Chapter 12
Moon 44 | Frosty
Gingerleaf had woken to the good news that Rainstar had three kits and named them Dolphinkit, Bugkit, and Tawnykit. It was a welcomed sight for them to be born, however, the shadows of fear and doubt crawled through her pelt. Rainstar had lost her own kit before and there was no telling if it would happen again. Facing one's mortality was hard, even more so when those images burned into her mind's eye.
Only time would tell if the kits born now would be safe from a trying time. After all, the murderer was still out there and even if Gingerleaf had her suspicions, she was certain that even Rainstar had more of those suspicions. Rainstat had a cold exterior, but a deep warm love and care beneath it all. She had to in order to raise such fine warriors. Gingerleaf would know, she was trained alongside them before they became warriors and even took one of them as her own mate.
To add on to it all, her mother had finally gone into the Nursery. Her hazel eyes were full of hopes, hopes that Gingerleaf could only wish to believe herself. Haillaurel had confessed to her that she was hoping for a small litter, but it was difficult to say for sure until they arrived.
No matter how rocky Gingerleaf's relationship was with her leader, she still felt love and care for her mate. She could only wish that, one day, she could forgive Rainstar for hurting one of her younger sisters. She was harsh, yes, but even the dark ginger tabby knew she was a strong leader with big paw-steps to fill.
.
One day, Gingerleaf gave into her intrusive thoughts and asked Caveswoop to hunt by the Twoleg dens. She knew he might tell her no, but this time he hadn't. She wishes, even for a moment, that he had. She was careless and was spotted by a Twoleg, snatched up and taken into the den.
Caveswoop yowled and yowled outside the den until Gingerleaf found where it was loudest and the clear-ice was broken. Fear evident in her pale green eyes, she began to plan a way to escape the den to return home. Somehow, it worked and her own caterwauling was enough for them to meet again and, while leaning against Caveswoop's sturdy shoulder, she made it back home after so long.
Rainstar was displeased, eyes narrowed dangerously, forced to stay in the camp for one moon. Not that Gingerleaf could complain since it was her own fault.
.
During her punishment, Miyun and Seedblur had returned from a border patrol. They visited the nursery and reported to Rainstar of meeting a loner who was interested in their ways. Gingerleaf didn't catch the name or appearance of this cat, but she figured that Miyun and Seedblur would tell the others if needed.
Moon 45 | Long Night
As leafbare took hold of the beach, so did the welcome of Haillaurel's litter of kits. Two precious fur balls were born, yet even Gingerleaf could tell something was wrong with Haillaurel. Her mother looked much more tired than usual, which is to be expected. She isn't as young as she used to be. Yet, she seemed so weak as she glanced at the two bundles of joy at her belly.
Worry filled Gingerleaf, but she held fast to her faith and hoped for her mother's swift recovery. However, the Clan seemed to have grown after several days passed. Peakstreak and Seedblur had brought home a tom with a litter of kits. At first, no cat batted an eye about it; until they realized that the tom in question was not the kind to have kits.
"What happened to their mother?" Caveswoop asked.
The speckled light brown tom blinked sadly. "She didn't survive having them. The Vet had tried everything, but it was too late. Eagle, Stone, and Wood were all that were left. But when I ate something bad, the Twolegs kicked me and the kits out. Ever since, I've been trying to care for them on my own, but it's been hard."
"That's awful." Miyun whispered, anger flashing in her gaze. "At least you and your kits will be welcomed here, Rainstar will take you all in, I just know she will."
"Just give her some time." Gingerleaf meowed warmly, "Don't worry."
"Thank you." The light brown tom blinked warmly.
[ Pixel and his kits join StormClan. ]
For the first time since she had kitted, Rainstar was out of her den. Her gray eyes glittering like stars in the evening sun as she summoned the Clan with the familiar words ringing around the camp. Gingerleaf held her tail up with pride as she saw Splashpaw in the center of the clearing.
"It is a joyous day for our Clan to welcome a new warrior," She began, seeming strong as she narrowed her eyes. "Pansyspeck, are you certain that Splashpaw is ready to become a warrior?"
"More than ready." He replied, puffing his chest out.
"I, Rainstar, leader of StormClan, ask upon our ancestors of the Sea of Stars to look down upon this apprentice. She has trained hard to learn our ways and fish in the sea and we welcome her as a warrior in turn." The dark gray tabby meowed, looking back to the young she-cat. "Do you, Splashpaw, promise to protect and provide this Clan even at the cost of your life?"
"I do." She strongly replied.
"Then, with the powers bestowed upon me from the Sea of Stars, I give you your warrior name. Splashpaw, from this day forward, you will now be known as Splashbone. We honor you for your versatility and ability to teach others." Rainstar concluded, resting her chin on Splashbone's head and earning a lick on her shoulder fur.
"Now, Pixel and his kits are welcome to stay and join our ranks if they wish." The leader meowed warmly.
"We would be honored to." Pixel purred.
"Then next moon, your kits will begin their training, agreed?" Rainstar blinked curiously.
Pixel nodded as Gingerleaf watched, wondering if she would be lucky enough to become a mentor of one of them. After all, there were still plenty of moments to become one, or perhaps become a mother herself. She could only hope so after so long of tragedy within StormClan.
Moon 46 | Storm
Gingerleaf couldn't help but feel disappointed after the ceremony. Rainstar had done her usual summons from the Slanted-Deck and apprenticed Eagle, Stone, and Wood to their respective mentors. She couldn't help it, she had been waiting for what felt like moons to train a young cat. Yet, she knew she needed to be a good Clan-mate and cheer them on, especially for the prospects of Eaglepaw. Sleetcrash, in her old age, had finally chosen an apprentice and picked young Eaglepaw to learn the ways of healing.
Caveswoop, Gingerleaf's mate, had gotten Woodpaw to train; while Dorothyflow was chosen to train Stonepaw. She couldn't help but wish she had gotten Stonepaw so she could train apprentices alongside Caveswoop. However, there was still more chances and, if she was lucky, she could be chosen in the next few moons for one of the litters. It was just hard to see everyone else getting a chance, while she didn't get to at all. She understood that she may not be the best choice, but she could be a good mentor if they gave her a chance!
.
Days passed as Gingerleaf had to make do with hearing how the training was going for the new apprentices through her mate's pride. She was no longer as unhappy as before and found it sort of cute with how puffed up Caveswoop was about how well Woodpaw was picking up hunting and fighting techniques. His long fur being blown by in the chilly leafbare wind as they spoke in camp. However, it was time for Gingerleaf to go join the border patrol and, with a gentle touch of her nose to his, she raced off to join Peakstreak, Seedblur, and Sunsetpaw.
Peakstreak led the way with a powerful push through the bramble-woven beach grass and towards the south where the tide pools were more plentiful. The dark ginger tabby understood why they were heading there. After all, they haven't checked on that edge of the territory in some time. They had been more busy with badgers and their sets in the inland forest, but now they were focusing on the southern beach to ensure they were still safe from threats.
They had traveled quite a way before a small gang of rogues padded out from behind a sand dune and wispy beach grass. Their tails lashing as their pelts bushed out, challenge gleaming in their narrowed eyes. With strong, sturdy steps, they flashed their fangs and dangerously long, sharp claws. Anger and rage seemed to billow from them as the leader of the rogues lifted her head and squared her shoulders as though bracing herself for the inevitable battle.
"So, you're that lot of pansy-cats living on the northern side of the beach?" She sneered.
Peakstreak held her ground, lashing her tail in one big sweep. "What is it to you? This is StormClan territory." She replied coolly, her black and white pelt twitching uneasily as long strands of her fur flowed in the strengthening breeze.
"We didn't smell anything here, so we are claiming it as our own." She growled, flashing her orange and black tabby side at them in challenge.
"Like you can stake claim to our territory!" Seedblur yowled back, taking a step forward as he lashed his gray tail, the long fur bushing it out to twice its normal size.
"We'll make you regret even trying!" Sunsetpaw boasted, anger coating her tone as her gray eyes blazed with fury.
The tortie-tabby rogue managed a hissing cackle, before screeching out, "Attack!"
Gingerleaf barely had time to move, there were more rogues hiding in the dunes on her left towards the sea and they tackled her into the sand. She let out a scream of surprise, sand coating her tongue and making her sputter and spit as she lashed out blindly. All around her she could hear the battle and the fury in Peakstreak's voice as they fought tooth and claw to survive.
Seedblur had slammed into her attacker, knocking them sprawling in the sand as a burly tabby rogue was locked on his throat. With only a few blinks of her pale green eyes, she saw the way the gray and white long haired tom fell. Blood virtually gushing from the wounds on his throat.
She saw red. With a furious snarl, she swiped across the rogue's face, knocking them away from her fallen Clan-mate and gave chase before turning and doubling back on her former attacker, taking them by surprise. They yelped and wailed in panic as she nipped at their tail and heels.
Luckily, Peakstreak managed to chase them off as well, the small usually coordinated rogues left, yowling and hissing threats over their shoulders. For a moment, Gingerleaf could relax, guilt gnawing at her at Seedblur's death. She turned, seeing the gray and white tom lying still, his eyes glazed over and looking so tired and defeated. For a moment, only a moment, she could believe that he was the only casualty.
It was when Peakstreak let out a thin wail of horror that Gingerleaf realized a darker truth. They had won, but with a deadly cost. She almost couldn't move, her eyes unable to see anything else as she saw the dark red tabby pelt lying awkwardly among the sand. Claws still fully extended with tufts of fur from more than one cat.
Her younger sister didn't make it back to StormClan alive.
Suddenly, the world seemed much more dull as she gave in to the grief that flashed through her stinging injuries. She failed to protect her own kin.
She failed to protect the future of StormClan.
Moon 47 | Ice
Despite the shadows of grief floating around the camp, no one took it harder than Rustyfeather and Miyun. The two she-cats were grieving hard together as Sunsetpaw had been such a helpful and energetic cat despite her extended apprenticeship. Gingerleaf could only watch as Rainstar fell ill with whitecough, almost as though it was a punishment from the Sea of Stars for striking the very apprentice that no longer walked among them.
Sadly, now that she was in the camp healing, she could see that Stonepaw had gotten sick with greencough and was in the same medicine den. On the brighter side of things, Haillaurel, Gingerleaf's mother, had recovered from her blood loss and was no longer in danger of leaving her kits side any time soon. Yet, on a patrol in the few passing days had left Splashbone with a sprain after getting stuck in a Twoleg trap.
Her wounds had been superficial, but she couldn't resist looking at her starry ancestors and silently begging and bargaining for a way to let Sunsetpaw return. If anything, to just give Rustyfeather back her happiness. Yet, the stars were just as silent in return, glittering as faint specks in the dark indigo sky.
.
After roughly half a moon, Gingerleaf attempted to hunt with Caveswoop and Woodpaw to help get her mind off things. She wasn't feeling her perky self, but she managed to find some amusement even if they caught nothing in leafbare again. Caveswoop was showing off to her and Woodpaw, scaring off the prey in the process, but for the first time in a long time, everything felt much lighter in her heart.
"You're such a goof." Gingerleaf pointed out as the black and white tom watched his prey scurry off.
He flicked a single black ear and looked at her with a warm blink. "Well, I got you to cheer up, so I still won something today."
"We didn't get any prey to bring back though." Woodpaw pointed out, his yellow eyes round with worry as his tail tip flicked, "We might get in trouble for this."
"Don't worry about it." Gingerleaf told the young spotted brown tom, "Weevildusk sent out more than one patrol for hunting today, so even if we didn't get anything, they're bound to."
"Exactly, now let's head back to camp." The odd-eyed tom sniffed, "Sometimes, cheering up a Clan-mate is just as important as providing prey."
Woodpaw didn't look convinced, but he still followed the pair of mates back to camp. At least, life can go on even for an unlikely pair of a troublesome she-cat and her ambitious but caring mate. The dark ginger tabby was certain that Caveswoop was ambitious about the smallest things in life, even when it came to cheering her up or joining in on her bad decisions. She just hoped she could pay him forward with every little thing he had done that changed her life for the better and gave her the chance to still be by his side.
Allegiances (as of Moon 47)
Leader: Rainstar - long-furred dark gray tabby she-cat with gray eyes
Deputy: Weevildusk - long-furred gray and white tabby tom with pale yellow eyes
Healer: Sleetcrash - long-furred pale gray and white tabby she-cat with pale green eyes
Eaglepaw - brown tabby tom with gray eyes
Warriors:
Pixel - speckled light brown tom with heather blue eyes
Pansyspeck - unusually dappled pale gray tom with pale yellow eyes
Miyun - long-furred unusually spotted pale silver she-cat with warm gray eyes
Peakstreak - long-furred speckled black and white she-cat with heather blue eyes
Caveswoop - long-furred white and black tabby tom with heterochromia eyes (one cobalt, the other emerald)
APPRENTICE: WOODPAW
Dorothyflow - long-furred cream tabby and white tom with yellow eyes and a pale cyan collar
APPRENTICE: STONEPAW
Gingerleaf - dark ginger tabby she-cat with pale green eyes
Zambia - long furred pale lavender marbled-tabby and white she-cat with pale green eyes
Splashbone - light brown and light ginger tortie she-cat with pale blue eyes
Apprentices:
Stonepaw - speckled cream tom with gray eyes
Woodpaw - unusually spotted brown tom with yellow eyes
Queens and Kits:
Rainstar - long-furred dark gray tabby she-cat with gray eyes (Mother of: Dolphinkit, an unusually dappled gray she-kit; Bugkit, a pale tabby she-kit; and Whisperkit, a gray tabby and white tom-kit)
Haillaurel - pale cream ticked tabby she-cat with hazel eyes
(Mother of: Chirpkit, a gray and white tabby tom-kit; and Riverkit, a speckled gray she-kit)
Elders:
Darkwhisper - long-furred dark gray and white tabby tom with yellow eyes
Rustyfeather - dark ginger tabby she-cat with pale blue eyes
Cats Outside the Clan
Sweet Leon - medium-furred unusually spotted dark brown and white loner she-cat with pale blue eyes
New Residents of the Sea of Stars
Seedblur - long-furred gray ticked and white tom with slate gray eyes
Sunsetpaw - dark ginger tabby she-cat with gray eyes
Author's Note:
I took a small break between chapters when writing as I play it. We are almost at year 4 in StormClan and I'm getting excited for next chapter! I hope with newleaf on the horizon something good will come.
Yes, I'm waiting for Gingerleaf to be expecting kits, I have been dying to write from that kind of perspective, but the game's rng is taking forever!
Also, a moment of silence for Sunsetpaw and Seedblur. I shall take this chance to reveal the warrior name that was hidden behind the 'paw. Her name would have been Sunsetshade. Maybe I should be glad she isn't around, she has such a mouthful of a name! (I still miss her though, don't get me wrong. ;v; )
Thank you for reading, have a fantastic morning, day, evening, or night~! - NightSky