Caveclan Archive - Please do not post - Updated 4/17/17

[tauriel.]

after the gathering

When the cats who'd gone to the gathering returned, all was calm at camp. Fireface and Dappleleaf had walked together, murmuring about the gathering. Mostly about Sagestar's declaration of war against Echoclan. Sedgetail and Chiveclaw were nearby, both quiet but for their own reasons. Dappleleaf was still mad at Chiveclaw and he'd decided to keep his distance and let her cool down while Sedgetail was worrying about Tumbleclan. If Sagestar really did attack Echoclan, Tumbleclan didn't have any allies willing to help them. Burrwhisker would be in danger. As they reached camp, the river's roar as it flowed over the camp quieted the clan. They headed to their respective dens, each settling down for the night.

the next day

Dawn was as busy as always when the clan woke up. The warriors roused each other, taking some time to groom or just shake off the last bits of sleep before streaming out of the den to hear Woolyfur assign the patrols.

Good, I'm not on patrol. Sedgetail thought, relieved. This gave her time to sneak out to go see Burrwhisker. Of course, Sedgetail had no idea if the tom would be there or not, but she hoped he would. Harespring came up to her before the patrol left, his face set with disapproval. "You saw that tom again at the gathering?" He asked. "So Fireface told you. And you told Fireface about him." Sedgetail flicked her tail-tip irritably. The two of them could be so over-protective sometimes. Normally she didn't mind, but lately it felt like they were smothering her. Especially when they nagged her about her friends. "Of course. I asked him to watch over you last night." Harespring replied. "I don't need a babysitter!" Sedgetail shot back. "I'm not a kit!" "I know your not but you and that tom seem far too friendly for cats from two different clans." Harespring growled at her. Sedgetail glared at him. "Stop! I'm loyal to Caveclan, okay! Keep your nose in your own business!" Harespring opened his jaws to reply but before he could, Ferretclaw was calling him, "Are you going to stand there gossiping all day!? Come on, the preys not going to wait all day!" Harespring glanced at Sedgetail before reluctantly turning and padding towards Ferretclaw's hunting patrol. "I'm coming." Sedgetail waited until all the patrols had left to slip out of camp and head towards the Tumbleclan border.

Your cats caught a frog, a squirrel, a pigeon, a mouse, and a vole!
Your patrol found an apprentice!
Sedgetail can continue meeting Burrwhisker, become mates with him, or end the relationship.

_______________________

"Beechclan has declared war on Tumbleclan!" Was the first thing Morningstar said after he summoned his clan for a meeting. It was the day after the gathering, and he was looking solemnly down at his clan. "As Beechclan are our oldest allies, we have a duty to help them." Even if we're not sure what really happened. He thought, his eyes dark. "Why would they declare war?" Ferretclaw called, amber eyes grim. "Tumbleclan's medicine cat murdered Skunkbrush." Morningstar answered, his voice flat. Murmurs rose from among the clan. Glancing towards the medicine den, Morningstar saw Shadedleaf and Cloudpool murmuring anxiously to each other. On the way back to camp after the gathering, Shadedleaf had quietly told him of her disapproval of his decision. He knew his medicine cats didn't agree, but what else could they do? "We don't know when the battle will occur but we need to be prepared. No one leaves camp without atleast one other cat and every cat needs to be on high alert." He ordered. "Woolyfur, Shadedleaf, and I will be devising a plan of attack." A flick of his tail dismissed the clan and he ducked into his den, medicine cat and deputy close behind.
Cloudpool let Shadedleaf go to Morningstar's den without him. If a battle approached, he wanted to be sure they had enough herbs. "Search for herbs with me?" He asked Dappledleaf. The calico she-cat nodded, seeing the worry in his gaze. "So he's serious about the battle?" She murmured. "Of course. Morningstar wouldn't just randomly throw us into a battle." Cloudpool replied quietly. "We need to be sure we have enough herbs for when the battle's over."

Your cats caught a minnow, a mouse, a vole, a frog, and a squirrel.
Your patrol passed uneventfully.
Mistpaw learned the hunting skill!
Dappleleaf and Cloudpool found catmint and burnet.

_______________________

It had been a few moons since Cloudpool had realized his feelings for Dappleleaf. The calico she-cat still didn't know although Cloudpool had been wondering if he should tell her. She had a right to know, even if she didn't like him that way. Even if she did, there was no possibility of a relationship between them. It was against the warrior code. But how to tell her? This wasn't something that he could just spring on her as she was going on patrol. But if he waited, his nerves would only grow. Cloudpool managed to catch her a moment later, saying, "I need to talk to you," Dappleleaf looked at him wih concern and nodded. "Of course. Are you okay Cloudpool?" He opened his maw to begin but before he could, the kits darted up to them, Poppykit and Willowkit in the lead. "We're going to be made apprentices!" Tigerkit announced eagerly, tail lashing with excitement. "Your going to watch aren't you? We want everyone to be there!" Willowkit chirped. Dappleleaf purred, her eyes flickering with amusement. "Of course we will. The entire clan will be watching." She told them. Willowkit and Tigerkit exchanged bright, excited glances. "Are you guys going to become mates?" Poppykit suddenly piped up after a few moments of looking carefully at them. "You'd make the perfect couple! Not as perfect as my mum and dad though!" "Wha-what!?" Cloudpool's eyes widened and he began to cough with the shock of Poppykit's question. "Cloudpool! Are you okay?" Dappleleaf's voice seemed to calm him down and he nodded. "Yeah, yeah I'm fine." He assured them. Dappleleaf gave him a concerned look before looking back to the kits. "Cloudpool and I aren't mates. He's a medicine cat. He can't have a mate." She told them. "But why not?" Poppykit pouted. "You would be cute together!" Dappleleaf smiled and nudged her gently. "Go and get ready for the ceremony little ones. Your going to want to be ready." Squeaking with excitement, the kits dashed away. "Kits are so adorable. I don't know where they get their ideas from but they're still cute." She purred. "Anyways what did you want to tell me?" Dappleleaf asked him. Before he could respond, Lilystem came over. "Dappleleaf come on. Woolyfur's put us on a hunting patrol!" Dappleleaf's eyes flashed with excitement. "Okay! Sorry Cloudpool, tell me later?" She glanced apologetically at him before following Dappleleaf over to the rest of the patrol. "It's okay..." Cloudpool watched as the calico she-cat headed out of camp with the rest of the patrol. I'll tell her when she gets back. If I had told her now, she would've just been distracted the entire patrol. She needs to focus on hunting. He told himself as he turned to head back to the medicine den. He had to help Shadedleaf with herb hunting anyways.

tigerkit and willowkit are now apprentices!
the apprentices learned the fighting skill!
your cats caught a mouse, a vole, a minnow, a carp, a salmon and a thrush!
your patrol found the scent of an apprentice! return to add them to your clan!
shadedleaf and cloudpool found tormentil and lungwort!
starclan sent you a warrior!

_______________________

Mistpaw was delighted to have new denmates. She and Willowpaw quickly became closer now that they were all training together and Tigerpaw was so competitive, the apprentices den was never boring anymore. Poppykit and Stormkit were a bit disappointed that they didn't have the two older kits to play with anymore but they still got into plenty of trouble on their own. Fireface had caught them trying to sneak out and promptly nudged them back into camp, warning them that next time they left camp, there would be consequences. The two exchanged glances, not seeming too worried until he added, "I'll let Morningstar know about your little outings and he'll make sure you wait a moon before becoming warriors." "You wouldn't!" Stormkit stared at him with worry. "I will if you leave camp again. It's dangerous if you aren't with a warrior." Fireface warned. When the kits looked at him, eyes wide with dismay, he softened. "I won't tell him this time but don't leave camp again okay?" They nodded and Fireface left to join a hunting patrol.

Morningstar returned to camp with a tabby tom beside him. As the clan paused to take in the cat, Morningstar begin speaking, "Caveclan welcomes a new warrior into the clan as of today. I will let him introduce himself." The tabby looked a bit uncomfortable with all the eyes fixed on him but spoke anyways. "I am Feather of the Soaring Hawk formerly of the tribe of Rustling Leaves." He announced. "I've come to join Caveclan." Morningstar nodded and said, "Welcome to Caveclan. Warriors here have a bit different names and many cats change their names to clan names when they join. Would you like to do that?" Hawk tilted his head for a moment, thinking and then gave a slight nod. "Very well then. You shall be known as Hawkfeather." The clan burst into cheers, welcoming the new warrior. Shimmerpelt was the only one who stayed silent, staring at Hawkfeather in shock. Tribe of Rustling Leaves!? She hadn't talked to anyone from her old home for ages. Her own kits didn't know about their Tribe heritage.As her fur pricked with unease, Silvernose gave her a confused glance. "What's wrong? Cheer!" "I'm fine," Shimmerpelt replied, cheering a moment later. She'd worry about Hawkfeather and the tribe later.

"Another new member!" Juniperfoot exclaimed, delighted. "And a tribe cat! I wonder what a tribe cat is?" She wondered aloud to Sedgetail and Harespring. "No idea but it sounds interesting!" Sedgetail replied, glancing curiously at the tabby as Woolyfur took him on a quick tour of the camp. Harespring followed her gaze to the tom, thinking All this would be even better if Sedgetail fell for him and stopped talking to Burrwhisker. He still didn't approve of Sedgetail's friendship with the tom and their fighting about it wasn't getting any better. In fact, Sedgetail was now ignoring him. "Sedgetail-" He began, but the silver tabby cut him off saying, "I need to go. Rowanfur, Chiveclaw, and I are training the apprentices. Bye Juniperfoot!" Without a word to Harespring, Sedgetail darted off towards the apprentice den. Juniperfoot looked sympathetically at Harespring. "I don't know what your fighting about but let her cool off for a while. After the hunting patrol, you should talk to her." She advised. Her advice made him feel a million times better. Talking to Juniperfoot always had that effect on him. "Thanks Juniperfoot. I will." Harespring replied, nudging her gratefully. Juniperfoot had a way of calming him down even when Sedgetail was being infuriating. It was one of the first things that had drawn him to her. "Come on, we better get going." She purred, leading him to the rest of their hunting patrol.

all apprentices learned the climbing skill!
your cats caught a minnow, a carp, a salmon, a mouse and a vole!
your patrol found an apprentice!
shadedleaf and cloudpool found blackberry leaves and cobwebs!

[tauriel.]

the flood

Since the clan had first noticed the river beginning to flood, the clan had burst into action. Cloudpool and Shadedleaf recruited all four apprentices to help them carry their herbs to the abandoned twoleg nest. In times of danger, the clan took shelter where the terrain was safe. With six cats helping to bring the herbs to safety, it didn't take long. Which was lucky because the water was to flood the camp. Morningstar ordered every cat out of camp and to get to the twoleg nest. "Wait! The elders!" Dappleleaf nudged Fireface and the two ran back to camp to escort Deerpelt and Rippleshade to safety. Dappleleaf and Rippleshade made it out quickly but inside the camp but Fireface was having some trouble with Deerpelt.
The water was rising quickly. Far too quickly for Fireface and Deerpelt. The old cat's joints were stiff and tired quickly. "Leave me here," She rasped. "No. I can't leave you here." Fireface said. "Just hold on. We'll get out of here soon." He assured her. The water was rising faster and faster, too fast for the pair to get out. "Mousedung!" Fireface cursed as he worked to bring Deerpelt to safety. "The waters risen too high and the currents working against us," Deerpelt shook her head. "Go Fireface! You won't survive if your trying to save me! I'm holding you back! Go!" Fireface protested, jaws parting to protest but then the water had risen too high. As the water rose over their heads, Fireface made one last effort to get Deerpelt to safety.
Outside the camp Juniperfoot and Harespring had escorted Rippleshade to the abandoned twoleg den with the rest of the clan. Dappleleaf and Morningstar were the only ones left waiting for Fireface and Deerpelt. "It's been too long, I'm going to go get them." Dappleleaf murmured anxiously. "No! The waters risen too high. You'll drown!" Morningstar held her back, his eyes grim. "If they were going to get out, they would've been safe by now." He murmured. Dappleleaf stared at the Caveclan's entrance, at the water still flowing in, pain flashing in her eyes. "N-No we can still save them!" Feebly she tried to approach the cave, witj Morningstar stopping her. "We're too late Dappleleaf." He murmured sadly. He nudged her back towards Caveclan's temporary camp, casting one sad glance towards the cave. The force of the water rushing in from the river must've been too strong for Fireface and Deerpelt to fight.

~~A few days after the flood ~~

The clan was still grieving the deaths of Fireface and Deerpelt and their camp was still flooded but they had made the twoleg nest as comfortable a camp as possible. Shadedleaf and Cloudpool had their herbs ready to take back to camp but they had a small freshkill pile arranged in a corner and Mottledshade, Rippleshade, and the kits were all comfortable and safe. Patrols went on as normal although Morningstar had given orders to avoid the southern half of the territory since it too had flooded.

all apprentices learned the running skill!
fireface and deerpelt have joined starclan.
your cats caught a mouse and a minnow!

_______________________

The events of late had left every cat in shock. Three deaths all so close together had thrown the clan into a state of grief. Everything was made worse by the flood, which had worsened. After the battle, Shadedleaf and Cloudpool made sure to look at Woolyfur's eye. Eventually, they announced the eye couldn't be saved and Woolyfur would have to adjust to having one eye. Woolyfur had requested a change of deputy, telling Morningstar that he no longer felt he could do his job properly with only one eye. Morningstar relunctantly agreed to think about a replacement. But even through all that pain, the clan's spirit was still strong. They would still go on living.

"Juniperfoot, may I talk to you?" Harespring asked. "Of course, what is it?" Juniperfoot tilted her head curiously. "I know it's been hard what with the battle and this may not be very romantic but this can't wait." Harespring started. "I-I'm in love with you. I've been in love with you for moons and I've realized that their isn't time to wait. I could've died in that battle without you ever knowing but I didn't. It was a sign from Starclan telling me to tell you about my feelings for you." Harespring looked anxiously at Juniperfoot, waiting for her reply. Joy fizzed through the she-cats every vein, lighting up her eyes. For a moment, Juniperfoot forgot that she'd lost friends recently. "I-I love you too." She confessed, looking happily at him. "Finally!" Sedgetail's voice startled them, making Juniperfoot jump. "You've both been in love for moons, never realizing it." "We have?" Juniperfoot blinked in surprise. Sedgetail nodded. "Yes. Now just become mates already. Make it official." She backed away, leaving them to talk. "I don't have a circlet for you." Harespring looked apologetically at Juniperfoot. "The flood washed it away." Juniperfoot nuzzled him affectionately. "That's okay. We can make some together." She murmured.
(If anyone is confused by the circlets go here.)

Hawkfeather had adjusted to clan life well enough. He'd made friends with many of the clan but something about an older she-cat was curious to him. Shimmerpelt. The gray molly was all clan, but the way she held herself reminded him of the Tribe. Her scent was a bit similar as well. He remembered the tribe cats talking about two cats who'd gone missing when he was a kit. But this wasn't Shimmer of the Moon-lit Lake, was it? Her kits were around the right age but where was Shimmer's mate? When Shimmer had left the Tribe, she'd taken her mate, Heron Who Fishes at Night. The Shimmerpelt in Caveclan had no mate but all the other signs suggested she was from the Tribe. He wanted to ask her about it, but what if she really wasn't from the Tribe? Still mulling it over in his head, he headed over to the freshkill pile, searching through it for prey. Just as he decided on a mouse, Shimmerpelt was there, nosing through the pile for a frog. He stared at her a moment before blurting, "Are you from the Tribe?" Shimmerpelt froze for a moment, startled, before lifting her green eyes to look at Hawkfeather. "What would make you think I was a Tribe cat?" She asked after a moment of silence. Hawkfeather rattled off his suspicions of her being from the tribe, ending with, "You must be Shimmer but if you are, what happened to your mate?" Shimmerpelt's eyes had darkened with faint sorrow. "Your right. I am Shimmer. I joined Caveclan about a moon after Heron's death." Hawkfeather blinked sympathetically at her but continued to ask questions. "Did you remember me? I was only a kit when you left but you must've realized we were from the same Tribe. Why did you leave?" He asked, peppering the molly with his questions. "Slow down." Shimmerpelt murmured. "We left because we wanted to give our kits a better life. Even though Heron died, I've never regretted leaving. Sedgetail and Harespring are far better off in a clan where prey is plentiful. And of course I recognized you. Your one of Owl's kits. I adored her kits." Shimmerpelt was staring at Hawkfeather now, her eyes still sad. This was one of her nephews. How could she forget her own sister's kit? Hawkfeather's eyes were wide. The aunt who'd disappeared from the Tribe was in Caveclan as well as her two kits. His cousins. Sedgetail and Harespring were his cousins. "Mum misses you so much. She talked about you and Heron all the time." Hawkfeather was a bit in shock. Here was a part of his family who he'd thought were dead, was there in front of his eyes. "I miss her too, but this is my home now." Shimmerpelt murmured. "It's the best place for my kits and I too live. Caveclan's as much our family as the Tribe was." Hawkfeather gazed over to the spot where Sedgetail and Harespring were talking to Juniperfoot. "Do they know?" He asked, turning his amber gaze back to Shimmerpelt. "I was hoping they'd never have to know." Shimmerpelt confessed. "They'd already lost a father before ever meeting him. There was no sense telling them about an entire family they'd never meet." "Are you going to tell them?" Hawkfeather asked her. He couldn't believe his cousins had no idea that they had family other than their mother. It saddened him to realize that they could've grown up in the Tribe with an entire group of cousins but instead they had no idea that he and his siblings even existed. He could understand Shimmerpelt's reasoning for leaving, but they had a right to know about their family. Shimmerpelt hesitated, studying her kits uncertainly. "They have a right to know." Hawkfeather murmured. "They're my cousins." He murmured, more to himself than to Shimmerpelt. It seemed impossible to have cousins he didn't know since he'd been a kit. "I never meant to tell them anything. But now that you are here and possibly your sister, I think I need to tell them." She murmured. Hawkfeather glanced at his cousins, still stunned by their existence and everything he'd learned. "Do you want me to go with you?" He asked Shimmerpelt. The gray molly shook her head. "No. I have to tell them. I've kept them from knowing about the Tribe all this time and it's me who needs to tell them." She took a breath, worrying about their reactions to the news as she padded up to her kits. "Juniperfoot, can I borrow my kits for a moment?" She asked. Juniperfoot nodded, her joy at becoming mates with her love lighting up her entire being. "Mum guess what!?" Sedgetail opened her jaws to tell her about Harespring and Juniperfoot but Shimmerpelt stopped her. "There's something I need to tell you two...."

juniperfoot and harespring are now mates!

_______________________

It was a few days since Sedgetail's disappearance and every cat worried for the silver tabby, but most of all Harespring and Shimmerpelt. The grey tabby molly was miserable, blaming herself for her daughter's disappearance. And Harespring made no move to comfort her, his own mind swirling with confusion. All they knew was that Sedgetail was with Tumbleclan. The entire clan believed she'd been taken prisoner but one awful thought came to Harespring's mind. Perhaps she'd gone to join Burrwhisker. But Sedgetail wouldn't just leave them wondering what had happened to her. Harespring fully believed that she would've told some cat if she was leaving. If not him or Sedgetail, then Juniperfoot. The pair were close friends but even Juniperfoot didn't know anything. "We'll get her back, don't worry." Juniperfoot's soothing voice murmured into his ear. As always the pretty she-cat knew just what he was thinking about. "I know. Morningstar's going to confront Sagestar at the gathering and we'll get her back." Harespring nosed her affectionately. "Do you feel like going on a hunt? Woolyfur wants me to lead a patrol." Juniperfoot asked him. Harespring hesitated and nodded. A hunt might be good for him. It'd take his mind off worrying for a little bit. Juniperfoot purred gently and went to round up a few more cats for the patrol.

Cloudpool and Dappleleaf were padding along the river, chatting quietly to each other. They'd been able to move back into their camp, leaving the twoleg den abandoned once more. Some cats still worried about the possibility of another flood but everyone was prepared. Morningstar had ordered everyone to practice their swimming and to report any signs of flooding to him immediately. While Dappleleaf rambled on, Cloudpool was only half-paying attention. He'd hid his attraction to her long enough and his feelings were threatening to overflow. "Dappleleaf, I need to tell you something." He began, cutting her off in the middle of her sentence. The calico she-cat paused, blinking inquisitively at him. "What is it Cloudpool?" Cloudpool opened his jaws but before he could speak Chiveclaw and Lilystem approached, on their way back from a walk. The pair had grown closer than ever and the clans gossip was that they'd be mates soon enough. The same thing was said about Dappleleaf and Chiveclaw too as the tabby tom was clearly interested in both she-cats. The possibility of Dappleleaf becoming medicine cat had faded from the minds of the clan, replaced by the gossip about Chiveclaw and Lilystem. "Forget it," Cloudpool mumbled as the pair came closer. "I'll tell you later." Dappleleaf shot him a concerned look but her gaze flicked to Lilystem and Chiveclaw a moment later. "How was your walk?" She asked. It was lovely. A bit cold but still nice." Lilystem replied cheerfully. With a quick goodbye, Chiveclaw and Lilystem hurried back to camp. Dappleleaf turned back to Cloudpool, saying, "What was it that you wanted to tell me?" She asked. Cloudpool stared at her, his flash of courage from before gone. "Nothing. Come on, Lilystem's right. It's kinda cold. Let's go back to camp." The grey and white tom padded back to camp, stealing glances at Dappleleaf when the calico molly wasn't looking. Cloudpool wanted to tell her. He really did but he was a medicine cat. He wasn't supposed to develop feelings for another cat. Frustrated with himself, Cloudpool padded into the medicine den, leaving Dappleleaf staring after him.

your cats caught a frog, a small fish, a minnow, a mouse, a vole and a squirrel!
your patrol found an apprentice!
all apprentices learned the tracking skill!

_______________________

The pair padded through the maple forest, tails twined as they spoke quietly to each other. "I've always loved this part of the forest," Lilystem was murmuring, gazing up at the maple trees. The leaves were all vibrant green but during leaf-fall, they were especially pretty when the colors changed. "Me too." Chiveclaw agreed with a small nod. He was hardly paying attention to the trees though, his gaze was more focused on Lilystem. They reached a small clearing where a tree stump grew near the back. Sitting on the stump was a circlet. Seeing this, Lilystem paused, her eyes widening. Before she could say anything, Chiveclaw bounded over to the circlet, and motioned with his tail for her to come closer. Wide-eyed, the snowy female blinked at him, speechless as Chiveclaw began talking. "Lilystem we've known each other for a long time. Since before Caveclan. But we were never close until we both joined the clan. And Starclan knows how much I wish we were closer back then. This might've happened long ago if we had." He took a breath, steadying himself, and nudged the crown towards her. "Lilystem, I've never loved a cat as much I love you. No other cat has captured my heart like you have. The kindness you show to everyone you met and your intelligence have made me realize how lucky I would be if you were to be my mate." Lilystem was speechless, her eyes shining, and her heart soaring with joy. "I thought you'd never ask!" Chiveclaw's eyes were blazing with joy as he carefully placed the circlet on Lilystem's head. circlet meaning

Morningstar left for the moonpool just after introducing Duskpaw to the clan and completing the apprentice ceremony for Poppykit and Stormkit. Their parents had been bursting with pride. He'd left his territory already and was coming up on the thunderpath he needed to cross in order to reach the moonpool. Just as he streaked across, a monster roared into view. Fear and adrenaline pumping through his body lent him a burst of extra speed, but unfortunately, the orange tabby leader wasn't fast enough. The monster zoomed away, leaving the limp body laying in the road. The impact was enough to send him to Starclan. And take two of his lives.