Warriors and the cats of TacoClan aren't mine.

Jaggedstorm meant a lot to her. He was the first friend she had ever had. He was the one that saved her from Foster. Together they'd braved Two-leg place and survived. Together they'd joined TacoClan. He was there at her side and she was there at his. It was the natural order of things. The way of the world. He was like her brother, the one she could trust and joke around with. Jaggedstorm was the first good thing to happen in her life, she needed him around.

Even as she made new friends in the apprentice den, Ruepaw never let her friendship with Jaggedstorm fail or fall apart. He was her special tom. Sometimes she wondered if they would be good together, as more than friends.

She considered that one night, as Tornadopaw snored and Albinopaw twitched. Flickerpaw beside her was fast asleep; Yellowpaw was flopped partially on Lynxears, both toms fast asleep. Wolfpaw's feathery gray tail flicked near Ruepaw, but the she-cat ignored it, much like she ignored the owner of said tail. She and Jaggedstorm were friends. What she had with him was special. Would they make good mates? Ruepaw didn't think so; there wasn't that spark that she thought mates should have. Plus, she couldn't forget about Foster, not any time soon, maybe never.

It wasn't Jaggedstorm's fault; he was nothing like his older brother. Foster was a twisted cat, the way he'd treated her proved that. But Ruepaw couldn't forget it or him. Then again, did all this even matter? She wasn't ready for a mate, and wasn't really looking. She just wanted to be a warrior.

She stretched, and one paw brushed Lynxpaw's flank. Lynxpaw raised his head, ears tufts standing out in the light. "What?"

"Sorry!" Ruepaw hissed at him, sheepishly. "I was just stretching."

Lynxpaw glanced at her, and his ears flicked, "It's fine." He laid his head back down and Ruepaw let out a relieved breath. Yes, she and Jaggedstorm were just friends. And if they could be more, be something really, truly special? Well, she had time to find out, and a safe place to do so.

They said he died with one paw extended towards camp, still trying to protect her. That's what Tacostar told her when they brought him back. It had been Foster. He'd found them, and ruined their lives once more. Not that he could enjoy his victory; he'd been killed by the patrol. But none of that mattered.

Jaggedstorm was gone. Her special cat. It wasn't fair. Tacostar had nine lives, why had Jaggedstorm been the one to fall? She needed him. Tacostar could spare a life! Why hadn't he been the one they brought back limp, eyes empty and lifeless? Why had it been Jaggedstorm? Hollyspots' gentle touch did nothing; Ruepaw couldn't bring herself to even snark at the she-cat. Her special cat was gone.

XXX

Flickerpaw was special in his own way. He understood Ruepaw's need for revenge against Tacostar. After all, he'd been passed up to be made a warrior. And not only had Tacostar not made them warriors, he'd made Wolfleap, deputy! That snobbish she-cat and the leader favored her. So they got Yellowpaw, and they made plans. They made many plans, and they stuck together. The three apprentices had great plans, and Tacostar would regret what he'd done, and what he'd failed to do.

Ruepaw could've ended up with Flickerpaw. He was courageous, and smart. Daring and determined. But something was wrong with their plan. And when they finally acted it out, she and Flickerpaw attacking Tacostar to kill him, Yellowpaw going for Wolfleap, it all fell apart.

They were taking down Tacostar, he was bleeding heavily, cream fur stained with it, his movements slowing, and his usually proud posture slouched. Flickerpaw's face was aglow with vengeance, with some light at what he'd done. That it was working.

Then a yowl sounded, one that cut off in a sickeningly wet gurgle. Ruepaw turned to see Wolfleap, her paws wet with her brother's blood, as Yellowpaw fell to the ground, his eyes already dull, and a huge gap where his throat had been.

Ruepaw froze, staring. Siblings killing siblings. Foster had killed Jaggedstorm. Not Tacostar. They were wrong, they were so wrong. And as Flickerpaw's face twisted into an angry sneer, as he charged towards his sister, she lunged at him.

Flickerpaw looked at her in surprise; it was all moving so slow, as they rolled over the red grass. Ruepaw brought her paw, red with Tacostar's blood, and struck Flickerpaw across the face. Flickerpaw kicked her off, and she landed a small distance away. Wolfleap swung at him, and Ruepaw jerked to her paws, time worked correctly once more. Together she and Wolfleap attacked Flickerpaw, the battle silent but for their ragged breathing, until Ruepaw struck Flickerpaw's neck. Until she caused his blood to spill over the clearing. Then the silence broke.

"Ruepaw. What about-" Flickerpaw fell to the ground, and Ruepaw stepped back. She glanced at Tacostar, and knew. She knew several things. The leader had lost his lives. She knew that Wolfleap would never forgive her, so she ran. She knew that she'd been wrong, so she didn't deserve forgiveness. And she knew that she'd lost another special cat.

XXX

The last time she had seen him he'd been a tuft eared apprentice, almost a warrior. The last time she'd seen him, he'd been looking confused, because Yellowpaw wasn't his best friend any more. But now he was a sleek warrior, ears still tufted, but it was Lynxpaw, only he was Lynxears now. Envy had decided to come to the gathering, to introduce the Cult of Bloodshed, and as Rue was second in command, she had to come too. By now she'd been around, been with many toms. Flirted with more. But Lynxears, he wanted something different. He wanted to be friends again. He wanted to remember his apprentice hood days. It grew into something special.

It grew into a small brown kit, with his ears. Rue smiled as her mate played with his daughter, letting her bat at his muzzle, his eyes so light and happy. Even as he joked with Rue about hurting any toms that got ideas about Fawnkit, his eyes remained filled with love. Lynxears was her special cat now, and he would love her and Fawnkit. No matter what Rue had done, she had the tuft eared tom now. She'd lost Envy, but Lynxears was here to catch her.

Those were the two memories she treasured, as she hid in the forest of shadows, the forest of dead cats, and the forest where evil reigned and the weak were destroyed. She remembered other things, especially when she saw glimpses of Flickerpaw and Yellowpaw, when had he gotten so whiny, the Yellowpaw she'd know wasn't like that. She avoided everyone, especially those two.

But of all her special toms, Lynxears came. He stood before her, stars glowing in his already dappled fur, and refused to leave. He could be in StarClan.

So could she. He argued back, eyes flashing with determination. She chose to come and he chose to stay with her.

And he did stay, no matter how she tried to persuade him to leave or how often she tried to lose him. But Lynxears wouldn't go. Even when they ran into Darkfang. The black tom's amber eyes were always hollow; this tom was the one to truly avoid.

But Lynxears wouldn't leave her. That's what she thought, as he was mauled by the fierce black tom, his star filled pelt was beginning to fade, and she thought she'd lose him too, when a familiar cry rang out. A red blur landed on Darkfang, fangs buried in his shoulder.

Flickerpaw let out a cry of, "Run!" before resuming his assault on the tom. Lynxears pulled himself away, as a second yowl, once more familiar but this time not cutting off into a gurgle, filled the air. Yellowpaw, finally loosing the attitude he'd picked up her, to fight for them. Darkfang reared up to fight them, snarling.

That was all Rue saw before Lynxears shoved her and they ran. They ran to the border, where the stars began and the shadows ended.

Lynxears stared at her, eyes asking the question. Rue answered by throwing herself at him, knocking them both across the border, to the safety of StarClan.

A familiar grey pelt greeted her, Jaggedstorm. Her first friend, he was there, and he looked happy to see her. He smiled at her, and she smiled back. She was welcomed here after all. It was fitting that he was here, Jaggedstorm was the special cat of her good times, and Flickerpaw was the special cat of her bad ones and Lynxears…

Rue looked down at him, to see his eyes, previously filled with worry slowly resuming their light hearted look, his muzzle no longer gray, and he blinked at her. Rue nuzzled him and he purred.

Lynxears was the special cat that got to stay with her.

I've had that sitting around for too long. Chapter 36, out of the way. Onward, I've got 64 more to go.