Chapter Text

Ravenpaw’s Welcome 

Prologue:

Two tom cats stood at the edge of the river, one with grey fur and the other a blazing fire color pelt. Their foreheads were pressed together and the grey tom was mewing, “Together forever.” 

“Forever,” echoed the orange tom and twined his tail with his mate’s. 

The two cats smiled at each other and their noses touched a delicate, loving contact that lasted no more than a heartbeat. The best of friends, the best of mates. With a great leap the orange tom leaped upon the gray tom bowling him over and held him delicately between his front paws. 

“I love you,” two voices whispered in the quiet of the starry night. 

Chapter One: 

Ravenpaw held his paw up as dust motes danced among the dawn light in the barn. He could smell the fresh hay, hear the barn animals rustle below, and most important of all feel Barley pressed against his back. Ravenpaw let out a satisfying purr as he stretched luxuriously kneading his paws into his best friend’s back. 

Barley woke up with a good natured grunt mumbling, “Keep your paws to yourself!” as he stretched his jaws wide in a yawn. 

Ravepaw just chuckled and continued kneading Barley’s back. “Doesn’t that feel good though?” 

Barley sighed and mocked rolled his eyes. He jumped up and groomed scraps of hay from his pelt. Ravenpaw followed his lead. His pelt tingled with excitement at being so close to the handsome tom. Ever since Firestar and Graystripe brought him here, no, ever since Barley had saved them from the rat attack when Bluestar was still alive Ravenpaw had felt a crush hidden in the recess of his heart start to grow for Barley. Ravenpaw kept his feelings hidden from his friend for fear of ruining their friendship. It was normal for same gendered cats to become mates in the clans, something kittypets and sometimes rouges did not understand. 

Even Ravenpaw’s best friends Graystripe and Firestar had fallen for each other formally asking to become mates. Ravenpaw had been ecstatic when they visited and brought the good news. It was a relief to hear they had finally figured out their feelings for each other. Now if only Ravenpaw could follow in their footsteps and tell Barley how he really felt.

“Ready to go?” Barley had finished grooming and was looking expectantly at Ravepaw. 

Ravenpaw nodded a lump of emotion in his throat. He followed the black and white tom out of the barn. He and Barley had fallen into the routine of taking relaxing walks around the farm. It was something Ravenpaw was always excited to do with Barley but especially today. Today was the day Ravenpaw would tell Barley how he felt. On Firestar’s and Graystripe’s last visit, Ravenpaw had confessed he liked Barley to which Graystripe had purred and said that had been obvious to them for some time. Ravenpaw had been embarrassed, but Firestar said that every cat had been there at least once. 

“My advice,” Firestar had said, “is to take him to some place where you both feel comfortable. If you feel it’s the right time then tell him. If you don’t then don’t.” 

“But is it really that simple?” Ravenpaw had protested. 

Graystripe rested a comforting tail on the black tom’s shoulder. “It’s less complicated than you think. Once you start talking, it becomes easier to confess your feelings.”

Firestar twitched his tailtip, “I remember a certain cat who couldn’t stop stumbling over his words.” He gave Graystripe a lick on his cheek. 

Graystripe had replied, “Okay, so it wasn’t that easy for me, but at least I finally figured out where my heart lies. With you.” 

Firestar’s tail had curled around the gray tom’s shoulders drawing him close. 

Ravenpaw had sighed wishing he and Barley could be like that one day. A tail flicking his ear jolted him back to the present. 

“You okay Ravenpaw?” asked Barley, “Is something on your mind?” 

Ravenpaw took a breath. He knew it was time, but his paws wouldn’t stop shaking with nervous energy. “Actually, yeah I do, but not here.” He bounded a little ways forward, Barley following, confusion shadowing his face along with concern. 

Ravenpaw found a small clearing with the wheat folded over on itself creating a dusty cave. The ground was warm and soft with fresh dirt heated by the sun. 

This was the perfect place. 

Ravenpaw sat down Barley next to him and took a deep breath, “I don’t want you to think any differently of me, but I want you to know.” 

Barley sighed, “I knew this was coming.” 

Ravenpaw looked up in surprise. “You know?” 

Barley nodded, “Ever since Firestar and Graystripe have been visiting you’ve been different. Always staring into space like your mind was elsewhere. If you want to go back I won’t hold you here.”

Go back ? What did Barley mean?

“I know you miss the forest,” Barley continued. 

“Wait, t-that’s not what I wanted to talk to you about!” Ravenpaw didn’t want Barley to get the wrong idea. 

“But I thought…” Barley let his voice trail off. 

“I don’t ever want to leave you!” Ravenpaw continued putting as much force into his tone as he could. “I could never leave you. I want us to always be together, because I love you. I want us to become mates.”

Barley’s eyes stretched wide with surprise. “I-I thought you wanted to go back to ThunderClan.” 

“No, I want to stay here with you,” Ravenpaw touched his nose to Barley’s ear. “I love you.” he murmured as gently as the wind blowing outside. 

Barley closed his eyes as love overflowed his heart bringing emotion to his eyes. “I-I love you too.” 

The two tom cats brought their foreheads together. Neither had to say anything else, they knew the answer and the answer was yes . 

…

That night as they lay together among the hay, the stars shining brightly above they formally became mates. 

My best friend and my mate. Ravenpaw thought as he lay under Barley. “I love you,” he said, licking Barley's cheek. Ravenpaw shut his eyes as something tightened in his stomach. 

“I love you more,” Barley replied, emotion tightening his throat. 

Ngh, Ravenpaw’s tail curled in pain, then relaxed as he focused on his breathing steadily exhaling.   

Barley laid down beside Ravenpaw exhausted. He drew a paw across his ear panting slightly. “Whew! I haven’t felt that good in a while. How are you holding up?” 

Ravenpaw arched his back and stretched his forepaws in front of him, his claws raking satisfyingly through the hay. “Surprisingly  good.” he replied joyfully, “Although I’ll be sore tomorrow.”

Barley licked his shoulder to hide his embarrassment. “Sorry, I should’ve gone easy on you.” 

Ravenpaw flicked his friend over the ear with the tip of black tail. “There’s nothing to be sorry for. I’m happy we can be together like this. I’m happy you’re my mate.” 

“I feel the same.” Barley tugged Ravenpaw down until they were laying side by side looking up at the stars through the spaces between the boards of the barn roof. 

“It’s a beautiful night.” Barley remarked. 

Ravenpaw agreed. It was beautiful. The stars were shining bright as if his ancestors approved of his choice for a mate. 

A few sunrises later and they were on their way to Twoleg place to visit Barley’s sister Violet. They had visited plenty of times before, but this time they were bringing the news that they were mates. Ravenpaw’s belly tightened with nervousness, he hoped she would approve. 

“She will,” Barley said as if he could tell what Ravenpaw was thinking and gave him a reassuring lick around the ear. 

The acrid tang of the Twoleg place made Ravenpaw’s nostrils flare in disgust. Nausea roiled in stomach and he almost stopped walking, struggling to keep it down. For some reason it smelled especially bad today. Finally they saw the white picket fence where Violet resided. 

“Hi you two!” She greeted them in the back garden. Four heads popped out from her fur. Four tiny kits scrambled out and greeted the farm cats enthusiastically. 

“Hi!” 

“Hello!” four tiny voices greeted them. 

“Who are you?” 

“Where do you come from?”

“So many questions!” Violet chided her kits. 

Their tiny bodies swarmed Ravenpaw and Barley. 

“Er hi,” Ravenpaw mewed shyly. He swished his tail out of the way of two kits that tried to jump on it. 

“Lulu, Patch!” Violet called harshly, “Behave yourselves please,” 

“You smell funny,” an orange kit that looked almost like Firestar, mewed. 

“Bella! That’s rude to our guests. Riley come here.” Violet beckoned with her tail to a gray striped one that was stalking Barley’s tail, that reminded Ravenpaw of Graystripe. 

“Go to your mother,” Barley said, his eyes soft as he nudged the gray kit in the direction of Violet. 

Violet sighed and said, “Kits!” to her brother. Ravenpaw and Barley spent a few moments tiring the kits out and once Violet got her kits settled down, all three cats settled themselves on the raised platform. 

“What a nice surprise, Barley.” Violet said. “What brings you two here?” 

“Well,” Barley cast a glance at Ravenpaw who let out a purr. “We have some exciting news to share. Ravenpaw and I have become mates.” 

Violet’s eyes stretched wide with surprise. “Oh, how wonderful! I’m so happy for you both!” 

“Thanks,” Barley purred, Ravenpaw laid his tail across his mate’s shoulders. 

“We wanted to share the news with you first.” Ravenpaw mewed. 

“I’m honored.” There was a smile in Violet’s voice. 

One of Violet’s kits, Bella, Ravenpaw thought, crawled out from her place among some colored soft Twoleg pelts and padded up to Ravenpaw. “Where are you from?” she asked. 

“The farm,” Ravenpaw replied, “It’s a ways from here.” 

“Do you have kits?” 

Ravenpaw stiffened in surprise. “N-no,” 

“Do you want kits?” 

Ravenpaw hesitated. Did he want kits? It was common knowledge, although it was rare, that some toms had the ability to carry kits like she-cats, but Ravenpaw had heard that the pregnancy was longer and more difficult than a queen’s pregnancy and besides he was sure he didn’t carry that ability within him. 

As he searched for an answer, Violet shooed her kit back into the pelts. 

“I’m sorry,” she apologized to Ravenpaw. “Bella is just such an inquisitive kit.” 

“It’s no problem," Barley replied. As if sensing Ravenpaw’s discomfort, he stood up. 

“Well, we’d better get going. See you soon Violet!” 

Ravenpaw followed Barley, calling out a farewell over his shoulder. 

“Visit again soon!” Violet and the kits said in unison. 

As they walked back home, Barley said, “I don’t want to make you uncomfortable, but have you thought about kits?” 

Ravenpaw shook his head, too breathless to speak. Playing with the kits had left him winded. “I haven’t put much thought into it.” he managed to puff out. Why was he so tired? “I’m sure I don’t have the ability. Sometimes there are signs a tom might have that ability like wider stature or a noticeable scent. But I’ve n-never experienced anything like that.” 

He halted his chest heaving as he fought for air. 

“Let’s rest for a while,” Barley suggested, leading Ravenpaw to a soft patch of moss under a large wooden Twoleg structure. 

Why do I feel so weak today? Ravenpaw wondered. He never got this winded on their walks around the farm. He crouched with Barley’s tail stroking soothingly along his back as he caught his breath. 

“All right,” he said as his breathing evened out. “I feel much better so we should-” a loud yowl cut him off. 

“What are you here?” A harsh voice demanded. A brown tabby tom was standing in front of them fur bristling in anger.

You don’t belong here. This is our territory!” Another tom said standing next to the first one. A she-cat stood behind them flexing her claws menacingly. 

“We’re just passing through,” Barley started to explain. 

“Get lost!” The she-cat shrieked and lunged toward him. 

“Run!” Barley pushed Ravenpaw in front of him, but the she-cat was faster, she dodged cutting off their escape and raked her claws down Ravenpaw’s side. 

Blood gushed out of the wound and he gasped in pain. His old warrior training came flooding back and he shoved her out of the way leaping on top of her and clawing her sides. 

With a massive push she dug her back paws into his belly, throwing him off. 

White hot pain blinded Ravenpaw and he let out an anguished yowl. He landed hard on the ground barely aware of Barley bending over him. 

“Leave them alone!” Violet’s yowl cut through the pain and Ravenpaw lifted his head to see the orange she-cat pin the white she-cat to the ground. She growled threateningly 

 at the two toms. “Go Barley! Take Ravenpaw and get out of here!” 

Somehow, Barley managed to nudge his mate to his paws and they took off in the opposite direction. 

“V-Violet,” Ravenpaw gasped out, his belly was cramping and his lungs burned with the need for air. 

“She’ll be fine,” Barley reassured Ravenpaw as he ran. “She’s a lot tougher than you think.”

Paws thundered behind the two fleeing cats and with horror Ravenpaw realized that one of the toms had broken through and was chasing them. 

“Through here!” Barley found a hole in a fence and shoved Ravenpaw through first then scrambled after him. 

“You won’t get away!” the furious tom yelled as he followed. 

“Don’t stop!” Barley’s eyes were wide with fear and he urged Ravenpaw on. They ran until the sound of the strange tom chasing them faded. 

“We’ll be safe here for a bit,” Barley said as he surveyed the clearing the stumbled into. 

Ravenpaw barely registered his mate’s words before he was vomiting red blood onto the ground. His belly felt awful. Pain shot through his body as he huddled on the ground leaning against Barley for support. 

“Just breathe,” Barley murmured. Shadows swam behind Ravenpaw’s eyes. Pawsteps sounded behind them and the dark tom burst into view. 

“Found you,” he snarled, “Maybe this will teach you to respect our territory.” He aimed a blow at Barley who blocked and neatly dodged out of the way. He had to keep the tom busy so Ravenpaw could escape, but just as Ravenpaw was getting ready to attack from behind a blow struck him on the head and he fell forward, stars flashing in his vision. 

A snarl sounded in his ears. 

“There won’t be a next time.” A deep voice cackled. 

“No!” Barley cried, “Someone, anyone, help!” 

“Warriors to me!” A flash of orange fur and a faint familiar voice was all Ravenpaw could barely distinguish before he lost consciousness.