A Warriors Story

EagleClan

Leader:

Valleystar- A brown smoke tom with a massive scar over his left eye.

Deputy:

Yewsplash- A ginger and brown calico she-cat with green eyes.

Medicine Cat:

Brushfall- A dark brown tom with a long scar across his face.

Warriors:

Willowberry- A white she-cat with black and gray patches.

Tansystone- A brown tom with green eyes.

Meadowflower- A pale cream and white tabby she-cat.

Barkleaf- A brown tabby tom.

Raggedsun- A black tom with bright yellow eyes.

Apprentices:

Mistpaw- A white she-cat with pale gray legs, tail, and face. (MENTOR: Tansystone)

Queens and Kits: 

Dewbreeze- A cream smoke she-cat. (Currently nursing Valleystar’s kits: Littlekit, a pale brown she-cat, and Bristlekit- A dark brown tabby tom)

Elders:

Gorgefeather- A gray smoke she-cat with pale gray eyes.

CraneClan

Leader:

Blossomstar- A dilute calico she-cat.

Deputy:

Lilyeye- A pale gray and white she-cat with a scarred shoulder.

Medicine Cat:

Tallsky: A black and ginger tortoiseshell she-cat.

Medicine Cat Apprentice:

Orchidpaw- A pale smoke she-cat with blue eyes.

Warriors:

Treewhisker- A brown tabby tom.

Owlspring- A deaf white tom with blue eyes.

Hazelcrest- A brown and white tabby she-cat.

Pinebreeze- A dark ginger smoke tom.

Wildcloud- A ginger and white tabby she-cat.

Rosewing- A pale calico she-cat.

Apprentices:

Dahliapaw- A cream smoke tom. (MENTOR: Hazelcrest)

Petuniapaw- A white smoke non-binary cat. (MENTOR: Lilyeye)

Queens and Kits: 

None.

Elders:

None.

OspreyClan

Leader:

Ravenstar- A black smoke tom with yellow eyes.

Deputy:

Snakemoon- A gray tabby tom.

Medicine Cat:

Lilacfrost- A cream she-cat with dark blue eyes.

Warriors:

Pebbletooth- A white tom with pale gray patches.

Sharpstone- A gray and white tabby she-cat.

Stormflight- A dark gray tabby tom.

Apprentices:

None.

Queens and Kits: 

Peppersight- A black she-cat. (Currently nursing Ravenstar’s kits: Hollykit- A black she-cat with green eyes, Smokekit- A black tom with yellow eyes, and Duskkit- A black and white tom)

Elders:

None.

CardinalClan

Leader:

Mintstar- A blue-gray smoke she-cat.

Deputy:

Mousepetal- A small pale brown and white tom.

Medicine Cat:

Snowtalon- A pale colored tom with dark brown eyes.

Warriors:

Bluepool- A white she-cat with blue-gray patches.

Poppystep- A calico she-cat with dark colored eyes.

Amberstone- A fluffy calico tom.

Wrenbranch- A mottled brown she-cat.

Berryglow- A cream and white she-cat.

Flamefeather- A ginger tabby tom.

Apprentices:

Applepaw- A cream smoke she-cat with golden eyes. (MENTOR: Mintstar)

Honeypaw- A cream smoke she-cat with dark brown eyes. (MENTOR: Wrenbranch)

Queens and Kits: 

None.

Elders:

Thistleflame- A dark ginger smoke she-cat.

Jaggedpool- A mottled gray tom with yellow eyes.

Mistgaze- A gray and white tom.

CHAPTER CW: HEAVILY implied death, mentions of blood

“Tuniapaw!! ‘Tuniapaw!” 

Petuniapaw purred as they pushed into Amber’s den. Maple and Briar, who had been play-fighting when they arrived, stopped in their tracks and darted towards the pale-colored tom.

Petuniapaw gave both kits gentle nuzzles and licks on their heads, before looking around the den. They quickly noticed something wrong. Very wrong.

“Where’s your mother?” They asked, looking down at the kits. 

“Las’ night she left!” Maple squeaked, frowning and shifting her paws. “Heard real, real loud noises!”

“Mama said ‘ts a dog…” Briar mumbled, looking down at the frosty ground. “I miss her lots…”

“Me too…”

Petuniapaw stiffened. Loud noises, a dog, and the fact that Amber still wasn’t back yet…Things didn’t look good.

“Stay.” They instructed the kits, backing out of Amber’s den and beginning to rush through the grass.

Amber’s scent was faint, beginning to grow stale. However, the awful scent of dog filled the apprentice’s nose, and that just made them more fearful.

They padded through the territory with caution. At one point, they smelled a cat, but it wasn’t Amber. It must’ve been a passing loner. 

They were going to give up, when suddenly they smelled something new that made their ears perk.

Blood.

This wasn’t like the first time, when Amber had a mere scratch on her leg. This scent was strong. Strong enough to make Petuniapaw lightheaded. 

They pushed through a tall patch of grass, hoping to find Amber. Even finding her body would be enough. At least they’d be able to conclude their search with answers.

Instead, they found nothing but an already fading patch of blood, with a trail of crimson that led further into the grass.

Trembling and holding back a sob, Petuniapaw retraced their steps. Their tail dragged along the ground as they solemnly made their way to Amber’s den. 

Maple and Briar eagerly greeted them.

“Tuniapaw! Did you find Mama?” Maple asked, expression hopeful.

Petuniapaw forced a smile. “I, um…No. I’m sorry, I didn’t. Listen…Why don’t you two come with me?” They offered. “We’re going to where I live! Um…Until your mother comes back.”

“Yay! We’re going with ‘Tuniapaw!” Briar exclaimed, waddling over to the older apprentice and flopping at their paws. 

“Yep…” Petuniapaw’s stomach sank. They dipped their head and grabbed the black and white kit by her scruff, gesturing for Maple to follow. “Can you walk?” They asked, voice muffled.

Maple nodded, puffing out her little chest as she took wobbly steps behind Petuniapaw. “Not even cold!” She stated.

Nodding, Petuniapaw began to walk. They kept their steps slow so that Maple could keep up. Briar curled in their jaws, shivering.

Their mind was racing with thoughts, and they felt a cluster of emotions that twisted their stomach. They were grieving for Amber, who they had considered a friend over the past moon. They were worried about the kits, and how the clan would react.

What would Blossomstar think?

What would Lilyeye think?

What would their mother think?

The thought of facing Rosewing made Petuniapaw shudder. 

If only I were Dahliapaw, They thought. Then Mama wouldn’t care what I did.

They were so lost in their thoughts that they didn’t even notice they were on top of the small hill above CraneClan’s camp entrance. The waterfall had frozen over, leaving a frozen pool of water in the middle of camp. Petuniapaw could see cats milling around, sharing tongues, and using whatever rays of sun they could to bask.

“Is this your home? That’s a lotta cats!” Maple whispered, peering over the ledge with a gasp. “Whoa, it’s bigger than Mama’s home!”

“It is,” Petuniapaw whispered back, lowering Briar to the ground. The kit whined, nuzzling closer to their pale fur. “Now listen. If you two want to stay here you have to be very good and stay quiet. Don’t speak until I tell you to.”

“Are there other kits here to play with?” Maple questioned.

Petuniapaw sucked in a deep breath. “No.”

“Okay.”

“Now, let’s go…”

The three padded into camp. Petuniapaw tried to appear confident.

The first cat to notice the group was Hazelcrest. She peered at them with a confused expression, before leaning over to Pinebreeze and whispering into his ear. The tom lifted his head, fur ruffled from a good nap, and when he noticed the kits his eyes widened.

Petuniapaw could hear their clanmates murmuring around them as they sat in front of the TallHill. Eventually, the commotion seemed to drive Blossomstar from her den, and she emerged with a yawn.

“What’s going on now?” The leader grumbled, freezing mid-step when she saw the kits. “Petuniapaw, what…Explain, please.”

Petuniapaw’s gaze lowered, and they suddenly found the ground very interesting. “I found these kits abandoned in the territory. It’s against the warrior code to leave them to freeze, so I figured I’d bring them here.”

Blossomstar’s eyes narrowed. “Hm. It’s the middle of leaf-bare, and we barely have enough prey to feed ourselves…Why should I allow more mouths to feed?” She asked.

Petuniapaw looked around nervously. They locked eyes with Rosewing, who was in the small crowd, and silently begged for some kind of defense.

Please, Mama. They were thinking. Help me like you would help Dahliapaw.

Rosewing was silent. Treewhisker stepped forward.

“Blossomstar, with all due respect, you’re tired. I think your exhaustion has clouded your judgement,” He meowed. “Our clan is lacking in cats. We haven’t had new kits since Rosewing’s kits were apprenticed, and our numbers haven’t gotten any bigger. Our fresh-kill pile is full enough for two more. Besides…”

He gave Petuniapaw a gentle smile, before looking back at the leader. “Like Petuniapaw said, it’s against the code to turn away kits in need.”

Blossomstar sighed heavily, sitting and neatly wrapping her tail around her paws. “Very well. But I do have one question…Who will raise these kits? I refuse to give an apprentice the title of ‘parent’.”

Again, the clearing fell silent, before Lilyeye stepped forward with a gentle smile.

“I suppose it’s a good time to make this announcement,” She said with a chuckle. “I’m expecting kits. They should be arriving either at the end of leaf-bare or the beginning of newleaf.”

Shocked gasps, murmurs, and congratulations rippled through the camp, while Treewhisker whipped his head to face the she-cat with wide eyes.

“What? Kits? Whose kits?” He exclaimed. “Mine?”

“Who else, silly?” Lilyeye purred, stepping forward to nudge her mate’s shoulder.

Blossomstar raised her tail, signaling for the clan to fall silent.

“Congratulations, Lilyeye,” She meowed. “I take it to mean you’ll raise these kits? What about your deputy duties?”

Lilyeye shook her head. “I can be a mother and serve my clan at the same time.”

“Alright,” Blossomstar sighed. “Very well, Petuniapaw. The kits may stay.”

Petuniapaw’s body filled with relief, and they gave Lilyeye a grateful glance before looking back at Blossomstar.

“Thank you, Blossomstar.” They meowed. “May I name them?”

“I’m not stopping you.”

The apprentice looked down at the kits. Maple and Briar looked up at them, smiling innocently. They sighed, and smiled back.

CHAPTER CW: Purposeful misgendering

Dahliapaw could tell Petuniapaw was hiding something.

Despite the two’s punishment being over for about a moon now, he noticed that they were still leaving camp in the early hours, usually taking a piece of prey or small herb bundle with them. At first they lied and said they were heading to the dirtplace, but eventually they stopped telling the lie and just outright said nothing when they returned in the early hours. 

Dahliapaw growled. Leaf-bare had begun just days prior, and according to Blossomstar, it was bound to be a harsh one. Snow was already beginning to cover the ground, and cats huddled in their dens at night to keep warm.

Once again Petuniapaw had left their nest and stalked out of camp, and this time, Dahliapaw followed. 

He made sure to stay far enough behind for his scent to be faint, but close enough to see where his sibling was going. He kept his pawsteps light, trying to avoid the usually satisfying crunch of the snow beneath him. 

The two walked for a while, and Dahliapaw could feel his paws beginning to grow sore. He didn’t like walking much, and was relieved when Petuniapaw finally made it to their destination. He crouched behind a large rock, resting his front paws on his tail to avoid getting too cold. He was confused when Petuniapaw slipped into a makeshift bush den, and even more confused when he heard voices.

“Thank you again for doing this, Petuniapaw.” The voice was gentle, a hint of a purr in the speaking cat’s tone.

“It’s no problem, Amber.” Petuniapaw purred in reply. They could be heard settling down. “How are the kits?”

Kits? Dahliapaw’s fur bristled, and he held back a growl. Petuniapaw was helping outsiders! Surely this was against the rules!

“They’re fine, sleeping now,” Amber was saying. “It’s about time I gave them names. Would you like to name one, Petuniapaw?”

Dahliapaw heard Petuniapaw gasp. “What? Me? Are you sure…?”

“I’m sure. You’ve helped me so much, without you…I think we wouldn’t be here.” Amber chuckled. “Go on, name whichever one you’d like.”

“They’re both she-cats, correct?”

“Mhm.”

“Okay,” There was a brief silence, and Dahliapaw assumed they were thinking. “I want to name the black one. Maybe…Briar? Her fur is all fluffy, and it looks kinda spiky…”

“Briar is a good choice.” Amber said. “I suppose it’s my turn..I’ll name my other daughter Maple. Her colors…The name fits her.”

“Briar and Maple…Those are good names!” Petuniapaw laughed, and Dahliapaw’s ears pinned against his head.

“They are,” Amber murmured. “I hate to cut our meeting short, but I feel tired…I don’t want you to get caught out here. I think you should head home, for your own good.”

“Okay…Bye, Amber. Bye, kits!” Petuniapaw could be heard standing.

“Goodbye, Petuniapaw.”

Dahliapaw watched as Petuniapaw exited Amber’s den, and when they started to walk home, he followed.

…

“Great StarClan, how much sleep did you two get?”

Dahliapaw sleepily blinked up at Hazelcrest as she spoke. It was the dawn patrol, and he had been sent along with Hazelcrest, Rosewing, Petuniapaw, Lilyeye, and Treewhisker to check the borders. 

He hadn’t slept much since returning home. He was too busy thinking about Amber, and how his own littermate was blatantly breaking the warrior code! 

He didn’t know what to do, who to tell.

Rosewing puffed out her chest at Hazelcrest’s comment. “They’re growing toms, they must need more rest than us warriors!” She purred.

Lilyeye scoffed. “Petuniapaw isn’t a tom anymore, Rosewing.”

Dahliapaw could see Rosewing’s demeanor shift in an instant, and she gave Lilyeye a glare. “Are you claiming you know my kit better than I do?”

“At this point, Rosewing, maybe I do.”

Rosewing’s claws unsheathed, and she growled, only to be interrupted by Treewhisker’s voice. 

“Stop it, you two. You’re acting like a couple of squabbling kits. Look, an EagleClan patrol.” The tom’s voice was soft, yet still stern as he gestured towards the border. 

The group of cats stopped to speak with the three EagleClan cats, dipping their heads in greeting. 

“Yewsplash! Hello!” Lilyeye exclaimed, stepping forward to touch noses with the calico she-cat. 

Yewsplash responded with a purr, nudging her friend. “Good morning, Lilyeye!”

“How’s EagleClan?” Treewhisker asked, stepping forward.

The expressions of the EagleClan cats dropped, and they shuffled their paws awkwardly before one of the warriors, Tansystone, spoke.

“So far…Not well.” He said quietly, his gaze fixed on the ground. “Valleystar’s kits are sick with kittencough, and I’m afraid Gorgefeather isn’t doing too well either.”

“Oh, so sorry to hear that.” Lilyeye murmured, a solemn look crossing her face. “I do hope they recover. If there’s anything we can do, please let us know.”

“Thank you. I knew we could rely on CraneClan.” Yewsplash smiled, before looking down at the smaller she-cat by her side. “Oh! Mistpaw, would you like to say hello to the CraneClan cats?”

Mistpaw, who Dahliapaw noted to be only about seven moons old, shook her head.

“That’s alright.” Yewsplash looked up at the CraneClan patrol. “I apologize, she’s a bit shy…Still getting used to apprentice duties and all.”

“Oh, we completely understand. Our apprentices aren’t talkers either.” Treewhisker chuckled. “Well, we don’t want to keep you long. We’ll be on our way now. Goodbye!”

“Bye, now!” Tansystone meowed, and the two groups remarked their borders before parting ways.

“Sounds like EagleClan is weak,” Dahliapaw said when they were far enough away. “We should invade their camp! Take their herbs, their prey, their-”

“Don’t be mouse-brained, Dahliapaw.” Lilyeye snapped.

Rosewing lashed her tail. “Never speak to my son that way again!”

Hazelcrest groaned. “Save it, both of you. Stars, my head hurts…”

CHAPTER CW: Young pregnancy, mild blood

Petuniapaw’s steps were careful. They slunk through the tall grasses of the riverlands, trying to keep their body low to the ground. The only sound around them was the sound of their own heart beating in their chest, and the shrill cry of cicadas near the water. It was a bit chilly, and the apprentice’s body shivered. Leaf-bare would come soon.

The scent they had picked up matched that of the cat they had met the day prior, with Dahliapaw. Their pelt bristled slightly as they remembered how afraid the she-cat looked, the sadness on her face as she ran away, and just how harsh Dahliapaw had been towards her.

They knew they didn’t have permission to be out, especially not so late. But they also knew that they longed to find this mysterious she-cat, and make things right with her.

The smell was growing stronger, combined with two new scents that made Petuniapaw freeze. The first was a sweeter smell, a smell they recognized from their days in the nursery as the scent of milk. The second smell, however, almost made them gag. It was metallic and sour, the smell of blood.

Pawsteps quickening, Petuniapaw began to run, following the strange combination of scents until they stumbled upon a den made from a bush. There, huddled inside, was the same she-cat from before.

A nest had been hastily created for the young, shivering molly to lay on. She looked up at Petuniapaw with wide, frightened green eyes, her fur matted and mildly dampened with sweat. The scent of blood Petuniapaw smelled before came from a deep cut in her right hind leg, the ground below it stained with a dark crimson.

The final thing Petuniapaw noticed was the two young kits huddled at her belly. They were less than a moon old. In fact, they were probably mere days old based on their appearance. One of the kits was a tortoiseshell like their mother, with white markings. The second kit was black, also with white markings. 

This confused Petuniapaw. The she-cat was young. She appeared to be the age of a young warrior, and definitely far too young to be responsible for the lives of others.

“Oh, please, spare me!” The she-cat pleaded, visibly tensing as if preparing to run away. “I recognize you from yesterday! Please, I can’t leave! I’m too weak to carry these kits…”

“No, it’s okay,” Petuniapaw replied. They looked around, making sure no-cat was around before turning their attention back to the queen. “Are you okay? What happened to your leg?”

“Oh…I hurt myself running away from you and your friend…” The she-cat looked down at her front paws, curling her tail to both protect her kits and cover her injury. 

“I’m sorry. My brother…He isn’t the nicest cat to stumble upon.” Petuniapaw sighed heavily, their shoulders sagging a bit. “Do you need help? What’s your name?”

“Amber.”

“Amber…Well, maybe you can come back with me! I’m sure Blossomstar wouldn’t turn away a mother with kits-”

“No.” Amber’s whiskers twitched, and she tensed her body further. “I appreciate the offer, truly, but…I would rather build my strength and leave with my kits. I don’t want to be a burden to you or your group.”

“Can I at least help you? We have enough herbs and prey to spare!” Petuniapaw let the words spill out of their mouth. They knew that they should just leave Amber alone, turn around and walk away, but the sight of her looking so sad and hurt tore at their heart.

Amber was silent. She laid her head down between her front paws, sighing heavily before responding. “Do what you please.” 

Petuniapaw nodded. “O-okay! Hang on, I’ll be back!”

They scrambled back, turning and rushing away from the bush. They stalked back into CraneClan camp, trying to keep their pawsteps silent-

“Petuniapaw?”

Fox-dung! Petuniapaw froze and looked around camp until they met eyes with Lilyeye. The deputy was staring at them with her head tilted, sitting outside of the warrior’s den. Her tail was tucked around  her paws neatly.

Petuniapaw padded over to Lilyeye, looking up at their mentor. “Sorry. I was going to the dirtplace…I woke up with the worst stomach ache...” They lied.

Lilyeye’s eyes narrowed, and the tip of her tail twitched. “Hmm. You should see Tallsky and Orchidpaw, then.” She stated.

“I will, if it doesn’t go away before patrols.” Petuniapaw meowed. 

“Alright.” Lilyeye chuckled, leaning down and nudging the apprentice’s cheek with her nose. “I hope you’re not trying to get out of your little punishment!”

Petuniapaw laughed, shuffling closer to the gray and white she-cat with a purr. “I promise I’m not. That’s something Dahliapaw would do.”

Lilyeye sighed, wrapping her tail around Petuniapaw. “I’m aware. I hope that he changes soon. He has so much potential, and I would hate for it to be wasted on a…Useless cat.”

“It’s my mom’s fault.” Petuniapaw blurted out, before looking away with a frown. “Um..I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that-”

“No, I agree.” Lilyeye shook her head, before standing and turning to leave. “Both of us better get rest the best we can. Oh, and Petuniapaw?”

Petuniapaw, who was already walking away, turned to face Lilyeye. “Yeah?”

The deputy smirked, before slipping into the warrior’s den.

“Bring her cobweb, horsetail, and borage.”

CW: PARENTAL VERBAL ABUSE, CHILD NEGLECT(?)

“Y’know, we could really get in trouble for this.”

Dahliapaw looked back at his littermate. Petuniapaw stood behind him, their tail trailing behind their body.

He couldn’t help but scoff. “We’re eight moons old, Petunia! I know the territory like the back of my paw by now! In fact, when we get back, Blossomstar will wanna make me a warrior!”

“Mm,” Petuniapaw shook their head. “I think you’re being mouse-brained.”

“And went you’re following me around like a lost kit!” Dahliapaw grinned, continuing to pad along the river. A feeling of triumph could be felt as he heard Petuniapaw’s resigned sigh and pawsteps behind him. 

The air around the apprentices carried an earthy, slightly musky scent that filled Dahliapaw’s nostrils and made him wrinkle his nose. Even as a kit he despised the water. He always envied how the other clans had gorgeous forest territories, while CraneClan was stuck with the rivers and fish. How he longed to climb trees, to catch mice…

It’s alright, He thought to himself. One day I’ll be Dahliastar, and I’ll take over the clans! All of the forests and trees will be mine!

“Dahliapaw?”

Dahliapaw snapped out of his thoughts with a brisk shake of his head, turning to Petuniapaw. They were staring forward, eyes wide.

“What? What are you looking at?” Dahliapaw huffed, mildly annoyed that his stream of thoughts had been ruined.

“Who…Who is that?”

Intrigued, Dahliapaw followed Petuniapaw’s gaze. 

His sibling was looking at a young she-cat, who seemed to be searching for something along the edge of the river. Her fur was brown, with mottled markings. Her chest, belly, paws, and tail-tip were white, and her eyes were yellow.

Growling, Dahliapaw stalked forward, lashing his tail. “Hey! Who are you!? This is CraneClan territory!” He hissed.

The she-cat looked up, eyes widened. She began to take slow pawsteps backwards, trembling, her ears flattened.

“I’m sorry! I was just…”

“Leave now, or else!” Dahliapaw hissed, and the she-cat scrambled away.

Petuniapaw shuffled over to their brother, looking up with a saddened expression. “Dahliapaw, she seemed harmless…You scared her!”

“Ugh, you should’ve become a medicine cat instead of Orchidpaw!” Dahliapaw groaned, glaring down at Petuniapaw with an irritated twitch of his whiskers. “We didn’t know who that was! She wasn’t a clan cat, she could’ve been plotting an attack! You never know!”

Lifting his nose in the air, the cream tom turned and started to make his way back to CraneClan’s camp. “Now, I can’t wait to tell our mentors and Blossomstar about how I chased off a rogue all by myself! They’re gonna be so proud!”

…

Blossomstar glared down at Dahliapaw from the TallHill, the tip of her tail lashing in irritation. 

“Let me get this straight, Dahliapaw,” The she-cat meowed. “Not only did you and your sibling leave camp without warning, but you also chased off and scared a cat without asking what her business was in the territory?”

Dahliapaw frowned, lowering his head. Shame burned through his pelt. 

“Yes,” He mumbled after a pause, looking back up at the calico she-cat. “But Blossomstar, I thought-”

“Dahliapaw, I appreciate that you were trying to help the clan.” Blossomstar interrupted. “But what you did was dangerous, and you dragged your sibling into it! What if this rogue…If they were even a rogue at all, which I doubt…Was part of a group? You two could’ve been ambushed! Torn to pieces! And none of us would know what happened!”

“Blossomstar, if I may,” Rosewing, mother of Dahliapaw and Petuniapaw, stepped forward from the small group of gathered cats. “Dahliapaw was just doing what he thought was right!”

“Did I not mention that already?”

“Of course, you did, but…He’s just an apprentice! He barely knows any better!” Rosewing insisted, sitting beside her son and curling a tail around him protectively. 

Petuniapaw scooted away. Dahliapaw shot Rosewing a grateful glance before turning back to the leader.

Blossomstar sighed heavily, shaking her head. “Great StarClan…” She murmured, before looking into Rosewing’s eyes.

“Rosewing, I’m going to say this as gently as possible.” She began. “He won’t be young forever!”

“But-”

“No ‘buts’. You’ve tried to pull this trick ever since he was in the nursery. ‘Oh, Blossomstar! He’s just a kit!’, ‘He doesn’t know any better!’...It’s infuriating, to say the least.” Blossomstar rolled her eyes. “At this rate, you’re not doing anything but raising a spoiled, entitled cat who runs to mommy for protection whenever he does something wrong!”

Dahliapaw glared up at Blossomstar. He could feel Rosewing’s fur burning with either embarrassment or rage…Possibly both. He felt just as angry. How dare Blossomstar speak to his mother that way!

Her tail curled more around the apprentice’s body, and she let out a huff. “It’s not my fault you clearly have a preference for Orchidpaw and Petuniapaw!” She exclaimed.

“And it’s not my fault you have a preference against them.” Blossomstar meowed, a cold sadness in her tone as she stood. “This clan meeting is dismissed. Because they both left camp without permission, Petuniapaw and Dahliapaw will both be the first picks in dawn patrols for the next quarter moon. That is all.”

Cats began to disperse, and Dahliapaw watched as Rosewing turned her attention to Petuniapaw, giving the young cat a glare that made them shrink down to the ground in fear.

“You!” She hissed. “Why didn’t you stop Dahliapaw if you knew he was doing something wrong!? You could’ve prevented this!”

“I…” Petuniapaw looked at Dahliapaw, silently pleading for help. 

Dahliapaw looked away.

“Well? Hurry up and answer, mouse-brain!” Rosewing snapped, making Petuniapaw flinch.

“I tried, but…He didn’t listen to me…I’m sorry, mama, I’m sorry-”

“Enough! Because of you, Dahliapaw is in trouble!” Rosewing turned away, her gaze softening as she padded over to Dahliapaw. She sat down, purring as she began to groom his fur. “You poor thing, you’re all fluffed up…My baby…”

Dahliapaw tried to ignore it, but he could feel Petuniapaw’s eyes glaring at him from their spot. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see them pick themself up from the ground and slink away, towards their father Owlspring.

A little voice deep inside of him told him to follow his littermate.

CW: KIT DEATH, MANIPULATION ON STARCLAN'S END

(This takes place in the past! Not current day! The inbox is currently open for questions!)

.

.

.

Five cats padded along a rocky, cliff-like surface. Dark clouds swirled overhead, and rain pelted down harshly on the travelers. Every now and then one would slip, but no-cat bothered to stop and help.

One of the cats, a white she-cat with patches of gray splashed on her fur, glanced up at the sky, then at the cat behind her, a small black kit with white paws.

“Raven,” She began, pausing for just a moment to speak with her kit. “Come here. Let me carry you.”

Raven scrambled beneath his mother’s belly, letting out a soft mewl as the she-cat lifted him by his scruff. He instinctively curled into the carrying position, and the two cats continued their travels. 

Another one of the cats, a blue-gray tom, turned to the she-cat, his lips curled in a snarl.

“I told you to leave him behind, Puddle.” He growled, lashing his tail. His pelt was soaked, his ears flat against his ears. 

“I can’t!” Puddle cried, her voice muffled by Raven’s fur. “I’ve already lost my other kits, Needle. I can’t lose him too.”

Needle’s gaze only hardened, and he turned away with a twitch of his whiskers. “We don’t have time for this. Just hurry up, we’re already almost there.” 

Puddle lowered her head, and the cats continued on. The rain only continued to pour.

Soon enough the group of five was out of the cliffs, and in the forest. Trees loomed ahead, darkening the world around them and only making it harder to see through the rainy haze.

“Hawthorn, what’s ahead?” Another one of the members, an elderly white she-cat, questioned as she padded to the side of a dark ginger tom. 

The ginger tom, Hawthorn, looked down at the elder. “Appears to be a river, Cloud.”

Cloud let out a hum of acknowledgement. “We’re making good time.”

Needle hissed, pushing past Puddle and stepping forward with bristled fur. “How do we know you can be trusted? We’ve been walking for hours and all we’ve gotten is sore paws and soaked fur!”

Cloud slowly turned her head to face Needle. Though her expression held a gentle smile, Puddle could see the annoyance in her eyes.

“Don’t be foolish, child,” She said, her voice a low grumble. “I know what I saw. The cat in my dreams told me to bring us all here. Now…Let’s cross the river. We’re almost there.”

“Cross!?” Puddle exclaimed, setting Raven down for a moment to speak. “Cloud, we can’t cross! We’ll freeze!”

“It’s the only way,” Cloud insisted, looking back at Puddle with a purr. “When we’re settled in our new home we’ll be warm…Safe. Raven will be happy there.”

Hawthorn and Needle let out murmurs of agreement and nods as Cloud spoke.

Puddle watched, ears flat as the other three cats began to cross the rushing water. Raven looked up at her, his blue eyes wide with curiosity and mild fear.

The gray and white she-cat leaned down, gently nuzzling her son’s dampened fur and purring. 

“Don’t worry,” She murmured, voice soft. “Cloud is right. Where we’re going, you’ll be happier. I promise.”

Raven only smiled, and Puddle lifted him up by his scruff again. She took a deep breath, before plunging her body into the river.

The water was freezing cold, as she expected, and Puddle held back a yowl of surprise as the current tried to sweep her away. She took deep breaths and kept her grip on Raven’s scruff as tight as she could as she kicked her legs. 

Everything happened so fast.

Puddle’s eyes widened as a particularly powerful rush of water sent a wave barreling towards her. Unthinking, she opened her mouth in a silent yowl as she was momentarily shoved beneath the water and pushed head-first into a rock. A combination of an earthy and metallic taste filled her mouth as she writhed and struggled, kicking her legs as hard as she could and forcing herself above the current, sputtering and paddling helplessly against the harsh flow.

A tiny, flowing streak of blood dribbled down her mouth as she looked around frantically, rain pouring down on her head. Where was Raven?

“Mama!”

The shriek, which could only belong to the black and white kit, sounded so far away.

No! Puddle swam to the bank of the river, where she was greeted by Hawthorn. The ginger tom’s expression was fearful as he gave Puddle’s pelt a few quick licks.

“Puddle-”

“No, no, no!” Before Hawthorn could finish his words, Puddle began to run. Her pelt felt heavy from being so damp, and her paws ached, but adrenaline was all that made her keep pressing forward.

The she-cat ran and ran, calling out Raven’s name and searching the riverbank for any sign that he had washed up. Maybe he got scared and ran away, wishing to dry himself off?

It felt like hours before Puddle’s energy finally ran out, and with shaky legs she collapsed onto the ground below her, panting heavily. Her body trembled violently from fatigue and grief. It was dark now, and even though it had stopped raining the queen’s vision was still blurred with unfallen tears.

“No…Oh, my son…My baby…”

“I’m sorry.”

An unfamiliar voice made Puddle look up. A cat stood before her, their ginger fur glittering with tiny stars.

“Please!” She pleaded, using the last of her strength to throw herself at the starry cat’s paws with a begging expression. “Have you seen my son? He-”

The starry cat cut her off. “Your son is gone.”

Puddle felt her blood run cold. She yowled in grief, burying her face into her front paws and letting violent sobs escape her body. The starry cat sat beside her, placing a white-tipped tail on her back.

“I know it hurts, but…Please, I must ask that you listen to me. You were brought here for a purpose.” They meowed, and Puddle glared up at them. 

“How dare you!?” She hissed, swiping up at the cat’s face. Her unsheathed paw phased through, and the cat looked unbothered by the action.

“I know you’re hurting, and I know your pain will never go away. But if you could just listen to me-”

“My son is DEAD.” Puddle snapped back, fur bristling.

The cat blinked, and looked up at the sky. “You will meet him again, when you join the stars. Look up, don’t you see?”

Puddle looked up at the now-darkened sky. The clouds cleared, revealing a single twinkling star.

She gasped, “Is that him?”

The cat nodded. “Yes. I need you to gather others and form a clan. Your three friends have been told to do the same. Together, the four of you can form a community and bond. I will guide you along the way.”

“I can’t do that.” Puddle slowly laid on the ground again, tucking her legs beneath her body and flicking her tail. “My heart hurts so much.”

“Look,” The cat gestured to the front of Puddle, and she looked up.

She was sitting on a small cliff, a tiny waterfall leading to a small pool of water in the clearing below. The grass was bright, flowing gently in the breeze. 

“This is where you and your kin will grow and thrive,” The cat explained, smiling gently. “The pain of your loss will become the energy you need to lead.”

Puddle considered the words, sniffling. The clearing was beautiful, and the thought of her future generations living there…Thriving there…Filled her aching heart with the smallest spark of warmth.

“Alright, then.” She finally meowed, sighing heavily as she lifted herself back onto her paws. “I’ll do this.”

“I knew you would. Come here, now.”

Puddle stepped in front of the starry cat, and they touched their nose to her forehead. She gritted her teeth and winced as a burning energy rushed through her body, intense and painful enough to make her dig her claws into the earth below her.

When the cat stepped back, they dipped their head. “I have given you the blessing of nine lives. From this day forward you shall be known as Puddlestar, leader of whatever name you choose to give your new clan. Use your lives wisely, and lead your clan to greatness.”

Before Puddlestar could say anything else, the cat turned and vanished into the night, in the direction she came from. Staring into the clearing once again, she considered a name. 

RavenClan?

No. That was too much. She couldn’t even bring herself to mention his name.

She sat and curled her tail around her paws, pondering, before the name came to her.

CraneClan.

Yes. It was perfect.

Cranes were large, beautiful, powerful…