*Note: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_lT8KicEF5W8nHLcXg5chvWb-VaBfoXtwb9xc9JDFBY/edit?usp=sharing (Previous Posts) Cherrypaw Medicine Cat Apprentice of Riverclan
‘This whole ordeal has made me doubt things about myself. I want to know more about where I come from, and… The only way I can do that is to find Wisteriastar and Hornetstar. They’re my parents.’
It felt like blood was rushing through Cherrypaw’s ears at Wasppaw’s sudden confession, her eyebrows furrowed as she stared at the calico tom as if he grew another head “...What?” She simply said, shocked. The image of the former Riverclan warrior flooded through Cherrypaw’s head at the memories of seeing her grandmother performing her leadership duties at the entrance of the nursery and also coming to visit at the nursery after she had finished for the day. Wisteriastar was a very respected leader during her time in Riverclan, putting her clan first. If Cherrypaw was being honest, she had grown up to admire her grandmother greatly and wanted to be like her when growing up.
But there was a question that always nagged her, ever since Sorrelember had told her about Wisteriastar’s departure and her father Darkstar suddenly becoming leader of Riverclan overnight: Why did Wisteriastar leave the clan that she loved so much?
Cherrypaw didn’t suspect that Wisteriastar left with Hornetstar at all, she thought it was weird when it was announced that the former Shadowclan leader had also left the clans but didn’t put the pieces together. Shaking her head slightly to clear her thoughts, she looked at the male calico. Wasppaw and his siblings were the product of a cross-clan relationship between two leaders, something that must have been deeply frowned upon by Starclan and the other clans if they knew. The red calico took a deep breath, and flicked her tail to signal him to get up “Come, we can’t talk here.. I don’t want others to walk in on the conversation.” Cherrypaw told him gently, as the Shadowclan healer to-be was still her best friend.. She wouldn’t dare let anything happen to him if the wrong cat heard about his heritage without his consent.
“Rainysky, Wasppaw and I will be going within the territory.. Hareflight has ran low on Dock, heard some dumb warrior named Mellowfrost got scratched up by a thorn bush.” She called towards Rainysky who was nearby with Koipetal, signaling that she was leaving camp. Thankfully she heard the name Mellowfrost from the last gathering and his antics, so it would be a good cover up story that she and Wasppaw could use.
Once the two apprentices made their way out of camp, Cherrypaw found a small area within the stream that was private enough for the two cats to speak without having to worry about anyone spying on them. It was quiet between the two, she had many questions but didn’t want to overwhelm Wasppaw with them “When was the last time that you saw Hornetstar? Did he ever say where they were going when they decided on leaving?” She asked, it was a good start. The Riverclan molly didn’t know anything about Hornetstar, but that he was close allies with Wisteriastar during the Battle of Five Clans along with Sunowl’s uncle, Firestar. If Wasppaw could help provide information, she would help with finding the two former leaders and getting the answers that she and Wasppaw wanted. #fd3f3f
Cherrypaw
Medicine Cat Apprentice of Riverclan
Her bi-colored eyes looked at her grandmother with almost a confused expression, as she was trying to understand Wisterstar clearly.. The former leader did in fact leave her kits, her older ones at least. Forestmask and Koipetal were quick to be understanding and accepting of her departure.. But Sorrelember never forgot. Her mother didn’t even want to utter Wisteriastar’s name, as if she was ashamed of her mother. Perhaps it was because Cherrypaw wasn’t older and didn’t face the same situations like Wisteriastar did but the smaller calico just needed to listen to the older calico’s reasoning. There were two sides to every story, Cherrypaw had heard everyone’s stories and opinions of the former Riverclan leader from the moment that Cherrypaw was born.. It was Wisteriastar’s turn to have a voice in this story.
As she listened to Wisteriastar, she kept looking at Wasppaw at the corner of her eye. Cherrypaw’s main concern was the calico tom, his feelings and emotions were extremely important to her as the tom had to experience Hornetstar and Wistertiastar’s actions first-hand.The small calico molly gently bumped her shoulder against his, a small smile appearing on her face as in a comforting way. Wasppaw wasn’t alone in this, they were family. It wasn’t until she turned to look towards her grandmother, thinking of her words carefully. “Do you miss it…? Being in the clans?” Cherrypaw questioned. The molly knew that Wisteriastar had to make a lot of sacrifices, but she knew that the former leader at least looked happy.. Stars, Wisteriastar was practically glowing!
“I uh.. may be going through something similar” Cherrypaw began, noticing Wasppaw turning to look at her. The red calico had briefly mentioned Sunowl to her best friend, thinking that perhaps it was just a crush that would go away with time.. However, as her naming ceremony was approaching.. Cherrypaw couldn’t help but think about the future, how she mainly saw Sunowl in it. Clearing her throat for a moment, her bi-colored eyes looked into Wisterstar’s orange ones “I have feelings for a Skyclan Warrior, his name is Sunowl” she said, a smile appearing on her face at the thought of the ginger and white tom. Snapping out of her thoughts as she was in the company of her grandmother and uncle, Cherrypaw bit the inside of her cheek before speaking once more “I know that I wanna be with him, there’s something about him that just gets my heart fluttering.. Those butterflies in my stomach” She said, a small chuckle escaping her. Cherrypaw had always felt nervous about speaking about her true feelings about Sunowl, but she knew that Wisteriastar would understand out of all cats.
“Something inside me always screams at me.. Wanting to be with him, but I know it’s difficult with being in different clans” She explained to both of them, seeing the many emotions that were going through the taller calico in front of her. Wisteriastar knew exactly what she was talking about, she lived through it. Letting out a soft sigh, Cherrypaw shook her head “I don’t really know what to do Wisteriastar.. Part of me tells myself that I should just perhaps move on, maybe find a tom within the clan.. But that other part of me doesn’t want to let go” She whispered softly, Cherrypaw’s heart aching at the thought of never speaking or being around the ginger and white tom.
Her bi-colored eyes had some tears starting to form, but she quickly whipped them away before a sad smile appeared on Cherrypaw’s face “How did you handle everything that happened with Hornetstar when you both were still in the clans? Did you ever have moments like this?”Cherrypaw questioned, knowing that if anyone could give her the proper advice.. It would be the former Riverclan leader.
W A S P P A W
The healer pair appeared to be in shock at the sight of the former leader before them. Even if finding Wisteriastar was their goal, for some reason, it seemed like a faraway dream that they would never truly be able to obtain. But now that they were here and she was standing in front of them, what were they to accomplish? Wasppaw's mind was running a mile a minute with so many questions he sought the answers to, but none of them made it out of his lips. Instead, they quietly followed his mother to the barn with his friend at his side, her nudge spurring him into action, urging him to loosen up and relax.
The cries of kits didn't actually come as a surprise to him. When Wisteriastar and Hornetstar left the Clans, he knew in that moment that they were mates and that he and his siblings were a result of this. It didn't shock him that there would be a possibility that the two of them would have another litter in the comfortability and safety of their new home. In fact, the idea of having younger siblings kind of warmed his heart. It was good to know that his parents were happy and that they were able to have the family they always wanted together.
Spring's little chirps gained his attention and Wasppaw looked down at the little kitten- her remarkable resemblance to Hornetstar was so apparent, there was no mistake that she was his daughter. Oh, Stars, he didn't know what to say to her or how to respond to her accusations. Siblings or not, he seemed to remain as socially awkward as ever.
W I S T E R I A S T A R
"Spring, be polite. This is your older brother. Say hello." Wisteriastar scolded her softly, her orange eyes gentle with affection as she spoke to her daughter. While it was a good thing that her kits knew to defend their nest, she also wanted them to know that they had just met one of the older siblings they had only heard stories about 'til now. The calico warrior placed a paw against Spring's flank, gently guiding her out of the way. "I need to have a talk with these two. I'll introduce you properly later, but for now, I need you to go to your father and siblings." While her tone was soft, it was clear that there was no room for debate. She waited for the kitten to be on her way before she returned her attention to her other son and granddaughter.
Graceful as ever, the calico settled down on her haunches and wisped her tail over her paws, appearing to get comfortable despite the stares of the cats before her. She waited patiently, question after question spurring from Cherrypaw before the red-calico quieted down and allowed her to speak her own side of things.
"There are many things you do not know, my dear." She spoke bluntly, her orange eyes fixating on the apprentice with the same quiet ferocity she had been known for during her leadership many moons ago. "Do you take me as the kind of mother that would abandon her children?" The question was mostly rhetorical, as she did not give the other calico a chance to respond. It was clear that she would not be leaving room for doubt; by now, with how far they have come in their lives, she knew that they knew who had raised them in ShadowClan and that they were cared for by someone who loved them as their own, even if she couldn't be there. "I was not given much leniency to stay in RiverClan after a clanmate found the truth behind my relationship with Hornetstar. "Blackmail" is a term my husband likes to use, but I am not so weak that my decisions can be altered by someone so pitiful."
"My own sake, I do not care for. I can take care of myself just fine. But my kits, on the other paw," she said, her eyes drifting to meet Wasppaw's, "I will not risk a life of peace for them because of whom I fell in love with. For his sake, and for his siblings' sakes, I left the Clans with Hornetstar at my side."
"I don't expect those as young as you to understand, the decisions I have made and my reasonings behind them."
At Cherrypaw's next inquiry, Wisteriastar's whiskers twitched in a show of humor. "Do not fret, young Cherrypaw. I am not someone who can be shaken by the path my life has been altered by." She paused, before she added, "Though I do miss my family."
Cherrypaw
Medicine Cat Apprentice of Riverclan
Her bi-colored eyes looked around for a moment at the uncharted territory they had entered. Cherrypaw couldn’t deny it but she felt nervous being here. She knew that her family would have heart failures if they learned about her real reasoning of leaving camp. It wasn’t until both healers to-be heard crunching of leaves and pawsteps approaching them which caused Wasppaw to jump in front of her. The red calico had her ears pinned to her head, breathing was fast. Although she had warrior training from Forestmask, the young molly was hesitant to use it as she didn’t quite expect to use it before. As the pawsteps grew, the molly’s eyes widened when Wisteriastar came into view and was looking down at both of them. “Wisteriastar.” Cherrypaw breathed, letting out a small sigh of relief as the former Riverclan leader had stood in front of them looking better than ever. A memory flashed through the young Riverclan molly of when she had last seen her grandmother, looking defeated but remained strong for herself and Riverclan.
“I..” Cherrypaw was at a loss for words, she couldn’t imagine how Wasppaw felt seeing his mother again for the first time since becoming an apprentice. To Cherrypaw, it felt like she was experiencing a dream.. Was she dreaming? She stepped slightly on her black paw, and the molly could feel that.. Cherrypaw wasn’t dreaming at all. It wasn’t until the calico leader had beckoned them towards the location of her barn, wanting to speak in private. The small red calico molly moved next to her best friend for a moment, watching his somber expression as his mother padded forward. Nudging him, the two felines padded after the leader and watched as she slipped into the barn and Cherrypaw heard kits going ‘Mom!’ before hearing a bunch of laughter and purrs which caused the red calico to look towards her companion who was looking at the entrance of the barn. It was clear by the kits’ voices and Wisteriastar laughing that the former leader had moved on with clan life with Hornetstar and started anew after leaving the clans.
Cherrypaw couldn’t imagine how Wasppaw felt about the news.
“Come on.” Cherrypaw said softly, nudging him. It was now or never for the two. It wasn’t until the two stepped into the barn and a warm breeze went through her long fur. The smell of hay was strong. It wasn’t until she looked up to see Wisteriastar being crowded by four kits, laughing and a small female pressed against the calico leader’s leg before her green gaze looked over at the two cats and bounded towards them. “There’s intruders!” Spring squeaked, her fur fluffing up to appear twice her size. Looking back, the small molly looked behind and saw that Wisteriastar wasn’t tense, but looking at her small daughter with an amused look “Mom! There’s two weirdos here who smell funny, we need to protect the barn.” Spring said, but realized that her mom knew these two cats.. Perhaps they were from the clans like Koipetal, her brother was such a kind tom. Furrowing her eyebrows when noticing that Wasppaw was looking down at her, a frown appeared on her lips “This one is giving me the funny look that Weaver gives me.” Spring grumbled, before turning around and bounding back towards her mother and sat by her side. Cherrypaw could clearly tell that this one was a Mama’s girl.
Once Cherrypaw and Wasppaw made it towards Wisteriastar, the red calico looked around the barn. It was warm and cozy, a perfect home. Soon the two sat in front of the molly and it was silent, Cherrypaw thinking of the correct words to say before looking down at Spring who was watching them back with wide eyes. Looking back at her grandmother, her eyebrows furrowed for a moment “...Why?” Cherrypaw questioned, wanting to know the reason of Wisteriastar leaving the clans. How could she leave her family.. How could she leave Wasppaw, Rowanshade and Fennelsting? She knew that the male calico sitting beside her had a lot of questions.. Cherrypaw had her own, but she just wanted to know.. “After everything that’s happened.. Are you doing okay?” The molly questioned, knowing that the stress took a toll.. Mentally and emotionally for the former leader.
W A S P P A W
He was incredibly grateful that Cherrypaw almost immediately had an idea of where to go. It was a relief, to hear that they likely didn't have to search very far in their pursuit of the former RiverClan leader. As they made their way out of RiverClan camp, Wasppaw nodded along to her explanation of what she told the others where they were going and how long they would be gone for. "That'll buy us plenty of time," he commented, "good thinking."
The two of them began making their way deeper through RiverClan's territory when his friend spoke up again. When did you know that we were related? She asked him, a frown on her face. Her expression made his heart twisted and his face quickly mirrored hers. Wasppaw hated for her to think that he had been lying to her or trying to make a fool of her throughout their entire friendship because that certainly wasn't the case. "I knew the minute I met you," he told her, pausing briefly in his tracks. He felt guilty that he couldn't share this with her sooner. Cherrypaw was his best friend and he didn't want to hurt her. His eyes followed hers as she trailed over the similarities between them and how closely they resembled each other. "I knew that you were Sorrelember's daughter," he clarified, as the calico warrior was his half-sister.
"Who else knows, hm..." he picked up the pace again, following the red-calico as she lead the way forward. His mind wandered for a moment as he recollected the cats in his life that knew his lineage. He didn't mind that Cherrypaw was firing away with questions, he figured she probably had a lot, being sprung with this information out of no where. "Let's see, Saplingskies and Nightbreeze, of course. Fennelsting and Rowanshade, too. I met Koipetal while he stayed in ShadowClan briefly... I didn't tell him anything, but I don't picture him a fool, so, who knows? Maybe he knows. If he knows, it's likely that Rainysky does, too." Wasppaw stated, his bi-colored eyes drifting back over to his friend's face again. He hated the thought that her mentor was keeping secrets from her too, but it was a truth that they had to face now. At least she wouldn't be doing it alone. He would be there for her. "You're the only one I've ever told."
"Oh, uh, ShadowClan is doing well. We're recovering from the loss of cats, and of course Smokestar, but Juncostar isn't as scatter-brained as everyone thinks he is. He's holding up nicely," Wasppaw told her, "How about RiverClan? I hope everyone is well, too." They made their way carefully around SkyClan's territory, being sure not to walk too close to the scent-borders as they passed through to the outskirts. Shortly enough, the sight of the barn came into view. It was the closest one between the border of loners, rogues and strays and the SkyClan scentline that he knew it had to be the right barn.
"Are you ready?" He asked Cherrypaw, waiting for her confirmation before the pair cautiously made their way towards the barn. He couldn't imagine that cats were would be as territorially hostile as Clan cats, but without warriors skilled in combat by their side, he'd be lying if he said he wasn't at least a little bit nervous at the risk of confronting a cat that would fight to protect their nest. The sound of paws scuffling against hay and then hastily making their way in their direction made the ShadowClan tom flinch and stiffen in his path. He immediately stepped in front of Cherrypaw, ready to protect her. He didn't really have much, if any, warrior training but he wasn't going to stand by and let a stranger have at her either.
"Well, it's refreshing to know that you grew up a gentleman," a mew laced with humor and sarcasm was the first thing that greeted them. Then, the shape of a lean calico came into view, her sharp amber eyes glowing in amusement. She didn't hesitate to walk right up to them, as clearly, she recognized them coming far before they noticed her watching them. To be expected, from a former Clan leader, he supposed. Wasppaw's jaw fumbled open, left agape as he found himself speechless facing his mother for the first time since she left them as kits. StarClan, he just didn't know what to say to her. Wisteriastar seemed to understand without them needing to say anything to her. The feline turned, her tail motioning gracefully to them to follow her to the barn. "Come, let us talk in somewhere more suitable."
Cherrypaw Medicine Cat Apprentice of Riverclan Watching her best friend, as it seemed like Wasppaw was trying to recall a couple of memories. Her bi-colored eyes lit up when it seemed like Wasppaw remembered something and blurted out that Wisteriastar was staying in a barn. “There’s a barn nearby! We don’t really explore it because the humans like to visit there frequently and father doesn’t want anyone trapped inside.” Cherrypaw explained, as it was probably one of the reasons why Wisteriastar and Hornetstar decided to reside there.. Because they knew Riverclan didn’t go there. Flicking her tail, she beckoned her head towards the direction of the Barn. “I’ve bought time with us ‘gathering’ herbs, so we can get to the barn and back here by tomorrow morning.” The red calico explained, but the young molly knew she would be getting an earful from her mentor and father when she returned as they weren’t alerted that Cherrypaw would be gone for an entire day without a warrior escort. As the two apprentices began padding deep within Riverclan territory, there were many questions that were going through the Riverclan molly’s head. But there were two questions that were nagging her the most right now. Cherrypaw turned to look at her best friend with a small frown “Wasppaw.. When did you know that we were related?” She questioned, as Cherrypaw knew that it must have hit him at some point.. Maybe when they first met? Their first gathering? How long did Wasppaw know that she was his niece? Cherrypaw was quite curious if Wasppaw knew how many family members they had in Riverclan, or how many he interacted with. Watching him for a moment, she did realize that they somewhat shared similar features with their eye color and their size.. Why couldn’t she see it earlier? “Is there anyone else that knows besides me?” Cherrypaw questioned, her eyes widened as she couldn’t help but wonder who knew. Of course Saplingskies knew, after all he was the one who had taken in Wasppaw and his siblings with his mate. So many thoughts were going through her head and the small calico smiled softly “I’m so sorry to be asking so many questions, it’s just a lot to take in” Cherrypaw apologized, as she didn’t want to overwhelm the male calico with so many questions. There were more questions but it was towards Wisteriastar, mostly what exactly caused her to leave the clans? She could have been leader while Wasppaw and his siblings were raised with Shadowclan and kept meeting Hornetstar in secret.. What happened? Why didn’t she tell Sorrelember or Koipetal? Was Forestmask with her? Trying not to be overwhelmed with this whole entire discovery, a smile appeared on her lips
“Thank you.. For trusting me with your secret” Cherrypaw said sincerely, grateful that her best friend had trusted her with such a major secret that could change his life if it was exposed. Letting out a soft sigh as the two were traveling through the woods, Cherrypaw hoped that it was the correct barn.. Wisteriastar couldn’t have gone so far right? She would at least want to keep some small tabs on her former clan and family “How has everything been since we got rid of the black liquid, everything doing well in Shadowclan?” She questioned, turning to look at her best friend with an arched eyebrow.
W A S P P A W
The young tom waited, tense with apprehension as his friend reacted to his news. He watched as Cherrypaw shifted between shock, understanding, and then, with what felt too long, acceptance. His body slowly relaxed when she took a deep breath and encouraged him to follow her out of the medicine den. The ShadowClan tom dipped his head to Rainysky and Koipetal when the two of them passed the older felines. Briefly, his bi-colored eyes met the orange-and-white tom's. He knew through passing that the RiverClan warrior was already aware of his half-sibling's true parentage. Wasppaw wondered briefly what he thought about his choice to tell Cherrypaw the truth, but he figured that the warrior was a kind and understanding tom and at the end of the day, would support his decision to confide in his friend.
He followed the red-calico through her territory until she found a spot that she felt confident that they could talk in private with one another. There, she didn't hesitate to unload questions onto him. Wasppaw pondered her question about their location for a moment, chewing on the inside of his cheek as he tried to dig into the deepest crevices of his memory.
"It's hard to tell," he replied with a sigh, "I was still just a kit when my father pulled my siblings and I out of camp to tell us the truth, to meet our mother while they said goodbye." He was grateful that he could recall even that much. It was shortly before his sixth moon and his apprenticeship under Hareflight, he remembered Hornetstar quietly nosing them out the back entrance of camp and hurriedly gathering them together in secret. As he dug deeper into his memories, he could visualize the rich calico pelt of his mother, waiting in the shadows. She had come to tell them the truth of who there parents were before she confessed to them that they had to leave the Clans.
"We won't be too far," he remembered her saying to them, the desperation in her voice apparent as she tried to convey to her kits that she truly didn't want to leave them, "we'll be just outside Clan territory. I hope, one day, that we can meet again... If you ever decide that you want to welcome us back into your lives."
Resurfacing from his thoughts, Wasppaw returned his attention to Cherrypaw. "I remember them telling us that they wouldn't be too far from the Clans... There's the city outskirts... But I don't think they would go there." He paused, giving himself a moment to think before something clicked. "The barnplace!" He exclaimed, "That's got to be it!"