Hoi[]
Hey everyone! The winner of the contest for my writing will be briar.wing.loves.roleplay! Her story is on my talk page!! Briar go ahead and do the names of the kits and I hope y'all will keep supporting!
Main Cats[]
Lotuswhisker- A lithe white she-cat with light grey paws like flowers/clovers. Grey/Gray ears and tail tip ; Grey eyes
Saptail- A tall light brown tom with a honey colored tail tip and white paws ; Warm brown eyes
Brackengleam- A muscular medium brown tom with a gray clover making on his forehead, and gray paws and tail tip ; Blue eyes
Puddlepaw- A dark bluish grey she-cat ; Blue eyes
Newtpaw- A black tom with white spots on his paws; Grey eyes
Gleampaw- A light gray tom with white paws; Grey eyes
Bloompaw- A small white she-cat with light grey paws like flowers/clovers. Grey/Gray ears and tail tip with light gray clover making on her forehead ; Blue eyes
Lambstar- A long-legged light gray she-cat with curly fur and a long tail; Brown eyes
Clawshine- A lithe and log she-cat with curly, but groomed, brown hair and bright green eyes.
Prologue[]
Lotuswhisker was trembling, standing amidst in the storm. Thunder had always scared her, but she had to do this. Finally, a figure appeared in the mist and her worries began to melt, and her heart began to warm. "Brackengleam." She murmured happily and softly. He had a serious expression on his face, as though dreading their secret meeting. They curled up beneath a log and she snuggled against his fur. "What's wrong?" She asked, her anxiety's haunting her. So many things could go wrong from this. He shook his head. "They found me out Lotuswhisker. Birchclan, they know I've been sneaking out, and they know I'm with someone." Lotuswhisker bit back a sharp cry. "But our kits!" She whispered urgently. He sighed and seemed smaller than before. "I know, but it will be fine. They don't know who you are, what clan you're from, or that you're having kits." Lotuswhisker nodded, and he got back up. "Lotuswhisker, dearest, I have to leave. I love you, but I may as well never see you again. I'm becoming a rouge, Birchclan is out to kill me. I promise you, i-it will be alright. The warrior code says you don't have to speak the father of the kits, tell whatever lies you have. Get another mate, get other kits! As long as you and our kits are alive and well, and safe, I will be too." Lotuswhisker nodded and buried her head into his fur. "G-Goodbye then... I-I guess that this is the end." Brackengleam gave her a lick on the ear and disappeared into the mist.
Chapter 1[]
Lotuswhisker smiled happily, and tiredly, at the four bundles of fur at her stomach. Saptail, her best friend, nervously padded through the nursery. "L-Lotuswhisker? C-C-Can I come in...? Uh, p-please?" Lotuswhisker chuckled. "Of course Saptail." The honey brown tom smiled weakly. "Uh-W-Wow. They're beautiful." Lotuswhisker smiled and bit back tears. "They are. Two she's and two toms." Aloeberry, the medicine cat, walked in quietly. "How are you doing?" She said softly. Lotuswhisker nuzzled one of her kits. "Good." Aloeberry brought in some Lamb's Ear. "For your strength, are you producing enough milk? And do they have names?" Lotuswhisker nodded and felt slightly overwhelmed. She understood though, this was Aloeberry's first time delivering kits with Almondfoot dead. "Y-Yes. I have enough milk for them, and I have named them." Saptail sat down and smiled weakly. "Uh-Uh... Lotuswhisker, who is the father?" She sucked in a breath and Saptail looked down. "A-Are they mine?" He spoke quietly and nervously. Lotuswhisker froze. Maybe this was the perfect way to cover up, maybe she had to do this. "Yes, Saptail. I- Would you officially become my mate?" Saptail purred loudly. "Y-Y-Yes Lotuswhisker! I-I... Yes!" He nuzzled up beside her, and she felt a small comfort. She had made her best friend happy, gotten a father for her kits, and made sure that no one would question her kits, or her. Saptail sat back down. "W-Well what are their names?" Lotuswhisker chuckled. "This black tom is Newtkit, the bracken- golden tom is Gleamkit, the dark gray she kit is Puddlekit... and this..." Lotuswhisker paused and spoke softly. "I can't think of a name that fits her." Saptail smiled. "She looks just like you, look at her snowy white fur and light gray paw pattern like flowers. The only thing that doesn't make her a twin of yours is her forehead." He moved his paw gently to her forehead. "She has the dark blossom looking mark on her head." Lotuswhisker looked carefully and, she realized Brackengleam had the same pattern. " Then let's name her Bloomkit... so that we can always look at her and remember the warm spring day she was born." Saptail nodded. "T-That would... would be s-so wonderful."
"Puddlekit!" Lotuswhisker yowled. "I see you! Stop trying to sneak away." Lotuswhisker almost chuckled when the tiny she-kit slowly walked back towards her. "Uh... hi Lotuswhisker." Lotuswhisker licked her on the cheek. "Newktkit and Gleamkit are playing mossball with Saptail, why don't you join them?" Puddlekit sighed. "I don't like to play with Newtkit and Gleamkit! They're always teasing me because I'm smaller! I wish I had a sister!" Lotuswhisker frowned. "You do have a sister, why don't you play with her?" Puddlekit rolled over and gave a tired sigh. "Bloomkit is the WORST! All she does is sit around and listen to the elders or help the apprentices! Sometimes she even helps the medicine cat!" Lotuswhisker batted her with a paw, her anger rising. "Puddlekit! You may not talk about your sister that way, or our medicine cat! Now go play with Gleamkit and Newtkit before I make you clean the elders' den!" Puddlekit looked down. "Yes, Lotuswhisker." Her tail drooped as she walked away. "Bloomkit! Come over here." A small white head popped out of the thickets surrounding the elders' den. "Yes, mommy?" She spoke softly like a breeze. As she walked over she stumbled. "Oof. What do you need?" Lotuswhisker smiled. "Why don't you go play with your littermates and Saptail?" Bloomkit shrugged. "I don't like to play with them. How many moons am I mommy? Valleypaw says I need to be six moons to be an apprentice like him!" Lotuswhisker smiled. "You're three moons. But don't be an apprentice to soon okay?" Bloompaw nodded and curled up under her mother's paws. "Yes, mother!"
Lotuswhisker sat happily beside Saptail, his tail curled around hers. Lambstar jumped on top of Clanboulder and smiled as the shining sun lit up her white curly fur. "All cats of Flowerclan old enough to catch a rabbit please gather beneath Clanbloulder. Today we have kits to apprentice!" The warriors and elders of Flowerclan yowled and cheered with happiness, and Lambstar gave herself a couple of licks. "Newtkit, Bloomkit, Puddlekit, and Gleamkit please walk forward." Lotuswhisker's four bouncing kits bounced up exploding with joy. "Puddlekit, please step forward. You have reached the age of six moons and it is time to be apprenticed." Puddlekit nodded and gave a skip, not afraid to show her energy. "From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you shall be known as Puddlepaw. Your mentor will be Aloeberry, as you have told me your wishes of becoming a medicine cat. I hope that Aloeberry can pass down her skill and patience to you as Almondfoot did to her." Puddlepaw let back a yowl of joy as the brown and tan medicine cat touched noses with her. "I hope to train you well." And the medicine cats leaped off of Clanboulder. "Newtkit, please step forward." Newtkit walked forward gracefully, but happily, and nearly tripped. Lambstar smiled though. "You have reached the age of six moons and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Newtpaw. Your mentor will be Redwing. I hope that she will pass on all she knows to you." The touched noses and Lambstar recited the same ceremony with Bloompaw and Gleamkit. Bloompaw was apprenticed to Fallowheart, and Gleampaw... to Lotuswhisker.
The clan spread confused and shocked murmurs around. It was somewhat of an unspoken rule not to assign kits to either of their parents. One cat, Clawshine, spoke up. "But Lambstar! That's against the code! Gleampaw should me mine!" The young cat almost whined. Lambstar lashed her tail. "Clawshine, do not speak to me like that! I'm am your mother and your leader and I can tell you that it is not against the warrior code, if you do not know that I may reassign you to Appleshard and have him train you again." Clawshine lowered her head glumly. "Yes Lambstar, I apologize." Lambstar nodded curtly. "Now, could Lotuswhisker come into my den. Gleampaw stay behind." Lotuswhisker felt herself shiver, and nodded politely while walking over to Clanboulder, where Lambstar's den was just underneath. She joined her in the dark space. "Y-Yes Lambstar?" Lambstar sat down and stared into her eyes. "You may be wondering why I have assigned Gleampaw to you." Lotuswhisker nodded carefully. "Well, it is to keep an eye on you. Let me tell you, I watch over my clan very carefully, like a hawk I make sure they are doing what they are supposed to, and it's not to make them scared. I love each and every member of this clan all like my own kits, some even more so. They are very dear to me. So when I noticed you sneaking out at night, hanging around Saptail less, bringing in more prey than most cats can handle, I figure something is wrong. One of my lives might be for cleverness," She paused. "But I am plenty clever without it, I know what you have done." Lotuswhisker shivered and shrank beneath her pelt, hanging on to every word. "You have been sneaking out with another cat. All I had to do is find out who, report it to their leader, and give you a nice long lecture. Except, I was having trouble with that. Until some very convenient event occurred. Firstly, you producing two kits whose patterns don't exist in your family, black and bracken colored kits. That narrowed it down, but the last event set it off, Brackengleam leaving the clans, on a night where you snuck off, and they figured out he had a secret mate." She laughed, as though Lambstar had solved a hard puzzle. "I knew it was you, and your kit just confirmed it." Lotuswhisker nodded and lowered her voice. "What are you going to do to me? A-Are you going to hurt my kits?" Lambstar shook her head. "No. And I'm not going to hurt you either. During the day you will be with Gleampaw, and no mother would make their kit become a rouge, not only is it risky, but their lives are in serious danger. At night, we will post two guards and I'll be giving you night patrols. Do not leave your clan, because I can do much more than hurt you. I love all my warriors Lotuswhisker, including you. Don't make me do anything I don't want to do, you're dismissed." Lambstar flicked her tail and Lotuswhisker instinctively backed up. She was in trouble.
☀Lotuswhisker, Clawshine, Gleampaw, Fallowheart, and Bloompaw padded through the sunset-lit forest on an evening patrol. There was tension between the cats, and the air seemed hot enough to melt them. There was currently a drought and they had to keep their territory safe, especially now. If only she had left with Brackengleam on that fateful night he had left. Or maybe... was he even alive anymore? Brackengleam was have been a great hunter, but he was no fighter. Suddenly, all her sadness drained and it turned to fury. Fury at him, at herself, at her kits. Why had they been born? Why had she mated with Brackengleam? Why had Brackengleam mated with her? Why had she let herself get caught? Why... why did Brackengleam leave her...? She sighed and focused on Gleampaw and Bloompaw. Her kits were no mistake, and she loved them. Would she want them dead tomorrow just to run away? No, never. She loved her kits. Gleampaw was trying to catch a dead leaf, and Bloompaw was creeping up on a vole. Suddenly, she pounced and just barely lost the vole."Ugh!" She yowled, and then sat down and huffed. "I'm never going to be a good hunter, maybe I should be a stupid medicine apprentice!" As Lotuswhisker started to lecture Bloompaw, Fallowheart stepped up. "Bloompaw, of all the cats here I least expected this of you! You should not disregard our medicine cat, and you will become a fine hunter in time. For now, you can hardly catch a mouse, but that does not mean you'll never be able to catch one!" Bloompaw straightened and nodded. "Yes, Fallowheart!" Lotuswhisker sighed and continued on the patrol. "We shouldn't take all day Gleampaw!" Gleampaw nodded and walked beside her glumly. Clawshine narrowed her eyes. "Yes, we should all continue, we are being slower than snails! Especially you Gleampaw." Lotuswhisker got up, and Gleampaw stared at his paws sadly. "What... did you say?" Lotuswhisker said, her teeth glinting as the sun went down. Clawshine studied her paws. "Oh you know, Gleampaw is somewhat of the runt of your litter. Slower, Dumber, Weaker... than the others. Even little Puddlepaw could beat him in a fight, weak little medicine cat she is. You just won't admit it, but the only reason I wasn't assigned Gleampaw is because he's a worthless little thing." Lotuswhisker snarled, and stepped up right to Clawshine's smug face. "You shut your mouth about my son because he's ten times the cat you could ever be. You can keep your mouse-brained opinions to yourself or you might have to visit Puddlepaw, where she'll heal you and you'll realize what a fox-heart you are talking about six moon apprentices!" Clawshine lifted her tail as if to say, 'Oh really?' and walked off. Gleampaw rested his head on Lotuswhisker's soft fur and Lotuswhisker licked his head. Gleampaw sighed. "I'm too old for this aren't I? Hugs and cuddles. I should be a warrior now." Lotuswhisker shook her head. "No, my son, you will never be too old for me, and you can be kind and a warrior. I would die for you, and nothing will make me not love you."
Chapter Two[]
Lotuswhisker twined her tail nervously, Bloompaw and Gleampaw just as nervous beside her. Her sister was kitting, and her last litter had all died before they could even open their eyes. Bloompaw shivered. "Will she be alright Lotuswhisker? I heard the elders say that her kits might die." Lotuswhisker shook her head. "No Bloompaw. She'll be fine and her kits will be as fine as you are. Gleampaw nodded. "Exactly. I told you they'll be alright Bloompaw." Bloompaw rolled her eyes. "I just wanted to make sure!" Lotuswhisker hushed them, as Puddlepaw walked out of the nursery. Lotuswhisker flicked her tail, and Puddlepaw leaned in closer. "She had two kits... but one of them is really weak. Aloeberry told me to take a break and give you the news. You can visit now, but Gleampaw and Bloompaw can't yet." Bloompaw stomped quietly. "Why not!?" She mewed as quiet as she could, even though it was still loud. Puddlepaw shook her head. "You're too loud, and Owlspots is very tired." Bloompaw nodded and glumly rested her head on Gleampaw's shoulders. "Do you really think they'll be alright?" She whispered quietly. Gleampaw couldn't meet Bloompaw's eyes. Lotuswhisker quietly padded into the room. Aloeberry was feeding a small brown kit coltsfoot, and Owlfang was snuggling a white and brown kit next to her chest. Dustfang, her mate, was sharing tounges with her, although she wasn't responding. Lotuswhisker licked Owlfang's head. "Owlspots?" She mewed quietly. Owlspots eyes opened, and they were brimmed with sadness. "All I wanted was a healthy litter of kits, like yours. A big family that would always love and take care of me." Lotuswhisker lowered her ears, wishing she could find a way to make her feel better. "Oh, Owlspots. You have plenty of cats who love you. Dustfang, me, and look-" She rested her tail on the two kits she had kitted. "These look like fine future warriors to me." Owlspots looked down. "Do you think? Dustfang says they're beautiful and strong looking." Lotuswhisker nodded. "Yes, these kits will be fine warriors."
Lambstar gazed proudly above all her warriors. "Today, we apprenticing two fine kits." Lotuswhisker beamed as Owlspots fussed over Mudkit's messy fur, and Tangledkit's muddy pelt. "You two look like badgers!" She exclaimed. Lotuswhisker chuckled when Bloompaw went over and began helping groom the kits, which made Tangledkit's protests even louder. The grooming was finally done, and Lambstar began. "Tangledkit, please step forward. You have reached the age of six moons and it is time to be apprenticed." She gave a small nod. "From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you shall be known as Tangledpaw. Your mentor will be Blueshadow... I hope that she can pass down her diligence and kindness to you as Redscar did to her." Lambstar looked sadly across the crowd, and Lotuswhisker's tail twitched. Something was wrong. Lambstar sighed. "I'm sorry to say that, today, Mudkit will not be apprenticed." Flowerclan let out a shocked gasp, and yowls of outrage came from the clan. What?!
Lotuswhisker looked around to find the loudest yowling. It was Bloompaw. She looked over at her sister. How would she react to this? But when she looked over, it wasn't anger she saw. It was guilt. Owlspots had her head hung low, as though she was embarrassed. Dustfang was beside her, and he reassuringly swept his tail over her side. He nodded and Owlspots reluctantly padded forward and onto Clanrock, Lambstar sighed and stepped back. Owlfang looked away from Mudkit and Tangledpaw's surprised and hurt eyes. "I-I have to announce something." She shyly spoke to the clan. "I'm the reason Mudkit will not be apprenticed today. H-He's too small to be a warrior, and he so young and for him to be so..." She cringed at the word. "W-weak. I love him so much, I hope, Mudkit, you can understand I'm doing this t-to protect... you." Owlspots ran off the Clanrock and out of camp. Lotuswhisker raced out of camp and tried to Owlspots would get tired and she could catch up. Eventually, she found the spot that Lotuswhisker and Owlspots played with when they were paws'. There was Olwspots, staring at her paws. The moon brightly illuminated her brown stripes, and her white fur seemed dusty. It was a while until she noticed Lotuswhisker was there. She sniffed. "Do you... Do you think that I did the right thing?" She asked softly. Lotuswhisker shook her head. "I.." She looked into her sister's eyes. "You're his mother, I think that if you think it's right you should do it. You don't need my opinion." Owspots shook her head. "But I do. I... I don't know whether he should be happy, or safe in the nursery. Should I have him hate me, just to keep him safe...?" Lotuswhisker spoke softly, as though speaking to her kits. "Follow your heart, do what you think is right. Follow Starclan's will." Owlspots nodded. "I... think I will."
Things in the clan had finally calmed down. Mudkit, a moon later, had finally been apprenticed. Tangledpaw would've been apprenticed earlier than him, but he volunteered to have an extra moon of training. The gathering would be soon, neither Lotuswhisker or one of her kits had gone to one yet. She was mad. Even if Lotuswhisker shouldn't be trusted yet, her kits were more loyal than that of any warrior in the clan. Saptail walked up to her. "Lotuswhisker?" He said quietly. Lotuswhisker smiled. "Yes, mousebrain?" He chuckled. "I was wondering if you wanted to go hunting with me. You know, leaf-fall is here and before you know it... it'll be leaf-fall." Lotuswhisker curled her tail over him. "Of course. I bet you I can catch the most mice."
Lotuswhisker followed Saptail cautiously. The sun was starting to go down now and they hadn't even started hunting. Surely... he wasn't going to harm her. Maybe he had found out about Brackengleam... or Lambstar could've put him up to this! But... they had been friends since they were kits, and surely he wouldn't kill his mate? Lotuswhisker nervously un-sheathed her claw, and froze, her claws buried deep in the mud. Were they even in Flowerclan territory. Saptail looked behind him, and when he saw Lotuswhisker he had a puzzled expression on his face. "Lotuswhisker? Are you alright?" He spoke softly, like trying to calm her down even if he didn't know she was calm. She gritted her teeth. "I'm fine." She continued walking, every step feeling closer to death. Or maybe... was she just being paranoid? Saptail was the kindest cat she had ever known. Surely he wouldn't kill her, or even harm her? Finally he stopped. "Come quietly." He whispered, a wide grin on his face. Lotuswhisker silently padded beside him and peered through the bushes. She let out a small gasp. It was the most beautiful place she had ever seen. There was a small willow tree, just enough for two or three cats to fit in, on the bottom of the tree was so much moss four cats could sleep on it. And around the willow was a small pond. Every couple fox-lenghts was a lilpad, each with a lily on it. And growing on the pond, they were small Lotus(s?).
Lotuswhisker, in awe, couldn't speak. It was the most beautiful things she'd ever seen. Beside her kits, of course. She looked at Saptail. "H-How did...?" He shook his head. " I found this place a while ago. In fact, it was the day before you had your kits. I wanted to show it you, so I could finally ask if you wanted to be my mate. I didn't know you were excpecting. But on the way back to camp, I got lost. So I wandered for a while, until I finally found the edge of our territory. I was trying to find you. And then I heard... you were kitting." He smiled shyly, and Lotuswhisker rested her head on his shoulder. Brackengleam had never done anything like this for her... was she meant to be with Saptail. But a small voice inside still tolder her. You don't love him the way you loved Brackengleam...
Lotuswhisker shivered at the bitter cold. It had only been two moons since leaf-fall, but it was snowing, and everything was frosted. Many had gotten greencough... even Newtpaw.But Lambstar was about to make an announcement. She leaped onto clan rock. "Flowerclan, we have much to talk about. Please gather around-" She couhhed weakly. “This is the bitterest leaf-bare that any of the other clans have seen. The leaders have come up with a plan though, and we are abbout to put it into action. It might seem like fox dung... but so far it’s the only way. We are going ot get all the cats in the meadow to share warmth together. We are building a large den in the gathering center. I need Fallowheart, Redwing, Saptail, and Dustfang to take down all our dens, while Bloompaw, Clawshine, Tangledpaw and Blueshadow will drag all our materials to the gathering center. Owlspots, Linenpelt, Kinkheart, and Yelloweye I need you to help Aloeberry keep our cats warm and get them catmint. Almondpaw, Puddlepaw, and Nutfoot, take all Aloeberry’s herbs and put them on the Great Rock. The other clan will do the same. Every other warrior needs to hunt as much food as they can and bury it under the sycamore. However, before anyone starts anything I have an announcement. Reedleaf is stepping down as deputy, so we need a new one.” Lambstar smiled. “Saptail, would you do the honors of becoming my new deputy?” Saptail looked shocked. “You wish for me to take my father’s place?” Lambstar nodded and Saptail bowed his head. “It would be an honor, to serve my clan.” Lambstar nodded. “Very well, and Lotuswhisker? Make sure Newtpaw is okay. He’s a valiant apprentice.”
== Chapter Three ==
** DISCLAIMER** In this chapter you'll see Newtpaw is developing a crush on Aloeberry. Aloeberry is actually pretty young! She was given her name early and when Newtpaw was born, that was her first time delivering a litter being a full medicine cat!
Newtpaw groggily blinked and slowly got up to a sitting position. Lotuswhisker was asleep behind him. He heard a light chuckle. Aloeberry walked in. "She was watching over you when I went to go get some more herbs. I couldn't find any but when I got back she was asleep. She's been with you the whole time." Newtpaw nodded. His heart swelled with love for his mother, and he couldn't helped but smile. Aloeberry coughed, and Newtpaw was worried she was getting greencough. "How are you feeling?" She said, dismissing the thought. Newtpaw shrugged. "I feel alright. It's so boring though! I only got to explore the forest for three moons before I'm shut up in camp again!" Aloeberry frowned. "I'm sorry. The medicine den really isn't that bad though, I think it's very pretty with all the Ivy and vines. There's even some flowers over there, see?" She pointed a paw to a small corner where bright pink flowers were growing, and NEwtpaw stared at them for a while. "They look much better than all the snow that's been falling." He admitted, and Aloeberry laughed. It was a sweet laugh, and it lifted the whole den. Even some of his sick clanmates smiled. "You're right." She said. "They look a whole lot prettier." Newtpaw started to blush when he realised he was looking at her light brown fur. She a leaf stuck to her paw. He quickly changed the subject. "HOw's Puddlepaw doing?" Aloeberry looked at him oddly and then looked away. "Oh she's doing great." She said aloofly. "Puddlepaw's a very fast learner, I could probably retire next moon." She gave a half-hearted laugh and Newtpaw stared at his paws. Had he hurt her feelings? Aloeberry shuffled her paws. "Well... I have to go now. I'll send Puddlepaw to look after you."
Newtpaw pawed at his mouse lazily. The sun was setting and Aloeberry hadn't visited him since that morning. Puddlepaw stared oddly at him. "Why are you acting so weird?" She mewed boredly. Newtpaw glared at her. "I'm not." He mumbled. Puddlepaw gave a dramatic, exhasperated sigh. "UGH." She mewed loudly. "Do you feel alright? Are you hurting?" She said quickly, and... concerned. Newtpaw shook his head. "I'm a little thirsty." He mewed quietly. Puddlepaw rolled her eyes and dipped some moss into the small creek in the base of the cave. "Here." She said loudly, but instead of giving him the moss, she batted him on the head. Newtpaw chuckled. "You're not supposed to harm your patients!" Puddlepaw laughed deeply and evily "Muwahahahah! You can't stop me!" One of the sick cats groaned and she quieted. "You better cheer up!" She said with a playful grin. Newtpaw tore into his mouse. "Fine. Just leave me alone." And with that Puddlepaw gave him his soaked moss.
Newtpaw opened his eyes slowly. The morning sun was shining brightly onto his paws, and his fur was being... groomed. He widened his eyes and Lotuswhisker was calmly grooming his fur. She smiled, and he saw the bags under her eyes. "You're finally awake." She said, relief creeping into her voice. She nuzzled him, and he batted her awake. "Yeah. I wake up every time the sun comes up. It's part of going to sleep at night." She closed her eyes. "You didn't wake up yesterday. We were so worried! Your heart was still beating but... you wouldn't open your eyes. Puddlepaw was very upset... I think you should speak to her." Newtpaw widened his eyes. "Wait... it's been a whole day, and I just slept through it." Lotuswhisker nodded. "Y-yes. But you're alive! My kit is alive." With that she gave him another nuzzle, and he let her this time. They had thought he was dead. Aloeberry came in with a bundle of leaves in her mouth. She mournfully looked over at Newtpaw's nest, but when she saw him she dropped her herbs and gasped. "PUDDLEPAW! He's alive!" She yowled. She rushed over to him. "You're okay." She said softly. Newtpaw nodded, and looked around the nearly empty den, even most of the herbs were gone. "Where is everyone?" Aloeberry followed his gaze. "You haven't heard of the leaders plans?" He shook his head. "Oh. All the cats of the clans have built one giant strong den. It's small one the outside, and you have to squeeze to get in, but it goes underground. The cats of Mudclan dug it, Birchclan got all the twigs and some brambles, and Flowerclan reinforced it. Because this winter is so harsh, all the cats are going to stay in there, except for daily patrols, one that hunts, one that gets herbs, and one that get water. It's the warmest and safest place in the meadow." Newtpaw nodded. "Then what are we... doing here?" Aloeberry shuffled her paws. "The clan decided to leave you behind... since we thought you were dead. But Lotuswhisker stayed, and a couple of others. The others are out right now, but I got these herbs for Lotuswhisker. She won't leave your side. Ones to keep her strength up, and the others are for sleeping and food." Lotuswhisker nuzzled him again and gave him a lick on the shoulder. "I would never leave you, my son."
Lotuswhisker's POV[]
Lotuswhisker sighed, and Saptail gave her a lick on the forehead. "Don't worry." He murmured softly. "The clan won't leave him behind. I'm deputy, after all, I can convince them." Lotuswhisker nodded. Oh, all the things he did for her. Lambstar leaped onto clan rock. "Cats of Flowerclan! After careful thinking, and some help, I have reached a decision. We will immediately start for The Den. Anyone who wishes to be defiant, and disagree-" She cast a worried, and slightly regretful glance to Clawshine. "-will be kicked out of Flowerclan." The clan let out a many shocked and worried gasps. "Kicked out?!" Wailed Fallowheart. Lotuswhisker shivered, and her spine chilled. She couldn't leave her son! Lambstar nodded curtly. "Now, Saptail, gather everyone who is staying in Flowerclan." Saptail shook his head. "No. I'm staying Lambstar, you will have to find a new deputy. One that will follow you, even when what you're doing is unjust." Lambstar gave him a shocked and sad look, then she narrowed her eyes. "I see. Cats of Flowerclan! Follow me to the den, where you will survive."
Chapter Four ( Saptail )[]
Sapstar He thought. Sapstar. Ugh! It wasn't right. He wasn't meant to be leading a clan. Saptail struggled under pressure, couldn't make fast decisions, daydreamed! There was so much wrong with him. Surely Starclan didn't want him to be leader. But here he was, at Moonbrooke, A shallow stream of starry water in a dark cave. The meadow seemed like such a harsh place to survive, especially now that their clan was less than have the size it was, and it was the bitterest winter any cat had ever seen! Redwing, his deputy, was guarding the entrance of the cave. Anyways, the moon wouldn't be full all night, Saptail had to start now. He lapped at the freezing water and his fur began to chill. When he opened his eyes again, he was in a flowery meadow, with nine cats infront of him. One cat stepped forward. It was his father, Reedleaf. Saptail let out a sad gasp. "Y-You died? In the warmest place in the meadow." He shook his head. "I died on the way there, It was before we even got out of our territory. I'm glad I got to die in the heart of our territory though. Saptail nodded. "Am I truly meant to be leader?" Reedleaf nodded. "You are more of a leader, than I. More of a leader than Lambstar too. We are here to give you your nine lives, and a prophecy." Saptail nodded and dug his claws into the ground. "I'm ready." He said through a tense voice. Reedleaf's eyes shone with love. "You were always ready." The Willow's Old Bark can still be used
The Flowers's Bloom can still choose
The Gleaming Sun will take away all hope
And leave behind a deadly smoke
Sapstar paced around his den. He bared his teeth and shivered. Every day the wind got colder and colder to the point they couldn't send out patrols to hunt anymore. Lotuswhisker was staring at the ground behind him. Her eyes were hollow and her ribs showed. She looked dead... and Sapstar hated it. He couldn't even keep his mate happy, but he knew that wasn't the only thing wrong. Nowhere near. Both Gleampaw and Newtpaw had Greencough, and Puddlepaw had left them to be with Flowerclan. One of her kits was gone, and two could die tomorrow. He pressed against her fur, and she tensed up. "What's wrong?" He said. She shook her head, her eyes dull. "Nothing..." She said hoarsely. Sapstar nodded. "You can have my squirrel." He offered and nudged a scrawny squirrel towards her. It broke his heart that was all he could over her, he wanted to shower her with pheasants, rabbits, flowers, and shiny things. He just couldn't. Lotuswhisker shook her head and looked at him for the first time in days. "No." she said firmly. "I don't want your gifts." She stood up. "Or your prey!" She approached him and bared her teeth. "We need to leave the meadow! But you won't listen!" She hissed. "If you do not get us out of here, I'm leaving. My kits are dying! In this wretched meadow, that you call a home! It is NOT a home! This place is torture!" She yowled. "My kits are dying. AND NO ONE IS DOING ANYTHING!" She broke down and dug her claws in the dirt, avoiding Sapstar's shocked gaze. "It's not their fault. It's my fault. I shouldn't have. But I did. And now Starclan is punishing them!" Sapstar took a step back. "L-Lotuswhisker?! Are you okay." She lunged up, and was inches from his face. "NO!" Sapstar trembled. "A-Aloeberry!!" Lotuswhisker ran out of his den.
Newtpaw weakly groaned and rolled around in his moss bed. It was the same bedding he had a moon ago, seeing as moss didn't grow anymore, and it had a sour stench on it now. He wrinkled his nose, and lifted his head up. Gleampaw was awake too, even though he wasn't moving. "Gleampaw?" He just tilted his head. "Do I smeel like my bedding?" Gleampaw shook his head, and then chuckled. "Worse." He said hoarsley. Newtpaw smiled. "Really? I mean I just..." Gleam sighed. "You like someone." Newtpaw bit his tongue and looked away. "Yeah." Gleampaw nodded. "Well, you don't smell as bad as your bedding, but if someone comes in all they're gonna smell is the bedding." Newtpaw nodded. "When are we going to eat...?" Gleampaw didn't say anything, except a feeble. "I don't know. Talk later." With that, his brother was asleep. Aloeberry quietly tpadded in. "Hi..." She murmured. Newtpaw didn't look at her. "Hi." She sighed. "Look, tell me the truth. Are you feeling okay?" Newtpaw shrugged. "Yeah... why?" She looked outside, and up at the moon. "I need your help."
Aloeberry shivered violently as they walked side-by-side through the forest. Their fur brushed lightly, and it was colder than it had ever been. Frost covered the trees, making the bark untouchable. Newtpaw even had some frost on him. Aloeberry looked even worse than him though. He gasped. "Have you been walking out here every day?" She nodded, and a tear was frozen on her cheek. Newtpaw shook his head and walked closer to her, his breathe forming small clouds in the air. Aloeberry whimpered. "I... You know how Sapstar has been more... aggressive lately. We hardly have any prey, and his family is starving. It's driving him insane and yesterday... he killed a former mudclan cat for hunting on our territory. She had caught a squirrel, and had already started eating it, but he took it and gave it to Bloompaw." Newtpaw stopped. "He's been feeding Bloompaw?!" Aloeberry looked down. "Well... yeah. She's his kit and a good hunter. She gets a piece of prey about every other day." Newtpaw stared at his paws. Did his father love Bloompaw more? "Why... would he do that!? Don't Gleampaw and I matter?!" Aloeberry jumped back. "Of course! He needs Bloompaw to have prey so she can hunt!" Newtpaw glared at her. "All she does is lay around all day! She's not doing anything!" Suddenly Aloeberry nudged her head againsts him, and he shivered, but his heart seemed to warm. "I'm sorry," Aloeberry said softly. "He loves you Newtpaw... but he thinks you're going to die. That's why. He's looking out for his clan, by feeding them. If you die, wouldn't it be better if some other cat got to eat?" Newtpaw looked down. "Wouldn't it just be better if I don't die?" Newtpaw felt like he had been in the cold for hours. Snow had started to fall, and he missed the warmth of the medicine cat den. Aloeberry's teeth chattered, and Newtpaw shivered. Then she began to relax. "We're finally here." She said happily. "Come on." Newtpaw followed her. "This better be worth it." He muttered under his breath. What Newtpaw saw took away his breath. A whole den! "Is this... The Den?" It looked a little small. Aloeberry shook her head. "No. I had some help, but I made it!" She beamed proudly at it. "Y-You made it?!" Newtpaw gasped, and Aloeberry nudged him. "Come on! I'm gonna show you it." He began to study it. There was a large willow tree above it, protecting it frow lots of snow. Beneath the willow tree was a thick birch tree, that still had some leaves on it because of the willow tree. At the roots of the tree stood a small garden, it had coltsfoot, borage, burdock root, chevril, chickweed, and dock. At the roots of the willow tree was a smaller, but more important garden. It had Dandelion, Daisy, Feverfew, and Goldenrod. In the middle of the birch and willow tree was a tree stump. On top of it was some moss and ivy. But the stump wasn't the amazing thing. Some large leaves covered the edge, and vines grew overtop, but underneath the stump it was hollowed out, making a small den. Then two dug out holes went slightly father down. One of them was empty, except for some moss and leaves, but the other had the two most beautiful things in it. Puddlepaw, his favorite sister, and kits! An old tired she cat was nursing a few kits, three to be exact. Puddlepaw had bags under her eyes, but smiled playfully. "You didn't really think I'd go live those Flowerclan mangepelts? I ran as soon as we got there." She must have seen his eyes bug out, because she acted as though he thought he would never see her again. He thought he would never see her again. Newtpaw turned to Aloeberry. "How did you do this?" She chuckled, and her cheeks felt warm. "Well, I found Willow when I was out here one day, I thought it was beautiful since there was still some green here. She had three kits with her, so I helped her get all snug with some moss. She offered something. If I watched over those kits, she would dig, and dig, and dig, to make a den for her, her kits, and I to live in. I told her I would watch the kits, and plant a garden. So know I have the perfect place. I invited Puddlepaw here to watch the kits and... I was hoping..." She cringed, but then smiled hopefully at him. "That you would stay here and live with me. Forever." She made a broken smile. Newtpaw stared at her for a long minute, and looked to Puddlepaw to help, she just smiled in support. Newtpaw looked at Aloeberry's wishful eyes, hopeful breaking smile, the frost in her fur. She had worked so hard. "Why?" He said softly, and immediately knew he said the wrong thing. Aloeberry's smile shattered. "N-No! That's not what I meant!" Aloeberry looked away. "What did you mean?" She said, no trace of hope left in her voice. Newtpaw looked deeply inot her eyes this time. "Why don't we stay together with Sapstar, and Lotuswhisker, and all the others that stayed behind?" Aloeberry glared at him. "Because I'm a medicine cat!" She snapped. "Do you think that... that... Ugh!" She paced around the room. "I just thought you might have wanted this as much as me?" Newtpaw stared down at his paws, and guilt flowed over him. "I do." he said quietly. "It's just that... They need a medicine cat, right?" Aloeberry nodded. "Please!" She hissed at him. "Please stay with me. We'll be free. We can be mates with no one judging us, and we can have kits one day? Won't you just stay?"
Chapter Five[]
Lotuswhisker nervously paced around the medicine den. She was supposed to slep at least half of the day, but Newtpaw was gone, and Aloeberry hadn't been seen since this morning. She let out a despaired groan. Why was everything just so hard? Bloompaw hadn't visited her for a day, and Gleampaw was asleep most of the time. She was truly alone. Sapstar hadn't visited her, not that she knew of. Was he still her mate? She jumped as a twig broke behind her. Sapstar atared at her with wide eyes. "You're awake." He murmured, more so to himself than her. Lotuswhisker glared at him. He coughed and met her eyes, to which she almost cowered from. They were so much different, he used to be timid and shy, she did everything for him. But now, he had the air of a leader. He was confident, and he didn't care about her anymore. Lotuswhisker growled softly. "Did you need anything Sapstar?" He looked taken aback. "I came to see you." He whispered. "What happened to you? Are you... okay?" Lotuswhisker stepped away from him. "You don't care." She mewed quietly. "You don't care about me, or my kits!" He looked at her sadly. "Our kits, Lotuswhisker. They mean the world to me, they mean as much as you do." Lotuswhisker stared at him coldly. "They're not your kits." Sapstar shook his head. If only Aloeberry were here right now. Where could she be?! "Look, Lotuswhisker you're not feeling well. I'm trying my hardest to take care of them. I promise you they're being fed and healed. Now, what does Aloeberry give you when you're feeling bad. Lotuswhisker looked down, and he felt sad, as though he discouraged her. "Sapstar... they're not your..." She looked away, could she really give it all up? A life where her kits father was a leader, and not some rogue who had left them behind? "They're not your responsibility. I can take care of them, focus on being leader." Sapstar nodded, and left quietly. Newt quietly crept apon the squirrel. He was stuffing himself full, of rotten and black nuts. Food is food. He thought bitterly. After all, he was about to eat this skinny scrap of a squirrel. He pounced gingerly on it, giving a yelp as he fell. He wasn't the greatest hunter, but he still had it in his paws. The squirrel was squirming about, trying to break free. He gave it a quick bite in the neck and it immediately ceased. Another meal. Bigger than the last one. Yesterday he had brought back half a mouse that a house cat had killed and not cared to finish. It was a free meal, but a small one. He gathered the squirrel in his jaws, and he added a vole he had found at dawn. A maggot had found its way in, but he picked it out and carried it back home. The warmest part of the day had passed. Newt could no longer go out and hunt, which meant that the squirrel and vole was there only meal today. Newt found himself shivering by the time he had gotten back. Aloeberry was sorting herbs, while Puddlepaw was playing with Eagle, Brooke, and Grey. He dropped his catches in the small hole, and Willow looked up at him. "Thank you kindly Newt. I really wish I could help you, but I'm afraid I'm to old. I'd scare away all the prey." Newt nodded. "It's okay Willow, you've blessed us with three future hunters." Willow nodded. "I have a feeling they will change our lives."
Newt sat quietly at the edge of the vines. He shivered at the bitter cold, the wind was blowing today and snow littered the ground like leaves. Aloeberry was inside, taking care of Eagle, Brooke, and Grey. Puddlepaw was nowhere to be seen, She wasn't there. The kits roughed around, but turned their heads around and stopped when they heard a loud cough. Aloeberry stood up. "Willow? Are you okay?!" Willow stopped coughing, but she shook her head. "I'm fine kitten..." She murmured sleepily. Aloeberry check her tempature. "Fever..." She whispered urgently. "Willow, are you tired?" Willow closed her eyes. "Yes. But this ridiculous headache is keeping me awake. My mouth hurts too." Aloeberry nodded. "Newt..." She said slowly. "Can you go get Puddlepaw?" Newt shook his head. "Puddlepaw hasn't been here all morning." Aloeberry nodded. "Okay... keep the kits occupied, and stay with Willow." Aloeberry exited the room.
Newt quietly paced the room. The sun was just rising. The time had come, and... it was time to tell them. Eagle, Brooke, and Grey would be up soon, wondering where their adopted mother was. Willow had died in the night, she had had a coughing fit and it woke up Newt and Aloeberry, while Puddlepaw rushed the kits out of the room. Eventually Willow had just stoppped breathing. Her body couldn't handle it. Brooke woke up first, she gave herself a quick groom, and asked where Willow was. She looked around the room curiously and Newt's heart shattered. "Have I ever told you about Starclan, little one?" He watched as she muttered, "Birchclan, Mudclan,Flowerclan..." Under her breath and then shook her head. Newt nodded and closed his eyes. "Wake up your siblings and I'll tell you about them." Brooke pawed her brother awake until they were groaning and all up in a fight. "Newt's about to tell us a story!" Brooke hissed. Grey and Eagle swiftly sat down and their eyes brightened. Eagle looked around . "Where's mother? She likes your story Newt!" Newt ignored his comment and started. "We all know of the three clans in the valley, but there is another. Starclan, the wisest of them all. Starclan has cats of all kinds in it, Mudclan, Flowerclan, and Birchclan." The kits wowed and ooh'd each other, but Newt carried on, his voice cracking. "When cats die, they go to Starclan. Not a living cat calls Star Meadow home, but only our loved dead ones. And that is where your mother has gone little ones. She's in starclan where it's warm all year and she can always eat prey, and spend time with old friends. You're mother used to be in Mudclan... So I'm sure she'd love meeting her old friends..." Eagle nodded, and Brooke smiled sadly. Eagle stood up. "When can we go visit her? I'm sure she misses us!" Brooke nodded, and Grey jumped up. "Yeah! Can we go see her tomorrow?" Newt crumbled. He had told the story wrong, they didn't understand. "Kit's... you'll not see your mother until you die, which is a long way from now. You're going to have to live without Willow. She's gone." Grey gasped, and Brooke stepped back. "G-gone? I..." Eagle began to sniff quietly. "Does she not love us anymore? I thought we were good!" Newt sighed and sat next to them. "Kits, your mother loves you very much. She did not want to leave, but she had to. You are very good." The kit's nodded, and Newt sent them off to play.