#hazelfur

Our story begins with Lightpaw being apprenticed to Foxstripe, the young cat warily touching noses with their new mentor before being quickly whisked away to patrol the territory. Lightpaw returns to camp exhausted but happily settles down to tell Moonkit about everything they saw out in the world. Inspired by his friend's adventures, Moonkit sneaks out of camp that night to explore the territory. It isn't long until Hazelfur tracks him down, and once she decides that his bruises aren't too terrible she gives him a proper scolding.

The next day Foxstripe, Cloverblaze, and Lightpaw come across a rogue attacking a loner while on patrol. The cats face off with the longer, leading to Lightpaw having to spend some time in the medicine den to recover. Cloverblaze brings the injured loner back to camp, who introduces herself as Frostflight the former OspreyClan warrior.

Moon 2 -

Cloverblaze begins spending more time with Foxstripe, much to Lightpaw's displeasure. While the two chat on patrol, Cloverblaze is too distracted to notice the fact fae has stepped into a twoleg trap. Yikes...

In much lighter news, Whirlstar announces that she is pregnant and will be moving to the nursery. She thinks of the life she left behind and the mate she lost in the storm... And silently vows to raise these kits to be warriors that they would be proud of.

Moon 3 -

Just as Lightpaw finally heals from their injuries, the heat of the greenleaf sun causes a small fire in the dried herb stores. Thankfully no one is injured... But the herb stores are no more than a pile of ashes. Weedstripe is, understandably, devastated. She is just thankful she thought to smother the fire with wet moss.

Foxstripe notices that Lightpaw is acting... Different. They're less excitable and curious, seeming like they're always somewhere else. Foxstripe is no stranger to duller feelings and sits his apprentice down, offering them an ear to listen. Lightpaw confesses that they feel like a failure, spending their first two moons of their apprenticeship in the medicine den all because she failed to win a small fight. Foxstripe immediately insists that they are being ridiculous, the odds were stacked against them in that match up and had they had a chance to properly train, they wouldn't have lost. He reassures Lightpaw that he sees how hard they're already trying at their training, and shares stories of when he was an apprentice and felt the same way. Lightpaw feels a bit lighter after the conversation, taking note of Foxstripe's advice to be kinder to themself and to remember that their clanmates were there to protect her when she fell.

Moon 4 -

Moonpaw is apprenticed to Hazelfur, excitedly running to Lightpaw to celebrate with his friend. Frostflight is now up and moving, but seems to have a permanent limp. Whirlstar gives birth to Splashkit, named in honor of his late father.

Moon 5 -

The following moon is relatively quiet, with only a few minor arguments between Lightpaw and Foxstripe. Moonpaw's training is going well.

New comers:

Promoted cats:

A little preview of something I was working on before I got sick like...2-3 years ago. Hopefully I can get back to it after getting a few other projects done.

Unshakable Honor

Field Colony-Family Tree

Set at the beginning of Shifting Roots

When I decided that I really wanted to push Hazelfur's character design and make him a small little rat man, I wanted to test how he would look next to kittens and other adult cats.

And tho he might seem a bit ridiculous, I feel I accomplished my goal. His small stature doesn't get him confused with the kittens. And even if he has to look up at most cats, he still carries a stern and authoritative air.

You go, short king! Be the scrunkle rat man you were always meant to be!