Longbranch

**Longbranch** is a thick-furred brown and white tom with hazel eyes.

## History

Longbranch and his brother, Flintstrike, are the sons of the ThunderClan leader - Brindlestar. Their sister, Ashenhawk, serves as the ThunderClan medicine cat. The siblings are admired by their Clanmates for their values of bravery and loyalty, and work hard to maintain ThunderClan's peaceful coexistence within the forest. They often communicate with their mother and the Clan deputy, Hollowpath, on important Clan matters. Because of the reputation that Longbranch and his brother already hold within the Clan, the ThunderClan cats respect the brothers and often consider them on the same level as Hollowpath himself.
One day, Hollowpath drowns in an accident in the lake while out on patrol. Longbranch is on the patrol that he had been leading, and tries to resuscitate him along with Heatherice. Unfortunately, he passes away, and the two warriors take his body back to camp.
ThunderClan is shocked at the news of Hollowpath's death, and mourn him in camp. Ashenhawk dresses his body in flowers and herbs, and allows for the rest of the Clan to mourn through the evening. Brindlestar tells her sons that she unsure of who to pick to replace him, since she had so many fine warriors within her borders. Longbranch tells her that she should ask the Clan, since the new deputy should be a cat that others would want to respect. Brindlestar accepts this advice, and addresses the Clan as a whole to ask who they would want as their next deputy.
The Clan responds unanimously by wanting one of Brindlestar's sons to fill his position. Brindlestar is concerned about this answer, and tells her sons that she would not want for one to have more authority over the other. Longbranch and Flintstrike tell their mother that despite who she chooses in the end, they would continue to work together. At dawn, Brindlestar names Flintstrike as her new deputy, and Longbranch as her highest of senior warriors. The Clan shouts their names in praise.
When Brindlestar gets sick, Longbranch and Flintstrike stay close to her side. They are devasted when Ashenhawk tells them that she fears that the illness is untreatable, and that it is attacking their mother from the inside. During Brindlestar's final days, her kits remain close by her side. She passes away during a beautiful sunset, two days before the full moon.
Longbranch and his brother immediately grieve Brindlestar's death, but are quickly told by Ashenhawk to address the Clan. They address the Clan together, and tell them that Brindlestar hunts with StarClan and is now free from her illness. Yarrowstem speaks out by saying that Flintstrike needs to go to the Moonpool as soon as he can, even though his mother's death is still like a fresh wound in his heart. Longbranch agrees, and urges his brother to get ready to depart with Ashenhawk. They leave that night, and Flintstrike returns in the morning as Flintstar.
During Flintstar's leadership, Longbranch is given an apprentice - Pearpaw. He is the brother of Rootpaw, who had been under Flintstar's keen eye ever since kithood. Flintstar had told Longbranch the news of the kit's dream moons prior, and instructed him to keep watch over him during his training sessions with Pearpaw.
At the next Gathering, ThunderClan is second to arrive. Flintstar joins RiverClan on the island, and the ThunderClan cats are free to socialize with the RiverClan warriors. After some time, Longbranch notices Pearpaw chatting with a white-furred apprentice from RiverClan. He smiles at their budding friendship, but feels a bit of pain for Pearpaw's naivety. When Pearpaw returns to him, Longbranch asks him about his new friend. Pearpaw quickly tells his mentor that they aren't friends, and that he was just talking to her because she was nice. Later, Flintstar announces Pearpaw and Rootpaw's names to the other Clans, and Longbranch cheers for them.
Longbranch forms a strong bond with his apprentice throughout his training, and Pearpaw grows into a strong young cat. Flintstar later names him and his brother warriors and gives them the names Peartuft and Rootberry. Longbranch proudly congratulates Peartuft after the ceremony.
Some time later, ThunderClan's deputy, Sootfall, retires to the elders' den. Flintstar bids him many moons of rest, but quickly consults Longbranch and Ashenhawk as to who should take his place. Ashenhawk reminds Flintstar of the dream that Rootberry had as a kit, and tells him that he might be destined for something greater. Longbranch then tells Flintstar that Rootberry is younger than a lot of the other warriors, so it would be an unexpected decision to choose him. After much consideration, Flintstar names Rootberry as his new deputy. Most the Clan rejoices, but Longbranch notices Peartuft's expression change into an angry downcast. He attempts to confront him afterwards, but Peartuft turns his back.
During the next Newleaf, ThunderClan is met with heavy rainfall. Longbranch is worried about Sunfire and Bearpaw, who had been out hunting when the rains began. He tells Flintstar that he is going out to look for him, but Flintstar encourages him to stay and help ThunderClan. Longbranch says that he is not helping ThunderClan by standing idly by while his Clanmates may be in greater danger. He darts away towards the forest with thunder crackling above him.
While out in the forest, Longbranch calls Sunfire and Bearpaw's names. He doesn't hear much over the roar of the rain in his ears, but continues looking desperately for the two cats. He does not hear a nearby tree uprooting near him, and is only made aware of it when it is too late. The tree falls on top of him, killing him instantly. He joins the ranks of StarClan, and is instantly welcomed by his mother.