I'm back once again in short order, with more words typed in a little less than a week's time for this story than words I've typed for what I consider my main projects in over two months. Chapters have been a bit shorter than I would like them to be, but it's acceptable since right now it's more about establishing characters and the inter-clan relationships than it is actually furthering the plot. I'd say maybe two or three more chapters, possibly four depending on how I feel about it, and then things will pick up a bit more. I kinda wanna focus on building the world around the story before I get into the actual plot, which is what every scene not focusing on Waspkit is intended for. It's Warriors, but it's zero of the cats we know. I'll work out a full character sheet and allegiances and everything, then put it at the end of the Prologue and add it to the end of every chapter that it gets updated. But enough of that, I do believe it's time I get to what we all came here for: the story.

The forest was alive with chirping, squeaking, and tweeting. A mouse scurried from its burrow beneath a tree, looking for something to feed on. It froze suddenly, raising its head and looking around. After a few heartbeats it scurried for a bush, sensing danger. Just before it made it to safety, crimson paws slammed down on it, a quick nip from matching colored jaws sending it into blackness.

A crimson and black cat crouched over the mouse, silent for a moment, then stood and opened their eyes. Green eyes looked around, searching for movement, then lowered towards the ground as they lowered their head and lifted the mouse from the forest floor. Glancing around, they turned and padded in the direction of the rising sun. They ignored any other prey that they heard scurrying to safety, and a short time later they padded into a small clearing where several other cats lounged about in the sun.

"Hey, Alder, how's the hunting?" called a brown tabby. The crimson and black tom flicked his ear, setting the mouse down in a small dip in the ground.

"It's absolutely terrible, Oak," he replied dryly, the tabby flicking their tail in amusement. "All I could find was a mouse."

"Yeah, more like a mouse is all you bothered to catch," another tabby, this one orange, commented. "You've been in a slump for a while. What's up?"

"Oh, nothing," Alder replied as he padded over, laying down a tail-length from the tom. "Just felt like I should let the other hunters have a chance, is all."

"Yeah, sure," the orange tabby said, rolling his eyes.

"I don't see you going out any, Dandelion," Alder replied, Oak watching them with interest from where he lay. "Not like you got any excuse anymore."

"Says the tom who brought back a single mouse," Dandelion said, scoffing. His expression softened. "Seriously though, what's wrong with you?"

"Nothing's wrong with me, Dandelion," Alder answered, looking towards where he'd padded into the clearing. "I just...feel like I should be somewhere else."

"Right," Dandelion said, rolling his eyes. "Well, Holly said she wanted to see you. So you should probably go."

"Ugh, what's mother want now?" Alder asked, standing up.

"No idea," Dandelion replied, looking up at him. "Don't keep her waiting, though."

"Yeah, yeah," his brother muttered, padding towards the smallest den in the clearing. He slipped inside, finding Holly waiting.

"Alder, what a pleasure," the she-cat said, flicking her tail in an indication to sit. He did so.

"What is it you wanted to see me about, mother?" he asked, gaze directed at the ground.

"Where's that she-cat you kept sneaking out to see?" Holly asked, narrowing her eyes. He raised his gaze, eyes wide.

"I'm...sorry?" he questioned, playing confused.

"Oh, please. Alder, I'm your mother. I know when my kits are keeping secrets," the black-furred she-cat said, standing up. "I want to meet her."

"Oh, uh..." He averted his gaze. "She left," he said after a moment, looking at Holly hesitantly.

"And where did she go?" she asked, the tom shrugging.

"I don't know," he answered. "She never told me where she was from. Just that it was a long trek."

Holly was silent a long moment, staring at him. He met her gaze, and after a few heartbeats she huffed, conceding. "Alright," she said, sitting back down. "Then we'll have to track her down."

"W-what?" Alder asked, tilting his head.

"What? You think I'm just going to leave it alone?" Holly questioned, scoffing. She stood, stepping around the tom, their pelts brushing as she wound her way behind him and to his other side. "She captured your heart, dragged your attention away from your family, and then ran off when she realized you'd fallen for her. She broke your heart, and I'm just supposed to ignore it? What kind of mother would I be if I did that?"

Alder remained silent a long moment, his heart racing. "O-of course, mother," he said, forcing himself to calm down and look at her. "Thank you for looking out for me."

"Oh, it's nothing," Holly replied, moving back to her nest and facing him. "I would do the same for your brothers and sisters. All of them."

"And we're all thankful," Alder said, swallowing nervously. "Should I tell the others?"

"No," Holly answered, sitting down. "We'll wait a while longer. Let Beech kit and wean, and then we'll set out."

"Of course," Alder said, bowing his head. "Shall I bring you some fresh-kill?"

"No thank you," Holly replied, laying down and getting comfortable. "I'll eat after sun-high. You may go, however."

Dipping his head, the crimson-furred tom turned and padded out of her den. He walked over to Dandelion, unable to hide the fear in his eyes. His brother noticed, of course, but he seemed to recognize that it would be unwise to bring it up.

"You wanna train?" he asked instead, Alder looking at him in surprise. "We can get Oak involved, get him off his tail for once."

"He probably needs it more," Alder joked, nodding his head. Dandelion chuckled and stood, both toms approaching Oak. The brown tabby looked up at them, worry in his eyes.

"Oh no," he said, clearly already realizing what they had in mind.

It had been a moon since Ivytail had met with the other medicine cats, and the discoloration around Waspkit's eye still refused to go away. Aside from that, though, the kit remained perfectly healthy. It didn't seem like it would ever go away, which under normal circumstances would worry him. However, he had come to terms with the fact Waspkit remained in good health, and that the discoloration did not affect his ability to see.

A sigh escaped him as he padded through the forest, searching for herbs. Greypelt, one of Thunderclan's older warriors and the tom who'd fathered him, walked beside him. He was pleasant company, even if he knew next to nothing about herbs.

"So, what is it we're looking for again?" the grey-furred tom asked, Ivytail closing his eyes.

'Starclan give me strength' he thought, opening his eyes and looking at Greypelt. "Borage, for one," he said. "It would be nice if we could collect some coltsfoot and cobwebs, too, but borage is a must. Dustpelt will be kitting soon, and you're both a little old to be having kits."

Greypelt frowned. "We're not that old," he replied somewhat indignantly. "We both still have a while before we need to join the elders."

"I give both of you by the time Waspkit becomes a warrior," Ivytail commented. "And that's assuming you both remain in perfect health and don't get injured or sick between now and then."

"Starclan above, you could at least say it nicer," Greypelt muttered, Ivytail's expression softening.

"I'm sorry," he said, laying his tail on the older tom's back. "I've just been under a lot. Keeping an eye on Waspkit, making sure his eye remains clean, and making sure Brownkit doesn't be too rough with him, to name a few. Cloverfoot isn't worried, but..."

"Yeah," his father said, his gaze cast towards the forest floor. He raised it, looking at Ivytail, a smile on his muzzle. "I still remember when you two would sneak out of camp at night. Oh, Jaystar was furious when she caught you coming back into camp."

"Oh, please don't..." Ivytail whined. "We were 'paws. We moved past that."

"You mean she moved past it," Greypelt corrected, and this time it was his turn to rest his tail across Ivytail's back. "I don't think you ever did."

"Maybe not," Ivytail admitted, sighing. "But I won't let it interfere with my duties."

"I know you won't," his father replied. "I'm proud of you. And so is Dustpelt. You're a stronger cat than either of us."

"Just a whisker," Ivytail said teasingly, Greypelt huffing and retracting his tail. They both chuckled and started walking again, and it wasn't much longer before they came across a small patch of borage.

Ivytail let out a breath of relief, showing his father how to pick it correctly. They both got as much as they could carry, nearly picking the patch clean, and turned to set off for camp. Ivytail paused as a scent crossed his nose, turning his head.

'Shadowclan?' he wondered, confused. After a moment he brushed it off, turning his head back. Greypelt was waiting a few tail-lengths away, and he started padding as Ivytail reached him. 'We are near the border. Probably just a fresh scent marking wafting this way.'

It wasn't until they arrived back at camp that he realized the scene had followed them, which he attributed to the borage in his mouth. Snakepelt was talking to Jaystar, a smaller cat next to him. Ivytail tilted his head, but put placing his herbs in his den above his curiosity for the moment.

When he was done he padded out into the open, approaching Snakepelt and Jaystar. A glance towards the nursery revealed Waspkit and Brownkit watching from the entrance. Cloverfoot was washing herself a tail-length away, while Cherrytail – Brownkit's mother – was walking towards the nursery with a squirrel in her jaws.

Tigerstripe, a younger warrior, was watching Snakepelt from next to the warrior's den. He seemed suspicious, though not hostile. Ivytail was relieved.

"Ah, Snakepelt, here's Ivytail." Jaystar's words brought the tom's attention back to the three, both Snakepelt and the mystery cat turning to face him.

"Ivytail, there's my favorite Thundercat!" Snakepelt said excitedly. "And here I thought you only left camp for half-moon and the gatherings."

"A surprise, to be sure," Ivytail replied playfully.

"But a welcome one," Snakepelt said. He blinked, as if coming to a realization. "Ah, right. I almost forgot the other reason for my visit." He looked down at the mystery cat, nudging them gently. They stood up, stepping forward and dipping their head in greeting.

"I'm Ratpaw!" they said, their tail-tip shaking in excitement. Understanding dawned in Ivytail's head.

"Snakepelt, you didn't," he said, looking at the older tom. A smile formed on the Shadowclan tom's muzzle, which caused one to form on Ivytail's in turn. "Starclan above, you finally found yourself a wide eyed brat."

Ratpaw looked up at Snakepelt in confusion, then returned her gaze to Ivytail. She seemed to understand it was a joke between them.

"Yeah, well..." Snakeplet shrugged. "I had a scare with a sprained paw shortly after our meeting at the moonpool, and Ratpaw – Ratkit at the time – volunteered to help me. She was a natural, and curious. So I talked it over with Rosestar, and after another brief talk with Stripepelt and Mousewhisker, I decided I would ask her if she would like to become my apprentice when she reached six moons old. Which was only a few days ago."

Ivytail recalled that Stripepelt and Mousewhisker had been the cats Rosestar had talked about having kits several gatherings ago, and he assumed they must be Ratpaw's parents.

"Well, I'm proud of you," he said, looking down at Ratpaw. "And I'm pleased to meet you."

"Likewise, Ivytail," the she-cat said. "Snakepelt has told me a lot about you."

"I'm sure he has," Jaystar interrupted. "Snakepelt, you said you had another reason for your visit."

"Oh, right, of course. Sorry," the tom said, turning his gaze to Ivytail. He glanced around, then leaned his head forward. "We're running low on herbs. Our territory hasn't been kind recently, and my stock is starting to brown."

"Say no more," Ivytail said. "I just picked some borage, and I have plenty of other herbs if you need them. If Jaystar will allow it, I'll be more than glad to help you transport whatever you need."

"Are you sure you have enough to spare?" Jaystar asked. Ivytail nodded without hesitation.

"I'm sure," he answered, looking to both Snakepelt and Ratpaw. "Come with me to my den."

He turned and padded towards his den, hearing the two Shadowclan medicine cats following him. They didn't spend long, clearly deciding to take the bare minimum they needed. He wanted to tell them to take anything they needed, but he also had to be practical. That meant he couldn't.

"Thank you for your generosity," Snakepelt said, a bundle of herbs at his paws. The three medicine cats stood near the camp entrance. "It means everything to me."

"I would be a poor excuse of a medicine cat if I turned away cats in need," Ivytail replied. "Rockfur always taught me to help those in need, wherever they're from. And that's what I'm doing."

"Your mentor was a good cat," Snakepelt said fondly. "An even better friend. You're filling his paws nicely."

"Thank you," Ivytail said. He smiled fondly as memories played back in his head. "You've been a good friend yourself."

"It's the least I could do," the Shadowclan tom replied. He leaned in. "Now get yourself your own wide eyed brat."

"Well, Greypelt and Mousewhisker are having another litter, so who knows, I might just do that," he said. Snakepelt chuckled.

"Siblings don't count," he said, nudging Ivytail playfully. He rolled his eyes as Snakepelt lowered his head and picked up the herb bundle, Ratpaw holding a smaller bundle in her own jaws. They both dipped their heads in thanks, Ivytail returning it, then turned and walked out of the camp and into the forest beyond.

Waiting a few moments, Ivytail turned and padded back towards his den. As he did so, Sorrelstripe appraoched him. He acknowledged the she-cat with a dip of his head, lost in thought and not noticing her nervous expression as a result. "Ivytail," she said, getting his attention properly. He looked at her.

"Sorry," he said. "Lost in thought."

"It happens," she conceded, and now he noticed the nervous look in her eyes. He sat down, givign her his full attention. She glanced around, then leaned forward. "I think I might be expecting kits."

Blinking in surprise, he pulled his head back. He couldn't recall ever seeing her being especially close with any other cat. "T-that's great," he said, not yet sure why she was nervous besides it being her first little. "Is there an issue?"

"Uh, well..." She averted her gaze, then slightly inclined her head towards the camp entrance. His eyes widened.

"Sorrelstripe, don't tell me..." He trailed off, the she-cat's clear avoiding of his gaze all the answer he needed. "We have to tell Jaystar."

"No!" she hissed, and now there was fear in her eyes. "Ivytail, you have to help me. There must be something you can do."

"No herb I know of is capable of reversing a pregnancy," he said, shaking his head. "Whatever you decide, Jaystar has to be told."

"Oh, I know!" she said, eyes widening as an idea came to her. "Are there any cats in camp that like me?"

He scoffed. "Sorrelstripe, I'm not going to help you manipulate a Thunderclan tom into thinking the kits are his," he said, almost angry at the suggestion. She stared at him a long moment, then deflated and hung her head.

"I understand," she said quietly, turning and padding away. He watched her, then closed his eyes as guilt pulled at his heart.

"Starclan forgive me," he muttered, quickly padding after her. She turned, clearly surprised. He sighed. "I overheard Cloverfoot and Cherrytail discussing Tigerstripe being fond of you."

"Thank you," Sorrelstripe said, the tom shaking his head.

"Don't thank me," he said, disgusted with himself. "Just make sure you tell Jaystar. Or else I will."

Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked back to his den. He couldn't believe he'd told her what he had. He could play it off as being for the sake of the unborn kits inside of her, but he knew what he'd done was wrong. There was no doubt about it. And nothing could convince him otherwise.

Across the camp from Ivytail's den, Waspkit was busy playfighting with Brownkit as they were wont to do. He got distracted when he noticed Sorrelstripe talking to Tigerstripe, and Brownkit was all too happy to take advantage of it. The brown-furred tom bowled him over, Waspkit bringing his attention back to the pretend battle.

By the time he got a chance to look once more, Sorrelstripe and Tigerstripe were walking through the camp entrance and out into the forest. He was curious what they were talking about.

When Sorrelstripe and Tigerstripe returned, the tom had an almost ecstatic expression. Sorrelstripe looked happy, but more than anything she looked nervous. Ivytail looked up as they entered, meeting the she-cat's gaze. He stood up, grabbing the half-eaten mouse in his jaws and padding to his den. Tigerstripe noticed the fur on his hackles having lifted somewhat, looking at Sorrelstripe curiously. She said nothing, shaking her head in silent response.

Almost immediately after Ivytail had walked into his den, he walked right back out, sans mouse. Sorrelstripe watched as he padded over to where Jaystar and Brackenfur were sharing a pigeon, meowing something to the both of them and glancing over at her. Jaystar and Brackenfur both looked over at her, looked at each other, then lowered their heads and finished eating the pigeon. As they got up and made their way to the leader's den, Ivytail padded towards her.

"Sorrelstripe, Jaystar said she wanted to see you in her den," he said, and as soon as he'd relayed the message he turned and went up to the leader's den.

"What's that about?" Tigerstripe asked, looking at her.

"Not sure," she answered. The tom leaned over and licked her cheek.

"Probably nothing to worry about," he said reassuringly. She looked at him, smiling thankfully.

"You're probably right," she agreed. "Still, I better not keep them waiting."

"Do you want anything to eat from the fresh-kill pile?" he inquired as she stood up.

"Uh, do you mind sharing a squirrel?" she asked. His eyes shone.

"Not at all," he answered, standing and padding towards the fresh-kill pile as she made her way to the leader's den.

Entering the hole in the cliff face, Sorrelstripe looked around at the three cats waiting for her. "You wanted to see me, Jaystar?" she questioned, clearly on edge.

"Ivytail told me that you had news," Jaystar replied, narrowing her eyes. Sorrelstripe looked at Ivytail, jaws parting slightly.

"Uh...yeah, yeah, I do," she said. "I just had hoped to wait a bit longer to tell you."

"Well, you sounded so certain when you came to me," Ivytail said, tilting his head. She glared at him, tail lashing, then looked at Jaystar.

"I, um...I believe I'm expecting kits," she admitted, Jaystar blinking.

"Oh, um, great," she said, confused. "I'm not sure what that has to do with me, though. We're not related."

"When's the last time you saw her hanging out with Tigerstripe?" Ivytail asked, looking at Jaystar. "Besides today. Let alone just them, for extended periods?"

Sorrelstripe looked between the two cats, watching as understanding dawned on Jaystar's face. Brackenfur was somewhat slow on the uptake, but it only took a moment before he inhaled sharply, looking at her with wide eyes.

"Starclan above, not another one," Jaystar muttered, hanging her head. "Alright. Fine. Just please tell me it's a rogue we'll never see again."

"Not...exactly," Sorrelstripe answered hesitantly. "You know Kestrelheart, right?"

"Oh, Starclan above, why did it have to be a Windclan warrior?" Brackenfur whispered, sighing heavily. "I suppose it could be worse, though. Could be Riverclan or Shadowclan."

"Could be better, too," Ivytail pointed out. "Ideally it would have been Tigerstripe, but a loner or a kittypet would have been a preferable second choice over a cat from another clan."

"It's not like I planned it!" Sorrelstripe said defensively, looking surprisingly hurt. "When I went to meet him, I wanted to just...tell him it was a bad idea, and then come right back. But he was just...I don't know how to describe it. I sat down and talked, and then I just didn't want to leave. One thing lead to another..."

"You don't have to describe the process," Jaystar said. "And while I obviously do not condone it, I do understand what you mean. I'm with Brackenfur, aren't I?"

"You know you love me," Brackenfur teased, Jaystar looking over at him with an amused expression.

"You're...taking this a lot less...yellingly than I expected," Sorrelstripe said, looking between the three cats in obvious surprise. "I expected you to be angrier."

"Oh, we're definitely angry," Jaystar said, Brackenfur nodding. Ivytail didn't have to express his agreement. Sorrelstripe could tell. "However, we'll...postpone your punishment until after all is said and done. Well, most of it."

"Confinement?" Ivytail questioned.

"Confinement," Jaystar confirmed.

"Confinement?" Sorrelstripe asked, tilting her head.

"Confinement," Brackenfur repeated.

"Well, now that we've all gotten a word in..." Jaystar muttered. "Yes, you'll be facing confinement to the nursery the moment you begin showing. Whether you can still function as a warrior or not."

"I'd suggest making sure Tigerstripe will believe they're his," Brackenfur said, Sorrelstripe nodding.

"I suppose this is fair," she said. "If that's all, I think I'll go now. Tigerstripe is waiting for me."

"One last thing," Jaystar said as Sorrelstripe stood to leave. "Don't break his heart, if you can help it."

"I'll do my best," Sorrelstripe replied, dipping her head in farewell and walking out of the den.

The three cats deflated, sinking to a crouching position. They were all silent for a long moment.

"Could things get any worse?" Brackenfur muttered. Jaystar and Ivytail both glared at him, another moment passing before he realized. "I deserve that."