As promised, here's Tigerclaw's pov!!! I hope I did a good job!! (I love Tigerclaw but getting his personality and behavior down is hard while also changing his choices. Like, he's good now so he won't do evil things but I still want him to go about it in a Tigerclaw way!!!)
O0O0O
Am I truly doing the right thing?
Tigerclaw's thoughts were adrift for the first couple of days after his exile from ThunderClan. Although he had the strong resolution on changing himself for the better, it was the uncertainty as to how he'd go about it.
Tigerclaw had a starting point; he went and found the rogues that followed him in his failed plan to rid ThunderClan of Bluestar. He then began to teach them to hunt and fight and hone their skills. Tigerclaw taught them about loyalty and the deeper meaning of the warrior code. He slowly but surely mended his ways while helping the rogue's find that sense of self-worth. He moved them closer to the ShadowClan border, regardless of some of the rogue's misgivings, and subsequently ran into a ShadowClan patrol and helped aid the struggling Clan with hunting and patrolling seeing as ShadowClan had such few warriors fit enough to carry out their duties. They had been warmly accepted into ShadowClan shortly after that.
When Tigerclaw was fully accepted into ShadowClan and saw just how sorry the state it was in, the dark tabby took it upon himself to start up a training regimen for both warriors and apprentices alike. It wasn't hard to get cats to follow in line, he had moons of practice when being ThunderClan's deputy and with Nightstar being unfit to properly lead his Clan and no deputy, ShadowClan needed to look up to someone in such uncertain times.
Tigerclaw not only began training the apprentice's, but also oversaw the warriors, getting them back into shape and into a steady routine of daily patrols; border patrols usually at dawn and at sunset, hunting patrols are sent out frequently to about five hunting party trips consisted of three warriors a day, he has stationed guards within the camp for safety that are rotated so that the warriors take turns, he leads most of the patrols and handles the bulk of the load. It was grueling work, but Tigerclaw saw progress as the days carried on and it pleased him.
What Tigerclaw was most inclined to participate in was the border patrols. And not just any border patrol, but the border that separates ShadowClan and ThunderClan. It was risky, Tigerclaw couldn't be sure what ThunderClan would do if they spotted him on the other side of the Thunderpath, but that small longing within him hoping to catch even a glimpse of Fireheart caused him to throw caution to the wind. Though he knew realistically that Fireheart was probably still in camp caring and nursing their kits alongside Graystripe's half-clan kits, there was always the possibility of Fireheart taking a break and needing to stretch her legs.
Tigerclaw had already seen some of his former Clanmates on some of his border patrols, though they never saw him. He has seen Fireheart's old apprentice, Cinderpelt and her unofficial apprentice Brackenfur, he has seen some of his old friends such as Whitestorm, Goldenflower and Runningwind, and not to mention those cowardly trio; Darkstripe, Dustpelt and Longtail. Yet there was never any sign of Fireheart.
Tigerclaw dreamed every night about Fireheart. Those dreams were never consistent and the scenarios changed each time. Some were fond such as grooming one another underneath the shade of an oak tree, or hunting together in Tallpines. Some included playing moss ball with their kits, and even demonstrating the hunters crouch to them; he was sure that all his kits would do well with a few demonstrations and corrections. It hurts to think he'll never be able to teach them such things.
Then of course came nightmares. He relived the memories of his exile. The anger and hatred and calls for his death from his former friends and Clanmates, and the panic of losing his home as he was forced to leave everything behind. He feared the voice inside his head that chanted words of vengeance. But nothing came close to how Fireheart had looked at him when he left ThunderClan for good. Fireheart's beautiful jade green eyes that had bore coldly into his own mesmerized him and took his breath away, even now, after being betrayed they still had that effect on him, he still dreamed of those jade green eyes even though they brought nothing but pain and regret when he woke up in the morning. The confused cries of his kits sometimes echoed in his ears, breaking his heart. And yet he still rose and faced his uncertainty in deciding what is wrong and what is right.
Tigerclaw trotted at the head of his hunting patrol. A good size shrew and small bird clamped within his jaws. His broad-shoulders were pulled back as he held his head high, he needed to set an example of what a true warrior looks like. What a ShadowClan warrior should strive for. And how they should behave. ShadowClan was now his home and he would make sure it would be the best version of itself.
Tigerclaw's patrol was just about to enter the thorn tunnel into camp when Mowgli practically ran into him. Tigerclaw's interest peaked when he noticed just how fast Mowgli had been going, especially with such a determined expression on his face. However, when Mowgli recognized Tigerclaw as the cat he had run into, a more relieved expression took over.
"Tigerclaw! Thank StarClan I ran into you! You have to come quick! There's a cat in the camp that's not apart of ShadowClan and--" Mowgli spoke quickly, hardly making sense but when mentioned another cat that wasn't part of ShadowClan, and seeing as Tigerclaw knew all the rogue's that followed him to ShadowClan, a stranger could be dangerous, "and they have kits! Lots of kits!"
Tigerclaw didn't relax. Not at the mention of kits, seeing as innocent kits could be used against the ShadowClan warriors who wouldn't dare lay a claw on a defenseless kit. Tigerclaw shared a look with Snag and Tangleburr, silently telling them with his eyes to be on guard as they cautiously sneaked their way unseen into camp.
Tigerclaw had readied himself for anything retaining to this trespasser, whether they be friend or foe, here to trick them or seeking help from ShadowClan. However Tigerclaw had not prepared himself as to who had been brought to his new home.
Tigerclaw let the prey he had been carrying fall to the muddy ground in front of his massive paws. In a trance like state, Tigerclaw left the prey where it had fallen and slowly approached the almost glowing figure of Fireheart. Sleek, bright flame-colored fur shone in the dim pine forest light. Her plumy tail with it's crooked tip was stroking the back of their son, Hawkkit, as she seemed to be speaking to Nightstar.
Why was Fireheart here? Why were their kits here? Why weren't they in ThunderClan? Why was Fireheart speaking with Nightstar? Why-- too many questions now plagued Tigerclaw's mind. But he was determined to get to the bottom of this.
Tigerclaw peered closer at his small family and noticed that Fireheart had gotten noticeably thinner. Her usually glossy coat was a bit dirty as though she didn't have time to properly groom herself. Fireheart was also acting more skittish and jumpy. That could be because of how exhausted she looked, as if the flame-colored she-cat hadn't been getting much sleep.
Unable to wait any longer, Tigerclaw said the first thing that came to mind as he slowly approached his family who he hadn't seen in what felt like moons, "Hello there, Fireheart," which he regretted as soon as he said them. Of all the things he could and wanted to say, a simple impersonal way of greeting Clanmates came out.
Tigerclaw wondered if StarClan would welcome him, because it felt like this was the closest he'd ever been to dying of embarrassment.
Fireheart seemed to freeze in motion, her hackles raised. The she-cats' jade green eyes were round with shock, clearly it appeared that Fireheart hadn't known Tigerclaw was now a part of ShadowClan.
Announcing his presence also drew in the attention of his kits, and their reaction to seeing him again filled him with a warmth he didn't realize he was desperately missing.
It took only a split second for his kits to analyze the newcomer before Squirrelkit set up a loud squeal, and shot off to tackle the massive dark tabby. "Father!" Mothkit was only a pawstep behind, flinging herself onto her father's wide shoulders. Leafkit raced up to shove her face into his shoulder, while Hawkkit jumped up alongside Mothkit onto his back. Fireheart seemed to be waiting for Tigerclaw to shake them off, but instead he pretended that his legs buckled under him and faked a gasp of surprise.
"If it isn't a band of strong warriors," Tigerclaw purred, a sight for all to see as the massive, former ThunderClan deputy would easily allow his kits to tread all over him. "I am defeated!" the declaration sent up loud murmurs of amusement. Spottedkit came trotting up behind Tawnykit and Bramblekit, burrowing her dark ginger face into his chest fur while Tawnykit and Bramblekit attacked his tail playfully, batting it back and forth between them.
For a few heartbeats, Tigerclaw allowed his kits to play on him. His amber eyes twinkled as he turned his head to inspect them. Slowly, he began to sit up, giving Hawkkit and Mothkit time to hop off his back and shoulders and scramble back to look up to him. Bramblekit and Tawnykit scrambled away from his tail, while Squirrelkit, Leafkit and Spottedkit stepped back to join the rest of their siblings.
Once they were all together, Tigerstar then bent his head to touch noses, beginning with Bramblekit and then ending with Spottedkit. Even though it had been merely a moon since their father was exiled, it felt like an eternity for the dark tabby.
"You have all grown some since I last saw you," Tigerstar told them, his eyes looking from each kit in turn. "And now that I have seen you again, I see you have been growing into fine, strong warriors. I'm proud to see that."
"Where have you been all this time?" Tawnykit asked him, her green eyes shining with questions.
Tigerclaw wanted to ask them why they were here in ShadowClan's camp, instead of the safety ThunderClan nursery. But that was a question he needed to ask their mother. Tigerclaw also didn't want Tawnykit's question to go unanswered, and not knowing what Fireheart had told their kits about him, he decided to keep it vague;
"I needed to leave. And your place was with your mother," he told them. "But that doesn't mean I'm not proud of you." He then gave each one of his kits a quick lick on the head.
"We came all the way here to find you!" Squirrelkit meowed, her paws kneading Tigerclaw's side from where she was leaning on him. "We searched and searched! And here you are!"
Tigerclaw was confused by this. Why had Fireheart brought their kits out to look for him? Why--
"Good day, Tigerclaw," Fireheart meowed coolly as she padded up to stand behind the kits, facing Tigerclaw. "It seems as if we really have found you." From the sound of it, it sounded as if Fireheart hadn't really been looking for him, nor did it seem like the reason for them to be so far away from ThunderClan.
More and more questions.
"Yes, and I wonder just how you have found me." Tigerclaw meowed back, his amber eyes narrowing with the burning question. It seemed to make Fireheart uncomfortable, seeing as she shifted from one paw to the other. Tigerclaw decided to go about this more calmly and backed off a bit. "Though I believe you're all tired. I think Deerfoot went to go get Dawncloud. The nursery is in that hollow over there, shielded by the thorn bush. You can go in and wait for Dawncloud to get you settled."
"We'll be going then," Fireheart said curtly, rounding up their kits.
The kits reluctantly backed away from their father and followed Fireheart as she set off towards the camp nursery. How they kept casting glances over their shoulder at their father.
"Say good-bye to your father before we go," Fireheart meowed, suddenly coming to a stop as she turned back around. "You'll see him again in the morning."
The kits turned around to pad back up to their father. Coming to nuzzle his sides and under his chin as they said good-bye. "Good-bye," Tigerclaw replied. "Have sweet dreams, and I shall be here when you wake up."
Their kits once again backed away, but it was Spottedkit who asked one more question that had both Fireheart and Tigerclaw locking eyes. "Do you still love our mother, even though you've been away for so long?" Spottedkit and her siblings looked expectantly at Tigerclaw, who had turned his head to settle his eyes firmly on Fireheart.
"No time apart will change my feelings, I loved your mother before and I still do now." The dark tabby warrior's voice was clear, and his words were wholeheartedly sincere. That seemed to satisfy Spottedkit because she padded after her siblings towards the ShadowClan nursery. Fireheart stood side by side with Tigerstar as they watched their kits walk ahead. Tigerstar then meowed, "You are doing a great job with those kits, Fireheart."
"With no help from you," Fireheart turned away from him, and stalked off after their kits.
Tigerclaw wondered if it was selfish of him to be happy to have Fireheart and their kits so close by. Even though Fireheart didn't seem to feel the same way.
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Fun facts:
Okay so as you can tell this is set somewhere in Tigerclaw's Fury. Before Nightstar dies but after Tigerclaw and Brokentail's old followers joined ShadowClan.
Jaggedtooth and Nightwhisper are still known as Snag and Mowgli seeing as they have yet to receive Clan names. (Which Tigerstar gives to them.)
Lots of ShadowClan cats don't technically know who Fireheart is. Seeing as ShadowClan had been through the ringer and Fireheart had been away from Gatherings and patrols due to having kits. But that doesn't mean that none of them know of her. (Everyone knows Fireheart is Tigerclaw's mate. It's just putting a face to the name you know?) But Tigerclaw's followers certainly know who Fireheart is!! Especially Blackfoot seeing as he had been that reluctant friend that listens to others ranting about their problems and he's just awkwardly there. (That's not true but I like the mental image of Tigerclaw just lamenting about Fireheart to a clearly uncomfortable Blackfoot that's secretly hoping for a fox or badger to come attack them to get out of having to listen to Tigerclaw's love life!)
I have no idea how a one-shot turned into this!!!
Review!!!
