Disclaimer: I don't own the Warrior Cats series!
Title: Berry Paint
Summary: Sandkit wants to look pretty for his apprentice ceremony, so he wears berry paint; Lightkit feels alone in RiverClan for her messy pelt and gruff demeanor, save for two elders, and strives to outdo Rosepaw; Hoptail's known who they are all along, but they're hesitant to tell their mate, Mintpelt; and Smallkit of ShadowClan is scared to face who he really is- is it a tom at all?
Chapter Title: Lightstripe (Farewell)
...
Amberstorm233- Huskkit and Applekit's names are gonna come up in this chapter, actually! =)
Guest- I mean, I don't mind if they're genetically accurate tbh. I know, like, next to nothing about cat genes. I just thought they sounded cool.
Spotty- Yeah, I feel bad for doing that to Cryowl, but at least he's still got Rowantooth by his side.
Ran- Oh, trust me, I'll miss him too. =)
...
"Come'on, mama," Blueheart was urging, and Lightstripe cracked her eyes open with a groan. "Time for patrol."
Lightstripe looked up at her daughter, ear flicking. She'd grown up to be the second tallest out of her litter, only overshadowed by Hookstream. It seems like just yesterday she was following me around, trying to get Cloudleap's attention, and now they're mates. Makes me feel old. "Alright, alright, I'm up."
Blueheart led her out into the clearing with a smile, tail lifted high with pride. Lightstripe was the last one out of the warriors' den, but she supposed that wasn't much of a shocker. She'd been prone to sleeping in ever since the bout of Greencough took Rosetuft from her, back when their kits were still apprentices. I'll never forget that vigil, that's for sure. It was the hardest night of my life.
Divvying out patrols was Sunsong, who had become deputy quite recently. By his side stood his apprentice, Skypaw, whose eyes lit up when he saw her padding up. The torbie tom wasted no time in paring her off with Fallowfoot, Huskwater, and Briarclaw, and sent them out to do patrol. Lightstripe padded behind them with no real relish, snow crunching under her paws. It felt like the days had only grown longer since Sandpetal passed. Of all the cats for StarClan to call on, why did it have to be him? I've already lost my mate, and now you steal my Gathering buddy from me too?
Lightstripe blinked back her grief. She refused to admit she felt as lonely as she had as a kit.
"The lake's frozen," Fallowfoot commented, coming up on her side.
"It usually is," she replied. "It's Leaf-bare, after all."
Huskwater drew them to a stop with her tail, squinting off into the distance. "Does everyone else see that?"
For the first time since they'd left, Lightstripe looked up from the ground. The black she-cat was nodding to the lake, to the ThunderClan territory that rose up in the distance. They could just make out a few dots near the shore, and something splashing around. Briarclaw drew back a pawstep, ears flat against her head. "They're not trying to swim, are they? It's too cold!"
Lightstripe hopped up on the thin shelf of ice and took off at a sprint, calling over her shoulder. "I'll check it out!"
"Fish-brain!" Fallowfoot yelled after her. "The ice doesn't go all the way across!"
That doesn't matter, she thought, but didn't bother to stop and say. Any cat of ThunderClan is a kit Sandpetal has helped raise. I can't let his memory die in vain because some stupid warrior tried to go for a dip. She plunged into the cold lake without a second thought, steadily paddling closer. The ice had only grown across a little under half the water, but Lightstripe was determined.
A wailing ball of gray fur became more apparent to her as she swam nearer, frantically clinging to a bobbing piece of wood. Either that's a really small warrior, or it's a wayward 'paw! With renewed concern, she came up to the log and nudged it, carefully trying to sink her teeth into the side.
The apprentice gave a jerk, almost knocking himself off the lumber, but she reached out a drenched paw and steadied him. "You don't wanna take a dip in this, kiddo!" she panted. Lightstripe was having more and more trouble feeling her paws. "I'm Lightstripe of RiverClan. Who're you?"
"H-Huskpaw," he whimpered. "I didn't mean to end up like this, honest!"
"I believe you, Huskpaw," she promised. "Now, you gotta work with me here, okay? I'm gonna guide you back to shore, but you have to keep balance. Okay?"
Hesitantly, he nodded.
Lightstripe latched her teeth into the wood once again and began pushing. Freezing cold lake water sloshed into her mouth, hitting a sensitive tooth that she'd almost had the pleasure of forgetting about. She churned her paws harder, praying to StarClan that she would make it back in one piece. The numbness had risen up her legs, but she wasn't going to drown here. She wasn't. They'd never be able to retrieve her body.
The first touch of land jarred Lightstripe out of her thoughts. Huskpaw let out a cry of relief, leaping off the wood and pelted toward Brackentail, whom Lightstripe assumed was his mentor. The distantly familiar scents of Rowantooth and Cryowl swamped her as they helped her up and over to dry ground. Lightstripe fell back onto her dripping wet haunches and panted.
"That was the most dramatic rescue I've seen in all my seasons," Rowantooth commented, coming around her front to nod respectfully. "Thank you for bringing our apprentice home."
"Not that we needed help or anything," Brackentail added quickly, seeing the worried look on Huskpaw's face. "We- we were about to get him ourselves."
Too tired to argue, Lightstripe nodded.
Cryowl nosed her shoulder. The warrior hardly looked in any better shape than her, despite being dry and well-fed. He lost Sandpetal too, didn't he? A mate and a friend... I can relate. "We should take you back to camp with us. You're gonna get hypothermia."
The warrior stumbled backwards, shaking her head. It make her feel dizzy. "No, no, I can't," she slurred. "Gotta- gotta get back to my family. My babies."
It's not ThunderClan without Sandpetal.
She'd barely made back it to the edge of the ice before collapsing, too tired and cold. Lightstripe didn't remember the walk to the medicine den (she suspected Fallowfoot had carried her), but she did recall Brightwater grimly draping a blanket of moss over her back. The days flickered in and out as she tried to regain her former warmth, but it kept alluding her.
"You should've stayed, mama," Murkwing mumbled into her fur. "You wouldn't be so sick now if you'd stayed."
Lightstripe lifted her head with great care, half-afraid to make herself vomit again. Her vision was swimming, making it impossible to make anything out clearly. Even as a full warrior, Murkwing was still attached to her hip, and she knew seeing her so weak tore him up inside. "Nonsense. I needed to get back to you kids," she rasped, her throat full of mucus and other, less tasteful things.
Murkwing looked up when Brightwater entered the den, but she simply nodded at him before vanishing again. "It's time for the Gathering," he explained.
"You should go," she said firmly. Had Lightstripe been in better spirits, she would've booped his nose. "Applestar asked you to go along."
"But-"
"No buts. I won't leave this nest and you know it. Go. Have fun."
It took some badgering, but eventually Murkwing slipped out of the den with one final parting glance. Lightstripe shivered at the loss of his warm pelt. She curled up in a tight ball, tail over her nose. I'm so tired... Feeling oddly weighted down, she let her eyes slip closed. She eventually fell into a deep sleep.
"Psst, Light," someone whispered, shaking her shoulders. "Come on, darling. It's time."
Lightstripe jolted awake, feeling stronger and more aware than she had in moons. I don't know what Brightwater slipped into my fish when I wasn't looking, but it sure did its job! Her eyes slowly adjusted to the darkness around her, and an achingly familiar ginger pelt became more and more clear to her. Disbelieving, she opened her mouth, and was swamped with her scent.
Rosetuft stuck her tongue out at her. "Howdy, sleepy-fur."
"'Tuft!" she cried, leaping on her. Lightstripe found herself on her side, muzzle buried deep in Rosetuft's fur, while the vice versa happened to her. "Oooh, it's so good to see you. I've been so lost without you and Sandpetal."
Another weight settled onto her side. "Missed you too, buddy."
"Sandpetal!" She bumped their heads together. "Wait, does this mean-"
Rosetuft pointed at her nest, and Lightstripe turned to see her own body, stiff and unmoving. She glanced down and found her pelt, still as messy and ratty as ever, speckled with stars. I must've died in my sleep. "Well, that's okay," she decided, touching noses with Rosetuft. "I'm where I'm supposed to be."
"Thank you for saving Huskpaw." Sandpetal drew a lick across her side. "He got his warrior name, by the way. He asked to be named Husklight- after you."
Lightstripe stared at him, flattered. "I- I don't know what to say."
Rosetuft's whiskers tickled her cheek as she giggled. "And Applepaw became Applepetal, after you. Stars know you've been gushing about it."
The happy moment was broken by an anguished cry, followed by Murkwing pressing his nose to her cold pelt with a broken little wail. Hookstream and Blueheart sprinted in after him, wanting to know what was the matter, and quietly joined their brother by her deathbed.
"We should've been here," Hookstream growled, hanging her head.
But Blueheart shook her head. "It's what mama wanted."
Lightstripe buried her muzzle in Rosetuft's scruff, feeling ashamed. For being happy when she had left her kits alone. And what about Skypaw? He's not even a warrior yet!
Murkwing set a paw on Lightstripe's still flank, seeming to come to a decision. "I'm going to be a medicine cat."
Everyone, dead and living, stared at him, surprised.
"You sure?" Hookstream meowed, raising herself to her full height. "Being a medicine cat is a big deal."
Murkwing met her eye. "I can't leave another cat to die alone like this. I want to take care of them." His voice turned pleading. "I know I won't be able to save everybody, but I can be with them. Doesn't that make it worth it?"
Blueheart and Hookstream exchanged a look. The silvery-blue she-cat nodded. "If that's what you want, we'll support you."
"Come'on." Hookstream had her teeth in Lightstripe's scruff. "We need to prepare for the vigil- and give Brightwater the news."
The newest StarClan cat met her mate's eye. In that moment, they knew what the other was thinking. I'm so proud of our kits. Sandpetal touched her shoulder with his nose, and the trio dissolved into stars.
Author's Note: Well, here's a more happy-ending style end to Lightstripe, aye? It seemed fitting that she go out knowing she's loved. I do feel bad about killing Rosetuft off-screen, but I'm happy it led to them chilling together in StarClan.
Believe it or not, the most major change for Lightstripe's story was how she and Rosetuft got close. In the original idea, Lightstripe kept blocking her out, until finally Rosetuft followed her as she left the Clans, and they had a huge argument. Then they talked it out. I'm pretty sure I was gonna keep their relationship more ambiguous, too, but I prefer what came out instead.
As for After:
Hookstream is gonna be a well-respected warrior as she grows older, while I think Blueheart will become deputy after Sunsong, and Murkwing will be a pretty dang good medicine cat. Skypaw's future is up to you!
Next chapter is Hoptail!
-Mandaree1
