Shadesun

Best Momma

Shadesun was a RiverClan elder who served under an unknown leader's, Rosestar's, Goosestar's, Waterstar's, Mumblestar's, and Applestar's leaderships, living from the Reverse Generations through after the Twenty-First Generation. She mentored Stormbird. She was mates with Scorchfin and had two litters consisting of Mistykit, Beechkit, and Heronkit, as well as fostering Waterkit. She openly distrusted Goosestar. She retired soon after Waterstream became Waterstar, and lived a long time before dying of old age in her sleep.

# Appearance

Elderly black she-cat with white forepaws.

# History

When Mistykit was four moons, Goosestar, current leader of RiverClan, gave Shadesun another young, almost one moon old she-kit to take care of. Of course, Shadesun was surprised and confused. Who was this kit? Like most of the clan, they assumed it was Goosestar’s kit. When Shadesun asked what her name was- not one to turn away a kit in need- Goosestar almost looked caught off guard, like he hadn’t thought about it. His eyes scanned around before landing plainly on Waterkit. Shadesun always found it a simplistic, uncreative name, but it was unique, and she loved little Waterkit anyway. She and Scorchfin both swore to be the best parents to Waterkit to make up for Goosestar’s awful, neglective, manipulative and abusive parenting. Mistykit didn’t break a sweat, unbothered by his new little sister. He claimed her as his little sister quite quickly, often being the self-proclaimed best big brother by staying by her side, playing games with her, and growling at Goosestar when he approached. Mistykit was the only kit in the nursery since Goldenpaw and Dawnpaw became apprentices, after all, and he was happy for the company.

Shadesun had thought Goosestar a rude and battle-hungry leader before, but now she despised him for how he treated his own daughter. She was much more conscious of him, watching all of his moves. She saw how he conspired with the ThunderClan medicine cat, Thrushleaf, talking in hushed whispers when she was supposed to be “visiting” RiverClan medicine cat Hailfrost. She tried getting answers out of Thrushleaf, but the calico seemed to despise her, always coddling and playing with Waterkit whenever she visited and refusing to let Shadesun near. She always thought Thrushleaf might be the mother of Waterkit, but the two never bared much resemblance nor had it ever seemed like Thrushleaf was pregnant, which would be hard to hide as a medicine cat. Still, Thrushleaf was Shadesun’s only option as to Waterkit’s heritage for the longest time.

As Mistypaw became Mistypaw, and soon after Waterkit became Waterpaw, she had another litter with Scorchfin- Beechkit and Heronkit. Mistypaw and Waterpaw both loved their little brothers to the moon and back, although Goosestar often tried to keep Waterpaw away from the kits. Shadesun could swear one time she overheard Goosestar threatening that if she disobeyed him, he would kill Beechkit and Mistykit. From then on, Shadesun kept all kits and apprentices and young warriors as far away from Goosestar as she could. She told her friends, Coldsnow, Mumblesong, Oatheart, Stormbird and Hailfrost, and although Mumblesong and Stormbird seemed hesitant to believe her, they also started being more careful around Goosestar- more careful than they already were, fearful of his temper. Hailfrost had already seemed to be blackmailed by Goosestar in some way, unwilling to speak against him but the fury in her eyes were clear.

Mistypaw and Waterpaw were made warriors at the same time, despite Mistypaw being a little over three moons older than her. When her youngest litter was apprenticed, she was surprised that Goosestar apprenticed Heronpaw to Waterstream. Family didn’t typically mentor family, even if Waterstream wasn’t related to Heronpaw by blood. Plus, Goosestar had *threatened* to *kill* Heronpaw and Beechpaw if Waterstream disobeyed him. Shadesun went on nearly every patrol and to every training session she could that Waterstream and Heronpaw were on while Scorchfin went on all of Beechpaw’s. Everyone who knew about Goosestar’s threats were especially protective over the family.

When their training was nearly completed, Goosestar forced- or threatened- the elderly deputy Forestpelt to retire and made Waterstream his deputy. The clan outcried- many other senior warriors were more fit than a young warrior who hadn’t even finished training her apprentice. But Goosestar, using his status as their leader, forced them to accept his decision. The clan grew uneasy, very few giving their support to him. When Goosestar started another needless battle with Frecklestar, Shadesun convinced her friends to purposely fail. And her friends, loyal to her more than Goosestar, did so. Goosestar fought with his all, of course, unaware his clan was not giving their all. He lost a battle in that life, when he called out to Shadesun to help him take down Cloudtuft, warrior of ShadowClan, and she didn’t move a muscle to help him. The battle, of course, was lost, and Goosestar attempted to exile Shadesun after that, but the clan stayed beside her firmly, and Goosestar eventually decided to let it go, putting Shadesun on apprentice duties.

The clan was tense, almost waiting for Goosestar to lash out and kill a cat, but, then, one night, he died in his sleep, wounds marring him. Hailfrost said it appeared like he had drowned. Everyone but those who had visited the Dark Forest before was confused, Shadesun included. Waterstream became Waterstar, supported by her clan despite her nervousness. They became a new clan then, building themselves up, and half-way closing their borders off to the other clans. The clan knew more secrets lurked in the darkness, but respected that Waterstar didn’t want to talk about her trauma.

It was a surprise when it was revealed Thistlesong of SkyClan had been the mother of Waterstar, Boulderstar, Gravelstar, and Ashstone, although not as much for RiverClan, who were more aware of why Waterstar was always tense around the leaders of ThunderClan and WindClan. Shadesun was startled that Waterstar’s mother was the she-cat who had gotten caught up in a half-clan relationship, and had Silverthistle and Shadefur. But it made some sense, in a way, for the she-cat with a history of half-clan relationships to get in another one, and Thrushleaf and Thistlesong had been close friends.

Shadesun and Scorchfin soon became elders, and while Scorchfin eventually passed in his sleep, Shadesun stayed a strong and healthy elder, advising Waterstar, Mumblestar, and Applestar throughout their leaderships. She was well-respected among RiverClan, and the other clans as well.

# Fun Facts

* Lived through six leaderships; the leader before Rosestar, Rosestar, Goosestar, Waterstar, Mumblestar, and Applestar.