Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

A blue-grey she-cat raced through the brushy forest, head spinning. She blew it with her sister, again. Why, why, does every time they discuss romance together, one of them gets so annoyed that steam comes out of their ears? Never mind, this time, both of them got very angry. Bluefur was NOT in love with that fish-breath Riverclan warrior! No matter what her sister said!

Bluefur ran past many birches, ashes, and oak trees before she found her sister. Even with all that time, Bluefur still could not come with a clear explanation for her sister Snowfur to understand. How hard can it be to let her know she was truly loyal to Thunderclan? It seemed like no matter what SHE said, Snowfur would not comprehend what Bluefur was trying to say...

However, before despair could sweep her away, Bluefur spotted her white-furred sister crunched down behind some ferns. Her grey-tipped ears twitched in alertness while her blue eyes looked beyond what Bluefur could see. Fire blazed up in her heart at the sight of her sister’s pelt. Happily, Bluefur bounds up to greet Snowfur, only to get shushed by a tail swish. Mouth gapping, Bluefur watched Snowfur in bewilderment as her sister sniffed the air. With a grince, Snowfur turned to face her.

“Shadowclan is here. Come on! No time to lose!” Snowfur growled when she mentioned the intruders.

Bluefur and Snowfur trotted forward, following the downwind scent of the Shadowclan warriors. As they both brushed past the brushes and ferns, no sounds could be hear. No twigs were crushed, every step was careful and light. Those frog-faced invaders would never notice them. This was the sisters’ element, not theirs.

Eventually, the she-cats came upon the intruders. After Snowfur forcefully beckoned down, the sisters crept behind some large bushes. Hidden from view, they could watch the intruders unseen.

The Shadowclan cats were the most mangled, stinkest cats Bluefur ever smelled. Seriously, did those cats ever think to groom themselves? They smelled worse than Oakheart’s fish-breath, which was terrible! Their pelts carried the stench of sweat, blood, and dirt; it was as if the Shadowclan cats were in non-stop battles for moons. All three of the invaders had that smell clinging to their pelts, no difference between the one she-cat and the two toms.

“You had to chase the squirrel across the Thunderpath, didn’t you.” A black tom growled, accusing his clanmates. He was scrawny cat, looking too much like a Windclan cat for a Shadowclan warrior. “We should really, really head back to the marshes now. The squirrel’s gone.”

“No, not gone. Just hiding.” The Shadowclan she-cat purred. The tortoiseshell’s body posture was of one in complete control of the situation. Most strange since this was unfamilar ground she was on! “Can’t you smell it nearby? Or you just a silly apprentice on his first day out in the undergrowth? Oof, it doesn’t matter, we are staying right here till we find what we are hunting for.” The tortoiseshell she-cat firmly declared. Her determination reminded Bluefur of herself.

“We got nothing to worry about. Thunderclan is so focused on Riverclan and Sunningrocks that most of the patrols are on that side of the border. Honestly, I have no idea what’s got your fur on edge.” The tabby tom yawed as he settled down. Light white spots mottled his perfectly grey pelt. However, scars covered his body, mottling even the spots. Bluefur was too flamed up over how the tabby was relaxing in THEIR territory to pay attention to why the tabby was relaxed.

“Your fur will be puffed up in fear when a Thunderclan patrol shows up!” The black tom retorts at the tabby. He spoke slowly on the word “puffed” as if to insult the other tom.

The three continued their arguing, completely oblivious to the fact a tiny Thunderclan patrol was there watching them. “So…Should we just let them claw each others’ fur off or kick them out ourselves?” Bluefur asked her sister. At this rate, the Shadowclan cats were going to kill each before she could chase them off. Easy, but not fun.

“Considering they are finally getting their act together, I think we should kick them out. NOW.” Snowfur shared her thoughts as the invaders turned their attention to hunting.

With her blue eyes on the prowling Shadowclan warriors, Bluefur nodded her head in agreement. “Let’s get them sister.”

With one pounce, the two Thunderclan warriors leapt from the bushes. “Get off our territory You stinky flea-bags!” Bluefur yowls at all three of the Shadowclan cats.

The black tom and tortoiseshell she-cat immediately went on edge, hackles raised and claws unsweathed. The grey tabby, surprisedly, just calmly rose to his four paws. “And how are you, an untrained warrior and a plump queen, going to accomplish that? Hmm?”

Snowfur responded by clawing the tabby’s fur, leaving scratches behind. All three intruders seem startled by her attack, clearly thinking she would be a weak, easy opponent.

“By fighting you three off! I been in camp too long to miss a fight.” Snowfur yowled, her face becoming smug at the last sentence.

“So… the snow queen has spirit in her after all. It seems I have some apologizing to do.” The grey tabby smirked at the blood. Suddenly, he leapt at Snowfur, pinning her down. “But I’ll only say it after you are too far gone to hear it!” He shouted in her face.

Bluefur didn’t allow him to get even close enough to her sister’s neck before slamming the tabby off Snowfur. “Looks like you have to say in the muddy marshes then! Where only the slimy frogs can hear you. They would certainly feel for you, being as smelling as you.” Bluefur snarled at the tabby.

With the battles cries yelled, the fight began. The three Shadowclan cats were powerful, using very advance battle moves. However, the two Thunderclan sisters fought together in perfect sync. Alongside one another, they drove back the intruders. Their combined strength would leave the three invaders confused for nights after, wondering how the two she-cats could beat them. The three Shadowclan cats then retreated, fleeing back to the marsh. Back over the Thunderpath…

Bluefur and Snowfur yowled loud enough to reach the pines, warning the intruders to never come back. Snowfur added speed to hers, chasing the Shadowclan cats out and faraway.

“You won’t get away that easily!” Snowfur shouts as the Shadowclan warriors race across the black Thunderpath. The Shadowclan cats disappear into the pines as if they were thin air. But Snowfur does not stop running, not even when the ground starts shaking…

“Snowfur, STOP!!!” Bluefur yowls, trying to call her sister back to safety.

However, Snowfur doesn’t hear her sister, only the rumble and whine of a Twoleg Monster fills her ears as it approaches. The light nearly blinds her as the Monster shines its eyes along the black path. She keeps running, reaching the middle of the Thunderpath before her whole world crashes.

Chapter Text

Thunderclan:
Leader:
Sunstar-a bright ginger tom with yellow eyes
Wings: ginger feathers that transition into bright, yellow light

Medicine Cats:
Goosefeather-speckled grey tom with pale blue eyes
Featherwhisker-pale silvery tom with bright amber eye, long whiskers, sweeping, plump tail.

Deputy:
Tawnyspots-light grey tom tabby tom with amber eyes.

Warriors:
Stormtail- blue-grey tom with blue eyes
Adderfang-mottled brown tom with amber eyes
Sparrowpelt-big, dark brown tabby tom with yellow eyes
Smallear-grey tom with very small ears and amber eyes
Fuzzypelt-black tom with yellow eyes and fur that sticks up on end
Windflight-grey tabby tom with pale green eyes
White-eye-pale grey(almost white) she-cat, blind in one-eye
Poppydawn-long haired dark red she-cat with extremely bushy tail and amber eyes
Speckletail- pale tabby she-cat with amber eyes
Swiftbreeze-a brown tabby she-cat with white splashes over her legs, chest, and face, expecting Adderfang’s kits
Patchpelt-small black and white tabby tom with amber eyes
Thrushpelt-sandy tom with a white splash on his chest and green eyes
Dappletail- a tortoiseshell she-cat with a lovely dapple coat
Bluefur- a thick-furred blue-grey she-cat with blue eyes
Thistleclaw- a grey and white tom with yellow eyes
Rosepetal-a grey tabby she-cat with a red bushy tail

Apprentices:
Lionpaw-a golden tabby tom with chest fluff resembling a lion’s mane and green eyes
Mentor-Swiftbreeze
Goldenpaw- a pale ginger she-cat with amber eyes
Mentor-Dappletail

Queens:
Leopardfoot-a black spotted she-cat with green eyes
Kits: Tigerkit-a fast-growing tomkit with dark brown fur, amber eyes, and unusual long front claws
Snowfur-a white she-cat with grey tipped ears and blue eyes
Kits: Whitekit-a fluffy pure-white tomkit with yellow eyes
Robinwing-small brown she-cat with ginger patches on her chest and amber eyes
Kits: Bindlekit-a pale grey tabby she-kit and Frostkit-a white she-kit with blue eyes

Elders:
Weedwhisker- pale orange tom with yellow eyes
Mumblefoot-brown tom with amber eyes
Larksong- tortoiseshell she-cat with pale green eyes

Riverclan

Leader:
Hailstar- thick furred grey tom
Wings: Grey feathers that are tipped with ice.

Medicine Cat:
Brambleberry- pretty white she-cat with black spotted fur and blue eyes
Apprentice: Mudfur-long haired, light brown tom

Deputy:
Shellheart-dappled grey tom

Warriors:
Rippleclaw- black-and-silver tom
Timberfur-a big, burly brown tom
Owlfur-brown and white tom with sleek fur and a small head
Cederpelt-brown tabby tom, stout and short-tailed
Lilystem-grey she-cat
Echomist-glossy pale grey she-cat with white-tipped fur, giving her a fluffy cloud appearance
Piketooth-skinny brown tom with a narrow face and protruding canine teeth
Lakeshine-pretty, long-haired, white and grey she-cat
Rainflower-pale grey she-cat with a crooked heart
Fallowtail-light brown she-cat with blue eyes and soft fur
Whitefang-a huge white tom with dark brown paws and tail
Oakheart-reddish brown tom with amber eyes
Crookedjaw-light brown tom with green eyes and a twisted jaw
Willowbreeze-pale grey she-cat with amber eyes
Greypool-dark grey she-cat with yellow eyes
Beetlenose-tom with crow black fur
Petaldust-a dark tortoiseshell she-cat
Voleclaw-a grey tom with blue eyes

Apprentices:
Sunpaw-pale grey she-cat with blazing eyes
Mentor: Voleclaw
Frogpaw-grey tom with striped tail who is privileged to be under the apprenticeship of a star. Mentor: Missingstar

Queens:
Shimmerpelt: a she-cat with fur black as night, yet glossy enough to suggest stars
Mother to Piketooth’s kits: Blackkit and Skykit. Foster mother to Leopardkit
Ottersplash-- a white-and-pale ginger she-cat
Mother to Timberfur’s kits, Loudkit, Reedkit, and Sedgekit
Softwing-a small, litlhe white she-cat with green-brown splashes.
Expecting Mother to Owlfur’s kits: (Dawnkit and Mallowkit when born)

Elders:
Troutclaw- grey tabby tom
Tanglewhisker- long-hair tom. So long, his fur gets into knots. The paws hate him
Birdsong-white-and-tabby she-cat, her muzzle is flecked with grey

Shadowclan:

Leader:
Cedarstar-very dark grey tom with white belly
Wings: grey-brown feathers leading into cedar leaves

Medicine Cat:
Sagewhisker- white she-cat with long whiskers

Deputy:
Stonetooth-grey tabby tom with long teeth

Warriors:
Crowtail-black tabby she-cat
Brackenfoot-pale ginger tom with dark ginger legs
Archeye-grey tabby tom with thick stripes, some over his eye
Hollyflower-dark grey and white she-cat
Mudclaw-NOT the Windclaw warrior. He has GREY fur with brown legs
Toadskip- dark brown tabby tom with white splashes and white legs
Nettlespot-white she-cat with ginger flecks. (She’s pretty)
Mousewing-thick furred black tom
Deerleap-grey tabby she-cat with white legs
Amberleaf-dark orange she-cat with dark brown legs and ears
Finchflight-black-and-white tom
Blizzardwing-mottled white tom
Lizardstripe-pale brown tabby she-cat with a white belly

Apprentices:
Frogpaw-dark grey tom with green eyes
Mentor: Archeye
Newtpaw- black and ginger she-cat
Mentor: Hollyflower
Ashpaw-pale grey she-cat
Mentor: Toadskip

Queens:
Flowerstorm-dark brown tabby she-cat
Mother to Hal’s kits, Raggedkit and Scorchkit
Brightflower-orange tabby
Mother to Brackenfoot’s kits, Yellowkit, Nutkit, and Rowankit

Elders:
Littlebird- small ginger tabby she-cat
Lizardfang- light brown tabby tom with one hooked tooth
Silverflame-orange and grey she-cat (Brightflower’s mother and Yellowfang’s grandmother)

Windclan:

Leader:
Heatherstar-pinkish-grey she-cat with blue eyes
Wings: Feathers matching her coat, with pink heather flowers blooming out from the feathers.

Medicine Cat:
Hawkheart- mottled dark brown with yellow eyes
Apprentice: Barkface-a dark brown tom with a short tail

Deputy:
Reedfeather-light brown tabby tom

Warriors:
Redclaw-dark ginger tom
Hareflight-light brown tom
Aspenflight- grey and white tom
Cloudrunner-pale grey tom
Larksplash-tortoiseshell and white she-cat
Palebird-black and white she-cat
Brackenwing-pale ginger she-cat
Madowslip-grey she-cat
Talltail-black and white tom with unusual long tail
Ryestalk-grey-brown tabby she-cat with amber eye
Stagleap-dark brown tom(opposite of his sister)
Doespring-light brown she-cat
Appledawn-pale creamy she-cat
Woolytail-grey and white tom
Hickorynose-brown tom
Mistmouse-light brown tabby she-cat
Plumclaw-dark brown she-cat
Deadfoot-brown tom with a dead paw
Wrenflight-brown she-cat
Bristlethorn-black tom with spikey fur
Rabbitleap-snowy white tom
Mudclaw-brown tom who loves Windclan
Tornear-this tom has to live with Mudclaw as his brother

Sunnysight-a pale gold tom with white sploshes
Willowrise-a white she-cat with gold stripes

Apprentices:
Dustypaw-grey tom with brown tipped fur, making appear his pelt is always dusty
Mentor-Deadfoot

Queens:
Dawnstripe- pale gold tabby with creamy stripes
Mother to Adderkit and Duskkit
Reenaheart-a bright ginger and white she-cat
Mother to Talltail’s kits: Moorkit and Sandykit

Elders:
Whitebelly-small, pure white tom
Flamepelt- dark ginger tom
Lilywhisker- a young brown she-cat with a crippled hind leg
Flailfoot-black tom with bad breath

CATS OUTSIDE OF CLANS
Kittypets Nutmeg- kittypet, brown and white she-cat
Jake- kittypet, flame-cloated tom with green eyes
Quince- kittypet, grey she-cat
Ruby- kittypet, pale-colored grey she-kit
Socks-kittypet, a black tom-kit with white muzzle, paws, tail-tip, and chest.
Tiny- kittypet, black tom-kit with one white paw and ice-blue eyes

Ferris-kittypet, a white tom

Travelers

Sparrow-Traveler Rogue, dark brown tom
Bess- black she-cat with white paws Traveler Rogue
Mole-dark grey tom – Traveler Rogue
Algernon-creamy brown tom- Traveler Rogue

Green Travelers
Creek-striped grey tom, elder age
Feather-a fluffy white she-cat
Mak- a brown tom with a bushy tail
Sue- a ginger she with brown paws
Beth-a dark grey she-kit
Cole-a fluffy white tom-kit

Cats who live in the Twoleged place by Shadowclan

Hal- Twoleg place Rogue, dark brown tom
Pixie- fluffy white she-cat- Twoleg place Loner
Jay- Black and white she-cat- Twolege place Loner
Maramalade- large ginger tom- Twolege place Loner
Red- orange she-cat- Twolege place rouge
Boulder- shinny grey tom- Twoleg place rogue

Chapter Text

Bluefur’s world stopped the moment Snowfur fell to the ground. The Twoleg Monster just hit and left her on the Thunderpath. Bluefur’s body was frozen solid, but her heart beated faster than the wind. “Please Snowfur, Move!” She whispered to the still, white body on the black path.

Bluefur moved before Snowfur did. She had to get her sister off of there. She HAD to see if…

Not even checking for more Monsters, Bluefur raced to her sister’s side. The nursery’s scent almost left Snowfur’s pelt. Now, an icky acid whiffed over her. Blood and dirt stained her fur, though Bluefur doubted they were from the Thunderpath. She looked beyond all the injures, she had to see if…

Snowfur’s chest moved. It was so slight, one would have missed it. However, if one stayed and watched, one could see her chest move in… Out…

Bluefur would not believe it. She couldn’t believe it! Bluefur placed her ear by Snowfur’s chest, straining to hear the smallest sound in the silence. There…A heartbeat! Snowfur was really alive; Bluefur wasn’t dreaming! Snowfur was alive!

Joyful fire consumed Bluefur. Seconds went by, alternating between thanks be to Starclan and checking her sister’s heartbeat for a fourth time. Even more seconds went by before concern could break through the fire. Snowfur needed to see a medicine cat. Now.

Gently, Bluefur grabbed Snowfur’s scruff. Almost instantly, she had to place her sister back down. That icky smell carried over into a terrible taste! However, Bluefur was not going to let an awful taste stop her from taking care of her sister.

It was a good thing Bluefur paused. Another Twoleg Monster came rumbling on the Thunderpath, down the same way as Snowfur’s attacker. Finally collecting her mind and focusing her fire, Bluefur picked up her sister again. Watching and listening for Monsters, Bluefur found an opening and took it. Carefully, but not slowly, she successfully brought Snowfur to the other side.

Panting, Bluefur placed Snowfur down. Again, she rested her head against Snowfur’s chest, listening for heartbeats. Strong beats greeted her. Her sister was still alive. However, both sisters needed help, or else…Bluefur would not allow an “Or else.”
“Please! Can some cat help me!” Bluefur yowled, throwing her head skywards. “Please! Someone! Help Me!” How little she knew, Starclan already sent aid.

“Bluefur! What’s wrong!” A Thunderclan patrol broke through the tree-line. Thrushpelt ran the fastest to find her. The rest of the patrol came after him, headed by Adderfang and followed by Dappletail, Windflight, and White-eye. All eyes widened with shock and concern at Snowfur’s still body. Only one pair glanced over to Bluefur’s trembling body.

“Bluefur?!? What?... What happened to you both?” Thrushpelt asked her, the rest of the patrol leaning in to hear Bluefur’s answer.

“There were Shadowclan cats on our territory. How those three got the nerve to even try hunting here I don’t know, but Snowfur and I drove them back to the marshes where they came from. We were fine, the Shadowclan cats were retreating, but we chased them, had to teach them to never come back. But Snowfur didn’t stop….” Bluefur went on, pulling out words as memories came flowing back.

“Bluefur, BREATHE!” Adderfang interrupted her, which was a good thing. Bluefur was forgetting to take breaths in her speech. “Now, tell us what happened to Snowfur. Slowly.” Adderfang instructed.

“She…got hit…by a Monster. She won’t wake up, but she is alive. My sister is alive!” Bluefur declared, not caring who got burned by her blazing determination.

“Bluefur, are you sure about that? In your state-” Dappletail began, uncertainty clouded her eyes and mind.

“Snowfur is alive!” Windflight called, having bent down to check Snowfur. The whole patrol glanced at him. “She is breathing, but her breaths are shallow. We need to get her to Featherwhisker!” Windflight said. His words went unchallenged. No cat even thought of asking Goosefeather for help.

Adderfang instantly began fulfilling his role as patrol leader and senior warrior. “Windflight, Dappletail, you both pick up and carry Snowfur back to camp. White-eye will be joining me in clearing a pathway…”

“I will be supporting Bluefur.” White-eye declared. All expect for Windflight where taken aback by her outburst. White-eye sighed and rolled her eyes. “Look, just because I am blind in one eye, doesn’t stop me from seeing more than you. Snowfur might really need help, but Bluefur here,” White-eye gestured to the blue-grey she-cat, “is going into shock. Somecat needs to make sure she gets home too.”

Adderfang nodded. “White-eye will be with Bluefur. I will be making sure we don’t die on the way back to camp. Thrushpelt, you go check to be sure the Shadowclan cats are gone.”

“What!” Thrushpelt jumped. “Why can’t I stay? Bluefur needs me and besides, Windflight is the fastest one here. Why not make him check?” Thrushpelt pleaded.

“I can’t go. Snowfur needs me here and now. I am NOT abandoning my daughter-in-law.” Windflight stated.

“Right,” Bluefur thought to herself. “Windflight is Thistleclaw’s father…”

“Thrushpelt,” Adderfang growled. “I need a responsible cat to go check that no one here, especially the injured cats, are attacked. I need you to go protect your clanmates. A good, responsible warrior knows there is more than one way to take care of his clanmates. I pretty sure you were trained to be that kind of warrior. Am I right, or have I been led to believe falsely?” Adderfang purred at Thrushpelt.

Thrushpelt bent down his head. "You are correct, sir."

“Then go protect all of your clanmates. I am not asking you to attack, just check and protect. Do you understand Thrushpelt?” Adderfang straightened with eyes firmly on Thrushpelt.

“Fully, sir.” Was Thrushpelt’s response before sniffing the air.

With that, the patrol parted ways. Bluefur would eventually come to realize she doesn’t remember anything of the return home. However, that was not her fault. Her eyes stopped looking, her ears stopped listening. She never noticed how Dappletail and Windflight carried Snowfur with such care and love as if she was a newborn kit. She never looked up to see Adderfang’s attentiveness to path finding and clearing. She didn’t ever realize that White-eye nudged her to avoid walking into bushes or trees nor heard her amused purr when Bluefur almost fell on her. She most certainly didn’t know of how Thrushpelt bounded across the Thunderpath, quickly checked for enemies and turned to return, only to go back and actually checked for her.

Only one thing mattered, only thing only for her burning, blue flame. Her sister was alive.

Chapter Text

“Alive!?!” the Tortoiseshell she-cat yelled. “She’s supposed to be dead!”

The shouts rang throughout the dead woods, causing brown leaves to fall into the fog. The angry yelling was so different than the normal, agonizing screams that inhabit Dark Forest. However, one would have preferred the blood-splitting screams compared to the yelling. This was so unusual, so unpredictable, one could not tell who was going to die. At least, Houndleap couldn’t.

“That snow-coated she-cat was supposed to be dead! But you blew it! Blew it like a leaf lost to the winds Silverhawk!” The beyond angry she-cat screeched.

“Yes, yes, Mapleshade. I am aware, we been going over this for the past half-tilt of the sun.” Silverhawk nodded, somehow unfazed by the she-cat’s fury. Houndleap really could not understand how Silverhawk wasn’t fighting Mapleshade right now. He seen Silverhawk before switch in an instant between cold and flaming fury when challenged.

“You didn’t go and check to see if she was dead. The plan was to get rid of Snowfur to encourage Thistleclaw to go deeper into his training. If that failed, we could have gotten rid of Bluefur, his only serious obstacle to leadership! But nooo, both of those silly she-cats have to survive!” Mapleshade lashed out upon the mottled tabby tom.

“So, are you going to consider any other possible options now?” Silverhawk asked the panting she-cat.

“Any other, possible way to kill that weak-hearted queen?” Mapleshade glared at him. “She was supposed to die there! Now if we try, it would be obvious someone wanted to kill her! Thistleclaw would catch on to us and change his mind about the leadership! It is not as if we could just get Snowfur sick or have a tree branch fall on her! Those plans are beyond complicated in arrangement.”

Silverhawk nodded in agreement. “Yes, the whole plan of Snowfur dying on the Thunderpath was so Thistleclaw would become angry at others and life in general, not at a specific clan or person. That would be far too problematic further down the line.”

“Wasn’t Bluefur supposed to become broken by the belief she caused Snowfur’s death?” Houndleap asked.

Both Silverhawk and Mapleshade snapped their glaring gaze upon the black tom. “Shut up failure! You’re not part of this conversation!”
Houndleap immediately wished he was somewhere other than here. However, unlike Starclan, there was no way he could go so far without running into one of them again. The scrawny tom would have to hide for a while.

“You know, there is another way we can get rid of Snowfur.” Silverhawk meowed.

Mapleshade’s ears twitched. “One where we don’t have to kill her?” She began to purr. “You know, Silverhawk, you might be right. Though…” she turned back towards the tabby. “I wonder how long you have known this?”

“Which one? A way to rid her by death, or by indifference?” Silverhawk wickedly grinned.

“Ooo…You spoil me you devilish tom. Begin with the first possible way.” Mapleshade encouraged him.

“Well, Snowfur will lie injure in the Medicine Cat Den yes? The only Den with known, crazy, old medicine cat inside it? If she were to die underneath his care…” Silverhawk suggested.

“All the blame will be on the mad Goosefeather! Even if the old cook sees us commit the deed, no cat would believe him!” Mapleshade laughed. “Indulge me again with the second, though it better be as marvelous as the first.”

“Snowfur will be weak from her injuries. Thistleclaw, though he does indeed love her now, is still a young cat who has just began his marriage. He is not ready for the harshness of life.” Silverhawk began.

“True, true, which is why we decided to go through with getting rid of Snowfur now.” Mapleshade humored him.

“If he would be willing to listen to us if she died, would he not still heed us when she is injured? I do believe his eyes will be opened to how pointless kindness and mercy is when seeing her frail body.” He continued.

“Can we keep his eyes open?” Mapleshade inquired.

“If we whisper in his ears both day and night. The constant saying of her weakness and patheticness will eventually become ingrained as truth inside him. He will no longer see her as his bride, but as a burden. How can he respect Snowfur when she is so worthless? And without respect-” Silverhawk explained.

“There can be no love.” Mapleshade finished with a triumph. How right she was, Houndleap thought, how can any mortal being love any one so unworthy? There is nothing lovable to be seen. At least, there was nothing that could be seen since Houndleap joined Dark Forest.

“Once he no longer loves Snowfur, Thistleclaw will be indifferent to both her charms and her words. Then, he will lead Thunderclan as we wish, not what some starry flea-bags think. Blood, Strength, and Vengeance will rule the forest! Not silly Kindness, Mercy, or Justice that Tradition dictates!” Mapleshade declares to the skies, taunting the Heavens themselves.

Which was a most terrible idea. Houndleap was getting out of here while he still had his pelt attached. Both Mapleshade and Silverhawk tempted fate, though they were so clever indeed. It hindsight, it seemed fate decided to bite back.

“Which is why my trainee will do far better than yours, Mapleshade.” Silverhawk sneered.

“I am working on Crookedjaw you mouse-brain! Everything is going to MY plan, unlike you, Silverchick.” Mapleshade turned on him.

“Even with him rejecting you so boldly, hmm? Maybe we should call you Maplestuck.”

“Wrong answer for both assumptions! I am playing with Crookedjaw like my prey!”

By the time both Silverhawk and Mapleshade calmed down to study their surroundings, Houndleap was long gone. He was very much done with all their bricking and yelling. He may be blind in a dark cave, but Houndleap was not mouse-brain enough to stick around two crazy, cold-hearted murders for very long.

Chapter Text

The days when Green-leaf transform into Leaf-fall where always strange, Sunstar thought to himself. Somedays, it is just too hot, others too cold. Then there where days like today; where at first the temperature was perfect, then it becomes chilly. Today, the chill was nippy at his ear tips. Sunstar had no idea whither to be annoyed or worried. After all, the day was still young and the season still new.

Happily, the wind blew a warm breeze, chasing away the cold. There was promise to this day yet. Sunstar stretched his wings to catch the warm wind. The ginger tom could feel the good tidings in the breeze. His clan needed those.

Scuffing turned his amber eyes towards the rest of the Thunderclan camp. Though most of Thunderclan was out on patrol, there where still plenty of cats in the sandy ravine.

Mumblefoot and Larksong padded out of the maze of twigs that was the Elder’s Den entrance. Sunstar once hoped he would rest there in the safe hollow that was the Elder’s Den with his mate. Now, he works hard so every Thunderclan warrior can enjoy the peace that Mumblefoot, the deputy before him, enjoys.

Tigerkit and Whitekit played in front of the Apprentice’s Den. Sitting on the tree stump, Tigerkit pretended that he was leader while Whitekit was his loyal deputy. The fast-growing tom-kit will be joining the apprentices soon, though Lionpaw and Goldenpaw will leaving him a few days after he receives his mentor. Sunstar mused who he would choose as Tigerkit’s mentor as Leopardfoot called both of them into the Nursery. Both tom-kits meowed they were too awake for naps as they entered the bramble bush that housed the queens and kits.

Sunstar chuckled at them both as they disappeared into the bramble. He and his brother said the same things so many moons ago. Some things never change, even with wings involved.

Muttering draws his attention to the Medicine Cat’s Den. Goosefeather was walking out from the rock-wall den. The speckled grey tom was an oddball. One could never tell if his mutterings were about the present, past, or future unless either he or Featherwhisker explained. Sunstar’s own feelings towards the tom were mixed with annoyance, pity, respect, and confusion. Goosefeather was an excellent medicine cat, though personally, Sunstar perferred his own brother Featherwhisker as his adviser over Goosefeather.

Leaping down from the Highrock, Sunstar padded to listen to Goosefeather. “What is this warm breeze? The rest of the day is supposed to be chilly.” Goosefeather muttered to everyone and no one.

“What is supposed to happen Goosefeather?” Sunstar asked, spreading his wings made of light. “I am interested in the possibilities.”

Goosefeather tilted his head to Sunstar. “The weather acrouse.” The medicine cat remarked as Sunstar had been there all along. “Right when the sun reached noon, a cold breeze was meant to stay all through the night. Not too chilly, it was livable, but enough to unnerve one.”

“Such a breeze was here.” Sunstar nodded. “I felt it on the Highrock.” He didn’t feel like mentioning again how his sun-blessed wings gave off mostly light, not heat. Sunstar had too many conversations about how he couldn’t melt ice when he became leader.

“Exactly why it is puzzling! The breeze was here, then it left. Which means things are very different in the forest.” Goosefeather mused.

“Different as in good or bad. Or just plain different?” Sunstar said, trying to keep the worry out of his purr.

Goosefeather looked at him as if Sunstar asked if the sky was green. Quickly though, he dived into a pondering look. “Though different, it is a good type of different. You will not like it right now, many cats will not like right now, but this difference will lead to a better Thunderclan. We just have to get to that day to see it.”

Suddenly, Goosefeather changed both expression and direction. “Though this was not the direction we were originally heading. Someone has changed the script. I will be tracking down this person and having a very long conversation with them.”

“Well in that case, go make sure you are in a private place when you do so. You don’t want anyone to think you are crazy.” Sunstar affirmed. He was no stranger to outside forces aiding the clan. His nine lives and golden wings where proof of that.

“Haha!! They already think I am crazy. What is one more conversation supposed to add? Though I will keep your good advice in mind Sunstar.” Goosefeather laughed. Suddenly, Goosefeather’s mood transformed into seriousness. “Though at this moment we will need comfrey, cobwebs, and lavender. Wet moss and dock leaves will also be required. Will we need horsetail or marigold…” He muttered as he walked back into the Medicine Cat’s Den.

To Sunstar’s delight, Featherwhisker walked past his mentor from the den. “What was that about? Goosefeather was talking about herbs for the wounded, though I really don’t get why he suggested lavender. If the cat is alive, why would we hide the death scent? Unless it to keep the patient calm while we heal them.” Featherwhisker glanced back and forth between Sunstar and Goosefeather.

Sunstar shugged. “I honestly don’t know. I am still trying to understand what we were talking about before-paw.”

Featherwhisker’s eyes widened at that. “What did he tell you this time?”

Lifting his muzzle, Sunstar spoke. “That the winds have been changing. Along with the fact something is going to happen I will not like, but will grow to appreciate. Basically a rough spot will occur that will be quite good for us.”

Featherwhisker’s face scrunched up into a silent laugh. “Like how your wings need grooming?”

Instantly Sunstar tried to bury himself into embarrassment. His fur puffed up and his wings clutched his side. “You know I am still not comfortable with my feathers. Especially when it comes to grooming them bro!”

His brother pawed his side. “That why it is still so funny. Don’t worry though, I will help you preen them nice and clean.” Featherwhisker started towards the Leader’s Den. “Come on brother, we will have your wings perfect in no time.”

Only Goosefeather knew, they would have no time.

The latest patrol Tawnyspots sent out came home early. If today was an ordinary day, Sunstar would have thought the patrol sent to Shadowclan’s border was a little too anxious about the border with Riverclan. However, it was not an ordinary day.

Sunstar and Featherwhisker’s eyes widened at the unexpected sight. Sunstar knew that Bluefur and Snowfur went out for a walk earlier, but he did not expect them to be coming home like this. He looked beyond Adderfang to see his daughters beaten and busied. Snowfur, carried by Windflight and Dappletail, was completely limp. Her hind leg was twisted, as if it was both snapped and ripped. Oh Starclan, what happened to them!?

Sunstar wildly searched for Bluefur. His body didn’t calm down when he saw her next to White-eye. His blue-grey daughter now looked like she had ran to Windclan and back, all while in combat. Her paw-steps where shaky. Sunstar refused to doubt that if White-eye was not there, Bluefur would fall into the dust. Her eyes were glazed, almost as if she was not even here. By the stars above, did he have both of his girls home only for them to be gone? Their bodies here with him, but minds and souls so far away?

Sunstar bounded/flew across the camp to the entrance. Adderfang opened his mouth to speak, but Sunstar refused to listen until he knew with his own muzzle. He loosened his jaw right below Snowfur’s ears, taking in all her scents. There were blackberries, bushes’ leaves, dirt, blood, and the heavy scent of the Thunderpath all on her white pelt. In spite of all these scents, there was no death scent lingering on Snowfur.

“She still breathes.” Adderfang spoke a sentence that Sunstar finally heard. In relief, Sunstar nuzzled Snowfur’s head. He still had both of Moonflower’s kits. Oh my, Bluefur…

Sunstar whirled around to Bluefur, not caring if he tickled anyone with his feathers. “Bluefur, can you hear me?” Sunstar tried to speak as calmly as he could.

“She is alive, she is alive. Everything is going to be fine. We are going to be fine.” Bluefur whispered, her lips running loose as her mind tried to steady itself.

Sunstar drew her close to his chest. “Bluefur, listen. You are both fine. You are safe now. We will take care of you.” Sunstar silently thanked all his time as deputy. It was the only explanation he had for why his voice was so strong.

“We need to get them both to my den, now.” Featherwhisker declared behind him. It took his littermate that long to catch up? Who cares, his daughters were alive, Sunstar thought as he nuzzled Bluefur.

“Can you walk with me Bluefur?” Sunstar asked. Seeing her nod, Sunstar marched her over to Medicine Cat’s Den. He kept her steady the whole distance by dapping his wing over her. Sunstar refused to lose her now.

As they approached, Goosefeather popped his head out. “All the herbs are ready for use and a nest cleared, Featherwhisker. Light above lights, is that Snowfur!?!” Goosefeather yowled after seeing his niece tattered and torn. So this is what Goosefeather sensed a few moments previously. Though it seems not even he knew what would happen.

“Bluefur needs medical attention as well.” Sunstar spoke up. No cat was going to overlook his other daughter.

“Okay, poppy seeds and thyme leaves for shock. Some more cobwebs and marigold for the flesh wounds…” Goosefeather shoved his head back in the den. It seemed that his sixth sense was still working. Good, Sunstar mused, Bluefur needed it.

Windflight and Dappletail carried Snowfur in, placing her upon the empty nest. With a dip of their heads, they left the den, knowing they did their part. Featherwhisker immediately began working on Snowfur. He began by sniffing out where the blood marks where. Sunstar knew enough about injuries to know infected wounds where the most painful and hard to treat. It was far better to prevent infection from growing than healing the inflammation.

Sunstar had Bluefur lending against him in a corner of the den. That way, they both could still be inside the den without causing distractions. Walking towards them, Goosefeather brushed past his apprentice with herbs in his paws.

“Bluefur, eat this.” Goosefeather spoke directly to her. When Bluefur did not respond, Sunstar repeated the words in her ears, all while rubbing his wing feathers on her back. Eventually, Bluefur opened her mouth to receive two poppy seeds and some thyme leaves. Right after, Goosefeather motioned for Bluefur to lie down. Buefur was so tired, she practically slid down. With an experienced paws, Goosefeather quickly found and bounded up Bluefur’s wounds.

“She will be fine Sunstar. They both will be. Go find out what happened to land them both in here. Adderfang is still waiting to tell you.” Goosefeather turned his muzzle to Sunstar.
Shaking off his exhaustion, Sunstar began to stroll outside. Yet, he could not help himself from taking one last peek at Snowfur and Bluefur. Featherwhisker and Goosefeather were carefully treating them, using both paws and words. Sunstar had to believe what he saw, that his daughters where in good paws. Taking a deep breath, Sunstar marched outside to discover what happened to his daughters.

“Adderfang,” Sunstar began, “You wished to speak with me?” A pointless question it was, seeing that the mottled, dark-brown tom had been standing at the Medicine Cat’s Den entrance the whole time.

Adderfang dipped his broad head. “You need a report on what the patrol found.”

Sunstar reared his own head and spread his wings. Their light shone off greatly, though it was not a blaze. “Tell me Adderfang, what happened to Bluefur and Snowfur?”

Adderfang stared his yellow eyes into Sunstar’s amber ones. “While we do not have all the details, we have a basic picture of what happened. Bluefur and Snowfur were taking a walk along the Shadowclan border. I don’t think they were originally walking on the borderline, as their scent trail doesn’t match up with what we found.”

“And what did you find Adderfang?” Sunstar almost growled at the tom.

“We found the scent of three unknown cats on our territory. They pasted over the Thunderpath to reach a little clearing. There, we scented a fight between the sisters and the intruders. The intruders lost the stomach to fight, retreating across the Thunderpath. From what we gathered, both Snowfur and Bluefur chased after them. Unfortunately, Snowfur ran faster.”

“Right into the jaws of a Monster.” Sunstar whispered. “Did you find these intruders?” Sunstar straightened up.

“They were long gone by the time we arrived, which couldn’t have been longer than five minutes after Snowfur got struck by the Monster. Thrushpelt doubled-checked the borderline himself.” Adderfang threw his head in Thrushpelt’s direction, letting Sunstar know where the young tom was. Thrushpelt was in the mist of eating, talking, and throwing worried glances at the Medicine Cat’s Den. It was obvious which she-cat the yellow tom was worried for.

Suddenly, a thought brushed into Sunstar’s head. “You called these three intruders unknown. Why so, if they came from over the Thunderpath where Shadowclan lies?” Sunstar directed his focus back towards Adderfang.

The brown tabby tom drew in a breath, as if he knew not what to say. After a few seconds, he let it out. “Despite them coming from and retreating to Shadowclan territory, I cannot shake the feeling those three intruders were NOT Shadowclan. Their scent was…off. It reminded me more of somecat who rolled in a different scent to hide their smell than one who owns that scent. The others would say Shadowclan was there, but I have to follow my gut on this one. Sir.” Adderfang drew his massive shoulders back as he stared into Sunstar’s eyes.

Sunstar sighed. He would have to trust his senior warrior on this one incident. “Very well Adderfang. Dismissed.” Thankfully, Sunstar remembered what he had to do. “Adderfang.”

“Yes Sunstar? What else do you need?”

“I greatly appreciate that you aided both Bluefur and Snowfur today. You and your patrol hold my deepest gratitude.” Sunstar spoke sincerely.

Addefang nodded. “I will have to remember that when I tell Stormtail and Thistleclaw.”

Sunstar grimced at that. He and Stormtail never did get along very well, especially after how Stormtail treated Moonflower. Still, he did spire Snowfur and Bluefur. He would need to know how the sisters were, even if he didn’t care about them too much. Now Thistleclaw on the other paw…

“Good luck with them Adderfang.” Sunstar nodded his reassurance. Adderfang smiled at that. “Thistleclaw should be by the Riverclan border on patrol.” Sunstar suggested. With a nod, the mottled brown tom went on his way to find his former apprentice.

While Adderfang left the camp, Sunstar approached Thrushpelt at the fresh-kill pile. Sunstar crouched down to pick some fresh-kill for those in Medicine Cat’s Den, healers and patients. When he was close, Sunstar whispered in Thrushpelt’s ear. “She is going to be fine Thrushpelt. You got to her just in time.” He could see the young tom’s body relax as he spoke, taking comfort in Sunstar’s words. Sunstar smiled as he picked up several pieces of fresh-kill. His work was done here for now.

It did not take long at all for Sunstar deliver the fresh-kill to the Medicine Cat’s Den. It was good to see, in the short time he was gone, that Bluefur was doing better. She was still so tired, yet her color looked better. Snowfur’s wounds were dressed up, including her twisted leg. Both medicine cats seemed much calmer now. Sunstar hoped that meant things were looking up for his daughters.

However, raindrops still had to fall on Thunderclan camp that day.

A grey and white tom brusted into the Medicine cat den. He was not injured, rather, searching for his injured beloved. His fur was on edge in anger, though Sunstar would bet a mouse that the fur was fluffed up in worry. “Where is she!?!” the tom cried in agony, his worried voice matching his wild fur.

“Hold your mouse tails, Thistleclaw. Snowfur is right here.” Featherwhisker motioned to Snowfur’s sleeping body.

Thistleclaw raced to his mate, pushing Featherwhisker out of the way. The grey and white tom nuzzled Snowfur, burying his muzzle into her pelt. Thistleclaw sniffed all over Snowfur’s body, checking over her wounds. The young warrior was the kind of cat who needed to see matters for himself to make decisions, no matter what other cats told him. Sunstar was pleased with that trait, though he did wish Thistleclaw would listen a bit more to his medicine cats.

Sunstar believed Thistleclaw would be calm after finding Snowfur. However, Thistleclaw had yet to learn to let his energy flow out of him, rather than flood.

“You were supposed to take care of her!” Thistleclaw hissed at Bluefur. His yellow eyes glared storms of hate at the blue-grey she-cat. “Why did you let this happen! She is lying here on death’s door thanks to you!”

Bluefur attempted to rise up. “Thistleclaw, I’m…”

“You failed her!” Thistleclaw hissed, causing Bluefur to jump back. “You failed her and Whitekit!” Sunstar noticed that Bluefur began to fall back down. Her face slowly buried itself in her chest while Thistleclaw’s heckles rose.

Seeing this would was going nowhere, Sunstar stepped in. “Enough! Both of you!” Sunstar rose his voice and spread his wings. All the cats were blinded by his blaze. “What would Snowfur think of you when she hears about this? You two are not kits! You can control your anger and self-doubt!” Sunstar breathed heavily through his nose. “Thistleclaw, if you refuse to control your frustration, I will force you to leave.” The Sunstar glared at the grey and white warrior. Eventually, the young warrior dropped his gaze and heckles. “Now.” Sunstar lowered his wings, though he did not lessen the light. “Who is going to tell Whitekit where his mother is?”

Both Bluefur and Thistleclaw took a double take at the thought. It seemed they finally realized they were not the only ones affected by the tragedy. When would those two realize how similar they are to each other?

“I’ll do it.” Bluefur spoke up, her blue eyes set.

“Are you certain you are strong enough?” Sunstar asked her. One didn’t need to be half-blind to see that despite her blazing will, Bluefur’s body was still worn from the experience.

“Sunstar. I need to do this.” Bluefur said firmly. She would have enough strength to accomplish this task.

“Very well Bluefur. After you tell Whitekit, go get some rest.” Sunstar supported her decision. “Key word, rest. Not nap.” The ginger tom gave her a knowing stare. Poor Bluefur hated sleeping on the job, even when she needed it. Hopefully now, she would actually get some sleep.

Sunstar stepped aside, letting Bluefur scroll out of the Medicine Cat’s Den. He peeked after her. Stormtail was there, walking through the camp. The blue-grey tom tried talking to his daughter, but Bluefur shrugged him off. At least Stormtail was trying to be a father, though he could never seem to actually do a good job at it.

Sunstar was not the only cat watching Bluefur trudge through camp. A grey she-cat with a bushy, pinkish-orange tail was observing Bluefur as well. Rosetail, the she-cat, could not help but tremble with worry over her family. Sunstar knew, that despite Thistleclaw’s aggressive nature, Rosetail was good friends with both Snowfur and Bluefur. She caught Sunstar’s eyes, pleading for permission. Sunstar nodded, though he could not comprehend why she would need permission to go aid family and friends. Rosetail gleamed with delight before following Bluefur into the nursery. Whitekit was not going to be alone during the dark nights ahead.

Sunstar’s ear twitched when scuffles arose behind him. Goosefeather was dragging lavender flowers to Thistleclaw, resulting in the warrior looking very indigent. “Since you are going to be here a while, you might as well help.” Goosefeather declared as he set the flowers in front of Thistleclaw.

“Help with what, you old-flea bag?” Thistleclaw hissed, clearly thinking he was going to play medicine cat apprentice.

“Grooming her acourse.” Goosefeather purred. The mottled grey tom beckoned a tail over Snowfur’s pelt. “We don’t want Snowfur smelling like Thunderpath now, do we?” Goosefeather smiled. “Now, brush her fur with the lavender. The sweet scent will wash away the dreadful tar of the Thunderpath. Just don’t try eating the flower like a kit.”

Thistleclaw held in a growl before grabbing the lavender. He diligently groomed Snowfur, missing not one corner of her pelt. Sometimes, he would stop and lick her white fur clean of any dirt or grime. Thistleclaw had enough sense to not touch the poultice dressings where Snowfur’s wounds are. When he was finished, Thistleclaw finally seemed to settle down, the anger faded from his spiky pelt.

In the quiet, Featherwhisker padded up to Sunstar. “So that is who the lavender was for.” He meowed. “Not Bluefur, not Snowfur, but Thistleclaw.”

Sunstar chuckled. “It certainly worked.”

“Though tell me one thing, brother.” Featherwhisker articulated. “Was that blaze necessary for all of us?”

Sunstar and Featherwhisker stared into each others eyes before surrounding to laughter. The cold breeze had blown away from Thunderclan camp. The clan was safe for the night, though who knew what tomorrow might bring next.

Chapter Text

Just as the water currents flow, so does life continue on. Now, a Riverclan warrior would know exactly what I meant by that. For they can see everyday that no matter how many sticks, leaves, and rocks fall into the water, the river still flows onward despite the blockage. In the same manner, time continues flowing despite the pains, storms, and deaths that attempt to crowd out the beauties of life.

I supposed that is why Riverclan can deal so well with tragedy, for they have three rivers to swim in. The first river that gave birth to them, the second river that carries them through their daily life, and the last one which leads beyond death to the stars. Which makes it really ironic that Riverclan is the one who chases after perfection the most of the five clans. After all, life goes on, despite all the mistakes and stones that get throw at it. Just as water is still beautiful in spite of the ripples.

Atlas, it is not a Riverclan warrior who must learn to live through tragedy, but a Thunderclan one. I pity all of Starclan which must teach Thunderclan this lesson, for it is Thunderclan is the hardest for them to teach. However, it a lesson every warrior must learn.

To survive and thrive despite the harshest of storms; to continue to live honorable even in the darkest night, to live as if your life is not your own, that is what makes a warrior. Indeed, this set the warrior clans above all the other cats in the forest. For all the rouges and kittypets were never taught to look beyond themselves.

Indeed, all the clans learned this lesson. Shadowclan listened carefully to their queens and elders in those days. Under the great Cedarstar, they learned to endure the most tumultuous storms and to find strength in their honor. Shadowclan held their heads up high at Gatherings, knowing with pride that they faced hunger, cold, and loss while retaining their heritage.

Windclan was instructed to listen to the winds. Not a breeze that came and went, but the strong, everlasting currents that blew over the land. It was a difficult lesson to follow. Did mean to change so often like emotions? Sliding from one feeling to the next? No, the lesson was the values of the wind never changed, despite strong, transforming breezes. For that made the cats true Windclan warriors, a lesson they were happy to share with any visitor.

Oh Thundeclan, Thunderclan, the clan of the warrior’s heart. It was this clan that first taught the other four how to be a warrior. However, even the mightly Thunderstar himself had to learn this lesson the hard way. Though, the Thunderclan of today had harder heads than the first leader of Thunderclan. For Thunderclan hates change. They see themselves as mighty oak trees, refusing to bow to any storm. If there is any change, they prefer growth, not death.

However, even though branches can be broken off, oak don’t have to die in a storm. New growth can come from where the snapped branches used to be. Those same fallen branches can grow new trees to add to the forest. So Thunderclan can learn to grow again after a tragedy.

But then again, the Thunderclan warriors have to be willing to learn. For they are a stubborn tree indeed. Luckily, for Thunderclan, a tree would teach them this lesson. Abit, a family tree.

Chapter Text

Everything changed in Bluefur’s life. Yet the daily life continued on the same. The sun danced. The wind whistled. The streams bubbled. The trees grew. Shadows both lengthened and weaned.

But it wasn’t just that. Patrols went out. Apprentices trained. Prey was hunted. Warriors fought. Kits played. Why. Why? WHY did everything have to be the same!

Bluefur growled, something she was doing every day now. But no matter how often she let out her frustrations, the questions kept coming back. Why did her sister have to get hurt? Why did everyone pretend that it was fine? Why did everyone and everything in existence act as if nothing changed!

Well…

It had been a while since Snowfur went on patrol. Four moons since she last went into the woods. Two carrying Whitekit, the other two nursing him. This was the only explanation she had to why Bluefur didn’t search for her sister in the forest.

No. She searched inside the camp. She looked up to share from the fresh-kill pile. Her paws led her to their favorite sharing-tongues spot at noon. Bluefur’s ears listened for her laugh within the nursery. Her eyes widened at bits of white fur, only to realize it was either Patchpelt or White-eye. All her searching yielded disappointment.

Bluefur was having one of those disappointing moments when she went to sit in the sun. The noon sun was just right, though Bluefur’s world was covered in ice. Her eyes were casted down, oblivious to the other she-cat in her spot.

“Hello Bluefur.” A familiar voice purred. Bluefur looked over to see Rosetail next to her. The grey tabby pushed a squirrel in-between them.

“Would you like to share this with me?” Rosetail smiled.

Bluefur glanced weary at the squirrel. “The last time I shared a piece of fresh-kill with you, I killed your littermate.” Bluefur spoke, defeated.

Rosetail drew back in momentary shock before giving into a long sigh. “So that is why you stopped sharing prey with me.” Rosetail turned her tired eyes back upon Bluefur. “You do know I never blamed you for Sweetpaw’s death.”

“Thistleclaw still does.” Bluefur meowed.

“Which is so silly since I was the one who invited both of you to eat with me. Not the other way around.” Rosetail rolled her eyes at the mention of her other littlermate. “It is also silly that both of you are still playing the blame game.”

“Wait, what?” Bluefur asked. Her head twitched in a daze. What game was Rosetail talking about?

“Both you and Thistleclaw keep blaming yourselves and each other whenever something goes wrong.” Rosetail bent down to Bluefur’s eye level. “Neither of you can move on if you are stuck deciding who is to blame.”

“But I am the one who took Snowfur out! I am the one who let her get hurt! I am-” Rosetail covered Bluefur’s muzzle with her pink-orange tail.

“See? You are stuck blaming yourself. You are forgetting who wanted to take care of her sister. Who was the one who brought her safely home? Who was the one who told Whitekit about his mama? Who is the one who is still taking time out of her day to care for him? Who Bluefur?” Rosetail drilled into Bluefur’s head.

“Leopardfoot, Adderfang, you, Robinwing…” Bluefur gasped out as she pulled down Rosetail’s fuffy gag.

“No! It was you silly!” Rosetail interrupted, her face one of disbelief. “See?! You are so busy blaming yourself for bad things that you can’t see all the good things you done.”

Bluefur’s eyes widened. Had she really done all those things? She shut her eyes. Yes, she really had. All those other cats who helped her, well, they helped her accomplish those good deeds.

“You know…” Rosetail began. “Thistleclaw blames himself for Sweetpaw’s death.”

Bluefur flicked her ears in surprise. “Now why would he do that?”

Rosetail tilted her head back at Bluefur. “Because he is the one who caught that rotten mouse the three of us ate.” She said with sad eyes. “He still blames himself. Even though he can’t control when prey is eaten or not.” The grey tabby played with the dirt before her.

Bluefur had to shake her head. There was no way… Rosetail had to be making this up. “How do you know?”

Rosetail glanced across the camp where Thistleclaw was prowling. “Because I had to chew him out for it just two days ago.” She drawled, clearly displeased with her brother.

The blue-grey warrior had to nod her head. It made sense, yet at the same didn’t make sense. Could have what happened with Sweetpaw really been an accident? “Rosetail?”

The tabby flicked her ear. “Yes Bluefur?”

“Do you forgive me? For being such a terrible friend?” Bluefur asked.

Rosetail let out a happy chuckle. “Yes Bluefur. I forgive you for all the injustices you’ve done to me. All the intentional wounds and the unintentional wounds. All the true pains and the made-up pains.”

Bluefur lowered her head. “Can I make it up to you?” She said, eyes pleading.

Rosetail laughed. “You can start by sharing this squirrel with me!” She said as she pushed the squirrel towards Bluefur.

A friendship grew deeper on that sunny day. Along with forgiveness washing away old pains.

Chapter Text

Why did everything have to be going wrong?! Thistleclaw growled to himself. The sky turned grey. All the burrs were sticking to his fur. Every puddle seemed to jump onto his path.

It wasn’t just the forest that was driving him crazy. Every creature alive was attempting to join the “Drive Thistleclaw Insane Patrol”. His fellow warriors kept asking him if he was fine. (He wasn’t. How was it not obvious?) The enemy clans just had to walk that freaking close to the border. (Can’t they smell?!) Even Thistleclaw’s own body was rebelling by missing that dang mouse ever, single, time!

Thistleclaw let out a cry as he missed the mouse, again. That tiny seed eater somehow knew when to move just enough that the cat breezed past him. AGAIN! This time, Thistleclaw slammed into tree roots instead the mouse. The grey-and-white warrior was undazed just enough to watch said mouse stroll its merry on way into the undergrowth. Thistleclaw groaned as he let his head fall into the tree root.

“Thistleclaw? Is that you?” A voice came from the thicket. Thistleclaw lifted his head just enough to see two cats push through the bushes. He knew those two cats better than his own paws. Though he didn’t know wither to be happy or embarrassed with his parents being here.

“Thistleclaw…What happened?” His father Windflight asked. The grey tabby tom took pause at the sight of his son crumbled before him. His mother, Poppydawn, continued towards him. It didn’t long at all for her long, dark-red fur to surround his pelt.

“It doesn’t matter. I failed to catch any prey today, yesterday, or the day before that!” Thistleclaw’s voice rose with every word.

“I have a small feeling that is not the problem my son.” Poppydawn said as her tail began to rub his pelt.

“Yes it is! What else could be worse than the clan going hungry!” Thistleclaw snapped at her.

“Thistleclaw!” His father growled, his pale green eyes blazing in fury. “That is not how you talk to a clanmate, much less your mother!”

Thistleclaw almost snapped at his father before his mother hushed him. “Thistleclaw, you do not have to be the perfect warrior for us.” Poppydawn firmly stated.

The grey-and-white cat let his head dip yet again in defeat. “Then what I am? A broken, useless apprentice?” Thistleclaw asked. He would have never asked such a question out-loud if he wasn’t so tired.

“Our son. Our dear son whose mate has been terribly injured.” Windflight stated. Thistleclaw had to look up at him. He suspected that his face betrayed his bewilderment at the fact his father was saying those words, rather than his sweet mother.

“You cannot hide your worries from us, my son.” His mother purred. “We all know you far too well.” Rosetail included. Thistleclaw grimly thought. She just got after him two days ago for blaming himself for his sister Sweetpaw’s death.

“Why d-did you not say anything?” He stummered. He would not cry. Warriors do not cry.

“Because we know you like to work things out yourself. Any aid seems like interference in your eyes.” His father said as he sat down in front of him. His green eyes shone only with care, not pity Thistleclaw happily noted.

“We also know that you love Snowfur and are willing to do anything to help her.” Poppydawn nudged him.

“But-t-t. I can’t do anything to help Snowfur.” Thistleclaw said. Funny it took him voicing his problem out-loud for him even to notice its existence. That was the reason why he was snappy and failing at everything. His beautiful snow blossom had just…

“That may be partly true.” His father mused. “However, it is completely true that you CANNOT go around snapping at your clanmates just because you are angry.”

“I am NOT angry like some tiny kit!” Thistleclaw bristled. “You may know me father, but you do NOT know how I feel.” Thistleclaw could feel his mother stiffen beside him. His father on the other paw, just sighed.

“You are right Thistleclaw. I don’t know how it feels to have a mate badly injured, yet still alive.” Windflight meowed. The grey-and-white warrior’s control gave out as soon as he realized what Windflight just said.

“Father… I was not-”

“Thinking straight? Yeah. I didn’t think straight at the time either.” Windflight merely shrugged his shoulders.

“Did you ever hear of how I acted when I lost Rainfur?” Windflight asked him. Seeing Thistleclaw’s negative shake, Windflight went on. “I was so angry at losing her, I broke the Elders’ Den.”

Thistleclaw’s face transformed into the embodiment of shock. “Wait? What did you do?”

Windflight rolled his tail. “Okay, that wasn’t very accurate. I destroyed the Elders’ Den.”

Thistleclaw’s face was still frozen in shock. “What!?!”

Poppydawn nodded in confirmation. “Mistpelt and Larksong were NOT happy at being forced to sleep in the Warriors’ Den for several nights. It took your father many days to rebuild the Elders’ Den by himself. Luckily, Starclan saved the elders from his poor craftcatship by dropping several branches right where they needed to be.”

“Thistleclaw.” His father wanted his attention. “Was I justified in my anger?” Windflight asked once Thistleclaw closed his gaping muzzle.

Thistleclaw blinked. Was this a trick question? There was a reason why he preferred battle move tests over story tests. “Yes. You lost your mate, who left you alone with three newly apprentice kits.”

“Plus Speckletail and White-eye. You and Rainfur adopted the two of them when both of their parents died in the Great Hunger.” Poppydawn added.

Windflight bent his head down, though his eye were not seeing the grass. “It didn’t make sense. Harepounce already died in that leaf-bare. My mate lived through the Great Hunger, suckling five hungry kits the whole season! For her to die so soon after the dawn of new-leaf? I am not ashamed in admitting the fact I screamed at the stars themselves for nights on end.” After a few saggy breaths, Windflight looked up. “Again, I ask you, was I justified in my anger?”

Thistleclaw didn’t trust himself to say the right words, so he nodded.
Windflight’s green eyes sparkled with understanding. “Now a different question. Was I justified in destroying the Elders’ Den?” Thistleclaw became very confused. Did he not just answer that question?

Windflight’s eyes remained in the same understanding expression. “No. I was not.”

“But you were right to be angry!” Thistleclaw almost leapt to his paws. However, his mother’s body kept him from going too far.

“But I did NOT have the right to take out my anger and frustrations on my clanmates.” Windflight declared. His whole body stood firm, not rigid, in his declaration. “I had the right to be angry. By the stars, I needed to be angry. But to take it out on my clanmates was and is wrong. That did not bring Rainfur back, nor did it heal me of my pain. In fact…” Windflight paused, thoughtfulness taking over his green eyes. “If I did not have that quiet time rebuilding the Elders’s Den, I would have never found healing or peace. If I didn’t have that, well…" Windflight changed his gaze from Thistleclaw to Poppydawn. "I would have never found a once-in-a-lifetime-love twice in my own life.”

Oh no. Thistlclaw almost moaned. His parents were getting all lovie-dovie with their eyes again. Almost moaned. Thistleclaw found himself doing the exact same thing with Snowfur ever since Whitekit was born. He couldn’t blame his parents for momentary being lost in love and awe in their beloved’s eyes. Not when he experienced it himself so many times. Just thinking about Snowfur brought her sparkling blue eyes to his mind.

His mother’s love and scent brought him to the present. “Thistle.” She nuzzled his neck fur. “You have the right to be confused and upset. No one knows what is going to happen with Snowfur right now.”

“However, you do not have the right to snap at your clanmates who want to help you, especially your mother.” His father padded forward, coming nose to nose level. “If you keep up with it or do something even worse than snapping, I will find a way to ground you.”

“Father…I am a full-grown warrior now. What can you do?” Thistleclaw joked, finally feeling better.

“Well, for starters…” Windflight rose back up. “Your older brother Tawnyspots is deputy, so I can talk with him about the kinds of patrols you go on. And there is the fact your mother and I became good friends with Sunstar after you became mates with Snowfur.” Windflight went on as the three warriors walked back to camp, the mouse happily forgotten.

An important lesson became ingrained in Thistleclaw’s heart that day. Even thorns have their roses. One just has to look up to catch their sweet petals.

Chapter Text

The forest was quiet, expect for the birdsong and leaves bristling in the breeze. Though if you judged the forest to be empty expect for the feathered-singers, you would be sorely mistaken. Two hunters lurk in the undergrowth, eager to bring home dinner.

One white she-cat tasted the air. Despite being blind in one eye, the warrior could find any prey before they left the safety of the thicket. Her nose and patience awarded her with being one of the best hunters in the clan.

The she-cat flicked her ears in two directions, having found prey in both. Her dark brown companion paddled up to meet her. “At this time of the year, there will be plenty of prey at the Great Sycamore.” The tom whispered so not to scare off any prey. “We will both do well hunting there.” He decided.

“We would do well hunting together anywhere.” The she-cat purred before starting off in the direction of the gigantic tree.

The two crept towards the Great Sycamore. The tree had opened its pods, inviting the bugs to a feast. The mice caught word of it, so they chased after the bugs. The cats, well…

The cats were there waiting for them.

The cats watched the mice gather in, a plan forming in their minds. They nodded once to one another, already knowing the scheme. Silently, they pounced upon the unsuspecting prey.

Three mice were dead before the others became aware of the predators’ presence. As they started to flee, two more mice fell underneath a cat’s claws. Only one creature remined uncaptured; a squirrel.

The white she-cat gestured her chin up the Great Sycamore’s branches. She knew how squirrels could climb so high, they could touch the clouds. The dark-brown tom was well aware, as he began to move to capture the squirrel.

The she-cat lunged at the squirrel, only for the squirrel to dodge her by diving underneath a tree root. The only cute rodent in existence climbed over her fallen body and jumped gleefully up the tree. The rat’s relative chipped victoriously in the high branches, having successfully defeated the dreaded cat. No one could conquer its realm, the wide-reaching tree branches. What a prideful squirrel, for an invader had just arrived to challenge that notion.

The dark-brown tom observed the rodent with his yellow eyes. He did not wait long at all to stalk the squirrel. With a flash, the squirrel was trapped in-between the big tom’s jaws and snapped. The folly emperor of the branches died, conquered.

Kept balanced by his broad shoulders, the dark-brown tom easily climbed down to his companion. He unlatched his big jaw to drop the squirrel upon the pile of fresh-kill that the she-cat made. Suddenly, the white she-cat nuzzled the large tom’s neck, purring happily at a successful hunt. The dark-brown tom leaned into her touch, his tabby stripes wrapping around her unblemished coat.

Not moving away from her companion, the white warrior spoke. “Five mice and one fat squirrel. I say that was a fine hunt. Though,” The she-cat turned to gaze her one seeing eye at him. “What do you think, Sparrowpelt?”

The dark-brown warrior peeped his yellow eyes at the pile. “I think we should add some birds to it.” Sparrowpelt expressed.

White-eye flicked her ears and titled her nose. “There are two birds five fox-lengths to our right. Though I do wonder why you want birds. Lately, you have been insistent on catching birds on our hunts.”

Sparrowpelt flinched. “Is it that obvious?” He asked.

The white she-cat pulled herself away from large tom. “I do happen to know that your favorite piece of fresh-kill is squirrel, not bird.” White-eye glared at him, showing off her clawed eye. Despite her supposed anger, her only seeing eye revealed her laughter.

Sparrowpelt could see it. His muzzle could not hold in a chuckle at the sight. Though only a chuckle escaped before the big tabby tom became somber once more. “I wanted to make sure there is plenty of fresh-kill. So everyone can enjoy their favorites.” The dark-brown warrior attempted to lighten the mood with the last sentence.

However, the one-eyed she-cat saw right through him. “Birds are Snowfur’s favorite, aren’t they?” White-eye asked him.

The dark-brown tom hung his head. “I know I am not supposed to care that much for her anymore. I mean, she was my apprentice. Which means not my apprentice anymore apprentice! I shouldn’t be this worried.”

White-eye hushed him with a swipe of her tail. “You can never stop worrying about her. After all, love doesn’t die so easily.” Noticing Sparrowpelt’s bewilded eyes, she continued. “And there are many types of love. Love between parents and offspring, love between a warrior and clan, love from a leader to their clan, love between friends, love between siblings, and love between a teacher and their student.” White-eye readily let her care shine through her eye.

“You don’t need to feel guilty about caring for those under you Sparrowpelt. Besides,” White-eye curled up underneath the tom’s neck again. “I know you love me more than all the fresh-kill in the forest.” She purred as she snuggled against her mate.

Sparrowpelt almost chocked in disbelief. “Thank you… White-eye.” He managed to croak out.

“Though I do have one question.” White-eye stated. “Will you let me love your former apprentice too?” She pleaded.

Sparrowpelt immediately lightened up. “You can help me find some feathered prey for her to enjoy when she wakes up.” He nuzzled his mate before they sprung to bury the already caught fresh-kill.

“Tell me, which bird is her favorite favorite?” White-eye asked as they paddled towards the birds she discovered earlier.

“She is happy with any bird I catch, though I noticed she likes starlings the most.” Sparrowpelt provided, fondly nodding the memory.

“Well, we got an entire forest to cover and a whole day to spend. We will find her a starling yet!” White-eye declared.

So two warriors bounded off on another hunt, united in both love and mission.

Chapter Text

“When will my mama wake up?” a small tom-kit meowed, yellow eyes wide.

A black mottled she-cat tightened at the question. How could she answer a question when no one knew the answer? Taking a deep breath, she tried anyway. “Your mama will wake up when it is time Whitekit.”

The fluffy kitten squirmed his nest. “But you said that yesterday! And the day before that! And the day before that!” Whitekit shouted, though to the Thunderclan queen it sounded more like a squeak.

Leopardfoot sighed. “Whitekit. That is because the answer is true today as it was yesterday. I am not lying…”

“But when!” Whitekit jumped out of his nest and landed on her paws. “When will she wake up?” He cried, eyes pleading.

Leopardfoot closed her green eyes, unwilling to gaze into his yellow ones. “I don’t know Whitekit. I honestly don’t know.”

The Thunderclan queen felt the tiny paws slip off from her as the poor kitten bent down. “Ohh…” was the only sound that came. Leopardfoot opened her eyes to see Whitekit sink into the moss of her nest. “Whitekit-it…” Leopardfoot spoke.

The tom-kit looked back up at her, ears down and eyes sad. Leopardfoot’s heart swelled, leading her paws to wrap around the poor kitten. Black fur surrounded the white kitten as Leopardfoot nuzzled him. “I am so sorry I cannot give you an answer. But I can tell you that you are so loved. So loved that you will never be alone, no matter what happens.”

Whitekit relaxed at her words. “Promise, Auntie Leopardfoot?” he asked.

Leopardfoot smiled her first smile all evening. “Promise. And all your kin and clan would swear the same.”

“Yeah. Especially since they keep showing up every night.” A new, tiny voice meowed.

Both queen and kit turned to the newcomer. A dark brown tom-kit stared at them both. It was a kind stare, no sign of envy in his amber eyes. How could he be jealous at his almost-brother?

“But until then, SLEEP-OVER!!!” Tigerkit meowed as he leapt into the nest. Whitekit giggled in delight as he flung the bits of moss Tigerkit flew up. The sorrow was not forgotten, but now the joy could be seen.

Leopardfoot laughed at the sight of the two silly kits. “But if it is going to be a sleep-over little ones, you need to go to sleep.” she said.

“Ahnn…” the tom-kits groaned, though they both settled down by her belly. Tigerkit clutched close a moss-ball as he calmed down. Whitekit snugged this way and that, not quite settled yet.

“Auntie Leopardfoot?” the white kitten asked, staying close to the queen’s belly-fur.

“Yes Whitekit?” The black queen responded.

“Who will come snuggle with me tonight? Will it be one of my aunts or my grandparent or my daddy?” Whitekit innocently asked.

“What is wrong with us?” Tigerkit meowed, clearly annoyed at being less than efficient.

“Well… there’s no room in the nest if my grandparents show up. They always come to visit me together. ” Whitekit meowed, his young mind no where close to thinking Tigerkit’s fears.

“I am certain whoever does come to visit you will be a present surprise. Sweet dreams my dear kittens.” Leopardfoot meowed, licking the heads of the kits.

As the kittens slipped away into dreamsky, Leopardfoot gazed out of the Thunderclan nursery. The night was calm, the moon close to full. The queen turned her green eyes to the Medicine Cat Den where golden light danced. She could see Thistleclaw in the light, padding his way to the entrance.

With a sigh, Leopardfoot shook her head. While the whole clan slept, Sunstar and Thistleclaw would be keeping vigil over Snowfur’s body. She could only hope the two of rested enough for the approaching Gathering.

A strange sight brought her head back up. As Thistleclaw entered the Medicine Cat Den, shades darker than shadow leapt away from his body. Stranger still, were sparks on the end of a… tail?

Leopardfoot shook her head again. She was must be too tired if she was seeing things. She must already be slipping into dreamsky she thought as she curled up around the kits. What she saw could not be real. Surely…

Chapter Text

The silver moon bathed the forest in its gentle light. The long grass shook from the wind, looking like ripples in the stream underneath the moonlight. Through the tree branches, the swamp was luminated by the stars shining bright. A few colored leaves twirled in the forest, dancing with all their might. By the river, peaceful music played, each sound just right. Upon the rocks and roots, the call was heard within hearts to cease the fight. Everyone in the forest paused to ponder this night.

Such a night was this, that Crookedjaw breathed in, right outside the Riverclan camp. His bright green eyes lifted up to the heavens to ponder the beauty. The tom was lucky. The one night he was awake was the night filled with great wonders. It was almost a shame that he had to hurry away for a Gathering.

“Crookedjaw! Are you coming?” A voice called out to the light-brown tom. Ahh…Crookedjaw sighed as he pulled his eyes away. The clan called him, so he must go.

A white she-cat with black spots waited for him. Her face was one of concern, yet her blue eyes became full of joy when Crookedjaw came closer. Her sweet sent washed over Crookedjaw as he approached, letting him know he was safe here. At times, Crookedjaw thought that she loved him more than his own mother. In his few traitorous moments, he thought he loved her more than his own mother.

“Enjoying the sky tonight?” Bumbleberry asked him, her blue eyes lacking all judgment.

Crookedjaw glanced back up at the heavens where the stars danced. “Seems as if one had to be blind to miss this beauty tonight.” He replied to the medicine cat.

Bumbleberry joined him to look up at the stars. “Blind in the eye? No, I don’t believe that. So full of pride you can’t see the beauty in front of your own whiskers, that I can understand. Blindness not due to brokenness one can’t control, but the choices one willing makes.” The she-cat turned to look at Crookedjaw, staring at his bright eyes.

Her blue eyes searched him, as one trying to find a kit in a heavy storm. Her eyes always looked like that when she tried to teach him something important. Crookedjaw, however, almost never understood her. At times, he just couldn’t. The other times…he didn’t want too.

“What do you see?” Crookedjaw asked her, attempting to change the conversation. “Up in the sky tonight?” He jerked his twisted muzzle to the stars.

“Hmm…” Bumbleberry thought as she looked back up. She leaned into him as her eyes searched above for meaning. “I see clouds trying to take the night, our night. But…” Her face shone with confidence, made brighter by the moonlight. “The stars will not let the darkness win.”

Crookedjaw chuckled. “I understand that metaphor, though I am not certain I believe it.”

“Always believe it Stormheart. You are not fighting your battles alone. There is always, ALWAYS, some cat looking out for you.” Bumbleberry told him, her eyes full of a light brighter than the moon.

“Bumbleberry! Where are you? The clan needs us both to be there at the Gathering!” Mudfur called for his mentor. The older brown tom raced to his mentor. His run slowed when he noted Crookedjaw by Bumbleberry. Mudfur always gave them time together. Though, Crookedjaw still didn’t understand why either of them where so nice to him.

“Ah! I found you both!” Mudfur said cheerfully. “Crookedjaw, your father and brother were hoping to go to the Gathering with you tonight.” The tom told him.

“Really? Where are they?” Crookedjaw’s ears perked at the joyful news. “Wait, is my mother coming as well?” Crookedjaw asked with a pause.

Mudfur shook his head. “Rainflower will be staying behind this full moon. You don’t need to worry about anything. Now, your father and brother are over there with Hailstar. Both are wondering where you are.” Mudfur pointed with his ears to the camp entrance.

“Thank you Mudfur.” Crookedjaw dipped his head to the older tom. Despite not being an elder or senior warrior, the tom still deserved Crookedjaw’s respect. Respect he was happy to give to one who earned it.

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“And that is how I knew Shellheart was the best cat to be my deputy.” Hailstar finished his tale with a fond look at Crookedjaw’s father. “I’ve been proud of my decision ever since.”

Shellheart shrugged his shoulders. “Just doing what a warrior ought to do for their clan sir.” Was all the dappled grey tom said as they walked to the Fourtrees.

“But you do it with courage, loyalty, and thoughtfulness. Any warrior can hunt and fight, but only one who is brave out of love for their clanmates is worthy of being my deputy. You, Shellheart, courageously act with great care for Riverclan.” Hailstar said firmly, his broad, grey shoulders flexed his mighty wings.

“A trait you passed down to both of your sons.” Echomist happily noted. She was purring right next to Hailstar, looking proudly at both Crookedjaw and Oakheart. The leader’s mate had been kind to both of them since kithood, though that did little to stop the embarrassment.

“Please Echomist, stop.” Crookedjaw tucked his ears back. The queen merely laughed, her cloud-like pelt bouncing with every step.

“Now Crookedjaw, what’s wrong with a little compliment?” Oakheart nudged his light-brown brother at the shoulder. The reddish tom’s playful smile was reflected in his amber eyes, sparking with content.

Before Crookedjaw could respond, a blur of pale gold fur rushed into Hailstar. It was a she-cat, her body shook with sobs. Poor Hailstar was confounded at the sight, though Shellheart and his sons were even more so. Echomist was the only one who could move. “Dawnstripe? What is wrong?”

The Windclan warrior lifted her eyes to gaze at Echomist. Dawnstripe opened up her mouth, but nothing could come out. She turned away, burying her muzzle into Hailstar’s chest.

“Shellheart, take the clan into the clearing. We’ll catch up with you later.” Hailstar ordered his deputy.

“Sir? What will I tell the other leaders if they ask?” Shellheart asked.

“That I will be there.” Hailstar stated. “Now go.” He said, sharply waving them forward with his wing.

Shellheart leaped forward, landing on a place where all of Riverclan could see him. “Onward Riverclan! To the Gathering!” He called. Riverclan rushed past them, all clan members flowing by like water.

“Crookedjaw? Are you coming?” Oakheart asked his brother, standing a few paces away.

The light-brown tom looked forward to his clan. It was easy to follow, but his paws called him to his leader. “I’ll will arrive with Hailstar and Echomist.” Crookedjaw told his brother. “Besides, what if they were attacked? It will be better if they have another warrior with them.”

Oakheart shrugged his shoulders. “If you say so.” The reddish-brown tom went to their father. “Don’t forget it is a full moon tonight! The last cat who was fish-brain enough to attack at a Gathering was Ripplestar of Shadowclan, and he died during the attempt!” He called back to Crookedjaw.

The light-brown tom sighed out of his twisted jaw. Oakheart was the one cat who could call out his poor excuses. Though the reason he gave was a valid one in his mind…and in Mapleshade’s vow.

Crookedjaw shook those thoughts out of his head. He had to protect Hailstar. Before Mapleshade attempted anything.
The Riverclan warrior turned back around, padding down the pathway. Quickly, his ears picked up another set of paws padding with him. Crookedjaw almost snapped his head towards the sound. The sound-maker moved fast, a blur of black-and-white fur coming into sight. It wasn’t long before Talltail of Windclan joined him side by side.

“Did you see Dawnstripe?” Talltail asked Crookedjaw. He slowed to match Crookedjaw’s speed. “She ran ahead of the clan. Did she come this way?” Talltail pushed, anxious about his former mentor.

“Yeah.” Crookedjaw pointed his tail to the three cats. “Perhaps you can explain why she is so upset that she came running to Hailstar.”

“Upset? Hailstar?” Talltail blinked. “Can you please take me to her?” The black-and-white tom asked when he shook himself out of thought.

“Sure. Though remember, it is a Gathering night tonight.” Crookedjaw drawled to the Windclan warrior.

“Which means Heatherstar will be wondering if I decided to wander off till the next full moon when she discovers I’m gone.” Talltail said. Crookedjaw grew confused. Was there some context that he was missing?

The Riverclan warrior decided to focus on the present when Hailstar came back into view. Echomist managed to calm down Dawnstripe while Hailstar rubbed her back. Talltail ran at a pace he would call ‘walking’ to meet his former mentor. Dawnstripe’s eyes widened when she noticed him, but the surprise quickly went away. What was with Windclan and being speedy?

“Ahh…Talltail.” Hailstar said when he saw him. The grey leader spoke fondly, though not as fond as when one of his own kits approached. “Is it possible you can enlighten our situation?” He dipped his muzzle to Drawnstripe, though kept his ice-tipped wing on her back.

Talltail solemnly nodded. “I can. But I believe Dawnstripe should have a chance to say it first.”

Echomist cut in. “Yes, but only if she’s-”

“I lost him.” Dawnstripe finally spoke, the first Crookedjaw heard from her all night. “I lost my kit.”

Hailstar and Echomist were both startled. “Sunnysight? What happened?” Echomist asked while Hailstar pulled Dawnstripe closer in.

“Oh No! Sunnysight is fine. In fact, he is at the Gathering tonight.” Talltail intervened. “No, it is-”

“I lost him. I only had him for a few days and I lost him!” Dawnstripe wailed.

“Then who…” Echomist asked before her eyes lit up in realization. “Your kits! Did you just have them?”

Dawnstripe nodded, choking out another sob. Crookedjaw’s eye went to her still swollen belly. How did he miss that milk scent that kept to her fur?

“Dawnstripe…” Hailstar muttered. He squeezed the Windclan queen to his chest, as if that could push the sadness out of her.
“I lost him, and he was even named yet! He was so small…” Dawnstripe cried. Echomist didn’t say a word, merely putting her muzzle on Dawnstripe’s golden head.

Crookedjaw looked at the scene. He couldn’t stand it any longer. “What is happening here?!?!”

Talltail sadly glanced his way. “It happened last night. An adder snuck into the nursery, hungry for little bodies to eat. It slithered over to the nearest nest, which belonged to Dawnstripe and her newborn kits.”

Echomist took in a sharp breath. Hailstar shared Crookedjaw’s horrified face, his wing shifted to a protective shield. By Hailstar, Dawnstripe closed her eye shut. She knew what came next.

“My mate, Reenaheart, was awake at the time and noticed the deadly snake. She screamed, enough to wake me up all the way where the warriors slept. I instantly raced to the nursey. Upon finding the adder, I killed it. Though…” Talltail hung his head low. “Not before it struck the tom-kit.”

Crookedjaw opened and closed his twisted mouth. The poor kit, dying long before his time. Though Talltail prevented the death of Dawnstripe and her other kits. “What happened to the other kits?” Crookedjaw asked.

“My other kit...Is still alive. Talltail saved him in time.” Dawnstripe croaked.

Echomist gazed into Dawnstripe’s eyes. “Did you name him?” She politely asked.

Dawnstripe nodded. “We decided on the name Duskkit. Aspenfell is with him now. I-I…” She buried her muzzle into Hailstar’s chest. “I needed to see you.”

Hailstar’s face was soft. “We are here for you, Dawnstripe.” He gently said.

“For you and your family.” Echomist added. “Would you like Petaldust, Voleclaw, or Beetlenose to talk with Sunnysight?” The glossy grey she-cat asked.

“He would appreciate it. Voleclaw might be best, though I know your other kits would want to help.” Dawnstripe spoke.

“Dawnstripe,” Hailstar began. “If I see your kit in Starclan, I will tell him that his family loves and misses him.”

Dawnstripe’s eyes watered, though they sparkled with hope instead of sorrow. “We decided on the name Adderkit; it starts with the same first sound as Aspenfell. He is pale grey and white with my creamy stripes.” The information flowed out of the pale gold queen.

After a few more moments, Dawnstripe pulled away. “Thank you Hailstar, Echomist, for everything.” The Windclan queen said. One could still see the sorrow affecting her, but her body no longer trembled.

“Shall we go to the Gathering now?” Talltail asked, head beckoning to the Fourtrees
.
Echomist looked over all of them. “I think we are ready now. Lead the way Talltail.” Dawnstripe and Echomist walked together, the pale gold queen staying close to her friend. The Windclan warrior walk closely to them, resisting the urge to run. Crookedjaw hanged back, refusing to leave Hailstar alone.

“Why did you do that?” Crookedjaw whispered to his leader.

“Do what, young Crookedjaw?” Hailstar asked back. He stretched out his ice-tipped wings. “I did a lot right of things back there.”

“Why did you let her rush you? Why did you comfort an enemy? Why did you promise to find her kit for her? Why did you care for her?” Crookedjaw asked. His voice betrayed his honest confusion, lacking all the scorn Mapleshade encouraged.
Hailstar’s eyes widened in surprise. “Why do you wonder Crookedjaw? What thought sent your mind whirling through a stormy river?”
Crookedjaw brought his head down. His eyes leapt from stone to stone as they walked toward the Fourtrees, every pause between leap growing shorter. “The clan comes first. Everything else is secondary. The clan is life, heart, and home. Nothing can come before that.” Crookedjaw violently shook his head, Mapleshade’s taunting gaze prevailed in his mind. “Nothing.” He whispered in pain.

Hailstar sighed “I don’t know what you been told or taught, Crookedjaw. I can only dream of what you came to believe of yourself because of my actions.” His voice became somber, his eyes replaying the event of Crookedjaw’s renaming ceremony. “But there are some things that come before the clan. Things that are not treated lightly and must not be forgotten or misused.” Crookedjaw raised his head when Hailstar swept a wing over his back. “Compassion towards your fellow cats is the one of them. Compassion, Stormheart, transcend all borders.” Hailstar spoke firmly. “Compassion is owed to all cats, no matter who they are. For if we are share one thing in common, we are all cats who live and can love.”

The Fourtrees hung over them, their grand branches reaching out to the four corners of the starry sky. “I am sorry that we did not show enough compassion to you, Stormheart. Someday, you will have to make the choice of compassion for yourself. I hope you will have the courage to give it.” Hailstar stepped towards the Great Rock, where Sunstar and Cedarstar already stood high above their clans. “But for tonight, we will enjoy this Gathering.” The grey tom looked back at Crookedjaw. His wings beckoned the young tom to come with him. Crookedjaw did, not letting the darkness deeper than shadow take him.

Chapter Text

Oakheart drifted in and out of groups of cats. Despite Thunderclan having already arrived, he couldn’t seem to find the one Thunderclan warrior he so desperately wanted to see. Oakheart knew she was here, her clanmates confirmed it, but where was she?

The Riverclan tom lifted his reddish head, hoping to catch sight of her. Instead, he found a trio of Shadowclan cats looking prouder than normal. Now that was something to check out.

Oakheart strolled over to Shadowclan trio, who were sitting in a group with three small cats and one Thunderclan warrior. Once he got closer, Oakheart was able to identify them. The Shadowclan cats where Archeye, Hollyflower, and Toadskip while the Thunderclan warrior was Dappletail. Archeye was a grey tabby tom with black stripes, with one distinct stripe over his eye. Hollyflower was a sleek, long legged she-cat with dark grey fur. White covered her face and continued down past her belly to her tail-tip. Toadskip was a dark brown tom with white splashes and white legs. His blue eyes surveyed the three small cats who were chatting happily. Oakheart’s own green eyes recognized only the Windclan apprentice Dustypaw out of the three small cats. And a’course, there was the lovely as ever Dappletail, her tortoiseshell coat still glossy with health.

“My, my what a lovely night tonight.” Oakheart began. All the cats in the group turned his way once he spoke. “It really is the perfect night for a Gathering.”

Hollyflower chuckled. “Indeed. We really did luck out tonight.” The she-cat said. The Shadowclan warrior glanced to the small black-and-ginger she-cat. “Perrrfect for one’s first Gathering.” She hummed.

“Oh! First Gathering? That is wonderful event! To whom should I be congratulating?” Oakheart said, an honest smile graced his muzzle for the new paws. Finding out the new apprentices’ names was a wonderful bonus though.

Archeye pointed his ears at the three small cats. “To our apprentices right here. The black-and-ginger she-cat is Newtpaw, whose mentor is the equally wonderful and exasperating Hollyflower.” The grey-and-white she-cat chuckled at her description while her apprentice Newtpaw stepped forward with shinning eyes.

“Next is Toadskip with his apprentice Ashpaw. Already he is teaching her insults to fling at Shadowclan’s foes.” Archeye remarked at the pair. The small grey she-cat puffed up her chest at her name. Toadskip, meanwhile, had a face of perfect indifference to the accusation thrown at him.

“Now, my apprentice is- AHH! You are not my apprentice!” Archeye squealed at the brown tom at the end of the line.

“I agree. Last I checked, my mentor is Deadfoot of Windclan.” Dustypaw shrugged back at the poor Shadowclan warrior.

Hollyflower burst out laughing while Toadskip’s body rippled with amusement. “I was wondering when you would notice, Archeye.” Toadskip meowled. The dark grey and white she-cat next to him kept on laughing, bringing her head to her paws.

“Well, um…” Archeye recollected himself. “We cannot take you home with us.” He said to Dustypaw.

The Windclan apprentice nodded. “Yeah. I am pretty sure my nest is in the moor. Not a loud, messy swamp.”

Dappletail, who was watching the event unfold next to Oakheart, spoke up. “Well Archeye, he is definitely not Shadowclan.” She said with a smile.

Archeye nodded wearily. “Definitely.” Newtpaw and Ashpaw giggled, unable to hold it in any longer. When Archeye turned to glare them, the two littermates quickly retreated behind their mentors’s back.

“If you all excuse me, Frogpaw! Frogpaw!” Archeye called, slightly pulling away from the group. It was kind of him to not yell right into their ears.

“Coming!” A voice answered. A young voice Oakheart swore he heard before.

A light grey tom ran up to the group. His tail was striped-black; his scent was a delightful mix of fish, reeds, and beech tree. Oakheart knew exactly who this young tom was, as well as the fact he only had one sister.

“How can I help you?” Frogpaw of Riverclan politely asked Oakheart. The Riverclan apprentice stared straight at Oakheart, unaware of Archeye’s dropped jaw.

“I was wondering, Frogpaw, of where your mentor is. Do you know?” Oakheart asked. Okay, maybe he was rubbing it in, but this was funny.

Frogpaw pecked up, eager to help. “My mentor is…” Frogpaw said as he searched the clearing. “Missing…” the tom’s voice became quiet as a mouse. “Whelp. I guess my mentor’s name is Missingstar now!” Frogpaw quickly recovered with a beaming grin.

All apprentices laughed at the joke, getting the others to chuckle. Archeye, however, was downright worried. “There is…Another grey tom…whose is name is Frogpaw?” He started to hypervenate.

Oakheart flashed him a grin. “Seems like it, Archeye.” He nodded.

The laughter in his chest ebbed away. The time for jokes was over. The seriousness of finding Archeye’s apprentice had arrived.

“Shall we spread out looking for Shadowclan Frogpaw or climb on top of one another to get a better view?” Oakheart suggested.

“Climbing on top of Toadskip could work. He is the tallest, though Archeye has the steadiest shoulders.” Dustypaw remarked.
Toadskip swiftly turned Dustypaw. “You better watch where you put your foot, Windclan paw. It might end up in your mouth.” His lips lifted up in a snarl.

“Toadskip, don’t hurt the apprentice. He is only joking.” Hollyflower purred. “We might have the best results if we split up. Though we all have to meet back here when the Gathering starts.” She looked Archeye dead in the eye. “Everycat is going to their own home tonight.” Hollyflower declared.

“Mentors with their apprentices. I’ll go with Hollyflower and Newtpaw. Dustypaw, please don’t get eaten by Toadskip. Oakheart…It might be best if you go with Archeye and Frogpaw.” Dappletail sorted them out.

“Wait, what is going on?” Frogpaw asked, sensing all the fun retreated.

“I’ll brief you on the way.” Oakheart swiftly told him. The reddish-brown tom moved to Riverclan’s side of the clearing with Archeye and Frogpaw. Behind them, Oakheart could hear Dustypaw tell Toadskip, “Climbing on your shoulders would work! I have the best eyesight here!” along with Toadskip’s clear refusal.

“So…Frogpaw. There is another Frogpaw here with us tonight. However, he has gotten lost. We need to find him and reunite him with his mentor here, Archeye.” Oakheart told the Riverclan apprentice, ending with a head jerk to the worried Shadowlcan warrior.

“What does he look like?” Frogpaw asked, eager to help.

“He is six moons and looks like it. His fur is also grey, though it dark and single colored. No spots or stripes.” Archeye supplied.

The three walked through the coward of cats, attempting to spread out and yet stay close together. Oakheart heard snippets of conversations. One was Brackenfoot telling cats of how sharp-eyed his daughter Yellowkit was. Another was somecat mentioning how Leopardkit was growing up just fine. There was one random tibit about excitement in Windclan’s nursey. Others was about a wounded cat in Thunderclan. Oakheart couldn’t catch who it was though.

What Oakheart did catch was Frogpaw yelling, “Petaldust! There you are!” Oakheart had just enough time to see the apprentice run off. Letting out a sigh, he tilted his head to Archeye. “We might as well go make sure an another Frogpaw doesn’t disappear tonight.” With a nod, Archeye followed Oakheart towards Frogpaw’s direction.

When they came upon him, the two found him chatting with a tortoiseshell she-cat. She was listening intently to Frogpaw’s ramble, with another cat hiding by her side. Noticing that Oakheart and Archeye were there, she padded towards them.

“Hello Archeye. It seems we have switched apprentices tonight.” Petaldust meowed. She beckoned with her tail to the small cat beside her. It was a young, dark grey tom with light green eyes. Those eyes widened with joy when he saw his mentor.

“Archeye! I found you!” Frogpaw of Shadowclan yelped for joy. He raced forward to snuggle in Archeye’s chest fur. The Shadowclan warrior purred with joy as he glanced down at his apprentice.

“This Oakheart, is my real apprentice. Frogpaw, might I introduce you to Oakheart of Riverclan? As well as the other Frogpaw in the warrior clans?” Archeye proudly said, prouder than a warrior who won a hundred battles.

All they were able to get in was a few hellos when the leaders announced it was time for the Gathering to begin. Archeye and his apprentice rushed back to their clanmates, Oakheart half-hearty followed behind. He was too busy making sure the Riverclan Frogpaw stayed behind with his own mentor to catch up. It was a good thing he did, for then he caught sight of the most lovely of she-cats.

Her fur was blue-grey, her eyes a blue flame. Her form was tired, but her stance was strong. Her spirit never wavered. Oakheart had finally found her, Bluefur of Thunderclan.

Oakheart slid beside her, as graceful as when he was in water. The only notice she gave of him was an ear flick. The Riverclan warrior flashed her a silent smile. He wasn’t going to be rude by speaking when the leaders where speaking.

Oakheart turned his muzzle up to the Highrock where all the leaders sat. Hailstar was the first to speak. To be honest, Oakheart didn’t pay much attention. He did live in Riverclan after all…and he was too busy walking when Hailstar started talking to pay attention.

Cedarstar began next. “Shadowclan has been booming in these last few moons. Our nursey is full, but now our apprentice den is full as well. Please join Shadowclan in cheering our new apprentices at their first Gathering. Newtpaw! Ashpaw! Frogpaw!”

The whole clearing erupted into cheers for the three apprentices. Oakheart only had to peek to see the three paws sitting happily with their mentors, reunited at last. Only one cat, however, really needed his full attention.

Bluefur was cheering along with the others, though something was off. There was force in every word. Focus in every breath. Oakheart listened closer to her tone, though he found no hint of envy or spite in Bluefur’s words. It…was as if Bluefur was trying so hard to be happy, but lacked all energy to achieve it.

A warning tail waved in Oakheart’s head. Something was very much wrong. Something that Bluefur believed came second to all of this. That would not do at all.

Heatherstar of Windclan stepped forward on the Highrock. “Our ancestors in Starclan have blessed Windclan this moon. Just a few nights ago, we welcomed a new liter of kits into our nursery.”

While the rest of the clearing erupted into cheer, Oakheart couldn’t help but note a few key facts. Heatherstar neglected to mention who give birth to the liter and the number of kits. Was it Dawnstripe? It was shared that she was pregnant a few moons ago, but why would she come tonight if she had kits that needed to be suckled? A quick glance revealed she was sitting with Echomist, Talltail, and…Crookedjaw? Oakheart will have to ask him what happened later.

Though seriously? Why neglect mentioning the kits’ mother? Did Heatherstar want cats to become suspicious?

Heatherstar continued on, babbling about how those rabbits run fast and Windclan runs faster, yes Heatherstar, we get it, don’t come near your turf to eat your rabbits because we are too slow! Oakheart let out an exasperated sigh. When would she stop insulting the other clans while praising her own clan? Oakheart sent a silent thanks to Starclan when Sunstar set forward instead.

“Thunderclan’s time has been filled with adventures this last moon, though not all of them ended well. Snowfur, one of our queens, was attacked during a brief walk outside of camp.” Sunstar spoke before being interrupted by many gasps. For a queen to be attacked, especially one so kind as Snowfur, was terrifying news indeed. No noble warrior would commit such a deed. Only codeless rouges and mindless beasts like foxes would dare harm a queen. Oakheart felt the leaf-fall air grow colder at the thought.

“She still lives, though her injures confide her to the medicine cat den. We ask you, all of you, to join us in offering prayers to Starclan for her recovery and that her attackers be brought to justice.” Sunstar said, extending his wings to all four clans.

Oakheart’s green eyes widened. Snowfur was injured so badly that she was in the medicine cat den?!? She wasn’t just attacked, but attacked badly?!?! Oakheart franticly turned to Bluefur. That had to be why she was so hurt; her sister was injured badly. His hypothesis was confirmed by the blue warrior tightly squeezing her eyes shut.

Oakheart moved closer to Bluefur, close enough to whisper in her ear. “Bluefur, everything is okay.” The she-cat was startled out of her thoughts. Her blue eyes widened in surprise. “Everything will be okay.” Oakheart corrected himself.

Bluefur opened her mouth, fumbling many different sentences. Finally, she could at last speak. “What do you mean?” She asked him.

“Starclan will take care of your sister. They already saved her once. I doubt they will let her die now. Just keep praying and hoping, Bluefur.” Oakheart told her.

“How-h-how do you know my prayers will get answered?” Bluefur asked in utter disbelief.

“Because they answered mine.” Oakheart whispered to her. Seeing her confusion, Oakheart continued on. “You may not know this, but my brother and I were not apprenticed at the same time. Right before we turned six moons old, my brother broke his jaw in an accident. I was allowed to move onward to the apprentice’s den while my brother was forced to remain in the nursery due to his broken jaw. It was still a somewhat fresh wound at the time, so Hailstar and Bumbleberry didn’t want Crookedjaw to injure himself any further by training.”

Oakheart didn’t go into the abuse his mother treated Crookedjaw with, how she adored him before the accident and hated him after. How she lavished Oakheart now that Crookedjaw was different. There was no way Bluefur was ready to hear how his mother left Crookedjaw in the nursey alone the exact same night Oakheart moved to the apprentice’s den. Someday, maybe he could share with her Crookedjaw’s real name. The one that nevers reaches Rainflower’s ears.

“My brother didn’t take it too well. The same night I moved into the apprentice’s den, my brother snuck out of camp. No cat saw him. No cat knew where he went. For a whole moon, my brother was good as dead.” Oakheart breathed. It was too easy to remember the sleepless nights where he stayed up worrying about his brother. And how he could have been better.
“There was nothing I could have done to stop him. There was nothing I could do to bring my brother back. Believe me, it took quite a few cats to drill that lesson into me and even then, I had to try every trick in the book to find my brother only to fail each time.” Oakheart shared with her.

“What did you do?” Bluefur asked.

“Umm…” Oakheart couldn’t figure out if she meant while he was trying find Crookedjaw or after. To be honest, he didn’t want to tell her about him falling into a beehive or getting chased by dogs or stepping into forty-seven mud puddles in one day just to find Crookedjaw.

“Every time I tried to find him on my own, I kept getting more frustrated and worried. I became more aware of how very dead my brother could be.” Oakheart shuddered at the thought of the bees. “I did the only thing I could do after I tried everything.” Oakheart told her. Bluefur stared at him, shunned.

“I prayed and trusted that Starclan would take care of him. Because as my father told me, a seven-moon-old cat couldn’t do that for him.” Oakheart admitted. “My father also told me that I wasn’t the only cat who cared for my brother. That we both had kin and friends in Starclan looking out for us with love.”

Oakheart looked Bluefur in the eye. “Those cats brought my brother home, safe and sound. They were the ones who directed him to the barn where cats took care of him. They were the ones who reminded Crookedjaw of who he was really was. Then, after he grew safely at the barn, they made certain the way back home was safe.”

Oakheart walked closer to Bluefur. “I know am asking the seemly impossible, but you will have trust me on this. Right now, all you can do is pray to Starclan for your sister. Her fate is in their paws. You have to let go of your anxiety and trust them. Afterall,” Oakheart flashed her a caring smile. “You have many cats looking out for you with love. Both among the stars and underneath these trees.”

The two stared at each other for a few moments, interrupted only by blinks. It took all of Oakheart’s reserve to not say “I am one of those cats, looking out for you.” He was wise enough to know this was not right day or hour.

Bluefur broke the silence with a whisper. Her eyes shone with tears and voice filled with relief. “Thank you Oakheart.”
Oakheart happily purred. “You’re welcome Bluefur. If you need anything, just let me know. I am more than willing to help. And I know I can easily rope in my brother if necessary.”

With perfect timing, Dappletail plopped on in. “There you are Oakheart! You were supposed to join us when we found Frogpaw! But here you are, only half-way there.” Dappletail rolled her head to the Shadowclan cats, all the mentors and apprentices together.

Bluefur glanced back and forth the two before her with amusement. “What happened with Frogpaw?” She asked.

“It’s a really funny story. I’ll tell you on the way home.” Dappletail nodded to her. “First things first, Goodbye Oakheart! So long! Farewell.” The she-cat called to Oakheart as she pulled Bluefur to Thunderclan. Bluefur nodded a silent good-bye to him, which Oakheart quickly returned.

As Thunderclan left the clearing, Oakheart let out a long sigh. This certainty was a interesting Gathering tonight. He doubted he would forget it anytime soon. Poor Bluefur and her sister, Heatherstar acting suspious, the fun with Frogpaw and Archeye…He couldn’t wait to tell his brother all about this. O fishscales. He needed to find him.

Oakheart swiftly turned around. Within seconds, he found his brother on the clearing’s edge with the rest of Riverclan. By the use of leaps, he was by his brother’s side in a moment. “Well Crookedjaw, you wouldn’t believe the fun I had tonight.” He told him.

Crookedjaw sighed. “You wouldn’t believe the tiring night I had.”

“Maybe I can wake you up with theory talk! Do you notice how strangely Heatherstar acted tonight when she talked about the nursey? Why, I think-”

“Yeah, I should tell you about that.”

“Wait? You know what is really going on?”

“More like what happened. It involves a snake.”

“…A snake?”

“And a bunch of warriors who couldn’t notice a snake slipping into the nursey where new-born kits were sleeping.”

Oakheart frowned. “Said warriors are missing their pelts right now, aren’t they?”

Crookedjaw shrugged. “I would expect them to be. Except for the warrior who actually killed the snake. He did his job, though he wasn’t on guard duty.” His brother became serious. “Did you find anything out about Snowfur?”

Oakheart grimced. “More like how worried her sister was.”

“Hmm…” Crookedjaw looked far off into the distance. “Shall we find out what happened together?”

Oakheart thought back to what Sunstar revealed. There was too much to unpack tonight, though Sunstar said little. Even more needed to be discovered. “Let’s begin tomorrow brother.” Oakheart stated with determination.

Crookedjaw nodded. “So be it.”

Chapter Text

{CrazyGoosie is online}

{Indigotwilight82 is online}

indigotwilight82: So...I might have messed up.

!CrazyGoosie: Welp! You haven't messed till you messed up!

Indigotwilight82: Well...That's helpful. 

?:CrazyGoosie!: Now, Are you going to tell me how bad, 

Indigotwilight82: I messed up the timeline...

 ?CrazyGoosie: What's new?

Indigotwilight82: Wait? What?!

: CrazyGoosie

I mean join the club !

Indigotwilight82: Join the club? I am trying to be better than the club! 

Indigotwilight82: Also, what is with your punctation? 

CrazyGoosie: 

?What's wrong with the club?

Blame my phone.

IndigoTwilight82: You don't have a phone. 

CrazyGoosie: 

Then blame my thumbs!

Indigotwilight82: You don't have thumbs.

CrazyGoosie:

Exactly.

CrazyGoosie:

Now What is the problem?

Indigotwilight82: I accidently didn't make Goldenpaw and Lionpaw warriors...

Indigotwilight82: This was supposed to be their first Gathering as warriors...

Indigotwilight82: And I blew it. 

CrazyGoosie:

So what?

Indigotwilight82: I ruined a special moment.

Indigotwilight82: Wait, what!?!?

CrazyGoosie:

They won't mind. 

CrazyGoosie:

Scratch that. 

They will. 

But it is not a problem.

Indigotwilight82:But! But!

CrazyGoosie:

Are you an angel?

Indigotwilight82: No.

CrazyGoosie: 

Are you Mary Poppins?

Indigotwilight82: No.

CrazyGoosie:

So why are you trying so hard to be perrrrrfect?

Indigotwilight82: Because we need to strive for an ideal

Indigotwilight82: Wait? Was that a pun?

CrazyGoosie:

Silly human. you need to remember you are not playing pokemon white.

CrazyGoosie:

No. I just pushed the button too many times. 

Indigotwilight82: How did you push the button to much if you don't have a phone?

CrazyGoosie:

Don't ask.

Indigotwilight82: But I just did. 

CrazyGoosie:

Don't ask.

Indigotwilight82: okay. ^~_~^ 

CrazyGoosie:

So, . how much does your mess-up effect the timeline? a.

Indigotwilight82: Not really...

Indigotwilight82: This actually lets me have those two help out Tigerkit when he becomes apprenticed. 

Indigotwilight82: I mean, who else is he going to listen too? 

CrazyGoosie:

Thistleclaw.

Indigotwilight82:^-_-^

Indigotwilight82: You know that Thistleclaw is not the only cat in Thunderclan, right?

CrazyGoosie:

Thistleclaw is the cat who will have the most influenced on him.

Indigotwilight82: You mean that Tigerkit's mentor will have the most influence on him.

CrazyGoosie:

Since someone is not changing the outline. 

It will be Thistleclaw.

^''-"^

Indigotwilight82: Don't you trust me? Why won't you give me and Thistleclaw a chance?

CrazyGoosie:

Cus You arn't the one who can see the future when you only want to see the present. 

A bloody future.

Indigotwilight82: I am not letting that happen. 

CrazyGoosie:

You are just the fanfic author.

Things happen whether you want them to or not.

Believe me.

Indigotwilight82: In that regard, I do more than believe. 

Indigotwilight82: I know. 

Indigotwilight82: Both my own powers and that of Dark Forest's. 

CrazyGoosie:

Good! Because they are going to fight you!

Indigotwilight82: Which is why I need your help. 

CrazyGoosie:

You want my help?

The cat you named CrazyGoosie on your phone?

Indigotwilight82: The cat is the only one who see or hear me. 

Indigotwilight82: The cat who can help others out bec/ of being a medicine cat. 

CrazyGoosie:

You can stop now.

Indigotwilight82: The cat... oh thanks. 

CrazyGoosie:

You want another to know another way I can help? 

Indigotwilight82: How?

CrazyGoosie:

I can...

Yell at you to get back at your school work!!!! NOW

Indigotwilight82: Wait? Why!?!

CrazyGoosie: 

Finals start this week 

AND 

You have a paper due!!! 

Indigotwilight82: Dang'it!

Indigotwilight82: I still don't know how you found my calendar. 

CrazyGoosie:

Who care's? Get moving!! now

Indigotwilight82: I'm moving! I'm moving!!

{Indigotwilight82 is now offline.}

CrazyGoosie:

Good. 

{Indigotwilight82 is now online}

Indigotwilight82: Can you please pray for me?

CrazyGoosie:

You're back? 

Indigotwilight82: PLEASE 🥺

CrazyGoosie:

FINE...

Though you know that I am a cat. 

Indigotwilight82: I am not talking to you.

CrazyGoosie: 

^0-0^

Indigotwilight82: Please readers! Pray for me!

CrazyGoosie:

Hey! Fourth wall breaking is my job!

Not yours!

Indigotwilight82: Welp! Got to go now!

Indigotwilight82: Before Crazy Goosie here chases me out!

CrazyGoosie: 

Happpppiiiily!!

^'_'^

Indigotwilight82: ohno.

{Indigotwilight82 is now offline.} 

Chapter Text

The night breeze was cool, offering a warning to the leaf-fall quickly approaching. Sunstar shook it off as he entered the medicine cat den. He was more than well aware of life’s seasons.

His gaze drifted over to two fluffy bodies. Thistleclaw stood over his mate’s body, waiting for both foes and hope to appear. Though, if you asked Sunstar, the grey-and-white tom would be asleep before either showed up. The young warrior was almost asleep on his paws, despite many shakes to the head.

Nodding to a still-awake Goosefeather, Sunstar slipped besides Thistleclaw. With a little nose-nudge, the leader brought the warrior back to attention. “You can go sleep now. I’ll take the next watch.” Sunstar told Thistleclaw.

The warrior’s yellow eyes widened in shock before he nodded in response. With a weary stance, Thistleclaw left the medicine cat den. Sunstar frowned as the grey-and-white warrior stumbled to the nursey. Thistleclaw didn’t seem to taking much care of himself as of late. Even with sleep, the tom would seem tired during the day. Featherwhisker noted how Thistleclaw had been coming in with deep scratches lately, possibly due to lack of true rest. Both brothers, leader and medicine cat, worried that such weariness would cause Thistleclaw to succumb to infection or illness. Either Thistleclaw needed to find peace on his own in this situation, or Snowfur needed to wake up sooner than later. Sunstar, however, suspected he would need to intervene again.

The sun-blessed leader watched the young warrior as he stumbled into the nursey. He was surely going to snuggle against Whitekit. It would be a great surprise to Thistleclaw in the morning when he awoke to find himself next to Whitekit AND Bluefur, but that was tomorrow’s surprise.

With a sigh, Sunstar turned back to look at his daughter. Snowfur’s pelt was kept clean and groomed to perfection. Sunstar bent down to listen closely to Snowfur’s heart. “Still steady. Still steady” Sunstar thought with a purr.

A new scent entered the den, with a gentle light following close behind. As soon as the scent reached Sunstar’s nose, he perked up in surprise. The golden-winged leader had not smelled that sweet scent since his nine lives ceremony.

“Thank you, Sunstar, for taking care of my daughters.” A calm voice meowed.

Sunstar turned to face the speaker. He was surprised to see the she-cat, but not thrown off balance. The visiting she-cat had grey fur so smooth, one could call it silver. Her steps were light, as if the she-cat had no weight at all. Stars danced above the dark stripes upon her pelt and her pale-yellow eyes shone with love.

“Moonflower.” Sunstar breathed. “You came.” Was all the leader could say to the beautiful she-cat who gone many moons ago to walk among the stars.

“It was time for me to come down, though I been watching over all of you long before.” Moonflower smiled as she padded closer to Sunstar and Snowfur. Her smile vanished as she lowered her gaze to her fallen daughter.

“Is it time for Snowfur to enter into Starclan?” Sunstar asked, barely able to choke out the words.

Moonflower looked back at him, eyes filled with concern. “Her time came when she stepped on the Thunderpath.” Moonflower replied.

Sunstar’s feathers spoofed up when he realized the meaning of Moonflower’s words. “She…she is supposed to be dead?” Sunstar asked.

Moonflower nodded. “We were supposed to be watching you and Bluefur comfort Whitekit together. You would stand by Bluefur while I held Snowfur.”

Sunstar’s head held down, fixed upon his paws. That…that would break the sisters’ heart so much. Bluefur, though so strong, could easily slip deeper down into despair. Snowfur, oh Snowfur, how she would be broken at the separation!

“Not too broken now.” Moonflower meowed. “After all, when we enter Starclan, it is not good-bye forever, but simply good-bye till next time.” Moonflower paused, as if somecat had whispered, but spoke too low to be heard. 1}

Moonflower continued. “When we cry, we cry out of love, for we can see how gravely the separation hurts you down below. You can’t see us watching over you. Can’t feel us standing near.”

Sunstar flexed his wings. “That is why we leaders must stand overhead. So the clans remember to look up and ask the stars for aid. My wings are proof that their prayers will be answered.” His golden wings’ light danced across the room; the light was reflected by the stars in Moonflower’s pelt.

“Are you going to take Snowfur with you to Starclan now?” Sunstar asked again when he folded his wings.

Moonflower shook her head. “No. She has been given more time down here. How much, I have yet to learn. All I was told that I could watch over her till she passes though the veil.”

Moonflower’s ears perked up, like she was listening to somecat’s words. 2} Yet again, it seemed the voice spoke too low to be heard. If this happened a third time, Sunstar was going to tickle somecat, either his sleeping brother or a mumbling Goosefeather.

Satisfied that she heard nothing, Moonflower nuzzled Sunstar’s flank. “Thank you again for watching over my daughters.” Moonflower said.

Sunstar’s ears dropped. “I couldn’t save them from being attacked. I can’t heal Snowfur.” Sunstar sucked in air, then breathed it all out, letting all his frustration flow. He couldn’t control those things. All he could do was care for Snowfur by guarding and providing her with a safe clan to awake too. But…Was it enough?

Moonflower’s scent pushed through Sunstar’s doubts. “You still kept your promise to me, by caring for them.” Moonflower insisted.

Confirmation like that made Sunstar purred with joy. “Thank you for strengthening me in my doubt.” He said once his mind was clear. “Are you permitted to tell when Snowfur will wake up?” Sunstar asked the light-filled she-cat.

Moonflower purred with laughter. “They told me to just watch and wait when I asked.”

Sunstar joined her laughter. “It seems the elders up above still like to keep to themselves! No matter. We will standfast together.”

A mumble broke through. “Ah course they like to keep to themselves. Can’t talk about the spoilers now.” Goosefeather meowed.

Moonflower smiled at her littermate. “Are we keeping you up, my dear brother?”

“No…” Goosefeather drawled. “Somecat else is. Somecat who should be studying for finals…” 3}

Sunstar heard a low sound again…And it wasn’t coming from Goosefeather.

“Well then! Get some sleep!” Goosefeather growled as he straightened up from his nest.

Sunstar’s ears perked up in shock. Moonflower, however, remained unfazed by his side. Goosefeather…was being grumpypelt.
“Is…There another Starclan cat here?” Sunstar asked Moonflower.

“Hmm?” Moonflower meowed in momentary surprise. “Oh no, you would be able to see them if they were down this close on a night like tonight.”

Okay…

“So, if you are the only Starclan cat here, who is talking with your brother?” Sunstar pressed.

Moonflower opened her month in surprise. “That is…a good question.” Moonflower stepped forward. “Brother!” she meowed, startling Goosefeather. “When were you going to tell me that you made a new friend?”

“Friend!”4} Goosefeather meowed. “She is not my friend! She is just an annoying brat who keeps me up at night!” 5}

Moonflower smiled at him. “Annoying brats can be adorable…”

Goosefeather looked horrified. “Sister! Don’t you dare!” 6}

Moonflower just looked smugly at the speckled grey tom.

Goosefeather glared. “This is payback for all the comments about Stormtail and Sunfall, isn’t?” 7) A low muttering could be hear.8} Goosefeather snapped his head to an upper part of the wall. “Ooh! Who is it then?” 9) A squck sharply rung in Sunstar’s ears. Goosefeather merely shrugged. “At least would not be the baby Nightfury. Or a baby Vulpix.” 10)

“Umm…” Sunstar muttered. “What is going on here?”

Goosefeather’s blue eyes laid on Sunstar, clearly revealing that the medicine cat forgot all about the leader. “Oh yeah, you’re here.” He confirmed with his words.

Suddenly, Goosefeather stumbled forward, as if someone had pushed the tom. 11) “No, I can’t tell him. That would be spoilers…” 12} Goosefeather huffed. “The clans are not supposed to know about Dark Forest until the Power of Three. Though you could get away with it in the New Prophecy…” 13} Goosefeather rolled his eyes. “They did manage well enough until then.” 14} Then, the old tom nodded. “Tis true. If your enemy does not know that they are at war with you, you have already half-way won.” 15} Goosefeather gave a deadpan look to the wall again. “Need I remind you, I have access to the past, le spoilers, and the internet?” Only silence answered back. “Good.” Goosefeather snorted.

Goosefeather finally turned back to Sunstar and Moonflower. “You may continue. I just have to chase a certain silly human to bed. And sit on her head.”

(Indigotwilght82 has left the Thunderclan medicine cat den chatroom.)

“Hey! Since when did I say you could have a head-start?!” Goosefeather yelled at …some person before racing out of the den.

(CrazyGoosie has left the Thunderclan medicine cat den chatroom.)

“And…now he’s gone.” Moonflower said, looking back at her brother.

“That’s-oh wait he is actually gone.” Sunstar said in shock as he glanced outside. There was no sign of the grey tom anywhere, despite only going out seconds prior.

Goosefeather’s words, though, rushed back to Sunstar. “Wait…What is this Dark Forest? And us being at war despite no one telling us we are at war? We already have battles with Riverclan, we do not need another enemy.”

Moonflower sighed. “No one needs enemies. However, when we are given the choice to dance in the light, we are also given the choice to have the darkness take the light away from everyone. We must choose to fight, either for the light or for the dark. Or we could just stand aside and let the evil ones swallow up all in darkness, just because we could not choose darkness or light.”

Sunstar pondered the meaning of her words. Dancing in the light, just like the light shining from his wings…and the stars on Moonflower’s pelt. Darkness that swallowed up all the light due to selfishness. Choices that draw up a battlefield, every choice counting.

“He said Dark Forest…Is that the darkness? And the light you mentioned, is that Starclan?” Sunstar asked.

Moonflower shook her head. “The darkness is selfishness and despair. The light is selflessness and hope. All must take a side by the choices they make. Those sides, however, are only known when we wake up from death to see the state of our pelt. If we choose selflessness and hope, we delight in the stars on our pelts. If we choose selfishness and despair, well…one does not care about their misty pelt, for they are too busy leaping to inflict pain on others.”

This seemed so strange to Sunstar. Was there not only Starclan to think about after death? Or was there a story that the elders forgot to mention? “After death, can one choose the light? After they look back and realize how their pelts are dark and mist?”

Moonflower was silent for a few moments, her face full of sorrow. “One cannot choose the light after death, only at the moment of death. I have heard of a few expectations, but those cats where not exactly able to make choices when they died. But for those who can choose at death…” Her voice trailed off. “Once made, it cannot be unmade. None of us, those in Starclan nor in Dark Forest can look back that way. For the war keeps marching onward, dragging us all with it.”

Sunstar’s eyes widened. “Dark Forest is real.” Moonflower nodded. The question still remained, what was Dark Forest? “A darkness of unsatiable hunger?” Sunstar guessed.

“Of greed, avarice, vengeance, and folly.” Moonflower clarified. Her eyes darted to Snowfur, sleeping behind him.

Pulling himself away from Moonflower, Sunstar gazed back at Snowfur. Her breathing was still even. Yet, it seemed, different. The leader flicked his ears. Something was different, he could feel it in his gut. The golden tom padded over to her still body. Moonflower drew closer too, but it was Sunstar who peered over Snowfur. They both held their breath as they watched.
It was Snowfur who took the first gasp.

And the next. And the next. With the fourth, her breath evened out once more. Then, to Sunstar’s delight, she opened her eyes. Blue eyes meet amber ones, one of sparkling snowflakes to dancing sunbeams. “Sunstar?” Snowfur croaked.

Purring happily, Sunstar bent down to her level. “I am here Snowfur. I am here.” With a quick lick across her face, Sunstar settled down. “How do you feel?”

“So tired… Everything feels sore… But…Can you please get me some water? My throat… is so… dry.” Snowfur meekly meowed.
“Yes, you may, my dear daughter.” Sunstar meowed back. Grabbing a water-soaked moss that Moonflower pushed forward, Sunstar placed the moss before Snowfur’s muzzle. Carefully, he held it close as Snowfur sucked the moss dry.

“Where…Where is my son? Where is Bluefur and Thisteclaw? Are they alright?” Snowfur gasped out, her blue eyes searching the den for them.

“Hush…” Sunstar draped a wing over Snowfur. “They are all safe and sound, though sleeping. You woke up when the stars where out, my dear.” Sunstar meowed, glancing over to Moonflower with her starry pelt.

“How…Long have I been sleeping?” Snowfur asked.

There was no point in hiding the truth from her. “About half-moon, my dear.”

Snowfur’s eyes tightened. “What about the Shadowclan invaders? Did they come back?”

Those cats…“Can you describe them for me?” Sunstar asked.

“One black wirey tom, one grey mottled tom with scars, and one haughty tortoiseshell she-cat.” Snowfur answered, matching her sister’s story. Which made Cedarstar’s words all the more strange.

“A tortoiseshell cat?” Cedarstar blinked. “On the Shadowclan border?” the grey leader asked with a head tilt.

“On the Thunderclan side of the Thunderpath.” Sunstar stated, his voice turning into a low growl. He had to keep his wings’ light low. There could be no war on a Gathering night.

“But a black tom, a grey tom, and a tortoiseshell she-cat, all by the Thunderpath, which our two clans share.” Cedarstar spoke, repeating the information Sunstar just gave him.

“Yes.” Sunstar fought to keep his voice from outright growling. “That is what I said, exactly as Bluefur told me.”

“Are you certain it was not Hailstar’s kits getting overzealous? After-all Beetlenose is crow-black while Voleclaw is grey. And Petaldust is an actual tortoiseshell she-cat.” Cedarstar suggested, his leavy feathers blowing in the wind by the Highrock.

“No. Riverclan has such a distinct fishy smell that I doubt they will ever get it off their pelts, even if they rolled in mud. Besides, the patrol that arrived at the scene did confirm those cats smelled like your swamp.” Sunstar gestured with his tail towards his clanmates down below in the hollow.

“Well then. That is where we run into a problem Sunstar.” Cedarstar meowed. “The last tortoiseshell she-cat in Shadowclan was named Thumblefur, who died four seasons ago in a skirmish with Windclan.”

“Which means…” Sunstar’s eyes widened.

“There are no tortoiseshell cats in Shadowclan.” Cedarstar firmly said.

Sunstar did not let his shock ruffle his feathers too badly. “Can I have this confirmed with the other Shadowclan cats?” Sunstar asked, his mind slowly opening up to the possiblites.

Cedarstar nodded. “My medicine cat is down below, she helped all our cats through both birth and death. If you need more confirmation, I am certain you can discreetly interrogate my warriors.”

“Thank you, Cedarstar, for your help.” Sunstar nodded and turned to go.

“Sunstar.” Cedarstar called to him. Once Sunstar turned back, he continued. “If and when you find those intruders of yours, let me know. Shadowclan does not take kindly to being used for someone else’s gain.” The grey Shadowclan leader bared his fangs. “Something darker than shadow is moving in the forest. Shadowclan will not stand for it.”

“Can I see my family?” Snowfur asked him.

“In the morning Snowfur,” Sunstar meowed. “I know they will be overjoyed to see you.”

Chapter Text

Sunlight filtered through the entrance of the Medicine Cat den. Snowfur’s grey-tipped ears twitched at the sound of the early bird’s song. Her paws were restless, eager to move just as the bird was eager for worms.

            “Don’t fret my dear. You will see them today.” Sunstar purred beside her.

            Snowfur nuzzled his thick ginger pelt. It relieved her to no end that he was near, strong and caring just as he was in her kithood. But oh how she longed for the rest of her family to be with them.

            “Can I at least stretch?” Snowfur asked him, though the leader was not the one to respond.

            “It would be best, since you haven’t walked in a long while.” Featherwhisker agreed. The medicine cat was even fluffy then his brother and just as soft. Her uncle pulled Sunstar away, letting Snowfur stretch out her legs. They all felt stiff, but her hind left leg seemed stiffer than the others.

            “Do you want to try standing?” Featherwhisker asked.

“We’ll both be right beside you.” Sunstar asked, his golden wings opening up to catch her if she fell.

Snowfur’s tail flicked around in delight. “Yesss…” She purred. Putting her weight on her front legs, the white she-cat pulled herself up. All seemed well until she tried to balance on her hind legs. Snowfur yelped as her left hind leg gave out underneath her.

Only thanks to her training as a warrior and Sunstar’s reflexes did Snowfur land in a sitting position instead of a tumble onto the ground. “What…Was that?” The white she-cat blinked in confusion.

Featherwhisker’s eyes tightened as he grimaced. “I was worried about that.”

“About what?” Snowfur asked, frustration rising up in her throat.

“You were beaten up bad on the Thunderpath, the worst injury was your hind leg. The monster broke your leg with its weight and the speed of the monster twisted it. I cleaned your leg, reset it, and applied herbs to it, but that is all I can do. Time has to heal that wound.”

“What…Do I do now?” Snowfur wonder out-loud.

Featherwhisker motioned to her twisted hind leg. “You can’t put any weight on it. If you want to stand, you will need to stand on three legs.”

Snowfur blinked again. “What?” How was she supposed to stand with only three legs?

“You can do it Snowfur.” Sunstar meowed.

“How?” She asked out-loud.

“You can for Whitekit.” Featherwhisker said.

“You can do it Mama!” a little sweet voice called in Snowfur’s head. Her little tom-kit was right there, sleeping in the nursey. Just four fox-paces away was her kitten. “Then let us try.” Snowfur gritted her teeth as she pulled herself up again. Prepared for her hind leg, Snowfur kept more of her weight on her front legs. That still didn’t quite prepare her for the shakiness of her right hind leg.

“You are doing good Snowfur.” Sunstar meowed when she stood for a few moments.

Featherwhisker nodded. “Do you want to attempt a few steps?” He beckoned with his head.

Taking no time to respond, Snowfur took a shaky step forward. It felt awkward, missing a paw. Her feelings did not disappear by the time she reached the center of the den. Instead, they led to feelings of shock when she slipped. Without thinking, her left hind paw reached down to support her. Hissing in pain, Snowfur tumbled to the floor; the leg unable to carry weight nor stand pressure.

Her uncle chose that moment to walk through the entrance of the den. Goosefeather stood there, staring at the heap before him. “You’re awake.” He meowed. “And trying to walk?”

“You’re not more joyful?” Featherwhisker meowed back.

“I am bit more surprised to see her already trying to walk.  So please forgive me.” The speckled-grey tom said.

“Are you going to help me?” Snowfur asked her maternal uncle.

“Help you up? Help you walk? Of course my dear. But you must know, you will never be seen hunting in the forest again.” Goosefeather meowed.

“What are you talking about Goosefeather?” Snowfur meowed, her belly churning with both her kits and worry.

“What I just said. No cat will see you hunting in these woods again.” Goosefeather said.

“Why are you so ominous Goosefeather? I will only be in camp for eight moons. Then I will be out there with my kits when they are apprenticed.” Snowfur said, her tail flickering around her belly.

Goosefeather didn’t respond; his pale blues eyes filled with unspoken sorrow.

“Well, that’s helpful.” Featherwhisker meowed, his tone voiced his displeasure.

“Hey, I said she wouldn’t be seen hunting. I didn’t say anything about walking!” Goosefeather retorted.

“Then how about you move on over and lend a paw?” Sunstar meowed.

“All right, all right.” Goosefeather rolled his eyes. “And you little snowflake.” He said directly to Snowfur. “Focus on evening out your weight. We will work on speed later.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mouse was very yummy. But to be honest, Whitekit didn’t really get why. The little tom-kit never had mouse before! Only Mama milk. In fact, the mouse tasted like…

Whitekit looked up and around. There was no cat there. No one in the camp no matter how long he looked round. Curious, Whitekit stood up to get a better look. Sunshine covered the camp and the tom-kit, yet revealed no cat to the kitten.

Chirp! Chirp!

Whitekit whirled around. A jackdaw was pecking at the dirt, despite not being there a few minutes ago. The fluffy kitten tilted his head, very confused. How did he miss the bird? Shouldn’t he have heard the flutter of wings?

The bird didn’t seem to care about the kitten’s confusion. Instead, the bird just hopped on over to the kitten’s paws. The kitten bounced back from the bird, only for the jackdaw to poke at his paw.  

“Huh? What was that for?” Whitekit asked the grey-black bird.

The bird chirped again, hopped back, only to poke the ground before Whitekit’s paw.

“Is something going on?” Whitekit said, his ear twitched.

The bird hopped away, not caring what one would say. Seemingly surprised, the jackdaw looked back at the kitten. Chirping back at the tom-kit, the bird gestured forward with its beak. The bird would hop again, looking back to see if Whitekit would look at it then.

“You want me to follow?” Whitekit meowed.

Chirp! The bird called with voice sharp.

“Okay!” Whitekit happily replied. “Let’s go!”

 The kitten bounded away after the bird, moving so fast he could barely get in a word. Ten hops it took to reach the Medicine Cat den. The bird flew away before it, hurried as if it touched a wooden shard.

“Where did you go Mr. Bird?” Whitekit called up to jackdaw. No chirp came down, only a feather came, not yellow or brown. The grey feather came down, down, down, right till the kitten’s nose was found.

“Ahh, ahh…” Whitekit heaved as the feather tickled his nose. “Ahh…Ahhh…”

“Ahh-choo!” Whitekit sneezed.

The jackdaw feather floated onto the floor. The place was dark, but sunlight came in. “Wait? I am in the nursey?” Whitekit wondered out-loud. The little kitten sniffed the moss before him. Yep, smelled just like the milky scent of the queens. But his nest was smelling more and more like his aunt and daddy than his mama. Speaking of them…

Whitekit hopped out of the mossy nest, ending with a spin to look at his family. There were two of his favorite cats in the whole world! His auntie Bluefur was sleeping all curled up, just like when she went to sleep that night. The only thing missing was little Whitekit himself, since that is who Bluefur curled up around. Daddy Thistleclaw was snoring loudly, making the moss behind him move with each breath. It seems he was so sleepy, he didn’t realize that Whitekit already had cuddles last night. Whitekit smiled at the two. He was going to have so much fun!

The little kitten prowled over to Daddy’s ear. Getting up on his white hind legs, Whitekit whispered in Thistleclaw’s ear. “Wake up Daddy! Wake up!” All the grey-and-white tom did was growl in his sleep. “Grrr…Wake up Dad!” Whitekit growled, tugging his daddy’s ear.  Three hefty tugs were all Whitekit had before he fell onto his back. Happily, that was all he needed. Thistleclaw started to yawn and shift around in the nest.

Satisfied that his Daddy was waking up, Whitekit hopped over his father’s back to Auntie Bluefur. “Auntie…” Whitekit meowed in front of her face. “It’s time to get up!” The kitten nuzzled her nose. Seeing she was still sleeping, Whitekit snuggled his way between her legs and chin. “Somecat loves you!” He whispered in her ear once he made it through to the other side.

His Auntie yawned in response as she lifted her head. Her blue eyes blinked till she found Whitekit beside her. “Somecat loves you too, Whitekit.” Auntie Bluefur said with a smile.

On Whitekit’s left paw, his Daddy groaned as he finally raised up his head. “Whitekit…What have I told you about tugging my ear?” Daddy said as his eyes settled on Whitekit.

The fluffy kitten smiled. “That somecat would think that your ear was nicked from battle. But then you will have to say that it was from me! A kitten!” Whitekit said with a bounce.

Both grown-up cats chuckled. “No Whitekit, I told you that I could hit you in my sleep. So no waking me up like that, lest I think you are an enemy.” Thistleclaw said.

“As much as I would love to see that cuteness, I appreciate you not wanting to accidently kill my nephew.” Auntie Bluefur meowed.

“See Bluefur, I told you I can be nice-Bluefur! What are you doing here!” Thistleclaw said with a yelp.

Whitekit tumbled down with laughter. His Daddy was so funny when he was riled up. His spiky fur went poof!!

“Whitekit, not funny.” Auntie Bluefur meowed. That only made Whitekit laugh louder.

“Whitekit, hush; you will wake everyone up with your laughter.” Daddy tried to shush him.

“Everyone who wasn’t woken up by your yelp? Hmm?” Auntie told his daddy.

“Uhh…” Thistleclaw looked at his dear kitten. “Out we go.”

“Agreed.” Auntie meowed as Thistleclaw picked up Whitekit. The two grown-up cats quickly whisked Whitekit out of the nursery and into the light. The morning sun gave pause to Whitekit’s laughter as it warmed up the three cats.

“Did no one wake us up for morning patrol?” Bluefur growled in annoyance at the lively camp.

“Considering this is the third day in a row…I’m getting suspicious.”  Daddy joined her as he placed Whitekit down on the ground.

Whitekit looked up to the grown-up cats. They seemed even bigger outside of the nursery. “Maybe Uncle Tawnyspots is letting you get some sleep? Both of you been yawning waaaay before bedtime.” The kitten suggested.

Auntie hummed. “Maybe…For one of us…”

Thistleclaw’s ears twitched. “What’s that supposed to mean?” He growled.

Auntie gave Daddy a deadpanned look. “Says the cat who fell asleep to his most bitter enemy and didn’t realize it till after he was in a conversion with said enemy.”

“I…was…Wait? Most bitter enemy?” Thistleclaw was taken aback. “No! What made you think that?”

“Well, you most certainly act like I am enemy! You keep treating me like one!”  Auntie snarled, her face bluer than normal.

 “You are not my enemy, you’re my most bitter rival!” Daddy growled, his fur going poof!

“Daddy!! Auntie!!” Whitekit laughed, “You look so silly!”

Both grown-ups turned to the white kitten. “What are you talking about Whitekit?” Auntie meowed.

In-between laughter, Whitekit spoke, “You are!” The kitten rolled on the ground. “You’re so funny!”

“Whitekit” Daddy said, looking confused, yet calmer than when he faced Auntie. “You are making no sense.”

Seeing no reaction from the giggling Whitekit, Bluefur shook her head. “No sense or some sense, you need to stop kitten.” She meowed as she scooped up Whitekit. “And take a bath.” Auntie said as she began to lick her rowdy nephew. 

“Auntie!! Stop it!!” Whitekit squealed as he half-heartedly tried to get away.

“But if I don’t, we’ll have to rename you to Sandkit.” Auntie chuckled.

Daddy, no help at all, laughed with Auntie. “Or perhaps Dustkit.” He suggested.

“Daddy…” Whitekit pouted. “Stop it…” He gave his father the “I’m so disappointed in you” look.<sup>TM</sup> It only made his Daddy laugh harder.

“Are you hungry Whitekit?” Auntie meowed, continuing to clean her nephew.

“No!” Whitekit spun around to face his Auntie. “Not yet!”

“Do you need to use the Dirtplace?” Daddy asked.

Whitekit turned his head to answer his father. “Nope! I’m good!”

“Well then.” Thistleclaw said. “You want to play a game?”

Whitekit shook his head. “Nope! No game!” He said to his father’s shocked face.

“Then what do you want to do Whitekit?” Auntie meowed as birds flew overhead.

“Hmm…” Whitekit put on his thinking face. Birds…“I want to go to the Medicine Cat Den!” He declared. If he couldn’t see what was in the Den in his dream, then Whitekit would check it out in the daytime!

Both Auntie and Daddy were taken aback. “Are you sure Whitekit?” Auntie asked.

“Ah Huh!” Whitekit nodded. “Pleased??” He asked his Daddy, putting on the googily eyes.

As planned, Daddy could not refuse. “Sure Whitekit, but you have to finish your bath before you see Mama.” He firmly said.

“Uggh!” Whitekit groaned, rolling his head back.

“Whitekit.” Auntie scolded him.  “You don’t want to get your mother messy, now?”

Whitekit swallowed another groan. “Yes Auntie.” He said as he relaxed for Bluefur. It didn’t take long for Auntie to finish cleaning up Whitekit.  As soon as he was cleared, Whitekit hopped out of her paws. “Can we go now?” He looked up to his Daddy.

“I think we can.” Thistleclaw nodded.

“Yay!!!” Whitekit cheered, bouncing away to the Medicine Cat Den. Just like in his dream, the kitten never made inside the Den. After the tenth hop, Whitekit came to a halt, having to look up. Instead of confusion at the sight before him, the kitten smiled so wide with joy. “Mama???”

Snowfur’s smiled matched her son’s. “Hello Whitekit. I am so happy to see you.” She purred.

“Mama! Mama! Mama!” Whitekit yelled, forgetting about everyone else in the camp. The kitten raced over to his Mama, kicking up dust as he flew.  Not noticing his mother’s hops, Whitekit slammed into Snowfur. “Mama! Mama! I missed you!” He said as he snuggled deep into her fur.

Sounding tired, Mama replied, “I missed you too my dear little kitten.” Snowfur pulled her baby closer to her; her nose sniffing her son through. “I am so happy that you’re safe.” She said as she nuzzled Whitekit.

“I’m so happy you’re awake!” Whitekit cheered. “I hope you didn’t worry too much! Aunties Bluefur, Leopardfoot, Robinwing, Rosetail took care of me! Daddy with Grandma and Grandpa gave me snuggles! And Uncle Thurshpelt and Uncle Tawnyspots kept playing with me! And and-”

“All of them my dear?” Snowfur asked.

“Ah huh!” Whitekit confirmed, not leaving the comfort of his mother’s fur.

“Snow Blossom?” Daddy called out, his voice sounding weak.

Both mother and son looked towards the two cats staring at them in disbelief.

“Snowfur? You’re…” Auntie cried with tears coming out of her eyes.

“Bluefur! Thisteclaw!” Mama cried. “You’re both okay!”

“Come over here already you two.” Granddad Sunstar said, his golden wings shining like the morning sun.

 Both Daddy and Auntie ran over to Mama, joining Whitekit in giving her snuggles. “They were happy. So happy.” Whitekit thought as he glanced up at his family. “Just as they were supposed to be.” Something strange caught Whitekit’s eye, causing him to look down.

“Mama!” Whitekit said out-loud. “Your leg is pink!” he declared.

Everyone’s faces changed instantly. Mama grimaced. Daddy looked so sad. Auntie hid in Mama’s white fur. “Whitekit…” Mama spoke. “Your Mama is going have to walk funny now. I am going to need lots of help from my big boy.”

Whitekit titled his head. “Why?”

“Because things are going to be different now.” Great-Uncle Featherwhisker meowed from behind Granddad Sunstar.

“So?” Whitekit shrugged. "Obviously things are different now!!!” The little kitten held his head up high. “I got my Mama back.” The jackdaw in the trees agreed.

Chapter Text

As she fumbled for the fortieth time that day, Snowfur decided that walking on three legs was hard. Ever since she had awoken from her coma, Snowfur had only two options for getting around camp: dragging her useless leg behind her or hopping on three fine legs. Both are solutions that left Snowfur exhausted at the end of each day.

Despite Goosefeather warning her that she would never hunt again, Snowfur was determined to prove herself by running. This resulted in her paternal uncle having to come down hard on over pushing herself. Featherwhisker was adamant on Snowfur building up strength in her limbs and lungs to accommodate for her injury before she tried anything like running or hunting. After stumbling again for a fortieth-first time, Snowfur was beginning to see his reasoning.

By the afternoon, every movement was a strain. Even necessary things like going to the fresh-kill pile, her nest, and dirt-place resulted in pain. Luckily, Snowfur had many helpers throughout the day. Her sister would glare at anyone looking bad at her. Her former mentor Sparrowpelt would come up with her favorite prey for her to eat. Rosetail would find her the closest sunny spots to tell her of all the latest gossip. Featherwhisker came to her for a check-up instead of forcing her to the Medicine-cat den. And o little Whitekit, Mama’s little helper and biggest cheerleader. Atlas, not even Whitekit could help Snowfur get herself over to the dirt-place. That hurdle she had to conquer herself.

Again, not everything was a pain. At times, it seemed the day was just a reminder of how much everyone loved her.

Sparrowpelt and White-eye soon approached Snowfur after she awoke. Upon catching a conversation between Featherwhisker and Goosefeather about Snowfur getting more strength, Sparrowpelt volunteered to develop some exercises for her. Snowfur was elated to find that their close bond didn’t fade away after she earned her warrior name.

Bluefur was always looking over her shoulder for any threats to the two of them. And yet, Bluefur was more open than before Snowfur’s accident, more willing to talk about her problems and spend time with others. Snowfur was delighted that this extended to others in the clan, though both mollies relished in their shared sister moments.

Thistleclaw spent every free moment close to Snowfur. At this point in time, the whole clan figured out that Thistleclaw needed his daily dose of Snowfur-cuddles if he wanted to remain sane. Everyone except Thistleclaw, that is. Snowfur thought Thistleclaw was so cute when her beloved asked her for snuggles.

Whenever cats or the stress became too much for her, Sunstar quietly stepped in and brushed everything away. Her adopted father let her breathe, allowing her to recollect herself after all the attention and the pain. When her birth father Stormtail only spent time with her to try and push back her onto warrior duties, Snowfur took great comfort in how Sunstar’s presence was constant and calm like the stars in the sky.

Snowfur was surprised at how much Windflight and Poppydawn did for her while she was in a coma. When Thistleclaw and Bluefur were too busy or comprised to care for Whitekit, they stepped in. At Gathering night when her uncles had to leave the Medicine-cat den, her mate’s parents stayed up all night to watch over her. When Snowfur awoke, Goosefeather informed her that kittens usually show signs of neglect when something tragic happened in the family. Yet, Whitekit showed no signs of neglect or trauma due to the intense love and care his grandparents showed him while Snowfur slept. For that, Snowfur would be forever grateful.

It would be remiss, however, if Snowfur forgot to mention a most wonderful time that she gets to experience. Cuddle time with all of her sisters. Bluefur snuggled close on one side. Thistleclaw’s sister, Rosetail, curled up on the other. Leopardfoot, her denmate since kithood and the one who looked after Whitekit, filled up the remainder of the nest. At long last, all four sisters could snuggle, safe and sound.

Around bedtime, Whitekit and Thistleclaw stumbled into the nursery. Snowfur’s sweet kitten asked if he could hop in, to which all four she-cats happily granted. When Thistleclaw tried to join the cuddle pile, he was batted away. The sadden tom was perplexed as his son was allowed in. Laughing, Rosetail told him that he wasn’t cute enough to join the sister snuggle. There was nothing that Thisteclaw could say to that.

Chapter Text

With Snowfur’s accident, there were many events that were halted or pushed aside. Goldenpaw and Lionpaw’s warrior assessment was one such forgotten events, though Swiftbreeze would very much like someone to remember, as her belly was swelling up with kittens. Leopardfoot was sympathetic to her mother’s plight, though she would admit that she would preferr that she wasn’t the one her mother ranted to. Though when Swiftbreeze did go to the nursery to raise her next litter, Leopardfoot would not be there to greet her. Today, another ceremony was remembered, that of her son Tigerkit.

Her only surviving kit looked so handsome in the morning sun that fiftered through the nursery enterance. Unlike the other kits she seen exit the nursery, her beloved Tigerkit stayed seated as she groomed him to perfection. It didn’t matter that the ceremony was only a few minutes. For the two of them, this was the whole world. All the loss, the abandonment, the illnesses, and long nights, it was all worth it for this day.

“Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey come forward for a clan meeting!” Sunstar yowled outside.

“That includes you too, my dear.” Leopardfoot purred to her son as she gave her final lick upon his pelt.

“Can I go now?” Tigerkit asked, his amber eyes fixed on the nursery exit.

Leopardfoot chuckled as she nudged her son forward through the brambles of the nursery. The two of them stepped into the light, joining their clanmates in the camp hollow. Briefly, Leopardfoot noticed how her son’s shadow was unusually long for the morning sun, but that thought was quickly chased out when all the cats’ shadows merged with each other.

“Tigerkit! Tigerkit!” Whitekit called from behind them. The little tom almost ran into Tigerkit due to his excitement. “My Mama says I can watch and cheer for you today!”

As the two toms chatted, Leopardfoot gazed at her friend exiting the nursery. This day was truly a joyful one, for another cat could join them in the cheer. Snowfur’s white coat sparkled in the morning sun as she dragged herself over to sit. “I do not think Sunstar would mind if Whitekit joined us today.”

Leopardfoot was about to respond when Sunstar called out again. “Cats of Thundeclan!” Leopardfoot turned to see the regal leader sitting upon the Highrock, his wings dancing with light. When Leopardfoot had to blink her eyes due his bright light, she saw another leader who should have been there, a leader with pine needles among his feathers…

Shaking her head, Leopardfoot forced herself to catch Sunstar’s words. “Tigerkit is six moons and more than ready to start his training. From this day forward, until he earns his warrior name, he shall be known as Tigerpaw.” The bright ginger leader flicked his tail to one of the warriors in the clan. “Thistleclaw will be his mentor. I hope you pass on your courage and skill to this young tom.”

As Tigerkit-no, Tigerpaw marched towards Thistleclaw, Leopardfoot had to shake her head again. For a few seconds with just a turn of the head, her son looked like her lost daughters. No…They were not down here in the hollow to receive their new names and mentors. Her daughters Nightkit and Mistkit were watching above with Leopardfoot’s grandmother Flashnose. Everyone could be happy and safe today. Everyone…

“Tigerpaw! Tigerpaw!” Whitekit started shouting as his father and Tigerpaw touched noses.

With tears in her eyes, Leopardfoot raised her head, “Tigerpaw! Tigerpaw!” The whole clan joined in, chanting the new apprentice’s name to the skies. At long last, they could all move forward together.

Chapter Text

The newest apprentice of Thunderclan took well to the territories. Distracted as he was to all the new sights and sounds of outside world, Tigerpaw kept up with Thistleclaw on his first day. The grey-and-white warrior was proud of his new apprentice, though there was one last task he wanted to show him today.

Close by the gorse tunnel that was the entrance to Thunderclan’s camp, Thistleclaw called Tigerpaw over. “Tell me Tigerpaw, what did you think of our territory?”

The dark-brown tom puffed his chest in excitement, “It’s so big! I didn’t even know there existed that many kinds of trees!”

Thistleclaw chuckled. “That so big territory is only but a small part of the Forest. How much land we have determines how fresh-kill and space we have to provide to our clanmates.”

“So more territory means more good stuff for the clan?” Tigerpaw pipped up.

“You catch on quick. Good.” Thistleclaw hummed. “I look for that in an apprentice.”

“When will I start warrior training?” Tigerpaw asked, his tail shifting over the underbrush.

“You have already started by learning the territory.” Thistleclaw said. “A warrior’s duty is to provide and defend the clan. You cannot do that without knowing your territory well. Now…” The grey-and-white warrior flickered his yellow eyes towards the trees. “If you want to go beyond today’s lesson, I can get you started on training those claws of yours.”

Tigerpaw’s ears perked up, “Yes! Yes!” He bounced on his weary paws.

With a beckon of his tail, Thistleclaw trotted from the camp entrance to nearest tree. “What are you waiting for ‘paw?” As Tigerpaw scurried over, Thistleclaw settled down by the tree trunk. “Your second lesson today is learning how to gather moss.”

At his mentor’s announcement, Tigerpaw’s energy fell, “Moss?” He whined, sounding like claws scraping on stone.

“No whining!” Thistleclaw hissed in pain, “The enemy won’t care if you’re whining!”

Tigerpaw pulled his ears back at the unexpected outburst. No one had ever hissed at his whining before. And today, unfortunately, was not going to be the last.

Huffing, Thistleclaw recollected himself. “You see this moss?” The grey-and-white warrior pointed with his tail, “It is not just moss. It could be fresh bedding for your mother’s new nest. It could be a water source for your clanmates. It could be Whitekit’s new toy. It could be anything if we just get it off this tree.”

Sighing at Tigerpaw’s disgruntled face, Thistleclaw stepped towards the moss. Moving himself in such a way that Tigerpaw could watch, the grey-and-white tom began to scrape the moss off the tree.

“See how my claws are stretched? See how I swipe? Careful to get the moss and leave the tree?”

Tigerpaw rapidly nodded.

“Good. Because now it’s your turn.”

Tigerpaw’s amber eyes went wide as he shuffled to the tree trunk. Quickly, he extended his own claws and got to work.

“Not too hasty. You want to have clumps of moss, not shreds.” Thistleclaw interjected.

Tigerpaw slowed his swipes. Behind the apprentice’s ears, Thistleclaw nodded. Best to start slow and learn how to do it right than go fast and forever have it sloppy.

“Extend your paw this way…” Thistleclaw said, raising up his paw right next to Tigerpaw as an example. The dark brown tabby caught on fast, bringing down more moss.

“Good…now switch paws.”

Tigerpaw shifted his weight, extending his other paw. He fumbled a bit but carried over the lessons from the first paw.

“Now look at that,” Thistleclaw meowed, “A mundane chore is helping you build muscles for a battle move.”

Shocked, Tigerpaw glanced up at his mentor. His dropped jaw caused Thistleclaw to chuckle. “Yes,” He said in-between chuckles, “Even gathering moss is part of your warrior training.”
Bringing himself to Tigerpaw’s eye level, he stared him straight in the eye. “When I tell you to do something, do it. I have a reason for everything I do.”

Tigerpaw nodded, “Yes sir.”

“Now…” Thistleclaw trailed off, peeking behind Tigerpaw to look at the moss pile, “I believe that will be enough moss. Pick it up and carry it back. After you place the moss in the camp, you may go pick a piece of fresh-kill. You’ve earned it.”

A sudden engery filled his apprentice’s body, giving a spring to his step as he went to collect the moss. It was too large for his smaller mouth, so Thistleclaw bent down to help.

“One last thing, Tigerpaw.” Thistleclaw said, “From this day onward, I don’t want you returning to camp without bringing something back with you. A good warrior provides for their clan along with protecting it. So I expect to see fresh-kill or moss hanging from your mouth or hear news on your tongue whenever I see you returning to camp.”

Tigerpaw solemnly nodded, drinking in his mentor’s words. He would remember. Remember and become the greatest warrior ever.

Chapter Text

“Are you even paying attention!?!” Silverhawk screeched in Thistleclaw’s ear, rattling dead leaves off trees in Dark Forest.

“I stopped your hooked claw, didn’t I?” The grey-and-white spiky tom growled as he shoved off his Dark Forest mentor, “Are you growing so weak you have to resort to sneak attacks?”

“Are you growing so deaf that you can’t listen to your mentor’s plans?” Silverhawk snapped, “What was I telling you?”

Thistleclaw dodged another clawed swipe, “And what did I tell you in response? Tigerpaw has only trained for a quarter moon. You can’t expect me to train him the advanced moves when he is still learning the basics!”

“Then push him harder!” Silverhawk smashed another blow upon the tom, “Push him! Drill him till he drops!!” Sizing an opening, the grey mattered tom slammed Thistleclaw to the muddy ground, “You know what the enemy does to weaklings.”

            ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

With a start, Thistleclaw awoke in the warriors’ den. Heart pounding, the warrior pushed himself outside to get some fresh air. In the moonlight, the Thunderclan warrior looked over his spiky pelt. No messy wounds tonight, but oh how he would be sore for days. Like Silverhawk would let him rest and recover…

Silverhawk…Tigerpaw.

Leaving behind the warriors’ den, Thistleclaw marched over to the apprentice’s den. Peering in, the grey-and-white tom soon found three breathing bodies in the shadows. Sunny Lionpaw and Goldenpaw rested in the moonlight while Tigerpaw blended in with the den’s backdrop. Thistleclaw’s apprentice was safe for now, resting in peaceful sleep. But for how long?

How long before Riverclan pushed their luck at Sunningrocks again? How long before those Windclan cowards steal prey again? How long before Shadowclan waltzes into Thunderclan like they own the place? How long before someone, enemy warrior, rogue, or fox, devastates even the sanctuary of the camp?

Unconsciously, Thistleclaw unsheathed his claws. Every threat would have to go through him first and he would not let them pass.

That didn’t save Snowfur…

But Thistleclaw couldn’t be at Tigerpaw’s side at every moment. What if Snowfur and Whitekit were in more danger? Who would defend Tigerpaw then? Surely, they would have mercy on a 6 moon old apprentice?

But with all his long fur, Tigerpaw looked so much bigger than his age. Who would give an 8 moon or 9 moon kit as much mercy as they would a 6 moon or 7 moon kit? No, it would be less. And Tigerpaw would unwittingly suffer for the weakness he cannot control. 

Creeping into the apprentices’ den, Thistleclaw rested his muzzle upon Tigerpaw’s head, “You will be safe.” The warrior whispered, “I will teach you to be so strong so no one will ever take advantage of your weakness. This I swear.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Again!” Thistleclaw yowled across the sandy hollow, “Your pounce was sloppy! Are you trying to miss the mouse?”

“But there was a root!” Tigerpaw whined, his brown ears folding upon his head.

“And I thought you had eyes.” The grey-and-white warrior growled, “Again! No tripping or whining!”

A voice that Thistleclaw never thought he would hear in the daytime snarled in his ears. “Only hunting moves?”

“Silverhawk!” Thistleclaw quietly hissed while keeping his eyes on his young apprentice, “What are you doing here?”

“Seeing what my strong apprentice is teaching the newest member of Thunderclan.” The ghostly tom snorted, “And what do I find but hunting moves? Do you seriously think the enemy is going to stay still like a little mouse for your apprentice to hunt?”

“I told you, Tigerpaw needs to learn the basics. What kind of warrior will he be if he cannot hunt well for his clan?”

“Just like that snow-white queen in the nursey? Hmm…”

Thistleclaw stiffened, “Leave Snowfur out of this. I will train Tigerpaw my way. He will grow so strong he will be the most feared warrior in the forest. Until then, I will stop any enemy from harming him.”

“Just like you stopped Snowfur from getting attacked?” Silverhawk chuckled, “Surely you know that you can’t be everywhere at once. Unless, of course, you strike enough terror into everyone that they will never cross the border again.”  

Silverhawk’s voice and scent faded away, leaving only Thistleclaw and an oblivious Tigerpaw in the sandy hollow. If anyone noticed that the grey-and-white warrior’s pelt became even flooflier than normal, then it would not be Thistleclaw. With dry lips, the warrior called out, “Tigerpaw! That’s enough practice on air for today. Let’s go test your skills on real mice.”

“Yeppie!!” Tigerpaw cried as he scurried off.

“Slowly and quietly!” Thistleclaw snapped, “Do you want all the prey to go into hiding?” Atlas, his words were wasted as his apprentice disappeared into the undergrowth. Letting out a sigh, Thistleclaw padded after him. As soon as they returned to camp with some fresh-kill, Thistleclaw would go out on a border patrol. Thunderclan’s neighbors needed a reminder that Thunderclan warriors were no weaklings.

Chapter Text

            Goosefeather meowed. “It has been too long since the last chapter.”

            “I’m sorry,” Featherwhisker poked his head up from the storage, “What is a chapter?”

            “Oh nevermind that.” Goosefeather batted his paw, “I’m off to go author hunting!”

            Ignoring Featherwhisker’s yamperings, Goosefeather strolled right out of the medicine cat den and into a Twolegged den. His clanmates would be absolutely appalled at Goosefeather in a Twolegged den, but what is the point of having fourth wall-breaking abilities and not using them? Even if they end you up with those silly humans from time to time.

            Sitting on the windowsill, Goosefeather took in the room around him. It was filled with the stress scent and dirty laundry, as to be expected with exams week. Yet the ripped finals’ schedule suggested that the stress was over at last.

            Goosefeather happily blinked, for cats don’t smile like humans do. How pleasing it was that the author finished her exams WITHOUT him having to remind her to study!

            Said author was in the room now, humming as she packed her things for the end of the year. Silly human didn’t notice him, not with her headphones on. Time to make her notice him.

            With that, Goosefeather ran across the room and jumped on the author’s bed, startling her instantly.

            “Goosie!” The author, Violet Dawn, cried, “It’s been a while! So good to see you again.”

            Goosefeather took in all the author’s features. Of course, Goosefeather knew what she looked like, but as if he would describe it! As Goosefeather could break the fourth wall, he knew quite well that there were readers on the other side of the fourth wall. Why would the readers have any need to know what the author looked like?

            “It is good to see you.” Goosefeather meowed, “Surprised that you call me Goosie after so long.”

            “How long has it been anyway?” The author asked as she picked up a box.

            “Oh,” Goosefeather stretched out on the bed, “Only a year.”

            “WHAT?!?!” She cried, launching the box into the air. Scrambling, the author flailed until she caught the box. Thank goodness she did too or else that would be a waste of a perfectly good box for Goosefeather to sit in.

            Setting the box down, Violet Dawn looked Goosefeather right in the eye, “You got. To be. Kidding me.”

            Chuckling, Goosefeather contently closed his eyes, “Check your Ao3 account.”

            It took only 20 seconds before the author yelled again. What is with humans and being so noisy?

            “Goosie!” Violet Dawn said as she poked him, “How has it been a year?!?!”

            Goosefeather yawned, “Someone has been obsessed with Hollow Knight and Pokemon…”

            “But I thought I updated something in between my thesis and senior workload!” 

            “I think you mistook writing what Scourge-joins-a-clan AU you were working on and something about…” Goosefeather paused, “a pink bunny? The Word Documents look similar with how you outlined it.”  

            “Oh!” Goosefeather shot up, “Speaking of your outline, I must say someone is about to throw your plans into wack.”  

            “You mean I won’t get a chance to write anything in between finals and graduation?” Violet Dawn whined, trying to wear the pleading kitten eyes. Didn’t work. Not a kitten.

            “Not at the rate you pack boxes.” Goosefeather leapt into the box that she set down. “Besides, I wasn’t talking about that.”

            Violet Dawn raised her eyebrow at him. If she had a tail, it would be twitching in agitation.  “Then what were you talking about?”

            Goosefeather snuggled into the box, “Tell me, what happened to your second roommate? The one that meows?”

            Fear scent overtook the author as her face became pale. “Tiny!!” She cried as she scoured the whole room. Didn’t help she had several boxes to flip through.   

            “You won’t find him.” Goosefeather yawned.

            “And why not?” she said as she lifted a box dramatically over her head.

            “Because he has already left the building.”

            Violet Dawn slowly lowered the box. “Where he can be found by anyone?”

            “Oh yes.” Goosefeather blinked in delight.

            “Oh no!” she cried as she grabbed her key card. “Tiny could be found by any girl on campus and catnapped!”

            “Oh, he’s walked a bit further than that.”

            “You mean he’s on guy side!?”

            “Is that a problem?” Goosefeather popped his head out of the box.

            “Only if you consider the fact Tiny is a cute kitten!” the author opened the door, “And I have photographic evidence of the guys on campus scooping up kittens and putting them in their pockets!”

            Goosefeather was left to blink in confusion as the door slammed, “The guys like animals here?”

            Violet Dawn opened the door, “I forgot the fact I had slippers on.”

            As she put on her sneakers, Goosefeather spoke, “I do not think you need to worry about Tiny running into any guys on campus.”

            “You mean he’s by the kitchen?” the author gasped, “I’ll never get him back!”

            “You mean they’ll cook him?”

            “What? NO!” she shook her head, “They’ll spoil him!”

            “Spoil your sweet kitten rotten?”

            “No! Spoil him sweet!” Violet Dawn exclaimed, “All the kitchen ladies are grandmas. Tiny will never want to go to Thunderclan if he’s adopted by five grandmothers!” With that, she was out the door again, leaving Goosefeather in the box.

            Goosefeather grunted. Maybe he should have told her that Tiny was far closer to Thunderclan than she had ever planned. 

Chapter Text

    “Toss the moss ball Auntie!” Whitekit exclaimed, “I can’t let Brindlekit beat me!”

    Bluefur laughed in delight, “Well, we can’t have that now, can we?”

     “Hey!” Brindlekit cried, “You’re just slow!”

    “Am not!” Whitekit cried back.

    “Here we go!” Bluefur tossed the ball across the camp.

    “What?!” Whitekit and Brindlekit shouted as the moss ball soared through the air.

    “Got it!” Frostkit yelled as she caught the ball mid-air. Bringing the ball to Bluefur, she begged, “Throw it again!”

    “Alright…” Bluefur chuckled, “But are you ready?”

    “Steady!” The kits cried.

    “Then GO!” Bluefur cheered, tossing the moss ball into the air. The three kits scrambled chasing after the ball, kicking up dust in their wake.

    Snowfur and Robinwing laid dozing in the late Leaf-Fall sun. Sleepily, Snowfur blinked her eyes at Bluefur. “Thank you.”

    “Truly,” Robinwing added with one eye open, “We need someone to keep them busy.”

    “I enjoy it!” Bluefur said as she caught the moss ball the kits tossed to her. With a flick, she tossed the moss back, restarting the game.

     It became easy to play with Whitekit after Snowfur’s incident, even easier with Thistleclaw becoming Tigerpaw’s mentor. The spiky tom was always busy with Tigerpaw, training the apprentice from dawn to dusk. Bluefur even heard that Thistleclaw would wake the tom up before dawn to drill him in the sandy hollow if the two were not patrolling or hunting. Thank goodness, those days were rare. Thistleclaw woke up in a bad mood in those days as if he slept on a thorn or something.

     Tigerpaw didn’t seem to mind, being far too eager to become the best warrior the forest had ever seen. To Bluefur, the young apprentice wished to prove he was everything but his father Pinestar…though he was not the leader anymore…

     What was Pinestar’s warrior name anyway? He did not deserve to be called by the leader suffix after he left the clan.

     “Bluefur?” A warm voice called the blue warrior out of her musings. Bluefur happily turned to see Sunstar. There was a cat she would always call by his leader name, even if he should retire to the Elder’s Den. Sunstar was always there for her, Snowfur, and the clan.

     “Hello Sunstar.” Bluefur meowed and dipped her head, “Do you have any need of me?”

     “Yes actually,” Sunstar look solemn, “I want you to go find Thistleclaw and Tigerpaw in the sandy hollow.”

     “Why?” Bluefur cocked her head.

     “I’ve been getting reports of kittypets crossing the border, and I want you to go with them to investigate.”

     Bluefur let a sigh of frustration, “Reports made by Thistleclaw I presume?” The tom had been itching for a fight with a kittypet for moons now.

     “Which is why I want you there.” Sunstar meowed, “With how you two almost never see eye to eye, you will be able to look past any biases Thistleclaw has towards the kittypets.” Pausing, Sunstar’s yellow eyes focused on Bluefur. “I see you still have questions. Go ahead, Bluefur, ask them.”

     “Are you sure it is wise to send Tigerpaw as well? His father left the clan to become a kittypet after all. We don’t know how Tigerpaw would react or if he would be able to understand what his father did.” Bluefur spilled.

     “The apprentice is seven moons old, he ought to understand right and wrong by now.” Sunstar shrugged his wings, “He may not understand all the details or even why his father left, but Tigerpaw should understand the core treachery and cowardliness of Pinestar. As for how Tigerpaw thinks,” The leader’s wings glowed, “we will not know his thoughts or reactions until he reveals them. Best to find out what they are now instead of when Tigerpaw is a warrior.”

            Bluefur dipped her head, “I’ll report back everything that happens at the border to the Twolegged Places, from the kittypets to Thistleclaw and Tigerpaw’s reactions.”  With that she headed to the Thunderclan camp entrance.

            Just as she went through the entrance, Bluefur’s ears caught little Whitekit’s voice. “I get to play with Granddad? Yippie!”

            That sneaky-

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

            It didn’t take too long before Bluefur spotted the mentor and apprentice pair ahead.

            “Now lunge at me.” Thistleclaw commanded.

            Baring his teeth, Tigerpaw rushed at Thistleclaw, slamming into his flank. Thistleclaw turned and flung his apprentice away with a hefty blow that left Tigerpaw staggering.

            “Mouse-brain!” Thistleclaw growled. “You should have seen that coming! From that angle, you ran into me like a tree! Tree wins every time!”  

            Tigerpaw shook his head, looking dazed. “Let me try it again.” He begged.

            Bluefur hurried to interrupt. She couldn’t watch such brutal training. What had gotten into Thistleclaw today? Leopardfoot would be appalled at how rough Thistleclaw was with her kit.

            Thank goodness, Thistleclaw could never train Whitekit. The unspoken rules of no mentor with two apprentices at the same time, as well as no kin training kin, saved Whitekit from such harsh training.  

            “Thistleclaw!” Bluefur called before Tigerpaw could take another lunge at his mentor.

            Both cats swung around, their eyes narrowing when they saw her.

            “What is it?” Thistleclaw demanded with a snap.

            “Sunstar wants us to check the border for kittypets.” She told him.

            His yellow eyes brightened. “At last!” Thistleclaw bounded into the forest. “Come Tigerpaw,” he called over his shoulder, “Let’s try out some of those battle moves for real.”

            Paws heavy, Bluefur followed the pair.

            As they neared the Twoleggedplace, Thistleclaw signaled to Tigerpaw. “Run up ahead and check for scents.”

            The apprentice obeyed, rushing off to the border. As soon as they were alone, Bluefur sharply turned to Thistleclaw, cutting him off both verbally and physically.

            “What was with that training, Thistleclaw!?!” Bluefur demanded.

            “Who are you to question my training methods, considering you never taught an apprentice yourself.” Thistleclaw fired back.

            “I am not questioning your training methods. I’m questioning whether you want to train your apprentice or give him a concession instead!”

            “All training comes with a risk of injury Bluefur, surely you know that.” Thistleclaw spat.

            “There is risk and there is certainty.” Bluefur hissed, “With how you’re training him, you’re more like an enemy warrior than a fellow clanmate!”

            “Good!” Thistleclaw meowed, “Then he will be ready when he fights real enemies.” Growling, Thistleclaw barred his fangs, “What are you doing here anyway? I doubt Sunstar sent you to the Sandy Hollow to question my training skills.”

            Bluefur so badly wished to tear Thistleclaw apart with her words, shred every last hope of Sunstar’s confidence in him. She huffed. Why not give Thistleclaw the chance to let her do so.

            “You want to know?” She took a step forward, “Do you want me to tell you Sunstar’s logic or the real reason why?”

            Thistleclaw brought his muzzle forward, “I want you to tell the real reason why you of all the cats in the camp.”

            Bluefur was about to open her mouth when she realized her answer was going to be a lie. Thistleclaw asked why her, not why some cat.

            “To be honest,” Bluefur sat down, turning her face away from Thistleclaw, “I think he sent me out just so he could play with Whitekit. Apparently Sunstar wants grandfather-grandson time.”

            Before Thistleclaw had a chance to respond, Tigerpaw came racing back, “Kittypet scent!” the young tom cried, “Come on!”

            The dark young tabby led them to a sparse strip of woodland not far from a row of bright red Twolegged nests. Light filtered through the colored, leafy branches, striping the forest floor.

            Tigerpaw started snigging tufts of grass. “The trail leads this way.”

            Bluefur could smell a faint trace of kittypet. Not strong enough to belong to a full-grown cat. “It’s just a kit,” she meowed, “Not worth following.”

            “I forgot you had a soft spot for kittypets.” Thistleclaw growled. He followed his apprentice along the scent trail as it led through the long grass at the edge of the Twolegged place.

            They pushed through the grass and emerged in a sunny patch of scrub besides a frence. A tiny black kittypet was snuffling at the ground. As the three Clan cats advanced, he spun around, icy blue eyes wide.

            “Hello!” He blinked happily, tail high.

            Tigerpaw bristled at the unexpected greeting, and Thistleclaw had already unsheathed his claws.

            Bluefur tensed, willing the tiny tom to run. The fence wasn’t far. There was a chance the kit could escape.

            A growl rumbled from Thistleclaw’s throat. “What are you doing here? This is Thunderclan territory!”

            As the kit was taken aback, Bluefur stepped besides the warrior, “Thistleclaw, he’s only a kit. He’s no threat.”

            “An intruder is an intruder, Bluefur! You’ve always been too soft on them!”

            Bluefur felt sick. First the harsh training and now this? What had gotten into Thistleclaw?!

            The warrior turned to his apprentice, “Here Bluefur, let’s put it to my apprentice. What do you think, Tigerpaw? How should we handle this?”

            “I think the kittypet should be taught a lesson,” Tigerpaw hissed, “One it’ll remember.”

            “Hold on-” Bluefur stepped forward, “there’s no need for this-”

            “Shut up!” Thistleclaw hissed at her, arching his back.

            Tigerpaw lunged at the kit, sending it flying like a piece of prey. The kit skidded across the rough earth and landed, gasping for breath.

            “Thistleclaw!” Bluefur cried as she watched, “Stop this! This is unnecessary!”

            Tail brushed in terror, the kit tried to scrambled to its paws. But Tigerpaw pounced again. The tabby apprentice pinned the kit to the ground.

            “Oh, this is very necessary Bluefur.” Thistleclaw hissed. “Intruders will always cross the border again and again if they feel safe. Unless, of course, you strike enough terror into everyone that they will never cross the border again.” 

            Tigerpaw swiped at the kit’s muzzle with claws unsheathed, then raking the kit’s flank. The kit squealed in agony.

            Bluefur couldn’t believe it. What would Sunstar think of this-wait…what would Snowfur think of this?

            “Thistleclaw please.” Bluefur begged, “What would Snowfur think?”

            Thistleclaw eyes startled as he paused before his yellow eyes darkened. “Snowfur would understand that I am protecting our clan.” Thistleclaw growled.

            Tigerpaw sunk his teeth into the kit shoulder and hauled the little one to his paws. The kit yowled and struggled, his paws scrabbling helplessly on the ground until Tigerpaw flung him away.

            “Would Snowfur understand you attacking a kit the size of her son?” Bluefur blazed, not waiting for an answer. Rushing past Thistleclaw, Bluefur stood in between Tigerpaw and the kit. Blood welling scarlet along his wounds, the kit pressed his belly to the ground as though he wished he could just vanish.

             “That is enough!” She bared her teeth, prepared to fight. Tigerpaw would kill this kit if she let him carry on. “Warriors don’t need to kill to win battles, remember?”

            Tigerpaw halted and glared at her. “I was just defending our territory.”

             “And you’ve done that.” Bluefur reasoned. “This kit has learned its lesson.”

             “No…” Tigerpaw’s eyes narrowed upon the kit who was picking himself up, “It hasn’t.” With that, the apprentice launched himself around Bluefur, trying to reach the kittypet.  

             “Stop, Tigerpaw!”

             Tigerpaw stumbled in mid-air in response to the cry. Both Bluefur and Tigerpaw whirled around in surprise at the caller. None other than Thistleclaw approached, his yellow eyes widened in dismay as he focused on the kit. “He…he is no bigger than Whitekit.” Thistleclaw let out a horrified whisper.

             “I told you it was just a kit.” Bluefur hissed. “It can’t cause any harm, being too little.”

             Thistleclaw spoke, his voice dry, “It can’t…but we…”

             The kit passed out behind Bluefur, exhausted from his wounds. Horrified, Bluefur scooped up the kitten in her mouth. The kit needed help, fast. Collar or no collar.

             Racing past Thistleclaw and Tigerpaw, Bluefur and the kit disappeared into the shadowy tree line. The warrior still could not believe that the whole incident took place. One thing was for certain, if Thistleclaw handled the entire incident like this, Bluefur could never let him rule Thunderclan.

Chapter Text

It was the strangest thing. One moment, Snowfur was relaxing in the sun with Robinwing; the next she shot straight up.

The movement itself was not strange; no, it was why she did. Or rather, Snowfur did not know why. Whitekit was happy, joyfully playing with Sunstar. There was no excitement in the clan outside of her adopted father and the kits, which she had already tuned out to rest. The birds were chatting in the background while the guards stood contently at the camp entrance.

So why did Snowfur feel so uneasy?

Suddenly, Bluefur shot through the clan’s entrance, startling the camp guards. Not stopping to explain, her sister raced to the Medicine Cat Den and disappeared inside.

Anxious, Snowfur stood up, shaking Robinwing off her. “What’s wrong?” the sleepy queen asked as she shook herself.

Snowfur spoke, her voice dry, “I don’t know.”

Sunstar walked up to the two queens. “Did you see what Bluefur was carrying in her mouth?”

The fluffy, white queen’s stomach dropped. “I need to go to the Medicine Cat Den, now.” Snowfur firmly declared before hobbling her way over. Sunstar and Whitekit followed her, with Robinwing remaining behind with Brindlekit and Frostkit.

The Medicine Cat Den was chaos: Featherwhisker was busy shifting his supplies as Bluefur was rapidly answering his questions. Snowfur quickly glanced over her sister, satisfied that there were no injuries until she saw her paws. Or rather, what was at her paws.

A kit, small as Whitekit, laid injured at Bluefur’s paws. The poor thing was covered in blood, so much so that Snowfur almost missed the kit’s single, white paw.

“Bluefur,” Sunstar spoke behind her, “What happened? Why is a kit from the Twolegged Place here?”

Only then did Snowfur notice the collar on the kit’s neck, its purple color stained red with blood. It seemed to have protected the kit’s neck from terrible blows, though with all the blood, Snowfur couldn’t quite tell.

Bluefur snarled like a roaring fire, “That mouse-brained, foxhearted-”

“Auntie!” Whitekit leapt up to Bluefur, “Are you hurt? Can I help?”

The warrior froze at the sight of Snowfur’s son. With somber eyes, she to Sunstar, “Could…could we speak in your den?”

“I will remain with the kit.” Snowfur stepped forward, “Bluefur, you go tell Sunstar what happened. Whitekit,” she nudged her son, “you will help me and Featherwhisker.”

“Okay Mama!” Whitekit bounced with delight.

With that decision, Bluefur and Sunstar left the Medicine Cat Den. Snowfur turned to her uncle. “What do you need me to do?”

Featherwhisker looked up from his supplies, “Clean his wounds for me. We can’t let him get infected on top of having such deep wounds.”

“I help Mama?”

“Yes,” Snowfur told her kitten, “Go get moss, wet moss. Featherwhisker might need the water.” Whitekit obeyed his Mama quickly, scurrying out of the Medicine Cat Den.

The snowy queen curled around the kit and immediately began to bathe him. Every lick hurt as it only reminded Snowfur of how similarly sized the kit was to Whitekit. Soon enough, more black than red shone on the kit’s fur. When Snowfur got to the kit’s paws, he began to stretch and fight.

“Shhh, Shh.” Snowfur hushed, “You’re safe now. You’re safe.”

The kitten squeaked in frustration, but soon settled.

As Snowfur finished, Featherwhisker arrived with the appropriate herbs. “My dear,” he began, “I will need you to hold and turn the kit for me so I get every wound.”

“Of course.” Snowfur purred.

“I-I…” the kitten meowed, “I can move myself.”

“Then you shall.” Snowfur hushed. Carefully, the two worked together so Featherwhisker could properly treat the kit.

“How do you feel?” Featherwhisker asked the kit when he finished.

The kit blinked his icy eyes in annoyance. “Gross.” He shifted in Snowfur’s paws, “And thirsty.”

Thank goodness, that was the moment Whitekit entered. Her son did not announce his arrival as he was too busy proudly carrying the wet moss into the den. Laying the moss down at Snowfur’s paws, Whitekit’s eyes twinkled, “I did it!”

The black and white kit stared at the moss. “What is that?”

“Moss!” Whitekit exclaimed, “It’s all wet, so you can drink it!”

“How?” the kit tapped the moss.

“You suck the water out.” Whitekit explained, “Like this!”

The kittypet did not seem convinced, even with Whitekit’s demonstration, but was determined, or thirsty enough, to try himself. It didn’t take more than two sips before the kit recoiled in disgust. “The water is gross! It tastes like, like-”

“Moss?” Featherwhisker offered, very much amused by the kit’s facial expressions.

“Yeah!”

Chuckling, Featherwhisker bent down, “Are you still thirsty, little one?”

Nodding, the kit crouched besides the moss, dreading taking another sip.

“Little one,” Snowfur meowed, turning on her side, “You can nurse right here.”

The kit straightened up in surprise. “But I’m four months old.”

Snowfur blinked in surprise. The kit looked as he was three moons old, just like her son Whitekit. “And I’m still producing milk if you want it.”

The kit looked back and forth at the moss and Snowfur’s side. It didn’t take him too long to make a decision.

Soon enough, the kit sucked at Snowfur’s belly, Whitekit joining him. “Hey!” Whitekit poked the kit, “My name’s Whitekit! What’s yours?”

The kit paused, “I’m Tiny.” He said before going back to nursing.

“What are you doing out here? I thought kittypets only stay in their dens.”

“I was exploring. Then I got…attacked. Rescued by a blue she-cat. I don’t know what happened next.”

“Auntie rescued you?” Whitekit exclaimed, his eyes sparkling, “She’s the coolest!”

“You know her?” Tiny asked.

“Ah-huh!” Whitekit nodded, “She brought you here to the Medicine Cat Den where Featherwhisker healed you up!”

“Cool.” Tiny blinked happily as he went back to Snowfur’s belly.

Whitekit had to wait for Tiny to be comfortable to ask his next question, “Why do you smell like Tigerpaw? Where is he?”

“That’s enough questions.” Snowfur lightly smacked Whitekit with her tail, “Mama gets really tired when you keep sucking on and off.”

“Sorry Mama.” Whitekit meowed before nursing himself.

Snowfur met Featherwhisker’s eyes. They both knew they were delaying the inevitable questions that they themselves had. Yet silence they both kept.

Snowfur wrapped her fluffy tail around the two kits. Feeling her stomach churn, Snowfur rested her head. She knew that Bluefur went out with both Tigerpaw and Thistleclaw. Bluefur came rushing back with an injured kit with neither tom in sight. Said kit had Tigerpaw’s scent on him, scent that was the strongest where he was injured. Injured by long claws. And nowhere was Thistleclaw.

Snowfur turned her gaze to Tiny, the churning in her stomach only growing. What happened out there? And where was her mate?

Chapter Text

In Thistleclaw’s opinion, the ravens were much too loud. What did they find in this forest that was so interesting?

The entire forest was becoming cloaked in shadow as the evening set in. Soon, the two toms wouldn’t be able to see the colored leaves in the trees anymore. No more orange, yellow, red…

Thistleclaw shook his head. The mere name of the color brought to mind the kittypet. Black and white all covered in red…and the kit wasn’t even dead!

At least, Thistleclaw hoped he wasn’t. He didn’t know if the kit was after Bluefur scooped the kittypet up and disappeared into the treeline.

The grey-and-white warrior didn’t know if he wanted to return to camp and find out what happened.

“We did the right thing, right Thistleclaw?” Tigerpaw pipped up. “We challenged the intruder to the territory.”

“Challenge does not mean kill, Tigerpaw.” Thistleclaw “And we almost killed that kit.”

“But the kit is a kittypet! Outside of the code!” Tigerpaw exclaimed, “Are you the one who told me that Rule 14 states that an honorable warrior does not need to kill other cats to win their battles, unless the cat is outside of the warrior code? And what is a kittypet but outside-”

“I know!” Thistleclaw snapped.  

Tigerpaw was taken aback, his fluffy fur making him look like a kit again. Recovering his confidence, he straightened up, “So surely we’re right and Bluefur’s wrong.”

For a moment, Thisteclaw did not see his apprentice but Silverhawk gloating. Tigerpaw’s voice did not carry, but Silverhawk’s and his own voice resounded in his ears. The forest began to darken deeper than shadow as blood roared in his ears. There were always too many invaders, too many threats. Must make them fear, must gain control-

“My winding thistle!” Snowfur’s plead broke through the dark forest in his head. There she was, teary eyes with a little Whitekit by her paws. “What have you done?”

As if he was splashed by water, Thistleclaw shook himself out of the vision, if that was what appeared before him. The grey-and-white warrior focused on his breathing, his eyes noticing the blood on Tigerpaw’s unsheathed claws.

“Rule 13.” The warrior panted, “The word of the Clan Leader is the Warrior Code.” Pulling himself up, Thistleclaw looked Tigerpaw straight in the eyes, “Sunstar will be the one to decide which of us is the honorable warrior. Now move.”

Chapter Text

“What kind of warrior attacks a kit?”

Thistleclaw tried his hardest not to flinch. Tigerpaw, however, jumped. The apprentice was not used to Sunstar being stern, though nobody was really used to Sunstar being stern. Thank goodness, no one else was in the leader’s den besides the mentor/apprentice duo and the leader.

“No, why would you answer such question?” Sunstar muttered to himself. Refocusing on the two before him, Sunstar spoke, “You, Thistleclaw, have the most ambition among Thunderclan warriors to gain glory by fending off invaders. Now tell me, what glory can be gained in thrashing a foe who can’t fight back?”

“Very little, sir. If any at all.” Thistleclaw bowed his head.

“Not only have you two broke the Warrior Code by attacking a kit, but you have also acted shamefully! A measly kittypet kit, what a challenge to the great Thunderclan.”

Thistleclaw snapped, “How dare you-”

“Dare to say the Truth? Dare to say everything that the other clans will merely say at the Gathering?”

Closing his eyes at Sunstar’s glowing wings, Thistleclaw’s lips curled into a snarl. There that ginger tom was challenging everything that he and Silverhawk believed. Tearing down a warrior and apprentice who were defending their clan. And yet…

Thistleclaw relaxed his face and flattened his ears. Rule 13: The word of the Clan Leader is the Warrior Code. This is what he wanted. Clarity.

“But we have to show we’re not afraid of invaders!” Tigerpaw cried, “Thunderclan cannot be cowards like Pinestar!”

Thistleclaw was stunned at his apprentice’s outburst. He was such a polite kit-where did he learn to disrespect Sunstar…oh. Him just a mere moment ago.

Sunstar, however, took it in stride. “In your haste to prove that you are not cowardly like Pinestar, you rushed the wrong direction.” Sunstar meowed, “Pinestar refused to fight at all; you attacked a kit like a rouge slashing the throat of a sleeping warrior.”

The apprentice shrunk into himself; the reality of the situation finally hit him.

“Please forgive him, sir.” Thistleclaw meowed, “He has not been an apprentice for many moons.”

The light seemed to hum in the air. “And for that, I shall show you Mercy, Tigerpaw.” Sunstar declared, “Though you will not like the Mercy I shall show, Thistleclaw.”
The warrior could feel his leader shift his attention to him.

“There must be Justice in this matter. Tigerpaw acted so rashly that a kit almost died today. Rashly because you did not teach him how to obtain proper glory.”

Sunstar paused, “Tell me Thistleclaw, why did you order that attack?”

“Because our clan needed to be defended from any intruder. No one must call Thunderclan weak or cowardly lest they attack us.”

“And why,” Sunstar meowed, “Did you order Tigerpaw to stop?”

Stunned, Thistleclaw lifted his head. Bluefur actually told Sunstar that he stopped Tigerpaw? “Because…I needed to see if the intruder was truly the size of Whitekit. And when I saw he was…”

“Thistleclaw…” the leader’s face became one full of sorrow, “I pray that your attack may never have the consequence of any clan attacking a lost, Thunderclan kit because of the policy you set today. Because today, you just told the clans it is alright to attack a lost Whitekit on the border instead of helping him home.”

An icy pang hit Thistleclaw’s heart as he realized what Sunstar was telling him. He knew how ambitious Thistleclaw was, how eager he was to become leader and set clan policy. Thistleclaw never even dreamed of the negative consequences due to an example he set.

“I will have to publicly punish you for this so none of the clans believe this behavior is acceptable and welcomed. You will have to swallow your pride and lose glory to have a chance at saving your son and clan. Do you understand?”

For a moment, Thistleclaw did not stand before Sunstar, but between Silverhawk and Snowfur, between a darkened forest and starry field.

Silverhawk howled, “How dare he punish you! You are the one who fought for your clan!”

Snowfur locked her sparkly blue eyes at him. “Why do you have claws, my Thistle?”

“Thistleclaw?”

All at once, the grey-and-white warrior was before his leader once more. With a single sentence, he answered both Sunstar and Snowfur, “Protect my clan.”

Sunstar dipped his head to both Thistleclaw and Tigerpaw. “I will go announce my judgement to the clan. You will not like it, but Justice and Mercy must be done. Though before I do so,” Sunstar lingered on Thistleclaw, “you will need to tell everyone the Truth of what happened.”

Well…this just became worse.