A/N: Hello! WildheartTheWarrior with my first published Warriors fanfiction! Be sure to leave reviews/concrit so I know where to improve!
Full Summary: Wildpaw of ShadowClan is different from her Clanmates in more ways than one. She's half-rogue...and she has the unexplainable ability to see the spirits of cats past. All Wildpaw wants is to be a normal warrior. But not long into her apprenticeship, the forest's moons-long peace shatters when a rival Clan falls under the thrall of a strange band of rogues. With the help of the spirit of a ShadowClan exile and some old friends, she must unravel the mysteries behind the group—and her own past—before it's too late.
~000~
The night was cold. The forest floor was blanketed in dead, frozen leaves, and the pale gray clouds that hung low on the horizon heralded the arrival of a fresh snowfall. The stars glittered brightly, seemingly in defiance of the clouds that were rolling in. The lake, crisp and clear, reflected each one in turn as they silently kept watch over the Clans below.
Two cats padded along the edge of the lake, their paws crunching over the icy pebbles. One, a young, spotted golden she-cat, glanced up at the half-moon above.
"It looks like it's going to snow," she remarked.
The older, pale silver she-cat nodded. "Yes, Berrypaw," she replied, though her face betrayed no emotion.
Berrypaw seemed undaunted by her mentor's cool attitude. "I like it when it snows," she said quietly as she stared up at the moon. "Everything looks prettier then."
The other she-cat flicked an ear. "But leaf-bare also creates many problems for the Clan," she said calmly, with no change of expression. "Prey retreats underground, and the cold weather brings about sickness and stiff joints."
Berrypaw flattened her ears. "Oh," she said. "Right."
At her apprentice's slightly embarrassed expression, the silver she-cat's expression softened slightly. "I don't mean to be frank," she added. "These things are all just part of learning to be a medicine cat."
The golden cat smiled. "Okay," she said.
After a few moments, Berrypaw looked up again. "Dewfrost?" she asked, amber eyes worried. "What are we going to say about Rainheart?"
Dewfrost sighed as if she expected the question. "We will say nothing," she said firmly. "That is ShadowClan's business, not the other Clans'."
Berrypaw nodded. "Yes, Dewfrost," she said, dipping her head respectfully to her mentor. With a glance, the two cats peeled away from the lakeshore and headed into the forest.
The air abruptly became colder as they stepped under the shadow of the trees. Berrypaw began to shiver as they padded through ThunderClan's territory. Dewfrost's gaze flicked sideways at her cold apprentice. The pale-furred she-cat pressed her pelt against the younger cat's to warm her.
Suddenly the bushes began to rustle. The two cats stopped, ears pricked forward in interest. Then a slim gray-and-white she-cat with green eyes stepped out of the undergrowth. She had unusual rumpled fur, making her look as if she had recently been dragged tail-first through a thicket of brambles.
Dewfrost dipped her head respectfully. "Greetings, Briarstream," she said.
Briarstream nodded, returning her greeting with a small smile. "Hello, Dewfrost," she replied. "Hello, Berrypaw."
Berrypaw smiled, her tail waving. "Hello, Briarstream!" she greeted enthusiastically.
The ThunderClan medicine cat laughed, and Dewfrost rolled her eyes. Even though Berrypaw was nearly seven moons old, she still had moments where she would act like a two-moon-old kit.
"Shall we continue to the Moonpool together?" Dewfrost suggested.
Briarstream nodded. "Let's go," she said, jerking her head towards the bushes.
As they walked along, Briarstream and Dewfrost walked alongside each other, chatting quietly to each other about news in the Clans. Berrypaw walked beside the two, listening intently with curious eyes.
Soon the scent of WindClan began to grow stronger as they crossed over onto the moors. The ground became harder under their paws as grass and dirt became heather and moss, and heather and moss became rock. The ground began to steepen, and Berrypaw began to move faster.
As they padded down into the hollow, Berrypaw felt herself shiver in anticipation as her paws slipped into the path in the stone. Her eyes settled on the Moonpool itself—crystal-clear as ever and reflecting all of StarClan in its pristine waters.
Three other cats stood by the side of the Moonpool—all of them toms. The first was a lithe brown tabby tom with keen amber eyes. He smelled of WindClan. The other two had matching sleek pelts that both carried the fishy scent of RiverClan. One was broad-shouldered, with a thick, copper-colored pelt and harsh blue eyes. His apprentice was slightly smaller, with glossy black fur and large green eyes.
The RiverClan medicine cat curled his lip slightly. "Took you long enough," he snorted.
Dewfrost frowned. "It's a long walk from the ShadowClan camp, Russetfeather," she explained.
"And I had sick to tend to," Briarstream said, looking slightly hurt. "There's no need to be rude."
"Our walk was longer," Russetfeather grumbled. His apprentice, though, smiled at Berrypaw. "Hey, Berrypaw," he said.
Berrypaw smiled back, the inside of her ears turning slightly red as she gazed at the handsome tom. "Hello, Reedtail," she said.
The WindClan cat suddenly cleared his throat. "Shoud we begin?" he asked, raising one brow.
Briarstream dipped her head. "Of course, Hawkspirit—"
"Hang on," Russetfeather interrupted. He leveled his gaze at Dewfrost and Berrypaw, narrowing his eyes. "I want to know why stories of a ShadowClan queen mating with some rogue are being told in our camp," he growled.
Dewfrost's eyes widened, and Berrypaw gasped. Reedtail glanced at his mentor in shock. "Russetfeather—"
"Hush, Reedtail!" the elderly tom snapped. He glared at the two ShadowClanners. "Well?" he asked. "Go on."
Dewfrost returned the RiverClan cat with her own steely gaze. "What happened between Rainheart and her…mate…is ShadowClan's business, not RiverClan's," she said coldly. "And how did your Clanmates—"
"RiverClan is not so deaf that they don't know what's going on beyond our borders!" Russetfeather spat back. "One of your own warriors told our patrol all about it!"
The silver she-cat bared her teeth. "ShadowClan has loyal warriors!" she declared. "No cat would ever betray—"
"Enough!" Hawkspirit, the WindClan medicine cat, glared at both of them. "The Moonpool is a sacred place," he meowed. "It is not a place for medicine cats—respected members of the Clans—to start petty arguments over who did what with who!"
"He's right." Briarstream stepped forward, forest-green eyes serious. "This is no place for fighting. Not tonight."
Both fighting warriors shot one last glance at each other, then sheathed their claws. "They're right," Dewfrost said icily. "This is an argument for another place." With that, she strode over to the edge of the Moonpool to wait for the other medicine cats.
Russetfeather snarled, then followed. "Disgrace to the warrior code…" he muttered darkly.
Reedtail shot Berrypaw an apologetic look. "I'm so sorry," he whispered. "Russetfeather's…had a lot on his mind lately." And with that, he followed his mentor to the side of the pool.
Berrypaw padded after Dewfrost, avoiding the gazes of the other medicine cats. Then, all six cats bent down, lapped up a mouthful of the water, and sat back. Instantly, Berrypaw felt her eyelids droop. Sliding onto her stomach, she allowed sleep to take her.
~000~
She opened her eyes to a bright forest clearing, the greenleaf air starkly contrasting with the freezing weather outside. Birdsong echoed through the trees, and the sound of prey rustling through the bushed greeted her ears.
A smile spread across her face. StarClan, she thought, a feeling of awe spreading through her. As a breeze ruffled through the trees, she lifted her muzzle into the breeze.
"Beautiful, isn't it?"
The spotted she-cat whirled around, amber eyes wide. Behind her stood a pure white she-cat, blue eyes glinting gently in the moonlight. Stars studded her pristine pelt, and she smiled. "Hello, Berrypaw," she greeted.
Berrypaw straightened up instantly, dipping her head low to the ground. "H-hello," she stammered.
The she-cat laughed—a sweet, musical sound that made Berrypaw relax instantly. "It's all right, dear," she said, eyes soft. "My name is Snow."
Berrypaw lifted her head at the name, confusion in her eyes. Snow wasn't a Clan name.
As if Snow could sense her thoughts, she smiled again. "No, I wasn't a Clan cat," she explained. "But I was very close to one who was."
Berrypaw nodded slowly. "Okay," she said. "So…what do I do now?"
A sudden gust of wind suddenly blew through the clearing, and Snow lifted her head. As the breeze died down, the white she-cat's expression became much more serious. "StarClan brings a message, young one," she meowed.
The medicine apprentice's eyes widened in shock. "A message?" she repeated. "For me?"
Snow nodded. "You must pass this on to your mentor the moment you leave this place tonight," she said.
Berrypaw's ears flattened, but she nodded. "Okay. Let me hear it."
Snow closed her eyes. "Danger is coming to the forest, little one. Beware those who seem to be friends, for lightning can strike even on the brightest of days."
The wind began to howl again, and when Snow spoke again, the voice she used was that of many cats at once.
"Only the one who hears the voices in the shadows will have the strength to rise against those who strike from the dark."
The golden she-cat looked up again, looking utterly baffled. Voices in the shadows? "I don't understand!" she exclaimed.
"You will in time," Snow replied. Already her surroundings were beginning to blur.
"Wait!" Berrypaw called, trying to take a step forward. "Don't leave!" But the starry forest abruptly faded into blackness.
~000~
"Berrypaw!"
Her eyes snapped open to see Dewfrost's dark blue eyes a mouse-length from her own. She sat up in an instant. "I'm awake," she announced to know one in particular. When she glanced around and saw the other medicine cats staring at her, she glanced down. One forepaw was still submerged in the Moonpool. She hastily drew her paw out of the freezing water, shaking it and getting to her paws. She felt her ears burning, and she looked at the ground.
"Well," Hawkspirit said cordially. "Farewell. I must return to my camp."
Everyone said their goodbyes, then started off towards their respective Clans. Briarstream travelled back with them into ThunderClan territory, then headed off into the direction of her own camp.
The moment Berrypaw was alone with her mentor, she stopped. "Dewfrost?" she said hesitantly.
The pale she-cat looked up. "What's wrong?" she asked. "Do you have to make dirt?"
Berrypaw shook her head. "No, no, nothing like that." She glanced around, ears pricked. Then she leaned close.
"I have something important to tell you…"
~000~
Allegiances:
ShadowClan
Leader: Redstar—big russet-colored tom with amber eyes
Deputy: Boulderstrike - powerfully-built dark gray tom with amber eyes
Medicine Cat: Dewfrost - pale silver she-cat with dark blue eyes
Apprentice, Berrypaw - small, spotted golden she-cat with amber eyes
Warriors:
Lilythorn - pale tortoiseshell she-cat with yellow eyes
Apprentice, Marshpaw
Whitewhisker - long-haired white tom with green eyes and long whiskers
Snakefang - dark brown tom with amber eyes
Mothbreeze - brown-and-white she-cat with amber eyes
Apprentice, Vinepaw
Squirrelclaw - light brown tom with blue eyes and a bushy tail
Foxstripe - ginger tabby tom with amber eyes
Shadefall - black tom with green eyes
Spiderpelt - dark gray tom with blue eyes
Sandfur - pale brown tom with blue eyes
Pebblespot - mottled gray she-cat with blue eyes
Smallpetal - pale golden she-cat with green eyes
Apprentices:
Marshpaw - brown tom with blue eyes
Vinepaw - brown tom with green eyes
Queens:
Duskflower - dusky brown she-cat with blue eyes (mother to Snakefang's kits: Daisykit, Pinekit, and Stoatkit; foster mother to Patchkit)
Rainheart - blue-gray she-cat with yellow eyes (mother to an unkown rogue's kit, Wildkit)
Kits:
Daisykit - gold-and-white she-cat with amber eyes
Pinekit - dark brown tom with blue eyes
Stoatkit - dark brown tabby tom with amber eyes
Patchkit - white tom with ginger patches and odd brown eyes; former kittypet
Wildkit - dark ginger she-cat with bright green eyes
Elders:
Firewhisker - dull ginger tom with amber eyes
Stoneleap - gray tabby with blue eyes; oldest cat in ShadowClan
ThunderClan
Leader: Oakstar - brawny brown tom with blue eyes
Deputy: Volestripe - gray tabby tom with thick stripes and amber eyes
Medicine Cat: Briarstream - gray-and-white she-cat with green eyes and unruly fur
Warriors:
Scartalon - big black tom with green eyes and multiple battle scars; former rogue
Bumblepelt - golden tabby tom with darker stripes and light green eyes
Maplepool - red-brown she-cat with white paws and amber eyes
Sneezefur—a brown tom with an always-streaming nose (Rabbitdash of Dusk Clan)
Harefoot—tan tabby tom (Rabbitdash of Dusk Clan)
Willowleaf - small cream-colored she-cat with blue eyes
Flameleap - ginger tom with yellow eyes and long, muscular legs
Hornetfur - thick-pelted golden tabby tom with deep green eyes
Birdshade - fluffy golden tabby she-cat with white paws and amber-gold eyes
Apprentices:
Tremblepaw—black tom with white paws and muzzle, amber eyes (Wildstep)
Darkpaw - jet-black tom with a white tail-tip and dark blue eyes; former rogue
Queens:
Ripplebreeze - brown-and-white tabby she-cat with blue eyes (mother to Bumblepelt's kit, Tigerkit)
Kits:
Tigerkit - sand-colored she-cat with darker stripes
RiverClan
Leader: Turtlestar - tortoiseshell she-cat with green eyes
Deputy: Cloudbelly - white tom with amber eyes and unusually thick belly fur
Medicine Cat: Russetfeather - big, copper-colored tom with blue eyes
Apprentice: Reedtail - black tom with green eyes
Warriors:
Blueflight - blue-gray she-cat with dark green eyes
Toadclaw - mottled brown tom with amber eyes
Goldenshade - dark golden she-cat with blue eyes
Shadedpool—very dark blue tom with gray points and a tabby gray-blue tail, and blue-gray eyes (StarStarLikesTrains)
Apprentice, Mintpaw
Rushblaze—ginger tom with a white blaze on his forehead, a white belly, and blue eyes (Wildstep)
Sunmist—golden she-cat with blue eyes (Skystar5)
Apprentices
Mintpaw—light brown tabby she cat with white paws and belly and brown eyes (StarStarLikesTrains)
Queens:
Spottedflower—pretty fluffy white she cat with ginger spots and green eyes; expecting Shadedpool's kits (StarStarLikesTrains)
Skyfern—small brown tabby she-cat with a white tail and green eyes (mother to Rushblaze's kits, Fishkit and Redkit) (Wildstep)
Kits:
Fishkit—brown-and-white tabby tom (Wildstep)
Redkit—very light ginger she-cat with blue eyes (Wildstep)
Elders:
Skyflower—mottled she-cat (Rabbitdash of Dusk Clan)
WindClan
Leader: Eaglestar - pale gray tom with amber eyes
Deputy: Lionspring - big golden tom with green eyes and powerful back legs
Medicine Cat: Hawkspirit - lithe brown tabby tom with amber eyes
Warriors:
Gorseblaze - dusky gray tom with blazing amber eyes
Badgernose - black-and-white tom with blue eyes
Fawnleap—creamy brown she-cat with white back paws and amber eyes (Wildstep)
Swiftraven—jet-black she-cat with bright amber eyes (Secret of the Blade)
Rabbitstreak - dust-colored tom with long back legs and green eyes
Apprentices:
Featherpaw—small, lithe she-cat with very light brown fur, darker tabby patches and amber eyes (StarStarLikesTrains)
Dreampaw—sleek, jet-black she-cat with white stripes and pale blue eyes (Secret of the Blade)
Hawkpaw—white she-cat with black stripes, a black front paw, and bright blue eyes (Secret of the Blade)
Fogpaw—gray tabby tom with darker markings on legs and blue eyes (Wildstep)
Queens:
Darkowl—medium brown she cat with calico spots and blind blue eyes (mother of Badgernose's kits: Moorkit and Howlingkit) (StarStarLikesTrains)
Kits:
Moorkit—dark brown tom with a tabby tail and amber eyes (StarStarLikesTrains)
Howlingkit—dark brown tom with a tabby-striped tail, a white ear, and blue eyes (StarStarLikesTrains)
Elders:
Cloudbreath—gray-and-white tom (Rabbitdash of Dusk Clan)
EDIT: Though I am no longer accepting cats, I did add the cats of those who did submit them. Thanks to all!
