#yes Leafpool's life is a not-so-subtle “fuck you” to StarClan

[mothdapple]

My ideal Squirrelstar nine lives ceremony

I sorta wanted to write out this scene since we didn't get to see it in the books, but I also sorta didn't want to completely commit to writing it since I'm feeling lazy lol. So this is choppier and more unpolished than my usual writing.

I did at least put a decent amount of thought into life attributes which were both appropriate for Squirrelflight (highlighting her strengths or something that she should work on) and thematically appropriate for the cats giving them.

1. Firestar: Love.

The first cat that stepped out of the crowd of spirits had a familiar fiery orange pelt. Squirrelflight purred, feeling like a kit again as she tucked her head under her father’s chin.

“Firestar,” she murmured. “It’s so good to see you.”

“It’s wonderful to see you too,” Firestar said, pulling his head back.

He blinked down at her, a gentle look in his bright green eyes. “Are you ready for your first life?”

Squirrelflight inhaled deeply, squaring her shoulders and lifting her chin. “I am.”

Firestar purred. “My daughter, nothing brings me more joy or pride than passing the Clan that was once my ward into your capable paws. Cherish it and love it as I love you, and you love your family in return.” He dipped his head, touching his nose to hers. “I give you this life for love.”

2. Sandstorm: Strength/energy.

A pale ginger figure joined them before Firestar had even stepped back. Squirrelflight purred loudly in greeting as Sandstorm brushed her pelt against hers, purring and twining around her.

“Hi Mom," Squirrelflight said. "I've missed you too."

"Hello, Squirrelflight," Sandstorm said as she pulled away to face her. "You always surprised me when you were a kit, but you continue to defy expectations even now."

Squirrelflight's whiskers twitched in amusement. "And, that's a good thing...?"

Sandstorm arched a brow.

"I suppose that depends on your perspective," she said, lightly teasing. "All I can tell you is my own: by the time I was your age, my bones were tired, and I’d already become an elder. Now I know you’ve always had more energy than me, Squirrelflight— more energy than most cats in fact! But, you’ll need that vigor now more than ever as you become ThunderClan’s leader."

Sandstorm leaned forward to press her muzzle to hers, and Squirrelflight noticed a spark of ferocity in her mother's eyes. "With this life, I give you that strength.”

3. Dustpelt: Mentorship.

Dustpelt strode towards her, his chin held high. Squirrelflight blinked fondly at her old mentor.

"It's also good to see you," she said as he reached her.

Dustpelt just inclined his head in response.

"Squirrelflight," he said, not wasting time on frivolous greetings. “With this life, I give you mentorship. Use it to guide your Clan wisely—” Dustpelt shot her a knowing look, “—even when it’s acting like an unruly apprentice.”

Squirrelflight mrrowed with laughter. She was still purring even as he touched his nose to hers, and the life flooded through her.

4. Feathertail: Perspective.

Squirrelflight purred at the sight of her old friend.

"Feathertail," she said as she reached her. "It's been far too long."

Feathertail blinked at her fondly. "It has, hasn't it? You've accomplished so much since we last saw each other."

Squirrelflight's belly twisted in an old grief.

"But you should have been there to accomplish it too," she murmured.

Feathertail shook her head.

"I've long since come to terms with the lot I had in my life," she said. "At least my death helped you all finish the journey and led to where you are now. Are you ready for your next life?"

Squirrelflight nodded. Feathertail dipped her silver and black striped head to gently touch her nose to Squirrelflight's.

“I give this life for perspective," she said. "It’s easy for Clan cats to see everything from their narrow point-of-view: what’s best for me or for ThunderClan. But you and I have seen more of this world than most during our adventures, and we know it pays to be compassionate, even to those foreign to us. None of us are really so different from each other."

5. Shrewpaw: Foresight.

Squirrelflight purred to see her friend from apprentice-hood approach next. "Hello, Shrewpaw."

Shrewpaw's gaze glinted with amusement as he looked at her.

"I always knew you were going to end up being important one day," he teased. "You're way too bossy, stubborn, and full of yourself to not to."

"Hey!" Squirrelflight said in mock offense. "You better watch yourself! You know, this is the almost-leader of ThunderClan you're talking to."

He tilted his head to the side, a challenge in his expression.

"But you're no true leader without StarClan-given lives, and I'm here with a life for you... so..."

Squirrelflight's eyes narrowed. "Are you holding this life over me?"

Shrewpaw's whiskers quivered in amusement, but he licked his paw in a show of disinterest and drew it over his face. "Maybe."

"You fox-heart," Squirrelflight said, but she wasn't able to swallow back her purrs.

"Mouse-brain," Shrewpaw fired back.

He finally closed the last few tail-lengths of distance between them, his expression growing solemn.

"Are you ready for your next life?" he asked.

Squirrelflight nodded, and Shrewpaw touched his muzzle to hers.

“You and I got into a lot of mischief when we were young with our impulsive, mouse-brained decisions," he said softly. "But, with a whole Clan relying on you, it pays to be thoughtful. I give you this life for foresight.”

His life flowed into her, sweeping her into a vision. Her belly was cramped in hunger as she streaked after a massive bird. There was just one thought in her mind: I need to catch it. I need to catch it.

She was so focused on the bird, she didn't even see the monster coming. One bolt of agony laced through her entire body, and then there was only numbness.

Squirrelflight blinked out of the vision, horror prickling her fur.

I just watched the last moments of Shrewpaw's life.

"I'm sorry," she whispered.

Shrewpaw shook his head. "Don't be. Just don't repeat my mistakes."

Shrewpaw began to pad away. “Remember to look before you leap, alright?” he added from over his shoulder.

“I’ll do my best,” Squirrelflight murmured.

6. Purdy: Patience.

An old brown tom ambled out of the crowd. The friendly look on his face eased some the pain of the life given by Shrewpaw.

"How are ya feelin'?" Purdy asked, gazing at Squirrelflight in concern.

Squirrelflight cleared her throat.

"I'm hanging in there," she rasped.

Purdy nodded.

"You're more than halfway done!" he encouraged. "Are you ready now for my life?"

Squirrelflight braced herself. "Yes."

Purdy touched his nose to hers.

“With this life, I give you patience.” His eyes twinkled with humor. “It can sometimes be as challenging and frustrating to lead a Clan as it is to guide a group of hot-headed warriors through a twolegplace. But, have patience for ThunderClan during the challenging times.”

7. Dandelionkit and Juniperkit: Wonder.

"Mom! Mom!"

The voices immediately yanked at Squirrelflight's attention. A pair of kits were sprinting towards her. A painful rush of joy and grief flooded through Squirrelflight's body. A purr bursting from her throat, she ran forward to meet them. She rasped her tongue over Dandelionkit's and Juniperkit's faces as they circled around her paws.

"My kits," Squirrelflight purred. "My sweet babies. Oh, I've missed you."

"We missed you too!" Dandelionkit said, burying her face in her belly fur.

"But, we know why you had to go back," Juniperkit said, blinking up at her. "And, now you're going to be ThunderClan's leader!"

"And, we get to give you a life!" Dandelionkit squeaked, bouncing with excitement.

"Are you ready?" Juniperkit asked, his little head tilting to the side.

"Yes, of course," Squirrelflight said softly.

She crouched so Juniperkit and Dandelionkit were able to both press their muzzles to her head.

“We give you a life for wonder. Being a leader won’t always be easy,” Juniperkit said, his young voice filled with a wisdom beyond his moons. “But when things are hard, do not forget the blessings within and around you and our Clanmates.”

Dandelionkit blinked at her, a sparkle in her green eyes. “Instead, try looking at the world from a perspective of a kit, and reminding yourself of all the amazing things out there, be it a juicy mouse or the first blossom of newleaf!”

8. Hollyleaf: Forgiveness.

A shadow slipped from the crowd of starry warriors.

"Hi Squirrelflight," she said in a small voice.

"Hollyleaf," Squirrelflight breathed.

Every hair on her pelt ached as it had with Dandelionkit and Juniperkit. She wanted to rush to Hollyleaf as she'd done with them and cover her face in licks, but Squirrelflight stilled her paws. She didn't know if Hollyleaf would appreciate such a gesture.

There was so much still unresolved between them. The time during which Hollyleaf had returned to ThunderClan after the secret reveal had been so brief, and Squirrelflight's time with her in StarClan after she'd been badly injured had been even shorter. A part of Squirrelflight still didn't know where she stood in the eyes of her adoptive daughter.

But, Hollyleaf seemed to be almost equally as unsure of her, since she hung back instead of approaching right away as the other StarClan cats had.

"I need to ask, because I wasn't sure..." Hollyleaf murmured, shuffling her paws awkwardly. "I mean... Do you want me to be the one who gives your next life?"

"Of course!" Squirrelflight exclaimed, her ears angling back at the implication otherwise.

Hollyleaf dipped her head, staring down at her paws.

“Very well then," she said in a low voice. She breathed in deeply. "With this life, I give you forgiveness. I was hurting in the last few moons I was alive, but the way I acted wasn’t right. It only served to hurt myself, you, and the rest of our family— the cats who I care about the most. Do not do as I did and allow anger and stubbornness to blind you when you feel wronged. Instead forgive, and learn to ask for forgiveness in return.”

Hollyleaf finally lifted her gaze to blink at her, a seasons-old grief and regret swimming in her eyes. “I’m sorry, Mom.”

Squirrelflight inhaled sharply, her chest aching.

“There is nothing to forgive,” she whispered. “I love you so much, Hollyleaf. No matter what, you will always be my daughter.”

A rough purr rumbling in her throat, Hollyleaf finally stepped forward, pressing her face to hers. As they rubbed their cheeks and temples together, the life roared through Squirrelflight like a hurricane.

9. Leafpool: Unshakable Morals.

Finally, a small brown tabby padded out from the crowd. Squirrelflight’s heart swelled with love as she watched her sister approach her.

“I’ve missed you so much,” she murmured.

Leafpool’s face was full of affection as she looked at her, but there was also a steely glint of certainty in her eyes.

“I have too,” Leafpool said. “But my journey was over. Yours, though, is still continuing, and there is so much good left for you do for ThunderClan as its leader.”

Leafpool touched her nose to hers, her amber eyes staring deeply into Squirrelflight’s green. “I give you your final life for unshakable morals. You’re a wonderful cat, Squirrelflight, and an even better sister. You’ve always done what you believe is right, no matter what anyone else thought. Never let anyone or anything corrupt your ability to follow your heart.”

Squirrelflight closed her eyes, drinking in her sister’s blessing eagerly, even though she knew like the others, this life would come with pain.

She was swept into a vision. Flashes of their life together, from kit-hood to apprenticeship, flickered rapidly before Squirrelflight. She saw herself leaving with Brambleclaw on the journey, sadness pressing heavy on Leafpaw. Then she saw them reuniting, joy as brilliant as the sun rushing through Leafpaw. Until finally, from Leafpool’s eyes, she saw her giving three little kits over to Squirrelflight. Pain clawed at Leafpool's heart but alongside it, determination that they were doing the right thing.

In the visions, those kits grew up into noble cats that she was so proud of even now, and Squirrelflight still knew that they had made the right choice. Even after all the turmoil it caused in their lives, even after StarClan themselves had put them on trial for it— she and her sister had done their best with what they knew at the time to give those three innocent, little kits the best lives they could.

As the visions at last faded, Squirrelflight’s eyes opened to see that Leafpool’s muzzle was still pressed to hers.

“I don’t regret a thing,” Leafpool whispered.

Squirrelflight’s purr was thick with emotion as she responded. “Me neither.”

Leafpool purred too, and finally, she stepped back, lifting her chin.

“I hail you by your new name, Squirrelstar! Your old life is no more. You have now received the nine lives of a leader, and StarClan grants you the guardianship of ThunderClan. Defend it well; care for young and old; honor your ancestors and the traditions of the warrior code; live each life with pride and dignity.”

Leafpool threw her head back.

“Squirrelstar! Squirrelstar!”

#warrior cats fanfic #warrior cats writing #squirrelflight #hollyleaf #leafpool #firestar #sandstorm #asc thunder #yes Leafpool's life is a not-so-subtle “fuck you” to StarClan