Post by KAZZER on Sept 10, 2011 15:09:42 GMT -5
YARROWTAIL!
A ginger tom with a bushy tail and yellow eyes.[/i]
Image from mirsasha on flickr.
the basics . the basics . the basics . the basics[/size]
for some reason I can't explain, I know saint peter won't call my name.[/center]
Name || Yarrowfang. His prefix is from the yellow-orange color of his fur while his suffix is for his bushy tail.
Gender || Tom.
Clan || ShadowClan
Rank || Warrior
Age || 53 moons
the looks . the looks . the looks . the looks
[/size]never an honest word, but that was when I ruled the world.[/center]
A broad-built, muscular, intimidating cat to be sure, Yarrowtail was the biggest kit in the nursery back in his day. He has a medium-length pelt with the fur becoming longer and fluffier from the base of his tail to its white tip. He has a ginger pelt, though it’s more yellow-orange than orange-red. He isn’t too worried about vanity, though his tail is fond of picking up debris and requires some rigorous grooming after a long patrol. Put perhaps more threatening than his size are his eyes. They’re deep amber in color and are always intensely focused on their current task, be it hunting or glaring. The easiest way to receive this glare? Come up to him from behind on his right; Yarrowtail is losing his hearing a bit in that ear and he’s happy to box the ears of any cat who dares take advantage of it.
the mind . the mind . the mind . the mind
[/size]never an honest word, but that was when I ruled the world.[/center]
Yarrowtail is no cute, furry kittypet. He takes being a warrior very seriously and is never shy about jumping into battle or taking on extra patrols. He puts his loyalty to the Clan first and will not suffer cats that don’t. He’s not charismatic or outgoing, but he can be polite and nice enough to be around. He just doesn’t want any cat bugging him or any cat needing him. After all, what good ever came from the last cat that needed him? Yarrowtail usually comes off as standoffish, but he’s often just distant and wistful. He’s known for avoiding the nursery and all the cats in it, but he refuses to talk about his feelings regarding Blossomheart and his kits.
the history . the history . the history . the history
[/size]just a puppet on a lonely string, oh who would ever want to be king.[/center]
Mother || Goldenfur of ShadowClan (deceased)
Father || Badgerclaw of ShadowClan (deceased)
Siblings || Smallclaw of ShadowClan (sister, living)
Lovers || Blossomheart of ShadowClan (deceased)
Offspring || One she-kit, now an apprentice. Unnamed because she will be put up for adoption if Yarrowtail is accepted.
Anyone Else || N/A
Yarrowkit and Smallkit were born to the forest during the first snow of leaf-bare. The weather seemed to grow colder every day, and with the chill came sickness. Goldenfur, Badgerclaw, and Smallkit all became ill, along with another litter of three and an elder. The oldest of the afflicted passed away quickly, already weakened by age. By the time catmint could be found, two kits had also died. When the herb was finally dispensed, the medicine cat feared it was too late for Smallkit.
But her father would not hear of it. When the medicine cat’s back was turned, he gave his herbs to his daughter. Her recovery was a blessing from StarClan, the cats decided, though none could tell why Badgerclaw failed to recover. He was a young, strong warrior after all. By the time his deception was revealed, he was almost with StarClan. Goldenfur mourned her mate, but promised to dedicate herself to their kits as strongly as Badgerclaw had.
When the kits were apprenticed, Yarrowpaw was given to Darkfoot. The warrior tom was known for his ruthlessness and ambition, but the leader hoped the responsibility of mentoring a young cat would straighten him out. It didn’t. Darkfoot often lashed out at his apprentice, practicing with unsheathed claws and ordering him to do extra work if he complained. It wasn’t an ideal method, but Yarrowpaw was resilient and grew quickly until his mentor had no chance to strike him. When that happened, he became Yarrowtail.
Darkfoot changed, then. He often talked oddly, probing Yarrowtail about his plans for the future. Did he see himself as a warrior for the rest of his life, or did he want more? The talk bordered on treasonous, but who could he talk to? Yarrowtail was already rather reserved and had few close friends. The only cat he really trusted was Smallclaw. But though he would have readily confided in his sister, he feared what Darkfoot might try to do to the she-cat. He became nervous. Should he confront Darkfoot? Should he tell his leader?
The decision was made one day when, near the border, he came upon Darkfoot stuffing deathberries into a piece of fresh-kill. Knowing already what his old mentor was thinking, he attacked the other tom and chased him from ShadowClan territory, telling him he’d die if he ever returned. To the rest of the Clan, Darkfoot’s disappearance was considered a sad death.
Besides Smallclaw, there was only one other cat Yarrowtail really talked to much: Blossomheart. She was a bit younger than him, but the most beautiful she-cat he’d ever known. Even the kits weren’t surprised when she made a nest in the nursery, her belly rounding with life. Yarrowtail’s time not spent on his duties as a warrior was spent with his mate, anticipating their first litter.
The medicine cat became worried when Blossomheart seemed to weaken in the later days of her pregnancy. Everything made her tired and she started to have trouble keeping her food down. Yarrowtail kept a calm exterior, but inside he was terrified. When the labor began early, he sat steadfastly outside the nursery and listened to the medicine cat giving orders. By the time the labor finished, all that was left to do was for Yarrowtail to mourn his mate and two of their kits. It wasn’t until the next morning that he realized one had lived: a daughter.
But Yarrowtail’s heart was hardened against the kit who looked so much like the cat who had died so she could live. The she-kit was given to another queen to name and raise while Yarrowtail set his sights grimly on his own path.
[color= dodgerblue for toms]YARROWTAIL[/color] - SHADOWCLAN
