A/N
BingoBingo (guest): Melody's design will be posted later today on my instagram pixeleve_art !
YowlingCatClan (guest): Thornsnag's former mentor and (other) mate was Thistlefur, and he died of a wound infection not long after Ivypaw died. Losing both of them was difficult for him.
That Them Thou (guest): Considering Duskheart didn't even knew Vinetail existed, I think he really wants to make up for never being there. Stonetail on the other hand had every opportunity to be there and wasn't, so he feels guilty. Meanwhile, I think Icewing takes the award for worst mother, because Appleberry at least cares for her sons.
Chapter 27: Taking Flight
Gusts of wind nearly drowned out Jellybean's words, but there was no mistaking what she had said. Hawkpaw felt dread edge into her bones. "What?"
Jellybean gulped. "They're headed this way. Angry. Looking for something."
Thornsnag's eyes darted to Hawkpaw. "Or someone. They must have caught on to Nectarpaw's plan"
"It's not safe," Jellybean warned them. "I only saw her for a few moments, but I never want to see her again." Jellybean was shivering, and Hawkpaw had a feeling it wasn't from the cold. "She was the biggest cat I've seen in my entire life. Bigger than any tom. Hulking. And her eyes…"
Thornsnag rested his tail on Jellybean's trembling form. "Go home, Jellybean," he insisted. "You've been braver than you needed to be."
"I- I had to tell you," she breathed. "I think they're looking for you two."
Hawkpaw exchanged a look with Thornsnag before he turned back to the kittypet. "We'll be okay. Let your twolegs know your safe."
Jellybean sighed heavily. "Thank you." She took off in the direction of the twoleg-place, nimble legs carrying her at a quick pace. They watched her as she disappeared into the distance, and the wind wiped away her scent and pawprints.
"If they're looking for us, they're going to find us," Hawkpaw whispered. The whistling winds carried the fresh scent of Nightwalkers. "We have to face them."
Thornsnag bristled. "There is no way in the name of StarClan we are going up against them alone," he growled softly. "If this Melody is as terrifying as Jellybean made her out to be, I don't think we stand a chance. Besides, we have no idea how many of them there are headed this way."
"We'll never make it back to camp in time!" Hawkpaw hissed quietly. They could hear muffled pawsteps coming from the dense forest. "What do you suggest we do?"
Thornsnag's eyes darted around. "We'll hide in the snow," he said quickly. "I know it's cold, but they shouldn't be able to smell us."
"We won't blend in!" Hawkpaw gasped. Fear was griping her body, and chills of alarm pulsed through her, torn between running and fighting.
Thornsnag was digging up snow underneath a thick patch of bramble bushes, coated with dead, brown leaves. "It'll have to do," he said. He motioned for her to step into the hole.
Hawkpaw glanced over towards where the Nightwalkers' scent was coming from before running over to him. He buried the snow back over her body, muttering a quick apology when she suppressed a shiver. Her face was the only thing left exposed, hidden behind thin veins of bramble stems.
Thornsnag sunk into the snow behind her, hurriedly digging himself a hiding spot. It seemed he couldn't go fast enough, and the scent of the NIghtwalkers began to choke Hawkpaw's senses. As the undergrowth shivered with cats pushing through it, Thornsnag was masked by snow and leaves, with his faint scent bringing Hawkpaw some relief.
"The trail is cold," a tom said. There was no emotion to his voice, only a stiff report to whomever he was speaking to.
Hawkpaw flattened her ears and strained her eyes. It was difficult to see through the bushes keeping her hidden, but she could make out some of the cats on the patrol.
A fluffy black she cat was shoved forward by another tom, a completely detached look on his face as she stumbled into the snow. She looked dead on her paws, as if barely able to stay awake.
A tiny, mottled grey molly with a stubby tail and tufted ears was bringing up the rear. She carried the eagerness and terror of a young apprentice. Far behind her, a much larger, long-furred grey tom with black markings kept few fox-lengths behind the patrol. He had his nose busy scenting when he wasn't nodding to the she-cat bringing up the rear.
The patrol seemed to be waiting for something, staring into the undergrowth, overcast with shadow and snow. With one swift movement, the snow trembled and fell off the plants as an enormous cat parted through.
Melody.
Her form was just as monstrous as Jellybean had described. Fur the color of dry, grey rocks, with dark splotches dotting her coat. Her chest had such thick fur, it looked like she had a mane. She would easily tower over Thornsnag. She was humming a kittish ditty in her throat that made Hawkpaw shiver from its eerie familiarity.
The swaying, black she cat staggered to her feet when Melody appeared. "Melody, I beg your forgiveness!" She pleaded. "I promise, I won't slip up again!" She was practically grovelling at the beastly she-cat's paws, muzzle shoved into the snow.
Melody's face seemed to soften, but her eyes grew icier. She placed a large paw over the she-cat's head.
What is she doing? Hawkpaw recognized the gesture as something Liontail would do, but Melody held a far different look.
"Oh, and I promise you, Blackout. If you don't find that little herb-cat, you'll be taking his punishment." With the pressure of her paw resting on Blackout's head, she shoved her into the snow, pushing her face down into the ground. She made a face of disgust as she walked past her, nose upturned in a sneer.
"Does anyone have a scent trail?" Melody barked, gaze looking over her patrol.
"Hush is working on it!" The young she-cat at the rear raised her head. Hawkpaw felt a deep sense of pity for a fellow runt. "Nectarpaw was awfully clever, putting those poppy seeds in the mouse Blackout caught," she added.
"It wasn't cleverness, kit. It was Blackout's stupidity," Melody growled, whirling on the skinny black she-cat, nose twitching. "You could learn a thing or two from her mistake."
Instead of flinching, the littlest she-cat of the group seemed invigorated by the harsh acknowledgement. "R-Right. Yes, Melody!" she bounced a few rabbit-hops closer to keep up with where Blackout had stopped.
Melody ignored her. Hawkpaw realized with horror, that the leader and the small molly shared a likeness between them. Their fur was a similar tone of grey. Broad heads sat on dense builds with darker paws and ears. And though it was small, the younger molly had a fluffy, maned chest.
"Oh, StarClan," Hawkpaw choked. She clamped her mouth shut the second she noticed her thoughts had slipped out.
The tom at the rear lifted his ears, staring directly at where Hawkpaw was hiding. Soundless even over snow, he crept closer. Hawkpaw saw that his eyes were as blank as a puddle, and even bluer.
Melody turned in their direction. "Hush? Have you found anything?"
Hush parted his jaws to scent the air, eyes stuck on one spot. Hawkpaw felt her heart stop. He was looking directly into her eyes. She could distantly feel Thornsnag's gaze beating down on her, feel the terror in his heart, and the silent plea for them to stay safe.
Hush shook his head.
"Idiots!" Melody roared. "I swear, Rooster is the only cat I can trust to do anything! If I didn't have him to watch over our camp, I'd have killed SkyClan moons ago and saved us this trouble!"
Hush slipped around the patrol to investigate another area. His tail brushed over the rear cat's flank- and then he was a shadow again
"I'm sure we'll find him!" The rear she-cat- likely Melody's featherweight of a daughter- chirped.
"Ropeburn, remind me to send Lavender back to Rooster after we find the herb-cat," Melody said, exasperation heavy in her voice.
Hurt was evident on Lavender's face. She forced it away as she moved to help nudge Blackout up on her paws. "I've got her," she told Ropeburn.
"Split up," Melody ordered. "Ropeburn, take Pistol and Rambo and follow Hush. I'll keep Blackout with my patrol."
Ropeburn dipped his head obediently, and the two toms Melody called followed him dutilily. Lavender was staring at Melody with such round eyes, if it wasn't for their intense amber hue, Hawkpaw would've thought her a kit.
Melody paid her no mind. Instead, she resumed humming as she lead her group of cats away. Just when Hawkpaw thought they were in the clear, Melody stopped in her tracks. She glanced over her shoulder, and her unforgiving eyes were like icicles to Hawkpaw.
She held her breath, commanding herself not to move a muscle. It was her eyes that kept catching Hawkpaw's attention.
They were an amber she was familiar with, one identical to her father, but lacking all the warmth and admiration she was so used to seeing in them. Melody's were void of any trace of affection, but filled with a coldness that made her ill.
It was like Melody was staring straight though Hawkpaw- thanks to both Thornsnag's hiding spot, and Melody's seemingly poor senses. She squinted her eyes in their direction once more before letting out a huff and turning tail.
Hawkpaw and Thornsnag lingered for a moment, cold to the bone from being submerged in snow. They both were finally catching their breath, and after both patrols were out of sight and scent, they freed themselves from the snow and ran.
Lucky for them, the wind had picked up drastically, and would soon drown out any evidence they were hiding there to begin with. Snow was blowing in their eyes, blurs of white making it difficult to see where they were going. Hawkpaw was blindly following Thornsnag, finding it difficult to find her way against the gusts of wind against her.
Soon enough, they found their way to the camp entrance, and slunk in. With the blizzard on its way, there was a slim chance of anyone standing guard. Luck was on their side that night, and when they entered, Thornsnag shook off the snow from his fur and began to groom Hawkpaw to get her warm.
"Her eyes," Hawkpaw whimpered.
Thornsnag paused for a moment in surprise. "You could see her eyes from that far away?"
Hawkpaw only shrugged. "It's usually the first thing I notice about a cat. It's the first thing they notice about me."
"She was huge, just like Jellybean said," Thornsnag mewed. "How does a cat get that big!"
"I think she would have to eat cats," Hawkpaw shuddered. "You saw that patrol. They all looked starved."
"They brought a kit out in the snow!" Thornsnag exclaimed.
"I don't even think she was a kit! She was just a runt of runts…. Maybe Melody ate her littermates? The little she-cat's, I mean." Hawkpaw grimaced. "I think- I think Melody was her mother."
Thornsnag snorted. "S- sorry," he snickered, stopping a laugh. "It's just, how could a mother eat her own kits? That's outrageous."
Hawkpaw rolled her eyes. "I don't know, you tell me! She was bigger than you, and not many cats are."
"I don't have the answers to everything," Thornsnag pointed out. "But we should probably get some rest. Who knows how close dawn is now."
Hawkpaw sighed, shaking the rest of the snow off her fur. "You're probably right. I don't exactly want either of us catching whitecough either."
Thornsnag chuckled. Hawkpaw gave his fur a couple of brisk licks to swipe away the extra snow, and they parted ways. Hawkpaw settled into her nest, pawsteps masked by Cherrypaw's snoring.
Sleep was difficult to slip into, for no matter how hard she tried, Hawkpaw could not push out the image of Melody's face, and her creepy hum from her thoughts.
Hawkpaw had not expected to wake until past dawn, but she instead found herself being nudged by Thornsnag. "Cloudclaw told me to wake you," he said.
"What?" Hawkpaw blinked. "Why? How long have I been asleep?"
"Uh- maybe a few hours?" Thornsnag guessed. "Smokestar has finally okayed your final assessment."
Hawkpaw jumped to her paws. "Really?" Her relief died when she saw the look on Thornsnag's face. "What's wrong?"
"There's a blizzard outside," Thornsnag said. "It hasn't cleared up. If anything, it got worse."
Hawkpaw peered outside. She could barely see the outline of the dens outside. "Smokestar wants me to hunt in this?" She scoffed incredulously. "Of course he does. What better way to fail me?"
"He says the next one won't be until green-leaf," Thornsnag said.
Hawkpaw lashed her tail. "I'm gonna do it. Where's Cloudclaw?"
"In Smokestar's den," he answered. "But Hawkpaw, I can't let you do this. It's dangerous!"
"Everything I do seems to be dangerous," Hawkpaw countered. "And you don't have to let me do anything. I'm going to pass, and finally become a warrior."
Hawkpaw moved to leave the den, but Thornsnag swooped in front of her. "Just… please be careful," he pleaded.
Hawkpaw sighed. "No promises." She slipped past him, and stumbled through the harsh wind and snow towards Smokestar's den. In the midst of it all, with squinted eyes, it was slightly easier to make things out.
She shook her face, snow falling off her whiskers as she entered Smokestar's den without an introduction. "You didn't announce yourself," Smokestar said stiffly.
"Cry me a river," Hawkpaw growled. She didn't need anything from him after what he had already done. She turned to Cloudclaw and away from Smokestar's stunned expression. "What's my assignment?"
"Smokestar requests you catch at least five pieces of prey," Cloudclaw answered. The look in his eyes told Hawkpaw he knew what Smokestar was doing.
Hawkpaw straightened up, and turned back to Smokestar. "You're done failing me and holding me back," she hissed. "I'll see you at sundown for my warrior name. Better start thinking."
Without another word, Hawkpaw left the den. Bitterness had consumed her, but it only made her more determined to prove that Smokestar no longer held power over her.
She already knew it was incredibly unlikely she would find any normal ThunderClan prey in the cold, windy weather, so she carried herself towards RiverClan. What better way to spite Smokestar than to bring back RiverClan prey? Even though it was difficult to see, Hawkpaw knew she'd always be able to find her way there with her eyes closed. Briefly, she thanked no one in particular for her thick, warm RiverClan coat.
She reached the edge of the river border, cattails bent over from the powerful storm. The river was frozen over, but she remembered something Sandfern had told her about fishing in leaf-bare. Looking around, Hawkpaw spotted a medium sized rock and pushed out onto the ice.
With the force of her forepaws, Hawkpaw smashed the rock threw the ice and just as she was about to fish, she heard something strange. It sounded like a cat crying, and Hawkpaw was surprised she could hear anything at all over the howling wind.
Hawkpaw, unable to satiate her curiosity, followed the sound upstream where it was coming from. Though she thought it was fruitless, Hawkpaw scented the air and caught the smell of ShadowClan, and milk.
Hackles raised defensively, Hawkpaw barely made out the form of an off white she cat wailing into the blizzard out of desperation. The scent of milk was heavy on her, and she blended in almost perfectly into the white scenery.
"What are you doing in ThunderClan territory?" Hawkpaw asked.
The ShadowClan queen shivered, hot tears running down her face. "Please, help me!" She sobbed. "My kits are gone! They were stolen!"
Hawkpaw blinked. Something inside her clicked as she stared at the teary she-cat. Though she knew this cat was white, and ShadowClan, all Hawkpaw could see was the sobbing form of her own RiverClan mother before her.
"I'll help you," Hawkpaw found herself saying.
The ShadowClan queen gasped. "What? Really? Oh, thank you, thank you!"
"Of course," Hawkpaw said. "No kits should be taken away from their mother. What's your name?"
"Willowleap," she answered. "Some Nightwalker took them while I was asleep. It reeked of them when I woke up, and they never come into the nursery!"
The sight of Melody's amber eyes staring directly at Hawkpaw shot through her mind, but she managed to push it out as quickly as it came. "I'll find them," Hawkpaw said. "I swear. What are their names?"
"Runningkit, Snowkit, and Cliffkit," Willowleap mewed. "Oh, StarClan, let them be okay!"
"Odds are the Nightwalkers want them alive," Hawkpaw said. "I'm sure they're fine." Her words held no certainty, as three young kits that still need milk have a very slim chance of surviving in a blizzard, and Hawkpaw knew that.
Even with the blizzard, Hawkpaw still could scent faint traces of milk in the air, coming from further into ThunderClan territory. How her senses were still dialed up so high in such a powerful storm was beyond her. Hawkpaw chalked it up to it having something to do with her ability, and followed the scent.
She angled herself low to the ground, and her webbed paws kept her light on the snow, able to walk across it without sinking too deep into it. Creeping low on the snow, the wind was easier to buffet against. The wind was messing with her senses, and the cold was beginning to make her eyelids feel heavy.
Hawkpaw pricked herself with a claw, forcing herself to stay alert. Even with her thick fur, succumbing to sleep was inevitable for any cat in such low temperatures. "Snowkit!" Hawkpaw called over the wind. "Runningkit! Cliffkit!"
She sunk her claws into the snow, catching her breath. The wind forced her back a couple pawsteps, and she pushed forward, continuing to shout the kittens' names.
Hawkpaw collapsed onto the ground, body weak and unable to carry her any further. She let out a frustrated growl, crawling forward. "I won't die here!" She hissed, staggering back onto her paws. "Runningkit! Snowkit!" She cried. "Cliffkit!"
A strong gust of wind knocked her over, and she yelped as it pulled her right off the ground. Hawkpaw rested her chin on her paws. I can rest… for just a moment… Her eyes fluttered as she desperately tried to stay awake, and with a blink, there was a little white and grey kit in front of her.
Hawkpaw shot open her eyes. "Hi," she whispered sleepily. "Which one are you?"
"Um- m- Cliffkit," he mumbled. "You called my name."
"Yeah," Hawkpaw mumbled. "How do you feel?"
"Was cold," he said. "Warm now."
Sadness filled Hawkpaw. He hadn't really heard her voice, he had heard her call from StarClan. His pupils were white, and she was too late. "I'm sorry," Hawkpaw sighed, and she closed her eyes with a soft breath.
Hawkpaw opened her eyes. It was sunny and green, with a clear blue sky hanging above her, and the sound of bird song filled her ears. She looked around curiously. There was a flowing, gleaming river not far from her.
Hawkpaw walked over to it, admiring the fish leaping through the gentle current. She could see her own reflection in the softly rippling water. A figure appeared beside her.
"Nice, don't you think?" The cat said.
Hawkpaw glared at the other cat's reflection. She looked up from the river, and down at the kit. "Fawnkit."
"Hawkpaw," she said back. "You know, it's rude to ignore someone."
"I wasn't ignoring you," Hawkpaw scoffed, staring back at the water. "Just… not answering."
"That's what ignoring means, you fish-brain!" Fawnkit snapped. She sighed. "Hawkpaw, do you know where you are?"
Hawkpaw smiled wryly. "Hm. I'm in StarClan, aren't I?" She turned to Fawnkit. "I remember the blizzard. I got sleepy. I died, didn't I?"
"Correct," Fawnkit said. "I do have just one question."
Hawkpaw rolled her eyes. "And what's that?"
"Do you want to be here?"
It wasn't what Hawkpaw expected. "Do I what?"
"Do you want to be here?" Fawnkit repeated. "To stay here. Remain in StarClan, or go back to the land of the living?"
"Does everyone get this choice?" Hawkpaw asked, eyes focused on the glint of the sun off the bright blue water.
"Of course," Fawnkit said, as if it was obvious.
Hawkpaw faced Fawnkit. "So you chose to die then?"
Fawnkit flinched. "Yes. I did. I was so weak. Sick. I didn't want to go back to that. So I chose to stay in StarClan, and I don't regret it." It was the first time since seeing her in StarClan, did Hawkpaw felt like she truly knew her. Her brown eyes were gentle once more, like when they were kits together.
Hawkpaw let out a thoughtful sigh, staring sadly at the kit. "Do you miss us?"
"I-" the question seemed to catch her off guard once more. "Of course I do." She looked away shamefully. "Who doesn't miss their family?"
Hawkpaw actually managed a weak smile. She stared back at the water. "You know, I didn't think I'd end up here."
"What?"
"In StarClan," Hawkpaw clarified. "I thought for sure I'd go to the Dark Forest. They gave me my powers after all. In a way, they're my family too."
Fawnkit looked away. "Their actions don't affect you. It's what you do that matters. And you died trying to save kits. I say that's pretty StarClan worthy."
"Really?" Hawkpaw asked, hardly able to believe it.
"Really." Fawnkit walked closer. Now, I'll ask you again. Do you want to be here? Do you want to leave Thornsnag? Vinetail? Jaytalon? Your brothers? Your parents? Those kits you tried to save? Or do you want to take the easy way out?"
"Are you trying to guilt me into going back to the clans?" Hawkpaw scoffed. "You took the easy way out, why can't I?"
"Because the clans didn't depend on me like they do on you," Fawnkit said.
"What?"
"You heard me," Fawnkit growled. "They need you. Your story isn't finished. Not by a long shot. Of course, you still have a decision to make."
"Right," Hawkpaw sighed. "RiverClan or ThunderClan."
"Have you finally made up your mind?" Fawnkit asked, staring at the river water beside Hawkpaw.
Hawkpaw looked up. "I have."
"Do know what you're going to do?"
"I do."
Hawkpaw gasped for breath, feeling as if her lungs were empty. She was half submerged in snow, and the dim sun was starting to peek through the clouds, just on the horizon. Dusk was coming, and she clearly had been in StarClan with Fawnkit for a good majority of the day. Time was funny there like that.
Her energy was back, and she stood up, shaking off the snow from her cold body. The scent of milk was faded now, but still enough for Hawkpaw to follow. She ran through the white forest, and stopped at the frost-covered body of a Nightwalker. Three kits were curled up in her warm belly fur. She recognized one as Cliffkit, along with the absence of the rise and fall of his flank.
The other two kits, however, were mewling pathetically into the windy forest, cries drowned out by the howling. Hawkpaw swiftly picked them up by their scruffs, and began to walk away. She stopped, and turned back to the Nightwalker.
Upon closer inspection, Hawkpaw recognized her as Blackout, the fluffy she-cat Melody promised to punish. Hawkpaw placed a paw to the she-cat's neck, and was shocked to find a faint pulse.
"Stay alive for just a little longer," Hawkpaw whispered to the Nightwalker, before darting off towards where she left Willowleap.
Just at the border between ThunderClan and ShadowClan, there was no trace of Willowleap anywhere. "Willowleap?" Hawkpaw called through the kits' scruffs.
There was a shuffling noise, and Willowleap came bounding out of a tree hollow she must have hunkered down in against the cold. There was a look of absolute joy and relief on her face, and it shimmered in her lake blue eyes.
Hawkpaw passed the two kits to the queen. "My babies!" She cried in delight. Quickly, she pulled back. "Wait- there- this is Runningkit and Icekit. Where's Cliffkit?"
"He…" Hawkpaw struggled for the right words. How was she supposed to break the news?
Apparently her silence was enough, and Willowleap began to cry. "T- take me to him," she sobbed quietly.
Hawkpaw hesitated, stuck in place. "Is that really-"
"Take me to him!" Willowleap cried, her voice startling some birds which had settled on a snow-capped evergreen.
Hawkpaw obliged, leading Willowleap back towards where Blackout was unconscious. She expected the queen to cry, shout, scream in anger, but all Willowleap did was walk over to the still body of her kit, and press her nose into his fur.
"Mama is sorry," she whispered. A tear trailed down her cheek, and Willowleap shook herself. She picked Cliffkit up in her gentle teeth, and handed Runningkit and Snowkit to Hawkpaw. "I'm taking him back to ShadowClan," she said.
Hawkpaw helped the queen carry her kits over to the ShadowClan border. Willowleap crossed over, and Hawkpaw gently set Runningkit and Snowkit down. They stumbled after their mother, and Hawkpaw caught a glimpse of a ShadowClan patrol emerging through the trees. Willowleap ran directly into the chest of a cream tom she recognized as Spiderheart, her mate.
Hawkpaw turned tail, slinking off before the patrol could notice her. She made her way back to Blackout, where she checked for a pulse once more. It was still faint, and her breathing was ragged, but she was still alive. Hawkpaw brushed the frost off of the she-cat, and shrugged the light rogue over her shoulders. She lugged Blackout all the way back to camp, having to stop occasionally to reposition her from falling off her shoulders.
Hawkpaw was exhausted by the time she entered camp. She wanted nothing more than to go back to sleep, but she was running on spite at this point, and nothing could stop her.
"Hawkpaw, are you alright?" Redbreeze asked, noticing Hawkpaw as she entered. "Who's that?"
"Get me Mintflower," Hawkpaw growled, setting Blackout down onto the ground.
"I- okay," Redbreeze said, startled by the ferocity in Hawkpaw's eyes. She returned a moment later, Mintflower at her heels.
"StarClan!" Mintflower exclaimed. "What- what is this?"
"A rogue," Hawkpaw answered vaguely. "She got stuck in that blizzard."
"You were out there too, weren't you?" Mintflower asked as she carried Blackout into her den. "How are you still standing and not dead?"
"I chose to," Hawkpaw mewed.
Mintflower blinked. "Well, you're mysterious and not at all helpful as always," she huffed. "Looks like she's got frostbite and she's very cold, but I think with both me and Redbreeze tending to her, she should be okay."
"Where's Thornsnag?" Hawkpaw asked.
"Confined to the warriors' den," Mintflower answered as she shuffled through her herbs. "He wanted to go look for you when it started to get dark, but Smokestar forbade him."
"I need to talk to Smokestar," Hawkpaw said, swiftly exiting the den.
She climbed up the ledge into Smokestar's den, and recoiled at the stench. It was more stale and musty, more so than usual. She screwed up her sensitive nose and stepped further inside.
"I've returned," Hawkpaw announced coolly.
Smokestar was lounging in his nest, Gingerroot licking his ears tenderly and slowly. "What does she want?" The ginger queen spat, and Hawkpaw knew she only said it to rile her up.
"I want to be made a warrior," Hawkpaw said, puffing out her chest and standing up straight.
Smokestar stood up, nudging Gingerroot away. He stalked towards Hawkpaw, hot, mousey breath making her whiskers tremble. "And where is your prey?"
"I didn't catch anything," Hawkpaw answered, meeting Smokestar's eyes evenly.
"So why should I make you a warrior?" Smokestar growled, and Hawkpaw couldn't help but smirk.
"Cloudclaw is on patrol, yes?" Hawkpaw asked, looking around the den. "He's usually in here."
"What does Cloudclaw have to do with anything?" Smokestar huffed.
"She's just stalling!" Gingerroot exclaimed. "Even she knows she can never become a warrior!"
"Says the she-cat who can't hunt," Hawkpaw retorted. Gingerroot was quiet long enough for Hawkpaw to turn back to Smokestar.
"He should be back any second now, shouldn't he?" Hawkpaw hummed thoughtfully.
"What are you getting at?" Smokestar hissed. As if on cue, Cloudclaw entered the den.
"Cloudclaw!" Smokestar growled. "Report."
"I-" he glanced at Hawkpaw. "I actually do have some interesting news. According to a ShadowClan patrol I crossed, Hawkpaw rescued a queen's kits from the blizzard."
"Do you really trust ShadowClan, Cloudclaw?" Smokestar scoffed.
"There's a rogue in the medicine den to prove it," Hawkpaw said. "Well, actually, a Nightwalker. She stole the kits."
"The ShadowClan queen actually said a rogue did take her kits," Cloudclaw pointed out before Smokestar could get a word in. "I do believe Hawkpaw is worthy of finally joining the warrior ranks, don't you agree, Smokestar?"
"I'm afraid I don't, Cloudclaw," Smokestar hissed. "Hawkpaw's task was to bring back prey. She failed."
"Smokestar, it's in the code to help kits in danger," Cloudclaw meowed gently, as if careful not to anger the leader. Regardless of his tone, Smokestar snapped rather quickly.
"She didn't catch a single piece of prey!" Smokestar insisted. Rather than sounding like a cross leader, he sounded like an indignant kit.
"You sent me out in a blizzard! You weren't expecting me to catch anything!" Hawkpaw argued back.
"She helped a ShadowClan warrior!" Smokestar snarled, teeth bared at Hawkpaw. "Our enemy!"
"She risked her life to save a queen and her kits, like the warrior code dictates. Hawkpaw has the heart of a warrior," Cloudclaw said. He turned to Smokestar with a look in his eyes Hawkpaw had never seen. "Even you can't ignore that, Smokestar."
"I-" Smokestar began, and Cloudclaw lashed his tail, glaring at him. Smokestar let out a growl, and then a sigh. "Very well." He turned to Hawkpaw. "Runt, you better look presentable when the moon rises. I won't have you disgracing me in front of the enter clan."
Hawkpaw smiled, though it did not reflect in her eyes. "Hm. Of course." With a flick of her tail, Hawkpaw exited his den.
Vinetail found her on her way to the medicine cat den. "Hawkpaw- there you are!" she winced. "Ugh, how often do you get lost, and how often do I say that?"
Hawkpaw attempted to look past her ane into the medicine cat den. "Enough to make your life more interesting. Blame Smokestar for being a foxheart."
"Maybe hold off on the daring adventures until I can go with you?" Vinetail followed Hawkpaw's gaze to where Mintflower was hunched over Blackout. "Who is that?"
"The rogue I caught. Reckon she'd be worth more than five pieces of prey?" Hawkpaw asked.
"How do we lose two black cats in a blizzard?" Vinetail said. "Leave it to you to get lost in your own territory."
"I hope she wakes up soon. I want to question her before my ceremony."
"You can always question her tomorrow- wait- your ceremony?" Delight took over Vinetail's face. "Smokestar passed you?"
Hawkpaw smirked. "I wore him down."
"Are you kidding!" Vinetail exclaimed, getting into Hawkpaw's face. "That is awesome!"
Hawkpaw laughed sheepishly. Something akin to guilt wedged its way into Hawkpaw's heart, and felt even worse when Vinetail began to purr. "I have a nest saved for you! Right next to me! And we can go on so many fun adventures together!"
Her green eyes gleamed happily. "I- that sounds nice," Hawkpaw sighed.
Vinetail pulled away, frowning. "What's wrong?" She scanned Hawkpaw's face, and then huffed. "You want a nest close to Thornsnag, don't you?"
"No! Well, maybe, but that's not it," Hawkpaw sighed. "I just… am worried about the rogue."
Vinetail glanced over to the black she-cat. "Her? Why her?"
"I- I want to know why she took those kits," Hawkpaw said. "It's important to me."
"I imagine it's bound to happen amongst rogues," Vinetail said. "They're free to do as they please and all. Imagine if cats like Gingerroot didn't have the threat of exile? Jealousy would be lethal."
Hawkpaw laughed, leaning into Vinetail despite the discomfort of her words. "Imagining Gingerroot as a rogue makes me feel better." She turned to Vinetail. "You know we're friends forever, right? No matter what?"
Vinetail tilted her head, eyes dilating curiously. "Yeah, to the end, and then."
Hawkpaw sighed. "Thank you."
"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Tallrock for a clan meeting!"
Hawkpaw turned her attention towards the Tallrock. Cats pooled into the clearing. Smokestar was staring directly down at her. She gave her chest a couple of brisk licks, and stalked towards the Tallrock.
She stood at the base of the Tallrock, waiting for her cue. "I, Smokestar, leader of ThunderClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. I commend her to you as a warrior in her turn."
Despite cutting out a portion of what he was meant to say, Hawkpaw stepped up beside Smokestar. "Hawkpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"
"I do," Hawkpaw said. A shiver went down her spine. It wasn't ThunderClan she was thinking of when she thought of defending her clan.
"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Hawkpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Hawkeyes."
She stood frozen in place, breath hitched in her throat. Like time had stopped. "No."
"What?" Smokestar asked, turning on her.
"That's not my name," she whispered. "I choose my own name."
"Hawkeyes, speak up," he growled. "No one can hear you if you mumble."
"I choose my own name!" She hissed, loud enough that her voice reverberated around the entire camp. "And I think I like the name… Hawkpool."
"You don't get to choose your own name," Smokestar laughed. "I choose it for you. Your clan leader chooses your warrior name."
"ThunderClan isn't my clan," she said. Unyielding red crashed with scorching blue. "And you aren't my father." She turned to the clan, facing them with a sense of satisfaction that made her feel like she was floating. "Do you hear that, ThunderClan? Did I mumble? Your wondrous, perfect leader, is not my real father!"
Murmurs whipped through the clan, and she grinned devilishly. "I'm RiverClan! Smokestar stole me from RiverClan! From Oakstar!"
The clearing was quiet.
Hawkpool expected many things from Smokestar. Rage. Disgust. Even violence.
She did not expect his face to go blank, and his eyes to go cold. "You're choosing to make up your silly stories in front of the clan?" His voice rang out over the clearing. The shocked silence of the clan granted it more room. "And you expect me to respond with what? Indulgence for your madness?"
Disbelief rendered Hawkpool mute. ThunderClan's eyes turned on her. Vinetail's dark pelt was caught in her peripheral like dirt to wet fur, and she knew her gaze burned the harshest of all.
"I- I am not accusing you, Smokestar. I am stating facts." Hawkpaw lifted her chin and fluffed out her tail. "You stole my brothers and I from RiverClan. I was Heatherkit, and they were Stormkit and Birchkit!"
"And who do you have to back these claims?" Smokestar demanded.
"Us." Scarface stepped out from the mass of cats. His scars danced over his glossy pelt under the light of the stars. "What she's saying is true."
Pinewhisker appeared beside his brother in a fearless stride. "You can't keep the truth hidden any longer, Smokestar."
"Oh," Smokestar sighed. "Please don't tell me she's roped you into her delusions."
"Delusions?" Scarface said. "The only delusional one here is you! We've met our RiverClan parents already!"
Smokestar's mouth was torn into a snarl. "And you'd believe enemy cats over your own leader? Your own father?"
Hawkpool bit her tongue. Her entire apprenticeship had lead up to this moment, and she was too terrified to look past where her brothers stood.
"Some leader and father you are, naming kits Scarface and ignoring the pleas of your clanmates. If any cat is delusional here, it's because you've put nonsense in their heads," Pinewhisker hissed.
A cowering figure joined the two bristling toms standing beneath Smokestar's heavy wrath. Hawkpool recognized her sister in an instant.
"Father, just stop," Cardinalheart whimpered. "Just stop. Please."
"I won't stand for this in my own clan!" Smokestar snarled, fur snapping upwards. His tail swished behind him with enough force to cause a cut on skin. "My own kits, planning a psychological war from within!"
Smokestar turned upon Hawkpool. "I can't believe the audacity you have, warping the minds of good, loyal warriors. You are evil incarnate, inside and out, just as your eyes show."
Hawkpool narrowed her eyes at Smokestar, and glanced over at the cats below her. Jaytalon stood shocked, jaw slack. Scarface, Pinewhisker, and Cardinalheart all formed a row just at the base of the Tallrock, defending her. Thornsnag stood just behind them, a gleaming pride clear on his face.
And Vinetail… Vinetail was staring up at Hawkpool with an expression she couldn't discern. Anger? Hurt? Sadness? Some amalgamation of the three?
"Your hysterics are going to get someone hurt- or killed- one day!" Smokestar spat. "I should never have made you an apprentice,"
"You never should have taken her from RiverClan," a new voice spoke from the back of the crowd.
Smokestar looked up, eyes widened as Redbreeze stepped forward. "You brought this on yourself, Smokestar," she growled. "You have no one to blame but yourself. I won't lie for you and Gingerroot any longer!"
"Redbreeze, watch yourself," Smokestar warned her.
"No!" She hissed. "I was there that night! Gingerroot was expecting five kits. A normal sized litter for a she-cat who had been trying for so many moons to be a mother. But the birth went wrong. Three died."
On the side of the Tallrock next to Smokestar, Hawkpool could see Gingerroot trembling with rage as Redbreeze spoke. Her ears were flat, and the bridge of her nose was wrinkled in a silent snarl.
"You wanted to replace those kits," Redbreeze said. "And I agreed. I hated RiverClan. But these kits… you three… you didn't deserve this hardship."
"Thank you, Redbreeze," Hawkpool meowed softly.
"Go to your true family, Hawkpool," Redbreeze said. "StarClan knows they have waited long enough."
"Leave then," Smokestar snarled. "Take your depravity and misery elsewhere."
Hawkpool met his cruel gaze. "You know, I spent so long wanting to please you and Gingerroot. My entire life, all I wanted was your attention. To feel loved. To prove myself to you, and everyone in this clan. I worked so hard to be a good daughter, and I was never enough. I never will be. You've already made up your mind about me."
"And if I have?" Smokestar scoffed.
"It doesn't matter," Hawkpool said coolly. "I have parents who think I'm enough simply because I'm me. I have more love than you will ever receive in your entire nine lives. And you know what?"
"What's that?" Smokestar snarled.
Hawkpool smirked at him. "I don't have to prove a thing to you."
Hawkpool climbed down the Tallrock, head held high despite the cold looks of disdain from her clanmates. Her brothers shielded her as she approached them. Cardinalheart was right in between them.
"You've made up your mind, huh?" Pinewhisker asked, voice cracking.
Hawkpool nodded mutely. She knew if she tried to speak, she would only end up crying. "I hope you're happier there," Scarface said, unable to look her in the eyes. She could see tears glistening in his own. "Really."
"You know, I think Hawkpool suits you very well," Cardinalheart purred, though it was choked with tears. "And you'll always be my sister. No matter what."
Hawkpool swallowed her words and buried her face into the crooks of their necks as they embraced her. Their scents blended together perfectly, and Hawkpool intently committed them to memory. When she finally tore herself from them, Thornsnag was waiting.
"I-" Hawkpool began. Her words stuck like honey in her throat. "Can you wait a moment? I have to find Vinetail."
Thornsnag dipped his head in agreement, and Hawkpool took off. ThunderClan cats parted, as if they wanted nothing more than to be away from her, but it did not faze her.
"Vinetail!" Hawkpool called. "Vinetail?" The black she-cat was nowhere to be found. The look on Vinetail's face from earlier was enough to make her heart sore. She looked over her shoulder to see Thornsnag watching her patiently. She caught the eye of Jaytalon, who she made a step towards, but he turned his back on her before she could even move forward. The rejection from ThunderClan was clear as day, and it did not faze her, but rejection from her friends formed a wound deep in her heart.
Hawkpool twitched her nose as something wet fell onto it. With a loud crack in the sky, rain and snow came down all at once in the form of sleet. Fat raindrops like snowflakes that melted before they hit the ground poured onto the camp and slicked her fur. It was enough of a distraction for her to slip out of camp without Thornsnag noticing.
As much as she didn't want to leave him, Hawkpool felt as if she had no other choice. She let her paws glide her across the slushy snow, now sleek with rain.
"Hawkpaw!" She heard Thornsnag call out from behind her. She urged her legs to carry her faster. "Hawkpool!"
She stopped at the river. The ice was dark, shadowed from the sliver of a moon, too weak to cast any light. "I said I would do anything for you, don't you remember?" He asked.
Hawkpool couldn't bring herself to face him. "I remember."
"One of those things was switching clans," Thornsnag said. "I think you asked me because you already knew where you wanted to be."
"I did," Hawkpool admitted.
"And I think you wanted me to come with you," he continued.
"I did."
"And this is me, coming with you."
Hawkpool shook her head. "I can't ask that of you."
"You don't have to ask," Thornsnag said. "And you don't even have to look at me. I want to be there for you. I want to be by your side, no matter how tough or scary things get. I want to share every moment with you. If you'll let me."
Hawkpool gulped, and turn to face him. Looking into his blue-green eyes, she noticed something that she should have noticed sooner. She had grown. Though she was still small and slim, she was taller, and no longer had to look up to meet his gaze. They were even. Equals.
Hawkpaw stared at him for a moment, before she sighed heavily through her nose, and smiled warmly. "Okay." She tilted her head in his direction. "Let's go."
They crossed the frozen over river and walked into RiverClan territory, snow and rain running down their pelts as their tails danced and intertwined with each other. She felt as if she was finally returning home.
Hawkpool sat down at the entrance of camp, looking out at the dens of sleeping cats. "Will you go speak with my father?" She asked him.
"What will you do?" Thornsnag asked.
Hawkpool gazed out at camp, curling her wet tail over her paws with a soft smile. "I think I'll sit vigil. For my clan."
A/N
God, finally being able to write her standing up to Smokestar and his control over part of his clan slipping was SO satisfying! A round of applause to my beta reader SuperBailey, who once again is amazing at writing Smokestar the way he is!
I'd love to hear any and all of your thoughts concerning how this chapter went, and as always, leave your comments down below, and I will see you next Thursday!
Allegiances
RiverClan
Leader: Oakstar: a muscular black tom with a dark ginger blaze, underbelly and white paws
Deputy: Beechtail: pale ginger and creamy tom
Medicine cat: Alderleaf: an elderly brown tom with pale spots
Apprentice: Honeysnow: a beautiful golden she-cat with snow white flecks
Warriors
Hawkpool: a black she-cat with a fluffy white chest and heather red eyes
Thornsnag: a chocolate pelted tom with hazel-brown stripes and a white chest
Gorseheart: a light brown tabby tom
Sandfern: pale ginger she-cat with black stripes
Cloudypool: a silver she-cat with white ears and a blue grey tail tip
Apprentice: Petalpaw
Doveheart: an off white silvery she-cat
Weaselclaw: brown tom with darker stripes
Pebbletail: a grey tom with darker stripes and amber eyes
Creeksplash: a pretty silver tabby she-cat
Apprentice: Mistpaw
Greywillow: a silvery grey she-cat
Trouttail: a dark silver tabby tom
Poppytail: a tortoiseshell she-cat with sharp amber eyes and a tufted tail
Fernblaze: a tortoiseshell tom with a fluffy chest and blue eyes
Reedflight: a tawny-brown tom with black paws
Ferretnose: a dark brown tom with paler paws
Shellwhisker: blue-grey mottled tom
Wetstep: a bluish grey mottled tom with white legs
Apprentice: Brindlepaw
Stemwhisker: a light grey tabby tom with green eyes
Badgerfoot: a black and white tom
Doestripe: a brown she-cat with a white muzzle and black paws
Flowerpelt: a tortoiseshell she-cat
Mudclaw: a grey tom with brown ears, muzzle, tail and legs with yellow eyes
Russetwing: dark red she-cat with an orange chest and underbelly
Seedberry: a large, cream-ginger she-cat
Apprentice: Fennelpaw
Thistlebush: a bluish grey tom with black ears, paws and tail
Spidertail: a grey-black tom with a short tail
Juniperfur: a dark grey tabby she-cat
Wrenshadow: a silver tabby she-cat with a white tail-tip
Shadeleap: an almost black she-cat with silver ear tips
Mothleg: a mottled brown tom with short legs
Briarfrost: dark brown she-cat with grey paws
Rowanstorm: dark brown tabby tom
Rosethorn: a fiery red she-cat with a darker chest and underbelly
Twigstep: a dark brown tom with a paler underbelly
Littlewhisker: a tiny, cream and white she-cat
Apprentices
Petalpaw: pale grey she-cat with golden spots
Mistpaw: blue-grey tabby she-cat
Brindlepaw: a dark ginger-brown tom
Fennelpaw: light ginger tabby she-cat
Queens
Duskflower: a dark grey she-cat
Softbelly: a fluffy white she-cat (mother to Spottedkit)
Puddlewhisker: a pale grey she-cat with white stripes (mother to Splashkit, Jaykit, Ravenkit and Ripplekit)
Marigoldfur: a pretty golden she-cat with dark brown flecks (expecting Beechtail's)
Swanwing: a white she-cat with black paws and ears (expecting Mudclaw's)
Elders
Whitefog: an off white tom with a silvery muzzle (oldest in RiverClan)
Bramblewhisker: a tabby tom, deaf in one ear
Yellowlily: a somewhat young tannish she-cat (retired early due to failed hearing)
Mudflower: a frail black she-cat with remarkably long fur and brown patches with sage green eyes
Fadedtail: a worn white tom with a pale grey tail
Kits
Spottedkit: a spotted silver she-cat with a lighter muzzle, chest, and belly
Splashkit: a dark grey she-kit with black spots
Jaykit: a black tom with grey ears, paws, and tail
Ravenkit: a black she-kit with white paws and chest
Ripplekit: a grey she-kit
ThunderClan
Leader: Smokestar: a dusky brown tom with dark blue eyes
Deputy: Cloudclaw: a fluffy white tom with silvery eyes
Medicine cat: Redbreeze: a ginger she-cat with faint swirl-marks
Apprentice: Mintflower: a lithe, grey she-cat with a white underbelly and brown ears
Warriors
Vinetail: a lithe black she-cat with a whitish grey tail and green eyes
Leaftail: a brown tabby tom
Cardinalheart: a reddish she-cat with pale blue eyes
Mouseclaw: a pale brown tom
Scarface: a blue-grey tabby tom with many scars
Sleetclaw: a long haired white tom with black paws
Thrushtalon: a brown tabby tom with a white underbelly and paws
Stonetail: a pale grey tom with darker flecks
Squirrelnose: ginger tom
Pinewhisker: a mottled tabby tom with pine green eyes
Quickstep: a lithe, silver mottled tabby she-cat with a jagged scar on her shoulder
Jaytalon: a long-haired white tom with a smooth black chest and jay blue eyes
Featherstorm: a dark grey and bluish tabby tom
Blackpelt: a black tom with green eyes
Lightfeather: a cream she-cat with blue eyes
Brackenfang: a handsome tortoiseshell tom with a white chest and tail tip
Apprentice: Cherrypaw
Sorrelfrost: a little, pale brown tabby she-cat
Bluewing: a blue-grey she-cat with amber eyes and white paws
Flarestorm: dark ginger tom with a graying muzzle
Flamefoot: bright ginger tom
Amberleaf: a beautiful, orange, brown and white tortoiseshell she-cat
Sandwhisker: a slender, light ginger tabby tom
Webstripe: a blue-grey tabby tom with blue eyes
Fernstorm: a grey tabby tom with amber eyes
Apprentices
Cherrypaw: a bright orange she-cat with dark orange markings
Queens
Gingerroot: bright ginger she-cat with brown eyes
Appleberry: a dusky red she-cat with a ginger chest and thick, white tail
Nightbreeze: a young black she-cat (mother to Heatherkit, Moonkit, and Eaglekit)
Snowwing: a fluffy white she-cat with blue-grey eyes (mother to Mousekit and Icekit)
Frondgrass: a yellow, brown and black striped she-cat with green eyes (mother to Cinderkit, Blizzardkit, and Fallowkit)
Mosspatch: a rugged, senior grey she-cat (mother to Ashkit and Sparkkit)
Needleclaw: a silver-grey she-cat with a white chest (expecting Dawnwhisker's)
Elders
Tulipwood: a yellow and black she-cat with impossibly blue eyes
Mallowtail: a black and brown tabby tom with tangled fur
Hailfall: a pale grey tom with glossy fur
Kits
Mousekit: brown tabby she-kit with white paws
Icekit: a pale grey tom with white flecks
Heatherkit: tortoiseshell she-kit with white chest and paws
Moonkit: black she-kit with white markings
Eaglekit: dark brown tom with white and black splotches
Cinderkit: dark grey tabby tom
Blizzardkit: black tabby she-kit with white spots on muzzle, paws, ear tips, and tail tip
Fallowkit: light grey she-kit with black paws and ears
Ashkit: a dark grey she-kit
Sparkkit: a ginger tabby tom
ShadowClan
Leader: Fallenstar: a black she-cat with pale grey flecks and a twisted front paw
Deputy: Stagstrike: a dusky brown tom with a stubby white tail
Medicine cat: Thymetail: tabby she-cat with one silver paw and a white muzzle
Warriors
Wiltflower: a large, orange and brown tortoiseshell she-cat; formerly of ThunderClan
Bloodyfur: a ginger tom
Forestclaw: grey tabby tom
Spiderheart: a pale cream-white tom with long legs and a blue-grey underbelly
Scorchscar: a dark ginger tom with a long scar down his face
Apprentice: Fangpaw
Darkheart: dark grey tom
Waspstripe: a dark ginger she-cat with black stripe and scarred ears
Frogthroat: a dusky brown-grey tom with a grey throat
Vulturewing: a black and white she-cat with yellow, beady eyes
Dapplefur: a brown tabby she-cat with three long scars
Crowblaze: a black tom
Apprentice: Adderpaw
Furzestorm: a dark brown tabby tom with broad shoulders
Heronclaw: a grey and black splotched tom
Apprentice: Grosepaw
Talonsting: a long clawed, grey tom
Thornyflower: a brown mottled she-cat with a torn ear
Weedthorn: a dark cream tom with a lighter underbelly, chest and paws
Darkflame: a dark grey she-cat with pale ginger stripes
Marshypelt: a black and brown tom
Viperflower: a dark grey-brown she-cat with a narrow build
Shreddedpelt: a dark cream she-cat with ragged fur
Firethorn: a dark ginger she-cat with a lighter underbelly and black paws
Apprentice: Leafpaw
Flintheart: a black tom with grey patches and yellow eyes
Bristleclaw: a dark brown tom with spiky fur
Heavyfoot: a stocky grey tom with a stubby tail
Beetlesting: a black tom with white patches and tail and blue eyes
Stormstrike: a blue-grey tabby tom with a missing ear
Apprentices
Fangpaw: broad faced cream tom with black paws
Adderpaw: a skinny, grey-brown tom
Gorsepaw: a stocky, dark grey tom
Leafpaw: a tiny brown and white she-cat
Queens
Willowleap: a silvery she-cat (mother to Runningkit and Snowkit)
Daisystripe: a cream she-cat with black stripes (expecting unknown's)
Nettletail: a skinny light brown she-cat with a large, prickly tail (expecting Scorchscar's)
Hollyfang: a black she-cat with yellow eyes (expecting Hunter's)
Elders
Burrpelt: a dark brown tom with tangled fur and scars
Kits
Runningkit: blue-grey and white tom
Snowkit: white tom with faint silver stripes
WindClan
Leader: Sunstar: broad shouldered golden tom
Deputy: Roseclaw: a dark ginger she-cat with long legs (expecting Whitefur's)
Medicine cat: Blueberry: a blue-grey she-cat
Apprentice: Mintpaw
Warriors
Flameheart: dark ginger tom with a pale ginger tail
Silverflight: a silver tabby she-cat with green eyes
Marshystripe: a senior tabby tom
Lilypelt: white and silver she-cat
Apprentice: Dustpaw
Frostberry: silver she-cat with cream stripes and amber eyes
Stonefoot: a senior speckled grey tom
Blossomfur: a tortoiseshell she-cat
Mosspetal: a grey mottled she-cat
Whitefur: long haired white tom
Apprentice: Deerpaw
Mousetail: black and white tom
Ryeclaw: a brown tabby tom
Fernbreeze: a pale grey and brown tabby she-cat
Apprentice: Pebblepaw
Apprentices
Mintpaw: a grey and white she-cat
Dustpaw: a pale dusty brown tom with black stripes
Deerpaw: a dark brown she-cat with light stripes and ears
Pebblepaw: a dark silver tom with a white muzzle
Queens
Brightcloud: a ginger she-cat with white splotches (expecting Ryeclaw's kits)
Brindleleaf: golden-brown she-cat (expecting Buzzardwing's)
Elders
Half-face: a grey tom with half a scarred face
Kits
Stormkit: silver tabby she-kit with a black tail
Mudkit: a dark brown tom
Sedgekit: a silver and white tabby she-kit
Falconkit: brown tabby tom with white stockings
SkyClan
Leader: Cricketleap: a greyish brown tabby she-cat with a small frame
Deputy: Perchwhisker: a black she-cat with yellow eyes
Medicine cat: Nectarpaw: a light ginger tabby tom
Warriors
Lilytail: a white she-cat with long legs
Wrenwing: a grey tabby she-cat
Snakeleap: a greyish brown tabby tom
Snapflower: a light silver tabby she-cat
Flippelt: black tom
Swallowfeather: a black and white tom
Berrybranch: a light ginger tom
Furzeheart: a dark grey tom with sharp amber eyes
Cloverleap: a grey tabby tom
Bristleleaf: a brown tabby tom
Littlefoot: golden-brown mottled tom with a singular white, deformed front leg
Apprentices
Silverpaw: a silver she-cat with faint stripes
Tanglepaw: a dark grey tom
Queens
Seedshade: golden-brown mottled tabby she-cat (expecting Blitz's)
Sequoiafern: a light brown tabby she-cat (expecting Pistol's)
Pounceheart: a fiery red speckled she-cat (mother to Hopekit)
Kits
Hopekit: a speckled ginger she-kit with white legs and ears
