A/N
Sorry this update took a while.
Havenspirit of MoonClan: yeah, SnowXHazel is adorable, isn't it!
Clover/thewarriorcatmanicak: Aw, thanks! I feel like I'm always writing jibberish too, to be honest. I just let my mind flow out through my fingers then wow look a new chapter.
WARNING: This chapter contains grimdark content and implied sexual harrassment. Read at your own risk.
"I caught your favorite, Honeysnow. Minnows!" Birchpaw exclaimed, delighted as the golden she cat purred happily.
"Thank you, Birchpaw. My step-brother's grandkits are turning out just perfect." Honeysnow complimented, sharing the two minnows with her sister, Yellowlily.
"Do you know who's going to the Gathering tonight?" Birchpaw asked as he began to pad away.
"I wouldn't worry." Yellowlily muttered in her odd voice, reading his lips. "I'm sure Oakstar would never deprive you of your first Gathering."
"Did I hear correctly?" Hazelpaw cried out in excitement, shaking Birchpaw senseless. "Are we going to the Gathering tonight?!"
"M-maybe." Birchpaw meowed dizzily, swaying on his paws. He shook his head, groaning. "If you do that again, we might not go."
"Hey, what's going?" Whitepaw meowed as he padded up to his brother and sister, His amber-red eyes widened. "Whoa, I think Antpaw and Ivypaw are becoming warriors!"
"...Do you promise to uphold the warrior code and protect your clan, even at the cost of your life?" Oakstar was saying, his voice serious.
"I do!" Ivypaw replied enthusiastically, raising her tail in excitement.
"I do." Antpaw meowed calmly, his eyes shining in amusement at his sister.
"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior names. Ivypaw, Antpaw, you shall be known as Ivysky and Antclaw. StarClan honors your determination and quick-wit, and we welcome as full warriors of RiverClan." Oakstar declared as he rested his muzzle on the new warriors' heads.
"Ivysky, Antclaw! Ivysky, Antclaw!" The clan cheered, Flowerpelt's faded blue eyes shining with tears of happiness. Runningclaw swarmed Ivysky as she leapt down, nuzzling her affectionately. Splashspirit buried her muzzle in Antclaw's chest, the dark ginger tom now taller than her.
"But the ceremony isn't finished!" Oakstar yowled, called the clan back. "Snailkit, Swiftkit, Spottedkit, come up here. You have all reached your sixth moon and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day forward, you shall be known as Snailpaw, Swiftpaw and Spottedpaw. Your mentors will be Hawkpool, Pebbletail, and Rowanstorm. They have shown dedication and wisdom and I trust they will pass all they know to you."
Hawkpool was surprised as her father called her up, bumping noses with Snailpaw. The young she cat smiled warmly. Pebbletail was surprised by Swiftpaw's energy, the tom practically bouncing on his paws. Rowanstorm chuckled at Spottedkit's kindness, the she cat gently touching his nose like most that dart forward too quickly.
"You're a warrior now!" Runningclaw licked Ivysky's nose. "You can share a nest with me after your vigil." He purred as she curled into him with a smile.
"Congrats, Antclaw." Splashspirit nosed him lovingly. Antclaw flushed in embarrassment.
"It's not that big a deal." He meowed modestly, studying his paws.
"If you say so, but it's a big deal to me!" Splashspirit jabbed him with paw playfully, quickly fetching a fat chub for them to share.
"I wish we were warriors already!" Hazelpaw groaned as Hawkpool neared her kits.
"But you've only begun training a quarter moon ago." Hawkpool meowed. "I'm afraid even my kits aren't that talented." She teased, ruffling the fur on Hazelpaw's head with her tail.
"Mom, do you have to train Snailpaw?" Reedpaw groaned. "She's such a pain."
Hawkpool sighed in exasperation. "Don't have such a limited view of her. Maybe she's just shy."
"No, I'm pretty positive she's just rude." Reedpaw huffed, flopping on his back.
Hawkpool snorted in amusement. "C'mon. I gotta take Snailpaw on a tour around the territory. Any of you wanna come?"
"Nope!" The four apprentices meowed in unison.
"We toured last week." Whitepaw groaned.
"Then maybe you could show Snailpaw and her littermates some hunting or battle moves?" Hawkpool suggested, hinting at Reedpaw. The chocolate tabby sprang to his paws.
"I'll take any chance to have a paw over Snailpaw!" Reedpaw exclaimed, circling around Hawkpool. "I'll so go with you!"
"Sorry. I got training with Snowfall and Shadepaw." Hazelpaw said hurriedly. "We're learning how to hunt birds."
"Ha!" Whitepaw yowled. "I learned that from Shadeleap yesterday with Batpaw."
"What about you, Birchpaw? Care to see the territory again?" Hawkpool offered. Birchpaw looked away awkwardly.
"I'm sorry, uh, Briarfrost and I are on a hunting patrol…" Birchpaw flattened his ears to his head. "I would if I could."
"Hm." Hawkpool sighed. "At least you four are trying hard to become good warriors." The black she cat padded to her apprentice. "C'mon. Are your siblings coming?"
Snailpaw shrugged. "Swiftpaw and Pebbletail are waiting with Spottedpaw and Rowanstorm." She shot a bitter look at Reedpaw and snorted softly under her breath.
"Let's get going. I'm gonna be an elder if we stand here any longer." Snailpaw scoffed, narrowing her eyes at Reedpaw. A low growl of frustration rumbled in Reedpaw's throat as she padded up to Spottedpaw, whispering in her sister's ear, glancing at Reedpaw every now and then disdainfully.
…
"And here is the Silver Tree, just past from the Sunning Rocks," Hawkpool meowed, motioning a paw towards an oak tree with the bark burned off, the skin of tree scorched a silvery white color. "It was one of the only trees to survive a savage forest fire a long time ago, before Oakstar was even born."
"If it's that old, why is it still standing?" Spottedpaw squeaked, her eyes round.
"Because," Rowanstorm explained, "StarClan saved a cat from dying here. A young queen was inconvenienced in that hollow under the tree there." He flicked his dark tail to a dip under the roots of the tree, moss and vines hanging before the entrance. "It was not her time to die, so StarClan did not let the fire touch her. It merely scorched the tree she was sheltering in while she gave birth to her kits."
"Now that we're here, and it's a good place to hunt, who knows the mouse-rabbit rule?" Pebbletail questioned, his gaze flickering over the trio of new apprentices. They shrugged, murmuring to each other in confusion.
"A mouse will feel you before they see or hear you, so shift your weight into your haunches so your paws glide." Reedpaw declared, sliding his paws silently across the thin grass as an example. "And a rabbit will smell you before they see or hear you so make sure you're not downwind or your scent will travel to them."
"Very good, Reedpaw." Pebbletail purred. "What does everyone scent?"
Swiftpaw was the first to reply. "Mice, water vole, and a stale trace of rabbit…." He paused. "There's something else, fresh, but…. I don't know what it is. Skunk, maybe?"
Hawkpool parted her jaws in curiousity, her eyes widening in terror. "Fox!" She darted in front of Reedpaw protectively, bushing her tail and arching her back as the dog-like creature bounded from the brambles, its jaw opening and closing in loud, short yaps.
"Run, Reedpaw! Get the others to safety!" Rowanstorm ordered as he barreled into the vixen with all his might, screeching as it tore at his flank.
The fox threw Rowanstorm on the ground like a scrap of crowfood, dodging blows from Hawkpool and Pebbletail as it charged for Reedpaw and Snailpaw, Spottedpaw and Swiftpaw having already fled.
"We want to fight!" Snailpaw spat, puffing her fur up at the fox. Reedpaw narrowly bolted to the side, biting down on the fox's hind leg and not letting go. It shook him viciously, the tom's head buzzing with stars as he rebounded into a tree with full force.
"Reedpaw!" Snailpaw's voice was laced with fear. "Are you okay? Say something!"
"Ugh…" Reedpaw groaned, spitting blood from a cut in his mouth. Blood trickled down from his forehead and over an eye. He swiped a paw over the wound, wiping the blood off.
"Reedpaw, take Snailpaw and get her safe!" Hawkpool roared, her voice strict. "You two have had little to none battle training. Leave this fox scum to us. Now, go!"
The vixen locked its beady black eyes on the two apprentices again, lunging at Snailpaw with snapping jaws, saliva dripping from its teeth.
In one swift move, Reedpaw grabbed Snailpaw, tackling her to the ground, rolling in dry dirt and reeds and away from the fox. His breaths came in heavy pants as he stood gallantly over Snailpaw, snarling at the fox in anger, his normally, kind blue-green eyes slitted ragefully.
He looked down back at her, his eyes intensely blazing into hers. "My mother's right. We've barely been apprentices. We don't stand a chance to this fox." He scrambled off her, beckoning her to follow with his tail. "We gotta go!"
Snailpaw's mind reeled with the current events, sprinting desperately after Reedpaw. "Slow down!" She wheezed. "You're going too fast!"
"You're not going fast enough." Reedpaw snapped, though he slowed to her pace. He suddenly veered to the side. "Mint hides scent! We can hide here." He grasped her quickly by the scruff, yanking her behind the plant bush.
"Yeesh!" Snailpaw groaned. "You're gonna give me whiplash."
"A thank you would have sufficed." Reedpaw growled under his breath, rubbing at his head.
Reedpaw felt her eyes blazing into his fur, heat and bewilderment swimming in his mind. "I can see you staring at me, Snailpaw. Peripheral vision, ya know." He meowed distractedly, not paying much attention to her.
"Why do you hate me so much?!" Snailpaw blurted out, her bright green eyes wide with anger.
Reedpaw turned his head to her, his blue-green eyes narrowed dangerously. "You want to know why I hate you? I'll make a list and we can go over the main problems."
"Seriously, what is your problem?" Snailpaw spat, digging her claws into the dark grass in frustration.
"I hear what you say behind my back!" Reedpaw admitted, a jeering smirk on his face. "You think you're sneaky, talking to Shadepaw and about how ugly I am, how my pelt is the color of dirt, how abnormal I look with such thick fur and long legs."
Snailpaw looked at her paws then back up at Reedpaw. "I-I mean, you weren't supposed to-" she began, but Reedpaw interrupted her.
"He'll never have a mate!" Reedpaw growled in a mocking voice imitation of her. "And if he does, she'll have to be blind! Who'd ever have kits with that ugly fuzz-brain! Ick, disgusting!"
Snailpaw stood up, the fur on her neck bristling. "Don't you even dare! I've heard you say some pretty terrible things about me too!"
"Really?" Reedpaw taunted, standing taller than her.
"Really! Swiftpaw told me you said that I'm as much such as a dead fish! That I'm a fox-heart and a mousefodder."
"You are! You're the biggest fox-heart I know!" Reedpaw cried, flexing his claws into the ground.
"Screw you." Snailpaw growled, turning her gaze to her paws.
"Screw you." Reedpaw hissed, staring directly into her eyes. "Because you know what? I got news for you, Snailpaw. I may be ugly, but at least I wasn't a freaking accident!"
Snailpaw felt her head ache and blood run cold, his words like a blow to the face.
"Oh, that shut you up, didn't it?" Reedpaw sneered, "don't act all hurt or whatever. The whole of RiverClan knows it. Willowleap was raped by Marshystripe six moons ago during the battle with the NightWalkers."
Snailpaw staggered, her mind whirling with his words. She felt sick, like she was going to throw up. She stared dizzily at the ground, silent for the longest minute of their lives.
"Sn-Snailpaw? Say something. O-okay, I went too far." Reedpaw admitted, trying to get her attention.
An accident… Snailpaw thought, the words sickening her. Is that really what I am? Unwanted? And everyone knew. Everyone except me.
"Snailpaw, please. We were just fighting. We always fight." Reedpaw pleaded. "I didn't mean to hurt you."
"Well, you did." Snailpaw spat, choking on her words. "My mom didn't want me…. She was… raped."
"Willowleap loves you!" Reedpaw whispered, his voice genuinely scared and worried. "Gorseheart loves you."
"He's not my father." Snailpaw breathed, struggling for breath as she felt her stomach knot several times.
"It doesn't matter. He raised you!" Reedpaw insisted, pressing their noses together. "I thought you knew! I thought you knew…" His pelt quivered and his voice downgraded to a whisper. "I only fight with you, because you hate me so much, it's the only way I know how to interact with you. I like you so much, and you think I'm repulsive so I fight with you because then you'll respond to me. I'm just…. So, so, sorry, Snailpaw."
"It doesn't matter." Snailpaw said blandly, not processing the information. "Let's just get to camp."
"I don't want to go to camp!" Reedpaw insisted. "I'm really, really sorry."
Snailpaw stared at him intently, and didn't look away for a few moments. And… she pitied him. He looked like a kit watching his parents fight or cowering from his first battle, and with every second his blue-green eyes grew mistier and glassier and she knew he was on the verge of crying.
"Don't cry." Snailpaw whispered.
"I'm sorry, I'm just really sorry!" Reedpaw choked, his voice cracking.
"Reedpaw, you're not ugly." Snailpaw admitted, smiling at him pleadingly. "A little odd with all that fur, but surely not ugly."
Reedpaw sniffled, rubbing his eyes with his paws. "Th-thanks. I-I'm sorry I called you a mistake."
Snailpaw exhaled heavily, staring at the ground as tears spilled from his eyes. "There was always something shifty about my birth. The other kits never wanting to play with me. The queens and their mates all looking at me funny."
"At least I don't have to wonder anymore." Snailpaw meowed, trying to put a positive spin on it.
"I guess so." Reedpaw whispered, his voice still choked up.
"Stop all this sad crap." Snailpaw growled, but there was no bitterness in her voice. "It's so much more interesting when we fight."
"So, you're really okay?" Reedpaw asked, his eyes looking her up and down as if looking for open wounds.
"Yeah. Now let's get back to camp." She meowed, butting his shoulder as they crept out from the mint bush.
Reedpaw studied her for a moment, flicking her ear with his thick tail. "Fox-heart," he teased.
"Dungface."
…
"Reedpaw! You're okay!" Hazelpaw screamed from across the camp as he and Snailpaw entered. "Whitepaw and Birchpaw and I were so worried when you never showed up!"
"Ow, ow, ow, ow, Hazelpaw, you're hurting me." He croaked, sighing in relief as his sister scrambled off him.
"Eek." Birchpaw poked Reedpaw's injured shoulder gingerly and eyed the cut on his forehead. "You should go see Morningfeather."
"He saved me!" Snailpaw was saying, waving her paws to demonstrate Reedpaw tackling her from the fox, rolling the ground as she reenacted it. Spottedpaw squealed in delight, racing up to Reedpaw with Swiftpaw at her tail.
"Thanks for saving our sister." Spottedpaw purred, her eyes sparkling. Swiftpaw bowed his head in agreement.
Snailpaw winked at him from across the clearing.
Reedpaw gazed at her smugly. "Hm. Tell her she's a fox-heart."
Spottedpaw and Swiftpaw exchanged odd looks, but they trotted to their sister, delivering the news. Snailpaw chuckled in amusement, cupping a paw to her mouth and calling out, "DUNGFACE." At the top of her lungs, a playful grin on her face.
"You too?" Morningfeather sighed as Reedpaw entered her den. "Take the nest next to Snowfall."
Reedpaw glanced at his sister's mentor, raising an eyebrow at him. "What happened to you?"
The white tabby rolled his eyes, turning to reveal deep bites and gashes along his shoulder to his flank. "Protected your sister. She froze up agaisnt the fox."
"O-oh." Reedpaw stuttered. "Thanks for saving her."
"It's my job. I heard you quite the hero with Snailpaw." Snowfall grunted in pain as Morningfeather binded his shoulder in cobwebs, the marigold in it stinging his wound.
"Stop being such a baby." Morningfeather scolded the warrior as she licked the poultice in.
"Snailpaw's your sister, isn't she?" Reedpaw inquired, tilting his head.
"Uh, yeah." Snowfall huffed. "I don't like her much, though. But, uh, thanks I guess, for saving her. I'd have your pelt if you didn't. N-not that I care." He meowed stubbornly.
Reedpaw shook his head in confusion. "It's not bad to show cats you actually care for them, you know."
Snowfall growled in response, but said nothing.
"Am I going to be well enough for the Gathering?" Reedpaw queried to the young medicine cat.
"If you're careful with that shoulder, yes. That cut on your forehead isn't much of anything." Morningfeather said, feeling around his shoulder. "You tore a muscle, but it's not too bad."
"I think Oakstar's calling the cats going to the Gathering now." Snowfall meowed bluntly. Reedpaw sprang to his paws, pain shooting through his left side but he ignored it as he sat next to Whitepaw and Birchpaw.
"The cats attending the gathering tonight will be Reedflight, Morningfeather, Hawkpool, Snowfall, Pebbletail, Creeksplash, Treeshadow, Mothleg, Spidertail, Hickorynose, Reedpaw, Whitepaw, Hazelpaw, Birchpaw, Snailpaw, Swiftpaw, Silverpaw, Tigerpaw, and Yellowlily." Oakstar announced, leaping swiftly off the Greatledge. "Cats attending the Gathering, please rest up. We leave at sunset."
"We're going to the Gathering!" Hazelpaw shrieked joyfully, bouncing up and down excitedly. "I can't wait to meet other apprentices and-"
Hazelpaw stopped as Hawkpool rested her tail over her daughter's back. "Remember, these cats are from other clans. Don't stir up any trouble." She meowed, looking directly at Whitepaw and Hazelpaw. The two grinned identical sheepish smiles, darting off.
Birchpaw and Reedpaw nodded honestly. "Hey, mom?" Birchpaw asked, pawing her foreleg. "There's a name that's been nagging in mine and Reedpaw's minds; Nightkit. Does that mean anything to you, other than Petalwish's son?"
Hawkpool froze, her eyes wide. Then, she sighed softly. "Nightkit. She'd be Nightpaw now. She was your other sister. She went with Jaytalon to ThunderClan, while we came here."
"Our other sister. How could we forget her?!" Whitepaw exclaimed, coming up behind Reedpaw and Birchpaw with Hazelpaw at his side.
"I'm not the only she cat! I remember her!" Hazelpaw jumping in the air in joy. "Yes!"
"I do hope she's at the Gathering." Hawkpool admitted, resting her chin on her paws. "Haven't seen her since she left with her father."
(POV change; Snailpaw)
The pale cream she cat chewed at her trout blandly, gazing off into nothingness without really looking. Snailpaw sighed, her chest heavy with the blow of the news Reedpaw had delivered.
I can't believe Mother never told me. That Gorseheart isn't really my father! That she raped in the battle with those rogues. I'm not even half RiverClan. This whole time I thought she had found love again and had kits with Gorseheart. It was all a lie! Snailpaw tore at the dirt beneath her paws in a subtle fit of rage, a growl building up in her throat.
My real father, the one who raped my mother, I wonder he is now. Was what he did an accident? What clan was he? Is he even alive? Is he just a nice tom who made a mistake?
"What's making you so fussy?" Snailpaw jumped at the sudden sound of her mother. She had gotten lost in the sea of her thoughts.
"Are you okay? I heard you and Reedpaw were chased by a fox." Willowleap sat next to her daughter, her beautiful blue eyes shimmering down kindly on Snailpaw.
"Yeah. I'm fine." Snailpaw replied dully.
Willowleap frowned. "Is there anything you want to say?"
"Like what?" Snailpaw huffed, looking away from her mother.
"Well, you tell me. Hawkpool says Reedpaw came back all defeated, and not just from the fox. Did something happen between you two? Again?" Willowleap meowed gently, turning Snailpaw to face her.
"He…" Snailpaw gulped. "He told me something that bothered me. And I got upset, and he got upset and we fought like we always do"
"Oh?" Willowleap asked, looking confused and angry. "What'd he say? Did he say something foul? I know how you two can be, and if he hurt you, you should say something."
"No, no," Snailpaw whispered, feeling uncomfortable discussing it. "He didn't mean to hurt me."
"You fought and didn't mean to hurt each other? Snailpaw, you're making no sense." Willowleap meowed, sounding irritated now.
"It's how we…. Relate. We fight with each other and tear each other apart and then we'll do it back, it-it's more of a game, really." Snailpaw tried to explain, finding her relationship with Reedpaw odd. Even I don't get us. How am I supposed to explain it in actual words?
Willowleap chuckled lightly. "Sounds a bit like flirting to me. It's how your brothers' father and I used to communicate. Hawkpool and her former mate as well."
"What in StarClan?!" Snailpaw shrieked, her body going numb with warmth. "NO! I do not like Reedpaw! Never in a million seasons!"
"You're awfully quick to say no." Willowleap winked.
"Whatever we do, it's not flirting. It's hard to explain." Snailpaw grunted in agitation.
"Okay, okay. What did he say to make you upset? Did he say he likes Shadepaw? It's obvious she likes him." Willowleap purred with a teasing nudge.
Snailpaw felt her face burst into flames again. "MOM! Please! He could hear you!"
"Sorry, but I couldn't resist. What happened?" Willowleap's voice had become serious.
"He…. called me a bad name." Snailpaw choked, feeling terrible all over again, like she was reliving the fight a second time.
"Did he call you a fox-heart?" Willowleap asked, her eyes glowing with annoyance for him.
"No." Snailpaw whispered. "Even worse. He….. he called me an accident."
Willowleap's expression changed from one of annoyance to one of pure terror, all traces of joy had been drained from her eyes. Like she was killed and came back. Like all four clans had been slaughtered before her.
"Do…. do you know?" Willowleap croaked, her voice thin and frail like Bramblewhisker's elderly voice. Her thin legs trembled, her claws extending into the soft earth beneath her paws.
"Yes." Snailpaw said, barely getting the words out. She felt awful for upsetting her mom. "I-I'm not mad or anything, Mom." Snailpaw brushed her cheek against Willowleap's. "It feels strange, but I'll get over it. I just wish you hadn't kept it from me."
"I thought you would hate me!" Willowleap sobbed, burying her head into her paws. "I do love you, Snailpaw. Your brother and sister included. Yes, I didn't want you three at first, but the second I saw you, I knew you didn't have trace of your father in you. A blessing in the storm."
"Was… was he a bad cat?" Snailpaw asked quietly, barely able to meet her mother's eyes. Willowleap shifted herself, twitching her tail uncomfortably.
"I wouldn't say bad." Willowleap exaggerated the word 'bad'. "Maybe misled or just walking down the wrong path. He certainly was fighting with the NightWalkers though, and was a disgusting amount of seasons older than myself."
Snailpaw toyed with a blade of dry grass between her claws. "Where's he now? He wasn't RiverClan, was he?"
"He…. died in the battle." Willowleap gulped. "And, no. Marshystripe was a senior warrior of WindClan." She buried her face in her paws again. "Gosh, I so didn't want you finding out this way!"
"It's okay, mom. Really. It's fine. I'm glad you didn't lie about it." Snailpaw coaxed, thought she still had a strange, knot in her stomach. "How'd you meet Gorseheart?"
Willowleap's face turned instantly from one of discomfort and disgust to one of love and affection. "Oh, we were an item before I was a queen with you and your littermates. We wanted to take it slow, but Gorseheart abandoned his brash mindset to become a responsible father, even if he's not your blood father, he loves you. Just like he loves Snowfall and Runningclaw, even if they don't return it."
"Now," Willowleap meowed. "You're going to your first Gathering! You should get prepared. Are you excited?"
Snailpaw couldn't help but smile from whisker to whisker. "I'm not gonna lie, I'm pretty hyped!" She squealed.
"Just be careful; there are always those apprentices that love to stir up trouble, so steer clear of them for me." Willowleap pleaded. "I don't want you being grounded to camp because you got caught up in a fight."
Snailpaw purred in amusement, licking her mother's cheek as Oakstar called the cats to the Gathering. "I'll be careful, promise. Bye!"
Willowleap smiled. "Make it memorable!"
"Will do!" Snailpaw grinned, grabbing a mouse in her jaws and sprinting to catch up next to Swiftpaw and Reedpaw.
"We have to cross through WindClan territory!" SIlverpaw exclaimed, a mischievous glint in her eyes. Tigerpaw crouched behind her, looking unsure at her suspiciousness.
"Aren't they going to attack us?" Birchpaw inquired, wondering to himself as he stared at the dark grass, dimmed by the shadows of night.
"Nah, they're bound by the full moon truce." SIlverpaw rolled her eyes, flicking her tail dismissively.
"We are, too, Silverpaw!" Tigerpaw reminded his sister, the silver tabby whipping her head around furiously.
"Don't be such a sourpuss, Tigerpaw. It's just havin' some fuuuuuun." Silverpaw teased, pushing him aside, Tigerpaw stumbling clumsily over his own paws.
"Fun isn't getting into trouble!" He protested, his lime eyes wide with pleading. Silverpaw rolled her eyes again, sticking out tongue.
"That's the definition of fun, ya buzzkill." She slurred, Tigerpaw staring at her discomfortingly.
Snailpaw raised an eyebrow at the siblings. "With such variating personalities, I'm surprised they haven't killed each other or everyone around them yet. Just being a few mouse lengths behind them is making me irritated!"
Swiftpaw shrugged. "They're not bad! They're actually super awesome, just not mixed together. You would never mix swimming with a ThunderClanner."
Reedpaw bristled his fur at the sight of the Marsh Island cross bridge, the rounded and ridged boulders sticking out from the treacherous, churning murky waters below.
"W-we cross those?!" He screeched, his pelt spiking upwards, his littermates bursting out into a fit of laughter at him.
"Yes, sweetie." Hawkpool purred, leaping up onto the first rock and continuing on expertly. "It's not hard once you get used to it." She admitted, calling out from the island. Reedpaw shivered, gulping down the nervous lump that had arisen in his throat.
"I can do this, I can do this, I can do this…" Reedpaw whispered to himself, sliding his paws cautiously on the water soaked boulders.
"Hurry up, dungface!" Snailpaw yowled, darting forward and knocking Reedpaw off balance.
"I CAN'T DO THIS!" Reedpaw screamed, tumbling down the rock and beginning to slid into the water, his hindquarters already drenched when a cat yanked him upwards.
"Don't be so reckless!" Splashspirit scolded, setting him gently down on the rock. "We don't want news of a RiverClan cat drowning. That'd be embarrassing."
Reedpaw shook out the water, his teeth chattering from the sudden shock of freezing temperature. He nodded quickly, managing to bound across the rest of the way and onto the island next to Birchpaw.
Fresh scents of the clans swarmed Reedpaw's senses, his sharp nose burning with the powerful, distinct smells of other cats and clans and plants. It was exhilarating.
Reedpaw inhaled deeply, exhaling blissfully.
"It's nice, isn't it?" A voice asked, a she cat's.
Reedpaw turned around, seeing a silver tabby WindClan she cat with a black tail and stormy blue eyes standing behind him. She was clearly older, as she was much larger and her voice sounded mature, not to mention she had the faint scent of nursery on her. This cat was queen.
"I'm Stormwind." She introduced herself, flicking her ears cheerfully. "You?"
"Uh, Reedpaw." He meowed, licking his paw and drawing it over his face, trying to appear pleasing. Stormwind purred.
"My, my, what a handsome little kit." She complimented. Reedpaw flushed.
"I-I'm not a kit! I'm almost seven moons." He lied, flustered. Stormwind purred again, this time in amusement.
"Of course. I'm eighteen moons, so you're a bit of a kit to me, Plus, I adore kits." Stormwind looked down at her slightly round belly fondly. "I'll be having some of my own in some moons."
Reedpaw stared at her underbelly in awe. There were kits in there?! "How… how kits?" He said, not forming a complete sentence. Stormwind chortled.
"I'm sure your mother or father will tell you 'how kits' in due time." Stormwind chuckled, licking her fluffy belly fur.
Reedpaw cleared his throat. "My father died before I was born…" He gazed at his paws awkwardly. Stormwind gasped in surprise.
"Oh, no, no, I didn't… Gosh, I'm sorry, Reedpaw. If it helps, my parents died when I was two days old. Wait, are you Thornsnag's son? You look a lot like him."
Reedpaw beamed. "Yeah! How'd you know him?"
Stormwind smiled back politely. "My adoptive mother told me stories about my parents. Our fathers were close friends! Mine was older, of course. I may have never known my parents, I feel like I do through the cats that knew them. I'm sorry about his death."
Reedpaw shrugged, blinking away the dampness that had formed in the corners of his blue-green eyes. "It's fine. I never knew him."
"Oh, we're starting!" Stormwind noticed, pointing her tail to the four leaders standing on their respective low hanging, thick branches.
"ShadowClan has prospered over the time you have given us to heal over these eight moons. I believe we have regained our former strength." Fallenstar croaked. "Green-leaf crought has chased away the prey in our marshes, but ShadowClan will make it through. We have three new queens and that is all. ThunderClan may proceed."
Cloudstar dipped his head respectfully to the elderly leader. "ThunderClan prey is running well. This Green-leaf was drawn much food from their shelters. We have seven new apprentices, Nightpaw, Streampaw, Specklepaw, Nutpaw, Stonepaw, Pepperpaw and Lightningpaw."
He paused, letting the other three clans cheer their names. Reedpaw looked around, recognizing Nightpaw in the crowd, looking timid and proud at the same time. He felt warm, his heart leaping with excitement as he saw his sister for the first time in moons. He ached to call out to her, but he knew he couldn't disrupt the Gathering.
"We also have a new warrior with us; please welcome, Lionfang!" Cloudstar announced, the clans now cheering the young, golden tom's name. "That is all ThunderClan has to share."
Oakstar stepped forward, clearing his throat. "We have an overabundance of prey, and apprentices this Green-leaf." He chuckled. "Please welcome, Reedpaw, Birchpaw, Hazelpaw, Whitepaw, Snailpaw, Swiftpaw, Spottedpaw, Batpaw, and Shadepaw; however, I'm afraid some could not be here tonight. We also have two new warriors; Antclaw and Ivysky"
The clan chorused the apprentices' and warriors' names, Reedpaw feeling overwhelmed and pleased at the same time. He could spot Whitepaw and Hazelpaw basking in the attention, and Birchpaw shrinking under it.
"Also, we have a fox attack us, but we still strong." Oakstar turned to Cloudstar. "It was headed for your territory, so keep an eye out. That is all we have to share."
Cloudstar dipped his head in thanks for the warning, nodding subtly to his deputy, Rainstorm who sat beside Hawkpool, to remember this information.
Stormwind nudged Reedpaw. "Congrats, Reedpaw." She whispered, and lifted her head back to the Gathering as Flamestar began to speak. Affection shimmered in her green eyes, the same way that Ivysky looked at Runningclaw.
Instantly, hushed murmured and loud whispers washed over the cats, muttering foul language about the young leader. He narrowed his eyes. "Cats of the Clans!" He yowled. "I know you do not believe in me being a strong leader, all because I made a mistake in the past, but i can assure you now, I am loyal to my clan and my clan only. I have taken a mate, one of WIndClan, and now bears my kits."
Stormwind ducked her head, smiling to herself. Reedpaw's jaw dropped. "Are you… Are you and Flamestar mates?" He asked, shocked, not only by the age gap, but by the way Flamestar described it. Was Reedpaw the only who thought he sounded like his mate was an object?!
Stormwind flushed and chuckled. "Yeah, I've liked him for really long time. Even before he was leader." She beamed down her stomach. "And these kittens will be proof our love is real."
Reedpaw cringed slightly. Can't she see he's using her to regain cat's trust? Or am I just paranoid?
"Mosspetal has given birth to two healthy kits, and we have four kits nearly apprentices. We-" Flamestar stopped, pricking his ears to beyond tall trees, bushes and rocks. He flicked his tail for silence, the four clans going completely quiet. Distant protests were heard, mixed in with strange whispers and whimpering.
The noises suddenly went quiet, and to Reedpaw's surprise, Hazelpaw peered out from behind a boulder, her mismatched blue eyes going wide in shock and embarrassment. She seemed like she was on the verge of crying.
"Eek!" She squeaked under her breath, whipping back behind the rock. A ShadowClan cat peeked out as well, his yellow grey fur dark under the moonlight.
"Ahem!" Fallenstar cleared her throat, glaring at her clanmate. He coughed awkwardly. "Eelscar!" She scolded. "Just what are you doing with a RiverClan she cat?!"
Eelscar didn't answer, only staring Hazelpaw oddly. She avoided her clan's strange glares, looking like she was in pain and about to retch. Fallenstar and Oakstar turned to Flamestar.
"We sincerely apologize for our apprentice's…. Strange actions." Oakstar cleared his throat, raising an eyebrow at his granddaughter. "Have you finished your report, Flamestar?"
The WindClan leader nodded in response.
"Very well, then." Fallenstar meowed sternly. "Then we shall be going now." She gave Eelscar a harsh look. "ShadowClan, let's go!"
Oakstar looked disappointed in his granddaughter, not even speaking for the clan to leave and flicking his tail instead. Hazelpaw looked down at her paws, biting her lip in shame.
"Just what was that commotion?!" Hawkpool hissed, her red eyes dangerously narrow and her teeth gritted in attempt not to yell.
"I-I-I, I don't know!" Hazelpaw cried, tears flowing from her face. "He tried… I don't know what he tried. It just felt weird." She looked away from her mother. "I… I don't wanna talk about it."
Hawkpool's anger vanished instantly, replaced by concern and motherly worry. "What did he do?" She tried to sound gentle, but worry was out there like an open wound.
Hazelpaw gulped. "I'm not sure. He kept touching my belly…" She said slowly, feeling awkward. She tucked her tail between her hind legs. "He touched between my legs, too. It really hurt the way he was poking something against it…"
Hawkpool's fury returned in an instant. "That ShadowClan scum!" She yowled, her voice almost a roar. "Ohohohohoh, that little…. perv is going to pay for this!"
Hazelpaw lowered her head, flattening her ears. "It's okay… It was probably my fault… somehow."
Hawkpool raised an eyebrow. "Honey, what do you mean? Is there something else?"
Hazelpaw shrugged. "I… uh, you always are getting mad at me because I'm so rowdy and causin' trouble. I was just trying to to make some friends and I guess I said something he didn't like and so he dragged me behind the rocks and-" She stopped, swallowing roughly.
Hawkpool licked her daughter's forehead comfortingly. "I am so, so, sorry, baby. You know I love you. It's never your fault. You've just got more energy and upbeatness than the rest of us. Whatever that tom did, I'll speak to my father and-"
Hazelpaw's eyes went wide and she frantically waved her paws. "No! Please, mom. Don't. It's too embarrassing."
Hawkpool sighed. "I'm sorry. What if you have kits? What will the clans say? The least I can do to help is have Oakstar discuss it with Fallenstar."
Hazelpaw shivered, unnerving chills travelling down her spine. "ShadowClan cats are creepy."
Hawkpool shrugged. "Some, yes. Others, no. I know quite a few kind ones. I think they're just misunderstood, especially Fallenstar. She likes young cats though. Trust me. Don't you remember her from when we lived in their camp for a while?"
Hazelpaw shook her head. "I don't remember much before coming here. But, I do trust you. Do I have to come with you two?"
Hawkpool shook her head in sympathy. "Of course not, sweetheart. Now, I have to catch up with my father before he goes to sleep. I'll see you in the morning."
Hazelpaw nodded, parting ways with her mother.
"Father?" Hawkpool meowed, to eager to wait for a reply and barged into his den.
"Oh, Hawkpool. Come on in." He said politely, patting the moss bed beside his. It scented faintly of her mother, Sandfern.
"I can explain what happened at the Gathering. With Hazelpaw." Hawkpool blurted. Oakstar sat down, clearly interested.
"Continue." He meowed, his eyes half closed from exhaustion.
"She, uh, Hazelpaw told me the apprentice… forced himself on her. He stole her innocence!" Hawkpool snarled, grinding the dirt beneath her paws furiously.
Oakstar jumped to his paws, his yellow-orange eyes widening in surprise and anger. "He. Did. What?" Oakstar hissed, his lips peeled back in a snarl identical to Hawkpool's.
"It wasn't her fault. I think we should have a talk with Fallenstar. Especially on the account, if she…" Hawkpool shivered. "Bears kits. I'm furious, I mean, she was only in the nursery less than a moon ago! She's barely going to seven moons!"
Oakstar growled under his breath, his greying whiskers billowing. "Should we fight for kits if she does?"
Hawkpool rubbed her temples with a paw. "If Fallenstar demands them, yes. I would prefer not to fight, as it's the rational thing to do, but I really want to make that ShadowClan scum bleed."
Oakstar raised his tail. "Careful there." He warned. "With that attitude, we're not going to get anywhere."
"I don't care about getting anywhere now!" Hawkpool roared. "I want to make him suffer for what he did to my kit!"
"Thornsnag would want the same!" Hawkpool blurted, shutting herself up the heartbeat the words left her mouth. "I mean… um, Hazelpaw would want the same. He tortured her. He raped her!"
Oakstar blinked slowly and raised an eyebrow slightly. "I'm sure she's confused and feels… used, but that doesn't mean we should charge into battle for no reason, my daughter."
Hawkpool sighed shakily, lashing her tail in annoyance and irritation. "It sort of does…" She muttered under her breath, but low for Oakstar to hear her.
"Also, before you go, I have one concern, with Reedpaw." Oakstar called out as Hawkpool stood to leave. She pricked her ears and turned her head.
"What about my son?' She asked, her voice slightly angsty.
"Hm, well, I'm worried about his interaction with Snailpaw. It's well… I can't place a claw on it, but it seems they get along only through fighting." Oakstar struggled to find the correct words, frowning to himself.
Hawkpool sniffed hotly with a faint smirk. "I know how they argue all day and every day, but trust me; they like each other. They just don't know it yet."
…
"Training, let's go, let's go!" Greywillow ordered, her voice raspy and loud as it broke through the apprentice den. Several groans were heard, except Birchpaw, who was already alert and standing beside Greywillow.
"Where's Briarfrost?' He asked, his voice clear as if he'd been up for a while already. Greywillow looked impressed with his 'early bird' attitude, and pointed her tail to the young warrior, who was sharing a breakfast fish with Ferretnose.
"Hazelpaw, get your lazy butt up and awake!" Snowfall crowed, peeking into the den. Hazelpaw teetered up, stumbling into his chest in a daze, looking intensely fearful.
"H-h-hey, are you okay?" Snowfall stammered, his icy blue eyes appearing concerned. She nodded quickly, not meeting his eyes.
"F-fine." She gulped, running off towards her friends, Spottedpaw, Shadepaw, and Breezepaw. Snowfall frowned after her, slumping down on his haunches.
"Hey, um, Snowfall? Is something wrong?" He heard Ivysky's voice behind, the whitish tabby whirling around. He opened his mouth to hiss at her, but he stopped himself short.
"I don't know." Snowfall shrugged, allowing Ivysky to sit beside him hesitantly. "I think something happened with Hazelpaw at the Gathering. More than her going at it with a ShadowClan cat. I'm not sure that's what happened." He looked at Hazelpaw, his face anxious. "I'm worried for her. She seems so afraid since she got back"
Ivysky frowned in thoughtfulness. "Maybe you should just talk to her. She doesn't bite. Often." She giggled to herself at the last part, managing a tiny grin from Snowfall.
"I couldn't talk to Hazelpaw, though." Snowfall mumbled. "I don't think she likes me. No one in this clan likes me…"
Ivysky nudged him good heartedly. "Hey, I like you."
He only rolled his eyes at her. "No, you like Runningclaw, my brother. Your mate." He sighed, groaning to himself. "Ugh, never mind! Just, um, leave me alone…"
Ivysky flinched slightly, standing and sighing heavily as she padded away, casting a sad glance back him briefly.
"Hazelpaw, we're on border patrol. You've had your breakfast." Snowfall meowed as he trotted up to her. "Let's get on going. The others are waiting for us by the Silver Tree."
Hazelpaw said a quick farewell to her three friends and quickly caught up with her mentor, walking side by side with him.
"So, uh, Haze, what exactly happened at the Gathering?" Snowfall blurted once they were out of earshot from camp. Hazelpaw's neutral look suddenly turned sour.
"Nothing important." She choked on the words, looking like she was holding her breath. Her pelt was cold with a uneasy chill from her nerves.
Snowfall gave Hazelpaw's forehead a comforting lick. "You don't have to tell me right now, but I need you to focus for this dawn patrol. Please."
Hazelpaw panted softly, looking dizzy. "I'll be fine." She said at last, shaking herself and forcing a smile. Snowfall didn't seem to buy it, but as they approached the Silver Tree, he didn't say any more.
"At last, you two!" Badgerfoot groaned, stretched as he stood. "We're already behind, so we have to be quick."
Hazelpaw looked slightly excited, her tail shivering with delight. "Can we swim? I could use some fishing practice, since I have trouble holding my breath." She admitted.
Spidertail twitched his whiskers thoughtfully. "Sure thing. We can go back after the patrol is finished."
Batpaw moaned in dismay. "But, Spidertail!" He protested, but was shut up when the older cat shot him a curt look.
Swiftpaw snorted in amusement, sticking out his tongue at Batpaw playfully. The black tom sniffed haughtily back.
"Stop your fighting, Swiftpaw." Pebbletail rolled his eyes at his apprentice. "I'll lead." He said, breaking into a steady trot as he and Swiftpaw began to lead towards the ThunderClan border.
Snowfall felt Hazelpaw's pelt brush past him, the she cat falling back. He looked around, quickly turning around and walking her slow pace beside her. "Okay, now I know something is wrong. Haze, please." He pleaded, his icy eyes seemingly to thaw out from concern.
Hazelpaw waddled in discomfort, her lips curled as if she was biting down to keep herself from speaking. Her different shaded eyes looked damp.
"I didn't eat this morning…" She groaned. "I feel sick…"
Snowfall wrapped his tail over her shoulders. "Is that all?" He asked, but Hazelpaw didn't answer.
"I was at the Gathering, you know? What were you doing with that ShadowClan warrior?" Snowfall persisted, unbeknownst to Hazelpaw who was on the verge of tears.
"Are you aware you two broke the warrior code? Is there something you're not telling me? Hazelpaw, please! You're scaring me!" Snowfall fretted, leaning down to meet her eyes.
Hazelpaw's lip quivered, and she broke out into tears, a heap of grey-brown sobbing fur. "I-I-I-I, I'm sorry!" She cried into her mentor's fur. "I just can't say!"
"If it's bothering you, and if you are in danger, you can always tell me." Snowfall whispered soothingly, letting her sob into his fluffy chest.
"I don't know, but he did do something weird…" Hazelpaw sniffled, swallowing the lump in her throat. "He pinned me and wouldn't let go and-" Hazelpaw stopped herself short. "It's hard to explain."
Snowfall pulled back, staring back at her in horror. "Did… he, um, actually, never mind." His face softened, pressing his nose to her forehead.
"You should get back to camp if you don't feel well." Snowfall said, standing up abruptly. "Maybe Morningfeather has something for you bellyache."
…
"Hazelpaw, you're not going to get any better if you don't eat. Now, stop picking at the fish and eat it." Morningfeather ordered, her voice slightly irritated. Hazelpaw pretended she didn't hear, flicking a fish scale form between her claws.
"Eat the fish, Hazelpaw!" Morningfeather growled, clearly exasperated. Hazelpaw lowered her head, staring at her stomach self-consciously.
"I don't feel well, like I'll throw up if I eat…" Hazelpaw admitted, looking away awkwardly. Morningfeather's expression of anger seemed to fade, now one of sympathy.
Morningfeather padded over, moving a paw over Hazelpaw's stomach slowly. Her face was blank. She pulled back her paw and sat beside Hazelpaw. "Well, you do seem a bit bloated. Maybe you should stay in here for the rest of the day."
Hazelpaw whined in disappointment. "What?! No! I was supposed to do battle training!"
Morningfeather shrugged. "I'm sorry, Hazelpaw. Your belly is hard to the touch and and you're complaining of it being painful. It'll be better for you to rest up."
Hazelpaw groaned loudly, rolling onto her side to relieve herself of some of the cramping. "You'll be fine." A voice chuckled from across the den.
Hazelpaw turned, her spirits lifting slightly as she saw Ivysky beside her only a few pawsteps away. "What are you doing here?" Hazelpaw asked, trying not to sound like she was in pain.
Ivysky purred. "I'm expecting." The young cat cringed slightly. "Though these cramps are unbearable. Morningfeather refuses to give me tansy, though."
Hazelpaw tipped her head. "How come?"
Ivysky sighed, though she was smiling. "She says it has a high chance of miscarrying the kits and they'd die the second they were born." Ivysky's smile had faded. "So, enduring the cramps is my main choice. It'll be worth it though. Runningclaw and I are going to be parents!"
Hazelpaw went dead quiet. Cramps? Expecting? Oh, StarClan, did Eelscar get me… no, no way. Morningfeather would know.
As if Morningfeather had heard Hazelpaw's thoughts, the golden cat spoke up from deeper inside the den. "The only conclusion I can come to, Hazelpaw, is you're a queen!" The she cat seemed to giggle at what she thought was a joke. "But that's silly! Giving birth would tear your fragile body in half. And if there were more than one…" Morningfeather trailed off.
"I'm sure you just need to use the dirt place, or you just need to eat." Morningfeather quickly changed the subject, unknowing to Hazelpaw who'd gone cold in terror.
Snowfall padded inside the den, instantly frowning at the fish Hazelpaw hadn't eaten. "Hazelpaw, c'mon. What's the matter? You have to eat."
She shook her head, ignoring how her belly growled loudly. Snowfall's face contorted into one of irritation. "Starving yourself isn't going to solve anything!" He hissed. "Believe me, I know! It just makes you hungrier and when you actually eat again, you end up eating twice as much! Starving yourself isn't going to make anyone love you more! It only makes the ones who do care about you worry their pelts off!"
Hazelpaw flinched at his sudden outburst. She stared at her mentor in pure shock. Snowfall looked down and away. "I don't want that for you…" He whispered. "Because I care about you."
Snowfall peeked upwards, catching Hazelpaw's eyes. The apprentice found herself unable to look away, his eyes like blue magnets to her own blue eyes. They stood unmoving for what seemed like the longest few heartbeats of her life, and when he looked away all flustered, she found herself still staring at him.
"Just, uh, finish your dinner." He muttered quickly, leaving the medicine den without another look at her.
"That was weird." Hazelpaw commented. "He just-"
Ivysky interrupted her with a high pitched squealing sound, her eyes sparkling and her mouth stretched into a wide grin. Morningfeather had a silly look on her face, her mouth open, but making no sound.
"What?" Hazelpaw asked, completely clueless. Ivysky scoffed as if it was obvious.
"Oh my StarClan, Hazelpaw! How are you so blind?" Morningfeather squeaked in excitement. "It's so obvious!"
"Maybe it would be of you told me." Hazelpaw grumbled.
"He likes you, Hazelpaw! Snowfall has a crush on you! A huge one it looks like!" Ivysky squealed, her grin looking like it would stretch her face or burst.
Hazelpaw's face heated up, like she had stuck it into a fire. "No! H-he doesn't. Plus, what if someone hears you?"
Morningfeather rolled her eyes. "No one ever comes in here."
"Yeah, he was really sad when you couldn't finish the patrol with him. I swear he almost tucked his tail in." Ivysky chuckled. Hazelpaw prevented herself from making nonsense noises of protest.
"Come on, you both are making things up." Hazelpaw stuttered, chewing at a claw.
"Am not!" Morningfeather and Ivysky objected in unison.
Hazelpaw didn't say anything, only a little glad the cramps had faded slightly. She stared out across camp, catching Snowfall's eye.
Hazelpaw smiled at him.
Snowfall smiled back.
A/N
Wow, I did not mean to make this dark but my fingers kept typing. I apologize if this content was offending in any way. That's why there was a warning at the first A/N of this chapter. Don't forget to leave a review on what you'd like to see next. (This story might be going on a brief hiatus after another chapter or two)
And I looked it up: it is possible to feel cramps after conception
EDIT: I need y'all the review on which she cat you'd like to see more of, one we don't much about. Thanks!
Allegiances
RiverClan
Leader: Oakstar: a muscular black tom with pale ginger paws and a white muzzle
Deputy: Reedflight: a tawny-brown tom with black paws
Medicine cat: Morningfeather: a pretty golden she cat with peach-gold markings
Apprentice: Breezepaw
Warriors
Hawkpool: a slick black she cat with a fluffy white chest and heather red eyes
Apprentice: Snailpaw
Willowleap: a silvery she cat with dark green eyes
Runningclaw: blue-grey and white tom with dark green eyes
Apprentice: Tigerpaw
Gorseheart: light brown tabby tom
Treeshadow: a dark brown tabby tom with light brown paws
Weaselclaw: brown tom with darker stripes
Pebbletail: a grey tom with darker stripes and amber eyes
Apprentice: Swiftpaw
Snowfall: a white tom with very faint stripes and icy blue eyes
Apprentice: Hazelpaw
Creeksplash: a pretty silver tabby she cat
Greywillow: a silvery grey she cat
Apprentice: Silverpaw
Badgerfoot: a black and white tom
Antclaw:a dark ginger tabby tom with a pale ginger tail
Spidertail: an almost black tom with a short tail
Apprentice: Batpaw
Duskflower: a dark grey she cat
Flowerpelt: pretty tortoiseshell she cat with a brown petal-shaped mark on her forehead
Apprentice: Shadepaw
Mothleg: a brown mottled tom with short legs
Rowanstorm: dark brown tabby tom
Apprentice: Spottedpaw
Hickorynose: a grey-brown tom with flecked fur
Shadeleap: an almost black she cat with silver ear tips
Apprentice: Whitepaw
Ferretnose: dark brown tom with paler paws
Juniperfur: dark grey tabby she cat
Ivysky: a brown-ginger she cat with white stripes
Splashspirit: soft black she cat with very faint spots
Apprentice: Reedpaw
Jayheart: black tom with a single grey ear, paws and tail
Doestripe: brown she cat with a black paw and white muzzle
Briarfrost: dark brown she cat with grey paws
Apprentice: Birchpaw
Trouttail: dark silver tabby tom
Petalwish: pale grey she cat with golden spots
Marigoldfur: a pretty golden she cat with dark brown flecks
Apprentices
Breezepaw: a dark grey she cat with black bubble like spots and milky blue eyes
Whitepaw: a thick furred white tom with half a black tail, paws, ears and chest
Birchpaw: a brown tabby mottled tom
Hazelpaw: a brownish grey she cat with hazel-brown stripes and blaze
Reedpaw: a chocolate brown tom with a fluffy hazel-brown chest and white stripes with blue-green eyes
Batpaw: a black tabby tom with pale amber eyes
Shadepaw: a fluffy greyish tabby she cat
Tigerpaw: a dark brown tom with tabby stripes legs
Silverpaw: a light silver tabby she cat with white paws
Snailpaw: a pale cream she cat with cocoa markings, silver chest and white paws
Spottedpaw: a dark cream she cat with cocoa spots, black blaze and a silver chest
Swiftpaw: a silver tom with brown and black splotches
Queens
Mistsong: blue-grey tabby she cat (mother to Ashkit, Blizzardkit and Icekit; four moons old)
Puddlewhisker: a grey she cat with white stripes (mother to Dewkit, Webkit, Palekit and Fernkit; four moons old)
Sandfern: pale ginger she cat with black stripes (mother of Finchkit and Newtkit; three moons old)
Petalwish: pale grey she cat with golden spots (mother to Brightkit, Nightkit and Mistkit; three moons old)
Elders
Bramblewhisker: brown tabby tom, deaf in one ear (completely torn)
Yellowlily: a still young yellow-gold she cat (retired early due to failed hearing)
Honeysnow: a beautiful golden she cat with snow white flecks (retired early to badger attack injury)
Kits
Ashkit: a light grey tom with pale grey paws and underbelly with green eyes
Blizzardkit: pale silver tabby she cat with icy blue eyes
Icekit: a pale grey tom with white splotches
Dewkit: a blue-grey tabby she cat with white stockings
Webkit: a pale grey tom with jagged black stripes and paws
Palekit: a white she kit with faint silver flecks
Fernkit: a dark grey tom with black ears, stripes and tail
Finchkit: a bright ginger-brown she cat with black ears, paws and dark tabby stripes
Newtkit: a slick black tom with faded ginger-brown ears, paws and underbelly
Brightkit: a light orangish-ginger tabby with golden flecks
Nightkit: a stocky black tom with a white chest and tail tip
Mistkit: a grey tabby she cat with black paws and tail
ThunderClan
Leader: Cloudstar: a white tom with a large scar between neck and shoulder
Deputy: Rainstorm: a blue grey tabby mottled tom with a scarred eye
Apprentice: Nightpaw
Medicine cat: Redbreeze: a ginger she cat with faint swirl like marks and a greying muzzle
Apprentice: Moonwing: black she cat with white paws, chest and a half moon on her muzzle
Warriors
Flamefoot: a bright ginger tom with very faint markings
Apprentice: Rabbitpaw
Mouseclaw: pale brown tom with yellow eyes
Lionfang: a muscular golden tabby tom
Apprentice: Lightningpaw
Blizzardshade: a very pale grey tom with white flecks
Jaytalon: a white tom with a smooth black chest and jay blue eyes
Apprentice: Streampaw
Sugarbreeze: a cream tabby with dark lime green eyes
Leaftail: brown tabby tom
Apprentice: Dovepaw
Shyleaf: a grey and silver tabby she cat
Apprentice: Pepperpaw
Huntshadow: a handsome stocky white tom with a black overcoat
Apprentice: Specklepaw
Heatherblossom: tortoiseshell she cat with white paws and chest
Apprentice: Nutpaw
Brackenfang: a tortoiseshell tom
Apprentice: Stonepaw
Snowwing: a fluffy white she cat with blue grey eyes
Apprentice: Squirrelpaw
Mousepelt: a brown tabby she cat with white paws
Apprentices
Nightpaw: a silky black she cat with white paws, ears, chest and half a white tail with one blind blue eye
Dovepaw: a blue-grey tabby she cat with almost red eyes
Squirrelpaw: a ginger tom with a thick fluffy tail
Rabbitpaw: a brown-cream tom with a pale underbelly
Specklepaw: an almost black she cat with dappled flecks
Streampaw: a white she cat with grey stripes
Stonepaw: dark grey tom with light grey flecks
Nutpaw: light brown tom with pale silver stripes
Pepperpaw: a dark cream she kit with black flecks, paws and ears
Lightningpaw: a golden tabby tom with a pale underbelly
Queens
Sugarbreeze: a cream tabby with dark lime green eyes
Cardinalheart: a reddish ginger she cat with pale blue eyes (mother to Scarletkit, Robinkit and Berrykit; four moons)
Aspenheart: a black and white tabby she cat (mother to Frostkit and Kestrelkit; three moons)
Elders
Blackpelt: a senior black tom with green eyes and a greying muzzle
Tulipwood: a cream and black she cat with impossibly blue eyes
Kits
Scarletkit: a sunset ginger she kit with a faint overcoat and a tail tip
Robinkit: a dark ginger tabby tom with black paws
Berrykit: a bright ginger she kit with dark brown flecks
Pepperkit: a dark cream she kit with black flecks, paws and ears
Lightningkit: a golden tabby tom with a pale underbelly
Frostkit: a pale white tabby tom
Kestrelkit: a whitish grey tom with ginger tabby splotches
ShadowClan
Leader: Fallenstar: a black she cat with pale grey flecks a twisted front paw
Deputy: Spiderheart: a creamy tom with long legs
Apprentice: Lunarpaw
Medicine cat: Thymetail: brown tabby she cat with a single silver paw
Apprentice: Firepaw
Warriors
Crowblaze: a young black tom with a long tail
Shadefang: a light grey tom with dark grey stripes; mute
Flintfire: a faded, dark ginger tabby tom with blazing yellow eyes
Darkflame: dark grey she cat with ginger stripes
Apprentice: Eelpaw
Dapplefur: brown tabby she cat
Littleflower: a pale golden-brown tabby she cat
Stripeface: a handsome, slick grey tabby tom
Apprentice: Solarpaw
Swiftfang: broad faced cream tom
Olivestep: dark brown she cat with light brown markings
Forestclaw: grey tabby tom
Apprentice: Cliffpaw
Patchlight: a small calico she cat
Ashenclaw: a tall muscled dark grey tabby mottled tom
Russetthorn: a dark ginger tabby tom with paler stripes
Apprentice: Breezepaw
Kestrelfur: a brown-ginger flecked tom with long claws and tufted fur
Apprentices
Firepaw: dark ginger-grey she cat with a light grey paw
Eelpaw: a yellow-grey tabby tom with slimy yellowish eyes
Cliffpaw: a light brown tabby tom
Breezepaw: a creamish white tabby tom
Lunarpaw: a dark grey mottled tabby she cat with silver eyes like moonlight
Solarpaw: a yellow-golden mottled tabby she cat with amber eyes like sunlight
Queens
Dustsnow: dusky brown she cat with almost black splotches (expecting Stripeface's)
Daisystripe: dark cream she cat with black stripes (expecting Spiderheart's kits)
Thornyflower: light brown mottled she cat with a missing ear (mother to Brackenkit, Duskkit and Lionkit; three moons)
Cindersong: a beautiful silver mottled she cat with pale ginger ears (expecting Swiftfang's kits)
Kits
Brackenkit: a small dark golden tabby tom
Duskkit: a brownish grey tabby tom with dark blue eyes
Lionkit: dark golden tom with jagged dark brown stripes
WindClan
Leader: Flamestar: dark ginger tom with a paler tail and facial stripes
Deputy: Fernbreeze: a pale grey and brown tabby she cat
Medicine cat: Blueberry: a light blue grey she cat with very faint markings
Apprentice: Mintleaf: a white and grey she cat with dark green eyes
Warriors
Sedgelight: a silver and white tabby she cat with light brown flecks
Brightcloud: a white she cat with ginger splotches
Deersong: a dark brown she cat with light stripes and ears
Apprentice: Starlingpaw(unofficial)
Pebblefrost: a dark silver tom with a white muzzle
Birchfoot: a tan and brown tabby tom
Apprentice: Tansypaw
Falconflame: dark brown mottled tom with grey stockings
Owlnose: a brown and white tom
Whitefur a long haired white tom
Apprentice: Emberpaw
Frostberry: silver she cat with cream stripes
Dustfang: a pale dusty brown tom with black stripes
Barkflower: dusty brown she cat with white stripes
Apprentice: Pearpaw
Apprentices
Emberpaw: dark ginger tom with light underbelly, paws, and ringed tail
Starlingpaw: a grey and ginger tomkit
Pearpaw: a dark grey and white she kit
Tansypaw: a light grey she kit with a ginger tail
Queens
Stormwind: a silver she cat with a black tail (expecting Flamestar's kits)
Brindleleaf: a golden brown she cat with dark blue eyes (mother to Pinekit, Lionkit, Skykit and Foxkit; five moons old)
Mosspetal: a grey mottled she cat (mother to Seedkit and Cherrykit; quarter moon old)
Elders
Stonefoot: a senior speckled grey tom
Lilypelt: a white and silver she cat
Kits
Pinekit: a slick brown tabby mottled tomkit with a golden tinge
Lionkit: a dark brownish golden she kit with dark green eyes
Skykit: a pale brown tabby she kit with bright blue eyes
Foxkit: a dark golden-ginger tomkit with darker stripes and pale green eyes
Seedkit: a greyish golden mottled tomkit
Cherrykit: a pale ginger she kit with light grey flecks and paws
Rogues and Others
Starlight: a pale ginger tabby she cat with a white underbelly and paws (mother to Maplekit, Littlekit, Featherkit, Butterscotch, and Ryekit)
Swiftpaw: a black and white splotched tom
Redwhisker: dark ginger tom with white splotches and pinkish whiskers
Alastair: an elderly ginger tabby tom with folded in ears
Blade: a tall, dark grey tom with black paws
Orion: a dark, blue-grey tom with white flecks and sky blue eyes
Wendall: a light brown tabby tom with a white underbelly and a scar down one eye
Adeline: a senior siamese she cat with a collar and a heart shaped name tag (twins with Adelaide)
Adelaide: a senior siamese she cat with a bell collar with the name etched into the collar itself (twins with Adeline)
Migra: a dark grey she cat with silvery swirl stripes and omniscient violet eyes
Wari: a fluffy black tom kit with round blue eyes (four moons old; sister is Ange)
Ange: a pale grey she kit with a black tail and ears and pale violet-bluish eyes (four moons old; brother is Wari)
Owl: a pure fluffy white tom with one green eye and one blue eye
Peaches: a pinkish-orange she cat with darker ears and blaze
Muffin: a chubby pale brown tabby she cat with golden flecks (foster mother to Miffie)
Miffie: a large, chocolate lab-pit she dog (foster mothered by Muffin)
Nicky: a lithe, grey tom with faint rings around his tail, light grey chest tuft, underbelly and toe tips.
Castiel: a pitch black tom with a jagged scar over his right paw and startlingly blue eyes
Evie: a small, pale grey she cat with silver and different shaded grey dapples with amber eyes
Mist: light silver tabby she cat with green eyes (mother to Nicky, Castiel, Evie, Sap, Bat, Feather and Jump)
Dragon: muscular, mulchy brown tom with black markings and yellow-green eyes (Father to Sap, Bat, Feather and Jump)
Sap: a golden tabby she kit with amber eyes (two moons old)
Bat: dark brown she kit with light green eyes and severely nicked ears (two moons old)
Feather: a silver tabby she kit with messy fur (two moons old)
Jump: a black tom with amber eyes and long legs (two moons)
Somnium: a slick furred grey flecked tom with an expensive blue collar (Latin for fancy)
Senioque: a puffy, grey flecked she cat with ruffled and dirty fur (Latin for mangy)
Lijep: a lean, ragdoll she cat with a poofy tail (Croatian for beautiful)
Celeste: a timid cream tabby she cat with light blue eyes
Toffee: a dark chocolate tabby she cat with sharp amber eyes and a rebellious personality
Velvet: a squeamish, reddish-ginger she cat with ruffled fur and yellow eyes
Maplekit: a ginger-brown she kit with yellowy swirls and white paws
Littlekit: a pure white tom with bright blue eyes
Featherkit: a pretty silver tabby she kit with a white chest and yellow-green eyes with pinkish whiskers
Ryekit: a yellow-brown tabby tom with a poofy white chest and paws
Butterscotch: a pale ginger tabby she kit with with a white underbelly and paws with a ginger-brown stripe down her head to tail