Cardinalpaw

**Cardinalpaw** is a reddish orange tabby tom with green eyes.

#### Allegiances

Cardinalkit is listed under Allegiance Update 2 as a kit of Shadowclan, the son of Bloomfire and Flameheart.

Cardinalpaw is listed under Allegiance Update 3 and Allegiance Update 4 as an apprentice of Shadowclan, being mentored by Bloodfur.

Cardinalpaw is listed under Allegiance Update 5 as an apprentice of Shadowclan being mentored by Timberstorm.

#### Chapter 13

Bloodpaw goes into the nursery to meet his new siblings and describes them as different shades of orange and gold. The names of the kits are revealed. Flameheart points his tail at a little orange-red tabby tom and reveals in a purr that his name is Cardinalkit.

Bloodpaw purrs and admires him, happy that he has more kin in the clan and they'll like him. He says that they're amazing. He realizes that even if he doesn't have the clan's support, he'll always have his family and they're all he needs.

A few days pass, and it's noted that Bloomfire's kits are growling strongly, and that Bloodpaw visits them every day after his training, but doubt's he'll be able to that night as he's exhausted from night training. He decides to see the kits, as he wants to develop a connection with them. He worries if he doesn't visit them they'll forget him, and doesn't want to lose them like he did Mistypaw and Coldpaw. He figures the kits will be asleep this late at night, but wants to check anyway. However he does not, as Depthstar asks him to go to highstones with him.

#### Chapter 15

Bloodfur decides to go visit Bloomfire's kits. He notes that he can't believe how much they'd grown in just two moons, and feels like yesterday they were the size of mice. He ducks into the nursery and is met by the swarm of kits almost immediately. They yowl his name happily and pin him, walking all over his stomach.

When Applekit asks Bloodfur to show them a hunting crouch, Cardinalkit stands by Bloodfur's head and says "Please", eyes shining.

Bloodfur purrs, realizing that the kits love him and thinking about how great it is to have more kin in the clan. He agrees to show them a hunting crouch, and Cardinalkit squeaks "Yay!" excitedly and asks him to show them. Bloomfire calls out to the kits, purring that he can't show them anything if they're clinging to him like fleas. They get off him and Bloodfur gets to his paws, saying he'll show them outside so that they won't bother Greenpine and Poisonedsap.

Foxkit stares up at Bloodfur and asks if they can go, and Bloodfur leads them outside. Bloomfire follows and sits outside the den, watching them warmly. He leads the kits deeper into the clearing then turns to them, asking them to show him a hunting crouch. Cardinalkit is confused, saying he thought Bloodfur was going to show them. Bloodfur says he will, but wants to see what they already know first. Cardinalkit says "okay" and sits down, looking up at Bloodfur eagerly.

Bloodfur sees the kits staring at him with wide eager eyes and realizes that he means a lot to them. He asks them to show him their hunting crouches. The kits drop into hunting crouches, none of which are proper. Bloodfur says to Cardinalkit that he doesn't even know what he's trying to do. The kits are disappointed and embarrassed. Bloodfur worries he hurt their feelings and says they all did fine for a first try, and they should have seen his first hunting crouch. Bloodfur shows them a proper hunting crouch. The kits try to copy him, and Cardinalkit and Foxkit seem to be getting the hang of it. Bloodfur praises them, saying they'll be ahead of every other apprentice at this rate.

Flameheart returns to camp and comments that he was going to see them, but Bloodfur seems to be doing the fathering for him. Bloodfur is embarrassed and apologizes, but Flameheart is glad Bloodfur is there for them, as training with Honeypaw keeps him away. The kits run to greet their father and pester him. Cardinalkit weaves around Flameheart's legs and excitedly tells him Bloodfur taught them the hunting crouch. Flameheart purrs "Did he?"

After Swiftstalker warns Bloodfur to stay away from Poisonedsap, Cardinalkit and his siblings race over to Bloodfur, yowling his name excitedly. Cardinalkit hopefully asks if he'll show them something else tomorrow. Bloodfur purrs that he will and says he'll always be there for them. Cardinalkit stares up at him and asks if he promises, and Bloodfur does, saying he's their brother.

The kits purr and race away, and Bloodfur feels warm, silently vowing to keep them safe and never let anything harm them. But he remembers that they won't be in the nursery forever, and won't want to see him when they have mentors. He loves spending time with them and knows they look up to him.

He decides to ask Depthstar if he'll let him mentor one of the kits. Depthstar is hesitant, thinking he might go easy on a cat who is his kin. Bloodfur promises to train his apprentice as hard as any cat. Depthstar agrees to let him train one of Bloomfire's kits when the time comes, and Bloodfur is delighted. He wonders which kit he'll get to mentor, then decides it doesn't matter, as they're all great.

#### Chapter 16

Two moons have passed and it's time for Cardinalkit and his siblings to begin their training. Bloodfur expects that Depthstar will call the meeting soon. He's excited to find out which of the kits he'll be mentoring. Depthstar calls the clan meeting. Cardinalkit and his siblings race out of the nursery with their tails high in the air. Their eyes show how excited they are. Bloomfire follows more slowly and calls out to them, saying she needs to clean them up first. Flameheart joins her and purrs that they look fine. The four kits sit alongside each other and stare up at Depthstar eagerly.

Depthstar addresses their names and announces it's time for them to be apprenticed. Cardinalkit trembles with excitement, tail waving back and forth. After Foxpaw and Heatpaw are apprenticed, Bloodfur looks at the remaining kits: Cardinalkit and Applekit. He notes that Cardinalkit is careful but eager to learn. He decides that he can't hope for one over the other, as both would make excellent apprentices.

Depthstar names Cardinalpaw an apprentice and announces Bloodfur as his mentor. He expects him to pass on all he knows to Cardinalpaw, who spins around with his tail in the air, excitedly asking if Bloodfur is really going to be his mentor. Bloodfur nods, and Cardinalpaw hurries to touch noses with him, eyes shining. He purrs how lucky he is and promises not to let him down. Bloodfur says he knows he won't and promises to be the best mentor he can ask for.

The clan chants Cardinalpaw's name as well as his siblings new names. Flameheart and Bloomfire come over to see them. Flameheart purrs how glad he is that Depthstar gave Bloodfur one of the kits, as he knows he can trust him more than any other warrior. Meanwhile, Bloomfire nuzzles Cardinalpaw. Bloodfur promises to train him well and says he's in good paws. Bloomfire agrees. Cardinalpaw bounces around Bloodfur and asks hopefully if they can go see the territory. Bloodfur agrees and nudges him. Cardinalpaw is delighted and bounds away to the thorn tunnel, calling to Bloodfur to hurry up. Bloodfur is surprised at how fast he is and quickly follows.

Cardinalpaw is in awe of the territory the first time he sees it, amazed at how tall the pine trees are. He sees a frog leap by and squeaks, jumping back and telling Bloodfur to look. Bloodfur purrs as he watches his apprentice, recalling how he'd had the same reaction when Brownstripe showed him the forest for the first time. He tells Cardinalpaw that it's all theirs and has belonged to Shadowclan for many generations, but isn't sure if Cardinalpaw heard him as he's too busy looking around at every sound he hears in the trees and grass.

Bloodfur decides to start out by showing him the thunderpath. Cardinalpaw asks what that is, and Bloodfur says he'll find out soon enough. When they get there, more monsters are traveling on it than usual. Cardinalpaw hangs back in the grass, staring at it wide eyed. Bloodfur tells him it's alright and urges him to come closer, or he won't be able to smell anything. Cardinalpaw is afraid, thinking the monsters might attack him. Bloodfur understands, as he felt the same way when Brownstripe showed him the thunderpath. He remembers how Brownstripe scared him and decides to introduce Cardinalpaw to the thunderpath more gently. He promises they won't attack him, as they like to stay on the paths.

Cardinalpaw hesitates before slinking forward, his eyes round as moons. He stops a few fox lengths from Bloodfur, afraid. Bloodfur coaxes him forward, promising he'll be fine. Cardinalpaw steps to Bloodfur's side and brushes against him, looking around nervously. He is still wary as Bloodfur points out Thunderclan's territory on the other side and tells Cardinalpaw not to cross the thunderpath alone, as it could be dangerous. Cardinalpaw asks if he's ever crossed it, and Bloodfur tells him the times he crossed it during the battle with Thunderclan and to get help for Dewstorm. Cardinalpaw perks up, saying that Bloomfire had told him that story, adding that Bloodfur saved Dewstorm's life. Bloodfur is amused and says that it wasn't all him. Cardinalpaw admires Bloodfur, saying that he was the only cat who could go to Thunderclan to ask for Spicewhisker, and Dewstorm would have died if it weren't for Bloodfur. He adds that he crossed the thunderpath all by himself and is about to say more when a twoleg monster goes out of control and screeches toward them.

Cardinalpaw lets out a wail of terror and Bloodfur grabs his scruff, shooting back with him just as the monster rolls by. He lets go of him and Cardinalpaw presses against Bloodfur, his fur fluffed up and eyes filled with even more terror then before. Bloodfur tries to calm himself and tells him that they usually stay on the thunderpath. Cardinalpaw doesn't respond, his tail fluffy like a squirrel's and fear scent coming off of him stronger than the reek of the thunderpath. Bloodfur wraps his tail around him and licks him between the ears, telling him he's safe.

Cardinalpaw is alarmed and whimpers, asking what if a monster tries to attack him again. Bloodfur says it won't and he won't let one hit him. Cardinalpaw looks at Bloodfur, terrified, and asks what if he's not there. Bloodfur feels compassionate and rubs his muzzle against Cardinalpaw's, promising to always be there and he won't let anything hurt him. Cardinalpaw starts to relax and lets out a brief purr, asking if they can go somewhere else. Bloodfur purrs "of course", and Cardinalpaw sighs in relief as they leave the thunderpath.

When they return to camp, Bloodfur asks Cardinalpaw if he had fun today. Cardinalpaw purrs, saying that besides almost getting killed by a monster, it was great. He adds that he's so happy Bloodfur is his mentor, as he's always been there for him. He says he's proud to be his brother and hopes that one day he'll be half as good a warrior as he is. Bloodfur is touched and doesn't know how to respond, thinking about how Bloomfire' kits look up to him and he'll make sure nothing changes that. He thinks they'll be incredible warriors and wants to be there for them every step of the way.

Cardinalpaw immediately races to his littermates, purring a greeting. They start exchanging information about their first day as an apprentice.

Two days later, Bloodfur pads out of the warriors den. He has a full day of training planned with Cardinalpaw. He decides to show him how to hunt today and looks for him. He stiffens when he sees Cardinalpaw and Applepaw with Revengeheart, who is showing them battle moves. He advises the apprentices to always go for the throat or belly, as it's a quick finisher. Cardinalpaw frowns, saying "Isn't it against the warrior code to kill an enemy?". Revengeheart says not if the enemy deserves it. He swipes a paw at Cardinalpaw, and Bloodfur freezes when he sees that Revengeheart's claws are unsheathed. He immediately intervenes, shouldering Cardinalpaw away. He asks Revengeheart what he's doing, and the warrior responds that he's showing them battle moves and tells Bloodfur to keep his fur on. He starts talking to the apprentices again when Bloodfur interrupts, pointing out that his claws are unsheathed and he could hurt them. Revengeheart says they'll learn quicker if they get hurt. He moves Bloodfur aside and tells Cardinalpaw to attack Applepaw. Bloodfur tells Revengeheart not to tell Cardinalpaw what to do, as he's his apprentice, not Revengeheart's. Revengeheart comments it's a shame, as Cardinalpaw deserves a better mentor.

After Bloodfur and Revengeheart fight, Depthstar scolds them, asking what example they're setting for their apprentices. Bloodfur looks at Cardinalpaw and feels guilty. Cardinalpaw stares at him wide eyed and stunned. Depthstar decides to have Bloodfur and Revengeheart take care of the elders tomorrow, and has Swiftstalker train Cardinalpaw for that day.

#### Chapter 17

Bloodfur reflects on the stunned looks on the faces of Cardinalpaw and his parents and feels guilty, as he let them down. It's noted that they understood the situation and forgave him, but Bloodfur still feels ashamed. He heads to camp to train Cardinalpaw.

He looks around for his apprentice, and sure enough, he is sitting outside the medicine den with Creampaw, deep in conversation. Bloodfur sighs and shakes his head, thinking to himself that Cardinalpaw is an excellent hunter, but spends so much time around the medicine den that Bloodfur fears that he wants to be a medicine cat. He doesn't want to hold Cardinalpaw back from pursuing his dreams, but is hurt at the thought of losing his apprentice and brother, additionally wondering what the clan would think of him. He takes comfort knowing that Dewstorm already has an apprentice, and unless Creampaw changed her mind, Cardinalpaw couldn't be a medicine cat.

He pads across the clearing and calls out to Cardinalpaw. he quickly turns to Bloodfur, startled. Bloodfur tells him it's time for a hunting session and asks if he's up to it. Cardinalpaw says sure and flashes Creampaw a look, saying he has to go and "see ya". Creampaw purrs goodbye as he runs to Bloodfur. While they head for the thorn tunnel, Bloodfur comments that he hangs around the medicine den a lot and jokes, asking if he's sure he doesn't want to be a medicine cat instead. Cardinalpaw is confused for a moment, then understands and says he wants to be a warrior. Bloodfur wonders why he was confused.

Before they can leave, Cobratail calls Bloodfur and Cardinalpaw over to join Crowmask's patrol with Cougarfoot and Tinypaw. Bloodfur hesitates, saying he was about to take Cardinalpaw for a hunting lesson. Cobratail says that the patrol will be hunting anyway, and it'll be good for the apprentices to practice together. Bloodfur and Cardinalpaw join the others. Cardinalpaw speaks to Tinypaw before they leave.

In the forest, Cardinalpaw calls to Bloodfur to look and raises his head proudly, having caught a plump frog. Bloodfur is pleased that his apprentice has caught the biggest catch so far. They'd been hunting all afternoon. Crowmask looks impressed. Tinypaw runs to Cardinalpaw's side, exclaiming "Wow, great job!" and saying she wishes she could hunt like that. Cardinalpaw purrs and buries his frog, thanking her and saying he can show her if she likes. They go into the marsh together.

Cougarfoot tells Bloodfur that he's trained Cardinalpaw well. A horrified shriek comes from beyond the marsh, and the warriors find Cardinalpaw standing frozen with his paws soaked in mud. A few fox lengths away, Tinypaw is crouched over the body of her father, Brownstripe. Diamondrain's body is also present. Cardinalpaw brushes against Bloodfur, whimpering and asking who would do this. Bloodfur rests his tail around him and says he doesn't know, but they're in Starclan now. While Cougarfoot and Crowmask carry the bodies to camp, Bloodfur follows, flanked by Cardinalpaw and Tinypaw. Cardinalpaw presses against Bloodfur, shaken at what he saw.

When they return to camp, Cardinalpaw sits with Bloodfur while the clan grieves. A few moments later, he leaves Bloodfur's side to join Creampaw, Tinypaw, and Honeypaw, who are whimpering around their father's body. Bloodfur is surprised, as Cardinalpaw wasn't close with Brownstripe and should leave the family to grieve. Cardinalpaw crouches beside Creampaw and rests his chin on her head. She wraps her tail around him.

Bloodfur longs to comfort Mistybreeze and Coldpebble as Cardinalpaw did Creampaw, but doubts they'd want him anywhere near them.

When Bloodfur is accused of murder, Cardinalpaw wails "leave him alone!".

After Bloodfur learns about his real parents, he feels a rush of emotional pain when he realizes that Cardinalpaw, Heatpaw, Foxpaw, and Applepaw aren't his siblings. He lets out a cry, thinking about how proud he was to be their brother.

#### Chapter 19

Bloodfur is sitting in the shadows of the camp when Cardinalpaw and his siblings call out his name and approach him, eyes wide and anxious. Bloodfur flattens his ears and asks what they want. Cardinalpaw says that he's the best brother they could ask for. Bloodfur growls that he's not their brother, asking if their parents had told them. He tells them to go away, and Cardinalpaw stares at him sadly, saying that he doesn't care if he's not his brother, he loves Bloodfur as much as he ever did. Bloodfur says he doesn't love them and immediately regrets it. They're silent for a while, then turn away. He knows he upset them by the way they slowly walk, looking down. He feels he hurt Cardinalpaw more deeply than the others, as his tail is drooping. Bloodfur reminds himself how Cardinalpaw looked up to him and loved him. He decides it's best they stay away from him anyway and looks past the apprentices to Flameheart and Bloomfire, growing angry.

#### Chapter 21

Depthstar snaps at Bloodfur, calling him over. Cardinalpaw is sitting beside the clan leader, looking at his paws. Depthstar asks if Bloodfur trained Cardinalpaw today, and he's annoyed and realizes he completely forgot, and also hasn't trained him today, saying he forgot. Depthstar hisses, saying he's never had a warrior who forgets to train their apprentice. Depthstar tells Bloodfur that Cardinalpaw has been too nervous to approach Bloodfur because he thinks he doesn't want him around. Bloodfur glares at Cardinalpaw, saying he in fact doesn't want him around. Cardinalpaw stares at his paws sadly, ears flat. Depthstar is shocked, saying Cardinalpaw is his apprentice. Bloodfur snarls that he wish he wasn't and didn't have an apprentice to waste his time with. Cardinalpaw lets out a small whining sound, but Bloodfur ignores him, telling Depthstar to give him a new mentor. Depthstar says he never thought he'd hear a mentor say such a thing in front of his apprentice. He orders Bloodfur to go out with his apprentice. Cardinalpaw lifts his head, eyes round with hurt. Bloodfur declares he's not his apprentice and races out of camp.

In the forest, Swiftstalker asks how Bloodfur could do this to Cardinalpaw, as he's his brother and loves him. Bloodfur snaps that he isn't, and Swiftstalker shoots back angrily that he is to Cardinalpaw.

#### Chapter 22

Near the apprentices den, Bloodfur sees Cardinalpaw speaking to Timberstorm, his new mentor. He catches Bloodfur's eye, then looks away. Bloodfur suppresses a feeling of guilt, telling himself that Timberstorm will be a better mentor to him anyway, and will show him how to be a cruel selfish clan cat just like him.

When Dewstorm tells Creampaw she'll give her her full name that night at the moonstone, Cardinalpaw runs to her side, purring a greeting.

#### Chapter 27

It is the morning Bloodfur plans to kill Creamheart. He sees her emerge from the medicine den, eyes shining. Cardinalpaw pads up to her and purrs a greeting, and they bump heads. Creamheart says something to him before she goes to speak with Cobratail.

A bit later, Bloodfur lunges at Creamheart, about to kill her. Cardinalpaw comes out of nowhere and jumps in the way. Bloodfur tears open his throat. Cardinalpaw falls to the ground and Bloodfur stumbles, staring at him in shock. Cardinalpaw lays on his side, breathing weakly as blood runs heavily from the wound in his throat, soaking the grass under him in blood. Creamheart shrieks his name. Bloodfur is frozen, stunned and unable to believe what he's done. He chokes out Cardinalpaw's name and staggers close, crouching beside him. He presses his paws to his throat to try to stop the bleeding, begging him to stay alive. He looks at Creamheart who is crouched behind Cardinalpaw, staring at him with pain filled eyes. Bloodfur snaps at her to save him as she's a medicine cat, but Creamheart says it's too late. She licks Cardinalpaw's head.

Bloodfur feels his heart shatter and pushes Creamheart aside, curling himself around Cardinalpaw. He curls his tail around him and pushes his muzzle into his cheek fur, whimpering and begging him to stay alive.

Cardinalpaw's eyes flicker open and he rasps Bloodfur's name, blood running down his chin as he asks, "why?". Bloodfur sobs that he's sorry and starts licking Cardinalpaw's ear, noting that he still has kitten fluff around them. Bloodfur thinks that he's too young to die, and can't die like this. He pushes his face into Cardinalpaw's fur and repeats how sorry he is, pleading with him. Cardinalpaw's breathing slows and he croaks out to Creamheart, saying he loves her. Creamheart rests her chin on his head, her ears flat in grief as she rasps, "I know."

Bloodfur rests his chin on Cardinalpaw's shoulder, and his heart throbs when he feels the apprentice go still. He doesn't breathe again, and Bloodfur faces the horrible fact that Cardinalpaw is dead, and he's the one that killed him.

After some time passes, Bloodfur slowly stands, rasping "let's take him back to camp". He licks Cardinalpaw's blood from his paws. Creamheart slowly lifts her head from Cardinalpaw's and gives a tiny nod. She pulls Cardinalpaw onto Bloodfur's shoulders, and he wants to collapse, not from the weight of Cardinalpaw's body. He feels as though the moonstone is resting in his heart, dragging it down until it broke through. "I killed Cardinalpaw..." he thinks to himself.

When Bloodfur and Creamheart enter the camp, they're greeted by yowls and cries of horror. Tinylark gasps Cardinalpaw's name. Blackstorm and Mottledface look startled, asking what happened. Cliffshade bets it was Bloodfur, and Crowmask calls him a murderer. Bloodfur goes to the center of the clearing and gently lowers Cardinalpaw to the ground, his heart aching as he remembers how he told him he didn't love him. He wishes he could take back what he said. Bloodfur whimpers to Cardinalpaw that he loves him and licks his ear, his voice dying into a cry as he says he's his brother.

Bloomfire calls out Cardinalpaw's name as she and Flameheart run across the clearing to the body, looking horrified. Bloomfire presses her muzzle into Cardinalpaw's fur, letting out a long wail of grief. Flameheart lets out a low cry as he rests his chin on his son's head. Heatpaw, Applepaw, and Foxpaw join them, letting out wails of grief. Bloodfur silently cries he's sorry.

Bloomfire cries and asks who did this to her kit. When Bloodfur is accused of murder, Flameheart raises his head from Cardinalpaw's body and defends him. Applepaw suggests it was Crowmask who killed Cardinalpaw, but the black warrior says he was here the whole time. Depthstar asks Creamheart and Bloodfur what happened. Bloodfur admits to the crime. The clan yowls and snarls in fury. Bloomfire is horrified. Heatpaw is angry. Applepaw is shocked Bloodfur would kill one of them. Bloodfur insists that he didn't mean to kill Cardinalpaw. Heatpaw tells Bloodfur he and his siblings looked up to him.

Before Bloodfur leaves the camp, Bloomfire turns to Cardinalpaw's body. Flameheart lowers his head, and Cardinalpaw's siblings turn their attention to their fallen littermate.

#### Chapter 28

It's noted that when Bloodfur joined Deserve's Army, Deserve understood that Cardinalpaw's death had interfered with the plan to kill Creamheart and isn't angry with him.

It's noted that since Cardinalpaw's death, Something inside Bloodfur changed. He no longer feels angry and hungry for revenge. He can still feel his claws ripping open Cardinalpaw's throat. Bloodfur thinks he is a monster.

Bloodfur has contributed little to nothing to the army, as he's heartbroken over Cardinalpaw and dealing with inner conflict. Castiel seems to be the only cat who understands this.

When Bloodfur goes for a walk with Castiel in the forest, Castiel asks him what was so special about Cardinalpaw. Bloodfur explains that he was the son of Flameheart and Bloomfire- the cats that raised him, and they believed they were brothers for a long time before they found out the truth. Bloodfur tells him that Cardinalpaw loved and looked up to him, and Bloodfur had promised to always be there for him. Castiel asks if he was, and Bloodfur says no, and after he found out he wasn't his brother he turned his back on Cardinalpaw and told him he didn't love him. Bloodfur wishes he could take it all back.

When Poisonedsap's followers visit Deserve's Army, Bloodfur asks how the clan is. Swiftstalker tells him that Bloomfire's kits have become warriors. Bloodfur grows sad as he thinks Cardinalpaw should have been with them.

#### Chapter 29

When thinking about the attack on Ebonypaw and Flintpaw, Bloodfur recalls the looks on Flameheart and Bloomfire's faces when they saw Cardinalpaw's body, comparing it to how Cliffshade and Greenpine must feel.

#### Chapter 32

When Bloodfur dreams with Starclan, he sees Cardinalpaw step forward from beside Flameheart, gazing at Bloodfur brightly. Bloodfur's voice cracks as he says his name and his heart swells when he sees him. He bounds toward him and touches noses with Cardinalpaw, who purrs hello. Bloodfur burns with guilt and tells him he's sorry, trying to explain himself. Cardinalpaw dips his head and tells Bloodfur he knows and forgives him, adding that it wasn't his decision, but the path Starclan laid out for him. Bloodfur starts to question him when Poppywing interrupts. She tells Bloodfur that he needed to be split from the clan to fulfill the prophecy, and Cardinalpaw's death was necessary for the clan to finally exile him.

When Bloodfur asks if he'll go to the dark forest, Crowmask comments that he did kill Cardinalpaw and Silverberry.

Heatstorm tells Bloodfur that though the rest of his family forgives him for killing Cardinalpaw, he won't so easily.

 Quotes

*"I'm so happy you're my mentor, Bloodfur. You've always been there for me. I'm proud to be your brother, and I hope that one day I'll be half as great a warrior as you!"*

-Cardinalpaw to Bloodfur in *"Shadows of Blood"*, chapter 16

*"Bloodfur? You're going to be my mentor? I'm so lucky! I won't let you down!"*

-Cardinalpaw in *"Shadows of Blood"*, chapter 16

*"I don't care that you're not my brother. I love you as much as I ever did."*

-Cardinalpaw to Bloodfur in *"Shadows of Blood"*, chapter 19

*"B-Bloodfur... Why..?"*

-Cardinalpaw to Bloodfur as he dies in *"Shadows of Blood"*, chapter 27

*"I-I love y-you, Cream-h-heart..."*

-Cardinalpaw's dying words to Creamheart in *"Shadows of Blood"*, chapter 27

*"I forgive you. Besides, it wasn't your decision. It was the path Starclan laid out for me."*

-Cardinalpaw to Bloodfur in Starclan in *"Shadows of Blood"*, chapter 32

## Character Development and Origins

Cardinalpaw was originally a ShadowClan apprentice, a red tom with black splotches and blue eyes.

He was a roleplay character of mine on a website called Kugyay. Cardinalpaw fell in love with the clan's medicine cat apprentice, Blackrose, and we both wanted them together, however her roleplayer was worried about getting into trouble with the site administrators since medicine cat / warrior relationships are forbidden.

I suggested that Cardinalpaw be killed by a rogue while saving Blackrose, sacrificing himself for her and showing the love between them. So one day someone was roleplaying a rogue in ShadowClan territory, and we asked him to have his character attack Blackrose. He did, and Cardinalpaw leaped in the way of the killing bite and died.

I didn't revisit Cardinalpaw for years and years. It was a very last minute decision to include him in *Shadows of Blood*, as Flameheart and Bloomfire originally weren't going to have kits of their own. But he ended up being a key part of the story due to his impact on Bloodfur.

Since it would have been wrong to use someone else's OC as my own, I replaced Blackrose with Creamheart.

In the early planning stages of *Shadows of Blood*, he would have been an apprentice of ThunderClan. He would be the son of Foxflash and Yellowbird with two sisters, Honeypaw and Sweetpaw.

## Gallery

Cardinalpaw designCardinalpaw's death, featuring Bloodfur and CreamheartCardinalpaw sticker / button designCardinalkit with his familyCardinalpaw on the cover of Cardinalpaw's DestinyCardinalpaw in Bloodfur's photo album meme