A/N
Pix: … AND ALL ALONG I BELIEVED I WOULD FIND YOU, TIME HAS BROUGHT YOU HEART TO ME I HAVE LOVED YOU FOR-
Hawkpool, Thornsnag, Jaytalon, Thymetail, Pinewhisker, Scarface: PIX! THE READERS CAME TO READ, NOT HEAR YOU SING!
Pix: Er, um… Awkward… Anyways, my ex-boyfriend and I have had a conversation and it turns out he only broke up with me because, 1. He wasn't sure I liked him, and, 2. We're both pretty young, he's a few months older than me, which makes us 12 and 13… So we've promised each other to wait until 9th or maybe 10th for us to be gf and bf!
Hawkpool: Yeah yeah, we're sooooo happy -_- now get a move on!
"Daisystripe, it's okay, just breathe, and push!" Thymetail ordered, too busy to be her shivering self. With a scream, the first kit slithered its way out. Maggotheart, forced to help Thymetail with her duties, nipped the sac and led the little she kit to Daisystripe. The cream-and-black she cat smiled, thinking the pain was over, but sadly it was not.
Daisystripe lifted her head and wailed to the fading stars. She could see dawn light peeking through the den, realizing she'd been kitting since sundown. "Hush, hush, it's alright! I can see the second one now! Just keep your breath steady!" Thymetail demanded, as Daisystripe only gave a meek nod.
Kicking out a hind paw unintentionally in pain, the second kit slowly appeared. Once again, Maggotheart stroked the kit's fur and with a squealing meow, the tom kit suckled beside his sister.
Thymetail rubbed Daisystripe's side with a paw. "One more; that's it, one more and this is all over." Thymetail whispered into Daisystripe's ear as the queen gritted her teeth shut. Maggotheart had mysteriously left, much to Thymetail's dismay.
"Stop writhing! The kit's coming out the wrong way, I need you to be still!" Thymetail growled, "can you do do that?" Daisystripe blinked a 'yes'.
Maggotheart returned, a thick twig in his jaws. "Here." He dropped it. "Willowleap had one during her kitting; thought it might help." The cream tom sat back down, tucking his long legs under his chest.
Daisystripe wailed, teeth digging into the stick and claws into the floor. "It's alright!" Maggotheart tried to calm her down, "Ice- um, Runningkit came the wrong way. Willowleap found it easier to lift your tail higher." Maggotheart meowed urgently. Daisystripe did as she was told, and with a gasp, a last kit, another she kit, wriggled out, and was granted life from Maggotheart as the kit stumbled to her littermates.
"I wish Squirrelnose could see them…" Daisystripe sighed, earning odd looks from Maggotheart and Thymetail. "Sorry, I know it's against the code, but we've acted as one clan before, I don't understand why the code has to do this; but now I do. Because the clans will fight over the kits, causing war…"
"I'll go tell Fallenstar to prepare for a battle. She'll be anxious for the bloodshed…" Thymetail sighed, clearly aware that Fallenstar's leadership was spiraling out of control.
(Meanwhile, in ThunderClan, a little before sunhigh)
"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Shypaw, from this day forward you shall be known as Shyleaf. StarClan honors your dedication and intelligence and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan." Smokestar bellowed, laying his muzzle on Shyleaf's head, as the silver and grey she cat lick his shoulder. The sunhigh light reflected in Shyleaf's amber eyes.
"Shyleaf! Shyleaf!" The clan chorused, the loudest being Scarface, Huntkit, and Blizzardkit.
"Yes, yes, however!" Smokestar began. "Heatherkit, Moonkit, Eaglekit. Come up here."
Huntkit looked simply angry, his amber eyes glaring at his adopted siblings with jealousy. "Heatherkit, Moonkit, Eaglekit, you've all reached your sixth moon and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day forward you shall be known as Heatherpaw. Your mentor will be Pinewhisker. Squirrelnose was your mentor, and I trust you'll pass his skills (and his forbidden love-ism, lol) to Heatherpaw." Smokestar meowed as Heatherpaw eagerly crashed into Pinewhisker. However, Pinewhisker had taken a step back, and gently met her nose.
"You shall be known as Moonpaw. Your mentor will be Gingerroot. Gingerroot, your mentor was Hailfall, may you pass his skills to Moonpaw." The black and white she cat looked distracted as she touched noses with her new mentor, as her green eyes kept flitting to the medicine den.
"And lastly, you shall be called Eaglepaw. Your mentor shall be Jaytalon; your mentor was Cloudclaw, may you pass his talents to Eaglepaw." Jaytalon looked stunned to have been chosen, but he was overjoyed as Eaglepaw shyly met his pink nose to Jaytalon's nose.
"Heatherpaw, Moonpaw, Eaglepaw!" The clan shouted, as the tortoiseshell she cat puffed her white chest out. Moonpaw still looked regretful, and Eaglepaw seemed to be a little wary of their chants.
"Well, what do you want to do first?" Jaytalon asked his new apprentice. Eaglepaw stared at the ground for a moment before replying, "I'd like to be able to recognize other clan's scent, see their borders, then practice battle moves."
Jaytalon was a little surprised by Eaglepaw's formality, but he nodded. "Very well, how about we go and get your sisters?"
Eaglepaw nodded his head eagerly. "Heatherpaw, Moonpaw! C'mon, let's go together!" He called, as Heatherpaw bounced up to him. "Moonpaw's such a bummer. She keeps dragging her paws and shaking her head! Talk about boring!" Heatherpaw groaned as Moonpaw appeared next to them.
"Hey you guys…" Moonpaw droned, her eyes hazed. Heatherpaw and Eaglepaw shrugged.
"C'mon, Moonpaw! Hop to it! Let's go, let's go!" Gingerroot meowed impatiently. Moonpaw dug her claws into the ground. This time, Jaytalon and Pinewhisker exchanged looks.
Pinewhisker's sister is Hawkpool, so that must mean he's RiverClan too, and therefore Gingerroot is only Cardinalheart's mother. I wonder if her brother's ever regret staying here, when they could have gone with their sister… Jaytalon thought, as he exited camp, with Eaglepaw walking calmly at his side, Heatherpaw annoying the heck out of Pinewhisker with her constant chatter, and Moonpaw growling under her breath about Gingerroot.
(RiverClan; Shadepaw's POV)
Shadepaw was glad to be back on duties, mostly because she felt highly uncomfortable with Shellwhisker in the medicine den. His furious amber eyes seemed to follow Willowleap everywhere.
Shadepaw had a sick feeling in her stomach, when she realized it wasn't Willowleap he was gazing at, but rather it was Runningkit, a little blue-grey tom kit with a white underbelly and paws.
Runningkit wasn't very playful, but he seemed more intent on observing the clan. He seemed to linger around the medicine den, eyeing Shellwhisker carefully, as if he knew something that he shouldn't.
Oh, StarClan, please tell me that Shellwhisker isn't planning on killing Runningkit! Shadepaw felt her belly do a flip.
Shadepaw dashed off, promptly sitting outside the nursery, aware that Shellwhisker wasn't allowed out of the medicine den under the watchful eyes of Honeysnow, but something, or rather someone, drew Honeysnow away.
"Flowerpelt's kits are coming, Honeysnow!" Puddlewhisker screeched, as the tortoiseshell stifled a whine of pain.
Quicker than lightning, Honeysnow was in the nursery and coaxing Flowerpelt. Getting shoved out of the den by Puddlewhisker, Shadepaw realized with a jolt that Shellwhisker was no where to be seen.
"That's it; there's the first one!" Shadepaw heard Honeysnow meow loudly, over the hisses from Flowerpelt.
Oh, StarClan, what have I done? Shadepaw thought. A flash of movement caught Shadepaw's eye, but she recognized the cat as Hawkpool, speeding out of camp like a monster was chasing her. Is she in with Shellwhisker too?! Shadepaw pushed the thought away. Hawkpool, Oakstar's daughter, wouldn't get caught up in a double murder.
Triple if Shellwhisker kills Runningkit…! Shadepaw cursed herself for such dark thoughts, but upon looking around, Shadepaw realized Runningkit was gone too. Snowkit didn't seen to notice as he was too busy playing with Treekit and Morningkit who'd opened their eyes a few sunrises ago.
StarClan, don't you worry, I will right my wrong…
Shadepaw picked up a moss-ball Runningkit had played with earlier and sniffed it. She recognized his scent, and found it leading out of camp from the dirtplace tunnel, Runningkit's scent entwined with Shellwhisker's. Panicking, Shadepaw followed the scent, picking up a third scent with them, sort of sour, yet sweet-smelling, but it trailed away from Runningkit and Shellwhisker.
Soft scuffling noises were heard from the Silver Tree, a tall oak tree with white-silver bark and a deep, hollowed out space just under the roots. The Silver Tree was the only tree standing from a fire before Oakstar was even born, but it's bark had whitened.
Shadepaw hunched low, perking her ears up to listen in on Shellwhisker.
"Tell me what you know, or you'll regret it!" Shadepaw heard Shellwhisker growl. She heard Runningkit sit down quietly.
"Nope. I have no need to reveal what I know. I'm not even sure you know what you're talking about and that I know what you know that you want to know what I know." Runningkit meowed plainly.
Shadepaw crawled forward a few pawsteps, just able to see Shellwhisker's puzzled face. "Wha-what?" Shellwhisker pale amber eyes glowed uncertainly.
Shadepaw chuckled to herself. Runningkit is very clever, that much I know! The blue-grey warrior bore his teeth. "Don't use your little tactics on me!"
Runningkit's dark eyes flickered briefly, but he maintained his straight face. "My little tactics, antics, implying that I am tactical, practical, with common sense and am not dense. In my defence, you're making this tense." Runningkit had humor shining in his green eyes.
Shellwhisker looked even more lost than before. He used a large paw and pinned down Runningkit, his claws unsheathed halfway onto his neck. "Tell me, what you know!" Shellwhisker screamed, his eyes wild with rage.
Runningkit squirmed under Shellwhisker's claws, but he merely succeeded in getting a nick on his throat. the pale blue-grey kit gasped softly. An insane grin formed it's way onto his muzzle.
Runningkit sighed. "I don't know anything; but I sure do now."
"No, he doesn't, but I know you killed Ashthroat and Cloudypool!"
POV change; Hawkpool
She'd spotted Shellwhisker leaving camp with Runningkit, so she decided it'd be a good idea to follow them, but she soon thought it best to circle around. As she got into view, she saw Shadepaw pinned down by Shellwhisker, fangs ready to tear her throat out. Hawkpool spotted Runningkit safe in the hollow area under the Silver Tree, watching with frightened eyes.
"NO!" Hawkpool snarled, bowling into Shellwhisker. "Don't you dare hurt her!" The young warrior began clawing his ears and slashing his underbelly.
Shadepaw took Runningkit in her jaws and fled to camp. Meanwhile, Hawkpool fought agaisnt Shellwhisker.
Shellwhisker made the first move, leaping high in the air to pin her down. Hawkpool kicked out her back legs to shove him away, but he twisted in mid-air and as he landed, had a clear shot of Hawkpool's soft belly. She shrieked, but she used her back claws to strike his nose.
Hawkpool slipped under him nimbly, then with all her paws, she pushed up upward, causing him to land on his back. She took this chance to grab his scruff and shake him till his teeth fell out, but Shellwhisker was stronger.
He flipped back onto his back, crushing Hawkpool below him. Having the wind knocked out of her, Shellwhisker leaned in for the killing bite, but Hawkpool managed to roll over a smidge, only getting bitten on her scruff, feeling blood well up and trickle down her shoulder.
Hawkpool stood up and shaky paws, breathing heavily. She looked around, but Shellwhisker was no where to be seen. Sudden weight on her back made Hawkpool collapse, as Shellwhisker dug his hind claws into her lower back, easily drawing blood.
He bit at Hawkpool's ear tips, tearing one tip clean off. Hawkpool screeched, praying to StarClan that someone would hear her.
Just as Shellwhisker positioned his paws to snap Hawkpool's neck, she felt his paws suddenly disappear. After a few heartbeats of coming to her senses, she very slowly stood up.
A warm breeze blew across the clearing, gently ruffling her savior's thick, chocolate pelt. His blue-green eyes shone pridefully, as he puffed out his broad, white chest.
"Thornsnag!" Hawkpool cried, limping over to him and burying her muzzle in the corner between his shoulder and neck. "Thank you!"
"I'm just glad I got here in time." He flicked his tail to an unconscious Shellwhisker.
"Here, lean on me and we'll be back at camp." Thornsnag meowed softly, laying his tail over Hawkpool's back and began dragging Shellwhisker back to camp.
"You are a traitor to RiverClan and a disgrace to StarClan. You're exiled forever, and any cat who catches you on RiverClan territory has the right to attack." Leave!" Oakstar bellowed, his yellow-orange eyes locked onto Shellwhisker.
The blue-grey mottled tom gave his chest an embarrassed lick. "Pebbletail," he turned to his son. "Come with me! We'll rule the clans one day!" Shellwhisker promised.
Pebbletail glowered at his father. "No. You killed mother, you're no father of mine!" He spat in disgust. Shellwhisker looked hurt; he glanced at Mistpaw but turned his head.
"Weaselclaw… C'mon, come with me!" Shellwhisker turned to the light brown tom.
Weaselclaw merely scoffed and turned his back, giving Shellwhisker a harsh tap on the nose with his tail. Shellwhisker spun around, desperate for anyone. He eventually turned to Mistpaw again.
"Mistpaw?" Shellwhisker's voice was a shrill whisper. Mistpaw puffed her fur out, looking about as large as her brother, and approached the traitor.
"Why should I go with you? You murdered my mother. Oh, right, and you murdered my father too. That's right; I'm not your daughter. I'm Ashthroat's daughter. I'm your brother's kit. The former deputy, the one you envied so much you had to kill him! So, why would I go with the cat who killed my parents?!" Mistpaw snarled, lashing her tail dangerously back and forth.
Shellwhisker looked furious and surprised, but he dipped his head curtly and stalked out of the camp, stomping over the reeds with rage.
Hawkpool lay in the medicine den, getting carefully patched up by Honeysnow. "Ow!" Hawkpool winced at the poultice that Honeysnow licked onto her torn ear.
"Oh, hush. You're mostly okay." Honeysnow rolled her eyes. "Why don't you go see how Flowerpelt is? She should be waking up soon; she fell asleep after her three kits were born, didn't even look at them." Honeysnow let out a light laugh.
Wincing, Hawkpool stood up and limped to the nursery. Flowerpelt was still fast asleep, snoring softly. Puddlewhisker was at her side, a worried look in her eyes as she gazed down at the trio of kittens.
With a slight murmur, Flowerpelt began to stir. She yawned widely, and with a sleepy smile at Puddlewhisker, she rested her gaze upon her kits.
Almost instantly, Flowerpelt's sky blue eyes darkened with fear and horror. "It can't be, no, no, no!" Flowerpelt cried, beginning to sob hysterically into Puddlewhisker's side.
Moving her tail away from the kits and unblocking them from Hawkpool's eyes, she realized why Flowerpelt was so distraught.
A brown she kit, her fur tinged with ginger and white stripes was the first kit. The next was a dark ginger tom with a pale ginger tail, and lastly was a light brown she kit with a white flash on her chest and pale ginger flecks.
These kits were clearly Flameheart's.
(Now, in ThunderClan…)
The noon patrol had just returned, Mouseclaw looking the most evil-like. Cloudclaw reluctantly stalked into Smokestar's den, nosing his way through the lichen the hung over it.
The hollow rock where the deputy stood in was cool, and the air was damp. The stone walls trapped the cold air, nice for a late New-leaf day. "Smokestar?" Cloudclaw narrowed eyes, attempting to spot the dusky brown tom. "I bring news."
A shuffling noise told Cloudclaw that Smokestar had stood up. His leader's dark blue eyes glowed eerily. "Do tell." Smokestar meowed hoarsely, the scent of pigeon heavy in his breath.
Cloudclaw forced himself not to recoil at Smokestar's foul breath, as he sat down slowly. "As we were patrolling, we came across a ShadowClan patrol. Fangpaw let it slip that Daisystripe birthed the day before." Cloudclaw held his breath, awaiting his leader's response.
"We will attack at moonhigh." Smokestar growled plainly. Cloudclaw flexed his claws in surprise.
"B-but, Smokestar! We promised Fallenstar three sunrises! If we attack then, it'll only be two, and we'll be breaking our promise!" Cloudclaw protested, his silver eyes glinted in worry.
Suddenly, Cloudclaw was aware of Smokestar's hot breath on his nose, making his whiskers twitch uncomfortably. Smokestar's murky blue eyes were like tiny half-moons, and his teeth were showing slightly.
"Promises were made to be broken; are you questioning my decision?" Smokestar meowed throatily.
Precisely! Your ideas are all brawn and no brain. Perhaps if you'd ever let me get a word in, we would not have had this problem in the first place! Cloudclaw shook his head. "Of course not, Smokestar." The white tom growled silkily.
"Good…" Smokestar backed away from the annoyed deputy and sat down, spitting out a feather from his wood pigeon. With a angry lash of his thick tail, he left Smokestar to himself.
Realizing that Smokestar would not prepare his cats for the fight, Cloudclaw bunched his muscles upward and leaped onto the Tallrock. "All cats old enough to catch their own prey, gather beneath the Tallrock for a clan meeting!"
Cloudclaw felt his heart skip a beat as he saw the beautiful Nightbreeze nose her way from the nursery, but the warm feelings was soon replaced by sharp jealously as he saw Brackenfang give Nightbreeze a loving lick on her forehead.
Cloudclaw sighed sadly. I made my choice… I can't change it, and I won't destroy her joy… Cloudclaw raised his chin as he noticed the whole clan awaiting his words.
"On my noon patrol, we discovered Daisystripe has kitted. According to Smokestar, we are to ambush them at moonhigh tonight. Snowwing, Nightbreeze, I want you to reinforce the nursery. Mouseclaw help them out." Cloudclaw scanned the clearing noticing Gingerroot, Jaytalon, and Pinewhisker sitting proudly with their apprentices.
"I want the apprentices to get extra battle training before moonhigh; they'll need all the experience they can get." Cloudclaw saw Tulipwood leaning on Mallowtail in slight fear, while Hailfall merely looked tired as always. "I want Flamefoot and Scarface guarding the elders; Shyleaf and Blackpelt, I want you to help guard camp."
Pride welled up in Cloudclaw as he noticed how the clan took to his orders. "Smokestar will announce the cats coming to the fight." Cloudclaw meowed gruffly as he tiredly jumped off the Tallrock.
Padding over to the fresh-kill pile, he scented his sister approach him. "Snowwing, what do you want?" Cloudclaw snapped, picking up a blackbird.
The queen snorted. "Wow, you're not nearly this bad-tempered. Who pulled your tail?" She grabbed a vole a took a small bite.
Cloudclaw furiously tore into his blackbird, spitting out the feathers ragefully. "Smokestar; he's so indecisive these days. He only cares for himself, not for the good of his clan. He doesn't even listen to me! Ever!"
Snowwing glanced at Blizzardkit and Mousekit. "Oh, is he really that bad?" Cloudclaw stared his sister for a heartbeat before meowing, "he growled at me because I was questioning his rather stupid choice."
Snowwing took another gulp of her vole. "Hm, guess I was wrong." Cloudclaw sighed, forcing another bite of his food down, ignoring the fact that it sat like a cold rock on his stomach. He glanced over at Nightbreeze, who was fondly sharing tongues with Brackenfang.
His sister followed his gaze, a sad look in her eyes when she turned back to her brother. "You really love her, don't you?"
Cloudclaw nodded, squeezing his eyes shut to stop himself from losing it. He let a sad, half purr, half growl in Nightbreeze direction and stood up, trudging over to his nest in the warriors' den.
"You'll find your special someone one day, Cloudclaw." Snowwing whispered, walking back to her kits as she swallowed the last of her vole.
(Time skip to moonhigh)
"Redbreeze, Leaftail, Cloudclaw, Jaytalon, Pinewhisker, Cardinalheart, Nightbreeze, Snowwing, Mouseclaw, Brackenfang, Heatherpaw, and Eaglepaw." Smokestar announced, his voice thick with hunger, not for food, but for blood.
The chosen cats set off, Flamefoot wishing his mate good luck. He was not chosen.
Cloudclaw trotted steadily beside his sister, who kept sending frightful glances back at camp. Her kits were left nearly unprotected. "Snowwing; concentrate, you'll be weak in the battle if you're head isn't on right." The deputy persuaded. Snowwing let out a frustrated "huff," but she said no more.
"Silence!" Smokestar demanded. The cats behind the leader halted abruptly, Heatherpaw crashing into her mother.
The cats in the front of the battle force peered over the leaves of a hazel bush. "Leaftail, Pinewhisker, Mouseclaw, I want you to storm the nursery. Capture Daisystripe's kits. Then we'll hide them." Cloudclaw began giving out orders.
"Once we have the kits, I want Snowwing to guard them." Cloudclaw cast a sideways glance at his sister. He wanted her out of harm's way. "As for attacking, I want the rest of you to not let anyone find Snowwing and the kits. Fallenstar and Stagstrike will be the hardest to take care of; I want Jaytalon to help me agaisnt them. Redbreeze, stay near Snowwing. You'll heal the hurt." Cloudclaw winked at his former apprentice.
Jaytalon swelled with pride, his blue eyes shimmering excitedly. Pinewhisker's lips were peeled back in a fierce snarl, and his claw digging into the spiky needles under his paws, ready to claim his former mentor's kits.
"ThunderClan, ATTACK!" Bellowed Smokestar, his voice startling the battle-hungry ShadowClan warriors. The dark pelted cats scurried from their nests, running about to try and form a defensive line, but the ThunderClanners were already ambushing them.
Instantly, Mouseclaw was haring towards the nursery, however, a large dark grey tom blocked Mouseclaw's path; he recognized him as Shadowedheart, formerly Darkheart.. Yellow eyes alit with rage, Mouseclaw yowled and tackled Shadowedheart head on.
Pinewhisker and Leaftail swarmed the nursery from the side, tearing it down, scaring the pelt off of Daisystripe. She stood up and hissed, but she was still week after kitting and easily was thrown aside by Pinewhisker.
Leaftail snatched up the kits with Pinewhisker's help and dashed up the ravine that ShadowClan's camp lay in the center of. Leaftail passed the three kits off to his mate, who then promptly scrambled up a tall birch tree, being the best climber, and sat high up on a thick branch.
Heatherpaw and Eaglepaw were struggling against a pale grey tom until Brackenfang came to their rescue. Heatherpaw looked annoyed, but Eaglepaw puffed his dark chest out, proud he defeated an enemy.
Jaytalon was sparring with Cloudclaw agaisnt Stagstrike has they'd planned, using the fact that he had only a nub for a tail as an advantage. Jaytalon sprung right into Stagstrike's side, unbalancing the dusky brown deputy.
Stagstrike stumbled over, but he was quickly back on his feet. Cloudclaw darted about, the ShadowClan deputy circling around, trying to get an aim on Cloudclaw. Shaking his head, Stagstrike leaped at Jaytalon.
Stagstrike outstretched his forepaws, a ferocious snarl plastered on his mouth. Just as he was about to land on Jaytalon, the blue-eyed tom dashed out of the way.
Stagstrike collided muzzle first to the hard ground, growling in pain. Cloudclaw pinned his shoulders down, and raked his claws down his back. Stagstrike whipped around, hissing, and limped quickly away.
Cloudclaw and his former apprentice exchanged triumphant looks and glanced around to see how they were faring.
Smokestar had Fallenstar pinned down, but she easily threw him off. Leaftail was easily battling a light brown mottled she cat with one missing ear.
Hang on! T-that's the apprentice I fought when they attacked our camp! Ha, bet she hates that scar! Jaytalon thought.
A shrill yowl from across the clearing made most fighting stop. A small tortoiseshell she cat lay motionless in the clearing. A black tom with a long tail stood over her, a scared look in his big amber eyes.
"I-I-I didn't mean to!" He stammered, "she-she just collapsed! I-it wasn't my fault!" He protested as a tortoiseshell tom approached him threateningly.
"Heatherpaw? Heatherpaw! What did you do to her?!" Brackenfang
hissed, his green eyes ablaze Nightbreeze stared at the ShadowClan tom in disbelief and rage.
"She's breathing; but only just." Redbreeze rasped. She stomped over to the young black tom and thrust her greying muzzle in his face. "Watch where you draw your claws; warriors don't kill, but I'm not even sure you're that." Redbreeze growled.
The tom gulped and nodded. Even he respected the medicine cats. Fallenstar stalked up to Smokestar, her eyes full of hurt. "Very well, Smokestar. You may have one of the kits."
Smokestar growled in the back of his throat. "We want two. We know there's three!" Fallenstar circled around him threateningly.
"No. We will each claim one, and fight for the third." She hissed, stomping her twisted paw on the ground firmly.
Smokestar nodded curtly, his ears flat agaisnt his wide head. "Prepare your warriors, Fallenstar. We will be back at sunhigh for the third kit."
Smokestar flicked his tail towards Cloudclaw, who proceeded to claim a kit from his sister. Mouseclaw limped after his, wincing at a gash in his shoulder.
Snowwing skidded down the birch, the kits hanging loosely in her teeth. Mouseclaw instantly reached for the ginger tom kit with the slightly bushy tail. "This is our kit." He declared, firmly gripping his nephew in his jaws.
Daisystripe looked heartbroken that Mouseclaw chose that specific kit, but she then snatched up a rusty, ginger-grey she kit with a black paw. "Our kit." She growled, but her eyes told Cloudclaw that she just wanted all her kits.
"Very well; we will fight for the third." Fallenstar snarled, her eyes resting on a dark grey she kit with cream markings. The kit seemed to realize something, as it began squirming frantically in Snowwing's teeth.
Daisystripe grabbed the she kit quickly and placed her remaining two kittens on the ground. Her green eyes shot a glare so fierce at Mouseclaw, that if eyes could kill, he'd be dead.
As ThunderClan trotted away, Cloudclaw caught a final glimpse of the third kit stumbling to Thymetail, and the tabby gently picked her up.
"Hey! Watch out!" Called a voice. Cloudclaw looked around to see who it was, but an uprooted tree root caught under his paw and he painfully landing muzzle first on the ground. Sap and pine needles stuck to his perfect white fur, angering him as he struggled to pluck them out.
"I told you to watch out." Nightbreeze chuckled, swatting Cloudclaw on his nose playfully. Cloudclaw let out a nervous laugh. "Y-yeah, well, um, it was the tree's fault." He twitched his whiskers, feeling heat crawling up to his face.
"Sure, okay." Nightbreeze rolled her eyes. "I'll help with that sticky mess when we get back to camp, I want to see how Eaglepaw is. Redbreeze went back with Heatherpaw."
Nightbreeze scurried away and up to the small, spotted tom. He ducked away as Nightbreeze went to smooth a bit of ruffled fur behind his ear. Eaglepaw huffed and sped his pace up, catching up with his mentor.
Nightbreeze swished her tail sadly and slowed to a trot next to Brackenfang, resting her head on his shoulder. Cloudclaw fought to stop jealousy from boiling over, he dug his claw into the bark of a maple tree furiously. Snowwing cast him a curious look, and padded over to him.
"Um, Cloudclaw, you do realize that's a maple tree, right?" Snowwing stifled a giggle as her brother attempted to yank his claw out, but couldn't.
"I do now." Cloudclaw hissed, finally pulling out one paw. Snowwing used her teeth to loosen the bark on the other paw, and Cloudclaw pulled it out. Thick, gooey sap hung from each of his forepaws, picking up pine needles and dirt as he walked. It felt gross and uncomfortable, and he was overjoyed when he saw ThunderClan territory.
Soon enough, he was sitting outside the nursery with Nightbreeze, pulling out the gunk from his once-perfect fur.
"You're lucky that the sap tastes a little sweet, or I just might not be doing this." Nightbreeze teased, as she flicked away a needle.
Cloudclaw purred. He licked the sap away from in between his paws and tossed the needles aside. "Hey, uh, can I ask you something?" Cloudclaw turned his silver eyes to meet Nightbreeze's yellow eyes.
"Yeah, sure." She meowed, "but first, let's go wash your fur. Mintflower said to get some water to clean out the rest that got really deep." Cloudclaw stood up and meowed, "race you to the WindClan river!"
"Oh, you are so on!" Nightbreeze took off behind him, her paws light on the soft grass.
Cloudclaw skidded up a birch tree; he was just a good climber as his sister. He leaped from one branch to another, his long legs and sharp claw granted him quick and easy jumps.
He saw Nightbreeze haring below, her paws drumming on the earth, a wide smirk on her muzzle. Cloudclaw swung down from a low branch and gave Nightbreeze a gentle shove, unbalancing her.
"Hey!" Nightbreeze crowed, "that's cheating!" She was back on her paw in a heartbeat, but Cloudclaw was already at the border. Cloudclaw stuck his snow-white paw into the stream, purring as it washed away the itchy needles bits.
"Cloudclaw, what was it you wanted to ask me?" Nightbreeze chirped. The white tom gulped nervously, then he sighed.
"I just need to get the off my mind…" He felt his heart thundering in his chest, as they locked eyes. "I love you, Nightbreeze. I know you have a mate and kits, but I just can't help it…" Cloudclaw felt as if boulders had been moved from his shoulders, letting him be free.
But the look on Nightbreeze's face made them come crashing down again. "Cloudclaw…" The black she cat breathed. Cloudclaw held his breath. She licked his forehead tenderly, making the fur along his spine shiver.
"I loved you." She whispered, drawing away. Hurt reflected in Cloudclaw's silver eyes "But I can't. Not now, I have a family!"
The deputy nodded, a hollow, empty feeling inside. "That's all I ever wanted…" He drew his paw out of the river, flicking the water droplets away and trudged off slowly.
"Tomorrow, moonhigh, here." Nightbreeze's blazed into him with more feelings than he could've ever imagined, nearly knocking him off his paws, but before he could reply, she was gone.
(Meanwhile, back at RiverClan; just after dawn…)
"All cats old enough to catch their own prey, gather beneath the GreatLedge for a clan meeting!" Oakstar's rumbling call stirred the clan from their slumbers, but Splashkit and Jaykit already appeared to be awake. Their fur was neatly groomed, but in her excitement, Splashkit ruined her smooth look.
Puddlewhisker dashed to fix it, but Oakstar meowed, "Splashkit, you have reached the age of six moons and it is time for you to be apprenticed." Splashkit puffed out her black fur, her faint spots visible in the early sunlight.
"From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Splashpaw. Your mentor will be Hawkpool. I hope she passes down all she knows to you." Oakstar waited as his daughter jumped up to Splashpaw.
"Hawkpool, you are ready for your first apprentice. You received excellent training from Thornsnag and have shown yourself to be loyal and clever. You will be the mentor of Splashpaw and I trust you will pass down everything you know to her."
Hawkpool knelt down to met noses with Splashpaw, but in her eagerness, her rushed forward and hit her nose into Hawkpool's chest instead. The young warrior purred in amusement and this time they met noses equally.
Jaykit was next. He gave his black fur a nervous lick. He twitched his grey tail tip and stood next to Oakstar. "Jaykit, you have reached the age of six moons and now you will be apprenticed. From this day forward, you will be known as Jaypaw. Your mentor will be Pebbletail, and I hope he passes down all he knows to you."
The grey tom's amber eyes beamed in joy as he walked up to the GreatLedge. "Pebbletail, you are also ready for your first apprentice. Weaselclaw trained you well and you've proven yourself to be strong and determined. You will be the mentor of Jaypaw, and i trust you to pass your knowledge to him." Oakstar said, as Jaypaw politely bumped noses with his new mentor's.
"Splashpaw! Jaypaw!" The clan cheered, as Splashpaw basked in all the attention, while her brother remained calm.
"Hawkpool," Splashpaw nudged her mentor's flank, "can we go explore?" Jaypaw echoed his sister's request with a, "please?" Hawkpool and Pebbletail nodded.
"Thornsnag! Petalpaw!" Hawkpool called them over. "Let's go tour with Splashpaw and Jaypaw!" Thornsnag was by her side in a heartbeat, much to Pebbletail's dismay.
"Sure thing!" Petalpaw chided happily.
Splashpaw scurried through the cattails and reeds, bouncing like she just found a new kind of prey. "C'mon! We're wasting daylight!" SHe hollered, dashing forward.
"Splashpaw!" Hawkpool huffed, "come walk with me." Splashpaw rolled her eyes and slowed to a trot with her mentor.
"That's the SIlver Tree; foxes like to settle in the hollow den it has below the roots, so we patrol it frequently." Thornsnag sounded proud that he knew about the territory.
Pebbletail flicked his tail forward. "Over in that direction, past Silver Tree, is the ThunderClan border." He glared at Thornsnag. "That's where Thornsnag is from."
Hawkpool glared at Pebbletail, heather red eyes piercing his bright amber. "I'm from ThunderClan too, Pebbletail." She growled.
"Y-yeah, but you're pure RiverClan! He's all ThunderClan!" Pebbletail protested, shrinking from her glare.
Hawkpool snorted and looked at Splashpaw. "Let's see if you can scent ThunderClan from here." Splashpaw lifted her soft pink nose and parted her jaws. "Umm, is it like a bitter, squirrely smell?" Splashpaw asked, turning her pale blue eyes to Hawkpool.
Hawkpool let out a thrumming purr, while Thornsnag looked slightly irritated, but he couldn't help but purr too. "Yes, Splashpaw." They answered.
Splashpaw's eyes glowed with pride. Jaypaw rolled his pale amber eyes. "Puh-lease," Jaypaw groaned playfully, "I can scent mouse, and water vole. Oh, and faint rabbit." He boasted, awaiting a compliment from his mentor.
"Yes, but did you not scent the dog?" Pebbletail tested his apprentice. Jaypaw twitched his single grey ear nervously as the fur along his spine bristled. Petalpaw twitched her spotted tail and scented the air.
"There is dog, but it's stale. Perhaps from last night." She replied. Thornsnag purred softly. "Great job, Petalpaw! You'll make a great tracker!"
Jaypaw plopped down on his rump, a furious glow in his eyes. Pebbletail shrugged. "C'mon, we're going to the Mossy Hollow."
Jaypaw shook his head. Pebbletail sat down beside him. "Why not?"
With a stifled groan, Jaypaw showed that one of forepaws had about three, sharp thorns stuck in it. Pebbletail sighed. "Alright, let's go and see Honeysnow; you guys carry on."
Splashpaw touched her nose sympathetically to her brother and watched him go. "Come on, Splashpaw; he'll be okay." Petalpaw meowed, nudging her friend forward. "Hawkpool says she's gonna teach you how to stalk a mouse!"
Sadness for Jaypaw forgotten, Splashpaw raced off with Petalpaw. "Let's go Hawkpool! I wanna learn how to hunt!" Splashpaw ran forward, and with a yelp a surprise, tumbled out of sight. Thornsnag, Hawkpool and Petalpaw exchanged worried looks and peered over where she fell.
"Hahaha! It's all soft and mossy!" Splashpaw had fallen into the Mossy Hollow. Thornsnag and Petalpaw leaped and slid down on their bellies, whopping in laughter.
Hawkpool took a step back and copied them. She jumped and landed on her back, slid down the slope, cheering and smiling.
The two warriors stood up and shook their pelts out. "Alright, alright." Hawkpool mewed, "enough playtime. Now, Splashpaw. Show me your best hunting crouch."
The black spotted she cat knelt down quickly, her tail high in the air and her weight in her shoulders. "Good, good," Hawkpool praised, a little smirk on her face. "But you're too stiff."
With a forepaw, Hawkpool gave Splashpaw a push, and she toppled over. Petalpaw giggled.
"Oh, what was that Petalpaw? You think you can do better?" Thornsnag circled the golden-spotted she cat.
Petalpaw wore a smug look. "Oh, please. I know I can do better. After all, I learned from the best." Thornsnag smiled slightly. "Hm, sweet, but flattery won't win you this one."
Petalpaw crouched down low. She shifted her weight into her shoulders and held her tail high. She took a few pawsteps, making no noise on the plush ground.
"Nice work!" Thornsnag sounded impressed with his apprentice. Splashpaw began to copy Petalpaw exactly and pounced on Hawkpool's tail, causing her to yelp in surprise. "Good job, but you're not a kit anymore. Let's see who can catch the most prey." Hawkpool purred, "ready… Go!"
The two she cats bounded off, heading in opposite directions.
The two mentors sat down, their fur mingling together. "If I had kits," Thornsnag began, "I'd name the tom Reedkit, and the she cat Amberkit." He declared.
Hawkpool snickered. "What if there were two toms or two she cats?" She held back a laugh as Thornsnag's blue-green eyes clouded with confusion. "Then, um…"
Hawkpool burst out laughing, rolling onto her side as Thornsnag protested, "no, no, I'd name the second tom Otterkit and the second she kit Hazelkit." Hawkpool pretended to wipe a tear away.
"Oh, so the mother doesn't get a say in the naming?" Hawkpool accused. Realizing the mistake, Thornsnag waved his paws in the air as a surrender. "No, no, not what I meant!" He purred as Hawkpool pouncing on him, purring softly.
As they tussled, Hawkpool meowed, "Oh, but sweetie, I wanna name my kitties!" Thornsnag played along, and in a gruff voice he said, "no. Never, I shall name all the kits in the clans!" He ended it with an evil-like laugh.
Thornsnag flipped Hawkpool over on her belly, and for a heartbeat they stayed quiet, slightly embarrassed by the position they were in. Then, Thornsnag broke the awkward silence with a lick on her forehead. "I love you, Hawkpool."
Hawkpool took a deep breath and purred, "I love you too." He gave her ear a sweet nip and said, "may I?" As he felt his belly fur rub agaisnt her back fur.
Hawkpool glanced at the sky, realizing it was going down. She hadn't noticed they'd been training for so long. And with a loving flick of her tail she meowed, "only for a night…"
…
Thornsnag staggered off Hawkpool. They both were exhausted after their exciting moment and Hawkpool lay on her back, her head just under Thornsnag's chest. "Hi." She mewed, chuckling at seeing Thornsnag from an upside down view.
He swatted at her nose and he rolled on his back next to her. "I wonder where Petalpaw and-" He was cut short as the apprentices came back with thundering paws.
"I caught much more than Splashpaw!" Petalpaw boasted, dropping her collection of a fish, two mice and two water voles in front of her mentor.
"No way! I got more!" Splashpaw insisted, placing two fish, a mouse, a rabbit and a squirrel at Hawkpool's paws. The two warriors laughed gently.
"You both tied, but this is very good!" Hawkpool said to Splashpaw. "You're a fabulous hunter!"
"Didn't you catch prey?" They apprentices asked. Hawkpool glanced at Thornsnag worriedly.
"Er, yes! Of course!" Thornsnag lied. "Why don't you two head back to camp and we'll go fetch our buried catches?"
Splashpaw and Petalpaw both scrambled up and stumbled away, pushing each other playfully to see who could reach camp first.
Thornsnag watched them go. "I caught a thrush earlier today. I'll go and get that. Meet me back here." He ordered, heading in the direction of the WindClan border.
Hawkpool found herself wandering towards the ThunderClan border. I promised to meet Jaytalon here, I just hope he doesn't scent Thornsnag on me. Hawkpool quickly scent blackbird and located it behind a holly bush. With a huge leap, she pinned it down and killed it, thanking StarClan for its life.
She met Thornsnag and they hurried back to camp, dropping they prey into the huge pile, thanks to Splashpaw and Petalpaw. Oakstar sat atop the GreatLedge, Shadepaw bristling with excitement.
"Shadepaw, you showed great courage to save Runningkit from Shellwhisker, and as our thanks, I make you a warrior." Oakstar said.
"I, Oakstar, leader of RiverClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code and I commend her to you as a warrior in her turn. Shadepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, even at the cost of your life?"
"I do," Shadepaw whispered, knowing for the fact she almost did.
"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Shadepaw, from this moment on, you will be known as Shadeleap, for the leap you had to take to save the clan. StarClan honors your bravery and dedication, and we welcome you as a full warrior of RiverClan." Shadeleap nervously licked Oakstar's shoulder.
"Shadeleap! Shadeleap!" The clan cheered, but Troutpaw, her brother, look furious she had been made a warrior before him. Shadeleap ducked away from his gaze and without grabbing fresh-kill, began her silent vigil.
Hawkpool trotted into her den, happily sharing a nest with Thornsnag. He was quickly asleep, as were all the other warriors.
Hawkpool crept out of her den, but a voice called, "who's there?" Hawkpool gave a hushed, "just me!" To Shadeleap. The new warrior nodded and turned her green gaze back to the rest of the camp.
Hawkpool swam the river and touched noses with Jaytalon lovingly. "I've been thinking," Jaytalon began, "perhaps we should try for, well, kits?" Hawkpool gulped then nodded.
"Only for a night…" She purred as Jaytalon grabbed her scruff.
(At the WindClan border)
Nightbreeze sat by the river, smoothing down her sleek fur by looking at her reflection. Things with Brackenfang have been okay at best, so a night with Cloudclaw won't hurt, will it? But where is that silly tom? Nightbreeze turned around, a husky, tom-scent attracting her attention. There, stood Cloudclaw.
His ice-white fur was slightly ruffled by the cool breeze that blew, which defined his broad shoulders. His silver eyes shone like the full moon and his long legs, which each carried a scar, strided forward to meet her.
"Why are we here, Nightbreeze?" He asked, his eyes glowing with kit-like curiosity. Nightbreeze couldn't take it anymore. He was too overpowering. "Because, things with Brackenfang aren't well. We fought not long ago, and we haven't talked much." Cloudclaw looked offended.
"Is that what I am Nightbreeze? A second choice?" His voice broke and his eyes grew wide and misty.
"No, no! I loved you! I really did, but Brackenfang was there first… If I had known, then believe me, we would've made Brackenfang very jealous." Nightbreeze meowed.
"D-do you love me now?" Cloudclaw asked, his voice soft and low. Nightbreeze felt her words catch and her throat so she merely nodded.
Cloudclaw tackled Nightbreeze, standing over her dominantly. "So, would it be wrong to do this?" He asked slyly. Nightbreeze felt her ears grow hot, but she shook her head. "Not at all; but only for a night."
(At the NightWalker camp…)
The moon was high and in a claw-shape. A satisfied growl came from inside the stone cave.
"The day is coming… I will have my revenge, on those stupid clans with their stupid rules and stupid signs, as the stupid mothers pay no attention to their stupid kits…" Hissed a grey mottled she cat with ruffled fur, sharp orange-ish eyes and two, dark grey clover-like marks under each eye. She stepped out of the stone cave and onto the pine needles that litter the ground beneath her paws.
She tugged at her purple collar, as the moonlight glinted off the wolf teeth in her collar as a white tom with a ginger mark on his forehead stood beside her.
"War is coming."
A/N
Pix: Sorry that update took a while, and the next will be longer. My birthday party is Sunday and I'm gonna be busy having fun! (My real birthday is august 10 but that time is for family only)
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Pix: I need some votes. Should Nightbreeze have kits with Cloudclaw, or should she work things out with Brackenfang, but have Cloudclaw's kits, or should she work things out with Brackenfang and have kits with him? Review your answers, AND INCLUDE WHY you think that should happen.