πππππππππ !!
# of cats; 45 (β: 23 / β: 22)
servings consumed; 8 servings
next moonpool visit; any time
π ππ ππ π π πππ ,
"I guess I'm the odd one out," Sootface mewed cheerfully, making Boulderflame blink and look around. The younger tom seemed confused for all of a second, before he laughed a little, shaking his head and quickening his pace to be able to walk side by side with the point tom. "Oh, I get it. I guess you kind of count, you're just kind of like... a lighter version, right?" Sootface shrugged a little bit, shifting from foot to foot.
"How's Shadowtail doing? I'd ask her myself, but I get the impression her brother doesn't like me much," Boulderflame chuckled a little bit. "Don't worry about Hawkthorn. He's defensive of Ashenstrike because he was kind of important in him and Acornstream getting together, but you two made your peace, didn't you? Hawkthorn, despite his name, isn't super scary at all." Sootface chuckled a little, ducking his head with a light shrug. "I guess I'm just nervous. I really want to fit into this clan, but... I don't know, I'm not really sure where I fit."
"You'll get the hang of it," Boulderflame said, "I mean, sure, it's a little daunting at first and I can't exactly sympathize with the experience, but... I believe that the universe has a way of working things out. You'll find your place, I'm sure of it." The pointed tom let out a little purr, nudging the younger cat with his shoulder. "Well, thanks for the vote of confidence. I can see why Flowershine likes you." Boulderflame choked on air, sputtering uselessly as Sootface let out an airy laugh and bounded forward.
"H. Hey! Wait, Sootface-- wait up! She said that? Did she say that? Sootface!"
From behind them, Sedgefire let out a little chuckle, shaking her head lightly. Quickly, Wolverinejaw averted her eyes, staring blankly at the ground as she felt her pelt heat up. Slowly, when it seemed the other molly hadn't noticed, she raised her eyes to look at her again. Sedgefire was, quite honestly, one of the prettiest she-cats Wolverinejaw had ever seen. She was tall and stocky, with gorgeous, silken black fur, and a quiet hardness behind her eyes. Said eyes turned, and locked on to Wolverinejaw's, and the smaller molly quickly snapped her eyes away again.
"So... he really likes this Flowershine she-cat, huh?" Sedgefire shrugged, but a fond smile remained on her maw. "I try not to pay too much attention to that kind of gossip, but it's pretty obvious. And she does like him too, it's plain as day." The rusted she-cat tilted her head curiously, watching Boulderflame try to keep up with a nimble-stepping Sootface. "So uh. What about everyone else? I mean, I'm new here and I want to orient myself and-"
"And you think budding romances is the best way to go about that?" Sedgefire gave the other molly a quizzical look, but she just shrugged, so the black she-cat rolled her eyes. "Well, if you must know. The current mated pairs are Badgerstar and Maplefall, Hawkthorn and Acornstream, Stonepatch and Fawnrunner, Longriver and Harrierstreak, Pinefeather and Roseclaw and then most recently Shadowtail and Dustfang. Lionheart and Ashenstrike have this long-running courtship, no one really knows what they're waiting for at this point. Flowershine and Boulderflame are into each other, my brother has a crush on Dawnblossom but Dawnblossom's feelings toward him are not exactly clear just yet, Mousepaw and Novella are very close although it's debatable whether or not something will happen because-"
"Because of the warrior code, right." She kept looking at Sedgefire, expectantly. "I mean, I don't really know much else? Adderpaw is close to Squirrelpaw and Woodpaw but seeing as I'm not an apprentice anymore I don't really know what's going on there." Wolverinejaw smirked, taking a step in closer. "You sure seem to know a lot about this for someone who supposedly doesn't pay much attention to it." The taller molly gave her a blank stare. "Have you met my friends?" She asked, which made Wolverinejaw snort, before she ducked her head a little.
"And what about you? You don't have your eye on anyone?" Sedgefire's eyes narrowed, and her fur fluffed defensively. "And what about it?" Wolverinejaw just shrugged, and bounded forward, leaving Sedgefire standing alone, watching her with a look of blank confusion written across her features.
β β β
"Whoa!" Harrierstreak's paws scrabbled wildly as the dirt gave way under foot, threatening to send him sliding down a steep rise. Suddenly, teeth closed into his scruff, and with a powerful yank, he went flying backward, sprawling on top of his mate. "Are you okay?" Longriver mewed, gazing at his mate with concerned eyes. Harrierstreak nodded, placing a gentle lick to his forehead. "I'm fine, love. Is this your new thing? Rescuing handsome tom-cats from perilous situations?" Longriver rolled his eyes and nudged the brown tabby back to his feet, as he stood up and shook out his fur.
"Everyone okay?" Pinefeather slowed to a trot as he approached, Burrcall and Willowthroat surging after him. "We're fine, Pinefeather," Longriver assured the older tom, touching noses with him. "I guess the ground was still a bit weak after the rain we had a few suns ago, but luckily Harrierstreak has me to keep him safe." His mate purred, nuzzling Longriver's cheek and making the slinky tom-cat laugh. Pinefeather's face softened. "Alright then. If you're sure, are you two alright to carry on like we planned?"
"We'll be fine," Harrierstreak assured him, "we've got each other's backs, but we appreciate the concern." Pinefeather dipped his head, before he nodded for Willowthroat and Burrcall to follow him as he bounded away, leaving the pair of toms standing alone together in the forest.
"Are you sure you're alright?" Longriver asked. "You didn't twist a paw or anything?" Harrierstreak shook his head, touching noses with him again. "I'm fine, honestly. I just got a little shock at having the ground suddenly not be there, but I'm fine, thanks to my handsome, brave and strong love of my life, the apple of my eye, the light that surrounds m-" Longriver gently put a paw on his muzzle, the pair of them laughing. "I love you too, Harrierstreak. Now come on, we have some prey to catch."
The pair of them started forward, walking in comfortable silence, shoulder to shoulder. Sometimes, Longriver would drift ahead to see if he could scent any prey, looking for tracks along the ground, but they would always drop back into the same comfortable pattern, nested close together as the forest chirped around them. After a long period of quiet, Harrierstreak spoke: "have you thought about having kits?" Longriver blinked at him, head cocked to the side. "Us? I mean, I guess, but I don't know how we could. It's not like either of us is a molly, you know."
"I know. I was thinking we could find someone to be a surrogate for us," he mewed, ducking his head shyly, "it's not a given thing or anything, because it's almost Leaf-fall and I wouldn't want to put anyone in danger, but... I want to have a family with you. I want to see little baby Long-Harriers running around." His mate let out a choked laugh, stepping in closer to nuzzle his head under Harrierstreak's chin. "I love you so much," he mewed, "we'll talk about it, okay? I want to have a family with you, too." Harrierstreak touched his nose to his mate's, before the smaller of the pair inclined his head, indicating that they should get back to the patrol.
"Do you think he's really okay?" Willowthroat asked on the other side of the forest, glancing over his shoulder. "He's fine," Burrcall mewed assuredly, "Harrierstreak's not weak and he's not silly either, he'd know to say something if he was genuinely injured. Plus Longriver threw himself into a rapid river once to save Badgerstar's life and then sprinted all the way back to camp and sprinted all the way back to make sure that he got medical attention, and Badgerstar is just the clan leader. Imagine what he'd do for someone he loved." Willowthroat laughed a little. "Ah, to find a cat that dedicated."
"Longriver is lovely," Pinefeather agreed, "he's a sharp little tom. He has a good head on his shoulders." Burrcall purred a little, her tail waving above her back. "I like him! He's always been nice to me, and we were apprentices together for a bit. He was really fun then, which I think he probably gets from Ashenstrike, just a little."
"Oh, I didn't know Ashenstrike was Longriver's dad," Willowthroat blinked a little as the other two cats laughed. "He's not," Burrcall said, "he was Longriver's mentor, but they're close enough that Ashenstrike could co-parent with Pinefeather's mate, Roseclaw. They definitely had the most impact on Longriver when he was getting up there in ranks." Pinefeather shook his head a little. "That seems like so long ago now, that all that happened, but to think it was only in Leafbare..." He trailed off a little, and then shook his head again, more roughly this time.
"It is kind of odd to think about how long we've been with the clan now," Burrcall admitted, "it feels more like home than anything I've ever known, and it's... strange to think there was a time when it wasn't my home." Pinefeather nodded a little, while Willowthroat watched the pair of them carefully. "I hope I get to experience that," he said, "I think Grouseclaw and I could use some stability. Besides, the company isn't half-bad." He gently nudged Burrcall's shoulder with his own, making the molly laugh as she shoulder-checked him back.
"Of course it's not," she mewed, preening lightly, "I'm the best."
β β β
"How are you settling in?" Dusklight asked, bounding forward to walk shoulder to shoulder with a startled Grouseclaw. Up ahead, Dustfang ducked his head in amusement, scurrying forward. Dealing with Dusklight's relentless cheerfulness was a right of passage into the clan, and who was he to intrude. "Uh, good, I guess," Grouseclaw looked more perplexed than anything, "I mean we haven't been here long but the cats are nice and there's food, so, yeah."
"Great! That's great! Normally border patrols are a lot bigger than just three, but I suppose our numbers are kind of cut since there are a few mollies in the nursery right now!" Grouseclaw nodded, a little bewildered at Dusklight's power house conversational skills. "Like... Dustfang's mate, right?" He tried, making the silver tom pause so that the other two could catch up. "That's right!" Dusklight enthused. "Shadowtail is super lovely, she's going to be a great mother. Plus, Dustfang's grown kits already like her a lot, and she's basically like my adoptive aunt since her brother, Hawkthorn, and his mate Acornstream helped raise Dawnblossom and I."
"How many adoptive parents have you amassed now?" Dustfang teased, making the young tabby stick out his tongue. "A few. Lionheart is like another cool aunt, and then Shadowtail is cool aunt times two on account of her being Dawnblossom's mentor, and then Fawnrunner is our actual biological aunt." Grouseclaw looked bewildered by all of this, raising a brow at Dustfang who simply chuckled a little. "If I can be a little sappy for a moment? I'm very excited. I forgot what it was like to have kits in your life but... I'm glad that I get another chance to be a father. I thought that the end for me was with Tanglestep's death. I didn't expect to find love again, especially not with someone as wonderful as Shadowtail."
Grouseclaw's eyes widened at Dustfang's heartfelt speech, while Dusklight squealed in happiness, tail waving above his back gleefully. The older tom couldn't help but laugh, before stopping dead in his tracks. The two younger cats followed his gaze to where a grey and white she-cat was standing next to a smaller, fluffy flame lynx point. No one said a thing, the two groups eyeing each other up, before Dustfang finally took a step forward.
"Hi," he started, "this is GroveClan territory. Who are you?"
"I'm Meadowfang," the she-cat said, taking a step forward to meet Dustfang, surprising the silver tom by touching noses with him in greeting, "this is my mate, Burningcloud. We're very sorry, we didn't realize we'd trespassed onto clan territory. We were just passing through." Dusklight's head tilted, curiously. "And yet you have clan names. Are you passing through to another clan?" The two strange cats exchanged a glance, having a silent conversation, before Meadowfang turned back to the group.
"Our old clan had a leadership change and we are.... not welcome there anymore." Dustfang's ears flattened, and the she-cat shook her head quickly. "I promise you, we're not traitors. Our leader, she wanted to rid the clan of kittypet genes, and, well." She turned to cast a glance at Burningcloud, who shrugged casually, although the flickering of rage behind his eyes belied his true feelings. Dusklight's face fell. "Oh, you poor things," he mewed, taking a few quick steps forward to touch noses with Meadowfang. "So where are you going to then?"
"I'm not sure," she said, "but wherever Burningcloud goes, I go. I love him, we're sticking together, and... I'm not sure where our end-point is, but I know it's away from that place."
"What if the end point was here?" Dusklight mewed. "My name is Dusklight, I'm one of the younger warriors of GroveClan so I really have no business saying this, but our leader is a very kind cat who cares unconditionally for wanderers, and cats with no place of their own. I'm sure he'd be more than willing to take you on. And he has no qualms with kittypets either. Some of our most valued warriors are kittypets, or kittypet descendants."
"Is that true?" Burningcloud asked curiously, tilting his head at Dustfang. "Yes," the older tom replied, "Badgerstar is a good cat. He understands what it's like to not have anyone, or anything, and he wouldn't turn away anyone who needed shelter. He's taken in cats with a lot less experience, and with the help of our deputy Lionheart, he keeps the clan running."
"And it's true on the kittypet front too!" Dusklight supplied cheerfully, which made Meadowfang chuckle. "I like him," she mewed, nodding to the young tom. "Everyone does," Dustfang replied, amused, which made Dusklight preen. Again, the she-cat turned to her mate, the Birman cat stepping up to press their foreheads together. Finally, they glanced up toward the clan cats, twining their tails together.
"We'd like to meet this Badgerstar," she said, "I think we have some business to discuss."
β β β
"All cats gather beneath Highbranch!" Badgerstar's call rang out across the camp ground, calling the small gathered groups to congregate closer to him, their ears pricked forward curiously. In the front row, closest to Badgerstar, sat the newly returned Woodpaw and Squirrelpaw, their parents flanking them. Shadowtail sat close to Hawkthorn, their pelts brushing, and Dustfang sat the other side of her with his tail curled around her protectively.
"I, Badgerstar, leader of GroveClan," he began, "call upon my warrior ancestors to look down upon these apprentices, who have trained dutifully to understand the way of your code. I recommend each of them to you as warriors without a shadow of doubt in my mind. Woodpaw, first born of GroveClan, please step forward." The tabby she-cat moved closer to the leader, amidst a cluster of excited whispers. "Do you promise to uphold the warrior code, and to protect your clan with your life?"
"I do!"
"Then from this day on, you will be known as Woodbloom, for your youthfulness and your caring nature. StarClan honours your wonder, your compassion and your infinite hope for the future, and it is my pleasure to welcome you as a full warrior of GroveClan." Yowls for Woodbloom went up as Badgerstar stepped in close, exchanging the customary shoulder-lick, before Woodbloom settled back down to her parents, who groomed her fur.
"Squirrelpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, and to protect your clan, even at the cost of your life?"
"I do."
"Then I give you your warrior name! You will henceforth be known as Squirrelwhisker, for your keen intuition. StarClan honours your intelligence, your patience and your determination, and I am honoured to welcome you as a full warrior of GroveClan." More yowls went up for the new warrior as he licked Badgerstar's shoulder, the tiniest of smiles on his otherwise serious face. Badgerstar stepped back, his eyes full of pride.
"Squirrelwhisker!" An elated yowl carried over the rest of the group, and the newly appointed warrior turned to stare in pleased shock at Adderpaw, whose tail lifted and waved over her back. The little half-somali beamed at her, and she surged forward, drawing up short. "Congratulations, Squirrelwhisker." She purred, touching her nose to his. After a hesitant moment, he leaned into it, allowing her to duck her head under his chin and nuzzle the underside of his jaw.
"We're so proud of you both," his father was saying, as Dustfang approached to touch his forehead to Squirrelwhisker's. "It was an honour having you as an apprentice," he mewed, "you're going to do great things. I'll look forward to seeing you out on patrol." Bashfully, the new warrior ducked his head, watching his mentor wander off with his pregnant mate skipping along beside him. Woodbloom had dragged her parents across to Badgerstar and Maplefall, where their kits tumbled around their paws in a playfight.
"I guess a silent vigil won't be too much of a problem for you," Adderpaw said, dragging Squirrelwhisker's attention back to her, "but I'm not sure how poor Woodbloom will cope." The ginger tom laughed a little, clearly shocking the tall apprentice. "Thank you, Adderpaw, for your concern. I look forward to making fun of you next moon, when you sit your vigil." The she-cat grinned, bumping shoulders with him, before she turned on her heel to head toward her friend. "Adderpaw, wait." She halted, blinking at the tom, who tilted his head. "I'll yowl for you," he said. She gave him a small smile, before bounding away to congratulate her friend.
π₯π πππͺ,
"There he goes," in the warmth of the Greenleaf's sunrise, Ashenstrike and Lionheart lay crouched together, pelts touching, as they watched Hawkthorn rocket from the warrior's den and duck directly into the nursery. "Record time?" She asked, tilting her head to lean it against Ashenstrike's. He shifted a little to lick between her ears. "Not quite, but if he keeps increasing his speed like that, he'll break his record by next week."
"Stop bullying him," Badgerstar reprimanded the pair, "it's only his eighth check of the morning, at least let the poor tom get in a solid ten." The three of them dissolved into giggles, before the black tom moved forward and past them to check on his own mate and kits in the nursery. Lionheart and Ashenstrike were content to sit together in companionable silence as the rest of the clan filtered out into the early morning, ready for their patrol assignments. Once Badgerstar slipped out of the nursery with Hawkthorn trailing just behind him, a bleary Stonepatch bringing up the rear, Lionheart got to her feet.
"Alright, listen up. I'll be leading the first border patrol, as per usual. Ashenstrike, Dusklight, Sedgefire, Wolverinejaw and Meadowfang are with me. We'll take the North and West borders. Flintburr, you take Burningcloud, Novella, Stonepatch, Grouseclaw and Burrcall and sweep the South and East borders." Flintburr ducked his head, as his patrol began to gather around him. The ginger molly continued:
"As for hunting patrols, I want the first one led by Dustfang with Dawnblossom, Halfpond, Flowershine, Boulderflame and Woodbloom. The second one will be led by Longriver-" murmurs of surprise echoed around the camp- "with Harrierstreak, Hawkthorn, Sootface, Squirrelwhisker and Willowthroat. Patrol leaders can decide where you're hunting. That will be all, thank you."
"Longriver is an interesting choice," Ashenstrike mewed, as Badgerstar weaved his way through the crowd to express the exact same sentiments. "You still had a load of senior warriors that you lumped into his patrol," the black tom mewed, "not that I'm judging your decisions or anything, I know you know what you're doing, but I just... don't understand." Lionheart's eyes flickered around, before she ducked her head. "Look, can we talk about this somewhere else?" Badgerstar nodded, and the pair of them moved toward the fresh kill pile, which had been abandoned as the patrols formed.
"This is on a need-to-know basis, and I'm trying to keep it quiet, but," she cleared her throat, "I may... take a break from my deputy role in the near future, and I want to test out possible replacements while I... might be... in the nursery." Badgerstar's eyes widened. "I like Longriver," she continued quickly, "he's already proving himself to be selfless and decisive. As easy as it would be to appoint a senior warrior, I'd also like to think about what happens when I'm too old to be deputy anymore. I want to see how he does in a leadership position."
"Alright," Badgerstar mewed, "and don't worry, I won't tell anyone. But... please, check with Goldleaf. After what the last medicine cat said... well. I don't want you to put yourself in any danger, okay?" Lionheart's face was fond as she leaned in to touch her nose to his cheek. "Thank you, Badgerstar. I promise you I'll be fine." The cats shared a nod, before Lionheart bounded away from him, back toward where her patrol had gathered. As the cats began to filter out of the camp, Pinefeather sidled up alongside Badgerstar.
"You won't need me in camp, will you?" He asked, and Badgerstar shook his head. "Nope! We should be all good, why is that?" The Burmese tom nodded toward where Roseclaw was standing, with his apprentice at his shoulder. "I think I should like to spend the day with my family. It's been a while since we've had such a long time together." Badgerstar smiled at the older tom, inclining his head to indicate that he should go with him.
"You know, Pinefeather, that's not such a bad idea."
β β β
The blue and white tom wandered through the forest, the patrol on his heels. His shoulders were tense, even as his mate bounded up beside him. "Relax, honey, you're doing fine," Harrierstreak's nose touched his cheek, and Longriver exhaled roughly, nervously flicking his ears. "I feel like I'm not! I'm so young compared to some of the other warriors, what if they're mad that I got picked to lead a patrol and not them?" Harrierstreak chuckled a little. "Then that's their problem. Come on, you've got this." Longriver took a deep breath, before turning to face the group.
"Alright, I think we should split up into smaller groups, so as not to scare away the prey. This tree-" he nodded to the tree with a branch missing from where it had been struck down by storms many moons ago- "will be our meeting point. We come back here in three shifts of the sun. Hawkthorn, you're the most experienced warrior, so you should go with Squirrelwhisker and Willowthroat. Sootface can come with Harrierstreak and I. Then, in the groups of three, we can spread out even further like a fan. That way there'll be less chance of us scaring off prey due to multitudes. Does that... sound good?" He cast a shy glance at the patrol, relaxing when Hawkthorn gave him a reassuring smile.
"That sounds like a plan to me, Longriver. What about you, Sootface?" The point tom nodded, firmly. "That's a good plan, Longriver." The young tom exhaled in relief, with a tight nod. "Okay, good. Try to stay within earshot of each other, in case something happens. If there's any trouble, the fastest cat comes to find me."
"How are you going to find yourself?" Harrierstreak quipped, earning a nudge from his mate. Hawkthorn dipped his head, before he nodded to the two young toms, and the three of them bounded off. Sootface turned to Longriver with an amused look. "Merciful of you to send Hawkthorn with his son. He was so excited about getting to patrol with him." Longriver laughed a little. "And selfish of me too," he mewed, "I wanted to keep my mate by my side. He's kind of the only reason I'm not freaking out by now."
"You give yourself too little credit," Sootface mewed, nudging Longriver good naturedly. "If Ashenstrike trained you, you've got this on lock. Plus, from what I hear, you got extra training from Roseclaw, who is just a really great cat." Harrierstreak shot Sootface a sly look. "And handsome too, huh?" Longriver felt himself flush, swatting at his mate. "Harrierstreak!"
"He is very handsome," Sootface purred, "good job to Pinefeather for snatching him up before the rest of us had a chance." Longriver groaned, shaking his head. "Alright then, you mooning mouse-brains, let's just go." Sootface and Harrierstreak burst into laughter, but nonetheless they were streaking alongside Longriver the second that the fleet-footed tom took off. After a few beats, the toms splintered away from each other, fanning out across the forest in search of prey.
β β β
Woodbloom wandered along through the grass next to Dustfang, the pair of them checking over their shoulders to watch the rest of the patrol. Boulderflame and Flowershine walked close enough that their pelts were touching, heads ducked bashfully as they laughed at some private joke, while Halfpond was strolling along backward so that he could speak eagerly to a fondly smiling Dawnblossom, her ginger ears pricked forward curiously.
"I think I'm going to go and hunt down by the lake, if that's okay with you," Woodbloom mewed, and Dustfang let out a chuckle, inclining his head as permission for her to go. The tabby she-cat ducked her head, before turning and weaving away through the grass. Dustfang allowed himself a few more moments to watch the young lovebirds, a pang of nostalgia hitting him. It didn't seem that long ago that he and Tanglestep had been doing this familiar dance, and now their son was all grown up and courting a molly, and Dustfang was about to have another litter of kits.
Wherever you are, watching over us from Silverpelt, I hope you're proud, he thought, tilting his face toward the sunny sky. He shook his head, moving forward and disappearing into the grass to trace the scent of a mouse. Flowershine blinked, watching him go, before she turned to Boulderflame. "Is your dad alright?" She asked, making the black tom flick his ears, head tilted slightly. "I'm sure he's fine. I guess it's just big changes for him, right? He's going to have new babies to look after and it's uh, well. It's been a while for him." Flowershine chuckled. "I suppose it has. I still remember when you and Burrcall came to the clan... you were just kits then."
"Yeah. It seems like so long ago now, but it also seems like it was just yesterday, you know? But... you were the most beautiful molly I'd ever seen then, and you still are now." Flowershine chuckled a little, nudging him with her shoulder. "You are a terrible flatterer," she mewed, "but, despite your horrid, horrid lies... you're a good tom. What you did for Dustfang and Shadowtail was sweet. I don't know many cats who would have willingly helped their parents move on from each other." Boulderflame smiled, shrugging a little. "Don't get me wrong, I miss my mother every day, but my dad deserves happiness. It's not right for any of us to stay in the past. And it's different for Halfpond- you know? His mother could come back, but mine isn't. I'm happy to call Shadowtail my new mother. She's a good and honest cat."
"Well, you two have a lot in common then," Boulderflame ducked his head bashfully, smiling as Flowershine's nose touched his cheek. She paused, turning to glance out in the direction of the dead tree. Boulderflame turned, frowning a little as he did. Halfpond and Dawnblossom pulled up alongside him, all four of them glancing out toward the border.
"Hey, Dad?" Boulderflame called. Dustfang appeared near them, ears pricked forward. Out by the dead tree at the edge of the fields, the border patrol had pulled up. Stonepatch was standing in front of Novella, who looked terrified out of her mind, his bulk shielding her from the large cats who seemed to be having strong words with a disgruntled looking Flintburr. Burrcall stood close to her former mentor's side, ears flat, while Grouseclaw and Burningcloud hung back, glancing at each other without an ounce of confidence in this situation.
"I don't like the look of that," Dustfang said solemnly, and Flowershine nodded, worry creasing her features. Boulderflame gently laid his tail over her flank in comfort. She sighed, ducking her head to look at her paws and shaking her head. "There's nothing good that can come out of that."
β β β
"Get him!" Midnightkit leaped at his father, as a barrage of kits fell upon the leader, tackling him to the ground. He splayed himself out with a dramatic wail, stretching one paw toward his mate, who was laughing loudly as she leaned on Fawnrunner, who was also giggling. "Alas!" Badgerstar yowled dramatically, "I, the mighty mountain lion, am vanquished by brave warriors. My mate, my queen, rule by my side... crush these runts once and for all." Maplefall stood, and skittered toward her kits, sending them squealing away from the tom.
"Regroup! Regroup!" Elkkit demanded, and the kits retreated to the nursery, heads together, as Maplefall helped Badgerstar roll to his feet. The tom shook out his pelt, the pair of them standing together as the kits whispered among themselves. Then, their youngest daughter yelled; "CHARGE!" sending a wave of kits running at them. The only ones with substantial force behind them were Ternkit and Avocetkit, but nonetheless, Maplefall and Badgerstar threw themselves to the ground.
"No!" Maplefall yowled. "Our nefarious plans!"
"These warriors are too brave!"
"And strong!"
"Oh, I see the light... oh no... my love... I will see you.... on the other side. Bleeeuuueuergh." Badgerstar went limp, chuckling to himself as he felt the weight of small paws pinning him down. "Now you're just milking it," Juniperkit mewed, matter-of-factly. "Yeah, dad," Midnightkit purred, yelping as Twilightkit swatted him with her tail. "I thought it was good. Very dramatic." Maplefall laughed, gently nudging the kits off of her, before shooing them away from her mate.
"Alright, kits, how about a mossball tournament? Shadowtail and Acornstream can supervise. Whoever wins gets the juciest mouse on the kill-pile." Eyes widened, before the tidal wave of kits descended on the pregnant queens. "Are you alright?" Maplefall asked, amused, as her mate shook himself out. "I'm better than ever," he purred, nuzzling noses with her, "how are things in the nursery? Keeping yourself busy, I hope."
"Yeah," she said, "I feel bad for Acornstream when she was in here alone. The time has passed a lot quicker with denmates to share it with, although I get how she could have missed being out on patrol." Badgerstar settled down, with Maplefall nestled against his side so that he could groom her, carefully and lovingly. "Well, you know if you ever need a break, I'm happy to kit-sit. It's not as if I have anything else to do, now that we have enough cats that I don't have to patrol anymore."
"I like having you around," Maplefall mewed, "because I like spending with you. With our family." Their eyes moved to where their kits were crowding the older queens. Juniperkit, who looked so much like her mother, and then Twilightkit and Midnightkit who looked so similar it was sometimes hard to tell them apart. She let out a content sigh. "They're perfect, aren't they?" Badgerstar nodded, resting his chin on top of her head. "They are. We did a great job."
"I love you, Badgerstar." She said, and Badgerstar's eyes welled with fondness. "I love you too, Maplefall, to Silverpelt and beyond."
[ the clan consumes two birds and two voles
goldleaf and mousepaw search for kitting herbs
adderpaw takes her warrior assessment
roseclaw teaches cormorantpaw hunting
lionheart's border patrol: ashenstrike, dusklight, wolverinejaw, sedgefire, meadowfang
flintburr's border patrol: burningcloud, novella, stonepatch, grouseclaw, burrcall
dustfang's hunting patrol: dawnblossom, halfpond, boulderflame, flowershine, woodbloom - fields
longriver's hunting patrol: harrierstreak, hawkthorn, sootface, squirrelwhisker, willowthroat - forest ]
# of cats; 45 (β: 23 / β: 22)
servings consumed; 8 servings
next moonpool visit; any time
π ππ ππ π π πππ ,
"I guess I'm the odd one out," Sootface mewed cheerfully, making Boulderflame blink and look around. The younger tom seemed confused for all of a second, before he laughed a little, shaking his head and quickening his pace to be able to walk side by side with the point tom. "Oh, I get it. I guess you kind of count, you're just kind of like... a lighter version, right?" Sootface shrugged a little bit, shifting from foot to foot.
"How's Shadowtail doing? I'd ask her myself, but I get the impression her brother doesn't like me much," Boulderflame chuckled a little bit. "Don't worry about Hawkthorn. He's defensive of Ashenstrike because he was kind of important in him and Acornstream getting together, but you two made your peace, didn't you? Hawkthorn, despite his name, isn't super scary at all." Sootface chuckled a little, ducking his head with a light shrug. "I guess I'm just nervous. I really want to fit into this clan, but... I don't know, I'm not really sure where I fit."
"You'll get the hang of it," Boulderflame said, "I mean, sure, it's a little daunting at first and I can't exactly sympathize with the experience, but... I believe that the universe has a way of working things out. You'll find your place, I'm sure of it." The pointed tom let out a little purr, nudging the younger cat with his shoulder. "Well, thanks for the vote of confidence. I can see why Flowershine likes you." Boulderflame choked on air, sputtering uselessly as Sootface let out an airy laugh and bounded forward.
"H. Hey! Wait, Sootface-- wait up! She said that? Did she say that? Sootface!"
From behind them, Sedgefire let out a little chuckle, shaking her head lightly. Quickly, Wolverinejaw averted her eyes, staring blankly at the ground as she felt her pelt heat up. Slowly, when it seemed the other molly hadn't noticed, she raised her eyes to look at her again. Sedgefire was, quite honestly, one of the prettiest she-cats Wolverinejaw had ever seen. She was tall and stocky, with gorgeous, silken black fur, and a quiet hardness behind her eyes. Said eyes turned, and locked on to Wolverinejaw's, and the smaller molly quickly snapped her eyes away again.
"So... he really likes this Flowershine she-cat, huh?" Sedgefire shrugged, but a fond smile remained on her maw. "I try not to pay too much attention to that kind of gossip, but it's pretty obvious. And she does like him too, it's plain as day." The rusted she-cat tilted her head curiously, watching Boulderflame try to keep up with a nimble-stepping Sootface. "So uh. What about everyone else? I mean, I'm new here and I want to orient myself and-"
"And you think budding romances is the best way to go about that?" Sedgefire gave the other molly a quizzical look, but she just shrugged, so the black she-cat rolled her eyes. "Well, if you must know. The current mated pairs are Badgerstar and Maplefall, Hawkthorn and Acornstream, Stonepatch and Fawnrunner, Longriver and Harrierstreak, Pinefeather and Roseclaw and then most recently Shadowtail and Dustfang. Lionheart and Ashenstrike have this long-running courtship, no one really knows what they're waiting for at this point. Flowershine and Boulderflame are into each other, my brother has a crush on Dawnblossom but Dawnblossom's feelings toward him are not exactly clear just yet, Mousepaw and Novella are very close although it's debatable whether or not something will happen because-"
"Because of the warrior code, right." She kept looking at Sedgefire, expectantly. "I mean, I don't really know much else? Adderpaw is close to Squirrelpaw and Woodpaw but seeing as I'm not an apprentice anymore I don't really know what's going on there." Wolverinejaw smirked, taking a step in closer. "You sure seem to know a lot about this for someone who supposedly doesn't pay much attention to it." The taller molly gave her a blank stare. "Have you met my friends?" She asked, which made Wolverinejaw snort, before she ducked her head a little.
"And what about you? You don't have your eye on anyone?" Sedgefire's eyes narrowed, and her fur fluffed defensively. "And what about it?" Wolverinejaw just shrugged, and bounded forward, leaving Sedgefire standing alone, watching her with a look of blank confusion written across her features.
β β β
"Whoa!" Harrierstreak's paws scrabbled wildly as the dirt gave way under foot, threatening to send him sliding down a steep rise. Suddenly, teeth closed into his scruff, and with a powerful yank, he went flying backward, sprawling on top of his mate. "Are you okay?" Longriver mewed, gazing at his mate with concerned eyes. Harrierstreak nodded, placing a gentle lick to his forehead. "I'm fine, love. Is this your new thing? Rescuing handsome tom-cats from perilous situations?" Longriver rolled his eyes and nudged the brown tabby back to his feet, as he stood up and shook out his fur.
"Everyone okay?" Pinefeather slowed to a trot as he approached, Burrcall and Willowthroat surging after him. "We're fine, Pinefeather," Longriver assured the older tom, touching noses with him. "I guess the ground was still a bit weak after the rain we had a few suns ago, but luckily Harrierstreak has me to keep him safe." His mate purred, nuzzling Longriver's cheek and making the slinky tom-cat laugh. Pinefeather's face softened. "Alright then. If you're sure, are you two alright to carry on like we planned?"
"We'll be fine," Harrierstreak assured him, "we've got each other's backs, but we appreciate the concern." Pinefeather dipped his head, before he nodded for Willowthroat and Burrcall to follow him as he bounded away, leaving the pair of toms standing alone together in the forest.
"Are you sure you're alright?" Longriver asked. "You didn't twist a paw or anything?" Harrierstreak shook his head, touching noses with him again. "I'm fine, honestly. I just got a little shock at having the ground suddenly not be there, but I'm fine, thanks to my handsome, brave and strong love of my life, the apple of my eye, the light that surrounds m-" Longriver gently put a paw on his muzzle, the pair of them laughing. "I love you too, Harrierstreak. Now come on, we have some prey to catch."
The pair of them started forward, walking in comfortable silence, shoulder to shoulder. Sometimes, Longriver would drift ahead to see if he could scent any prey, looking for tracks along the ground, but they would always drop back into the same comfortable pattern, nested close together as the forest chirped around them. After a long period of quiet, Harrierstreak spoke: "have you thought about having kits?" Longriver blinked at him, head cocked to the side. "Us? I mean, I guess, but I don't know how we could. It's not like either of us is a molly, you know."
"I know. I was thinking we could find someone to be a surrogate for us," he mewed, ducking his head shyly, "it's not a given thing or anything, because it's almost Leaf-fall and I wouldn't want to put anyone in danger, but... I want to have a family with you. I want to see little baby Long-Harriers running around." His mate let out a choked laugh, stepping in closer to nuzzle his head under Harrierstreak's chin. "I love you so much," he mewed, "we'll talk about it, okay? I want to have a family with you, too." Harrierstreak touched his nose to his mate's, before the smaller of the pair inclined his head, indicating that they should get back to the patrol.
"Do you think he's really okay?" Willowthroat asked on the other side of the forest, glancing over his shoulder. "He's fine," Burrcall mewed assuredly, "Harrierstreak's not weak and he's not silly either, he'd know to say something if he was genuinely injured. Plus Longriver threw himself into a rapid river once to save Badgerstar's life and then sprinted all the way back to camp and sprinted all the way back to make sure that he got medical attention, and Badgerstar is just the clan leader. Imagine what he'd do for someone he loved." Willowthroat laughed a little. "Ah, to find a cat that dedicated."
"Longriver is lovely," Pinefeather agreed, "he's a sharp little tom. He has a good head on his shoulders." Burrcall purred a little, her tail waving above her back. "I like him! He's always been nice to me, and we were apprentices together for a bit. He was really fun then, which I think he probably gets from Ashenstrike, just a little."
"Oh, I didn't know Ashenstrike was Longriver's dad," Willowthroat blinked a little as the other two cats laughed. "He's not," Burrcall said, "he was Longriver's mentor, but they're close enough that Ashenstrike could co-parent with Pinefeather's mate, Roseclaw. They definitely had the most impact on Longriver when he was getting up there in ranks." Pinefeather shook his head a little. "That seems like so long ago now, that all that happened, but to think it was only in Leafbare..." He trailed off a little, and then shook his head again, more roughly this time.
"It is kind of odd to think about how long we've been with the clan now," Burrcall admitted, "it feels more like home than anything I've ever known, and it's... strange to think there was a time when it wasn't my home." Pinefeather nodded a little, while Willowthroat watched the pair of them carefully. "I hope I get to experience that," he said, "I think Grouseclaw and I could use some stability. Besides, the company isn't half-bad." He gently nudged Burrcall's shoulder with his own, making the molly laugh as she shoulder-checked him back.
"Of course it's not," she mewed, preening lightly, "I'm the best."
β β β
"How are you settling in?" Dusklight asked, bounding forward to walk shoulder to shoulder with a startled Grouseclaw. Up ahead, Dustfang ducked his head in amusement, scurrying forward. Dealing with Dusklight's relentless cheerfulness was a right of passage into the clan, and who was he to intrude. "Uh, good, I guess," Grouseclaw looked more perplexed than anything, "I mean we haven't been here long but the cats are nice and there's food, so, yeah."
"Great! That's great! Normally border patrols are a lot bigger than just three, but I suppose our numbers are kind of cut since there are a few mollies in the nursery right now!" Grouseclaw nodded, a little bewildered at Dusklight's power house conversational skills. "Like... Dustfang's mate, right?" He tried, making the silver tom pause so that the other two could catch up. "That's right!" Dusklight enthused. "Shadowtail is super lovely, she's going to be a great mother. Plus, Dustfang's grown kits already like her a lot, and she's basically like my adoptive aunt since her brother, Hawkthorn, and his mate Acornstream helped raise Dawnblossom and I."
"How many adoptive parents have you amassed now?" Dustfang teased, making the young tabby stick out his tongue. "A few. Lionheart is like another cool aunt, and then Shadowtail is cool aunt times two on account of her being Dawnblossom's mentor, and then Fawnrunner is our actual biological aunt." Grouseclaw looked bewildered by all of this, raising a brow at Dustfang who simply chuckled a little. "If I can be a little sappy for a moment? I'm very excited. I forgot what it was like to have kits in your life but... I'm glad that I get another chance to be a father. I thought that the end for me was with Tanglestep's death. I didn't expect to find love again, especially not with someone as wonderful as Shadowtail."
Grouseclaw's eyes widened at Dustfang's heartfelt speech, while Dusklight squealed in happiness, tail waving above his back gleefully. The older tom couldn't help but laugh, before stopping dead in his tracks. The two younger cats followed his gaze to where a grey and white she-cat was standing next to a smaller, fluffy flame lynx point. No one said a thing, the two groups eyeing each other up, before Dustfang finally took a step forward.
"Hi," he started, "this is GroveClan territory. Who are you?"
"I'm Meadowfang," the she-cat said, taking a step forward to meet Dustfang, surprising the silver tom by touching noses with him in greeting, "this is my mate, Burningcloud. We're very sorry, we didn't realize we'd trespassed onto clan territory. We were just passing through." Dusklight's head tilted, curiously. "And yet you have clan names. Are you passing through to another clan?" The two strange cats exchanged a glance, having a silent conversation, before Meadowfang turned back to the group.
"Our old clan had a leadership change and we are.... not welcome there anymore." Dustfang's ears flattened, and the she-cat shook her head quickly. "I promise you, we're not traitors. Our leader, she wanted to rid the clan of kittypet genes, and, well." She turned to cast a glance at Burningcloud, who shrugged casually, although the flickering of rage behind his eyes belied his true feelings. Dusklight's face fell. "Oh, you poor things," he mewed, taking a few quick steps forward to touch noses with Meadowfang. "So where are you going to then?"
"I'm not sure," she said, "but wherever Burningcloud goes, I go. I love him, we're sticking together, and... I'm not sure where our end-point is, but I know it's away from that place."
"What if the end point was here?" Dusklight mewed. "My name is Dusklight, I'm one of the younger warriors of GroveClan so I really have no business saying this, but our leader is a very kind cat who cares unconditionally for wanderers, and cats with no place of their own. I'm sure he'd be more than willing to take you on. And he has no qualms with kittypets either. Some of our most valued warriors are kittypets, or kittypet descendants."
"Is that true?" Burningcloud asked curiously, tilting his head at Dustfang. "Yes," the older tom replied, "Badgerstar is a good cat. He understands what it's like to not have anyone, or anything, and he wouldn't turn away anyone who needed shelter. He's taken in cats with a lot less experience, and with the help of our deputy Lionheart, he keeps the clan running."
"And it's true on the kittypet front too!" Dusklight supplied cheerfully, which made Meadowfang chuckle. "I like him," she mewed, nodding to the young tom. "Everyone does," Dustfang replied, amused, which made Dusklight preen. Again, the she-cat turned to her mate, the Birman cat stepping up to press their foreheads together. Finally, they glanced up toward the clan cats, twining their tails together.
"We'd like to meet this Badgerstar," she said, "I think we have some business to discuss."
β β β
"All cats gather beneath Highbranch!" Badgerstar's call rang out across the camp ground, calling the small gathered groups to congregate closer to him, their ears pricked forward curiously. In the front row, closest to Badgerstar, sat the newly returned Woodpaw and Squirrelpaw, their parents flanking them. Shadowtail sat close to Hawkthorn, their pelts brushing, and Dustfang sat the other side of her with his tail curled around her protectively.
"I, Badgerstar, leader of GroveClan," he began, "call upon my warrior ancestors to look down upon these apprentices, who have trained dutifully to understand the way of your code. I recommend each of them to you as warriors without a shadow of doubt in my mind. Woodpaw, first born of GroveClan, please step forward." The tabby she-cat moved closer to the leader, amidst a cluster of excited whispers. "Do you promise to uphold the warrior code, and to protect your clan with your life?"
"I do!"
"Then from this day on, you will be known as Woodbloom, for your youthfulness and your caring nature. StarClan honours your wonder, your compassion and your infinite hope for the future, and it is my pleasure to welcome you as a full warrior of GroveClan." Yowls for Woodbloom went up as Badgerstar stepped in close, exchanging the customary shoulder-lick, before Woodbloom settled back down to her parents, who groomed her fur.
"Squirrelpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, and to protect your clan, even at the cost of your life?"
"I do."
"Then I give you your warrior name! You will henceforth be known as Squirrelwhisker, for your keen intuition. StarClan honours your intelligence, your patience and your determination, and I am honoured to welcome you as a full warrior of GroveClan." More yowls went up for the new warrior as he licked Badgerstar's shoulder, the tiniest of smiles on his otherwise serious face. Badgerstar stepped back, his eyes full of pride.
"Squirrelwhisker!" An elated yowl carried over the rest of the group, and the newly appointed warrior turned to stare in pleased shock at Adderpaw, whose tail lifted and waved over her back. The little half-somali beamed at her, and she surged forward, drawing up short. "Congratulations, Squirrelwhisker." She purred, touching her nose to his. After a hesitant moment, he leaned into it, allowing her to duck her head under his chin and nuzzle the underside of his jaw.
"We're so proud of you both," his father was saying, as Dustfang approached to touch his forehead to Squirrelwhisker's. "It was an honour having you as an apprentice," he mewed, "you're going to do great things. I'll look forward to seeing you out on patrol." Bashfully, the new warrior ducked his head, watching his mentor wander off with his pregnant mate skipping along beside him. Woodbloom had dragged her parents across to Badgerstar and Maplefall, where their kits tumbled around their paws in a playfight.
"I guess a silent vigil won't be too much of a problem for you," Adderpaw said, dragging Squirrelwhisker's attention back to her, "but I'm not sure how poor Woodbloom will cope." The ginger tom laughed a little, clearly shocking the tall apprentice. "Thank you, Adderpaw, for your concern. I look forward to making fun of you next moon, when you sit your vigil." The she-cat grinned, bumping shoulders with him, before she turned on her heel to head toward her friend. "Adderpaw, wait." She halted, blinking at the tom, who tilted his head. "I'll yowl for you," he said. She gave him a small smile, before bounding away to congratulate her friend.
π₯π πππͺ,
"There he goes," in the warmth of the Greenleaf's sunrise, Ashenstrike and Lionheart lay crouched together, pelts touching, as they watched Hawkthorn rocket from the warrior's den and duck directly into the nursery. "Record time?" She asked, tilting her head to lean it against Ashenstrike's. He shifted a little to lick between her ears. "Not quite, but if he keeps increasing his speed like that, he'll break his record by next week."
"Stop bullying him," Badgerstar reprimanded the pair, "it's only his eighth check of the morning, at least let the poor tom get in a solid ten." The three of them dissolved into giggles, before the black tom moved forward and past them to check on his own mate and kits in the nursery. Lionheart and Ashenstrike were content to sit together in companionable silence as the rest of the clan filtered out into the early morning, ready for their patrol assignments. Once Badgerstar slipped out of the nursery with Hawkthorn trailing just behind him, a bleary Stonepatch bringing up the rear, Lionheart got to her feet.
"Alright, listen up. I'll be leading the first border patrol, as per usual. Ashenstrike, Dusklight, Sedgefire, Wolverinejaw and Meadowfang are with me. We'll take the North and West borders. Flintburr, you take Burningcloud, Novella, Stonepatch, Grouseclaw and Burrcall and sweep the South and East borders." Flintburr ducked his head, as his patrol began to gather around him. The ginger molly continued:
"As for hunting patrols, I want the first one led by Dustfang with Dawnblossom, Halfpond, Flowershine, Boulderflame and Woodbloom. The second one will be led by Longriver-" murmurs of surprise echoed around the camp- "with Harrierstreak, Hawkthorn, Sootface, Squirrelwhisker and Willowthroat. Patrol leaders can decide where you're hunting. That will be all, thank you."
"Longriver is an interesting choice," Ashenstrike mewed, as Badgerstar weaved his way through the crowd to express the exact same sentiments. "You still had a load of senior warriors that you lumped into his patrol," the black tom mewed, "not that I'm judging your decisions or anything, I know you know what you're doing, but I just... don't understand." Lionheart's eyes flickered around, before she ducked her head. "Look, can we talk about this somewhere else?" Badgerstar nodded, and the pair of them moved toward the fresh kill pile, which had been abandoned as the patrols formed.
"This is on a need-to-know basis, and I'm trying to keep it quiet, but," she cleared her throat, "I may... take a break from my deputy role in the near future, and I want to test out possible replacements while I... might be... in the nursery." Badgerstar's eyes widened. "I like Longriver," she continued quickly, "he's already proving himself to be selfless and decisive. As easy as it would be to appoint a senior warrior, I'd also like to think about what happens when I'm too old to be deputy anymore. I want to see how he does in a leadership position."
"Alright," Badgerstar mewed, "and don't worry, I won't tell anyone. But... please, check with Goldleaf. After what the last medicine cat said... well. I don't want you to put yourself in any danger, okay?" Lionheart's face was fond as she leaned in to touch her nose to his cheek. "Thank you, Badgerstar. I promise you I'll be fine." The cats shared a nod, before Lionheart bounded away from him, back toward where her patrol had gathered. As the cats began to filter out of the camp, Pinefeather sidled up alongside Badgerstar.
"You won't need me in camp, will you?" He asked, and Badgerstar shook his head. "Nope! We should be all good, why is that?" The Burmese tom nodded toward where Roseclaw was standing, with his apprentice at his shoulder. "I think I should like to spend the day with my family. It's been a while since we've had such a long time together." Badgerstar smiled at the older tom, inclining his head to indicate that he should go with him.
"You know, Pinefeather, that's not such a bad idea."
β β β
The blue and white tom wandered through the forest, the patrol on his heels. His shoulders were tense, even as his mate bounded up beside him. "Relax, honey, you're doing fine," Harrierstreak's nose touched his cheek, and Longriver exhaled roughly, nervously flicking his ears. "I feel like I'm not! I'm so young compared to some of the other warriors, what if they're mad that I got picked to lead a patrol and not them?" Harrierstreak chuckled a little. "Then that's their problem. Come on, you've got this." Longriver took a deep breath, before turning to face the group.
"Alright, I think we should split up into smaller groups, so as not to scare away the prey. This tree-" he nodded to the tree with a branch missing from where it had been struck down by storms many moons ago- "will be our meeting point. We come back here in three shifts of the sun. Hawkthorn, you're the most experienced warrior, so you should go with Squirrelwhisker and Willowthroat. Sootface can come with Harrierstreak and I. Then, in the groups of three, we can spread out even further like a fan. That way there'll be less chance of us scaring off prey due to multitudes. Does that... sound good?" He cast a shy glance at the patrol, relaxing when Hawkthorn gave him a reassuring smile.
"That sounds like a plan to me, Longriver. What about you, Sootface?" The point tom nodded, firmly. "That's a good plan, Longriver." The young tom exhaled in relief, with a tight nod. "Okay, good. Try to stay within earshot of each other, in case something happens. If there's any trouble, the fastest cat comes to find me."
"How are you going to find yourself?" Harrierstreak quipped, earning a nudge from his mate. Hawkthorn dipped his head, before he nodded to the two young toms, and the three of them bounded off. Sootface turned to Longriver with an amused look. "Merciful of you to send Hawkthorn with his son. He was so excited about getting to patrol with him." Longriver laughed a little. "And selfish of me too," he mewed, "I wanted to keep my mate by my side. He's kind of the only reason I'm not freaking out by now."
"You give yourself too little credit," Sootface mewed, nudging Longriver good naturedly. "If Ashenstrike trained you, you've got this on lock. Plus, from what I hear, you got extra training from Roseclaw, who is just a really great cat." Harrierstreak shot Sootface a sly look. "And handsome too, huh?" Longriver felt himself flush, swatting at his mate. "Harrierstreak!"
"He is very handsome," Sootface purred, "good job to Pinefeather for snatching him up before the rest of us had a chance." Longriver groaned, shaking his head. "Alright then, you mooning mouse-brains, let's just go." Sootface and Harrierstreak burst into laughter, but nonetheless they were streaking alongside Longriver the second that the fleet-footed tom took off. After a few beats, the toms splintered away from each other, fanning out across the forest in search of prey.
β β β
Woodbloom wandered along through the grass next to Dustfang, the pair of them checking over their shoulders to watch the rest of the patrol. Boulderflame and Flowershine walked close enough that their pelts were touching, heads ducked bashfully as they laughed at some private joke, while Halfpond was strolling along backward so that he could speak eagerly to a fondly smiling Dawnblossom, her ginger ears pricked forward curiously.
"I think I'm going to go and hunt down by the lake, if that's okay with you," Woodbloom mewed, and Dustfang let out a chuckle, inclining his head as permission for her to go. The tabby she-cat ducked her head, before turning and weaving away through the grass. Dustfang allowed himself a few more moments to watch the young lovebirds, a pang of nostalgia hitting him. It didn't seem that long ago that he and Tanglestep had been doing this familiar dance, and now their son was all grown up and courting a molly, and Dustfang was about to have another litter of kits.
Wherever you are, watching over us from Silverpelt, I hope you're proud, he thought, tilting his face toward the sunny sky. He shook his head, moving forward and disappearing into the grass to trace the scent of a mouse. Flowershine blinked, watching him go, before she turned to Boulderflame. "Is your dad alright?" She asked, making the black tom flick his ears, head tilted slightly. "I'm sure he's fine. I guess it's just big changes for him, right? He's going to have new babies to look after and it's uh, well. It's been a while for him." Flowershine chuckled. "I suppose it has. I still remember when you and Burrcall came to the clan... you were just kits then."
"Yeah. It seems like so long ago now, but it also seems like it was just yesterday, you know? But... you were the most beautiful molly I'd ever seen then, and you still are now." Flowershine chuckled a little, nudging him with her shoulder. "You are a terrible flatterer," she mewed, "but, despite your horrid, horrid lies... you're a good tom. What you did for Dustfang and Shadowtail was sweet. I don't know many cats who would have willingly helped their parents move on from each other." Boulderflame smiled, shrugging a little. "Don't get me wrong, I miss my mother every day, but my dad deserves happiness. It's not right for any of us to stay in the past. And it's different for Halfpond- you know? His mother could come back, but mine isn't. I'm happy to call Shadowtail my new mother. She's a good and honest cat."
"Well, you two have a lot in common then," Boulderflame ducked his head bashfully, smiling as Flowershine's nose touched his cheek. She paused, turning to glance out in the direction of the dead tree. Boulderflame turned, frowning a little as he did. Halfpond and Dawnblossom pulled up alongside him, all four of them glancing out toward the border.
"Hey, Dad?" Boulderflame called. Dustfang appeared near them, ears pricked forward. Out by the dead tree at the edge of the fields, the border patrol had pulled up. Stonepatch was standing in front of Novella, who looked terrified out of her mind, his bulk shielding her from the large cats who seemed to be having strong words with a disgruntled looking Flintburr. Burrcall stood close to her former mentor's side, ears flat, while Grouseclaw and Burningcloud hung back, glancing at each other without an ounce of confidence in this situation.
"I don't like the look of that," Dustfang said solemnly, and Flowershine nodded, worry creasing her features. Boulderflame gently laid his tail over her flank in comfort. She sighed, ducking her head to look at her paws and shaking her head. "There's nothing good that can come out of that."
β β β
"Get him!" Midnightkit leaped at his father, as a barrage of kits fell upon the leader, tackling him to the ground. He splayed himself out with a dramatic wail, stretching one paw toward his mate, who was laughing loudly as she leaned on Fawnrunner, who was also giggling. "Alas!" Badgerstar yowled dramatically, "I, the mighty mountain lion, am vanquished by brave warriors. My mate, my queen, rule by my side... crush these runts once and for all." Maplefall stood, and skittered toward her kits, sending them squealing away from the tom.
"Regroup! Regroup!" Elkkit demanded, and the kits retreated to the nursery, heads together, as Maplefall helped Badgerstar roll to his feet. The tom shook out his pelt, the pair of them standing together as the kits whispered among themselves. Then, their youngest daughter yelled; "CHARGE!" sending a wave of kits running at them. The only ones with substantial force behind them were Ternkit and Avocetkit, but nonetheless, Maplefall and Badgerstar threw themselves to the ground.
"No!" Maplefall yowled. "Our nefarious plans!"
"These warriors are too brave!"
"And strong!"
"Oh, I see the light... oh no... my love... I will see you.... on the other side. Bleeeuuueuergh." Badgerstar went limp, chuckling to himself as he felt the weight of small paws pinning him down. "Now you're just milking it," Juniperkit mewed, matter-of-factly. "Yeah, dad," Midnightkit purred, yelping as Twilightkit swatted him with her tail. "I thought it was good. Very dramatic." Maplefall laughed, gently nudging the kits off of her, before shooing them away from her mate.
"Alright, kits, how about a mossball tournament? Shadowtail and Acornstream can supervise. Whoever wins gets the juciest mouse on the kill-pile." Eyes widened, before the tidal wave of kits descended on the pregnant queens. "Are you alright?" Maplefall asked, amused, as her mate shook himself out. "I'm better than ever," he purred, nuzzling noses with her, "how are things in the nursery? Keeping yourself busy, I hope."
"Yeah," she said, "I feel bad for Acornstream when she was in here alone. The time has passed a lot quicker with denmates to share it with, although I get how she could have missed being out on patrol." Badgerstar settled down, with Maplefall nestled against his side so that he could groom her, carefully and lovingly. "Well, you know if you ever need a break, I'm happy to kit-sit. It's not as if I have anything else to do, now that we have enough cats that I don't have to patrol anymore."
"I like having you around," Maplefall mewed, "because I like spending with you. With our family." Their eyes moved to where their kits were crowding the older queens. Juniperkit, who looked so much like her mother, and then Twilightkit and Midnightkit who looked so similar it was sometimes hard to tell them apart. She let out a content sigh. "They're perfect, aren't they?" Badgerstar nodded, resting his chin on top of her head. "They are. We did a great job."
"I love you, Badgerstar." She said, and Badgerstar's eyes welled with fondness. "I love you too, Maplefall, to Silverpelt and beyond."
[ the clan consumes two birds and two voles
goldleaf and mousepaw search for kitting herbs
adderpaw takes her warrior assessment
roseclaw teaches cormorantpaw hunting
lionheart's border patrol: ashenstrike, dusklight, wolverinejaw, sedgefire, meadowfang
flintburr's border patrol: burningcloud, novella, stonepatch, grouseclaw, burrcall
dustfang's hunting patrol: dawnblossom, halfpond, boulderflame, flowershine, woodbloom - fields
longriver's hunting patrol: harrierstreak, hawkthorn, sootface, squirrelwhisker, willowthroat - forest ]
- Leader:
badgerstar | 39 moons | β | π·
Lives: β β β β β β β°β°β°
Deputy:
lionheart | 60 moons | β | π·
Medicine Cat:
goldleaf | 61 moons | β | π·
Apprentice:
mousepaw | 18 moons | β | π·
Warriors:
flintburr | 75 moons | β | π·
hawkthorn | 49 moons | β | π·
dustfang | 54 moons | β | π·
ashenstrike | 60 moons | β | π·
stonepatch | 36 moons | β | π·
flowershine | 26 moons | β | π·
harrierstreak | 27 moons | β | π·
boulderflame | 23 moons | β | π·
burrcall | 23 moons | β | π·
roseclaw | 71 moons | β | π·
sootface | 43 moons | β | π·
pinefeather | 69 moons | β | π·
longriver | 25 moons | β | π·
dawnblossom | 17 moons | β | π·
dusklight | 17 moons | β | π·
novella | 17 moons | β | π·
halfpond | 21 moons | β | π·
sedgefire | 21 moons | β | π·
willowthroat | 27 moons | β | π·
grouseclaw | 27 moons | β | π·
wolverinejaw | 24 moons | β | π·
burningcloud | 56 moons | β | π·
meadowfang | 56 moons | β | π·
squirrelwhisker | 13 moons | β | π·
woodbloom | 13 moons | β | π·
Apprentices:
adderpaw | 12 moons | β | π·
cormorantpaw | 12 moons | β | π·
Queens:
fawnrunner | 35 moons | β | π·
maplefall | 35 moons | β | π·
featherpelt | 61 moons | β | π·
shadowtail | 49 moons | β | π·
acornstream | 49 moons | β | π·
Kits:
elkkit | 4 moons | β | π·
thunderkit | 4 moons | β | π·
mistkit | 4 moons | β | π·
deerkit | 4 moons | β | π·
juniperkit | 3 moons | β | π·
twilightkit | 3 moons | β | π·
midnightkit | 3 moons | β | π·
avocetkit | 5 moons | β | π·
ternkit | 5 moons | β | π·
Elders:
none--
inventory wrote:medicine store;
catmint [4] | greencough
chervil [4] | wounds/aches
marigold [1] | wounds
tansy [2] | coughs
goldenrod [1] | wounds
catchweed [1] | poultices
poppy seeds [3] | pain
cobwebs [1] | bleeding
fennel [4] | pain
raspberry leaves [1] | kitting
ragwort leaves [2] | strength
alder bark [1] | toothache
beech leaves [1] | use ???
chickweed [4] | 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 [1] | breaks/wounds
burnet [1] | strength
celadine [1] | eye infections
fresh-kill pile;
mouse | x7| 1 servings [7]
vole | x4 | 1 servings [4]
rabbit | x5 | 2 servings [10]
bird | x3 | 3 servings [9]
fish | x7 | 2 servings [14]
squirrel | x7 | 2 servings [14]
capacity: 58 servings (7 posts)
relationships wrote:mentors;
acornstream | adderpaw [4]
βͺ stalking, hunting, battle, adv. battle
roseclaw | cormorantpaw [2]
βͺ tracking, hunting, skill, skill
goldleaf | mousepaw [1]
βͺ battle, skill, skill, skill
deceased cats;
none yet!
family/mates;
flintburr β‘ bluestripe
βͺ halfpond & sedgefire
tawnycloud β‘ shrikecry
βͺ shadowtail & hawkthorn
dustfang β‘ tanglestep
βͺ boulderflame & burrcall
hawkthorn β₯ acornstream
βͺ squirrelwhisker, woodbloom,
due in two posts
ripplebound β‘ junipernose
βͺ dawnblossom & dusklight
eagleleap β‘ dewfeather
βͺ harrierstreak & mousepaw
badgerstar β₯ maplefall
βͺ juniperkit, midnightkit
& twilightkit
cherryflower β‘ frostjaw
βͺ roseclaw, russetwing, lionheart,
gingerstrike & dawnleap
roseclaw β₯ pinefeather
stonepatch β₯ fawnrunner
βͺ elkkit, thunderkit,
mistkit & deerkit
longriver β₯ harrierstreak
featherpelt β‘ seneca
βͺ avocetkit & ternkit
pigeoncall β‘ reedwhisper
βͺ grouseclaw & willowthroat
shadowtail β₯ dustfang
βͺ due in one post
burningcloud β₯ meadowfang
