I'm so glad to report that I have recieved my very first review! Thank you Fastbreeze37! Now, a fact about Moonpatch is that she used to be really good friends with Brownbirch, until a training accident occurred. She is also on of my very first OC's!

Please leave a review if you read this! It really motivates me a lot! Also, if you do, please remember to turn on private messaging! It makes it a lot easier to respond to your questions.


Goldendapple woke up just as the sky began to turn a lovely shade of pink. A lone crow broke the silence of the morning, it's jarring voice breaking what little sleep clung to the young molly. Gently, Goldendapple stood and groomed herself, taking some time to relax and prepare herself for another long day of work. After her pelt felt nice and sleek, she stood and stretched out each of her legs. By the time she had finished, the sun had risen and the dawn patrol had left.

Well, I'd better get to the medicine cat den. Trotting out of the den, Goldendapple felt a cool breeze ruffle her pelt. Shaking herself, she poked her head into the medicine cat den. Snowberry was up and mixing some herbs together while Bonepaw gently groomed himself.

"Hey, Snowberry, I'm here so Bonepaw can check on me." Snowberry looked over and flicked her tail to beckon Goldendapple in. Goldendapple stepped in while Snowberry dusted her paws off. "Ah, good morning Goldendapple. Please go and sit in that spare nest." She flicked her tail towards a small nest that was towards the back of the den. Goldendapple went ahead and took her seat, only then noticing Redjaw's nest was right next to it. The tom's fur had been groomed, but it smelled of Bonepaw, not Redjaw. "Is Redjaw getting any better?" Bonepaw and Snowberry sat in front of her. Snowberry looked at the tom. "No. He was more awake after he ate that water vole, but he really struggled to eat it. We need some more honey for his throat and some tansy." She shook her head, then sat up, her eyes focussed entirely on the young molly in front of her.

"Okay Bonepaw, let's go over the questions that we should ask a cat who is expecting. What's the first and most important thing that you should ask?" Bonepaw gently tipped his head to the side, then politely met Goldendapple's gaze. "How are you feeling?" Snowberry nodded, "Very good. The physical and emotional state of a pregnant cat is very important to know in order to gauge how well the pregnancy is going." Snowberry turned back to Goldendapple and nodded, signalling to her that she could now answer the question. Goldendapple faced Bonepaw, "I feel okay. The main thing that I notice has changed is how bloated I feel. I also feel a little bit heavier, but it hasn't changed all that much."

Bonepaw nodded and looked at Snowberry, "Is that normal?" Snowberry nodded, "Yes," She looked Goldendapple in the eyes, a smile perched on her muzzle, "You shouldn't feel too many changes yet. But in only a halfmoon, your body will really begin to change. You'll feel plenty of aches and your appetite will increase, although you may find eating difficult. It's always hard to gauge the symptoms of a pregnant queen since everyone's pregnancy is different, but you should still be careful." Snowberry stepped back,"But right now, you're perfectly healthy."

It's different for everyone? The young molly nervously thought, Oh starclan, I hope that mine is one of the easier ones!

Bonepaw countinued to look at Goldendapple, tilting his head to the side, "Who's the father?" Snowberry quickly looked to her apprentice, "Bonepaw! You can't just ask that!" she nervously looked at Goldendapple, "Oh stars, I'm sorry Goldendapple, I forgot to tell him about that." Goldendapple held up her paw and chuckled, "Oh no, Snowberry, it's alright. Besides, it's not like anybody ever really talks about the rule out loud." Bonepaw looked between his mentor and Goldendapple, "What rule?" Snowberry let out a sigh, "A queen has the right to keep the name of the father of her kits a secret. If she does not wish to disclose the information, that it up to her." Bonepaw looked thoughtfully at his paws. "Is it because sometimes the situation is complicated?" Snowberry nodded, "Right. Sometimes the situation is complicated. And it's nobody's business to pry , lest the River spirit hear you." Snowberry bugged out her eyes and bushed out her fur, in an attempt to scare her apprentice. Bonepaw flattened his ears to his head and shook his head "The River spirit doesn't exist."

Oh, I will have absolutely none of that Goldendapple thought. Goldendapple arched her back slightly and pulled the same expression that Snowberry had. "Ah, yes. The River spirit." Goldendapple made her voice higher, an almost eerie tone, "An ancient spirit whose voice calls out from the river, yowling for her kits who drowned and became the smallest pebbles in the stream. If she sees any mother mistreating her kits, she sneaks into the camp, disguised as fog, and claims the kits as her own and takes them. And if she finds a disloyal tom, or a cat harassing a queen, then she draws him out to the lake with her voice and drowns him." Goldendapple sat back up in her nest, trying not to laugh as Bonepaw tried to hide his shaking tail.

Snowberry chuckled and nudged him to his feet, "Alright, enough of that. If you want to hear stories all day, why don't you go and take care of Greydawn and Sorrelspot for today? I know that Sorrelspot tells the story of 'The lion who Stole the Sun' really well." Snowberry gave him a stick that had a wad of moss soaked in mousebile. Bonepaw wrinkled his nose and backed out of the den, right into the deputy. Goldendapple watched as the stinking moss went up into the air and landed SMACK onto the top of Moonpatch's head. Oh starclan, I don't know what I did to earn this favor, but thank you. Goldendapple laughed at Moonpatch's disgusted face. Bonepaw was apologizing profusely as he gently removed the moss with the stick from the bristling molly and ran as fast as he could to the elder's den. Goldendapple bit her tongue as Moonpatch stepped into the den, the black mottled molly glaring at her like it was Goldendapple's fault.

"Oh Moonpatch, I'm so sorry about that. Bonepaw wasn't looking where he was going." Snowberry apologized. She quickly wet some moss using the small pool in the den and patted it onto Moonpatch's head.

"Oh, calm down Snowberry. That was funny." Goldendapple purred, looking Moonpatch in her glaring sage green eyes, "Besides, now Moonpatch smells like her attitude." Goldendapple held her tail up in triumph. Moonpatch rolled her eyes. "I don't have time to deal with your petty comments Goldendapple. Besides, what are you doing in here?" The black molly nudged Snowberry's paw away, nodding in thanks. Goldendapple flattened her ears defiantly, "I'm here to ask Snowberry if I can accompany her in gathering herbs today." Goldendapple held her nose to the air, looking down at Moonpatch, "What are you doing here?"

Moonpatch took a couple of steps back, "I was just here to ask Snowberry for some cobwebs." Turning her head, she showed Snowberry a small scratch on her shoulder, "I was pulling brambles out and one of them caught me." Snowberry nodded. "Alright, but let me mix some Marigold onto it. It's a small scratch, but we can't risk you getting an infection." Snowberry chewed up some leaves and patted them onto the scratch. Moonpatch winced a little bit as the poultice stung. Snowberry covered the scratch with cobwebs and nodded, "Alright, you're good to go." Moonpatch nodded, but before she could leave, she quickly turned to Goldendapple. "You are on a hunting patrol after sunhigh. Don't be late." She turned and left the den, the tip of her tail twitching.

Snowberry turned to Goldendapple, "You ought to be nicer to her. You're luck that she doesn't make you go on all of the dawn patrols." Snowberry turned back to her store, sniffing at some leaves. Goldendapple groaned, "Why do cats keep telling me that?" She flattened her ears and hissed at where Moonpatch had left, "I'll be nicer when she stops being so grumpy."

Snowberry shook her head, turning to Goldendapple, "Where you being serious about helping me gather herbs?" Goldendapple smiled widely and tipped her head, "Of course! You said that you needed to collect more tansy and honey right?" Goldendapple stood and stretched out her legs. Snowberry nodded, "I'm glad that you remembered! But I also have to go and check on the garden at the old twoleg den. Make sure that none of the leaves have been damaged by frost or rot." Goldendapple nodded, "That's ok. Besides, the exercise will be good for me!" She took a couple of paces towards the den opening, "I'll meet you by the camp entrance." She trotted out of the den and into the clearing, her tail held in triumph. Now, I'll be able to see if we have any herbs to spare for Riverclan!

Great stars, this is boring! Goldendapple nipped off another black spotted leaf that had been damaged. How can anybody find this fun? Looking over her shoulder, Goldendapple saw that sure enough, Snowberry was happily flicking her tail as she looked over the small plant that she stood in front of. Goldendapple rolled her eyes and gave the plant in front of her one last once over before deciding that it had been pruned enough. Nodding, she trotted over to Snowberry, admittedly feeling proud of her work.

"Alright, I cleared those three over there. The darker green one had a lot of damage though." Goldendapple sat down and began to groom herself. Snowberry pulled another leaf from the plant in front of her. "Yes, I expected that from the horsetail. It's more of a newleaf plant." Stepping back, Snowberry admired her work.

Goldendapple looked around the garden. "So, which ones are we collecting?" Snowberry stood up and stepped next to Goldendapple, "Well, we need more tansy, but you already know that. And this would be a good time to collect some more chervil. I'll also check on the catmint and chickweed as well, to make sure that there's some growth. Then, we can get the honey on the way back." Without waiting for Goldendapple to respond, She took off towards a tall light green plant. "Goldendapple, see that plant with the round yellow flowers?" She pointed her tail in the opposite direction. "Uhh," Goldendapple looked around, stopping when she finally saw the plant, "oh, yeah?" Snowberry threw her one of the dock leaves that she had been carrying the whole time. "Just pick the leaves off of it. The flowers can't be used for anything."

Goldendapple stepped forward and took the dock leaf. Carefully walking over to the plant, she carefully stripped off the small thin fragile looking leaves. Laying them onto the dock leaf, Goldendapple was able to get a nice little pile. Wrapping up the leaf, Goldendapple carried it to where Snowberry was. The plants in front of her were small, one with delicate white flowers and frost covered leaves, the other carried an unmistakable strong scent. Goldendapple dropped her bundle, her mouth opened in shock.

"Oh stars, is that-?" She gestured her paw towards the plants, unable to finish her sentence. Please, Snowberry. Tell me that those aren't what I think they are. Snowberry shook her head, glumly lifting up a blackened leaf. "I'm afraid so Goldendapple." Snowberry crushed the leaf under her paw.

"This is what we have to spare of our chickweed and catmint."

Goldendapple stumbled into camp, two dock leaf parcels hanging from her mouth. Oh Stars, Stonefrost and Riverclan were counting on me.

Snowberry stepped out from behind her, carrying a honeycomb. Her chest was sticky and clumping together. Snowberry pricked her ears, her eyes widening slightly. She walked quickly to her den, her tail lashing wildly. Goldendapple followed, albeit slower and lost in thought. Maybe, if we show Shellstar that, he'll understand and we won't have to fight. Pushing past the vines that covered the den, she laid her parcels next to all of Snowberry's other herbs.

Turning to Snowberry, Goldendapple had a question on the tip of her tongue when she finally registered what Showberry was doing. She stood a top Redjaw, pushing her paws rhythmically over his chest. Redjaw was gasping for breath, while Snowberry breathed heavily, muttering under her breath, "C'mon dad. Come on. Just breathe." She continued to push harder, breathing heavier every time. Crack . Redjaw stopped gasping, but he wasn't breathing either. Goldendapple tried to will her legs to move, but she couldn't get them to budge. Crack. Redjaw's legs flailed wildly, as if trying to catch his breath and put it back into him. He instead caught Snowberry's cheek, ripping the fur out of it. She was screaming now, still pounding his chest in. Crack. Redjaw was no longer flailing his legs. Bonepaw barged into the den, his eyes wide. Quickly, he darted forward and grabbed his aunt by the scruff, pulling her away from her father's now still body. Snowberry was shrieking.

Goldendapple was finally able to move. She burst out of the den, right into the crowd that had formed in front of the medicine cat den. She sat down, numb and shocked.

"What happened in there?" Her father, Oakclaw pushed to the front of the crowd, bending down slightly as to meet his daughter's wide green eyes. "Goldendapple, what happened?"

She shook her head, unable to choke the words out of her mouth. Bonepaw stepped out, Snowberry's sobs breaking the silence of the clearing. He dragged the body of Redjaw out behind him. The red tom's eyes had been closed, But Goldendapple could still see some of the fear etched onto his face. He was afraid to die.

Whiteleaf let out a wail and surged forward, burying her face into the fur of her father. Bonepaw gently rested his tail over his mother's shoulder. Thistledown, Oatpaw, and Burnpaw stepped forward, surrounding Whiteleaf in an attempt to comfort her.

Goldendapple stepped back, her father staying with her. Marigoldtail trotted towards them, curling her tail around Goldendapple, gently licking her ear. I have to get out of here. Something in her mind echoed. I'm on a patrol after sunhigh. She stood, pushing her parents away. I can't be late. Goldendapple saw Sparkstripe and Shinecloud standing by the camp entrance, waiting for her. Numbly, the three cats left, not wanting to see what happened next.

Snowberry's Point of view

Snowberry took a deep breath, her throat sore from her screams. Her cheek burned and her chest fur was clumped and dirty. But she couldn't bring herself to care. Lavender. She thought as she pulled herself off of the den floor. To cover the scent of death. Grabbing the dried out flowers, she stepped into the clearing.

Her sister and her mate were sitting in the clearing, their kits surrounding them. Greydawn, Sorrelspot and Spiderstar sat nearby, waiting to grieve for their friend. The crowd that had been there moments before had dispersed, hiding in their dens or busing them selves with patrols.

Snowberry stood over the body of her father, not hearing her sister's quiet sobs. His fur was unkempt, his fangs still partially barred, and his chest had caved in. I broke his ribs. Numbly, she gave Bonepaw half of the lavender. "You have to spread it all over." She quietly whispered in his ear. He nodded and bent down to pick up the flowers when a white paw slammed down on them. Whiteleaf stood now, bristling and baring her fangs. But her gaze wasn't aimed at her son. She hissed at her sister.

"How could you have let him die?!" She lashed her tail, snarling wildly. "The whole point of you playing with those stupid leaves of yours is that you'll at least be able to heal cats who are sick." She walked closer, until Snowberry had pressed herself into the ground. "But now, Redjaw, our father, is dead! And you couldn't do anything! And worst of all," she stepped back, her eyes blazing, "You've dragged my son down with you!" She screeched. Oatpaw and Burnpaw stepped in front of their brother, shielding him as he rubbed the flowers his mother had crushed into Redjaw's fur. Thistledown stood and rested his tail on his mate's shoulder, "Dear," he whispered, his voice cracked, "please sit down." Whiteleaf pulled away from him and spat at her sister. She collapsed down next to her father's body, sobbing once more.

Snowberry stood and looked to the elders and her leader. She nodded to them, inviting them to come forward and share tongues with Redjaw for the last time. Spiderstar looked at her sadly, but she lifted her tail and approached. Greydawn and Sorrelspot followed, laying down and grooming Redjaw's body.

Not a word was said.


haha, oh boy what a mess this chapter was. Gotta say, I'm not a huge fan of how this one went. I think that the only part I really enjoyed was the ending, but that's because it was fun to write. But yeah, Whiteleaf and Thistledown's family is super dysfunctional and sad. And it's only going to go down hill for them. But, they aren't the main focus of this story.

Question of this chapter- What do you think about Goldendapple?