

Play games? Only works if they have the time and until they're tired.

Flicking their ears or sticking out his tongue at them? They'll be so irritated that they'll stick around him.

He was born in a large litter of six healthy kits, and that was a lot of divided attention for his parents. Berrykit started acting out because of frustration at not being soothed or spoken to enough by his mother or father. The moment he did something bad, he was scolded, but all he could focus on was that his parents were paying attention to him.

Berrypaw focused on training and, not including the occasional prank or joke, was professional when he was alone or only with his mentor. But the moment there was a peer around or more than two other cats, he put on his smirk and began his prodding.

The bigger the crowd, the better. He loved being the centre of attention, it didn't matter if that attention was negative.

This all culminated in his final, big joke: saying "I don't" to the Clan leader instead of "I do" during his warrior ceremony.

Immediately he was met with anger and gasps. No one thought that it was funny, but that didn't matter. Berrypaw thought it was funny, and a big smile spread on his face as he looked up at his flustered and annoyed leader.

Specklestar pressed on, asking if Berrypaw knew what he was doing, asking if he was sure. As Berrypaw kept confirming, Specklestar's questions became more serious. She asked if Berrypaw knew he was disrespecting his leader and StarClan, then if Berrypaw was sure he wanted to continue with his attitude, reminding him that StarClan was watching.

Berrypaw put on an innocent face, saying that he knows he's not ready to finish training, so why is everyone putting up such a fuss? He's just being honest.

Eventually the meeting ended and Berrypaw was punished with cleaning out the elder's den and cleaning the dirtplace until after everyone else was asleep.

Then he curled up in his nest in the apprentice's den--unusually cold and quiet with all his littermates now sitting vigil.

He was about to drift into sleep when he heard creaking from above. Then the den roof collapsed.

Additional Information:

--His littermates were the first to hurry to the apprentice's den because they were already up.

--The branch would have fallen even if StarClan was not disrespected--they did not cause it to fall. But had Berrypaw not ruined his own ceremony, he wouldn't have been in the apprentice's den at that time, and would have survived.

--Base: F2u Apprentice Base by KouNavi48 on DeviantArt

[oddclangen]

37 Moon - Newleaf

So yeah Fleckglint is dead and most likely Timberwater killed him since she hated him

Hazelgoat is new deputy, but my girl wants to be enywhere else right now. She still didnt finish mentoring Berrypaw, her first apprentice and thinks that its to much of a task. Her bad vision also does not help her self esteem.

Mintfeather decided that best time to confess to his crush is when you almost died. Thankfully he is fine for now.

36 moon p3 - 38 moon

[antclan-blogs]

here’s the kitties’ sprites! in order we have:

slightstar, chaffinchbounce, hushstep, berrypaw, rivernose, badgerdust, daisyiris, mossgleam, sunleopard and gladepaw.

cause i’m on mobile now it only lets me import ten images, only guy left is stoatpaw but he’s literally identical to gladepaw so you get the gist 😙😙

[realjoehours]

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im glad you’re up for some yapping binary anon!

so in star of the night there are four clans: heatherclan (the clan where the main characters are from), brookclan (the clan which heatherheart’s love interest alderbrook is from), beetleclan (the clan where heatherclan apprentice berrypaw originally comes from and also where batear resides) and cloudclan. heatherclan is lead by rootstar, brookclan is lead by otterstar, beetleclan is lead by robinstar and cloudclan is lead by sweetstar. things within the territories are peaceful currently but all of the medicine cats of each clan keep receiving strange omens from starclan which none of them can decipher.

for yapping sake so i’m not brought off course i’ll just talk about the medicine cats because i keep thinking about them specifically. so time for introductions to all of the medicine cats and their apprentices in star of the night!

heatherclan has rabbitleap who’s only recently become the clan’s sole medicine cat after his mentor blacktail went to join starclan. blacktail was a very beloved cat within the clan with him being missed by all which has left young rabbitleap with big paw steps to fill in his absence. rabbitleap has the spirit of heatherclan ancestor smallant seemingly tethered to his soul and neither of the pair know why though rabbitleap has been trying hard to figure it out, it’s unhelpful though when smallant has only vague memories of when he was alive. starclan keep sending him visions of an incredibly bright star in the sky though he and the other medicine cats don’t understand what it’s trying to tell him. magpiekit is the future medicine cat apprentice for heatherclan with him already receiving visions from starclan despite still being in the nursery. in these vivid visions he sees his clan’s past varying in time period, sometimes it’ll be from when rabbitleap was an apprentice and sometimes it will be before even mothface, the clan’s oldest elder, was born. rabbitleap is hopeful that magpiekit can help him with his smallant spirit problem. rabbitleap is very hesitant on sharing any starclan business with the clan’s leader rootstar as rootstar has made it clear he doesn’t like rabbitleap much and much preferred blacktail. this strained bond makes rabbitleap fearful as medicine cats and leaders are meant to be close as a result of their positions in the clan and their closer connection to their warrior ancestors in starclan. it seems that rootstar doesn’t care for this though as he doesn’t share anything with rabbitleap and only cares for the power he can gain from his clan.

brookclan has thistlejaw, minnowwhisker and minnowwhisker’s apprentice snowpaw. thistlejaw is the oldest medicine cat in the territories and despite minnowwhsiker having been a full fledged medicine cat for several seasons now with an apprentice of her own he refuses retirement to the elders den siting that the only way that he’d stop serving his clan as medicine cat was if starclan were to drag him off to silverpelt and even then he’d put up a fight. he’s one stubborn fellow and always has been. he’s seen many battles and raids on his clan in his time alive leaving him with stories galore to captivate the kits in the nursery and even the apprentices when they bring him fresh kill. it wasn’t these battles or raids that gave him the worst of his scars however it was a fox attack on camp where he sustained his missing eye and the exposed portion of his jaw along with the exposed skin around the left side of his face where the fox ripped the fur out which never did quite grow back. he fought the fox off defending a brookclan queen who was in the den kitting when he was merely an apprentice. he has lived through three leaderships in brookclan with him not missing a beat in saying how proud he is that his clan has had so many strong and loyal leaders that he’s served under. otterstar and him are very close with the leader often seeking out wisdom from the older cat in important decisions for the clan, a relationship which rabbitleap envies greatly. thistlejaw has had two apprentices in his time as clan medicine cat the first was finchpelt, whom later went to join starclan after returning to the flooded brookclan camp to rescue a kit who had unknowingly been left behind during the great storm he managed to rescue the kit but finchpelt ended up inhaling too much of the flood water which killed him, and his second was minnowwhisker. minnowwhisker is the younger medicine cat who was apprenticed to thistlejaw after she proved to be far too nervous and gentle to be a warrior for the clan with thornstar (the clan leader prior to otterstar) decided she would fare better as a medicine cat where she could use her gentle nature to care for her injured and sick clan mates. despite her nervous demeanour minnowwhisker is a very friendly she cat with her having close bonds with many of her clan mates and even being close to the other clan’s medicine cats. because of thistlejaw’s advancing age otterstar has began to worry for his dear friend and to ensure that his clan remains strong in the event they lose thistlejaw he apprenticed the young snowpaw to minnowwhisker in hopes that having both her and thristlejaw around will make him the a great medicine cat. snowpaw is a young fluffy black tom with a distinct feathery white tail, which he got his name from. he’s rather sarcastic and blunt but does have an enthusiasm to learn, though he may show it differently from the other apprentices, with his training going well. being the only kitten to survive in his litter his mother, pebblefoot, is rather protective of him still even though he’s no longer in the nursery with her frequently checking up on him during her free time.

beetleclan has batear and his new apprentice crookedpaw. batear is a jet black tom with spiky fur, large ears, piercing amber eyes and fangs which poke out of his mouth. batear was originally a warrior apprentice but was moved to the medicine cat den against his wishes to be trained as a medicine cat to replace the elder medicine cat tawnyface. batpaw was angry with this as he was the best warrior apprentice the clan had with his leader and mentor robinstar even telling him so. tawnyface’s old age wasn’t the reason for batear becoming the next medicine cat, though tawnyface was seeking out an apprentice for that reason, it was that robinstar has received a troubling prophecy from starclan which had showed him what great destructive power batpaw could be capable of if he were to be a warrior for the clan and in order to prevent the prophecy from coming true he was made medicine cat apprentice. though batear doesn’t know any of this with tawnyface, robinstar and beetleclan deputy roseflight keeping the secret for fear that if batear found the prophecy out that he would make it come true out of spite. crookedpaw is fairly new to her training but is a fast learner and unlike batear actually wanted to become a medicine cat so she can help take care of the cats in the clan and to soothe their pain. crookedpaw was named after her strange pelt which makes it appear crooked. she shows great promise as a future medicine cat.

cloudclan has ivyheart as its medicine cat. ivy heart is an older pale ginger she cat with ivy green eyes and long droopy fur around her face and on her legs near her paws. ivyheart wasn’t always the clan’s medicine cat instead she stepped into the role after the clan’s medicine cat, twigbelly, and her apprentice, barleypaw, fell ill two seasons ago during leaf bare after illness spread throughout the clan. the illness ended up taking barleypaw’s life along with the other cats in the clan though not nearly as many as what would’ve died if ivyheart hadn’t stepped in and learned the basic remedies using memories from her kithood of watching the medicine cats organise their herbs and berries. twigbelly was left extremely weak even after the illness had passed and never completely recovered which forced him to retire from being the clan’s full time medicine cat moving into the elder’s den. ivyheart hasn’t yet learned everything there is to know yet but when twigbelly is fit enough to supervise her he’s able to keep her right. ivyheart is a very caring cat and loves her family and her clan deeply and just because she’s a medicine cat now doesn’t mean she’s forgotten her many moons worth of warriors training still retaining her fighting edge. unlike the other medicine cats in the territory ivyheart is the only one to have had kits having had two litters prior to becoming a medicine cat. these kits have went on to become brave and noble cloudclan warriors one of which happens to be the clan’s deputy frogsight. during the meeting with the other medicine cats she can’t help but let her motherly nature take over when talking to the younger cats seeing them like her trusted kin. she’s very proud of her fellow medicine cats and loves seeing how much their apprentices are growing each time she gets to see them at the meetings.

anyways that’s all i’ve got for the medicine cats of the territories so far! hope you’ve enjoyed my yapping binary anon because i sure enjoyed it :)

[morningstar-warriors]

Omen of Fire (Play Group 1)

────────── · · · · ✦

Player: Blue (She/Her)

Name: Darkstar (She/Her)

Rank: Leader -- Heart of Fire

About: Darkstar is a large black cat with scruffy fur, and scars covering her pelt. A massive scar marks the right side of her face, and a blue star sits in the center of her forehead. This mark signifies that she is the leader of Fern Clan. Darkstar is very tense she cat with a lot on her shoulders, but she tries to do what's best for her clan even if she can be blinded by her fear and rage. She is known for her intimidating presence, and piercing glare. Those closer to her know she isn't as harsh as she looks, but she isn't gentle by any means. Darkstar was born during Fern Clan’s darkest era, while her father Bramblestar reigned. He was a cruel leader and an even worse parent, putting her and her brother Darkshade through twisted hazing rituals. Most of her siblings didn’t survive Bramblestar’s tests. What was left of her kin were exiled once Darkstar, with the help of Dustclover and Buttermoss, took down her father and their allies. Now she looks after Fern Clan, and mentors a small blonde tom cat named Goldenpaw.

Player: Leaf (She/Her)

Name: Dustclover (She/Her)

Rank: Deputy -- Claws of Wind

About: Dustclover is a fluffy she cat with light grey fur, and patchy splotches of brown that look like dry clay in her fur. Her eyes are a light yellow, and small green clover leaves stick to her fur. Her claws are a metallic silver, and her left paw has a scar from a dog bite. Dustclover is a loyal she cat who stands by her friends and defends the clan. She is a formidable foe in a fight, but despite her skill, she serves as the voice of reason in tense situations. Dustclover knows when it is better speak then to fight, but isn't afraid to jump to action especially when a friend is in danger. She is mentoring a young cat named Berrypaw, and tends to have a more calm but carefree demeanor. Her claws are made of silver, which she had received after fiddling with a twoleg vat of molten fiery liquid. This gives her an extra nasty swat, which called on the interest of The Dark Forest. Now Bramblestar haunts her dreams promising her power. Despite this Dustclover is loyal to the code and her clan. She rejects him over and over, if only she could remember her dreams…

Player: Cookie (She/Her)

Name: Buttermoss (She/Her)

Rank: Warrior -- Heart of Fire

About: Buttermoss is a plump blonde cat with flowers strewn about her fur. Her eyes are a sparkling blue, complimented by her pink nose and ears. She has a notable scar across the center of her throat and chest, and always has a sunny disposition. This warrior was once a kittypet, called on by Star Clan and save Fern Clan from Bramblestar's reign. Buttermoss is a remarkable fighter, despite her outward friendliness and positive attitude. She has taught the clan many things about two leg life, and is a friend to all of Fern Clan. Presently she is mentoring Rockpaw, son of Darkshade and Darkstar's nephew. Even those who have their own prejudices against kittypets can't seem to hate Buttermoss. The best way to describe her is resilient and unbothered. Life throws many challenges at a warrior, but the best know how to smile through it. Star Clan guided her here for a reason, she is the light and the lion.

Player: Flame (He/Him)

Name: Applethorn (He/Him)

Rank: Stoneteller -- Star Seeker

About: Applethorn is a massive orange tom with bright green eyes and leaves sticking out from his fluffy fur. He has a somber look in his eyes, his massive tail curls over his body protectively, blocking others out. He’d been named Applepaw for many moons past the day he became medicine cat, never receiving a naming ceremony until he had already begun to break under the weight of his clan's expectations. Even now, as Fernclan's stoneteller, healer, and de facto seer, the marks of that pressure are clear on Applethorn's psyche. Nobody knows quite what happened to his brother Grizzlebark, the former clan seer, when they travelled up the Seer's mountain together. His skill in battle is brutally conniving and constantly brushes the outer limits of what the Warrior's Code deems acceptable. His bedside manner sucks. As for his countenance? Well, he's still the shy, stuttering kit his clan grew up with... but something isn't quite right.

Player: Bug (He/She/They)

Name: Grizzlebark (He/Him)

Rank: Loner, Stoneteller -- Path of Familiar

About: Grizzlebark is a towering orange tom with scars covering his pelt, and a large bear paw print on his chest. He has powerful heterochromia eyes, one green and the other yellow. He often has a cold and distant demeanor, though there is a strange wisdom about him. He originally was Fern Clan's Stoneteller, and the keeper of Fern Clan's Familiar Grunger the bear. His mentor, Ripplefoot, had returned after the entire clan including him assumed her dead. With her still alive it explained his struggles with his powers and his weak link to Star Clan. But by then it was too late to convince him he could be a seer for Fern Clan. Judged by Sorreltail, Ash Clan's Stoneteller and leader of the council, he had only two options. Resign and allow his brother to take his place, or step up and claim his title. Grizzlebark decided he would reject the old ways of the clan, denouncing them all at a gathering. He requested that Applethorn meet him in the mountains to show his brother what he has seen. To take him into the new era, and reject tradition. Grizzlebark did not return from the trip...

Player: Button (He/Him)

Name: Ashwind (He/Him)

Rank: Loner, Stoneteller -- Undertaker

About: Ashwind is an old tom with a crisp white pelt. His muzzle, ears, legs, and the tip of his tail are gray. He has a distinctive scar on the right side of his face, that eye now dull and blinded. His second most prominent scaring is where his left leg used to be. It’s now replaced with an old stripped stick strapped onto him for support. His good eye is a piercing blood orange, and he always has a smug smile. Ashwind was a talented young tom cat, but remained in his sister’s shadow. He finally was able to shine when Bramblestar anointed him as Stoneteller. His methods are unconventional, finding power from the Dark Forest rather than Star Clan. He often says unsavory things, and his ideals are very conservative. While living alone in exile, he quietly listened to and aided Bramblestar in the Dark Forest. It's unclear why he still helps his old leader after death, but perhaps his scheme will soon unveil itself. While life began to crumble in the clans following the mysterious deaths of apprentices and warriors, Ashwind stepped in to aid them. He successfully tricked Redstar from Boulder Clan into taking him in for a while before being turned in back to his old clan... Now he is held as prisoner at Fern Clan camp.

────────── · · · · ✦

Adventures:

Game 1 Game 2 Game 3 Game 4 Game 5 Game 6 (Part1) Game 6 (Part 2) Game 7

Game 8 Game 9 Game 10 Game 11 Game 12 Game 13 Game 14 Game 15

Game 16 Game 17 Game 18 Game 19 Game 20 Game 21

[everybody-loves-purdy]

Headcanon: Nightcloud knew the parentage of the original Three

Nightcloud knew that Hollyleaf, Jayfeather, and Lionblaze were her mate's children. She just didn't want to believe it.

She had suspected Jaypaw first, at a Gathering.

She had tried to ignore how Jaypaw's slim frame was too lanky for any ThunderClan cat she had known. How the blue of his blind gaze was too reminiscent of Crowfeather's, holding his same indignance and impatience.

His pelt was the color of the mist that hung heavy over the moor on cloud-covered dawns. Standing next to Squirrelflight and Brambleclaw, he seemed so out of place. A gray tabby amidst the sea of ginger, brown, golden, and black. Given his withdrawn nature, he didn't seem like the son of Squirrelflight, nor the grandson of ThunderClan's great leader. Even the foreign-blooded apprentices, Mousepaw, Hazelpaw, and Berrypaw, seemed more ThunderClan than even him. Was Jaypaw even aware of how odd he looked sitting next to them?

But sitting next to Leafpool, Jaypaw looked like he belonged, somewhat. Firestar's daughter had no shortage of beauty. Her amber gaze was as clear as the night sky above, her thick tail curled neatly over frosted paws as she spoke in a low voice with Barkface, Mothwing, and Littlecloud. Her stripes, although somewhat faint, curled and rippled elegantly across her pine-colored pelt. A twinge of jealousy stirred within Nightcloud. Jaypaw, though relatively close to his mentor, was speaking with Willowpaw, Hollypaw, and Kestrelpaw.

After this night, Nightcloud would find these thoughts lingering more than what she was comfortable with. Part of her wanted to drag Crowfeather away from camp, demanding to know what exactly had occurred between him and Leafpool. Wanting to know if he was so oblivious that he couldn't see that Breezepaw's siblings lived just across the stream. More doubts flooded in when it was Leafpool and Jaypaw who had shown up to save Lionpaw and Breezepaw.

"I would give my last drop of blood to save your kit," she had murmured when the two apprentices had been stabilized. Both Lionpaw and Breezepaw were resting near Nightcloud, exhausted by their near-death experiences. Clenching her jaws and swallowing back a hiss, Nightcloud turned away from them, focusing her gaze on her son. Breezepaw still had kit-fluff ringing his neck. Next to Lionpaw with hard muscle rippling beneath a pelt as thick as fog, he looked frail, as if the breeze for which he'd been named would blow him away with a single gust.

Lionpaw had raised his head, his amber gaze still bleary with sleep. And when Leafpool had turned, alerted to the apprentice's movement, that's when Nightcloud saw just how similar they looked.

Their amber gazes were so similar. While Leafpool's gaze was a more intense shade of amber, Lionpaw's was more pale in color, like the first rays of sunlight. Leafpool had padded over to him, nuzzling him just as Nightcloud had often done with Breezepaw. Nightcloud could see how Lionpaw's golden pelt and her light, ginger-brown pelt didn't look so different now that both cats were out of the sunlight. If Nightcloud didn't know either of these cats, she would have sworn that they were...

Mother and son.

Jaypaw looked so much like Crowfeather. Lionpaw looked so much like Leafpool. Along with Hollypaw, all three apprentices were part of the same litter. Was it really so hard to believe that their parents possibly weren't Squirrelflight and Brambleclaw?

As if Leafpool had heard Nightcloud's thoughts, she pulled away from Lionpaw swiftly, as if embarrassed by the affection she had shown the young apprentice. Soon, Breezepaw had regained enough strength, and all three WindClan cats trekked back to the moor in an uncomfortable silence.

The battle against ThunderClan came. Nightcloud had been one of the first to leap into battle, fighting with the strength of TigerClan. When the darkness had swallowed the sun, casting a blood-red last onto the battlefield, she had fled with her Clanmates. It wasn't until she returned to Crowfeather's side that she realized something was seriously wrong. Heatherpaw was next to him, her pelt clumped with blood. But it wasn't hers. It had been Crowfeather's. The tears in his neck were treated, but Crowfeather had refused to reveal the identity of his attacker.

"Lionpaw," Heatherpaw had choked out, trembling from the traumatic events the day had brought. "It was Lionpaw."

Although the near-death of her mate had terrified Nightcloud, she couldn't shake that there was something deeper behind the apprentice's attack on her mate. Her son's father.

They soon received their warrior names: Lionblaze and Hollyleaf. But Nightcloud found herself paying special attention to Jaypaw's new name. Jayfeather. Jayfeather. Why not a name like Jaywing or Jayflight? Feather is a common thing for cats to be named after, Nightcloud had thought. Surely Jayfeather's name held no special significance other than signifying that he had become a medicine cat worthy in the eyes of StarClan. Right?

Breezepaw would grow into Breezepelt, embodying all the fierceness that was expected of a WindClan warrior. Nightcloud couldn't have been any more proud of him.

Things seemed like they were going better for awhile. Although Crowfeather remained consistent with his lack of affection towards either Nightcloud or Breezepelt, there was a change that was happening within the warrior.

It had been a night where Gorsetail and her patrol padded back into camp, quietly signaling to Crowfeather that he needed to go to the ThunderClan-WindClan border. He had gone, but Nightcloud had stayed. She had to stay.

She knew the reason, but would not allow herself to come to terms with it. The lingering stench of Crowfeather's fear-scent was what woke her the following morning. Crowfeather had sworn it was a nightmare, but Nightcloud knew better. No such scent had been left behind when Crowfeather had cried out for Feathertail in his dreams as an early warrior, begging her to stay with him.

Then came the Gathering. Nightcloud had felt what remained of any affection for Crowfeather splinter between icy claws as Hollyleaf revealed the truth. In the moonlight, the dark warrior's pelt was set ablaze with silver, but the fierceness and hatred in her green gaze was too akin to Breezepelt's. Too akin to Crowfeather's.

Crowfeather had adamantly denied it, but Nightcloud knew the truth, She had known the truth for too long.

A relationship between two young cats who had left their Clans to be with each other was never meant to be broken off without something left behind. How foolish Crowfeather and Leafpool had both been, to not think that the product of their affair wouldn't find out the circumstances of their birth.

Nightcloud had returned to camp alone that night, wrestling between grief, fury, and heartache. Crowfeather hadn't even attempted to stop her as she left the chaos that had unfolded under the moon.

But she had known. She had always known that Hollyleaf, Jayfeather, and Lionblaze were her mate's children. She just didn't want to believe it.

This is so good!!

[signs-of-the-moon]

Moon High: Chapter 21

Warriors came rushing to aid as they heard the cry of the ginger she-cat ring clear across the forest. Leafheart hunched over the mutilated body of her son, Flamepaw, and Moonpaw watched on helplessly. There was so much happening all at once that it was hard to concentrate.

Moonpaw blinked, seeing Thornberry and some of the other mentors gather to console the grieving she-cat. Then, in the next moment, when Moonpaw blinked again, Smokepaw was beside her. He appeared to be speaking, judging by the movement of his mouth, but no words could be heard. The only thing Moonpaw could hear was the rapid thumping of her heart and a ringing in her ears. She tried to force herself to pay attention. But it was difficult. She didn't feel like she was present at the moment. Her body didn't feel like her own.

Moonpaw stared with wide unfocused eyes at the smokey gray tom. He continued to try and communicate. Then Smokepaw's brows furrowed as he realized Moonpaw couldn't understand him. He turned, and Moonpaw blinked again.

The next thing she knew, she was being led through the woods. Beepaw walked on one side of her, just behind Smokepaw. She was saying something, but again, nothing seemed legible to Moonpaw.

Time flew away from her like a bird on a strong gale, because the next thing she knew, the group was entering Treeclan's camp. Mothsong and Berrypaw ran over to them, checking every cat over. They seemed so distant to Moonpaw, like they were walking just at the edge of her vision. Smokepaw gestured towards his littermate, and for the first time in a while, Moonpaw could partially make out what was being said.

"She's... ...shock," Mothsong noted, her words cutting in and out of Moonpaw's consciousness. Moonpaw could barely feel the brush of the medicine cat's tail against her shoulder as she was prompted to follow towards the healer's den. An orange blob lay near her feet as she passed. Yet her mind wouldn't allow her to focus well enough to see exactly what the shape was.

Moonpaw then found herself settling into a nest as the calico she-cat brought over some herbs. I'm not sick, Moonpaw protested internally, confusion clouding her mind. She wasn't the one who should be tended to right now. But Mothsong didn't seem to think so, judging by the look of concern on her face.

"...eat...." Moonpaw barely heard her say. And though she felt like taking the medicine was pointless, Moonpaw followed directions anyways. She swallowed bitter plants first--thyme and goatweed, Moonpaw remembered their names being. Next, a tiny seed rolled onto her tongue and slithered down her throat, just as a soothing scent entered into her nostrils. Chamomile? Moonpaw guessed as her head grew heavy. She saw Mothsong in front of her. The beautiful medicine cat signed the word "sleep" in the Silent Language. Then, as if on command, Moonpaw found herself being pulled into a deep, restless slumber.

An uncountable amount of time passed before Moonpaw stirred awake. Her head felt heavy and body felt numb as all of her consciousness returned to her at last. She could finally think and see clearly. The medicine Mothsong had given her worked wonders on her foggy mind. But now Moonpaw felt stiff as a log. Stretching, the silver and white she-cat moved to stand from her nest. But before she could, a rustling sounded from the entrance of the medicine den. Moonpaw curled back up into her sleeping spot, not wanting to be reprimanded for leaving it before she was given permission. Two cat-scents made their way to her nose, before she could see who was coming.

"I'm glad I could catch you," Moonpaw recognized the smell and mew of Mothsong.

The second scent belonged to Wolfheart. "I was already on my way here. I wanted to check on Moonpaw."

"You must be Starclan sent, then."

"What do you mean?"

The medicine cat ushered the gray and white tom deep into the den, past Moonpaw and closer to the medicine stores. She didn't speak a word, but motioned for the tom to make himself comfortable.

Wolfheart wrapped his tail around himself as he sat, his back facing Moonpaw.

"Has something happened?" Wolfheart spoke aloud the question his daughter had in mind. His voice was pleading, begging to know what knowledge Mothsong withheld. Moonpaw peered through half-squinted eyes, trying to gauge what was going on without being caught.

Mothsong sat next to the wall of her den, too distant to notice her patient had woken up. Her focus was rested on Wolfheart. A turbulent expression took over her features as she paused a moment or two to find the right things to say.

"Starclan sent me a dream early this morning. A prophecy they wish to be shared."

"A...prophecy?" Wolfheart sounded to be in disbelief. Moonpaw shared his sentiment. Prophecies were rare. It was even rarer for them to be shared with an ordinary cat. But if Mothsong was so insistent with telling Wolfheart about it, then he must be involved somehow.

Excitement began to bloom in Moonpaw's chest. Was Wolfheart a prophecy cat? That would mean he would be a hero, just like in the stories of the ancients Badgerface spoke of!

Mothsong lifted her chin, her eyes growing dim. When she parted her jaws to recite Starclan's words, she spoke in a voice that did not sound like her own. "A great threat lurks, brought forth by darkness and forged by wolf's strength. Only when the moon can face its fate will the night rise. Do whatever possible to keep its light alive."

The air grew thick with tension as silence settled in. A few heavy moments passed. Mothsong appeared to return to normal. Still, there was unease between both the adult cats.

Wolfheart swayed his tail thoughfully. "...What does it mean?"

Mothsong shook her head. "I do not know. But this is the message Starclan has asked me to share."

"And they wanted you to share it with me...? Why? Do you think...it has something to do with my daughter?" Her father's fur was bristling, as if he were afraid. The faint scent of fear creeped its way to Moonpaw's nose, confirming her suspicion. Was he scared that Starclan had wanted to share a message with him? Or was he more fretful of what the prophecy meant? Moonpaw, too, found herself wondering what their words foretold. It wasn't the prediction of grandeur and heroism she had hoped for her father. Instead it sounded to be a more illfated warning.

"It's a possibility. But there's a chance the message could be more metaphorical as well. All I know for certain, is that things will reveal themselves in their due time."

"That's true." Wolfheart sighed. "I just...hope this doesn't mean Moonpaw's in danger." Moonpaw saw Wolfheart's head shift. He must have been glancing at her over his shoulder. But she couldn't exactly see his eyes from the direction his body faced. There was a sag of guilt in the gray and white tom's posture, as if whatever was prophesied was his fault. Love and sympathy squeezed Moonpaw's heart. She wanted so badly to sit up and comfort her father, but she would be caught easedropping if she were to do so.

Mothsong rested her tail upon Wolfheart's shoulder reassuringly. "Whatever happens is in the paws of Starclan. But they have never steered us wrong before. So please, have faith in them, and whatever their plans may be."

I will keep faith in them, Moonpaw swore, peering over at her dad as she hoped he'd do the same.

The gray and white tom fell silent for a moment. "...I trust your wisdom, Mothsong. But please, if you learn anything new, let me know first."

"Of course." Mothsong blinked slowly.

As if summoned by the thought of him, Wolfheart turned around to face his kit. Moonpaw quickly shut her eyes, hoping her father didn't see her awake. Heartbeats later she felt his fur pressing to hers, and the rumble of a purr in his chest.

"Are you waking up already, chipmunk?" He checked. Moonpaw resisted the urge to flinch. Instead, she slowly fluttered open her eyes, looking up at the loving face of her kin.

"Papa...?" She feigned fatigue in her voice as she spoke. Wolfheart smiled down at her, running his tongue over her ears and cheeks.

"How are you feeling?" He asked.

Tired, miserable, confused, were some of the words that came to mind. Instead of speaking Moonpaw shrugged, resting her head against her paws.

"I understand," Wolfheart hummed, nuzzling her. "You should rest more. Hopefully you'll feel like yourself after."

That sounds like a good idea, Moonpaw agreed and gave a yawn. Wolfheart rose from her side and walked out of the medicine den. Mothsong followed him out not long afterwards with flowers in her jaws.

Moonpaw rested for a while more, ruminating in thoughts of the present and the future. Most of all she thought about the prophecy and what it could mean. Eventually, her body grew tired of laying in its resting position. Her paws itched to move and go into the camp where the rest of the clan would be gathered. With a swish of her tail, Moonpaw stood and padded out of the medicine den.

In the center of camp, Flamepaw's body laid. Berrypaw had just finished rubbing herbs into his pelt. But he wasn't able to cover up the death scent in time. Due to the long journey home, and the state of Flamepaw's body, birds of prey managed to catch on to the passing of the young apprentice. When Moonpaw looked up she could see a hawk soaring by the dusk kissed clearing every now and then. But the threatening hoot of an owl kept the other predator away. Tonight's vigil would be extra guarded, Moonpaw bet. A shiver ran down her spine as she made her approach towards her deceased clanmate. Several cats were ahead of her, each taking a few moments to sit close to Flamepaw and share tongues with him one last time. Then they'd move aside, allowing other cats to come forward and do the same. Most cats remained in the open to sit vigil for the remainder of the night. While those too young, old, or not close enough to Flamepaw took their leave and headed to their dens to sleep.

As Moonpaw took her turn to sit vigil, she noticed Den Keepers scaling the trees in camp. With precision and care, they wrapped greenbrier vines around branches, high above where any cat would normally climb. They used moss and broad leaves to grip the thorny appendages tying them tightly before descending to the ground. The vines were a cautionary measure, to deter feathered fiends from landing within striking range of the camp. Good, Moonpaw sighed with a bit of relief, tucking her legs beneath her as she bowed her head near Flamepaw's and prayed.

After her prayer, Moonpaw lifted her muzzle and began to groom his cheek. His fur smelled strongly of lavender and death, but beneath--if one pressed their nose close--Flamepaw's natural scent could be caught. Moonpaw did her best to commit it to memory. Then she rose to her paws, and after one last press of their foreheads together, the silver molly moved away. As she did, Leafheart looked to her apprentice and nodded at her thankfully. Moonpaw returned the warrior's gesture with a respectful head dip. Then she moved to flank her mother and father, who watched on from the edge of camp. Moonpaw saw yerning crackling in Wolfheart's pale green eyes as she settled with him. His focus was fixed on Blazestar who sat solemnly beside his mate.

Brightsky nudged Wolfheart encouragly with her muzzle, prompting the gray and white warrior to go sit beside his old friend. Wolfheart seemed cautious as he moved to take the chance and padded over to Blazestar. He dipped his head deeply to the clan's leader before taking a seat beside him. Wolfheart looked between his clanmates as if waiting to be judged. But no one spoke out. Instead, Blazestar rested his tail on the younger tom's shoulders and blinked at him with gratitude. He seemed to be reassuring Wolfheart of something. Whatever that may be breathed a small puff of confidence into the gray and white tom. Moonpaw was happy that her father could be there to support Blazestar.

Beside her, Brightsky sniffled a little, her cheek fur dampened with tears. At the other side of her, Magpiepaw laid. Her muzzle was buried in their mother's fur for comfort. Moonpaw wanted to say some soothing words to them both, but for once she had nothing to mew about. Grief tightened in her chest. All Moonpaw wanted to do right now was enjoy the comfort of her living loved ones. Speaking of loved ones, Moonpaw's thoughts suddenly landed on Hazepaw. Would he be waiting for her tonight? Something had held him up from joining the Gathering yesterday. Surely he'd be wanting to see Moonpaw tonight instead. Should I really sneak away to go see Hazepaw, though? Moonpaw wondered as her gaze flitted between her clanmates. Seeing their miserable faces made Moonpaw feel even worse. No one would be of great comfort here. So, Moonpaw set her mind on going off into the woods alone. Backing away, Moonpaw turned tail and headed for the Entrance Tree. Smokepaw called out to her as she climbed, asking where she was going.

"I need some space..." Moonpaw confessed before taking off into the trees. Wind flowed through her long fur as she ran across the forest towards the familiar rocks of Rubble Path. The trees thinned the closer she drew to the territory's edge, until finally only grass and sand remained. Moonpaw parted her jaws to taste the air. She needed to know Hazepaw was waiting for her. But any scent of hin was stale. Maybe he's disguising it, Moonpaw hoped.

"Hazepaw?" She called out, stalking to the top of Rubble Path. She peered down, looking between the jagged stones for a familiar white pelt. Then her eyes began to comb the sand and brush nearby. "Hazepaaaaw!" She called again, her voice echoing with the rise in volume. But no reply ever came. Nor did anyone emerge from the dark surrounding her. Great disappointment weighed heavily upon Moonpaw, even worse than what she'd felt the night before.

"Hazepaw..." tears began to well in the silver and white molly's eyes. She sniffed, then hung her head. I need you... the words remained inside her mind as she sobbed softly to herself. Moonpaw let herself cry alone for a while, until the worse of her grief was finally released. Then after calming down, she turned, retreating back home to curl up in the paws of her family.

As the first rays of sunlight began to crawl across the forest, Treeclan gathered together as one within the clearing of camp. They huddled in a large circle around the deceased apprentice they mourned. Some cats parted to allow Badgerface, Daisypetal, and Elmfoot through. Mothsong and Berrypaw had just finished wrapping Flamepaw's torso with vines--to keep him in one piece during the move. The medicine cats dipped their heads in respect to the elders as they got out of their way. Guards came to surround the old warriors as they took their place around Flamepaw.

Then, Daisypetal lifted her muzzle and began to release a keening cry into the morning air. Blazestar joined her, with Leafheart and their kits joining two heartbeats after. Moonpaw heart ached as she listened to their cries. Then she brought up her nose and joined the rest of her clanmates in a mourning song. Flamepaw's spirit was being commended to Starclan; his soul likely accepted by this time after facing judgment in the Twilight Passage. Flamepaw was a good cat. Silverpelt will welcome him with open paws, Moonpaw assured herself as the clan finally finished singing. Then, the elders lifted Flamepaw's body. Flanked by the Guards, the old warriors marched the deceased tom towards the thorn barrier and out of Treeclan's camp one last time. The clan watched after them for a few extra moments before finally breaking apart. Some cats went about their duties for the day. Others headed to their dens for a nap. Moonpaw contemplated doing the same, the weight of all that happened still heavy upon her. But Moonpaw knew she'd have no luck sleeping. So, instead, she took herself to the nursery.

Brightsky trilled in surprise as she noticed her daughter following her tail. "Moonpaw? Do you need something?"

"I want to have a talk with the queens," Moonpaw explained earning a nod of understanding from her mother. Brightsky ushered the silver and white molly into the nursery with a whisk of her tail. Moonpaw ducked beneath the large tree roots as she padded down the slope into the den. Since light had barely managed to greet the world, there was no need to adjust to the darkness within.

Mapleshine and Silverhawk sat up in their nests, their attention focused on Moonpaw. Surely they knew she was here for a session with them. And the pair seemed ready to listen to all that needed to be said. Moonpaw sat in a spot between all the queen's nests. But she sat closest of all to her mom.

"Speak, child," Silverhawk prompted with a nod. Her gesture was welcoming and wise. "Get whatever you need off your chest."

Moonpaw took a deep breath, then spilled her guts about everything. About watching Flamepaw's hunt, and how he pushed himself to chase the squirrel to the Thunder Path. She described how she felt witnessing his death, and confessed just how close she'd been to being struck as well. And she spoke about her experience with shock. The only things Moonpaw omitted were the prophecy she'd overhead in Mothsong's den, and any talk of Hazepaw. Though Moonpaw desperately wanted to speak of how Hazepaw had failed her last night. But that would take admitting to sneaking off to see him. Moonpaw wasn't willing to divulge that secret.

After listening to the last of her vent, the queens finally took their turn to speak.

"Oh, love," Brightsky crooned, nuzzling her daughter's cheek. She moved forward, wrapping herself around her kit."You know what happened to Flamepaw wasn't your fault."

"I know...." Moonpaw sighed, leaning into her mother. "But I was there! I feel like I could have saved him...."

"From what it sounds like, you were barely off from becoming crowfood yourself," Silverhawk chimed in, rather crassly. She lifted a back paw to lick between her toes. "Another heartbeat more and you'd be right alongside him in the burial grounds. There was no saving Flamepaw."

"But maybe if he'd heard me calling out for him, he would have stopped?" Moonpaw rationalized.

"There's no use dwelling on the 'what if's,' and 'maybe's,' hon," the Den Mother countered softly. "What's done is done. No cat blames you for not being able to do more."

Mapleshine twitched her whiskers agreeingly. "Besides, you did do something. You went to get help! No cat would have found Flamepaw for quite some time if you hadn't been there to alert the clan of his accident."

But there was another cat around, Moonpaw remembered suddenly. Darkfire had been nearby the Thunder Path. Yet she'd done nothing to stop or save the young apprentice. But why? Moonpaw wondered. Had Darkfire not seen Flamepaw get hit? Moonpaw was unsure. But she didn't want to incriminate Darkfire by mentioning her presence. Even if sessions were meant to be kept confidential. It doesn't matter anyways, Moonpaw told herself. Maybe I'm just looking for someone else to blame.

"Thank you all for listening," Moonpaw mewed with a head dip. "I'm feeling a bit better now. I think...I think I'll go find something to do to keep my mind off of things."

"That sounds like a good idea," Mapleshine agreed. "When you leave, would you mind sending my kits into nursery? It's time they got some rest."

"Sure," Moonpaw agreed with a stretch as she got up. Once more she dipped her head in respect to the queens before making her way out of their den.

By the elder's tree, Moonpaw spotted Mapleshine's kits playing. They were with Sunpaw, who batted at Honeykit and Sleekkit, while Peonykit tried to nab his tail. He laughed, looking so care free. It was as if he hadn't just lost one of his brothers. Maybe Sunpaw was distracting himself with the joy of the kits. Maybe it was his way of coping. Moonpaw hated to ruin his fun. But Mapleshine had requested her kits to come home to her. So, Moonpaw made her way over to the group slowly, only speaking when she became noticed.

"It's Moonpaw!" Honeykit squealed with joy. They rushed over to the apprentice, stretching up to touch noses with her. "Hi!!"

"Hello." Moonpaw purred in greetings. Her gaze moved from the golden kit in front of her to the others. "Its time for you all to go to the nursery. Your mother is waiting."

"But I don't wanna sleep yet!" Sleekkit griped. "Nightpaw said when we're apprentices, we have to be ready early in the morning for the dawn patrol!"

"That's when you're apprentices though," Sunpaw chimed. "You have a few more moons until then. For now, you have to do what your mom tells you. Besides, you've been awake all night. You've gotta be tired by now, right?"

"No!" Sleekkit squeaked, just as a yawn bubbled from his chest. The black and white kit's pelt fluffed with embarrassment. Moonpaw and Sunpaw both chuckled with small mrrows.

"C'mon, let's walk them home," Moonpaw suggested, sweeping her tail around the kits. Sunpaw followed them, matching pace with Moonpaw.

"How are you feeling?" He checked. "I saw you go into the medicine den yesterday."

"I'm alright now. I was in shock, after being so close to the monster and seeing Flamepaw..." she trailed off.

Sunpaw nodded, sadness glowing in his eyes. "I'm relieved that you're ok, at least."

Moonpaw made a small noise, pressing her body against his. Sunpaw purred in response, leaning into her embrace.

"Why don't we go out hunting once the kits are in their den?" She suggested suddenly. "I think we could both benefit from time away from the clan. And it would take our minds off of things for a while."

Sunpaw thought for a few moments as they walked. "That sounds nice. I'd like to spend some time with you," he admitted. The ginger tom seemed to cheer up a little at the prospect of going out together. Moonpaw had to admit she felt excited, too. After saying farewell to Mapleshine's kits, the pair of apprentices took off for the Entrance Tree and out into the forest, where they spent the rest of the morning forgetting their sadness together.

[cavernclan-clangen-story]

The cats and the starting story

Brookstar (Brookfish or Brook where small fish swim)! The leader. Cis molly, she/her. 41 moons. Her kin includes: Stormfur (Deputy, Mate). Her apprentice is Mousepaw.

Stormfur! The deputy. Cis tom, he/him. 38 moons. His kin includes: Brookstar (Leader, Mate). His apprentice is Berrypaw.

Leafpool! The medicine cat. Cis molly, she/her. 27 moons. Her kin includes: Squirrelflight (Warrior, Sister). Jaykit (Kit, Son), Lionkit (Kit, Son), Hollykit (Kit, Daughter), and Breezekit (Kit, Adoptive son).

Daisybelly! A mediator. Cis molly, she/her. 59 moons. Her kin includes: Berrypaw (Apprentice, Son), Mousepaw (Apprentice, Son), and Hazelpaw (Apprentice, Daughter).

Crowfeather! A warrior. Cis tom, he/him. 28 moons. His kin includes: Jaykit (Kit, Son), Lionkit (Kit, Son), Hollykit (Kit, Daughter), and Breezekit (Kit, Son). His apprentice is Hazelpaw.

Squirrelflight! A warrior. Cis molly, she/her. 27 moons. Her kin includes: Leafpool (Medicine cat, Sister). Her apprentice is Honeypaw.

Berrypaw! An apprentice. Cis tom, he/him 7 moons. His kin includes: Daisybelly (Mediator, Mother), Mousepaw (Apprentice, Brother), and Hazelpaw (Apprentice, Sister). His mentor is Stormfur.

Mousepaw! An apprentice. AFAB, Trans tom, he/him. 7 moons. His kin includes: Daisybelly (Mediator, Mother), Berrypaw (Apprentice, Brother), and Hazelpaw (Apprentice, Sister). His mentor is Brookstar.

Hazelpaw! An apprentice. Cis molly, she/her. 7 moons. Her kin includes: Daisybelly (Mediator, Mother), Berrypaw (Apprentice, Brother), and Mousepaw (Apprentice, Brother). Her mentor is Crowfeather.

Honeypaw! An apprentice. Cis molly, she/her. 7 moons. Her mentor is Squirrelflight.

Jaykit! A newborn kit. Tom. His kin includes: Leafpool (Medicine cat, Mother), Crowfeather (Warrior, Father), Lionkit (Kit, Brother), Hollykit (Kit, Sister), and Breezekit (Kit, Half Brother).

Lionkit! A newborn kit. Tom. His kin includes: Leafpool (Medicine cat, Mother), Crowfeather (Warrior, Father), Jaykit (Kit, Brother), Hollykit (Kit, Sister), and Breezekit (Kit, Half Brother).

Hollykit! A newborn kit. Molly. Her kin includes: Leafpool (Medicine cat, Mother), Crowfeather (Warrior, Father), Jaykit (Kit, Brother), Lionkit (Kit, Brother), and Breezekit (Kit, Half Brother).

Breezekit! A newborn kit. Tom. His kin includes: Leafpool (Medicine cat, Adoptive Mother), Crowfeather (Warrior, Father), Jaykit (Kit, Half Brother), Hollykit (Kit, Half Sister), and Lionkit (Kit, Half Brother).

Cinderpelt! Starclan guide. Molly. Leafpools old mentor.

When Leafpool has her kits, she panics to the degree that she decides to leave. She takes her kits with her, and Squirrleflight. They bump into Daisy, who asks to join them. They accept, and Daisy gathers her kits, coming back with Honeypaw in tow as well. Considering how close Honeypaw was to Berrypaw, no one is surprised she wanted to come too.

On the way out they run into Stormfur and Brook too, Leafpool hissing at her sister to please be more quiet or they'll alert the entire clan at this rate. Stormfur and Brook join.

They pick up Crowfeather and his son Breezekit on the way to the mountain. They aren't sure exactly where they wanted to go yet.

With Brooks help they find a path on the mountain to a territory no cat knew was there. There are other clans here, and they find a good place to settle in. Using a cavern as their camp. calling themselves Cavernclan.

Brook takes the name Brookfish and becomes leader, now Brookstar.

Daisy takes the suffix belly.

[sticktailwcdesigns]

berrynose, deputy of thunderclan

first appearance: twilight, the new prophecy arc

[bonefall]

Bramblestar not being made deputy at the end of TNP would have fixed soooo many things. If Firestar JUST said, “I want you to be deputy... someday. But for now, learning you were conspiring with Hawkfrost, I need you to step down.“

First of all, he’d have to eat some humble pie and realize that his behavior has been holding him back in the eyes of most of his clanmates. Some do judge him unfairly, but he realizes in this moment that if he really wants more responsibility, he has to make himself worthy of it. The journey didn’t entitle him to power, he has to earn it.

Second of all, he would have more time to mature and be a mentor to Berrypaw. That’s one of the few laws in the Warrior Code that shouldn’t have any exceptions, and Brambleclaw really needed the time to grow up and enjoy his warriorship (something denied to Fireheart due to the Tigerclaw crisis, remember)

Lastly, it would remove the horrific power imbalance we see in Leafpool’s Wish and OOTS. He can be upset without being Squirrelflight’s boss. His treatment of her still sucks and they shouldn’t have gotten back together, but at least they wouldn’t HAVE to interact.

We could still have the Bramblestar that the Erins wanted, too. Just have the deputy be Brackenfur and have him die in the battle. In fact it would be better, because then Bramblestar has no experience as a deputy and it’s more interesting to see him have to quickly adapt.

[residents-of-the-darkforest]

Dark Forest Resident: Berrygaze

Aliases / Nicknames: Kit-Killer, Horrible, Pathetic, Skyclan’s Best Father

Gender: tom

Sexuality: bisexual

Family: unnamed mother, unnamed father, unnamed mate, Burcoat (daughter)

Other Relations: unnamed mentor, unnamed apprentice

Clan: Skyclan

Rank: warrior

Characteristics: kills to harm the other Clans, kills for pleasure

Number of Victims: 16

Number of Murders: 16

Murder Method: shaking, snapping spine, blunt force, hunting

Known Victims: Burkit, Bumblekit, Ashkit, Mallowkit, Frondkit, Troutkit, Stonekit, Icekit, Badgerkit, Spotkit, Goosekit, Tawnykit, Flutterkit, Shellkit, Sharpkit, Bushkit

Victim Profile: kits from other Clans

Cause of Death: blood loss, tortured to death, ears torn off, claws ripped out, teeth ripped out, killed by Pinelip and Echoburn

Cautionary Tale: ??

Story:

You would think he was strange after all he’s done, a kit grown in isolation, an apprentice that played with his prey.

But Berrygaze was quite the opposite. He was the popular one, always in charge of games and the one ahead of everyone else in lessons.

He first got the idea as a youngling, He was at his first gathering, and could tell that in spite of the good will that was shared at the news, the warriors were displeased by the announcement of new kits in another Clan.

When he inquired, he was told that it was because although kits are always a blessing, being from another Clan means gaining new enemies. Berrypaw then asked why they didn’t just get rid of the things, and his mentor responded in surprise that it would be cruel.

Time passed, and the question was chalked up to ‘little kid doesn’t understand what he’s saying.’ Berrypaw decided not to ask anyone else, knowing it would only lead to another bad reaction, but still he wondered.

Sure, kits were cute. But then they grew into cats that just might kill you, or someone you care about. Maybe the kits will one day kill your kits.

The first kits were given right to him by Thunderclan warrior, Curlfleck, who he knew to be having relations with his Clanmate. Curlfleck had misjudged timing, and had given birth by the border. Now, she passed them to Berrygaze, begging him to take them to their father so that he may raise them.

Sure, they would have grown to fight on Skyclan’s side, but Berrygaze needed a test. Something to see just how ‘horrible’ it was. 

Waiting until the she-cat was well away, he took the kits one-by-one, holding them by the scruff before shaking vigorously. 

He felt nothing.

No, he realized as he left them there and began to pad away. 

He felt great.

Screw whatever everyone else thought. He could destroy the other Clans by destroying their futures. And maybe, just maybe, in the private corners of his mind, he could enjoy it, too.

The next set were two little kits from Shadowclan. On a stormy night, rainy enough to surely hide his scent, he snuck into the camp and took the kits away. He cracked their heads on a rock and threw them down a small incline. Ran away to have an adventure in a storm and had an accident, poor little things.

Then Shadowclan and Thunderclan took too long to reproduce, so he traveled around the lake, keeping on the outsides rather than by the lake to ensure he wouldn’t be seen. 

Windclan was first. They were easy, two kits already out in the field. He befriended them, convinced them to sneak out again at least once every two nights, and would return to play with them. He wasn’t entirely sure why. Maybe he didn’t want to kill them just yet. Maybe he wanted to play it out.

Maybe he enjoyed the happiness they felt, innocently unaware of the fate that was just moments away from befalling them, enjoyed the fact that at any moment, he could switch his cuddly paws to slashing claws.

After some time, he asked them if they were any other kits in the Clan that could join their games.

Excitedly, they brought back another kit, much younger than them. So he asked them if they wanted to play another game. 

Who wants to play ‘can you get to camp in time?’ With that, he stomped down on the littlest one’s head, crushing its neck. Then he chased the screaming kits. He ran slowly, gaining up to spark terror before slowing down again, grabbing them by the tails and tossing them around before going to the other one, bouncing between them, letting their screams and his responding laughs fill the air, well aware that they were too far away to be heard by anyone.

Not too shortly after, his mate fell pregnant with his kit. He was overjoyed, or was it just another act? When she was born, he supported his mate, and named her Burkit, after one of the kits he had ‘played’ with. It wasn’t out of honour, he simply liked the name. Besides, no one was using it anymore anyway.

He doted on his daughter so much so that their Clanmates referred to him as the Clan’s best father. He could appreciate the dark irony.

He wondered if he really did love his daughter. He certainly felt more affection for the little thing than he did any other kit, and definitely did not want to hurt her, but did he feel love? Or was it just warmth? Just fondness because she was his? Was he capable of something such as love?

Even through these thoughts and having a kit of his own, he continued to haunt the other Clans.

He found that he greatly enjoyed the hunting process. It became habit to gain their trust, get them to bring their friends or littermates if there were more of them, before chasing them around wildly, playing it out while making sure they didn’t stray too far.

Their high-pitched shrieks like prey.

On his last night, he snuck out and followed the sounds of a wailing kit, only to be thrown to the ground by a full warrior. Pinelip tore into him, clawing at him until he could hardly move. 

Then Echoburn padded over, and it was she who explained that they knew what he had done, and that it was their kits he stole. In response, he laughed, and in response to that, they took his teeth. 

Then his claws.

Then his ears. 

Then they asked him if he wanted to play a game. How fast can he run?

Additonal Information: 

--He died on the night of his daughter’s silent vigil.

--Maybe his daughter found out and told Echoburn and Pinelip....?

--The wailing kit was just mimicking, or maybe using prey to mimic the sound.

[troutfur]

Different Anon, but the clan dynasty thing with a mentor being your third parent/partician AU where Lion goes with a few others to give Berry his last rights....It's perfectly heartbreaking. Especially since they didn't get along, although I can see their rivalry cooling to an antagonistic friendship after they're apprenticed and Berry becomes Bramble's son. Like, they both realize that they're Kin, and both are very protective of their Kin, so they both recognize that yeah, that's now my cousin, I can tease them but fuck anyone else who does. Lionpaw and Berrypaw teasing each other, but not really being nasty unless they're extremely stressed and then they take it out on each other. OH. Lionpaw and Berrypaw are out together doing a paired hunting assessment, when the fox trap incident happens--Berry spots it and pushed Lionpaw out of the way, saving Lion's life but getting his backleg and tail trapped in the fox trap, Lionpaw attempting to free Berry, then the shadowclan patrol shows up and Lion trues to use his authority as a partician to get them to help free Berry, but they just taunt them both, gaining Lion's permanent dislike and hate. Lionpaw racing back to Thunderclan, ignoring the slight pain from his hip displaysia, and crying out for Leafpool, and of course Crowfeather goes immediately to see what's wrong with his son, and goes to help free Berrypaw.

Adding this other anon that I'm assuming is from the same person:

Mentor is your 3rd parent/Partician AU: they manage to save Berrypaw's back leg, but he still loses his tail, and Lionpaw asks him why he'd save Lion, and Berry just snorts. "You're my Kin. I look after my kin." This incident is what pushes Lionpaw to train harder, thus causing his accident. Berry feels horrible, and every moment of his free time he helps Lionpaw and encourages him. "Once you're out of the augurs den, I'll help you until you're the best apprentice in the clan. You'll be so good Firestar will have to make you a warrior." Berrypaw bringing warmed rocks and placing them around Lionpaw, the heat helping with his sore muscles. Both apprentices learning how to deal with their disabilities, with Berry having a permanent limp and a stump fora tail, and Lionpaw with his severe hip displaysia. Berry consoling Lion when he finds out he can't learn any of Thunderclan's tree traveling or jumping techniques. "I can't either, Lion. I don't have the strength in my back leg to transverse from tree to tree or even climb one. We can help each other by developing a different attack though."

I love how you all manage to make everything so nice and wholesome with your little ficlets you share in my inbox. Yes, I love this a lot. I like the implication that Lion is close with his uncle Brambleclaw, close enough he forms a strong cousin bond with Berrypaw. I'm also a big fan of the solidarity on display and how you shuffled the events of canon to fit your purposes. I don't have much else to say, so, go anon! Keep sharing this delicious content.

[antclan-blogs]

MOON 7

Rivernose has gotten a running nose. Hushstep’s cracked pads have healed. Furledfog wandered out onto the territory and died peacefully.

This moon’s (very depressing) story under the cut!

Mossgleam crashed through the leaf barrier and skidded into camp, wailing audibly as they circled the clearing in distress.

“Mossgleam, what’s wrong?” Slightstar mewed calmly, stopping the Antclan warrior in their tracks. Mossgleam looked as if they were about to cry as they struggled to speak.

“F-furledfog!” They yowled, tears in their eyes. “She’s dead!”

Shock rippled through the camp as the cats, whom had been slowly gathering around the dramatic scene, took in the news. Chaffinchbounce, standing at Slightstar’s shoulder, stumbled slightly and ducked his head in grief.

Slightstar’s eyes widened and she took a step back. “Where is she?” Was all the Antclan leader asked in a somber tone. Mossgleam, still sobbing, beckoned with their tail and slowly led the way out of camp.

The entire clan followed Mossgleam into the territory, following the forking path into the small clump of forest just beside Mouseburrows. To an outsider, it must have looked like a long line of ants, marching single file with heads down and tails drooping.

Slightstar laid her tail to rest on Chaffinchbounce’s shoulder. She knew that her deputy had been particularly close with the sharp-tongued elder, and felt his grief as if it was her own.

The slow procession snaked into the forest, and Mossgleam came to a halt beside a large oak tree. Steadily, the cats of Antclan fanned out until they sat in a circle surrounding the tree. At the foot of the magnificent wooden giant lay Furledfog, the first of Antclan’s founders to die.

Hushstep sat with his pelt brushing Berrypaw’s, looking down on the elder tearfully. “Was she sick?” The young medicine cat murmured. “Was there something I could have done?”

“No.” Mossgleam said, a certainty to their tone. “I would have known. Furledfog—Furledfog was an old cat. We all knew this would happen one day.”

“She said she was just going for a walk!” Sunleopard wailed. “I was guarding the camp at dawn, and she told me not…not to wait around for her.”

Badgerdust drooped his tail around his former apprentice’s shoulders and sighed. “Furledfog was a great cat. Before Antclan, she lived a peaceful life as a rogue, and had many friends. This is her rest. She deserves it, Starclan knows.”

There was silence in the forest as Antclan mourned for several minutes. Eventually, Badgerdust and Hushstep each gently took Furledfog’s scruffy pelt in their jaws and carefully lifted her. All the way back to camp, Chaffinchbounce could be heard sniffling.

“She’ll be buried in the morning.” Slightstar meowed solemnly. “For tonight, let us sit vigil for Furledfog—a brilliant mind, a kind heart, and a treasured member of Antclan.”

As the cats of Antclan gathered around Furledfog’s body, Berrypaw noticed how peaceful she looked. Though he and Hushstep had checked over and over, and were both certain that she had died of old age, Berrypaw thought that she looked as though she could be sleeping.

“She’s so peaceful…” he whispered to Hushstep. “I’ve never seen a dead cat before.”

“She’s with Starclan now.” Hushstep smiled down at his apprentice. “No doubt she’s complaining about how cold it is up there.”

Berrypaw let out a choked laugh as he remembered Furledfog’s endless moaning and groaning on cold days in Antclan. He wouldn’t miss extracting ticks from her fur or changing her bedding, but he would certainly miss her.

bro i almost cried writing this i’m so depressed…poor furledfog man i loved her