History

Hawthornkit and his five siblings were born to Softsong, a kind and beautiful molly of Monarchclan. The identity of their father was unknown to most, because it was quite a shameful conception. Ashfrost had cheated on his mate with Softsong and this one time encounter ended up in six fatherless kits. Ashfrost refused to be a part of the kits’ lives, but that didn’t bother Hawthornkit since he had his mother.

The first few months of Hawthornkit’s life has been spent worrying about the health of his brother, Tansykit, who caught whitecough from sleeping in snow. The stoic kit stays next to his mother and tries to be her protector. Thankfully, his unruly smaller brother survived and went on to continue to annoy his siblings, but Hawthornkit couldn't complain about him feeling better. The rest of their kithood was fairly uneventful thankfully.

Now Hawthornpaw and under the tutelage of Badgerbelly, the huge apprentice was able to explore more. He liked being an apprentice well enough, but overall he just wanted to be close to his siblings and mother. It seemed as though the weather was trying to punish them for wishing for a peaceful existence as the sun wreaked havoc over them. Days were hotter than most could bare, many a day spent wallowing in the lake or finding refuge in the shadows. Hawthornpaw, already the size of a warrior, struggled to remain cool due to his overwhelming stature. Outwardly, he didn't let it show that it bothered him, but it was incredibly draining on the brute. He spent a majority of his time sleeping next to his mother, who was still quite depressed and reserved.

One day Aunt Rosestar came bursting through the camp entrance screaming about a fire and how they all had to flee. Not quite sure what a fire was Hawthornpaw merely complied and gathered his mother to begin the journey to safety. Unsure of how far they needed to go the apprentice pushed his mother and siblings along towards the mountain. Softsong had tried to get him to promise to leave her behind if push came to shove, but the tabby tom refused. He wouldn't be losing anyone today, he told himself that one thing over and over as they trekked forward. Until, Tansypaw darted off in the direction of the fire as if it was calling for him directly. Screaming obscenities Hawthornpaw went clambering after him, anger evident in his voice as he commanded his little brother to come back.

It wasn't until Softsong had gotten caught in the flames that Tansypaw realized they weren't warm and inviting. They licked the fur from Softsong's flank with fervor while Hawthornpaw dragged his unconcious mother out of the fire's grip. Angry flames whipping his face and taking the fur from his cheek and eye as he saved their mother. No more anger could be summoned once he saw the pathetic look upon Tansypaw's face. Ashfrost had come to help with his siblings while Gingersneeze, Hawthornpaw's grandfather, and himself carried Softsong's sleeping form up the mountain to safety.

With luck and determination they made it to the moonpool, a religious site for his aunt and the medicine cat, where he was given his warrior name, Hawthornstrike. Upon a headcount they realized that multiple cats hadn't made it out of the fire alive, including his great uncle Turtlesplash and aunt Mistheart. This was the first loss Hawthornstrike had encountered and it only further incited a feeling of deep responsibility for his family members. He couldn't lose any more...he couldn't. It wasn't long until their journey continued and they ascended to the top of the mountain to heal and make a temporary home base. There he helped defend his clan from a hawk attack and was extremely grateful as they decided to continue their search for a new home. Thankfully, it wasn't long before they settled into their new home.