So this is a character study for Mudclaw, a slight au, and a comp entry for Fallenclan. I really enjoyed writing it, but I haven't read these books in years so sorry of the characters are off. I like these versions of them. I just always felt like Mudclaw got the short end of the stick. The prompt used was "fake." Please enjoy!
- Mossy
"I know what I'm going to do," Mudkit nodded towards his brother.
Tornkit, named for his raggedy pelt, rolled his eyes, "You mean today? I thought we were playing mossball."
"No, with my life," Mudkit whispered. He knew his father had been slain in battle. Ryestalk didn't talk about the details. She and Shrewclaw had become mates shortly after becoming warriors, but he knew his father had been cruelly cut down by a Shadowclan warrior.
There were whispers that he could have been a great leader had he lived. Young Mudkit and Tornkit were held in great regard. They were pampered and spoiled. Mudkit's father wasn't a leader, he would never be able to, but his kits…
"Mudstar has a nice ring to it," he grinned at Tornkit, "Don't you think?"
"You, leader?" Tornkit was wide eyed, "Aren't you a bit young to decide that?"
"Nope, I'm going to be the next leader of Windclan," Mudkit sounded so sure, "And you can be my deputy."
"Hmmpf," Tornkit eyed his brother, "If you become leader, that does sound cool…"
"I will!" Mudkit snapped, "You watch me, I'll be the greatest leader this clan has ever seen. He remembered overhearing some apprentices after a gathering complaining that the other clan thought Windclan was weak and it had made his blood boil. They weren't weak, they were the fastest clan there was.
His mother called him in, "Mudkit, Tornkit, it's time for a nap!"
"Rabbitdung," Tornkit flattened his ears as the pair walked into the nursery, "I'm not tired mom!"
"You still have to sleep," Ryestalk licked his head affectionately.
"Mom, was it true Da took down a hundred Shadowclan warriors before he passed?" Mudkit blurted. He knew it was, but he needed confirmation.
"Oh Mudkit," Ryestalk's eyes dampened for a moment, the memories of her mate overwhelming her, "I don't think Shadowclan has hundred warriors, but Shrewclaw…"
She smiled softly, "I promise he was the greatest."
"I knew it!" Mudkit puffed his chest out, and turned to his brother, "See, I told you we had the best father!"
"I never said we didn't," Tornkit muttered. Mudkit gave him a friendly nudge and laughed.
"You didn't agree with me either."
"Who says I have to agree with you?" Tornkit frowned.
Ryestalk rolled her eyes and pushed her kit towards their nests. "Rest, now," she sighed and curled up around them. Mudkit looked up at the stars as he drifted off. They were bright and happy, and he thought they were beautiful.
Mudpaw ran through the moor, feeling the wind ruffle his fur. He loved the moors. They were his home and they made him feel… free. He could see Tornpaw up ahead.
"You better be practicing for when you're my deputy," the brown tom laughed, "Just saying."
"Do you ever think of something besides leadership?" his brother groaned, "What about finding a nice mate and settling down?"
"Is mom already pushing for grandkits?" Mudpaw sighed, "Look Tornpaw, I know you're eyes wander from she-cat to she-cat faster than I can catch a rabbit, but the moor is my love."
"You're going to be mates with the moor?" Tornpaw deadpanned, "Mudpaw, that's stupid."
"No, I…" Mudpaw let out a sigh, "Who is it this week anyway?"
"Grasspaw," Tornpaw sighed dreamily, "She's just so… you know?"
"Eloquently put dear brother," Mudpaw teased, "I can see why you care for her so."
"Ugh," Tornpaw bristled with annoyance, "Do you always have to be a pain?"
"I'm going to be a pain for the future!" Mudpaw grinned and paused, "Wait, that sounds…"
"A bit stupid?" Tornpaw laughed, coming up beside him, "Yeah, it did."
"Shut up," Mudpaw grumbled as he wrapped his tail around his paws.
That's when he smelled something unfamiliar, something he didn't like. He crept forward, eyes wide as he saw Thunderclan warriors on the territory.
He ran forward, only for Tornpaw to jump in front of him. "Mudpaw, what are you doing?" he seethed, "Those are full grown warriors!"
"Stopping them?" Mudpaw narrowed his eyes, "Move Tornpaw." His brother caved and stepped aside.
"Now I have to come so you don't get yourself killed," he groaned, "Fine, let's go fight two full grown warriors."
"That's the spirit!" Mudpaw exclaimed, charging forward.
He ran at the warrior, who seemed startled by a young apprentice running at him. "Hey-" the tom exclaimed, only for Mudpaw to strike him in the jaw.
"Take that Thunderclan scum!" he laughed, high off exhilaration. The warrior rounded on him and pinned him down.
"Mudpaw!" Tornpaw exclaimed, eyes wide with fear, "Let go of my brother!"
"He attacked me," the warrior seethed. His friend came up behind him, lashing her tail.
"What do you think we should do Talonflight?" she asked with a grin, "This weak Windclan brat appears to think he can take us on."
"Hmmm," the brute, Talonflight, shoved Mudpaw into the ground harder, "How about we teach him a lesson."
Tornpaw tried to leap at Talonflight but the she-cat pinned him down.
"You need to be… taught a lesson," Mudpaw wheezed, having trouble breathing with this cat crushing him, "Trespassers."
"Is it trespassing if Windclan is too weak to even defend their own territory?" the she-cat laughed.
Mudpaw's eyes flashed with anger. He kicked the tom holding him in the chest and wiggled out from underneath him. The she-cat, in her surprise, let go of Tornpaw. Mudpaw leapt on her back and sank his teeth into her scruff.
"Say that again," he growled, tasting blood. She whimpered, but then her gaze hardened.
"Windclan is weak."
Mudpaw bit down harder and the she-cat wailed. Talonflight bowled the apprentice off his friend. "Cherryfall!" he exclaimed and growled at Mudpaw.
Then he turned to Tornpaw and smiled, it was grin that sent chills down Mudpaw's spine. "Tornpaw!"
Talonflight brought his paw down on Tornpaw's eye and Mudpaw's brother screamed.
He heard a few crows flapping away in the distance.
Talonflight looked at Mudpaw with a manic gleam in his eye, "Remember, Windclan will always be weak." And with that, he and Cherryfall ran away.
"Cowards!" Mudpaw called after them, but he was shaking.
"My eye," Tornpaw whispered, "Mudpaw, I can't see out of my eye." His voice was trembling with fear and Mudpaw was forced to give full attention to his brother.
"It's okay Tornpaw, we'll…" he swallowed, trying not to let his fear show. Mudpaw never let anyone know he was afraid. "I can fix it," he sounded panicked and looked around for cobwebs that had been built among the grass, anything.
"I can't see!" Tornpaw screeched, blinking back tears, "Mudpaw, I can't s-see, what am I going to do?"
"I'll fix this," Mudpaw growled, desperation rising in his chest. His heart pounded, and the sun beat down on his pelt. He saw blood drip from Tornpaw's eye onto a patch of white flowers below.
They were stained red.
He gritted his teeth, those Thunderclan cats needed to pay. He almost went up and chased after them, but Tornpaw's voice pierced his heart.
"Mudpaw, please take me back to camp," he whispered, "Please."
Mudpaw was stiff with indecision, but he walked over and motioned for Tornpaw to lean on him. "I got you," he whispered, glancing at the border one last time, "I got you…"
Mudpaw paced back and forth in front of the medicine den. He sat there for days, not training. He just wanted Tornpaw to be okay. This is Thunderclan's fault. Finally… finally, Tornpaw came out of the medicine den with a bandage over his eye.
"Barkface says I won't be able to see properly out of it," he whispered quietly. Mudpaw flinched. "It will delay my training," Tornpaw added, a sorrow in his voice Mudpaw hated to hear.
He was going to rip Thunderclan apart.
"I'll make this right," he stood up and was ready to go into Thunderclan camp and demand justice.
"No," Tornpaw sounded angry at him. Mudpaw withered under his brother's one blue eye. He let out a shaky breath.
"N-No?"
"You charging in and trying to fix things in how we got in this mess!" Tornpaw took a step towards him, claws unsheathed, "And yet I got punished!"
"Tornpaw, I didn't mean-"
"You never mean anything, you never think!" Tornpaw roared, "You just think the world will bow to your whim and you can do whatever you want! Well sorry, but actions have consequences Mudpaw!"
Mudpaw was silent for several moments and he met Tornpaw's gaze, "I'm… I'm sorry."
"Sorry won't fix my eye."
"I know, I…" Mudpaw looked down at his paws. For the first time in his life he didn't know what to do.
If only he could bend the world to his will.
He was almost a warrior when he met Talonflight again. The Thunderclan tom was at a gathering, bragging about how Cherryfall was expecting his kits.
"They'll be disgusting creatures," Mudpaw looked at him with a frosty amber gaze. The Thunderclan warrior stared at him.
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me," Mudpaw repeated, "They'll be disgusting slime. Are you even sure you're the father? Goodness knows I wouldn't want your kits."
Talonflight took a step closer, "You're that Windclan brat…"
Mudpaw smirked, "Glad to see you remember me."
"Yes…" Talonflight had a most foul look on his face, "How's your brother?"
That's when Mudpaw snapped. He and Tornpaw hadn't spoken much since that day. The culprit for their schism was right in front of him. Mudpaw clawed the warrior across the face.
Gasps rose up all around them.
"Tallstar, get a hold of your apprentice!" someone exclaimed and the leader glared at Mudpaw.
He was confined to the camp for a moon. Tornpaw walked up to him, his wound now just a nasty scar.
"Heard you got in a fight," he muttered, "You alright?"
"Oh, are we on speaking terms again?" Mudpaw had a fake smile plastered on, "I couldn't tell."
"Mudpaw, please don't give me that…" Tornpaw sounded pained and Mudpaw sighed, "It was Talonflight, wasn't it?" The way Tornpaw said the name, like it terrified him, made Mudpaw flex his claws.
"I clawed him," Mudpaw blurted, "He hurt you, and I… I wanted to hurt him back, I…"
Tornpaw looked his brother down and Mudpaw gasped when he gave him a small hug. "I forgive you!" he whispered in Mudpaw's ear and the brown tom smiled in his brother's embrace.
"From this moment on, you will be known as Mudclaw!"
The young warrior preened as the clan cheered his name. He grinned, being lifted up by the chants. Mudclaw just loved the attention. He faltered when his gaze landed on Tornpaw. Soon.
The mottled brown tom walked over to his brother and shuffled his paws. "Hey," he coughed, "You're…."
"It's okay… Mudclaw," Tornpaw gave him such a genuine smile Mudclaw couldn't help but grin back, "Nice name by the way. It suits you."
"You think so?" Mudclaw had a proud gleam in his eye, "I thought so too."
"Because you like to fight anything that breathes?" Tornpaw scoffed and Mudclaw pretended to be offended.
"I do not!"
Tornpaw rolled his eyes and headbutted Mudclaw affectionately. The new warrior let out a stifled purr and smiled at his brother. Then he noticed Tornpaw was no longer looking at him, but instead his eyes were resting on the young Grasspool.
"You can talk to her you know," Mudclaw sighed, "Starclan Tornpaw, you're a mess."
"I can't just-" Tornpaw sputtered, "She's… she's so cute, and she just… Talking is out of the question. She just makes my heart pound, you know?"
"I really don't," Mudclaw groaned, "Look, if you like her, I recommend moving your mouth in her direction."
"How will I… know what to say?" Tornpaw whispered, looking apprehensive.
"Don't worry about it," Mudclaw waves his paw flippantly, "You have the ultimate wingman!"
"Oh no…" Tornpaw sighed, "Mudclaw-"
It was too late, Mudclaw had already started padding over to the pretty tortoiseshell, "Grasspool, Tornpaw wanted to let you know that you're absolutely exquisite."
He smiled when Grasspool looked at Tornpaw and flushed, "He said what now?"
"You heard me," Mudclaw sent a wink to his brother, who facepalmed.
"Tornear?" Mudclaw howled with laughter, "Out of all the names Tallstar could have picked, he went with Tornear?"
"Shut up Mudclaw," Tornear growled and leaned into Grasspool's side. The two affectionately touched noses and Mudclaw wanted to gag.
"Yes, Torny has a fine name," Grasspool cooed, "It makes him sound tough."
"Tough and Tornear are two words that have never gone together," Mudclaw chuckled.
"I said sounded tough, not that he was tough," Grasspool sighed.
Tornear frowned, "You all do realize I'm sitting right here?"
"Of course we do, but you're not going to do anything to stop us," Mudclaw smirked and twitched his tail.
"It's alright, I like nice toms," Grasspool smiled and stroked Tornear's fur with her paw, "Hey Mudclaw, you have your eye on anyone?"
"I've already told Tornear," Mudclaw grinned and Tornear let out a groan, "The breeze of the dawn is who affectionately storkes my fur, the thrill of battle is what stirs the fire in my loins, and the moor will forever remain my one true mistress!"
"I thought I asked you never to say that again," Tornear muttered, "You're banned from talking about your loins!"
Grasspool snorted with laughter and buried her face in Tornear's side. "Mudclaw, that's…" she couldn't stop laughing, "You're something else."
"Something amazing," Mudclaw grinned. A snap growl snapped the young warriors out of their reverie.
"Hey, how about instead of sitting there, you all go on a patrol!" the deputy, Deadfoot, snapped.
Mudclaw gaze him a small salute, "Can do! Come, my merry band!"
Tornear rolled his eyes.
"Come on Webpaw," Mudclaw sighed as his apprentice failed to produce a proper hunting crouch again.
"I'm trying Mudclaw, I really am…" Webpaw hung his head and Mudclaw placed a paw on his shoulder.
"Try harder," he smiled, "We'll get there together."
Webpaw beamed at his mentor and Mudclaw felt warmth stir in his chest. He may not plan on having any kits of his own, but he liked being a mentor. He liked Webpaw. It was almost like having a little brother.
"Alright, again!" Webpaw bounced up and down and got into a still flawed, but better, crouch. Mudclaw shot him an approving smile.
"Mudclaw!" someone yelled, and the warrior turned around.
"Tornear?"
"Guess… guess what!" Tornear panted, blue eyes shining with joy. His injured one was somewhat cloudy, but it still held jubilation.
"Uh…" Mudclaw looked at Webpaw and then back to his brother, "What?"
"Grasspool's expecting!"
"I…" Mudclaw looked confused and then his eyes widened, "Oh… oh, you're going to be a…"
"A father, yeah!" Tornear beamed, looking very proud, "Can you believe it?"
"Not really," Mudclaw smiled weakly, but he felt happy all the same, "Congratulations Tornear, really."
"Could I mentor one of them?" Webpaw blurted, looking hopeful. Mudclaw ruffled his fur.
"Maybe if you train really hard," he whispered, "But first you have to perfect that hunting crouch."
"I will!" Webpaw hopped up and down, "I will Mudclaw, I promise."
The wind shifted and a new scent pierced the air. Webpaw wrinkled his nose, "What stinks?"
Mudclaw stiffened and he saw Tornear's eyes widen. "Shadowclan," he brother whispered.
"Run," Mudclaw started going towards camp, "Webpaw, get somewhere safe. Tornear, you have my back?"
His brother nodded, "Always."
Mudclaw watched as Webpaw went to hide in the grass and nodded at his apprentice, a sign he would come back for him later.
He rushed towards the camo with Tornear, dismayed to find their home crawling with Shadowclan warriors. "What is this?" Mudclaw hissed and launched himself at the first warrior he could see. He was a whirl of claws and fury, taking out all his rage on the cats invading his home. He bit tails, raked his claws through fur, it didn't matter. Adrenaline coursed through his veins and he had a wild grin on his face.
He would single-handedly drive these Shadowclan cats out if he could, or die bravely against them in battle- just like his father. He hoped his mother would be proud, and that she was watching from Starclan.
A piercing howl tore the air and brought Mudclaw out of his battle frenzy.
He turned and saw Tornear slumped over a blood-soaked form, a mix of crimson and tortoiseshell. Grasspool.
The battle seemed to stop around him and all Mudclaw could focus on was his brother's sobs. Tornear met his gaze, eyes half-lidded. Only one thought entered Mudclaw's mind. Kill them all.
"Retreat!" Tallstar called, "Windclan, retreat!"
Mudclaw bristled, this was their home, they couldn't leave. He saw Tornear desperately trying to lift Grasspool's corpse from the ground, "I can't… I can't leave her."
"Tornear," Mudclaw snapped, "Tornear, we have to go."
"My… my kits Mudclaw," Tornear howled, "I can't leave my kits, Grasspool… oh Grasspool…"
Mudclaw's heart broke, but he grabbed Tornear by his scruff and ran on with the rest of Windclan.
"We have to go back for Webpaw," he gently reminded his brother, fighting back his own tears, "Remember, Webpaw's hiding in the grass."
All he got in response were mutterings of "Grasspool, Grasspool, Grasspool…"
Onewhisker missed his home. The cries of kits and cats as they left after the battle haunted his dreams. He just wanted to curl up and pretend that never happened.
No one commented on it, but he ran during the battle.
The screaming, the throng of fighting cats… it had all been too much. He was just a new warrior, he wasn't ready for anything like that. He wasn't sure he would ever be ready for anything like that.
He just wanted to go back. Tallstar didn't admit it, but they were starving out there. Windclan was going to die out, and there would just be three clans. Onewhisker winced, perhaps if he had joined the battle there would have been a difference. Then he wouldn't have to sit around wallowing in his own shame and hunger.
He didn't think they would ever be saved, until a brand of fire appeared. He looked like a brand of fire at least. He was…
He was handsome.
Onewhisker could hardly breath. He had been here pitying himself and this Thunderclan warrior around his age had come to save them. He cautiously walked towards their ginger savior, ears a bright red.
"Um, excuse me…" he whispered, "I… I just wanted to thank you."
The warrior gave him a bright smile like the sun and Onewhisker felt feint. "You're welcome," he said, green eyes flashing with mirth.
"You have… name?" Onewhisker asked, cringing as he did so. He was falling apart.
"Fireheart," the tom grinned and Onewhisker thought his heart was going to burst it was beating so fast.
"I'm Onewhisker," he swallowed and the tom was still smiling. Could he be less beautiful? That would make him much easier to talk to.
"Nice name," he purred, "For a nice tom."
Onewhisker's breath hitched, "Are… are you flirting with me?"
Fireheart looked uncomfortable, "I mean… a little? To be honest, I haven't really done that with anyone since Spottedleaf passed… and I'm pretty sure Sandpaw likes Dustpaw, so…" His ears twinged red when he realized he was rambling.
Onewhisker, curse his heart, found that adorable. How was it possible someone could suddenly be adorable? Was he blushing? He hoped he wasn't blushing.
"Fireheart, we should probably start getting these cats home," his friend called with an exasperated sigh, "Come on!" He shot the two of them a smirk and Onewhisker flushed harder.
"Walk with me?" he blurted and his spirits spared when the ginger tom nodded.
So, they fell in place, side by side. "So someone finally decided to get us?" he asked Fireheart uneasily, "I mean… it's been awful." He realized he probably shouldn't talk about his clans problems with a stranger, but Fireheart was so easy to talk to. He seemed like he actually cared.
Onewhisker was desperate for someone to care.
"Yeah, Bluestar decided to send me and Graystripe," Frieheart nodded, "We couldn't just leave you all out here. I don't know why she sent me, I haven't been a warrior that long. I was her apprentice, so she trusts me."
"But it's a lot of pressure?" Onewhisker asked and Fireheart nodded.
"She just… I just want to be a normal warrior," he sighed, "She always acts like I'm special and I'm… I'm really not."
"You see special to me," Onewhisker whispered and Fireheart flushed.
"When you say it, it sounds different," he gulped.
"What's so different when I say it?"
"You're…" the tom seemed to be at a lost for words, "Well you seem so… smooth?"
Onewhisker laughed, "You think I'm smooth?"
"My heart's been pounding like a jackrabbit this whole time," Fireheart admitted softly.
Onewhisker held his breath. Was this really happening? Was this handsome tom with the laughing green eyes into him? He was from a different clan, he really couldn't do anything-
"Meet me at the border, two days after we get back."
Fireheart's smile that he flashed him in that moment would stay with him the rest of his life.
"Of course."
Mudclaw always loved the night. He had been back on the moor for a moon, and it felt good. The only problem was that they were indebted to Thunderclan. His blood boiled. He saw the other clans at the last gathering and had heard their mocking whispers.
Windclan was a laughingstock, and he intended to fix that.
He had insisted Deadfoot send out more patrols, they needed their borders to be safe and secure. There would be no trespassing, no mishaps like what happened to Tornear. His brother was a shell of his former self. He never spoke, and barely ate.
Mudclaw didn't know how to help, Grasspool had been Tornear's world. He was back with his love, the sweet smelling grass. The wind caressed him like an old lover. The moor was still alive and well.
His brother's love was in the ground. He had no one to return to.
Mudclaw swore somehow, someday, Shadowclan would pay.
He was sniffing for prey when he smelled something out of place. Thunderclan. That day all those moons ago came back to him and he bristled. Mudclaw crept towards the scent but was surprised to only find…
"Onewhisker?" he raised an eyebrow, "What are you doing out here?"
"Nothing, I just…" the tom panicked, "Please don't tell!"
"Tell, what-" he narrowed his eyes, noting the stench on his pelt, "You-"
"Please, I… I love him, okay?" Onewhisker whispered, "I don't know what I would do without him. He… he makes me feel worth something Mudclaw."
Mudclaw turned to go back to camp, "Get some self-worth, I'm getting Tallstar."
"No!" Onewhisker screeched, "Mudclaw, I'm begging you, please…"
Mudclaw stared at the young warrior, disgusted. "When this blows up in your face," he growled, "Don't come crying to me."
And with that, he headed off into the brush.
"Hey," Fireheart stepped out of the bushes. Onewhisker felt his heart flip-flop. He never thought he would have anyone like Fireheart. The ginger tom was kind and selfless, and gorgeous. He melted into his touch.
"Babe…" he crooned, leaning up, ready to kiss him. He loved it when Fireheart kissed him, each touch shaking his being. They couldn't meet often, less so with Mudclaw being suspicious of them, so when they did they made the most of it.
"I…" Fireheart faltered, "I can't do this anymore."
Onewhisker looked like he'd been slapped in the face. "What?" he whispered, broken. What had he done?
"It's not you, it's… it's Sandstorm," Fireheart looked guilty.
"What about her? Is she suspicious? I… I can switch clans," Onewhisker proposed desperately, "I've never really felt at home in Windclan, you… you make me whole Fireheart. I want this to work."
"I don't," Fireheart stepped back, "It's… I love her Onewhisker. I love her and it's killing me. I don't want to hurt you-"
Onewhisker looked like he'd been slapped. He was never good enough. "No," he whispered, "I-I understand. She's gorgeous and smart, right? Being with her is easy. She makes you look good, so you can be Bluestar's perfect little warrior."
"That's not it," Fireheart snapped, "I love her, I actually love her because she's witty and brave and good to me. I don't like this secrecy, I like Sandstorm!"
Onewhisker stumbled back, Fireheart had never snapped at him.
"Onewhisker…" Fireheart looked regretful, and Onewhisker kissed him. The ginger tom pulled away violently.
"What is wrong with you?" he seethed and Onewhisker felt like he was falling to pieces. He didn't want to face this. He'd gotten too close to Fireheart and he'd gotten burned.
He turned and ran, sobbing and ignoring how Fireheart was calling his name.
The day had finally come. Mudclaw mourned Deadfoot, the poor tom didn't deserve his fate. But greencough had hit him hard, and he'd passed, leaving behind Ashfoot and a young son, Crowkit.
But Mudclaw was deputy. After all this time, his dreams had come true. He hadn't felt this happy since Webfoot was made a warrior. Tornear walked up to his and gave him a weak smile.
"Congratulations," he nodded and Mudclaw patted him on the back.
"Still up for being my deputy when the time comes?" he asked.
"I…" Tornear looked unsure, but for a moment his eyes flashed and Mudclaw saw his old brother poking through, "To make sure you don't get the clan killed? Yeah, I'll have to be deputy."
"Excellent!" Mudclaw laughed. Everything seemed like it was finally coming together. He loved sorting out patrols and leading the clan. Tallstar was getting old, so he pushed more responsibilities onto Mudclaw.
He didn't mind at all.
No one was surprised when he volunteered to take on Crowpaw as an apprentice. It was to show his appreciation for Deadfoot, and to let the clan know he hadn't forgotten the old deputy.
"It's just all grass," Crowpaw muttered as he and Mudclaw walked along the territory, "This is boring."
Mudclaw gritted his teeth, Webfoot had bombarded him with questions about Windclan's history and ran every which way. Crowpaw was just… apathetic.
"It's not boring, it's the pride and joy of our clan," Mudclaw frowned, "Honestly, you should be more interested."
"Yeah, but I'm not," Crowpaw shrugged and his gaze brightened, "Oooo, can we do some battle training?"
"After the tour the of the territory," Mudclaw sighed, "If you are engaged."
Crowpaw's shoulders slumped, "Fine." However, he did start asking more questions and by the end of the tour seemed genuinely, though begrudgingly, interested in his own clan.
Mudclaw felt proud of himself. Slowly but surely, his young apprentice grew on him.
Which is why he freaked out when he was missing.
"You mean to tell me," Mudclaw growled at Onewhisker, who had lead the search for Crowpaw, "My apprentice is gone?"
"I'm sorry Mudclaw, I…" the tom quivered, "I looked."
"Oh, I'm so glad you looked," Mudclaw hissed, "What, do you want a reward for doing your job?"
Onewhisker sniveled and Mudclaw sighed. He reminded himself that this was the cat who had needed a Thunderclan cat to give him value.
"Run along to your boyfriend," he hissed so low only Onewhisker could hear. The satisfying flinch from the warrior made Mudclaw grin.
It was many moons before Crowpaw came back. By then, Windclan was in a bad place again. They were starving and cold, and Mudclaw was working day and night to try and keep the clans spirits up. He lead extra hunting patrols and even went out by himself just to find prey.
"Bless you Mudclaw," Morningflower smiled as he handed her a rare rabbit, "You're the fiber that ties this clan together."
Mudclaw dipped his head respectfully, "I can only try."
When Crowpaw came back and told Tallstar they had to move, Mudclaw was furious. "Where have you been?" he growled. Crowpaw looked like a warrior, with lean muscle. Mudclaw's ribs were poking out. He'd been forgoing prey to give it to the kits.
"I had to go save the clans," Crowpaw glared at him, "I couldn't just leave Windclan forever could I?"
Mudclaw wrapped him up in a hug and felt Crowpaw stiffen in surprise. "I'm glad you're safe," he muttered, "You gave me a heart attack you little scamp."
He ruffled Crowpaw's fur, "Well, a not so little scamp now." Crowpaw flattened his fur down with an embarrassed glare, but he seemed relieved.
"So… will Windclan be moving?" he asked.
Mudclaw looked around at the camp, the moor, his love. He loved this place, but his heart laid with his clan.
"Windclan will be going."
Onewhisker could see him walking up ahead. Firestar was still bright and handsome and burning him.
It didn't seem fair. At least before, he had only been forced to see his old lover at gatherings. Now he was always there, always near, and driving Onewhisker insane. He couldn't do this.
"Onewhisker," Firestar had ended up next to him. Onewhisker had wanted to brood alone. Firestar said his name so gently, much more gently than he should be allowed to say it.
Onewhisker flinched, "Firestar." He was a leader now, with a mate and kits. He didn't need Onewhisker, no one needed Onewhisker.
"You can't keep avoiding me," he whispered with a sigh.
Onewhisker narrowed his eyes, "Watch me."
He tried to walk away, but Firestar cought up to him in graceful bounds. "Please, Onewhisker, I-"
There was no one else around and Firestar kissed him.
For a moment, all of Onewhisker's broken pieces and he was gasping when he pulled away, "Why?"
"Do you…" Firestar sighed, "Do you think it's easy to be near you when you look like that?"
"But you… you have Sandstorm," Onewhisker spat her name as if it were a curse.
"I know, but I don't… I don't want her like that," Firestar looked ashamed, "Not like I want you Onewhisker."
Onewhisker felt his throat dry out, "Firestar, we… I feel the same." He was upset with himself, for falling back into Firestar so easily, but when the ginger leader kissed him again and all air left his lungs… he couldn't refuse.
They had done it. Mudclaw had almost led Windclan to their new home. He supposed Tallstar was still leader, but it was becoming more apparent he was on his last legs.
He was dying just before they reached the moor. There was a moor, Mudclaw could see it from the cliff. He smiled at it, and would be happy to leader his clan there. He didn't want Tallstar to die, but it seemed fitting to have a new leader for their new residence. He imagined Starclan chanting his name.
Mudstar.
"Our leader is dying," Webfoot huffed, "Mudclaw, stop grinning."
"I…" Mudclaw swallowed, feeling guilty, "Sorry." He bowed his head in respect for his leader. Tallstar had served the clans well, and he would do his best to honor the old tom and follow in his footsteps.
Firestar and Onewhisker walked out of the den, so close that their pelts were brushing. Mudclaw sent Onewhisker a glare, putting two and two together.
There was his Thunderclan lover.
He wanted to laugh, knowing that the blazing, perfect leader of Thunderclan had an affair with Onewhisker, but something in the ginger tom's eyes stopped him.
"Tallstar has decreed Onewhisker is the new deputy of Windclan," he announced.
The world seemed to stop. "Excuse me?" Mudclaw growled, flexing his claws. He had worked so hard for this position since he was a kit. He wasn't about to let it be snatched away from him.
"I have served Windclan for moons," he seethed, stepping forward. Firestar stepped in front of Onewhisker, which only insighted his wrath further. "I am not going to step down so Firestar can lie and put his lover boy in charge."
Onewhisker winced and Firestar coughed, "Are you sure we're the ones lying Mudclaw?"
"Oh, don't want me to smear your reputation?" Mid spat, "I'm Windclan's rightful leader!" He was shaking with fury, he had to be. He'd worked for this.
Onewhisker piped up, "Tallstar said-"
"Tallstar was old," Mudclaw growled and a few cats around them gasped, "I served as his deputy, I will be the next leader!"
"You're not the deputy anymore," Firestar responded frostily, "Onewhisker is."
"He's a fraud," Mudclaw yowled, "A fake, a sham! I've served you all for moons!" Still, some Windclan cats gathered behind Onewhisker and Mudclaw seethed. This was his clan that he loved. He would die for them. He'd been loyal for seasons and this was how he was repaid.
The betrayal ran deep.
He wasn't even staying in the moor. Mudclaw and his band of Windclan warriors had been staying just outside the territory. He missed the moor, he missed the wind, and he just wanted his clan to be whole again. Onewhisker should step down and let the rightful leader take his place.
He'd earned that title, it hadn't been granted to him because Thunderclan's leader had taken an interest in him.
He planned on keeping it.
Hawkfrost found him looking out over the moor with sad eyes. "You really love that place, don't you?" he asked.
"Riverclan doesn't belong here," Mudclaw snarled, but Hawkfrost didn't move. He ran his tail along Mudclaw's flank.
"A tough tom like you deserves to be in charge," he purred, "Strong, sophisticated…"
"Not interested," Mudclaw glared at him.
"Duely noted," Hawkfrost nodded, "Still, you want Windclan, don't you.. Mudstar?"
Mudclaw turned to him, "Get off my territory."
"That's your territory," Hawkfrost gestured towards the moor with a smirk, "So I'm not trespassing."
"Are you always this smarmy?" Mudclaw bristled.
"Sorry, I was just going to offer you a way to get your clan back," Hawkfrost tutted, "And you're obviously desperate because you haven't chased me off yet."
Mudclaw stared at him. This scum was bargaining with him. He wanted to claw those cruel blue eyes out, but he needed help. He would do anything to make Windclan whole again. "What's your price?"
"You will have Riverclan warriors to help you take on Onewhisker," Hawkfrost grinned, "If you help me become deputy of Riverclan."
Mudclaw almost refused there, but he was desperate.
"Deal."
The battle was fierce. Hawkfrost didn't lie, he brought his Riverclan warriors. Mudclaw felt ashamed for needing them, but he wasn't going to let some skittish warrior who drooled over Thunderclan's leader gain power.
He deserved to be leader, he knew he was meant to be Mudstar.
Tornear was on his right, his brother and soon to be loyal deputy. "We can do this Mudstar!" he told Mudclaw with a grin and Mudclaw couldn't help but smile back. Soon everything would fall into place. Webfoot was on his left, battling some Thunderclan tom. The thrill of battle exhilarated Mudclaw.
He would win this and finally show everyone Windclan was the strongest clan around the lake. They didn't need Thunderclan to interfere with them again. Firestar's meddling was what had caused this mess.
He dodged attack after attack even as rain started to pour down. His pelt was slick with newleaf showers and blood and Mudclaw wasn't backing down.
This battle would be the beginning of a new era, one where Windclan would be led into glory. Mudclaw could taste it. They would no longer be subpar to the other clans.
He grinned with his fantasy. His desire drove him forward, drove his claws through flesh, and made him unstoppable.
He saw the false leader up ahead, fighting side by side with Firestar. Mudclaw should have turned them in all those moons ago. He wouldn't make the same mistake twice.
He was leader now, and his reign would be long and joyous. He could imagine it now, kits scampering at his paws… he could take on another apprentice… Hearing Tornear sort patrols…
He didn't hear the crack until it was too late. He looked up at the tree, and heard Tornear scream his name. Mudclaw faced the tree with eyes wide open, filled with the same determination that had propelled him through his life.
He gritted his teeth and twisted his claws into the dirt, shock but acceptance flitting across his face.
There was a sickening crunch that was drowned out by the thud of the tree.
Tornear's cries pierced the air, and all was still.