#larchstripe

Hey everyone! Thanks so much for the patience in this getting done, I’m glad to say I’m back to working on the comic after several months of rest. Unfortunately, it’s likely moons will continue to take a long time to come out for the foreseeable future, as I managed to give myself an RSI, which was why I couldn’t work on it for so long, and it’s still healing so I can only do so much work on the comic right now. I wish I could do more, but unfortunately until my arm heals fully pages are likely to take a couple months at least to be finished.

The warm morning sun glinted brightly as it shone down on the hollow, cats making their way around the camp, focused on their tasks. Amongst them, a ginger warrior with tan fur over their tail and right eye was preparing for an early hunt. LarchStripe padded through the camp until they spotted MintFall, the grey tom’s fur making him easy to spot as he sat with GladeClan’s deputy, LittleRain.

“Hey, MintFall!” LarchStripe called as they walked over, drawing both cat’s attention to them. LittleRain’s eyes narrowed at the ginger cat, tail twitching slightly in annoyance, while MintFall held a slight tension in his body.

“What, LarchStripe?” The younger tom asked, a hint of coldness in his tone making LarchStripe’s ear twitch, though they held their tongue in reacting as they responded. “I thought it might be good for us to take SparrowPaw and MallowPaw hunting together, get in some team hunting exerci-“ LarchStripe tried to suggest before LittleRain interjected. “MintFall and I are already taking his apprentice out for some battle training with HoneyPaw.” There’s a slight tone of hostility in the deputy’s words that made LarchStripe’s tail bristle slightly. They once again bit their tongue as they replied, though it’s harder to hide their frustration at the way their clanmates are acting this time. “Fine, I’ll go see if SnowFang wants to take FoxPaw with us instead.” They retorted, already getting ready to go find the white-furred she-cat, but LittleRain stopped them. “They’re already out on patrol. Just take SparrowPaw to hunt, you can do this training another time.” The deputy’s tone suggests she isn’t interested in arguing, though LarchStripe was used to that by now. They flicked their tail slightly in irritation as they dipped their head, taking the words as an order and turning to fetch their apprentice. As they left, they caught the two cats whispered words behind them. “I still don’t see why HareStar gave them an apprentice. They’re just going to turn against us.” That was MintFall, the tom barely hiding his contempt. “I warned HareStar against it.” LittleRain responded, her own distrust clear. “He said we shouldn’t let a warrior’s skills go to waste. I keep telling him SparrowPaw would be better off with a different mentor, but he’s set on making LarchStripe do it.” She added with a sigh, making MintFall growl in frustration. “I’ll never understand what our leader was thinking. You can’t trust them with the future of our apprentices. They’ll betray us, just like their father.” The grey tabby practically hissed. LarchStripe bristled, but they didn’t turn back or say anything. They couldn’t get into a fight with the deputy and another warrior, not with the rest of their clanmates around to watch. That would just be proving their point, wouldn’t it? “Whatever…. It’s always the same around here.” They muttered to themself as they walked away. They’ll show them. LarchStripe knew they would be the best mentor and warrior GladeClan had ever seen, that would prove the clan that they aren’t just their father’s kit.

“SparrowPaw!” LarchStripe called out as they stepped closer to the group of apprentices hovering around their den-space. The young brown-furred tom looked up as his mentor walked over, his sisters stopping their little practice scuffle to look over as well. SparrowPaw was quick to jump to his paws when he saw the ginger cat, his cream-tipped tail twitching nervously. “Y-yes LarchStripe?” He asked, his voice shaking slightly. His sisters, HoneyPaw and MallowPaw, both cast eachother sidelong glances, muttering to eachother quietly, HoneyPaw seeming a bit more closed off when she spotted LarchStripe than MallowPaw was. LarchStripe smiles a little at SparrowPaw’s nerves. He was always so cautious but so desperate to do well and make LarchStripe proud, it made the warrior glad they got the chance to mentor him. At least he treated them like a normal cat, and not like they’re about to betray the clan at any moment. “Easy, SparrowPaw.” LarchStripe chuckled as they stopped by the apprentice. They can see the girls talking, and can only assume they’re discussing whatever their mentors have told them about the ginger cat. It’s frustrating, being treated like an outsider all because of their father’s actions, but LarchStripe has learned to ignore it. The clan still trusts them enough to hunt and protect the borders, and HareStar trusted them enough to make them a mentor. They’ll just keep trying to prove themself to the clan until everyone saw they can be trusted and they won’t be another part in their father’s legacy. “We’re going hunting, the prey pile is running low.” LarchStripe continued once they had SparrowPaw’s attention. The young tom’s emerald eyes glinted with excitement as he quickly bounded over. “Okay! Are HoneyPaw and MallowPaw coming?” He asked, hopeful. LarchStripe felt a pang in their chest as they shook their head apologetically. They know how much SparrowPaw wants to patrol and train with his sisters, but the girls’ mentors never wanted to be out with LarchStripe, always had some excuse. “Sorry, Sparrow. LittleRain said she and MintFall are taking them for battle training. But I’m sure you can tell them all about the hunt later.” LarchStripe meowed, hoping the offer of having a story later for his siblings would be enough to soften the blow from once again being not allowed to train with his sisters. SparrowPaw looked a little disappointed, but he quickly shook it off, trying not to let it show as he nodded. “O-okay. Let’s go catch something then!” He tried to sound positive, but LarchStripe can hear the nerves in his voice. They can’t blame the young cat for being nervous. The territory hadn’t been the safest lately. In fact, it hasn’t been particularly safe since LarchStripe was an apprentice themself, and that was many moons ago, but lately it’d been getting worse again. LarchStripe flicks their tail to indicate SparrowPaw to follow, silently promising to keep him safe and reminding themself of where they should avoid if they’re going to be out alone.

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“Good catch.” LarchStripe praised as SparrowPaw hesitantly padded over with the mouse he had managed to catch. The young tom’s ears perked up at the praise, his eyes lighting up excitedly. “Th-thank you!” He mewed around his catch as he bounded over to keep up with the ginger cat’s pawsteps. LarchStripe smiled, they always enjoyed seeing the way the young apprentice got so excited over the smallest praise. He was so timid most of the time, it was nice to see him be proud of himself. “We should take these back to camp. We’ve got some good hunting in.” They said, leading their apprentice back along the territory, carrying a rabbit they had caught earlier. The two walked along the peaceful glade, talking casually on their way back to camp. At least they were, until a scent hit LarchStripe’s nose that made them freeze.

“SparrowPaw, behind me.” The ginger cat instructed immediately, shifting to stand protectively infront of him, dropping their prey at their paws as they listened for trouble. ‘How did we get so close to the border?’ LarchStripe’s mind was racing as they scanned the area, looking for trouble. They hadn’t meant to bring SparrowPaw this close to this specific border, but there wasn’t much they could do about that now. “LarchStripe…? W-what is it?” SparrowPaw asked, the brown tom tilting his head in confusion, shifting nervously at his mentor’s sudden change in attitude. LarchStripe turned their attention to the apprentice briefly, not wanting the young cat to panic. “It’s okay, SparrowPaw. Just stay close, we need-“ the warrior’s meow was cut off by their own yelp as they felt a weight slam into them, knocking them away from the younger tom. What happened next was a blur, flashes of fur and claws, growls filling the quiet air, the scent of blood catching the wind. LarchStripe fought fiercely, clawing and biting, trying to get their attackers off them, and despite the numbers disadvantage, they were holding their own well. At least until they heard a scream that made the ginger cat freeze, their blood running cold. That momentary distraction was all it took for their attackers to overwhelm them and have them pinned. LarchStripe tried to struggle out from under their paws, but a hiss drew their attention to what was before them, making them stop in place.

“I’d be careful if I were you. Unless you want to see your little trainee dead.” LarchStripe’s gaze darted up to the source of the voice, their heart practically stopping as they saw SparrowPaw being held in the paws of a grey tabby, one that was all too familiar to the warrior. “Let him go!” LarchStripe hissed at the rogue, eyes wide with anger and fear as they saw the panic in SparrowPaw’s emerald gaze. The rogue just chuckled, as did the other rogues surrounding them and holding the ginger cat in place. “Where’s the fun in that, Ember?” The tabby retorted, making LarchStripe flinch at the name. They didn’t have much time to think on it though, as the rogue held SparrowPaw tighter, claws pressed to the apprentice’s throat. LarchStripe could feel one of the other rogues digging their claws into their head, but all their attention was on SparrowPaw as they tried to find a way to get to the apprentice and free him. “I think we should make an example out of you two. Remind your clanmates what happens when you step into our borders.” The rogue continued, her amber eyes glinting dangerously. LarchStripe felt panic rise in their chest as they started struggling to free themself, desperately trying to pry themself from the grasp of their attackers, but with two cats using their full weight to hold the ginger warrior down, it was near impossible to move. “L-LarchStripe?! W-what’s-!” SparrowPaw tries to call out, his voice panicked and confused, but his words died in his throat as the tabby rogue holding him slashed her claws over his neck, causing the young apprentice’s eyes to widen. The rogue dropped his body as blood seeped from the wound, pooling fast around the brown tom as he struggled to breathe. Tears pricked in LarchStripe’s eyes as their struggles ceased. They stared as SparrowPaw gasped and struggled, frozen in place, the rogues around them seemingly laughing and taunting the warrior for the situation they’re in.

And then they snapped.

What happened next was a blur, all LarchStripe saw was red as they twisted out of the rogues’ grip and started fighting fiercely against the group. It was one against four, but LarchStripe didn’t back down, didn’t care about the odds. All they could think of was making these cats pay. They didn’t notice the sting of the rogues’ claws, not a single scratch registered. Not even when one tore into their ear, they just kept fighting, adrenaline shooting through their system. Their fighting technique became vicious, underhanded in the ways they struck, but through the haze all they could see was the terrified look their apprentice had on his face, and the monsters that did that to him. It’s unclear how long the fight lasted, LarchStripe didn’t notice. It’s only until the tabby that was taunting them went limp in LarchStripe’s grasp that they realised the other rogues had run off, clearly having decided the fight wasn’t worth it. As the haze in the ginger cat’s eyes faded, they tasted blood on their tongue, felt it sticking to the fur around their paws. They released their jaws from around the tabby’s throat to see the she-cat dead beneath their paws, though they couldn’t bring themself to even feel sorry for the cat’s death. Their gaze darted around for the other rogues, taking in the sight of the battle, or what was left, until their blue eyes landed on the limp form of SparrowPaw, his eyes wide and glassy, blood pooled around him in the grass.

“No…. Nononono…” LarchStripe ran over, heart racing in fear. This couldn’t be happening. They crouched down by the apprentice, listening for a breath, their heart beat, anything to deny what they were seeing before them, but they could feel no signs of life, the tom’s body already starting to cool. LarchStripe buried their muzzle in the small cat’s fur, pleading for him to wake up, pleading for StarClan not to take him so soon. But they knew deep down there was nothing they could do. It was already too late. They sat there for several minutes, just desperately pleading for him to be okay. They knew they had to take the young cat back to camp eventually, had to explain what happened, let his family grieve. They didn’t want to, didn’t want his family to suffer like this, didn’t want to face the truth of what had happened. But they couldn’t just sit here either. They could feel blood dripping from the tear in their ear and the minor scratches littering their pelt, but they couldn’t bring themself to care.

“I heard it over here!” A voice snapped LarchStripe out of their daze. ThornTail. It wasn’t long before the russet tom walked into where the fighting had been, his fur bristling when he saw what remained. He was followed by a few other cats, including HareStar himself. LarchStripe heard them walk over, but couldn’t bring themself to look up until HareStar called to them directly. “LarchStripe, what’s going on?! What happened here?” The leader sounded concerned, but it didn’t take long for him and the rest of his patrol to spot SparrowPaw’s body, as well as the body of the rogue, and piece together they had been attacked. The whole clan knew how dangerous this border was nowadays, they avoided it as much as possible. LarchStripe felt themself shoved out of the way as ThornTail rushed to the apprentice’s side, calling out and trying to wake the young cat, eventhough it was clearly too late. “I-I tried… I didn’t…” LarchStripe stuttered, unable to find the words to explain. ThornTail’s eyes flashed with anger as he spun around, fur bristling, tail lashing. “What did you do?!” The tom hissed, causing LarchStipe’s ears to flatten as they took a step back, eyes wide. “I-I didn’t mean… I t-tried to stop them! Th-there were too many, I-I couldn’t-!” They’re cut off by a growl from one of the other cats, DustGrove. “Oh really? If that was true, how are you still alive? Why wouldn’t they kill you too?” LarchStripe’s gaze darted between their clanmates, unsure what to say. “What were you even doing over here?! Everyone knows you don’t come here without a full patrol! How could you let this happen to my little boy?!” ThornTail yowled, claws digging into the blood-soaked ground. The ginger warrior had no answer. They hadn’t meant to come here, it had been an accident that they ended up by the border. They had tried to get to SparrowPaw, tried to protect him. But why hadn’t they tried harder? They could hear the rest of the patrol growling and arguing, demanding answers, calling them a traitor, saying they knew the ginger cat would end up like their father.