◉ BIRTH

Whitekit was born to Swampbeaver and Tundraswan as the only kit. As Tundraswan's first litter, she seemed to be excited and very caring (at first). Little did tiny Whitekit know that he was going to be raised in a dysfunctional and neglectful family; developing his personality to care less and crave a genuine connection.

◉ KITHOOD

He hadn't been enthusiastic about becoming an apprentice, portraying disinterest. Even less, he showed adequately no care to become a warrior. Though little did he know, his future mentor would challenge him. Eventually, it was a few days before his apprenticeship, as he was reaching around six moons. Whitekit would complain to his affectionate, supportive mother that he hadn't felt prepared or desired to live this lifestyle. He wasn't sure how to think about any of it. His mother consoled him with a few gentle licks atop his head, followed by, "I know you're probably scared, nervous, unprepared...but we all must for our survival, my dear Whitekit," A crooked smile crossed his mother's countenance "You will do incredible, without a doubt, becoming a warrior is such an honorable experience." The molly concluded, the diminutive kit nuzzling into the Queen's neck. Something about his mother's tone was nerve-wracking.

In his kithood, he had particularly found himself at his cousin's flank, Wapatokit. The two were closest in age, and Whitekit was born alone until his younger siblings would come along moons later. Little did Whitebark realize his life was going to be rather solitary, primarily due to his chaotic and neglectful family. As his apprenticeship was closing in, Tundraswan was becoming more careless of her sole kit, seeming to focus more on herself and her duties. What was the point of having kits if his parents wouldn't be attentive? It was clear his whole bloodline rejected giving their kin unconditional love. It was nonexistent. When given attention, it was harsh and brutal. He was pushed around and belittled by those he wanted to make proud.

◉ APPRENTICESHIP

The tom's apprenticeship would take a tremendous shift as the moons persisted. Before he knew it, his first training session was about to commence, meeting Stonegaze at the camp's entrance. Many emotions washed over the apprentice, dreading this session with Stonegaze. He was treacherous and bore zero limits. It wasn't the warrior's first rodeo as a mentor, as Whitepaw would be his second. Whitepaw had an excellent mentor who consistently encouraged him to become a dutiful and respectable warrior, but he still didn't know what to expect. Stonegaze explained that he would introduce the territory to Whitepaw to grasp the surroundings. Meanwhile, they would get to know each other a bit better. Whitepaw felt alleviated that he cared to know his apprentice, soothed by his gentle vocalizations. Was Stonegaze that bad? He didn't have to find out today, but possibly another day. Stonegaze's last apprentice was more uncomplicated to train, though the mentor remained inflexible and made sure to hit every skill, adding extra hours to training. When he worked with his previous apprentice, the sessions were tough. Whitepaw thoroughly enjoyed his first lesson, as it was simple and pleasant. The two talked about themselves, explaining their goals in life. However, Stonegaze was shocked to hear Whitepaw didn't intend to become a talented warrior. He wanted nothing to do with this lifestyle.

Stonegaze didn't press the circumstances, as the mentor believed he could convince Whitepaw that this was a wonderful life. Whitepaw was satisfied that Stonegaze didn't attempt to compel his beliefs, relieved that he wasn't as blunt as numerous deemed to portray him. The next lesson was unexpected. Stonegaze informed Whitepaw that the next training session would focus on tracking, which would lead to learning how to hunt and climb. There were multiple dexterities Whitepaw must retain and succeed. Stonegaze was only partially where to start, as he typically wasn't soft toward anyone. Whitepaw was nervous for his first, true lesson, considering he had to illustrate his practically nonexistent skills. He never played with his siblings as a kit, constantly at his mother's flank, concealed in her pelage. During the lesson, Stonegaze was intense, pushing Whitepaw to his limits, feeling the exhilaration as he scrutinized the apprentice and supervised. Whitepaw was no longer gleeful, understanding what others meant by Stonegaze's intense, commanding persona, as displayed during sessions. The two trained for a few hours every day, never allowing Whitepaw to have much of a rest. The apprentice frequently felt depleted, sleeping when attainable. It was always as if he didn't get enough rest, sore and feeling distressed. There were days his mentor would train twice a day, during the night and day, to grasp how different the times can be.

As he continued and thrived through his apprenticeship, Whitebark began to realize that something within him didn't feel fitting or comfortable. The feline didn't enjoy being referred to as a tom, as well as identifying with it. Whitepaw didn't believe that they belonged to the female or male gender role, inquisitive about the fluidity of gender. Non-binary was a more suitable identity for Whitepaw, allowing them to express that to those amongst them freely. For the past few sessions, it was clear to Stonegaze that Whitepaw hadn't been concentrating on training, and so that's how the introspection came about. Whitepaw felt more at peace, especially after coming out to his mentor. After all, they didn't have a good family they could run to and display their excitement for discovering who they felt they were meant to be. They were very relieved to have Stonegaze in their life, although it wouldn't be enough structure to guide the feline through life with ease. It was going to be complex and questionable.

The lectures pressed on, Stonegaze eventually permitting the apprentice to acquire an interlude, giving him about two days between each session when he reached eight moons. His first two and a half moons were fatiguing and an absolute adrenaline rush. Whitepaw gradually grew more monumental than his mentor; the more diminutive, lithe f explained the behemoth size advantages. Whitepaw was proliferating in size, typically displaying that an individual would be massive. Stonegaze's visage would occasionally travel to Whitepaw's enormous digits, knowledgeable that those huge paws could guarantee damage due to their hefty differentia. Stonegaze observed that Whitepaw's predominant skill succeeded in combat, followed by rapid swimming and climbing mastery. Interestingly, Whitepaw couldn't entirely hunt sufficiently, though he had an extraordinary nose, tracking down unfamiliar cats, other mammals, and prey. His disinterest was hunting, even though he needed to eat to survive. Whitepaw relied on his clanmates to hunt for the Clan. However, when invited on a hunting patrol, he never denied it, inclined to attempt furthermore. There were many patrols Whitepaw assisted in exiling unwelcomed loners and rogues, gaining a well-rounded reputation. He was doing just as his parents wished and hoped for him.

With everything Stonegaze exemplified, Whitepaw made sure to remember the information he'd taught him and allowed him to practice. Another few moons passed, and Whitepaw had combined training sessions now and then with a fellow apprentice, Blazingpaw, and his mentor. With very contrasting personalities, the two apprentices had been relatively competitive; thankfully, they maintained an adequate association. They rarely quarreled. The two would pride each other, glorifying their dexterities and providing advice, even after mentors had. The two became best friends from sparring together. Stonegaze was proud of how much his apprentice was accomplishing, feeling that he'd succeed in apprenticeship quicker than he'd imagined. At first, Whitepaw displayed no respect nor care regarding eventually becoming a warrior, but now he prospered and permanently desired to exhibit improvement. Whitepaw used to be uptight concerning any of what he was accomplishing now, scornful of himself for how far they'd come.

The upcoming night was the most eventful, disturbing day of his life. Stonegaze and Kestrelrain had wanted to take three growing apprentices on a stroll, excusing it as a nightly patrol, bringing along two fellow warriors who departed ways. It wasn't long into the conversation that Whitepaw spoke, brows furrowing out of concern, "Coyote..." Whitepaw murmured, skimming the surroundings, "I smell a coyote. We could be in danger." His vocals were slightly panicked, his parents quickly enveloping their children out of protection.

"It knows we're here. We must move quickly, Driftpaw; go get the others," Kestrelrain communicated sternly, her gaze shifting toward Whitepaw, waterworks seeping from her visionaries. Kestrelrain was unbelievably proud of her mate's apprentice. "Whitepaw, you're amazing. He's not close yet, but he's coming. Your talent in tracking is otherworldly." With a tense smile, she faced forward as Duskmane covered the backside. Blazingpaw and Whitepaw monitoring the opposing sides, the felines huddled in a circular position, rearing to one another.

"Stonegaze, watch!" Before Stonegaze knew it, the coyote launched from the shrubbery, grappling Duskmane around the nape. Duskmane was large but didn't surpass Kestrelrain's size, perhaps why the coyote headed for Duskmane first. Blood instantly spilled, the older warrior yowling in agony as the coyote's grip fastened. It was petrifying. Whitepaw took a sharp inhale as both apprentices froze for a moment. They hadn't experienced anything like this before. Whitepaw quickly scrambled to a defensive position, watching the coyote vigorously shake his father. It was brutal. It took a lot of mustering up the courage to attack, eventually making his move. "Blazingpaw, get the flank. I'll go for the top, Kestrelrain; you get the other flank!" They authorized the situation, astonished by the words coming out of his maw. Stonegaze taught him well. Whitepaw pivoted on his foundations, lunging at an inclination up the tree, propelling himself up the trunk with powerful hindquarters, talons grasping the bark, assisting in the fluid movement toward an elevated, thick branch.

Dropping Stonegaze, the coyote veered toward Kestrelrain, who attempted to weave around the coyote; meanwhile, Blazingpaw headed for the flank. Kestrelrain swallowed thickly, petrified, although she pressed on and lunged, getting trapped between the coyote's jaws. Within seconds, Whitepaw reached a large branch to preserve his weight. He'd been targetting the coyote's backside from overhead, shifting his weight as he dropped from above. Whitepaw had unsheathed his lengthy grapnels, gripping the coyote's flesh as he wrapped his mandibles along his nape, sinking his teeth in. The coyote released a limp physique, meaning both of his parents were killed. Feeling blood ripple from the coyote, he felt somewhat accomplished, unprepared to discover his parents were no longer alive. Blazingpaw had used his forepaws to strike and slash the coyote's flank, soon joined by Driftpaw and the other two warriors from earlier. Whitepaw tugged upright, angling his neck slightly to lacerate the skin while being struck by four other felines. It was five against one, and the coyote was giving in. Yelps escaped the canine's mandibles, eventually escaping the warriors' wrath and sprinting deep into the forest. The three apprentices quickly dashed to their parents, falling to the ground as they observed the lifeless cadavers surrounded by a pool of blood. The lacerations ran deep, leading to a brisk, primarily painless death. The two warriors consoled the apprentices, guiding them back to camp with little to no goodbye. It was disheartening, particularly for Whitepaw. The warrior he looked up to most was gone. His clanmate, Kestrelrain, was no longer there to give him advice and push him through.

From there on out, Whitepaw became more distant. That night, they mourned the death of two marvelous warriors, Stonegaze and Kestrelrain. The two other apprentices, alongside himself, had their upcoming warrior ceremony, honored for their bravery and utilization of their remarkable skills. The leader began, naming Blazingpaw, Blazingfox for his intellect and arrogance, and Driftpaw as Driftripple for her quietness and light demeanor. Last but not least, Whitepaw was renamed Whitebark for their resilience and reserved persona. The three had finally been warriors, but they were parentless. Stonegaze quickly stepped up, obviously conscious of the deaths, and took the three youthful warriors in as their own.

◉ WARRIORHOOD

Whitebark was grateful they'd become a warrior, but every day was a challenge for him, missing his mentor and his mate day by night. Blazingfox assisted his good friend with their mentality, pushing them to strive and cherish the memories that they made with them. Blazingfox was their son, and somehow, he managed to remain strong enough to hold Whitebark up and the other apprentice who witnessed it. There wasn't a day that Whitebark didn't think about all the gracious conversations he enclosed with Stonegaze and Kestrelrain. After several moons, he had recollected himself, though he never reverted to his social perspective. Whitebark was a loner despite being in ShoreClan. The warrior was young and had a prolonged life ahead of him as a warrior.

It wasn't long after Whitebark became a warrior that Wapatofur's mother gave birth to another kit, and the tom returned to fetch her. It left Whitebark wondering what happened to the bond that Wapatofur and they once had. He recalled the day that his cousin left, and it left them with a strong distaste for Wapatofur, and GaleClan in general. He wasn't a fan of GaleClanners, and he couldn't believe that Wapatofur left him alone with their dysfunctional family. Not only that but in the midst of it all, Tundraswan had gone missing and was eventually presumed dead, as she never returned. Whitebark didn't even feel hurt by this, as he dreaded every day in ShoreClan. He wasn't ever sure what to expect next between everyone within his family.

◉ PRESENT DAY

I will update this soon.

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🖤💛🧡

Will fill this out after I've learned more about those he's surrounded by.