The amazing life of Fruitcherrybatwhisker
Jun 11, 2023 1:56:59 GMT -5
Pixie, finland, and 3 more like this
Post by ! (Ġray) ! on Jun 11, 2023 1:56:59 GMT -5
Decided to post this, unedited from when I first wrote it. Only posting Fruitcherrybatwhisker's POV, so it will be out of context. Oh. And It's set in Australia. Also, my notes are in bold
Fruitkit sighed.
It was so unfair that he was trapped in the stupid nursery while his littermates were made apprentices. So what if he had decided to leave EclipseClan’s territory and explore LunarClan? He still deserved to be an apprentice! Besides, I barely got to see EclipseClan territory, let alone LunarClan territory. He sighed again. Ivystar said he would have to wait an entire half-moon to become an apprentice, and he was bored now that his littermates had left the nursery.
“For StarClan’s sake Fruitkit, stop sighing before Goldmint comes and decides you have greencough!” Greymoon’s tone was scolding, but he saw her whiskers twitch with amusement. Greymoon was the other EclipseClan queen, and although she had no kits, her belly was so big, Fruitkit thought she would explode.
Fruitkit was happy too, at least until he remembered why he hated Greymoon. The young queen was a rouge before she joined EclipseClan, and Fruitkit was sure she wasn’t trustworthy.
“Whatever. I’m going to get something from the fresh-kill pile.”
“Bring me back a kookaburra!” Greymoon called after him.
Relieved to get out of the nursery, Fruitkit ran through camp without watching where he was going. He had almost reached the fresh-kill pile when he ran into something. Staggering back, he looked up and saw the scarred face of Quickpaw, one of the other apprentices other than his littermates.
“Watch it mouse-brain!” Quickpaw snarled.
“Don't scare him! He’s only a kit!” Rosepaw scolded her brother.
Fruitkit was about to attempt to attack them both, but before he had the chance, Leafpaw butted in.
“Guys! Chill out!” mewed Leafpaw
“He’s a kit who can watch our warrior ceremony, or had you two forgotten? Let's go!” Mantispaw mewed
A moment after they had left, Ivystar summoned the clan.
“Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather!” She yowled.
Fruitkit watched as the cats poured into the clearing. “I, Ivystar, leader of EclipseClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these apprentices. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as a warrior in their turn."Quickpaw, Rosepaw, Mantispaw and Leafpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?”
As the apprentices nodded, Fruitkit realized how scared Quickpaw was. I hope my mentor is more careful with me!
“Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior's name. Rosepaw, Mantispaw and Leafpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Rosestripe, Mantispelt and Leafwing. StarClan honors your skill and bravery, and we welcome you as full warriors of EclipseClan!”
All around him, Fruitkit heard cats cheering for the new warriors. Hmph. You wouldn’t see him cheering for a rouge’s kits! As soon as the noise died down, Ivystar took a breath in and started speaking again. “And my own apprentice, Quickpaw. You will be known as-”
“Please Ivystar” Quickpaw cut off. “I would like to be known as Quickdeath.”
The gathered cats exchanged confused looks. What was the scared apprentice up to?
“Because” he continued. “That is.
“What you are.
“About to have.
”
With no more warning that, Quickdeath lunged at Ivystar, clawing open the flesh of her neck. As blood poured out, Splinterclaw and Mantispelt tried to rip Quickdeath off Ivystar, but it was too late.
Ivystar was dead.
(Note: I misspelt scarred as scared, sorry if anyone was confused)
EclipseClan was in shock.
It had been three sunrises since Ivystar’s death, three sunrises since Splinterstar started ruling EclipseClan. Not only that, but Mantispelt had been acting way too friendly around his mother, Splinterstar, at least in his opinion. Not that anyone wanted a kit’s opinion.
Greymoon had spent ages talking to him, telling him that Quickdeath wouldn’t come back, although he suspected the plump queen was trying to convince herself as much as she was trying to convince herself.
He wished now more than ever that he was an apprentice, there was a gathering tonight, and he wanted to see how the other leaders would react to Ivystar’s death.
“Tell me about it, please?” he asked Kangaroopaw.
“Yeah sure.” she grumbled and walked away.
Duckpaw flicked his ears in confusion. Ever since his littermates had become apprentices without him, they have acted a lot less friendly to him. It wasn’t his fault Ivystar had decided to delay his apprentice ceremony. Grumbling, he headed back to the nursery and flopped onto his nest.
“What’s wrong, little one?” Greymoon’s mew was softened with concern.
“My littermates hate me, and I don’t know why!” he wailed.
“Have you tried asking them why?” Greymoon asked.
“Oh!” he exclaimed and bolted out of the nursery. Maybe he could ask Kangaroopaw and Wombatpaw what he had to do! He could fix this!
“Hey Wombatpaw!” he ran over to his brother.
“What is it now?” He sighed
“I just wanted to know why you’re mad at me...” He trailed off.
“Oh gee!” Wombatpaw exclaimed sarcastically. “I wonder what it could be! Maybe it has something to do with the fact that I work from dawn to dusk cleaning bedding and patrolling borders, while you do nothing but lay around! I have to search the elders for ticks! TICKS! And what do you do? Lay around and eat all day???”
Fruitkit shrank back. He was frightened by his brother, but he knew what he had to do now.
Fruitkit had been doing jobs around camp all day. He cleaned all the beds and gave the elders some fresh kill. Now the moon was rising, and most of the clan had just left for the gathering, while the warriors that had been left behind had led a moonlight hunting patrol. He, Greymoon, Harmonysplash and Stonetooth were the only ones left in camp. Feeling he had earned it, he curled up and fell asleep.
“Greymoon! What can I do to help you?” Fruitkit was scared for the grey queen. What if something bad happens to her?
Greymoon yowled again and gritted her teeth before replying; “Get a medicine cat! Go to the gathering and find Goldmint!”
“But I can't! I’m a kit!”
“Just go!”
Fruitkit turned and ran. He had never been to Longstoneplace (WHAT THE ACTUAL HECK IS LONGSTONEPLACE I'M DYING), and he was worried he wouldn’t find it. What would happen to Greymoon then? He shook his head. He needed to focus. Fruitkit tasted the air for the scents of Moonclan and EclipseClan. There! He ran towards the scent, running as though his own life was at stake, until he tripped on a tree root and tumbled into the clearing.
“Greymoon’s having her kits!”
Fruitkit was in the nursery, watching Greymoons’ kits.
He was proud of her four bustling kits, but he couldn’t look at them without remembering that he hadn’t got Goldmint quick enough to save Sharpkit, and that Shortkit had lost her tail. The squeaking ginger kit wriggled around on the nursery floor, unable to play with her littermates. Goldmint had insisted she stay with Greymoon, at least until the wound on her tail stub healed.
“I wanna play with Tallkit! Why can't I play? You’re so mean, you never even let me play with the other kits!” Shortkit whined, wriggling away from her mother.
“Well, when your eyes open, you can play. Until then, you stay inside the nursery. Now why don’t you drink some yummy milk?”
Greymoon nosed Shortkit towards her belly (Wait, a kit without its eyes open can talk?)
Fruitkit left the nursery, ignoring Shortkit’s annoyed cries. He was on his way to get some fresh kill, when he heard a familiar voice.
“Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather!” Splinterstar yowled.
Cats poured out of the caves, wondering what Splinterstar’s annoucment would be. Were his littermates going to be made warriors before he’d even been made an apprentice? Silently fuming, he took a place in the crowd. (Calm down Fruitkit it's literally been a week since they became apprentices)
“Cats of EclipseClan, I have decided to make Fruitkit an apprentice. I hope that you will honour and accept my decision.”
Fruitkit heard the cats around him murmur. Would they agree his punishment should be over?
“But- But he still has a quarter moon until his punishment ends!” yowled a voice from the crowd. Fruitkit narrowed his eyes as he realized it was Kangaroopaw speaking. Didn’t she want him to be an apprentice? (No, and neither do I, Fruitkit. You suck)
“You have a point. But no cat can doubt Fruitkit would make a great apprentice. He saved Greymoons’ kits!” Splinterstar paused to let her words sink in. “Fruitkit, from this moment forward you will be known as Fruitpaw. Mantispelt, you will be mentor to Fruitpaw, and I hope you pass on your loyalty to him.”
Not him! (Love this 6 month old child hating someone for being half-rogue before he was even born)
“Wait!” squeaked a tiny voice. “I wanna be an apprentice too! I would be the bestest apprentice there ever was! All the other clans will be so scared!” Fruitpaw realized it was Mottlekit speaking, and the bold kit was staring at Splinterstar without a trace of fear. Fruitpaw felt worried for the kit, Splinterstar was not patient. But to his surprise, the EclipseClan leader purred. (Wait, these kits are like... 3 days old??? how do they even know what an apprentice is???)
“Mottlekit, I’m sure you would make a great apprentice in six moons. But until then, you must stay in camp. That is all. EclipseClan, disband”
Fruitpaw thought that he was pretending to smile as he touched noses with his mentor, but in reality, he was so happy that he was an apprentice at last!
Fruitpaw sprang at the mouse, missing by a single whisker. (Common Fruitpaw L)
Frustrated, he chased after the mouse, but it was long gone. He growled in frustration and padded back to Mantispelt.
“Fruitpaw, try and get closer before you pounce. You still did great though! Let’s return to camp and you can give your other kill to the elders.”
Fruitpaw nodded and picked up the rabbit and the wagtail he had caught earlier. It was only his second day as an apprentice, but he still felt like he had to do better. (Relatable tho) When the clearing was in sight, he ran ahead of Mantispelt and went into the elder's den. He dropped his rabbit at Harmonysplash’s feet, but Stonetooth was nowhere to be seen.
“Where’s Stonetooth?” he asked.
“Oh! He went to sun himself. He’ll be back soon.” Harmonysplash mewed.
“Can you give this to him when he comes back?” Fruitpaw dropped the wagtail at the elder’s feet, before turning around towards the nursery. He wanted to check on Greymoon’s kits.
“ROAR! Look out Rabbitkit! Ima MoonClan warrior and I’m coming to eat you!”
“Ahhhh! Run Tallkit! She's gonna eat you!”
“What are you kits doing?” Fruitpaw asked.
“AHHHHHH!!!!!” Screamed the three kits simultaneously. “MAMA!”
Uh-oh, I think I scared the kits! Greymoon will not be happy! (These children make me cringe and also wow Fruitpaw, no shit)
He decided to avoid the nursery until the kits calmed down. The sun was setting. He could go night hunting, the clan needed fresh kill.
By the time Fruitpaw decided to head back, he had caught three mice and a possum, and it was moon high. As he went to dig up his prey, he heard a tiny squeaking noise in the bushes. A tiny kit was nestled there, its hungry cries ringing through the night. He smelt the air, but there was no clan scent, and a very faint trace of rouge scent.
The kit, a black she-kit was laying on her side, breathing faintly. She would die if she didn’t eat soon. Fruitpaw picked her up gently by the scruff and padded back to camp. (What. Why is there a child here??? I SMELL POOR PLOT)
Fruitpaw looked at the sky. It was time for him to leave. Using the Dirtplace tunnel, he snuck out of the camp, and made his way torwards the LunarClan border, and climbed a tree to wait for her. Dewpaw would be here soon.
***
Fangpaw blinked sleepily. What was going on? As his eyes adjusted to the moonlight, he realised Dewpaw was leaving her nest.
So? She could just be going to stretch her legs.
But there was something about the way she moved so silently, the way her ears were pricked, the way she jumped at every rustling leaf that let Fangpaw know she was up to something. (How are there leaves rustling? You're in your den)
He had to follow her. Creeping out of his nest, he followed Dewpaw through the dirtplace to a moonlit spot on the EclipseClan border. Oh no. He had an idea of what she was doing. How could she work with a murderer like Quickdeath? (Assume a random child is working with a murderer, why don't you)
“Fruitpaw!” She mewed “Fruitpaw are you here?”
At that moment, a dark-grey tom leapt from a tree and pinned Dewpaw to the ground. Fangpaw gasped. Was Dewpaw about to die? Dewpaw shrieked.
“Fruitpaw you idiot! What if a cat heard that.” Mewed Dewpaw
“Oh I don’t that any cats heard you. At least only the ones from here to Tallstones.” the tom meowed playfully. (Tallstones? NO! Give me back longplacestones)
“I’ll save you Dewpaw!” he yelled, and sprang at the tom.
The tom yowled furiously and attacked Fangpaw brutally.
“Stop!” yelled Dewpaw. Her eyes narrowed. “Get off him Fangpaw.”
“Excuse me for protecting you from strange cats!”
“Fruitpaw’s not a strange cat! He’s my friend! Are you okay Fruitpaw?”
“Fine. Why did you bring another cat here?” Mewed the cat called Fruitpaw.
“I didn’t! He must’ve followed me!”
Fangpaw hissed. He was only looking out for her. (ashfur vibes)
“Would someone please explain what is going on here?” Fangpaw yowled.
“Sure.” Fruitpaw hissed. “I love Dewpaw and you can’t stop me from seeing him!” (bigender Dewpaw is definitely canon omg)
“I won’t. But someday, someone will.” with that, Fangpaw turned around and marched back to camp.
Fruitpaw was excited. Any second now, Splinterstar would call the clan to the great rock, and Splinterstar would announce him as a new warrior of EclipseClan. His mind whizzed through possibilities for his new name.
Fruittail? Fruitheart? Fruitpelt? (No, we're giving you the stupidest name ever and you're going to like it)
Fruitpaw sighed. He wouldn’t know until it was time. His thoughts were interrupted by a tiny shape ramming into him.
“Hiya Fruitpaw! You’re gonna be a warrior soon, right?” It was Nightkit, the kit he had rescued.
“Yes.” He mewed
“Oh cool! You’re so lucky to be a warrior, but I wanna be a medicine cat!”
Fruitpaw pondered that. How did she know at such a young age?
“Cats of EclipseClan!” Gather and hear my words!” Splinterstar yowled. “Today we will have three new warriors. Fruitpaw, Wombatpaw and Kangaroopaw, come forward.”
The three apprentices stepped forward nervously.
“I, Splinterstar, leader of EclipseClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these apprentices. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you to be warriors in their turn.”
“Fruitpaw, Kangaroopaw, Wombatpaw. Do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your lives?”
“I do” they said together.
Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior's names. Fruitpaw, Wombatpaw and Kangaroopaw, from this moment on you will be known as Fruitbat, Wombatheart and Kangaroofoot. StarClan honors you, and we welcome you all as full warriors of EclipseClan”
“Fruitbat! Wombatheart! Kangaroofoot!”
“Fruitbat! Wombatheart! Kangaroofoot!”
Splinterstar waited until the cheers died down. “We also have another ceremony to attend to. Nightkit, come forward. From this moment onward, you will be known as Nightpaw, and your mentor will be Goldmint.”
Not many warriors called Nightpaw’s new name.
She’s only four moons old!
Fruitbat knew there was a gathering tonight. But he wasn’t going.
He had more important things to do. Two sunrises ago, Kangaroofoot had been found crushed under rocks, and she was still unconscious in the medicine den. Nobody knew if she would live.
You won’t get away with this, Quickdeath. I’ll hunt you down if it’s the last thing I do. (Why blame Quickdeath for eveything? Does quickdeath cause gravity???)
He sniffed for Quickdeaths scent around the fallen rocks. It was faint, and odd, as though it was masked.
Whatever. The important thing is I can follow it.
Fruitbat set off, following the scent towards SunClan territory. He crossed the dessert before sun-fall, unaware of the heat and distance of his journey. As the sky turned grey, he noticed a dusty, unstable looking cave.
I need a strategy! Quickdeath probably has guards!
At that moment, he saw a cat exit the cave. He was too far away to see who it was, but He thought he saw a flash of white. Fruitbat narrowed his eyes and crept forward. When he was close enough, he pounced. But as lifted his claws for the killing blow, he saw a flash of fear in the cat’s brown eyes.
Brown. Quickdeaths eyes were orange, not brown. (Can a cat even have orange eyes?)
Fruitbat released the cat. There was something familiar about him...
“You- you’re Cobwebsoar right? One of the missing cats?”
“Yes, and that is not how you speak to the deputy of MoonClan!” Cobwebsoar meowed. (What is this name???)
“You’ve been missing for over a moon. What happened?”
Cobwebsoar snorted. “Obvious, isn’t it kit? Quickdeath took me for ransom. He thought if a deputy went missing, the clans would do whatever he wanted. Too bad the first cat that came looking for me tried to kill me.” (So not a single cat went looking for the missing deputy? Damn, that's rough)
Fruitbat stared at his paws, feeling guilty. “I’ll make it up to you. I’m going to take you back to MoonClan”
“Whatever you say, kit. Let's just go before Scar and the others return.” (IS THIS THE LION KING)
“Who’s Scar? And how many others are there?”
“Scar, Toad and Dapple are Quickdeath’s second in command. Quickdeath killed most of the clan cats, but those three are bloodthirsty as well. There are around ten other cats that follow Quickdeath as well. They operate a bit like a clan, except if Quickdeath wants fresh-kill, he just yells at the nearest cat to go hunting for him.” (Quickdeath sounds like an asshole)
***
Fruitbat sighed. He had been hunting for ages, but he had nothing to bring back to Cobwebsoar.
I should go back to the hole. Cobwebsoar will be waiting.
“Cobwebsoar? I couldn’t find any prey. Sorry.” He braced himself for an annoyed reply, but there was only silence.
“Cobwebsoar? Cobwebsoar!” Fruitbat shook the limp body. “Cobwebsoar! Wake up!” It was no use. Cobwebsoar was dead. (F in the chat for Cobwebsoar?)
You may be dead, Cobwebsoar. But I will take you back to MoonClan! If it’s the last thing I do.
Fruitbat yawned. He was in a cramped stone cave, with scraps of moss for a nest, and thick, gnarled roots blocking the only light source. He might have been allowed back to EclipseClan, but Tortoisestar, MoonClan’s leader, was convinced that Fruitbat had murdered Cobwebsoar. Fruitbat hissed softly, shaking the moss from his pelt.
If only Cobwebsoar was a LunarClan warrior! Then Dewnose and I could finally be in the same camp. . .
He listened to the cats outside. Some lucky apprentice was being made a warrior, apparently. He didn’t catch all the words, but he could hear the cats outside cheering.
“Solarstorm! Solarstorm! Solarstorm!” (Oh no... they all have bad names!)
Whatever. He didn’t care about some new warrior from MoonClan anyway. (GET REKT SOLARSTORM)
***
“Solarstorm, I know it isn’t a traditional warrior vigil, but what could be a better way to prove your bravery to the other clans?”
“I- I don’t now- the warrior code says to show compassion, and this seems… cruel” mewed Solarstorm.
The mystery cat snorted. “The warrior code also says ‘don’t mercilessly kill other cats.”
Oh. That must be Tortoisestar.
Solarstorm made a noise like she wanted to protest, but Tortoisestar silenced her. "That was an order, Solarstorm.” Tortoisestar warned.
Fruitbat pretended he wasn’t listening when Solarstorm came into his cave a few minutes later, armed with thick vines and two apprentices.
“What the?” He began. The apprentices darted towards him, tying his paws loosely together. (THE ACTUAL HELL IS HAPPENING???)
He could still walk, but the vines slowed him down. Around his neck lay a tightly wrapped vine with a long tendril attached
“HOW DARE Y-” He was cut off by Solarstorm lunging into him, claws unsheathed.
Ow! What are they doing?
He winced. Solarstorm was tightly wrapping a thick vine around his muzzle, and soon he couldn’t even speak. Fruitbat narrowed his eyes coldly.
“Ivypaw, let Tortoisestar know we are on our way. Emupaw, bring up the rear and make sure he doesn’t escape.” Solarstorm picked up the tendril and dragged him out of the cave. Fruitbat tried to resist, but the vine around his neck only got tighter, so he obeyed. Solarstorm led him to a shady oak near Tall Stones, and for a moment he was worried Solarstorm would kill him.
Is MoonClan really that desperate for revenge? Oh. Oh no. They can’t embarrass me like this!
He realized where Solarstorm was taking him. Tortoisestar’s voice rang out from the clearing.
“We have discovered Cobwebsoars’ murderer! Bring out the prisoner!”
And he was pulled into the clearing.
Fruitbat still had to sleep in the Medicine Den, so Goldmint and Nightpaw could check on him. When Nightpaw gave him herbs to soothe his scars, from where the vines rubbed against his jaws and neck, Fruitbat realized just how skilled Nightpaw was.
She never got the herbs wrong, and she always made sure that Fruitbat finished all his herbs.
She’s only 6 moons! She’s been an apprentice for 2 moons, and I already feel as if she deserves to get her Medicine Cat name!
Fruitbat saw the way that Goldmint looked at Nightpaw. Goldmint looked at Nightpaw with pride, happiness and... sorrow.
The sorrow was hidden deep inside Goldmint, but it was there. (Emo goldmint?)
I wonder what’s wrong...
Every night, Fruitbat would see how Goldmint would trudge around the Medicine den, coughing and wheezing, and eating herbs to try and cover up her jagged breathing.
Oh.
During the day, Goldmint would spend all her free time laying in her nest, while Nightpaw ran around the den, helping Fruitbat and other cats who needed help.
Once, when Fruitbat was thirsty, Nightpaw went to go and soak some moss.
While he was waiting for Nightpaw, Greymoon and Rabbitkit came into the den.
“Rabbitkit stepped on a thorn, and I can’t get it out, could you help Goldmint?”
Goldmint replied with a grunt and Greymoon carried Rabbitkit over to Goldmint’s nest and Goldmint roughly grabbed the thorn and pulled it out. Rabbitkit squeaked and hid his face deep into Greymoon’s chest fur.
Goldmint sent the thorn flying across the den and then turned to Greymoon. “If its bleeding, lick it hard.”
***
When Fruitbat awoke, he remebered that today was the day that he was allowed out of the Medicine Den!
He jumped out of his nest, and was about to leave the den, when Nightpaw stopped him.
“Just because you’re allowed out doesn't mean you don’t have to have herbs” Nightpaw retorted. (What did she retort to? Fruitbat said nothing!)
Nightpaw gave him his herbs, and when he walked out of the den, he saw that it was time to share tongues.
Fruitbat went over and sat next to Greymoon, who was surprisingly not with Lionfur.
“Where’s Lionfur?” Fruitbat asked
“Hunting” Greymoon replied.
Fruitbat licked his chest, wondering what to say next.
I wish I was sharing tongues with Dewnose.
As night fell, Fruitbat pretended to be tired, and went back to the warrior den, and curled into his nest at the back of the den.
When everyone was asleep, he snuck out from the back entrance he made, and walked over to the LunarClan border.
There, he found Dewnose, sleeping. He gently placed his paw on Dewnose and shook her awake.
Dewnose gasped before jumping at Fruitbat “You’re here!”
“Yes, I am” Fruitbat said as he nuzzled her. Leafbare must have been good on LunarClan!
“Oh Fruitbat...” Dewnose trailed off.
“What is it?” Fruitbat asked gently
Dewnose, through tears replied “I-I think I’m...”
Thoughts flashed through Fruitbat as Dewnose announced the news. “I think I’m expecting!”
And on that note, we end book 1. I shall soon return for the absolute horror show that is book 2
Fruitkit sighed.
It was so unfair that he was trapped in the stupid nursery while his littermates were made apprentices. So what if he had decided to leave EclipseClan’s territory and explore LunarClan? He still deserved to be an apprentice! Besides, I barely got to see EclipseClan territory, let alone LunarClan territory. He sighed again. Ivystar said he would have to wait an entire half-moon to become an apprentice, and he was bored now that his littermates had left the nursery.
“For StarClan’s sake Fruitkit, stop sighing before Goldmint comes and decides you have greencough!” Greymoon’s tone was scolding, but he saw her whiskers twitch with amusement. Greymoon was the other EclipseClan queen, and although she had no kits, her belly was so big, Fruitkit thought she would explode.
Fruitkit was happy too, at least until he remembered why he hated Greymoon. The young queen was a rouge before she joined EclipseClan, and Fruitkit was sure she wasn’t trustworthy.
“Whatever. I’m going to get something from the fresh-kill pile.”
“Bring me back a kookaburra!” Greymoon called after him.
Relieved to get out of the nursery, Fruitkit ran through camp without watching where he was going. He had almost reached the fresh-kill pile when he ran into something. Staggering back, he looked up and saw the scarred face of Quickpaw, one of the other apprentices other than his littermates.
“Watch it mouse-brain!” Quickpaw snarled.
“Don't scare him! He’s only a kit!” Rosepaw scolded her brother.
Fruitkit was about to attempt to attack them both, but before he had the chance, Leafpaw butted in.
“Guys! Chill out!” mewed Leafpaw
“He’s a kit who can watch our warrior ceremony, or had you two forgotten? Let's go!” Mantispaw mewed
A moment after they had left, Ivystar summoned the clan.
“Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather!” She yowled.
Fruitkit watched as the cats poured into the clearing. “I, Ivystar, leader of EclipseClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these apprentices. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as a warrior in their turn."Quickpaw, Rosepaw, Mantispaw and Leafpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?”
As the apprentices nodded, Fruitkit realized how scared Quickpaw was. I hope my mentor is more careful with me!
“Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior's name. Rosepaw, Mantispaw and Leafpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Rosestripe, Mantispelt and Leafwing. StarClan honors your skill and bravery, and we welcome you as full warriors of EclipseClan!”
All around him, Fruitkit heard cats cheering for the new warriors. Hmph. You wouldn’t see him cheering for a rouge’s kits! As soon as the noise died down, Ivystar took a breath in and started speaking again. “And my own apprentice, Quickpaw. You will be known as-”
“Please Ivystar” Quickpaw cut off. “I would like to be known as Quickdeath.”
The gathered cats exchanged confused looks. What was the scared apprentice up to?
“Because” he continued. “That is.
“What you are.
“About to have.
”
With no more warning that, Quickdeath lunged at Ivystar, clawing open the flesh of her neck. As blood poured out, Splinterclaw and Mantispelt tried to rip Quickdeath off Ivystar, but it was too late.
Ivystar was dead.
(Note: I misspelt scarred as scared, sorry if anyone was confused)
EclipseClan was in shock.
It had been three sunrises since Ivystar’s death, three sunrises since Splinterstar started ruling EclipseClan. Not only that, but Mantispelt had been acting way too friendly around his mother, Splinterstar, at least in his opinion. Not that anyone wanted a kit’s opinion.
Greymoon had spent ages talking to him, telling him that Quickdeath wouldn’t come back, although he suspected the plump queen was trying to convince herself as much as she was trying to convince herself.
He wished now more than ever that he was an apprentice, there was a gathering tonight, and he wanted to see how the other leaders would react to Ivystar’s death.
“Tell me about it, please?” he asked Kangaroopaw.
“Yeah sure.” she grumbled and walked away.
Duckpaw flicked his ears in confusion. Ever since his littermates had become apprentices without him, they have acted a lot less friendly to him. It wasn’t his fault Ivystar had decided to delay his apprentice ceremony. Grumbling, he headed back to the nursery and flopped onto his nest.
“What’s wrong, little one?” Greymoon’s mew was softened with concern.
“My littermates hate me, and I don’t know why!” he wailed.
“Have you tried asking them why?” Greymoon asked.
“Oh!” he exclaimed and bolted out of the nursery. Maybe he could ask Kangaroopaw and Wombatpaw what he had to do! He could fix this!
“Hey Wombatpaw!” he ran over to his brother.
“What is it now?” He sighed
“I just wanted to know why you’re mad at me...” He trailed off.
“Oh gee!” Wombatpaw exclaimed sarcastically. “I wonder what it could be! Maybe it has something to do with the fact that I work from dawn to dusk cleaning bedding and patrolling borders, while you do nothing but lay around! I have to search the elders for ticks! TICKS! And what do you do? Lay around and eat all day???”
Fruitkit shrank back. He was frightened by his brother, but he knew what he had to do now.
***
Fruitkit had been doing jobs around camp all day. He cleaned all the beds and gave the elders some fresh kill. Now the moon was rising, and most of the clan had just left for the gathering, while the warriors that had been left behind had led a moonlight hunting patrol. He, Greymoon, Harmonysplash and Stonetooth were the only ones left in camp. Feeling he had earned it, he curled up and fell asleep.
***
Fruitkit felt like he had hardly closed his eyes when he was woken by a high-pitched wail. He spun around and saw Greymoon. She was yowling in pain, and her hind-legs were twitching. She’s having her kits!“Greymoon! What can I do to help you?” Fruitkit was scared for the grey queen. What if something bad happens to her?
Greymoon yowled again and gritted her teeth before replying; “Get a medicine cat! Go to the gathering and find Goldmint!”
“But I can't! I’m a kit!”
“Just go!”
Fruitkit turned and ran. He had never been to Longstoneplace (WHAT THE ACTUAL HECK IS LONGSTONEPLACE I'M DYING), and he was worried he wouldn’t find it. What would happen to Greymoon then? He shook his head. He needed to focus. Fruitkit tasted the air for the scents of Moonclan and EclipseClan. There! He ran towards the scent, running as though his own life was at stake, until he tripped on a tree root and tumbled into the clearing.
“Greymoon’s having her kits!”
Fruitkit was in the nursery, watching Greymoons’ kits.
He was proud of her four bustling kits, but he couldn’t look at them without remembering that he hadn’t got Goldmint quick enough to save Sharpkit, and that Shortkit had lost her tail. The squeaking ginger kit wriggled around on the nursery floor, unable to play with her littermates. Goldmint had insisted she stay with Greymoon, at least until the wound on her tail stub healed.
“I wanna play with Tallkit! Why can't I play? You’re so mean, you never even let me play with the other kits!” Shortkit whined, wriggling away from her mother.
“Well, when your eyes open, you can play. Until then, you stay inside the nursery. Now why don’t you drink some yummy milk?”
Greymoon nosed Shortkit towards her belly (Wait, a kit without its eyes open can talk?)
Fruitkit left the nursery, ignoring Shortkit’s annoyed cries. He was on his way to get some fresh kill, when he heard a familiar voice.
“Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather!” Splinterstar yowled.
Cats poured out of the caves, wondering what Splinterstar’s annoucment would be. Were his littermates going to be made warriors before he’d even been made an apprentice? Silently fuming, he took a place in the crowd. (Calm down Fruitkit it's literally been a week since they became apprentices)
“Cats of EclipseClan, I have decided to make Fruitkit an apprentice. I hope that you will honour and accept my decision.”
Fruitkit heard the cats around him murmur. Would they agree his punishment should be over?
“But- But he still has a quarter moon until his punishment ends!” yowled a voice from the crowd. Fruitkit narrowed his eyes as he realized it was Kangaroopaw speaking. Didn’t she want him to be an apprentice? (No, and neither do I, Fruitkit. You suck)
“You have a point. But no cat can doubt Fruitkit would make a great apprentice. He saved Greymoons’ kits!” Splinterstar paused to let her words sink in. “Fruitkit, from this moment forward you will be known as Fruitpaw. Mantispelt, you will be mentor to Fruitpaw, and I hope you pass on your loyalty to him.”
Not him! (Love this 6 month old child hating someone for being half-rogue before he was even born)
“Wait!” squeaked a tiny voice. “I wanna be an apprentice too! I would be the bestest apprentice there ever was! All the other clans will be so scared!” Fruitpaw realized it was Mottlekit speaking, and the bold kit was staring at Splinterstar without a trace of fear. Fruitpaw felt worried for the kit, Splinterstar was not patient. But to his surprise, the EclipseClan leader purred. (Wait, these kits are like... 3 days old??? how do they even know what an apprentice is???)
“Mottlekit, I’m sure you would make a great apprentice in six moons. But until then, you must stay in camp. That is all. EclipseClan, disband”
Fruitpaw thought that he was pretending to smile as he touched noses with his mentor, but in reality, he was so happy that he was an apprentice at last!
Fruitpaw sprang at the mouse, missing by a single whisker. (Common Fruitpaw L)
Frustrated, he chased after the mouse, but it was long gone. He growled in frustration and padded back to Mantispelt.
“Fruitpaw, try and get closer before you pounce. You still did great though! Let’s return to camp and you can give your other kill to the elders.”
Fruitpaw nodded and picked up the rabbit and the wagtail he had caught earlier. It was only his second day as an apprentice, but he still felt like he had to do better. (Relatable tho) When the clearing was in sight, he ran ahead of Mantispelt and went into the elder's den. He dropped his rabbit at Harmonysplash’s feet, but Stonetooth was nowhere to be seen.
“Where’s Stonetooth?” he asked.
“Oh! He went to sun himself. He’ll be back soon.” Harmonysplash mewed.
“Can you give this to him when he comes back?” Fruitpaw dropped the wagtail at the elder’s feet, before turning around towards the nursery. He wanted to check on Greymoon’s kits.
“ROAR! Look out Rabbitkit! Ima MoonClan warrior and I’m coming to eat you!”
“Ahhhh! Run Tallkit! She's gonna eat you!”
“What are you kits doing?” Fruitpaw asked.
“AHHHHHH!!!!!” Screamed the three kits simultaneously. “MAMA!”
Uh-oh, I think I scared the kits! Greymoon will not be happy! (These children make me cringe and also wow Fruitpaw, no shit)
He decided to avoid the nursery until the kits calmed down. The sun was setting. He could go night hunting, the clan needed fresh kill.
***
By the time Fruitpaw decided to head back, he had caught three mice and a possum, and it was moon high. As he went to dig up his prey, he heard a tiny squeaking noise in the bushes. A tiny kit was nestled there, its hungry cries ringing through the night. He smelt the air, but there was no clan scent, and a very faint trace of rouge scent.
The kit, a black she-kit was laying on her side, breathing faintly. She would die if she didn’t eat soon. Fruitpaw picked her up gently by the scruff and padded back to camp. (What. Why is there a child here??? I SMELL POOR PLOT)
Fruitpaw looked at the sky. It was time for him to leave. Using the Dirtplace tunnel, he snuck out of the camp, and made his way torwards the LunarClan border, and climbed a tree to wait for her. Dewpaw would be here soon.
***
Fangpaw blinked sleepily. What was going on? As his eyes adjusted to the moonlight, he realised Dewpaw was leaving her nest.
So? She could just be going to stretch her legs.
But there was something about the way she moved so silently, the way her ears were pricked, the way she jumped at every rustling leaf that let Fangpaw know she was up to something. (How are there leaves rustling? You're in your den)
He had to follow her. Creeping out of his nest, he followed Dewpaw through the dirtplace to a moonlit spot on the EclipseClan border. Oh no. He had an idea of what she was doing. How could she work with a murderer like Quickdeath? (Assume a random child is working with a murderer, why don't you)
“Fruitpaw!” She mewed “Fruitpaw are you here?”
At that moment, a dark-grey tom leapt from a tree and pinned Dewpaw to the ground. Fangpaw gasped. Was Dewpaw about to die? Dewpaw shrieked.
“Fruitpaw you idiot! What if a cat heard that.” Mewed Dewpaw
“Oh I don’t that any cats heard you. At least only the ones from here to Tallstones.” the tom meowed playfully. (Tallstones? NO! Give me back longplacestones)
“I’ll save you Dewpaw!” he yelled, and sprang at the tom.
The tom yowled furiously and attacked Fangpaw brutally.
“Stop!” yelled Dewpaw. Her eyes narrowed. “Get off him Fangpaw.”
“Excuse me for protecting you from strange cats!”
“Fruitpaw’s not a strange cat! He’s my friend! Are you okay Fruitpaw?”
“Fine. Why did you bring another cat here?” Mewed the cat called Fruitpaw.
“I didn’t! He must’ve followed me!”
Fangpaw hissed. He was only looking out for her. (ashfur vibes)
“Would someone please explain what is going on here?” Fangpaw yowled.
“Sure.” Fruitpaw hissed. “I love Dewpaw and you can’t stop me from seeing him!” (bigender Dewpaw is definitely canon omg)
“I won’t. But someday, someone will.” with that, Fangpaw turned around and marched back to camp.
Fruitpaw was excited. Any second now, Splinterstar would call the clan to the great rock, and Splinterstar would announce him as a new warrior of EclipseClan. His mind whizzed through possibilities for his new name.
Fruittail? Fruitheart? Fruitpelt? (No, we're giving you the stupidest name ever and you're going to like it)
Fruitpaw sighed. He wouldn’t know until it was time. His thoughts were interrupted by a tiny shape ramming into him.
“Hiya Fruitpaw! You’re gonna be a warrior soon, right?” It was Nightkit, the kit he had rescued.
“Yes.” He mewed
“Oh cool! You’re so lucky to be a warrior, but I wanna be a medicine cat!”
Fruitpaw pondered that. How did she know at such a young age?
“Cats of EclipseClan!” Gather and hear my words!” Splinterstar yowled. “Today we will have three new warriors. Fruitpaw, Wombatpaw and Kangaroopaw, come forward.”
The three apprentices stepped forward nervously.
“I, Splinterstar, leader of EclipseClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these apprentices. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you to be warriors in their turn.”
“Fruitpaw, Kangaroopaw, Wombatpaw. Do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your lives?”
“I do” they said together.
Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior's names. Fruitpaw, Wombatpaw and Kangaroopaw, from this moment on you will be known as Fruitbat, Wombatheart and Kangaroofoot. StarClan honors you, and we welcome you all as full warriors of EclipseClan”
“Fruitbat! Wombatheart! Kangaroofoot!”
“Fruitbat! Wombatheart! Kangaroofoot!”
Splinterstar waited until the cheers died down. “We also have another ceremony to attend to. Nightkit, come forward. From this moment onward, you will be known as Nightpaw, and your mentor will be Goldmint.”
Not many warriors called Nightpaw’s new name.
She’s only four moons old!
Fruitbat knew there was a gathering tonight. But he wasn’t going.
He had more important things to do. Two sunrises ago, Kangaroofoot had been found crushed under rocks, and she was still unconscious in the medicine den. Nobody knew if she would live.
You won’t get away with this, Quickdeath. I’ll hunt you down if it’s the last thing I do. (Why blame Quickdeath for eveything? Does quickdeath cause gravity???)
He sniffed for Quickdeaths scent around the fallen rocks. It was faint, and odd, as though it was masked.
Whatever. The important thing is I can follow it.
Fruitbat set off, following the scent towards SunClan territory. He crossed the dessert before sun-fall, unaware of the heat and distance of his journey. As the sky turned grey, he noticed a dusty, unstable looking cave.
I need a strategy! Quickdeath probably has guards!
At that moment, he saw a cat exit the cave. He was too far away to see who it was, but He thought he saw a flash of white. Fruitbat narrowed his eyes and crept forward. When he was close enough, he pounced. But as lifted his claws for the killing blow, he saw a flash of fear in the cat’s brown eyes.
Brown. Quickdeaths eyes were orange, not brown. (Can a cat even have orange eyes?)
Fruitbat released the cat. There was something familiar about him...
“You- you’re Cobwebsoar right? One of the missing cats?”
“Yes, and that is not how you speak to the deputy of MoonClan!” Cobwebsoar meowed. (What is this name???)
“You’ve been missing for over a moon. What happened?”
Cobwebsoar snorted. “Obvious, isn’t it kit? Quickdeath took me for ransom. He thought if a deputy went missing, the clans would do whatever he wanted. Too bad the first cat that came looking for me tried to kill me.” (So not a single cat went looking for the missing deputy? Damn, that's rough)
Fruitbat stared at his paws, feeling guilty. “I’ll make it up to you. I’m going to take you back to MoonClan”
“Whatever you say, kit. Let's just go before Scar and the others return.” (IS THIS THE LION KING)
“Who’s Scar? And how many others are there?”
“Scar, Toad and Dapple are Quickdeath’s second in command. Quickdeath killed most of the clan cats, but those three are bloodthirsty as well. There are around ten other cats that follow Quickdeath as well. They operate a bit like a clan, except if Quickdeath wants fresh-kill, he just yells at the nearest cat to go hunting for him.” (Quickdeath sounds like an asshole)
***
Fruitbat sighed. He had been hunting for ages, but he had nothing to bring back to Cobwebsoar.
I should go back to the hole. Cobwebsoar will be waiting.
“Cobwebsoar? I couldn’t find any prey. Sorry.” He braced himself for an annoyed reply, but there was only silence.
“Cobwebsoar? Cobwebsoar!” Fruitbat shook the limp body. “Cobwebsoar! Wake up!” It was no use. Cobwebsoar was dead. (F in the chat for Cobwebsoar?)
You may be dead, Cobwebsoar. But I will take you back to MoonClan! If it’s the last thing I do.
Fruitbat yawned. He was in a cramped stone cave, with scraps of moss for a nest, and thick, gnarled roots blocking the only light source. He might have been allowed back to EclipseClan, but Tortoisestar, MoonClan’s leader, was convinced that Fruitbat had murdered Cobwebsoar. Fruitbat hissed softly, shaking the moss from his pelt.
If only Cobwebsoar was a LunarClan warrior! Then Dewnose and I could finally be in the same camp. . .
He listened to the cats outside. Some lucky apprentice was being made a warrior, apparently. He didn’t catch all the words, but he could hear the cats outside cheering.
“Solarstorm! Solarstorm! Solarstorm!” (Oh no... they all have bad names!)
Whatever. He didn’t care about some new warrior from MoonClan anyway. (GET REKT SOLARSTORM)
***
“Solarstorm, I know it isn’t a traditional warrior vigil, but what could be a better way to prove your bravery to the other clans?”
“I- I don’t now- the warrior code says to show compassion, and this seems… cruel” mewed Solarstorm.
The mystery cat snorted. “The warrior code also says ‘don’t mercilessly kill other cats.”
Oh. That must be Tortoisestar.
Solarstorm made a noise like she wanted to protest, but Tortoisestar silenced her. "That was an order, Solarstorm.” Tortoisestar warned.
Fruitbat pretended he wasn’t listening when Solarstorm came into his cave a few minutes later, armed with thick vines and two apprentices.
“What the?” He began. The apprentices darted towards him, tying his paws loosely together. (THE ACTUAL HELL IS HAPPENING???)
He could still walk, but the vines slowed him down. Around his neck lay a tightly wrapped vine with a long tendril attached
“HOW DARE Y-” He was cut off by Solarstorm lunging into him, claws unsheathed.
Ow! What are they doing?
He winced. Solarstorm was tightly wrapping a thick vine around his muzzle, and soon he couldn’t even speak. Fruitbat narrowed his eyes coldly.
“Ivypaw, let Tortoisestar know we are on our way. Emupaw, bring up the rear and make sure he doesn’t escape.” Solarstorm picked up the tendril and dragged him out of the cave. Fruitbat tried to resist, but the vine around his neck only got tighter, so he obeyed. Solarstorm led him to a shady oak near Tall Stones, and for a moment he was worried Solarstorm would kill him.
Is MoonClan really that desperate for revenge? Oh. Oh no. They can’t embarrass me like this!
He realized where Solarstorm was taking him. Tortoisestar’s voice rang out from the clearing.
“We have discovered Cobwebsoars’ murderer! Bring out the prisoner!”
And he was pulled into the clearing.
Fruitbat still had to sleep in the Medicine Den, so Goldmint and Nightpaw could check on him. When Nightpaw gave him herbs to soothe his scars, from where the vines rubbed against his jaws and neck, Fruitbat realized just how skilled Nightpaw was.
She never got the herbs wrong, and she always made sure that Fruitbat finished all his herbs.
She’s only 6 moons! She’s been an apprentice for 2 moons, and I already feel as if she deserves to get her Medicine Cat name!
Fruitbat saw the way that Goldmint looked at Nightpaw. Goldmint looked at Nightpaw with pride, happiness and... sorrow.
The sorrow was hidden deep inside Goldmint, but it was there. (Emo goldmint?)
I wonder what’s wrong...
Every night, Fruitbat would see how Goldmint would trudge around the Medicine den, coughing and wheezing, and eating herbs to try and cover up her jagged breathing.
Oh.
During the day, Goldmint would spend all her free time laying in her nest, while Nightpaw ran around the den, helping Fruitbat and other cats who needed help.
Once, when Fruitbat was thirsty, Nightpaw went to go and soak some moss.
While he was waiting for Nightpaw, Greymoon and Rabbitkit came into the den.
“Rabbitkit stepped on a thorn, and I can’t get it out, could you help Goldmint?”
Goldmint replied with a grunt and Greymoon carried Rabbitkit over to Goldmint’s nest and Goldmint roughly grabbed the thorn and pulled it out. Rabbitkit squeaked and hid his face deep into Greymoon’s chest fur.
Goldmint sent the thorn flying across the den and then turned to Greymoon. “If its bleeding, lick it hard.”
***
When Fruitbat awoke, he remebered that today was the day that he was allowed out of the Medicine Den!
He jumped out of his nest, and was about to leave the den, when Nightpaw stopped him.
“Just because you’re allowed out doesn't mean you don’t have to have herbs” Nightpaw retorted. (What did she retort to? Fruitbat said nothing!)
Nightpaw gave him his herbs, and when he walked out of the den, he saw that it was time to share tongues.
Fruitbat went over and sat next to Greymoon, who was surprisingly not with Lionfur.
“Where’s Lionfur?” Fruitbat asked
“Hunting” Greymoon replied.
Fruitbat licked his chest, wondering what to say next.
I wish I was sharing tongues with Dewnose.
As night fell, Fruitbat pretended to be tired, and went back to the warrior den, and curled into his nest at the back of the den.
When everyone was asleep, he snuck out from the back entrance he made, and walked over to the LunarClan border.
There, he found Dewnose, sleeping. He gently placed his paw on Dewnose and shook her awake.
Dewnose gasped before jumping at Fruitbat “You’re here!”
“Yes, I am” Fruitbat said as he nuzzled her. Leafbare must have been good on LunarClan!
“Oh Fruitbat...” Dewnose trailed off.
“What is it?” Fruitbat asked gently
Dewnose, through tears replied “I-I think I’m...”
Thoughts flashed through Fruitbat as Dewnose announced the news. “I think I’m expecting!”
And on that note, we end book 1. I shall soon return for the absolute horror show that is book 2