A new chapter already? I got inspired! I hope everyone enjoys this one! Usual warnings for this fic apply, but I'm adding extra warning for toxic relationships and objectification of a newly made warrior. If you don't want to read that, skip where Flamepaw asks for her name up until Oakstar leaves the den. It's a heavy scene. But anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter, as always!
- Mossy
Review Replies:
HydrogenOganesson118- Thank you very much! I've always been intrigued with the idea of legends getting warped and passed down over time, which is why I presented the prologue that way. The myths are what define the practices in this world. I reality, I headcanon Meadowstar was a tom who cheated on his mate but since they needed more cats he made it "for the greater good."
Phoenixlight of FallenClan- That would be quite angsty, but Ferretsoar is always angsty. Somehow all my flirts have a hidden darkside lol. I'm quite fond of Burnpaw, even if he's just less evil Oakstar.
Rowan Wisteria- I am fond of that line. Don't worry, either way there will be misery. I actually already have a plan for who Featherbell ends up with, but I'm not saying anything.
Cactopus- Oakstar is so evil, but fun to write. I like Burnpaw quite a bit though, and yes! Glad I could put Flowerpaw in there, she's interesting to me.
forever-snowy- Applestorm is legitimately just terrible. I hate him :). Russetblaze, yes my girl! She's always refreshing to write, a nice break from everyone who just goes with what the clan says and believes in it. I don't like the rules, but since she-cats can't leave camp without being escorted by a tom, I figured gatherings would be the same way. The Ferretsoar/Applestorm triangle is very dramatic haha, I plan on taking full advantage of that. And thank you! I always love your reviews, they're so sweet.
Fawnspots had settled into a peaceful sleep. Her nest seemed especially comfortable, lined with feathers. She was having a nice dream, one of Skyshade pressing his muzzle to her ear. Whispering her name like a prayer…
So, naturally this perfect state couldn't last.
Blazingpaw burst into the den like his tail was on fire. Though, considering his pelt looked like fire, it always seemed that way. Fawnspots could still remember when Vinerose had given birth to an entire litter of bright ginger kits. They all had fitting names of course. Through her bleary vision, she actually thought she could see a second Blazingpaw.
"Fawnspots! Fawnspots!"
"I told you she wouldn't come, she's just useless and moony," the second Blazingpaw huffed. But that sharp voice was unmistakable. Fawnspots' vision cleared and she saw Flamepaw leering down at her. The ginger apprentice was fierce as a fox and thrice as ready to claw you. She was also on the verge of earning her name. Probably should have by now. Not that Oakstar was in any hurry.
The newly named Firespark attested to that. The normally bubbly, popular had been strutting around the came for days while Flamepaw had been glaring from the nursery.
"Wha-" Fawnspots looked up, glancing between the two littermates.
"It's Ashpoppy!" Blazingpaw exclaimed, eyes wide with panic, "She's- she's-"
"Ashpoppy?" Fawnspots murmured, her good mood dissapating. What time was it? She could see out her den that the moon was still high in the sky. She groaned, "Can't the queens handle it?"
"No," Flamepaw leered down at her, fangs bared, "The queens cannot handle it. She's giving birth!"
Fawnspots shot up, "Ashpoppy- what-"
"Her kits are coming! Skyshade's already in there, we need to hurry!" Blazingpaw exclaimed, tugging on her scruff, "Come on!" Her normally lackluster apprentice had a life to him like she'd never seen. It seemed even he understood the importance of making sure the deputy's kits were delivered safely.
"I'm going to run over there," she ordered, "Blazingpaw, uh… uh-" She didn't have time to think about how Ashpoppy was currently having Skyshade's perfect kits. She racked her brain, trying to form a plan. "Get the necessary herbs. You remember which?"
The ginger tom nodded.
The medicine cat turned to Flamepaw, "Take me to the little-" She smiled, "To Ashpoppy, please."
Flamepaw stared at her and then rolled her eyes and murmured under her breath, "About time."
Fawnspots looked at the apprentice, scoffing and dashing into the nursery. She hit her head on the way and let out a grunt of pain. Runningcreek and Badgerpounce were with her, coaching her through the birth. Badgerpounce hissed when she saw Fawnspots. "What good's a medicine cat that can't even show up?" she spat.
"Badgerpounce!" Runningcreek huffed, "You mustn't speak to the medicine cat that way! Besides, I don't mind helping Ashpoppy here. We've both had kits." She went back to licking something-
Oh, it was a kit. Fawnspots swallowed. She hadn't been doing her job and Skyshade's kits could be in danger if they weren't delivered properly.
"It's a good thing my son and daughter was here to help," Vinerose purred, referring to Blazingpaw and Flamepaw. Fawnspots looked relieved by her presence, the older queen had given birth to three litters of her own. She had the experience to help Ashpoppy. "Don't worry," she whispered to the young she-cat, "The first litter is always the hardest."
"Why didn't you tell me that when I had Sweetkit?" Lilypool exclaimed, laughing. Fawnspots felt the tension in her shoulders relax. Kits were always a joyous occasion. Especially the deputy's kits. She settled down and got to work. Blazingpaw came in shortly with the herbs. "Raspberry," she ordered her apprentice, taking the herb from Blazingpaw.
This was Fawnspots in her element. She had delivered many litters. She saw Blazingpaw's younger siblings nearby, chuckling under her breath. Flowerkit reached out a paw, only to have Rowankit shove her sister back.
"No, Flowerkit!" she exclaimed, "We can't get too close!" She puffed her chest out, lashing her tail at the small white kit. Flowerkit flattened her ears and shrank back. Lilypool gathered her younger siblings.
"Let Fawnspots work," she told them, "Let's go play with Sweetkit. She loves it when you all play with her."
Fawnspots took another kit, handing it to a begrudging Badgerpounce. Molekit and Jaykit stayed beside their mother, watching their new half-sister with wide eyes. As the next kit came, Runningcreek took it, handing the tom she'd been holding over to her daughter, Rootpaw.
Ashpoppy let out a cry of pain. "We're almost done," Fawnspots promised, "So close." The gray queen let out a whimper. After what seemed like an eternity, four healthy kits were suckling at Ashpoppy's side. The new mother curled her tail around them protectively.
"Is it… done?" an achingly familiar voice called from the back of the nursery. Fawnspots turned with a gasp. Skyshade was standing there, love and admiration in his gaze. She could almost imagine kits at her side and that love being for her. She stayed there, trapped in that imaginary moment. Where she wasn't a healer. Where she was the one who had just birthed a healthy litter for Forestclan's impossibly perfect deputy. The moment couldn't last.
He walked in, nuzzling Runningcreek, before looking down and gently kissing Ashpoppy on the head.
"Four… four kits," Fawnspots smiled, swallowing sharply. Hopefully cats would just assume she was tired. Skyshade looked at them with wide eyes.
"Have you named them?" he asked Ashpoppy, breathless and full of wonder. He'd been like this for each and every one of his litters Fawnspots had delivered and each time it never failed to warm her heart. Ashpoppy nodded, slowly. "I named the she-cats, Heatherkit and Daisykit if that's alright. And for the large tom, the one who looks like you…" She smiled, "I was thinking Hailkit."
"And the other tom?" Skyshade's eyes lit up, "Could… we name him Toadkit?"
Badgerpounce bristled, "Skyshade, stop trying to name your kits after toads."
"I like Toadkit!" the deputy huffed, "You almost let me name Molekit that instead!"
"I named them," Badgerpounce narrowed her eyes, "And I bet our son is happy he's not named after a forsaken toad."
Ashpoppy winced, watching the two argue. Fawnspots huffed, Badgerpounce really did have to try and ruin every moment.
"Toadkit is a… fine name," the young queen murmured. Skyshade looked as excited as a kit with a mossball. He curled up with his new family and licked Ashpoppy between the ears. Fawnspots felt a sharp pain in her chest. She turned away from the happy family, rejoicing in their new litter. All around her, cats were happily being with their families.
Foxclaw was curled up with Dovebreeze and their two recently born kits, Silverkit and Splashkit. A little silver tabby tom and a small tortoiseshell she-cat, pretty as her mother. While it wasn't usual to see a tom in the nursery, Foxclaw had always been closer to Dovebreeze than a lot of toms were with their mates. He never even took another, despite Berrystain being a good friend of his and even making a move on him in the past.
Wolfstream was lying there singing a lullaby to her unborn kits. The normally small, dainty queen was swollen with what Fawnspots expected to be a rather large litter that was due any day now. Shadowstrike had been preening around camp, bragging about his pretty mate. The young couple was happy. Happy in a way Fawnspots never would be.
She stared at Ashpoppy and Skyshade. Runningcreek was looking at the pair fondly, probably excited at the prospect of more kits to care for. Badgerpounce was scowling, but even she fit into the picture in her own way. All three different she-cats. All three were lucky enough to be Skyshade's.
A thundering announcement broke her out of her pity party. Oakstar himself was standing there. He walked in, nodding to both of his mates. Ivywhisker moved to stand in front of Shadefall, eyeing Oakstar carefully. Fawnspots honestly couldn't blame her, the leader had an intimidating aura.
"Skyshade!" he announced, "It's so good to see you have another healthy litter! Why, now you have even more kits than me!" He sounded mildly displeased, making Skyshade let out a nervous chuckle. Fawnspots shrunk down, wanting to disappear before the leader. She saw Blazingpaw nearby, also rigid. It was an honor for the leader to visit any litter on their birth, but that didn't mean Oakstar didn't rub Fawnspots the wrong way.
"Four too," Oakstar was still grinning, "How lovely." Skyshade dipped his head.
"Thank you Oakstar, but obviously my kits will never surpass your own," he kept his gaze low, "These are Heatherkit, Daisykit, Toadkit, and Hailkit." He introduced each with a sweet, heart-melting smile.
"Ah, lovely names," Oakstar turned Ashpoppy, "Pretty, just like their mother. You're a lucky tom, Skyshade. Maybe one could be mates with my Sandpaw or Squirrelpaw someday.
Squirrelpaw, who has been crouching down beside Shadefall, looked disgusted.
"Why thank you-" Skyshade started, but then…
"Hey!" a voice sliced through the pleasantries of Oakstar's visit. Flamepaw stepped forward, angry as a hornet's nest. Fawnspots watched in terror, "Oakstar, you forgot something?"
The leader was unamused. His expression was ice as he looked at the apprentice. His lip curled into a snarl. "And what is that, young queen?"
"Flamepaw," Vinerose hissed, eyes wide with horror, "Come back here."
The ginger she-cat ignored her mother, lashing her tail. "Why is it that Firespark has his name and I don't? Are you getting senile? I know everything there is about kits, I have four little siblings and nieces and nephews-"
"Flamepaw!" Vinerose seethed. Her daughter gave her a scathing look.
"Vinerose," Oakstar held up his tail, "It's alright." His cold expression turned into a wry smile, cruel and delighted, "This little she-cat is so eager to become a queen. I shall give her a name. Flamepaw, from this moment on you will be Flamepetal. I hope Starclan can give you the softness and delicacy you name implies." He let out a laugh while Flamepetal hissed.
Fawnspots watched with bated breath, knowing Oakstar well enough to know he wasn't done. He wouldn't just give Flamepetal an ill-suited name and be done with her.
Cats stared at the new queen, who still had defiance radiating off her. No one spoke, a fragile silence hanging over the air. Foxclaw had looked up, staring at his little sister. He opened his mouth, but not before Oakstar continued.
"And since you're so eager to perform your duty," the leader sneered, "You'll need a mate. Now, I do want a third litter but…"
"I know Adderstripe wants more kits," Oakstar whispered. Fawnspots fur stood on end. Adderstripe was controlling and rude to Lilypool. To give Flamepetal to her was a punishment that Fawnspots would wish upon anyone.
"He's already so fond of your sister," Oakstar laughed, "I think he could have fun with you too. If you're lucky, you'll be expecting by the end of the moon."
Lilypool opened her mouth, eyes wide with horror. "No!" she shouted, "You can't-"
Oakstar hissed at her, "Hold your tongue. I am Forestclan's leader and I do as I please. I'm doing your sister a favor. Heck, I'll even let her meet Adderstripe tonight-"
"Wait!"
Fawnspots turned to see that Skyshade had gotten up. "Oakstar, Adderstripe already has a mate and he is old. We need fresh blood." He swallowed and Fawnspots wondered what he was doing.
"I claim Flamepetal for my eldest son, Lichenpaw. I believe he can teach her to behave when the time comes."
Oakstar looked upset, but a deputy's claim was not something that could be thrawted so easily. Flamepetal didn't speak, simply staring at the leader with a silent growl.
"Lichenpaw… that will be fine," Oakstar narrowed his eyes, "But I expect her to be expecting kits shortly after he becomes a warrior. After all…" He learned at Flamepetal, "We can't leave her waiting too long with how excited she is."
He turned to go, fangs bared. He clicked his tail, "Ivywhisker, Shadefall, to me." Both queens got up, hesitantly following their mate to his den.
Fawnspots looked at Skyshade, surprised. He wasn't really one to set up matches for his kits like that. He'd always liked giving them freedom, something he admired. It was expected that at least one of his kits would get with one of Oakstar's, but he never forced that issue.
It was something Fawnspots admired about him. She'd almost been forced to stay out of the medicine den by Roseshadow. She understood the pain of going against your family's wishes. With the leader went the oppressive tension in the air. Fawnspots watched as Blazingpaw went to comfort Flamepetal, who stick still and bristling. Still, she couldn't mask the fear in her gaze.
Lilypool nodded to Vinerose, who went to take over watching the kits. She walked over to comfort her little sister. Flamepetal looked on the verge of tears, despite her best efforts to hold them back. Fawnspots couldn't bear to look.
She left the den with her tail between her legs and went to sit in the forest on the edge of camp. It was early morning, the sun cracking through the trees. The sky was bright hues of orange and twilight, with the stars twinkling their last goodbyes.
There was a shuffling beside her. She jumped and turned to see a familiar blue-gray and white tom. Skyshade turned to give Fawnspots a long look.
"Skyshade…" she whispered, breath caught in her throat, "What are you doing here?"
He shuffled his paws, "I don't know if I did the right thing." She stared at him. What did he mean? He always did the right thing. He was the deputy.
"What thing?" she asked, "And… why are you asking me?"
"Lichenpaw and… Flamepetal," he whispered, meeting her gaze. His amber eyes were clouded with doubt. "Aren't medicine cats supposed to advise the clan leader?"
Fawnspots scoffed, "Oakstar doesn't want my advice. When has he ever listened to me?"
"Fair point," Skyshade winced, "But… I'll be leader someday. And when I am, I'll always want your advice." Fawnspots felt her heart skip a beat.
"Why… why is that?" she asked, feeling dumb. Skyshade needed her and she could only focus on the fact that he needed her.
"You're a good friend," he answered simply. Like that statement alone wasn't world-shattering enough. Like Fawnspots didn't have her breath taken away by four words.
"I didn't realize you thought of us as friends," she murmured, unable to meet his gaze. She was having trouble keeping her voice steady.
"Of course I do!" he purred, "You're always helping everyone and trying your best. You've always done a great job with my kits. You just helped Ashpoppy… why wouldn't we be? You're a very admirable cat."
Fawnspots was going to die if he showered her with more compliments. As much as she never wanted this moment to end, Skyshade was right. Technically, advice was a part of her job. "You did the right thing," she whispered, "Lichenpaw and Flamepetal will have strong kits." The words were hollow, what she was supposed to say. Skyshade looked disappointed.
"I mean about keeping her away from Adderstripe," he whispered, "I've always liked the idea of trying to give my kits as free a future as possible. To… find love in their own way, like me. But now I've trapped Lichenpaw. But I also have to be a good deputy, which means making sure my kits have the best by the clan's standards. And the clan and I have different standards, I just don't know-"
"Adderstripe rubs me the wrong way," Fawnspots blurt out, interrupting Skyshade's adorable ramble, "You should keep him away from Flamepetal."
"It's the way he treats Lilypool," Skyshade admitted, "Like… she should be punished. I think he enjoys it. It's almost sickening. The way he talks to her feels… wrong."
"You definitely did the right thing then," Fawnspots murmured, "Lichenpaw is your son, so I'm sure he's wonderful. Him and Flamepetal will learn to be happy."
Skyshade looked amused, "Thank you, Fawnspots." He stared at his paws, expression growing more solumn, "Do you know why I became mates with Badgerpounce?"
"You… love her?" Fawnspots asked. Skyshade was the most loving tom she knew.
"No," he shook his head, "Oakstar was angry at her for not taking a mate. She was getting older and setting a bad example. He… he planned on setting her up with Adderstripe. He'd been pursuing her for moons, talking about all the kits they'd have…" He shivered, "She didn't want kits. But Oakstar wouldn't rest, so I offered to take her. I trump Adderstripe, after all."
He swallowed, "I promised her, one litter. And once she was my mate, I would take care of her. No one would bother her ever again. She didn't want to agree, but what choice did either of us have? I love Molekit and Jaykit, but Badgerpounce. I don't love her. Not like I loved Runningcreek."
Fawnspots watched him, bewildered, "You became mates… to save her?" She supposed it made sense. Badgerpounce didn't want kits, so she never took a mate. Oakstar hated to be defied. But Adderstripe…
Fawnspots hadn't missed the hollow look in Lilypool's eyes. The way her lip curled into a snarl when he neared Sweetkit.
Skyshade chuckled, "Something like that." Fawnspots rolled her eyes.
"That sounds an awful lot like love, Skyshade."
The deputy flushed, "Well… I don't know. I do know either way, Badgerpounce is my mate. No matter what, I do care for her. Even if she'll always push me away."
"It was noble of you," she whispered, "To… help her like that." The deputy let out a weak laugh.
"I suppose."
Fawnspots watched him as he started to head back to the nursery, presumably to Ashpoppy.
"Fawnspots?" he said as he turned around one last time.
"Yes Skyshade?" she whispered, meeting his gaze. His smile was fond.
"Goodnight."
And that's the chapter! Just want to note, I am still accepting OCs into Forestclan and I might be able to squeeze a couple into Gladeclan.
As for this chapter's question: hmm, anyone have any songs for the characters? I often find songs that fit my characters.