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krowfics · 4 years ago

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A Spider’s Shadow Chapter 5

Fandom: Warrior cats/Sander Sides

Ships: Prinxiety, Logicality, Dukeceit, (eventual) Remile, otherwise platonic LAMP, familial Creativitwins+Thomas

Plot: Spiderpaw is the sole witness to a murder, due to this, he is no longer safe in Shadowclan. He soon finds himself amongst a group of secret rebels who disagree with the Warrior Code.

Words this chapter: 2152

Notes:Warriors typical violence/hunting, unsympathetic/morally gray Janus and Remus,

Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4

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Lionbright bunched up his muscles in preparation, readjusting his footing for the pounce. He lept into the air and landed with a soft thump, muted by the squirrel that now struggled against his claws, he quickly delivered the killing bite to it’s neck and silently thanked Starclan for the catch.

“Great catch!” Nettlepaw purred, standing from their position across from Lionbright.

“Ah, thanks,” He scraped a bit of dirt over his prey, “Though I think that one was a bit slow, otherwise I’m sure it would’ve ended up in your claws.” They’d done a fairly simple hunting technique involving one cat standing behind the prey in case it ran, it was extra helpful for skittish critters like squirrels, but it proved unneeded for this one. Lionbright did catch the squirrel fine on his own but his leap felt lacking, his mind distracted by the occasional wandering thought.

“Maybe.” Nettlepaw shrugged before turning their head sharply, “Oh and another good catch!” They mewed, acknowledging Whitepaw stepping through the bramble with a sparrow.

“It was nothing.” He mewed happily, his head being held high despite his words.

Lionbright flexed his claws in and out for a moment as he suppressed a sneering response. Whitepaw always got on his nerves. It was just a sparrow, nothing all too impressive. Lionbright supposed that attitude was why he earned his warrior name before Whitepaw despite the other being older. But, hunting wasn’t a contest, he shouldn’t be thinking that way. Still, he couldn’t help a small grin at the fact that he was better than the apprentice.

“Nice squirrel.” Whitepaw said once his catch joined the other, kicked a bit of earth over it.

“Lionbright caught it.” Nettlepaw stated, bumping the warrior in question with their side.

Whitepaw sniffed, “Oh really? I suppose it’s a nice change in pace from catching spiders.”

Lionbright sighed, he should’ve guessed some teasing like this was coming, “And what if it is?”

Whitepaw’s ears pressed back slightly, “He’s a Shadowclan cat.”

The warrior frankly wasn’t sure what exactly his old denmate was trying to imply but he really didn’t care at the moment, “Wow, that’s amazing I hadn’t even noticed until you pointed it out just now. Thanks for telling me.” He stood, his mew mockingly sweet.

“Whitepaw don’t be rude.” Crowclaw rolled their eyes as she approached, a wren muffling her words, “I think we should head back and get these in the pile,” they said quickly, not giving her apprentice had a chance to defend himself. Lionbright dipped his head and picked up his squirrel before following the others to another few pieces of prey they’d caught earlier and buried a bit in earth.

Soon enough, he was following the patrol through the bramble and into camp. He felt the midday sun hit his back as he swiftly made his way to the pile. His head was held high, a grin hidden behind his squirrel. Maybe Spiderpaw would eat the squirrel, Lionbright wondered, would a Shadowclan cat like squirrel? Had he even ever tried one? He had plenty of questions to remember to ask his friend later, but for now, he was stopped by an all to common sight.

Just in front of the pile was his father and brother, along with the deputy and medicine cat. Ratpaw seemed a bit puffed up, undoubtedly ready to defend his actions, whatever they may be. He hadn’t run off again had he? Lionbright wasn’t gone for that long but if he could trust anyone to vanish in a moment just to turn up later smelling of twoleg stuff, it’d be his brother.

He stepped closer, more out of curiosity than to get closer to the pile, but stopped in his tracks as he listened to Ratpaw’s hiss, “So I gave Spiderpaw a poppy seed, I did what-”

“You gave him a what?” Lionbright barely acknowledged the fact that his kill had fallen from his grip, still a fox length away from its place in the pile. The rest of his patrol stepped around the group to set their catches down in the proper place before backing away, not wanting to interfere in whatever today’s argument would be about.

Ratpaw looked to him and soon gained an amused expression, “A poppy seed. It’s what you give annoying little nuisances from enemy clans to make them sleep for a really lo-” He was cut off by sudden paws pushing him onto his back.

The gray tom fell backwards with a satisfying huff as the air was knocked out of him. Lionbright might have used more force than strictly necessary in the given situation, he knew that poppy seeds caused no real harm, but if it got his littermate to quiet for once, then it was worth it.

“The poppy seed was necessary.” Frostpool confirmed, she’d stepped closer after a moment whilst Lionbright was still giving Ratpaw a glare as he kept him pinned down, “He’s quite bothered by what he witnessed,” She spoke in a hushed mew, “And reasonably so.”

Lionbright glanced to see Fernstorm nodding, “He couldn’t get more than a bite of wren down.”

“See?” Ratpaw said in a mockingly distressed voice from under him, “Why must you antagonize me? What have I done to deserve such rough treatment?”

“Plenty.” Redstar said in the chiding tone of a father, “Lionbright, release him.” He continued with the commanding tone of a leader, Lionbright obliged begrudgingly. Redstar watched as Ratpaw jumped up, not looking bothered in the slightest. “Ratpaw, from what I understand, you made the situation worse before offering the seed.”

Ratpaw rolled his eyes, “Yes, Redstar, we’ve been over this before. What shall we describe my actions as this time?” He hummed, “Fox-hearted? Mouse-brained? No better than a rogue’s? No better than a Dark Forest cat’s?” He gasped dramatically, “No better than a Shadowclan cat’s?”

His father’s face lost any commanding feature, he just looked done, and Lionbright could hardly blame him. However the younger warrior could not relate to the almost forlorn look in Redstar’s eyes, for he was bristling with fury.

He flexed his claws in and out for a moment, then forced himself to breath. “Where is he?” he turned sharply to Frostpool, unable to keep his tail from flicking.

“The medicine den.” She blinked, “Asleep.”

“Right.” Lionbright flicked his ear, his paws were moving before he knew where he was going yet. He just needed to walk somewhere. Actually he felt like he needed to shred a tree of it’s bark with his claws or hunt the whole forest clean but those wouldn’t be helpful. He instead grabbed his fresh-kill between his teeth to move it to the pile.

The day dragged on slowly. Lionbright tried to force himself to lay in the sun and relax but he was in no mood to share tongues and his thoughts were to focused on his friend to let himself nap, despite his sleepless night. It was at times like these when he was restless for an apprentice. With no apprentice duties himself, he’d didn’t have much to do. When Blossomfur’s kits were of age then perhaps he’d get to be one of their mentors, but it’d be a bit before they were even born let alone six moons old.

He scoffed at his own boredom. He wanted so badly to be a warrior as a ‘paw, but he’d take apprentice duties at this point just so there was something to do. Well, not if that meant tick duty, his nose scrunched up at just the thought of mouse bile.

If Ratpaw hadn’t gotten himself banned from leaving camp again then Lionbright would be able to offer to go hunt or gather herbs with him, but even if his littermate wasn’t in trouble at the moment, Lionbright didn’t trust himself not to get into a hissing match the second he was alone with him.

Ratpaw was in the medicine den, right? Along with Spiderpaw. Ratpaw had been practically dragged in by Frostpool talking about drying out herbs. Lionbright felt his shackles rise and he stood, trudging over to the den. He didn’t enter, not knowing what excuse to give. He just stood by and listened for a moment, seeing if anyone was talking inside. It was silent, so Lionbright stepped away to continue his failed nap.

It wasn’t long before he was wandering back over to the medicine den again. And again. And again until Frostpool was stepping out with a frustrated huff. “Do you have a thorn in your paw?” She asked.

“Um- No?” Lionbright said, taken aback.

“Burr in you pelt? Chaffed pads? No? Then why do you keep coming back here?”

Lionbright opened his mouth to respond but with what, he had no idea. Sometimes he forgot how scary medicine cats could be while they were doing their jobs. He glanced behind her, trying to discreetly peak into the den. Frostpool closed her eyes and sighed.

“Fine.” She said, her voice losing it’s malice, “I get it, you’re worried. Why don’t you go hunt for him?” She offered, “He could use a mouse, they always go down easy, I’m sure he’d appreciate one that’s still warm.”

At that, Lionbright felt like he was buzzing with energy, “I can do that! Uh, thank you.”

Frostpool nodding, laughing fondly, “You’d better be grateful, Ratpaw was offering to come out here and bite your tail off.”

“I’d expect nothing less from him.” He said, backing away and heading to the entrance. Hunting a mouse was something he could do. He was going to get his friend plumpest, juiciest mouse in all of Thunderclan’s territory.

Lionbright headed in the direction of the old owl tree but he didn’t need to travel that far before he picked up the scent of mouse, strong and incredibly recent. He dropped to a hunter’s crouch instinctively and let his eyes trail on the ground, searching for the rustling of leaves. He spotted a disappointing, scrawny little thing and promptly decided to ignore it.

He carried on, allowing a leaf to crunch under his paw that set the mouse running.

He stopped when he smelt mouse again, this one was easily spotted grooming itself. It looked nice and plump, Lionbright found himself liking his lips. But, as hungry as he was, this wasn’t for him. Hopefully when he returned, Spiderpaw would be awake and he’d be able to give him the freshkill and grab something for himself out of the pile so he could eat with him.

He did need to catch it first.

He shuffled forward, paws low on the ground even when lifted so he could avoid any noisy leaves. The mouse didn't spot him until he was pouncing. He swiftly bit down on it’s spine and took a breath to relax. The mouse looked delicious, perfect.

He plucked it up and trotted back to Thunderclan’s camp with a bounce in his steps. Once there, he headed straight for the medicine den, only to see his darling brother’s head poke out.

Ratpaw caught sight of him, “Your spider’s awake.” He said.

Lionbright would prefer to doubt what the implications of that would be when said by any other cat, in fact it wouldn’t occur to him at all. But, Ratpaw seemingly only ever had very few topics in mind, and none of them respectable. The only thing keeping a hiss contained in Lionbright as he realized that Whitepaw was probably having the same thoughts as the medicine cat apprentice was the mouse Lionbright diligently held in his mouth.

The gray cat backed up so Lionbright could bring the freshkill inside. “Oh good!” Frostpool mewed at the mouse, the carrier of which had only just poked his head in, “He can eat it outside, no point in making extra work cleaning. There's already plenty of work to be done.” She sent a sharp gaze towards Ratpaw, who just shrugged in response.

Lionbright turned his attention to the small tabby still laying in his nest. Spiderpaw blinked at him with his bright blue eyes and stood slowly, taking a long step to stretch out of his sleeping position. The pretty tom hunched awkwardly as he walked, he looked like he was fighting his hackles from raising. He nodded at Frostpool who responded with a blink.

Lionbright turned to step out of the den, only pausing when he saw that Spiderpaw had, just in front of Ratpaw.

Lionbright felt a moment of panic knowing that his brother could have said absolutely anything to the Shadowclan cat while Lionbright was out, but then, “Thank you,” Spiderpaw said, “For the poppy seed and the… moss pile.”

Ratpaw, to his credit, did look a bit surprised but he shook it off quick enough with a flick of his ear, “Yeah, yeah, go eat your mouse.”

Spiderpaw nodded at him and trotted out, leaving Lionbright to follow, and follow he did.

~~~

It’s been a while!,, like a year,,

please accept this animation meme of ratpaw and snakeface as an apology (be warned it has SPOILERS ,,,,,)

Chap 6

Tags~ @perfectly-princely-emo-nightmare

#sander sides #warrior cats fic #prinxiety #roman sanders #virgil sanders #remus sanders #morally gray remus #ill be honest im very unhappy that this chapter took a year #its not that good for it to take that long #writers block just suckkksss #thekrowiswriting #A Spider’s Shadow

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thistleclaws-hatred · 5 years ago

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Darkstripe’s Loyalty - Novella - Chapter Three

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Darkpaw heard the sound of pawsteps before the yowl, “RiverClan attack!”

The older apprentice leaped out of the apprentices’ den and looked around the scene of chaos that was unfolding before him. He saw Lionheart and Loudbelly rolling around, their claws latched into one another. Tigerclaw was battling fiercely with Oakheart. Fuzzypelt was protecting the nursery, where his mate was trying to defend herself against a large brown she-cat. Bluestar was driving Blackclaw away. Runningpaw and Mousepaw were tag-teaming against a large black and brown tom Darkpaw didn’t recognize. The two had been apprenticed about one moon prior and were already showing great signs of strength.

Darkpaw felt a strong force crash into him and he spun around. Whitepaw curled back his lip, spitting wildy. Darkpaw reared up, wrapping his tail around one of his hind-legs and slashing forward, catching Whitepaw along the ears and muzzle. Whitepaw dove under Darkpaw and slashed at his legs. Darkpaw fell with a grunt of pain and kicked out, sending Whitepaw reeling.

The RiverClan apprentice landed a solid blow across Darkpaw’s cheek and a sharp pain followed by wetness filled his cheek. Darkpaw launched himself forward and dug his teeth into Whitepaw’s forepaw, biting down until the sour taste of blood filled his mouth. The smaller apprentice yelped in pain and yanked his paw free, turning around and running into the battle.

Darkpaw panted, trying to ignore the stinging sensation in his cheek. He looked around the battle scene again. Thistleclaw was grappling with Voleclaw, the RiverClan’s warriors teeth latched firmly into Thistleclaw’s scruff. Ottersplash was being shredded by Dappletail.

The ThunderClan apprentice felt claws dig into his haunches and send him across the clearing. He shook his head and looked up into the snarling teeth of Stonefur. Darkpaw rolled out of the way as Stonefur pounced and clawed at the warrior’s shoulder. Stonefur twisted in an instant and clawed Darkpaw across the muzzle and then slammed his paw across the apprentice’s face. Darkpaw landed on his side, the wind knocked out of him, and Stonefur pinned the apprentice to the ground, raking his claws across Darkpaw’s spine. Darkpaw struggled underneath Stonefur’s larger weight. He’s going to kill me!

The weight was lifted in a second and Darkpaw looked over his shoulder to where Tigerclaw now had the RiverClan warrior facedown in the dirt, his teeth digging into Stonefur’s shoulder. A pool of blood had begun to form underneath Stonefur and once Crookedstar called for a retreat, Tigerclaw flung the warrior to the side, yowling curses at him.

Bluestar was limping heavily, blood weeping from a bite on her flank, but she kept her head held high and leapt up onto the highrock, “ThunderClan! RiverClan has attacked us over Sunningrocks. Today we have proved that Sunningrocks belongs to us and we will continue to fight for that hunting land!”

Yowls of agreement came from the winded and wounded clan. Darkpaw watched Spottedleaf as she went from cat to cat, checking everyone’s injuries. His own mentor barely seemed fazed by his wounds, of which there were few. Darkpaw could see a claw mark across his chest and chunks of fur were missing from his tail, but other than that Tigerclaw seemed to be unharmed. He can go into battle and come out basically unharmed!

Spottedleaf ran over to the nursery, where Fuzzypelt was licking a small wound on Robinwing’s muzzle. Lionheart had a torn ear and was sitting next to Goldenflower, who was bleeding from her hind-leg. Brindleface and Frostfur, ThunderClan’s two newest warriors, although still older than Darkpaw by nearly five moons, seemed unharmed.

“Are you okay?” Tigerclaw’s deep voice broke Darkpaw out of his observations.

Darkpaw was reminded of the deep claw wounds in his flanks but he shook his head, “It’s nothing I won’t heal from.” “Good, I spent too much time training you for you to be taken out in your first real battle,” Tigerclaw grumbled.

“You trained me really well, I defeated Whitepaw with ease,” Darkpaw boasted, flicking his ear.

“Stonefur still got the best of you,” Tigerclaw chastised. “Lucky I was there to save you.”

Darkpaw blushed. If Tigerclaw hadn’t saved me, who knows that Stonefur would’ve done to me. “Thank you Tigerclaw.”

His mentor snorted and walked off towards Bluestar, who was talking to her own apprentice, Runningpaw. Mousepaw was licking her wounds, her mentor, Speckletail nearby and watching closely. Bluestar had sent Whitestorm, Frostfur, Goldenflower, and Halftail out to make sure that RiverClan had left their territory.

“Are you okay?” Spottedleaf asked, looking him over.

Darkpaw nodded, trying to be brave.

“Don’t lie to me Darkpaw, I’m your medicine cat. I can’t waste my time checking over every inch of you,” Spottedleaf meowed, an edge to her voice.

“Stonefur clawed my flanks pretty hard,” the apprentice admitted.

Spottedleaf rounded him and looked at his wounds, “They’re big, but not deep.” She told him, placing some cobwebs over the wounds, “Don’t stress them too much or they'll never heal properly.”

Darkpaw flicked his tail in acknowledgement, but his eyes were focused on Tigerclaw. The massive warrior flexed his claws into the dirt, a burning fire in his eyes. I wonder what he’s so upset about. Tigerclaw lashed his tail as Redtail spoke, the deputy was calm and relaxed under Tigerclaw’s piercing glare.

Darkpaw’s eyes rolled over Tigerclaw’s frame, the rippling muscles and sleek fur. He’s amazing. The dark tom blushed again at his own thoughts and turned around, slowly walking over to the apprentices’ den, flashing one last look at his savior before entering.

Runningpaw and Mousepaw came into the den shortly after, their own paws dragging as they slumped into their nests, “Does it ever get easier?” Mousepaw asked.

Darkpaw lifted his head, he blinked, surprised that Mousepaw was asking him about clan life. I guess I am older than them by nearly six full moons. “Somewhat. RiverClan are a bunch of greedy mouse-brains, but they know when they are beat. It’s ShadowClan that you have to worry about.”

#darkstripe’s loyalty #darkstripe #thunderclan #warriors designs #warrior cats #stonefur #tigerstar #tigerclaw #crookedstar #sunningrocks #riverclan #spottedleaf

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sorrelstream · 5 years ago

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more rewrite thoughts bc thats all i do apparently! under a read more

[[MORE]]

anyways. i wanna follow like a theme for the chosen journey cats in tnp and originally it was just gonna be two representatives chosen from each clan and i always kinda like. struggled with who should go from thunderclan besides squirrelpaw and then i noticed a pattern: all the other chosen cats are cats related to current or previous clan hierarchy (in this au at least), being:

Tawnyheart and Brambleflower - Kits of the former ShadowClan leader Tigerstar

Stormstripe and Feathertail - Grandkits of the former RiverClan leader Crookedstar, as well as kin to the former ThunderClan leader Bluestar (as graystripe was whitestorms son and whitestorm was bluestars nephew)

Crowpaw - Son of the former WindClan deputy Twistedfoot (Deadfoot)

Nightpaw - Daughter of the current WindClan deputy Mudclaw

and lastly Squirrelpaw - Daughter of the ThunderClan seer Fireheart, and niece (via marriage?) of the ThunderClan leader Sandstar (as Sandstar and Fireheart's sister Plumtooth are mates)

i thought itd be neat if i followed that trend so i think the other thunderclan representative should be Whitepaw, the daughter of Cloudtail and Brightheart, and thus the niece to Fireheart and Plumtooth (and again, niece via. marriage?? idk ill think of a better term for it snnfks ANYWAYS to sandstar). in this au cloudtail is from nutmegs second litter of kits and fire+plums little brother instead of nephew/son (just bc like. plum wouldve been freshly into warriorhood and then IMMEDIATELY pregnant to have cloudkit by the second book and thats uhhh. weird. anyways). i rambled but anyways yeah whitepaw goes on the journey in this au alongside squirrelpaw >:]

#rewrite #rewrite au #au

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twilights-800-cats · 6 years ago

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<< Allegiances || Prologue || Chapter 1 || Chapter 2 || From the Beginning >>

Chapter 1

Mistyfoot narrowed her eyes against the glare of the sun as it struck a puddle leftover from last night’s bare sprinkle. The forest smelled fresh and full of new growth as she prowled through the undergrowth, her belly fur barely dragging the leaf litter. She made sure to keep her plumy tail off the ground – one of her first lessons as Tinystar’s apprentice was that her tail would give her away if she didn’t pay attention to it.

The forest was quiet but all around Mistyfoot’s sensitive ears could pick up the sounds of prey scrabbling and fluttering in the trees. She narrowed her keen eyes, looking for the slightest rustle that would –

There!

A squirrel poked its head out from underneath a nearby juniper bush. Mistyfoot stopped in her tracks, whiskers twitching. There were plenty of nuts in this part of the forest, and the squirrel inched its way out to shuffle in the litter. Mistyfoot watched it pick up a nut and stuff it into its cheeks.

Patience…

The squirrel turned its back.

Mistyfoot bunched her haunches and sprang.

The squirrel squeaked in alarm, startled as Mistyfoot’s forepaws landed just a whiskerlength too short. Cursing, Mistyfoot lashed her tail as she watched the squirrel flee. How could I have missed?

The annoyance did not last long. Greenleaf was a breath of warm wind away – ThunderClan was strong. Missing one squirrel in a forest teeming with prey wasn’t the difference between a full belly and starvation.

“Oof,” grunted Mousefur. The dusky-brown she-cat pushed through the clump of ferns where she’d been hiding, her pale eyes narrowed. “Bad luck.”

Mistyfoot shrugged. “It faked me out, I think.”

Mousefur flicked her tail. “Come on, no time to mope – Tinystar needs to see us.”

Mistyfoot’s ears pricked. “What for?”

“Don’t know,” Mousefur admitted, shrugging. “Dustpelt’s patrol passed by on their way back to camp while you were stalking that squirrel and let me know. Best not keep Tinystar waiting – you know how his temper is.”

Mistyfoot swallowed. ThunderClan’s leader was small in stature, but his temper was known by every cat in the forest. She was sure queens told horror stories of it to their kits. It was not worth tempting fate – without another word Mistyfoot put a spring in her step and led the way through the forest.

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Sunhigh had passed when Mistyfoot and Mousefur skidded down the ravine. Mistyfoot followed the smaller senior warrior along the well-worn trail, ThunderClan scent laid over it a hundred thousand times over countless generations. They walked along the thorns and gorse until they reached a small opening, only one cat wide. Mistyfoot entered, feeling the walls of the gorse tunnel drag along her pelt and her ears before emerging gratefully into the sunlit ThunderClan camp.

At this time of day, Mistyfoot saw more than a few warriors lying in the sunshine, grooming one another and sharing tongues outside of their dens. She spotted Frostfur and Dappletail, two elders, cleaning one another’s ears in the shade of the Highrock, a great stone that loomed near the back of the clearing. Whitepaw was bringing them prey, and Mistyfoot saw Frostfur invite the apprentice to eat with them. Mistyfoot took a deep breath of the clean, familiar air, scented with all of the cats she had ever known, and felt at ease.

It’s been so long since the battle with BloodClan, she thought. Mousefur began to lead the way to the Highrock – Tinystar’s den was in a hollowed out cave in the stone, just out of sight and shaded with lichen. Mistyfoot followed, her pawsteps intentionally slow, worrying over what Tinystar could possibly want with her.

The forest had changed since Tinystar had arrived in it – it was hard not to be somewhat afraid of the ThunderClan leader because of that. The former kittypet had saved ThunderClan from within – not only that, he had aided every other Clan in the forest, too. At the battle with BloodClan nearly six seasons ago, Tinystar had saved the whole forest when he united the Clans and killed his half-brother Scorch, BloodClan’s leader. Without him, the forest would be a much darker place.

Mistyfoot swallowed. Without him… my mother would be leader of ThunderClan… She did not want to think of such a thing.

She focused instead on how organized Clan life seemed. Oakheart is doing a great job as deputy, she thought, thinking fondly of her father as she looked around. Patrols were regular and efficient, and Oakheart was a popular cat around the Clan. Even if he never ended up a leader, Oakheart was doing a great job as deputy now.

A flash of fur in the ferns caught Mistyfoot’s eye. Shadepaw, one of Tinystar’s kits, emerged from the medicine cat’s den, a leaf-wrap in her jaws. She was lean and slim, built far more like her mother Sandstorm than her father, and her white-tipped tail was flicking in thought as she headed for the elder’s den.

Nightpaw met her there, coming out of the old hollow log and shaking a bit of old moss from his pelt. The littermates touched noses. Mistyfoot wondered how two cats could be so different, both physically and in personality – Nightpaw was almost a copy of his father, short in stature and almost entirely black but for his white-tipped tail and white paw. Even his eyes were a similar shade of icy blue.

The two had been apprenticed just a quarter moon ago – Shadepaw to Brackenfur, set to become the Clan’s next medicine cat, and Nightpaw to Dustpelt, who Mistyfoot thought was a fitting cat to work out some of Nightpaw’s more energetic aspects. Shadepaw was doing well as medicine cat apprentice, but many cats had known since her kithood that she had been the one to inherit their father’s legendary temper.

Mistyfoot couldn’t help but feel a pang of sorrow. Her sister Mosspaw had been the medicine cat apprentice before Shadepaw – but she had died in the battle with BloodClan.

“Are you going to sit and stare all day?” Mousefur grunted. The dusky she-cat was standing before the lichen that screened Tinystar’s den, her tail-tip flicking. “Tinystar’s waiting.”

Mistyfoot started. “Sorry!” she mewed, trying to keep her fur low. How embarrassing!

“You’d think you’ve never been in camp before!” Mousefur huffed. “Youngsters…”

Mistyfoot flicked an ear. Mousefur was never quiet about her criticisms. Shaking her head free of reminiscence, Mistyfoot passed Mousefur and ducked into the ThunderClan leader’s den.

It was cool inside the Highrock, a welcome escape from the mounting heat of the day. Tinystar was sitting inside, his paws tucked beneath him. Mistyfoot sat down a pace away and dipped her head to her former mentor. Mousefur twitched her whiskers and remained standing.

Tinystar measured the two she-cats with eyes like claws made of ice. Mistyfoot felt that frosty gaze rest on her and she met it with her own, pleased to see that the coldness was only in the color of Tinystar’s eye and not his voice.

“As I’m sure you’re both aware, Cinderpelt and Dustpelt’s kits are turning six moons today,” he meowed. “I wish for you both to be their mentors.”

Mistyfoot’s head shot up, her eyes widening. Her heart beat in her ears. Me, a mentor? Already? “B-But I’m so inexperienced!” she blurted. Mouse-brain!

Tinystar purred in amusement. Mousefur twitched her whiskers. Mistyfoot swallowed, feeling embarrassed once again.

“Yes, you are inexperienced,” Tinystar agreed, “but Mousefur is not – you’ve been a warrior a few seasons and, thinking of the kits themselves, I think you’d both be great mentors for them. Mousefur can help you out when you feel you’re struggling, Mistyfoot.”

“It’s an honor,” Mousefur meowed. It had been a long time since she’d had an apprentice – she’d lost her first, Thornpaw, many seasons ago to Bluestar’s cruelty, along with her brother, Runningwind.

“I’m eager to see you with your own apprentice,” Tinystar went on, smiling at Mistyfoot. “I think you’ll do a great job. After all, what would it say about me if you didn’t?”

Mistyfoot’s ear twitched, her pelt warming at his praise. It wasn’t so long ago that Tinystar had had difficulty even looking at her, after all. How far we’ve come since! “It would be a great honor, Tinystar,” she meowed.

Tinystar flicked his tail. “Then we’ll have the ceremony immediately – come on.”

The small tom got to his paws and trotted out of the den. Mousefur and Mistyfoot followed, padding out into the clearing while Tinystar leaped onto the Highrock and delivered his summons:

“Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join beneath the Highrock for a Clan meeting!”

His voice roused sleepy warriors from the shadows. Ears pricked and tails flicked as cats from all over the camp got to their paws and met below the Highrock. Mistyfoot was jostled, but her paws were buzzing from excitement. She forced herself to the front to stand beside Mousefur, hoping that was the right thing to do.

“Must be time for some new apprentices!” purred Graystripe. The gray warrior stretched each leg in turn.

Beside him his mate, Silverstream, nodded in agreement. “We’ve been at our wits’ end trying to corral Spiderkit and Shrewkit these past few days!” The silvery queen curled her striped tail around her paws, leaning in to Graystripe’s fluff. Silverstream had once been RiverClan, Mistyfoot reflected, but her love for Graystripe had brought her to ThunderClan, even if their kits were still across the river themselves.

Mistyfoot could hear Cinderpelt cursing behind the crowd. She couldn’t help but look over her shoulder at the gray she-cat as she quickly and furiously groomed her children’s fur straight. Spiderkit stretched away, using her long legs to her advantage, but poor Shrewkit had no such luck.

“I wonder who their mentors are?” wondered Sootfur, a newer warrior.

“Not me,” Rainwhisker, his brother, promised. “I would’ve told you and Sorrelpaw for sure.”

“Not me, either,” Sootfur agreed.

Tinystar’s voice silenced further speculation: “We’ve gathered here today for a very important task in any Clan,” he meowed. “Spiderkit and Shrewkit have reached their sixth moon, and it is time for them to receive their apprentice names.”

The entire Clan quieted, watching in reverent silence. Mistyfoot could hardly keep her paws from fidgeting with excitement, and wondered if the rest of the Clan could hear her heart beating in her ears.

“Spiderkit, come forward,” Tinystar called.

The crowd parted to let the kits through. Spiderkit was smoky gray like her mother, with long, long legs and her father’s sharp amber eyes. She padded through the crowd, her tail quivering with excitement, and stood beneath the Highrock.

Will I receive Spiderkit? Mistyfoot wondered.

“Until you earn your warrior name, you shall be known as Spiderpaw,” Tinystar announced. “Mousefur – you will be Spiderpaw’s mentor. Teach her well the ways of the warrior.”

“I shall,” Mousefur promised.

That answers that, Mistyfoot thought, watching Mousefur touched her nose to Spiderpaw’s. The leggy gray she-cat was already vibrating with excitement from ears to tail as she followed Mousefur back. She fidgeted even when Mousefur hissed for her to keep still.

“Shrewkit, come forward,” Tinystar went on.

Mistyfoot swallowed. My turn, she thought. Eagerness gave way to nervousness. What if Shrewkit rejected her? She watched the young tabby tom pad through the crowd. He had excitement glittering in his eyes – blue, like his mother’s – and his thin tail twitched when he stood looking up at Tinystar.

“From this day forward, until you earn your warrior name, you shall be known as Shrewpaw,” Tinystar announced. “Mistyfoot.”

There were a few mews of surprise. Mistyfoot swallowed a lump in her throat, forcing herself to focus on Tinystar and not her Clanmate’s worry. They think I’m too young! She thought, her head buzzing.

“You are a young warrior, this is true,” Tinystar meowed on, “but I think you will be a great mentor for Shrewpaw.”

Mistyfoot swallowed. She got to her paws and padded up to Shrewpaw’s side. “I’ll teach him everything I know,” she promised, proud that her voice did not shake. “I’m honored to have this opportunity.”

She and Shrewpaw touched noses. Mistyfoot marveled at how eager he seemed – just as eager as Spiderpaw, but more well contained. I don’t think I could handle Spiderpaw’s energy, Mistyfoot thought as she led Shrewpaw back to the crowd. Tinystar made the right call.

“Shrewpaw! Spiderpaw!” the Clan called – no voice was louder though than Cinderpelt or Dustpelt’s. The two had their tails twined and their chests puffed, proud and unabashedly pleased with their kits. It was a strange look on Dustpelt, who was often so prickly, and Mistyfoot had to keep down a purr of amusement.

Soon enough the cheering died down. Tinystar leaped down from the Highrock and met with Graystripe and Silverstream. The Clan broke up, some heading back to their sunning spots and others heading out together on patrols. Mistyfoot watched Shrewpaw and Spiderpaw rub their muzzles against their parents with a sense of happiness blooming in her chest.

“So you receive an apprentice over me?”

The happiness in Mistyfoot’s chest withered. Ashfur’s eyes were narrowed bitterly at Mistyfoot, his shoulders hunched.

Mistyfoot swallowed. She and Ashfur had never gotten along, not even when they were apprentices together. Mistyfoot got on well with Ferncloud, Ashfur’s sister, but nothing could ever endear her to Ashfur, it seemed. Mistyfoot’s mother, Bluestar, had been responsible for Ashfur and Ferncloud’s mother’s death – and Ashfur did not seem to intend to let that go.

“It was Tinystar’s choice,” Mistyfoot defended.

“And of course he’d choose you,” Ashfur hissed. “An apprentice for his apprentice, after all. Nevermind that I’m an older and more experienced warrior!”

Mistyfoot’s hackles rose. How dare Ashfur think Tinystar favored her! Did he have any idea what it was like to be the kit of Bluestar and apprentice to her sworn enemy?

“Maybe Father chose her over you because you seem to have a habit of sitting on beehives,” growled Nightpaw. Mistyfoot hadn’t even noticed that the little black tom had lingered, let alone that he had been listening in. “Not to mention questioning his choices!”

Ashfur bristled. He ignored Nightpaw, though, and sneered to Mistyfoot, “So you need an apprentice to defend you?”

Mistyfoot wanted to growl. Why did you open your mouth, Nightpaw? You just made this worse!

Ashfur lashed his tail. Mistyfoot opened her mouth to tell him to go away when Shrewpaw bounded between them, his eyes bright and excited.

“Mousefur said we can go into the forest together!” he meowed. “Come on, Mistyfoot!”

Mistyfoot spotted Mousefur and Spiderpaw waiting by the gorse tunnel. She sent a silent thanks to StarClan that Mousefur had made Shrewpaw intervene – Ashfur was padding away now, his tail flicking to and fro.

“I’ll meet you all in a moment,” Mistyfoot promised Shrewpaw. “Go on.”

Shrewpaw nodded and trotted back to Mousefur and Spiderpaw to deliver the news. Mistyfoot rounded on Nightpaw, her tail-tip flicking. She couldn’t yell at the apprentice – not only was he Tinystar’s son, he had only been doing what he thought was right – but he still shouldn’t have interfered.

“Stay out of it,” Mistyfoot told him.

“The way he treats you and others isn’t fair,” Nightpaw muttered. “He’s such a grouch to everyone.”

Mistyfoot sighed. “Didn’t your mentor ever teach you not to poke a badger’s nest? Leave Ashfur alone and he’ll leave you alone.” I’m the only one that rule doesn’t work for.

“Mistyfoot!” Shrewpaw called across the clearing. “Mousefur says she’ll leave without you!”

“I have to go,” Mistyfoot sighed.

Nightpaw shrugged. “Go on; have fun,” he said.

Mistyfoot raised her tail and bounded over to Mousefur and the apprentices. “Sorry about that,” she mewed to them briskly. “Let’s go.”

———————————————————-

Dusk cast Sunningrocks in a deep orange hue as Mousefur and Mistyfoot padded between the large, flat gray stones. Shrewpaw and Spiderpaw followed a pace behind, their paws clearly tired but their eyes still bright.

“We didn’t get to see everything,” Spiderpaw lamented.

“Patience,” Mousefur told her. “You’ve got a whole life ahead of you to see every pawstep of this territory. Now – do either of you know where we are?”

“Sunningrocks, duh,” Spiderpaw answered back. Beside her, Shrewpaw yawned.

“Yes,” Mistyfoot agreed, “this is Sunningrocks.”

“RiverClan’s over there, then?” Shrewpaw guessed, looking out at the slow-moving river. It trickled by just down the slope, and its coolness was tempting in the heat. The fresh, fishy smell of RiverClan kept Mistyfoot from splashing her paws.

Mousefur nodded at Shrewpaw. “It smells like a patrol just went by, too,” she stated. “Now – how much do you know about RiverClan?”

Spiderpaw yawned this time. “Leopardstar is their leader… Tawnypelt is their deputy,” she recited, sitting on her haunches. “They eat lots of fish.”

“Fish are gross,” Shrewpaw admitted, screwing up his nose. “Silverstream had us try some once.”

Mistyfoot shrugged. “It’s not for every cat,” she meowed. Personally she found the flavor appealing on occasion.

“RiverClan and ThunderClan have a long, storied history on these stones,” Mousefur meowed, flicking her tail to the smooth gray boulders. “Legends say that these rocks were once on RiverClan’s territory, but the river changed course and now they’re on our land.”

“And they keep fighting us for it!” Shrewpaw meowed. “Frostfur and Speckletail told me lots of stories about Sunningrocks battles.”

Mousefur nodded. “RiverClan’s been quiet about their claim to the rocks lately; but that doesn’t mean ThunderClan isn’t vigilant! Sunningrocks belongs to us now.”

Spiderpaw’s eyes grew round. “Do you think RiverClan might attack us for being here? You said a patrol just passed!”

Mistyfoot shook her head. “I doubt it,” she meowed. “Things between the Clans have been okay for a while, like we said at Fourtrees. It’s been peaceful.”

“Father says peace never lasts,” Shrewpaw mewed.

Mistyfoot frowned at her apprentice. Of course Dustpelt would say dour things like that. Why was ThunderClan so full of grumpy cats? She sighed, “Well… no; but we might as well enjoy it while it’s here, right?”

“We’ll teach you plenty of ways to defend yourselves for when battle comes,” Mousefur promised. “Now, we should be heading back.”

Both apprentices looked energized at the thought of battle with RiverClan. They sprang to their paws, eyes alight.

“I’ll be the best fighter!” Spiderpaw declared.

“You’re a better runner than a fighter!” Shrewpaw teased. “I’ll be the best fighter! Tinystar is the best warrior in ThunderClan, and Mistyfoot was his apprentice! That means I’ll be unstoppable!”

Spiderpaw stuck out her tongue. “Does not,” she groaned.

“Does to!”

Mistyfoot purred, warmed by her apprentice’s eagerness. She watched him take a playful swipe at Spiderpaw, already calculating how to help him deliver such a blow with a weight that would send an enemy warrior yowling home.

I’m proud to have you as my apprentice, Shrewpaw, Mistyfoot thought fondly. And I’m going to do everything I can to prove I’m a worthy mentor.

#tb au #tb midnight #warrior cats #last chapter going in the tag

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thunder-the-ranger-wolf · 6 years ago

Text

Human Warriors: "Ouch"

"Alright back there, Firestar?" Blackstar asked as he drove. The ginger ThunderClan leader groaned an affirmative.

"You probably scarred that poor woman for life, Flame." Russetfur muttered. "Lucky she was one of the nice ones."

"Shuddup, Red." Firestar groused as he struggled to right himself. A loud ringing in his ears and the sharp pain of a headache sent him whimpering for the comfort of the leather seat.

"You shouldn't move much, Flame. Smalls'll patch you up. It won't take long to get to his place."

"What? Where's- OW! Where's Layla?"

"Dealing with her sister, according to Sandy. Apparently Squirrelflight passed something whole through her stomach?"

"Like a furball?"

"Maybe. Layla sent it to the big hospital for testing. But still. A furball... out the other end?" Russetfur offered skeptically.

The car's occupants shivered at the very idea.

Firestar groaned as he tried to sit up. His head was spinning and his sight was so blurred that he could barely see. Russetfur glared at him around the headrest.

"Lay back!" She ordered sharply. "You can't do anything until we get you to Littlecloud, and not even then. Just keep still and stay awake. Think of patrols or something."

¶¶

The ride to Shadowlands Hospital wasn’t as long as he thought it would be, and David Smalls, AKA Littlecloud, was more than accommodating as he asked questions about what happened and how much or where the ginger tom ached.

"Okay, Firestar, looks like you need to rest and restore your strength before you can go anywhere. Would you like me to call Sandy or Layla?"

"Yes, if it's not too much trouble." He wanted news on Squirrelflight.

"Okay, then. I'm not too sure what we have by way of fresh-kill that you'd prefer, but I'm sure Tawnypelt could grab you some mouse if you'd like."

"Yes, please. Thank you, Dr. Smalls."

"Sure thing! Food shouldn't be too long but for now, just relax. The remote to the TV is on the table beside your bed."

Littlecloud left the room and it wasn't long before Blackstar popped his head in.

"Up for some company, Flame? I called your mate as soon as we picked you up, and she just got to the waiting room."

"Yeah, send her back. Thanks, Stripe."

He disappeared and Sandy raced over to her husband's bedside.

"You should have told me you were sick, Firestar. We could've stayed in today."

"No, I'm glad I got a few patrols in before it got too bad, and I'm not sick. Not really."

"Brightheart said you collapsed earlier and then Blackstar calls me to say you're at Shadowlands... If you're not sick then what happened?"

"I had a vision the first time. About Leaf's kits. The second time... I don't know." Firenze admitted. "I'm sorry." He muttered.

"For what?" Sandstorm scoffed incredulously.

"It's bad enough Squirrel's sick, now I've gone and-."

"Nearly worked yourself to death? Yes, you did. If anything, you need to cut back some hours. You can afford to, and no one would blame you if Dustpelt stood in for you and Brambleclaw at the Gathering."

"I can't-."

"You can and you will. If Brian still needs time off then Dustpelt will cover you both and he's got the rest of the Clan to back him up. Even the apprentices will want to chip in, and considering how close Whitepaw and Birchpaw are to getting their warrior names, that's all the better."

"Fox-dung! That's tonight! Sandstorm, we have to go! They've been waiting long enough, I can't let them down again!"

"Firestar, they'll be okay if they wait a few days. It's not like you're denying them for no reason, and they're not going to do anything stupid.” She assured him.

They both shivered at the thought of the last set of apprentices to be denied their warrior names. Swiftpaw went down as one of the bravest and most reckless apprentices in ThunderClan history, and the whole Clan had tasked themselves with overseeing either Brightheart’s recovery or plans to get rid of the dogs. In the darkest of times, the Clan remained united.

“Rest,” Sandstorm urged. “and if you feel better tonight then I'll take you to the Gathering and you can do the warrior ceremony, but don't push yourself into doing anything when you're clearly not okay."

#warrior cats #human warrior cats #news travels fast #firestar #blackstar #russetfur #littlecloud #sandstorm

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