Taimas Warrior Cats

You were too young to really tell that Minnie was being awkward. In your eyes she was being as friendly as everyone else and so far….everyone was being nice. In time you would come to realize the odd glances and what they meant…probably more sooner then later but for now Minnie had you distracted by the decorations.

You take another step closer and lower your head to sniff the leafs and herbs. They smelt like the pelts of the warriors when they came back from patrol. The fresh scent was something you liked very much. You took a step back and lifted your head to look around. Your eyes coming to a rest on the nursery.

“On the nursery?” you repeat and tilt your head as you follow his gaze, glancing from the nursery and back down to what you had collected.

“That’s actually not a bad idea... And the fresh scent would probably spread into the nursery, I imagine the kits and queens would appreciate that..”

You go back up on your paws and nod over to the black kit.

You had been warned about Asia from Starclan. They told you not to banish the she-cat from the clan immediately and to give her a chance…even if you didnt know her very well. You feel a shiver rip down your spine at the thought of the stranger cat in your clan…and with what just happened you had the right to be nervous. 

You blink slowly as you are told the reason for Splitgaze’s rebellion.

Why…I turned away a lot of cats from this clan. If I let any cat who happened to wander to me in the clan we would have repeated Thistleruff’s incident 10 times over.

You shake your head.

I wish I was able to remember her… but I do not.

You fall silent for a moment, your eyes widening.

She had to have been in the city correct? She was a black she-cat with orange eyes… I never let her join Sunclan because she loved the city and the things two legs create far too much. She liked to eat the scraps they dropped on the sidewalk and she tried to convince me to allow clan cats to do that.. But I wouldnt allow it. Its against the warrior code. That was the only she-cat I met in the city.

I had no idea she was related to him…

“In the city... Yes...” you mewed silently as you watched him and listened to him speak, nodding slowly. “I don’t know Auburnstar, in his grief he may just have searched for... Someone to blame?”

You sighed after the suggestion, studying the tom’s gaze a bit as he seemed to stare over your shoulder. What could he be thinking about..?

“Whatever the case might have been... It’s not right to jeopardize a whole clan’s safety over a conflict with one. He could have spoken to you but choose to remain silent...”

Thats very fast thinking on your part. I’m glad you were able to remain calm in such a tense situation. I can only imagine the chaos the clan was going through at the sight of 2 severely injured cats and 1 knocked out.

You try and imagine it all but no matter how hard you tried you couldnt. You couldnt see Thistleruff bringing a paw down to Pigeonpaw…. Thistleruff loved Pigeonpaw oh so much… And Splitgaze? He seemed so passive when he spoke with you. Always the first to volunteer to go on a patrol…

But you could see him protecting Pigeonpaw or avenging her. Perhaps that's why he reacted the way he did.

“Calm... Just barely. I think him saying that is... What made me think clear. I felt like he must know something, and if he did we needed that information... Gone too far...”

The she cat shook her head once more, glancing to the side and out of the nursery, out into the air like she was deep in thought.

“When I finally caught up to him, he had been stopped by a rogue she-cat who’d been on our grounds for some time and gotten into arguments and fights with our warriors... 

I came just in time to listen to all of what they were talking about. She refused to let him pass before he explained everything, and so he confessed to what he’d been up to. All of it.

You can speak to her, Aisa, yourself. She’s in the camp now, but I’ll explain that later.”

Mentioning Aisa, her eyes scanned the clearing outside for the brown she-cat. Someone else had their eyes on her for the moment, but she’d make sure to go to her after this. Take her out hunting perhaps.

“Splitgaze... No... Prince. Prince was angry at you, Auburnstar.” she mewed, and turned to look at him.

You had been sitting in the entrance of the nursery watching all your clan mates bustle around with perked ears and tails. Joyful laughing could be heard echoing across the camp as Sunclan celebrated the banishment of both your mother and father.

You would think you’d be upset or angry at Sunclan for celebrating something like that but you could almost half agree with them. While you loved Splitgaze you sure didnt like Thistleruff and you were glad she was gone…

You watch a fox like she-cat slip into camp with a bunch of colored leafs. You watch her walk in and position herself a few paces away from you.

She was the one to chase after your father and hear his confession. The very idea that she had contact with your father sent chills down your spine. What did she think of him? What did she think of you?

Yeah. It sounds like it’ll be fun…

The small kit meowed stepping out from the nursery to move closer to the she-cat.

Minnie kept smiling awkwardly, shaking off the feeling she was speaking to a smaller clone of the cat she had chased off. This kit wasn’t Splitgaze- no, Prince. He wasn’t Prince and he never would be.

“I’m collecting things to decorate with like Auburnstar wanted us to... Mostly just leaves and such, but also some nice smelling herbs...” she mewed in response and studied him as he stepped out closer. 

She wondered what Blackkit thought of her, she had chased his father, heard his confession, and then she had proceeded to help interrogate and finally ban his mother... Probably not the best first impression she could have given to a kit, was it? In a way she felt like she had chased them both out. But he didn’t seem all that scared of her, so that was something...

“Yes… That’s right.” she mewed. “But we didn’t know any of this until just then. I think to make sense of it I have to start from the beginning though, so please bear with me.”

Minnie’s tail moved back and forth a bit, almost as if she was nervous although she otherwise appeared calm. She had a serious look in her eyes, almost a bit sad.

“In the beginning… Thistleruff wasn’t a bad leader, even if some were suspicious of course. She used to be my friend though, one of the first ones in the clan I felt a connection to… So like many I was blinded. I never would have thought she’d do something like this.” she began, letting out a sigh.

“It was around two or so weeks ago… She went off to find the place to speak with Starclan, to receive her 9 lives. When she returned… Everything was different. She announced that she was now Thistlestar and tried to rename the clan after herself. Warriors and apprentices alike protested, it would be a dishonor against you who were our first leader, but she wasn’t done.”

Minnie paused as she recalled what happened that night, closing her eyes for a moment. The tension of the clan, the calls of protest and Thistleruff’s strange behavior. The rage. The blood of the innocent. Pigeonpaw’s limp body.

“She called up the apprentices in a lead. All of them.” she continued, failing to hide that what she was to tell him next upset her. “She announced them warriors, but they weren’t ready… It was like a joke. And then she… Pigeonpaw. Her own apprentice.”

You listen to Minnie speak with wide thoughtful eyes. Your expression remaining the same as Minnie announces Pigeonpaw’s death. You had already been told about her death by Russetwood when you first walked in so it wasnt as surprising but you could still feel the pain swell up in your chest. You had saved the small kit when her mother got hit by a car… and now she wouldnt grow up to ever have kits of her own.

Pigeonpaw will have a very good place in Starclan..

You speak gently. You blink slowly as you process what other things Thistleruff did… Try and rename the clan? After herself? How selfish… You were very proud of the clan for protesting against it….very very proud.

She must have been upset because I had the 9 lives. Starclan couldnt grant them to her.. So she came back to Sunclan and made some awful decisions..

It is a blessing only one cat was killed during this time. It could have been much more sever but none the less…still a tragic out come.

Minnie stayed silent as he spoke, adverting her gaze a bit as she slowly begun to regain her calm. With how calm he was, his gentle voice, it was hard not to calm down a little bit.

She wanted to tell him though, that even one cat’s life lost was one life too many... But there was no need. A part of her knew he knew too... She was happy no other got hurt, things could have been so many times worse.

“So... Cats are yowling in chock, Honeypaw burst out against Thistleruff but is knocked out, then... Then Splitgaze flies out and attacks her.”

She turned her eyes back, more focused on Auburnstar again.

You had scrambled up to the top of Sunrock and called a meeting. As cats gathered around you you felt joy swell in your chest. You loved all of these cats and you were so glad to be home. But right now you needed to address a more serious matter..

Sunclan. It is my understanding that there has been confusion over Thistleruff and Splitgaze along with my sudden absence. I am able to confirm that Thistleruff did in fact murder me. She forced me off the side of a cliff… 

You pace around the top of the rock as you let your clanmates process what you just said. Murmuring echoing through the clearing. You pick up your voice to speak over the conversations until they hush down.

I have Starclan to thank for being able to walk among you today. I fell directly into the Starclan meeting place where I received my 9 lives..

You pause as the memories of Starclan erupt in your mind. You remember the starry cats brushing against your fur and how beautiful the forest was there…

Thistleruff is a traitor…and so is Splitgaze. it is my understanding he helped her conduct the act and because of that both cats are banished from Sunclan. If you see them on our territory I ask that you set aside whatever feelings you have and run them out.

You fall quiet as your clanmates begin to talk among themselves again. You were glad that awful news was out of the way and you stop pacing. Sitting down in the center of the rock.

Moving on. 

With everything that has happened I believe just about every cat here is exhausted beyond belief..

You rest your gaze upon all your clan mates. Their tired eyes and their ruffled fur worried you…hopefully what you had in mind would ease their minds and let them have a little fun.

I want to let everyone know that I will do everything in my power to take care of Sunclan and I want everyone to relax now. With that in mind I think we should dedicate a night or two to celebration.

Through everything that has happened we have stuck together just as a strong clan should. I am very proud of each and every one of you.

This party will be held on the 3 days the moon is fullest. We will have plenty of prey, pretty decorations, dancing, and competitions for everyone to compete in! 

Along with a nice time we will also assign every cat a clan name if they don’t have one.

You let out a loud purr.

With that being said I ask you address me as Auburnstar now. I am very happy to be your official leader…

It really is amazing. Pebblepaw, It was truly all the work of starclan, no doubt. He has lost a couple of his nine lives though, as a result of starvation being trapped. Though, the fact he has gained those lives is evidence that starclan has blessed us. and now recognizes us as a clan.

Your ears twitch when he asks why starclan didn’t send us a sign about Auburn in the first place.

Thats a pretty good question..hmm… I wouldn’t put it past having to do with Thistle. She probably sought a way to block starclan messages…Or..

You lift to standing passion and fixated your stare to the medicine cat den. Or maybe it has to do with those strange dreams everyone was having for some time. I got one from starclan, yet i never got any info about thistle and splitgaze…maybe they couldn’t have been apart of the clan until Auburn returned with his 9 lives….how strange..it could be anything really!? 

You push the thought of it out for a while, now was a time of celebration, of happiness. Your leader was home and you return to smiling. Your wounds are starting to sting and you wince a little through your grin.

Pebblepaw listened to him in silence, flicking his ear slightly as his mind spun. Even with all this... He couldn’t understand why Starclan wouldn’t tell them about Auburnsun-star. He surely couldn’t have deserved to suffer for so long under all those rocks, could he? Besides had he come back earlier... Maybe Pigeonpaw would still be there too...

“It still doesn’t seem right to me... I thought Starclan was here to help, so what stopped them from telling us...” he mewed silently, but let it go for now, it didn’t seem like Falconstep wanted to think about anything negative now and you couldn’t blame him. Auburnstar was here and that was still great news after everything the clan had gone through.

“Infected? I don’t know, I’m no medicine cat!”

Pebblepaw leaned in a bit to take a closer look, sniffing a bit at the wounds.

You gave a curt nod. Glancing back at the small kit who now looked nervous. He sunk down behind the freshkill pile with his ears back. You gave a quick wave of your tail to say goodbye before you and Minnie made it into the medicine cat den.

You ease down into a nest and let out a deep sigh. It seemed that the two medicine cats were out right now which is fine…it was no emergency. 

“Yes... That’s right.” she mewed. “But we didn’t know any of this until just then. I think to make sense of it I have to start from the beginning though, so please bear with me.”

Minnie’s tail moved back and forth a bit, almost as if she was nervous although she otherwise appeared calm. She had a serious look in her eyes, almost a bit sad.

“In the beginning... Thistleruff wasn’t a bad leader, even if some were suspicious of course. She used to be my friend though, one of the first ones in the clan I felt a connection to... So like many I was blinded. I never would have thought she’d do something like this.” she began, letting out a sigh.

“It was around two or so weeks ago... She went off to find the place to speak with Starclan, to receive her 9 lives. When she returned... Everything was different. She announced that she was now Thistlestar and tried to rename the clan after herself. Warriors and apprentices alike protested, it would be a dishonor against you who were our first leader, but she wasn’t done.”

Minnie paused as she recalled what happened that night, closing her eyes for a moment. The tension of the clan, the calls of protest and Thistleruff’s strange behavior. The rage. The blood of the innocent. Pigeonpaw’s limp body.

“She called up the apprentices in a lead. All of them.” she continued, failing to hide that what she was to tell him next upset her. “She announced them warriors, but they weren’t ready... It was like a joke. And then she... Pigeonpaw. Her own apprentice.”

A late birthday present for Cortez @vulturescroft

Better late than never, and as we say here in Sweden:  “Fint folk kommer alltid sent.” Though in this case it’s about  a gift. BUT WHATEVER.

Alright? That is not good Minnie.

He said to the she-cat gently. He raised his tail and flicked it in the air like he was flicking away a fly.

We can talk Thistleruff later… For now I am worried for you and our clanmates.. You all look awfully tired..

How is the clan treating the kits? Are they Winterfang’s? How is he fairing with that?

The last you had heard of Winterfang and Thistleruff they had been flirting around occasionally so to you that makes sense that they would have kits. The two of you walk past the prey pile and you glance at it. Measuring it’s size before murmuring under your breath that a hunting patrol needs to be sent out.

That was when Blackkit came tumbling out of the nursery. Running to the freshkill pile then coming to an abrupt stop and looking up at the two passing cats.

“Well... We are rather tired. A lot of things have happened lately...” Minnie admitted and let out a sigh, shaking her head at his questions. He truly had no clue at all.

“No... No Auburnstar. Splitgaze was Thistleruff’s mate, and that is their kit.” she mewed silently, looking at the young kit who looked like a miniature of his own father. “He disappeared nearly two weeks ago now... I... It’s a long story.”

Minnie had been the bringer of bad news once before, and it seemed like maybe she would be this time too. Auburnstar had a lot of questions, as much as she wished she could spare him the bad news til he looked a little bit more healthy, she wasn’t sure it could really wait. 

Taking a deep breath she nudged his side gently.

You give the she-cat time to process that your here. You shift your weight from paw to paw as you wait. You scan the clearing to see who was around before your gaze rests back on Minnie. She looked so tired… you hoped that now you were back she would be able to rest easy.

I see she isnt here… It looks like you guys already took care of my goal for today. Thank you.

You nod slowly, bowing your head slightly and taking a step towards the medicine cat den.

Yes… that would be nice…

How are you Minnie?

“Yes... As soon as she was strong enough to move on her own we interrogated her and banished her. She left... Three kits behind though.” Minnie replied, glancing over to the spot where the big she-cat had been standing under the blood moon that night. It felt almost like yesterday, but at the same time it felt like... It was so long ago.

She moved with him towards the medicine den, her guard up in case he’d need support on his way there, but he moved surprisingly easily...

“Me..?”

Minnie blinked a bit when he asked how she was, looking a bit confused for a moment. How are you? he had asked. She realized she wasn’t quite sure how to answer, she was not prepared for a question directed towards her and her well-being. She had been too busy thinking about the clan to think about herself lately.

“I’m... Alright.” she mewed finally. “I’m glad to see you back.”