1x1 Kess and Gohtye.

[ragemonster]

(('Salright.))

Fallownose

The tom stood up and started pacing, his thoughts a tangled mess. What would he do if he lost Fluffwhisker? He shuddered at the thought and prayed to StarClan that that didn't happen, to her or the unborn kits. He knew that, like himself, Fluffwhisker would be devastated if she lost one of them. His strides got longer, more agitated, and his tail lashed back and forth.

Sandpelt

As they turned towards the border with ShadowClan, Sandpelt meowed, "I know I don't have to remind any of you to be careful around the thunderpath. But, be careful. There seems to be more activity than usual with the monsters today." Usually, the cats could hear occasional pauses between the passing monsters that flew by on the thunderpath. Today, however, they heard no such pauses. Just an endless stream of WOOSH, WOOSH, WOOSH. They'd have to be cautious, especially the apprentices. She remembered as an apprentice, the winds generated from the running monsters could sweep a cat off its paws and knock it onto the thunderpath. She repressed a shudder and made her way toward the stinking black mass ahead.

Whiteberry

The stark white she-cat dipped her head in a nod as Sandpelt reminded them to be careful. She knew how dangerous the monsters could be; she'd seen her sister, Rosepaw, get hit by one of the monsters. She'd died instantly. A wave of sadness nudged her heart, but she shook it off. She couldn't afford to be distracted: if hit by one of the monsters, a cat would be permanently impaired or killed. She had no desire to be either. She fell into step behind Sandpelt as they neared the thunderpath, wrinkling her nose against the smell.

Vinepaw

The gray tabby she-cat woke to Thornpaw prodding her in the side. "What?" she grumbled. She'd been having a good dream; something about catching a crow... "It's past sunrise," the tom murmured, the tip of his luffy tail twitching. "And I thought you'd like to know, Fluffwhisker's having her kits soon. Six of them, if you'll believe it."
Vinepaw's yellow eyes widened. "Six? No way. That's... possible?" Thornpaw shrugged. "Looks like it. Six new apprentices soon! I wonder if I'll get to mentor one." The tomcat's green eyes lit up with hope. "Well, I'm going to go train with Fallenbranch, if I can find her." Thornpaw trotted out of the apprentice's den, the tip of that bushy tail of his disappearing last. Six kits, huh. She wondered how her mentor, the father of the kits, was reacting to the news. Stretching on a big yawn, she decided she'd go see him.

Echopaw

The she-cat padded behind her mentor, wondering if they'd see any ShadowClan cats. She knew her brother hoped so; the tom was twitching like he had a mouse under his fur from the wait. He was probably like this because the last time they'd been on patrol, they'd had a small tussle with a mouthy RiverClan apprentice that had taunted Hailpaw. Her brother being... somewhat hot-headed, he and the RiverClan cat had fought it out until it was broken up. No doubt he was itching to sink his claws into the apprentice's fur again. He had a tenancy to hold a grudge, she thought, as they reached the edge of the forest and stared out across the thunderpath.

Thornpaw

Thornpaw shook his fur out, arching his back and digging his nails into the earth. He kept his green eyes open, looking for his mentor, all the while wondering what they'd be practicing today. They'd already covered tracking, hunting techniques, most, if not all, battle moves. It was only a matter of time before they were made warriors. He'd have to ask Fallenbranch when the warrior ceremony would be.

Hailpaw

Hailpaw couldn't sit still. The memory of that mouse-brained RiverClan cat had his claws unsheathing and sinking deep into the greasy grass that surrounded the sides of the thunderpath. Monsters wooshed by, buffeting his blue-gray tabby fur. He hoped the patrol around ShadowClan land didn't take long; he was anxious to see if the apprentice from the other day was patrolling again. His tail twitched with anticipation as they walked around the thunderpath.

Harefoot

The brown tom's tail flicked back and forth as they skirted along the edge of the thunderpath. The thing made him nervous on a quiet day, but the unusual amount of monsters racing by had his fur on end. Adding his kits to the fray made this worse. He made sure they were a safe distance from the expanse of black rock, far enough away that if a monster came speeding onto the grass he'd have time to get them out of the way.

[Kess]

Jadepool

The black she cat walked back to her den stiffly. She knew, she knew! Fluffwhisker's experiences, she knew. But she couldn't tell! She couldn't tell a soul! Who knew what trouble it would lead to? No, it must remain a secret.

Jackalfur

Jackalfur bristled. "I smell ShadowClan!" he spat. "Close by!" were those shadow lovers on his territory?

Fluffwhisker

Fluffwhisker flopped her head back and relaxed happily. Six tiny bundles of joy! Of course, this was great for the Clan! Her ears twitched as there was a sharp kick from one of the kits. She purred. They were little warriors already! Another kick. That one hurt! Suddenly a sharper pain overcame her and she let out a slow, thin wail.

Berrypaw

Berrypaw whipped around as Fluffwhisker yowled. "Fluffwhisker! she called. She scooped up the necessary herbs and made a mad dash for the nursery.

Fallenbranch

Fallenbranch sat near the entrance to the camp. Her eyes traveled around the camp as she watched her Clanmates warmly. She nodded to Reedstar, who ignored her. "Geesh, he can be a real mouse-dung," she muttered.

Reed

Star
((messed up coding. i'm on an ipod though))

Reedstar stood up and leapt down from his perch. The massive tabby strutted over to Fallenbranch. "Can you assess your apprentice today? Have the other mentors do so as well." the she cat nodded.

[ragemonster]

((I actually cocked my head to the side like a dog when I read about Fluffwhisker having a secret LOL.))

Fallownose

The tom stiffened and whirled around as he heard Fluffwhisker's yowl, pushing into the nursery ahead of Berrypaw and dashing to his mate's side. He licked her head soothingly. "Fluffwhisker, are you alright?" he asked between licks, trying to stay calm.

Sandpelt

Sandpelt's ears perked up, alert. "Where?" she asked sharply.

[Kess]

((Haha, you think it's Fluffwhisker's secret? Actually it's someone else's...))

Fluffwhisker

The long-haired reddish she-cat noded weakly. "I'm allright," she whimpered. "I think the kits are coming..." She silenced as a ripple of pain shot through her belly. She flopped on her side, panting with effort. A wave of relief flowed over her as her sister entered the den. She was carrying some herbs that Fluffwhisker didn't know the names of. Another stab of pain and Fluffwhisker let out a squeak.

Jadepool

Jadepool burst into the den frantically. "Allright, Fluffwhisker! Put this stick in your mouth and bite on it when you feel pain. It will help, trust me," she meowed. Then, picking up the wet moss ball, she handed it to Fallownose. "Hold this to her forehead, but don't let any water get in her eyes." Next, she put her paw on the queen's belly. "The first kit is coming!" she said with a rush of anticipation. Underneath her excitement for her sister was fear. Can I do it right this time? she wondered. Long ago, there had been an...incident...where a queen she'd treated had lost two of her kits, leaving only one alone, weak and sickly.

Jackalfur

The brown tom flicked his tail. "that way. Those fools are crashing through the bracken." He hoped it would come to a fight; he hadn't been in a good skirmish in a while.

Fallenbranch

Fallenbranch nodded to the leader. "Okay," she mewed. Then she went towards the apprentice den and stuck her nose in. "Thornpaw!" she called. "Hailpaw! Vinepaw! Echopaw! Wake up!"

Reedstar

Reedstar watched her go through narrowed blue eyes, then decided to go for a hunt. Perhaps there'd be something good out there for his daughter, Fluffwhisker, who was birthing her kits right now.

((I think I'll add a few new characters.))

Name: Mistpaw
Age: 7 moons
Gender: female
Appearance: light gray with amber eyes.
Rank: apprentice
Kits: none
Mate: none
Crush: Thornpaw
Other: Harefoot is her mentor.

Name: Brightsky
Age: 76 moons
Gender: female
Appearance: tortoiseshell and white with blue eyes
Rank: Elder
Kits: Sandpelt and Harefoot
Mate: (deceased)
Crush: none
Other: Brightsky is a very old cat and is well-respected among the Clan. She is a good storyteller and all the kits and apprentices love her.

[ragemonster]

((Mmm it's making me curious, wondering what and who for the secret is. xD))

Fallownose

The tom did as he was instructed, taking the soaked moss and pressing it gently over his mate's forehead. He was careful, as Jadepool had instructed, not to get any of the water into Fluffwhisker's eyes. As he waited for Jadepool to continue, he thought, Please, StarClan, don't take them from me yet. "The first kit is coming!" Jadepool said, and he looked over to see she had a paw on his mate's belly. He waited with bated breath for the kit to come, still keeping the moss on Fluffwhisker's forehead.

Sandpelt

Sandpelt's lip curled back in a snarl and the fur along her spine bristled. She could smell them, now, and hear them. They seemed to be chasing something. Leading her cats in a charge, she barreled down the side of the thunderpath and halted just on the other side of a thicket of bracken, peering through it. Sure enough, ShadowClan cats had crossed onto ThunderClan land and had killed a rabbit. Holding back a growl, she thrust her way through the bracken and snarled, "What are you doing on ThunderClan land? And with our prey?"

Whiteberry

The white she-cat's green eyes widened as Sandpelt raced ahead, the others quickly following. Whiteberry's long, sleek tail streaked out behind her as they ran, and she skidded to a halt abruptly before a clump of bracken, almost crashing into Jackalfur. Normally she'd have apologized, but she knew she had to be quiet. Suddenly, Sandpelt shoved her way through the clump of bracken, and snarled at the ShadowClan cats that had obviously just killed a rabbit on ThunderClan turf. Whiteberry, a normally gentle cat, curled her lips back over her teeth in a ferocious snarl. She recognized the hunting party as Rockfur, Palestripe, Foxclaw, Snakepaw, and Cloudface. Rockfur's yellow eyes locked onto hers and he hissed, low and deep. Palestripe and Foxclaw, tom and she-cat, both focused on Sandpelt and Jackalfur, who were at the front, and Snakepaw trained his eyes onto Echopaw. "Well?" she heard Sandpelt snarl. "Why are you on my Clan's territory?"

Vinepaw

Just as she exited the den, she saw Fallownose whirl around and dash back into it. Fluffwhisker must be kitting now, she thought. Before she could go any further, Fallenbranch walked over to the apprentice's den and meowed for her and the other apprentices to wake up. "Echopaw and Hailpaw are out on the dawn patrol, and Thornpaw went looking for you." As if on command, Thornpaw trotted over to the pair of cats. "Hi, Fallenbranch. Are we training today?" he asked, sitting down.

Echopaw

Echopaw didn't flinch as Snakepaw fixed his eyes on her. Obviously, they were gearing up for a fight. She snarled a challenge at the brown tabby, who lashed his striped tail in response. "We chased this rabbit from ShadowClan land across the thunderpath and killed it here," said Rockfur, in answer to Sandpelt's question. "And you killed it on ThunderClan land. Anything that crosses the border between Clan territory belongs to that Clan. So, you've just killed our prey." The black-and-white tom snarled as Sandpelt continued, "And how did you get across the thunderpath? There are more monsters than usual on it today. If I didn't know better, I'd have said that you were in our territory before the thunderpath got busy." Palestripe lashed her tail, walking a few threatening paces in the dawn patrol's direction. "Maybe we're telling the truth, and perhaps it's just that ShadowClan cats are better at crossing the thunderpath. After all, we get more practice." Sandpelt's eyes narrowed. "I'm sure you do," she meowed, as if implying that they got practice crossing... to steal prey on ThunderClan land. And the ShadowClan cats knew it, too.

Thornpaw

The tom walked up to his mentor, who was talking to Vinepaw. His whiskers twitched in amusement as he thought, I could have spared myself the trouble of searching and just stayed here. "Hi, Fallenbranch," he greeted, sitting down. "Are we training today?" Thornpaw didn't think so; as his mentor was talking to Vinepaw, he assumed it must be time for their assessment. His pelt tingled with anticipation.

Hailpaw

"Are you accusing us of stealing prey on this side?" spat Foxclaw. The white-and-ginger tom looked poised to spring, and Hailpaw hoped he would. "Yes," said Sandpelt smoothly, "I am."
With a battle cry, Foxclaw launched himself at Sandpelt, and the two of them went down, shrieking and snarling and writhing on the ground as they fought. Rockfur lunged at Whiteberry, and those two went down as well, a tangle of black-and-white fur. Palestripe tackled Jackalfur and Snakepaw and Echopaw met head-on. Snakepaw, being almost a warrior, was clearly outweighing Echopaw. Hailpaw snarled and lumped onto the back of his sister's attacker, biting down on the back of Snakepaw's scruff, not noticing that Harefoot and Cloudface were fighting right beside them.

Harefoot

Harefoot scrabbled at the tortoiseshell's back as Cloudface fought to get out of his grip. With a sudden move, Harefoot was thrown onto his back and the wind was knocked out of his lungs as Cloudface wrenched herself from his grip and attacked him before he got his breath back. Her teeth were bared in a snarl and her blue eyes were enraged as she swatted at his face. With a heave, he kicked her off of him with his hindlegs, and she went sprawling. Getting to his feet, he arched his back and snarled, ignoring the small trickle of blood dripping down his chin.

[Kess]

((When the time is right all shall be revealed *evil smile*))

Jadepool

Jadepool held her breath as the first kit came. She nipped the sac away and nodded to Berrypaw. "Lick the kit to warm it up." This kit was gray and white like its father. Another came quickly, this time a sand-colored tabby. The third was all black, as Jadepool and Fluffwhisker's mother had been. The fourth, a gray, brown, and white tortoiseshell. The fifth kit was slow coming, and this one was solid gray. And the sixth kit was the color of flame. But Fluffwhisker was not finished. "One more!" Jadepool gasped. And when this kit slid out, it was black and white. Jadepool stared at it. Memories flashed in her mind of a black and white cat, cruelly slain at a young age...she shook herself. "Congratulations, Fallownose. Seven kits." The seventh kit was small and fragile-looking, but Jadepool did not state her fear: That this kit would not live long.

Fallenbranch

"Today you and your siblings will have your assessment. When Hailpaw and Echopaw return, I'll assess them too. But for now, one of you go to hunt by Treecutplace and the other go hunt by the stream."

Jackalfur

Jackalfur lashed his tail angrily as Hailpaw and Echopaw were lost under a massive apprentice named Snakepaw. "Garrof!" he spat and lashed out a huge paw at the apprentice's face. Then he dashed away to help Whiteberry.

[ragemonster]

Fallownose

The tom could only stare... Seven kits. Seven. Kits. "Fluffwhisker?" he meowed, his voice having almost no volume to it from shock. He cleared his throat. "Fluffwhisker?" he tried again, and much to his relief, his voice started working properly. "Are you alright?" He eyed the last kit, a black-and-white tom-kit. Sadness peirced his heart like a claw as he watched the thing breathe faintly. It was smaller than the others, and he could see by the look in Jadepool's eyes that she didn't expect this one to live very long.

Sandpelt

Sandpelt raked her claws across Foxclaw's face, drawing blood. The tom screeched in pain and retaliated by swatting at Sandpelt's face with both paws, claws unsheathed. Each blow drew blood, but Sandpelt ignored the pain, tackling Foxclaw around the middle and raking her claws up his back as they fought.

Whiteberry

Whiteberry's belly was getting raked by Rockfur as she bit down hard into his ear when his weight was abruptly gone from her. Looking up in surprise, she saw that Jackalfur had come to help. Rockfur had his teeth sank into Jackalfur's shoulder as the toms fought it out, and Whiteberry dashed over to resume her fight with him, assisting Jackalfur. She wondered where Palestripe had gone off to—
Claws caught her in the back as Palestripe attacked, the pale ginger she-cat's claws sinking in deep.

Vinepaw

"Alright," Vinepaw meowed, sitting down and swiping a paw over her ear. She knew her fur must look a mess, and she wanted to get it nice and orderly.

Echopaw

The she-cat swiped a clawed paw at Snakepaw, who was trying to battle both her and Hailpaw at the same time. Jackalfur had dashed over to help and was now fighting a black-and-white tom.

Thornpaw

The tom nodded. "Okay." He couldn't wait for his assessment. The sooner this happened, the sooner he'd be a warrior.

Hailpaw

Hailpaw raked his claws down Snakepaw's side, sending the tom yowling back towards the ShadowClan border. Obviously, he realized he was outmatched. Fortunately for him, the monsters on the thunderpath were quiet; they must have stopped for a little bit.

Harefoot

As Cloudface charged him again, Harefoot looked over to make sure his kits were doing okay. They were; they'd sent that ShadowClan apprentice wailing into the bushes. Cloudface jumped at him, claws out and they were once again rolling on the ground, fighting.

[Kess]

Jadepool

"What will you name them?" the medicine cat whispered, looking at the kits. They were so precious! Please, StarClan, let the black-and-white one live! she thought, looking at the little kit.

Fluffwhisker

Fluffwhisker let out a sigh. "I'm all right," she breathed tiredly. "Seven..." She smiled. "Seven..." Her sister mewed something about names. "Yes...names...can we decide that after I get a little...rest...?"

Jackalfur

Jackalfur hissed ferociously as he battled with the gray tom. He dug his fangs into his shoulder and Jackalfur let out a yowl. Lashing out a paw he dug his claws into Rockfur's neck and scrabbled furiously. The tom broke away and went to help a Clanmate, and Jackalfur gasped for breath. Looking around, he saw Whiteberry being carried off her paws by Palestripe. With a bloodcurtling screech he launched himself on Palestripe and sunk his fangs into her shoulder. All he could see was a red haze. He had to save Whiteberry!

Fallenbranch

Fallenbranch nodded. "All right you two," she mewed, "get started. Remember, I can't talk to you and you can't talk to me. I'll be hiding somewhere near you. I might not necessarily be at both of your assesments the whole time, as I can't track you both, but - " She broke off as Reedstar entered the camp carrying a mouse. "Hey, Reedstar!" she called. The big tom's ears pricked and he looked up at her. His icy blue eyes pierced her fur and he put the mouse down, then walked over to them. "Reedstar, would you mind watching Vinepaw's assessment? I'll watch my apprentice myself. I can't actually watch them both at once."

Reedstar

Reedstar padded into the camp with his mouse. He'd not had much luck this time. When he emerged from the gorse tunnel, Fallenbranch called to him from where she was standing beside Vinepaw and Thornpaw. "Reedstar, would you mind watching Vinepaw's assessment? I'll watch my apprentice myself. I can't actually watch them both at once," she said. Reedstar nodded. "All right," he growled. "Vinepaw, where were you assigned?"

[ragemonster]

Fallownose

"Of course," the tom murmured, curling up beside his mate. He sent StarClan a silent prayer of thanks that his mate and kits were alright... and that the little black-and-white one lived. He started thinking up names for the kits to suggest to Fluffwhisker while he waited. Of course he'd ask her opinion on the names first, before deciding what to call the kits.

Sandpelt

Sandpelt grabbed the tom's scruff and bit down til she tasted blood. Foxclaw yowled and struggled out of her grip and streaked after Snaketail and Rockfur as they pelted back to ShadowClan territory, leaving the rabbit.

Whiteberry

The she-cat's white fur was streaked with deep red, but she ignored it. Her instincts were raging at her to defend her territory. She struggled under the older cat's weight, but she was pinned to the ground and couldn't move. She felt teeth meet skin on the back of her neck and a sharp pain— before all the wight was gone and she heard screeching. Turning her head, she saw that Jackalfur was battling viciously with Palestripe, his fangs deep into her shoulder. The ShadowClan warrior swiped at Jackalfur's face and broke free, dashing through the bushes and across the thunderpath and disappearing into the shadows. Cloudface soon followed suit, yowling like a scared kit as she ran back to ShadowClan land.

Vinepaw

Vinepaw ignored the grumpy tone of her leader; he always seemed grouchy now. "Treecutplace," she answered, standing up.

Echopaw

Echopaw panted, shaking the trickle of blood out of her eye as it dripped off a cut above it. She nudged her brother. "You fought like a LionClan warrior!" she meowed, pride flashing in her blue eyes.

Thornpaw

"I'll just head off now, then, shall I?" he meowed, setting off at a trot towards the camp entrance. He hoped he caught something good— now wasn't the time for things to go wrong. His future depended on this.

Hailpaw

Hailpaw purred, his blue-gray chest puffing out proudly. "I did, didn't I?" he said. "You jumped at Snakepaw like a LeopardClan cat. It was brilliant!" The two purred deeply at eachother's praise. "Harefoot?" meowed Echopaw, glancing behind him. "Did you see us?"

Harefoot

Harefoot nodded. "I'm very proud of you both," he meowed, limping over to them. Cloudface had done a number on his left hindleg, but it was manageable.

[Kess]

Jackalfur

Jackalfur slumped to the ground, panting heavily. Rockfur had sunk his teeth in deep, and Palestripe had clawed viciously at his neck. Pain throbbed throughout his body. Is Whiteberry safe? he thought. I hope she is...

Reedstar

"Allright. Go on. I'll be watching." Reedstar nodded to the apprentice and waited for them to set off.

Fallenbranch

Fallenbranch nudged Thornpaw with her nose. "Go ahead. I will be watching too."

Jadepool

Jadepool stared down at her sister, dozing peacefully with her seven kits curled up beside her belly. She looked so blissfull, so happy. It almost made Jadepool regret being a medicine cat...NO! she thought. This is the path I've chosen...! She looked up at Berrypaw, staring at the young she-cat. In her apprentice she saw a reflection of her younger self, bubbly, excited, proud to be a medicine cat. But she doesn't care about having a mate, Jadepool thought. Berrypaw turned to look at her mentor quizzically, and Jadepool shook her head, mouthing, "Shh," to the apprentice, hoping she would realize that Fluffwhisker had fallen asleep.

Berrypaw

Berrypaw smiled at the new kits. They were so cute! It was amazing that Fluffwhisker had given birth to seven of them, too. She'd never known that a queen could have so many kits at one time! Suddenly she felt a gaze burning her pelt and looked up to see Jadepool staring at her with her bright green eyes. She stared back with her own blue ones. For a moment, she realized that she and her mentor looked almost identical, except for their eyes. She opened her mouth to ask about her mother, whom she'd never met, but Jadepool shook her head and "shushed" her. She kneaded the ground with her paws. What about that little white and black one? Would it survive? Yes, said a voice in her mind, We'll make sure it does.