clan timeline

( r i v e r c l a n )

history of riverclan's most current leader

Chaos reigned around the creamy white cat. Her eyes were wide with horror and she gathered the nearest cats she could and led them to safety. Among the group were her kits, her mate, and her current and former apprentices. Turning the she-cat tried to go find her brother, but Gorsefur stopped her.

"It's too dangerous, Milkfur! If Treestorm has any sense he will have found shelter too."

Milkfur's heart sank. She and her brother had been through everything together. Sparrowheart, Lilystem, and Ripplefur pressed themselves against their mother to comfort her. Knowing that she could not risk the lives of these cats, Milkfur led the way to safety. In the distance she heard the yowls of terror and pain, some of which were soon cut off. Among those that she heard she could barely make out the voices of Lynxstar and his deputy. Those were among the ones that ended. Fear clutched Milkfur's heart as she wondered what had happened. She did not want to think on if they died or not.

The she-cat waited, heart hammering, as the chaos continued on around her. It seemed to go on for an eternity before there was silence. Milkfur felt a cat move and she thrust out a paw to stop them.

"Give it a few moments. You don't know what's going to happen. It might not be safe yet."

Owlstep's voice responded back, "Yes, Milkfur."

So it had been her first apprentice that she had stopped. Owlstep, Petalblossom, and Frostpaw cowered in the darkness while they waited. Finally Gorsefur suggested that they go out and check things out. Milkfur nodded and carefully led the group back out. Everything that Milkfur's eyes touched was burned or burning. She slowly picked her way back towards the camp. In the distance she saw that Fourtrees had been hit as well.

Does this mean there will be no more Gatherings? StarClan why can you be so cruel?

Milkfur shook herself as she turned to inspect the damage. Other cats began arriving, all of which were RiverClan cats. Among them were Elders and Queens. She even saw the Medicine Cat. At least if there were any injuries the Medicine Cat might be able to do something. Milkfur's eyes then landed on a cat that she had been worried about.

With a delighted yowl she rushed over to him and thrust her head against his shoulder. The tom purred and wrapped a soothing tail around his sister's leg.

"It seems we've both been worried for the other. My group told me to wait it out and that if you were smart then you would have found shelter."

"My group said the same thing."

Milkfur and Treestorm nuzzled one last time before turning to inspect the damage together. None of the cats was the leader or deputy and the Clan wondered what had happened to them. However, the Clan could find no sign of Lynxstar or his deputy. It was soon deduced that the pair had probably died in the ensuing chaos and had joined the ranks of the dead. At first the cats panicked.

"Quiet!"

Every cat looked at Treestorm. He actually looked uncomfortable with the sudden attention. Taking a deep breath he pressed on.

"Panicking won't help us become organized. RiverClan has been too long without a leader or deputy that lasted long. We need to choose at least a temporary leader until StarClan sends a sign on who it should be permanently. However, we'll put in a vote. Every cat must agree that the cat chosen is right for the job. I'll start. I choose Milkfur."

Other cats began placing their votes. Milkfur had chosen the Medicine Cat, but in the end the majority of the votes suggested that Milkfur be their temporary leader. It wasn't much, but at least the Clan had some cat they knew was responsible. However, Milkfur had other ideas.

"Why me? What did I do to deserve this?"

"It was that ThunderClan Apprentice. It was his first time out when he crossed our border. You were willing to let him go with a warning, but also told him that next time he wouldn't be so lucky. A leader like that is one we deserve."

Cats nodded and Milkfur sat back on her paws. Her compassion towards the Apprentice was what got her this position now. With a deep breath the she-cat nodded.

"Very well. I will do my best to lead while we keep an eye out for any signs that StarClan has an intended leader. I will not be leader long if another cat is what StarClan has in mind. And I most certainly won't lead with false pretenses."

Looking at the gathered cats she went on, "For now I want all of you to gather supplies to help rebuild the camp. We will need a place to sleep tonight. And I want cats to find some prey. Hopefully there will be some left after that disaster."

The cats disbanded, but Milkfur stopped Gorsefur. "Wait. I would like to speak with you."

"What is it?"

"Gorsefur, as temporary leader I cannot think of kits right now. I want you to follow your heart and go where it leads you."

"But that's you!"

"Gorsefur. Imagine what would happen if StarClan DID choose me to be the leader they intended. What then? I can't have kits as a leader, but you on the other paw would be free to choose another mate."

She smiled and placed her tail gently on his shoulder. "I just want you to be happy, Gorsefur. If another mate is what makes you happy then so be it. I just don't want to see you suffer if I become leader."

She pressed herself against him with a purr. "I would rather see you with another mate then just moping around one who can't have kits."

Gorsefur nodded, "Very well. I see your point and I thank you for being honest with me." He purred in response, "Just promise me that we'll still be friends after this?"

"Of course! Gorsefur you saved my life when I was just a kit. I would be a fool to not at least still be friends with you after that. Even Treestorm admires you though he will never admit it to you."

"I know. I've seen the way he looks at me when he thought I wasn't looking. Thank you, Milkfur, for giving me this gift. I will treasure it."

Milkfur watched as her former mate went off to join the others in gathering supplies. Looking at the sky she hoped that RiverClan's future would be a good one.

Please show us who the leader you want is. We need them now, more than ever.

Several moons passed when the Medicine Cat ran up to her.

"Milkfur! I've had a dream from StarClan!"

"What is it?"

"Well I was dreaming I was walking through the forest when a scent got my attention. At first I thought it was mouse or something, but I realized that it wasn't the scent of prey, but something else. I followed the scent until I got to a Twoleg nest. At first I was confused as to why I was dreaming of Twolegs, but the door opened and inside I saw a furlike pelt lying on the floor. Curious I got closer."

Milkfur listened intently. Was this the sign they were looking for?

"In the center was a bowl of milk. Milkfur I think StarClan wants YOU to be our leader. Will you do it?"

Milkfur nodded. "If I am the leader that StarClan wants then I cannot ignore this. We will go to Moonstone tomorrow to speak with StarClan. If I am the leader they want I will return as Milkstar, but if not I will step aside for the leader they DO want."

The Medicine Cat nodded and the two prepared for their journey. The next morning the Clan saw Milkfur and their Medicine Cat off. The she-cat knew she could not eat on the journey so ate the herbs required to keep her hunger at bay. A few days before Milkfur had been organizing patrols when Snowfall came up to her and taunted her about Gorsefur not liking her. Owlstep had then told Gorsefur what he had heard. Once it was clear that Snowfall had been jealous of Milkfur, Gorsefur wanted nothing more to do with the she-cat and vowed that he would care for their kits and nothing more. Once at Moonstone, Milkfur went in and pressed her nose against the stone. Night had been falling when the two cats arrived. Now it was time to meet StarClan.

Opening her eyes, Milkfur found herself in a meadow of sorts. Then a voice spoke.

"Greetings, Milkfur..."