Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

ThunderClan
Leader: Squirrelstar-fluffy tailed, white pawed, red she-cat
Deputy: Ivypool-a she-cat with a white main coat and gray cape, there are darker gray stripes over top the light gray, she’s very close to Squirrelstar, mother of Flipclaw and Thriftear
Medicine Cat: Jayfeather-light blue tabby tom, he’s usually grouchy but has a core of the sweetest catmint, he enjoys doing little things that cheer up his family and close friends, he holds his relationships close to his heart, and whenever someone close dies it takes him a while to reajust
Alderheart-slightly darker red than Squilf with a white paw and brown eyes
Warriors: Thornclaw-light golden tabby tom whom loves to go on border patrols, he chose to stay a warrior instead of going to the elders’ den with Cloudtail, and his brother and sister Brakenfur and Brightheart
Lionblaze-golden tabby tom with very powerful fighting abilities, his brother is Jayfeather and he has had many kits with his mate Cinderheart
Twigbranch-a tall, wiry light gray she-cat with green eyes, she had trouble deciding between SkyClan and ThunderClan due to family, but eventually stayed in ThunderClan, along with her mate Finleap
Finleap-tan tom with a half tail, his legs are red with darker red stripes, he has red tips on his ears and tail, he has sharp yellow eyes, mates with Twigbranch, he had trouble finding out whether to stay in SkyClan or ThunderClan, however he vowed to stay with Twigbranch, his father, Sandynose, was against him leaving SkyClan for a ThunderClan cat, his mother is Plumwillow, his sister is Reedclaw, and his brother is Dewspring
Rosepetal
Sparkpelt
Blossomfall-a light red she-cat with a white chest and white spots all over, like falling petals, she’s very easily angered and annoyed usually being rude to warriors she doesn’t know, she can be selfish at times but has a resolve to be a better cat, sister to Bumblestripe, mother to Eaglewing, Plumstone, and Shellfur, mates with Thornclaw
Bumblestripe
Cinderheart
Thriftear
Flipclaw-a brown tom with darker swirls along his back, he was formerly chosen to be a medicine cat by the Imposter but got kicked out, he still enjoys hanging around there, son of Ivypool and Fernsong
Whitewing
Birchfall
Mousewhisker-A white and gray tom with long thin whiskers, she is identical to his dead twin Hazeltail
Poppyfrost-a light red she-cat with white on her feet, tail and head, and black poppy-like spots across her back, mother of Cherryfall and Molewhisker, mates with dead Berrynose
Lilyheart
Cherryfall
Molewhisker
Dewnose
Stormcloud
Hollytuft
Honeyfur
Sorrelstripe
Leafshade
Queens: Daisy- a very long furred cream colored she-cat, her current living kits are Mousewhisker and Rosepetal, her other kits are deceased as well as her mate
Fernsong- a golden tom with small white swirls along his back, after his mate Ivypool had kits and became deputy he had spent many moons walking in and out of the nursery and finally decided to stay there full time feeling comfortable with the kits and slight crowding, father of Thriftear, Flipclaw, Dovekit, and Darkkit, currently fostering Poolkit, and Sandkit for Squirrelstar
Spotfur-a gray she-cat with white fawn spots and a ring of fluff around her neck, mother to Stemkit, Graykit, and Bristlekit
Stemkit-a light brown tabby tom with one blue eye and one green eye
Graykit-a light gray tom with bright sky-blue eyes
Bristlekit-a orange tabby she-cat with a white underbelly and a few splotches of gray
Dovekit-a very fluffy gray tom with green eyes and the sweetest of personalities as warriors would describe him
Darkkit-a nearly black she-cat with gray splatter on her tail and muzzle, she’s very feisty and competitive
Poolkit-
Sandkit-
Apprentices: Baypaw-a golden tabby tom with a few white spots all different sizes,
Flamepaw-a fully black tom with bright amber eyes, his mentor is Lilyheart, son of Sparkpelt and Larksong, brother to Finchpaw, he is ready for a warrior assessment along with his sister Finchpaw and slightly older apprentices Baypaw and Myrtlepaw, to everyone else he seems a bit immature but he’s desperate to prove himself
Myrtlepaw- a light brown she-cat with dark brown on the tips of her ears and tail, her mentor is Eaglewing, daughter of Sorrelstripe and Dewnose, sister to Baypaw,
Finchpaw- a black cat with orange and white cuffs around her feet, ears, nose, and tail, her mentor is Cinderheart, daughter of Sparkpelt and Larksong, brother to Flamepaw, she makes decisions on a whim, but later likes to think through what she could have done instead
Elders: Cloudtail- a very ruffled fluffy white tom, he is the first blood relative of Firestar to be in the clans, his mate is Brightheart, his currently living children are Whitewing and Dewnose, he has two dead children from his second litter, Snowbush and Ambermoon
Brightheart- a white cat with ginger splotches, the left side of her face was scarred by dogs when she was an apprentice, her eye was torn out and her ear was almost entirely ripped off, her mate is Cloudtail, her currently living children are Whitewing and Dewnose, she has two dead children from her second litter, Snowbush and Ambermoon
Brakenfur- a brown tom with a few dark brown stripes along his back, his living sister is Brightheart, his living brother is Thornclaw, he has many kits, his living ones are Poppyfrost, Lilyheart, and Cinderheart, his dead ones are Molepaw, Seedpaw, Honeyfern, and Berrynose

ShadowClan

Leader: Tigerstar 2

Deputy: Cloverfoot

Medicine Cat: Puddleshine

Shadowsight

Warriors: Tawnypelt

Strikestone

Stonewing

Scorchfur

Flaxfoot

Sparrowtail

Snowbird

Yarrowleaf

Berryheart

Grassheart

Whorlpelt

Hopwhisker

Blazefire

Cinnamontail

Flowerstem

Snaketooth

Slatefur

Pouncestep

Lightleap

Frondwhisker

Gullswoop

Spireclaw

Rippletail

Hollowspring

Sunbeam

Apprentices: None

Queens: Dovewing-BLUE EYES, also purely gray and very fluffy, she was previously of ThunderClan however moved to ShadowClan aster a long journey with Tigerheart/star mother of Tigerstar’s kits, Shadowsight, Lightleap, and Pouncestep, she is currently nursing Birchkit and Rowankit

Birchkit-

Rowankit-

Elders: Oakfur

RiverClan

Leader: Reedstar

Deputy: Duskfur-a senior warrior with dusty fur, long sharp tipped tail with speckles of tan

Medicine Cat: Mothwing

Willowshine

Warriors:

Minnowtail

Mallownose

Podlight-brother to Curlfeather

Shimmerpelt-a very, very old cat with mostly gray fur that seems to shimmer in moonlight, her non-gray fur is black

Lizardtail

Sneezecloud

Brakenpelt

Splashtail-brother to Fognose 

Owlnose-brother to Brakenpelt

Fognose

Icewing

Softpelt

Gorseclaw

Nightsky- Shimmerpelt’s kit

Harelight

Queens: Curlfeather- mother of Frostkit, Graykit & Mistkit

Apprentices: Cypresspaw- a white she with striped splotches of blue and black, mentor is Owlnose

Wavepaw- a grey-blue tabby she, with striking resemblance to Jayfeather, mentor is Softpelt

Kits: Frostkit- an icy white she-cat with gray-blue paws and green & yellow eyes, mother is Curlfeather, father is Jayclaw

Graykit- a orange tabby with dark blue eyes, a fluffy gray tail, and gray socks, mother is Curlfeather, father is Jayclaw

Mistkit- a gray, black, and orange calico she with large round blue eyes, mother is Curlfeather, Father is Jayclaw

Elders: Mosspelt

WindClan

Leader: Harestar

Deputy: Crowfeather

Medicine Cat: Kestrelflight

Whistlepaw- deep grey tabby with green eyes and pale brown tail tip and paw tips

Warriors: Nightcloud

Brindlewing

Leaftail

Emberfoot

Smokehaze

Appleshine

Breezepelt

Heathertail

Featherpelt

Crouchfoot

Larkwing

Sedgewhisker

Slightfoot

Oatclaw

Hootwhisker

Fernstripe

Queens: None

Elders: Whiskernose

Gorsetail

SkyClan

Leader: Leafstar

Deputy: Hawkwing

Medicine Cat: Frecklewish

Fidgetflake

Mediator: Tree

Warriors: Sparrowpelt

Macgyver

Dewspring

Plumwillow

Sagenose

Kitescratch

Harrybrook

Blossomheart

Turtlecrawl

Rabbitleap

Reedclaw

Mintfur

Nettlesplash

Tinycloud

Palesky

Violetshine

Bellaleaf

Nectarsong

Quailfeather

Pigeonfoot

Fringewhisker

Gravelnose

Sunnypelt

Rootspring

Needleclaw

Queens: None

Elders: Fallowfern-a long furred, deaf, pinkish grey elder

Rouges & Loners

Midnight-badger

Woody-brown tabby tom with yellow eyes

Kittypets

Puma-fully black cat with yellow eyes

Flick-grey-blue tabby tom

Sol-calico tom with deep amber eyes

Niki-light grey she-cat with a black tail and yellow eyes

Python-dark ginger tabby

Dusty-grey tom the color of dust with lots of lighter white specks on his fur

Kitty Purry-black she-cat with white scruff

James-black tom with white toes and white tipped tail

Lily-ginger tabby tom

StarClan

Yellowfang

Firestar

Leafpool

Bramblestar-dark brown tabby tom with yellow eyes

Dark Forest

Frecklewish

Spiresight

Lilywhisker

Mapleshade

Snowtuft

Shrewpaw

Stumpytail

Thistleclaw

Bramblestar

Minnowkit

Willowkit

Splashkit

Swankit

Morningkit

Mistkit

Nightkit

Chestnutkit

Cherrypaw

Hillkit

Downkit

Eaglekit

Galekit

Duskpaw

Piketooth

Skyheart

Sweetpaw

Mosskit

Petalkit

Larchkit

Patchkit

Robinkit

Woodkit

Mosspaw

Raggedstar

Dawnpelt

Chapter Text

Squirrelflight sat down at the base of the shimmering pool.

She looked to Jayfeather her voice shaking, “Am I really ready to be a leader?”

“What are you talking about? You are more than ready,” he murmured pressing his head against her kindly.

She nodded and leaned down but paused and looked back up at him, “I just feel like… I have such a big legacy to live up to, my father’s leadership was one of the best, and my mate’s reign was- bumpy… but he led the clan well.”

She sat up and Jayfeather laid his tail around her shoulders, “All deputies feel this when they need to get their nine lives,” he said sympathetically.

“I wonder if I can ever live up to that,” tears started falling down her cheek, dripping into the moonpool, making it shine brighter, “I want to be the best leader I can,” she murmured.

“That’s all any leader can do, trust your decisions and trust yourself. Now take a drink and get this over with, we only have a limited amount of nighttime you know,” he finished with a grumble sounding much more like himself.

She nodded and bent down, lapping the cold, still water.

Chapter Text

Puma blinked her eyes open to the cheery, bright sun shining through the window.
She leaped off the tower and sniffed around, it smelled like her sister Niki had already woken. She strode over to the large blocky platforms and bounded up them. She sniffed again; her owners hadn’t woken yet. Too bad, I’m starving.
Puma went back down, pushing through her cat-flap to get outside. She leaped up onto the fence and landed softly onto the ground. I’ll just hunt my own food. She sniffed around, doing her best to say crouched; the technique Woody had shown her. Now that she was outside, her nose was filled with the smell of soggy grass. That storm last night must have been bad. Puma flinched when she thought about it, sinking more into the ground, feeling small and useless in the shadows of the forest. She shook her herself out and concentrated, on high alert for any sound. She crawled forward, carefully scanning the ground for prey. She heard a small digging sound coming from a nearby tree, and figured it was a rodent.
She carefully crawled over, eyes pinning on the helpless vole in the leaves. She leaped forward, clutching it in her jaws. A quick crack and the vole was no more. She purred deeply, glad to have solved something. Now she just has to fix the rest of her problems. She scarfed it down, making sure to bury the remains once she was finished. Her sister was weirdly grossed out by flesh, even though she’s literally a cat.
Puma began walking back to Kittypet-place, stealing one last glace at the woods. Even as she walked back, her mind stayed in the woods.
Lily and James had gotten to the yard first, and were scuffling around. Puma hopped down on top of them, forcing them to fall away from each other.
“Oof!” Lily spat out grass and hissed, “CHEATER!” He started bristling until he saw her, “Puma! You’re here!” Lily purred and held his tail high.
Puma started forward when she got shoved into the dirt.
“Jaaaaaaammmmeeesss,” Lily yowled, annoyed.
Puma shoved up and wiggled around, trying to shake James off. Lily pounced onto James, trapping her beneath both cats.
“Come on guys! You’re killing me here!” she called over their fighting.
They fell off her and rolled around the yard in a ball of fur. She got up and looked around for anyone one else. Flick and Dusty landed on the ground next to her with a thump.
“Dang Puma, I’m surprised you’re here.” Dusty snarled. “Why even bother coming, you’re just going to run back to your house! Forest freak!”
Flick cuffed him over the ear, “Shut up!” Dusty growled at the ground and flattened his ears. He gave his chest a few embarrassed licks and turned away from Puma.
Puma flashed her claws and growled at Dusty. She softened her eyes at Flick, grateful, and turned away, looking for Python.
She trotted to the house and stood by the flap and ducked her head inside, “Python?” she called. A ginger tabby came from behind a corner and headbutted her backwards.
“I can’t come out if you don’t let me!” they snapped, “do you want to go through the woods or not?”
Puma scrambled back and purred a little laughter, same old Python.
Python slid out gracefully and gave a commanding yowl. Everyone around the yard darted to get in a line.
“You all still want to go to the woods?” Python snarled, “Then you better STAY WITH THE GROUP! If you get lost, we won’t find you, and won’t look for you, but no matter how much you cats annoy me, I don’t want you to get lost in the forest.” Python flicked their tail and bounded over the fence, expecting them to follow.
Puma paused as the group went forward, she turned her head around looking for her sister Niki. She dashed over the fence and ran to catch up with the group, unable to find her sister.
“Puma, what did I JUST SAY! Stay with the group or go home!” Python yowled at her.
She hurried back to the group, still a bit worried. They continued past the grassy clearing behind the houses and followed the loud sound of rushing water. Puma’s eyes flashed with worry as the forest grew larger around them. She flattened her ears and began trembling, the trees seemed to lean down toward her, the shadows grew more and more intense until she couldn’t take it and slammed her eyes shut.
“Oof, Puma, watch it!” Python snapped as Puma rammed into them when the suddenly group stopped. Her eyes flew open and
Dusty shoved her backward, “Yeah Puma! Out of the way!” he hissed.
Python rolled their eyes at him and turned to face the group, “Welcome to the Broken Beaver Dam, this is the new woods place for today. Roam as you wish, but again don’t stray from the group. If you get lost call out for help as loud as you can yowl. And if you find Woody, great for you, I don’t care.”
Puma glanced at the branches covering the sky and looked around for a clearing. Her fur bristled as she started to panic more.
She bolted from the group, her eyes darting around frantically. Her paws flew across the earth as she ran in search of open air. She saw bright sunlight ahead of the blur of trees and she headed straight for that.
She skidded to a stop in the middle of the small clearing. She sighed happily and soaked in the wonderful, beautiful, amazing sunlight. She felt immediately more comfortable now that she could see the sun. Puma purred and lay down, calming her beating heart. She rolled over onto her back, and closed her eyes, drifting into a soft sleep.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A paw shook her shoulder. Puma groaned and blinked her eyes open, “Mmmmmmm?” she muttered. The paw started poking her harder. She shoved the paw away and rolled over. It slammed down on her face and she leaped up to face them. An orange, black, and white, calico tom stood in front of her.
“What is so important!?” she snarled at him.
“Dogs,” he said darkly, and vaulted up a nearby tree. Puma twitched her ears and heard the barking of dogs and rain drops. She scampered to the nearest tree and clawed her way up to the lowest branch.
She heard the thudding of large paws as the dogs ran closer and closer. I hope my sister is alright, hopefully she’s already home. She crouched and clutched the branch tightly as the rain fell harder and the dogs got closer. Loud barking echoed around and a large black and brown brindle dog burst into the clearing. The first dog paused and let out a large howl. Two more like the first jumped out of the brush and began sniffing around the entirety of the clearing. She flattened her ears, and hissed quietly. The dogs were far from harmless, but she wasn’t a wuss.
The tom in the tree next to her yowled and sprung onto the nearest dog.
Chaos erupted in the field as the other dogs pounced toward the tom. He rolled under the dog and started clawing its underbelly.
“Run!” she screeched.
“YOU RUN!!” he snarled over the barking of the dogs.
Her muscles tensed and she jumped over to the pile of dogs. The tom snarled and ran at her. She screeched and ducked under him, running at the dogs behind him. She shredded a dog’s muzzle and jumped onto it’s back, digging her claws in. The dog’s snapping jaws nearly caught her tail. She swiped at its nose and leaped off, ducking under a bush.
A sinking feeling clenched her heart as she watched the dog whimper and run away. Even though it had been trying to kill her, it didn’t feel good to hurt it. Something about fighting just made her heart squeeze with guilt. She glanced over at the tom, who was struggling under the biggest dog. Puma kneaded her blood covered claws into the ground for a few moments before dashing out and biting down deeply into its leg.
The tom hissed at the dog and slid out from under it. They ran off into the forest and Puma looked up at the trees, hissing, before darting after him.
“Hey! Wait up!!” Puma called to the tom.
He kept running, not looking back at her. She put on a burst of speed, panting and she tackled him.
“Off. We need to run, the dogs will follow,” he snapped and shoved her off, running faster. She glanced back and gasped, seeing the lead dog following.
She ran off after him. The tom hopped up a low tree and she jumped up next to him. She panted and gasped crouching on the slick branch.
“T- thank you for waking me,” Puma gasped.
“No problem, you’re just a weak Kittypet anyway,” he muttered, beginning to groom himself.
“I’m not- “Puma began when he cut her off.
“I do admit you’re not that weak though, you fought those dogs as good as a warrior,” he finished with a hint of spite.
Puma shook her head with confusion, What’s a warrior? She fluffed her fur against the rain, “Well, what’s your name?”
The tom looked her coolly in the eyes, and said sharply. “Sol.”

Chapter Text

Frostkit tumbled out of the nursery with Graykit on top of her.
She squealed, “Graykit get off! You’re gonna mess up my fur!! Plus, we gotta get to the ceremony!!”
Graykit laughed, “Well come on then!” she rolled on the ground and ran toward the starting meeting.
“GRAYKIT!!!” she squealed and ran after her.
Mistkit scrambled out of the nursery and called to them, “We’re supposed to act like warriors during a naming ceremony, not like one moon old kits!”
Mothwing stood atop Highrock going through the normal call, an air of sadness surrounding her.
“Sadly, and horribly, our wonderful leader Mistystar perished in the intense storm, along with a few of our wonderful and unforgettable clanmates,” Mothwing said solemnly.
Willowshine stepped up beside her, “We shall go to the Moonpool tonight to name Reedwhisker as the new leader of RiverClan.”
Frostkit waggled her tail, “Wow, Mothwing and Willowshine are sooooo cool!” she flopped on top of her sister, “Wouldn’t it be great to be a medicine cat?”
Graykit pushed away from her and hopped up a small rock, “No way! I want to be the greatest warrior that ever lived, I wanna be a leader one day!” she stood with her chest puffed out, “and when I’m leader you can be my deputy.”
Frostkit looked down, feeling crushed. She didn’t want to let down her sister, but she had always wanted to be a medicine cat. She knew that the recent storm had killed many a clanmate and she wanted to make sure that wouldn’t happen again.
Mistkit bonked her on the head with a paw and whispered into her ear, “Sometimes I think Graykit might explode with all that ego,” she raised her voice so Graykit could hear, “Now stop being sad! We’re going to be made apprentices!”
She looked up into her sister’s warm eyes, “Thank you,” she paused debating with herself, on whether to tell her about her dreams when Graykit called backward to them.
“FROSTKIT!!! MISTKIT!!! WE’RE GOING TO BE APPRENTICES TODAY!!!!” Graykit screeched across the clearing, causing cats to glare at her in annoyance.
When she looked at Graykit it turned out she had left and gone up to Highrock. Frostkit and Mistkit bounded over to her just in time to hear Mothwing speak.
“Now Graykit, that’s not what I said. I told you that you would become an apprentice when you’re ready. While you are six moons old you are clearly still acting like a kit, not an apprentice. Clean your act for the rest of the day and you can become an apprentice tomorrow,” Mothwing said curling her tail around the three of them.
Graykit nodded solemnly and turned around, “Come on guys, let’s practice fighting!” and she dashed away.
Frostkit paused, looking up at the ginger medicine cat, “M-Mothwing?”
“What is it Frostkit?” Mothwing asked kindly.
“C- could I be-”
Graykit cut her off, “COME ON FROSTKIT, WE NEED TO TRAIN!!!!” Graykit yowled across the clearing.
Frostkit sighed and put on a fake smile, “Coming Graykit!” she called, waving her tail as a goodbye to Mothwing.
Mistkit padded over to Graykit and it looked as though they were exchanging harsh words.
Frostkit padded unenthusiastically across the clearing, dodging warriors as they passed by on their duties. Should I tell Graykit I don’t want to be a warrior? She’s so eager for us to be ones… I don’t want to disappoint her, or mother who keeps telling us to be the best warriors we can. I’ll tell her eventually, I mean, we aren’t becoming apprentices today. She thought as she slowly went toward Graykit.
She kept her eyes on the ground when something pinned her down, “Sis! Come on! A warrior is always aware of their surroundings,” her sister said, repeating what their mother had told them.
“Sorry Graykit, I was just thinking,” she explained.
“You think too much!” Graykit muttered, suddenly seeming grouchy, she averted her eyes, glowering at a rock.
She paused then reached up with a paw, touching her sister’s cheek, “Graykit?”
Her sister shook her head, “Nothing… I just, thought of something,” she meowed teasingly.
Frostkit jumped up and flipped over, pinning Graykit to the ground. Graykit battered her belly softly. At the very least, if I must be a warrior, I won’t be a bad one. She leaped back and went tumbling in the dirt when she collided with someone coming out of the nursery.
She scrambled back, “Sorry mother!”
“It’s alright my sweet kit, you’re practicing your moves well,” she looked over at Graykit, “you too, always remember to be the best warrior you can,” she said encouragingly, but her words only made Frostkit feel worse.

She shrieked as something large thumped on top of her. Her eyes flew open as her heart beat wildly. Uncontrollable laughter came from the orange lump of fur on the ground.
She hissed and got up saying sternly, “Graykit, how dare you! I thought the camp was being attacked!”
“I-, hic, it was just too-, hic, funny!” Graykit hiccupped while laughing on the ground.
Curlfeather stepped into the nursery, “Graykit, get up,” she hissed, “don’t prank your sister like that. Mistkit is already out there acting like a proper apprentice, now both of you smooth your fur and get out there, a new leader is being appointed,” she backed out, flicking her tail, annoyed.
Frostkit twisted back to lick her fur flat from the ruffled clumps it was in. Graykit dashed out after some slight grooming and Frostkit started rushing to finish. She didn’t want to look bad when her mother had ordered her to groom, but she also didn’t want to miss the announcement.
She dashed out into the clearing and sat down next to her sisters just as Mothwing finished calling for a meeting.
“Reedstar has successfully gotten their nine lives and name from StarClan and will now announce the deputy leader of RiverClan!” Mothwing then stepped back, letting Reedstar talk.
“Yes, I have spoken to StarClan, however it was as if they weren’t fully there. Willowshine assured me they were just recovering. I could hear only fuzzy details, but my deputy will need all their courage to make it through, but I believe they will have great strength and will lead us to a bright future!” Reedstar took a deep breath and concentrated on the correct ceremony words, “I say these words before StarClan, Duskfur! Do you swear to uphold the warrior code and to protect this clan even at the cost of your life?”
Duskfur grinned but their words were solemn, “I do,” they dipped their head, their tail twitching in happiness.
Reedstar nodded and looked up at the disappearing body of Silverpelt. They raised their voice and announced, “Then new deputy of RiverClan will be Duskfur!”
“DUSKFUR!!”
“Duskfur!!”
“Duskfur!!”
“DUSKFUR!!!”
Many calls around the clearing cheered her name, as the dusty furred warrior strolled up Highrock. Her clanmates seemed happy for Duskfur, especially her being so strong and confident. Frostkit flinched, seeing the satisfied expression on Duskfur’s face as though she knew this was coming. Next to her, her mother, Curlfeather seemed a bit overenthusiastic, she was standing and yowling Duskfur’s name, flicking her tail around constantly. Why would Curlfeather be so excited about Duskfur being the new clan deputy? Frostkit shook it off, it couldn’t mean anything, she must just be excited to have her mother as deputy. She looked back up at Duskfur, who was shoving Willowshine and Mothwing back to speak.
“Now, now, every cat calm down. Of course, as the new deputy I am truly honored,” She dipped her head and gave Curlfeather a meaningful glance before stepped down for Reedstar. Frostpaw turned her head to look at Graykit and Mistkit.
“D-do you think that Duskfur will be a good deputy?” Frostkit asked cautiously.
Graykit opened her mouth to answer when Reedstar let out another yowl and pointed his tail at them.
“You three kits! It’s about time you became apprentices, don’t you say?” he said, grinning brightly, but beside him Duskfur’s eyes were glinting at them like an otter’s.
Graykit immediately trotted forward, in front of Highrock while Frostkit stammered an excuse and took a small step backward. Mistkit nudged her and stepped up beside Graykit, “You got this Frostkit,” she whispered.
“Now, Frostkit,” her mother purred from behind, seeming happier than Frostkit had ever seen her, “go forward and take your first step to warriorhood.”
Frostkit didn’t move and stared unsurely at her mother. Perhaps if she said something? Perhaps-
Her mother let out a small hiss and barred her teeth. “Come forward.”
Frostkit tentatively stepped in front of Highrock, her trembling with fear, and Graykit trembling with excitement.
Reedstar stood proud upon the rock looking down at the three of them, “Graykit! You have already reached six moons, and unfortunately Mistystar did not have the time to apprentice you. Please step forward,” he paused waiting for her to step all the way under Highrock, “From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Graypaw. Your mentor shall be Minnowtail.” Minnowtail stood up from the back of the crowd and slowly made her way forward. Frostkit glanced up at Reedstar with confusion, why would he pick such an obviously pregnant cat? She saw other cats in the crowd looking at him with the same puzzlement. Though he must have seen it he swept past, continuing the ceremony, “Minnowtail, you have shown yourself loyal to the clan many times through and willing to do what your think, I expect you to pass down these traits and more to Graypaw.”
The clan began to clamor and he swept his tail for silence, “We still have two more kit whom must be made apprentices,” He nodded to Graypaw for her to touch noses with her mentor before they backed up for Mistkit and Frostkit. “Mistkit, please step forward.”
Mistkit stepped forward slowly, she didn’t have as much confidence as Graykit- Graypaw had, but Frostkit was sure it was twice as much as she had.
“Mistkit from this day forward until you are honored with your warrior name, you shall be called Mistpaw. Your mentor shall be Harelight.” The white warrior was at the very front of the crowd sitting next to Icewing. They bore a striking resemblance to each other despite not being related. He stood and stepped forward next to Mistpaw and bopped her nose. She silently giggled as Reedstar went on, “Harelight you may have been exiled from the clan; however, I think Mistystar was wrong. You were very brave in the battle against the imposter and I hope you pass Mistpaw the bravery and courage you have shown.”
Harelight nodded, looking rather embarrassed, and stepped forward to touch noses with Mistpaw. After a gentle touch Mistpaw bopped his nose in just the way he had. They both smothered giggles and quickly retreated next to Graypaw and Minnowtail. Frostpaw sighed and fluffed up her fur, it suddenly seemed a lot colder without her siblings, oh, I might have to get used to it that way.
“Frostkit! Come on!” Curlfeather suddenly whispered urgently from beside her, “Reedstar has called you at least five times now! Don’t worry it’ll be over quickly, now- go- UP!”
She was pushing Frostkit with each word, but Frostkit dug her claws into the ground, “M-mother there’s something really important I have to tell you, but please don’t make me go up there!” she whispered quickly to her mother before Reedstar or Duskfur had the chance to say anything. “Mother, I-I don-“
“Frostkit shush! Whatever you need to tell me can surely wait just a few moments,” with that Curlfeather gave one last shove and sat back down, giving Reedstar and Frostkit expectant looks.
“Frostkit, you are the very last kit of Curlfeather’s, and the youngest of her litter. I wish for you to have a very special mentor. Icewing, would you please come forward?” She nodded and gracefully stood and stepped forward. “Frostkit, from this day forward until you receive your warrior name, you shall be known as Frostpaw and your mentor shall be Icewing. Icewing, you are arguably the cat who has broken the code most, you’ve trained in the Dark Forest and you’ve disobeyed your leader to the point she thought she had to exile you. However, in each case you’ve shown astounding resilience and passion and I wish for you to pass on these honorable traits.” Reedstar nodded to Icewing and she stepped forward to hesitantly touch noses. Cheers began at once and the other too apprentices Cypresspaw and Wavepaw came up as well.
“Graypaw!”
“Mistpaw!”
“Frostpaw!”
“Graypaw!”
“Frostpaw!”
“Mistpaw!”
“Graypaw!”
“Frostpaw!”
“Mistpaw!”
“Graypaw!”
“Frostpaw!”
As howls came from every part of the clan, Frostpaw looked up at her and her sister’s new mentors, Icewing, Minnowtail, and Harelight. She glanced regrettably at her mother before taking deep breath.
“W-wait!” Frostpaw wailed. Everyone went silent, looking at her, staring at her, she crouched down, trying to make herself smaller. Her felt the soft brush of someone’s pelt against hers but as she discreetly glanced around, seeing no cat near her.
After a long pause, Duskfur stepped forward and looked down at her, “What is it Frostpaw, don’t you like your new name and mentor?”
“I- I don’t,” she glanced at Icewing who had intense sadness in her eyes, “n- not to say that Icewing is bad, it’s just…” she trailed off.
“It’s just what?” Reedstar snapped, his fur bristling with impatience.
Graypaw crouched beside her and murmured, “don’t worry about being an apprentice sis, we’ll become warriors together,” she meant encouragingly.
“B- but it’s that!” she stood up and yowled her sorrow, “I don’t want to be warrior! I want to be a medicine cat!”
Her sister recoiled as if Frostpaw had struck her, and Reedstar purred all annoyance gone, “Well why didn’t you just say so in the first place,” He turned to face the two medicine cats, “Willowshine, are you ready to take an apprentice?”
Mothwing’s face scrunched up when Reedstar talked as if she wasn’t there, but Willowshine, oblivious, answered, “Oh! Of course, I’d be willing to take you on as an apprentice Frostpaw!”
Frostpaw looked away from her paws and up at Willowshine, her face brightening, “Thank you!” No one cheered her name this time. No one even seemed to look at her. Most of her clanmates stared at their paws in anger or disgust.
“Well, now that that drama is over, clan dismissed!” Duskfur shoved forward again to say. Reedstar gave Duskfur an irritated look before nodding and hopping off Highrock. Graypaw hissed at her and turned away to follow her mentor, Minnowtail. Mistpaw gave her a half smile before slowly following Harelight.
Frostpaw purred, and rubbed against Willowshine as she came down from Highrock longing for comfort. A thought pricked the back of her mind and she looked back at Graypaw who was lashing her tail with flattened ears and Curlfeather up on Highrock, who was glaring at her disdainfully. She was reminded again of the sadness around camp, and now felt she had lost someone along with them. I might have gotten the perfect role for me, with the best mentor I could have, but it may cost me my best friend, and more important, Graypaw.

Chapter Text

Puma glanced around absentmindedly, slowly padding along after Sol. It had been three days since the second storm and Puma spent most time worrying for her sister. She worried the ground beneath her and had pinned her ears down. She slammed into Sol as he suddenly stopped. She looked at him questioningly, Why did he stop? Dogs? Cats! Her eyes brightened at the thought.
Sol lifted his head, sniffing the air and trampled grass ahead. He glanced back and muttered quietly, “Stay here and stay quiet,” he ordered.
She flicked her ears, showing she heard and sat down. Sol crouched and went off, following the trail in the grass.
Once Sol was out of sight Puma crouched down and sniffed the trail, trying to make out a scent other than Sol’s. She caught scent of a mix of what seemed like fox and dog. Why would Sol go after something like that? It must be the something very important if I have to stay. She thought, remembering their conversation in the tree, after fighting dogs.
Soft breath suddenly ruffled her ear fur, and she whipped her head around wildly. A warm voice sounded, nearby yet far off, “Your importance will come soon and in great measure.”
“Who are you?! WHERE are you?! What do you mean?!” Puma screeched, completely forgetting that Sol had said to stay quiet.
The voice whispered, as if fading away, “Soon…”
Puma shivered and ran around the area, searching for anyone who could be in the bushes or undergrowth. She felt so paranoid that she sprung onto a low hanging tree branch. Why would anyone spy on me? What importance do I have?! I hope it doesn’t have to do with fighting…
While she searched, she didn’t notice that Sol had come back with the dog fox thing. A coughing sound came from the ground and she pushed away from the tree so fast she fell on her back.
“Sorry, sorry,” she muttered, getting up and licking herself embarrassedly.
Sol dismissed it with a flick of his tail and Puma finally noticed what was behind him, and she jumped forward hissing, claws outstretched.
“Sol, get back! Something followed you!” She exclaimed and bared her teeth a bit, she didn’t want to fight but this thing surely couldn’t talk.
“Whoa, whoa, Puma hold back your bloodthirst for a second,” he said smoothly, stepping forward, “this may be a badger but- she’s one of the better ones,” he explained.
Puma tilted her head, “How are they better than other ones?” she kept quiet about her other question, why was this badger the only one who could talk to cats?
The badger stomped forward and said in a grisly voice, “I can understand cats better than my aggressive kin.”
Puma took an awkward step back, still a bit intimidated, “Well why have you come to see me?”
Midnight tilted her snout down in an emotion Puma couldn’t tell. “I came to give you a prophecy.” Though it was the middle of the day, there seemed to be stars reflecting in Midnight’s eyes.
“A prophecy? Why would I get a prophecy? I’m no one important, and why would I have to come a day’s walk from my house for it?” Puma asked, and wondered if it had anything to do with that weird ghost voice she heard. Oh who was she kidding, of course they were connected but how?
“The message is from StarClan, they love to mess with kittypets and have chosen you to help save the clans. This is the prophecy,” Midnight’s eyes looked up at the dark cloudy sky and her voice grew deeper and smoother, as if possessed by something. Puma’s fur bushed up and stepped back into a tree.
Midnight began to speak with an ominous note in her voice, “Darkness must swallow the clans… terror and chaos will reign… beware a friend who turns to the forest… for a light will come to guide the clans.”
Puma shivered as Midnight finished, “Is that all?” she said with fake confidence.
“They have given me another message, though I’m not entirely sure if they would be connected,” she paused as if hearing someone else speak, “Five cats of five clans five souls of five lives, while written by claws of lies caught the sight of unwavering eyes, fate is cruel without an end, but to their goal it will bend,” she paused seeming about to say more but closed her mouth and looked down, sadness swimming in her gaze.
After a long pause Midnight finally looked up at Sol, “You must take her to the clans, teach her their ways, and guide her on her journey.”
Sol’s face lit with anger for a second, but his cool exterior swept over once more, “I would be honored, Midnight,” his eyes had a glimmer of malice in them, but it was quickly gone before Puma could think of what he was mad at.
“So, Midnight, you think that that prophecy is about me?” Puma sat down, finally feeling a bit trusting of the badger.
“I do, you will guide the clans, but of dark spirits I must warn, there unsettling presence was surrounding me when words of prophecy spoke.”
Puma nodded and thought back to the voice she heard before she met Midnight, when would their words come true?
She shook her head as a thought passed through, “What am I supposed to be saving the clans from?”
Midnight nodded knowingly but only said, “You will know when you see.”
Suddenly Sol swept forward and ushered Puma away calling back, “Goodbye Midnight! Thank you for your help!”
“Sol!” she snapped shoving him away, “what are you doing?!”
“We must be on our way, the clans are a ways away from here and I must teach you something, you will be greatly important soon,” he rushed, his eyes glinting once again but soon it was gone.
Sol set off a brisk pace and she waved her tail as goodbye to Midnight. As she walked beside Sol his previous words sent a shiver through her, but not a bad one, one of greatness. She purred slightly at the thought of being indispensable, her previous ‘kittypet’ life forgotten, only a lingering hope that her sister would understand. This would be a far greater life than the one in her past.

Chapter Text

Wishkit glared across the pond at Leafpool. Her kits had a mother. Her kits saved all the clans! Her kits had powers! HER kits didn’t die once they were born!! THEY got to grow into respectable warriors and medicine cat! I died because of “fate” with no chance to live at all. She let out a low growl earning her downwards look from her mother, Yellowfang. She glared back up at her before standing up and whirling around, stomping off, away from the ThunderClan medicine cat meeting.
“Wishkit, wait!” Yellowfang trotted after her, easily catching up.
She put on her best innocent face and turned around, “Yes, mother?” she said chirpily.
“Something’s up with you,” she narrowed her eyes, “This is StarClan, what do you have to be upset about?”
She sat down, staring up at her with huge wide eyes and paused, pretending to think.
“Well,” she sighed and looked down, with feigned disappointment, “I can never grow up here, never have the same life I could have lived in a clan. Instead, I’m cursed to look this way, as a TINY MEWLING KIT even though I have more wisdom than the oldest living clan cat by now!”
“Oh well, you know that in StarClan we appear in our happiest forms,” Yellowfang purred, nudging her cheek.
“And you appear as your time with Firestar! Not as your younger time when you had us kits, and I never had a chance to find my happiest time. I was just a kit when I could have become Wishstar! Yet I never even became Wishpaw…” she trailed off, letting some sadness leak into her voice.
“Wishkit! This acting out will not earn you another life, we only get one chance to live, and cannot control which cats live or die” Yellowfang exclaimed, her eyes slits, as if accusing her of being ungrateful.
“Cinderpelt did,” she hissed with malice, “It’s not like you even pay attention to me or Hopekit! All you care about is Brokenstar your kit who lived! You love him when he killed your mate, killed many kits, got you kicked out of the clan and became the HEAD of the Dark Forest!” she snapped back, anger heating her paws.
Yellowfang snarled, suddenly losing patience, “You’re just jealous that Brokenstar was strong enough to survive! I will always love him because he caused Firestar to join and he caused SkyClan to return! You did nothing with the shreds of life you had!”
Wishkit bared her teeth and turned away, her eyes sparkled with disappointment, “I never had the chance to do anything with the shreds of life I had! What can a KIT do to affect an entire clan?!” Her fur was fully fluffed out by now and she turned tail on her mother. She slammed her eyes shut and ran forward blindly wishing to be anywhere but here.
Behind her she could hear Yellowfang’s dismay as she called out for her to stop, but she wouldn’t. She couldn’t. Rage over took her sadness and she felt the ground shift, the rustle of trees grew as Yellowfang’s calls dimmed. She slammed into something soft and big that yelped in surprise.
Wishkit’s eyes flew open and she stared in shock at the large orange calico she.
The cat began to snarled until she looked down, seeing Wishkit a wide grin spread her face, like she found a den of rabbits.
“Why hello young one, you should keep wary of who you bump into around here you know, might meet someone far more discourteous than me,” the she wound her large fluffy tail around Wishkit’s shoulder’s. “What brings you to this neck of the woods hmm?”
Wishkit grimaced, seeing danger glittering in the she’s eyes, “Well I-“ she thought up a lie only a dumb kit could tell, “I was just exploring!” She flashed a proud grin up at her, “would you show me around? I want to see every rock and tree in StarClan!”
“Are you a newly dead kit?” she took a cautious step back, as if Wishkit was about to turn into a pile of vipers or something.
“Yes! My name is Wishkit! My mother told me I should explore and it’s SOOooo interesting here!” she gave a little hop, trying to keep her kit temperament on.
The she seemed to believe it because they turned around and whisked their tail to follow.
Wishkit trotted alongside them as they started talking, “It’s very nice to meet you Wishkit, you came at a very lucky time if I do say! The cats of-“ they paused but quickly blinked and kept talking as if nothing happened, “The cats of StarClan are having a meeting! You should know that this is very important and there are many cats up ahead.”
They swept their tail forward, pushing Wishkit closer to her face, “I think you will take great interest in what they have to say.” Then she strutted along in silence.
Once the she-cat has stopped talking Wishkit realized that this part of StarClan wasn’t as bright as the rest of it, with the trees above covering the stars and moon. A shiver ran down her spine like a thorn-sharp claw as she realized this was The Place Of No Stars, where evil cats were banished. When she had ran from Yellowfang this is the first place she went to, was that on purpose? Was she meant for the Dark Forest? She shook it off, if she was then that stupid council of StarClan should have sent her here.
She slowed down as the orange she stopped and turned to look back at her.
“We’re here, welcome to the meeting. I just realized I haven’t given you my name, I’m Mapleshade, and this is the Dark Forest council.”
Wishkit took a gulp as she saw that many cats were in a circle ahead, all chatting and eagerly awaiting the words of some cat who, she presumed, was in the middle. The noise in this area seemed amplified by the trees and by many cats all chattering to each other like chicks in a nest.
“This is a cool place here, Mapleshade!” she exclaimed in her thoughtless kit voice.
“I’m glad you like it Wishkit, why don’t you stay and listen,” she shoved Wishkit forward into the front of the crowd.
Wishkit flopped on the ground and suddenly was grabbed by her scruff and carried to the middle.
“Hello young kit! Are you Mapleshade’s new recruit?”
She leaned back and looked up at the boney black cat, they had grey tips on their ears and muzzle with glowing yellow eyes.
Before answering she carefully glanced at Mapleshade, who gave her a small nod. “I- I am…” she nodded slowly, looking back at the frightening cat.
“Well, that’s wonderful!” the cat looked happy but with a twinkle of insanity, they kept glancing behind themselves and twitching their paws randomly, “Why don’t I tell you about this wonderful Dark Forest!”
She nodded, actually interested, “What is this place?” she asked, hoping they understood her meaning.
“Well, this is the place where ‘evil’ cats go when they die.” They put a strange note on the word “evil” as if it wasn’t true, “At least, that’s how StarClan cats see it, but really all cats banished here are just misunderstood. Of course, some cats here aren’t even evil, just like some cat in StarClan aren’t even good. The whole Ashfur taking over the Dark Forest thing, all Yellowfang’s fault. She was the one who let him into StarClan.” Wishkit flinched as she heard her mother’s name choke out of the cat in a snarl, “Mudclaw, Bramblestar and more. Us Dark Forest cats are banding together, we want to change that, we want to rid the clans by the lake and StarClan of our ancestors’ crude mistakes,” they rose their voice, addressing to crowd of cats.
“What does that have to do with me being here?” Wishkit squeaked, raising her thin voice. Other cats rose their voices as well, all coming from StarClan cats similar to her. She saw many more kits and apprentices than warriors, all sitting next to a very scarred and hungry looking Dark Forest cat.
“Well, we are raising awareness in StarClan, starting with younger cats, like apprentices and kits,” they paused and sat down briefly, “I’m Spire, and I am personally inviting you to join our group. We are offering power, blood, revenge, and something most of you missed out on completely… a life in the clans.”
Their words took her back, another life, one where she could grow and live? She gasped and quickly asked, trampling over her own words, “Life- clan- actually?”
“Yes, you would be reborn in the clans to help our cause and live a life of your own,” Spire said, their eyes gleaming hungrily.
She looked him dead in the eyes, no fear in her heart anymore, “Yes! YES!! I will gladly join!” as she spoke the words a deep shiver ran through her bones as if a choice made that would never be able to be taken back, as if a rock of solid ice had settled in her stomach, as if the destiny and ‘life’ of hers had just changed forever. At the same time as her many other cats raised their voices, yowling their agreement.

Chapter Text

Frostpaw quivered excitedly. Tonight, she was going to see the Moonpool for the first time! It had been a whole moon since she chose to abandon the path laid out for her. Willowshine and Mothwing lay sleeping on both sides of her. She knew that sleeping would be a good idea, but she was way too excited.
She carefully got up and silently picked her way to the entrance to the den. She looked up at the shining night sky. Each and every star seemed to shine brighter than any other night. She had often sat out watching the stars and wishing upon them. But though all were beautiful, there seemed to be a one star right in the middle calling out to her. She wondered which warrior of StarClan it was, which noble and helpful guide to assist on her journey to being a medicine cat.
A soft purr came from behind her and she looked back to see Willowshine watching her with affectionate eyes. Frostpaw smiled lightly, embarrassed to be caught just sitting there.
“Oh Frostpaw,” she murmured softly as Mothwing was still asleep, “I still remember looking up at the stars and trying to pinpoint which I knew. You know, there is a way to tell which ones are which,” she smiled slyly.
“Really?” her mind started rushing through all the things there could be to tell, but she didn’t try to complete any of her thoughts as she listened to her mentor speak.
“Yes, sometimes they wink in a way you can tell would just fit a certain cat,” she reached a paw up to point a round one, shining only softly and letting others take up more space beside it. “That is Mudfur, he was Mothwing’s mentor, and from what I know of him, he was gentle and kind, always letting others get more attention than himself,” she looked back a Frostpaw. “Now don’t you think that star would match up with him?”
Frostpaw nodded, fascinated to learn all these things. She knew that only medicine cats, like herself, would be able to learn so much about StarClan, and yet so much of it would still be a mystery. Right then, Frostpaw made a promise to herself, that since she wasn’t going to be a warrior, she was going to be the first medicine cat to learn and probe into the deepest of StarClan’s secrets.
She looked back over at Willowshine. “Are we going to leave soon?”
Willowshine blinked for a moment, staring at something that wasn’t there with a horrified expression. After a long she seemed the realize Frostpaw had talked and looked at her with confusion.
“Are we going soon?” she asked again.
“Oh right, of course, I’ll go get Mothwing,” she stood and walked back stiffly into the den murmuring to herself with distress.
Frostpaw waited patiently while wondering what that was about. A thought struck her, it was probably a vision! But she looked so- so scared, is something bad going to happen? Her mind whirled around what it could be, a rogue attack? Badgers? She remembered that during the leader ceremony she said something about them “needing strength.” Maybe it was about that?
“Alright, let’s go,” Willowshine meowed, closer to Frostpaw than she expected and she gave a little jump.
Willowshine stifled a laugh, “Are you ready?”
“Yep!” She shook off the scare and hopped to her paws, trotting ahead to the camp entrance.
She purred and nodded to the two guards at the entrance, Shimmerpelt and Minnowtail. Minnowtail was insisting to keep doing warrior duties, even though she was 2 moons into pregnancy and her belly was incredibly swollen. Not even Mothwing could convince her to take a break, it was as though Minnowtail wanted to forget she was having kits at all. Shimmerpelt wasn’t much better, no matter how old she was, 9 whole seasons, or how many times she visited the medicine den.
“First time going to the moonpool?” Shimmerpelt’s crackled voice asked.
“Yep! I’m going to be the best medicine cat ever!” she announced joyfully, the back of her mind whispering to prove my family there is honor in being something other than a warrior or leader. No, she scolded her thoughts, it was because she had a passion for healing. She truly felt that StarClan had something else meant for her other than a life of fighting and bloodshed.
Willowshine and Mothwing had caught up by now and Willowshine gave a little cough to clear her head and catch up.
“Good luck Frostpaw!” Shimmerpelt called as Frostpaw bounded forward. Minnowtail didn’t say anything, her eyes drooping.
As the three medicine cats walked in silence, Frostpaw began to wonder if regular warriors had dreams of StarClan. As far as she had seen, no one mentioned them on a regular basis. They only talked about them when asked, and gave as little detail as possible. Some even gave her strange looks when she asking everyone what they knew about their warrior ancestors. Cats’ answers were just as weird. Some would say they controlled everything and watched over them constantly. Others just said they are the ones giving them good hunting or fine weather. A few just said they didn’t have a very strong connection. Perhaps- she was jolted from her thoughts as Mothwing halted abruptly.
“Willowshine, do you smell that? There’s a fox nearby, we should take a detour around the barn,” she hissed to her former apprentice.
Willowshine waved away her worry with the flick of her tail. “We don’t have time Mothwing. You know I trust you, but the smell seems faint. It was probably just one passing through, we can’t waste moonlight by going around,” she reasoned, “and we don’t want young Frostpaw to miss her first meeting with StarClan,” she purred down at the apprentice.
Mothwing rolled her eyes, but made her tone polite. “Well don’t you think that it would be better to make it to the moonpool unscathed? We don’t really need any more injuries right now,” she pointed out. Willowshine looked like she was about to give in and Mothwing started heading backward.
Frostpaw was ready to follow her two mentors when she spotted a cat’s bushy gray tail poking from behind the barn. The tail flicked, as if asking her to go this way and Frostpaw was filled with a strange sensation and she realized it must be a sign from StarClan.
She planted her feet and cautiously spoke up. “Mothwing, can’t we just go faster this way, to pass by quickly, please? I really want to meet the other medicine cats and talk with StarClan!” Her voice rose louder than she wanted near the end and she ducked her head, embarrassed She didn’t mention the cat hoping she could convince them without mentioning it.
Mothwing looked back at her, surprised, and Willowshine stood by her, her jaw hard set, “Frostpaw is right, we must get to the moonpool, we’ve already delayed enough.” Though her voice sounded firm there was a hint of fear in the air. Willowshine also seemed distracted, as though they had to come this way for a different reason.
Mothwing sighed and nodded, “Very well, I can see you have a strong faith in StarClan, and I can’t change that. We’ll go then.” She paused, murmuring to Frostpaw as Willowshine trotted ahead, “You are very persuasive, a useful talent for a medicine cat.” She purred with mischief in her eyes.
Frostpaw purred back, her heart filled with elation at praise from the older medicine cat. Her thoughts filled with pride and visions of glory as a medicine cat. She still felt a deep hole in her chest, wishing for her families praise along with her mentors, but it didn’t feel quite so empty anymore. If StarClan was helping her before she even officially met them, then that had to be a good sign.
A screech of fear and pain wrenched her from her thoughts. She pulled her eyes off the pebbly ground and saw a fox, with his eyes full of malice, bushed from tail to cheek, and claws digging into flesh. But most horribly of all, the fox was standing atop Willowshine, digging his claws in, and- and time seemed to slow down immensely, each second feeling like eternity as the fox leaned down and sunk its teeth into Willowshine’s neck.
Nothing could describe the sound that bolted across her ears in that moment. It was a sound of pain, sorrow, and guilt. Frostpaw closed her eyes and sunk to the ground, feeling unable to move, responding to the sounds of battle that moved like honey into her mind.
Mothwing was yowling something at her, something important, but she wouldn’t- couldn’t move, or feel. Willowshine was surely going to die, a wound that deep fox would surely get infected, even if she didn’t die from blood loss, there was no way to save her, they weren’t near herbs and her training had barely begun. It felt as bad - if not worse - than the day of her ceremony, except instead of her family hating her, her family was leaving her, in a way that could not be reversed, something she could not return from, and it stung, deeply, making the hole in her heart become so large it threatened to swallow her whole. It hurt even worse to know that this was all her fault, she was the one who took Willowshine’s side, and convinced Mothwing to let them go this way, it was ALL HER FAULT.
A flash of orange fur blurred by and suddenly she was on the ground, pain striking her head, the fox was on top of her, preparing to kill her just like it had killed Willowshine. She didn’t struggle, she couldn’t, it was her fault this happened, she deserved some kind of punishment, if that meant death then she was willing to accept it. Though it hurt for her to think this way, perhaps that’s all she was meant to do, to cause suffering and suffer from it; StarClan did lay out a destiny for everyone didn’t they? This must be her destiny, to die so Mothwing could get away, so RiverClan could have at least one surviving medicine cat.
But as the fox leaned down, ready to give her the killing bite, all the weight disappeared, along with the sharp pain, still leaving a dull reflection. Frostpaw gasped, looking up at the fox, and… and… Willowshine, she was still alive! She- she was, but not for long, if Frostpaw didn’t help. She might be able to help Willowshine fight off the fox, but they both knew little to nothing about fighting but maybe, just maybe, she could help atone right here. She desperately wanted to get to say a goodbye, to say she was sorry, to try and get all the guilt off her shoulders, even if the guilt had not been there for long.
She leaped to her paws, flinching at the prick in her shoulder, and leaped onto the back of the fox very clumsily, and bit down between its shoulders as it shook furiously, and threw her off. It threw her in the lake and she managed to get up once more, flinging claws out at random, scratching the fox anyway she could as it beat her over and over with its tail.
It finally turned and swiped at her, hitting her head with the force of a tree, she fell and laid still, hoping it might believe her dead. Not because she was going to jump back up to do a surprise attack, but because she had not strength left in her, much as she truly wanted to fight, her body had no energy, and it was drained even more once she realized that Willowshine’s inevitable death was MORE her fault now.
She saw as Willowshine got flung near her as well, and fox looked even more outraged that they dare die before a proper fight, but it seemed satisfied with the destruction it caused, not that the fox would have specific thoughts, but that seemed to be the emotion it’s face was making. She sighed, and closed her eyes, wishing to fly herself back in time, to change what was happening.
Then the fox gave a shriek, and the loud sound of pattering paws came. A river of cats was flooding into the area. It also smelled differently, before it was the smell of her, Willowshine, Mothwing, fox, and, most intensely, blood. But now she smelled like a mix of rabbit and cat, with a hint of wind, it was strange. She opened her eyes to find three new cats fighting the fox away. They looked like full warriors, fighting with the swiftness and skill that WindClan was told to have on open land. They drove the fox away faster than it had taken the three of them to get beaten. She blocked out the fox’s screeches of pain and yowls of the warriors, and looked around for Willowshine. She was lying in a pool of murky water with her back half in the lake.
Frostpaw struggled to stand up, her bones heavier than stone, and crawled over to her.
“Willowshine…” she said, her voice shaking like cracked ice. Now she was closer she realized it wasn’t water surrounding Willowshine, it was blood, her blood and way too much of it. Frostpaw let out a fresh sob and tears rolled down her cheek and she scrunched her eyes closed.
A trembling paw touched her face and a soft mew made her open her eyes, “Frostpaw, I promise you will see me in StarClan.”
“No Willowshine please! Don’t go! Don’t die! I need you!” she exclaimed, digging her claws into the ground, “Please, please, please, stay.”
Willowshine gave a tiny shake of her head, “I can’t stay, this is the destiny StarClan laid out for me, it was- meant to be,” her breath grew raspy and she slumped to the ground a little more, “Don’t fear,” she continued, looking a bit distressed, like the words wouldn’t come out fast enough, “StarClan has a purpose for you too. Everything happens for a reason Frostpaw. I promise to watch over you.” Willowshine laid her head down and looked up at her with a small smile. A second later it was like her body unclenched, and lay sprawled, and her eyes glazed over, the stars reflecting in them.
“NO!! NO NO, no, no, no, no, “she screeched and let her voice trail into a whisper, “Willowshine I’ll be lost without you! You can’t leave me! You can’t, you can’t, you can’t,” Frostpaw set her head down as tears fell harder and faster, like rain watering flowers in plumes of blood, “It’s all my fault” she whispered, revoicing the fears in her head, now a glaring truth.
“The fox is gone,” came the voice of Mothwing behind her. It sounded like she was trying to hold the shaking of her voice by telling her fact.
Frostpaw shoved her head between her paw., “Willowshine is dead,” she spat. Mothwing wasn’t here to see her death, what was she doing instead? What could be more important than the death of her former apprentice?! Didn’t she care?
Mothwing seemed to notice her clenching and placed a soft paw on her shoulder. “Perhaps we should go home and get away from this whole mess,” she suggested in wary voice, sounding exhausted. As if this was simply another uncooperative patient, and not a life and death situation.
“Perhaps you can go without me! I need to get to the moonpool, the other medicine cats will be waiting for us. I care too much to let Willowshine go, even if you don’t!” she hissed, standing up and looking Mothwing right in the eye. She saw fragments of guilt and sadness in them as Mothwing looked away, but there were no tears in her eyes, no shaking tail, or flattened ears, only bloody scratches and a matted pelt.
“Is it really so important now? Trying to get there faster is what made all this happen,” she asked, looking a bit awkward and a tad angry. She didn’t realize it but her words stung like the bite of an adder. It sounded just like what her head was saying, both of them blaming her for what happened. She believed it, she really was the one to cause this.
She pushed the voices away, “Of course we have to go! Willowshine is in StarClan now! And I need to- I need to- I have other reasons too!” she snapped, nearly losing her voice in her last words.
She began walking, or rather stumbling and tripping her way past Mothwing when one of WindClan cats stopped her, stepping in front of her.
“You’re in no condition to walk to the moonpool by yourself,” she pointed out. She was a light pink she-cat with a scattering of dark brown spots on her back and muzzle. She had a tail that went thin with a ball of dark brown fluff at the end.
“I’m sure I’ll be fine, unless your territory is worse defended than Horseplace,” she snarled. She knew it was a dig at them and would make them less likely to help her, but she felt angry and stubborn. She didn’t want any of them to come with her. They would probably try to talk to her about what happened, and that was the last thing she wanted. It made all the guilt, worries, and voices come back up out of that huge hole in her heart.
“Well, you’ll still need someone to go with you,” she looked down, a bit embarrassed, “I’ll go if you’re alright with it?” She did look up again, but only to give a significant glace at the other two. A black tom seemed like he was about to snarl about something, but the pink tinged one gave him a small meaningful shove.
Frostpaw paused and looked over the WindClan cat. They had a friendly look about them, and if there was a turn in her favor, they might be tight-lipped too. She also knew that one was bound to come with her, whether she liked it or not.
She nodded, “If you have to,” she snorted, and went a fast pace ahead to discourage conversation.
It was a short walk, and soon the two cats reached the edge of hollow surrounding the moonpool. She heard loud arguing voices coming from below and she was hesitant to go down. The guilty voice in her head had quieted and was muffled in the back of her mind , repeating like a bird call in the forest. She looked back at the WindClan cat and immediately regrated it. She didn’t say anything but the look in her eyes said everything. You were the one who insisted on coming, you were the one who wanted to come. She felt that this cat didn’t spend a lot of time speaking to her clanmates, but communicated without voice.
She gave herself a small shake and started down the path. There were many exquisite plants, but they all escaped the notice of her shadowed mind. She kicked a rock, allowing it to tumble and alert the medicine cats of their presence.
As her paw stepped on the flat ground, a bombard of questions came flying her way. It seemed all the medicine cats were vying to get their answers first, pushing and shoving in front of her face, spitting their questions with raised voices. She crouched and flattened her ears, their noise and anger making her guilty voice rise back up. You killed Willowshine. They know you’re too cowardly to save anyone. You don’t deserve to be a medicine cat. No! She shoved the thoughts down but they resisted and threatened to swallow her up. Just as everything was almost too unbearable, her tears threatening to spill over, when a loud yowl went above the others.
The medicine cats all shuffled around to let a skinny light gray striped tom through. His eyes were glazed, but his pupils looked like he was seeing other worlds they would never know about. He came to stand over her imposingly. He must be Jayfeather the famous blind medicine cat. He turned down at her. Though she knew he couldn’t see her, it felt like he was flipping though her life, inspecting everything she’s ever done and will ever do.
“Who are you, and why have you come to this sacred place-“ he paused and sniffed slightly, “RiverClan apprentice?” he finished with the hint of a snarl, giving her a chance to explain.
“W- w- w- w- well I uh,” she felt much less confident now she was here.
A brown tom with large white splotches stepped forward, “Where are Mothwing and Willowshine? Surely, they wouldn’t send some apprentice to report their absence!” he glanced at the others then settled his gaze on her with a confused and annoyed expression.
She opened her mouth but she couldn’t speak. She held back her voice, she thought if she started talking, she wouldn’t be able to stop and might tell everyone all her fears. Some would call them truths her guilty voice whispered.
“Willowshine is dead,” a blunt voice from behind her announced.
She turned to look back and a flash of grey fur whooshed by her face, “Sedgewhisker!” they called happily.
The WindClan medicine cat rubbed his chin on her shoulder, “What are you doing here?” he said in a notably less hostile voice than Frostpaw got.
She purred, “it’s good to see you too Kestrelflight,” she stepped forward and rose up, suddenly seeming much more imposing, “I was escorting this apprentice to the moonpool after a fox attacked them on the border and killed Willowshine,” she pushed on as disbelieving gasps rose from the medicine cats. “Mothwing went home to tell her clan,” there was a deeper tone as she knew it was for another reason she wouldn’t dare give away. “And Frostpaw wished to come here, to tell you, and to announce that she is the new medicine cat apprentice for RiverClan,” she finished with a huff as the medicine cats started to drown her out with protests.
“Frostpaw can’t become a medicine cat if their medicine cat aren’t even here!”
“Did you drive off the fox successfully? Is it coming here?!”
“Why would Mothwing go back!? We need a RiverClan medicine cat to do the ceremony!”
Jayfeather raised his tail and gave a long loud yowl, “Although there are no full RiverClan medicine cats, we will not refuse this apprentice,” others started protesting and he whipped his tail around, shushing them, “We all know how to properly officiate, I will act as her mentor while we are here, if you all dislike this so much.” he gave a huff and looked back at Frostpaw.
He cut a path through the medicine cats and sat at the edge of the water. Everyone continued to argue, but with lower voices, more worries were being spoken than protests.
“Shut your muzzles! All of you!” Jayfeather snapped. “We are done fighting about this! Now are we going to meet with StarClan or not?”
They grumbled but moved forward, crouching down. Frostpaw slowly got up and crawled over next to Jayfeather, unsure if she was supposed to do some specific.
Jayfeather waved his tail, “You just crouch here, now hurry up!” he grumbled and draped his tail over her back as she sat down. It was soft and cool like a stream running down her back, lifting a little of the guilt on her. The WindClan apprentice shoved in her way to sit next to her. She gave Frostpaw a warm smile and slight purr.
“I’m Whistlepaw” she murmured softly.
Jayfeather cleared his throat, “Medicine cats of the Clans,” his voice echoed around the hollow, “I, Jayfeather, medicine cat of ThunderClan, am standing in for Mothwing. O cats of StarClan, it is time for a new apprentice to follow the path of a medicine cat. I say these words to your spirits of our ancestors and to the future cats who will chose to heal their clan” He turn his head abruptly to Frostpaw, his sightless eyes a bit glaring, “Frostpaw, do you swear to heal and help you clan, using your knowledge of herbs and,” he slightly raised his voice and deepened his tone, “more importantly, your knowledge of StarClan and communicating with them?”
All was silent for a moment and she realized she was supposed to talk, “oh! Uh- I do” she gave a small nod and nearly unbalanced herself, her paw touching the water for a second. Jayfeather gave a snort and turned back to the moonpool.
Whistlepaw gave her a small nudge and a purr of laughter, “You got this.”
Jayfeather gave another irritable snort and continued, “Then with great pleasure I announce that Frostpaw from this day forward will be known as Frostpaw the medicine cat apprentice. Now touch your nose to the pool and meet with your ancestors who shall give you their blessings,” he snapped with finality and leaned down, touching his nose to the pool.
She glanced around, seeing everyone else do the same, Whistlepaw even bopped her nose before touching the pool herself. She gulped, hoping StarClan wouldn’t see all the guilt and hurt stirring beneath her pelt and leaned down.
She gasped as the world flashed before her. White blinks blinded everything, and once it finally stopped after a forever, she had to gasp again at the majesty of the land before her.

Chapter Text

Puma trotted through the dappled forest, intent on meeting the clans. Though Sol was ahead of her and going at a fast pace, he seemed distracted.
“Do you think you could tell me something about the clans?” she piped up, really just trying to make conversation.
A deep rumble came from Sol, “No I can’t, if I told you everything then they might get suspicious or think you’ve been spying on them and the clans will not tolerate spying,” he snapped.
“But couldn’t you tell me something? Like Midnight mentioned something about StarClan, or what about the names and traditions of the clans?” she pressed.
“Fine,” he grumbled and sat down, “There are five clans got it? ThunderClan, RiverClan, ShadowClan, WindClan, and,” his voice went dark and he growled deeply, “SkyClan. We are going to ThunderClan and-“
“Why don’t you like SkyClan?” she blurted, “Did they attack you? Or drive you away from your home?”
“No, I was a SkyClan cat, and they threw me out without reason!” His eyes flashed menacingly like thunder and he started running.
“Sol! Wait!” She cried out, dashing after him, he was soon out of sight and she could suddenly smell a very strong scent of leaves and cat. She slowed down with a skid in a flutter of auburn and ruby leaves.
"Sol what should I do?" she called to the trees, wondering if he was up one. Though he hadn’t truly told her why she needed to come she wasn’t sure the prophecy would be enough to convince the cats to let her in. Heck, she didn’t even know what to say when they found her, it sounded from Sol like they would be hostile, and she hated to fight. But would they ever listen to a prophecy from… what did Sol call her? A kittypet?
Puma took a deep breath, surely, they wouldn’t start with their claws, and she could bring them around if they were mad for some reason. She started off with following the scent, if she wanted to join the clan and help them, then finding them would be a good first step.
As she walked, the prophecy Midnight told her began replaying over and over in her mind, five cats of five clans… five souls of five lives, would that mean there were four other kittypets that would join her? Or would they be clan cats? While written by claws of lies… caught the sight of unwavering eyes. The last line would surely mean StarClan right? Midnight said they watch over all clan cats so if she was going to join the clan then they must watch over her too. But written by claws of lies? Would StarClan be lying or a clan cat?
Soon enough she was so deep in thought she didn’t hear or smell the approaching cats. She bumped head first into the chest fur of a large golden tom.
He growled menacingly and asked in a gruff voice, “What are you doing on our territory kittypet?” his voice practically dripped venom with his last word and he unsheathed his claws.
She gulped nervously and backed up a few steps to see his face, “Well I was… I was… looking for you of course!” she exclaimed her mind randomly coming up with an excuse as she talked, “I heard so much about clan cats and how cool they were, how they could fight off at least ten badgers, I even got a prophecy from this talking badger and… and…” She gulped again knowing she sounded crazy as he stepped forward ominously.
She caught a glance behind him and saw three other cats, but they did nothing but watch with worried expressions as he raised a paw and sliced it down her cheek.
“AUGH!” she cried and glanced up at his hate-filled face, “Please I don’t mean harm!”
An older cat stepped in front of him, “Lionblaze didn’t you hear her, she might want to join the clan, we must take her back, not waste Jayfeather’s herbs on healing wounds that could be avoided,” he spoke confidently to him, and though Lionblaze looked angry, he backed off.
“I’m sorry young one, he hasn’t been good at controlling his temper recently, and surely if you’ve heard of us then you must know we don’t allow trespassers, it would have been safer to wait on the border.” He spoke to her and put some moss to her cheek at they walked deeper into the woods.
“I thought that was the border,” she managed to say though the sharp pain in her face.
He just shook his head and kept walking.
“Uh, I’m Puma, wh- what’s your name?” She hesitantly asked, not sure if they’d be up for small talk.
“I’m Thornclaw, we’re from ThunderClan, and right now we’re taking you to Jayfeather, a cat who can heal you.”
She nodded and they continued in silence.
Puma looked around in awe as they entered the camp. Many cats were about, some eating, some just talking, some even gathering in what she assumed was another group to go outside and look around.
Thornclaw gently pushed her to the right, toward a dark tunnel with a lichen overhang.
“That’s Jayfeather’s den though we call it the medicine den,” he informed her, “Head in there and he’ll take care of you.”
She nodded and trotted in, giving out a brief call, “Jayfeather?”
“Ugh, what? Can’t a cat enjoy a day with no injures?” He grumbled as he emerged from a nest in the back corner. As he stepped forward into the leaning light, she began to see his pelt better. There was a sheen on it that none of the other cats had, there were many stripes across his pelt, a darker blue than below. His eyes were milky, and though it seemed like he wasn’t focusing on anything, there was a deep sight in them. He strode elegantly in front of her.
“Well? Are you going to tell me what’s wrong?” He snapped, dissolving the sophisticated air around him.
“Oh right, well, I’m Puma, and, uh, not from your clan and, well, I came to, uh,” she stumbled around her words.
He pulled a paw up and tapped her mouth to quiet her, “I said, what’s wrong, not why a kittypet is in front of me with a cheek injury and- ,” he gave a sharp inhale and turned around to shelves that held many pungent plants, “Go sit in a nest.” He muttered, giving no hint to why he gasped. He flicked his tail to where he had come from, where a long line of nests sat.
“Right,” she nodded shaking her head, it seemed everything around her was sure she would be significant, but would that be true? trotted over to a seemingly empty nest, “So, I met with a group of cats and this cat called Lionblaze injured my cheek.” Jayfeather nodded and began piling up herbs.
She began to sit down when someone piped up, “Though I do have soft fur, I don’t prefer to get sat on,” A humorous purr came from behind her.
“Oh! I’m so sorry!” she leaped up and backpedaled so much she bumped into Jayfeather.
“Hey! Watch it!” He gently kicked her away and back towards the nests.
“Sorry! Sorry! Sorry!” She took a breath and stepped into a nest beside the cat. She looked down, her fur hot, “Sorry I nearly sat on you, I swear I didn’t see you; I mean I would never do that on purpose, you just blend in really well, AH! Not to mean that you aren’t worth looking at, I- I mean.” She glanced up and saw them smirking, their tail flicking with amusement.
“It’s fine, I’m sure that all this new stuff, and especially cats, are pretty intimidating,” He purred, “You’ll get used to it, I promise.”
Puma opened her mouth to ask how he knew when Jayfeather came between them with mush in a leaf. “Here, turn the injury to me and hold still,” he ordered and began to efficiently rub the paste on her cheek.
She flinched back a bit from the sudden sting from the herbs before steeling herself and letting him put it on. He trotted back to the shelf for a second before coming back with cobwebs on a stick.
“Alright, just a little longer,” he mumbled over the stick. He settled the webs in place carefully and backed up. “Alright come back tomorrow for a new paste, it should be healed in a few sunrises,” he turned away without her confirmation and went deeper into the den.
Puma sat a bit surprised at how quick Jayfeather left, but just as he left a dull red cat came in. She had a white paw and the fluffiest tail Puma had ever seen. She could see the outline of two cats behind her but couldn’t see who they were.
“Greetings Puma, I heard you’ve recently came to the clan.” She dipped her head in a polite greeting and stepped forward into the den, raising her voice, “Jayfeather!”
“Nope, no sleeping today,” he grumbled once again coming out, he looked much more ruffled with many reeds were stuck in his fur. He straightened up when he saw the ginger cat and licked his fur a bit, “Oh what is it Squirrelstar?”
“Thornclaw met this kittypet, Puma was their name, on the border, before Lionblaze,” her tone went scolding and she looked sternly to the cat on her left before swinging her head back, “decided to act irrationally and injure them.”
Jayfeather gave a little scoff noise, “Of course I’d already figured that out, so what other reason must you bother me for?”
“A prophecy reason, now groom yourself and come to my den, you as well Puma,” she nodded to her and flicked her tail for her to follow.
Puma hurried to stand up, before she could leave the gray tom called to her, “Talk to me once you’ve finished!” Puma gave him an uncertain look and trotted to Squirrelstar, finally seeing the two behind her as Thornclaw and Lionblaze.
“Puma,” she held back and flicked her paw for the others to keep going, “I’d like to formally apologize for how you’ve been introduced to the clan, Lionblaze acted in the absolutely wrong way and I hope you can forgive us.”
Puma nodded, “Ah, well it’s fine, I should get a cool scar from it at least, right?” she purred kindly, already feeling a growing respect for Squirrelstar.
She purred back, “Thank you.” She hopped up a slope of pebbles and ducked into a small cave. Puma ducked in and though it was small there was certainly more room than she expected, enough for three more cats to join them at least. There were shells, tufts of fur and feathers around a nest in the back of the cave, but the rest of them didn’t acknowledge it.
“Alright Puma, you told us there was a prophecy, what is it?” Lionblaze demanded.
Squirrelstar shook her head and spoke before Puma could, “Lionblaze why do I even bring you to meetings?” she asked rhetorically, “How about instead we start with what brought you to the clan?”
Puma nodded and quickly thought up a half lie, “I was walking through the woods to try and practice hunting,” Lionblaze gave a small snort of disbelief and Puma flinched before continuing, “Anyway, I met this badger and I swear I’m not crazy, this DID happen, but well, the badger talked and,” she looked down knowing how weird this would sound, “they said their name was-“
Squirrelstar let out a gasp, half of recognition half of disbelief, “Midnight!” She looked eagerly at Puma, “Please continue!”
“Ah well, they did give me a prophecy,” Lionblaze hardened his glare on her, he looked suspicious of her story but didn’t say anything.
Puma opened her mouth to recite the words of the prophecy when Jayfeather and a dark crimson cat came in. The crimson cat smelled of wet grass and had very ruffled fur, they seemed a bit disgruntled to be in the meeting.
“Don’t bother retelling your story, just get on with the prophecy,” Jayfeather grunted sitting down on the other side of Lionblaze, the red cat next to him.
Puma nodded and quickly decided which prophecy to give them, “Well Midnight said, darkness must swallow the clans, terror and chaos will reign, beware a friend who turns to the forest, for a light will come to guide the clans,” Puma quickly lowered her gaze in hope they wouldn’t sense her discomfort, “It was a very fuzzy prophecy, I don’t really know what means.”
“Hmmm, this does not bode well for the clans, Puma did Midnight give you any instruction or hint to what it might mean?” Squirrelstar asked, her voice full of concern.
Puma shook her head finally looking up, “I don’t think so, all she said was I needed to come to the clans, but not what to do once I came.” She skipped over the part where Sol had forced her to leave quickly before Midnight could give her further instructions.
“Very well, Jayfeather, Alderheart, I’d like you to analyze the prophecy as best you can before the next halfmoon meeting, be sure to ask StarClan about it if you can,” Squirrelstar paused so they could nod before looking at Puma with such an intense gaze that she had to resist shuddering. “Puma would you be alright staying in ThunderClan until the next gathering?”
Puma opened her mouth but wasn’t sure how to answer, how could she even know what a gathering is? Perhaps it would be good just to say yes for now, she decided, “Of course, I’d love to learn more about the clans,” she dipped her head in ascension.
“Wonderful! Ask anyone around camp, I’m sure they’d love to introduce you to everycat and show you around,” and paused and glanced around the cave, “Anything anyone wants to add?”
Jayfeather nodded, “Puma, meet me in my den at sunset,” he abruptly got up and whisked out of the den, signifying the end of the meeting. For once Squirrelstar looked annoyed, glaring after Jayfeather but sighed and looked back at Puma with a purr.
“Well, that’s a clear signal, Thornclaw, Alderheart, Puma, thank you for meeting up here, please go back to your duties,” she gave Lionblaze a stern look, “Lionblaze please stay afterward.”
Puma looked over Alderheart, the crimson cat, again as she stood up. At first glance he seemed intimidating, his stance was shaky, his fur fluffed out as if he was approaching an enemy, he kept glancing around and once he realized she was staring at him he quickly scooted out of the den, bumping her in the process. Thornclaw slowly got up and left after him, giving Lionblaze a harsh look as he stepped into the sunlight.
Puma sat a moment longer before realizing that Squirrelstar and Lionblaze were both looking at her. She quickly stood up but felt it would be rude to leave without a word of thanks, “Squirrelstar I’d like to thank you again for showing such hospitality and letting me stay in your clan,” She glanced back at them, shying away from the intense glare Lionblaze gave her and focused on the warmth in her eyes. There was brief deep connection before Puma turned away and picked her way down the rock-strewn slope.
“Puma! I was hoping they’d be done soon! Come! Come! I can’t wait to show you around camp!” The gray tom from the medicine den was at the bottom of the rocks. His eyes were filled with such joy she didn’t understand. Whatever it was she wouldn’t turn down the chance to look around.
She went down slowly, worried about falling but mostly unsure how to say hello to the tom. “Err, hi,” she pulled her head back in embarrassment as she got to the bottom, “Wh- What’s your name?” she asked shyly. He knew her after just one interaction and she felt should have known his name.
“Of course!” He bowed his head deeply, “I am Stormcloud,” he purred lifting his head, “And yours?”
She looked at him in confusion for a quick second before realizing he was asking her name and she felt even more thoroughly embarrassed.
“I’m, err, well, my name is, I-” she coughed ducking her head before looking up and restarting her face almost fully flushed, “Hello Stormcloud, I’m Puma, I was- uh,” she coughed again to try to stop herself from stuttering more, “I was a house cat before I came here,”
“I know!” he chirped, “I was one too! I-” he broke off as a young she-cat pushed passed him.
Her white coat was had a light gray cape on half of her, with darker stripes over the splotches. She paused briefly to speak to them, “Greetings, I’m Ivypool, ThunderClan’s deputy, I presume you are Puma, the new kittypet.” She paused for Puma to nod before going on, “Wonderful, I trust Stormcloud to give you a proper tour about the camp, but for idle conversation perhaps moving to a different spot would be better?”
“Of course, Ivypool, we’re very sorry for blocking the stone steps, it would probably be best for me to start anyway,” Stormcloud got up, swishing his tail for Puma to follow him.
Puma nodded to her, admiring her skill with words and how collected she looked. She felt elated when Ivypool nodded back at her before heading to Squirrelstar’s den.
“Puma! Come on!” Stormcloud called to her from across the clearing, getting annoyed looks from the few groups around.
“Right!” Puma called back and trotted across.
Stormcloud started talking the second she was close enough for him to talk, “Alright! This is arguably the most important den in camp, the Nursery. This is where she-cats who have or are expecting kits stay, currently there Daisy, Spotfur, and Fernsong residing here. But there is something very special about our nursery! We actually have a tom, Fernsong really likes looking after the kits for Spotfur and Daisy so he stays full time!” Puma nodded, feeling a bit overwhelmed at how many new cats there were, but she couldn’t object now, this was only the first den, Stormcloud starting walking at a brisk pace and Puma had to scramble to catch up, having expected there was more to know about the nursery.
“Here we have the Elders den, this is where older cats go when they have fulfilled their duty to the clan, this is where they get to live the rest of their days in peace. Now normally it’s for older cats but if the warriors den gets too crowded extra cats will sleep here. They only have three occupants for now,” he lowered his voice to a whisper for a moment, “But between you and me, I think Whitewing will be headed there soon,” his voice rose back to normal and left Puma wondering who Whitewing was and why Thornclaw wouldn’t be the one to join soon. “The three cats right now are Cloudtail, Brightheart, and Brakenfur, they’ll have some great stories about the clans if you get a chance to visit them.” Stormcloud started walking again, but it was all the way across camp this time. Puma hopped after Stormcloud ducking her head to avoid curious looks coming from cats sitting around the camp.
“These are the Warrior dens!” He pointed at two holes in a canopy of branches, “We had to expand after there were too many cats for one den. This is where I sleep and where you will sleep unless Squirrelstar says otherwise. There are way too many warriors to count and far too many for me to remember all at once. I will always introduce you if we meet someone though. The warriors den is where everyone else sleeps, healthy adult cats who aren’t taking care of kits!”
Puma hesitantly spoke up, “What about that den? If this is where everyone else sleeps then why is there an extra one?”
“Ah great question!” he dashed ahead to be standing next to the den and Puma walked slowly after him. As she walked past the den entrance she looked inside. There were a few cats napping an even a smaller black cat poking a gray tabby with white spots.
She tried to hear what they were saying but Stormcloud had rushed back and was starting to push her forward to the next den, “Come on Puma! I thought you were curious about it!”
“I am, I swear, but slow down,” she gently kicked him away and went ahead, leaving him to follow her.
“Ok, ok,” he jumped ahead and stood proudly by the den entrance, “This is the apprentices den! After kits become six moons old, they are given a ceremony to become apprentices and a one lucky cat can mentor them. Training usually takes six moons but with special cases it can take longer or really gifted cats will take only a few moons. There are a few kits ready to be apprenticed soon. I really hope to become a mentor, others say that there’s nothing quite like it, whew,” he shook himself out, “I’m starving after that, want to share some prey?”
“Oh yeah,” her stomach grumbled, “I haven’t eaten yet today.”
“Great!” he went straight to a bush in the middle of camp. When she got closer, she realized why so many cats were hanging around the middle. A pile of prey was hidden under the bush, there was even a bit of dirt scraped over the top. Stormcloud stuffed his muzzle in the dirt and fur and pulled out a pigeon from the very bottom of the pile.
“Wood pigeon?” he mumbled over it. His muzzle was covered in dirt and feathers and before Puma could respond in dropped the pigeon in a flurry of sneezes.
Puma purred laughter, “Yep, sounds delicious!”
“Pffff, pffffft,” he spat out feathers and dusted off his muzzle, “Hey!” He bapped her nose, “Come on, let’s eat!”
Puma purred and snatched the pigeon and picked her way around the others to a quiet spot by the Elders den. Stormcloud purred and trotted over to her.
As they were passing back and forth the pigeon Squirrelstar came out of her den with Ivypool next to her.
“All cats old enough to catch their own prey gather below Highrock for a clan meeting!”
“MMm! A miph meefing!” Stormcloud mumbled illegibly.
“A what?”
He swallowed, “A clan meeting! We gather for Squirrelstar to share important news. We can hear her from here so it’s fine.”
“We are gathered for Dovekit’s and Darkkit’s apprentice ceremony. Please step forward.” She beckoned the two kits forward with her tail. “Dovekit, from this day forward until you earn your warrior name you shall be called Dovepaw.” The fluffy light gray tom purred and stepped under Highrock, looking back at the gathered cats. “Rosepetal, you have had many apprentices in the past, and having you as my own apprentice has strengthened my trust in you. I trust you to be a good mentor to Dovepaw.” She nodded and the two touched noses.
“Darkkit, from this day forward until you earn your warrior name you shall be named Darkpaw.” The she-cat stepped forward smugly, flicking her tail in Dovepaw’s face. “Hollytuft, though I have had doubts of your loyalty and my trust in you has been tested time and again, however a few certain cats have advised me to give you a chance.” She lanced over at Ivypool and a few others in the crowd. “Follow a better path than your namesake.” She finished with a sorrowful sigh and gave her a small nod before trotting down the slope.
Hollytuft, a dark black she-cat with dark green eyes, went forward to touch Darkpaw’s nose. Darkpaw thrust her nose forward a bit too forcefully and Hollytuft stumbled. Hollytuft shook it off and purred, she waved her tail to Darkpaw and they started coming over to Stormcloud and Puma.
“Hey Stormcloud!” Hollytuft called as they got closer.
“Ello Hollytuft! How does it feel to get an apprentice?” Stormcloud asked.
“I feel normal but WAY to responsible, I was actually hoping you, and possibly this new cat, would help me train her!”
Darkpaw purred, “Nothing could be better than learning from three different warriors! Apprenticeship will be a breeze, no way is Dovepaw going to learn things as fast as me!” she snarked.
“Really Hollytuft? Are you sure you want me and Puma’s help?”
“Of course! I think it will help Squirrelstar trust me to know I wasn’t the only one with influence over Darkpaw, and it would probably help you get accepted into the clan,” she added looking at Puma.
“Well I’d love to help! It will build my confidence for when I get an apprentice! And I’m sure Puma wants to help! When shall we start?” Stormcloud purred cheerily. Puma cringed inwardly, why didn’t he ask me if I wanted to help? I guess I’ll get to meet new cats…

Chapter Text

“Wishpaw!”
“Wishpaw!”
“Wishpaw!”
Excited cries rang around the clearing as Wishpaw turned around to look at the crowd. It was official now, along with many other StarClan kits, she was a Dark Forest apprentice.
“Wonderful! Wonderful!” Spire purred after every cat started to quiet down. “I’d like to meet with my senior StarClan warriors in my den. Clan dismissed!”
Mapleshade trotted over to her with Shrewpaw at her side. “Wishpaw we’ll be training by the river after I get back from the meeting, go head there with Shrewpaw.” She nodded behind her and trotted to Spire.
Shrewpaw glanced at her hesitantly with a small smile, “Hello Wishpaw, I’m Mapleshade’s apprentice.”
“Hello Shrewpaw!” She started walking and Shrewpaw started stuttering as he caught up.
“W-what do you think we’ll be doing for training? I can barely remember what we did when I was alive, and you are technically older at being dead.”
“Eh! I never really noticed the Dark Forest until a bit ago when the whole Ashfur thing happened.” She shrugged and ducked out of the way of a large fluffy light gray tom.
He glanced at her and hissed before pausing and bowing deeply, “Watch where you’re going next time Wishpaw.” He pushed past her and left her and Shrewpaw gaping in awe.
“Whoa, being Spire’s apprentice gives you some slack with the older warriors!” Shrewpaw purred.
“Nice! Now come on! I can show you around the Blood River for training.” Wishpaw broke into a run, “I bet you can’t beat me there!”
“Hey!” Shrewpaw dashed after her.
She skidded around a barren tree and leaped over a crumbling rock, “Come Shrewpaw!” She skidded to a stop before toppling into the river. “Whoa!”
She churned her paws, attempting to swim. The liquid pressed against her on all sides. The last of her breath slipped away from her and she struggled to not suck of the blood. Dark red goop swirled around her as a darker figure plunged in. A tail waved in front of her and she grabbed it with all her might. Her paws stopped churning as a deep depressing feeling sunk into her stomach. It felt like all her dreams breaking, like the when she died, like being trapped in StarClan forever.
She burst out of the blood, the momentum shooting her to the shore. She coughed trying to clear her lungs.
“Wishpaw! Are you alright?” Shrewpaw’s voice came from above her.
She coughed once more, “Yep, totally, would you help me up?”
He nodded and she shakily stood up. “Wishpaw are you sure you’re good? You just nearly died for good!”
“Yep, I told you I’m good. The second I cross the border to StarClan all my wounds will heal. You should know!”
“Right, right. Do you want to go quickly before training?”
“Nah, Mapleshade and Spire should be coming soon.” Wishpaw sat down, leaning on Shrewpaw for balance. She focused on her breathing, realizing that she was taking rapid breaths. As her breathing slowed her tail started twitching, and she leaned away from Shrewpaw. “Okay that’s enough resting, I need to move. Let’s try fighting a bit!”
She sprung at him before he could answer and made him completely flomp over. He groaned and lightly bit her paw.
“Oh, come on, put up more of a fight! It’s like fighting a kit!” she jeered.
“Humf,” he flung her off and stood up, shaking off dirt. Wishpaw leaped back over and started batting at his face, bending his ears and booping his nose. “Mmmmm.” He grimaced and pounced on her shoulders, overpowering her and pinning her.
“Come on!” She grinned mischievously, “Fight like Squirrelflight is watchiiiiiinnnG!” Her voice turned into a screech as Shrewpaw started pummeling her belly. She thrusted her legs up, stopping the onslaught of tickling paws. She tucked in all paws and twisted and wriggled until Shrewpaw had to leap away.
“Come now Shrewpaw, I thought you had more skill than that.” A sly voice wormed it’s way out of the bushes. Mapleshade winded around and out into the middle of the clearing. “Both of you, here, now.”
Wishpaw hopped up and made her way over, her fur brushed Shrewpaw’s as she sat down and looked up at Mapleshade. “Where’s Spire Mapleshade? Are they going to be coming soon?” Her voice quivered hopefully.
“No.” Her voice was unremorseful and she looked between them, continuing, “Spire is busy. We are going to join them soon, for now,” She grinned at them maliciously, her eyes darkening and thinning into slits, “We’re going to have a training session.”

“Alright you have to stop asking questions, just follow me!” Mapleshade finally hissed. She swept her bushy tail around them both, pushing them forward.
“Ugh! This is such a long walk though!” Wishpaw groaned.
Shrewpaw whipped his tail over her mouth and whispered in her ear, “It would go faster if Mapleshade didn’t punish us for complaining,” he pointed out. She sighed and started to trot ahead of them.
She gasped as Mapleshade shot into the forest, she dashed after her and was surprised to feel actual wind rustle her fur. The shadows of the tree softened and lengthened out, grass started poking her feet and her footsteps were nearly deafened as pine needles coated the ground. Ahead a bright light shone and she had to shield her eyes from the blaze of warmth it brought her.
Mapleshade’s figure was completely covered in shadow as she made her way up, practically blind. “We’re here.” Mapleshade’s voice echoed around her and Wishpaw realized they were at the top of a large hollow with many cats bustling around at the bottom. “ShadowClan camp. Looks a bit different since the last time you saw it eh?”
Wishpaw could only nod as her eyes adjusted to the light of the living world. It shouldn’t have been to blinding but she had spent so long in the Dark Forest away from the light of StarClan. She gave a slight jump as she remembered Shrewpaw was also there, his fur brushing hers and tail hovering just above her tail, both of them quivering.
“Well, we don’t have anytime to spend just staring. We’ve got a job to do!” Mapleshade actually seemed excited for once as she leaped into the thick shadows of the camp. As Wishpaw followed she realized there were not just living cats but fellow Dark Forest cats walking side by side the living.
They ducked into a den smelling strongly of herbs and Wishpaw got her first good look at a living cat, two in fact. They were both toms, one a full adult that was almost head to tail brown, the light color, like of twigs and carp.
The other was very… different, that would be a good word to describe him. His eyes were a bloody red, they swirled around and around, his frame was very thin and boney. He had a good amount of fluff on him, just enough to look healthy. His fur was a dark gray with many lighter stripes, he had a light heart in the middle of his chest and a darker one on the very tip of his tail. As he looked towards the entrance it was as if he could see actually see her, as if there was only a thin veil that hid her as they sat down on the nearby nests.
“You two must stay silent as we go through this, understand?” Mapleshade’s voice told her that this was not a question and there would surely be consequences if she didn’t stay quiet. She nodded and watched as more cats walk through the wall and surround the thin tom.
Spire themselves came regally through the entrance and sat at the head of the half circle. A strange wind gently swirled around Spire and they seemed to gain more vibrancy. Their paws now made imprints in the sand, their tail swept up dust and their voice was stronger as they spoke.
“Shadowsight, it is good to see you again.” Spire mewed gently their voice softer than butter making Wishpaw wonder how their voice could get so cracked and yet be so sweet.
The tom- Shadowsight apparently, gasped as he looked up, his eyes brightened and filled with the kind of love you get from seeing your dearest of friends, “Spiresight! I thought I would never see you again!”
“Oh my, I couldn’t bear seeing you get so hurt. It is only after we in StarClan have recovered so that I am able to appear to you, if only for a few moments.” Their words ran thick with lies and yet with a choking amount of love. He paused, looking to the ground before continuing, unable to meet Shadowsight’s eyes, “I have despairing news to bring you however.” He held his tail up before the tom could reply. “You must follow me into the forest.” They turned to leave, giving him one last look before fading back.
“Spiresight!” He gasped and looked back at the other tom, “I have to go into the forest, StarClan has a message for me, don’t wait up!” The words spilled out of his mouth and he galloped into the forest with all his might.
They all had to race after him, only catching up as he stopped in the deepest part of the woods. The sun had set, leaving only the thinnest strips of sunlight to see, but for Wishpaw, and seemingly Shadowsight, it was better this way.
“Spiresight! Spiresight! Please appear to me again! Tell me your message!” The tom cried. His voice carried around the forest and birds in nearby trees took flight.
Spire took a deep breath before the breeze came back and their form strengthened. “Come close Shadowsight, these are words not many a cat can know.” Their voice deepened and his eyes went eerily white, “A darkness brings to light an ongoing blight, in which the swift, strong, cunning, honorable, and graceful learn of their plight. Moons of hatred swept away, with a calmer peace for a new day.” Their voice dropped and shook as they managed to continue, “The clans must face a change never seen before. Many cats will object but this is for the good of the clans, now please, sit.” Spire and Shadowsight sat and a moment of pure silence passed.
In a rushing blur all of the nearby Dark Forest cats leaped forward and forced Shadowsight to the ground. Wishpaw blinked and was suddenly looking through Shadowsight’s eyes. An invisible force holding her down, and Spire sitting there, a deep look of pity in their eyes. She blinked again and was back in her spot again. She glanced at Shrewpaw and knew he had seen it too.
She looked back a Shadowsight and realized that the large fluffy gray tom from before was standing on his neck, a claw slowly running down his neck. She had to squint to realize that it wasn’t blood pouring down his neck. Instead, it was a nearly clear substance, tinted purple. Instead of dripping down his neck it floated into the air in a long wavy line until it wreathed around Spire’s head like smoke.
Spire took a deep breath of the purple smoke and let out a cracked purr. They nodded and the cats stepped away from Shadowsight. “Please my dear Shadow, don’t tell any cat about this. The prophecy is very dangerous and cannot be revealed to the clans until the time is right.”
Shadowsight scrambled to sit up again, his face grimacing in pain. “Spiresi-” He started but Spire curled their tail around his muzzle.
“No,” they let out a broken laugh and leaned closer, glaring into Shadowsight’s red eyes, “Call me Spire.”

Chapter Text

Frostpaw lay slumped in her nest, fruitlessly trying to sleep. Everything that happened during the night was stirring around her head. Her meeting with StarClan was not what she was expecting. Her mind got sucked away remembering her first interaction.
All around her stars swirled, some flashing brightly before disappearing. There was a thick mist surrounding her with faces of cats dipping in an out. They smelled of RiverClan and looked similar to many cats she knew. The mist didn’t look impenetrable but whenever she tried passing through or touching it somehow was always just a bit too far away. She called out but her voice was whipped away.
She slowly sank to the ground as the river of cats around her swirled faster and faster. It felt like an eternity there, before a familiar soft purr sounded above her head. She shot up still having to look up to see the same shining eyes Frostpaw never wanted to go away.
“Willowshine,” her voice returned, soft and horse. “You came to see me.”
Her disbelief was thick in her last words and Willowshine must have heard. “Of course, Frostpaw. Like I told you before, I will always walk beside you, no matter what. I will guide you and help you anyway I can. Never forget this.” She turned around and started to fade away, giving Frostpaw one last look.
“Wait! Don’t go! Not yet… Not again!” She rushed to Willowshine’s side. Their fur brushed but Frostpaw could feel the sadness coming from Willowshine as she slowly stepped into the whirling mist.
“I must. Please Frostpaw, do not forget.” Her words were spoken as soft as a butterfly’s flap. Her breath rustled Frostpaw’s ear one last time before she was gone, along with her brief reprieve of guilt.
“Willowshine,” she whispered once more. If only they had gone back. If she hadn’t been so insistent to get to the Moonpool. If only they had listened to Mothwing. Her thoughts started turning bitter. But what does Mothwing care? She’s probably happy that there’s more room in the den now. She’s probably glad that she is my sole mentor now. Her anger burned and burned while her chest heaved. Her mind came up with anything and everything to keep herself from pushing the guilt back on herself.
“Frostpaw. There is still more we must share with you.” Another voice came from behind her. It was soft but with an edge of roughness.
As she turned around, she was surprised by the color of the she cat’s pelt. She had many dark spots covering her fur. They had thin fur and a very slender frame. Their eyes had very faint scars and there were claw marks around their ears. This must be Leopardstar! There had been many stories passed around the clan about the very noble leader. Behind her there was a light red tint, shining around the gray mist.
Frostpaw dipped her head, “Yes Leopardstar?”
Leopardstar looked a bit disconcerted but continued, “There is an evil coming like the clans cannot imagine. A calico cat will be the downfall of the clans.” She slowly spoke, as if repeating words. “If ever you should meet-” a sharp sound cut her off. It echoed around as if from somewhere else, it sounded like words but Frostpaw couldn’t make it out. Leopardstar started looking akward and quickly spoke, “Frostpaw! Do not the calico cat called-”
The sound came again, sharper, and Frostpaw was suddenly laying on hard cold stone with and soft paw shaking her shoulder.
“Frostpaw!” A cat she realized was Whistlepaw urgently whispered in her ear.
“Whistlepaw! We must be on our way.” A smoky spotted cat called to her from the stone steps.
“Yep, coming Kestrelflight! Just a second!” Whistlepaw replied. “Frostpaw, I just wanted to say a quick goodbye before I left. It was great meeting you!” She purred and rubbed against Frostpaw’s cheek before curling her tail up and trotting away. Frostpaw couldn’t be sure but it had seemed like there were stars glimmering in Whistlepaw’s eyes as she had said goodbye. None of the other medicine cats had said goodbye to her, but maybe it was just since she was an apprentice. It could even have been since she had slept a bit long, it doesn’t mean anything. She told herself.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The sun seemed to glare in her eyes earlier this morning. Her eyes slowly blinked awake, slowly getting more and more annoyed at this happy, shining, bright ball of happiness.
“Minf, too early,” she grumbled, getting up and flomping on her other side.
But that relief was short lived as shortly before she could fall back asleep again like her tired and quiet mind wanted Mistpaw popped out of the bushes next to her.
“Hi Frostpaw!” She purred, though it seemed a bit forced. Frostpaw stopped herself from groaning. Right now, felt like the worst time for a visit, especially since she needed sleep for training, and her mind really just wanted to give up right now. “I came by to, well…” To what? To ask me how Willowshine died again? To ask me why I didn’t do anything? To ask what I saw in StarClan? HMMMM? To ask why I didn’t try to stop the fox? To ask me why I’m such a pathetic excuse for a cat? “I came to ask if you’re alright… I know that you were really close to Willowshine. She was like a mother to the whole clan, and everyone is feeling it, but is it worse for you?”
It took everything for her to not snap back at her sister, but she thought back to only a few days ago. When she had shown her family that she wanted to be a medicine cat and Mistpaw was the only one in her family that didn’t scorn her for it. So instead, “No, it’s fine. I’m fine.”
Mistpaw glanced at her skeptically but said nothing against it. “Well, they’re holding the vigil tonight. They, uh, managed to recover her body. If you are up to it, I’ll go with you and we can force Graypaw to go.” Mistpaw smiled and bumped her shoulder.
“Yeah, sure. I guess I can.” Frostpaw murmured, digging her face into her paws, holding back more tears.
Mistpaw seemed to stand there awkwardly for a few more seconds before quietly padding out of the den.
It seemed like only a few more minutes passed before Mothwing’s sharp voice came from behind her. Her shadow stretched far, covering Frostpaw. “Wake up! It’s time for an herb test.”
Frostpaw sighed and prepared herself for a long and anxious day of naming and sorting herbs.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The sun was high above the camp before something interesting finally happened, dragging her out of her thoughts.
“Mothwing! Frostpaw! Come quickly! By Pebble River! Icewing!” Harelight gasped, spitting out the words.
“Frostpaw, grab thyme and cobwebs. And follow me!” Mothwing ordered in an icy calm tone. She ducked in, franticly grabbing and pushing away herbs. Panic spread from her ears to tail tip as her eyes passed over thyme many, many times before registering that’s where it was. She yanked it out with less than no gentleness and dashed after Mothwing who had already grabbed the cobwebs for her.
They ran out and went to the back of the camp, over the river and when they finally reached Icewing, a wave of fox stench washed over them.
Memories swam in her head, before she even looked at Icewing all her mind could do was think the worst. Their was only the faintest smell of blood but, it was just too much. All she could see was Willowshine’s body covered in blood, bleeding from the neck, the tail, the back, practically everywhere.
Now here was Icewing, the fox they fought hadn’t been driven off properly since they were busy trying to protect her! Now her becoming a medicine cat was causing the harm of another cat. She became a medicine apprentice, Willowshine is dead, and who would have been her mentor was probably dying because there weren’t that many cats on patrol.
“Frostpaw!” Harelight’s worried expression popped into her vision and she shook her head. She was getting so sick of hearing that name. Maybe everything would have been different if she just let her family plan her path.
“No Frostpaw,” Willowshine’s voice came softly into her other ear. “StarClan is planning your path, everything you do was meant to happen. Never forget.”
She couldn’t be sure it was just her imagination or truly her but the words helped. She couldn’t really shake the quiet whisper in her head though. How could StarClan be so cruel and let so many innocent cats die, if they went through it, why not try to stop it from happening to others? The tiniest like worm of a thought curled in her head. How much control to they really have?
A cat sat next to her and pressed their fur close. It was so comforting, so warm, so much like being a kit in the nursery again. She only just realized her eyes were closed and tears threatened to fall just on the edges of her eyes. She found that Mistpaw was there. Harelight stood a bit away, glancing from them to Mothwing and Icewing periodically.
“Don’t worry, don’t think. Just breathe sis.” Mistpaw purred reassuringly and Frostpaw could never be able to express her love for her sister in that moment.
She stared hard at the ground as Mistpaw slowly moved away from her. Her breathing was erratic again, she focused again, and it slowed to a calm rhythm after a bit.
Her thoughts slowly focused as well, “Icewing! I-”
“Don’t worry, Mothwing was able to treat her. It was only a small scratch. Harelight was just overacting a bit. We stopped that fox dead in it’s tracks! I actually think it was really scared. Of course, I was the one who did most of the fighting, Harelight would have been thrown into the river without me.” Mistpaw laughed confidently giving her mentor a playful shove. He bowled her over and rubbed her head playfully.
“You scamp!” He purred. “You totally would have been crushed by that fox if I didn’t shove you out!”
“That’s what you think! And then you were the one who got crushed by the fox, ergo, I’m still the best warrior.” She giggled, seeming to remember it. She pushed him over and stood boldly on top of him.
“Oh, you little-!” He shoved her off and into the river. She popped up and spat water in his face laughing. “How could the best warrior get knocked in the river so easily hmm?” He snicked with a hint of smugness.
Mistpaw laughed and jumped out the river, shaking off all the water, coincidently all over Harelight.
Frostpaw sighed watching them, they had such a trust in each other. Such loyalty, such a bond that would always last, the bond of a mentor and apprentice. And yet, she glanced over at Mothwing who was preparing to help Icewing back to camp. She couldn’t yet imagine that with Mothwing, sure they were mentor and apprentice.
But Willowshine was always the one to link them together. She was the one to bring Frostpaw out of her shell, the one who would help her connect… It seemed so impossible now, to see her and Mothwing helping each other. She was still sure that Mothwing blamed her, and she couldn’t even argue with that! Of course, it was Frostpaw’s fault, and now she couldn’t even get help with a patient because of Frostpaw. Mothwing probably hated her or didn’t care that Willowshine was dead since she was training to be a medicine cat. Frostpaw couldn’t decide which would be worse.
She shrugged, whatever, it could be put out of her mind for now. She turned away from Mistpaw and Harelight, who had started to do a bit of half training, when they were just having fun splashing in the water. Frostpaw couldn’t stop the twinge of jealousy that pricked her paws as she walked back to camp.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“You didn’t do anything?!” Her mother’s voice pierced her ears.
“I- I- I-” Frostpaw stuttered, shying away from Curlfeather’s malevolent gaze. She had never realized blue eyes could look like they were on fire.
Curlfeather turned away, her tail flicking ominously. “I always thought you were the strongest of all of your sisters. That you would be the one to show the clans that our family line, and RiverClan, can hold it’s own.” Her voice turned mocking, “’ThunderClan has always been the natural leader of the clans.’ ‘We’ve always defended all the clans, just follow our lead.’ ‘Stay in your place RiverClan, everyone knows you’ve got no more spine than the weakest mouse.’”
She turned back around to glare in Frostpaw’s eyes one last time. “And you, the sturdiest and resilient of all our kits, gives in to a moment of weakness thinking that StarClan is what makes us strong. When we are the ones to change our futures. You chose to play healer, well? How many prophecy’s have you gotten? How many signs have you interpreted? Perhaps you should rethink this decision and join your sisters.” Curlfeather finished coldly, her eyes dark.
Frostpaw sighed, and crept over to her nest as her imposing mother turned paw and left, her tail whisking dust and dirt over the herbs as she went. She lay and closed her eyes to the darkening sky. It as oh-so tempting to take her offer, to accept and maybe even rejoin the family. It seemed like only Mistpaw was talking to her, and she hadn’t even seen Graypaw since her initiation.
She had chosen to stay in her nest as Mothwing got up and gathered rosemary from their stocks. The flower of the dead of course, for Willowshine, who else? She couldn’t bring herself to get up and go, not after what happened with Icewing early.
Her mind kept circling back to one question as the day reeled in her head. Would being a warrior really be better?

Chapter Text

A bright flash of lightning illuminated the den and Puma could make out the shapes of the other cats before the darkness enfolded the den once more. Next to her Stormcloud flinched at another loud BOOM of thunder and pressed against her.
She gave a soft purr, careful of trying not to wake any other cats but sure they were all awake anyway. “Aren’t you practically named for the storm? Besides, we’re safe in here.” She whispered as a joke.
He tensed as a lighter clap of thunder sounded and slowly replied, “My brother died in a storm like this… I mean… a storm like this was also how Bramblestar slowly convinced me to join the clan.” He gave a soft sad laugh, “Sad irony I guess, I truly gained something great when I joined, and yet, I lost the most important cat who was in my life then… Lucky thing I have you then.” He purred quietly and leaned into her. She purred hesitantly back and lay her head down next to his. Thy lay quietly listening to the rhythmic pounding of the rain of the den and ground.
Loud whispers and laughs started coming from the back of the den. She raised her head to look. Near the very back of the den two she-cats were chatting and giggling. Apparently, the senior warriors got to have first pick of nests in the back so she got relegated beside the entrance. Stormcloud actually switched nests with someone to sleep next to her to make her more comfortable. Learning the ins and outs of clan life is more complicated than she thought. She hadn’t even gotten a cryptic message from Sol yet, though it was fine, living here didn’t seem that bad anyway. It does hurt a bit, I guess. she was told she was this great savior and here she is laying on the ground in the Warriors den. Her thoughts were interrupted by a surprised snort laugh.
Stormcloud narrowed his eyes at them, “They are Plumstone and Thriftear, and they are annoyingly loud with their talking. It’s like no one else ears matter, especially when we’re trying to SLEEP.” He whisper yelled at them.
They seemed to ignore him, or even just not hear him. “Well maybe this is a chance to make some friends?” She suggested, “They might not be that bad.” She shrugged and slowly stood up. Her limbs ached from sitting for so long and she stretched until she could feel the wet leaves of the den on her back.
“Whew, come on, it’ll be fun!” She purred excitedly. She started picking her way over to their dark forms.
“Wait Puma! Maybe…” He gave up trying to convince her as she sat down on the bare ground between their nests.
They looked at her, pausing their conversation. They didn’t seem like they were judging her, unlike a few other cats she had met. They seemed more curious and a bit annoyed than angry and hostile.
“Heh, Hi, I’m Puma.” She purred as friendly as she could, feeling a nervous lump in her throat. “I, um, assume you two are Thriftear and Plumstone?” She asked, hoping to spark a conversation.
Lucky for her they started talking right away. “Yeah! I’m Plumstone!” She was a very dark lump, almost indistinguishable from the shadows. Only a few lighter spots on her back and tail shown, along with her icy but warm blue eyes.
Thriftear pushed her head forward. “And Iiiiiiiiiiiii’m Thriftear!” She purred loudly trying to steal Puma’s attention. “You’re the new warrior, right? Who was a kittypet and just joined? And Lionblaze suspiciously doesn’t like you?”
“Oh, well, I didn’t try to make Lionblaze dislike me. I, uh, am trying to learn more about the clan though, would you tell me about it?” She cautiously asked.
Plumstone gasped loudly and annoyed grumbles echoed around the den. “I must tell you everything!”
“We’ll take turns! You’ll know everything you need to know about every warrior by the end!” Thriftear put in.
“Okay first, Flipclaw was once appointed a medicine cat, and a few moons ago he was told that he wasn’t needed anymore.” Her voice lowered to a whisper and she cautiously glanced at a cat far across the darkness. “He still goes back though with random plants; he can’t even tell if they’re herbs or ferns!” She snorted laughter.
“Well if you’re going to tell secrets about me, I should even out the field huh?” A joking voice rose from where Thriftear had looked.
He was a lighter brown cat, and it seemed like he had some kind of darker pattern on his back but she couldn’t tell in the darkness.
He squished in next to her on the dirt. “I am the famous Flipclaw! I’m sure I was the first name you learned when you joined ThunderClan.” He purred.
“Uh, actually no.” Puma slowly answered when he looked at her expectantly.
“WHAT!! No way! I’m the backbone of this clan! You must be lying,” Flipclaw pouted and turned his head away.
Puma was worried he was actually offended before Thriftear batted his face. “You mouse brain, you don’t even bring back prey every day. We’d all certainty die if you became the ‘backbone of the clan’.” She snickered and Flipclaw stuck out his tongue at her.
“I think it only fair I tell you a secret even though Thriftear told a vicious lie, not a secret.” Flipclaw turned back to her. “I have a very interesting one about Rosepetal-”
“Hey! You are NOT bringing me into this!” A light cat called from behind Puma.
Rosepetal ended up sharing another story after Flipclaw and pretty soon most of the den had joined in in sharing secrets about each other. It quickly turned into them sharing stories, then ghost stories. Puma couldn’t have asked for a better way to meet everyone. They all seemed so sweet and accepting, except…
Out of the few cat who hadn’t joined in, Lionblaze and Stormcloud were the most prominent. Some, like Thornclaw, just wanted to sleep through the day, but they were muttering and whispering to each other and giving quick glaring glances. Sure, making more friends in the clan is important, but Stormcloud was her first friend. It was deeply worrying that he was brooding to Lionblaze and she knew it was no secret he hated her.
“Alright warriors!” A commanding voice came form the entrance of the den. “The weather today was a bit of a surprise, but we still need to eat. So do the apprentices, and kits, and elders. I need a patrol of volunteers to go hunting in this weather so we don’t go to bed hungry. I will start picking warriors if no one steps up.” Ivypool had a very intimidating presence.
The mixture of softness and command in her voice, along with her imposing posture made it seem like no matter what, she was a cat you could rely on. One who wouldn’t shudder in battle unlike herself, one who was trustworthy, one who would always be a part of the clan.
“Lionblaze, Cinderheart, Blossomfall, and Twigbranch. You shall be our first hunting patrol, try to catch at least two pieces of prey before you come back alright? Also, we need a cat to go to the dens to inform everyone of the hunting patrol, and how they are not to leave their dens. But I trust you can work it out between yourselves. I’ll be in the nursery if needed.” Ivypool took a deep breath before ducking into the pouring rain.
“Not it!”
“Not it!”
“Nope!”
“Uhm, I vote Thriftear!”
“No! Stormcloud should!”
“Plumstone!”
“Eaglewing!”
The group quickly dissolved into pointing paws at others. The yelling was a bit loud and it was quite clear no one was going to step up. She gulped and slowly stood up.
“I- I can go.” Her voice shook as she nearly whispered the words. Only a few cats stopped yelling to look at her but the flurry of words rose up again. She tried to say it again but her voice died in her throat. She lowered her head and prepared to just lay and cover her ears until they stopped.
A suddenly someone’s fur brushed against her. “Hey, you can do it,” Stormcloud purred beside her. “Go on.” He pressed against her and let her lean on him.
It wasn’t too much, but his presence gave her enough confidence to practically yowl the words. “I’LL GO!”
Muttering broke out after a heartbeat of silence. It didn’t last long though as Rosepetal’s matter-of-fact voice rose above the others.
“Puma going would show the apprentices that she is someone to respect. And have we not seen that she will be an asset to the clan? How many of you here can really tell me that you despise her?”
Puma ducked her head to cover her blushing at the compliments from Rosepetal. They hadn’t met before today and yet Rosepetal was already treating her like a longtime friend.
“Hey don’t worry, not that many cats hate you.” Stormcloud murmured reassuringly. His words were meant very kindly, but it shook the warmth inside her. She had thought they mostly liked her but now she could only see the cats in the back, giving her cold glares. With only their eyes visible in the dark, it made her worries intensify.
She swallowed and kept her head high, banishing her fears. “Thanks, Rosepetal. No, I’ll quickly go before I can change my mind.” She smiled at the purrs of laughter.
She turned around, took a deep breath, and stepped into the freezing torrent of rain. She coughed as she tried to take a breath, feeling like she was drinking from a river instead of breathing. Even the ground beneath her squished with her steps. Her fur flattened uncomfortably to her back and face, nearly blinding her before she wiped it aside.
She practically dived toward the Apprentice Den. Behind her a huge flash of lightning shone with a quick crack of thunder. Shrieks came from inside along with scuffling sounds. A bundle of moss was tossed at her and draped over her muzzle.
“Err, hello to you too.” She joked, slowly stepping in and shaking out her drenched fur.
“Oh guys! It’s not a Mud Cat, just Puma!” Darkpaw’s familiar voice came from the far corner along with a self-righteous hmph.
“Aw, come on!” A scoffing voice came from a pair of amber eyes in another corner of the den. “We all knew this couldn’t have been a Mud Cat! I can’t believe you guys would be so gullible.”
“Oh yeah? That’s coming from the cat who threw a nest at her and ran with your tail between your legs to the corner!” Darkpaw purred mockingly.
“H- You did too!” The cat hurriedly said as laughter started echoing around the den.
“Well,” Puma quickly cut off Darkpaw before they could get in a full argument. “I come with important news from Ivypool.”
All the apprentices quickly gathered ‘round, except for Darkpaw. She was rifling through a large pile of moss, tossing scraps around. Puma didn’t want to interrupt her, though her pelt was burning with curiosity. Darkpaw finally yanked out a larger piece of moss, and it took Puma’s eyes a second to realize it had a faint glow. Her eyes slowly adjusted as Darkpaw brought it closer and soon she could see every cat more than just their eyes.
“Glow moss.” Darkpaw spat out the moss on the ground, giving them a little circle of light.
She held back a purr for Darkpaw and focused on the message. “Now, none of you are to leave this den unless you need a warrior. A-”
The apprentice from before cut her off, his amber eyes seeming to burn like fire. “Are we being punished? I mean, I didn’t think Ivypool would be that upset about the toad… err, I mean, missing a few voles during hunting isn’t that bad right?”
“No, you are not being punished,” Puma quickly swept away the part about a toad from her mind. We weren’t given a reason to stay in! Her mind worried for a second, “We just want to keep you from getting lost or scared in the forest.” She kept talking as the amber-eyed apprentice tried to cut her off, “There is a patrol going out to hunt, so you won’t have to go out, and Ivypool is in the Nursery should you need her.” She gave a slight purr, “now don’t give yourselves nightmares by telling ghost stories all night.” Puma held back another purr as she heard the apprentices chattering happily behind her as she left.
One gasped, “I have a ghost story! It’s much better than Mrytlepaw’s Mud Cats!”
“No way! I’m telling mine first!” Another chimed in.
“I-”
Puma cut them off as an idea struck her. She whipped around, “Darkpaw, do you think I could have some of that glow moss?”
Darkpaw seemed skeptical but a gray fluffy tom spoke up before her. “Yeah, you can totally have some! I’m sure the Warriors den needs it more than our tiny den!” He spoke kindly, his voice smooth yet firm.
The other apprentices, except for Darkpaw, started nodding and murmuring agreement. Darkpaw’s eyes sharpened as she glared at Dovepaw with rage.
She slowly agreed, though it looked more like she was trying to keep down bile. “Of course, you can have some Puma.” She tore her eyes away from Dovepaw and scrounged up a big pile from the back of the den. “Here,” she looked like to wanted to say more, but left it at that making Puma feel the intense akward silence as she picked up the moss and stepped to the entrance of the den.
“Manf youf!” She called one last time, attempting to say thank you. The Nursery would probably want some too, and it looks like this is big enough to split in half.
She dashed across the clearing again to the Nursery. Though she ran like never before fat drops of rain still managed to soak her pelt and nearly blind her.
She dropped the moss hearing a plosh and panted as she cleared her eyes.
“Hello? You’re… Puma? Right?” Ivypool asked softly. It barely sounded like her, her tone was more like a soft cloud rather than the stone when she spoke to the warriors.
Puma coughed, and nodded, “Yessp! There isn’t anything wrong,” she rushed to say as she was a light of fear building in Ivypool’s eyes. She pointed at the moss at her feet, “I came to bring you some glow moss,” she purred chirpily, hoping to get on her good side.
“Oh- well, thank you, I-”
She was interrupted by a soft mischievous purr and Puma felt a tiny weight on her back.
“Oh, Sandkit get down! You could hurt yourself!” A golden tom trotted out of the shadows, “So sorry Puma, she seems to get into trouble no matter what I do!” he shook his head in fake exasperation.
“No way!” Sandkit mewed from her back. Puma winced as Sandkit’s pinprick claws climbed up her neck and onto her head. “I’ve always wanted to be as tall as a warrior! I’m never coming down!”
Puma purred as a light brown tail swept across her eyes. “Well, Sandkit, I’m going to have to go back to the Warrior’s den.” She swung her head toward the entrance, “You are always welcome to come back with me. You should know that I love walking through the rain though, getting soaked down to the bone, feeling the chill in my back, the rain blurring your eyes-”
“Nope!” Sandkit hurled herself off, landing on the golden tom’s back. He laughed, taking her back to the nests.
Ivypool purred, giving a loving look to the golden tom before clearing her throat and turning back to Puma. “Right, you’re pretty lucky to have only one on your back. Your tail is lucky too, it’s the most common victim of their tiny teeth.” She chuckled softly. “Thanks for the moss, it’s the perfect light.”
“Of course, have a good… day, night, storm, thing.” Puma bent to pick up the moss, giving a soft shudder as cold water dripped out.
“Good luck with the rain.” Ivypool gave one last goodbye before picking up her own moss and taking it to the back.
Puma nodded, taking a brave step into the rain. She glimpsed a bunch of shadows moving around before everything went blurry again. Must be the patrol, her stomach rumbled as she took off again. Mmmmm, I hope they find some prey. She couldn’t help herself from picturing a plump mouse as she shook out her freezing fur one last time.
“Puma!” Stormcloud rubbed against her dripping fur. “We were starting to worry!” He backed up a step and glanced at the moss in her mouth. “What’s that?”
She dropped it and stepped on it to squeeze out the water before answering. “Glow moss! Now we can see each other!” She rose her voice to get the attention of everyone. Small whispers had been going around but they stopped as everyone turned their heads. She cleared her throat awkwardly, “Yep! The apprentices gave me some.” She tossed it in the middle.
“Awesome! It’s like a mini sun!” Stormcloud purred, rubbing against her shoulder.
“Yeah!” She purred, feeling much more comfortable now that everyone was focused on the moss and not her.
“So what have you been doing?” She nearly fell into her nest, realizing how exhausting and emotionally draining going around had been. Who knew feeling happy was tiring? She listened to Stormcloud’s calming voice as she slowly drifted off to sleep.