Redstar

Some cats aren't born to become leaders. In some cats it takes great courage to lead their Clan, even if it means others will stand in their way. For Redstar, his life was always full of challenges. But this was one challenge he did not see coming.


His eyes slowly opened as morning arrived all too quickly. Life as a warrior was great. But it also meant that he would have to wake up early. He hated the fact that he couldn't sleep in anymore. Needlefur had already warned him that it would take time getting used to being a warrior.

Thinking of his old mentor, Redstripe wondered what he was up to. Along with Whiteberry, Needlefur was almost ready to retire. He would miss how strong and caring Needlefur was of him. The old warrior may have gotten cranky at times, but he would never let Redstripe fail as an apprentice.

I wouldn't have gotten this far if it wasn't for you, he thought.

"Redstripe, Mothwhisker wants you on patrol!" He tried not to groan when Cloudpelt stepped inside. Cloudpelt had gotten his warrior name a few moons earlier than him. And of course the older tom would always prove that.

"Tell her I'll be there in a few heartbeats," he replied, trying to hide his annoyance. Cloudpelt eyed him critically before nodding and disappearing from the cave.

Once he was gone Redstripe sighed and sat up. The warrior's den was almost empty by now. He didn't realize it was so late already. With a shake of his head he bounded outside and saw that camp was buzzing with activity.

Cloverfang and Plumtail were waiting near the cave's entrance, which opened up to the valley outside. He nodded curtly to the older she-cats, knowing they weren't exactly big talkers. Cloverfang was far more clever than Plumtail, and would often search for the right words to keep everyone quiet.

They padded on in silence. With the borders under constant threat by StreamClan and FireClan, they needed to keep an eye out for any intruders. Redstripe hadn't missed the fact that FireClan tried moving their border more than once. It was best to avoid conflict and reset the borders if they did so again.

"I don't like this," growled Cloverfang. "It's too quiet."

Redstripe nodded in agreement. His ears were pricked forward as he picked up any signs of life in the area. Much to his annoyance and surprise, he couldn't find anything. Cloverfang was more than just right. Something was wrong, and he could feel it in the air.

"We need to report this to Mothwhisker, now," he hissed. They didn't get very far when a cat sprang out of the undergrowth. Redstripe stopped in his tracks, his heart was pounding with dread when he realized who this cat was.

"You didn't think you could get this far, did you?" Whitepelt, a small brown tom with white spots stood in front of them, hackles raised as he glared at them.

"Step aside Whitepelt, unless you'd like to lose more than just your ear," Plumtail spat.

Whitepelt simply glared at her before lunging at Redstripe. He was taken by surprise as Whitepelt pummeled him with claws across the chest. Redstripe recovered quickly and retaliated by shoving him forward with his muzzle, grabbing Whitepelt's flank with his teeth in the process. The smaller cat let out a screech of surprise as he was sent tumbling backwards.

"This isn't your territory, mousebrain!" Redstripe spat.

"It is now," a new voice spoke up. All three cats froze in horror when they recognized Scorchstar's voice. "We need this territory now more than ever. Our Clan is growing in numbers, and there is nowhere else to go."

"We will fight for our territory if we have to," Cloverfang declared.

Sudden dread washed over Redstripe over the thought. He looked at every cat cautiously as Scorchstar curled his lip at Cloverfang.

"Then fight we shall," the FireClan leader sneered. With one flick of his tail several cats jumped out of the bushes. Redstripe's eyes widened in horror when he realized they were dangerously outnumbered.

"We need backup!" Plumtail nearly yowled, her eyes widening as well when she realized the mistake they made.

"Go and fetch Mothwhisker, we'll keep them distracted," Cloverfang suddenly ordered to Redstripe.

He was more than ready to argue when he thought better of it. Without a second thought he raced back towards the cave, dodging cats who tried stopping him along the way. Behind him he could hear the screeches of battle raging on. He sent a silent prayer to StarClan that Cloverfang and Plumtail would survive.

"Redstripe, what are you doing back here so soon?" Cloudpelt was standing guard when he returned to the cave. Redstripe was gasping for breath as he tried retelling what had happened at the border.

"FireClan... they moved the border... there's a fight going on," he managed to spurt out the words.

"Mothwhisker, we need backup at the border!" Cloudpelt's yowl rang through the cave as a tawny colored she-cat emerged from the warrior's den. Mothwhisker wasn't one to be taken lightly, especially during battle.

"Right, I need you and Redstripe to come with me. Brightcloud, Hawkclaw and Berryfur, I want you to come with us as well. We'll need every able warrior possible in this one. Take your apprentices as well." Mothwhisker spoke with such authority that every cat listened.

Once Hawkclaw and Berryfur had gathered their apprentices, they moved on towards the battle as Redstripe led the way. Blood was roaring in his ears when he realized this was his first battle as a warrior. He had already fought as an apprentice, but this was something entirely different.

"It's about time you got here!" Plumtail spat as she managed to send another warrior scurrying across the border. She looked battered, and that was putting it mildly.

"We would have gotten here sooner had it not been for Applepaw," grumbled Russetpaw. Redstripe only rolled his eyes at the dark ginger tom's attitude. Russetpaw was always looking for an excuse to fight.

Redstripe was ready to say something when another warrior tackled him to the ground. He struggled to get to his paws as they circled him with their lips curled. His ears flattened with outrage as he lashed out, managing to snag their fur with his claw.

"Scorchstar, this madness must end now!" Mothwhisker yowled as she tackled her way through several cats. There were too many for Redstripe to count. He couldn't keep track of it all as he spotted a silver and black she-cat stalking towards Mothwhisker.

He battered the cat that was holding him down in heartbeats before trying to reach Mothwhisker in time. But by the time he did it was too late. The silver and black she-cat had lunged at Mothwhisker while she was distracted. All too quickly a screech followed as the she-cat managed to deliver a death blow to the neck.

"No!" he yowled as he tried prying the she-cat off. She was stronger than he expected. She managed to shove him off as she spat out the body of Mothwhisker. "How could you?" he demanded as he staggered back to his paws.

"She was in the way," the she-cat replied smoothly. "I simply took care of an obstacle." Her amber eyes held a menacing glow to them as she stared at Redstripe dangerously. "And you are now my next obstacle," she added.

"Silverblaze, that's enough!" Scorchstar's yowl stopped her in her tracks. Silverblaze shot Redstripe one final glare before bounding back into the retreating crowd.

"This isn't over," Plumtail spat as they disappeared into the undergrowth.

Everyone was staring at Mothwhisker's body. Her death marked the end of a battle that shouldn't have even happened. To top things off Brightcloud was also killed in battle, but no one had seen who the murderer was. Only Redstripe knew who killed Mothwhisker.

I won't forgive her for this, he told himself. Mothwhisker did not deserve to die like that.


The group of warriors had returned back to camp in somber silence. Hawkclaw and Cloverfang helped carry Mothwhisker's body, while Berryfur carried Brightcloud's tiny frame. There were gasps of surprise filling the cave when they arrived.

"StarClan, what happened?" Honeystar stared down at her deputy's body in disbelief and horror as Redstripe recalled what had happened.

"She didn't need to die this way," Redstripe murmured, his voice hollow with grief. Honeystar placed her tail tip on his shoulder sympathetically.

"No cat ever wants to see anyone die," she told him. "But it is the way of life. Mothwhisker died doing what she loves the most - defending her Clan. She will be honored for her bravery and wisdom, and the friendship she has created among us all."

Redstripe looked at Honeystar warily before nodding in agreement. He knew that Mothwhisker would be forgotten in moons to come. But for now he would keep her memory alive as long as he could.

"Who will be our new deputy?" Hawkclaw asked.

Honeystar looked at Hawkclaw thoughtfully before answering, "give me some time to think over my decision. Mothwhisker's apprentice will need to be reassigned as well." Hawkclaw nodded in understanding and stalked away, tail lashing from side to side. "Redstripe, I want you to mentor Russetpaw," she suddenly added once he was gone.

Redstripe could only stare at Honeystar in disbelief. Him, a mentor already?

"A-Are you sure that's a good idea?" he asked skeptically.

"You have already shown that you are worthy of being a mentor," she reassured him. "I know that you will train Russetpaw right. All he needs is the right push."

He dipped his head thankfully to her before slipping away. For the next few hours he was too stunned to speak to anyone. Needlefur had said a few words of congratulations when he heard about the battle. Berryfur and Cloverfang had mentioned something about how brave he was for trying to stop Silverblaze.

After that the entire Clan was gathered as they held vigil over Mothwhisker and Brightcloud. Both she-cats had proven themselves more than worthy as warriors in MoonClan. Redstripe would never forget their bravery or spirit.

"I'll never forget you," he rasped as he gave Mothwhisker one final respectful bow.

"I believe now is a good time to name my deputy," Honeystar announced. "I see these words before the body and spirit of both Mothwhisker and Brightcloud, so that they may hear and approve my choice. Redstripe shall be my deputy."

Shock rippled through the crowd when she said that. For Redstripe it felt as though the whole world had stopped. All he could do was gape at Mothwhisker as cats leaped to their paws, yowling in outrage at Honeystar's choice.

"Are you mousebrained? He doesn't even have an apprentice!"

"He's too young to lead the Clan!"

"I believe Honeystar made the right choice."

"She must have bees in her brain if she thinks he's a good choice."

Redstripe tried to ignore the voices that kept calling him out. He knew they had every right to say such words. Clearly Honeystar wasn't in her right mind to name him as her deputy. He was nowhere near ready for that kind of responsibility.

"Enough!" Honeystar yowled over the voices. "My decision stands final. Redstripe is now mentoring Russetpaw, and so he is not breaking the warrior code."

All at once Redstripe wished a hole would appear under his paws. The glare that Russetpaw sent him was one that made him shudder. He knew how much Russetpaw hated him. This was not going to end well for either of them.

"You will never be leader in my eyes," the apprentice spat as he stalked past.

He watched as the Clan dispersed into groups. Mothwhisker and Brightcloud were taken away by the elders. It was always a tradition for the elders to bury the body, especially if they fell during a battle.

I can't do this, he thought suddenly. I'm not ready. Why, why Honeystar would you do this to me?


Moons passed after Honeystar had named Redstripe as deputy. He wasn't surprised when several cats tried challenging him over his position. What did surprise him though was that he stood up to them. Each and every cat that tried pushing him down would learn that hard way that he wasn't to be taken lightly. Just like Mothwhisker.

Eventually Russetpaw had become Russetfoot, and he still hadn't grown to respect his old mentor. There were times when it seemed like all Russetfoot would do was seek Redstripe out and argue with him. And of course it was usually over the most mousebrained of things.

After a few more moons had passed Honeystar was struggling on her last life. Everyone knew she wasn't going to make it through the night. She had asked for Redstripe and Ashcloud, the new medicine cat, to join her for one last evening together.

"I always knew you would make a fine leader, Redstripe," Honeystar rasped as she struggled to speak. Ashcloud tried keeping her comfortable, but she simply pushed him away. "Don't waste your herbs on me. The others will need them more."

"How did you know I would be your next deputy?" Redstripe couldn't help but ask.

"When you were a kit StarClan sent me a sign," she explained. "They said that you would lead the Clan into greatness. But there will also be a time of darkness and sorrow. You must be ready for the challenges that lay ahead of you."

Redstripe could only nod at her words. He wasn't sure whether or not he was ready for that yet. It was still amazing to think that he was deputy.

"Thank you, for everything," he whispered. "You truly are the wisest leader I've known."

"I'm the only leader you've..." Honeystar's words were cut off by a bout of coughs. Redstripe watched in horror when he realized that she was no longer breathing after her coughing finally ended.

She was gone. Now it was his time to lead MoonClan the way she had. And hopefully he could keep her memory alive somehow in the end.


AN: So this, as you might have guessed goes way back to my Legacy Series. Redstar was kind of a character I really wanted to write about, but never really had the intention of doing. I think he deserves more credit than he gets for what he put up with in my series ;) Please tell me what you thought of this, and if you have any suggestions than let me know in the comment section!

Zarina El Tigre - Thanks, I'm glad you liked it that much!

Foreststar of WindClan - XD I would say it took you long enough, but that's just mean :P It's okay, it's been a while since we've seen him.

sunburstkitty - I might do her when I'm finished with my own list of characters, thanks for the suggestion!

boscyboo - Thanks, I'm glad you liked it! :D