#two while kits and the rest while apprentices

[apricot-the-apricat]

Quick class doodle of my Lifegen cats that I decided to digitalise, just because I think it looks neat

I haven't talked about them here before but the protagonist is Stonestar (the brown one) who spent ~40 moons entirely on his own from kithood and lost 8 lives before Levi (the one with the neck bow and carrying the kit) found him. They immediately became mates, and now their entire "clan" consists of them and their adopted kits together.

Also Lifegen isn't the best at recognising that there's only 1 cat in the clan so Stonesoar (yes i spelled that right, it was his warrior name) often canonically hallucinated clanmates. Poor guy.

[arolesbianism]

Thinks oh so hard abt the spiraling upwards clan founders, especially the birchclan founders. Silly lil kitties who's pasts are drenched in blood with the primary regret of not drawing it sooner

[thunderc1an]

.𖥔 ݁ ˖ ✦ ‧₊˚ ⋅. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁..𖥔 ݁ ˖ ✦ ‧₊✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

Snowclan, a clan in perpetual snow.

.𖥔 ݁ ˖ ✦ ‧₊˚ ⋅. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁..𖥔 ݁ ˖ ✦ ‧₊✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

This is a redraw of a fanclan I made in middleschool, the first redraw of this clan I made was in 2021, I revamped my designs and reworked some concepts slightly.

Snowclan: Nestled in a land of seemingly perpetual snow (a mountain), this clan stands as the sole group in its frigid territory. While there is another clan, Wheatclan, it lies almost a two-day trek away on paw. During the full moon, both clans converge in a single spot, the crumbling twoleg nest. Both clans rest in this middle point before returning to their respective clans. The cats of Snowclan are notably welcoming to newcomers; they recognize the challenges posed by their harsh environment and are eager to offer and receive assistance.

Character pronouns, age + miscellaneous information. 

-Troutstar (??? moons, he/him) A wise old cat that carries a mysterious past; many have forgotten the leader who came before him. He is both caring and patient, and he takes immense pride in his role as the grandfather of Sweetbasil, his greatest treasure.

-Cheesepelt (around 40 moons, he/him). The prophecy cat, a former kittypet who joined the clan recently, was appointed deputy almost immediately, much to the displeasure of the previous deputy. He doesn't have much desire to assume the role of deputy or become the clan's next leader; he's an anxious individual but means well. He is also the father of Sweetbasil's upcoming kits, a closely kept secret.

-Sweetbasil (44 moons, she/her). Medicine cat apprentice. Caring and compassionate, yet occasionally sharp-tongued. Currently expecting. The clan is beginning to notice, but they remain respectful and quiet about it, even if whispers linger in the air.

-Honeydew (81 moons, he/him). Snowclan's medicine cat and the twin brother of Cloudflight. Honeydew is the true father of Rabbitleap. He is a gentle and soft-spoken cat, known for his kindness and love towards everyone around him, though he is not quickly taken advantage of. His heart was captured by a kittypet named Robin. With Cloudflight's support, he brought their daughter, Rabbitkit, into the clan. Cloudflight takes on the role of Rabbitleap's adoptive father.

-Littlebat (125 moons, she/her). The previous deputy who harbors resentment toward an inexperienced individual who took her hard-earned role. She is the mother of Redberry and Ashbreeze and mates with Suntonge. Her parenting style is marked by a tough-love approach. Her family's linage within the clan is older than that of 4 generations of leaders.

-Suntongue (123 moons, he/him). Having a deepely content character. Those of all ages come to him seeking a warm, fatherly embrace. He's a formidable warrior but possesses a forgiving and merciful nature towards his foes. Proud father of Redberry and Ashbreeze. He arrived to the clan as a kit accompanied by kin.

-Bearthroat (around 83 moons, he/they). The biggest cat in the clan, known for their impressive claws. They came to the clan as an outsider during a fierce snowstorm and decided to stay. Though reserved and speak little, they have formed friendships within the clan. They are the biological parent of Applepaw and Pepperpaw.

-Cloudflight (81 moons, he/him). Boisterous and cheerful, this cat has a wonderfully friendly disposition. He shares a deep bond with his brother, and the two are practically inseparable. Naturally, he eagerly stepped into the role of adoptive father when his brother made the request. He treats Rabbitleap as if she were his own child, and treats Wooljump in a smiliar manner. His grandparents were former loners who integrated themselves into Snowclan life.

-Cardinalcall (82 moons, any pronouns). A rather snobbish cat who relishes sharing gossip with others. With a distant attitude, they often come across as self-centered. After having the desire for 'perfect' kits, they approached Bearthroat to ask him to sire her litter. Although they are not mates, it was agreed that Bearthroat would take on a parental role for both Applepaw and Peperpaw. Their family linage within the clan is older than that of Littlebat.

-Redberry (37 moons, they/them). Reserved yet not shy, this cat approaches the world with a healthy dose of skepticism. They enjoy asking questions, even if not all have clear answers. With a sharp intellect, they occasionally overlook their own insights. Their bond with their sister, Ashbreeze, is particularly strong.

-Rabbitleap (20 moons, she/her) (The main character I focus on) Cheerful and genuinely kind-hearted. She suspects that Cloudflight isn't her biological father. Yet, the truth about her origins remained a mystery until she encountered a kittypet named Robin during the early days of her apprenticeship. Robin revealed herself as her mother, and they quickly formed a close bond. However, as Rabbitleap sought out Robin one fateful night, she stumbled upon the clan's medicine cat, Honeydew, with his tail entwined with Robin's. Confusion washed over her, leaving her uncertain about interpreting the scene. For now, she remained silent, simply observing and waiting to see what would unfold.

-Butterflybounce (21 moons, she/her) She possesses a charming and somewhat clumsy personality, and her closest friends are Rabbitleap and Wooljump. With her long legs, she tends to stumble and trip over her own feet. Despite the rare blooming of flowers in Snowclan, she has a deep affection for them. She also has a crush on a beautiful she-cat kittypet named Diamond. She hails from a long lineage of Snowclan warriors, but she is the last member of her family, as her parents died when she was still young.

-Shadowpaw (9 moons, he/him) A reserved but focused individual. Despite the warm welcome he received from Snowclan, he still feels the need to demonstrate his value. He is originally from Wheatclan, yet due to an incident he was brought to Snowclan at the start of his apprenticeship. (Mentor: Bearthroat)

-Pepperpaw (7 moons, she/her). Arrogant and very particular about following rules. She believes she is destined for leadership, influenced by her family's long lineage as Snowclan cats; a trait notable in a clan that openly welcomes loners and kittypets into their ranks. (Mentor: Redberry)

-Applepaw (7 moons, he/him) A lively young cat who believes that everyone and everything is his friend. His relationship with Pepperpaw is somewhat strained, as he never cared for his linage nor perfection. (Official Mentor: Ashbreeze, Step-in Mentor: Rabbitleap)

-Ashbreeze (37 moons, she/her) She lost the use of her vocal cords at a young age but has developed her own unique way of communicating with others. Strong-willed and determined, she is currently expecting. There’s some speculation about the father of her litter being a loner that has been recently seen wondering around the clan territiory.

-Wooljump (20 moons, he/they). A laid-back and easygoing cat. His closest friends are Rabbitleap and Butterflybounce. They aren't particularly fond of the warrior lifestyle and believe that being a permanent queen would suit them better. They found within clan territory as a kit, their origin is not known.

-Graywood (??? moons, she/they) Little is known about Graywood, but one thing is certain: their tales are among the finest. There is a running joke of figuring out whether Graywood is older than Troutstar.

[saltsongwc]

This was inspired by THIS ask I got about Tiger and his dynamic's, which I'll make more of later

And a little writting to acompany the art under the read more

The moss was starting to grow back, snow melting and allowing the new herbs and plants to finally reclaim the soil of new leaf, Tigerclaw didn't enjoy this step in the changing of Leaf-Bare to Newleaf, mostly because it made walking uncomfortable, with the wet snow clinging to his paws and fur.

It gave him an excuse to stay in his den when the storages were full, which he appreciated, the other excuse was the nursery duties that he'd rather perform instead of the apprentices, just to walk between his den and a cozier one.

Right now, there were only two cats sharing the nursery, Frostfur was sleeping the furthest away, her tail curled around her as she sleeped peacefully, 'Any day now' he reminded himself, he was getting the storages ready and extra moss to welcome the new clan members, he chuckles a bit under his breath, Lionheart would stand pacing around camp whenever not on patrol.

His eyes landed on the second shape, the golden molly whose fluffy tail was twitching up and down, Goldenflower had been the only queen through Leaf Bare, and her only company before Frostfur was the tiny kit currently entertained with her tail. Her eyes shifted away from the kit for a moment and gave him a purr in greeting, which he returned, pacing around her landed him right on the kit's field of vision.

"Tiger! Tiger!" the black and white tom used his mother's tail as support, staring at the larger tabby with glee "Can we play? Can we please?"

He sighed in faked dissapoitment, dropping the moss by Goldenflower's bed and shaking his head "It's sunset Swiftkit, how about tomorrow?"

The promise is enough to stop any dissapointment from the kit, who just exclaims "At dawn! Okay!" and curls around his mother's belly, knowing sleep just makes the sun come faster.

Tigerfoot smiles, staring at the small cat while he sits down, before his gaze returns back to the mother.

"...Stop smirking like that"

Goldenflower chuckles and shakes her head "You know, I think you'd be an excellent father Tigerfoot"

"Ha! Imagine a kit with my face" his ear flicks "I bring you moss and that's how you repay me? Mockery? Shame Golden, I thought better of you"

"If you claim to be friend you should expect this from me"

Her gaze returned to the small kit, now snowing peacefully and pawing the air, dreams already claiming his eyes, Tigerfoot caught however, the worried expression in her eyes.

"Mouse for your thoughts?" He asks, lying beside her in comfort while staring at the kit as well. Goldenflower hummed, licking Swiftkit's head gently.

"He's so... small"

The words echoed back to her first time seeing Swiftkit, and his sister before she passed, they had been so lucky Tigerfoot recalls, an especially harsh storm, he spent the night protectively standing guard by the nursery entrance, afraid anything would lurk inside and take the kits... It took one.

"...He's smaller than the average" two moons old, the kit didn't look more than one.

Some nights, he thinks of his apprentice days, some days, he's afraid whenever the kit rushes to him and plays with his tail or jumps on his back, it terrifies him.

"He takes it after his father"

Goldenflower had never confided in Tigerfoot who Swiftkit's father might be, while the whispers and gossips from the clan was Patchpelt (and the now elder had never disputed those claims), he was unsure, now, the fear at night is present, the ghost of someone guarding the fragile kit resting by his friend's belly is less paranoia, an active protector, a scourge from his past.

He should seek the cat, the black shape, but tomorrow he promised Swiftkit he would play with him at dawn, and tonight he wants to guard the den, to make sure the last of Leaf Bare's winds do not take the only kit as well.

[wc-confessions]

I truly believe that Mapleshade's revenge against Oakstar for exiling and indirectly killing her kits absolutely did NOT stop at her killing of Frecklewish. She must have placed a curse of some kind on his ENTIRE BLOODLINE. Think about how much the characters descended from him have been through.

Pinestar got horrible visions from StarClan about Tigerkit and ended up abandoning him to become a kittypet, which tarnished his reputation.

There's...everything Tigerstar did. Nightkit and Mistkit died very young.

Brambleclaw never truly escaped his father's shadow and would be looked at differently all his life, just to get possessed by Ashfur and get severe PTSD that would cause him to step down as leader. Tawnypelt defected to ShadowClan just to be the only one who supported Rowanclaw during a dark time and lose two of her children. Mothwing would be ostracized for not believing in StarClan and have to deal with her apprentice's death, plus Mistystar unfairly exiling her PLUS Splashtail's plot. Tadpole died young. Hawkfrost would follow the same path as his father.

Dandelionkit and Juniperkit died young. Sparkpelt lost her mate, one of her kits, and suffered from severe depression afterwards, along with dealing with Ashfur's takeover of the clan, getting a dog sicced on her and almost dying, being temporarily exiled, and having a strained relationship with Nightheart for a while. Alderheart got the medicine cat role forced upon him when he didn't want it, and he was forced to watch what were basically his two adoptive little sisters get separated from each other forever, plus also dealing with Ashfur's leadership.

Finchlight and Nightheart GREW UP under Ashfur's leadership.

Tigerheart would get the same looks for being a Tigerclone, have the love of his life break up with him, (even if it was only briefly) he'd abandon his clan during a dark time for them, gets killed after being dropped by an owl (though he gets better), and has to watch his son get ostracized by,,,everyone and is unable to do anything about it. Dawnpelt has to deal with a severe mental episode after the sudden loss of her brother and unfairly accuses a medicine cat of murder at a gathering, has to stay behind in a failing clan with her children because they all refused to leave, only to watch her daughter become a monster and gets killed by Darktail when she tries to escape. Flametail died young JUST after becoming a medicine cat and almost gets killed in the Dark Forest.

Poucestep, as a small kit, gets stuck on a drawbridge and almost dies, being saved by Spiresight who sacrifices himself in the process, surely giving her at least some degree of survivor's guilt. There's everything Shadowsight went through at the claws of Ashfur and others only to end up never having the power to speak to StarClan. Ever. Lightleap felt extreme guilt over being too nervous to go to the Dark Forest, so she tries to make up for it by unintentionally putting herself and others in danger, as well as trying to save her younger brother's life, only for him to die anyway. Birchpaw had to become an apprentice alone because Rowankit died what could have been a preventable death.

Juniperclaw's actions led to him getting disowned by his entire family, and he sacrifices himself for Shadowkit's life, only to end up in the Dark Forest anyway, and when he redeems himself a second time, StarClan still rejects him, this time right to his face, so he'll never be able to see his deceased family. Strikestone got his ear mangled badly enough that he became half-deaf, and shortly after he ends up getting killed, his ghost stuck in limbo for a long time, mind-controlled by Ashfur while being aware of what's going on but unable to control his body, and only gets to rest after Ashfur's defeated. And finally, Sleekwhisker ends up turning her back on the clans, killing her best friend with no remorse, tried to kill two innocent children, and permanently driven out of the clans with nothing known of her whereabouts.

I rest my case.

.

[clangenrising]

Month 19 - September Gathering

Leaffall was off to a staggering start. Oddstripe had been enjoying the chilly air and the changing leaves only for the heat to come back in full force without warning. He’d been urging everyone to remember to get out of the sun and drink water in addition to eating fresh-kill for the last few days. Unfortunately, Sagetooth had come down with heat stroke while looking for fennel and even Lakepaw had exhausted herself with battle training out in the sun. 

Oddstripe applied moss to both of their foreheads as they rested in the healers’ den, saying, “Just relax and take care of yourselves. This should pass. If you need any water just call for someone and they’ll bring you some okay?” 

“You’re sure I can’t go to the gathering?” Lakepaw pouted.

“I’m sorry, dear,” he shook his head, “it’s bad timing but you have to stay and rest. There will be another gathering next moon.” 

Sagetooth, laying on her side with her eyes shut tight, asked, “Will you be alright on your own, Oddstripe?” 

“Oh, yes,” he smiled and ran a few licks over her fur. “I’m sure I can manage. It’s not like I’m doing anything anyway, I’m just going to go sit below the Cornerstones and be quiet.”

“Hmf,” Sagetooth muttered something to herself but didn’t seem to have the energy to give any further commands. Oddstripe sighed in relief. 

“Hey, dad,” Sparrowsway ducked his head into the den, “you ready to go?” 

“Yep,” smiled Oddstripe. “I was just finishing up. You two get your rest, I’ll be back later tonight.” 

“Okay…” Lakepaw stared wistfully out at the night but kept her head on her paws. Oddstripe touched his nose to Lakepaw’s ear and padded out after his son. The Gathering party was congregating on the hill as the last stragglers made their way to the group. 

Russetfrond was untangling himself from his two eager kittens. Bluekit and Yellowkit clung to his legs begging in chorus to be allowed to go with him. Oddstripe winced as he watched the patience draining from Russetfrond’s face bit by bit. 

“I already said no,” he growled firmly, wiggling his paws out of their grasp. 

Bluekit whined and plopped down on his belly looking dejected but Yellowkit leapt for his father’s paw again, giggling, and cried, “Come onnnnn! I’ll be good, I promise!” 

“Enough!” Russetfrond snapped, nipping sharply at the kit who squealed and dropped into a crouch with his ears pressed back. Russetfrond picked him up by the scruff -- which was quite the feat given how much he had grown in his four moons -- and set him beside Bluekit, saying, “You can’t even be good right now! You’d both better learn to behave before you become apprentices or you’ll be stuck on tick duty for every Gathering.” 

“Sorry, father,” Bluekit said, sitting up straight and tucking his paws close to his body. 

“Sorry,” mumbled Yellowkit, looking at the ground. 

“Speak up,” Russetfrond ordered and Yellowkit straightened up. 

“Sorry, father,” he echoed. 

“That’s better,” huffed Russetfrond. “Now behave while I’m gone and maybe I’ll catch you a special treat, alright?” Both boys nodded and Russetfrond leaned in to plant a tender lick on both of their heads. “Thank you, boys. I love you.” 

“Love you,” the kits chorused. 

“I do not envy those kits,” Aldertail whispered to Oddstripe, having come up beside him at some point. 

Oddstripe tried to push the grimace from his face and said, “No, me neither. Poor things.” 

“He means well,” Sparrowsway said with a small grimace of his own. 

“I know,” Oddstripe purred, butting up against Sparrowsway’s shoulder. Then, glancing at Aldertail, he asked, “are you sure you don’t want to come tonight?” 

“Yeah,” she nodded. “I don’t like crowds very much.” 

“Okay,” he smiled and bumped his head lightly against hers. “Enjoy your night, I’ll see you after the Gathering.” 

“‘Kay,” she blushed, shuffling her paws. “Have fun.” 

“Will do,” laughed Oddstripe and he twined his tail with Sparrowsway’s as they went to join the others. 

“Okay,” Goldenstar was saying, craning her neck to look over the crowd, “Russetfrond, Floodstrike, Scorchplume, Fogpaw, Branchbark… Ah! Oddstripe and Sparrowsay, that’s everyone. Let’s go.” 

“Have fun!” Slatepaw called after them. 

“You too!” cried Fogpaw, rearing up on her hind paws to wave goodbye. 

They made their way through the fields and over the river to the Cornerstones in the heavy evening heat. Even without the sun, the air was unseasonably warm and slightly humid, clinging to their fur like it wanted to slow them down. When they arrived, Oddstripe paused to take in the scene, enjoying the lively thrum of conversation. It seemed they were the last to arrive, all three of the other leaders sitting atop the Cornerstones already.

 “Floodstrike!” a pair of young EarthClan warriors called out and Floodstrike split off of the group to join them. Scorchplume and Fogpaw skirted the group to find a good vantage point to sit together. Branchbark waved his tail at a pair of SkyClan warriors and moved to join them.

“Aww, no Ospreymask?” one of them asked.

“Not tonight,” he said, “you’ll have to settle for me.” 

���I don’t think Pebblefall likes you like that,” laughed the other and the first warrior shoved him hard. 

“Whatever, bee brain.” 

Oddstripe chuckled to himself and turned to Sparrowsway who was standing next to him. “Go on and mingle, sweetheart.” 

“I’m alright,” said Sparrowsway, shifting his weight from foot to foot. “Why don’t I walk you to the front?”

“If you really want to,” Oddstripe said, brow furrowing with worry, “but don’t you have friends you’d rather talk to than your old man?” 

“Nah,” Sparrowsway shrugged and smiled but Oddstripe wasn’t sure he believed the expression. “I always enjoy talking with you.” 

“That’s not what I mean,” Oddstripe said as he let Sparrowsway escort him through the crowd. “You need friends who aren’t your father. It’s good for you.” 

“I’m alright,” Sparrowsway said again. “Most the cats my age are closer with Floodstrike anyway.” 

“What about Dawnbird?” Oddstripe offered. “She seems like such a polite young lady, I’m sure you’d get along well.” 

Sparrowsway pursed his lips to hide a wince. “Maybe. Seriously though, dad, I’m fine.” 

“Oh, alright,” Oddstripe chewed his lip fretfully and stopped to give Sparrowsway’s cowlick a few firm licks. “I just worry about you.”

“Don’t,” Sparrowsway laughed and ducked away from the licks. “I’m happy, dad, I really am.” 

“Okay…” Oddstripe stepped back towards the Cornerstones. “Just don’t hold yourself back from having fun, okay?”

“Okay, I won’t,” said Sparrowsway.

Deciding he would just have to be satisfied with that answer, Oddstripe turned away and padded over to where Blazingbrush and Stormwhisper were sitting near the front of the crowd. Stormwhisper brightened and twitched an ear in greeting as he approached. 

“Oh, where’s Tangletooth?” Oddstripe asked, looking around. 

“Coyotechaser said he stayed home tonight,” said Blazingbrush. “They didn’t want to risk him overexerting himself in the heat.” 

“I can’t blame them,” said Oddstripe. “Sagetooth is home with heat stroke tonight.” 

Stormwhisper inhaled worriedly through his teeth. “Stars, I hope she’s alright.” 

“She just needs some rest,” Oddstripe reassured him, “don’t worry.” Stormwhisper nodded, looking at his paws.

“Well, we might as well enjoy their absence for the night,” Blazingbrush grinned. “I mean how often do the three of us get to hang out, just us?” 

“Not often,” Stormwhisper admitted. 

Oddstripe laughed. “Why not? Let’s make the most of it.” Looking at Stormwhisper, he asked, “How are the kittens doing, by the way? They’re apprentices now aren’t they?” 

“Yeah,” nodded Stormwhisper, “Two moons in already.” 

“Oh, that’s right!” Oddstripe smiled remembering the Gathering where that had been announced, “Bluffpaw is apprenticed to Orangestar, isn’t he.” 

“That’s right,” Stormwhisper said. His expression softened as he continued, “Finchpaw and Rainpaw have been coming by lately to ask me about StarClan. I’m so glad they take the time. I miss the little beasts, even though I’m not their father or anything.” He looked at his paws again and Oddstripe couldn’t help but smile. Stars, he was terrible at hiding things. It was adorable.

“I know what you mean,” he said. “My kits grew up so fast! One day I was their whole world and then the next they were running off in all different directions -- into fights! Oh, it was terrifying -- is terrifying! But I just have to trust that StarClan is watching over them, you know?”

“Mhm,” Blazingbrush nodded. “I get so worried every time one of the apprentices comes back with even a bruise on them! There’s a reason I chose healing over battle practice.” She chuckled a bit and looked out over the crowd as if she were searching for someone and Oddstripe suddenly wondered if she had more in common with him and Stormwhisper than he had previously imagined. 

“Alright!” Snowstar’s voice pierced the air and silenced the chatter of the crowd. “I think it’s about time we get started, yes?” Oddstripe shifted his posture to look up at her, putting that line of thinking away for now.

“I’ll start the meeting off by saying that greenleaf has been good to SkyClan. Prey is running well, even as we head into leaffall the Clan is well fed. We’ve accepted some new blood into our Clan, two cats from over the mountains who have taken the names Rockylake and Hobbleheart. They’re here with us tonight and we welcome them as new members of SkyClan.” 

She gestured with her nose to a pair of cats sitting with Charredbranch and Greyvoice, a solid brown she-cat and a solid black tom. Oddtripe smiled in their direction, wondering which one was which. The crowd cheered weakly for them before quieting down again.

“Thankfully,” Snowstar said, “SkyClan has no further business. Orangestar?” 

“Thank you,” Orangestar smiled, stepping forward. “I am disappointed to say that the rogues from the city have started hunting in our forest again. Only one hunting party has been caught but at least two more have left clear signs of their trespassing on our land. That, in conjunction with the warning I’m sure we all received from RisingClan earlier this moon,” here she paused to glance at the other leaders, all of whom nodded, “I think the possibility of a continued war is not unlikely.” 

“I agree,” Goldenstar said, taking a small step forward. “It’s only a matter of time before the city cats start another fight. It would be in all of our best interests to have a plan in place for when they do.”

“What I’m hearing,” Flightstar interrupted, “is that you both don’t know how to defend your own territories against a group of kittypets.”

“These kittypets are trained fighters,” Goldenstar scowled. “You were at both of the battles we’ve had with them, you must have recognized that they’re no small threat.” 

“They have numbers,” he said dismissively, “nothing more.”

“You’re joking,” Orangestar blurted in disbelief.

“Underestimating these rogues is not helpful,” Snowstar added. “They took Darkmoon’s life, lest we forget.”

“And Darkmoon alone,” said Flightstar. 

“And Smokyrose,” Goldenstar scowled.

“Who was a mediator,” continued Flightstar stubbornly. “She could not have been difficult to overpower.” Oddstripe’s tail bristled instinctively and somewhere in the crowd he heard Fogpaw growling. The energy of the Gathering was starting to shift in a dangerous direction.

“Be careful not to speak ill of the dead,” warned Snowstar, sensing the change.

“I speak ill of no one,” Flightstar’s lip curled as he spoke. “I am simply stating the fact that these rogues are not the elite fighting force you two try to make them out to be. This all smells to me like a ploy to hunt in our territories now that leaffall is setting in and I’ll have none of it.” Tumblefang yowled her support from the middle of the crowd. 

“Look!” Stormwhisper called out, rising to his feet. “The moon!” 

With a chorus of gasps, the assembled cats threw their gazes skyward to see a cluster of wispy clouds in the early stages of choking out the moon’s light. Oddstripe stood too, eyes wide. In all his time as a healer, this had never happened, even though Sagetooth had told him stories of it before. 

“See?” Oddstripe recognized Scorchplume’s voice. “StarClan disapproves of your stubborn refusal to help the other Clans!” 

“No,” Tumblefang shouted back, “they’re sick of cats like you trying to take advantage of the rest of us!” 

“Cats like me?” Scorchplume laughed. 

“Easy,” Goldenstar said, projecting authoritatively. “We should all work to be less contentious with each other. Let’s calm down and pray we regain their favor.” 

From the east side of the clearing, a new voice cried out at the top of its lungs, “Help!” Oddstripe whipped around, Aldertail’s panicked shouts spiking fear through his chest.

“Aldertail?” Goldenstar gasped. “Aldertail, what’s going on?” 

“I-it’s the camp!” she sobbed, skidding to a halt as every eye turned in her direction. “The Exalted, th-they’re attacking the camp!” 

Russetfrond took off, leaping from his seat beside Bogmist and weaving through the crowd with a speed and purpose Oddstripe had rarely seen him use. Sparrowsway fell into step right behind him, his mentor’s dutiful second paw. 

“Fogpaw!” Scorchplume hissed as her apprentice took off after them.

“Come on,” Floodstrike looked at his friends before darting into the trees as well. Fishtrick took off after him, her ginger tail streaming out behind her, and Boldmoth stared up at Orangestar in bewilderment. Orangestar exchanged a look with Goldenstar then nodded. 

“EarthClan, let’s show those rogues what happens when they mess with warriors!” Orangestar shouted and then she and Goldenstar leapt down from the Cornerstones to follow. 

“SkyClan, likewise!” Snowstar boomed. “To war!” 

Everything was happening so fast. As more cats streamed out of the clearing, Oddstripe fought his way over to Aldertail. She was shaking, eyes shut tight, pressed down into a tiny ball on the ground. 

“Aldertail!” he cried, curling around her. “Are you alright?”

Branchbark joined them, eyes wide. “Aldertail, are you hurt?” 

“No, no,” Aldertail sobbed, shaking her head. “I ran as soon as I saw them! I’m so sorry, I’m such a coward!” 

“Oh, no!” Oddstripe pressed his head close to hers. “You came and got help! That was the right thing to do.” 

“I have to go,” Branchbark said, looking torn.

Oddstripe nodded to him. “I know. We’ll be fine, go help the others.” Branchbark nodded and bounced on his feet before taking off in a sprint. Aldertail pressed closer to Oddstripe’s side and whimpered.

Behind them, FallenClan had congregated at the base of the Cornerstones, talking in hushed voices, and Oddstripe heard Blazingbrush say, “StarClan’s sign is clear. The other Clans need our help.” 

“They have their help,” Flightstar growled. “We don’t need to get involved.” 

“What if our warriors make the difference between victory and defeat?” asked Ryestripe. 

“If they were better at defending their borders, they wouldn’t be in this situation in the first place,” spat Tumblefang. 

“What does that have to do with anything?” Ryestripe growled back. 

“Enough!” Flightstar snapped. “We’re going home. Anyone who wants to go to RisingClan’s camp can stay there permanently, understood?” There was a long pause then he stormed off into the woods in the opposite direction as the rest of the cats had gone. One by one, the FallenClan warriors followed him. 

Blazingbrush stared after her Clanmates, mouth open. “But-” She looked at the deputy, the last cat to go, and said, “Pigeoncover- You have to convince him! Surely, we can’t just do nothing!” 

Pigeoncover stood still for a beat, not looking at her. Then they softly said, “You’re already on thin ice, Blazingbrush. It would be best if you came along.” Blazingbrush looked like she had been struck. Still unable to meet her gaze, Pigeoncover slank into the woods after their father, leaving Blazingbrush, Oddstripe, and Aldertail alone in the clearing together. 

Oddstripe wanted to go to the other healer but he didn’t want to tear himself away from Aldertail’s shaking body. He opened his mouth but Blazingbrush looked at him and the words escaped his mind. They looked at each other for a long, hollow moment. 

“I’m so sorry,” Blazingbrush said. 

“It’s okay,” Oddstripe replied. “I understand.” 

Blazingbrush swallowed and bowed her head in defeat as she trailed after her Clanmates. Oddstripe took a deep breath and let it out slowly. As he did, he sent a silent prayer to StarClan.Let this be enough, he prayed. Let everyone survive. Guide their claws and deliver them from their enemies. Please, let it be enough.

[rippleclan]

RippleClan: Moon 59

Scrubmask was murdered. The culprit is unknown.

[Image ID: Downstar, Carnationspeckle, and James face Clammask. Under Clammask, Carnationspeckle and James, it says + CONDITION: GRIEVING. Clammask says “I don’t… I don’t understand.”]

Scrubmask was scheduled for a border patrol at sunhigh, so she went for a walk in the morning. It was now late afternoon, and she had not returned to camp. For most cats, Clammask would have waited a while, wondering what mischief they got up to in their free time that kept them from their duties. But Scrubmask? No. Something was wrong.

Downstar sent out three patrols. Waspdawn led Tempestshade, Mosspounce, and Darkkick south. Weedfoot took Wildclaw, Elmsprout, and Drumpaw into the heart of the territory. Downstar’s patrol, which included Carnationspeckle, Halibutdusk, and shockingly, James, headed for the river. That left Clammask and the rest of her kits to wait in camp, stomachs twisted and claws itching.

“We should have our own patrol looking for Ma!” Leatherpaw snapped as he paced around the apprentice’s den. “Why does Drumpaw get to look for her, but we have to stay home?”

“Because your mentors are still in camp,” Clammask reminded her son. She sat in Drumpaw’s nest, giving her three sons extra company in the dreadful wait.

“Weedfoot’s on patrol,” Splashpaw pointed out, batting at the purple ribbon he chose to keep around his neck after his escapade.

“You’re still in trouble for disappearing, regardless of who you brought to camp,” Clammask huffed with a hard look.

“Hasn’t StarClan said anything, Honeypaw?” Leatherpaw huffed, turning to his lanky brother in the corner of the den. 

“Troutpool hasn’t taught me how to petition StarClan directly yet,” Honeypaw sighed. He laid on his side, tail flicking absent mindedly. “I’d go out if I could be any help, but I don’t think Ma wants us to see whatever problem she’s in.” 

“That’s right,” Clammask said. “Your mother wouldn’t want all four of her kits roaming the forest looking for her.”

“But Drumpaw gets to go,” Splashpaw muttered, getting to his feet and mimicking Leatherpaw’s pacing. 

Clammask gave up trying to steer her sons away from their doomed thinking. Instead she set her head on the edge of Scalepaw’s empty nest and studied the den. She hadn’t been inside the apprentice’s den since she graduated. She thought back to those first two moons, before Halibutdusk, Shadowdrop, and Wildclaw were apprenticed, the nights when it was just Clampaw, Burdockpaw, and Locustpaw, the first born to RippleClan, ready to make history. How many nights did Burdockcreek keep her and Locustseeker up with a new amazing story about the other Clans? How many pranks did Locustseeker scheme over when Clammask wasn’t looking? How different would it have been if Twinekit made it to that den as well? Oilstripe had told Clammask that all three were watching over her during the birth of her kits… were they there now, reminiscing with her?

A tortoiseshell pelt shifted outside the apprentice’s den. Clammask hurried to her paws. Downstar! She slipped around her impatient sons and joined her leader outside. Downstar, Carnationspeckle, and James all lingered near the entrance, exhaustion pulling at their pelts. Where was Halibutdusk?

“You haven’t found Scrubmask?” Clammask asked. Downstar started to say something, but she swallowed hard instead.

“Carnationspeckle,” Downstar muttered quietly to the brown ticked molly (whose fur had finally recovered from all the mats of her imprisonment), “find two cats to fetch the other patrols.” Carnationspeckle nodded, her stance stiff and paws uncertain as they led her to the warrior’s den.

“You’re stopping the search?” Leatherpaw launched out of the apprentice’s den, lips curled. “That’s our mother out there!”

“Leatherpaw,” Clammask growled, heart aching at the fear in her son’s eyes.

“We found your mother, Leatherpaw,” Downstar said softly. Clammask looked back to her leader. The world became just the two of them alone on the sand.

“I don’t…” Clammask gulped. “I don’t understand.” James whined softly and shook his head, retreating to the elder’s den.

“We found her in the river,” Downstar said. Her tail slipped under her. “She was muzzle-first in the water. I don’t know if someone held her under or smashed her head against the rocks–“

“Someone?” Leatherpaw yowled, his long pelt shaking and standing on end like Downstar was about to attack. “You said someone. You, you think a cat did it. You think a cat killed my mother!” Downstar flinched at the words. Splashpaw and Honeypaw stood in quiet horror in the mouth of the apprentice’s den.

The peaceful and content future Clammask imagined with her mate crumbled around her.

(Clammask: 53, female, caretaker, righteous, lore master, good teacher)

(Leatherpaw: 7, male, warrior apprentice, vengeful, avid play-fighter, confident with words)

(Splashpaw: 7, male, historian apprentice, bold, never sits still, lover of art)

(Honeypaw: 7, male, cleric apprentice, daring, has lots of ideas)

(Downstar: 118, female, leader, wise, trusted advisor, very clever)

(Carnationspeckle: 61, female, caretaker, compassionate, fish-like swimmer)

(James: 135, male, elder, charismatic, den builder, formidable fighter)

An injured LynxClan warrior limps into camp, begging for sanctuary.

[Image ID: Leatherpaw, Honeypaw, and Trumpetspore watch a brown tabby enter camp. Trumpetspore yowls, “Spirit of Shadow!” Under the brown tabby, it says NEW PLAYER: RAPIDLEAF, 77, FEMALE, LONESOME, PROPHECY INTERPRETER, + CONDITION: WATER IN LUNGS.]

---

RippleClan had been through hard times; the war with AshClan, freeing Carnationspeckle… Scrubmask’s death, her murder, it was different. The confusion, grief, and rage that covered the Clan was different than anything Downstar had felt since founding the Clan. Scrubmask’s vigil was as noisy as a Gathering, with everyone arguing and debating what exactly happened to Scrubmask and if anyone could have prevented it. Leatherpaw was outright yowling at Trumpetspore, demanding someone, anyone, go out there and find his mother’s killer. Paleseed had to drag him back. Honeypaw was absorbed in weaving a vine necklace with Rabbitjoy, performing his duty as a cleric with unnatural solemnity. Splashpaw, idly rubbing his ribbon against his shoulder, would not leave his mother’s side. Drumpaw could not leave either cat alone.

Downstar didn’t want to think about Clammask.

When Puddlewhisper and Waspdawn returned from their investigation with Scrubmask’s body, they confirmed the patrol’s suspicions. The death blows matched that of a cat, but they were sloppy, lucky strikes. The river washed away the killer’s scent, and Scrubmask had no clumps of fur in her claws to narrow down the killer’s appearance. Both theorized that it was a Witch Hunter, some disgruntled member of the group who disapproved of the uneasy truce and decided to continue the killing. Yet Honeypaw, with a look in his eyes that screamed of wisdom older than he was, simply shook his head and returned to work.

Downstar couldn’t leave her den. First Fennelspot, her most loyal friend, with her since her first moments, gone in a ridiculous accident. Then Rustshade, her staunch supporter and former mate, taken by an oh so deadly disease. And now Scrubmask, the loyal young warrior who wanted something new. Downstar had only managed to drag herself out of camp with the news of Scrubmask’s disappearance. Now? Now it would take an act of StarClan to get her outside. 

She could not see her friend’s body again. She refused.

There was a place between sleep and consciousness that restored little energy and left the mind in a haze. That was where Downstar laid, quiet in her nest, when there was a shift to the chatter outside. Confused and angry mutters turned into sharp and shocked yowls.

“Spirit of Shadow!” Trumpetspore screeched. Downstar forced herself to her paws, heart pounding.

“Ya need your eyes checked, Ms. Trumpetspore,” Parsley scoffed. “That’s a cat.” Downstar hurried out of her den. Water dripped off short brown fur. Soaked paws caught the sand and left deep pawprints. Bleary cyan eyes bounced unfocused inside a large, gaunt skull. RippleClan hissed and instinctively gathered around Scrubmask’s body, despite there being nothing left of her to protect. Downstar recognized the enemy warrior. How could she not? In the days when she was Downdapple and RippleClan was but a dream, Scrubmask frequently appeared at Gatherings with her cousin, born at the same time as her, closer than cousins almost ever were; Rapidleaf.

Rapidleaf shook and coughed, water spilling out of her mouth. She blindly stumbled on, unaware of the angry cats around her. Honeypaw crept closer as Rapidleaf’s steps grew more and more unsteady. Honeypaw reached a paw out to Rapidleaf. Her eyes dilated, wide as the full moon. Rapidleaf swiped at Honeypaw. Her claws barely missed her eyes. Leatherpaw and Clammask, who suddenly snapped out of her spot beside her mate, grieving, tackled Rapidleaf. She shook and spluttered under their combined weight.

“How did a LynxClan warrior get all the way here?” Drumpaw gulped, sharing a scared glance with Splashpaw. 

“Perhaps she came here with a message from Mistlestar,” Spikecrash hummed, carefully approaching the trapped warrior. Darkkick, however, stood in front of her daughter and shook her head. 

“She’s half-drowned,” Troutpool huffed, weaving through the shocked crowd. “I don’t think she even knows where she is.” Rapidleaf panted hard, wild eyes glaring at Troutpool with a killer’s lust. Clammask shoved Rapidleaf’s face in the sand. Her shaking slowed and her eyes dropped. Leatherpaw froze.

“Mom, did we just kill her?” he gulped, turning to Clammask.

“She’s only unconscious,” Troutpool sighed, gently nudging Leatherpaw off. “StarClan only knows what she’s been through. Honeypaw, we need to bring her into the medicine den.”

“During Scrubmask’s vigil?” Trumpetspore huffed. “Shouldn’t we send her back to her Clan?”

“As though she could make it that far,” Honeypaw snapped, nosing Rapidleaf. Sand coated half her body. Troutpool would usually remind her apprentice to respect his elders, but Troutpool stayed silent and got Rapidleaf onto her back. In the confusion of the moment, Weedfoot slunk up to Downstar. Downstar startled at the sight of her loyal deputy.

“If I need to argue with Troutpool, I can,” Weedfoot muttered. “We can send a patrol to bring her home as soon as Troutpool treats her.”

“I’m not sending someone out to die,” Downstar snapped. She was so loud, nearby Clanmates turned their attention from the drowned newcomer to their angry leader. Weedfoot didn’t flinch at the sudden yowl, however. She kept a cool gaze. 

“The last few moons have hurt,” Weedfoot reminded her leader, “but don’t forget you still have a whole Clan at your side, Downstar.” Weedfoot brushed her tail against Downstar’s shoulder and followed Troutpool and Honeypaw into the medicine den. Downstar stared at her Clan. Her outburst was quickly ignored as her friends and family returned to mourning their first warrior. 

And Downstar? Downstar returned to her den.

(Downstar: 118, female, leader, wise, trusted advisor, very clever)

(Leatherpaw: 7, male, warrior apprentice, vengeful, avid play-fighter, confident with words)

(Honeypaw: 7, male, cleric apprentice, daring, has lots of ideas)

(Splashpaw: 7, male, historian apprentice, bold, never sits still, lover of art)

(Drumpaw: 7, female, caretaker apprentice, loyal, moss-ball hunter) 

(Trumpetspore: 20, female, warrior, nervous, excellent potter, good storyteller)

(Rapidleaf: 77, female, warrior, lonesome, prophecy interpreter)

(Clammask: 53, female, caretaker, righteous, lore master, good teacher)

(Spikecrash: 34, female, mediator, wise, good speaker, lore keeper)

(Darkkick: 119, trans female, warrior, talented swimmer, understands nature)

(Troutpool: 20, female, cleric, insecure, ghost sense

(Weedfoot: 108, female, deputy, charismatic, steady paws, formidable fighter)

Lavendertwist heals with a deep scar. He makes sure his collar covers it.

[Image ID: Lavendertwist has a big pink scar across his throat, covered by his black collar. Under him, it says LEVEL UP! GOOD SINGER -> GREAT SINGER, - CONDITION: CLAW WOUND.]

---

“Three—” Lavendertwist began to sing before a cough quickly took over. The sound grew muffled in the hum of the ocean at his paws. His stiff collar acted as a comforting weight against the large scar across his neck. Oh how he had missed his collar over the long season. He didn’t feel like a slab of leather anymore since Troutpool removed those stitches. 

“Three little kits—” Stars damn it! Another awful cough shook through Lavendertwist’s body. He had to get his voice back. He’d explode if he couldn’t talk! The last season of silence had been awful as it was! He slashed at the water with a hiss that made his wound ache.

“There you are!” Elmsprout trotted down the beach, squinting against the morning glow along the water. “From the way you’ve been eyeing the ocean from camp the last few moons, I knew you’d wander out here when you got the chance.” Lavendertwist’s grumpy mood softened as the friend who’d stuck with him throughout his healing journey took a spot beside him (although she refused to touch the salty waves; what a drypaw!). “I told Weedfoot I’d join you for a hunting patrol, if you’re feeling up to it.”

“I’m trying to sing,” Lavendertwist suddenly croaked, the words escaping before he finished his thought. His voice was so ragged! Troutpool insisted it would heal, but the thought of waiting another season to get his voice back made him grit his jaw tight.

“I could use a good song right now,” Elmsprout sighed. “I left AshClan to escape the stress and gloom being the leader’s daughter would bring about, and I didn’t join RippleClan to see everyone chase their tails over Scrubmask and Rapidleaf.” Lavendertwist brushed his paw against his neck, thinking.

“I taught her kits this song,” Lavendertwist said softly, so as to soothe his throat. “She and I weren’t the best mentor and apprentice, but I appreciate everything she did for me back then.”

“From what I know about StarClan,” Elmsprout hummed, “Scrubmask is probably listening now. She’d love to hear your songs, even if she never would have admitted it in life.” Elmsprout giggled as she insulted the dead, and that made Lavendertwist giggle too. He coughed again, swallowing hard. 

“I don’t think I can yet,” he muttered. Elmsprout stared at the blinding light on the ocean, eyes squinting as she thought up a solution.

“I’ll sing it for you?” she said, phrasing it like an uncertain question. “I’m not a good singer, but I can try. What’s the song?” Elmsprout’s gray fur glowed in the ocean’s salty spray, brightened by the simple kindness she likely didn’t realize she was showing.

“Three Little Kits From Camp,” Lavendertwist gulped, blinking wildly.

“I think I know that one,” Elmsprout said. She cleared her throat and sang, “Three little kits from camp are we, pert as a little kit can be, filled to the brim with youthful glee, three little kits from camp.” Elmsprout was right; she was not a good singer. She sounded more like a crow than a songbird.

But Lavendertwist didn’t care. He still loved it.

(Lavendertwist: 25, male, warrior, playful, great singer, good speaker)

(Elmsprout: 26, female, caretaker, charismatic, helpful insight)

Mosspounce and Lemmy really think the Clan doesn’t notice how the pair look at each other? No one is shocked when they announce they are mates.

[Image ID: Mosspounce and Lemmy sit together. Under Mosspounce, it says + MATE: LEMMY. Under Lemmy, it says + MATE: MOSSPOUNCE.]

---

Yellowcough truly was awful. Sure, Lemmy was no longer trapped in a tiny human den filling up with her own sick and waste, she got the Clan’s strange medicine that helped her breathe, and Tempestshade would visit with whatever meal the artisans and caretakers had cooked that day. But she was still alone in the back of a shipwreck while everyone else in her new home tried to figure out who drowned Scrubmask in the river.

This was the sort of task Lemmy excelled at when she was with the Witch Hunters. It was why Madeline had trusted her to become an enforcer, someone who could protect the housecats and strays of the area under a shared leadership and set of rules. At least Puddlewhisper and Waspdawn were acknowledging her shared status as a codekeeper by filling her in on their investigation. If she had gotten to see the scene of the crime, Lemmy was certain she would know if the killer was a Witch Hunter or not. Alas, she would never know.

Couldn’t the clerics cure her already? She was supposed to be starting a life somewhere where she didn’t have to worry about everyone she slept beside turning on her for dreams she couldn’t control (thanks StarClan). She still had a foggy image of RippleClan in her mind. She should get to know her Clanmates!

“Food delivery!” Mosspounce carried a dried fish into the quarantine den, tail high. Lemmy had been finishing the last of her medicine when the black tom arrived. She swallowed the bitter medicine as Mosspounce set her food in front of her. Mosspounce then loafed a tail-length away with a stupidly happy expression on his face.

“You could get sick if you stay in here,” Lemmy pointed out as she bit into the fish.

“Troutpool says you’ll be better in less than a moon,” Mosspounce explained. “You probably aren’t even infectious anymore!”

“And yet I still feel like I’m breathing rocks,” Lemmy scoffed. Mosspounce chuckled, even though Lemmy wasn’t joking. Her pain eased slightly. 

“Well, um…” Mosspounce laughed, settling deeper into the den, “there was something I wanted to ask you.”

“Lemmy, did you finish your medicine?” Honeypaw poked his head into the quarantine den. “Oh, hello Mosspounce. Are you two finally mates now?” Lemmy stopped breathing. Mosspounce laughed again, this time with more strain in his voice as he kept his gaze away from the other cats in the den.

“I, uh,” Mosspounce coughed, “I was, uh… about to ask that. Actually. Thought, uh… since you helped me so much, Lemmy, and you know, left your home for us and all that… maybe we could be mates?” By the crows, the hope in Mosspounce’s face hurt. Why wasn’t Lemmy breathing? If she didn’t like Mosspounce, she would have been able to say so with ease. So why weren’t her words coming to her?

“Alright,” she said, despite herself. Mosspounce’s face glowed.

“Really?” Mosspounce gasped. “Thank you, Lemmy! I promise I’ll make you happy here.” He jumped to his paws and ran to Lemmy, but both Lemmy and Honeypaw hissed at him.

“She’s still sick!” Honeypaw reminded the eager new mate.

“Right, right,” Mosspounce gulped, backing up. His paw slipped on a clump of moss from a forgotten nest and his legs flew out from under him. 

In yet another awfully uncharacteristic moment for Lemmy, the young tortoiseshell laughed.

(Lemmy: 35, female, codekeeper, cold, deep StarClan bond)

(Mosspounce: 20, male, caretaker, adventurous, talented fire-starter)

(Honeypaw: 7, male, cleric apprentice, daring, has lots of ideas)

James can hardly believe how quickly time has passed since Scalepaw was a kit. It feels like just yesterday he was tumbling around the nursery after a moss-ball. Full of pride and joy, James throws his head back and yowls the loudest as his son is named Scaleripple.

[Image ID: Scalepaw, now Scaleripple, stands as a long-furred adult with fully developed vitiligo. Under him, it says LEVEL UP! SCALEPAW -> SCALERIPPLE, AVID PLAY-FIGHTER -> FORMIDABLE FIGHTER.]

---

Scaleripple. Scaleripple. The white-speckled tom silently toyed with the new name as the final moments of his vigil crept to an end and dawn held the world tight. Had Downstar named him after the Clan? After his sister? Was the name based on him alone? He didn’t feel like the sign of change the suffix suggested. He felt rather dull, all things considered.

Although the view from the camp entrance did not allow Scaleripple to see the ocean, he could still hear the waves mix with the song of the morning birds. It was the world’s way of saying, “Hello, new warrior. You might be odd, but we are happy to have you.” It may have just been his own thoughts trying to comfort his strange habits, but it was a comfort nevertheless.

“Guess who gets to sleep!” Lavendertwist poked his head out of camp, beaming. His voice had lost some of the hoarseness from losing his stitches, but it wasn’t back to the bright ringing tone Scaleripple was familiar with.

“I’m not that tired,” Scaleripple noted, surprised at himself.

“The exhaustion will come on later,” Lavendertwist promised. “I was the same way after my vigil!” He sat next to his brother. “Just wanted to let you know before you go to sleep, I’m really proud of you! I know it was probably weird to have your brother as your mentor, especially when I couldn’t complete half of your training, but you turned out fine! You’ll be able to handle whatever comes your way.” Scaleripple dipped his head, warmth filling his chest. “Now, I mean it, go sleep! At least see your new nest.” 

Scaleripple’s tail perked up. He’d grown up with his older siblings telling him about when they came off their vigils and found tiny presents in their new nests. Lavendertwist was lucky; he got a small drum so he could make a beat to the artisans’ performances, singing along. What would Scaleripple’s gift be? 

The new warrior stood, muscles sore from sitting through the night. He followed Lavendertwist back into camp and, with a wave of his tail goodbye, entered the giant warrior’s den. Everyone was up and ready to start the day with the sun, leaving the den an empty field of nests. Well, save for one soul.

“Over here, Scaleripple!” Tempestshade chirped from beside the eastern wall. They kneaded the edge of a fresh nest, eyes sparkling. Scaleripple’s tail lifted higher, and he stepped into the den. His paw touched the soft pelts lining the floor. A painful shiver rattled through him. Oh, wonderful. It had taken him moons to grow used to the pelts of the nursery, then of the apprentice’s den, and how he would have to tolerate the pelts lining the warrior’s den. Yet Tempestshade, unlike so many others, noticed this.

“Hop on the other nests,” they suggested. “I won’t tell.” Tempestshade’s chuckle spurred Scaleripple on. He jumped onto Trumpetspore’s nest, then bounded across Elmsprout and Waspdawn’s nests to get to Tempestshade.

“I asked Rattlepelt if I could help her with your graduation gift,” Tempestshade said. “I hope you like it.” Scaleripple looked down. A small rattle sat amongst the moss and down. Scaleripple took it in his jaws and gently shook it. It wasn’t the loud clatter of many rattles, but something softer, like waves.

“I suggested she fill it with sand,” Tempestshade explained. “I know you tend to hide away during meetings and whatnot, the sound gets to be a lot for you. So, when that happens, you can shake your rattle and focus on the soft sound! It’s just like the ocean, isn’t it?” 

Scaleripple almost wanted to cry. He’d never talked about how peaceful the ocean sounded. He wasn’t much for words, after all. Yet Tempestshade knew. They knew, and Scaleripple didn’t have to explain himself.

“It does,” he said very, very softly, placing the rattle between his paws.

“I’m glad you like it!” Tempestshade cheered. They trotted out, but a moment later backed up into the den. “Uh, I’m glad you don’t leave when you’re alone with me. It… means a lot.” Scaleripple cocked his head. Omen or not, Tempestshade was lovely! Why shouldn’t others be alone with them?

“Alright,” he said. He and Tempestshade couldn’t look away for a while. Eventually Tempestshade licked their chest and hurried out. Scaleripple purred softly and curled up around his new rattle.

It was the best graduation gift ever.

(Scaleripple: 12, male, warrior, lonesome, formidable fighter)

(Lavendertwist: 25, male, warrior, playful, great singer, good speaker)

(Tempestshade: 20, nonbinary (they/them), caretaker, childish, incredible cook)

Deeply depressed over the loss of her old friends, Downstar almost lets herself be taken by humans on a walk, but regains her spirit and fights back. The humans kill her in the struggle. While in StarClan, Fennelspot, Rustshade, and Scrubmask encourage her to push on; she still has many moons left to go.

[Image ID: Downstar faces Fennelspot, Rustshade, and Scrubmask. Under Downstar, it says - CONDITION: GRIEVING, LIVES LEFT: 5.]

(Downstar: 118, female, leader, wise, trusted advisor, very clever)

(Fennelspot: 113, male, cleric, insecure, trusted advisor, incredible runner)

(Rustshade: 102, male, codekeeper, sneaky, learner of lore)

(Scrubmask: 76, female, warrior, gloomy, fast runner, good hunter)

[nettleclanstale]

Moon 94.5

Moon 94.5- Gathering

Spiderstar swished his tail along the wood of the High Oak, watching intently as Birchstar, along with a sizable amount of OakClan cats, made their way into the Gathering Space. The crunching of snow beneath the cats' paws was one of the only sounds heard as they took their seats in the darkened hollow, Birchstar hopping onto the low branch the others sat upon with a sheepish look on his face.

"It's about time you all got here!" Spiderstar joked, smiling. 

"We got lost," The young tom explained, giving his chest fur a few licks of embarrassment. Leaning forward slightly to look just beyond Spiderstar, Birchstar's eyes narrowed. "Sappatch? What are you doing up here? Where's Brokenstar?"

"He's expecting. He's not doing well, and he didn't want to come." Sappatch, QuailClan's medicine cat, meowed in reply. The white tom turned his head towards Birchstar's voice, and Spiderstar felt himself shift back slightly. Although Sappatch couldn't see him, he still didn't wish to feel his gaze.

"And what about Cleardawn?" Birchstar questioned, tilting his head slightly.

"Mangled tail."

"Oh."

"Anyway!" Spiderstar cut the two off, chuckling nervously. "I believe it's time to begin. Would either of you like to begin?" 

Silence. A gentle yet cold breeze blew through the air, making Spiderstar and a few other cats shiver. 

"Very well," The brown tabby meowed, letting out a heavy exhale before speaking again. "NettleClan has had...Rough times lately. We're still recovering from the flood that took away so many of our clanmates. While prey has been easier to find, we're still working on rebuilding our camp."

For a moment, Spiderstar paused, taking a moment to look at the gathered cats. Beneath him, an OakClan apprentice looked visibly distraught by the mention of the flood. After a few seconds passed, he continued to speak. "Additionally, we've lost a couple of clanmates this moon. Our beloved Sandystream, along with her son Willowkit, passed away from kitting complications and passed on to StarClan. We will miss them dearly, and we hope they're able to find easy hunting and rest in peace."

Cats lowered their heads, ears flattened as they silently paid tribute to the fallen cats. Sappatch let out a soft hum, shaking his head.

"It's always sad when cats pass on from these things, especially when it takes the lives of kits as well." He murmured. "QuailClan offers condolences."

"And so does OakClan." Birchstar stated, nervously shifting his paws.

Spiderstar nodded. "I thank you both," He meowed. "Now...As for some good news. Our lovely apprentice, Hoppaw, has earned her warrior name. I ask that we give our congratulations to Hopstreak!"

"Hopstreak! Hopstreak! Hopstreak!" Cats chanted, while the golden and brown tortoiseshell puffed out her chest, an expression of pride on her face. 

"One final thing." Spiderstar's whiskers twitched. "Despite the loss of Willowkit I am happy to announce that his littermate, his sister Baykit, is thriving and doing just fine. I am also happy to announce that Crowheart is our deputy."

Murmurs of relief spread through the crowd, smiles forming on the faces of the cats. Spiderstar dipped his head.

"That is all." He said, casting glances at both Sappatch and Birchstar. "Go on."

Birchstar cast his gaze to the ground, wrapping his tail around his paws. Sappatch stepped forward, his blind yellow gaze fixed on the crowd.

"I suppose I'll go next. I can tell we're all getting cold and I don't want our whiskers and tails falling off on the way back home!" He joked, earning chuckles and amused purrs from the clan members below.

"Anyway...Other than Cleardawn's mangled tail, our clan is thriving!" Sappatch purred, beaming. "Our beloved leader Brokenstar is expecting his first litter with his mate Auburnstripe. We're hoping that the pregnancy goes smoothly."

Spiderstar watched as Sappatch paused, watching the way his ears perked. Despite not being a leader, the tom's handsome, authoritative demeanor made all cats fall silent and Spiderstar's own pelt flush with warmth, only for a moment before he shook it away with a shiver. 

After clearing his throat, Sappatch continued. "We have a few ceremonies to celebrate as well! Thymepetal has happily retired to the elder's den, and Saplingthicket has settled into her duties as our third full-time mediator."

"THREE mediators!?" A voice from the crowd exclaimed. Spiderstar wanted to melt into the ground when he realized it was one of his own warriors. 

Of course, it was Hickory. The brown and white she-cat's tail twitched as multiple cats turned their heads to glare at her.

"What!? What kinds of problems is QuailClan having for them to need THREE mediators??" She huffed, stomping a front paw. 

"That's enough, Hickory." Spiderstar said, teeth gritted and fur bristled. His body burned with embarrassment. 

Hickory fell silent, and Sappatch rolled his eyes before continuing.

"Thank you for your imput, NettleClan cat. I don't know what I would do without your words." He grumbled. "Anyway. We also have three new warriors. Fernspeck, Turtlehoney, and Bushclover."

The cats began to chant for the newly named cats, and Spiderstar suppressed a chuckle as one of the younger cats, a brown and white tom, nervously averted his gaze. 

"Anyway. With great news comes great loss as well. Most of you know of our former deputy, Vinetuft." Sappatch sighed, lowering his head as his ears pinned against his head. "I regret to inform you all that Vinetuft has passed on after a horrible case of greencough took his life. We mourn him, and can only hope that he crossed over to StarClan's hunting grounds easily."

Shocked gasps, followed by saddened murmuring swept across the cats. Sappatch remained quiet for a moment, listening, before lifting his tail to demand attention. Once it was silent again, he dipped his head and turned to join the other medicine cats at the bottom of the High Oak. 

"That is all. Now Birchstar will speak, and after a moment to speak with your friends, we will conclude this gathering." He said, before jumping down to the base of the tree and taking a seat beside Shimmerflare, OakClan's medicine cat. Spiderstar noticed that the gray tom looked more frail than usual, age starting to catch up with him.

An awkward, tense silence filled the air as Birchstar stood there, as if not entirely sure what he was supposed to say despite all these moons of attending Gatherings. Somewhere in the crowd, someone sneezed, and a couple of cats said "bless you" before going silent again.

"Um...Hi." The golden-brown tom finally meowed. "Okay, let's see...So far, OakClan is thriving. We have a new warrior! Lightwhistle has earned his warrior name! We also have a few new apprentices. Boragepaw, Valleypaw, Marshpaw, and Bristlepaw are warrior apprentices, while Marigoldpaw decided that he would like to be a medicine cat!"

Spiderstar's gaze swept over the hollow as cats began to cheer. His eyes finally settled on Sunsong, who he noticed had visibly tensed when the name Valleypaw was mentioned. 

Fox-dung, He thought to himself, curling his tail around his paws and sitting up straighter. I had hoped that bringing her to the gathering would make her feel a little better...

"Anyway, not much else has happened. I guess that's it-"

"Wait." 

A white she-cat with a dark ginger tail stalked to the front of the crowd. Judging by her stocky body, she was a QuailClan cat. She glared up at Birchstar, her silver eyes narrowed.

Another QuailClan cat, this one a white she-cat with light brown patches, groaned. "Oh, Auburnstripe, don't start-"

"No. No, Heronheart, I have to 'start'." Auburnstripe growled, her expression challenging as she turned her attention back to Birchstar. "Birchstar, with all the respect you deserve, I caught one of your apprentices hunting on our territory. Do you realize it's the middle of Leaf-bare!? Prey is scarce and you're so lucky we didn't kill your mouse-brained apprentice for trespassing."

Birchstar stuttered in reply, while Spiderstar stepped forward in his defense. "Auburnstripe, it's bad enough that you were disrespectful enough to speak out of turn, but please have some respect when speaking to a clan leader."

"What did you expect?" Morningsong strode forward, raising his tail and smirking at Auburnstripe. "It's QuailClan. They're just as disrespectful and awful as ever!"

A loud growl came from Auburnstripe as she unsheathed her claws and lunged herself at Morningsong. The light brown tabby tom, still very young, was too slow to react. Exclamations and wails came from every clan member as Auburnstripe bit down hard on Morningsong's throat, a horrid crunch heard as his eyes glazed over. Somewhere in the crowd, Spiderstar would hear Badgerfall wail in despair as her son slumped onto the ground, still. Blood pooled from the bite wound in his throat. 

Heronheart shot forward, pushing Auburnstripe out of the way and holding her clanmate down as the medicine cats rushed forward to tend to Morningsong. Auburnstripe's white fur now had crimson running down her muzzle and chest, her eyes filled with pure fury and satisfaction as she stared down at Morningsong. 

"This gathering is OVER." Shimmerflare yowled, turning his head to Bitter and Twigsplash. "He's still breathing- Hurry up and take him back to camp!"

As cats began to retreat as fast as they could, Spiderstar watched as Minnowleap approached Sappatch with a hiss. 

"Don't think what your warrior did will be forgiven!!" The young tom exclaimed, lashing his tail. "You're lucky we haven't called for war because of that!"

Sappatch lashed his tail, and Spiderstar's heart sank as what he said next made all of The Gathering go silent, cats freezing in their tracks.

"Very well," Sappatch hissed, his voice horrifyingly calm as he spoke. "When we get back, I'll let Brokenstar know that we have officially declared war on NettleClan. This gathering is now officially dismissed."

End.

QuailClan and NettleClan are now at war.

[bonefall]

Anything planned for Whitetail? She’s bland in canon but I do love her

BB!Whitetail is so... I want to study her.

To begin with, she was an apprentice during the WindClan Massacre.

(Her mentor was not Onewhisker btw, he was too young)

She had two siblings, Graypaw and Blackpaw.

Graypaw was killed that night. Their mother, Sorrelcharm, probably also died.

Suddenly being thrust from her home and losing half of her family messed with her. Obviously. Who wouldn't feel this way

She has a perpetual sense of waiting for the "other shoe to drop." Like no home is truly safe, and it's a matter of time before the next big move.

Unfortunately... she's not totally wrong. Blackfur was either killed by TigerClan or a mine collapse. They were forced onto the Great Journey. Mudclaw's Civil War resulted in a raging inferno across the moor. Whitetail gets commended for how reliable and even-headed she is in the face of disaster, but it's because her mind is expecting the worst case scenario ALL the time.

Her personality is intense and orderly, only kept back by the fact she's a hopeless romantic.

PROFOUND sense of whimsy. She gives off a chilling air of seriousness, which stops people from discovering that she can be a real mush.

(Girlie galloping through the moor who whips off-course, as if she caught a glimpse of prey in her eye, only to have taken a short detour to crash through a puffy dandelion.)

When they all got to the lake, she had a brief fling with Onestar. She liked a lot about him-- his new status, yes, but also that when they were together they were just having fun. It was easy.

But... he didn't want it to continue romantically. He turned cold one day when the subject of kits came up.

They broke the unofficial relationship off unofficially, but a short while later he spoke to her again to arrange an honor siring.

He wanted to raise his kittens alone. Whitetail was willing to help him do that, as long as it could be known that she sired them. And that if the kittens wanted to know her-- they could do so.

But still, she didn't understand why he'd turned so suddenly. Not until much, much later.

But before then, she ended up developing an unlikely bond with Brushblaze.

Probably because they'd both been turned down by Onestar, funny enough. They were talking smack one day about failed relationships and it kinda clicked.

Whitetail: "Like idk, was it something I said? Am I the problem"

Brushblaze: "no, you're fine. He's the problem."

Voted WindClan's Most Intimidating Couple, between Whitetail's aura and Brushblaze's resting bitchface

They have two kittens together; Smokehaze and Galerunner. Around the time of their birth, Heathertail decided she wanted to take Whitetail up on the offer that had existed since she was born.

Brushblaze was a personal friend of hers for a long time, she wanted to know Whitetail, and she would like to experience what it's like to be a sister.

Sadly, Brushblaze didn't live to see his kittens become warriors, but Whitetail did.

Whitetail's BIGGEST personal failure interpersonally was, sadly, Breezepaw.

They were an awful match. Every wreckless action he took would badly set off her anxiety, which expressed as her snapping at him.

No matter how hard she tried to have patience with him, or how many times she scolded him to be more careful, it never ever worked.

On his end, the more visibly upset Whitetail became with him, the worse it made his fear of rejection. He was driven to do more and more dangerous acts to prove himself, which only served to make his mentor worse.

But ultimately, Whitetail was the mentor in this situation. She really tried, but she failed him as a teacher. They don't have the close bond that most apprentice/mentor relationships do, and Breezepelt only got lonelier.

For a while, Breeze felt like Brushblaze was "against him" for falling for his terrible mentor. It made it easy to reject his friend's advice when he said stuff like, "don't join the strange cult in the woods" and "this darktail bloke's a bit funny"

I think Whitetail has come a long way and is a much wiser person now than she was while she was Breezepelt's mentor... but.

She's cordial and accepting of Breezepelt now because it's what Brushblaze would have wanted. She doesn't trust him.

In fact she feels right about this. In her mind;

"Breezepelt needs to feel like part of the Clan, it's what Brushblaze would have wanted. Everyone deserves to feel safe, and more than that, this is the best way to neutralize him. When he's making soup and raising kittens, he's not hurting anyone... but he's had more chances than anyone here. Yeah I was harsh on him when he was a child, but he's made plenty of bad choices as an adult. I'm not being cruel or holding a grudge to keep him at a distance from Galepaw and Smokepaw... I'm being realistic. Brushblaze died to rescue him. I'm not going to lose more family to be nice."

This hurts Breezepelt... but it's fair. He tries not to think about it too much. He's learned the hard way that the people who will never like you anyway matter MUCH less than the people who love you.

I also don't really see a need to kill Whitetail off yet, because she makes a really good elder imo. She's practical but still likes to have fun, and is capable of giving really good analysis.

[redux-iterum]

Charred Legacy: Chapter Twenty-Six

(AO3 counterpart here.)

Cloudpaw didn’t ask any more questions on the rest of the tour; he seemed to be deep in thought, his bright blue eyes distant and contemplative. Fireheart let him ponder, only speaking to point out notable spots on the border with the occasional warning of where to turn around and come home from. Cloudpaw would return from his reverie and nod obediently, only to double back and continue thinking.

By the time they got home, there wasn’t much of the night left. As Fireheart had expected, Cloudpaw was dragging his feet and blinking exhaustedly when he re-entered camp. He perked up a bit at the much larger pile of prey, so Fireheart let him get dinner and rest where he wanted to, on the promise that they’d go back out tomorrow.

In the meantime, he himself went to visit Goldenflower, who was reclining outside of the nursery with her kits sitting together close by, whispering to each other. Fireheart started to speak to his mother, but her eyes were shut and her breathing deep and slow—she was asleep, and by the faint twitching of her ears, she was dreaming. He elected to leave her alone and approach his siblings instead.

“How is everything tonight?” he asked cheerfully. That cheer lasted until he caught a good look at their faces: Bramblekit sat stiffly with his eyes darting around uncomfortably, while Tawnykit was more sullen, scuffing at the sand aimlessly with a front paw.

Fireheart tilted his head, softening his tone. “What’s wrong?”

Neither of them answered him at first. It took a long moment, long enough that Fireheart almost asked again, before Bramblekit looked up at him and asked, “What’s a kittypet?”

He hadn’t expected that, but he answered quickly and smoothly. “It’s a cat that lives with humans, in a house. I used to be one, actually.”

“Oh…” Bramblekit blinked. He looked at his sister nervously.

Fireheart had a feeling he wasn’t going to like the answer to his question: “Why do you ask?”

Tawnykit was the one to speak. “Darkstripe said it. He told us we shouldn’t talk to ‘worthless kittypets’ like you and Cloudpaw.”

Anger leapt to a blaze in Fireheart’s chest and stomach, searing his veins. Without turning his head, he looked to his left. Darkstripe was watching him with narrowed eyes and a sneer.

Bramblekit must have felt the anger, because he shrank back, watching Fireheart with that nervousness building. At that, Fireheart quashed the blaze, breathed in calmly, and gave his brother a friendly face.

“Darkstripe doesn’t know what he’s talking about,” he said coolly. “He just doesn’t like kittypets, especially not me.”

Tawnykit tilted her head. “Why?”

Because he’s a piece of— came a thought that sounded an awful lot like Ravenwing’s voice. “I’m not too sure why, really. He’s never told me.”

Bramblekit spoke next, wobbly. “Are kittypets bad? ‘Cuz… ’cuz you’re nice, and so is Cloudpaw, so…”

“Oh, certainly not.” Fireheart purred soothingly. “They just live a different sort of life than us Clan cats. Cloudpaw and I aren’t any different from any other warrior or apprentice, except for where we were born. And that doesn’t really mean anything when we live here now, does it?”

His siblings shook their heads with steadying confidence.

His eyes glanced at Darkstripe again. The tabby’s sneer was more of a snarl now, his claws out.

“Cloudpaw and Fireheart are wonderful additions to our home,” Goldenflower purred. The giant queen came from behind to stand next to Fireheart, but her eyes were slitted and focused on Darkstripe.

Abruptly, Darkstripe found something better to do. He stood up and quickly walked away, tail bristling.

Goldenflower looked away from him and spoke sweetly to the kits. “Why don’t you two see how Aspenpaw’s night was? I’m sure she’d love to tell you about the territory.”

The kits knew a kindly-worded order when they heard one. They nodded and scuttled off, just as Aspenpaw started to approach them with a wren in her mouth.

Goldenflower’s voice went low and dark; Fireheart had the sudden urge to back away from her. “That wretch would have a scar on his muzzle for every cruel word he speaks about my family, if I had my way.”

Fireheart huffed a weakly amused breath. “He’d have no fur left on it, if that was the case.”

Goldenflower’s voice somehow got darker. “Then I’ll move on to his ears.”

Fireheart did not respond to that. He instead looked at her and recognized her anger for what it was: mother-born fury, rage protective of her children. He was safe inside the bubble of family. He was in no danger from her, not now.

With that, the last of his own anger and fear melted away. He leaned a little into Goldenflower, tension easing out of his body. She leaned back, her fur enveloping him. 

---

The next evening arrived quickly. Speckletail ordered Fireheart and Darkstripe to stay in camp and wait until she spoke to Whitecloud. Just loud enough to be overheard, she told the senior warrior, “Until I’m back, you’re in charge.”

Not even considering telling Bluestar, Fireheart thought unhappily, and this time there was no hope in his heart of that changing any time soon.

Whitecloud nodded serenely, and said something too quiet for Fireheart to hear.

“That would be great, thank you,” Speckletail replied, relaxing her body. “I’ll see you when we’re done tonight.”

Bowing his head in respect, Whitecloud turned and started for a few of the younger warriors sitting together and eating. Whatever he was going to say to them, Fireheart didn’t hear, because Speckletail was now walking to camp entrance, joining her apprentice and the other toms.

“We’ll get them started on training tonight,” she said. “Follow me.”

Cloudpaw and Ashpaw looked at each other excitedly. Ashpaw, bouncing a little as he walked, asked, “What’re we gunna learn?”

To Fireheart’s disappointment, Speckletail answered, “Battle practice.”

Aspenpaw did not look particularly eager, but Ashpaw and Cloudpaw both trilled and started trotting, trying to get their mentors to speed up. One sour look from Darkstripe muted Ashpaw’s energy a little, but Cloudpaw could barely keep himself from passing Speckletail at the lead, and had to slow down multiple times to walk with Fireheart.

They reached the sandy hollow a little too soon for Fireheart’s liking, the apprentices being guided to the center of the pit with the mentors standing closer to the edge. Speckletail cleared her throat for attention, and all three apprentices stood straight with their tails high and eyes on her.

“ThunderClan is best known for our fighting skills,” she said. “It’s the most important lesson you can learn as one of us.” (Fireheart schooled his face into neutrality before it could make an expression of disgust.) “To do that, we are going to test your strength and speed, and that way we can see how best to teach you to reach your full potential.”

Ashpaw kneaded the soft ground, his tail trying very hard to settle down.

Speckletail turned to Darkstripe and Fireheart, who were standing a far distance from each other. “What I need you two to do is charge the apprentices and try to knock them over.” She turned back to the apprentices. “And you are to dodge and try to make an attack of your own.”

“Um…” Aspenpaw raised a paw halfway. “Do we have a move we should know?”

Speckletail shook her head. “You’re just going to do your best.”

Cloudpaw’s eyes met Fireheart’s for just a moment, sharing a mild anxiety before Cloudpaw returned his focus to the deputy.

“Darkstripe,” she said. “You’ll go against Ashpaw first.” To the other apprentices, she added, “Watch carefully and see if you can pick up any errors Ashpaw makes.”

That did not seem to give the thin tom any confidence, but he puffed out his chest and stepped forward, his mentor moving to stand across from him, still nearly touching the border of the hollow. Cloudpaw and Aspenpaw scooted out of the way, ushered by Speckletail, who turned around and sat down.

“Begin,” she said.

Darkstripe leaped at Ashpaw at full speed. Ashpaw barely had a heartbeat to react, and by the time he thought to jump to the side, Darkstripe collided with him and sent him sprawling onto the ground with a cough of surprise.

“You’re supposed to dodge,” Darkstripe growled, and backed up.

Ashpaw coughed again and got to his feet, shaking out his fur. Darkstripe rushed him and he took half a step to the right, but was knocked over again. And again, and again, Darkstripe looking more and more angry and embarrassed every time.

“Maybe you should slow down a little,” Fireheart said, barely managing a polite tone. “He’s still really young, remember—”

Darkstripe whipped his head around and glared at Fireheart. He simply met his stare with calm eyes. Swiftly, Darkstripe looked away with a curled lip and said sharply to Ashpaw, “Expect an attack and dodge.”

Ashpaw, completely out of breath (and didn’t that feel familiar), stood up again and nodded fiercely. He had a determined expression, but his sandy fur and low tail tattled his exhaustion and soreness.

“I think that’s enough for him,” Speckletail said suddenly. “Ashpaw, you can come sit over here and rest.”

Ashpaw looked at her, panting, “I can– I can do it—”

“You can do it when you’ve gotten your breath back.” Speckletail’s voice was firm, but not cruel. She gestured with her paw for him to rejoin his siblings. Sulkily, he did, and she turned to Cloudpaw. “Now you.”

Copying Darkstripe, Fireheart backed up a bit and positioned himself to stand across from his nephew. He gave the round little tom a moment to prepare before pouncing. To his relief, Cloudpaw ducked out of the way first try and rounded to fling himself against his uncle. Even with as little skill as Fireheart had in a fight, he wasn’t knocked over, simply pushing back and sending Cloudpaw rolling with a grunt.

“Good,” Speckletail said. “Try that again, and Fireheart, go a little faster this time.”

Obediently, the toms repositioned. Fireheart charged several times, and most of those times Cloudpaw got out of the way, though he never managed to return with a successful attack. On the last time, Fireheart barely had to nudge him to knock him away.

“That’ll be enough.” Speckletail nodded to Cloudpaw. “It’s your sister’s turn.”

“Can’t I go again?” Ashpaw asked.

“After Aspenpaw,” Speckletail said. “Fireheart, take my place.”

The mollies switched places with the toms. Speckletail, like Fireheart, went more easy on her apprentice than Darkstripe—she leaped forward just slow enough to give Aspenpaw a heartbeat to react. Aspenpaw, however, didn’t dodge, instead jumping up at her mentor’s face and grappling her head. The toms all watched in surprise as Speckletail stumbled to a halt, nearly falling forward, before recovering and shaking hard enough to displace Aspenpaw. The apprentice fell to the ground on her back and coughed.

“That was a very interesting reaction,” Speckletail said as Aspenpaw got back up. “Why didn’t you dodge?”

Aspenpaw rolled a shoulder. “I’unno. It didn’t seem to be working out for Ashpaw or Cloudpaw, so I decided to try something different.” She tilted her head. “Did I do the wrong thing?”

“Well, you were supposed to dodge, but that move told us just as much as dodging would.” Speckletail regarded her apprentice with bright interest. “I’ll attack again, and this time I’d like you to dodge.”

Aspenpaw nodded and backed up a bit.

Several more times, Speckletail charged, and Aspenpaw ducked away as fast as she could. She ended up knocked over more times than not, but, to Fireheart’s surprise, it took more effort for the taller Speckletail to move her than it had for the others to move their apprentices.

Aspenpaw’s a lot stronger than she looks, Fireheart supposed.

After those attempts, Speckletail dismissed Aspenpaw and called Ashpaw over. Under a kinder approach, Ashpaw did manage to dodge, though he didn’t get near Aspenpaw’s strength and couldn’t budge Speckletail. Darkstripe still looked irritated and scowled whenever his apprentice was pushed over.

“So we have an idea of what to do with you three,” Speckletail said at last. She turned to Darkstripe, saying sternly, “Go easy on him and give him a slower approach.” To Fireheart, she said, “Work on that speed: go a little faster and put more power into your attacks.”

Reluctantly, Fireheart nodded. The pairs split up, each taking a spot in the clearing to train individually. Fireheart took a moment to watch Speckletail, listening to her instructions, before speaking to Cloudpaw.

“You and I have to be fast,” he said. “We’re both small compared to everyone else. So like Speckletail said, I’m going to attack you faster, and you can dodge and try to counter-attack, okay?”

Cloudpaw nodded once. Fireheart tried to remember what he had been taught (and disregarded as soon as he didn’t need to learn it as a warrior), backed up a bit and then charged—faster, as instructed. Cloudpaw didn’t manage to dodge this time, not completely; he got a step to the side before Fireheart crashed into him. The fluffy apprentice lay sprawled on the sand, tilted onto his side.

“Sorry,” Fireheart said. “Let’s try that again.”

Cloudpaw gave it his all the next few times, his dodges getting faster. He didn’t, however, anticipate Fireheart turning and headbutting him and pushing him back onto the ground.

“That’s the annoying thing about fighting,” Fireheart said apologetically. “It doesn’t stop at one move. You have to be prepared to keep attacking until either you or the enemy runs away. Next time, you should keep that in mind, alright? Just expect that I’m going to keep fighting you.” He paused, thinking, and added, “And I guess you do need to be faster. We’ll work on that.”

Cloudpaw got to his feet, sullenly muttering, “Fighting’s stupid anyway.”

There’s that attitude again, Fireheart thought. Is it every time he’s told he did something wrong? How to correct him, then…?

“You’re not wrong,” he said aloud. “But we’ve got to learn how to do it. Otherwise, we can’t be warriors. Here, let’s try again.”

Cloudpaw visibly restrained a sigh, but he obediently braced himself. Fireheart returned to his attacking position, and charged again.

Eventually, when the apprentices were sagging with exhaustion, Speckletail called for a break. The trio shuffled to sit with each other and flopped down, panting, while Darkstripe sat alone and Fireheart approached Speckletail.

“How is it going with him?” the deputy asked in a low voice, so they wouldn’t be overheard.

“He’s quick to learn, and quick to get out of my way,” Fireheart answered, equally quiet, “but he doesn’t like being criticized. I’m not too sure what to do with that.”

Speckletail hummed thoughtfully, her eyes flicking slightly from side-to-side like she was thinking. Eventually, she said, “Sandstorm was like that, I remember. Her mentor…” She paused and cleared her throat. “We eventually figured that she could teach herself with a little guidance, and that worked better.”

Avoiding remembering him again. Fireheart kept that to himself and asked, “Should I let him figure out his mistakes on his own, then?”

“With a leading question or two.” Speckletail nodded. “It’s worth a try. I have faith you’ll find the right way to teach him regardless.”

Fireheart gave her a thankful head-bob and sat down, watching the apprentices speak to each other, their heads on their paws as they rested.

We’ll figure it out, Fireheart thought.

[gallifreyianrosearkytiorsusan]

Blend In With The Rest

Author’s note: Torglite in Husbandry. It's his debut! Thanks to @sleepyfan-blog for letting me borrow Darsas and Cedric.

Summary: A Death Guard Tech Priest- a Grand Son of Nurgle lands on Ancient Terra and meets some old faces- familiar and usually friendly ones.

Warnings: None? Let me know if I need to add anything.

Tagged: @barn-anon, @bleedingichorhearts, @c-u-c-koo-4-40k, @egrets-not-regrets, @kit-williams

Tagged: @sleepyfan-blog, @ms--lobotomy , @thevoidscreams, @i-am-a-dragon34, @gra93fruit-blog

Tagged: @felinisnoctis

Torglite had been spreading the joy of Grandfather Nurgle to one of the Corpse Worshipper's Forge Worlds. He had stepped from one part of the alleyway and blinks as he steps forth into sudden dark-light-shadow-cold-heat-everything-nothing.

He stops moving, closing his eyes firmly, before opening his eyes- his mechadendrites moving moving and tasting-seeing-assessing while his mind processes the information.

The amount of natural air- and severe lack of pollutants, still some, but not as much as had been on The Forge World that he'd just been on. He was on a world of much life- of a natural form.

How utterly fascinating he hadn't felt the touch of The Grandfather or his Greater Demons to have him Moved from the Forge World to wherever this lovely planet of green life is.

The storm is ever shifting and changing. So long has he been cast a drift in, so to land somewhere new isn't too surprising, even if he'd been Elsewhere just before.

He murmurs the hymns and prayers and is delighted when he listens in on the Astartes chatter- and is quite surprised to hear such a diverse blend of voices, chapters, and factions of Imperialist Dogs to Chaos Remade and those in between.

Still- one of the voices, two of them actually, are ones that he recognizes, so he trots of in the direction of Hura and Darsas's locations, which are happily in the same direction and they are nearby.

He sends Hura a ping [Hura- what a fascinating place for the storm to drop us in. Greetings brother.]

[Torglite! I'm glad to hear your dulcet voice again.] Hura responds in delight. [I'm with Darsas- and come- there are some people I want you meet. A growly baby- he's someone I'm... wanting as an apprentice.]

[A new apprentice?] Torglite says with delight. [Which Chapter is the young one of?]

[Black Templar, currently, he's still a Loyalist, but I see... potential in young Cedric to be much greater than he is.] Hura sends over vox text.

[... Black Templar?] Torglite responds surprised. [Ambitious of you, take care with that path of Fire brother.]

[I am.] Hura responds with a huff.

[My ETA is five minutes.] Torglite warns Hura.

[Thank you for the warning.] Hura says, [Cedric growls at Chaos aligned marines. It's adorable.]

[Thanks for letting me know.] Torglite says as he shakes his head a little. Hura's always enjoyed very challenging Apprentices.

"Cedric," Hura says to the younger Apothecary, "One of my brothers has newly arrived and is headed this way. He's... Chaos aligned and a tech priest."

"... What?" Cedric says looking and sounding a little concerned.

"Torglite's a wonderful brother," Hura says gently patting one of Cedric's hands, "Very good with younger cousins and brothers."

"Okay... if you say so Hura," Cedric says staring at Hura with big blue eyes.

Hura keeps his body language calm, but neutral. Cute. Cedric can be so adorable and charming in his reactions to things. When he's not being an entertaining terror.

Torglite comes in, his mechadendrites, a mix of mechanical and flesh-like metallic-esque ropes as he nods his greets to his brothers and the rather large Scout-aged Apothecary in black and white.

"Greetings," Torglite says. "To the one in the room who doesn't know, I go by Torglite."

"... Hello sir," Cedric says staring at him with big Dorn-ian blue eyes peer up at him.

"It's nice to meet you, young one." Torglite says. Ah- Scouts. So cute. So sweet. Yet to face all the horrors of the galaxy. He can see why Hura is fond of this one.

"Are you in need of medical assistance?" Cedric asks.

"Not at the moment," Torglite says, "although, some of the chatter I have been hearing over the vox-channels makes no sense."

Hura launches into the explanation that they give to all newly arrived about everything. As well as give him the intake paperwork to fill out and a, "I will still need to check you over just in case, for protocol's sake."

"Very well," Torglite says with a sigh as he takes the wood pressed board and the shocking indulgence of wood-paper and writes his answers to the questions to the best of his abilities.

[unofficially-ace]

Star thoughts/liveblog (spoilers ahead ofc)

- If Splashtail is holding kittens hostage have you guys tried….driving him out? It’s literally one guy against the whole of Riverclan, just keep him away from the kits and there won’t be an issue???

- The conflict is kinda stupid I can’t lie, this could be solved if everyone in Riverclan wasn’t such a dumbass

- Cloverfoot is going to die in this battle I can smell it

- I can’t believe we’re getting fascism explained to us through warrior cats

- Berryheart fell down the crunchy mom -> alt right pipeline real

- This book is making me like Tigerheartstar wtf

- Frostpaw I would die for you

- Harestar you’re the most annoying mf ever please die

- What is it with Riverclan and their camp being turned into a prison every other series

- Graysludge and Mistslime are objectively hilarious names

- What happened to Splashtail being compelling why is he just cartoonishly evil and insane now

- There are not enough supporters of Splashtail to make give this any stakes come onnnn, he has like 5 people actually on his side

- I love Berryheart she’s so fucked up

- Wtf is Owlnose doing, why is he siding with Splashtail for no reason??

- Sunbeam you are so stupid my god

- ‘She didn’t realise what she was doing’ yes she did lmao

- RIP Berryheart you were the most compelling villain of the series

- That makes 2 dead female villains and we’re stuck with the boring male one….

- Owlnose you just killed someone don’t try and make me feel bad for you

- ‘The last thing she ever did was save you’ just like Curlfeather….the parallels…

- This feels like setup for Froststar ngl

- I can’t believe Nightheart is the only guy with a braincell here

- Is fogstar going to be a thing??? She hasn’t even been mentioned once before this book

- Riverclan is so stupid it actually pains me

- Why are we still calling them Greysludge and Mistslime that’s literally so mean lol, just call them by their apprentice names

- The tension is actually really good

- Not exactly liking how Splashtail seems to be genuinely mentally I’ll and that’s why he’s evil…

- He’s fuckin dead and we’re only halfway through?? Now what?

- So glad Frostpaw got to be the one to kill him though, that was so satisfying

- Riverclan you can justify all you want but at the end of the day you’re fuckin stupid

- The second he started doing murders y’all should’ve turned on him and it would all be fine

- Hi Mothwing when did you get here

- Lol fuck those guys (fognose and breezeheart)

- Goddamn Berryheart’s funeral scene is some of the best writing I’ve seen in a warriors book for a while, these are genuinely interesting emotions to explore

- Ewww I don’t wanna think about frost having a crush on splash stop bringing this up my god

- Oh fuck yes Frostpaw and Curlfeather angst

- If the rest of this book is just emotional conflict I will be more than happy with it

- Don’t kill off Frostpaw I swear to god

- Kate Cary I’m putting my trust in you

- This scene would make an incredible animation

- Might be my new favourite chapter of warrior cats ever holy shit that SLAPPED

- Fuck off Nightheart I need more Frostpaw

- Having Nightsky and Nightheart is so confusing

- Thunderclan can’t go two seconds without an argument (usually started by Lionblaze)

- I kinda love this type of conflict, it’s much more interesting than Splashtail being crazy

- Podlight is still here???

- Tree does something as a mediator for the first time ever

- Who tf is emberstar (if they’re relevant in Riverstar’s SE then I haven’t read it lol)

- The fact that I genuinely can’t tell if Frostpaw will survive is so good

- Please let the rest of the chapters be Frostpaw I don’t gaf about the others right now

- Whistlebreeze is the cutest name

- Frostdawn!!!! Also cute as fuck

- ICESTAR REALLLLL LETS GO

- Oh my god this chapter is gonna make me cry

- Sunbeam is pregnant and I want to explode

- And that’s a wrap on ASC , genuinely actually enjoyed this book, especially the second half. The emotional conflict was really interesting I gotta be honest, Frostdawn’s almost-dead scenes were so fun and had really good tension. The conflict with Splashtail ended up getting really stale, I’m glad he was killed halfway through because I couldn’t have dealt with that being dragged out for a whole book

[glassartpeasants]

The Man In the Garden

Eustass Kid x F!Reader

Warnings: mentions of blood and giving stitches

A/N: First time writing for Kidd so hope its good. Also this isn't the dark one i was talking about. I'm still working on that and its in the rough draft stage <3

~~~

It had been a horrible past few days of beating heat. Every time you stepped outside, you felt like you were going to melt or get skin cancer. It was even worse when talking to plants was the only exciting thing you could do in your small town was talk to plants. There was never anything going on, and you felt like your life was wasting away. All you asked for was some excitement in your everyday life. You thought you’d never get it, but today, something changed.

While tending to your potatoes, you hear a loud thud coming from the other side of your garden. You couldn't see anything when you turned your head around, but you heard a groan from the tomato crops. With quick and gentle steps, you move towards the noise. It must have been a deer since you live near the forest, but your eyes widen when you see a man lying on the ground. You could see small bits of blood around him and immediately grow concerned. 

“Your bleeding! Stay right here, and don’t move! I’ll get you first aid!” A small groan leaves the man as you run into your home. Slamming open the medicine cabinets, you grab all the first aid things you can before returning to the injured man, still in the same place.

“Okay, I got first aid.” You use all your might to push him onto his back so you can see where his wound is. When you did find it, your heartbeat only increased when you saw the massive gash on his forehead continue to bleed. Groans no longer left him as he must have passed out from the pain or blood loss. 

Not wasting any more time, you wipe off the gash on his head. Dirt and blood cover the disinfectant wipes before you grab the more advanced first aid kit so you can stitch the wound close. You were, thankfully, an apprentice to the only doctor in town, so you had all the medical knowledge he could give. You were almost about to become an official doctor, yet you still doubted your abilities.

Grabbing his head, you gently place it on your lap as you begin stitching the gash close. Blood still dripped out, but it was nothing worth worrying about. It didn’t take long to finish it, though. It was the same with the task of bandaging his head so the stitches would get infected.

Small bits of blood clung to your clothing as you worked on the other wounds across his body. The other concerning wound was the one on his stomach, which wasn’t as bad as the head injury. There were other minor cuts, but they only needed some simple bandaids. While wrapping his stomach, trying your best to make it as comfy as possible, you realize that you can’t just leave the man outside, not in this blistering heat and in this condition. You sigh as you finish his stomach bandages, trying to pinpoint a way to get him inside that doesn't involve you straining all your muscles. You decide to give up and just choose to drag him inside. 

When you did manage to drag him inside, you used the rest of your strength to lay him on the couch. Your muscles screamed in agony, but you knew you weren’t done yet. Grabbing his goggles, you place them on the counter by the sink to wash them off. The sheer size of the jacket wouldn’t fit in your washer, so you’d have to clean it by hand, no doubt. 

You wondered what could have done so much damage to a man of his stature. He looked like he could snap you in two if he felt like it. Also, you didn’t know what he would do when he woke up. What were you gonna do? You don’t know his name, where he’s from, and what happened to him. You tried calling the doctor you worked under, but he never answered. All you could do was hope that you had done the stitching perfectly.

~~~

Dinner had almost finished when you heard shuffling from the living room. You move quickly as you hope to see the man finally waking up. Thankfully, he was, slowly but surely.

“Oh! You're awake! I’m glad to see you're not in a coma or anything…” You must have startled him cause he quickly moved to see where the voice came from. With such a sudden movement, the gash on his stomach must have gotten irritated cause he let out a loud groan in pain.

“Where the hell am I?! And who the hell are you?!” The man tried to stand up quickly, but the quick jerk had his body falling back onto the couch as he held his stomach in pain.

“Please don’t get up so quickly! You could hurt yourself more!” You quickly run to his aid to inspect his wounds. Making sure nothing opened.

“Okay, no blood. That’s a relief. My names (Y/N) and your in my house. You tumbled over my fence and lost consciousness in my garden. You were bleeding profusely, so I took care of you and brought you inside. Is your sight okay? You had a nasty gash on your head that I stitched up.” The man looked at you with a frown as his eyes scanned the room.

“It’s fine. Where’s my coat and goggles?” His tone was snappy, but you chose to ignore it.

“I washed your coat as it was covered in dirt and dry blood. It’s currently drying. Your goggles, which I washed too, are on the kitchen table.” You see him hold his head and groan in pain.

“I made dinner. Would you like some? It’ll give you energy, and I’ll get you some water.”

“...Fine.” You smile at him before making your way to grab plates and dish up the food. You hold his water and plate before bringing it to him. As soon as it was in his hands, you saw the man scarf down the food like he hadn’t eaten in days. Putting the water down on the coffee table, you grab your food and goggles. You sit on the chair next to the couch.

“Is the food good? I just made a random guess as to what you might like.” The man looks at you with a straight face, making you let out a nervous laugh. His eyes felt soul-piercing.

“It’s fine.” It must be more than fine with how he’s inhaling it with insane speed. He’s probably just a man of few words.

“Can I know the name of the man who's been sleeping on my couch for the past 6 hours?” He looks at you questioningly, and you send one in return.

“You're telling me you’ve never seen or heard of me?” The look of offense made you giggle.

“Sorry, can’t say I do. We don’t get much news on the world here. Hell, I don’t think we’ve had a single pirate walk the beaches in a year? Not many people come to our small community.”

“Hmph! That’s stupid! Well, just so you know my name, it’s Eustass ‘Captian’ Kidd! And I’m going to find the one piece and be King of the Pirates!” A smug look on his face told you that he expected you to freak out for helping a pirate and bringing him into your home.

“Is that so? Well, Captain, what brings you here?” The frown on his face made a small smile appear on yours. You weren’t gonna show fear! Plus! He was hurt, so how much damage could he possibly do?

“I was getting supplies to make it to the Sabaody Archipelago, but you see how that worked out.”

“What happened?”

“None of your business.” By now, his plate was devoid of all the food he had only minutes ago. His water was gone as well.

“Would you like some more?” He said nothing as he looked away, giving you a slight nod and handing you his plate. He seemed to be thinking about what his next course of action was. You quickly go to the kitchen and dish him up again before returning it to him.

“What’s your plan? Surely you're not going to sea with such nasty gashes? The chances of infection could multiply!” He looked at you with cheeks full of food, which only made you laugh at the cute sight.

“Obviously, not staying in this town! If I want to survive the new world, I have to deal with some wounds like it's nothing!” You scrunch your nose at his words. Surely he couldn’t be so careless?

“Ah, so you want to go to the new world with a wound you just got? Going to the new world without having all your strength ready?”

“I do what I want! If I want to go to the new world, I’m going to the fucking new world!” You’d be lying if you said his angry face isn’t cute. His hair was everywhere as the goggles holding it together were no longer there.

“Alright, if you get an infection and lose an arm, don’t come bitching and moaning to me.”

“I won’t! After this, I’m calling my crew to come get me. Since apparently I can’t walk without feeling like my guts are being stabbed.” He gives you a look a child does to a parent who just told them no as he searches his pockets.

“What the fuck? It was right in my pocket!”

“What was?”

“My transponder snail to call my crew!” He turns to you with an accusatory look.

“I don’t know! There was no transponder snail where you collapsed.” His face turned into one of annoyance and anger.

“God fucking damnit! How long would it take for those idiots to find me?”

“Since it’s such a small area, I’d say not too long. But probably not tonight, though. Everyone’s sure to be sleeping.”

“Fucking great.” He put the plate on the table before leaning back against the couch. A sigh of frustration left his lips as he looked up at the ceiling.

“I need to change your bandages. Will you let me?”

“I can do it myself!” You put your hands up in defense as you hear him grumble something. Returning to the bathroom, you grab the first aid kit and take a breath. It felt like it was gonna be a long night.

“Here. If you need me, I will be in the kitchen doing dishes and other chores.” Placing the kit beside him, you go to start said chores.

~~~

It was about an hour that you left Kidd alone to fix himself. He hasn’t said a thing, so maybe you should have given him more credit.

“Hey, lady!” Nevermind. You roll your eyes as you return to the living room to see him in the same condition you left him.

“I have a name, you know.” It was his turn to roll his eyes before he looked at you. His cheeks slightly red as he held out the bandages in his hands.

“Alright…” You decide not to comment as you just take the bandages from his hand and plop down next to him on the couch. You reach out to his face only for him to jerk away.

“I need to remove the bandages, and for that, I need to touch your face and head.” With a frown, he moved closer so you could take them off.

“This might hurt.” You start to take off the bandages slowly so you won’t hurt him. A small part of the stitches got caught on the dressings and got slightly tugged on. Kidd let out a hiss before grabbing your thigh and squeezing it without thinking. You tried not to pay attention, but you could feel your face warm up.

“Sorry, Kidd, I’ll get you some pain pills after alright?” He said nothing, as he just let you continue working on him.

“Do you have a free hand to hold up your hair, or will I have to put it in a small ponytail? The hand that wasn’t on your thigh moved to pull his hair back. You mutter a small thank you as you gently bandage it up.

“Alright, now your stomach.” It must have been this moment when Kidd Realized his hand placement as he jerked it back towards himself. A slight pink blush covered his face. 

~~~

You finished his stomach without trouble before leading him to the guest bedroom.

“You need to sleep well in order to heal. So here is my guest bedroom. My bedroom is next door if you need anything, okay?”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah…” There was a second of silence between the two of you.

“Well, goodnight Kidd. Hope you feel better in the morning. You smile at him before making your way to your room. You close the door and hear the guest bedroom door close soon after. Discarding your clothes for some pajamas, you start your skincare routine before slithering under the covers. A cold feeling bites your skin as you feel more lonesome than usual. Maybe you weren’t used to having a hot man sleeping in your guest bedroom.

~~~

You slept through the night relatively easy. You almost forgot about the man you helped yesterday, but the sound of loud snoring reminded you. Sounded like he needed that sleep badly if he wasn’t waking up from how loud his own snores were. You just let him rest before going downstairs and starting breakfast and coffee. It was fun to guess what he might like, but you made some eggs and bacon. It's basic but reliable. You didn’t know how he liked his coffee, so you just brought him water again. Knocking on the door gently, you try to make your way inside the room without dropping anything/

“Kidd?” You hear a groan come from the other side of the door.

“Can I come in? I have breakfast and water for you.” A rough sounding ‘okay’ comes from the other side of the door. You open the door and only see his hair sticking out of the blanket.

“Cold?” You laugh as you place his food on the nightstand. You smile as you watch him emerge from the blankets to eat the food. This time not scarfing down what was in front of him.

“You sleep well?” He gave you a quick nod before continuing to eat.

“DO you want some coffee?”

“No, it’s bad for your skin and gross.” He gave you an annoyed glance as you giggled at his response. You sit on the end of the bed and look at him.

“I’m curious, what’s your most crazy adventure yet?” Kidd stops eating and gives you a questioning look.

“I mean, I’m probably never gonna get out of this boring town, so I just want to hear some stories about what it’s like on the blue seas? Who better to ask than the future King of the Pirates himself?” A smug look crossed his face before he swallowed his food.

“Since you asked so nicely, I’ll tell you the reason for my bounty of 350 million berri’s!” Even if it meant fueling his ego, you were curious about what you’d never get to see.

~~~

How you looked at him with fascination while he told you stories about his adventures made his ego soar. You listened to everyone, and with every new story, you only seemed more enchanted about his life on the seas.

“I’m so jealous. Every day is a new adventure for you. Your out slaying sea kings, and I’m stuck here. I mean, I have nothing holding me back, but this is all I’ve ever known. I know nothing of the places outside of here. I have medical knowledge, but that’s only because I'm under a doctor who moved here to retire.” Your face soon turns into a frown as you look off to space. Sounds like a miserable existence. Yet, not taking steps to leave yourself? You look so weak with such words.

“Enough about me, though. Do you have any more stories?” A sad smile was still evident on your face as you looked at him.

“I’ve eaten the Jiki Jiki no Mi fruit, which allows me to create magnetic forces and use it to control metal.”

“Really?! I’ve never met someone with devil fruit powers before!” Your interest in his abilities and the way you looked at him made a smug look appear on his face.

“You have to show me! I can’t imagine how strong it must be!”

“Of course, it’s strong! I could crush a canon before it even shoots!” You scooted your body closer to the middle of the bed to hear him tell you more. Sitting crisscrossed, you had your arms on your thighs as you looked at him excitedly. A big smile on your face while waiting for him to continue.

“A captain needs a strong crew, so I’m not gonna let any weak nobodies join! Me and my crew are the most feared ‘rookie’ pirates from the South blue!”

“That's so far! Where's your next stop after this again? I can’t imagine how far it is from here!”

“Sabaody Archipelago! The place you need to go to get to the new world!” With the way you looked at him, he could tell you stories for hours. You were like a little fan, and he wanted to hear more of your admiration.

He was going to tell you another one, but a sharp pain shot through his head, causing him to yell out a quick ‘fuck’ before holding his head. He dropped the fork that held his food and grit his teeth at the pain.

“Oh shit! Are you okay?!” He could feel you crawl closer to him in a quick motion just to check what was happening.

“I’ll go get you some pain meds! Is it your head in general, or is it specifically where the stitches are?”

“The stitches, damnit!”

“Okay! Don’t worry, you’ll be okay!” He could hear you running down the stairs to find some pain meds. He could only hope that you’d find them quickly.

Thankfully, you did, but you feared infection, so you tried to call the doctor again. Hoping that he might bring some antibiotics and anything else he could. You could feel your heartbeat in your ears as you heard the phone ring.

“Ah (Y/N)! What can I do for you?”

“I have a friend that needs help! I’m afraid his stitches are infected! Can you bring some antibiotics and come over? I’m really worried about him!”

“Your lucky that it’s dead in the clinic. I’ll see what I can do, okay?”

“Thank you, I’ll see you soon.”

~~~

“Okay, Kidd, the doctors here. He’s got some things to fix you up.” By now, Kidd was out of the covers and lying on the bed over the covers. You walk the doctor to the guest room, and as soon as the doctor sees the man on the bed, his eyes go wide.

“(Y-Y/N)...Do you know who he is?!” Kidd looks at you, gritting his teeth. Both of you worry about what the doctor would do.

“That’s Captain Kidd! He has a 350 million berri’s on his head! We should call the-”

“No!” You run towards the door and block the doctor's only way out.

“Please, doctor! I just need you to ensure he will be okay!”

“(Y/N) He’s a pirate!”

“So?! Our duty as healthcare workers is to help anyone and everyone, is it not?!”

“Yes, but he’s a dangerous man!”

“Please! Just take care of him and make sure he’s okay! He hasn’t laid a hand on me! I can’t just let him be in pain even if he is a pirate!” You weren’t gonna let Kidd leave this island with an infection, and you weren’t gonna let the doctor go without treating him.

“Why are you so concerned for him? He’ll get caught by the government sooner or later, so it’d be easier to do it now!”

“Cause he’s my boyfriend, alright?! So if he’s going down, I’ll go with him! Just fix him!” You see the doctor, and Kidd widen their eyes at your words. It was a lie, of course, but maybe you could pull the doctor's heartstrings. The room was silent as you continued to look the doctor straight in the eyes. Tears rim your eyes as you grit your teeth.

“Fine. But he’s not gone by 8pm tonight. I’m calling the Marines. And as for you, you are no longer my apprentice.” You feel a sharp twinge in your heart hearing the doctor's words, but you weren’t gonna back down now.

“Thank you.”

The doctor made his way to Kidd’s side, but all he could pay attention to was you. You had just given up your job for him. A man you only met yesterday. You even called him your boyfriend, with tears swelling in your eyes. He didn’t understand. Throwing everything away simply to help a pirate? Were you crazy?

You moved your body to sit next to him on the bed and gave him an awkward smile. He could feel the doctor's eyes on the both of you, and you must have too, cause you grabbed Kidd’s hand and held it. Kidd’s face grew hot at the foreign feeling, but he didn’t pull his hand away. If he wanted to ensure he got proper medical care, he’d have to suck it up. He supposed holding your hand didn’t feel that bad either.

~~~

The doctor finished with Kidd and gave him some antibiotics before leaving. He stopped at the guest bedroom door and reminded you both about the deal.

“Don’t worry, you’ll never see him again.” With a gruff, the doctor left, and the sound of the front door closing made the both of you let out a breath you didn’t know you were holding.

“Thank god that’s over.”

“Boyfriend, huh?” You give him an embarrassed look before grabbing a pillow and threatening to hit him with it.

“Shut up! It fixed you, didn’t it?! Now be quiet while I try to figure out how to drag your ass to your ship without anyone freaking out.” Dropping the pillow, you lose yourself in thought, not noticing your hand still in his.

“We docked near a huge rock with a tree hanging over it. That might help.” Instead of the cocky tone you heard only seconds ago, his voice turned more calm.

“Oh! I know exactly where that is! Here, let me get your coat and goggles so we can head out. Wouldn’t want the Marines to come, right?” You try to move only to be stopped by your hand still in Kidd’s.

“Sorry, haha…” Jumping off the bed, you take off to grab his things. You feel your heart constricting, knowing you’ll never see him again and now have nothing in this town. You gave up your job for a man you’ll never see again after today.

“No use dwelling on it now. Let’s just get him home.” You grab his things and try to ignore the constant stabbing in your heart. Turning the corner, you see Kidd descending the stairs, trying to hide the small pinches of pain that shook his body. You were gonna offer to help, but you decided to just let him have this one.

“Here, put on your coat. I wouldn’t put on your goggles, so maybe just have them dangle on your neck?” You help him put on his coat even though he was a tank compared to you. He grabs the goggles and slides them over his head to have them lay against his collarbones. You open the door and motion him to follow you.

~~~

There wasn’t much said on the way back to his ship. You just stayed by his side so he wouldn’t fall, and he’d have something to hold onto if he needed a break. Soon enough, you see the rock that should be hiding his ship.

“Why?” Kidd’s voice cuts through the silence, making you turn your head to look at him.

“What do you mean why?”

“Why did you throw your life/job away for me? For someone you’ve only met a day?”

“I…Well-”

“Kidd! Jesus Christ! Where have you been?! We’ve been trying to call you and have been looking for you everywhere!” Another voice rang through the shore as you see a man in a blue and white mask running towards you.

“I’m fine, obviously! Plus, I was gonna come back! I simply…took a detour.”

“Uh huh, sure. Whatever, let's just go so we can make it to Sabaody quickly. Who’s the chick?”

“Oh, I’m just bringing him back. I-”

“So you said Kidd went this way? Thanks, doc!” The sound of a marine's voice made all your eyes widen.

“That two face jackass! He said 8pm! It’s only 2! Kidd, you need to leave now! I’ll hold them off, alright?”

“Are you stupid-” Killer grabs Kidd’s arm and pulls him with great force. Not wasting a second to run. Kidd looked back to see you running out of sight. If the doctor lied, then what if he told the Marines that you helped him? You could go to jail for having a heart to help anyone in need. Even if it’s a deadly pirate.

They’d jail you for caring, and he was just leaving you to the wolves.

“God damnit! I need to grab her! Let me go!”

“Are you crazy?! Look at you! Your practically dead meat walking! There's no way you can run back and grab her! Plus, what makes her so important?!”

“We’re not leaving this fucking island without her! Either let me grab her, or you grab her and bring her to the ship! Either way, she is coming with us!”

“Fine! Just move your ass on the ship and get ready to sail immediately! I’ll go grab her if she means that much to you!” Killer lets go of Kidd’s arm and runs back towards you. Despite wanting to go with him, he knew they’d need to sail right away, so he moved as fast as he could to the ship.

“Captian! You're finally back!-”

“Get ready to set sail! Marines are near! Killer will be here soon, and we should leave as soon as he steps on the deck, understand?!” Even with his wounds, he still showed a strong front. There was no way he would let his crew see him so weak.

“You heard him, guys! Let’s go!” Everyone ran across the deck in a rush. The sound of rushed footsteps didn’t overpower his heart pounding as he grits his teeth. Killer better hurry his ass up.

“Killers coming, Captain! Marines are right behind him, and he’s holding…a girl?” Kidd looked overboard and saw Killer running towards the ship faster than he’d ever seen.

“Let’s move! Their gonna start shooting any second!" Killer finally made it to the deck. Immediately, everyone took their places to defend against the Marines.

“Here Kidd! Happy?” Just as soon as Killer was here, he left as he dropped you off in front of Kidd.

“Kidd? Why-”

“You said you wanted to see my devil fruit powers, right?”

“Yeah, but-”

“Then watch.” Kidd turns to the marines that started to shoot at the two of you. From the corner of your eye, you can see Kidd’s crazed smile before he moves his hand toward the marines. You look down from the ship and see the Marines' guns being ripped from their hands. Confusion hit you and the Marines as wait to see what he was planning. Your eyes widen as a giant clump of guns materializes next to Kidd. Getting bigger and bigger with each firearm added. Soon enough, after all the guns from the Marines were taken, Kidd’s eyes met yours before returning to the Marines.

“And repel!” All the guns he stole were thrown out to sea, a big splash accompanying it. The marines looked at him in horror before returning the way they came.

“Holy shit..” You could only stare at the fleeting marines, not seeing Kidd’s smug face.

“See? I’m obviously the strongest to become the King of the Pirates!” By now, the ship was already starting to drift off to sea.

“Why did you make him come and get me? You would’ve left earlier and avoided the Marines in general.” Your voice was quiet as you turned to look up at Kidd.

“Well, obviously, I needed a doctor. And the other one obviously wasn’t an option, so I’m simply kidnapping you so we have a doctor who knows what they’re doing.” Like hell, he’d give you the actual reason.

“Is that so?” Throwing your arms on the railing, you look out to sea before gazing up at him with a smile.

“Only reason, so whatever your thinking about, get it out of your head!” You chuckle at Kidd’s flustered face.

“It’s not kidnapping if the persons willing, is it?”

“Yeah, well, whatever. Just go to the infirmary and learn where everything is.”

“I don’t know where it is, Captain. Mind escording me there?” The way you smirked had Kidd grumbling before grabbing your wrist and dragging you away from the railing. Even though you were being pulled, you still had slight time to look at your surroundings. So many unique faces and an equally unique ship. You wave to some of them, trying to be friendly.

“Alright, we're here.” Opening the door, you look around the office. It’s better than you initially thought. The place was tidy, so that was even better.

“I gotta go back to being a pirate. No thanks to you.” You turn around, ready to give him some choice words, only to see a smirk on his face that makes you roll your eyes.

“Doctor orders you to actually take care of yourself.”

“Yeah, but that’s no fun. Doctors orders can wait.” Without another word, Kidd leaves you alone to examine the new room. You can hear him yelling at his crew about something, yet it only makes you laugh. You sit on the desk, turn on the lantern light, and open the shades so light could envelop the room. It was stuffy, so you decided to open the window as well. The smell of the salty breeze hitting your nose made you smile as now you could live the adventure you always dreamed about.

[fallenclan]

Now I bend like a willow, thinking of you

‘Do you want to hear,’ Moxie says, ‘the story of Goldenstar?’

‘Yes, please!’ Mistykit tucks her paws under herself, rests her head on the end of the nest and blinks politely up at Moxie—the silver she-cat purrs, amused.

‘Isn’t he alive still?’ Sleepykit mews. Willowkit pushes him. 

‘Shut up! I wanna hear the story.’ She turns her face to Moxie. ‘Please?’

Moxie licks her forehead. ‘Sleepykit, Goldenstar founded this Clan. Aren’t you interested? Willowkit, it’s not nice to tell someone to shut up.’

‘Sorry Sleepykit…’ Willowkit grumbles, and he whisks his stubby tail, pleased. 

–

Willowkit can hear yowling. Bluefern curls around her and over her and Willowkit burrows into her mother and tries not to scent the fear emanating from Bluefern’s belly. 

‘What’s happening?’ Icekit whimpers. ‘Mama, I’m scared.’

‘It’ll be alright,’ Bluefern says. ‘I’ll protect you. Moxie and I won’t let anything bad happen to you.’

Toro, her silhouette black against the entrance to the nursery, makes a horrible, cut-off gasp, and Willowkit huddles against her mama as cats pour into the camp, claws gleaming against the moonlight. 

Bluefern stands over her kits, fur bristling and a snarl on her lips, but it’s no use.

Willowkit squeezes her eyes tightly shut and tries to camouflage with the nest.

– 

‘Goldenstar was a kittypet’s kit. His mama was called Hera. He had two siblings, Nola and Cinnamon. Just like you, Mistykit.’

‘Not just like me!’ Mistykit hisses, her polite demeanor falling. ‘I had five siblings!’

Moxie blinks, as though trying to hold back tears. 

‘I know, lovely. Maybe Goldenstar had five as well.’ She pulls Mistykit close with one paw and licks the top of her head, and Willowkit stumbles closer as well, trying to get Moxie to notice her.

– 

Willowkit holds her breath, jumping from paw to paw nervously. Who would Goldenstar pick as her mentor? Someone nice, like Hailcrash? Or someone grumpy and mean like Wormshade? 

Sleepypaw blinks reassuringly at her from where he’s standing next to Newtscar. Willowkit takes a deep breath, sneaks a glance at Mistykit–paw! Mistypaw doesn’t seem like she cares at all! She’s too busy staring up in awe at Blizzardfang.

Wait! What if she gets Crowflame? He seems scary, but he was always nice to them… 

‘Willowkit,’ Goldenstar says gently. ‘Step forward. You are now six moons old, and it is time you were apprenticed. From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Willowpaw. Your mentor will be Henryclaw. I trust he will pass down all he knows to you.’

Henryclaw gapes at him. Goldenstar smiles slightly. Willowpaw starts hopping from paw to paw again. 

‘Henryclaw, you are ready to take on an apprentice. You have shown yourself to be wise and insightful, and I expect you pass this onto Willowpaw.’

Willowpaw stretches up to touch noses with the grey tom. He grins at her.

‘You’ll do great.’

– 

‘But when Goldenstar wasn’t much older than you, he got separated from his mother and siblings. Seeing as he couldn’t track them down, he wandered around lost for a while.’ 

Moxie tugs them all closer with her tail, and Willowkit watches Rowankit roll over and over until she’s pressed against her mother’s side. 

‘He finally ended up in the mountains. And there, he met Scorchstar.’ 

–

Willowpaw follows Henryclaw up the summit of the mountain, trying her best not to pant. She doesn’t want him to think her weak.

But he stops with a playful huff. 

‘Willowpaw, what can you see?’

‘… A forest.’

‘In the forest?’

‘… Leaves?’

He purrs. ‘What else?’

‘Twigs. Trees. Rocks?’ She looks sidelong at him, trying to work out what the right answer is.

Henryclaw curls his tail, delighted. ‘Yes. What can you smell?’

Willowpaw takes a massive sniff of the cold mountain air. 

‘Moss. I think that’s mouse? Birds – Oh! I can smell Mama!’

Henryclaw pokes her with his tail. ‘How long ago do you think she was here?’

‘A while ago… because her scent is stale?’

‘Good. Could you follow her track? I’ll be behind you the whole time. Or… we could see who can find her first.’

Willowpaw’s tail shoots up. ‘Yes! Loser has to clean out the elder’s den!’

He laughs from his chest. ‘Go on then. I’ll give you a headstart.’

–

‘This could have been the end of Goldenstar, if he weren’t so lucky as to run into Scorchstar just as the sun was setting. A badger could have snapped’ and she lunges at Mistykit, rolling her over –’at him, or maybe a fox might have’ Moxie grabs Willowkit by the scruff, and drags her along the ground as she giggles, ‘dragged him away, or perhaps a dog might have grabbed him and taken him home to its twoleg,’ Moxie wraps Rowankit in her tail, ‘but they didn’t. Scorchstar found him instead.’ 

Sleepykit droops slightly. 

‘She brought him home to FallenClan, and she asked him if he’d like to stay. Goldenstar thought of the badgers and the foxes and the dogs, and said yes.’

–

Willowpaw flattens herself to the ground, trying desperately to keep her tail still. The blackbird caws and hops forward a few steps. 

Willowpaw takes a careful step towards it, checking to ensure that she wouldn’t land on any twigs, and tries to surrepitiously glance around for Henryclaw.

She rolls a stone beneath her paw. Carefully, just like Windripple in The Witch Hare, she tosses a pawful of stones to the other side of the clearing, where they rustle the grass as they fall. The bird turns its head, ruffling its wings for flight. 

Willowpaw stalks closer, closer. As the bird stretches out its wings, she pounces, cracking its neck with a satisfying crunch.

‘Was that good enough for you?’ Willowpaw calls out, tail whisking into the air.

Henryclaw drops from a nearby tree, his tail high.

‘Yes.’ As they turn to go, he twitches his ear. ‘Was that manoeuvre from The Witch Hare?’

‘…Maybe so.’ 

– 

‘There were only three in FallenClan then. Scorchstar, her mate Nettlestem, Wildfang, and Oaktuft. But they welcomed little Goldenstar as if he were their own kitten. And not even a moon later, Sunwish joined the Clan. ’

‘So is that it? Is that the end of the story?’ Sleepykit says, amber eyes wide. 

‘He’s not even leader yet, dummy!’ Willowkit yelps. He growls, stubby tail lashing. Moxie purrs soothingly. 

‘Willowkit, that isn’t very nice. If you can’t listen quietly you can’t listen at all. Sleepykit, it’s not the end of the story. Let me finish.’ They lie begrudgingly against Moxie’s side, glaring at each other, as she continues.

‘Maybe Scorchstar saw something leader-like in little Goldenstar, for she mentored him herself. He was a good, willing pupil, and he took everything she said to heart. He learned fast, and before long he was a warrior.’

–

‘I, Goldenstar, leader of FallenClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand your noble code, and I commend her to you as a warrior in her turn.’ 

‘Henryclaw, has Willowpaw learned the skills of a warrior? Does she understand the importance of the warrior code?’

‘She does.’ Henryclaw’s eyes are welling with pride and Willowpaw has to turn her gaze away.

‘Willowpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?’

Willowpaw feels her heart rise in her chest. ‘I do.’

‘Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Willowpaw, from this day onwards, you will be known as Willowsplash. StarClan honors your playful nature and your skill in telling stories, and we welcome you as a full warrior of FallenClan.’

He jumps from the rock and rests his muzzle on her head. She licked his shoulder, listening to her Clan call her name. She raises her head and joins in. StarClan, she wishes Moxie were here.

‘Sleepycloud! Mistyfish! Rowanleaf! Willowsplash!’

–

‘When Goldenstar was just a few months into his apprenticeship, another cat, just 5 moons older than him, joined the Clan. Her name was Morningpaw.’

–

Sleepycloud blinks earnestly at them all. ‘Isn’t Ivybounce the prettiest cat you’ve ever seen?’

‘Not really.’ Mistyfish offers. Sleepycloud rolls his eyes.

‘Just because you’ve got no taste–’

‘Go talk to her!’ Willowsplash offers. ‘I’ll tell your future kits this story.’

‘Fuck off,’ Sleepycloud says, but he’s already rising to his paws and trailing up to the ginger and white molly.

Ten moons later, and Ivybounce is expecting their kits. 

Willowsplash loves being right.

–

‘Even though Goldenstar loved Morningbloom, he couldn’t muster the strength to tell her, especially after she broke her back.’

‘Why not?’ Rowankit volunteers.

‘He was scared that if he told her, she’d die before they could do anything about it.’

–

Mistyfish coughs wetly. Silverbelly hovers between them, before stepping out of the way with her head low.

‘Don’t get too close. Greencough is very contagious.’

Bluefern clenches her jaw. Willowsplash rests her head on her mother’s shoulder, trying not to sob.

She is doomed to lose all of them.

Mistyfish blinks up at them.

‘Mama,’ she whispers, her voice scratchy. ‘Do you remember the stories you used to tell me in the nursery?’

‘I… Of course, Misty. Do you want me to tell you one?’

Mistyfish nods. She tucks her paws under herself, rests her head on the end of the nest. She blinks up at Bluefern unevenly.

‘Which one?’

‘The Witch Hare,’ Mistyfish whispers, and the five cats huddled silently in the medicine den listen to the tears in Bluefern’s voice and try not to think about how Silverbelly said this was the end.

–

‘Did Morningbloom die?’ Mistykit says, her voice trembling. ‘Is that why she isn’t in the Clan anymore?’

Moxie nuzzles Mistykit.

‘She didn’t die then. She healed perfectly, and Goldenstar was so relieved that he confessed to her immediately.’ She tugs the kits a little closer. ‘She reciprocated, and they became mates.’

–

‘Hi.’ 

Willowsplash opens one eye, rolling over on the rock. The sun had been especially nice thus far, and now a cat was blocking her light. He was angular and tall, and he stood like he knew what to do with all his limbs, like he was confident in the space he took up. His eyes sparkled as he looked at her. ‘Who are you?’

‘My name is Bub. Can I join your Clan?’

‘You’d have to ask our leader, Golden– His name is Maplestar.’ He sits beside her, curls his tail around his paws. Willowsplash looked at him out of the corner of her eye. ‘What are you doing?’

‘Waiting for you. You don’t seem quite ready to leave yet.’

‘Hm.’ She flicked her tail. ‘You said your name was Bub?’

‘Indeed.’ He curled his tail against his side. Willowsplash couldn’t help a smile.

‘What do you do, Bub?’

‘All sorts. I used to run with a couple of other loners, but I got bored of that. I want some more excitement in my life. More stories to tell.’

Willowsplash hoists herself to her paws, feeling more alive than she had for days.

‘You tell stories? Good ones, right?’

‘I’d like to think so,’ he purrs. 

They talk until the moon rises and the sky turns black. Willowsplash wonders if her littermates are watching. She decides she doesn’t care.

–

‘Morningbloom and Goldenstar had kits not long after Goldenstar’s confession. They were very excited. Goldenstar thought it would be a big litter, while Morningbloom thought it would be a small litter. In the end, they were both right. They had three kits.’

‘Like Mama!’ Sleepykit mews. 

‘But Morningbloom didn’t survive her kitting. Goldenstar named them. Applebranch, Maplethorn, and Honeygleam.’ 

All four kittens look up at her with big, horrified eyes. 

Moxie rumbles a purr, curls around them. Willowkit lets herself be tumbled and her pelt ruffled as she cuddles against Moxie’s side. ‘It’s alright, lovelies. She’s up there right now, enjoying the vibrant forests and bright lands of StarClan.’

‘Didn’t Goldenstar miss her?’ Willowkit whispers. She can’t imagine if she’d never known Bluefern.

‘Of course he did!’ Moxie cries. ‘But she died long before you were born. He’ll always love her, but he has a life here.’

Willowkit pauses. ‘Was Applebranch a cute kit?’

Moxie purrs. ‘I’d like to think so. I never saw her as a kit. But you know who was the cutest kitten?’

‘Who?’

‘Your mama Newtscar.’

–

Bub trots into camp, tail high. For a moment, Willowsplash is so pleased to see her mate (her mate, over a year later and she can still call him hers) that she doesn’t notice the bundle he’s carrying in his jaws.

‘Willowsplash,’ he purrs. ‘I found a kit.’

‘You – what?’

‘Oh, Willowsplash, look at him. This is our only chance to be parents, Willow. And I’ve already named him…’ 

She looks at him. Bub is right, this is their only real chance to be parents. The kitten is small. He is fluffy and golden and he has piercing yellow and blue eyes. He opens his mouth to mew and she realises he is loud.

‘Alright.’ She steps closer to Bub and twines her tail with his. 

‘Thank you!’ He purrs. ‘Look, Sunnykit! This is your mama!’

The kitten topples over backwards trying to look at them.

Luckily for Willowsplash, two moons later she can bring back Sunnykit’s sister and repeat the whole rigmarole. 

Petalkit and Sunnykit are beside themselves at being reunited, and Willowsplash can settle into Bub and watch their kits play.

One day they will be Petalslip and Sunnytuft, and she will love them with all the ferocity and strength of Bluefern telling nursery stories to her dying kit.

–

‘After Scorchstar was killed by dogs, Goldenstar led the Clan into a new age of prosperity.’ Moxie says. ‘He’s much kinder to outsiders than she was. That’s how we came to be so big.’

‘Cool,’ Sleepykit breathes. Then he turns to Rowankit. ‘Let’s go play Goldenstar!’

She chases him out of the nursery. Mistykit dithers for a moment, and then runs after them, yowling “wait for me!”

Moxie watches them with a purr. 

‘Not following them out, Willowkit?’

‘No… Moxie, can I tell you a story?’

‘You can tell me anything. What’s your story about?’

‘The Witch Hare. Henryclaw taught it to me the other day.’ 

Moxie tucks her paws under herself, and rests her head on the edge of her nest. ‘Go on, then.’

–

So many cats have left Willowsplash now.

Her mothers, her brother – StarClan, so many brothers, even Moxie is gone now.

Her younger relatives, the children of so many dead siblings, don’t quite look her in the eye. 

But Bub is here

Sunnytuft and Petalslip are growing up, and her litter-brother’s kits are adults with their own set of problems.

Generations stretch out before her. The deafness was a mercy, really. Bub knows she can’t stand the sound of dogs barking, or cats calling too loudly. When she started to lose her hearing they started to develop a language of ears and whiskers and tails.

Maybe she can’t tell them stories of Goldenstar and Maplestar and Cherrystar with her voice as well anymore. 

But she’ll tell them everything with her paws.

(beetle note: AUHGHHHH THIS IS SO GOOD.... had me rolling on the floor weeping and crying i love it so much <333 the little bits of character added to everyone, the background relationships, the exploration of willowsplash,,, such an underrated character, you did her fantastically)

[saltsongwc]

How do the swapped roles change Tiger and Spotted’s relationships with Fireheart? Also, how does it change the roles of Tiger’s clique (Darkstripe, Longtail, Dustpelt, possibly Goldenflower, etc.)?

Hooooo boy I'm gonna ramble-

So first of, context for how I envision the characters acting, I think Spotted's role in the narrative is much less violent than Tiger, she doesn't want to cause deaths unless necessary, because that would be bad for her, in a "The more lies you tell the more you have to keep track of", she genuinely thought Bluestar would pick her over Lionheart when she killed Redtail. Alas the plan failed, so I think she would try to gaslight Ravenpaw more than outright threaten him into silence, I don't think Ravenpaw would buy it, but it would lend to a more trusting relationship between her and Fireheart at the end of Into the Wild, a "Was Raven telling the truth or is she actually innocent?" is the thought Fireheart has.

So on her part, Fireheart and her are friends in a sort of "Dark mentor vs Good Mentor", she's trying to influence Fireheart by noticing how much trust Bluestar has on him, and her voice as one of his friends does mitigate the hostilities from other cats (particularly Dustpelt and Darkstripe as Darkstripe was her apprentice (because Tigerfoot can't mentor him)).

With Tiger, the fact he's very intimidating even when he doesn't want to and outright a bit antagonistic to Fireheart at the beginning (because kittypet (Tiger still has daddy issues and associates them to kittypets instead of outright going to therapy)) leads to a "I don't want to listen to you because you're mean" relationship that just escalates when Shadowclan steals the kits, Tiger does survive Clawface but he's basically knockout for the rest of the adventure, eventually having to grind his teeth when Bluestar welcomes Yellowfang to be the new medicine cat ("She saved your life and will help you while you recuperate")

Fireheart does begin to spend more time in the medicine den to chat with Yellow which eventually leads to more interactions with Tiger, I think however, they would become closer friends when Cinderpaw is hit by the monster, as now it's not just chatting with Yellow but also basically spending 24/7 by the entrance, and now Graystripe is also gone.

They would take a hit for a bit when Spotted betrays Thunderclan and almost murders Bluestar, Tiger is conflicted if the trust on Fireheart was misplaed considering he was friends with Spotted, but I think they would patch it up, their relationship and dynamic is rocky, and he's the pessimist in the trio of medicine cats before the fire.

OKAY TIGER'S CLIQUE, which is, not that extensive, he's isolated by choice most of the time, hermit would be word, that isn't to say he doesn't have friends, just, limits his circle, he wouldn't even consider Bluestar a friend, just the authority figure he's taught to respect, I think the only two of the clique that remain would be Goldenflower and Longtail, and just add Whitestorm into the mix, my reasonings:

Due to this AU having Leopardfoot's death happen during his apprenticeship instead of later in life, Goldeflower takes a bit of sympathy for him, in a "Look at this wet cat" way, I'm making them contemporaries instead of canon "She's much older than him", so she's part of the apprentice clique and is part of his support systm during Leapordfoot's death, she definetly had a crush on him when she was a warrior and he was a new medcat, but they never went further than that, I think when she has Swiftkit it's a sort of "What if?" moment for both of them, a very "Things could've been different" that they both regret, if only a bit. But she remains a close friend of his.

Longtail's addition to the clique is much less direct than in canon, because Longtail is salty about losing to a kittypet (and an apprentice no less), so he complains to Tiger while healing and Tiger just complains back, a friendship born of talking shit behind other's back. Longtail separates away from Darkstripe and Spotted when he sees they're just being all cozy cozy with the cat that TORE his EAR the AUDICITY/j, he feels betrayed by who he thought would be on his side, eventually realizing "Oh, this cat doesn't deserve my hatred", and when eventually from Goldeflower he finds out why Tiger dislikes Fireheart he realizes that the narrow minded point of view of hating by the sake of hating is not healthy. I think he takes a break from both clique's for a while.

THANKS for the ask and thank you for letting me ramble

[mxmc13]

My favorite evil medicine cat

Woah. Mc posting. Art. rare event folks.

anyway I’ve spent all day reading through clangen lore, and while she’s not a clangen oc (I’ve had her for 4 years I adore her) I wanna infodump about her

Brownfern, born in Frostclan, her mother was Silverstar. Brownkit adored her mom, despite not knowing her dad very well.

Brownkit had a normal kithood, while she was far less enthusiastic about things than other kits, she did have a crush on the older Mudkit. She cheered loudly at Mudkit’s apprentice ceremony. But she was sad he was gone. Brownkit spent lots of her kithood in the medicine den, helping around. So Brownkit started teaching Redkit, a moon younger, about herbs to pass her last moon in the nursery. The two became close and swore they’d be medicine cats together.

Brownkit was woken by a nightmare to a fox attack, and she ran out of the nursery, stumbling onto Graystream, the deputy, taking Silverstar’s lives in the chaos. Brownkit ran until the attack was over. No one but her knew what Graystream had done, chalking the tragic loss to a fox.

Brownkit shakily had her medicine apprentice ceremony a few days later, swearing to her mothers spirit that Graystream, now Graystar, would not prosper. Brownpaw tried to talk and hang out with Mudpaw, but he was always busy, especially with the newest warrior apprentice, Redpaw. Brownpaw stopped talking to them.

Brownpaw spent the rest of her apprenticeship festering in the rage she felt from everything.

Brownpaw watch Mudpaw become Mudtail, hoping for a chance to get closer, she used harmful berries in his prey to put him in the medicine den, and they actually did start talking more (Though Mudtail was still talking a lot to Redpaw..) And Brownpaw’s course of life changed from miserable to murderer. Brownpaw knew medicine cats couldn’t have mates, but she hoped she’d have a semblance of a chance. Brownpaw got her medicine cat name of Brownfern, and the starclan cats gave her odd prophecies of death and herbs. She brushed it off.

Brownfern and Mudtail were actually making progress. Then Redleaf joined Mudtail in the warriors den. And then only 3 moons later, they announced they were mates, and 2 moons later they announced their kits were being born. Then 2 moons later they had a litter of five, Fernkit (Named after Brownfern since the two still viewed her as a close friend), Waspkit, Adderkit, Meadowkit, and Galekit. Brownfern hated helping deliver the kits, but she started envisioning brown fur in place of Adderkit’s red patches. Brownfern decided that kit would be hers.

Brownfern visited the family, as an auntie, she hated it. The kits were bothersome, but Adderkit was lovable since Brownfern saw her as her own. Mudtail and Redleaf questioned the affinity but didn’t bring it up. Brownfern convinced Adderkit that it’d be a great idea to be a medicine cat. And so that’s what Adderpaw chose.

The two were very close, Adderpaw even accidentally calling Brownfern mom quite a few times until Brownferm approved of it, and it started happening on and off. Brownfern actually genuinely loves Adderpaw, Adderpaw is the only cat that Brownfern wouldn’t physically hurt to get her way.

And that’s the point Brownfern is at. Revenge is back into her mind, with her basically kit around.