Nutclaw

"Why have you brought her here?! Blizzardclaw, she's a *Clan* cat! We can't trust her!" - Nutclaw to Blizzardclaw when he brings Blackheart to the rogues' camp in *Blackheart's Tale*

**Nutclaw** was a light brown tom with yellow eyes.

## Relationships

### Enemies

Cloverstar, Dragonstar, Galestar, Wolfsong, Duckwing, Coalfur, Brambletail, Lichenpelt, Windstorm

## **History**

### **Backstory**

He was born into SkyClan as Nutkit to Stoatleap and Beechheart, along with his brothers, Featherkit and Cloudykit, who later died due to sickness. His mother, Stoatleap, spoiled him rotten since he was the only survivor of the litter. Beechheart also spent some time with Nutkit, but later on, his duty as a senior warrior prevented him from interacting with his son since he also had to serve the rest of SkyClan. Nutkit later took on the apprentice name of Nutpaw, and learned the ways of the warrior code from his strict mentor, Windstorm. As an apprentice, Nutpaw was a very cunning and resourceful cat, but also curious, headstrong and sometimes aggressive; the latter traits would often get him into trouble. He was renamed as the warrior Nutclaw after eight moons of training (the additional two were punishments for disobedience).

During his time as a Novice, and then a Junior warrior, Nutclaw served his Clan well, mentoring Ratfang and Ryeseed. His eagerness for battle was admired by some of his Clanmates, but worried others, particularly the senior warriors. Nutclaw later succeeded Brambletail as SkyClan's deputy despite this. However, as time passed and the Clans grew bigger, thus requiring more territory to sustain them, Nutclaw grew more aggressive and selfish. He fell in love with the RiverClan warrior Duckwing, but later cut ties with her upon finding out that she was training to be a medicine cat. When tensions over territory rose between SkyClan and RiverClan, Nutclaw thought up a way to end it. During the night, he crept into the rival Clan's territory and found a den full of rattlesnakes right outside their camp. He removed the large stone that blocked the den entrance, allowing the rattlesnakes to sneak into RiverClan's camp, then retreated. Unbeknownst to him, however, Brambletail, along with the former RiverClan warrior Lichenpelt, followed him and witnessed everything. They warned RiverClan about the rattlesnakes in time to help them prepare for battle. Even though five RiverClan warriors died from the serpents' venomous bites that night, and Lichenpelt almost got bitten herself, the Clan managed to drive the invaders away. Brambletail confronted Nutclaw the next day about the attack; Nutclaw voiced his hatred of RiverClan and, in doing so, admitted the deed. He attacked Brambletail in an attempt to kill her and prevent her from spilling the truth, but Lichenpelt intervened, pinning the SkyClan deputy to the ground and giving Brambletail enough time to fetch reinforcements. Nutclaw, in desperation, fought ferociously, but was no match for the more experienced Lichenpelt, who helped Brambletail and Weaselclaw drag him back to the SkyClan camp. There, the whole Clan listened in horror as Nutclaw's plan was exposed; after his wounds healed, he was exiled from SkyClan, losing his deputyship and his Clan's trust and loyalty. His parents and mentor condemned him, disowning him as family and apprentice, respectively, for committing such a heinous act.

Nutclaw lived the rest of his life away from Clan territory, shunning the warrior code. He later met the former ShadowClan warrior Blizzardclaw, who'd also been chased out, and some other Clanless cats, and formed a small group of his own, which he led alongside Blizzardclaw. He was surprised to see Duckwing living there, and asked why she wasn't with RiverClan; however, she refused to tell him, instead leaving the group permanently and stating that she didn't want to be anywhere near Nutclaw, having heard of his crimes. Nutclaw accepted this, deciding that getting revenge on SkyClan was more important.