Mudleap

Mudleap is a Lakeclan warrior under Ivystar. His mate is Snowcloud, and their kits are Harepaw and Hillpaw. Mudleap is a playful, laid-back plump brown tabby tom.

Life: Mudkit's mother, Poppysong, died during kitting, leaving Mudkit an orphan. He was adopted by Briarclaw, who delivered her own kits just a few days later, and grew up seeing Oakkit and Sprucekit as his brothers. He looked similar to them, and Briarclaw didn't treat him any different, so he had no idea he was adopted until he was four moons old, when Deerheart, who frequently visited the nursery, sat him down and explained that he was Mudkit's father, and how his mother had died. The young kit was confused at first and thought Briarclaw didn't love him, but the queen comforted her adopted son and reassured him that he was just as important to her as her biological kits. Mudkit believed her, though he was left with a nagging curiosity about his own mother. He was incredibly excited when he was apprenticed to Silverfang, Poppysong's sister, as he hoped his aunt would tell him more about her. His excitement was quickly ended when Silverfang shot down every question he asked about her, and was cold and hostile towards her nephew. Feeling unloved and heartbroken, the usually optimistic and goofy apprentice became sad and withdrawn, barely leaving his den. Briarclaw noticed his pain and confronted Silverfang, who admitted she was so harsh to Mudpaw because she was still grieving her sister, and promised to try harder to be gentle with him. Briarclaw was symapthetic, but still berated Silverfang for making her apprentice suffer due to something so entirely out of his control. After that incident, Silverfang opened up to Mudpaw, and even told him the occasional story about Poppysong, but she was still a demanding mentor and a strict disciplinarian. He knew that was just her nature, though, and quickly returned to his usual self. As he grew older, Mudpaw became closer to his father as well, and learned even more about Poppysong during the hunting trips the two often took together. Just before Mudpaw and his brothers should have become warriors, Oakpaw and his mentor were attacked by a badger, leaving Oakpaw badly injured. Mudpaw was terrified he would lose his brother and almost refused to go through with his ceremony, as he wanted to wait for Oakpaw, but Silverfang talked him out of it, encouraging him to be strong for Briarclaw. Mudpaw did as she said, and became Mudleap. Oakpaw quickly recovered, and became Oakscar not long after. Around the same time, Mudleap was beginning to grow close to the young warrior Snowcloud, who he'd been close to as a kit. Many toms in the clan were smitten with the kind, pretty she-cat, but she only had eyes for Mudleap. He was certainly a bit puzzled as to why she liked him, when there were so many cats who were braver or better warriors, but he happily returned her affections and the two became mates. When Greencough began to spread through the clan, Mudleap was one of the first cats to fall ill, but he quickly recovered. At the same time, Snowcloud realized she was expecting kits, only to almost immediately fall ill. Terrified for his mate and unable to visit her, Mudleap spiraled into anxiety and fear, which was only compounded by the deaths of Briarclaw and Deerheart. Snowcloud went into labor early, and all four of her kits died shortly after birth. Mudleap, grieving and depressed, was practically numb for several moons afterward, and didn't begin to recover until a few moons after the outbreak ended. When he recieved his first apprentice, Brackenpaw, he finally began to return to normal, putting all of his energy into training him. On the eve of Brackenpaw's warrior ceremony, Snowcloud revealed to Mudleap that she was expecting kits once again. This time, everything went smoothly, and Hillkit and Harekit were healthy and strong. Mudleap is a doting father who is incredibly proud of his kids.

Detailed description: Mudleap is a large, plump brown tabby tom with round amber eyes and rounded ears.