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Chapter Text

ISLANDCLAN

Leader: Stormstar (announcer)
A dark grey tom with grey eyes and a lighter grey face.

Deputy: Tornadoyowl (TD, Lightning and SB's mother)
A grey she-cat with amber eyes

Medicine cat: Ashleap/Zero
A pale grey tom with one yellow eye and one blue eye

WARRIORS
Violetheart/Five
A purple she-cat with purple eyes and a sprig of heather on her left ear
Apprentice: flowerpaw

Bluebellwhisker/Six
A blue spotted she-cat with cyan eyes

Coalpelt/Seven
A grey tom with grey eyes
Apprentice: Violetpaw

Cinderspot/Eight
A light grey tom with blue eyes

Daisywhisker/Nine
A white she-cat with blue eyes
Apprentice: grasspaw

Flametooth/Ten
A ginger spotted tom with copper eyes
Apprentice: palepaw

Rosehiss/Fifteen
A red bengal she-cat with copper eyes
Apprentice: swanpaw

Treeleaf/Tree
A brown tabby tom with green eyes
Apprentice: crowpaw

Nightleap/Black Hole
A black tom with grey eyes
Apprentice: Firepaw

Nutwhisker/Pie
A pale yellow she-cat with yellow eyes and juniper berries in her fur
Apprentice: Leafpaw

Shadowbelly/TV
A grey tom with a black belly and grey eyes

Nightstep/Remote
A black she-cat with green eyes, a white left paw, chest, tail tip and a red flower on her right ear
Apprentice: sandywhisker

Cloudleap/Cloudy
A white tom with amber eyes

Otterpelt (father of Orchidstar and poppytooth)
A brown tom with a lighter brown belly and amber eyes

Shelltoe (father of Leafsong/Two and Lavendermoon/One's father)
A pale tom with a blue foot and blue eyes

Minnowshine (father of Daffodilheart)
A pale blue tom with yellow eyes

Tigerstripe/Basketball
A ginger she-cat with black stripes and green eyes
Apprentice: Riverpaw

Lakeswirl/clock
A white tom with blue patches and swirls on his pelt
Apprentice: Redpaw

Coppertail/bell
A brown she-cat with amber eyes and white chest and tail tip
Apprentice: wheatpaw

Palesky/liy
A pale blue she-cat with white spots on her
Apprentice: Russetpaw

APPRENTICES
Flowerpaw/Flower
A diluted pink she-cat with yellow eyes, swirls on her pelt and a constantly glossy pelt

Grasspaw/Tennisball
A green tuxedo tom with green eyes

Palepaw/Golf Ball
A white spotted she-cat with green eyes

Crowpaw/8-ball
A black tom with pale grey eyes a white face, paws, chest and tail tip.

Swanpaw/Pillow
A pristine white she-cat with pale blue eyes that look almost white

Redpaw/Stapy
A red tom with a white belly and amber eyes

Riverpaw/Foldy
A blue she-cat with blue eyes

Wheatpaw/Donut
A pale yellow tom with yellow eyes

Sandypaw/Barf bag
A pale yellow she-cat with yellow eyes

Russetpaw/Fries
A russet tom with yellow eyes

Violetpaw/gaty
A light purple she-cat with purple eyes

Leafpaw/leafy
A green she-cat with white patches and green eyes

Firepaw/firey
A ginger tom with amber eyes

Cardinalpaw/match
A red she-cat with red eyes

QUEENS AND KITS
Mousepelt (mother of birchstripe/pencil, riverface/pen and violetspot/marker)
A brown she-cat with amber eyes

Slatejaw (mother of Orchidstar/Four and Poppytooth/Three)
A dark grey she-cat with deep blue eyes

Dandelionleaf (mother of Daffodilheart/X)
A pale yellow she-cat with yellow eyes

Fishscale (mother of leafsong/two and Lavendermoon/one)
A blue she-cat with purple eyes

KITS
Birchkit/pencil
A pale yellow tabby she-cat with yellow eyes

Violetkit/marker
A white tom with purple eyes and a purple spot on his side

Riverkit/pen
A white tom with a blue face and blue eyes

Orchidkit/Four
A blue tom with blue eyes

Poppykit/three
A bengal red she-cat with red eyes

Leafkit/two
A dark green cat with green eyes

Lavenderkit/one
A purple swirled she-cat with purple eyes

Daffodilkit/X
A yellow tom with yellow eyes

Chapter Text

Stormstar (announcer) stared out into the long forests of mangrove and marsh land. He slowly padded forward, parting his jaws, but there was no prey. He frowned and twitched his fluffy tail. Wind whispered in his ears as he looked around the territory. "Hello?" He called. No cat replied. Straining his ears, he swore the wind was speaking to him. He sank his claws into the ground, like that would make it easier to hear the wind. Focusing hard, he heard the faint words: "Plants will wilt, and seeds will flow into the wind. They will find a new home, but while grief fogs the marsh, three cats will rise up and blossom." Stormstar shook his fur out. What in the name of StarClan? The cries echoed and got louder until they were deafening. The wind got stronger, too, and Stormstar thought he would fly away. Stormstar sank to the ground, the wind ruffling his fur in the wrong way. "Leader, deputy and medicine cat! They will rise, rise, rise!"

Stormstar gasped. He was shaking, and he noticed that part of his moss nest was clawed up. Small clumps of moss was nestled into his fur. Stormstar sighed. He sat up and started to groom his fur. When the scraps of moss fell from his pelt, he kneaded them back into his nest. Slumping back into his nest, he pondered on his dream. The words of the wind made no sense. Plants wilting? Seeds blowing into the wind? Three cats will rise up? Stormstar shook his head. He wondered if it could be a prophecy from StarClan, a warning, maybe? "Stormstar?" Stormstar looked up from his nest and towards the entrance of her den. It was Ashleap (zero) his pale grey fur was ruffled in the night wind. Stormstar sat up. "Yes?" He meowed and approached the medicine cat. Ashleap sat at the entrance to the den and shuffled to the side as Stormstar sat next to him. "I'm worried about Slatejaw, Dandelionleaf and Fishscale. The sickness is not healing, and Violetheart seems to be very antsy about the sickness. I'm even more worried for the kits. They're only two days old. Their fathers don't seem to be awfully worried about them. I don't think I've seen one of them even visit the nursery. Lavenderkit is a strong leader, though. She's keen on protecting her Clanmates, and Leafkit is very interested in medicine." Ashleap shook his head grimly. The past few days in IslandClan hadn't been great. Yes, new kits had been born, but their mothers were sick, and their fathers couldn't care less. "Ashleap, I had a strange dream, tonight." Stormstar admitted. Ashleap glanced at Stormstar and nodded for him to continue. "I don't know how to explain it, but the wind was telling me that 'Plants will wilt, and seeds will flow into the wind. They will find a new home, but while grief fogs the marsh, three cats will rise up and blossom.'" Stormstar glanced over at Ashleap, and he could tell that the medicine cat was thinking his words over. Ashleap twitched his tail. "It must be a prophecy. Maybe about the new kits. But, it's late. I'll speak to you in the morning, Stormstar." Ashleap dipped his head to Stormstar and padded over to the medicine den. Stormstar watched after the medicine cat and frowned. A prophecy? Of the new kits? The 'rise up and blosson' part would make sense, then. I'll keep a close eye on them, he decided.

Chapter Text

Lavenderkit (one) pounced on the butterfly she and her denmates were chasing. Well, only some of their denmates. Birchkit (pencil), Riverkit (pen) and Violetkit (marker) were almost six moons now. Birchkit said that they were too old to chase after butterflies, but Lavenderkit still enjoyed the thrill. Birchkit was bouncing after Cardinalpaw (match), who was making new nests for the nursery. That's boring. Lavenderkit thought to herself. When I'm an apprentice I'll never clean nests. "Lavenderkit!" Lavenderkit turned around. Daffodilkit (X) was bounding up to her. "Let the butterfly go! You're hurting it!" He cried. Lavenderkit slumped her shoulders. She didn't want to let go of the bug, she wanted to impress the apprentices with it. But Daffodilkit looked genuinely upset. She sighed and let the butterfly go. It lay on the floor for a heartbeat, and Lavenderkit thought it was dead. However, it started flapping and flew away. Lavenderkit watched it flap away, and had to hold herself back from pouncing on it. Daffodilkit looked more cheerful, but Lavenderkit was still upset that the butterfly got away. Daffodilkit was prancing over to Orchidkit (four), Leafkit (two) and Poppykit (three). Lavenderkit hesitated but bounded after him. Leafkit was sniffing at some leaves beside the nursery, and Orchidkit and Poppykit were trying to climb up the reeds that were woven into the nursery. Poppykit was halfway up the nursery wall, and Orchidkit was just at the bottom. He was struggling to find his footing, and kept tumbling off. Lavenderkit perked up. "Can I try?" She mewed. Poppykit glanced down at Lavenderkit. She'd gotten distracted and lost her grip, tumbling to the floor. "Oof!" She gasped. The red she-kit looked up at Lavenderkit and nodded enthusiastically. Orchidkit trotted up to the two she-kits and waved his tail. "We should race." He suggested. Poppykit's eyes shone in determination and Lavenderkit nodded. "Okay." She meowed. "Three, two, one, go!" She called and pushed up off the ground. She hooked her claws into the wall and scrambled up the nursery. It wasn't elegant, but it was convenient. Poppykit was hot on her tail, along with Orchidkit. Lavenderkit saw the top of the nursery and felt a rush of determination. She pushed off and pounced on the roof of the nursery. Orchidkit came next, and Poppykit came last. "Wow, Lavenderkit, you're really good at climbing!" Poppykit mewed. Lavenderkit puffed her chest out proudly. Orchidkit giggled. He glanced down at the floor, and chirped. "It's so far down! What will we do?" He whined. Poppykit whined in fear and Lavenderkit frowned. She had to show them that it wasn't scary, and that she was brave. "It's not scary." Lavenderkit meowed. She was lying to herself. She was absolutely terrified. Padding to the edge of the roof and braced herself. Letting out a deep breath she pushed off the den and landed on her paws. She was surprised. She didn't expect that. Orchidkit gasped and jumped down, too. Poppykit looked a bit anxious, but when her brother jumped down, she hopped off the nursery too. "You're so brave, Lavenderkit!" Orchidkit purred. Lavenderkit purred. "You'd be a great leader one day." He mewed. Lavenderkit thought that idea over. She'd love to be leader. She liked the idea of leading IslandClan. She'd be Lavenderstar, but who would be her deputy? She thought Treeleaf would be good. He was a senior warrior. He was kind, and gentle— which was proven through his two kits— and loyal. Lavenderkit flicked her tail. Being Clan leader was a while away, she was only a kit.

Dusk was coming on IslandClan territory, and Lavenderkit and Leafkit were cuddled up in the nursery. Lavenderkit was lying on top of her sibling's sleeping body. Orchidkit was snoring softly in his nest, and Poppykit was muttering softly under her breath. Daffodilkit was curled up beside Orchidkit and twitched every so often. Lavenderkit was the only kit awake in the nursery. Birchkit and her littermates were eating by the prey pile and Lavenderkit realised how hungry she was. Crawling off of Leafkit, she trotted out the nursery. Her mother was in the medicine den, and she had the milk she needed. Padding up to the medicine den, she saw Mousepelt laying limply in her nest. The medicine felt hot. So hot that Lavenderkit had to take a step back. Ashleap glanced up from his herb store and frowned when he saw her. "What's wrong, Lavenderkit?" He mewed. Lavenderkit shuffled her paws and padded over to the medicine cat. Ashleap sat down and sniffed Lavenderkit. She giggled as his whiskers tickled her ear. "I'm hungry. Can I have some milk?" She meowed. Ashleap frowned, and glanced at Fishscale. Her breathing was shallow and she looked like she was shivering. "I'm sorry, Lavenderkit. She's too sick." Ashleap sighed. He ushered her out the medicine den and waved his tail for Tornadoyowl to come over. Tornadoyowl glanced up from sharing tongues with Cloudleap (Cloudy) and padded over. Ashleap muttered something to Tornadoyowl, and went back to the medicine den. Tornadoyowl padded up to Lavenderkit, her eyes friendly. "Come on, let's try some minnow." Shee meowed and padded over to the prey pile. Lavenderkit frowned. She stomped on the ground angrily. "I don't want minnow, I want Fishscale." She cried, feeling incredibly overwhelmed and nervous. Tornadoyowl's eyes rounded in sorrow and she gently licked over her head. "I'm sorry, little one. But Fishscale is sick. I can chew up the minnow and you can eat it. Come on, I love minnow." She purred. Picking up Lavenderkit by the scruff, they made it to the fresh-kill pile. Lavenderkit squirmed in her grip but eventually let herself go limp. Tornadoyowl placed Lavenderkit down and picked up a minnow. She chewed it gently and spat it back out. Hesitantly, Lavenderkit lapped some of the fish up. It wasn't too bad, and she ate all of what Tornadoyowl chewed for her. Tucking her paws under her, she relaxed. The fish left Lavenderkit feeling warm on the inside. She must've dozed off, because when she woke up, Orchidkit, Leafkit, Poppykit and Daffodilkit were sat next to her. Tornadoyowl was looking at them with sad eyes. "I need you five of you to stay calm, okay?" She meowed. Lavenderkit tilted her head to the side. What was happening? "Your mothers are dead. We don't know where your fathers are, either." Lavenderkit felt her stomach drop. A thick wave of sadness washed over her. Daffodilkit gasped and nuzzled into Orchidkit. Leafkit slumped on Lavenderkit, and Poppykit leaned on Lavenderkit. Lavenderkit felt like she had to be strong, but she could barely hide the sadness drowning her. She heard Violetheart screech from the other side of the clearing. Tornadoyowl looked over her shoulder and blocked the kits view of the camp. "I don't care!" That was Violetheart (five). She stormed towards the camp exit, Bluebellwhisker (six), Coalpelt (seven), Cinderspot (eight), Daisywhisker (nine), Flametooth (ten) and Rosehiss (fifteen) in tow. Rosehiss looked over her shoulder and looked at Ashleap sadly. "Are you not leaving with us?" She meowed. Ashleap stared at his paws for a heartbeat, before meeting her gaze. "I'll leave when IslandClan has another medicine cat. I can promise you that." He meowed. Rosehiss nodded and looked back to Violetheart. That was when Lavenderkit noticed that Violetheart was staring at her and her denmates. "Come with us. You don't need to grow up in a Clan." She meowed. Lavenderkit stared at her paws. She wasn't sure. Her mother had died, and her father was nowhere to be found. "No. The kits will stay here." Stormstar growled. Rain started fo fall from the clouds as Violetheart lashed her tail and padded out the camp. Stormstar jumped onto the Pool Rock, and most cats were in the clearing already. "I belive it is time for ceremonies." He meowed. "Swanpaw (pillow), Violetpaw (gaty), Leafpaw (leafy), Flowerpaw (flower), Fireclaw (firey) Grasspaw (tb) and Palepaw (gb), step forward." He called out into the clearing. Jumping down from the rock, and padded over to Swanpaw. "I, Stormstar, leader of IslandClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend her to you as a warrior in her turn. Swanpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?" He asked. Swanpaw twitched her tail and stared up at Stormstar. "I do." She meowed. Stormstar looked down at her happily and continued the ceremony. "Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Swanpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Swanhiss. StarClan honors your courage, and we welcome you as a full warrior of IslandClan." He finished. Swanhiss puffed her chest out in pride as Stormstar continued the ceremony, giving the names Violetpelt, Leafheart, Flowerpetal, Fireclaw, Grassstripe and Palespot. Lavenderkit tried to be cheerful, but she was still rattled by her parents death. How was she supposed to be a Clan leader when she couldn't even comfort her denmates? She felt numb with grief as rain slicked her fur to her skin. Clan leaders weren't supposed to be weak.

Chapter Text

Wind buffeted Lavenderkit's fur. "Are you sure this is a good idea?" Leafkit mewed. Night was falling, and quickly. Lavenderkit scrambled up the dirtplace tunnel, and out into the forest. "Yes, it's a good idea. You said Ashleap said that he was low on thyme so we should search for it!"

"At night?"

"It's the only time when Tornadoyowl isn't watching us." Lavenderkit scowled. Leafkit frowned but didn't argue. They scrambled after Lavenderkit and sent rocks plummeting down the tunnel. They bounced after Lavenderkit and into the forest. IslandClan territory looked so different at night, at least from what the warriors and apprentices told her. She couldn't tell if predators were around, but she took it that a fox or owl wouldn't hang around too close to camp. She sniffed at some pungent leaves and swished her tail. "Is this thyme?" She called to her sibling. Leafkit glanced at Lavenderkit and pranced over to her. They sniffed the leaves and frowned. "No. That's lavender. Like you!" They giggled. Lavenderkit frowned. Leafkit perked up and swished their tail. "I found thyme!" They yowled. Lavenderkit looked up, for some reason feeling angry that her littermate got the thyme and not her. But she couldn't feel angry much longer when she saw a massive owl flapping towards Leafkit. "Leafkit!" Lavenderkit screeched. Leafkit spun around and she saw their fur rise in horror. They dived into a bush and the owl hooted in fury. It turned to Lavenderkit and she gasped in fear. She scrambled into the roots of a tree nearby and heard the owl land on the roots that were sheltering her from the long talons of the bird. It screeched in fury and pecked its beak through the roots. Lavenderkit backed away and fluffed her fur up and stared into the owl's black beady eyes. It hooted and flew back into the tree. Lavenderkit hesitated before sprinting out of the roots. Leafkit raced after her and both kits tumbled down the dirtplace tunnel, Leafkit landing on top of Lavenderkit. "Oof!" Leafkit yelped. Lavenderkit shook her sibling off and stood up shakily. Lavenderkit stared at Leafkit. She was surprised that Leafkit still had the thyme clamped in their jaws. "We should leave it by the medicine den." She mewed. Leafkit stood up and shook their own fur off from the dust. They nodded and bounced over to the medicine den entrance and lay the leaves down. They yawned and staggered slightly, and Lavenderkit realised how tired she was herself. Trudging into the nursery she flopped down next to Poppykit who let out an irritated whine. Leafkit collapsed on Lavenderkit and started snoring gently. Lavenderkit huffed but eventually succumbed to her sleepiness.

When Lavenderkit woke next, Tornadoyowl was guarding the nursery. Her grey fur was blocking the light from the camp. Poppykit was pushing against the deputies fur but she didn't budge. Lavenderkit shook the sleepiness from her and bounced up to Poppykit. "What's happening?" Lavenderkit meowed. Poppykit glanced at Lavenderkit and sighed. "There's a new cat in the Clan. Orchidkit says she's a rouge but Leafkit says she's a kittypet. Tornadoyowl says we can't see her yet." Poppykit explained. Orchidkit was messing with the wall of the nursery, and untied a reeds. He shoved his long muzzle out of the den and waved his tail for the other kits to squeeze through. Lavenderkit barged forward and scrambled through after Orchidkit. Daffodilkit came after, then Poppykit and lastly, Leafkit. Not long after, Birchkit, Violetkit and Riverkit crawled out. The kits watched from the nursery, their eyes fixated on the cat. The new cat was small, she looked a bit chubby and Lavenderkit guessed that she was a kittypet. She was fluffy, very fluffy, to the point Lavenderkit wondered if she still had kit-fluff, though she was too big to be a kit. She had a pink tint to her pelt, a a long trendil wrapped around her neck. It was pink and had a little bow on it. Lavenderkit was curious on what it was, but didn't dare ask. Stormstar was staring at the cat curiously. He wasn't angry, but interested. "You said your names Fluffy (puffball), right?" He asked. The cat, now recognised as Fluffy, nodded her head. Her pale amber eyes glinting in fear and excitement. "And you want to join IslandClan? From being a kittypet?" He frowned. Twitching his tail tip, he seemed reluctant and Lavenderkit didn't blame him. If she were leader, she wouldn't let the cat into her Clan. However, Russetpaw (fries) spoke up. He looked nervous, opposing his leader, but he tried to sound confident. "Stormstar, with all respect, I've talked to this cat before. I belive she could be a warrior if we give her the chance." He meowed. His mentor, Palesky (liy) cast him a glare. Stormstar cast a glance towards Russetpaw. Russetpaw looked a bit more nervous now, but Stormstar shook his head. "We can try. If she doesn't prove her loyalty in a quarter moon, she can go back to twolegplace." He hopped up onto the Pool Rock, but he didn't need to call a meeting since all the cats were in the clearing. "Despite your kittypet background, I belive that you can be a loyal IslandClan cat. From this day forward, you will be known as Flowerpaw. Your mentor will be Treeleaf (tree), I belive that he will be able to teach you the ways of a warrior." He meowed. Flowerpaw looked up at him with stars in her eyes and hopped over to Treeleaf. They touched noses, and most cats started to cheer her name, though they didn't look to happy. Lavenderkit thought over Stormstar's idea. If she were leader, she wouldn't let kittypets in the Clan. Or loners. But if she didn't let loners in the Clan, Treeleaf wouldn't be here. He was originally a barn cat, not born in IslandClan and he was one of the most trusted cats in the Clan, only behind Stormstar, Tornadoyowl and Nutwhisker. So many decisions! Lavenderkit sighed. She would still have to learn, and she was even more excited to be an apprentice.

Chapter Text

Poppykit pounced on Lavenderkit and batted her head. "Wake up! Birchkit, Violetkit and Riverkit are becoming apprentices!" Poppykit chirped. Lavenderkit jerked up and quickly groomed herself. Poppykit raced out the nursery, and Lavenderkit followed Poppykit, just in time for Birchkit, now Birchpaw, being assigned to Swanhiss. Lavenderkit thought that Swanhiss was awfully young to be mentoring, but she then realised how low on warriors IslandClan was. Stormstar would have to be a mentor himself if the new warriors weren't good enough to mentor her denmates. Poppykit sighed. "Never mind. Let's play!" She meowed. Lavenderkit perked up, but she could hardly hide the jealousy clawing at her belly. She wanted to be an apprentice. "Playings for kits. We're four moons old which basically means we're apprentices now." Lavenderkit meowed. Daffodilkit slumped his shoulders. Lavenderkit whisked her tail and glanced around the clearing. What was a place where warriors go? The warriors den was an obvious choice, but what could she do in there? Sleep? Tornadoyowl wouldn't be happy. Tornadoyowl was strict. And if she was being honest, Lavenderkit didn't really like her. She wanted her mother, but Lavenderkit felt a fresh wash of grief and guilt when she realised she couldn't remember her mothers scent. Another reason to dislike Tornadoyowl, Lavenderkit noted to herself. "I don't wanna be a warrior." Daffodilkit mewed tentatively. "I wanna play." He whispered. Orchidkit nosed Daffodilkit and nodded slowly. He glanced at Lavenderkit and then back at Daffodilkit. "I say we play." Orchidkit declared. Lavenderkit pinned her ears back. She was supposed to be leader, not Orchidkit! She swallowed her anger, and noticed that Poppykit also looked upset with Orchidkit. At least she had one supporter. "Why don't we play preystone?" Leafkit mewed. Lavenderkit glanced over at her littermate. She liked preystone, however much she didn't like to admit it. "It would be unfair though. There's five of us." Poppykit complained. Lavenderkit narrowed her eyes and scanned the kits in front of her. Would Leafkit mind not playing? "How about Leafkit counts our scores? Or maybe we get an apprentice to play with us?" She meowed. Leafkit didn't look too happy about having to count the scores. Lavenderkit noticed that Flowerpaw and Russetpaw were sharing tounges beside the apprentices den. Wheatpaw (donut) was sunbathing just beside them. "Look, we can ask them to play!" Lavenderkit suggested. She didn't wait for an answer and charged over to the apprentices. The stampede of pawsteps behind her told her that her denmates were following. Wheatpaw peeked an eye open and sighed lightly. "Can you join us to play preystone?" Lavenderkit asked. She didn't intent for her tone to be so whiny, but how else was she supposed to get them to play with her? She wouldn't suck up to them. She'd eat her own dirt before she sucked up to any cat. Flowerpaw shuffled her paws. "What's preystone?" She asked. Lavenderkit huffed lightly. She felt annoyed that Flowerpaw didn't know about games kits play. The stench of kittypet was still worn on the apprentice, and Lavenderkit has to hold herself back from wrinkling her nose is disgust. Russetpaw rolled his eyes. "We're not kits. Only kits play." He grunted. He shuffled so that his paws were tucked under his chest. Lavenderkit flicked her ears back as Wheatpaw stirred and sat up. "I don't think its a bad idea," he meowed. Lavenderkit felt slightly intimated when she realised how big the tom was. "Flowerpaw still needs to know the ways of Clan life. Besides, we've done our duties for today. It wouldn't harm any cat to play before we become warriors." He meowed. Russetpaw sighed but didn't outwardly object. He stood up, alongside Flowerpaw and followed the parade of kits towards a small clearing beside the nursery. It was just a fox lengths away from the Pool Rock. The small pool by the rock was wiggling with small life. There were a few small tadpoles swimming in the pool, which Lavenderkit knew, in time, would grow into frogs. Which wouldn't be the worst prey to eat. Wheatpaw came to a halt and nosed a pebble towards the kits. It was flat and a decent size. "How about you show Flowerpaw how to play preystone?" He prompted. Lavenderkit nodded and hopped over to Poppykit. Daffodilkit, Leafkit and Orchidkit became a team. "Okay, Poppykit and Lavenderkit go first since they have a smaller team. Their goal is the reed bed over there, and your goal," he turned to the other kits. "is small pool at the Pool Rock." He finished. "Three, two, one, go!" He yowled. Lavenderkit shoved the pebble onward, towards the goal. She was gaining, and quickly, but Orchidkit shot out of nowhere and tripped her over. Leafkit snatched the pebble and cast an apologetic glance at their littermate. Lavenderkit jumped out from Orchidkit's grip and raced after them. Poppykit was defending the reedbed and when Leafkit was close enough, she whipped her tail and sent the pebble flying. Lavenderkit was about to reach up and hit it into the goal, but it landed straight into Daffodilkit's paws, who passed it to Orchidkit. Poppykit squeaked in anger and pounced on her littermate. Orchidkit wiggled under his sister's weight and Lavenderkit took her chance to snatch the pebble. She scrambled towards the pool with the pebble bouncing in front of her, and shoved it into the pool. "We win!" She yowled. Poppykit stopped nibbling on Orchidkit's ear and looked up. She jumped off her brother and puffed her chest out in pride. "That's just because she-cats are so good!" She purred. Orchidkit hit her over the head and she let out an annoyed growl. Wheatpaw twitched his tail and rested it on Orchidkit's shoulder. "Don't hit your sister." He huffed. "Now, let's play some preystone."

It was sunset when the game ended. Russetpaw and Flowerpaw had joined Poppykit and Lavenderkit's team, and they'd won by one point. Daffodilkit had pretty much fallen asleep on his paws, and Poppykit wasn't much different. She was curled up next to Lavenderkit who was laying on her back next to Flowerpaw. Russetpaw was resting beside Flowerpaw and had Orchidkit, Leafkit and Daffodilkit sleeping on his paws. Lavenderkit noticed that he didn't look too pleased with dealing with sleeping kits but he couldn't do much about it. Lavenderkit then realised with a jolt that when she padded by the medicine den the thyme was gone. Had Ashleap realised that it was her and Leafkit that had collected the thyme? Well, he hadn't gotten in trouble. She told herself that if no cat really found out, would she get into trouble? The only problem they had was an owl, which she hadn't heard at night since. Letting her thoughts drift and feeling Poppykit's steady breath beside her, she drifted to sleep, glad it wasn't Tornadoyowl wrapping her body around the young kits.

Chapter Text

"Frog dung!" Cardinalpaw hissed. She was making new nests in the nursery, but Lavenderkit wasn't sure what for. She was being promoted to an apprentice soon, but Lavenderkit wasn't too sure if it was entirely a promotion. She'd have to submit to her mentor and do duties. When she was leader, she wouldn't have to submit to anyone. Or would she have to submit to StarClan? Either way, if she did have to suck up to StarClan, she would just refuse. What would a bunch of spirits do? Strip her of her nine lives? She held in a giggle at the thought. "What's frog dung?" Poppykit chriped. Lavenderkit snapped back to reality, and noticed that Cardinalpaw gasped in shock. "No- don't say that!" The russet apprentice gasped. Lavenderkit saw malice gleam in Poppykit's eyes. "Frog dung! Frog dung!" She yowled. Cardinalpaw swished her tail in front of Poppykit's mouth and glared at her. "Those are, like, bad words, Poppykit. You won't become an apprentice if you act like that." Cardinalpaw grunted. Poppykit drooped her tail and sat back down. Leafkit bounced up to Lavenderkit. She noticed that her sibling looked a bit worried. "Are you excited?" They asked. Leafkit shuffled their paws. Lavenderkit looked around the clearing. "Yeah. Besides, we've already been out in the forest, so we're much more experienced than Poppykit, Orchidkit and Daffodilkit." Leafkit didn't look convinced. Lavenderkit felt a sudden pang for their sibling. She never asked them how they were coping after their parents death, or what they thought of Tornadoyowl. She gently rasped her tounge over their siblings ear. Leafkit seemed to feel better. Lavenderkit was about to comfort her littermate more when she felt a tounge groom her back. By the scent, she realised it was Tornadoyowl. Lavenderkit let out a quiet growl and wiggled out of the cats grip. "You need to look well groomed for your apprentice ceremony." Tornadoyowl meowed. Lavenderkit thought she heard a condescending tone in her speech. "I can groom myself!" Lavenderkit spat. Poppykit glanced over at her, her red fur slicked back so smoothly Lavenderkit thought she looked like a fish. "Lavenderkit," Tornadoyowl began. But Lavenderkit didn't want to hear it. Her neck fur and tail fur started to prickle. "You're not even my real mother! Why should you care what happens to me?" She hissed. Tornadoyowl looked surprised by the kits harsh words. Lavenderkit felt guilt gnaw at her stomach but she ignored it. She stormed away from the clearing. Cardinalpaw flashed an awkward glance at Tornadoyowl and padded away from the nursery. Lavenderkit wasn't sure where her paws were leading her, but soon enough she bumped into a warm body. She jerked her muzzle up, rage flaring inside her again. She looked up and felt the fire inside of her distinguish when she realised it was Orchidkit she bumped into. He twitched one of his large ears and glanced at Lavenderkit. "Are you okay? You look.. frustrated." He meowed gently. Lavenderkit sank back down and wrapped her tail over her paws. "Nothing, really. I just, don't like Tornadoyowl." She growled. Orchidkit tipped his head to the side. He was asking her why. "She just annoys me. I want my real mother back." She grumbled. She didn't want to admit she was weak, but she trusted Orchidkit. "I want her back too." Orchidkit sighed. "My, mother, I mean. But you've got me. That's what I think matters. If we've got one another, who can really hurt us?" He asked. Lavenderkit knew it was rhetorical. Orchidkit twitched his tail. "You're filthy." He muttered. He quickly groomed her, and Lavenderkit noticed it was quick but thorough. He touched his nose to her head and bounced away over to Poppykit. Lavenderkit watched the tom go. She felt a strange feeling seep into her body, and if she was being specific, her heart. But she didn't have time to lay a paw on what she was feeling, because Stormstar had jumped onto the Pool Rock. He called for a Clan meeting and all the IslandClan cats gathered around the rock, Lavenderkit making her way towards the other kits. "We have numerous ceremonies to go through today," Stormstar stared. "Let's start with new warriors." He mewed. Twitching his tail for Wheatpaw and Sandypaw to come forward. He jumped down from the rock and faced Sandypaw. "I, Stormstar, leader of IslandClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as a warrior in their turn." He paused to take a breath. "Sandypaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?" He asked. The apprentice swallowed, and when she spoke her voice was shaky. "I do." She meowed. Stormstar nodded and swished his tail. Speaking again, he finished the ceremony. "Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Sandypaw, from this moment on you will be known as Sandywhisker. StarClan honors your bravery, and we welcome you as a full warrior of IslandClan." Stormstar repeated the ceremony with Wheatpaw, giving him the name Wheatfoot. Lavenderkit soon realised it was her turn. When the new warriors padded away, Lavenderkit marched into the clearing. She acted confident, but she was terrified inside. The other kits lined up beside her. "Lavenderkit, you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Lavenderpaw. Your mentor will be Nutwhisker. I hope she will pass down all they know on to you." Stormstar meowed. Lavenderpaw turned around, and saw the old she-cat sat on the edge of the cluster of cats. Lavenderpaw felt a pang of disappointment. She wanted a fun mentor, not a cat who saw morals in everything. She padded over to Nutwhisker and touched her nose to Nutwhisker's. Stormstar continued the ceremony. He turned to Orchidkit. "Orchidkit, you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Orchidpaw. Your mentor will be Nightleap. I hope he will pass down all they know on to you." He called out. Orchidpaw hopped over to Nightleap and they touched noses. The grey leaders gaze fell on Poppykit. "Poppykit, you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Poppypaw. Your mentor will be Cloudleap. I hope he will pass down all they know on to you." Stormstar mewed. Lavenderpaw wasn't too sure what Cloudleap would help with in hunting, considering he stuck out like a sore paw. It was Daffodilkit's turn next. "Daffodilkit, you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Daffodilpaw. Your mentor will be Leafheart. I hope she will pass down all they know on to you." Lavenderpaw knew it was a good decision. She thought the two cats shared the same morals, since they were so friendly. Leafkit was the last kit standing. "Leafkit, you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Leafpaw. Your mentor will be Ashleap. I hope they will pass down all they know on to you." He finished. When Leafpaw touched noses with Ashleap, Stormstar announced that the meeting was over.

Nutwhisker speaking snapped Lavenderpaw out of her thoughts. "Let's go patrol the territory. If we're lucky, we can do some swimming." She meowed. Lavenderpaw padded after Nutwhisker as she headed towards the camp entrance. She wished she was with her friends, but their mentors must be doing something more important. A cold breeze whispered in the wind, making the mangrove leaves dance. The territory was much bigger than Lavenderpaw expected, but she remained her relaxed demeanour. She was supposed to be a leader. Leaders didn't overreact. "This is the river," Nutwhisker meowed. Lavenderpaw looked to her left and felt her jaw drop. There was a massive river, glittering in the late leaf-bare sunshine. It was mostly covered in ice but there were holes that revealed the waves of the winding river. "Past the river," Nutwhisker spoke again. "Is MeadowClan territory."

It was sunset when Lavenderpaw got back from her tour of the territory. Her paw pads felt like they turned to ice and her fur felt like hail. She barely even spoke to Leafpaw or her denmates when she got back to camp. Collapsing in her nest, she slipped into unconsciousness.