KITHOOD [0-6 Moons]

Smudgekit was born to two very kind, and very much in love, CliffClan warriors. Brightpetal and Nightbreeze were lovebirds, in every sense of the word, and loving parents. When they learned of Brightpetal's pregnancy, they couldn't have possibly been more excited to start a family together. The pregnancy was uneventful, and the birthing went smooth.

Smudgekit and his sister Frostkit were brought into the world healthy and strong, much to their parents' joy. Both parents made sure to raise their kittens right, with a strong sense of right and wrong. Sometimes they could get out of paw with their coddling, but they also made sure their kits both did plenty of socializing and playing with others their age. Both Smudgekit and his sister were raised without a fuss or much trouble.

APPRENTICESHIP [6-13 Moons]

Smudgekit was soon made into Smudgepaw and given Owlgaze as a mentor. He had always been kind, gentle, and friendly at heart, so naturally he was nervous to start training. A guard had to fight and protect, and a hunter had to kill innocent animals! How could he possibly be either? After talking with his father though, he realized he should be honored to be even training to become either. If it was for the sake of his Clan, and it's future and well-being, he could do it. So he threw himself into training so he would never be a burden or useless. Two moons into his apprenticeship tragedy struck, in the form of his father's death. While out hunting Nightbreeze had been ambushed by a coyote and overwhelmed, soon succumbing to death. Brightpetal refused to let her children see the body, so they wouldn't have to see their father torn to shreds. Ever since their mother has been quiet and withdrawn, less and less like herself each day. Frostpaw became more aggressive and took to lashing out, even at her family. Smudgepaw promised himself to never give up on her though, because she's family and his father would be disappointed if he did. Returning to training was hard for the young tom, but it was a surprisingly good distraction from his grief. More so than before, he threw himself into training.

Just like everyone else in CliffClan, the monsoon driving CaveClan onto their territory more often had him uneasy. He understood they needed to in order to survive, but he really thinks they should have talked to Newtchirp more about it before just… Inviting themselves in. It came as a surprise to him, and probably many others, when Grackleshade declared war.

Things seemed to go back to normal for a time, until Cactusbloom was found dead and Quailstride labeled as missing- CaveClan appearing to be the culprits. So when spies were found in their camp, it made sense that Newtchirp led CliffClan down into the tunnels without hesitation in a search for not only Quailstride, but also justice for Cactusbloom. Smudgepaw was hesitant to partake in such violence, but also didn't want to let his mentor or Clan down. He found himself facing another apprentice, one by the name of Beetlepaw. He managed to hold his own for sometime, until the other apprentice became desperate to find his own mentor. Smudgepaw was surprised by the savagery when his neck was latched onto, thankful the battle soon scattered into the tunnels as Grackleshade called a retreat.

The tunnels proved to be just as terrible as stories had reported them to be, and Smudgepaw found himself struggling to cope with everything without Owlgaze anywhere to be found. Coming face to face with a bear, Smudgepaw honestly believed it to be the end of him and the Clanmates he had been with. Luckily, Tallstep and Grackleshade came to the rescue.

Upon returning home, however, Smudgepaw was offered no relief. Jackaltooth accused Owlgaze of nesting with a CaveClan warrior, and standing by as the orange tabby was nearly killed by Juncojaw. Unsurprisingly, but still to Smudgepaw's shock, a majority of the Clan called for Owlgaze's exile. Smudgepaw tried to stand up for his mentor, but it soon became apparent Newtchirp had already made up his mind. Again, the young tom found himself having to say goodbye to a father.

The whole situation made it apparent to him that he actually couldn't trust the rest of the Clan to have his back, and he would have completely sealed his heart and trust away, if not for reconciling with Coyotepaw. True, she had been less than... Friendly at Owlgaze's exile, and the two hadn't even been close as young apprentices, but they soon came to a realization about each other. The beginning of a deep friendship blossomed between them, and is cultivated to this very day.

WARRIORHOOD [13+ Moons]

With a bittersweet taste in his mouth but a smile on his lips, the day Smudgepaw became Smudgenose was soon upon CliffClan. Smudgenose wished with every fiber of his being that Owlgaze could have been there, but vowed to himself on that very same day that he would let the past go. It helped shape him into who he was, but if he clung too tightly, he knew it would hold him back.

The moons between the raid on CaveClan camp and the attempted peace meeting orchestrated by Grackleshade were very tense for the young Smudgenose. He made a friend in Tumblebob, and continued cultivating his friendship with the newly named Coyotethroat, but he had a hard time trying to view his Clanmates without any tinge of suspicion. He got into it on a patrol looking for herbs during Tallstep’s absence, taking uncharacteristic digs at Skunknose and Redthrasher. And things didn’t get any better for him, as Smokepaw’s, his cousin’s, body was dragged into camp after the young she-cat had froze to death in the territory.

Sick and tired of the death and distrust shadowing himself, he was happy to hear of the peace meeting, even if a natural part of him couldn’t help but be wary. Putting to rest the moons long war with CaveClan would take a lot of stress off both of the Clans, and though he had a hard time connecting with and caring about even his own Clanmates, he had never stopped hoping for the best for anyone else who lived in CliffClan, CaveClan, or had used to. Luckily Newtstar hadn’t let Falconwatcher’s attack deter him, and worked with Gracklestar and some ambassadors to secure peace for an eventual gathering of the two Clans.

Though he was unable to make the first Gathering, he was among those who were chosen to attend the second Gathering. Smudgenose had known the likelihood of him encountering Birdwatcher, his old mentor, was high. He’d stuck by Coyotethroat’s side while mentally preparing himself on the trek to Moonshine Lake, but his worries were for naught, as news of the mountain lions’ invasion of CliffClan camp soon reached the Gathering patrol. Everything happened so fast that Smudgenose hadn’t even had time to register what had actually happened, until CliffClan was filtering into CaveClan’s camp for temporary shelter.

Somehow, through the whole ordeal of staying with CaveClan, the young hunter managed to avoid any contact with Birdwatcher. He stuck by Coyotethroat or Sootshine when able, and simply avoided any CaveClanner whose scent was tinged with familiarity.

Eventually the time to try and reclaim CliffClan’s camp was upon them, and he put onto patrol three, led by Cricketclaw. While it was true that his patrol suffered their own loses and trials, when all was said and done, he felt like they’d gotten off the best. No one had been burned beyond recognition, and everyone had managed to keep from plummeting to their deaths, even if Snowytuft wasn’t fortunate enough to make it out with her life.

Smudgenose was eventually assigned to a new squad, this one under the protection of Cloudheart, an old kithood friend of his. The two hadn't interacted for many moons, drifting apart during their apprenticeships, but Smudgenose was excited at the prospect of reconnecting. The new squad transition was also made easier when he learned Elfwind was the other hunter, a she-cat who'd helped him make a gift for Mudkit and therefore stood within his good graces.