━━━━ ❝ hush, hush... yes it's an exciting time, but please everyone quieten down... ❞ gorgestar called out to those who chattered below, her eyes sweeping over her clan.

tails twitched with anticipation, and muzzles raised up with hopefully gazes on the faces of the clan cats, as their looked at their leader.

the serene silence that soon developed enveloped the clearing like a calm cloud, as gorgestar began. ❝ as you are all away, almondpaw has finally reached the age in which he can become a warrior... ❞

duskeyes excitedly drummed his paws on the ground below him. he was ready to see his apprentice stand forward and claim his name. he had come so far... he was so proud.

❝ step forward, almondpaw ❞ gorgestar meowed.

from the gathered clan, almondpaw walked. he held his nose high, his tail up—right, ears pricked and his chest was fluffed out. his fur was freshly groomed, too. his eyes danced with determination as he waded gracefully towards his leader.

❝ you will server your clan with honour and valour, even if it costs you your life, ❞. gorgestar's eyes fell warmly upon the nervous yet ready apprentice.

❝ by the power of starclan, i hereby grant you your warrior name. almondpaw, from this day forward you shall be known as almondstripe. starclan honours your bravery and resilience — remember this for when the challenges become tough, and it's difficult to push forward ❞ the leader proclaimed with a steady, strong voice.

a collective murmur of agreement swept over the gathering as they beckoned for the new warrior.

almondstripe dipped his head in a silent thanks, a soft sigh escaping his throat. he was a warrior now, bound by his duty to the clan and determined to do everything to keep his promise to them.

in that moment, gorgestar couldn't help but think of how far they had come. they arrived at the mountain when he was a mere mewling kitten who lost both of his parents, and now, he was bathing in praise from his friends.

⛰︎

━━━━ loachpath limped into the medicine den and called out for daisyknoll. the tom—cat hurried over.

❝ i can't do it. i can't work— ❞ she huffed out. the small she—cat looked down at her stomach, which had grown in size over the moon already. ❝ i think it will be a big litter... i can't work daisyknoll, please ❞

daisyknoll's eyes flooded with sorrow, but he gave her a small smile. ❝ it's okay. you can rest within the nursery until the kits arrive. your duties will be there waiting for you once you're ready, ❞

⛰︎

━━━━ gorgestar peered her head slowly into the apprentice's den, districting a quiet conversation between the 'paws.

❝ honeypaw, ❞ gorgestar began, ❝ while loachpath is away to have her kits, i will continue your training with you, ❞ she added.

honeypaw exchanged a look between her friends and her brother, excited giggles erupting from their jaws and bubbling from their stomachs.

gorgestar departed. her ear flicked as she listened in on their conversation about how jealous the other's were that honeypaw had their leader as a mentor.

⛰︎

━━━━ the midday sun dappled a pattern of soft shadows and colours across the camp.

cragpaw nimbly weaved his way through the crowd of cats that basked in the sunlight. two fat voles clutched firmly in his jaws.

he pushed into the medicine den, the strong smell of herbs instantly greeting him. with daisyknoll in his sights, he galloped across the medicine den. his tail jerked a 'hello' at the tom—cat.

❝ oh that smells delicious, ❞ daisyknoll mused as her whiskers and nose wriggled, having picked up on the smell of rodent upon his arrival.

❝ for you, ❞ cragpaw mumbled. ❝ figured you could do with a good meal after being cooped up in here, tending to everyone, ❞

daisyknoll's purr resonated in the hushed den, and reached cragpaw's ears like a soft lullaby.

❝ that's very kind of you, cragpaw ❞ daisyknoll mewed, voice softened with gratitude. he leaned in and took the vole's cragpaw had dropped down, and started to enjoy his meal.

with a humble nod, cragpaw padded his way out of the den.

daisyknoll appreciated cragpaw's kindness.

⛰︎

━━━━ ❝ be quiet, you're scaring off the prey! ❞ hissed cragpaw as doespots trudged heavily through the valley, trampling his way across the river that cut through it. the apprentice's fur was fluffed up in annoyance.

doespots merely let out a low purr of amusement. he padded quietly beside his apprentice.

duskeyes just laughed, lightly, as the mentor and apprentice bickered playfully. he missed having his own apprentice.

a breeze brushed a strong aroma past the travelling trio. the savoury fragrance teased their senses and the patrol stopped, crouching low quickly.

duskeyes's dark eyes fixated on a large rat nibbling away at some berries. kt was clear that he was sizing up the rodent, estimating its movements before he launched himself at it.

he shot forward with a paw raised in preparation to swipe at the large rat.

the rat let out a shrill shriek before it scampered off into a thick bush. but duskeyes was close behind, and he slapped his paw across the rodent while it was mid—leap, bringing it down. it shrieked once again before silencing after duskeyes killed it.

❝ woah! good catch! ❞ cragpaw yelled upon arriving by his side to size up the rodent he'd just caught.

━━━━ loachpath lay on the bed of moss within the quiet nursery. she flopped down, having rolled her tongue over her fur to calm the gripping anxiety that harboured her mind. her gaze wondered out past the entrance and at the camp.

a sharp ping echoed across her stomach, causing her to grit her teeth. she let out a growl of discomfort.

daisyknoll barrelled into the den. the tom—cat had a bundle of herbs in his jaw that he had hurriedly grabbed moments before his dash over.

❝ what's— what's happening! ❞ loachpath yowled.

❝ you're giving birth, ❞ daisyknoll uttered, rushing to her side and grinding up some herbs to ease with the young queens pain.

loachpath tried to focus her breath and drew in a gasp. a second wave of pain sliced across her gut and she hissed once again, but didn't fight the pain or the strange feeling from her read.

daisyknoll gently scruffed the last of the three kittens and pushed it towards loachpath's stomach to nurse.

they all looked alike: small, a light—brown in colour, with darker features.

dustykit, bushkit and willowkit were welcomed into the world.

daisyknoll wondered who the father of her kittens were, after loachpath refused to speak on who it may be. the medicine cat had his suspicions, having had heard rumours of loachpath sneaking out to meet a hemlockclan cat in the past.

loachpath looked down at her kits. she enjoyed their soft, peaceful purrs, grateful to starclan for their lives.

❝ thank you, daisyknoll. but i'd like some time alone with my kittens now, if you don't mind, ❞

⛰︎

━━━━ gorgestar lead her apprentice across the empty field of the rockfall field. the moons ghostly glow seemed to emanate eerily off the stones.

with a twitch or her nose, honeypaw paused. she cringed her face in concern as she tried to grasp the unfamiliar smell that wafted in the breeze. ❝ uhm, gorgestar, ❞ honeypaw called hesitantly, ❝ i scent a stranger... it's not a peakclan cat, ❞

gorgetsar's eyes narrowed. she travelled towards the scent, sniffed and moved on. she prowled like a wild cat, powerful and imposing. after several strides, the shadow of a feline materialised among the moon—kissed boulders.

the rogue was thin and ragged, with eyes holding a lot of fear as they fell onto the leader of peakclan.

❝ what business do you have crossing into our territory, rogue? ❞ gorgestar challeneged, her gaze not leaving the frightened rogue.

taken aback, the rogue trembled. ❝ i—i didn't realise, i'm sorry ❞ they stammered, voice hoarse with fear. ❝ i could smell prey. i didn't mean to cross your border, my apologies ❞

with a disdainful snort, gorgestar strode forward.

❝ i don't take too kindly to trespassers. don't cross the line again, ❞ her tone was clear, ❝ leave and don't step a toe in our territory again, ❞

swallowing visibly, the rogue nodded. and with a swift turn, they skittered off into the shadows.

honeypaw watched the rogue vanish from sight and blend with the darkness of the night. she turned to her mentor, a gleaming smile on her face.

in honeypaw's eyes, gorgestar was brave for standing up to the rogue.

⛰︎

━━━━ the setting sun turned the river that marked hemlockclan's territory turned into a streak of liquid fire. doespots and rabbitneedle walked side by side, on the side unclaimed by their neighbouring clan. the river mumbled a quiet lullaby to them as they patrolled. the pair remained vigilant, cautious of possible hemlockclan patrols.

rabbitneedle's ear flicked. she watched as a feline emerged from a patch of bushes ahead. it was a she—cat, scruffy and unfamiliar. she  bore no scent of any clan.

❝ loner... ❞ doespots mumbled. rabbitneedle flicked her tail for the tom—cat to relax.

the position of the stranger's ears and tail meant that she meant no harm. she approached, her blue eyes unguarded.

❝ i've seen you patrol and hunt here often, ❞ she began, glancing between the two. ❝ i was a medicine cat in my old clan, before i left ❞

rabbitneedle and doespots exchanged a quick look.

❝ in exchange for shelter and safety, i can offer up my paws to help your clan, ❞ the she—cat said.

rabbitneedle nodded her head. ❝ we'll take you to our camp. it's up to gorgestar to decide ❞

dirt speckled their paws as they led the she—cat back to their camp. cats quietened down as the patrol returned, the unknown she—cat following suit, as they walked towards gorgestar, who just existed the medicine den having visited berrykestrel.

❝ gorgestar, a word ❞ rabbitneedle whispered to the leader, who briskly walked over and looked the cat up and down, brows raised and whiskers flicking hesitantly.

❝ she offers her skills, as a medicine cat, in return for shelter, ❞ declared rabbitneedle.

a slight surprise reflected in the eyes of gorgestar as she nodded her head.

❝ what is your name? ❞ questioned the leader as she looked at her warriors, who hadn't properly introduced the she—cat.

❝ basslight, ❞ she replied. she leaned down, dipping her head to the dark coloured she—cat before her.

❝ well, basslight, may peakclan be as much as a home for you as it has for us. welcome, ❞ gorgestar pronounced, giving the new addition a large and warm smile.

those lingered heard the welcome, and populated the four cats, congratulating the new peakclan member and welcoming basslight as a medicine cat.

━━━━ as the warm scent of pine needles and river—soaked grass filled his nostrils, scrubstorm creeped silently along the bank of the carp river. his eyes remained riveted on a plump squirrel obliviously bounding up ahead of him. he walked with a low gait and great care with each step, his muscles coiled and ready to spring out when the time was right.

he leaped. his captured the squirrel in his paws and brought it to his mouth, dealing a killing bite, not leaving it a chance to squeal. the thrill of triumph and his successful hunt caused his heart to hammer.

he picked up the squirrel and blinked, eyes raised as he looked at a looming shadow that veered towards him. a hawk plummeted downward, its sharp talons extended out.

scrubstorm spat out the squirrel and pushed out his claws. he jumped towards the bird, bringing it out of the sky and towards the ground. he tumbled in the dirt with the bird firmly in his grasp, fangs nearing the nape of the predator as he tried to nip at it and kill the raptor. he swiped fiercely, the metallic scent of blood soon clouding his senses.

pain seared through his body as it's talons found their mark, but he continued on, burning through the pain.

driven by the instinct to protect his kill, scrubstorm ignored the stinging lacerations on his flank, and the hot liquid that seeped from the wound.

he forcefully swung out a swipe. the hawk cried out, lashing out a final time at the feline before it took flight and spiralled upwards back into the sky.

scrubstorm looked down at the blood—smeared grass before retrieving the squirrel he had thrown aside.

he hobbled back to camp, his prize hanging on his jaw and his  flank soaked with crimson.

⛰︎

━━━━ berrykestrel stretched out his leg. he felt relieved now that his break had finally healed, after daisyknoll had dismissed him from the medicine den, but told him to remain careful.

the deputy wriggled his limb. it felt stiffened, but it was expected: having been cooped up in the confines of the medicine den for moons. it was a feeling he'd figured would pass in a number of days.

❝ guess who's back in business! ❞ berrykestrel said loudly with a playful grumble as he trotted across the clearing towards a small cluster of conversing clan—mates, who all turned and rolled their eyes at their deputy before congratulating him on getting better.

berrykestrel sighed and relished on his regained freedom, eager to get back out and patrol.

⛰︎

━━━━ ❝ where are we headed? ❞ basslight asked, following quickly after daisyknoll as they trekked down the rocky mountainous slopes towards the valley below.

❝ gonna get some herbs. come on now, keep up! ❞

daisyknoll bounded ahead of the grey tabby cat and raced across the grass. basslight rolled her eyes and let out a happy huff before galloping after him as quickly as she could.

the medicine cats eventually stopped. they walked at a gentle pace and blades of grass whispered softly as they brushed past the towering tufts and flowers of the flower field.

basslight sucked in a long breath, digesting the smells that smacked the back of her throat, causing her to gasp.

❝ look! lavender! poppies! oh and daisies too! oh— there's so much! ❞ basslight gasped as she turned in the field quickly and gaped at the sprouting colours of buds around them.

basslight and daisyknoll dived right into gathering the herbs, indulging themselves in a conversation about their lives. 

it was a pleasant and rewarding patrol. plenty of goldenrod, berries and daisy were plucked and then taken back to camp.

━━━━ the air inside the nursery reeked of kittens and herbs. bushkit watched the outside world from the warmth of her mothers fur.

she looked over her shoulder at her sleeping mother and scrambled to her paws. she scurried out of the nursery, bolting through the clearing.

no one saw her as she raced towards the entrance. her heart pounded heavily as her tiny feet carried her across camp.

❝ bushkit stop! ❞ yowled loachpath as she hopped after her kitten. her mothers voice scared her and she let out a pitiful whimper before she bowed her head submissively. her lower lip wobbled.

❝ b—but... i want to—to be a warrior! ❞ the kitten protested through a quivering, cracking voice, and a waterfall of tears.

loachpath leaned down and gently flicked her nose into her kittens neck. ❝ i'm sorry for raising my voice at you, bushkit. i just don't want you to get hurt ❞

her mother's sternness softened, understanding seeping into her tone as she beckoned the kit back to the warmth of the nursery, beside her siblings.

bushkit darted back to the nursery and tucked her small body into a corner of the nursery, a few nests away from her mother, and her brother and sister.

⛰︎

━━━━ gorgestar looked down at the clan. ❝ i've watched from afar and talked with your mentor, and i am honoured to finally give you, locustpaw, your warriors name. from this moment on, you will be known as locusttree, starclan honours your kindness and strength, ❞

locusttree listened in on the calls of his name as his clan—mates cheered him on. he quickly navigated through the crowd to find daisyknoll. he pushed his head into the tom—cats, purring confidently as he embraced his fathers affection and congratulations.

⛰︎

━━━━ duskeyes lowered his muzzle into a half—eaten pigeon in front of him. almondstripe seated himself opposite from the tom—cat.

❝ is it true? ❞ he asked in a quiet rumble, nudging the prey towards him, ❝ that you chased off a cat from hemlockclan off our territory? ❞ his gaze bore into his young friends, anticipation clouding his coloured eyes.

almondstripe gave a slow lick of his paw. ❝ maybe i did, maybe i didn't... who said anyway? ❞ he snorted with his brows crossed.

duskeyes mused and rolled his eyes. ❝ still the same i see, even as a warrior ❞ he mumbled, biting into the prey that almondstripe had pushed over again.

❝ was just curious. heard a rumour is all, but it seems to be a bogus story, ❞ duskeyes teased and he flicked his gaze up at the tabby. he watched as the young warrior tensed up, whiskers writhing.

❝ fine! yes i did. i chased off a hemlockclan warrior. they were too close to the rockfall field. i did them a favour, basically saved their life ❞ almondstripe said with a grunt.

they finished the pigeon and lounged beside one another. ❝ bet they didn't expect to tick tail and run from a young warrior, aye? ❞

⛰︎

━━━━ the late morning sun shed a muted glow over the dew—drenched land as both goldrain and splitpaw padded softly across peakclan's valley, their eyes sweeping for signs of prey.

a faint whimper distrusted their tranquil walk. now intrigued, both felines headed towards the direction of the noise, their steps cautious.

nestled against the thorny brush, lay a wounded young cat, his pale orange fur stained with a splash of red.

splitpaw gasped at the sight of the injured cat and she looked to her mentor with pleading eyes, and it wasn't long before goldrain pulled the cat over his back and walked back to camp.

upon reaching the camp, goldrain called out for one of the medicine cats, and both scrambled over to their aid, taking the cat from them.

swiftpaw, as he introduced himself, thanked the clan for their generosity and asked for a place in the clan.

gorgestar accepted his plea, and declared locusttree as his mentor. despite his young age, gorgestar knew that locusttree had the capability of being a great mentor.

━━━━ basslight announced that she is pregnant, after not feeling well for a number of days. she leaves the clan in daisyknoll's capable paws, after she feels as if she cannot properly work in her condition. and so she retreats to the nursery, to wait out her pregnancy.

⛰︎

━━━━ loachpath stretched out in her nest in the nursery. she's pleased to have company, besides her own kits. she has healed from the strain of delivering her kittens.

⛰︎

━━━━ ❝ i told you not to push yourself, and look what you've done, ❞ daisyknoll growled quietly. he glared at berrykestrel, who seated himself down in a nest quickly.

berrykestrel huffed and licked a paw before running it over his ear. the herb—infused air in the medicine den always tickled his nostrils.

❝ i'm sorry, ❞ he breathed. he cringed at the hoarse, gritty sound to his voice and let out a cough. quickly, daisyknoll moved across the den to grab some herbs.

❝ did the patrol manage without me? ❞

daisyknoll returned with some catmint and tansy in his mouth. ❝ yes, rabbitneedle and duskeyes took over, ❞ he informed him, preparing the herbs. ❝ this will spread if you're not careful, ❞

❝ it's not fatal is it? ❞ berrykestrel asked with fear leaking into his voice. illness always brought forth a dreadful bout of worry to him. 

❝ greencough? usually not no, but you've just healed from a break... you need to go easy as i said, ❞

!errykestrel's fur fluffed up in worry, his eyes on the leaf—wrapped bundle of herbs daisyknoll had made for him. he hesitated for a moment before slowly extending his tongue to lap at the herbs. he made a face at the strong, bitter taste and sighed.

❝ don't make that face, ❞ daisyknoll laughed, ❝ it'll help you ❞

berrykestrel let out a raspy sounding purr, but their was a clear sense of amusement to the rumble. ❝ if you say so ❞

daisyknoll stepped back. ❝ stay here for the night, please. so i can ensure you get at least one night of rest, ❞

❝ yeah... ❞ berrykestrel muttered. a drowsy feeling washed over him, and the tom drifted to sleep.

daisyknoll turned to his stock—pile and dragged his paw across the contents, counting. approaching paw strides caused him to turn.

at the entrance, loachpath stood, with a spluttering bushkit between her legs.

daisyknoll sighed loudly. first berrykestrel, and now bushkit had greencough.

⛰︎

━━━━ dustykit eagerly padded over to doespots, who lounged in the sun in the clearing. there was a spring in the kittens step as he walked towards the warrior. he let out a commanding yowl.

❝ doespots! teach me the hunting crouch! ❞ dustykit beckoned.

doespots seemed unphased by the interruption. the tom—cat shifted onto his stomach and blinked at the kitten. ❝ alright, ❞ he murmured.

doespots rolled over onto his paws and stood up. he demonstrated the crouch — haunches coiled under him like springs, belly brushing against the ground, eyes trained ahead. ❝ watch and learn kit, ❞

enthralled, dustykit's eyes rounded with wonder as he watched the warrior crawl around camp.

under doespots watchful gaze, dustykit practiced the crouch using the tom—cats bushy tail as his prey. the young tom stumbled and faltered many times, but he was eager and full of spirit.

⛰︎

━━━━ locusttree steered away from almondstripe and followed his nose as it led him towards a strange smell.

he hissed as he backed away from a large rock, eyes wide in alarm. he spotted a dark silhouette crouched in the shadows. locusttree's blood ran cold as he saw the sleek red fur of a fox, it's eyes sharp and fixated on him. 

instantly, adrenaline rushed through Locusttree's veins. he raised his hackles and puffed out his fur in an attempt to seem larger and more threatening.

the fox, however, did not seem deterred. it charged at him, snapping its jaws hungrily. locusttree let out a fierce yowl as he attempted to scramble away, but his attempt proved futile when the fox lunged, its teeth sinking into his dark orange tail

a hiss of pain escaped his lips as his vision blurred. the pain was sharp, lancing through his entire body.

the fox released his tail, and the warrior retreated to almondstripe's last location. if the fox followed it would have to face the both of them.

his tail throbbed with pain as he raced towards his o patrol partner, who had managed to catch a bird. he spluttered out painfully, his tail pulsating with pain.

almondstripe gasped and rushed to his friends side, before helping him back up to camp.

locusttail looked back at his mangled tail as they navigated up the perilous peak path.