πππππππππ !!
# of cats; 94 (β: 42 / β: 46)
servings req'd; 15 servings (97)
next moonpool visit; any time
pebbles; 111 (lb)
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"Psst," Ashenstrike's whisper made Lionheart snort, curling up closer into her mate's shoulder, tail tucked comfortably around him, as he groomed between her ears. "Hey. Hey, wake up." Lionheart cracked open one eye, glimmering with amusement as she tilted her head up to face the silver tabby. Instantly, he pressed his nose to hers, purring as he nuzzled them together, making Lionheart laugh.
"Is that all you wanted?"
"Maybe," he teased, before he nodded to the mouth of the den, "Badgerstar already agreed to cover for us, so don't go stressing, but I was wondering if you wanted to go dawnwalking, so we could find a nice place to watch the sunrise. It feels like a while since we've had time alone. Someone's been keeping busy, running herself ragged looking after the clan, as always." Lionheart chuckled a little, eyes closing contently as her mate groomed her ears.
"I wonder who that could be," she said, "but yeah, I would like that. The clan is okay now, I think. They don't need me all of the time anymore." She pushed herself to her paws, in the darkness of the early morning, and Ashenstrike swiftly followed. The pair of them cast fond smiles at their sleeping kits, Cherrystorm's long form stretched out, his paw touching Flamescorch's across their nests as they slept. Carefully, the pair of them picked their way toward the entrance of the den and vanished out of it, and then out of the camp.
The walk was nice, through the forest before the sun was up. It was still, without birdsong that came with dawn. Ashenstrike's shoulder pressing against her own kept her warm, as they stepped carefully through the heavily wooded territory that GroveClan called home. Lionheart's breath fogged in the cold air, as did Ashenstrike's laughter as he half-slipped on some icy grass, only caught by his mate's teeth in his scruff.
"You really are like a third kit," Lionheart teased, bumping shoulders with him. Ashenstrike snorted.
"I see you've decided to hop into the clan tradition of being mean to me for no good reason."
"I invented that clan hobby, I'll have you know," she laughed as Ashenstrike affectionately nipped her ear, shaking his head in amusement at her.
"You know, this is supposed to be the part where I lament where I went wrong to be stuck with someone so mean, but there's no way I could even conceivably joke about this being wrong when there's never been anything more right in my life. I love you, even if you are super mean to me." He paused, purring as Lionheart licked his cheek before pressing her nose there with a lilting purr.
"I love you too, Ashenstrike. Now come on, we better find a spot to watch the sunrise, because it won't wait for us."
"Ever efficient," he teased, laughing as her tail lashed his nose, before he bounded after her. They fell into companionable silence again, trailing to the north. They climbed up the rocky terrain at the foot of the mountains, making their way around to a plateau just as the sun began to rise. "You know, sunrises always remind me of you," Ashenstrike said as they settled, his tail sweeping around his mate.
"Is that so?"
"Yeah," he nodded, "the way the sun shines so brightly reminds me of you- fierce, but so bright, so furiously strong that you have to look away, but when you see all that the sun touches, you see how much beauty it brings to the world around it, how it imbues everything else with its fire, with its strength, with its life. I don't know, maybe I'm reading too much into things and being too poetic, but I love you a lot."
"I think it's very sweet. You know I never thought I'd find anyone as right for me as you are... but I'm glad that fate threw us together like this, even if we had some bumps in the path to get here." Ashenstrike chuckled, leaning his head against hers as Lionheart nestled against him, and the pair of them fell quiet again, watching as the sun dawned on a new day in GroveClan.
β¦
"All cats gather beneath Hightree!" Badgerstar's call had cats clamoring around him, converging on the shape of the small tom as he sat at the base of the tree. Across from him, beaming in anticipation, was Bramblepaw, his siblings and parents crowded close. Brackeneyes jostled him companionably, beaming happily at the tom as he laughed, curling a pleased tail over his paws. When the whole clan had gathered, Badgerstar continued.
"I, Badgerstar, leader of GroveClan, ask our warrior ancestors to look down upon this apprentice. He has trained hard to understand the ways of the code and to learn the skills of a warrior, tireless even if a sickness held him back at the start of his training. I am honoured to recommend him to the stars as a warrior of this clan. Bramblepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, and to defend your clan, even at the cost of your life?"
"I do!"
"Then from this day forward, you will be known as Bramblepoppy for your relentless dedication. StarClan honours your sweetness and your determination, and it is my pleasure to welcome you- finally- as a warrior of GroveClan." He smiled as Bramblepoppy stepped forward to exchange ritual, his whole body shaking with excitement as the clan yowled for him. He took a step back, and then turned and ran back to his family, falling happily into their embrace with an elated laugh, as Flowershine and Boulderflame nuzzled the top of his head, purring loudly.
"Full circle," Maplefall said softly beside her mate, making him jump, before his face softened into fondness, "I remember how you were at Flowershine's warrior ceremony... so worried about putting a foot wrong. I'm so proud of you, and how much you've changed. How much you've grown. You have no clue how happy I am to see you stand up like you do and lead this clan."
"Maplefall, you know full well I wouldn't have been able to do it without you," he pressed his nose to her forehead, "you might be the prettiest molly I've ever met, but you're also my best friend, my rock, and my closest confidante. If I didn't have you there to dust me off when I fell, I never would have made it this far. This is your success as much as it is mine- your family. Our family."
"Our family," Maplefall agreed, touching her nose to Badgerstar's as elated congratulations carried across to them on the wind.
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"Excited?" Badgerstar asked as Sunkit vibrated next to his mother's paws. He blinked up at his father with a grin, and then nodded enthusiastically. Redpaw yawned and snuggled into Maplefall's side, sheltering himself from the Leafbare air as the new season settled in. Goldleaf said it looked like it was going to snow, and so Badgerstar had opted to have the apprentice ceremony a little earlier just so that they wouldn't be interrupted.
"It's always an exciting day, watching your kits grow up," he started, moving away from his family to address the gathered clan, "it worries you too, when you see how big they're getting, because it reminds you of the gray in your own fur, but I am very proud of my youngest kits for reaching the age where they will become apprentices. Sunkit, Brindlekit and Redkit, from this day on until you receive your warrior names, you will be known as Sunpaw, Brindlepaw and Redpaw respectively. Sunpaw, your mentor will be Flintbur- he is one of our oldest warriors and one of my oldest friends, and I know for a fact that he will teach you with kindness and patience. I have full faith he will pass on his wisdom to make you the best warrior you can be." The clan cheered for Sunpaw as he bounded across to Flintburr, stretching up to touch his nose to the tall black warrior's.
"Brindlepaw, your mentor will be Acornstream. She is an adept hunter and a kind, smart cat, and I can't think of anyone better suited to teaching you how to be a fantastic warrior." His proud beam only grew wider as his daughter touched noses to Acornstream, the Somali molly purring happily as the apprentice settled next to her paws. "And last but not least... Redpaw. Your mentor will be Novella. Once upon a time, she was a scared, shy apprentice. But under Flowershine's excellent training and compassion, she blossomed into a strong, determined warrior, and I know she will teach you her strength, her tenacity, and the deep wealth of love she feels for this clan. I am certain there is no better mentor for you than Novella, and she will teach you to be as great a warrior as she is." Redpaw grinned, and Novella ducked her head bashfully as the clan cheered for the new apprentice. He moved through the crowd to press his nose to Novella's respectfully, as a snowflake drifted from the air and landed right on Badgerstar's head.
"Just in time," Lionheart said with a chuckle, as more snowflakes began to fall, "we better head for the dens to wait this out. I can assign patrols from there."
β¦
The snow fell for the better part of the morning, all the way until sunhigh, where even in Leafbare the sun beat down with enough strength to warm the air. Cats emerged from their dens, paws touching the first snow of the year for the first time. They looked to Lionheart and Badgerstar, who were looking at the sun, and at each other, before Lionheart shrugged with a laugh and flicked her tail. Badgerstar beamed, excitedly, his tail lifting like a banner as he called out to the cats watching him:
"Forget patrols; they can wait till tomorrow- it's the first snow of the season! I think that calls for a clan-wide snow day." Cheers went up from around the clan as friends and family groups converged, chatting excitedly. Badgerstar chuckled, before something wet hit him in the side of the head and he yowled, whirling to see Ashenstrike grinning at him, paw arcing through the snow to send another flurry at him which caught him directly in the face. "Okay, it's on!"
He bounded through the snow and slammed into the tabby tom, the pair of them toppling to the ground with friendly yowls. Suddenly, Badgerstar felt weightless, as he was hauled off of Ashenstrike and placed neatly on the ground. He looked up to see Lionheart, and he purred a little bit, before sputtering as she slammed her paws into the snow and drenched him, the two larger cats turning to scramble away as Badgerstar chased after them. Cherrystorm and Flamescorch were quick to join in the snow fight, with Juniperstorm jumping in to defend Ashenstrike a few minutes later, all of them laughing hard and yowling as snow splattered all through their pelts.
Finally, the adults gave up, dropping down under one of the trees together, Maplefall coming across to join them. Their kits played on, dragging both Midnightstream and their newly apprenticed siblings into the fray, Mottlebloom and Fernstone teaming up with Juniperstorm and Brindlepaw to pummel the boys with relentless assaults of kicked-up snow. Badgerstar and Lionheart huddled close together, Ashenstrike and Maplefall on either side of them as they watched their kits streak through the snow. Midnightstream spluttered as Juniperstorm shoulder-checked him, sending him sprawling as she dumped more and more snow onto him.
"You know, when I first met you, I could never have imagined you playing in the snow like that," Badgerstar grinned as Maplefall groomed off the last of the snow from behind his ears, "I thought you were there to save me from your mate, but you betrayed me at the last hour." Lionheart laughed a little bit, leaning into Ashenstrike's flank as he purred smugly.
"Nothing personal, kiddo, I just know when to pick the winning team, and everyone knows we make a formidable duo in any kind of fight." Badgerstar nodded, his eyes trailing across to their kits playing. Fernstone shook out her long fur, looking so much like her father with her mother's regal air, while Cherrystorm's fur flashed the fiery colour of Lionheart's, but his cheeky grin evoked Ashenstrike's mischievous aura. "What are you thinking about?"
"Mostly how happy I am," Badgerstar said, "we've experienced some hardship, these past few moons, but it's moments like this where I remember what's important, and how even when things seem terribly bad and like they could never get better, that they can and that they do. I never imagined I'd have a family like this- and now my sister is back and I have amazing kits, and a grandkit too. And I got to see Lionheart fall in love, and see both of your genetics create kits just as incredible as you are."
"She did all of the work," Ashenstrike said with a chuckle, "I just worried a lot and tried to teach them to have a little fun sometimes."
"Don't sell yourself short. I try to balance what I'm teaching them, but I couldn't have done it without you. From day one you were more than involved in their lives, and they're lucky to have a father who supports and loves them so much. And you did good with Juniperstorm too- she was hurting, a lot, and it helped to have someone who understood and who helped her overcome her anger. She and Sedgefire have both settled in so well." Ashenstrike ducked his head with a shy smile and a little half-shrug.
"Love is the most important lesson you can teach someone, I suppose. I try to treat everyone with the same compassion, because that's the least a cat deserves. Everything else was on them, but... I'm proud of how they've grown." His fond gaze shifted from Juniperstorm to Sedgefire, where she and Wolverinejaw were lounging with their friends.
"You know," Dusklight said, "you never told us how you met Novella." All eyes swung toward the big black molly as she chuckled a little, tilting her head back. Novella purred from her spot next to Mousestone, who was wedged up against Dusklight on one side while Dawnblossom was nestled on the other, between her brother and her mate.
"You thinking is always dangerous, Dusklight."
"Hey! I was just curious, I guess. I remember how everyone came here, how Wolverinejaw tried to fight Badgerstar, and how Ashenstrike talked about Sedgefire being wild... but you didn't know about Flintburr being here, not like Halfpond did, and you were a loner... so I guess I just wondered what happened between then and coming across Novella."
"Honestly... not a whole lot," Sedgefire said, "I was with a clan for a little while, but then it fell apart when I was still a kitten. A sickly queen tried to look after me, but she died shortly after, some lingering sickness from something going wrong in kitting. So... I was just a kit, and I was on my own. For the first few moons it was grisly- I had to stay mostly hidden and hunt small creatures when I could and when I was sure I was safe. As I got older, I taught myself more and more, moving after the prey with the seasons and all that. I realized I'd forgotten my own name when I came across a group of travelers who asked for it several moons later, and so I renamed myself Sedge, and they told me that they were going toward this kind of territory where prey was more bountiful, so I traveled with them for a bit, before we split off on the other side of the mountain. They continued on, but I went up and through EchoClan territory, and then down the other side, where I found Novella at the border, scared witless and bleeding. I smelled cats, and... well, the rest is history I guess."
"So you just decided to help her even though you didn't know her at all?" Dawnblossom asked, eyes twinkling. "Everyone thought you'd been friends for moons, and you never bothered to correct them because you didn't want anyone to think you were soft." Sedgefire pouted, her ears flattening.
"I'm not soft, it was just the right thing to do! Novella was so small back then... it would have been wrong to leave her there, scared and alone. I figured a clan of cats could help her where I couldn't, and then I planned to move on, but obviously... fate had other ideas."
"And thank StarClan it did, because I couldn't imagine this clan without you," Sedgefire chuckled a little as Dusklight grinned, "seriously. We needed someone strong and brave like you; like Lionheart. It's what makes GroveClan so special is that everyone has this incredibly capacity for love, no matter how stoic or cranky they are."
"I'm glad too. I never expected I would find my family again- not the one I was related to by blood, and certainly not the family I've found in all of you. I never thought I'd have a brother, or a sister in bonds, or be best friends with such a peppy warrior and such a headstrong medicine cat... and never did I think I'd put my own values and way of life on the line for a complete stranger who turned out to be so, so strong. Plus, I didn't ever see myself with a mate as cantankerous as Wolverinejaw."
"Hey," Wolverinejaw protested, and everyone laughed as she rolled her eyes, "sure, tease all you want."
"We will," Halfpond said with a smile, before his mate nudged him, and he jumped a little, "but I'll have to entrust that task to Dusklight. Excuse us for a moment." The pair of them got up, shaking out their pelts as they moved away from the group, passing Archie and Rivuletflight as they moved toward their little group. Dawnblossom beamed at them as they passed, before she lead Halfpond into the abandoned elder's den. "Okay... what are we doing here?"
"I've been thinking," Dawnblossom said, settling down with her tail over her paws, blue eyes staring determinedly at her mate, "just about things. About everything. And this isn't going in a bad direction- at least I don't think it is- but... well. I'm done training my apprentice now, and Newleaf is just around the corner and... seeing all the families together like this, I think I'm ready. I want kits." Halfpond blinked, before he let out an excited yell, pressing forward to rub their foreheads together with a loud purr.
"Yes! Yeah, of course, I mean. I... well. I want to be a father to our kits. I want to have kits with you; I'm happy with us as a family, with all our siblings and the love we have, but... I think I'd be a good father and I know you're going to be a great mother and... I want kits." He grinned, broadly, and Dawnblossom laughed a little, pressing their foreheads together again. "Are we allowed to tell people that we're trying?"
"Maybe we'll tell them when we're sure," Dawnblossom said with a purr, "when we know that we're doing to have little kits running around, causing havoc, which they will, because they have my genes. You can and should tell your parents though."
"And that means I'll love them, havoc and all, just as much as I love you." Dawnblossom purred, touching her nose to his, before they jumped as Sleetbreeze fell in through the entrance of the den, skidding across the ground a bit before he flipped back to his paws, shaking out his short pelt. He jumped as he noticed Dawnblossom and Halfpond watching him with amusement, before he purred a little.
"Don't mind me, I just have to go get my sister back. Cinderdawn!" He yowled, ducking back through the entrance to tackle his sister, the momentum carrying the two of them over and over as Falcongaze and Oakback batted snow at each other while their parents wrestled teasingly, kicking snow at their children whenever they got too close.
"Hey!" Sleetbreeze complained as Shadowtail nailed him behind the ear, "we're meant to be on the same side!"
"Oopsie," she said innocently, squealing as Dustfang flipped her and pinned her to the ground, laughing as she batted gently at the side of his face, purring up at him. He leaned down to nuzzle their noses together as she folded her paws around his shoulder, flipping him onto his back as they tussled, laughing so hard that there were tears in Dustfang's eyes.
"And they say you're the one with good aim," Dustfang wheezed, as Shadowtail teasingly bit his ear, his paws pushing lightly at her stomach, in a faux-movement to push her off of him.
"What, struggling to keep up?" She teased back, rolling away from him and dumping snow on top of his head as he spluttered, his mate darting away to shoulder-check her eldest son into the ground, pouncing on him as Falcongaze hollered for Cinderdawn's help, trying to swat snow at his mother while Oakback raced to block his father from helping his brother, the pair of large toms laughing as they swept massive flurries of snow at one another.
"Don't you wish Cardinalheart was here to help yo- ow!" Sleetbreeze teased Falcongaze, cutting himself off as Cinderdawn stepped on his stomach, racing toward their mother to bump her off of her brother, helping him to his paws. Sleetbreeze laughed at Falcongaze's glower, before he spluttered as the big tabby tom swept snow directly into his face.
"Don't you wish you'd closed your mouth?" He asked innocently, bursting into laughter as Sleetbreeze darted after him, chasing him around camp. Falcongaze skidded behind Adderstorm and a startled Squirrelwhisker, using them as a buffer between Sleetbreeze and himself. "Hey Adderstorm, can you flick him with snow for me? He's being annoying again." Adderstorm laughed, using her tail to flick a meager amount of snow at the tom.
"Fight your own battles," she said, and Falcongaze bolted, Sleetbreeze leaping over his cousin and his friend to chase after his brother, finally catching up and knocking him down, only to be immediately drenched in snow by his father, giving Falcongaze time to push to his paws and tackle Oakback instead. Adderstorm laughed, as Squirrelwhisker gave her a blank look.
"I'm not related to them," he said, and Adderstorm laughed harder.
"Come on, there's no reason to be embarrassed, you know I love your cousins, and I know you love them too." Squirrelwhisker's maw twitched into a smile. "They're cute, admit it."
"They were cuter when they weren't big enough to bury me in a cat-made snowbank," he said, and Adderstorm laughed, stretching to groom the snow from between the somali tom's ears. When she pulled back, Squirrelwhisker was smiling at her fondly, his eyes soft and gentle as he stared at her like she'd hung the sun in the sky.
"What?" She asked with a laugh, and he turned away, his smile embarrassed now.
"Nothing," he said, "you're just pretty." The sun turned his pelt to a fire orange, his eyes sparkling, his shoulders strong. Adderstorm felt affection for him well in her chest. Squirrelwhisker had been her best friend since she'd come to the clan, had challenged her and pushed her, but had supported her unconditionally. He'd been a perfect gentleman throughout his courting, had made his feelings known but never expected any reciprocation. The words had felt heavy on her tongue for a long time for fear of what they would mean, but with the way he looked in that moment, they had never seemed easier to say.
"I love you," she said, and Squirrelwhisker jolted, turning to blink at her, eyes wide, "I've known for a while but I've been afraid- afraid something would go wrong and I would lose you. I love you not just as someone I want to be with for the rest of my life, but as my best friend, someone I depend upon, someone I know I can trust... and I don't want to lose that. I don't want to lose you."
"You won't, Adderstorm, you never could. Even if we were capable of ending things badly, I'd never stop loving you. I couldn't; you mean too much to me, and for that you'll always have me, for as long as you need me. I'm not going anywhere." Adderstorm took a deep breath, smiling at him as he gazed shyly back at her. "Are you... are you saying you want to make it official?"
"Yeah," she said, "I am. I want to be your mate." Squirrelwhisker purred, smiling broadly as he nuzzled their noses together. His purr was cut off as Sleetbreeze tore past him with Dustfang hot on his tail, drenching him in snow again. He shook out his fur with a huff.
"Okay, that's it. Hazelskip! Woodbloom! Quailberry! Let's go!" Laughing, Adderstorm got to her paws, chasing after her mate as he threw himself into the battle, a broad grin on his face as he dumped pawful of snow after snow onto a tackled Sleetbreeze, howling laughter echoing into the air.
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β¦ servings consumed
15/15 - x13 voles & x1 fish
β¦ clan events
the medicine cats search for kitting herbs
adderstorm and squirrelwhisker become mates! (yes kits)
halfpond and dawnblossom try for kits!
β¦ patrols
hunting -
1 - sootface, harrierstreak, longriver, burrcall, boulderflame, flowershine
2 - shadowtail, kererucall, avocetnose, harepuddle, hazelskip, quailberry
3 - acornstream, squirrelwhisker, adderstorm, woodbloom, cormorantpath, sparkfur
4 - hawkthorn, ashenstrike, lionheart, silvermoon, roseclaw, pinefeather
5 - fawnrunner, maplefall, badgerstar, mirage, dawnblossom, halfpond
border -
1 - dusklight, dustfang, flintburr, stonepatch, archibald, meadowfang
# of cats; 94 (β: 42 / β: 46)
servings req'd; 15 servings (97)
next moonpool visit; any time
pebbles; 111 (lb)
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"Psst," Ashenstrike's whisper made Lionheart snort, curling up closer into her mate's shoulder, tail tucked comfortably around him, as he groomed between her ears. "Hey. Hey, wake up." Lionheart cracked open one eye, glimmering with amusement as she tilted her head up to face the silver tabby. Instantly, he pressed his nose to hers, purring as he nuzzled them together, making Lionheart laugh.
"Is that all you wanted?"
"Maybe," he teased, before he nodded to the mouth of the den, "Badgerstar already agreed to cover for us, so don't go stressing, but I was wondering if you wanted to go dawnwalking, so we could find a nice place to watch the sunrise. It feels like a while since we've had time alone. Someone's been keeping busy, running herself ragged looking after the clan, as always." Lionheart chuckled a little, eyes closing contently as her mate groomed her ears.
"I wonder who that could be," she said, "but yeah, I would like that. The clan is okay now, I think. They don't need me all of the time anymore." She pushed herself to her paws, in the darkness of the early morning, and Ashenstrike swiftly followed. The pair of them cast fond smiles at their sleeping kits, Cherrystorm's long form stretched out, his paw touching Flamescorch's across their nests as they slept. Carefully, the pair of them picked their way toward the entrance of the den and vanished out of it, and then out of the camp.
The walk was nice, through the forest before the sun was up. It was still, without birdsong that came with dawn. Ashenstrike's shoulder pressing against her own kept her warm, as they stepped carefully through the heavily wooded territory that GroveClan called home. Lionheart's breath fogged in the cold air, as did Ashenstrike's laughter as he half-slipped on some icy grass, only caught by his mate's teeth in his scruff.
"You really are like a third kit," Lionheart teased, bumping shoulders with him. Ashenstrike snorted.
"I see you've decided to hop into the clan tradition of being mean to me for no good reason."
"I invented that clan hobby, I'll have you know," she laughed as Ashenstrike affectionately nipped her ear, shaking his head in amusement at her.
"You know, this is supposed to be the part where I lament where I went wrong to be stuck with someone so mean, but there's no way I could even conceivably joke about this being wrong when there's never been anything more right in my life. I love you, even if you are super mean to me." He paused, purring as Lionheart licked his cheek before pressing her nose there with a lilting purr.
"I love you too, Ashenstrike. Now come on, we better find a spot to watch the sunrise, because it won't wait for us."
"Ever efficient," he teased, laughing as her tail lashed his nose, before he bounded after her. They fell into companionable silence again, trailing to the north. They climbed up the rocky terrain at the foot of the mountains, making their way around to a plateau just as the sun began to rise. "You know, sunrises always remind me of you," Ashenstrike said as they settled, his tail sweeping around his mate.
"Is that so?"
"Yeah," he nodded, "the way the sun shines so brightly reminds me of you- fierce, but so bright, so furiously strong that you have to look away, but when you see all that the sun touches, you see how much beauty it brings to the world around it, how it imbues everything else with its fire, with its strength, with its life. I don't know, maybe I'm reading too much into things and being too poetic, but I love you a lot."
"I think it's very sweet. You know I never thought I'd find anyone as right for me as you are... but I'm glad that fate threw us together like this, even if we had some bumps in the path to get here." Ashenstrike chuckled, leaning his head against hers as Lionheart nestled against him, and the pair of them fell quiet again, watching as the sun dawned on a new day in GroveClan.
β¦
"All cats gather beneath Hightree!" Badgerstar's call had cats clamoring around him, converging on the shape of the small tom as he sat at the base of the tree. Across from him, beaming in anticipation, was Bramblepaw, his siblings and parents crowded close. Brackeneyes jostled him companionably, beaming happily at the tom as he laughed, curling a pleased tail over his paws. When the whole clan had gathered, Badgerstar continued.
"I, Badgerstar, leader of GroveClan, ask our warrior ancestors to look down upon this apprentice. He has trained hard to understand the ways of the code and to learn the skills of a warrior, tireless even if a sickness held him back at the start of his training. I am honoured to recommend him to the stars as a warrior of this clan. Bramblepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, and to defend your clan, even at the cost of your life?"
"I do!"
"Then from this day forward, you will be known as Bramblepoppy for your relentless dedication. StarClan honours your sweetness and your determination, and it is my pleasure to welcome you- finally- as a warrior of GroveClan." He smiled as Bramblepoppy stepped forward to exchange ritual, his whole body shaking with excitement as the clan yowled for him. He took a step back, and then turned and ran back to his family, falling happily into their embrace with an elated laugh, as Flowershine and Boulderflame nuzzled the top of his head, purring loudly.
"Full circle," Maplefall said softly beside her mate, making him jump, before his face softened into fondness, "I remember how you were at Flowershine's warrior ceremony... so worried about putting a foot wrong. I'm so proud of you, and how much you've changed. How much you've grown. You have no clue how happy I am to see you stand up like you do and lead this clan."
"Maplefall, you know full well I wouldn't have been able to do it without you," he pressed his nose to her forehead, "you might be the prettiest molly I've ever met, but you're also my best friend, my rock, and my closest confidante. If I didn't have you there to dust me off when I fell, I never would have made it this far. This is your success as much as it is mine- your family. Our family."
"Our family," Maplefall agreed, touching her nose to Badgerstar's as elated congratulations carried across to them on the wind.
π₯π πππͺ,
"Excited?" Badgerstar asked as Sunkit vibrated next to his mother's paws. He blinked up at his father with a grin, and then nodded enthusiastically. Redpaw yawned and snuggled into Maplefall's side, sheltering himself from the Leafbare air as the new season settled in. Goldleaf said it looked like it was going to snow, and so Badgerstar had opted to have the apprentice ceremony a little earlier just so that they wouldn't be interrupted.
"It's always an exciting day, watching your kits grow up," he started, moving away from his family to address the gathered clan, "it worries you too, when you see how big they're getting, because it reminds you of the gray in your own fur, but I am very proud of my youngest kits for reaching the age where they will become apprentices. Sunkit, Brindlekit and Redkit, from this day on until you receive your warrior names, you will be known as Sunpaw, Brindlepaw and Redpaw respectively. Sunpaw, your mentor will be Flintbur- he is one of our oldest warriors and one of my oldest friends, and I know for a fact that he will teach you with kindness and patience. I have full faith he will pass on his wisdom to make you the best warrior you can be." The clan cheered for Sunpaw as he bounded across to Flintburr, stretching up to touch his nose to the tall black warrior's.
"Brindlepaw, your mentor will be Acornstream. She is an adept hunter and a kind, smart cat, and I can't think of anyone better suited to teaching you how to be a fantastic warrior." His proud beam only grew wider as his daughter touched noses to Acornstream, the Somali molly purring happily as the apprentice settled next to her paws. "And last but not least... Redpaw. Your mentor will be Novella. Once upon a time, she was a scared, shy apprentice. But under Flowershine's excellent training and compassion, she blossomed into a strong, determined warrior, and I know she will teach you her strength, her tenacity, and the deep wealth of love she feels for this clan. I am certain there is no better mentor for you than Novella, and she will teach you to be as great a warrior as she is." Redpaw grinned, and Novella ducked her head bashfully as the clan cheered for the new apprentice. He moved through the crowd to press his nose to Novella's respectfully, as a snowflake drifted from the air and landed right on Badgerstar's head.
"Just in time," Lionheart said with a chuckle, as more snowflakes began to fall, "we better head for the dens to wait this out. I can assign patrols from there."
β¦
The snow fell for the better part of the morning, all the way until sunhigh, where even in Leafbare the sun beat down with enough strength to warm the air. Cats emerged from their dens, paws touching the first snow of the year for the first time. They looked to Lionheart and Badgerstar, who were looking at the sun, and at each other, before Lionheart shrugged with a laugh and flicked her tail. Badgerstar beamed, excitedly, his tail lifting like a banner as he called out to the cats watching him:
"Forget patrols; they can wait till tomorrow- it's the first snow of the season! I think that calls for a clan-wide snow day." Cheers went up from around the clan as friends and family groups converged, chatting excitedly. Badgerstar chuckled, before something wet hit him in the side of the head and he yowled, whirling to see Ashenstrike grinning at him, paw arcing through the snow to send another flurry at him which caught him directly in the face. "Okay, it's on!"
He bounded through the snow and slammed into the tabby tom, the pair of them toppling to the ground with friendly yowls. Suddenly, Badgerstar felt weightless, as he was hauled off of Ashenstrike and placed neatly on the ground. He looked up to see Lionheart, and he purred a little bit, before sputtering as she slammed her paws into the snow and drenched him, the two larger cats turning to scramble away as Badgerstar chased after them. Cherrystorm and Flamescorch were quick to join in the snow fight, with Juniperstorm jumping in to defend Ashenstrike a few minutes later, all of them laughing hard and yowling as snow splattered all through their pelts.
Finally, the adults gave up, dropping down under one of the trees together, Maplefall coming across to join them. Their kits played on, dragging both Midnightstream and their newly apprenticed siblings into the fray, Mottlebloom and Fernstone teaming up with Juniperstorm and Brindlepaw to pummel the boys with relentless assaults of kicked-up snow. Badgerstar and Lionheart huddled close together, Ashenstrike and Maplefall on either side of them as they watched their kits streak through the snow. Midnightstream spluttered as Juniperstorm shoulder-checked him, sending him sprawling as she dumped more and more snow onto him.
"You know, when I first met you, I could never have imagined you playing in the snow like that," Badgerstar grinned as Maplefall groomed off the last of the snow from behind his ears, "I thought you were there to save me from your mate, but you betrayed me at the last hour." Lionheart laughed a little bit, leaning into Ashenstrike's flank as he purred smugly.
"Nothing personal, kiddo, I just know when to pick the winning team, and everyone knows we make a formidable duo in any kind of fight." Badgerstar nodded, his eyes trailing across to their kits playing. Fernstone shook out her long fur, looking so much like her father with her mother's regal air, while Cherrystorm's fur flashed the fiery colour of Lionheart's, but his cheeky grin evoked Ashenstrike's mischievous aura. "What are you thinking about?"
"Mostly how happy I am," Badgerstar said, "we've experienced some hardship, these past few moons, but it's moments like this where I remember what's important, and how even when things seem terribly bad and like they could never get better, that they can and that they do. I never imagined I'd have a family like this- and now my sister is back and I have amazing kits, and a grandkit too. And I got to see Lionheart fall in love, and see both of your genetics create kits just as incredible as you are."
"She did all of the work," Ashenstrike said with a chuckle, "I just worried a lot and tried to teach them to have a little fun sometimes."
"Don't sell yourself short. I try to balance what I'm teaching them, but I couldn't have done it without you. From day one you were more than involved in their lives, and they're lucky to have a father who supports and loves them so much. And you did good with Juniperstorm too- she was hurting, a lot, and it helped to have someone who understood and who helped her overcome her anger. She and Sedgefire have both settled in so well." Ashenstrike ducked his head with a shy smile and a little half-shrug.
"Love is the most important lesson you can teach someone, I suppose. I try to treat everyone with the same compassion, because that's the least a cat deserves. Everything else was on them, but... I'm proud of how they've grown." His fond gaze shifted from Juniperstorm to Sedgefire, where she and Wolverinejaw were lounging with their friends.
"You know," Dusklight said, "you never told us how you met Novella." All eyes swung toward the big black molly as she chuckled a little, tilting her head back. Novella purred from her spot next to Mousestone, who was wedged up against Dusklight on one side while Dawnblossom was nestled on the other, between her brother and her mate.
"You thinking is always dangerous, Dusklight."
"Hey! I was just curious, I guess. I remember how everyone came here, how Wolverinejaw tried to fight Badgerstar, and how Ashenstrike talked about Sedgefire being wild... but you didn't know about Flintburr being here, not like Halfpond did, and you were a loner... so I guess I just wondered what happened between then and coming across Novella."
"Honestly... not a whole lot," Sedgefire said, "I was with a clan for a little while, but then it fell apart when I was still a kitten. A sickly queen tried to look after me, but she died shortly after, some lingering sickness from something going wrong in kitting. So... I was just a kit, and I was on my own. For the first few moons it was grisly- I had to stay mostly hidden and hunt small creatures when I could and when I was sure I was safe. As I got older, I taught myself more and more, moving after the prey with the seasons and all that. I realized I'd forgotten my own name when I came across a group of travelers who asked for it several moons later, and so I renamed myself Sedge, and they told me that they were going toward this kind of territory where prey was more bountiful, so I traveled with them for a bit, before we split off on the other side of the mountain. They continued on, but I went up and through EchoClan territory, and then down the other side, where I found Novella at the border, scared witless and bleeding. I smelled cats, and... well, the rest is history I guess."
"So you just decided to help her even though you didn't know her at all?" Dawnblossom asked, eyes twinkling. "Everyone thought you'd been friends for moons, and you never bothered to correct them because you didn't want anyone to think you were soft." Sedgefire pouted, her ears flattening.
"I'm not soft, it was just the right thing to do! Novella was so small back then... it would have been wrong to leave her there, scared and alone. I figured a clan of cats could help her where I couldn't, and then I planned to move on, but obviously... fate had other ideas."
"And thank StarClan it did, because I couldn't imagine this clan without you," Sedgefire chuckled a little as Dusklight grinned, "seriously. We needed someone strong and brave like you; like Lionheart. It's what makes GroveClan so special is that everyone has this incredibly capacity for love, no matter how stoic or cranky they are."
"I'm glad too. I never expected I would find my family again- not the one I was related to by blood, and certainly not the family I've found in all of you. I never thought I'd have a brother, or a sister in bonds, or be best friends with such a peppy warrior and such a headstrong medicine cat... and never did I think I'd put my own values and way of life on the line for a complete stranger who turned out to be so, so strong. Plus, I didn't ever see myself with a mate as cantankerous as Wolverinejaw."
"Hey," Wolverinejaw protested, and everyone laughed as she rolled her eyes, "sure, tease all you want."
"We will," Halfpond said with a smile, before his mate nudged him, and he jumped a little, "but I'll have to entrust that task to Dusklight. Excuse us for a moment." The pair of them got up, shaking out their pelts as they moved away from the group, passing Archie and Rivuletflight as they moved toward their little group. Dawnblossom beamed at them as they passed, before she lead Halfpond into the abandoned elder's den. "Okay... what are we doing here?"
"I've been thinking," Dawnblossom said, settling down with her tail over her paws, blue eyes staring determinedly at her mate, "just about things. About everything. And this isn't going in a bad direction- at least I don't think it is- but... well. I'm done training my apprentice now, and Newleaf is just around the corner and... seeing all the families together like this, I think I'm ready. I want kits." Halfpond blinked, before he let out an excited yell, pressing forward to rub their foreheads together with a loud purr.
"Yes! Yeah, of course, I mean. I... well. I want to be a father to our kits. I want to have kits with you; I'm happy with us as a family, with all our siblings and the love we have, but... I think I'd be a good father and I know you're going to be a great mother and... I want kits." He grinned, broadly, and Dawnblossom laughed a little, pressing their foreheads together again. "Are we allowed to tell people that we're trying?"
"Maybe we'll tell them when we're sure," Dawnblossom said with a purr, "when we know that we're doing to have little kits running around, causing havoc, which they will, because they have my genes. You can and should tell your parents though."
"And that means I'll love them, havoc and all, just as much as I love you." Dawnblossom purred, touching her nose to his, before they jumped as Sleetbreeze fell in through the entrance of the den, skidding across the ground a bit before he flipped back to his paws, shaking out his short pelt. He jumped as he noticed Dawnblossom and Halfpond watching him with amusement, before he purred a little.
"Don't mind me, I just have to go get my sister back. Cinderdawn!" He yowled, ducking back through the entrance to tackle his sister, the momentum carrying the two of them over and over as Falcongaze and Oakback batted snow at each other while their parents wrestled teasingly, kicking snow at their children whenever they got too close.
"Hey!" Sleetbreeze complained as Shadowtail nailed him behind the ear, "we're meant to be on the same side!"
"Oopsie," she said innocently, squealing as Dustfang flipped her and pinned her to the ground, laughing as she batted gently at the side of his face, purring up at him. He leaned down to nuzzle their noses together as she folded her paws around his shoulder, flipping him onto his back as they tussled, laughing so hard that there were tears in Dustfang's eyes.
"And they say you're the one with good aim," Dustfang wheezed, as Shadowtail teasingly bit his ear, his paws pushing lightly at her stomach, in a faux-movement to push her off of him.
"What, struggling to keep up?" She teased back, rolling away from him and dumping snow on top of his head as he spluttered, his mate darting away to shoulder-check her eldest son into the ground, pouncing on him as Falcongaze hollered for Cinderdawn's help, trying to swat snow at his mother while Oakback raced to block his father from helping his brother, the pair of large toms laughing as they swept massive flurries of snow at one another.
"Don't you wish Cardinalheart was here to help yo- ow!" Sleetbreeze teased Falcongaze, cutting himself off as Cinderdawn stepped on his stomach, racing toward their mother to bump her off of her brother, helping him to his paws. Sleetbreeze laughed at Falcongaze's glower, before he spluttered as the big tabby tom swept snow directly into his face.
"Don't you wish you'd closed your mouth?" He asked innocently, bursting into laughter as Sleetbreeze darted after him, chasing him around camp. Falcongaze skidded behind Adderstorm and a startled Squirrelwhisker, using them as a buffer between Sleetbreeze and himself. "Hey Adderstorm, can you flick him with snow for me? He's being annoying again." Adderstorm laughed, using her tail to flick a meager amount of snow at the tom.
"Fight your own battles," she said, and Falcongaze bolted, Sleetbreeze leaping over his cousin and his friend to chase after his brother, finally catching up and knocking him down, only to be immediately drenched in snow by his father, giving Falcongaze time to push to his paws and tackle Oakback instead. Adderstorm laughed, as Squirrelwhisker gave her a blank look.
"I'm not related to them," he said, and Adderstorm laughed harder.
"Come on, there's no reason to be embarrassed, you know I love your cousins, and I know you love them too." Squirrelwhisker's maw twitched into a smile. "They're cute, admit it."
"They were cuter when they weren't big enough to bury me in a cat-made snowbank," he said, and Adderstorm laughed, stretching to groom the snow from between the somali tom's ears. When she pulled back, Squirrelwhisker was smiling at her fondly, his eyes soft and gentle as he stared at her like she'd hung the sun in the sky.
"What?" She asked with a laugh, and he turned away, his smile embarrassed now.
"Nothing," he said, "you're just pretty." The sun turned his pelt to a fire orange, his eyes sparkling, his shoulders strong. Adderstorm felt affection for him well in her chest. Squirrelwhisker had been her best friend since she'd come to the clan, had challenged her and pushed her, but had supported her unconditionally. He'd been a perfect gentleman throughout his courting, had made his feelings known but never expected any reciprocation. The words had felt heavy on her tongue for a long time for fear of what they would mean, but with the way he looked in that moment, they had never seemed easier to say.
"I love you," she said, and Squirrelwhisker jolted, turning to blink at her, eyes wide, "I've known for a while but I've been afraid- afraid something would go wrong and I would lose you. I love you not just as someone I want to be with for the rest of my life, but as my best friend, someone I depend upon, someone I know I can trust... and I don't want to lose that. I don't want to lose you."
"You won't, Adderstorm, you never could. Even if we were capable of ending things badly, I'd never stop loving you. I couldn't; you mean too much to me, and for that you'll always have me, for as long as you need me. I'm not going anywhere." Adderstorm took a deep breath, smiling at him as he gazed shyly back at her. "Are you... are you saying you want to make it official?"
"Yeah," she said, "I am. I want to be your mate." Squirrelwhisker purred, smiling broadly as he nuzzled their noses together. His purr was cut off as Sleetbreeze tore past him with Dustfang hot on his tail, drenching him in snow again. He shook out his fur with a huff.
"Okay, that's it. Hazelskip! Woodbloom! Quailberry! Let's go!" Laughing, Adderstorm got to her paws, chasing after her mate as he threw himself into the battle, a broad grin on his face as he dumped pawful of snow after snow onto a tackled Sleetbreeze, howling laughter echoing into the air.
β¬β¬β¬β¬β¬β¬β¬β¬β¬β¬β¬β¬β¬β¬β¬β¬β¬β¬β¬β¬β¬β¬β¬β¬β¬β¬β¬β¬β¬β¬
β¦ servings consumed
15/15 - x13 voles & x1 fish
β¦ clan events
the medicine cats search for kitting herbs
adderstorm and squirrelwhisker become mates! (yes kits)
halfpond and dawnblossom try for kits!
β¦ patrols
hunting -
1 - sootface, harrierstreak, longriver, burrcall, boulderflame, flowershine
2 - shadowtail, kererucall, avocetnose, harepuddle, hazelskip, quailberry
3 - acornstream, squirrelwhisker, adderstorm, woodbloom, cormorantpath, sparkfur
4 - hawkthorn, ashenstrike, lionheart, silvermoon, roseclaw, pinefeather
5 - fawnrunner, maplefall, badgerstar, mirage, dawnblossom, halfpond
border -
1 - dusklight, dustfang, flintburr, stonepatch, archibald, meadowfang
- leader:
badgerstar | 66 moons | β
lives: β β β β β°β°β°β°β°
deputy:
lionheart | 87 moons | β
medicine cat:
goldleaf | 88 moons | β - 6sp
spidernose | 61 moons | β - 6sp
apprentice:
mousestone | 45 moons | β - 6sp
warriors:
flintburr | 102 moons | β
maplefall | 62 moons | β
hawkthorn | 76 moons | β
shadowtail | 76 moons | β
acornstream | 76 moons | β
dustfang | 81 moons | β
ashenstrike | 87 moons | β
stonepatch | 63 moons | β
fawnrunner | 62 moons | β
harrierstreak | 54 moons | β
flowershine | 53 moons | β
longriver | 52 moons | β
boulderflame | 50 moons | β
burrcall | 50 moons | β
roseclaw | 98 moons | β
sootface | 70 moons | β
pinefeather | 96 moons | β
dawnblossom | 44 moons | β
dusklight | 44 moons | β
novella | 44 moons | β
halfpond | 48 moons | β
sedgefire | 48 moons | β
willowthroat | 54 moons | β
grouseclaw | 54 moons | β
wolverinejaw | 51 moons | β
burningcloud | 83 moons | β
meadowfang | 83 moons | β
woodbloom | 40 moons | β
squirrelwhisker | 40 moons | β
featherpelt | 88 moons | β
adderstorm | 39 moons | β
archibald | 44 moons | β
fircloud | 100 moons | β
rivuletflight | 48 moons | β
silvermoon | 85 moons | β
ripplemist | 42 moons | β
frostbranch | 42 moons | β
cormorantpath | 39 moons | β
sparkfur | 39 moons | β
avocetnose | 32 moons | β
ternflutter | 32 moons | β
elkbounce | 31 moons | β
thunderspark| 31 moons | β
mistcreek | 31 moons | β
deerstripe | 31 moons | β
juniperstorm | 30 moons | β
midnightstream | 30 moons | β
harepuddle | 58 moons | β
kererucall | 90 moons | β
falcongaze | 26 moons | β
cinderdawn | 26 moons | β
sleetbreeze | 26 moons | β
oakback | 26 moons | β
hazelskip | 25 moons | β
quailberry | 25 moons | β
riverbubble | 65 moons | β
russetbound | 19 moons | β
eveningfeather | 19 moons | β
frecklestep | 19 moons | β
morninglight | 19 moons | β
crowcharm | 18 moons | β
ravenflight | 18 moons | β
starlingthroat | 18 moons | β
tuisong | 18 moons | β
lilactail | 18 moons | β
lavenderspring | 18 moons | β
fernstone | 17 moons | β
cherrystorm | 17 moons | β
pitchrunner | 17 moons | β
mottlebloom | 17 moons | β
pebblebird | 17 moons | β
flamescorch | 17 moons | β
mirage | 66 moons | β
brackeneyes | 15 moons | β
bramblepoppy | 15 moons | β
thornfern | 15 moons | β
thicketshade | 15 moons | β
apprentices:
sunpaw | 6 moons | β
brindlepaw | 6 moons | β
redpaw | 6 moons | β
queens:
sandcatcher | 33 moons | β
emberwing | 30 moons | β
kits:
eclipsekit | 5 moons | β
brightkit | 5 moons | β
beekit | 5 moons | β
runningkit | 5 moons | β
tallkit | 5 moons | β
poppykit | 5 moons | β
strongkit | 4 moons | β
elders:
inventory wrote:medicine store;
catmint [4] | greencough
chervil [6] | wounds/aches
marigold [4] | wounds
tansy [2] | coughs
goldenrod [5] | wounds
catchweed [3] | poultices
poppy seeds [3] | pain
cobwebs [2] | bleeding
fennel [7] | pain
raspberry leaves [6] | kitting
ragwort leaves [5] | strength
alder bark [1] | toothache
beech leaves [1] | use ???
chickweed [9] | coughs
parsley [1] | bellyache
rosemary [1] | burial
willow bark [1] | pain
bindweed [1] | binds sticks
blackberry leaves [1] | bee stings
borage leaves [1] | milk
bright-eye [1] | cures coughs
burdock [1] | infections
broom [2] | breaks/wounds
burnet [4] | strength
celandine [4] | eye infections
horsetail [2] | stops bleeding
oak leaves [1] | stops infection
comfrey root [1] | wounds
daisy leaves [1] | aching joints
dock [1] | soothes scratches
chamomile [1] | strength
cob nuts [1] | unknown
coltsfoot [1] | breathing
dandelion [1] | bee stings
elder leaves [1] | sprains
feverfew [1] | fever/headache
goatweed [1] | eases grief
hawkweed [1] | greencough
heather nectar [1] | sweetner
honey [1] | soothes throats
ivy leaves [1] | unknown
juniper berries [1] | bellyaches
lamb's ear [1] | strength
lavender [1] | fever/chills
lovage [1] | unknown
lungwort [1] | yellowcough
mallow leaves [1] | bellyache
mint [1] | scenting
mouse bile [1] | kills ticks
rush [1] | breaks
sorrel [1] | traveling herb
laurel [1] | herb wraps
stick [1] | pain
stinging nettle [1] | swelling; pain; breaks
sweet sedge [1] | infections
echinacea [1] | coughs
fresh-kill pile;
mouse | x13| 1 servings [13]
vole | x0 | 1 servings [0]
rabbit | x13 | 2 servings [26]
bird | x13 | 3 servings [39]
fish | x15 | 2 servings [30]
squirrel | x13 | 2 servings [26]
hare | x13 | 3 servings [36]
capacity: 164 servings (10 posts)
relationships wrote:mentors;
flintburr | sunpaw [0]
βͺ skills
acornstream | brindlepaw [0]
βͺ skills
novella | redpaw [0]
βͺ skills
deceased cats;
twilightkit ; murdered by dante
redrunner ; heart failure/age
fallowshimmer ; heart failure/age
bronzekit, reedkit, paisleykit,
streamkit & tinykit ; weakness at birth
family/mates;
archive
