Russetstripe

* Official image
* Portrait
* Official art
* Life image

**Russetstripe** is a fluffy, long-furred ginger she-cat with a darker stripe across her back and vivid green eyes.

## History

Born as Russetkit alongside her brother, Scorchkit, to Sunleaf and Swiftstar, Russetkit is eager to impress her father, the Clan leader. She notes her father already has a soft spot for Scorchkit, and Russetkit feels she must try hard to earn his love. She travels to ThunderClan territory with Blackkit to try to impress him, but instead, Swiftstar punishes her by not making her an apprentice at the same time her denmates are. Frustrated, Russetkit escapes camp, wanting to live on her own, but sees RiverClan leading an attack patrol to WindClan. She runs back and warns Swiftstar, allowing them to prepare for the attack. Russetkit is made an apprentice after for her bravery with the name of Russetpaw to Rabbitfur.
During her apprenticeship, Russetpaw is pitted against Wildpaw in their training, frustrating her to no end. She works hard under Rabbitfur and rescues Hollypaw when she is caught in another RiverClan skirmish. Russetpaw watches in horror as her father kills the RiverClan leader in his camp. She meets another apprentice, Winterpaw of ThunderClan, and bonds with him, but is shocked when he turns on her at the Gathering, accusing her and her Clan of being responsible in one of his Clanmate's disappearance.
Swiftstar leads an attack on ThunderClan, bringing Russetpaw, Gorsepaw, Blackpaw, and Scorchpaw along. Russetpaw fights against Winterpaw, now known as Winterfall, and vows to never trust a cat in another Clan again. She fights well and is given the name of Russetstripe for the stripe down her back. Russetstripe sits vigil with Gorseflight, Blackdove, and Scorchclaw. Wildpaw is incredibly jealous of Russetstripe becoming a warrior before her and "winning" the competition, causing them to be bitter enemies.
Adderstripe, Russetstripe's half-brother, turns on Swiftstar and leads a rebellion against his father after severely hurting Scorchclaw with the help of Brambledusk. Russetstripes tries to comfort her father and kills Adderstripe in the heat of battle. She pleads with Swiftstar to release Brambledusk from his prison. Despite this, Brambledusk is furious at Russetstripe for killing his best friend.
Swiftstar, growing more and more wrathful by the day and eager to seek out revenge for the cats involved in Adderstripe's rebellion, kidnaps Emberpaw, Rootstar's son, and makes him a hostage. Russetstripe is horrified, thinking that Emberpaw is innocent. She promises Emberpaw she will find a way to get him out, and when Swiftstar leads an attack patrol to ThunderClan territory, Russetstripe sneaks out Emberpaw through the tunnels with the help of Blackdove and Gorseflight. Back at camp, Swiftstar accuses Russetstripe of being involved with Emberpaw's escape, and only Scorchclaw is able to calm Swiftstar down. Swiftstar orders that she join his attack patrols from now on.
Russetstripe sees Gorseflight leaving camp multiple times, and one time she follows him. She finds out that Gorseflight has been meeting with a group of cats that believe in anti-violence. Later on, Scorchclaw finds proof of prey-stealing, and Swiftstar sends a patrol to investigate, where they find the Nirvana cats in their territory. Swiftstar believes they are the cats stealing the prey, but Russetstripe and Gorseflight cannot believe it, since the Nirvana cats only eat the food in the Twolegplace. Russetstripe rushes ahead to warn the Nirvana cats and helps evacuate them. However, Swiftstar and WindClan arrive quicker than she thought, and the battle ends up being a one-sided massacre. Back at camp, Swiftstar berates Russetstripe fiercely, and Russetstripe tells him that he is not her father.
Swiftstar passes away, and Russetstripe shows no grief, much to her brother and mother's chagrin. She is proud of her brother when he becomes leader with the name of Scorchstar, but is surprised when he makes Brambledusk deputy, noting that Brambledusk was involved in the rebellion. Scorchstar tells her that he has forgiven him. When Dapplestar attacks WindClan for the first time, Russetstripe joins Scorchstar in defeating them easily. Dapplestar attacks again with ThunderClan helping her, and this time, Russetstripe is gravely injured, although she recovers with Violetheart's help.
Russetstripe gains Frostpaw as an apprentice, and is strict with the air-headed apprentice. While out training, a fire razes WindClan's territory, and Russetstripe helps her Clan evacuate. When she is unable to find her brother, she returns to the blazing camp and sees Brambledusk and Scorchstar trying to evacuate Violetheart's herbs. The branch falls, and Russetstripe is terrified to see it heading straight for Scorchstar. Brambledusk pushes Scorchstar out of the way and the burning branch falls on top of him. Russetstripe helps Scorchstar rescue Brambledusk and they evacuate the camp using the tunnels. They go to RiverClan and ask for shelter, which Dapplestar begrudgingly allows.
In the RiverClan camp, Russetstripe bonds with a warrior named Runningflame. He takes her out to keep her mind off the fire, challenging her to various dares, some borderline dangerous. Runningflame brings her back to camp and Russetstripe finds herself feeling something for the tom she never had before. When the WindClan cats prepare to leave, Runningflame asks her to meet him again. They do, and Runningflame takes her to the Twolegplace where they watch fireworks. On their way back to camp, Russetstripe tells Runningflame that this is wrong. Runningflame says that if she tells him to leave her alone, he will not bother her again. Instead, Russetstripe asks him to meet her again.
Their relationship begins to grow stronger as they finally confess that they love each other. One day, Russetstripe is walking back home from meeting with him when Blackdove confronts her. Blackdove tells Russetstripe she knows of their relationship and asks her to break it off. Russetstripe cannot, and instead goes back to camp to train her apprentice. She takes Frostpaw out and they run into a dog, with Frostpaw defeats with her sister. Frostpaw becomes a warrior with the name of Frostpetal.
A rogue attacks WindClan with the intent to kill Hotaru, a cat that Scorchstar rescued from the Twolegplace. The rogue takes one of Scorchstar's lives and retreats. Hotaru and Iceheart, Frostpetal's sister and Hotaru's mate, flee the camp. Russetstripe and Brambledusk go after them, and Runningflame joins them in the patrol. They follow the scents of the two wayward young cats, and when Russetstripe goes after a stray scent, she is kidnapped by a rogue. Runningflame and Brambledusk come to her rescue but are nearly killed by the rogue cats. Hotaru and Iceheart interfere, with Hotaru being able to subdue the main rogue. Russetstripe, along with Runningflame and Brambledusk, are able to convince Iceheart and Hotaru to come back to WindClan.
Scorchstar and Russetstripe constantly squabble, with Scorchstar being suspicious that Russetstripe is meeting with a cat from another Clan. The argument boils to a point where Scorchstar tells Russetstripe he does not trust her anymore. At the same time, Icefrost and Briskheart from ThunderClan arrive to WindClan's camp to request their help in a sickness they are fighting. Russetstripe offers to come, needing to get away from Scorchstar and WindClan. Icefrost accepts, and Russetstripe attends Sedgefall and the two warriors to their camp. Rootstar accepts Russetstripe in warmly and allows her to stay as he journeys to a faraway place with several of his Clanmates.
During her time in ThunderClan's camp, she reconciles her old friendship with Winterfall, and becomes close to Sunfire, the Clan deputy. Houndheart, a fiercely outspoken warrior, despises Russetstripe's presence in the camp and barks at her whenever he gets the chance. One day, his rage boils and he claws Sunfire in the face, temporarily blinding him. Winterfall orders Houndheart to be seized and Russetstripe helps the silver tabby tom bring Sunfire to the leader's den. Russetstripe suggests that Winterfall leads ThunderClan for the time being, and Sunfire agrees. Winterfall brings ThunderClan to a Gathering where he finds out that Peartuft, Rootstar's brother, had killed his brother and rebelled. Russetstripe follows Winterfall and joins the battle against Peartuft, but Peartuft is able to retreat into the moor. Scorchstar follows Russetstripe and tells him that he wants her back in WindClan. Russetstripe is silent and follows Winterfall back to ThunderClan.
She supports Winterfall during his time as ThunderClan's temporary leader and joins him when he decides to check out Peartuft's camp. They help Firefall and Lionflight escape, with the two explaining they were manipulated by Houndheart's daughter, Breezeflower. Finally, Rootstar comes back to ThunderClan and is greeted with the news of what happened. At the same time, Harewhisker asks that Russetstripe and Sedgefall be brought back to WindClan. Rootstar agrees and sends the two cats back, where Russetstripe finds out that Peartuft is targeting WindClan as well.
The ThunderClan cats visit WindClan and ask Scorchstar for an alliance. Scorchstar agrees, and Russetstripe offers to accompany them back to their camp. On their way through the moor, Winterfall, Honeyfeather, Sunfire, and Russetstripe are attacked by a FierceClan patrol, rendered unconscious by their use of poison. When Russetstripe awakes, she sees that she and the ThunderClan cats are kept in a bramble prison, coated with poison. She thinks about Runningflame, Blackdove, and Scorchstar as she and her friends are tortured. Russetstripe bears the most of the poison, keeping herself in the way of the thorns, citing that her thick fur will protect her. Soon, she falls unconscious due to the amount of poison in her body. She and the other ThunderClan cats are rescued by Rootstar and Scorchstar, and Scorchstar brings her home.
Russetstripe is comatose for many days, to the point where WindClan slowly accepts that she is dying. Runningflame sneaks into camp with Blackdove's help and bids farewell to her, but is caught by Scorchstar. When ThunderClan receives reinforcements from the Dragon Tree, Lord Nightstalker comes to the WindClan camp and treats Russetstripe with a unique kind of medicine, drawing her from her trance. Russetstripe awakens, although she is still weak and tired.
Russetstripe hears that RiverClan has burned ShadowClan to the ground, and arranges a meeting with Runningflame to figure out if it is true. Runningflame confesses that it is, and tells Russetstripe that he is a loyal RiverClan warrior and he cannot meet her anymore. Russetstripe, although furious and heartbroken, asks him for one last night together. Runningflame agrees, but the next morning, he is gone. Russetstripe travels back to her camp, but is ambushed by a RiverClan on the way.
Dapplestar burns WindClan's territory to the ground, and Russetstripe is one of the few survivors. She helps the next day with retrieving corpses, and Winterfall sees what is going on, coming to her assistance. When Russetstripe travels back to their temporary camp, she sits vigil with the rest of her Clan to honor all of the dead warriors. Sedgefall takes her to the side to examine her and tells her that she is expecting kits. Russetstripe is horrified, knowing they are Runningflame's. The next day, Swiftcloud comes to the WindClan cats and tell them that Dapplestar is dead and Shimmerwing is fighting for her leadership. Despite knowing she is expecting, Russetstripe joins the battle. Shimmerwing and the other Clans win, and Russetstripe sees Runningflame. Runningflame apologizes to her, and Russetstripe simply tells him she is expecting his kits after forgiving him. Runningflame asks what their future will hold, and Russetstripe says she will figure it out.
Russetstripe finds out that Blackdove and Brambledusk are dead, breaking her emotionally. She tells Scorchstar that she is expecting Runningflame's kits, and her brother does not take to it easily. She requests Scorchstar's permission to leave WindClan and join RiverClan, adding to Scorchstar's dismay. He finally agrees, and Russetstripe bids an emotional farewell to her brother before joining RiverClan to stay with Runningflame. Shimmerwing, now Shimmerstar, accepts Russetstripe.
A few moons later, Russetstripe gives birth to Runningflame's kits, naming them Flamekit, Tigerkit, and Lionkit. Scorchstar visits often now that the Clans are at peace. They become apprentices with the names of Flamepaw, Tigerpaw, and Lionpaw. During their apprenticeship, Russetstripe travels to WindClan to join an attack against a fox that had been terrorizing WindClan for quite some time. In the battle, Scorchstar dies of an infected wound, and his daughter, Hawkfire, takes over as leader. Russetstripe is devastated at the loss of her brother and grieves him immensely. She returns to RiverClan with her new family.
Her kits are made warriors, taking the names of Flameheart, Tigerblaze, and Lionflame. Russetstripe is proud of her kits and is content with her new life.
## Personality

Russetstripe is known for her bold and daring nature. She fearlessly expresses her opinions and isn't afraid to challenge authority or question decisions she believes to be wrong. Her spirited personality shines through in her interactions, making her a charismatic and captivating presence. Russetstripe has a strong will and a determination to follow her own path. She is not easily swayed by others' opinions and prefers to make her own choices based on her personal convictions. She resists conforming to rules or traditions that she sees as stifling or unjust, often pushing the boundaries and exploring alternative approaches. Russetstripe is dedicated to her Clan and the cats she loves. She takes her responsibilities seriously and is willing to put in the hard work required to achieve her goals. She is dependable and can be relied upon to fulfill her duties with unwavering commitment.
Russetstripe has a genuine care and concern for others. She is quick to offer help and support, meeting kindness with even greater kindness. Her altruistic nature extends beyond her Clan, and she is eager to contribute to causes she believes in, championing the underdogs and fighting for what she perceives as justice. Russetstripe is fiercely loyal to her convictions and the causes she holds dear. She passionately defends what she believes is right, even if it means going against the grain or facing opposition. Her loyalty is unwavering, and she stands up for what she believes in, regardless of the consequences. Russetstripe is guided by her instincts and follows her heart, often trusting her intuition over logical reasoning. She is driven by her inner convictions and seeks to make choices that align with her values and ideals, even if it means deviating from the expected or conventional path.

## Family

**Mother:**

Sunleaf: Deceased
**Father:**

Swiftstar: Deceased
**Brother:**

Scorchstar: Deceased
**Half-brother:**

Adderstripe: Deceased
**Mate:**

Runningflame: Living
**Daughter:**

Flameheart: Living
**Sons:**

Tigerblaze: Living
Lionflame: Living