The ThunderClan Eight

The Thunderclan Eight (TTE) is an AU Fanfiction created by Winterpaw. It takes place around the events of TAQ and AVOS, but has different aspects and events, and is not like the books. It has no real plot, besides an insight on eight different cats in Thunderclan. It's a comedy/drama with eight chapters.

Chapter 1
THE THUNDERCLAN EIGHT

CHAPTER 1:

SPIKEFUR

Thunderclan. In front of him, was none other then Thunderclan.

Spikefur stood in front of a poky thorn entrance, and before him, was an overwhelming mass of cats, rock, prey, and business.

It seemed like hundreds of cats swarmed around. Milling about, talking to one another, gossiping and preaching.

"Come on, buddy, let's go see Bramblestar." A shoulder shoved into Spikefur's flank and he whipped around to growl at the two guards leading him into this jumble of action called a camp. One of them, who Spikefur knew as Cloudtail, sneered at him and they pushed him along into the throng of movement. He was dragged along, cats cast glances at him and murmured in low voices when he went by. They passed the fresh-kill pile, full of prey, and headed straight for a den caved into the rock.

It would be Sundown soon, the light was still there, but slowly casting long shadows over the clearing and on the rock.

Pelts blurred by. Some were brown, some white, but one stood out to Spikefur. A cream coloured she-cat was next to a gray and white Tom, standing by a lengthy den Spikefur suspected as the Warriors' den. She was very pretty, and looked young and kind. I might have a shot with her...

Suddenly Spikefur's legs were hit with pain, and he tumbled to the dusty, rocky ground, muzzle first. "Watch it!" he hissed at the two guards. "This body is valued!"

Cloudtail leaned forward. "Why? Shadowclan cat."

"Come on, Cloudtail. Leave the kid alone. Let's just take him to Bramblestar and go hunting, alright?" The other guard swayed Cloudtail.

"Fine, Brackenfur," he said, leaning back down to Spikefur. "Stay way out of trouble, or you'll see my claws."

He stalked off. Brackenfur gave Spikefur one more glance and Spikefur nodded, thanking him for getting Cloudtail off his back. Then he ran off. Finally away from the mousebrained guard.

Spikefur got back to his paws and looked around. No cat was coming to get him, so he stayed there awkwardly. What would he do?

The clearing was all rock, bush, ferns and nature, dens encased in the sides. Two young apprentices were playing near the top of the little gorge. One, a ginger she-cat, swiped at a little Tom who looked tiny and harmless. The Tom balanced precariously hear the edge. Spikefur widened his eyes when the Tom shook a little, almost falling off the edge.

"Sparkpaw! Alderpaw! What in the name of Starclan are you doing? Get down from there at once!" A ginger she-cat yowled from beside Spikefur, startling him. She looked a lot like the young she-cat at the top, fighting, and Spikefur guessed she was their mother.

Once the two cats scrambled away, listening to their mother, the she-cat turned to Spikefur with a little sigh.

"Hello. I'm Squirrelflight, the deputy and mother of those two rascals, as you may have guessed." She spoke in an icy tone but couldn't hide her love for them.

"Well I am Spikefur, a Shadowclan warrior. I... would like to speak to your leader about joining Thunderclan. Where is he?"

Squirrelflight paused, eyeing him up and down. He tried to make a squinty-eye, handsome look, but he feared he looked constipated.

"Bramblestar is out hunting. You'll have to wait. In the meantime, tell me why you want to join Thunderclan?" She waited for his answer. Suddenly, a black shape slid out from behind the Squirrelflight, and a pretty black she-cat slumped down between the two.

"Yes," the she-cat meowed, "why do you want to be in Thunderclan?" She gasped dramatically. "You want to invade! This is all a ruse! Squirrelflight, we must gather the clan at once! Invasion, invasion!"

"Calm down Hollytuft! He is not invading and I know it. If he came here to kill us, I'd be dead already. Now stop making a scene, and go do something. And stop eavesdropping on me!"

Hollytuft grumbled and stalked off, bumping Spikefur's shoulder purposefully and giving him a look on the way. She growled, "I got my eye on you..."

"You'll like the view."

She rolled her eyes. As she moved off, Spikefur couldn't help but cast glances at her shape trailing along.

When he turned back to Squirrelflight, she was also rolling her eyes. Behind her, the camp entrance shook and a patrol of cats stepped out. Bramblestar was here. Finally.

It would actually be scary, talking to the leader in the new Clan. Everything was already breathtakingly confusing and fast-paced, and now speaking to more cats and learning MILLIONS of new names seemed like such a BORING task. I can do it. I've always been strong.

The patrol split up, and a large dark brown Tom rushed over to the spot where the two of them were.

"Ah, I see we have a visitor. Cloudtail warned me about you, young one. Come, let's go discuss in my den." Bramblestar gave a warm look, almost welcoming. He padded up a rock part and onto a big ledge, then into a den. Squirrelflight ushered Spikefur next, and he scrambled up along with her on his tail.

"So, you want to join Thunderclan." Bramblestar meowed as he settled down in his nest, inside the den. Spikefur rested on his paws near the entrance, with Squirrelflight on his side. "May I ask why? What about your time with Shadowclan?"

Spikefur took a deep breath, ready to explain. "Look, Bramblestar, I recently got into some...trouble... in Shadowclan, and I was kicked out after some other things. I wandered around the territories a bit, not knowing what to do. Eventually, I decided to move into another Clan. Thunderclan was closest, and I hoped it would be filled with nice cats. So I came here. Good enough for you?"

A sudden impulse to act strong and masculine caused Spikefur to lay down on his back and stretch out, acting like he didn't care. Take that, leader. No one rules me, I just want to get by and do nothing. Duh. Spikefur's typical train of thought.

"What exactly did you do?" Squirrelflight asked from his side.

He turned. "Uh, that's not important. But I didn't kill anyone! My claws are too nice for that mess."

Bramblestar beckoned Squirrelflight over, after hearing the confession. They talked for what felt like MOONS, and Spikefur was about ready to rip their heads off and yowl, "HURRY. UP."

Eventually, Bramblestar and Squirrelflight turned away. "We have reached our decision." Spikefur got to his paws slowly, and lean forward. He already started planning ahead, if Bramblestar said no. I'll go to Riverclan, maybe. But, ew, fish-eaters? I'll make do... On my own.

"Yes, we will welcome you into Thunderclan."

"Yeahhhhh! Woohoo! I knew it! Don't worry, I'll be such a perfect member, you don't even know! Oh yeah, oh yeah!" Spikefur danced a little jig and leaped around the den happily. He didn't care if he was immature. It's only rules.

He noticed both of them unable to hold back a smile. But right away, Bramblestar moved on. "I will hold the ceremony now, ok? I want to get you settled in as soon as possible. Tomorrow, I'll get a big patrol of all new cats to show you around and do some hunting, and you can meet lots of cats."

He didn't give Spikefur time to even reply, as he beckoned him and Squirrelflight out of the den. Spikefur tumbled out, very unprofessionally, but jumped back to his feet and looked around like nothing happened. Too cool for anything. But, pfft, that makes me sound like an apprentice loser. I'm not. Never was.

Bramblestar led him to a large rock. He leaped on top, and motioned with his tail for Spikefur to join him. Squirrelflight sat below the rock, watching.

The sky was dark now, and stars started peaking out into the sky, in the faded moonlight.

"Any cat old enough to catch their own prey, gather beneath the Highledge for a Clan meeting!" Proper leader words. Nothing special.

Cats started to crowd around. Spikefur felt all their gazes bear into his pelt, but he resisted his self-consciousness and held his head high and back straight. They're just focusing on how nice you look, he reassured himself. It was the truth. He knew it.

"Today, a new member will be joining us. Spikefur, formerly of Shadowclan, will now be known as a Thunderclan warrior. He is a warrior already, but I expect you ALL to respect him and show him kindness, and help him around the new territory."

Pause. Then cheering. "Spikefur! Spikefur!" Now this is what I'm talkin' about! he relished in their cheers.

The mini gathering ended as quickly as it started. Cats already started breaking up. Spikefur stayed his ground, waiting for Bramblestar to turn and tell him where to go and what to do.

"I need a volunteer to help show Spikefur the Warriors den." Bramblestar called out into the night air, breath billowing out in smoke-like clouds. Instantly, a cream she-cat raced up.

"I'll do it!" she volunteered.

Spikefur instantly recognized her as the she-cat he saw earlier, on his way into camp.

Yes! Yes! Yes, yes, yes, yes! It's her. Now I can put the REAL moves on.

Bramblestar turned to him and gave a little nod, and Spikefur leaped down from the Highledge EVER SO POWERFULLY and landed by the she-cat. Bramblestar mewed a bit more, some stuff about "have a good sleep!" and "see you tomorrow!"

Spikefur totally wasn't listening.

The she-cat started padding along, and Spikefur raced after her. "Hey," he mewed in as deep of a voice as possible. "I'm Spikefur. Shadowclan. Really strong warrior, you know. What's your name...B-Beautiful?" He added the name on the end as a desperate attempt at like, ya know, classy but sexy, super awesome tom. He cursed himself if it sounded cheap or not. And, like, attractive enough.

"Well, hiya, powerful warrior!"

Ew. She's...weird. Good thing she's pretty. Make a note to never put her into a mocking or joking situation again...

"Anyways, I'm Rosepetal. Now, this is the Warriors den," she flicked her tail at the den  looming in front of them. Woven twigs, stems, ferns, branches and other forest items. Spikefur suddenly realized when he went hunting tomorrow, it would be so much different, in the forest. But, of course he'd adapt naturally. He was good at hunting EVERYWHERE.

"Well, hello Rosepetal. Thanks for the tour." He winked.

She didn't even LOOK at him. Cheap.

"We're not done yet. I have to show you your nest." She moved forward without his response. More figure-watching for him.

Hard to get--I like it.

He squeezed into the den, instantly looking at all the little nests scattered around on the ground. The night sky was barely visible above the den roof of leaves and twigs.

Rosepetal stepped around the nests with quite nice grace, and went to the very back of the den. She arrived from a little nest in the very back corner.

"Well, here's your nest. On the outside, as a new warrior. Mine is just over there, on the other side."

Spikefur was not impressed. "Ok first of all, honey, why am I at the VERY BACK, with the FARTHEST spot? Huh? I deserve better. Secondly, is there any way I could shift my nest closer to...'that' side? Your side?" He gave his undoubtedly-seductive grin.

She suddenly whipped around and stepped forward, shoving her muzzle in his face. Her eyes, very quite pretty. Spikefur lost his other thoughts...

"Ok--nope. Nooooooooope. NUH-UH. NO. NEVER. NAY. NAY!"

Was she being a horse...?

"Let's get this straight: You. Are. Not. Allowed. To. Hit on me! Noooooo sir. You stay your respectable distance, mister powerful first-class warrior, and I'll keep mine. No lovey contact or any of that dung. Thanks. Now goodnight."

She gave him a sarcastic wink and brushed past him, out of the den. He found himself breathing her scent, which is NOT CREEPY AT ALL--BE QUIET.

Hmm, this hard to get thing is pretty cute...and her sassy side and kind side and--she has so many sides! But I'll get her. Spikefur ALWAYS gets the she-cat. You hear me ladies? I'm here.

With that, he went to his awful little nest in the corner and plopped into it. He would need sleep if he was going to bring out his big game, tomorrow.

I'm not giving up, Rosepetal.

-

The next morning was one big disaster to get out of the Warriors den.

Spikefur arose from his little nest, surprised he had an okay sleep in the godforsaken den. He realized he woke up at the perfect time, ready for the dawn hunting patrol.

So he set out to cross the den.

It wasn't that easy, though.

First, a little group of cats all crowded together, sleeping in nests and some out of. Spikefur grumbled and tried to tiptoe around. When he felt something soft beneath him he tried to leap forward, but tripped on the fluffy thing.

"Watch where you're going!" Thornclaw mewed when Spikefur landed on his tail.

"Well maybe if you took up less room then I wouldn't have to!" he snapped back.

He continued forward.

A few scattered cats were in the middle. He wove through, now relaxing at the ease. He didn't pay attention after it became easy. Wrong move.

Oops! he thought, stepping on Cloudtail's paws.

"Learn to control your paws," Cloudtail mumbled. He curled back into his nest.

"Be quiet, I'm new here!"

More stepping forward, more crushing tails and fur and legs.

"Watch out!"

"Go around!"

He whipped around. "Sorry. But maybe if your paw wasn't so completely obese then I could move!"

Finally, he could see the little entrance. He didn't know how long he took, or if the others were waiting, but it wasn't his fault. Thunderclan cats are all so fat and stretchy! And besides, the others can wait. It'll make it all the more better when I show up. He smiled to himself, agreeing with himself.

Outside the den, the morning was bright. It was a little frosty, with the early Newleaf, but there was no mud or muck or anything gross to damage Spikefur's precious fur and face.

"WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?" A voice screeched from the group of cats standing by the entrance. A black she-cat slid out from the group of murmuring, waiting cats.

Hollytuft.

"I was trying to get out of that wretched den! There's too many of you." He retorted.

Hollytuft rushed up to him and glared him in the eye. "Or maybe you could try to get out here faster! We were waiting a few minutes."

"OH NOOOOO. Not a few extra minutes! That'll kill your perfect record, won't it, precious suck-up."

"You did not just say that. He did not just say that!" Hollytuft turned around dramatically to the approaching group of cats.

"Whatever, let's just go already, Hollytuft. I wanna hunt."

"Do you mean you want to hunt?" She turned back around to him, and the cats made a little group around. Spikefur spotted out the little brown Tom... Alderpaw was it? The weakling? Yeah, him. And...no, yes, it was! Rosepetal! Yessss! I can try again...

Hollytuft didn't wait for an answer. She beckoned the others and they shuffled after her. Spikefur stayed behind for a second.

He started jumping up and down, doing his happy jig again. I got another shot!

Suddenly a head poked back out the entrance. A brown shape slid back in, catching Spikefur off guard while he danced.

"Uh, Spikefur. What are you doing...? Are you coming?" It was Alderpaw.

"Yes. Shush. I'm coming buddy!" he meowed, racing over to the shy Tom. He rested his tail on his shoulder like a brother to his younger sibling. "So, you're Alderpaw? How do you like apprentice training?"

He steered the subject away from his weird movements. No one needed to know.

"Ye-yes, I'm Alderpaw. I like it, it's not bad. Molewhisker is good. He's on this patrol too, which, by the way, we should be on. Ooh, imagine a life with no patrols or fighting..."

Did this cat ever stop talking and start being normal? Now he went into some fantasy in his mind. Whatever, he's young and dumb.

"Uh. Sure. Oh, and if you ever mention my dance to anyone ever, I'll break your fangs and snap your legs. Ok? Good." Spikefur winked at the haunted Alderpaw who started to shake, and then raced off to catch up to the patrol.

---

Hunting was good. And so was Rosepetal. She hunted with grace, and looked perfect when she stretched her muscles and leaped. The only problem was, some other needy mousebrain named Dewnose was on their patrol, and he was ALWAYS crowding around Rosepetal.

Spikefur watched him help her hunt, talk to her, make weird shy movements (there couldn't be TWO Alderpaw's in this Clan!) and basically just float around her like a lost kit. Jeez, dude, she doesn't want it. Get away and let the boss try.

He felt a prick of...jealousy? Envy? No, don't be stupid Spikefur. You never get jealous. You're great.

It was obvious, though, Rosepetal didn't like it. She seemed too concentrated on hunting, and when she murmured to him only HE ever laughed. She just smiled. Although he had this big, toothy smile that glowed. Ugly. Smiling sucks. She should have booted him out by now. Why did Spikefur have to have boundaries and not that dumb wannabe!

"Hey, you should be hunting. Now." It wasn't Hollytuft wanting order and perfection. It was Alderpaw's mentor, Molewhisker. Spikefur met him as the patrol had cast out. He was gruff, deep voice, no emotions, muscle-filled robot with no smiles. Typical boring,   stone-cold Thunderclan warrior.

And then he must have been a TERRIBLE mentor, because Alderpaw could not hunt or fight or barely even speak words without dying from shyness. Like, get a voice! And a life!

"Fine, Molewhisker. I'll go ask Rosepetal where the good hunting spots are."

"I know where some are."

He had to think quickly. "But oh nooooo I am already walking towards her. Look, look! Oh no, I'm almost there. Well, I guess I have to ask her. Darn!" He slowly moved.

He was only a tail-length away.

He gave one last messed up look then raced off toward Rosepetal and Dew-whatever.

The two were both stalking different animals on either side of a small, grassy clearing.

Spikefur, driven by annoyance at Dew-nobody, crashed straight through the ferns in a loud huff. "Oh no I scared your prey away, that must suck! Sorry Dew...nosey."

He looked up to the spot where Spikefur arrived. The sunny beams fell down onto his gray and white fur. "Don't worry. It's ok. I'll find another one!"

OH MY STARCLAN. Learn to feel anger and actual emotions, weirdo.

Dewnose padded over (like a loser) to Rosepetal, who was still focused on her prey in the bushes. Suddenly, she leapt forward into the branches gracefully, and returned with a mouse in her jaws.

Dewnose whispered something in her ear.

Spikefur sat watching by his entrance. Oh please, whispering is SO lame. Just yell it to her.

Then he stepped back. They brushed muzzles. Pfft. Dewnose raced off out of the ferns and went to hunt somewhere else--where he actually was wanted!

Spikefur took his chance immediately. "Hey, Rosepetal, I was going to as--"

"NOPE. No, I said no flirting or hitting on me. Don't even talk. Ok, Spikefur? I'm not interested."

"Oh come on, judgey. I was going to ask for the good hunting places. Calm your fur."

He frowned. Why would she go all open and expose her everything to Dew-no-life, and then reject Spikefur. Wrong choice.

"Anywhere. Look for food. Now go."

"Ok, no. That's it's! What does he have that is soooooooo perfect that I don't?! I'm stronger, smarter, better looking. And, please, look at--"

"What are you talking about?! Dewnose is my FRIEND. And maybe if you weren't so desperate to get kits from me or use me for nothing, you could be my friend too."

"Oh don't get all mushy crap on me. I know you love him. Why? Huh! Why!?"

She stepped forward and he recoiled a little but puffed his chest out. "He's a friend if I say so! You don't decide who I like. Now I'm going to hunt alone."

"Fine, leave. I don't care. But then tell me, why did you so eagerly volunteer to help me around last night, huh? You like me, too."

She started to move slowly away, and Spikefur turned as she went.

"Oh please, you can only hope. I did it because I'm nice and wanted to help the new guy. Besides, governments are awful. Aren't they? I mean, I like Bramblestar and all, but..." She trailed off when Spikefur looked confused.

"You're weird. I have no clue what you're talking about."

"Sometimes I go on rants about the things I care for! Like she-cat empowerment, I love my mom for her choices, and also... Hey! I'm NOT weird!" She looked so genuinely offended it was just gross.

"Are too."

"NUH-UH. You only dream."

"You have lots to say about what I dream."

"Be quiet! Now, I'm leaving! Don't hit on me, follow me, judge, stalk, or decide who I like. Just leave me be, and go hit on some other pretty cats to get your fill. Goodbye, Spikefur. You're not a good cat."

He would never admit it, but that actually hurt him. Watching her race off, her last words stinging, made him rethink his choices.

Can I fit in here...? This is my new home. I have to. Can't let some crazed she-cat tell me I'm bad or messed. She's the one missing out.

He reassured himself as usual as he padded away, going to finish this hunting session and return to camp to think. But this couldn't be shaken off so easily.

It stayed with him for days.

But he went on, still pushing himself to believe he belonged and was perfect.

I'm wanted by every she-cat. I matter. Duh. Everyone likes me. She's messed.

I won't explain why I ever got kicked out. I'll stay in this personality. I'm fine how I am, forever!

I'm never changing my ways.

But even that was hard to believe right now.

---

Later that day, he returned back to camp with two voles. He rested by the fresh-kill pile with a wren, and met more of the new clanmates.

There was Lilyheart. She was a kind, loving mother to three kits. She also had a hilarious sassy side which Spikefur enjoyed.

There was Brackenfur, who, just like before, was kind and quiet and respectable, even if he was pretty old.

Leafpool and Jayfeather, the calm and grumpy medicine cats.

Daisy, Millie, Graystripe, Sandstorm, soon Spikefur felt he knew the whole clan.

And as he lay there, alone with his prey, he couldn't help but hope he would like Thunderclan. He already started to settle in.

Maybe he could adapt to being here. Maybe he would LIKE Thunderclan.

And maybe, hopefully, he would be able to keep his ways and still be an accepted Thunderclan warrior.

Chapter 2
THE THUNDERCLAN EIGHT

CHAPTER 2:

ROSEPETAL

"...And so maybe we should all—"

"Ok, ok we get it! You hate governments, love she-cat empowerment, hate that mates have to do with life or some nonsense, love gay, and have opinions on EVERYTHING. Can we please move on, I don't have much time before the kits need attention."

Rosepetal and Lilyheart sat a few tail-lengths away from the fresh-kill pile, gossiping and catching up on life. Rosepetal had already turn the discussion into a mini protest.

"Fine, Lilyheart," she meowed reluctantly with a small frown. "Let's go then." Rosepetal leapt to her paws and stretched.

"What are you doing...?" Lilyheart looked skeptical.

"I'm going."

"Where?"

"Out..."

"Out. Where?"

Rosepetal didn't reply as she turned around and meandered across camp to the exit.

Lilyheart wailed behind her. "Oh nooooo! I'm so sorry Rosepetal! Wait for me!" She got to her paws and hared after, catching up behind Rosepetal as she dodged a few Warriors. "I guess I'll just leave my kits all alone while I disappear...yeah."

Rosepetal glanced back at her and decided what to do out in camp. Hmm. I guess hunting.

Suddenly, a brown shape passed by. Spikefur looked at Rosepetal as he returned to camp with a squirrel in his jaws.

She glared back, lifting her chin and not speaking.

Lilyheart mewed from behind her, "ooh, he's cute, you two have a thing already? That was quick! YOU GOT MOVES GIRL."

Rosepetal couldn't help but smiling infuriatingly at Lilyheart's weird sassy side. She was a mother to three and a kind mate, very loyal to her Clan, but once you got to know her she could be a hilarious friend with more than one side.

"No we do not have a 'thing!'" Rosepetal mumbled back and slipped out of camp through the entrance. Lilyheart waddled after. Sometimes Lilyheart could just be so immature and funny, and even downright weird. "He is some desperate jerk who thinks he can get his way at everything!"

Lilyheart made a sassy 'oooooooooh snap!' noise and then replied. Rosepetal sniffed for scents, still listening.

"It sounds like you talk from experience. And he seems like a nice Tom, even if he is a bit cocky. But what Tom isn't!"

Fernsong, Brakcenfur, Dewnose... Alderpaw. Rosepetal thought of the young, shy, awkward Tom who she loved to bits. She also remembered that later in the day she promised to help him clean out the elders bedding. After he became an apprentice, Rosepetal saw the difference in him and tried to be his friend. She had come to learn and like his personality, and help him in situations he just didn't know how to handle. I can teach him that acceptance and being different is good! Go power! No one rules us! That was usually how she thought, but a little bit more practical.

"You're right. You always are. Now, should we hunt already! It's almost Sunhigh." Rosepetal steered the subject away from toms and love. That was her least favorite topic. I wish I was gay or bisexual, then I wouldn't have to worry about dumb toms hitting on me.

Lilyheart mad a mocking shocked face. "Oh! Hunting! THAAAATTTSSS WHAT WE'RE DOING. Oh yeah that wasn't needed to know when you mysteriously led me out of camp and left my kits and then snapped at me for NOT DOING SOMETHING I DIDN'T KNOW I SUPPOSED TO DO!"

Rosepetal just laughed and admired her perfect ability to joke, but then also be patient and calm. She didn't think she could ever be that flexible.

"Let's just hunt already." She padded off into the ferns.

"She is one unique girl..." Lilyheart mumbled under her breath, still audible, and slowly followed along.

———————————

After a successful bout of hunting, Rosepetal returned to camp with a shrew and two mice. Lilyheart had done nothing the whole time but gossip and moon over her mate, Snowbush, and blab about nonsense. Rosepetal laughed to herself when thinking, how was she ever a successful warrior? And it's no surprise she's younger than me.

Lilyheart padded along quietly until they squeezed through the thorn entrance side-by-side and entered the camp. It was a little past Sunhigh, and cats were milling about doing their business. Some napped in the sun, some ate fresh-kill, and the medicine cats were sorting rancid-smelling herbs outside their den.

Rosepetal took one more glance around then moved to the prey pile to deposit her caches.

She saw Alderpaw curled up inside a bush by the apprentices den, his head snapping side to side. Sparkpaw sniffed around on the side of the den, calling, "Alderpaw! Where are you! Get out here you squirrel-face!"

Rosepetal thought with a smile: Alderpaw, what a weirdo.

She hustled over, nodding at Snowbush and Lilyheart who had sat down together beside a stretching Dovewing.

Alderpaw looked up sharply when she plopped down in front of the bush. "What on earth are you doing now, you awkward turkey."

He stared, wide-eyed. "I-I'm hiding from Sparkpaw. I don't want to play. And what's a turkey...?"

Rosepetal sighed. I still wonder if he's a kit.

"Sparkpaw!" she called over to the side of the den. "Alderpaw doesn't want to play, go find something else to do."

She heard grumbles and then nothing. Rosepetal turned to a wary Alderpaw. "See, all you have to do is ask and stand up for yourself."

"Yeah..."

"Ok, well are we going to the elders den? I have other things to do you know. I HAVE A LIFE!" she joked.

He gave a little awkward laugh and slid out of the bush, nodding. She gestured for him to lead the way and he basically bowed. "Oh my Starclan you are so weird."

He didn't say anything as he brushed past the dens, heading along to the right one. A few cats padded by, meandering along in the fading sunlight as they talked with eachother and shared tongues. Sorrelstripe and Bumblestripe looked cozy. Molewhisker was glaring at Spikefur as he boasted about something over a rabbit they shared. Of course it's about him, she thought and rolled her eyes.

Rosepetal mimed the young apprentice as they walked along, looking at each den to find the right one. Eventually they did, in what felt like moons.

Alderpaw squeezed in sideways, and Rosepetal plopped in after him.

"Who's there!"

"Invaders!"

Rosepetal laughed at the crazy elders. She and Alderpaw moved into view--or at least view if any of these oldies could see-- and Graystripe fumbled to his paws from across the den.

"Who's that? Alderpaw? Who's with you...?" He squinted at Rosepetal, only making her hold back another laugh.

"It's me, Rosepetal," she meowed.

"We-we've come to check you guys for ticks..." Alderpaw glanced around nervously.

Sandstorm laughed from her little nest. "Well don't be shy! Come on in. There's one on my shoulder AND I CAN FEEL IT BUT IT WON'T. GO. AWAY." Rosepetal rolled her eyes at Alderpaw's flinch.

"I'll go grab the mouse bile," she meowed as she turned out of the den. Scanning the camp outside, she looked overtop of heads and fur and found the medicine den. She hurried over and padded inside.

"Uh, Leafpool, Jayfeather, I've come for mouse bile." She waited for a reply.

"WHO IS IT. I'M BUSY GET IT YOURSELF."

"Rosepetal. And I don't even know where it is Jayfeather!"

"Then find it!" he snapped back.

"WHY DON'T YOU?" she raised her voice.

"I'M BUSY WITH THIS SQUIRMING WORM."

Oh dear Starclan...

She padded closer and laughed for what felt like thousandth time today--it was a good day so far--as she watched Jayfeather try to stick a poultice onto a scratch on Briarlight's leg while she resisted and nipped at him.

"Stop moving!" he yelled at her.

"No! Stop being all mediciney!" She rolled around back and forth and waddled away from him. Rosepetal loved the show and didn't want to disturb them, so she searched the supply for the mouse bile. Eventually she found a disgusting smelling substance and slapped it onto a leaf. She turned out of the den.

"Thanks Jayfeather!"

Muffled grunting sounds. Then: "FOR WHAT!?"

A smile plastered onto her lips. "Whatever," and she padded out of the den and back into the busy clearing. In these Newleaf days, it was anyways busy around camp.

She stuck to the trail along the dens, familiar with the scents and sounds of her camp. She was so used to it, and sometimes forgot she was much older than some of her friends. Though she seemed much, much more mature than Spikefur. Right?

She approached the den carefully, making sure she didn't drop the bundle. Or get it into my mouth. Eek.

"Ok, I'm back. I've got the stuff." Somehow...that doesn't sound right. Like some lethal death berries for crazed addicts.

Alderpaw rushed into view. "Oh good... Now we can start. And get this over with. They...they're scary, Rosepetal. But I like Graystripe and Purdy."

Rosepetal gave him a grin and ushered him along, preparing the bundle. Hmm, he only mentioned the toms. SHE-CAT EMPOWERMENT. I might have to give him a lesson on all the right beliefs.

"Ok, let's get this started," she meowed as she rubbed the gross mess onto her paws. Alderpaw smeared some on, and they worked away at the elders until Sundown.

---

Rosepetal ran down to the small stream on Thunderclan territory after she finished to wash her paws. Alderpaw went the other way, to find a puddle instead. She gave them a good wash, recoiling from the smell and making scrunched up faces. Finally she finished dealing with the putrid substance and worked her way back to camp.

She went through the entrance, taking in the fresh scent of camp again, and clearing her nose from the after-smell.

She saw Fernsong and Alderpaw stroll by together, Alderpaw ducking his head and making his awkward 'I-can't-make-dirt-normally-so-I-have-problems' face. But, he was smiling. Naturally.

Cute.

Rosepetal picked a hare from the fresh-kill pile and sat down. Almost instantly, a irritatingly familiar pelt flashed in front and looked down at her.

"What. Do. You. Want. Spikefur?"

He smiled and she cursed herself for staring at him, mesmerized. Just look away, Rosepetal. And you have someone else you could stare at all day...

"Woah, woah, I just wanted to talk. You may have said no flirting, but—"

She growled. "You're literally flirting with me RIGHT now. Get out. Just leave. You won't get me or even sway me. MY LIFE IS FINE WITHOUT YOU IN IT."

He broke a little. "BUT IMAGINE HOW MUCH BETTER IT WOULD BE WITH ME IN IT!" he screeched, then tried to recoup and save everything with a smile. It just didn't work.

"Yeah, not much better," she snapped back.

"I hate you."

"The feeling's mutual."

"Whatever. I'm still not done." He gave a glare then stalked off. She didn't DARE look at him as he went.

"Well I'm looking forward to when you are," she called out to him as he disappeared. She turned back to her prey, which was larger than she remembered, but she didn't even have a CHANCE before Hollytuft scrambled over and stopped her.

"ROSEPETAL ROSEPETAL ROSEPETAL ROSEPETAL ROSEPETAL," then a long gaaaaaaaaasssssp. "ROSEPETAL ROSEPETAL ROSEPETAL!"

"WHAT OH MY GOD."

"How much prey did you catch today? We had a bit leftover, which was good I mean! But we could cut back so we don't waste, I'm all about the practical ways and ways to make things better, you know."

Have you ever stopped to think, maybe they don't make it better BUT SO MUCH HARDER? Rosepetal retorted in her head.

"Hollytuft, did you really have to scream and scare the bejesus out of me just to ask how much prey I caught?"

"Well, yeah, duh. It worked. And that WAS what I was doing..."

"Ughhhhhhh. Ok, I don't know, about three? Now can you leave? I'm hungry."

She ignored the question. "What were they? I bet Squirrels, no...RABBITS!"

"Hollytuft, that doesn't even matter, now LEAVE! I'm HUNGRY!"

"Sheesh, fine, I'll go find BRACKENFUR. He'll be nicer..." She raced off and Rosepetal sighed happily.

She sat for a while, thinking, then suddenly a whitish-gray shape passed her eye and settled down next to her. She was about to curse how many cats wanted her, but then saw him. Dewnose. Her pelt tingled.

"Hi. I just got back from patrol. Could we share that, or were you planning on stuffing yourself to the limit like yesterday?" He smiled. She melted.

The memories of the day before came back.

She sits down on a small rock outside of camp. "I'm still hungry! That race literally starved me!"

He nods and rolls his eyes, that perfect smile that could make any she-cat's legs turn to jelly. She remembered that smile earlier. They had finished their hunting, when Spikefur RUDELY challenged him and interrupted in everything. She had to yell at Spikefur and set his flirty mind straight.

Now he comes back with two mice stuffed into his mouth. She laughs at his giant facial expression and how he plops the prey down and heaves his chest, taking a deep breath. He always was so funny to her.

After they eat all the prey they could, she and him start heading back to camp. The sky is dark but beautiful. Stars twinkle. He moves along gracefully, looking a little awkward being so close to her. She feels natural.

They get back to camp. She has to find Hollytuft. He needs to find Sorrelstripe. They part ways, but not before sharing one more glance.

"Oh no, we'll share it. I couldn't eat that much. Look at me!"

"Gladly." Dewnose turned his head away and crumples up in an adorable ball of embarassment. Her pelt grew hot.

Rosepetal took a bite of the prey, then shoved it over to him. They took turns eating, and eventually a conversation bloomed.

"So, I have to go on a three-day expedition tomorrow."

That caught her attention. She immediately looked up. Worry grew in her eyes and chest. "Is everything ok?"

He saves everything with a laugh. "Yeah, Bramblestar just wants us to investigate the abandoned Twoleg den. He says they may be working over there, and we have to look. Badgers may be around too."

Please don't go... I'll miss you. I'm already so worried. Rosepetal's mind generated what she didn't have the courage to say.

"It-it sounds risky. Please stay safe, I-I don't want you getting hurt. Not one scratch."

He touched noses with her and the world lights up into brilliant colors. Rosepetal smiled.

"Don't worry, I would hate if I got hurt too. I wouldn't see you as much."

"Yeah, well, I care about you. Like, a LOT." She winced at how cheesy she sounded. In these moments, she forgot all her high-end beliefs and thoughts about mates, and only hoped for more time. With him. "And I never want to lose you to badgers or barns or Twolegs or—"

"Rosepetal calm down! I'm not going anywhere."

She was about to meow, "or another she-cat..."

Dewnose continues on his sentence. "Not anywhere, but to my nest." He stood up suddenly. He leaned down and rested his muzzle on her forehead. "Goodnight, Rosepetal."

And then he's off.

Rosepetal is left to sit there and dream, ponder, fantasize, think and love.

"Goodnight Dewnose," she whispered into the cold dark.

--

Rosepetal's dreams were filled with happiness. Good thoughts. She no longer angered at Spikefur's irritableness, stopped worrying about Alderpaw's way in life, Hollytuft yelling at her, Lilyheart losing her mate—

She only danced freely in starry territory, dreaming of cats she loved, of her good life and fortune. Even I her dreams, Jayfeather called out: "YOU FORGOT TO RETURN THE LEFTOVER BILE YOU MOUSEBRAIN!"

She probably even smiled in her dreams. Her belly full and warm, her body comfortable in its nest, and no annoying Spikefur trying to cozy up to her. She was accepted in her Clan and valued to some cats, she had use. She mattered. All good.

It was a rare moment, but a cherished one.

Extra Notes: Thanks, and enjoy.
 * SlyFox on the wiki did some formatting and italics, special thanks to them.
 * The idea for this was loosely based off the telivision show, Community, where a wacky band of people who are all different go through adventures and events at a community college, each with their own personality and life. Some personalities were based off the characters, others were created.
 * The territory is the lake, and each Clan is where they should be and all is calm at the moment and like normal warrior life.
 * Any questions, concerns, ideas or suggestions can be brought to Winternal in the comments here or on Blogclan, any time. Or on the Live Chat.