Chapter Text
Chapter 1: Howling Winds
ThunderClan:
Tigerfrost woke as the wind blew into Thunderclans camp. Making her shiver and the bedding of other cats fly away.
She groaned and looked outside. It was barely dawn as the sun lifted itself into the sky.
No point on going back to bed, she thought stretching she shook herself off, and headed outside. The sunlight shined on her grey and ginger fur. She blinked quickly to get the sleep out of her eyes and stretched. Letting her calico get more tangled.
The patrol was coming back with a tired look, a few had mice and squirrels with them.
Tigerfrost trotted over to a lean tom who was carrying a squirrel in his mouth. He was a silver and white tom who could have been mistaken for a Kitty pet at one point.
“Silverwing! How was the hunt?”
Silverwing sighed and shook his head.
“I have to admit Tigerfrost. Ever since the fire the prey has been low…”
“That bad?”
Both of them watched as the rest of the patrol come back. Which were six more members, and one had prey with them.
Tigerfrost bit her lip and Silverwing sighed.
“I’m going to let Stonetrail know we’re back. Oh, and by the way Stormflight was looking for you. Something about checking the border with River Clan,” Silverwing said and picked up his kill.
Tigerfrost nodded and headed to the exit of camp.
As she stepped out she shivered at what she saw. A mass of burned trees and the floor covered in Ash.
Across the way she could see Shadow Clan who were coming back from patrol too. They also seemed to be leaving empty handed.
Tigerfrost decided to go find Stormflight. She trotted towards the RiverClan border and spotted him by the sunning rocks. Her ears twitched as he looked across the border.
“If you’re going to stare at least stare at least stare at my ass,” Stormflight said and turned towards her.
Tigerfrost stook her tounge out at him and Stormflight laughed.
“Have they...”
“Found anything? Besides half the river being dried up, or covered in ash nothing,” Stormflight stood and both cats walked near the shore.
“Any news about why the river is dried up?”
Stormflight shook his head.
“From what I can tell even the beavers have left the area something just doesn’t seem right...”
Both cats froze when they saw a squirrel looking for food. Tigerfrost got low to the ground, and stalked towards the squirrel. With one quick leap she had it in her jaws.
“Nice, still can’t believe you grew up into... well you from the runt I knew,” Stormflight said passing her. She snorted and nudged him with playfulness.
“I heard Adderstar is giving you an apprentice this moon. That must be exciting,” Tigerfrost said as they searched more.
Stormflight snorted, “I think you got your information wrong. That’s you getting an apprentice. Not me.”
Tigerfrost felt like she was going to puke. “God, I hope not. I don’t think I’m ready for an apprentice...”
“Well you can always make an excuse that your pregnant with Gorsefeather’s kits.”
That statement made her gag and drop the squirrel.
“I rather eat rotten prey than be his mate...”
They stopped when the very distinct smell of Shadow Clan filled their nostrils. Tigerfrost pinned her ears back and snarled.
“They never gone this far in... they must be desperate.”
“Ugh, I guess we’ll go tell Hawkthorn, and his patrol then,” Tigerfrost growled under her breath.
The two traveled back chatting, and joking with eachother. They said hello to the few other ThunderClan cats leaving there
Hawkthorn was sitting next to Stonetrail, the deputy of ThunderClan, and his mother. Hawkthorn was a large grey tom with a darker grey strip down his back and a scar on his neck.
Tigerfrost walked up towards them, and Hawkthorn locked eyes with her. Hawkthorn was larger and had slightly more fighting experience than her, but he had a lot more experience fighting ShadowClan. Good example is that scar on his neck.
The other guy? Well he’s dead.
“Stonetrail, me and Stormflight have sound the smell of ShadowClan cats far into the territory. We believe they’re getting desperate.”
The she-cat bit her lip and nodded. “Fine, Adderstar took a patrol too look at the eastern side of the territory, I’ll take a border patrol north to keep an eye on those Shadow cats.” Her tail flared in agitation while her son made a hissing sound.
“Hawkthorn, you’re in charge of the border patrol. Take the warriors you trust,” Stonetrail lept from where she sat and called out for Dawnfire and Tanglelilly.
Hawkthorn and Tigerfrost sat in silence.
“Still not join your creepy patrol group Hawkthorn,” Tigerfrost said, her tail bristled and her ear flattened against her head.
“Oh, you’ll see how convincing I can be,” Hawkthorn said hissing as he passed by her. “Raptortalon! Find Oneear we’re heading out in 5 minutes,” with that Hawkthorn left with his possy.
Tigerfrost watched and took a breath she headed towards the medicine cat den to check who she hoped wouldn’t be her apprentice.
A tall white tom stood at the end of the medicine den. Sorting out herbs, and berries.
“Ah, Tigerfrost. Good to see you. Congratulations on becoming a Mentor! You here to meet-”
A red blur then tackled Tigerfrost to the ground. Tigerfrost looked up to see a ginger tom on top of her. Green eyes peered down at her with a bit cheeky grin.
“Scared yah, didn’t I?”
“Dammit Applekit,” Tigerfrost said getting up.
“Oh come on Fleetfoot said I’m better enough to become an apprentice now! Tomorrow I’m already going to be one moon over my training! You and I are going to put ShadowClan in its place! With the help of Hawkthorn we have nothing to fear!”
One of the biggest things that scare three out of the four clan’s was ShadowClan’s Leader. A cat who was known to break the code, and then turn on his own Clan mates if they spoke out against him. He ruled with an iron fist.
ShadowClan:
“DAMMIT! I told you that was too close!”
Two ShadowClan cats raced through ashen trees. The smell of smoke was still lingering in the air.
“It was worth it! Got some two squirrels and a rat,” a buff grey tom said trotting into camp. Behind him a mostly black tom followed with white patches on his fur.
“Quickclaw I still think…”
“Don’t worry Smallfoot! I’ll take the squirrels to the prey pile, you take the rat to Aspenleaf,” without giving Smallfoot another say Quickclaw trotted over to the prey pile.
“Quickclaw,” a large white and grey she cat strutted towards him her claws flexing into the dirt.
“I’m here to tell you to be front and center for the morning meeting. Poisonstar has an announcement that has to deal with you,” Witheredpelt said with a hiss at the end.
Quickclaw nodded happily and trotted off towards Rising stump where a few other cats were waiting. He sat down next to see gold she-cat with green eyes.
“Hey Sleekfur. Did you find…”
“Quickclaw how many times do I have to tell you to stay away from me,” Sleekfur growled and walked away.
Quickclaw looked back, then back at the where he could see Witheredpelt walk next to the stump. He started rolling some Moss on the ground and made a ball.
A blueish grey paw then slapped it out of his hand. He looked up and saw a she-cat now playing with the moss ball on the ground.
“Well, where were you last night?”
“Nowhere you concern, she said giggling. “Another fail attempt with talking with Sleekfur?”
“Yeah, but I don’t mind. I think she’s just nervous about today. I mean Glazepaw was supposed to be her apprentice a few moons ago…” the moss ball was then slapped in his face.
“Ugh, let’s not talk about apprentices. How’s Halfkit?”
“Could be better...”
“He’s doing fine. Thanks Bluepool,” Smallfoot sat next to Bluepool who smiled at him softly. “I heard you didn’t get home until late this morning. Anything you want to say?”
Bluepool scoffed, “I have no idea what you’re talking about," but there was a small smile on her face passing the moss ball to Smallfoot.
A lean white and black tom walked towards them and collapsed to the ground.
“What happened now?”
“Got chased out of WindClan territory. I’m a bit parched,” he yawned and cuddled up to Quickclaw.
“Awe, hang in there darling,” Quickclaw said nosing his head.
A few minutes later the rest of the clan arrived. Chatter filled the area with. The clan was talked for a few more minutes when Witheredpelt stood up straighter.
A large ginger tom with a black strip going down his back walked towards the stump. He leaped up onto it and looked down on the rest. There was some grey on his chin and cheek bones.
“Clanmates of all ages, I am pleased to announce that today is the day my kits are old enough to be apprenticed,” the clan made cheering sounds as a small tom and a large she-cat stepped out.
“I bring forth my two kits. Ravenkit, and Toxickit. Toxickit please step forward.”
The small tom took a step and looked up at his father, shaking slightly.
“For this day forward, until your training is finished you shall be considered Toxicpaw, and your mentor will be Aldershade.”
A large ginger cat stepped forward and nodded to the smaller Tom. The clan cheered, most of them half-heartedly.
“And now for my heir. My daughter Ravenkit, you will be know as Ravenpaw. Your mentor shall be…” there was a long pause like he was debating on his answer. “…Quickclaw.”
Quickclaw was stunned by the answer that he hit the moss ball he was playing with into the back. They heard a loud oof. It seemed like the whole clan had their eyes on him as he walked up to Ravenpaw who looked horrified.
A few ShadowClan Cats called out her name as Quickclaw and Ravenpaw watched in horror.
WindClan:
Swiftbreeze shook off the ash that fell on him while he slept. He yawned and looked around the bush that was barely protecting him. He looked down at lean white she-cat who was curled around two kits and smiled a little.
He stood up stretching and walked out of nursery taking a deep breath he felt the safety of the dead branches.
He shook off the soot that had fallen onto his pelt covering some of the white fur and dust the black markings.
“Swiftbreeze! I need you to take a patrol at ShadowClans’ Border,” a large gold tom walked towards him with a heated look in his eyes. “See anything crossing the border I want them chased off.”
“Yes Goldencloud, anything else,” Swiftbreeze asked as a cold brush of wind caught them off guard.
“Brrr, see if you can find more broken branches or long grass that wasn’t destroyed by the fire. Your Patrol is waiting outside for you,” Goldencloud nodded. He left towards towards a red she-cat who flickered her tail back and forth.
Swiftbreeze nodded and trotted outside while a large Tom trotted into the camp with a cheeky grin on his face.
“Bluepool,” Swiftbreeze asked the large tom.
He gave Swiftbreeze a tail whap. Swiftbreeze shook his head and left safety of the clan.
He met up with Sorrelfrost, Cloudfur, and Leaffall.
Leaffall had a long tall brown body with yellow eyes. Next to her was her apprentice, Hazepaw.
Hazepaw was a whitish and grey tom who seemed to have his fathers eyes and mothers stoborness.
Sorrelfrost was a dainty little thing even though she lived in Windclan.
“I’ve been told we have border patrol near ShadowClan,” Swiftbreeze said walking towards them.
Sorrelfrost perked up and nodded, “Yep, Bearglow also asked us to see if we can find any berries over there. He suspects that ShadowClan is hiding something,” she stated standing with the apprentice and Leaffall following them as they left.
Swiftbreeze rolled his shoulders, his claws digging into the ground with a hiss. “Ugh, he gives me the creeps,” Swiftbreeze said tail lashing out.
“He always gives you the creeps, Swiftbreeze,” Hazepaw said standing on a ashen ridden log.
Leaffall gave Swiftbreeze gave him a apologetic look and then went after he apprentice as he ran off.
“He supposed to get his warrior name soon right,” Sorrelfrost said.
“Not if Leaffall doesn’t get control of her apprentice,” Swiftbreeze said shaking his fur.
A large grey tom passed them with a skinny, mostly bones mouse in his mouth. He nodded towards them.
“Swiftbreez, Sorelfrost, Leaffall and Hazepaw are up ahead. Swiftbreeze,” the two cats locked eyes.
“I’m glad Icekit survived,” he said walking away from them.
“That was weird…”
“You think? I haven’t talked to him since Cypresspelt became an apprenticed.
Both of them kept there head down as they passed Bearglow. Who smiled at them flashing teeth at Swiftbreeze, Swiftbreeze growled low in his throat, and his fur flared up.
“He’s trying to annoy you Swiftbreeze ignore him.”
“Not until my daughter is far away from that creep,” Swiftbreeze snarled and then lifted his head as they watch Bearglow walk back to the clan.
RiverClan:
Darkthroat woke up to someone pouncing onto her. She groaned and looked up. Her black fur was covered in ash making her look spotty.
At her hind legs was her apprentice, Pinepaw who was trying to grab her tail.
“We should of named you Kitpaw,” she said flicking her tail away as the brown tabby tackled into the ground face first.
“You wouldn’t wake up,” Pinepaw said pouting at her. Darkthroat laughed and stood up stretching her long legs.
“How are you even up? You made us stay out late until the moon was high in the sky…” she started to clean herself, Pinepaw whined.
“Come on Darkthroat! You promised you’d teach me to swim in the deep end of the river,” Pinepaw said starting to push Darkthroat out of the den. Nearly tripping over the other Warriors on the ground.
“Alright hold on…”
Both cats paused at the sight of the clan. RiverClan was consider the most healthy out of the clans, but the thin cats and dirty fur would contradict everything you’d see.
“Darkthroat,” A large golden brown tom said walking towards her and Pinepaw. “Would you mine help me train Moonpaw with her spawning,” Crookedsight asked.
“Sure that’s not a problem, I did though promise Pinepaw to teach him to swim in the deeper end of the river,” Darkthroat said and then looked around. “Where’s Moonpaw anyway?”
“Seeing her parents for a bit I think,” Crookedsight said looking back at.
“I’ll go talk to her,” Pinepaw said walking out of the hideout.
Darkthroat and Crookedsight followed behind. Both hesitating to get into the water that surrounded the camp.
They were met up with A black and grey she cat sitting in a middle of graves. Head lowered, and Pinepaw trying to comfort her.
It didn’t go well apparently when lashed out with a claw.
“Hey!” Crookedsight and Darkthroat jumped into the frey. Crookedsight pushing Moonpaw away, and Darkthroat standing in front of Pinepaw.
Moonpaw growled and hissed at Darkthroat, “Out here you should be the one be in these graves Darkthroat,” she growled her tail whipping back and forth.
“Moonpaw you can’t blame Darkthroat for…”
“She’s not even RiverClan!” Moonpaw sprung forward trying to tackle her, but Darkthroat quickly shoved her back down with by grabbing her by the neck.
Darkthroat stood tall, her long ears pinned back and teeth showing one white paw stepped forward and grabbed her by the scruff of her neck.
“You can keep on blaming me for your parents death, but that won’t change the fact that they are dead,” she let go and started walking away.
“Find someone else to spar Crookedsight, maybe Emberpaw would like a sparring partner,” Darkthroat said and both apprentices shuttered at the name.
“…Hey Darkthroat, I don’t mind…”
“No, your not sparring with Moonpaw, she needs to learn that they’re consequences to her actions than just a slap on the paw,” Darkthroat said leading them to the deeper part of the river. Both cat hesitated as Darkthroat put a paw in the water.
She sighed in relief. “Its fine come on in,” she smiled in relief. Both cats were easy to stand in the river, but it took a minute for Pinepaw to find his footing.
“Ha, so far so easy,” Pinepaw said.
“You think this is the deep end? Nah, this is just the beginning of the channel,” Darkthroat said turning around and dove her head into the water.
Pinepaw followed opening his eyes and found himself looking out into deeper waters. Darkthroat was in the middle of it smirking at him and then swam to the surface breathing out some air. Pinepaw followed.
“Now do you think you’re ready?”
Hours had passed since then, Darkthroat and Pinepaw leaving the river with small fish in their mouths, Pine paw trotting all the way there happily.
“Ow, Ow, Ow, I give!”
The two stopped and saw Emberpaw pinning Moonpaw to the ground, smiling victorious.
“Okay, that’s it for now. Darkthroat, Pinepaw,” a black she-cat yelled and trotted towards them with a smile.
“Hey Clovertail.”
“Hey mom! Look what we got,” Pinepaw said with a mouth full.
“That’s great! Darkthroat, Spiderpool and Mistlestar would like to speak to you,” she said.
“Really? Why me?”
“Maybe they finally decided to get rid of your tail,” said a grouchy voice.
Behind them was a ginger calico she-cat smirking at them poofing up her neck fur.
“Why would they do that again Flowerbloom?” Darthroat said pinning her ears back.
“Oh, you know,” Flowerbloom said circling her.
“Later Bird brain,” Flowerbloom said walking off.
“One of these days I’d like to bump her down a notch,” Darkthroat said flexing her claws.
“Didn’t already did that after being the first one to learn how to swim as an apprentice?”
“Maybe a couple of more notches would do her good.”
“Or maybe you should just be one of the next one to have kits…” Darkthroat flinched as someone pushed they’re chest up against her back. She nearly slapped the voice, but instead quickly turned around with a raised paw.
“Oh, come on Darkthroat! Be nicer to your future mate,” grey and black striped tom said with a cheeky smile.
“I rather be mates with a ShadowClan tom Vinestripe,” she said turning towards Pinepaw and motioned him to follow.
“You’ll be mine one day Darkthroat!”
"I would rather die!"
The two cats placed the fish in the fresh kill pile and headed towards a large grey she-cat and a lean brown tom.
“You wanted to see me Mistlestar?”
“Yes, please follow us,” Mistlestar said motioning toward the back of where they were standing.
Pinepaw and Darkthroat followed.
“Is everything okay?”
“I wish I can say that everything is okay. We believe that the fish had swam upstream from here,” Mistlestar said.
“We believe we have better chances of surviving if we leave,” Spiderpool said finishing the sentence for Mistestar.
It took Darkthroat and Pinepaw by surprised, why were they telling them this?
“So why are you telling me this??”
“We know out of everyone here you not really connected with RiverClan. We think you’d have a better connection with talking to the other Clans,” Mistlestar said. This made Darkthroat bristle and took a deep breath.
‘It’s because I was never born here is it,’ she thought.
“I’ll do my best mam’ Pinepaw, let’s see if Timberpaw is willing to do some sparring,” with that Darkthroat left biting her lip.
They left with their heads down, and Darkthroat being eyed at by her clanmates.
“So what do we do now?”
“I guess we’ll start tomorrow at the meeting. We’ll start out with WindClan.”
Pinepaw stopped and asked, “Why WindClan?”