Disclaimer: I don't own the Warriors series!

Title: Berry Paint

Summary: Sandkit wants to look pretty for his apprentice ceremony, so he wears berry paint; Lightkit feels alone in RiverClan for her messy pelt and gruff demeanor, save for two elders, and strives to outdo Rosepaw; Hoptail's known who they are all along, but they're hesitant to tell their mate, Mintpelt; and Smallkit of ShadowClan is scared to face who he really is- is it a tom at all?

Chapter Title: Smallpelt (Goodnight)

...

Amberstorm233- I don't really have any warrior names for Mothkit and Wrenkit prepared, I'm afraid. =) It's hard to imagine the story is almost over! I'm gonna miss it bunches.

Sharpbreeze- Thanks!

Spotty- Thank you!

Mothstar of Cloudclan- Trust me, it's not easy for me to say goodbye myself! But they deserve a proper ending, as hard as it is. =)

Ferntail- Thanks!

...

"Are you sure the other warriors will like me?" Redpaw fussed as she walked with Smallpelt at the edge of the Gathering patrol. Normally, it was expected of her to walk with Wingstar and the two medicine cats, but today was different. Just in front of them was Badgerblaze and Foxpelt, with an excited Thornpaw between them.

"They better," she rumbled, adding a fake growl for good measure. "Or I'll tear their ears off."

Redpaw laughed a little, but didn't look anymore convinced, glancing at her dead leg. "What if they make fun of me?"

It was Thornpaw who answered, tail fluffing up protectively. "Then I'll rip their leg off and see how they like it."

"We can make it a family event," Badgerblaze added. "We'll all go and give them an earful together. That's something families do, right?"

It's something our family does, Smallpelt thought, watching her kits fondly. All the scorn in the world would be worth taking these pawsteps with them.

Wingstar confidentially led them onto the island, where they were greeted by WindClan's newest apprentices; Blasterpaw, Squirrelpaw, Broccolipaw, and Leftypaw. Squirrelpaw and Broccolipaw both recalled them from their journey to WindClan, and were eager to introduce Thornpaw and Redpaw to their siblings. Redpaw and Leftypaw took in each other's disabilities with something akin to awe, sniffing and poking, before breaking off into laughter, earnestly chatting. Smiling to herself, Smallpelt slipped away to sit with the other Clan deputies.

The Gathering went off without a hitch, though Smallpelt was hardly paying any attention. She waited until Nutstar had hopped down from her branch to gingerly step into her path, not wanting to make it seem like she was trying to block her in. "May I borrow some of your time?"

The ThunderClan leader stopped and squinted at her, naturally suspicious of the ShadowClan cat's request. "What for?"

"If you don't mind my saying so, Nutstar," she meowed, dipping her head. "I think I know someone who needs a role model like you right now."

Confused, Nutstar reluctantly nodded. Smallpelt led her through the crowd, dodging and weaving between warriors as she tried to seek out Redpaw's scent, finally finding her near some shrubs. The ginger she-cat perked up as Smallpelt popped up. Her eyes grew very wide as Nutstar followed after her.

"Nutstar, this is my daughter, Redpaw." Smallpelt waved her paw at the apprentice. "Redpaw, this is Nutstar. She's the leader of ThunderClan."

"Wow!" Redpaw squeaked, lowering her head respectfully. "What happened to your jaw?"

"Smashed it on some rocks as a kit," Nutstar answered, reaching a paw up to brush the oddly shaped maw. "I forget about it, most of the time." She nodded to her leg. "What happened to you?"

Redpaw flinched, burying her nose in her ginger fur. "I was born this way."

"Well," she said awkwardly, "I suppose it's better than falling down a gorge, right?"

Her tail wrapped around her side in an attempt to hide it. "Some cats keep saying I can't be a warrior." Redpaw blinked at her, eyes dark. "Is it true?"

"Of course not!" Smallpelt blurted out.

Nutstar waved her tail for the deputy to be quiet and took a step forward so they were nose to nose. "Redpaw, there isn't a warrior alive that doesn't have their own shortcomings. I know for a fact that Smallpelt has a terrible immune system, and Badgerblaze is too hot-headed." She closed the tiny gap to nudge the apprentice. "Just because you wear your shortcomings on the outside doesn't mean you're less of a warrior."

Redpaw's whole body seemed to relax as she breathed out, smiling up at the brown striped she-cat. "Thank you, Nutstar."

"Of course," Nutstar meowed, turning and dipping her head to Smallpelt. "Now, I need to get back to my Clan."

Smallpelt nodded, relieved she had helped brighten the apprentice's spirits. "Thank you for giving us your time, Nutstar. May StarClan light your path."

"And your's," she answered reflexively, and then she was gone.

Smallpelt's breathing started to stutter as the patrol was halfway back to camp, and only grew worse as time went on. The deputy ignored it- she had always caught illness quickly, and it wouldn't surprise her if some random Leaf-fall bug had wormed its way into her pelt from the many warriors at the Gathering. By the time they got back she was exhausted, limbs trembling with effort.

"Are you okay?" Mousepoppy meowed as the group spread out, concerned. "Your gums look weird."

"Just fine," she wheezed, heading for the den. "I'm... going to sleep. Not hungry."

Smallpelt got halfway into her nest before collapsing, fruitlessly crawling the rest of the way in. She pulled herself into as tight a ball she could manage and swallowed as a wave of dizziness hit her. It felt like someone had set rocks on her chest. I can't breathe!

Panicking, she shot her stubby legs out, but she couldn't quite reach anyone. She writhed quietly in her bed of moss. Help me! Please! Darkness closed in around her, clutching at her pelt, and as it swamped her she recalled those horrible days in the medicine den, and the tendrils that had tried to hold her down. But these were much, much stronger, and no amount of slashing could break her free of it. Smallpelt let out one last choking wheeze.

The next thing she knew, the smell of ThunderClan and milk was all around her. A rough tongue rasped across her scruff. "Rise up, Smallpelt," Brownstep urged. "It's all done now. You're okay."

Her head popped up off the ground. Smallpelt felt achy all over; like she'd just run a super long race. "What happened?"

"Your heart gave in, dear," the queen murmured soothingly, helping her to her paws. The warrior's body was sprawled out at an awkward angle below them. Smallpelt could make out her own head, jerked permanently to the side, a single glassy brown eye studying them. "It's not a big surprise. All that early sickness messed with it."

"Why're you here?" she asked, dazed.

Brownstep cocked her head to the side. "I promised I would be. Don't you remember?"

"I will come for you when you die, no matter how long that takes. I promise." Smallpelt swallowed. "Oh. Right." Her fur began to stand on end. "Ooh, but I can't die now! Redpaw and Thornpaw just became 'paws! I'm Redpaw's mentor, for stars' sake!"

"StarClan calls when it calls," Brownstep meowed firmly, frowning. "No one wants to die, Smallpelt. But that's just how it is."

But who will be deputy? She felt numb from the inside out. Smallpelt had known for a long time now that she wouldn't live to see elders' age, the Greencough chomping at her seasons, but she'd never thought she'd die so young. There's so many things I haven't done yet. It's not fair!

Sensing the conflicted feelings bubbling just below the surface, Brownstep stepped aside. "You can go say goodbye, if you want."

Smallpelt didn't recall padding out into the clearing, but one second she was next to her body and the next she was in the apprentices' den, so she supposed she must've at some point. She pressed a paw to Redpaw's shoulder, but it passed right through. She crouched down instead, pushing her nose into her pelt, then moving to touch Thornpaw's ear in silent farewell. I hope you two will be okay without me. I know you'll be great at whatever you decide to be.

She sat up, looking at the entrance of the den, where Brownstep was. "D'ya think Spiderberry can see me? He's a medicine cat, after all."

She shrugged. "It wouldn't hurt to check."

Smallpelt forced her pawsteps to remain even as she slipped into the medicine den. The smell of fresh herbs made her belly flip-flop, reminded of those days she spent barely able to get out of her nest, but she refused to turn back now.

"Spiderberry," she called, shaking his shoulder. "Wake up. It's me."

"Wahuh?" Spiderberry snorted elegantly, cracking his eyes open. "Smallpelt?"

"You can see me?" Smallpelt whispered, overjoyed, before sinking her nose into his fur. "Thank StarClan."

"See you? What do you-?" He caught sight of Brownstep. Spiderberry's voice came out as a squeak. "Your pelt- it's full of stars."

"That doesn't matter now." The deputy (ex-deputy?) pulled back to meet his gaze. "You have to promise to take care of Redpaw and Thornpaw. Badgerblaze, too. They- they need someone."

His ears fell. "Don't say that!" Spiderberry cried. "You can't just leave!"

"You think I want to?" she snapped. Smallpelt let out a sigh, shaking her head somberly. "I can't control fate."

Spiderberry let out a wail and wrapped himself around her. Smallpelt recalled the night he stumbled into her den to seek comfort in the wake of Berrystripe's death. It was so long ago now. "How can I go on?" he whimpered. "I already lost Watercry. I can't lose you too. I'll be all alone."

"We haven't exactly spoken much lately," she pointed out gently. "You've lived without me for longer than you might realize, Spiderberry."

He didn't respond.

"Just promise me, okay?" Smallpelt insisted. "Promise you'll take care of them."

"I promise," he rasped, sounding for all the world as if he'd screamed.

Smallpelt pressed their heads together, relieved. "Thank you."

"May you find good hunting, swift running, and shelter when you sleep," Spiderberry whispered, his voice so hauntingly low it sent chills down her spine. "And may StarClan light your path, sister."

The soothing mutter of Rocktail (who had woken up and noticed the white and black tom's distress) and the strained mew of Spiderberry echoed behind the duo as they padded into the clearing. Smallpelt expected Brownstep to lead her to StarClan, but instead she jerked her head in a vague direction. "Let's go for a run."

The first thing Smallpelt noticed was that her stamina felt endless. Smallpelt sprinted across ShadowClan without a problem, going into ThunderClan without even a twinge of fear of being caught. Her paws dipped into a stream, then some long grass, fireflies buzzing through the sky. There was something oddly freeing in knowing that not even a trace of her scent would be left behind.

Smallpelt stopped at the bramble opening, still under re-construction, but Brownstep kept right on going, padding inside with her tail swishing. Smallpelt began to follow one careful pawstep after another. The territory was one thing- but another Clan's camp? It just felt wrong.

Together, Brownstep and Smallpelt poked their heads into the warriors' den. Smallpelt's eyes were drawn to Sheepfang, who she had befriended and cared for for seasons now. Leaving her hurt almost as much as leaving Redpaw and Thornpaw. Brownstep went to the medicine den next, peering in on Graystep and her newest apprentice, Applepetal, snoring quietly in their nests.

"I guess we're a lot alike, huh?" Smallpelt whispered. "We both had to leave our families."

Brownstep shook her head. "We never left our families, Smallpelt. We live on in their heads and hearts, and that's almost as good as the real deal." The brown queen blinked at Smallpelt. "You don't have to climb the highest mountain to be remembered the most, you know."

"I know." Smallpelt touched her nose to the queen's chest. "Let's go, before I start freaking out again."

StarClan is as warm and soft to the eyes as Smallpelt recalled it being, and when she lifted her nose to the air she smelled prey and water and fresh greenery. She also smelled Watercry, about two seconds before her mother was cleaning her face and ears.

"I've missed you," she purred. "I wanted to come get you myself, but Brownstep insisted."

Smallpelt nodded her thanks to the queen. "She did promise."

Watercry wrapped her tail around her kit's side. "That's what she said."

They pushed through some thick shrubbery, coming out by a river laden with fish. Smallpelt opened her mouth, letting the scents wash over her tongue. A black and white cat padded up to them with a smile.

"Howdy," they said.

Smallpelt squinted. "Do I know you?"

They laughed. "Can't recognize me without all the wrinkles, huh?" The warrior teased. "Hoptail of WindClan."

"Smallpelt!" Sandpetal called, wagging his tail. The tom was sunning, golden pelt sprawling on its side, while Rosetuft of RiverClan rested her head on his belly like a pillow, purring loudly. Lightstripe napped on his other side. Hoptail stretched and languidly went over to them, settling in on another stone. "Come join us! We were just swapping stories."

Smallpelt glanced at Watercry, afraid of hurting her feelings by cutting their meeting off short, but her eyes glowed with understanding. She licked her cheek and padded away in search of fresh-kill. Something hopeful and comforting filled her chest as she looked at them all- all the warriors and elders and queens she'd seen around the island over her seasons, few as they were.

"I'm coming!" she yelled, then sprinted towards them with a laugh.

Author's Note: Hooollllllyyy moooolllleeeey ya'll. We're actually at the end of this. It took two years, but it's done! I'm posting this on the two-year anniversary (Feb 22nd)- because, well, I got lucky on the timing and knew it was too good to pass up. =) Cripes, am I getting emotional over this. (I had a specific song for each death- I listened to that Swiftpaw death storyboard on YouTube for Sandpetal, "I Knew You Once" by Dodie Clark for Lightstripe, "Mother Earth and Father Time" was for Mintpelt and Hoptail, and "Blame" by Air Traffic Controller was for Smallpelt)

Smallpelt's story changed the most, I think. Originally, Mousepoppy and Smallpelt were gonna become mates as apprentices- when Smallpelt was so sick. Mousepoppy was gonna ask her to be his mate, like it would somehow give her an extra reason not to give in to the sickness or whatever, and just kinda never break up. They were gonna get into an argument about the lack of trust between them when Smallpelt comes out, etc etc. I just found it unfitting for the characters I'd crafted, and kinda-sorta cliched. I also considered, for a short time, making Skycloud her mate, but then I checked the allegiances again and I realized he was way too old for that.

I knew Smallpelt was gonna have an apprentice with an iffy paw, but Redpaw and Thornpaw's actual backstory and concepts weren't made until later.

As for After:

Mousepoppy will be the next deputy. It was between him and Foxfur (who's Thornpaw's mentor) but Mousepoppy was more well-known and respected, as well as sociable to other Clan cats, so Wingstar chose him. He was honored, though he hated the circumstances for his recommendation. I don't have any set names for Thornpaw or Redpaw- though I do think Thornstripe sounds pretty cool- so I'll leave that up to you. =)

Wow, ya'll. I'mma miss writing this story. Before I go, I'mma give another shoutout to my other Warriors OC story, Resilience. It stars Petalpaw, a WindClan medicine cat apprentice forced to live in RiverClan during a nasty Leaf-bare, with themes about family, choosing your own path, and how hardships can build ties that last forever.

Until next time!

-Mandaree1

(P.S.- I do intend to put this on Archive of our Own one day. I'll probably edit as I go, too.)

(P.S.S.- Random little fun fact, but I always saw Sheepfang as a calico. I didn't realize the difference between tortoiseshell and calico colors back then, so I described her wrong and just went with it.)