She was the daughter of the leader, named after Smokestar's deceased sister, and given attention by all. She looked the most similar to her father with her white coat speckled with black spots. But her eyes, and that of her sister, Dawnpaw's, were an icy blue, like her mother's, Lilywhisker.
Now an apprentice, and having suffered from all the cruel retorts from her half-sisters when Smokestar had once been mates with another she-cat, Mousepaw only longed to become a good warrior.
Though her nursery days were over, Mousepaw still often played with Reedkit and his three siblings. They were a few moons younger, but Mousepaw had taken a liking to them and found their company better than her three half-sisters who seemed to haunt the apprentice den with their scowls.
After a long day of training, Mousepaw sat outside in the sun, warming her fur pelt, when a golden brown tom, also an apprentice, approached. She recognized him as Thornpaw. He was a few moons older than she was, but he had been kind, and sometimes they trained together.
"Hey, Mousepaw," he said, grinning. "Want to go hunting?"
Mousepaw glanced around. Reedkit and his siblings were napping, and her sister was off with Blazepaw, another apprentice.
"Sure," she replied, not seeing any harm in going.
"Great!" Thornpaw replied excitedly. She had noticed him giving her attention for a while, but she thought nothing of it. He would be a warrior soon anyway.
They entered the forest, SnowClan's camp fading behind them. Thornpaw sniffed the air.
"Vole!" he whispered.
Mousepaw glanced forward and noticed the small creature nearby. She watched as Thornpaw crouched and padded silently across the hard earth. He suddenly pounced, and the vole's shriek was cut short by his teeth. Thornpaw emerged with the dead vole.
"I'll bury it. We can collect it later," he said. Mousepaw nodded and watched as he dug a small vole and dropped the vole in. Then, he put dirt over it.
Mousepaw watched him, noticing the way his fur shined in the sun. She wasn't too opposed to his attention toward her. They were acquaintances, at least, maybe even friends. She wanted to know the tom better. It would be nice to make more friends.
"Great catch," Mousepaw told him.
"Thanks," Thornpaw replied, turning away as if he were embarrassed. There was a moment of silence between them, and then he spoke.
"Um...Mousepaw?" he asked. "Do you think anyone likes me? I mean, it's not like anyone would because I'm blind and stupid. Yesterday, even Leafkit teased me. No one would take me as a mate." He bowed his head miserably.
Mousepaw was taken aback, not sure why he was shedding all this information on her. Thornpaw was blind in one eye, not that it mattered. His other green eye was still striking and bright. Her heart went out for the tom.
"I don't know of any cat," she explained. "But I'm sure there's a cat for you."
She caught a wave of disappointment in his voice. "Oh...okay."
"Why are you asking?" she asked.
Thornpaw ducked his head in embarrassment. "Y-You like Reedkit, don't you?"
Mousepaw's eyes widened. "We're good friends, and I like him, but I don't know if it's in the way you're assuming..."
Thornpaw looked hurt. "Reedkit loves you," he whispered. His voice shook as he added, "And so do I." Turning around, he raced back towards camp.
Mousepaw's eyes widened. She clearly should've seen the signs! No, she didn't love him back, but he had been kind to her and a good friend. She still cared for him.
"Thornpaw, wait!" she called, racing after him. She searched for a while, but it appeared the tom was nowhere to be found.
She was about to head back to camp when he came into view suddenly.
"Hello," he spoke, his voice cold and emotionless. He walked past her and slammed into a tree. Mousepaw watched in horror as he collapsed and a trickle of blood dripped from his forehead. He was unconscious.
Camp was not far, and with all her might, Mousepaw dragged the tom into camp. She was stopped by Cottonnose, Thornpaw's mentor.
"He needs help," Mousepaw told him.
Cottonnose nodded and carried Thornpaw the rest of the way. Tawnypaw, the medicine cat apprentice, was the only one in the den, and she seemed in shock to see Thornpaw.
"What happened?" she demanded.
Embarrassed, Mousepaw only spoke, "He hit his head."
"You're not telling me everything, are you?" she asked. The speckled she-cat turned her head to Cottonnose. "What was it that exactly happened?"
Cottonnose shrugged. "He was complaining about Mousepaw when he came into camp."
Tawnypaw glanced at him. "Yes, but why? Thornpaw's always been friendly to Mousepaw. What made him so upset?"
Mousepaw wondered why Tawnypaw was getting so personal about this issue. Without thinking, Mousepaw snapped at the she-cat.
"Why does it matter? He hit his head! Just fix him!" she shrieked, her fur spiking. Mousepaw went and sat outside of the den, listening to the conversation inside.
"I just wanted to know what happened," Tawnypaw told Cottonnose. "I should have treated him first. I'm a horrible medicine cat apprentice. Now Mousepaw hates me."
A few minutes passed, and then Mousepaw watched as Tawnypaw burst out of the medicine cat den with tears streaming down her face.
Mousepaw padded back into find Thornpaw awake now. It seemed Tawnypaw had given him some treatment already.
"What happened?" he asked Mousepaw. "Why is she crying?"
"I-I don't know," Mousepaw lied.
Thornpaw's fur bristled. She knew he could tell she was lying.
"You don't care about her!" he spat.
"I-that's not..." Mousepaw didn't know what to say. She raced off, leaving him behind as Tawnypaw re-entered, now having regained herself.
Days passed. Mousepaw did not speak to Thornpaw and Thornpaw did not speak to Mousepaw. Tawnypaw became a full medicine cat, dawning the name Tawnyheart.
Two new apprentices were added-Sandpaw and Darkpaw. Mousepaw sat outside one day, eating a mouse, when Sandpaw approached. She was a light ginger she-cat with a brilliant smile. She was very friendly, at least from what Mousepaw had known of her.
"Hi, Mousepaw," she spoke, grinning.
"Hey, Sandpaw. How's training going?" she asked.
"Just fine!" she exclaimed. She turned, and Mousepaw followed her gaze, noticing Thornpaw. He was glaring at them.
"What's his problem?" Sandpaw said to Mousepaw. "Seriously, Thornpaw has been sooooo grumpy."
Mousepaw shrugged. She had wanted to speak to Thornpaw for some time now. She didn't like being unfriendly toward him. She missed whatever friendship they had.
"I'm going to talk to him!" Sandpaw announced.
"No, don't!" Mousepaw called out, but it was too late. The small she-cat was already stalking toward the tom.
"Why are you so mad at Mousepaw?" she demanded. "What did she do wrong?"
Thornpaw's eyes flashed with rage. Sandpaw noticed and backed away, scared. Mousepaw watched as his eyes became lighter with realization, but when he approached Sandpaw again, she shrieked, "LEAVE ME ALONE!" and hid behind Mousepaw. Now it was only the two of them, looking at each other.
His eyes are really green, she thought, staring at him.
"Hey, be nice," Mousepaw snapped.
"Sorry," Thornpaw murmured to Sandpaw. Mousepaw waited for him to speak to her, but he just laid down in the center of camp.
Days passed, and there he stayed. Mousepaw didn't know what to do. Why didn't he move? Why was he starving himself? Why did he just lay out in the rain like that? Didn't he care about himself?
Sandpaw padded up to Mousepaw, worry in her eyes. "He needs to eat, or he'll die."
Mousepaw wasn't sure what to do. Why was it so difficult to speak to him now?
"I..." She couldn't complete her sentence. She stood up and went to walk away when Thornpaw called out to her.
"Mousepaw, wait!" he called. Sandpaw nudged a rabbit toward him, but he ignored it. "If Mousepaw doesn't listen to what I have to say, I won't eat it!" he exclaimed.
"Please eat it!" Sandpaw begged. "I don't want you to die! Even if Mousepaw does!"
Mousepaw was hurt. But I don't want him to die.
"What?" Mousepaw asked, her voice stern. Why can't I be kind to him? Am I still embarrassed by what he said?
"I'm sorry," Thornpaw said. "I never should've said those things to you. Please forgive me."
"I-I forgive you," Mousepaw responded. Then, she turned away.
"If you forgave me, why are you still ignoring me?" he asked.
"I-I just can't do this right now," she said.
"Can't we just be friends?"
Mousepaw ignored him and padded away. The truth was, he was invading her thoughts too much lately. Reedkit was Reedpaw now, and she enjoyed time with him. He was her friend, and all the other apprentices assumed they'd one day be mates. He was good to her. Thornpaw had made her doubt herself now.
As Thornpaw trudged away to the apprentice den, Sandpaw marched up to her this time.
"FOR STARCLAN'S SAKE, MOUSEPAW! STOP ACTING LIKE A BRAT!" she screeched. "You have no concern for others whatsoever. You're so self-obsessed, you wouldn't even notice if your own father jumped off a cliff and died. Now," she said, whispering over her shoulder, "Leave...Thornpaw...alone."
Mousepaw was shocked, never having heard such awful things. Tears welled in her eyes.
Fine. If no one cares about me, why should I go on?
She marched off into the forest and found the river. She took a deep breath and leapt in, letting the water flood over her. It surrounded her in waves.
I'm going to die, she thought. Then everyone will be happy.
Her thoughts became to fade, and her visions blurred. Suddenly, someone lifted her from the water, and she was thrown on land. She coughed up water, hearing fuzzy sounds.
"Mousepaw! Mousepaw! Please be okay."
She recognized the voice of Thornpw and glanced at him. She slowly stood up, coughing up more water.
"Why...why did you do that?" she asked in an almost angry tone.
"Oh, forgive me for saving your life," he growled, backing away now. "Can't you be more grateful? I wasn't calling you self-obsessed! I wasn't the one who rejected friendship because of a small quarrel!" He stalked off, leaving her behind.
Don't you get it, mousebrain, she directed her thoughts at him. It's much more than that. I think...I think I have feelings for you.
Mousepaw padded back to camp. Reedpaw would distract her. She found the tom with his siblings and began speaking to him, trying to take her mind off of Thornpaw.
The tom noticed the two though, and spoke near her, "Oh...I'll just go."
Sandpaw was walking with him and turned to Thornpaw. "Stay here!" she hissed. Then, she turned to Mousepaw. "Come back to flirt with Reedkit? Or are you going to go flirt with Thornpaw?"
Thornpaw opened his mouth to protest, but Sandpaw slapped her tail over his mouth.
"Looks like you went for a swim," she said, laughing at Mousepaw's drenched pelt. "I was watching the whole thing. You're so pathetic, you tried to drown yourself. Ha! You feel so sorry for yourself, that Thornpaw saved you, and you weren't even grateful. Stop feeling so sorry for yourself. If you had just become friends with Thornpaw, no one would hate you. All you are is a two-faced, self-obsessed, mean little-"
"LEAVE HER ALONE, SANDPAW!" Thornpaw roared. "For the love of StarClan, if I'm causing this much trouble then maybe I should just leave the clan!"
Smokestar was sitting in his den when Thornpaw rushed in, his eyes wide and his fur spiked.
"Smokestar! I need to talk to you!"
Smokestar glanced at the tom. "What's wrong, Thornpaw?" he asked.
Smokestar sat and nodded as Thornpaw explained the whole situation. Smokestar listened, unaware his daughter had been the cause of so much fuss. He supposed he'd been too busy with clan affairs.
"And now," Thornpaw added. "I think, because I'm causing so much fuss, I should just leave the clan."
Smokestar frowned. "It's up to you, but Cottonnose agreed you were ready to be made a warrior today."
Thornpaw paused. "What? Really?"
Smokestar nodded. "After your ceremony, why don't we bring in Sandpaw and have a little discussion?"
Thornpaw nodded. Smokestar seemed to have calmed the tom some. Later that afternoon, Thornpaw was named Thornfrost, and shortly afterwards, Sandpaw was brought in.
Smokestar had been a little bothered by the unkind things the apprentice had been saying to his daughter, even if Mousepaw deserved some of them in a sense.
"I would like you talk to you, Sandpaw," Smokestar said.
"Fine," Sandpaw growled.
"I don't like the words you were saying to Mousepaw."
"But Mousepaw was ignoring Thornfrost when he tried to be friends with her again. She said that she couldn't! It's Mousepaw's fault as well!" she wailed. "Mousepaw doesn't care about Thornfrost! She wasn't even grateful when he saved her from drowning!"
"Perhaps she was blinded by the harsh words you said," Smokestar suggested.
"But I would've realized my mistake, which Mousepaw should've done! She doesn't care about Thornfrost! You're just trying to make it seem like it's not her fault because she's your daughter!" And with that, she raced out of the den.
Mousepaw sat in camp. Reedpaw had left awhile ago with his mentor, after she had refused to tell him of all the troubles going on. She turned, hearing Sandpaw's cries. The she-cat raced away in the woods.
Knowing something wasn't right, Mousepaw followed. Perhaps Sandpaw had said mean things, but Mousepaw was sick of making enemies.
Mousepaw found her by the river this time.
"Sandpaw, don't!" Mousepaw shouted as the she-cat leapt in. Mousepaw leapt in after her and grabbed the she-cat, throwing her back on the land.
"There!" she shouted, angry the she-cat had tried to kill herself. "You're welcome. I'm going to leave before you yell at me again."
When Mousepaw arrived back at camp, Sandpaw still wasn't there. Thornfrost rushed up to her, his eyes widened.
"Where's Sandpaw?" he asked.
"She tried to jump in the river," Mousepaw explained. "I saved her but ran off before she could insult me again."
"Stop acting like a know-it-all," he snapped, rushing out of camp.
When Thornfrost arrived back, he was carrying the conscious Sandpaw into camp.
"Something's wrong!" he shouted as he rushed to the medicine cat den. Mousepaw followed, her heart seizing in fear.
"What happened?" Tawnyheart asked as Mousepaw entered the den.
"I found her in the river," he explained.
"I can't feel my legs," Sandpaw moaned.
"Oh no," said Tawnyheart. "I'm going to test something," she said. "It might hurt."
Sandpaw nodded. Tawnyheart nipped at Sandpaw's backbone, a little below her shoulders.
"Ow!" said Sandpaw.
Tawnyheart did it again, a bit further. "Ow," came Sandpaw again. As Tawnyheart moved further down toward near her tail, the little cries from Sandpaw stopped.
"Aren't you going to do it again?" Sandpaw asked.
Tawnyheart poked a claw near the back of Sandpaw's back. "Do you feel that?"
"Feel what?" Sandpaw asked. She twisted around to see.
"No, don't look," Tawnyheart ordered, digging her claws deeper.
Oceanwing, Sandpaw's mother, began to shriek. "You're making her bleed!"
"Is she?" Sandpaw asked.
"You couldn't feel my claws, could you?" Tawnyheart murmured.
"No," Sandpaw choked out.
"Your backbone is broken. There's no pain because there's no feeling past the break. I'm so sorry, Sandpaw," Tawnyheart sighed.
Oceanwing let out a wail of despair while Sandpaw's brother, Darkpaw, glanced t his paws.
"I can't be a warrior, can I?" she asked.
Tawnyheart shook her head. "We have to keep you active though and your chest clear. If your chest isn't clear..."
"I'm going to die, aren't I?" she asked.
Mousepaw stood there, simply shocked. Why hadn't she stayed with Sandpaw? Why was she so selfish?
"Now I'll never be a warrior!" Sandpaw wailed. "I'm so stupid! I shouldn't have jumped back in! I'm such a mouse brain." She sighed and spoke once more. "When I was a kit, I dreamed of being a great warrior and dying in battle. Now, I'm useless. I wish I could havev my name now, so that if I die, I'll die a warrior, just like I wanted."
"I am willing to give it to you," Smokestar said. Mousepaw turned, not even realizing that he had been in the den.
"I'd like that," she replied.
"I call upon my warrior ancestors to look upon this apprentice. She has trained hard to follow your noble code..."
Mousepaw glanced away, Smokestar's words going fuzzy. This was all her fault. She could never be with Thornfrost now. She had done this.
"I name you Sandnose," he said.
Sandnose grinned. Later, she was taken to the elder's den. Mousepaw was left with Thornfrost.
"I-I'm sorry," Mousepaw told him. "I tried to save her..."
"What? So it's her fault that her backbone is broken? Do you have any idea how much pain that will cause her? She'll never be a warrior. She'll never have a mate. She'll never hunt or have kits. Do you even care?"
"Of course I do!" she argued. But by Thornfrost's speech, it had been clear that he had loved Sandnose, more than he could ever love her now.
Thornfrost hissed back at her. "If you hadn't yelled at Tawnypaw, I wouldn't hate you, and we wouldn't be in this mess."
"I only yelled at her because I was embarrassed and didn't want to admit I had feelings for you!"
Thornstripe's eyes widened. "Oh, Mousepaw. I'm so sorry. I didn't realize. Please forgive me."
"It's too late for that now," she growled.
"Why is it too late? If we just become friends then...I promise never to be mean to you again. Can't we go back to the way it used to be?"
"You and Sandnose and even Tawnyheart have hurt me more than any other cat. I'm not ready to forgive," Mousepaw argued.
"I'm sorry!" Thornfrost wailed. "If you try to become friends with me this time and I hurt you, then that's that. I won't try to be friends anymore. I just want things to go back how it used to me! Please, just give me a chance!"
"I-I need some time," Mousepaw told him.
"O-oh, okay," he said. He looked down at his paws like he was going to cry.
Before, Mousepaw may have accepted his apology, but she couldn't let him love her now, not when she'd done all of that to Sandnose.
She padded away.
The days went on. Mousepaw was named Mousestripe. Thornfrost took on a mate named Moonstream. She was a pretty calico she-cat with the brains of a mouse, Mousestripe was safe to say. Reedpaw became Reedtail and unsurprisingly asked her to be his mate. Mousestripe agreed.
During leaf-bare, Mousestripe began to notice Thornfrost's cough. It was soft at first and not as prevalent, but as the days went on, it grew louder, and some days turned into coughing fits.
"Are you all right?" Mousestripe asked, concerned.
"I'm-cough-fine-cough," he wheezed.
"I'm going to get Tawnyheart," Mousestripe decided for him. She found the she-cat, who thanked Mousestripe. "I'll take it from here."
Mousestripe followed them to the medicine cat den.
"It's only whitecough right now," Tawnyheart observed. "We need catmint, but I can't find any. If not treated soon, it'll turn into greencough, or worse...blackcough."
Moonstream was sitting in the den as well, looking worried.
"HE'S GOING TO DIE?!" Moonstream wailed. She turned to Tawnyheart. "THERE HAS TO BE ANOTHER WAY! I CAN'T WATCH HIM DIE! YOU'RE NOT GOOD ENOUGH TO BE A MEDICINE CAT! DO SOMETHING!"
"The only option is to look for some catmint," Tawnyheart replied calmly, not too bothered by Moonstream's comments.
"Shouldn't we get permission from Smokestar?" she asked.
"There's a battle," Tawnyheart explained. "With NightClan. But you have mine. I just hope it counts for something."
"Mousestripe, come with me!" Moonstream begged.
"But the battle, Moonstream. It's too dangerous," Mousestripe argued. She didn't want Thornfrost to die, but she didn't want to risk her life either.
They exited the den, Moonstream raising her nose high in the air.
"At least I have a heart! I can't believe all you care about is the battle!"
A few days passed. The battle ended, though tensions were still high in NightClan. To Mousestripe's disappointment, no catmint had been found in SnowClan territory. She was peacefully sleeping one day when Moonstream pounced on her.
"PLEASE HELP ME FIND CATMINT!" she begged.
Mousestripe groaned. "Now?"
"Please! There's none here!"
"Where do you intend on going?" Mousestripe asked.
"NightClan."
"Right after the battle? You're crazy," Mousestripe growled.
"PLEASE, MOUSESTRIPE! HE'S GOING TO DIEEEEE!"
Mousestripe groaned. "Fine, I'll go."
Moonstream shouted with joy, and together, the two were off, heading near NightClan territory. Mousestripe was nervous, hoping Moonstream's idiotic words wouldn't lead to their deaths.
They arrived to NightClan territory, and without coming very far in, they were stopped by the deputy, Silverstripe.
"What do you want?" she spat.
"We want to talk to Cloudstar. There's been a greencough outbreak. We're in need of catmint," Mousestripe calmly replied.
Silverstripe snarled and flicked her tail at Moonstream and Mousestripe, telling them to follow. She vanished into the bushes and a moment later, popped her head back out.
"Coming or not?" she growled.
Mousestripe and Moonstream followed through the bushes for a while. Mousestripe was nervous, unsure if this would work. Silverstripe stopped abruptly in a clearing, which Mousestripe recognized as their camp.
"We're here," she growled. She turned to two warriors. "Help me escort these SnowClan cats to Cloudstar."
"But all we want is catmint," Moonstream argued.
"Cloudstar must know first!" Silverstripe hissed.
They approached the den. Mousestripe entered, noticing the large white tom. His green eyes glared at them as they entered.
"What do you want?"
"We want some catmint," Moonstream explained.
"We're all out at SnowClan, and we can't find any in our territory," Mousestripe added.
Cloudstar narrowed his eyes. "This isn't some kind of trick, is it?"
Moonstream suddenly lost her patience and stomped up to the tom. "MY MATE HAS GREENCOUGH!"
Cloudstar looked stunned. "Take it then," he growled. "But don't expect this kind of hospitality again. Sunpelt!"
The medicine cat came and gave them a bundle. Then, it was time to return to camp.
They headed back in silence.
"You didn't have to get so heated at Cloudstar," Mousestripe spoke at last as they crossed back into SnowClan territory.
"He's my mate," Moonstream said quietly. "If anything were to happen to him..."
They continued walking, then Moonstream turned to Mousestripe. "Mousestripe, I-I think I'm expecting his kits."
Mousestripe didn't know it was possible to feel her heart break. She had tried getting over Thornfrost moons ago, but those few words shattered her heart.
"Oh...congratulations..."
They arrived back at camp. Mousestripe left before she could see Thornfrost, too hurt to speak to him. He was Moonstream's mate after all, and she was Reedtail's, but the pain she felt was immense.
The moon went on. Thornfrost recovered, and Moonstream was sent to the nursery. Mousestripe kept her distance until one day a she-cat's scream echoed in the camp.
Mousestripe recognized it as Moonstream's, but more shouts followed. Badgers had entered into the camp and were heading straight to the nursery.
"Moonstream's giving birth! And the badgers are attacking!" Reedtail exclaimed, rushing up to her.
Mousestripe's eyes widened, and she quickened her pace.
Warriors were already defending the opening, but the badgers were strong. Mousestripe joined in, and they had almost managed to drive them all off when one last badger entered the nursery. It raised its claw, ready to strike the birthing Moonstream, when Sandnose, who had crawled from the elders den, leapt in front. The badger's claw came down on Sandnose, and Thornfrost let out a shriek.
"Sandnose!" he shouted. Mousestripe glanced, and wished she hadn't. Blood poured from Sandnose's neck. She was clearly dead.
Thornfrost drove away the badger and turned to his dead friend. "Sandnose..." he whispered.
Moonstream let out a howl and sunk into her nest. Now that the badgers were gone, Mousestripe stayed outside, but listened to the sound of the birth of four kits. When she re-entered, she found them squirming around.
One that stood out to her was the female ginger she-cat.
"Let's call her Sandkit, to honor Sandnose," Moonstream whispered quietly.
Thornfrost nodded, and they announced the names of their other kits. There was a silver tabby tom named Ripplekit, a brown and white she-cat named Hazelkit, and a white tom named Cloudkit.
"They're beautiful kits," Mousestripe murmured, watching Thornfrost place his muzzle on each of the kits' heads.
"Please, let's be friends," Thornfrost said, turning to her.
Mousestripe sighed and nodded. The weight of today had been too much. Sandnose was dead, and the guilt almost gone as well. It was time to move on.
"I'm sorry, about that day. I'm sorry I yelled at you. I'm sorry about trying to kill myself. I had an unhealthy crush on Tawnypaw at the time. I'm sorry."
"It's all right," Mousestripe responded, thrilled to see him grin. It didn't matter anyway. They both had mates of their own. She'd never get what she truly wanted.
She came to visit him and his kits a few days later. Thornfrost was gazing intently at Sandkit.
"What are you doing?" Mousestripe asked.
"This is going to sound ridiculous, but Sandkit is a reincarnation of Sandnose."
"Are you sure?" Mousestripe asked, suddenly feeling guilty again. Would this Sandkit remember all the awful things Mousestripe had done?
"I'm certain."
Mousestripe turned away but was stopped by Thornfrost's voice.
"Where are you going?" he asked.
"I..."
"You don't think she's going to bully you like Sandnose, do you?" he asked.
"N-No," Mousestripe argued.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
"Fine."
"Well, let's say hi to my kits."
Mousestripe, against her will, followed, and even joined in with a few games with Sandkit. She grinned slightly, thinking if one day, she might have kits of her own
And so the day came when Mousestripe realized she was expecting Reedtail's kits, shortly after it had been announced that Moonstream's kits had actually been Tawnyheart's the whole time.
Still, Tawnyheart's medicine cat title was stripped away. She and Thornfrost became mates, though Mousestripe was slowly moving on. She would have her own family soon.
His kits became apprentices, and Sandkit took the spot of medicine cat apprentice.
One day, Mousestripe spoke with her father about moving to the nursery, not too many days away from birth. He agreed, and as she walked out, she ran into Thornfrost. He had not spoken to her much since he and Tawnyheart had become mates and the scandalous relationship had been revealed.
"Mousestripe, are you okay?" he asked. She hadn't realized she'd been staring. She still loved looking into those green eyes.
"Um..."
Suddenly, his eyes widened. "Y-you're expecting kits!" Was that disappointment she detected in his eyes.
"Y-Yes. I've got to go," she said, now feeling awkward. She padded away to the nursery and curled up for a nice nap.
Instead, she found herself in the Dark Forest. A silver-blue she-cat with red eyes approached her, grinning menacingly.
"I'll return," she murmured. "Yes, I will."
"Moonstar," Mousestripe gasped.
"These kits will be mine. What a brilliant way to get back at the kin of an enemy."
"No!" Mousestripe shouted.
As the Dark Forest faded, a prophecy echoed through her ears: "Evil will fall upon. Three will come. Two will suffer. One as bright as light, that shines throughout the forest will vanish the evil for eternity. The one who shines will flicker out, and another light will shine."
Mousestripe awoke screaming. Thornfrost appeared moments later, followed by Reedtail and her father.
"Moonstar...she came to me in my dream. I-I heard a prophecy."
"What is it?" Smokestar asked, concerned.
She repeated it back to them.
Thornfrost looked shocked. "Is-is it about your kits? Will there be three?"
"I-I don't know. But Moonstar is planning something," Mousestripe whimpered. "Why me?"
"Don't worry. I won't let anything happen to your kits," Thornfrost promised.
Reedtail took a step forward. "I think the father is capable of protecting his kits as well."
"What's your problem?" Thornfrost growled.
"You've always been noticing Mousestripe, and Mousestripe, don't pretend I haven't caught you staring at him. Well, these are my kits, buddy, and I would prefer if you stayed away from my mate, especially when they're born."
"Reedtail," Mousestripe murmured, wanting him to stop. He was normally a gentle tom. She had never seen him so infuriated before.
"Are you secret mates with him?" he demanded
Mousestripe's eyes widened. "What? No!"
Thornfrost lunged at Reedtail and pinned him against the nursery wall. "In case you didn't notice, I said your kits, not my kits. You have no idea what I went through in my kithood. My mother died, my father ran away, and I had no one. I met Mousestripe, Mousepaw then. We were friends, I told her I loved you, but she loved you."
Reedtail stood, looking shocked.
"And you know what I did?" Thornfrost continued. "I tried to kill myself! I kept apologizing and apologizing, and she wouldn't listen! And then I fell in love with Sandnose, the best thing that ever happened to me, and she died trying to protect Tawnyheart disguised as Moonstream to deliver my kits!" Thornfrost tore at the ground. "That's when Mousestripe finally forgave me! After the love of my life died! And then, I found out my kits were actually Tawnyheart's! The two she-cats never told me!"
Reedtail was still quiet.
"You know why I'm blind in one eye?" he hissed. "Because a rabbit clawed at my eye as a kit. There! I said it!" he announced, stepping back. "Happy?"
He raced out of the den before either could reply. Reedtail gulped, and Mousestripe shot a glare at him.
"Thornfrost!" she called, racing after him. She raced into the forest, the night sky hanging ahead. She called from him frantically.
"Go away!" came a shout.
"Thornfrost," Mousestripe spoke quietly, approaching him.
"I know what you did," he murmured. "That day in the battle with NightClan, you took Moonstream to get herbs for me only after she begged you! You don't care about me. You only went to stop her whining. And when you came back, you didn't even check on me."
"But, Thornfrost," she argued.
"You don't care about me. No one ever did."
"I would've been your mate," she spoke quietly.
"My mate?!" Thornfrost said disbelievingly. "But you don't love me. You love Reedtail, and he's the only one you ever have!"
"That's not true, Thornfrost. I-I love you, and I always have."
He faced her. "Why, Mousestripe? If you knew I loved you, and you loved me back, why did you choose Reedtail?"
"Things were complicated back then. I'd hurt too many cats. It was too much."
"You said yourself you didn't love me. And now you're telling me you do?"
"I was confused about my feelings back then, but when I realized I loved you, it was too late. You loved Sandnose, or Tawnyheart, or Moonstream. I had hurt you too much at that point."
Thornfrost's eyes shone, though they didn't flash anger.
"Why did you have kits with Reedtail?" he asked quietly.
"I did love Reedtail...more as a friend, maybe, never as much as you. I-I may have been jealous of your kits as well. I don't know."
"We both have mates," Thornfrost sighed. "As much as I want to be with you, I think it's too late."
"I understand," Mousestripe said, turning away.
"Wait!" he called. "Maybe we could work something out? And why did Moonstar curse you? Why you?"
"I don't know why she chose me," Mousestripe complained. "I know she dislikes MoonClan, and apparently my mother's father got on her nerves. I don't know what to do."
"Reedtail already asked if we were secret mates, and you said no. I hope he trusts you. Maybe we could..."
Mousestripe suddenly lurched forward and found herself nuzzling the tom. He was taken aback at first but purred in response. She sighed. She had been wanting this for moons, maybe not like his, but...for a moment, he was hers.
Suddenly, a rustling came from the bushes.
"Who's there?" he asked.
Mousestripe froze and backed away.
"Somebody's watching us," he spoke quietly to Mousestripe. "I don't know who. I hope they haven't heard our conversation."
Mousestripe whimpered in response.
The rustling continued. "Get out of the bushes!" he shouted sharply.
"Who do you think it is?" Mousestripe asked.
"I don't know," he muttered.
"Come out!" Mousestripe called, approaching the bushes.
Thornfrost padded over to her. "Come out, or we'll make you!"
No response came.
"Maybe it was just a squirrel," Mousestripe suggested. "Look, Thornfrost, I want to be mates with you...only you. It's what I've always wanted. I'm sorry I became mates with Reedtail, and I'm sorry these kits aren't yours. I don't even know what's going to happen to these kits. But maybe, maybe we could be secret mates."
Thornfrost nodded. "Should we tell Reedtail and Tawnyheart?"
"No! I don't think Reedtail would react well. I didn't realize he was so suspicious already."
"Tawnyheart would understand though," Thornfrost added.
"Don't worry, I already know," came a voice. Mousestripe spun around as Tawnyheart stepped out of the bushes.
"Don't worry," she purred, seeing their shocked faces. "I won't tell anyone. Thornfrost, I understand if you want to call it off, but it'll seem less suspicious if you stay as my mate."
"Thank you so much, Tawnyheart," Mousestripe purred.
"No problem. You should go back to camp now, otherwise Reedtail will get suspicious."
Mousestripe nodded and the two headed back, intertwining their tails until the moment they had to part.
Mousestripe was giddy for the next few days. Her thoughts revolved around Thornfrost, and when Reedtail was away, he would visit her. She shared her thoughts and fears about the coming kits with him and secretly hoped one day they could openly admit their love.
One evening, as Mousestripe was preparing to sleep, a searing pain ripped through her body. She suddenly realized her kits were coming.
As her yowl echoed through the camp, Mousestripe watched in the corner as a dark, swirling mist transformed into the figure of Moonstar.
"MOUSESTRIPE!" she heard Reedtail's frantic call.
Sandpaw and Smokestar came with Reedtail moments later. Blood poured out of her, and she yowled in pain.
"It is complete now," Moonstar spoke, grinning.
Mousestripe yowled as a white tom with black spots, similar to hers, slid onto the moss.
"Mousestripe!" she heard. She recognized the voice as Thornfrost's, and he entered the den.
Suddenly, her son's pale fur began to change into that of a silver-blue color, and his eyes flashed to bright green.
"YES!" Moonstar yowled.
Now a brown tabby tom was born, but again, his fur changed to a silver-blue.
"STOP!" Smokestar yowled and lunged at Moonstar. In an instance, Moonstar traced her claw against his throat, killing him.
"Father," Mousestripe gasped in pain. It had been his last life.
"Good luck," he whispered and died.
Mousestripe yowled as one last ripple of pain shot through her. This time, a white she-cat was born with ginger patches. Mousestripe waited for its fur to change, but instead, it began to glow.
"WHAT?!" Moonstar yowled as the light stung her eyes. It began to grow now, and Moonstar turned to Mousestripe. "Why, you little-" She leapt, ready to slit Mousestripe's throat when Reedtail leapt in front, taking the blow.
The light grew brighter, almost blinding, and then disappeared as the light faded.
Reedtail's life was fading, and he glanced at Mousestripe. "I love you," he whispered.
"I love you too," she said back. It was not the same love she felt for Thornfrost, it never had been, but he had been good to her, and these were his kits.
The pain faded, and Mousestripe lay her head on the ground, exhausted. The curse had left the two toms with their silver-blue color, though patches of fur were missing from their bodies. The she-cat remained calm and fast asleep.
She noticed Sandpaw's sympathetic eyes.
"There was nothing you could do," Mousestripe told her.
Cloudfur rushed in, and when his eyes fell on Smokestar, he gasped. "I-I guess I'm leader now," he said.
"What will you call them?" Thornfrost asked.
She looked at the silver-blue tom with missing fur on his paw and part of his tail. "This will be Graykit." She then turned to the other tom with missing fur on his thigh and patches of his pelt. "And this will be Stormkit." Lastly, she turned to the beautiful she-cat who had saved them all. "And this will be Shinykit."
Cloudfur glanced at Mousestripe. "Shinykit may have prevented Moonstar from doing more damage, but she will return."
"I know," she said.
She watched as Thornfrost touched his nose to both the dead leader and Mousestripe's former mate.
"Thornfrost, could you follow me for a moment?"
Other warriors came to retrieve the body, and Sandpaw gave Mousestripe herbs as her kits suckled. She heard the faint sounds of Cloudfur's announcements outside, but now, it was time to focus on her kits.
Thornfrost re-entered not much longer. He laid down next to Mousestripe and licked her cheek.
"I'm so sorry," he whispered. "I could've saved Smokestar and Reedtail."
"No, you couldn't have," she replied.
"Cloudfur's made me deputy."
Mousestripe's eyes widened. "Congrats."
"Do-do you still want to be mates?" he asked. "It seems unfair to assume right after Reedtail's death."
"Of course I do. But Thornfrost, will you be a father for them?"
He blinked. "Of course. Does that mean they will think of me as their father, or will you tell them of Reedtail?"
"Adoptive father," she corrected. "I want them to know Reedtail. He was a good tom."
Thornfrost nodded and glanced into Mousestripe's eyes. "I love you, Mousestripe, and I will love your kits just as much."
"I love you, too," she purred, nuzzling them. They cradled together in the nursery while Mousestripe's kits slept. In one day, she had lost her family and found a new one altogether.
This is all I've ever wanted, she thought as she glanced at Thornfrost. She couldn't wait to start her new life with him.
