Stick's Special Stories

Flower In Love

Allegiances:

ThunderClan
-Leader:
Flower'Star, a green-eyed  and tall orange tabby she-cat covered in battle scars
-Deputy:
Warbler'Stone, a short grey tom with blue eyes and a jet black cape
-Warriors:
Snow'Hound, a snowy white NB with amber eyes and grey swirls over their pelt
Leaf'Fur, A pale orange she-cat with green eyes and white freckles / underbelly
Fuzz'Feather, A bluish grey tom with blue eyes and lighter grey brows
Rocky'Throat, a short grey tom with blue eyes and a darker patch of grey on his throat
Fox'Wind, A grey and white tabby tom with green eyes
Whisker'Bright, a stale cream she-cat with yellow eyes and a white underbelly
Seed'Watcher, A light orange she-cat with green eyes, white freckles and underbelly
Terrance, an orange tabby she-cat with orange eyes
-Apprentices:
Pigeon'Paw, a green eyed gray tom with orange spots and a lighter underbelly and mask
Teal'Paw, a teal blue-grey tom with enlarged fangs and teal eyes
Falling'Paw, a calico cat with green right eye and a left amber eye
Spark'Paw, a yellow tabby tom with yellow eyes
-Queens:
None
-Kits:
Snail'Kit, a yellow tabby tom with green eyes and a brown curly tail
-Elders:
Fire'Fall, a pale red tabby tom with blinded eyes
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  Flower'Star purred as she rested her body against one of the many stones on sunning rocks. The gentle running of water and the soft fur of her mate under her chin made the moment perfect. She opened her eyes and looked down at the grey bundle of fur underneath her, her beloved Fuzz'Feather, as he stretched his paws and kneaded at the rocks beneath him. The greenleaf sun warmed every inch of their skin. The moment felt perfect.

  It seemed to grow even more perfect as she felt a paw press against her brow. She stood up and over her mate to continue providing him shade while she looked down at who pawed at her.

  "Mom! Mom! Me and Warbler'Stone are done training!" Pigeon'Paw, Flower'Star's son, mewed with absolute joy in his heart. He was getting bigger and bigger every day, just like his mama. Warbler'Stone himself was nearby, stretching out his limbs. Fuzz'Feather went to greet him.

  "He did a very good job, Flower'Star! Tripped me up on the last round. He'll make for a fine warrior, I tell ya'." Warbler'Stone mewed as he ruffled Fuzz'Feather's fur. "I'm proud of you too, son! Making such a fine warrior.."

  "Warbler'Stone!" Fuzz'Feather grumped with a hint of laughter, batting away his father's paw. The two chuckled and started to pad away from Flower'Star and Pigeon'Paw to go find Rocky'Throat.

  Pigeon'Paw slipped into his mother's paws as she cleaned out the leaves from his fur. Their peaceful moment was interrupted by a sudden splash in the water. Flower'Star stood at attention, her pupils as thin as her claws. Across the sunning rocks and in the river standing on a stepping stone was a black furred tom with piercing blue eyes and a grey streak under his left eye. He was pinned to the stone, locking eyes with Flower'Star. Aside from the iconic icy stare and grey eye streak, Flower'Star could tell this was the deputy of RiverClan by the sight of his missing front left leg. 

  "Go find your father, Pigeon'Paw. Cobweb'Claw is here." Flower'Star stood to her full height, casting a shadow over the sunning rocks while her frantic son ran into the woods to find backup. He knew exactly what would take place soon.

  Cobweb'Claw slipped into the water with a quiet plip. Flower'Star continued to stand strong, taking a couple of paw steps closer to the shore. With her eyes still pinned to the water disturbed by the three-legged deputy, she heard the splash and slips of more cats falling into the water. With that, she bounded down the rocks and met Cobweb'Claw at the bank, sinking her teeth into his scruff as he arrived. She pulled him out and slammed him against a rock while his claw tore at Flower'Star's shoulder.

  A bellowing yowl gurgled from the water as a thickly built tom burst from the shore and pounced on Flower'Star, sending her down to the ground. With ease, she kicked the tusk-toothed tom off of her and swiped at Cobweb'Claw as he aimed for another attack. The tusk-toothed tom, Walrus'Tusk, gurgled out a loud yowl as a flood of fur burst from the water. Out came Wilting'Foot, Muck'Moss, and Salmon'Claw, three warriors with bluish pelts that mixed well with the water. Salmon'Claw was the youngest of the battle patrol and the most nervous, standing back and waiting for ThunderClan warriors to approach.

  Even with four cats on top of her, it wasn't enough to beat down the might Flower'Star. With one swing, she batted Wilting'Foot off balance, using his shriveled foot to her advantage. She leaned down and grabbed the much shorter warrior, Muck'Moss, ripping her off of her foot and casting her aside while she dug her claws into Cobweb'Claw's back and tore him off and onto the ground like an annoying clump of moss. 

  A yowl echoed over the stones, followed by another. The first was from Salmon'Claw, who jumped off his post towards the second yowl which came from Fuzz'Feather. Salmon'Claw and Fuzz'Feather began to tumble in a ball of gnashing teeth and swiping claws while Warbler'Stone nipped at the young RiverClan warrior.

  Together, Rocky'Throat and Pigeon'Paw occupied Wilting'Foot and Muck'Moss while Flower'Star fought off the deputy of RiverClan.

  "Even with backup, you're still out numbered, Flower'Star!" Hissed Walrus'Tusk with a bellow in his deep voice. "Just give us the sunning rocks and your precious clan won't be beaten into a red mist!" The warrior smiled, his large teeth peaking out from his lips. Just his grin would send any apprentice into a scared frenzy, but Flower'Star was far past her kithood.

  "Never!" Flower'Star spat, reaching her claws out to swipe at Walrus'Tusk. The tom eagerly dodged while his deputy slipped between her blows, darting under her and behind her.

  "Then I suppose you wouldn't mind if we started with your precious kit!" Cobweb'Claw laughed maniacally as he darted towards Fuzz'Feather and Wilting'Foot. He pushed Fuzz'Feather off of Wilting'Foot and pointed at Pigeon'Paw with his tail. The apprentice was exchanging blows with Muck'Moss and dangerously close to where the river began to careen down and speed up towards a gorge.

  "NO!" Flower'Star hissed, turning around and letting down her guard for a split moment. In that moment of weakness, Walrus'Tusk jumped at Flower'Star and managed to knock her down onto her side. While he pinned her, he dug his right tusk-like tooth into her left shoulder, driving the wound up her neck and across her eye. She yowled in agony, her mouth bubbling scarlet droplets sourced from her chipped lips. She forced her back legs up towards her head in a surprising display of dexterity, raking Walrus'Tusk's belly as she flung him off of her, sending him hurtling into the river.

  She spun herself around onto her paws with alarming speed, darting at Wilting'Foot as he ran up towards Pigeon'Paw. Flower'Star tackled him away, and as he picked up his left paw to swipe at her, she bit down on his wrist until she heard a snap. He screeched like a bird as agony filled his whole body. She started relentlessly swiping at his face until he managed to wiggle away out of her grasp, but the moment he tried to step down on his left paw, it just went limp and floppy. With no legs on his left on the ground, he fell to his side and into the river.

  Muck'Moss screamed in anguish. "MY MATE!" She cried in disbelief as Wilting'Foot went rushing down the river. She sighed with relief as Walrus'Tusk's head bobbed out of the water and grabbed the flailing Tom, taking him to the bank.

  "RETREAT!" Cobweb'Claw yowled as he backed up into a rock, entirely surrounded by Warbler'Stone and his two sons now. Muck'Moss, Salmon'Claw, and Cobweb'Claw fled onto their side of the river. Flower'Star panted, standing with strength. Her shoulder and neck oozed with blood as her mouth dripped with foamed scarlet. Her left eye was partially shut. She tried to turn around, only to collapse. 

  "Mom!" Pigeon'Paw shouted. It was the last thing she heard before she passed out. She drifted to StarClan the moment her eyes closed. She could feel her spirit being lifted from her body. She opened her eyes and realized she now stood in a long and endless void, its floors made of a water that glowed like the moonstone and lit up the cave like walls and ceiling of the void. Its gemstones shimmered like stars. She lifted her gaze to see a spirit coated in stars and a beautiful yellow haze.

  "You've lost your first life, Flower'Star.." Whispered the gentle voice of a leader before even the one Flower'Star was ruled by, Sunflower'Star. She was much smaller than Flower'Star but no less astonishing to see.

  "I figured.." She gritted her teeth. "But why aren't I back in my body already? And why are you here? Am I losing the life you gave me specifically..?"

  "Too many questions for now." Sunflower'Star shook her head. "I brought you here to tell you that you should avoid violence like what happened today. Don't do that to any other cat. He'll never be able to serve the duties of a warrior again." She scorned gently. Flower'Star flared her nostrils and bared her teeth.

  "I DID IT TO SAVE MY SON!" Flower'Star yowled. "You gave me the life of a mother's love! That's what I was supposed to do!" Sunflower'Star lowered her head and shook it with shame. With frustration in her breath, Flower'Star lashed her paw out to claw Sunflower'Star, only for her figure to disappear like a cloud of fog. "You never even had kits or a mate! You don't understand!" Flower'Star yowled and yowled. She only stopped once she noticed that the water she stood in was sinking her deeper. She suddenly yowled as she fell through the water, and as it touched her wound, the killing blow on her throat healed over and shallowed. 

  She gasped as she awoke, her breath as heavy as her body. It was night and pleasantly cold. She was under the shade of the medicine den and her paws were comfortably lined with moss bedding.

  "Flower'Star! It's good to see you're awake.." Egg'Nose purred. Flower'Star's trusted albino medicine cat approached her and gently poked her with his large nose.

  "Thank you, Egg'Nose.." Flower'Star started to stand, stopping at a crouch as her back grazed the ceiling. She loafed back into her nest. "..I have a question for you. I seek your advice.."

  "Of course, Flower'Star!" Egg'Nose smiled, cleaning a streak of dirt from his paws as Flower'Star began.

  "Do you believe that excessive violence can be excused when used to protect a kit? Your own kin?" Flower'Star tilted her head and shyly bowed it with great sadness.

  "I don't know for certain.. I am no warrior. I never have been. But.. If I may confide to you with a secret.. Um.. I may in the future understand greater. I have good news, Flower'Star! I'll be a father in the next few moons.." Egg'Nose smiled as he proudly announced in a whisper. He was sure Flower'Star would understand this breakage of the code. She was a mother herself! Surely she'd protect his secret. Instead of the excited smile he expected, he was greeted by Flower'Star's face falling and her eyes narrowing.

  "Excuse me..?" Flower'Star stood to her full height, pushing the leaf wall upward. "You dare speak with such confidence, knowing that you've just admitted to breaking the medicine cat code to your own leader!?" She unsheathed her claws.

  "I-I thought you'd understand, Flower'Star! Being a mother yourself and all.. L-Look, the mother isn't a member of ThunderClan, please don't punish anyone.." Egg'Nose frantically mewed, backing away from Flower'Star.

  "Breaking the warrior code as well!? You've got too much nerve, Egg'Nose.." Flower'Star scratched her claws into the dirt in front of Egg'Nose. "I'll demote you, expose you, RUN YOU OUT!"

  "NO!" Egg'Nose spoke with terror. "No, please! ThunderClan needs me! RiverClan has been at our throats for over a moon and Falling'Paw isn't done her training.. I need to stay for my clan, Flower'Star! You.. You need me.." Egg'Nose suddenly grew sinister in his voice, confidence swelling in his fear filled chest. "..You need me! You can't kick me out or demote me if you wanted to. If you did, I'll refuse to train Falling'Paw! And you can't get any other medicine cats by your side either.. ShadowClan only has an apprentice, Pink'Toes is already helping to train ShadowClan's medicine cat, and we're at war with RiverClan.."

  Flower'Star's pupils thinned as she leaned back with rage and surprise. A guttural growl rumbled in her throat as she leaned closer towards Egg'Nose and a fiery breath escaped her nose as she clenched her teeth. "Fine. You'll receive no punishment.. Relating to your work. You'll regret letting that secret slip, Egg'Nose.."

  "Can.. Um.. When my kits are born.. Can they at least have refuge here..?"

  "No. They'll stay with their mother. If you wanted kits, you shouldn't of chosen the path of a medicine cat." Flower'Star stepped out. Egg'Nose cried and pleaded with Flower'Star as she stepped up the tall rock and called for the announcement.

  It was quick and to the point, Egg'Nose was exposed. Fire'Fall, Falling'Paw, and Snow'Hound rushed to their kin's defense while the other members of the clan either yowled in anger or watched by the side lines.

  Pigeon'Paw looked up at his mother with a glint of fear and uncertainty while his father and uncle hissed at Egg'Nose for breaking the code. Teal'Paw came to Pigeon'Paw's side to comfort him, Spark'Paw sympathetically urging the two away to the apprentice's den. Flower'Star's confidence started to weaken.

* * *

  It was only about a moon later when Flower'Star and a small portion of her clan stood at the ridge of the large gully where the entrance to mothermouth, and therefore the moonstone, was located. Last night was the half-moon meeting and every single medicine cat the clans had to their disposal was locked away in the cave, trapped by the group of cats living within the gully, The Kitty Kingdom. The only cat who managed to escape was Falling'Paw due to her small size and swift steps. 

  Now, a battle patrol from every clan was standing at the top of the ridge, waiting for a command from their deputy's, or in ThunderClan's case their leader's, command to attack. Flower'Star was the first to yowl, followed by Edge'Fang of ShadowClan, Cobweb'Claw of RiverClan, and Mole'Gaze of WindClan despite Mist'Fire, their actually deputy, being present in the patrol.

  The armies of cats dove into the thickly woven bush walls that lined the gully, breaking through the thinnest part of their defense. They found that the outer walls were actually tunnels that members of this group were living in. Many screamed in startled fear and fled while a handful of battle scarred and thickly built cats fought back.

  Flower'Star found herself face-to-face with one of the many cats guarding mothermouth itself. They were large, taller than an average cat but not quite as big as the leader herself. They managed to get a few good swipes on her, one on her cheek, and two in one swipe against the bridge of her nose. She was surprised how well trained this outsider was, only Walrus'Tusk ever managed to get such nasty blows on her. That didn't detour her confidence, though. It took one well placed swipe to the stranger's throat and chin to get them coughing blood and trembling in fear, running away and leaving the cave unguarded.

  Flower'Star called out into the cave, alerting the cats within they were safe to go. It took a moment, but after a lot of hissing and screeching, nearly every medicine cat locked within escaped, all with at least one wound in need of tending. Everyone except for Egg'Nose.

  "He's still in there!" Pink'Toes cried, looking back at the cave. "Flower'Star! Please, Egg'Nose is still in there. A guard is in there with him.. He pounced on them.. He helped us escape.."

  "I will. Go to safety, leave the battle before you get any more hurt! We need you all more than ever.." Flower'Star nodded to the group of medicine cats who, with worried looks in their eyes, agreed and ran away until they were out of sight. Flower'Star looked back at the opening of the cave and glared in deep thought. He betrayed his clan.. He betrayed me and everyone around him by breaking the code. It's in place for a reason! She reasoned with herself, etching her claws into the dirt before leaving the entrance of mothermouth to continue fighting.

  The rest of the battle went quite smoothly for Flower'Star. The rest of The Kitty Kingdom wasn't equipped for such an attack, only having numbers to their name but cowards in hoards. The battle ended when Spark'Paw together with his brothers, Storm'Paw, Stream'Paw, and Shade'Paw, all struck their father, the leader of this kingdom, killing him. Their mother, shocked and confused, announced the fight to be over.

  When the kingdom asked their queen what they should do, she told them to follow in her sons' steps and join the clans or let go of the kingdom. Flower'Star didn't care for what or why, but now there were several cats looking to join one of the clans. The ones who decided to join based their decision off of which prince they preferred. Four cats approached Flower'Star with Spark'Paw in front.

  "Please, Flower'Star.." Spark'Paw began. "I know these cats, they're good cats.." He pointed to the two pairs of cats standing before Flower'Star. She tapped her paw in thought, glancing around the gully as she decided. In the corner of her eye, she spotted Walrus'Tusk touching noses with a fluffy yellow cat and a grey cat speckled in darker grey tones. That solidified her opinion. 

  "Fine.. ThunderClan will need to grow if the other clans will be as well. Who are you?" Flower'Star stepped closer to the pairs.

  "I-I'm Lick and this is my wife, Dalla-doo.." Lick, a shaggy and long furred dark grey tom mewed, gesturing to a ginger she-cat. Dalla-Doo nervously waved her paw and smiled.

  "You can call me Soot! This is my husband, Wire." A mottled grey she-cat smirked with a rasp in her voice. She gestured to a black and copper-brown tom who smiled at Flower'Star. The ThunderClan leader grimaced a little, but forced a smile. She and the rest of her clan began to leave, but before they could cross the thunder path, a loud yowl called for them.

  "WAIT!" Squeaked a young voice. "C-can I come too, please?" An ebony blue and white she-cat barely at the age she could speak came darting after the group.

  "A kit..? You should be with your kin, not us. We have enough new mouths to feed.." Flower'Star growled.

  "Wait, what happened to Navy and Caroline?" Spark'Paw mewed in surprise, calling the kit's parents by name.

  "Mom and dad got lost.. Not even the sages knew why.. Can I come with you, princey Spark?" The young kit twirled her paw in the dirt. Flower'Star's eyes sparkled with opportunity. A warm, motherly nature took hold of her nerves and tongue.

  "Oh my.. Oh, you poor thing.." Flower'Star's voice changed entirely to that of sympathy. She stepped closer to the kit, at first startling her, but once she crouched the kit became calmer. "What's your name..?"

  "Um.. It's Swifter.." The kit mewed. Wire snrked quietly, Soot jabbing him in his side. Soot stepped up next to Flower'Star.

  "The theory is that it was a badger that took her parents. If she's trouble, I'd gladly take care of her.." Soot mewed with comfort.

  "And if she's too much, I'd help too!" Lick and Wire mewed out of unison. The two toms looked at each other and laughed a little.

  "You all sound so.. Oddly happy.." Flower'Star growled a little.

  "Navy and Caroline are in good places now is all.." Dalla-Doo mewed, smiling and wiping a tear from her eye. "..The two were such petty and hilarious cats. They'd want to bring joy with their memory."

  "And they left a good one! I mean, Swifter? They really named their daughter after Swifty, but more!" Spark'Paw laughed a little. Flower'Star was taken aback by the humor, but even Swifter was joining in. She sighed and reluctantly accepted it. She carefully picked Swifter up and led the group of cats across the thunder path, joining the rest of ThunderClan on their way home.

  Upon making it home, cats began to murmur and whisper with each other. But before much could be said, Flower'Star called an announcement.

  "We've won the battle! The Kitty Kingdom has been driven out, the moonstone is the clans' once again!" Flower'Star yowled with joy. The clan erupted with cheers. "And, a couple of innocent members of the group have come to join us.. I've agreed to their request since the other clans have as well. We can't let ourselves fall behind in growing our strength in numbers. I welcome Soot, Lick, Dalla-Doo, Wire, and Swifter! But.. Before they can properly begin training to join the clan and prove themselves.. They'll need new names to fit the clan better.." The clan cheered again, but Wire let out an angered hissed.

  "Hold on! Hold on! I don't want to change my name!" Wire protested, stepping back. Dalla-Doo did the same.

  "I prefer to keep my name, thank you very much.." Dalla-Doo huffed. Soot and Lick joined their mates at the edge of the crowd.

  "Well.." Flower'Star began, "..A warrior's name is important to the culture of the clans. You earn your name. Your name is a show of your place in the clan as well as your promising features. Fox'Wind was named for his great speed and fox-like build. He was first Fox'Kit, then Paw, then Wind. He earned wind to his name by showing his strengths. Though, honestly, some names aren't quite a show of strength but rather make a point of your features and shows the other clans you are a warrior!" More murmuring. Eventually, Soot and Lick stepped up, followed by Swifer.

  "Sounds interesting..!" Lick shrugged and smiled. Soot looked to him and nodded with a smile. "..We're in!" The tom continued. "But as for Dalla-Doo and Wire.. Don't disrespect them for keeping their names.."

  "I AGREE!" Shouted a voice from the crowd. Out shuffled Terrance from the crowd. She was a kittypet who joined ThunderClan to become mates with Fox'Wind, but proved her worth to the clan before becoming a member. "I still hold my kittypet name. If anybody makes fun of them, I'll swipe at ya!"

  Wire snickered. "Tch- Why does a she-cat have a tom's name?" He whispered. Soot stepped up to him just to give him a cuff to his ear.

  "Go eat some mud, Wire.." Soot huffed at him before turning back to Flower'Star.

  "Alright then.." Flower'Star cleared her throat. "..Then, since you two need to train before you can become warriors, you shall be known as Soot'Paw and Lick'Paw until you've completed your training. And you, Swifter, shall be known as Swift'Kit until you've reached the appropriate age to start training.." Flower'Star was already a little upset that Dalla-Doo and Terrance had such kittypet-esc names.. She wouldn't let Swift'Kit keep the oddness in her name. If she was to have a clan name, it would be proper. "Clan dismissed.."

  "Hold on, Flower'Star!" Fire'Fall yowled accusingly. "What about Egg'Nose? Where's my nephew!?"

  "And my mentor.." Falling'Paw mewed shyly.

  "My cousin? Hm!? Now that Fire'Fall mentions it, I don't see him anywhere!" Snow'Hound's throat rumbled. "I never actually saw him on the battle field OR with the retreating medicine cats!"

  Flower'Star paused. She gripped her claws into the rock and calmed her tense stance. "I was told by Pink'Toes he was still in mothermouth fighting off a guard.. He must've perished." 

  "That means there's a dead body by the moonstone!" Snail'Kit growled with disgust. Fire'Fall's expression fell into a heavy frown.

  "A patrol has to go back and retrieve him..! I'll go myself if I-" Fire'Fall started, stumbling around camp before being stopped by Snow'Hound.

  "Uncle, you can't go.. You're in no condition to travel anymore. Me and someone else can go.." Snow'Hound nodded.

  "I can." Warbler'Stone mewed with pride in his chest. "There might still be danger around mothermouth.. We can go and take Egg'Nose's body back, dead or not."

  "Can I come too, then?" Falling'Paw mewed. "If he's still there and alive, I can stop his bleeding before it becomes impossible to help him.." She trotted over to the medicine den, quickly grabbing some leaves and cobwebs and returning. Once Falling'Paw came back, Warbler'Stone nodded, turning to Snow'Hound and nodding again. The three left swiftly and surely, leaving the rest of their clan in suspense.

  "Is Egg'Nose gonna be okay?" Snail'Kit looked up at Seed'Watcher. The pale she-cat shook her head with uncertainty. 

  "I don't know.. Nobody knows." Seed'Watcher laid down next to Snail'Kit and groomed out his fur. Flower'Star cleared her throat again.

  "Before I dismiss everyone, there is a few things I've forgotten to mention. As for who will be training Lick'Paw and Soot'Paw as well as Dalla-Doo and Wire, I want Terrance, Fox'Wind, and Leaf'Fur to help train them." Flower'Star announced.

  "Wait, but I'm already training Teal'Paw.." Leaf'Fur mewed from the crowd, her head tilted and her expression snarled with confusion.

  "Not for long.. Because today, Spark'Paw and Teal'Paw have both proven themselves in battle against The Kitty Kingdom. Spark'Paw, from this day forward until the possible future of leadership, you shall be known as Spark'Bite for your excellent use of your rapid bites in battle. And as for Teal'Paw, you shall be known from this day forward until possible leadership as Teal'Fang for your large fangs which you as well use excellently in battle. Until the next dawn, you will sit vigil at the entrance of camp. Before you begin, I suggest you eat. Clan dismissed!" Flower'Star announced it all with pride. Once she hopped off the rock, she was approached by Pigeon'Paw.

  "Mom, why wasn't I made a warrior..?" Pigeon'Paw looked up at his mother with doe eyes. Flower'Star sighed and patted his head.

  "You're a couple moons younger than Teal'Fang and Spark'Bite.. You'll be made a warrior in about two moons. By then, you'll nearly reach my height!" Flower'Star purred. Pigeon'Paw bounced with joy.

  "Yay! Thank you, mom!" Pigeon'Paw purred and nuzzled his head into Flower'Star's chest. The motherly leader fell into a thick purr, hugging her son closely and resting her head on his. 

  After their embrace, Pigeon'Paw left to go sleep in the apprentice den. Seed'Watcher was dragged along by Snail'Kit to join him in the nursery, Terrance laughing and following the two before leaving to sleep with her mate in the warrior's den. Leaf'Fur couldn't sleep in the den.. Her mate and daughter were out on a mission to retrieve Egg'Nose and she had no idea if they'd be safe. Rocky'Throat and Fuzz'Feather shared in her worry, what with their father Warbler'Stone being away as well.

  Their worries were put to rest in the morning. Teal'Fang and Spark'Bite yowled in alert, rushing into camp.

  "Warbler'Stone is back! Warbler'Stone is back!" Teal'Fang and Spark'Bite yowled. Flower'Star stepped out from her den, her mate by her side while several other cats left their dens to see what had happened.

  Warbler'Stone was limping weakly with wounds across his body, especially the side of his head. Snow'Hound now wore an odd scar on their shoulder and back that resembled freckles. The bleeding deputy collapsed, Egg'Nose's cadaver spilling over his shoulders and onto the floor. The patches of herbs sprinkles on Egg'Nose's now pink pelt fell away along with his seeping blood, his eyes still staring into the abyss with horror.

  Flower'Star observed, perching on the tall rock as Leaf'Fur and Falling'Paw started dragging Warbler'Stone away to the medicine den, Rocky'Throat and Fuzz'Feather shortly joining them. Falling'Paw went right to work patching up Warbler'Stone, Snow'Hound waiting by the medicine den entrance and licking their wound. Leaf'Fur worriedly licked at her mate's injury, speaking with them quietly.

  "Snow'Hound! What happened!?" Flower'Star yowled with worry. Her concerns didn't come from the reek of Egg'Nose's body, but how her deputy was injured. She looked back at Egg'Nose's body as the entire clan, old and new, crowded around him.

  "There was a straggler in the cave.. They were standing by Egg'Nose's body, biting at his leg after he'd died. When we arrived, he pushed me into a rock and injured Warbler'Stone pretty badly.. I managed to deal the final blow." The white cat panted and laid down on the ground.

  "Thank you, Snow'Hound.. Our troubles with that group should be over now.. Go and rest up with your mate.." Flower'Star nudged Snow'Hound and Leaf'Fur away until they were in the warrior den, leaving the couple alone. 

  As Flower'Star went to sleep in her nest with Fuzz'Feather that night, she dreamed and worried about if what she'd down was truly in line with StarClan's wishes. She convinced herself she'd had to of done right, letting a code breaker die where StarClan could judge closest.

* * *

  Flower'Star shivered slightly as a late leaffall breeze coasted through the camp. She looked up from her nest, watching a pair of orange leaves fall slowly down onto the ground. A tiny mew sounded off from between her paws. She looked down to see her recently born kit, a she-cat she'd yet to decide the name of. She gently picked her up and traveled across the camp and slipped into the nursery.

  With a large sigh, she settled down next to Terrance. She'd given birth half a moon earlier than Flower'Star, which was intentional on the leader's part. If her clan needed her, she could leave her kit with another nursing queen to perform her duties without risking malnourishing her own daughter.

  Terrance groggled and squinted up at Flower'Star. "Mmm.. Please don't tell me you're here to dump your kit off again.." She pawed at her muzzle.

  "No no.." Flower'Star whispered. "..Not at all. It's just cold in my den.." She curled her tail around Terrance, providing her and her kit a bit of extra warmth.

  "Ha.. I'm surprised. With a pelt like that, it's like you were born for leafbare.." Terrance yawned, leaning into the warmth she was given and pulling her hungry newborn son, Tod'Kit, closer to her belly.

  "You guys are waking me uuup.." Groaned Swift'Kit. She was just getting used to having the den to herself after Snail'Kit became an apprentice. Now there were grumbling mountains of fur filling the den with snores.

  "Sorry, Swift'Kit.. Would you like to rest closer with us? We'll keep quiet.. We promise.." Terrance chuckled with a breath as soft as feathers, urging Swift'Kit closer. She groggily crawled into the comfort of Flower'Star's tail, snuggling by her foot and falling asleep.

  As much as Flower'Star was worried about avoiding her daughter becoming malnourished, the rest of the clan was on her mind too, including her son who was now a full warrior, Pigeon'Stone. The grey tom approached her in the frosty morning, poking her with his muzzle. Flower'Star opened her eyes and looked at her son.

  "Mom.. The prey pile is empty again.." Pigeon'Stone sat by the nursery entrance as Flower'Star carefully slipped out of the den, leaving her daughter by Terrance's belly.

  "The least Warbler'Stone could do is organize patrols.." Flower'Star growled softly to herself, approaching the warrior den and gently grabbing Warbler'Stone by his scruff. She dragged him out of the den, waking him suddenly.

  "Ah!" Warbler'Stone wriggled around a little until Flower'Star let go. 

  "You've neglected sending out patrols again.. The prey pile is empty!" Flower'Star huffed accusingly. Warbler'Stone struggled to stand, his back right leg limp and unhelpful. A scar marked where the cat he'd fought by the moonstone clawed and hit just the wrong part of his leg and left it a burden.

  "Sorry.." Warbler'Stone rolled his eyes and wobbled awkwardly back into the warrior's den and started tugging on pelts and urging a bundle of cats to leave the den and head off on a hunting patrol. He himself stayed and went back to sleep.