|☾ ☼ ϟ ≈ ☁| Archive of Old Stories |☾ ☼ ϟ ≈ ☁|

This story is about Fang's past.This didn't happen in rp..
Fanged Salvation's story:

Fang played with his younger sister,May.He purred as she was pined down.

"Get off! Mom!" May wailed.

"Fang..." Fang's mother mewed in a warning voice.Fang got off unhappily.He looked around.His other four siblings,Tiny,Socks,Ember and Leaf,were sleeping in their nest.Their father came in carrying a fat rabbit.Their father came from someplace called Windclan.Their mother was from Shadowclan.They had been cast out for falling in love and they fled to this beautiful farm.His father taught him to tunnel and catch rabbits.His mother taught him Nighttime fighting.

Fang's father looked up tasting the air,he bristled and looked at the door.Fang followed his gaze and saw a black tom with amber eyes.Fang's father and the stranger had talked for a while and the stranger would stay for the night.Fang and his siblings were not allowed to talk to him.Fang admired the cat,he looked very important and powerful.

"Stay away from him" his mother whispered to him "He's dangerous."

How?" the kits asked

" I'll tell you in the morning..now sleep kits." she murmured

But she never got to tell them.

Fanged woke up to find his father dead.His throat and stomach were bleeding heavily.He let out a screech but it wasn't audible as barking and howling approached them.Fang screamed to find dogs.He woke his mother and siblings and he ran and ran.Shrieks and wails and sounds of ripping flesh told him that his mother and siblings died.He ran up in a tree and sobbed.He saw the tom and got to know him.His name was Blackadder and he came from the place his parents were from.he said he needed help..he needed revenge.Fang joined eagerly.His family's death turned his heart darked and he vowed vengeance against the cat who killed his father

Written by Icebreeze

Rain

I was born on the start of newleaf, during a heavy shower by the river. My mother had three kits that day; only I survived. The other two died of cold three days after being born. A day later, my mother passed away from grief.

I never met my father, he probably doesn't know I exist. I was left alone with three dead cats, a perfect target for predators. The rain gradually stopped and the river slowed and I didn't move from their bodies. I would have been dead if another loner hadn't helped me.
He was a large long furred grey tom and was fishing when he saw me. I was a small helpless kit and he took pity on me and let me follow him.

He taught me how to swim and fish, how to defend myself, and how to become invisible. He told me stories of clans across the river, who lived together and helped each other. He never told me his name and I never asked.

It was like this for moons. We were each other's family, traveling and hunting together. I grew and became experienced in the art of stealth. I would often go ahead and scout out dangers or other cats. One day, I went ahead to make sure the scent of cat was stale. By the time I came back, the tom was gone. I traced his scent as far as I could back to the river, but I never found him.

After that, I lived on my own, enjoying the solitude and free will. But something was missing. For some reason, I kept gazing across the river.

One day, I was tracking a fox when I heard young cats walk nearby. I was able to stalk them and eavesdrop on their conversations. They were clan cats, like the Tom told me about, and by the sound of it they ran away. I could have left them; I should have. But they wouldn't last a minute without their clan in my world. I followed them, taking care of the predators that threatened them without alerting the apprentices. But one day I grew tired and a fox attacked a she-cat. I revealed myself and helped to fight it off.

I introduced myself as a loner, and they told me their funny names. "We come from Riverclan," one explained, "But we ran away." I convinced them to return, that they were at danger.

"But what about you, uh, what was your name?" Another asked defiantly.

"I don't have one," I responded, impatiently. "And I have been alone my whole life. I can take care of myself."

"You don't have a name?!" A Tom asked incredulous. "How do you not have a name?"

"No one has ever had to give me one," I answered.

A small she cat gazed at my with large eyes. "That's sad. Don't you ever get lonely?"

"No," I snapped at her, keeping my eyes ahead of me. "Come on, we are almost to the river."

She didn't seem offended but followed closely. "Well, I think you need a name. That way, if we see you again, we can call you something."

She didn't look like she was going to give up, so I sighed and faced her. "Fine. Call me Rain."

She was satisfied with the name and hurried to catch up with the others at the river's edge. They crossed quickly, light hearted and happy. "Bye Rain!" The she-cat called, waving her tail. I nodded good bye and watched them leave. I felt strangely happy and turned back to find a place to rest.

That night, I thought about them. I felt crashing loneliness all around me. Until then, I had never thought about my lack of contact. I was content with my life. But now there was a whole other world of clan mates. I couldn't lie to myself; I wanted that.

At the same time, I didn't like being surrounded by cats or trusting others. It was one of those things loners couldn't forget. You don't trust anyone, you don't mistrust anyone. I liked being hidden and listening, not being heard. I was sneaky and made my own decisions. I couldn't be a clan cat.

But I was drawn to it. More then often, I found myself across the river in their territory, watching patrols of cats hunt and train. But I heard snips of conversations; something was wrong. I quickly identified evil cats. They lurked in shadows, whispered to the darkness and their teeth shone maliciously.

I heard battles and fights one day. Cats were dieing and killing. I was attempting to hide when a grey Tom crashed through the under rush, locked in combat with a large black Tom. They both ignored me and the black cat pinned the other. He lunged for the other's throat and I reacted with instinct.

I slashed at the first and pushed him off. The other scrambled up and took over. He clawed the other and I fled, knowing I was trespassing.

A few days later, I crossed back in, curious by the easy silence. I did not try and hide as a patrol of cats came upon me.

"Who are you?" A long legged dark grey tabby hissed.

"Easy Pebbleskip," I recognized the grey Tom calm the other. "She helped chase off Blackadder."

Pebbleskip glared threateningly, showing off his large muscles. "Watch it loner."

I ignored him and glanced at the other. He watched me curiously. "You helped me. Why?" I didn't answer. "I'm Stonestep, I mean, Stonestar," He introduced, glancing sheepishly at Pebbleskip. "I'm leader of Riverclan."

"Hello," I greeted.

"Why don't you come back to camp with us?" He suggested kindly.

I glanced back across the river. For a moment, I was tempted to go back. But my heart willed my to follow the kind leader.

I walked beside him, taking in the scent of cats. "I'm Rain."

Written by Dawn

Sweetmoss and her family, the tragedy that just kept on striking

Sweetmoss watched as her daughter, Lavenderpaw, prepared the dead body of Flowerpetal. They had been good friends, and it was hard to see such a young she-cat pass away from something like Greencough. She shook her head and padded towards the warrior den, to get some sleep. She was no longer deputy, she had dropped that to have her lovely kits with Skyrain, Brackenfall and Lavenderpaw.

Lavenderpaw looked around camp and sighed. Though she was blind, it was tiresome to smell each plant and use them. She had just finished using the lavender and rosemary on Flowerpetal's pelt, so that the stench of death wouldn't be so harsh. She knew though that now she would be joining Talonclaw up in Starclan. She couldn't be mad, knowing that the she-cat would now be with her mate, but she was sad because they had grown up around each other. They were half sisters as well. She shook her head and padded away as Skyrain and Lynxclaw padded up and sat vigil with their daughter.

Brackenfall sat beside the warrior den entrance, shaking his head. "Why did you die?" He muttered, not wanting to believe it. His half sister, murdered by something that so rarely took the life of a warrior.

***

It had been three moons since Flowerpetal's death. The cats of the clans went on, as if nothing had happened. Lavenderpaw sat in camp, her tail wrapped around her paws. Her nose twitched, and something smelled, off. She looked around, her blind blue and amber eyes blinking constantly. She got to her paws, and padded over to her mentor.

"Eaglecry? What smells so funny? I've never come across it before..." She mewed softly. She stared up at him, waiting patiently for his answer, until two warriors and an apprentice came screeching into camp.

"Fire! Fire!" They yowled, and everyone came running out.

Sweetmoss bolted out of the warrior den, "Brackenfall, where is my son?!" She yelled at the two warriors, her eyes narrowed.

"Caught in fire, we didn't even smell it until it was right on us." One warrior said.

The camp went into panic mode, everyone raced in and out of camp. Several cats got moss and soaked it into the stream as the fire struck the camp. Lavenderpaw helped, putting out the smaller branches of fire. In the end, three cats were missing, and never found, Brackenfall included. The fire put out, it was a while before prey would completely returned, and a camp vigil was held for the three now in Starclan. Skyrain and Sweetmoss almost never left the other's side, and Lavedenderpaw barricaded herself in the medicine den.

***

Lavenderpaw padded out of camp, a warrior and two apprentices on her heels. She was searching for herbs in the desecrated forest, hoping to find something. Her nose in the air, she scented something familiar and took off, leaving the others in the dust. There! She thought, and skidded to a stop. Honey! She looked around, noticing that pawsteps were far away from her. She sighed, and started climbing the tree alone. Scrambling up, she was careful to pay attention to the pawholds she could find. When she reached the honey, she started to clamber onto the branch, when her paw slipped on the sticky sweet stuff, and she screeched as she fell, trying to grasp the tree branch.

"Lavenderpaw!" She heard a yowl, just as everything went back and her head snapped up and down. The yowl was familiar, it was of her mother. It was to late, she was already following Her brother and half-sister into Starclan.

***

Sweetmoss cried, her son and daughter, both gone now. No matter how much Skyrain tried to comfort her, it was no good, she knew he was grieving for all three of his kits. She shook her head, and left camp to hunt. Followed by two warriors, it was a normal hunting day for the most part.

"Keep calm, everything will be fine." One of them told her, but she waved them off with her tail. She wasn't in the mood today.

She jumped into a tree, taking down a small sparrow. She looked down with the sparrow in her jaws. Her nose turned up and bile came up in her throat. She dropped the sparrow, "FOX!" She howled to her teammates.

The fox looked up as the sparrow fell. Wolfish grin, it barked and tried to climb her tree. Sweetmoss yowled and jumped, landing on it's back. They rolled and tumbled, bit and clawed. Sweetmoss ended up underneath, and she knew it was the end. She had damaged the fox enough for her teammates to kill it as they dragged it off of her, but the wound on her belly was to great. She was going to bleed to death, and she accepted it.

"Goodbye my love...Skyrain." She meowed one last time before her eyes glazed over, and she padded onto the path to her family, finally at last, home.

Written by Scarfur#1

Lupinespirit

Do you ever wonder what it is like to be a medicine cat? To dream among the stars and heal among the broken?

It's a difficult task. Starclan had chosen me for this when I was just a kit, and guided me to Riverclan. They still guide me today, showing me my path, though it twists many a time.

Riverclan's old medicine cat, Quietcreek, had passed away when I arrived. No one knew who would become the new medicine cat, and how they would learn.

It soon became clear I was the cat to continue in the path of healing, and I was sent to Moonstone the next Medicine cat gathering. The others were kind and helpful, and taught me to touch the Moonstone and I would find sleep.

When I opened my eyes, a small tom I had never seen before stood next to me. He smelled like my new home, and his eyes brimmed with wisdom. "Welcome, Lupinekit. I am Quietcreek, Riverclan's previous medicine cat."

I nodded politely, still slightly in awe.

"I passed away at an unfortunate time. Now, it is my job to mentor you past death. I will walk in your dreams and in your wake," Je explained kindly. "It is now time for your apprentice ceremony."

~~~~~~~

I trained for countless moons, much longer than any other warrior apprentice. I became skilled in herbs and their uses. Quietcreek also taught me the mysteries of dreams, along with his mentor, Sweetgrass.

No cat ever saw or heard Quietcreek or Sweetgrass. They never believed I could become a full medicine cat without a living mentor.

But now I am Lupinespirit, full medicine cat of Riverclan, and it is time for Starclan to send me my own apprentice, so I can pass along the knowledge I learned from Starclan.

Written by Dawn

The Rain-kit

(Warning: This has horrible grammar and spelling and prepare for random things will pop up, like this. As you can tell, the title probably makes no sense to the story. Remember, you have been warned)

(Another warning: Honeyspeckle and Mapleflower are figments of my imagination)


Snow swirled around the nursery. The wind was just getting worse and worse. Mintsong was coughing non-stop. Honeyspeckle was giving her herbs, but it wasn't working to well. Goldenclaw was pacing nervously around the nursery. "How is she?" He meowed, sounding more scared then he looked.( *in random caveman voice* Good, Goldie, you being good queen )
"You mustn't worry Goldenclaw, she'll be fine before you know it." Honeyspeckle meowed calmly.
Mintsong felt a tender kick inside her belly. I hope the kits don't die or get sick. She thought to herself. She started coughing even more.
Honeyspeckle layed some catmint next to Mintsong, "Eat these."
Mintosong gradually ate them. The wind blew harder. "This storm is just getting stronger!" Goldenclaw growled to himself, still pacing.
Mintsong felt a strong kick. She winced, "Honeyspeckle! The kits are coming!" She let out a hoarse cough.
Goldeclaw's eye's widen.
Honeyspeckle turned to Goldenclaw, "Get me some borage and poppy seeds."
Goldenclaw raced out of the nursery and into the storm.
"Stay calm, Mintsong," Honeyspeckle meowed gently. She grabbed a stick that the wind must've blown inside the nursery, "Bite on this when you feel pain."(Maybe It's Jayfeather's stick! )
Mintsong leaned down to pick up the stick with her mouth. Honeyspeckle started saying soothing words to Mintsong. Mintsong let out a cough. She felt a spasm and a little kit slid out. She bit into the stick; She bit the stick so hard that it broke into peices. Honeyspeckle picked up the kit and started licking it.
Goldenclaw raced back inside, herbs in his mouth, "Are these it?" He meowed with a mouthful of herbs.
Honeyspeckle nodded and left the little kit next to Mintsong's belly. She layed the herbs next to Mintsong and meowed calmly, "It's alright, now. You gave birth to a healthy little she-kit." (Congrats Goldie )
Goldenclaw purred at his daughter. Mintsong started coughing again. The new-born kit mewled. The snow turned into a steady, but still heavy, rain.
Honeyspeckle looked at Mintsong sadly, "Mintsong, I'm afraid you might have Greencough," she nudged some more catmint toward Mintsong's direction, "Eat these quickly."
Mintsong munched the Catmint, not wanting her daughter to die because of her. She looked over at Goldenclaw, who was looking at her worridly, "What should we name her?"
"Now?" He asked.
The little silver kit squealed and tried to nudge closer toward Mintsong, but Mintsong started coughing again. The kit fell and mewled again, desprete for warmth. Goldenclaw went over to lick the little kit. Honeyspeckle left to repect their privacy.
Mintsong let out a cough and nodded, "Yes, now."
The rain got louder, and you could hear lightning in the distance.
"What about, Rainkit? She was born in the rain, after all." Goldenclaw meowed, a little anxious.
"Rainkit," she repeated slowly, "Yes, I like that name."
Rainkit mewled even more and nuzzled closer to Mintsong.
The storm had finished and the other queens and kits came back from the elder's den.
Honeyspeckle slowly padded back into the nursery, "Mintsong, I'm afraid your too sick to nurse Rainkit," She turned toward one of the queens, "Mapleflower, will you nurse Rainkit?"
Mapleflower nodded and took Rainkit. Rainkit mewled in despair, as she reliezed that she was being taken away from her mother.
Flamekit trodded toward Rainkit and Mapleflower, "Mother, what is she doing here?" He sat with a thud.
"Hush, Flamekit," Mapleflower meowed.
Goldenclaw licked Mintsong's ear and left. (I'm horrible at endings)
(The end!!!!!!)
Goldie the Queen!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Like a boss
Written by ~Rainheart~~

A Strike Against Love

Introduction~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Badgerstrike never thought about life in that sort of way.
In a way with a friend.
Or more than that.
To him, Nightfur was his best friend. Nothing more, well, not for long anyway. Ever since the day he fell out of the tree and almost died, he thought about her differently. She was there for him for sure, when his sister died and when his mother was killed. She was... perfect. Badgerstrike couldn't think of anyone more special. One to be there for him and to care for him, life was good. He had his other best friend, Lightningpelt, a loner in disguise. He had found the clan early on, as a kit, and couldn't remember much of his past. With Badgerstrike and Nightfur, he blended in well, his white fur in contrast to Nightfur's, and Badgerstrike in between with tan. Prey was plenty full, and piles of endless food were delicious and pleasant.
How could anything go wrong in a perfect world?
Everything.

~~~~~~~~~~~~
Madly in love though Badgerstrike nad Nightfur were, there was something... missing, in Nightfur's life. She acted odd, and stopped eating. Badgerstrike couldn't figure out why, until he found out that Nightfur was supposed to have kits.
But not his.

Nightfur was secretly with Lightningpelt every night.
She loved him now.
Not Badgerstrike.
In rage, Badgerstrike turned into a frenzy, even killing an elder and some kits to prove it.

But he wanted revenge.
Lightningpelt stole his mate- fine. But now he would take a life from Lightningpelt.

When Nightfur's kit's were just born, He saw his chance, and killed one of them. Devestated, Nightfur had no choice but to take action. On a night of rain, she killed him. Out of grief, she herself died, and Badgerstrike has been in his rage every since.

Written by ♫ cнσѕєи тσ ∂ιє ♫

Minnowleap's Sweet Revenge

It was leaf-bare. The sun was going down, the winds were settling, and a starry blanket covered the sky. Perfect. The bluish-grayish tom padded slowly to the warrior den, licking his lips as if the blood of the she-cat had already flooded into his mouth. He peeked his head inside, and mewed silently, "Shadowjaw, i need you."

The she-cat named Shadowjaw jumped up and almost hit her head against the roof of the den. "What? Can't you see i was sleeping?" The black she-cat growled, her brown eyes narrowing as she flexed her claws.

"Can you come hunting with me?" Minnowleap asked, hiding his eagerness from showing.

Shadowjaw just nodded grimly, and padded out of the den, standing beside Minnowleap.
The two ran out through the entrance, dipping their heads quickly to the leader on the way.Minnowleap was running harder than ever, Shadowjaw way behind. She growled, and caught up to the tom. It was getting late, and they were far, so far they couldn't even smell the scent of ShadowClan, just barely. Shadowjaw sprinted ahead, and halted in front of Minnowleap. "Okay! Why are we here? Can't we just stop here and hunt? Geez... my paws are killing me!"

Minnowleap just cackled to himself, and replied, "Go over there and see if there's any mice."

Shadowjaw snarled, and ran off to a small bush, crouching and searching for prey. Now! Minnowleap yowled in sudden rage, and leaped onto Shadowjaw. Shadowjaw screeched in shock, and spat, "What are you doing?! This is no time to be play fighting!"

Minnowleap just smirked, and whacked Shadowjaw's muzzle. The she-cat howled in pain, and head-butted into his head. The tom gasped, and fell over, moaning in dizziness and pain. Shadowjaw hissed, as she slashed at Minnowleap's back leg. He dodged in time, as the she-cat fell to the ground, and struggled to get back up. "Not so fast!" Minnowleap screeched, and rammed into her legs, forcing her back down.

He then leaped onto her, but the she-cat slashed at Minnowleap's neck, and the tom thudded onto the ground. Shadowjaw smirked, thinking the tom was dead. She then walked to him, and stood over him, ready to kill him. Suddenly, Minnowleap lodged his claws into her throat, and Shadowjaw gagged, falling onto the ground. She started flailing, gasping for air as Minnowleap stood over her, smirking. "Why, Minnowleap?" She managed to cough.

"You killed my parents, so you deserve to die." He then took his paw out of the she-cat's throat, and she went limp...


Written by ⒾcєⒸнєѕт

A Different Clan

I see the glares. I hear the savage murmurs. I see the malice in all your eyes.

Isn't it funny how something as simple as a name could make my life such torture?

Even in my clan, even among my friends, I was judged. I felt their eyes accusing me as I was named deputy.

I never asked for it, I never wanted any power. But somehow it found me, and I learned I was well suited for it. I'm not going to lie and say I never made a mistake; I'm still regretting my last. But I do not dwell on them. I have them constantly thrown in my face. The other leaders have made mistakes as well, but you don't see their clan mates doubting their every move,

As a leader, you make a lot of enemies, but your clan is always supposed to back you up. Welcome to Riverclan, home of traitors and liars. I cannot trust my own shadow anymore. Call me paranoid, but the leader before me was killed seven times by her own clan.

You think I'm being disloyal? I would die a thousand deaths for Riverclan, but that will not help our situation. Loners never trust anyone, you can't if you want to survive. Something's never change. Just like my name, I was kept my mistrust. It has saved my life many times.

Riverclan has always had a bad reputation, being home of Blackadder and now his kits. The clan of divided loyalties I suppose. But I am here to tell you the good things of Riverclan.

We have perseverance. Not many clans can keep hoping for a better time when the worse is yet to come. Every leaf bare, the river freezes and the snow falls. We have no prey without our river, yet we keep fighting to cling onto life. Heh. Riverclan is very stubborn you could say. I'm proud of it.

I'm sure the other clans have had their share of traitors. I suppose the reason Blackadder rose is because he was so clever. I'm not praising him, not after what he did, but you have to admire that cunning. The other clans believe in loyalty and all that mouse bile. Here at Riverclan, our minds are as sharp as our claws. We are always prepared, one step ahead of the others.

I can't say you'll live past the first moon. I can't say you'll come to trust your clanmates. I can't even promise you one meal a day. But what I can promise you is that Riverclan will bring you to your greatest potential.

Written by Dawn

The Legend of the Sun and Moon


Long ago, back when the clans had just begun, two kits were born in Riverclan. One, the tom, was named Flamekit, after his fiery orange pelt. The other, the she-cat, was named Snowkit, after her soft, silvery pelt. The two grew up very close to each other. All was peaceful in Riverclan, until the current leader, Cragstar, died of greencough. The deputy, Quickstrike, lived only a day longer before succumbing as well. The clan was left leaderless and vulnerable. A great dispute rose up over who should be leader. Flamekit, now named Flamefoot, took one side and Snowkit, now Snowfur, took the other. A rift in the clan formed over which of the siblings should become leader. Hateful thoughts changed to words, and words led to actions. Soon, the clan was at war with itself. Much blood was shed during that moon, and the skirmishes escalated. One day, a terrible fight broke out. Many, many cats on both sides died at the paws of their clanmates. Some cats claimed the clan was influenced by the Dark Forest, made hasty and foolish through the whispered words from the evil cats in their dreams. Finally, Starclan intervened. A massive clap of thunder shook all the territories of the clans. Starclan told them "If you cannot resolve this conflict by the next gathering, then you will never feel the warmth of the sun or the light of the moon again!" With that, Starclan took the moon and sun from the sky. Night, darker than any other, fell over the clans, and a great cold swept over the land. The four other clans were horrified by what Riverclan had done, and threatened to drive them from the forest if they didn't do something. At their urging, Flamefoot and Snowfur agreed to travel to the Moonstone and make a deal. They met with Starclan that night, and agreed that if Starclan would return the sun and moon to the sky, then they would give up their lives in the clans to exist up in the sky, where they could watch over their beloved clan from above. Both cats were horrified by what had happened, and were willing to do anything to stop the bloodshed. Starclan agreed to their deal. Flamefoot became the bright and powerful sun, and Snowfur became the glowing, radiant moon. Then, Starclan put the sun and moon back in the sky, and ever since then, Flamefoot and Snowfur have watched over the clans. A new leader was quickly chosen for Riverclan, and things returned to normal. However, sometimes Flamefoot and Snowfur will become angry with eachother, and have a battle in the sky. If Flamefoot began to win, then the bright, full moon was stained red with Snowfur's blood. If Snowfur began to overpower her brother, a great black disc covered the sun. Always, Starclan stepped in and stopped it. The red would fade from the moon, and the black disc would retreat from the sun. And that is the story of the Sun and Moon. Some variations of the story claim it was a great battle between the clans, and that Snowfur and Flamefoot were halfclan cats, but the storyline usually stays about the same. No matter which point of view this story is told from, it teaches us all an important lesson: Loyalty is of the upmost importance. Don't let your mind get clouded by empty promises of power from wicked shadows.

Written by Moss_Claw

Walking My Path Alone

Dapple sat in Starclan, watching her kits below in Shadowclan. Snakestripe and Archclaw were hunting together, and Flowerpaw was sorting herbs in the medicine cats den. She turned around as she heard a cat approaching her.
Thornwind padded up to her. "Dapple, I know you are in Starclan, but how come you have a rouge name instead of a clan name?" He mewed to her. Dapple flicked her tail and looked back down at her kits.
"It's a long story. It's about my dad and my mother." She mewed softly. Thornwind sat down.
"Than let's hear it." He mewed, sitting down next to her. Dapple took a deep breath.
"Okay than. Let's begin than. I guess I might as well start at the beginning of it all..."
=======================================================================
Dapplekit blinked her eyes open. She saw her mother looking down at her. She purred and nuzzled her. Dapplekit let out a little squeak and rolled over. She looked over at her brother, Flamekit. Flamekit was still asleep, so she nudged him.
"Wake up!" She mewed, nudging him. Flamekit looked up and let out a small sigh. He gave his bright ginger pelt a lick and stood up shakily. Dapplekit jumped up and bounced around the nursery. "Can we go out?" She mewed, blinking her large green eyes at her mom. Flowerheart purred.
"Later." She mewed. Firekit let out a little cough and fell back asleep.
=======================================================================
Dapplekit blinked awake. It had been nearly a moon and it was leaf-bare now. Firekit laid next to her, his skinny frame prominent against his pelt. He had been sick as of late, but the medicine cat had insisted nothing was wrong with him.
Dapplekit nudged him. "Firekit! Wake up, it snowed last night!" She squeaked happily. Firekit didn't move, he just laid there. She nudged him again. "Firekit." She whined. He didn't move. She took a deep breath.
"FIREKIIIIIIIIIIIIT!" She yowled. Flowerheart yawned and stretched. Rabbitkit, who was Dapplekit's good friend, was there too. He woke up and sneezed, than looked at Dapplekit.
"What was that for?" He mewed, yawning and stretching. Dapplekit pouted.
"Firekit won't wake up and I'm bored." She huffed. Flowerheart blinked at Dapplekit, her eyes wide with alarm.
"What do you mean he won't wake up?" She mewed with alarm. Dapplekit shrugged.
"He's still asleep. And I've nudged and yelled in his ear, like, a million times." She mumbled, wondering why her mom was freaking out.
Dapple shook her head and nudged Firekit. "Wake up little one." She purred, nuzzling him. He was unresponsive. "Firekit." She mewed, a note of panic in her voice. Nightflower, Foxkit, Rabbitkit, and Darkkit's mother, also Flowerheart's sister leaped out of her nest. "I'll get Leafdance!" She mewed sharply. Dapplekit just looked around, wondering what was going on. Foxkit giggled under his breath and Rabbitkit nudged him sharply.
"Stop it." He growled to him. Foxkit huffed.
"You're no fun at all." He pouted, and sat in a corner of the nursery. Flowerheart was still licking Firekit frantically.
Nightflower was soon back with Leafdance. Leafdance nudged Flowerheart away from Firekit and placed a paw on Firekit's chest. She looked up at Flowerheart.
"I'm sorry Flowerheart." Leafdance mewed softly. Flowerheart let out a low moan and slumped to the ground. Nightflower pressed against her sister comfortingly. Leafdance picked up Firekit's body and went to pad out of the nursery.
"You said he was fine. He would be alright in the morning." Flowerheart rasped. She looked at Leafdance. "And you call yourself a medicine cat?" She growled. Leafdance bowed her head and padded out.
=======================================================================
Dapplekit was in the nursery. She couldn't sleep. Her apprentice ceremony was tomorrow! Rabbitpaw, Foxpaw, and Darkpaw were all already apprentices. She smiled and closed her eyes, trying to fall asleep. She sighed and looked around.
She heard a scratching noise from the wall of the nursery and turned around sharply, her fur bristling. A dark ginger head poked through and before she knew it the cat had tackled her and placed a paw over her muzzle so she couldn't cry for help.
"Don't talk, don't move." He whispered. He nodded to Flowerheart. "Is that your mom? Nod or shake your head." He commanded. She nodded. He grinned. "So it is true!" He mewed. He looked at her. "I'm going to lift my paw away from your mouth. Do not cry out if you value your life." He growled. Dapplekit nodded and she was released. He grabbed her by the scruff and dragged her away out into the forest.
=======================================================================
She was finally released at a place she didn't know. The floor was stone, and there were stone twoleg nests all around her. There strange noises and smells all around her.
"Wh-where am I?" She mewed softly. The ginger cat grinned.
"Home." He mewed. She blinked.
"Who are you?" She mewed. He blinked at her.
"I'm your father." He mewed. Dapplekit felt like she had been drenched in icy water.
"You?" She mewed. The cat nodded. "What's your name?" She asked him. He looked at her.
"Rage."
=======================================================================
Dapplekit was known as Dapple now. She learned how to hunt, fight, and scavenge. She didn't like Rage. She hated him, and would run away if she could. But he barely let her out of his sight.
She padded out of the den one day, and poked her head into Rage's den. She flicked her ears when she saw he was missing. She grinned, seeing this as an opportunity, and bolted out of the den. She immediately went to the place her father would be the least likely to be. By the twoleg dens.
Dapple rounded the corner and looked around. No one was there. She sniffed the air and her tail-tip twitched. She has scented another cat. Leaping behind a few boulders she waited for him.
After a little bit another rouge, about her age, walked by. He has brown fur with darker brown tabby stripes in it. He sniffed the air and than ripped open a boulder a bit away from Dapple. Dapple stiffened. How DARE this tom come and take the food she needed. She crouched and leaped at him, hissing. The tom turned and saw her. His eyes widened and he leaped to the side, than leaped on her, pressing her into the ground. Dapple snarled and withered on the ground, but it was no use. The tom let her up and she shook out her fur and glared at the tom.
"What was that for?" He hissed.
"For trying to take MY food!" Dapple snapped. The tom rolled his eyes.
"The food didn't belong to either of us. I just got to it first." He huffed exasperatedly. Dapple growled and flicked her tail.
"Leave!" She snapped. The other cat sneered.
"I don't take orders from anyone." He scoffed. Dapple sighed.
"Lucky. This is the first time my dad hasn't been watching over me." She muttered. Than she explained to the other cat what happened. She learned his name was Snake.
"Where's your den?" She asked him. He nodded back in the direction of where he'd came from.
"Why?" He mewed. Dapple shrugged.
"In case I run away." She said. Snake nodded.
"See you tomorrow here?" He asked her. Dapple nodded.
"Unless my dad is back." She mewed. They nodded to each other and parted ways.
=======================================================================
Dapple and Snake met many times later. They became friends, and than, even closer.
Dapple was curled up next to Snake, who was breathing deeply, asleep. She gently got up and padded out of the den to get some fresh air.
She looked around and was suddenly flattened by an unknown force. She let out a screech and Snake was out in a heartbeat.
"Get OFF of her!" He yowled, shoving into the thing. The other cat rolled to the side and Dapple scrambled up and pressed against Snake. She gasped as she saw Rage glaring at her.
"Um... Dad... What are you doing here?" She mewed.
"Coming to see where you are every night." Rage growled. Snake looked at Rage.
"He's your dad?" He mewed. Dapple nodded.
"Dapple. Come with me. Now." Rage growled. Dapple looked at Snake who nuzzled her.
"I'll see you later." He murmured to her. Dapple nodded and followed Rage.
Rage led her down a street and stopped. He looked at her.
"You'll never see him again." He mewed, grinning, but it never reached his eyes. Dapple narrowed her eyes.
"I WILL be able to see him again." She growled. Rage shrugged and smiled.
"You're right. You'll see him one last time." He said breezily. Dapple hesitated.
What do you mean?" She mewed as a blood curdling howl came from where she had been with Snake. She let out a yowl and ran back to where she had left Snake. She stopped short and saw Snake lying there, limp. Blood pooling around his throat. She caught a flash of orange as a tom leapt over a wall. She let out a wail and buried her nose in Snake's fur. She turned as she heard pawsteps and saw Rage padding over to her.
"You knew!" She wailed. Rage just smiled. Dapple growled and turned around. She fled, leaping over the wall and just running. She heard Rage yowl for her to come back, but she kept on going. She finally grew to tired to run anymore and crawled into a large crevice in the side of a twoleg nest and fell asleep.
=======================================================================
Dapple padded down through the streets and leaped up onto a fence. She looked around and saw a bunch of trees. There. She thought to herself and she leaped down. She quickly ran through the streets, avoiding all other cats.
Any of them could tell her father, and she would be dead. Like Snake. Her eyes welled with tears at the thought of him. She had never gotten to tell him about Starclan... She shook it off and leaped onto a fence. She than preceded to climb up the side of a twoleg den and onto the top of it.
There. She could see for miles in any direction. She looked to her left and saw an endless stretch of the twoleg place. She new she could never go back. Too many memories, good and bad. And Rage was there. She looked over to the right and her heart skipped a beat. There. The forest. Home. She leaped down from the twoleg nest and took off running there.
=======================================================================
Dapple stopped as she scented a marker. She flicked her ears as she recognized it as the border marker. She leaped across and began to run through the woods.
She stopped short as she was filled with doubt. Would her clanmates welcome her back? Would any of them miss her? Would they even recognize her? She hesitated on whether to step forward or not. The dilemma was decided for her as she heard voices from the undergrowth. She leaped into a nearby bush on the other side of the border and hid there.
In hiding, she saw Rabbit- she didn't know what he was called now, Dark- she wasn't sure what she was called either, and Badgermarks. They stopped at the border and began to mark it when Badgermark's nose twitch.
"Rabbitears? Do you also smell the rouge?" He mewed. Rabbitears padded over to where Badgermarks was and nodded. His eyes narrowed in concentration.
"Hmm..." He mewed, his tail flicking, and Dapple caught her breath.
"What is it?" Badgermarks mewed, looking at Rabbitears.
"Darkfire, don't you recognize the scent?" Rabbitears mewed, ignoring Badgermarks, who huffed. Darkfire padded over and scented the area and her eyes widened.
"It smells like Dapplekit!" She exclaimed. Badgermarks shook his head.
"That's impossible. The rouge took her. Remember?" He mewed. Rabbitears nodded, agreeing with Darkfire, and again, ignoring Badgermarks.
"It does." He mewed painfully.
"It isn't." Badgermarks mewed with assurance. "C'mon." Dapple had thoughts of coming out as the three walked away. But she decided against it. She has chosen her own path that she would walk. Alone.
=======================================================================
Dapple trudged through the non-clan territory. She had passed a farm a little while ago, and was now in a rocky gorge area.
She continued on, until she was passing through a tunnel onto the thunderpath. She scented clan cats, but found the border. She was on the side of it with the non-clan territory. It was marshy and had pine trees. She crawled into a rotting log and fell asleep.
=======================================================================
It had been two moons, and Dapple realized she was expecting kits. She had found herself delighted, and dreading it. How would she hunt? Fight? What if the kits got sick? She didn't know the different herbs. She shuddered and fell asleep.
Dapple awoke to a sharp pain in her stomach. She groaned as another sharp pain went through her. I'm kitting? Now? She thought to herself.
=======================================================================
Dapple licked the last kit, a large grey tom, exhausted. She had three kits, a brown tom with a dark brown stripe on his back that curved from side to side, a small little she-cat that looked nearly the same as her, and a large grey tom. She laid down and went to sleep.
She woke up a little while later and saw her kits were all curled up together and against her, asleep. She purred and didn't move so she wouldn't wake them up.What should I call you?
"You'll be Arch," she murmured, touching the grey tom on the head lightly with her tail-tip. "You'll be Flower, after my mother." She whispered, touching the she-cat on the head with her tail-tip gently. "And you'll be Snake, after your father." She whispered, touching the brown tom on the head. And she fell back asleep.
=======================================================================
Three moons had passed. Dapple padded into the den. Three kits leaped on her joyfully.
"What did you get?" Squeaked Flower.
"Did you get into any fights?" Arch mewed.
"Anything exciting happened?" Snake asked. Dapple purred and set the two mice down.
"Two mice, no, and no." She mewed, nuzzling each of them. The three of them set into one of the mice ravenously and Dapple took a few bites of the other one. Flower finished first and climbed on Dapple's back.
"Tell us a story!" She mewed. Arch and Snake looked up excitedly.
"Yeah!" Snake mewed happily and bounced over to Dapple. Arch nodded enthusiastically. Dapple purred.
"Alright than." She mewed, and began.
=======================================================================
The kits were asleep again. Dapple smiled and gently padded out of the den to get some fresh air. She ran through the trees, something she hadn't done in a while. She smiled and stopped running, and just walked around.
Dapple new something was wrong as soon as she scented the twolegs so close to her den. She went into a sprint when she heard the mews of her kits.
She burs into the clearing just in time to see the twolegs scoop a wriggling Arch into a crate.
"NO!" She shrieked, leaping at the twolegs. She made it halfway across the clearing, and leaped again. This time latching on a twoleg's leg. The twoleg roared and tried to shake her off. When the leg wasn't in motion Dapple let go and stood in front of the entrance to the den, hissing, as the twoleg lumbered off. She ducked inside the den to find Snake shaking in the corner.
"Mama!" He squeaked, and rushed to her. Dapple swept her tail around him and stared at the wall of the den. "Mama! The twolegs came and reached in. Arch clawed it and I ran to the back. It howled and grabbed Flower and it's paw went out with her. It grabbed Arch next and than you came and..." he mewed in a rush, than buried his nose into her fur. Dapple didn't answer for a few heartbeats, than slumped onto the den floor.
"Oh Snake..." she murmured, and fell asleep.
=======================================================================
Dapple padded through the marsh, trying to find some sense of direction. If she could find the border to that clan she would be fine.
"Mama, I'm tired!" A voice behind her piped up. She turned to look at Snake, he looked up at her expectantly.
"We'll rest soon sweetie." She mewed, padding on. She stopped when she found a burrow under a tree. "See." She mewed, crawling in.
Dapple did not expect the fox to be there. She backed out quickly as the fox barked and padded out of the den. Snake stared at it in distress.
"What's that?" He yelped, staring wide-eyed at the fox.
"Fox." Dapple mewed, half to herself. She whipped around to face Snake. "RUN!" She mewed. Snake shook his head. The fox barked and ran at them. "RUN! Dapple yowled again, shoving Snake. This time, he ran. She saw him run into a line of bushes and he disappeared. She fell on her side as the fox knocked into her. She screeched and lashed out at the fox's muzzle.
"The fox yelped and stepped back, than rushed again and Dapple, dodged, but the fox latched onto her tail. She screeched and turned to face the fox, clawing at it's eyes. The fox shook his head sharply to the right and Dapple fell heavily on her side.
The fox lunged down at her, at what appeared to be her throat, than everything faded into black.
=======================================================================
Dapple looked at the ground when she was finished telling her story. She could feel Thornwind's pity.
"Dapple... I'm sorry..." he mewed softly. Dapple shook her head.
"It's alright. I know my kits are safe in Shadowclan, and they all like it there." She mewed softly, watching them.
"Well, I'll see you." Thornwind mewed, getting up.
"See you." Dapple mewed as he padded away."

Written by Wolfp3lt

Rose

Rose darted forward, desperately trying to keep up with her mother. Rain pounded down onto her, turning the dirt to mud and drenching her fluffy ginger pelt. She could barely see the fuzzy outline of the gray she-cat walking ahead of her through the torrential downpour. "Mom, wait!" she called, her voice filled with fear.

"If you can't keep up then you're not worth keeping," the she-cat spat, keeping up her quick pace.

Rose stumbled but continued following her mother. She started to run, hoping to catch up. She could vaguely see her siblings, Moss and Owl, padding beside her mother. Being the runt of the litter, Rose simply wasn't big enough to keep up. She stumbled again, this time falling into the sticky dark mud that covered the ground. She shook her head and shakily stood up again, looking around wildly, but her mother and siblings had disappeared. She crawled over to a large oak tree, hiding in the roots. Soaked and miserable, she curled up and fell into a fitful sleep.

Rose yawned and stretched, narrowing her eyes against the sunlight filtering through the tree roots. She crept out and shook herself, then started washing her ragged muddy fur. Loud barking startled her, and she looked up to see a big black dog tied to a tree several fox lengths away. It strained against the rope around its neck, snarling and barking. The rope snapped, and it raced toward Rose, eyes wild with rage. Rose instantly darted into the forest, gasping for breath as she raced away from the dog. She knew she couldn't outrun it, and it had already started to catch up to her. Her heart hammered and blood roared in her ears as she sprinted through the forest, the dog's pounding paws right behind her. Suddenly she was lifted up by the scruff of her neck and she was being carried up into a tree. She was dropped onto a large branch high above the dog's reach. She glanced at her rescuer. A tawny and white tom sat on the branch beside her. He hissed at the dog, which was barking and jumping at the bottom of the tree. A loud twoleg yowl interrupted its barking and it growled in frustration, running away through the trees. Rose closed her eyes and gripped the branch, waiting for her heart to stop pounding.

"Hey, are you okay?"

Rose opened her eyes and looked at the tom who'd saved her. He was watching her, his expression concerned. "I-I'm fine," she stammered, sighing with relief. "Who're you?"

"My name's Streak. Nice to meet you. What's yours?" the tom said, his bright blue eyes curious.

"Rose. Why'd you help me?" Rose glanced up at Streak suspiciously.

"I've run into that dog a couple of times. It causes trouble for everyone around here. And I wasn't just gonna let it kill you. Anyway, where's your mother? You shouldn't be wandering around by yourself you know."

"My mom left me behind. She's gone," Rose mumbled, staring down at her paws. "Can you get me down from here?"

"Oh, I'm sorry," Streak said sympathetically. "Just hold still, okay?" He bent down and grabbed her by the scruff of her neck, then leaped from branch to branch down the tree. He placed her on the ground. "So, what are you going to do now? You could come with me, I was going to find a new home soon anyway. How about it?" Streak asked her. Rose nodded, and Streak waved his tail happily. "Great! Let's go."

***

Another bolt of lightning flashed in the sky and thunder rolled through the forest as rain pounded down through the trees. Rose darted toward a cave, Streak close behind her. She shook out her fur once they'd gone in, scattering water everywhere.

"Hey, watch it. I don't need to get wetter," Streak called.

"Sorry," Rose glanced outside the cave. "You think it'll let up soon?"

"I hope so. I don't want to run into those rogues again in this and we have to find a new home since they've decided this is their place now. You ready?" Streak stood at the entrance to the cave, waiting for Rose.

"Yeah," she followed him back out into the downpour, eyes narrowed against the sheets of rain. "Do you think they'll try to attack us in this weather?" she shouted over the storm.

"I doubt it. They're probably sheltering from the storm somewh-" Streak's voice was cut off as something slammed into his side. Rose started to call his name when a cat rammed her as well, knocking her to the ground. Heavy paws pinned her down, claws digging into her side. She yowled in pain and struggled to throw the cat off but she couldn't break free. She could see more of the rogues filtering out of the shadows, surrounding her and Streak. She kicked and slashed, but it was no use. Another cat was helping pin her down now, she was completely helpless. One of the cats stalked toward her and Streak, the leader.

"I thought I told you two to get out of this place," the massive dark tom snarled. Lightning flashed, illuminating the forest momentarily so Rose could see the huge russet tom with a scarred pelt clearly. His ice-blue eyes glittered in rage. "Now we'll just have to teach you a lesson. One you'll never forget!" he yowled, and leaped toward Streak. Rose screeched his name and struggled violently to escape the grasp of her captors, to no avail. The tom slammed into Streak and sank his claws into Streak's neck.

"No!" Rose yowled, managing to kick one of the cats pinning her down in the belly, throwing him off her. She heaved the other cat off and raced toward Streak. The huge scarred tom moved away from Streak as she approached. Rose crouched down near Streak, repeating in her mind over and over that it would be okay. But Streak's eyes had already started to glaze over. Rose buried her muzzle in his fur, which was already getting cold. The scarred tom growled and she looked up at him, fear in her dark gold eyes. "That's what happens when you don't listen to us," he snarled. "Now, get out. Unless you want to end up the same way." Rose raced away, and the circle of rogues parted to let her through. She ran until she was so exhausted she simply collapsed and fell asleep where she was.

***

Rose blinked open her eyes, bright sunlight causing her to squint. She padded through the twolegged place, shaking away the old memories of her past. She knew Streak wouldn't want her to mourn him forever. She glanced around at the home she'd found so long ago the night when he'd died and sighed, wishing he could be here with her.

Written by ❄☽ѕιℓνєяηιgнт☾❄

Ripplepond and Streampool

Streampool's eyes stared at him lifelessly. Ripplepond felt every piece of him pulled apart. She couldn't be dead. Not after everything. Those eyes, blue as the river, looked the same as they did moons ago.

----

Ripplepaw was first born out of the four friends. His mother was Dawnsky, a faithful clanborn queen, and his father Sunfeather, a half-Shadowclan and half-Riverclan warrior. They both passed away in a flood before he was apprenticed. Then came Blackkit, and lastly, Streampaw and Creekpaw. Perhaps they wouldn't have been friends if not for their loneliness; they were so different. Yet the circumstances allowed and the four kits were hardly seen separate from each other. That was, of course, until he and Blackkit became apprentices.

---

"It'll be ok, we're just looking!" Ripplepaw exclaimed, standing across the river from the other three apprentices.
"I don't know Ripplepaw. What if we get caught?" Streampaw asked, her fur shining in the near full moonlight.
Ripplepaw patiently walked closer to the bank. "I'll tell everyone I made you come. Trust me," he said, his eyes shining with curiosity.
Streampaw looked at him for a moment before gracefully hopping across the bank and splashing some moonlight water onto his pelt.
Blackpaw, not to be outdone, quickly crossed over. "Come on mouse brain, we haven't got all night," he said to Creekpaw, who looked scaredly at Blackpaw.
Although he meant no harm from his gruff mannerisms, Ripplepaw noticed how Streampaw tensed. Creekpaw had always been nervous, but hanging around Blackpaw made him more skittish than a water bug.
"It'll be ok Creekpaw," Ripplepaw said and Streampaw shot him a grateful look as her brother followed them across the Thunderclan border. They had barely gotten four tail lengths into the wooded territory when Ripplepaw scented cats.
"What are four fish faces doing in Thunderclan territory?" A voice leered from the shadows. Ripplepaw recognized the cat as Stormblaze from the gatherings as he walked into the light. Two others followed him, including an apprentice no older than Ripplepaw.
Blackpaw growled and unsheathed his claws. "Call us that again!"
Creekpaw was frozen in fear and Streampaw looked just as scared, but her body was locked in a defiant glare. Ripplepaw looked over his friends and back to the warrior.
"I apologize, we mean no harm. I convinced them to come explore, it's not their fault," Ripplepaw explained calmly.
Blackpaw shot an annoyed look at him, but Streampaw's relieved happiness made him forget about the dark Tom.
Stormblaze looked at all of them carefully. "Alright. I'll let you return to your clan on one condition. You must tell Ripplestar of what you did. If not, he will be informed next gathering, which, judging by the moon, is in a few sunrises."
Ripplepaw felt his body go limp getting off so easily. "Thank you Stormblaze. You have my word."
Stormblaze looked at him as though he were sizing him up before nodding. "Go then."
The apprentice gave a smug look to Blackpaw, but much to his self control, Blackpaw did nothing.
"Can you believe we got off that easily?" Blackpaw whispered once they were back on their territory.
"You might not say that when we tell Ripplestar." Ripplepaw said sadly.
"We won't tell him!" Blackpaw said impatiently.
Ripplepaw stopped. "I gave Stormblaze my word."
"So what?" Blackpaw hissed, "He's not Riverclan. You do not have to keep your promises with him."
"You don't understand!" Ripplepaw said tensely, then lowered his voice when Streampaw and Creekpaw, who were walking ahead, looked back. "I want to be an honorable warrior. I will not lie. And that," he said before Blackpaw could cut him off, "is the end of this discussion."

---

It couldn't end like this. She fought many battles by his side, she couldn't die like this.

----

"Riverclan, attack!" Spottedpelt commanded, racing across Sunningrocks, Ripplepaw hot on her trail. Sunningrocks were theirs!
Streampaw was on his side and Creekpaw on the other. Ripplepaw knew Creekpaw wasn't as accomplished a fighter, and planned to stick close to him. But he lost track of everything as he launched himself into the enemy cats.
As the battle progressed, he found himself battling fiercely with Cometpaw when he realized he hadn't seen Creekpaw recently.
He kicked off Cometpaw and scanned the battle. He spotted Streampaw doing the same. He watched her, debating to run over and help her, when he noticed Creekpaw fighting Lionpaw, flailing under his weight. He leapt over Spottedpelt and crashed on top of Lionpaw. "Pick on someone your own size!" He hissed, pushing off and getting into a stance.
Out of the corner of his eye he saw Blackpaw battling side by side Streampaw, and almost forgot about the real enemy.
Creekpaw seemed revived by the help and once again set into fighting Lionpaw and Ripplepaw looked for where he was most needed.
Spottedpelt was getting cornered by Thunderclan warriors, but he knew he didn't stand a chance. A good warrior knows which battles are to be fought, he thought. But that doesn't mean it's lost!
He turned tail and splashed back into Riverclan territory.
He raced quickly through the underbrush, faster than he had his entire life. He burst into camp, causing many heads to turn.
"We...need...reinforcements," he panted, his sides heaving.
Ripplestar watched Ripplepaw as though he was sizing him up. "Mallowpool, Lilypelt, and Swanwing, come with me. Ripplepaw, are you good to head back in?" He asked, getting up as the warriors he named joined him.
Ripplepaw nodded eagerly. "We need to hurry!"
Ripplestar led the way out of camp quickly. Ripplepaw could hear the Thunderclan warriors announcing their victory as they got close.
"Riverclan, attack!" Ripplestar yowled as he crossed the river in a bound and tackled a warrior pinning Spottedpelt.
Ripplepaw flashed a look at Streampaw. Her face was lit up with rejuvenated ferocity. "How did you do that?" She asked, eyes wide with appreciation.
"They were distracted by Spottedpelt. No one noticed me slip away and go to Ripplestar. When he heard, he ordered almost everyone into battle!" Ripplepaw explained breathlessly. She smiled at him with admiration and he felt his heart soar.
That night, Ripplepaw beat every enemy that challenged him. He was unstoppable!
Just as he chased another warrior back into the brush, Ripplestar let out a yowl. "Sunningrocks are ours!"
The Riverclan cats joined in his triumphant calls.
"How did you know to come?" Spottedpelt asked, voicing the others question.
Ripplestar looked down at his deputy. "Ripplepaw slipped away while you were cornered and came back to camp to get reinforcements."
A couple warriors around him gave Ripplepaw thankful looks.
"Ripplepaw you're action prove you a warrior." He mewed calmly, his eyes studied Ripplepaw for a moment longer before he jumped down and faced the apprentice, "Ripplepaw do you promise to uphold the ways of the warrior code? To protect and defend this clan even at the cost of your life?"
Ripplepaw's heart skipped a beat when he realized what was happening. "I do," he said, strongly.
"Then by the powers of Starclan, I give you your new name. From now on, you will be known as Ripplepond. Starclan honors your cleverness and strength."
Ripplepond barely heard the cheers around him as he licked his Leander's shoulder. One voice did stand out. He looked over his shoulder and saw Streampaw cheering louder than anyone else, her eyes shining and fur gleaming.

---

Blood swirled around his paws. He knew he was next.

---

"Nice catch," Streampaw purred, watching him shake off water droplets.
Ripplepond purred as he glanced at her and the fish at her paws. "You too. You'll be a warrior soon," he promised, taking his place by the river next to her.
"Blackpaw thinks so too," Streampaw agreed and Ripplepond made an effort to make his fur lay flat. Blackpaw was always trying to get time with Streampaw, and ever since he became a mentor Blackpaw was succeeding. He changed the subject.
"Who do you think Spottedstar will name deputy?" Ripplepond asked casually, barely watching the river.
"I don't know. It still seems too soon after Ripplestar died," Streampaw meowed sadly. "But you could be. Pebblepaw is becoming a warrior tonight. You are definitely a loyal warrior," She added, looking up at him.
Ripplepond purred, looking into her eyes, seeing all the love he felt reflected in them.

----

He knew Blackadder would get his revenge.

---

"Ripplepond, can I talk to you?" Streampool asked, leaning against him.
He nodded, giving Dawnrose a last order before following his mate.
She sat down looking at him with happiness. "I'm expecting kits!" She purred.
Ripplepond stood numb in shock. Kits?
"Ripplepond?" Streampool frowned.
He gave her a lick on the ear. "I love you," he meowed, purring.
She closed her eyes and leaned against him. Ripplepond couldn't be happier.
Out of the corner of his eye, Ripplepond saw Blackadder glaring at him. This was unforgivable.

---

Battle, accidents, death berries, adder, fight. The words circled his head like a mantra. Spottedstar was in danger. His mate and kits were in danger. Blackadder wanted them dead.
Blackadder wanted him to suffer.
Ripplepond stood on the bank, his mind racing. Too many deaths in Riverclan. All because of Blackadder.
Suddenly it became clear. What he had to do.
"Streampool," he breathed. She had to know the truth.
As though she heard him, Streampool came through the reeds, gazing at him as she stood by the river.
"Blackadder-" He started.
She laid her tail on his shoulder. "I know."
He looked into her eyes. Love, understanding, fear, determination and so many things looked back at him.
"Together?" He asked, knowing the answer.
"Always."

---

Streampool was tackled by Stormblaze before they even realized they were watching them. Ripplepond watched her fall backward, ready to help, but someone else dominated his attention.
"Prepare to die Ripplepond!" Blackadder hissed, pacing over.
"Coward," Ripplepond spat, watching him carefully, aware of the fight behind him. "You are prepared to destroy Riverclan for revenge?"
"Riverclan will thrive without you!" Blackadder declared. "The others were weak. They deserved to die."
Ripplepond charged forward and they clashed, claws digging into fur and each fighting to kill.
Ripplepond broke away, bleeding on his side.
Blackadder's eye was bleeding and he panted. He was prepared to pounce when a unearthly yowl came from behind them.
Stormblaze stood over Streampool, his muzzle coated with her blood. Ripplepond knocked him off and looked desperately into her eyes. Her neck was bloody and her head tipped back into the river.
"I love you," she mouthed, unable to speak.
Ripplepond watched the river turn red as anger built in him. He turned around to see Blackadder look as shocked as him.
Fury rushed through his veins. In one powerful swipe he knocked Stormbalze over and pinned him down, his fangs an inch from Stormblaze's throat.
Streampool wouldn't want me to become this... Ripplepond released his hold on the warrior and faced Blackadder, who had recovered and was ready for an attack.
"All those cats you killed, they were loyal to their last breath," Ripplepond hissed. "But I'm ready to die. Can you say the same?"
Blackadder growled. "I won't die. You can't beat me."
"No cat is immortal. You have proven that. But your scared Blackadder. Like a kit. Like you were as an apprentice. Scared of rejection and now, of death." He meowed calmly, though every word punctuated with anger. "You will die Blackadder. However you have nothing after death. I have Starclan." He glanced at Streampool. "You've always had nothing."
Blackadder was filled with rage at Ripplepond's little speech, "I was the right tom for her!" he snapped, "You were too weak for her!" he lunged at the deputy his claws and jaws wide.
Ripplepond took a step back until he stood by Streampool. All he heard was his heartbeat and the river churning beside him. All he saw was Blackadder. His jaws coming closer. Pain ripped through him as he fell back into the river. His head fell limply and he watched as his blood mixed with Streampool's and tainted the river red. He gazed into her dead eyes, the ones who danced with life and love every time he looked into them. The eyes that shone brighter than the stars when he was made a warrior, the ones that raised his kits, the ones that so eagerly and lovingly trusted him to die together. They were dark and dead.
Then the world went black.

Written By Dawn

Robinstar's Forgiveness
I could hear the snoring of my mate beside me. My eyes opened seeing my beloved Adderstar beside me. I could feel my two bundles of joy by my side and yet I felt nothing on the inside. I stood up shaking my head and padded out of the den and out of camp. Looking at the ground beneath my paws the screams and cries came back to me. Looking up at the sky the stars shine and twinkle,"How can you shine on me with your beauty and hope?,"my claws dug into the ground. Tears dappling the ground,"I don't deserve the light at night. I don't deserve the soft glow to see where my paws lead me,"I whispered. My claws dug into the ground before I lifted them up to inspect,"How many cats have I killed with these own claws? How many lives torn away and broken because of me?,"turning I look at the river watching my own reflection stare back at me. Who was this cat? Who had I become? I saw the dark shape of Blackadder in the river beside me and I let out a hiss swiping at the water tear drops falling into it,"Im only myself....I am....I am....nobody,"what was I thinking? Turning my back on what I knew what I had ever known? Yes. Deep within me I couldn't stand to see myself this darkness. I didn't deserve the praise, the loyalty, nothing. I was the nightmare in my mind, my own worst enemy. I took a step towards the river shaking slightly,"Mother....father...forgive me. Brothers forgive me. Spiritpaw forgive me,"I looked back up at the stars,"Forgive me,"I whispered curling up next to the river sobbing loudly. I finally realized how awful of a cat I am. No I am not fit to call myself a cat. I am nothing noble! My claws sank into the ground. What wasn't noticed in the river the dark figure of Blackadder vanished. Hiddenface and Rushfeather stood bright with stars in their pelts. "Forgiveness is the first step,"I could hear someone whisper. The words brought me back to my days in the nursery where everything was good. I wished to go back to those times rewrite my history. Standing back up padding into the river closing my eyes,"Forgive me,"I whispered letting the current drag me down.I will never hurt another cat again....I forgive.


Written by Lonespirit/Jewelspirit

Aurablaze's Battle
The day I lost my sight was the day I lost hope. I could no longer see, I could no longer hear through one ear. I was no use to my clan, not much better then a newborn kit. The adder struck me without mercy intending to kill me...and I wish it had.

Once I came too I knew my world would forever be dark. I couldn't see anything, not the clear blue sky, nor my own paws in front of my face. I grew depressed the once strong Aurablaze daughter of Lostraven deputy of Shadowclan and Bateyes my proud father brother to Moonstar could no longer see, could no longer be who I once was. How could this happen to me? I was the deputy of Shadowclan I couldn't be blind. I couldn't be deaf in one ear how could I one day rule and protect my clan? Truth was I couldn't. I would never be able to. I had to step down as deputy something I never wanted to do, I would rather have died then step down. When I am alone I wish that adder's venom did its job and finished me off. I truly cant live this way. Being half alive. I can feel, scent, and taste, hearing out of one ear. But I can never see the faces of my clanmates ever again, the way they must look at me. What pity they must have...what distain for me. I bet kits run the first time they see me. I can hear the way cats whisper when I walk by. I am always pacing and looking up at the sky. Why cant someone put me out of my misery? I sit by the river and swipe at it, I cant see my own reflection but I know its laughing at me, it can see me but I cant see it. I am slowly spiraling away in my own madness. No more screams or shouts I am quiet as a mouse now. There is no way out of this. But that was until I started mentoring Longsight...then Longpaw. He was born blind and right from the start he was better then me. We learned from each other, I see myself in him. Ha see...he is strong and fights for what he wants, to prove himself that he is no less then anyone else. He looks up to me and yet I question why. How could the once great Aurablaze be looked up too in this state? He has never seen me but knows what happened to me yet he still believes in me. Tries his best to keep myself afloat. He keeps me laughing and he keeps me sane. I would be lost without his kindness. Maybe....just maybe I don't have to be alone in this, I don't have to dwell in my madness day in and day out. I could be set free and live out my days. Hopefully he feels the same.

Written by Lonespirit/Jewelspirit