#larkfeather

Ask and you shall receive!!

Doestar and Fallowsong were fond of long walks together. Fallowsong teased her about taking the leader away from her duties, something Doestar always scoffed at. To her, being a good mate was one of her duties

Mothwing loved Leafpool and longed to be with her. She had considered telling her, but after Leafpool ran off with Crowfeather, Mothwing believed her beloved friend would never feel the same. She tucked those feelings close, never once whispering a word to the ThunderClan medicine cat. When Leafpool was killed, Mothwing felt her life grow a bit duller, and only then, after everything, did she actually want those stars above to be real. All so she could see her Leafpool again.

Russetfur had many crushes and flings throughout her life, though nothing ever stuck. She liked she-cats, she'd get the feelings, but the settling down part of a relationship was never in her cards.

Ravenpaw leaned on Barley a lot after leaving ThunderClan. There was a deep trust they had in each other, something that went beyond where they came from. Even when Ravenpaw was offered a seat in ThunderClan, and even the newly formed SkyClan, both he and Barley said no. Even being together in either clan, they didn't want that. Ravenpaw and Barley wanted to live their own lives, without the confines and rules other placed on them. While they deeply loved their friends and family, the two chose to be loners, together, despite the many paws they could turn to.

Darkstripe struggled with compulsory heterosexuality, believing it was what he was meant to do. After all, legacy was of a great honor, and only taking a mate, a she-cat at that, and siring kits would grant him a "true" legacy. He sired Brindleface's kits, giving the she-cat the kits she always wanted without the promise of a relationship. Both were content with this arrangement, relieved in fact. The kits grew up not even knowing their father, for he was so distant that the clan could never have guessed they were his. He buried his feelings for toms deep inside him, seeing them as points of weakness and shame.

Jayfeather was given a great honor by the stars above, the creator beyond StarClan. He could walk with them forever, becoming immortalized in history and the stars as Blue Jay, the patron true to ones self. But in being the Blue Jay, being true to himself, he could never do that. After completing his journey and giving up his blessed powers, Jayfeather willingly returns to his mortal body to continue walking with his beloved friends and family, rather than passing on to a path of glory. His heart would always belong to Kestrelflight, and though they couldn't be together, they always knew they were under that same starry sky, just a single moor hill away.

When Jayfeather fell during the Great Battle, Kestrelflight wouldn't leave his side. Though the ThunderClan medicine cat still breathed, he did not wake. For a moon's time, Jayfeather did not move, many wondering if he'd ever wake up. But Kestrelflight stayed there with him, refusing to leave his side. He stayed in ThunderClan during that moon, making sure Jayfeather drank water, tending to both his clan and ThunderClan, acting as the sole medicine cat to both after they lost Leafpool as well. He worked tirelessly, to points of exhaustion, but could always return to Jayfeather's side in the evenings, and rest beside him in absolute bliss. He believed Jayfeather would return to him, and sure enough... he did.

Ratscar and Oakfur were childhood friends, and eventually became mates. After his sister Snowbird had her own kits, Ratscar and Oakfur began to talk about raising a litter of their own. With the help of Oakfur's younger sister Applefur as a sire, they'd become the parents of Redkit, Olivekit, and Shrewkit.

Runningwind may the fastest cat in ThunderClan, but he was often challenged by Redtail. The tortoiseshell tom often put up quite the fight, even back when they were younger. They'd go so fast, they'd trip over each other, falling down the heavy pathway and laughing as they tried to scramble back to their paws and continue the race.

Dovewing's gift of sight allowed her to see the territories clear as day, and a useful part of that meant she could find herbs wherever they were. With Briarlight helping Jayfeather in the medicine cat den, Dovewing would use her gift to find valuable herbs and bring them back, all in excuses to chat with Briarlight more and keep her company without Jayfeather snapping at her for taking up space in the den.

Hollystar never wanted kits, for being pregnant always sounded rather uncomfortable to her. However, Cinderheart never minded the idea. She talked with Hollystar about taking a sire a few times, but Hollystar always turned it down, finding even more discomfort in the idea of her mate carrying another cat's kits. Whether it was truthful or excuses to avoid motherhood, something she firmly believed she wasn't cut out for, circumstances would change when Flamekit was left orphaned, and Cinderheart believed the little one needed someone to look to now more than ever...

Hollystar and Cinderheart loved to sneak out at night and watch the views of the lake. Their thick fur kept them warm, even in the colder seasons. Those harsh breezes pushed them closer together, their fur brushing close against the other. Every night they'd watch the stars, pointing out which ones shone the brightest to them that night.

After helping Graystripe reach the mountains to visit his son Stormfur, Flipclaw was introduced to a way of life he had never seen before, and it was all through Feather. The two toms loved to perform little shows for the kits, Flipclaw enjoying playing the part of an eagle or mountain lion while Feather was the hero that fought him off and saved everyone. They loved seeing the kits laugh and squeal when Feather barreled Flipclaw over.

Tallstar couldn't help but wonder what it would've been like if Jake had joined him in WindClan. He'd try to pick some names, like Orangefur, and Fuzzybelly - but his favorite? Well, while nothing could ever beat the sweet sound that was Jake, Fireheart didn't sound too bad...

Gorsetail's fluidity was pretty even all things considered. Her clan got pretty used to just asking in the morning what she was feeling like and she'd say. He'd then operate under that until she let them know otherwise, and it became pretty systematic. Her brother Crowfeather and her nephew Breezepelt, despite what one may think, were actually pretty good at being mindful and asking.

Lark was born the son of Stormfur and Brook, alongside her brother Pine. Stoneteller Crag received a message in the waterfall, believing it was a sign Lark would be the next Stoneteller, and the young kit was trained from a young age to one day take the mantle. In truth, Lark never felt comfortable in her body, nor her position. She was the revered prince of her home, but she longed to be someone else. In truth the sign was of her leaving the group to find her place within the clans, and she'd flee to seek out the beautiful auroras only she could see, and the song of a silver she-cat that whispered in her ear. Upon finding RiverClan, well, she took on her new identity - the she-cat, Larkpaw!

The first cat Redtail told of his feelings about his identity to was Spottedleaf. The two were apprentices, and Redpaw came to her at the time hoping for advice on how he could tell Rosetail. He didn't really have anything to worry about, but it gave him reassurance that Spottedpaw was at his side. Willowpaw admittedly felt a bit sad being left out, though she never said anything.

commission for @dapplecloud !! i had a lot of fun drawing her, thank you for commissioning me!

Specifically the "later additions" to the 12, aka Dovewing, Scorchfur, Sedgewhisker, and Larkfeather (Lark that Sings at Dawn) have a ghost cat buddy. These particular spirit cat guides are cats who weren't fulfilled in their past life and were chosen from their recent death to step up and guide these young ones to the older cats (aka - Jayfeather, Dawnpelt, Heathertail, Minnowtail, etc.)

Dovewing has Cinderpelt, which is my way of allowing her """reincarnation""" thing without actual reincarnation because I didn't really enjoy how it was done with Cinderheart in the books. Cinderpelt allows Dovewing to see great distances beyond what is in front of her, just as she can in the books. Dovewing's eyes turn blue when she uses her power, the same blue of Cinderpelt's eyes.

Scorchfur has Blackstar, who was killed in the battle between the clans that happened between Sunset and The Sight (take the Eclipse battle and move it here essentially). He wants to repent and do more to help the clans after all of the crimes that he helped carry out in his living life, hence him stepping up. He gives Scorchfur the power to know what cats have been in The Dark Forest the previous night, a rancid stench coming off of them. When Scorchfur uses his power and scents a Dark Forest Cat, his eyes turn a bright amber, the same amber of Blackstar's eyes.

Sedgewhisker has Mudclaw, who was killed in the WindClan civil war just as he was in the books. He feels immense guilt for how he harmed his clan and wishes to save them now more than ever. We get that first hint of him actually in my initial Po12 fanfic where he warns Harepaw, but his duty doesn't come until Sedgekit is born. He gives Sedgewhisker the ability to speak in the minds of all those "blessed", so all cats gifted with powers, no matter where she is. She can be all the way in SkyClan's gorge and chat with Jayfeather in his head, but not Hollyleaf as she doesn't have powers. When using this power, her eyes turn amber, the same amber of Mudclaw's eyes.

Larkfeather, who used to be knows as Lark that Sings at Dawn, came to RiverClan after her own power guided her. When Larkfeather wants to go somewhere, she knows exactly how to get there, regardless of if she's ever been. She has Feathertail as her guardian, the she-cat wanting to help RiverClan and her friends one last time after her life was cut short. Larkfeather sees an aurora path that leads her to her destination, and is how she finds RiverClan despite being just a 6 moon old cat traveling from the mountains without ever visiting the lake before. When this power is activated, Larkfeather's eyes turn a bright blue, the same blue of Feathertail's eyes. (Fun Fact - she chooses the nam Larkfeather specifically after Feathertail)

Grabbing this image again as I think it's fitting.

Firstly thank you, it always means so much to know people enjoy what I make! It means a ton, genuinely! Second, due to the shift in dynamics the 12 have with different areas of support even amongst the clans, Hollyleaf's shame in being half-clan is not something she would let get to her in such a manner.

Essentially Squirrelflight finds she's pregnant, earlier than she initially was in the books. She realizes she's pregnant around the time Dovepaw and Ivypaw are apprenticed to Lionblaze and Hollyleaf respectively, and at this point the "OG 12" think all is good, though they've all noticed a few strange happenings. Jayfeather notices Dovekit chattering away about things so far away it shouldn't be possible she knows. Tigerheart notices Scorchkit that while Scorchpaw is shy, he's down right terrified and uncomfortable around certain cats for seemingly no reason. Heathertail is curious as to why Sedgepaw likes talking to herself and staring off into space, in particular ThunderClan. And finally, RiverClan just had a rather quirky young cat stroll up saying she was from the mountains. How had someone barely old enough to be an apprentice make that journey all on her own, and without so much as a scratch?

Back to Squirrelflight, she's shocked. Brambleclaw is elated, I mean he loves Hollyleaf, Jayfeather, and Lionblaze, so more kits was great news! Everyone is happy for her, but Jayfeather feels an overwhelming sense of... anger, in his mother. It surprises him. This should be something to celebrate, and Squirrelflight outwardly does. It bothers Jayfeather, but he doesn't push it, keeping it to himself.

However, that night Squirrelflight pulls Leafpool aside and they go out for a walk, and that anger is so loud that Jayfeather can't ignore it. Concerned for his family, he attempts to sneaks out to just keep an eye on things, though he is rather quickly caught by Hollyleaf. Before he can even fully explain, they take cover and overheart something they didn't expect to hear that night.

"We need to talk." Squirrelflight turned to look at her sister, voice flat, if not cold. Leafpool's ears flattened, lowering her head as she seemed to cower slightly. "Is it about the kits?" she asked, voice barely above a murmur. "Of course it's about the kits!" Squirrelflight hissed. Her ginger fur bristled, though her voice remained soft. Her sharp green eyes quickly glanced around, her claws kneading the ground as anxiety practically radiated off of her pelt. "You said I was barren. StarClan said I was barren. You said I'd never have any of my own." The dark ginger she-cat approached her sister, each pawstep heavy as she got closer. "Do you have anything to say to me now? You lied to me Leafpool. You and StarClan lied to me!" "Squirrelflight, I-" "Explain. Why? Why did you?" "You wouldn't take them otherwise. I had to, or else I'd lose everything and-" Squirelflight cut the medicine cat off, lashing her tail as she snarled. "Lose everything?! I would've stood right at your side. I lied to everyone, even my own mate. I've lied to our mom and dad. I've lied to the whole clan. I've lied to everyone I've ever cared about. I've lied to those children who I loved and raised as my own." Leafpool was silent, the brown tabby's amber eyes seeming to harden her own pelt faintly bristled. "Are you saying you regret it? That you regret being their mother?" Jayfeather had listened on in silence, unable to look away. He was as still as he could be, but not due to any amount of trying. His body wouldn't move even if he wanted it to. The gray tabby's throat was dry, and he could only imagine Hollyleaf's expression. His body practically trembled, but the feeling of his sister's soft black fur against his remained. It never dared to leave his side, the two siblings pressed against each other like when they were kits, together in the bushes. "Not for a second. I may not have brought them into this world, but they're still my kits. I'm their mother, and I'll always be their mother. But don't you use them against me now to make your lie to me ok, Leafpool."

Anyway the more I write, the more I don’t like Emberfoot and don’t feel much connection to him anyway. So more and more I consider the representation of a couple that genuinely starts good with a partner slowly becoming incompatible over time. And then Sedge and Lark get together later when they’re like middle aged women and Sedgewhisker’s daughters are adults too.

I don’t know, I feel like so often I see the cat divorces framed as someone was toxic and abusive rather than what happens to many divorces and they co-parent fine.

I didn't want to do her literal reincarnation, as in Cinderheart is not a Cinderpelt reincarnation, just legacy naming. But yes choosing Cinderpelt was more of a reference to that reincarnation from canon, but the true reason used to justify in the rewrite were cats who were unhappy in how their life ended and still had a role to play with the cats of the living.

Now don't get me wrong, there are many cats who had bad lives, but all of these cats were more recent deaths that were chosen as the limited cats to guide "The True 4" (which is what I have decided to call Dovewing, Scorchfur, Sedgewhisker, and Larkfeather).

Cinderpelt never got to see the world as a warrior, and thus she blessed Dovewing with the ability to see far beyond what any cat can. I wanted to tie the powers into the very thing the cat regrets, and also allow dead characters who passed for good reasons, but I still wanted to do stuff with, especially with the complicated nature of StarClan and The Dark Forest.

Blackstar could taste The Dark Forest on his breath when he died, knowing very well he only just grazed being sent there. He blessed Scorchfur with the ability to scent those who walk in the dark within their dreams.

Mudclaw wishes he could've understood those he cared about, and simply talked things through rather than the violence he spread in his anger. He blessed Sedgewhisker with the ability to speak in the minds of those she is connected to, no matter how far.

Feathertail wishes she could've seen her home one last time, and experience a future she never had a chance at. She blessed her niece Larkfeather with the ability to always know where to go, allowing the she-cat to follow her heart and go her own way, with a beautiful aurora to guide her.