Alright, here is the first chapter! I originally wanted this to be Featherpaw's warrior ceremony, but I realized I don't have a clan leader for Gladeclan. If someone wants to submit one, that would be great! I also still need a medicine cat for Gladeclan and a deputy and more warriors and queens for Forestclan.
Anyway, instead here is just some introduction to a few of the OCs that were introduced, and to Featherpaw! I hope you all enjoy the chapter!
- Mossy
Review Replies:
Cactopus- Thank you for the OCs! Very excited to use them. Especially excited to write about Oakstar, I have some ideas for him. Sandkit and Squirrelkit were cut off. If you want to resubmit their sheets, that's fine!
forever-snowy- Don't worry, they'll be plenty of angst in this story! And yes, I love thinking about what the clans do when things break down, it's always fun. Thanks for the characters! Coldpaw and Hearthpaw are adorable (and they have opposite names, I love that!). Also, I will have fun with pompous Talonshreik haha. I did give him a second mate if that's alright.
succulentsofa- I love all these guys so much, Lucy. Honestly, I am going to have fun torturing the young warriors in this story. Maybe you'll see some Ferretsoar soon, who knows? (I adore him)
Phoenixlight of Fallenclan- Thanks for all the characters! This was a very big family and they work so well with the system of the clan. Also, Mothflight will be a crazy old grandma, don't worry. I will make it happen.
JustToTalk- Thank you and thanks for the OCs! I liked them! I gave Twistspring and Brightrain mates. I did change Shadowstrike and Wolfstream's appearances a little bit, mostly to fit with how I imagined them looking like. Hope that's okay!
Hissing Mist- Thanks! I absolutely love the name, I think it's so pretty. And thank you for the characters! I already have some plans for them hahaha...
Mintflight0245- Thank you, I love building up lore for a story! Might write a one-shot about Meadowstar, who knows. Also, these characters are so detailed, what? I love all of them. I'm very excited to use Fawnspots next chapter (she'll definitely make an appearance *wink wink*)
Rowan Wisteria- Thanks for all the characters! Forestclan desperately needed some. I did change Ivyrose's name to Vinerose, because there was an Ivywhisker in the clan already. I hope that's alright! They're all very creative and I look forward to using them!
She looked up towards the great boulder that the leader made announcements from. Featherpaw's breath hitched. She turned around, seeing Birchtuft give her an encouraging smile. She managed a weak smile back and tried to pretend her heart wasn't pounding.
She looked around for her father, and saw him sitting next to a very pregnant Mistflower. He met her gaze for a brief moment and offered a nod, pride in his gaze. It didn't help settle her nerves.
(She knew he was already focused on his upcoming litter. She was old news.)
She ducked her head, trying to avoid his gaze. Silverclaw was just busy. She wasn't a kit anymore, she didn't need him. It wasn't his place to read kits anyway.
(It was going to be hers. The thought made her stomach churn.)
She padded over to her mother, trembling slightly. "You really think I can do this?" she whispered. Her mother looked over at Amberheart.
"Well, you're her mentor, do you think she can become a queen?" Birchtuft asked.
"She did good helping with Sorrelkit and Thistlekit," Amberheart nodded, the mild-mannered she-cat looking her apprentice over, "I think she'll do great with her own someday."
"That's what I like to hear," Birchtuft smiled, "That Thistlekit of Owlwish's is a little ball of trouble!"
Amberheart chuckled fondly, "Oh, he's not all that bad. Owlwish is quite fond of him."
"Well, I would hope so! He's her son!"
"And still a ball of trouble," Birchtuft smirked, causing the other queen to roll her eyes.
"Featherpaw will need to know how to deal with troublesome bundles," Amberheart laughed, "Especially if she keeps staring after Lionshine's boy."
"Ferretsoar?" Birchtuft looked at her daughter, "Really?"
Featherpaw ducked her head in embarrassment, "No, I mean-" She huffed, "He just called me pretty!"
"Oh!" Birchtuft squealed with delight, "Maybe I will have grandkits after all!"
"Mom, he says that to everyone," Featherpaw huffed, "It doesn't make me special."
"Honestly, that boy should settle down," Amberheart shook her head distastefully, "With how he flirted with Brightrain and Twistedspring, you'd think he'd taken one of them for his own. Maybe both."
"It was a shame," Birchtuft agreed, "And a waste on his part. They're pretty young she-cats. Featherpaw, don't you agree?"
Featherpaw jumped at her mother's question. She looked at where the two sisters were currently sharing a piece of prey. They both shared the same sleek, black fur and piercing blue eyes. She locked eyes with Twistedspring, who gave her a gentle smile. Featherpaw felt her ears flush.
"Yeah… yeah," she nodded, "They're lovely. Ferretsoar should have uh… done the thing."
She let out a sigh of relief as Birchtuft nodded approvingly.
"Hey Mother, is Twistedspring expecting?" Featherpaw asked, and noticed the she-cat looked rounder than usual.
"Oh, good eye, Feather!" her mother beamed, "Yes, I believe Swiftstorm is the father based on how he's been grinning for the past few days."
"Good for him," Amberheart purred, "Goodness knows he's wanted a litter for a long time. Starclan knows Russetblaze wasn't going to give him any kits."
"I don't know what her deal is," Birchtuft huffed, "She has a perfectly respected, mate. Swiftstorm is a kind cat, and that's more than you can say for some toms."
"Tell me about it," Amberheart rolled her eyes, "I can't recall the last time Goosefoot came to visit Owlwish. I know it's his second litter, but he wasn't even excited for mine either!"
"Ridiculous," Birchtuft huffed, "Little Thornpaw was such a sweetie to be around too!"
"Not so little anymore," Amberheart grinned, gesturing to the bulky, brown and white tom that was her son.
The two queens continued to gossip, but Featherpaw took the chance to slip away.
(Listening to her mother and her friends got tiring after a while.)
She stalked off, looking behind her to make sure Birchtuft wasn't watching, and ran… right into Russetblaze. The she-cat let out a growl, and Featherpaw's fur stood on end.
"Watch where you're going, apprentice," she growled, and Featherpaw let out a yelp.
"Sorry!" she squeaked, "I was just, my mother was talking and-"
"About me, I know," the dark tabby she-cat glowered at her. Featherpaw swallowed and took a step back.
"Well, Birchtuft- Mother, she…"
"She's a judgemental foxheart?" Russetblaze quipped, "Or she's mean? Or she's disappointed because her well of a daughter can't even make it through one conversation?"
"You-" Featherpaw fluffed her fur out, "You keep cutting me off!"
"And maybe there's a reason for that, babycakes," Russetblaze sighed, "You just don't know how to answer."
"Yeah, well… well…" Featherpaw sputtered, "You're just bitter because Swiftstorm is having kits with Twistedspring instead of you!"
Russetblaze looked her over, eyes burning. Featherpaw gulped.
"You don't know anything about me, brat," she hissed, "Twistedspring can have all of that imbecile's kits for all I care!"
"Russetblaze, you can't talk about Swiftstorm that way, he's your mate," Featherpaw gasped, "My mother always says-"
"Your mother has bees for brains," the dark ginger she-cat huffed.
"No… no she doesn't!" Featherpaw responded, affronted by this behavior, "She's a model queen!"
" Exactly," Russetblaze groaned, "So she's giving into everything that's wrong with this clan."
"What? No!" Featherpaw sputtered, "I don't know what you mean!"
"You're an apprentice, you wouldn't," the young she-cat scoffed, "Have you ever thought that maybe I want to do something more than sit around on my butt and raise Swiftstorm's 'bundles of joy' for the rest of my life?"
Featherpaw felt something tug at her chest. "But it's our place," she whispered. The words felt thick in her mouth.
"Yes, we're all expecting to be soft, pretty little things," Russetblaze sighed, "But we're not, are we?" She looked over Featherpaw dismissively, "Well, at least you are."
"I'm what?" Featherpaw asked.
"Dainty, fair," Russetblaze rolled her eyes, "Already spitting out the rules. Don't worry, this clan will love you."
"You think so?" Featherpaw asked. Somehow, she didn't feel like Russetblaze meant it as a good thing.
(She wasn't sure if it was a good thing.)
"You're Silverclaw's what… second… third litter?" the sharp she-cat asked, "His first two didn't end up having kits. You're basically his pretty little princess."
"If that's true, then why does he spend all his time fawning over Mistflower?" Featherpaw asked, not unable to keep the note of bitterness out of her voice.
Russetblaze grinned, "Oh, so the perfect daughter is envious? I see. Maybe you're not as lovely as you first appear."
"I'm quite lovely, thank you," Feather turned her nose up, "I just…" She huffed, "My father's actions are unstandable. I just wished for a greeting on the day of my warrior ceremony."
"All my father gave me was a pat on the back," Russetblaze rolled her eyes, "Then he proceeded to tell my brother about what a wonder warrior he would be and help him make his nest in his new den." She huffed, "Rowanspring, entitled prick."
"I always thought Rowanspring was nice…" Featherpaw whispered, looking uncomfortable. She started to back away, "He… he brought me prey yesterday."
"Of course he did, you're a pretty young thing," Russetblaze huffed, "Starclan, Brightrain is already expecting his kits."
"I know, she looks quite glowing," Featherpaw beamed, "A joyous mother, right?"
"She's a ditzy idiot," Russetblaze frowned, "So I can see why my brother fell for her. He always did like…" She eyed Featherpaw distastefully, "Small, stupid she-cats."
"I'm not stupid!" Featherpaw's fur fluffed out, "You… you're stupid!"
"Yeah, sure I am," Russetblaze sighed, "And I'm-" Her snarky words were interrupted.
"Ah, Russetblaze, your beauty is lovely this fine evening!"
"Oh Starclan," the she-cat groaned, "Now you've attracted him."
"Him?" Featherpaw squeaked. She looked over to see a pale brown tabby tom walking towards Russetblaze with an overly wide smile.
"My love!" he exclaimed, "Ah, you're even more wonderful up close. A rose if I ever saw one. Red and covered in sharp thorns."
"Hello Ferretsoar," Russetblaze deadpanned, "If you could go bother literally anyone else, I would appreciate it."
"Oh Russetblaze, how you wound me so-"
"I literally became mates with Swiftstorm just to avoid things like this," she narrowed her eyes.
"Oh yeah, I heard Swiftstorm's mate was expecting," Ferretsoar winked at her, "You didn't tell me!"
"That's because it's not me," Russetblaze said with a fake smile, "It's his darling Twistedspring."
"Is that jealousy in your tone?" Ferretsoar gasped, "Oh, oh Russetblaze-"
"No, just the bits of my soul that are dying by being in your presence," she grumbled.
"Oh, would you rather one of my sisters be here?" Ferretsoar winked again, but something in his gaze made Featherpaw quesy.
Russetblaze didn't even react, "No, I don't really want to deal with any of you. You're all annoying."
"Even me?"
"Especially you."
"Ah," Ferretsoar sighed, before noticing Featherpaw out of the corner of his eye, "Oh, you're Featherpaw, aren't you?"
"Y-yeah!" Featherpaw nodded, a little startled, "You know my name?"
"Batpounce told me," he nodded, "And I found it important to remember. You look pretty unforgettable."
Featherpaw felt her ears go red, "Oh, uh… thanks!"
Russetblaze groaned. Loudly. "This idiot? You're attracted to this idiot?"
"Oh, maybe she's just struggling with her words," Ferretsoar huffed, before looking back at Featherpaw, "Well, what is it Feather? You don't find a silly cat like me attractive, do you?"
Featherpaw swallowed. He had called her Feather. "I um… well-"
Ferretsoar let out a jingling laugh and her heart did something unhealthy.
He tousled the top of her fur on her head and gave her a jaunty wink, "See, I'm so ugly I startled the words out of you."
He turned to go, leaving Featherpaw flushing furiously.
Russetblaze cursed under her breath. "Dirty fox-heart."
I just... I love Ferretsoar man. Something about obnoxious flirts, they're very fun. Hopefully Featherpaw can get her name next chapter, but I hoped you enjoyed a little introduction to some of the characters!