Salamander was born to Yucca and Rattlesnake before the wards went up. Who were cusp of the choice of where to go, she went where her parents went. And where they tried to raise their only child up. With smiles and lessons, morals and tales of Bellhopper and Windsong. No matter how they might feel about those two.

Salamander was first assigned by Cliff to be a guard, apparently there was something about her which was believed to be helpful. Trying to do so, and be there for those who went out to hunt. Something spoke to her about the hidden depths of the darkness. Hunting and seeking, and being a powerful being amidst the shadows. Even as she worked alongside Mesasong, someone who supported her. Who supported someone who didn’t have a lust for the same things which her mentor did. Despite their affections being positive, a good relationship, Salamander was moved towards the hunter path.

So she was gifted to Maggotfire, a crotchety old hag od a cat. , who taught her what she needed and nothing else. Patience was easily earned under her orange gaze. It was also here she met Scorpionstripe, however he was Scorpionpaw at the time. He...annoyed her a bit. So she avoided him to hang with other cats. Running from them towards her first official group. Who might become her patrol alter on. It was not long after this moment that she met Bindweed, who would provide her one gift.

She remembers when Cougartooth died, the sadness of their passing, the anger that Cliff's daughter didn't wish to take the mantle. Salamander stormed from the clan when nobody was looking, finding Bindweed's scent. Complaining about everything, not realizing that Bindweed seemed focused on other things beyond her venting. Especially stopping it when Bindweed tells her that he finds her attractive. When she comes back looser than when she left, some of her friends notice with a curious brow.

One fling, and then another, before Bindweed was gone. And she was sitting in the medicine cat den with wide eyes when they told her she was pregnant. She remembers running back to the place they used to meet, his scent stale as a ghost. No one remarked on how red her eyes looked. She was unsure for a while, especially when she couldn't do anything. Not when tensions rose so much that meetings ceased. Not when lines are drawn and cats are forced to chose sides.

Her side was chosen. Even if before her body was locked in the nursery she looked for Bindweed. Even if her mothers offered support where they could. If they could. Especially since all that pain gave way to a white and black bundle . Her Skunkkit. Her darling little only Skunkkit. Named after the way her pelt was made, named after the nickname she gave Bindweed in their time together. "Skunkweed". She makes sure to never call her child that, because it still hurts. Especially when Rattlesnake saw her daughter, gave her a smile, and was gone.

So she threw herself into teaching her daughter. Telling her stories, and tales, and everything about Cliffclan that made it great. Even through the tears, the laughs, she made sure Skunkkit knew how lucky she was to grow up where the sun shines down on their pelts. Especially when Cliff died, and Newtchirp passed. It almost didn't suprise her when Cliff passed away, but she mourned Cliff with her clan. And as blasphemous as it was, she knows that she didn't mourn Cliff as much as others. But she had someone to stay hopeful for.

When Skunkkit grew older, sent off with that brown tom that seemed to make her pelt burn. Good or bad she wasn't exactly sure. She went to her duties, and as if happy to see her daughter back in business, Yucca left to join her mother. Where she saw a different side to Scorpionstripe she never realized was there.

Especially when Mesa passed away. The wail that was heard at his death shook her to her core. She was glad for Scorpionstripe after her true mentor passed away. After she was stuck being the mentor for the people in her life. She took to it, but the mantle was just as heavy as the mane about her neck.

The tensions were getting worse, as if reminants of the storms were present. Especially when the worms began crawling to their lands. Looking for food, something to live. She almost felt bad, but she knew that they couldn't do such a thing. So when the battle came, and her daughter came back like a warrior proud. She knew that there would be great things. Especially if she could conquer them at Redthrasher's side.

The war that sprung from this was inevitable. But it was something she didn't expect to have seen in her lifetime. Much less with her daughter by her side.

Despite her love of her people, she knew that there was something else about this that seemed wrong. That seemed off as they went to war. Only proven when Cactusbloom died, when she was displayed like carrion. The way her pelt burned when she realized this. When she believed that Cave were the ones to display her like trash. Salamander however didn't join her daughter in the fight, instead rushing back to keep the clan safe. To keep it from any other attacks those worms might try. Her anger boiling as she sat and wait. Waited and saw them come back, with a truce and a traitor. And she admits her voice as Owlgaze left was filled with more malice than she thought she had in her.

Their fearless leader was right, especially when some die from their wounds and battle. From where they went knowing they might die. Young and Old, it was indescriminate and horrible. She admits that. And is terrified for those who bring the young into the world. A bit of happiness that comes about in a dark era. A dark time.

It even seems odd that it was a pause from violence that will come to pass. That in return for the new lives, old ones are taken.

Illness spreads moons after this, and their Medicine Cat is gone. Salamander admits she threw herself into her work as cats died. Her distaste for the medicine cat grows when he returns. Unfortnate that Lightnigpaw has to work with him. Unfortunate that Cave decides to break their treaty and betray. It seems within and around Cliff there are snakes and serpents. The mask tightens over her face.

But there are also stars, and when Salamander sees Yucca, Rattlesnake, Mesasong. It takes everything in her to stop from breaking down then and there. And when Newtstar returns? Oh she is a believer that would kick her younger self for ever doubting the tom.

When peace rolls about, Salamander basks in her daughter's glory. In her rise to power, she glows even as she notices something else dig at her daughter. She is worried about her. Especially when Bearclaw falls, and Skunknose rises from the ashes. She is proud, but she is terrified. She knows she is getting older, her bones creaking, her breath getting harder, and she wants to be a pillar for her daughter. But she hopes that the yellow pelted tom who has her heart will keep her safe even if she is gone.

Especially when the mountain lion comes to take them, tries to take her daughter. And Cave saves her friends lives. Saves them and brings them home. She doesn't know how to feel about it, how to take them being considerate of her people. The rush she felt when she saw everyone, everything, she cried into her nest tears of joy. Hapiness that the stars won't take anybody yet.

But then the lions come again, and take Saguaro from her. And she almost shuts down, especially when she is forced to stumble through Caveclan like she was just born. She hates it and wants to go home. It doesn't help that her daughter has been incredibly hard to reach. But she is just being clingy, her daughter is a deputy now...right? But she needs some time to think, so when she is asked by Newtstar and...the other leader, she happily accepts, even trying to figure out how to save her camp has that fire renewed. But she knows she will be nothing but a hidrance on the battlefield, so she waits patiently for them to get back. And she hopes that she will not be waiting forever.