Hello readers, this is my new story. I thought Runningnose was awfully neglected, so I am making a backstory. I realized on the Clans first thing, is that I forgot to input ShadowClan apprentices. So sorry, but I am not going to change it.

hope you enjoy this! Please review!


The rain pattered the marsh earth, and shadows fell upon the puddles. The forest seemed to be dying, the ashen gray taken over the marshes. A cat padded out of the bushes, his gray fur matted with mud and his eyes deep with sorrow. Ever since Yellowfang had left, life seemed to get harder for him, Brokenstar threatening him at every chance, and he had to watch more kits die every day.

The Clan had been foolish, he thought, Raggedstar filled with too much pride for his son, and the Clan was blinded by his lies. After Brokenstar had exiled Yellowfang, Runningnose had fallen into deep depression, unable to watch the Clan starve.

In the heart of ShadowClan territory, the Clan was preparing for battle. Runningnose had to be as far away from there as possible, but he knew that he could not abandon his Clan. It occurred to him before that he could try to find Yellowfang, but he felt that he was destined to help ShadowClan.

He snuffled miserably. If Brokenstar ever got defeated, what terrible consequence would await ShadowClan?

A yowl in the distance made him tense, and he could hear Brokenstar's words.

"We will attack ThunderClan NOW!" Runningnose cringed at the menace in his leader's howl "We will conquer! We will conquer!"

Runningnose flattened himself to the ground as Blackfoot and Clawface began chanting "Conquer! Conquer! Conquer! Conquer!" The clan was forced into the yowling as well, and soon the marsh was abundant with the menace.

Runningnose sighed. More cats would be injured, more dead. The trees seemed to loom above him like the spirits of old cats. He sat down on a stump and thought. What could he possibly do to stop this? How could he get into contact with Yellowfang? He had heard rumors of her staying in ThunderClan…

As he pushed through the brambles, Runningnose sneezed. The thunderpath scent made him sneeze, basically everything did. His white paws trembled, and he braced himself. As he was going to leap across the thunderpath, he heard a yelp. Curious, he paused, and followed in the direction of the sound. A fine whimpering had started, and as he turned a corner in the ShadowClan path, he found a fox kit.

Surprised, he jumped back with a hiss, and that made the kit howl. He sneezed, then put a paw further.

"Where is your mother, little kit?" He mewed, trying to sound calm. Runningnose saw that the kit had a twoleg thing wrapped around it's paw, and he groaned. Fox traps. Simple but deadly. Like a rat.

It took Runningnose plenty of time before he was able to even begin to nip at the trap. The fox kit always kept on lip up, wanting to snarl but it was in so much pain that Runningnose thought it could barely think. Finally, the medicine cat got the twine loosened, and the fox kit bounded up, only to collapse onto the ground. Runningnose sniffed it's paw, and it was twisted.

"Stay here, I'll get you something." He meowed, and then suddenly remembered that it couldn't understand him. As he turned around, he sneezed, and smashed right into the chest of a fox. Not a fox kit, but a real fox.

Runningnose backed away, scarcely breathing, and made a clear path between the fox and the kit. He glanced and saw the path the fox had made through the undergrowth; it had heard the kit's yelps undoubtedly. The fox barked, not a threat, but of joy. The kit squirmed over to the adult, and nuzzled it lovingly. After a few exchanged barks, the adult turned to Runningnose. He sneezed, cursing his nose, and stood up.

The fox stared at him, and Runningnose felt a deadlock forming. When the fox's mouth opened, Runningnose prepared for the worst, but a strangled sound came out of its mouth.

"Thanks you." The fox growled, and Runningnose couldn't believe it. A fox that could speak cat? He thanked StarClan and meowed back. "A wounded kit is anybody's responsibility."

"We owe favor you."

"Thank you. Continue safely."

The fox inquired him curiously. "Not all cat like you."

It then turned with its kit leaning on it, and walked into the brambles, not looking back.

Runningnose let out his breath, and buried the trap. The gorse caught his fur as he walked back to the camp, his energy wasted. As he entered the camp, one thought was ringing in his mind.

They owe me a favor.