“Well that explains a lot!” Graystripe chuffed, eyes narrowed to slits and tail curled in a playful arch.

“Oh, go snort a thistle,” Ravenwing snapped back.

Graystripe yowled another bout of laughter, to which Ravenwing reared up to swat his ears. The heavy-built tom ducked his head. Ravenwing squeaked an annoyed growl, redoubling his efforts.

Now that he’d said it, Fireheart picked out the smallest hints of the moorland cats in his friend’s stature: the swish of his tail, the arc of his spine, the length of his muzzle. And as he thought on it, Patchpelt and Darkstripe held more of that understated elegance between Thunder and Wind.

Setting this aside, he instead asked, “How long ago was it?”

Ravenwing’s ears twitched as he laid atop his new gray, furry, twitching-with-stifled-amusement cushion. “Before Bluestar’s time. Pampam’s pampam moved from Windclan to be with his mate—before having their litter, I should clarify.”

The cushion twitched harder with erratic purrs. “How ironic the Windclan-tom-liker is descended from the Clan he’s attracted to! Thank the stars you’re into toms, else the matriarchs of both our Clans would have choice words for knocking up a cousin!”

Ravenwing swatted Graystripe’s forehead.

“If it happened before Bluestar’s time, shouldn’t that mean it’s been long enough you’re no longer kin?” Fireheart asked.

“It is,” the black tom said flatly. “Though some cats don’t know when to drop an unfunny joke.”

Graystripe opened his mouth to say more, but Ravenwing bit his scruff and the two toms resumed their non-serious scuffle. Fireheart pulled his feet up under him to watch and purred his amusement.

Back when things were simpler

"Of course, Oakstar," Squirrelwhisker replied, dipping her head so low her whiskers brushed the earthen floor of the den.

The ThunderClan leader continued, puffing out his chest fur. “And you are never to speak to a WindClan cat again. On the border, at Gatherings, and even in battle. One word, and I've given my warriors permission to take your fur.”

First design attempts at Squirrel and Squirrelfur!