Warrior Cats | Guide And Extras

Mates (Clans/Tribe)

Mate is the Clan terminology for a partnership between two cats.

Two cats are usually considered mates after spending some time together, and are seen sharing tongues often, and after some confession of love, or asking them if they would like to be mates.

Usually when cats are apprentices or warriors, they would show some sort of affection towards a certain cat.

Clan cats usually take a mate from the same Clan, although there are examples of of pairings from different Clans or groups

However, some cats from different Clans will mate secretly despite it being against the warrior code.

| Examples |

- Bluestar and Oakheart

- Silverstream and Greystripe

- Leafpool and Crowfeather.

It is not unusual for a cat to have more than one mate, especially toms. After a while, if they stop showing affection, or if their mate dies, they will usually take on a new mate.

In the Warriors universe, breaking up is fairly rare, but can happen. Some examples of mates who broke up:

- Bluestar and Oakheart.

- Daisy and Spiderleg.

- Leafpool and Crowfeather.

- Bumblestripe and Dovewing.

- Goldenflower and Tigerstar.

- Rainflower and Shellheart.
• It is noted after Rainflower's death, that Shellheart always loved Rainflower, even after they weren't mates anymore.

- Sasha and Tigerstar.

Mates break up mainly for the following reasons:

- They decide they are not suited for each other anymore or don't truly love each other.

- One cat does not love the other anymore. (Daisy and Spiderleg)

- One cat does not truly love their mate back and has feelings for another. (Dovewing and Bumblestripe)

- Ending a relationship of forbidden love by mutual agreement, recognizing that loyalty to their Clan is more important than their love. (Leafpool and Crowfeather)

- Disagreements, mistrust, or misunderstanding. (Squirrelflight and Brambleclaw in Starlight)

- Disappointment in their mate's actions or behavior. (Shellheart and Rainflower in Crookedstar's Promise)

- One of the cats leave the Clan. (Goldenflower and Tigerstar)

- One of the cats dies. (Graystripe takes Millie as a mate after the death of Silverstream)

Taking a cat from another Clan (or a non-Clan cat) as mate is implicitly forbidden by the first rule of The Warrior Code, as such pairings are considered a sign of disloyalty.

Kits born from such relations are named half-Clan, and are usually not trusted.

Medicine cats, either male or female, are not allowed to take mates, in order to be fully dedicated to their medicine cat duties, though this rule is often broken. (ie. Crowfeather and Leafpool, Yellowfang and Raggedstar.)

Apprentices do not take a mate because they are too young, and that if females were to give birth to kits, it would distract them from their duties, though they do sometimes show affection.