While not overly tall, Hazelstream's willowy build makes them appear taller than they truly are. Their a bit shorter than average, and overall nothing remarkable - from their chocolate mackerel fur to their warm orange gaze, they almost look like their one with the earthen tunnels they work in.

The only thing noteworthy about them is how soft-spoken Hazelstream is, often hard to hear, as well as quiet their presence is. It's easy to overlook Hazelstream and they walk so softly they often accidentally spook others when approaching from behind. They have a warm, gentle smile and try to offer gentleness to those around them with it.

You like to watch.

Hunkering down in the nursery entrance, ensconced in shadow, you watch life in the camp. Dawn light has been replaced by early morning sun - you've seen two patrols go out and come back. There's a nip in the air that has your tail curling in closer, but does little too discourage you.

Its just... nice.

Just you and the waking world.

---

It... really isn't fun when Featherpaw babysits with Dad.

"Palekit!" He looks downright angry as he hurries over to the pair of you, "You're hurting Hazelkit! Get off them!"

She really isn't; you and Palekit always play rough, mainly because Sandkit doesn't like to come out in the clearing to play at all. You blink at her, your confusion no doubt mirroring your sister's as the cream she-kit slowly side-steps off of you.

"Featherpaw," Your dad chuckles, stepping in, "Your little siblings are just playing; you and Sparkpaw were a lot rougher at that age."

You sit up and shake yourself, turning back to Palekit as your older brother founders for a response; she's pouting, so you waddle over and rub against her, purring soothingly. She huffs, but after a few seconds leans into you and returns your affection.

"It's okay," you promise her happily, "we can play something else instead."

"Like, like mossball!"

"Yeah."

---

Smokeleap is very unhappy.

"A warrior." They tut to you and your littermates the day after Hornetspring's warrior ceremony, shaking their head.

"Now, dear," Grandfather chuckles as you move over to settle into the space between his crossed paws, "You promised not to say anything bad."

"Asterberry's not here." They sniff, before glancing at the three of you and visibly deflating, "But you have a point."

"What's it matter?" Sandkit grumbles, letting your grandparent wrest him closer for a bath.

"Well," One of the other elders muses, though you can't see who as you burrow your cold nose into Brightstream's pelt, "Your kin come from a long line of tunnelers. Smokeleap sees it as a matter of pride to keep the tradition going."

"Yes," another rumbled, "Didn't you use to boast that your family have been tunnelers since the rank came about?"

"It's what I've always been told." Smokeleap huffs back, cutting their green eyes about the den, "And my parents weren't liars."

"No is saying that, dearest." Your grandfather murmurs, his voice reverberating gently through your ears. "I believe you, always have."

"I!" Palekit cuts through the tension like a finely sharpened claw, stomping her feet loudly, "Want a story! That's why we came: mama promised us story-time if we visited!"

While some of the crankier elders gruff and puff about manners and "kits these days", there's a great roll of laughter through the den as well. You're nice and cozy where you are and sleep finds you easily as somebody acquiesces and starts to spin a tale about the mountains.

---

When the patrol stops at the riverside for a drink, you notice Sandpaw leaning closer and closer to the flowing water. A quick glance around shows his mentor notices, rolling their eyes and grumbling to yours when a soft splash fills the air.

You jerk a bit, but quickly find your brother is only sticking a cream paw in. Curious but unmoved to speak, you lean over to watch; you don't press your pelt into his and try not to hover over his shoulder, because Sandpaw has never been comfortable with such things.

He seems entranced, though, as he lifts his paw and watches a few droplets fall back into the river; his pupils widened slowly but surely and he sticks both his front paws in this time. You think of maybe moving to steady him, to keep him from falling in, but...

Well, maybe he would want that.

A few heartbeats later, when the patrol moves on, you linger to help Sandpaw's mentor coax him away from the water's edge. It takes longer than it should, but you find it endearing, in a way - that was, perhaps, the most emotion you've seen out of your stalwart littermate in a long time.

---

"A tunneler, eh?" Silverberry muses one day, as the two of you take a break from your digging to sit out in the sunshine and stare over the territory. "Can't say I'm surprised - always knew yer sis was the odd one out."

You nod, noticing a small ground squirrel poke its head out of the tall grass before vanishing in a flash of spotted stripes. It has never been a question for you, about being a tunneler; unlike your older sister, Hornetspring (and, you consider privately, your own littermates), you aren't interested in rocking the boat and forgoing your family's heritage.

"Broke my heart when she demanded a new mentor," she's still speaking jovially, despite the topic, and your gaze darts over to meet hers. She smiles and winks, "but I kinda saw it comin'. Your sis wanted to run under the skies."

You nod slowly, considering what she said as you drop your head to peer at your dirt paws. Yes, you suppose, Hornetspring has always been her own cat, set on foraging her own path.

You just wish she didn't do it to the detriment of your relationship with her -- and hers with all your siblings.

"Weeeeelp." The silver tortoiseshell raises to her paws and leisurely stretches, "Time to get back in there."

She vigorously shakes her thick, long pelt and that's when you get up and join her. The tunnels are dark, but the smell of earth is a comfort to your soul.

---

Dad is worried about Dustyblossom, so you get Silverberry's permission to look for her. It takes a few twisting turns and double-backs, but you manage to find her in one at the end of one of the old, collapsed tunnels.

She's fretfully kneading the ground, staring at her delicate paws and murmuring to herself. You try not to sneak up on her...

But you've always had a soft-tread, hard to hear even for those listening.

She nearly jumps out of her pelt.

"Oh," she deflates, "oh, it's just you, Hazelpaw."

You nod and join her, curl into her flank. You purr for her, your heart hurting just form the sight of her pain.

The two of you sit in silence for a while, listening to the distant echoes of others working and digging about. She's stopped mumbling to herself, thankfully, but her anxiously kneading continues even if in a more toned-down manner. You're perfectly happy to stay like this, knowing that she needs time to calm down and happy to just be helping.

"It's silly." She breaks the silence sometime later, flinching at the echo of herself that comes back, "It was just a crush and I never even talked to her..."

You cock your head over to peer at her face; she looks away, looking both bashful and hurt.

"It's okay," you murmur, listening to how your own whispery tone barely echoes at all, "to be hurt. Don't hide from it."

That's what mom always said: don't run from your feelings; you can't feel like that.

She nods, but you aren't sure she really believes you. That was okay though, as the two of you settled into a more easy quiet, because she'd stopped kneading.

---

You sit with your parents and cheer with everyone else when your littermates receive their warrior, though you cannot help glancing about at the rest of the family.

Palesong, Sandsplash. Warriors. Not tunnelers.

"They'll get over it," Mom mutters in your ear, chuckling as it flickers in surprise, "We're family, no matter what."

Dad rests his chin on top of your head briefly, before both of them rise as one and cross the crowd to reach your littermates. As the rest of your siblings swarm the two, you take a heartbeat to watch. Hornetspring looks rather smug, cutting her eyes around to your grandparents. Appleflame and Featherflame jostle Palesong between them as you mom lathers her tongue over the top of her ear. Dustyblossom lurks around the edges and your dad does not let her fall to the way side. Your brother is suffering good-naturedly under all the praise.

Yes: family, no matter what.

Sandsplash even lets you bump heads with him in congratulations.

---

"Ugh, it's so cramped down here." You blink, pausing in passing one of the entrances to stare at Hornetspring, "I honestly don't know how you do it."

You are... surprised, to say the least, as your older sister shakes a foot, trying to rid it of any dirt. Bemused, you glance about to see if anyone else is around, because surely she's not here to visit you.

"You seen Silverberry around?" And she's not; you've gotten better at hiding your hurt, so she charges on, "She'll get a laugh out of this - turn about is fair play and all that."

Ah.

"Your apprentice," what was her name? "...wants to be--"

"A tunneler," she spits out the word and you are, frankly, starting to believe she spends too much time around Cindersong nowadays, "yes!"

A hush falls between the pair of you and you watch as she breathes harshly in anger, the only sound for several heartbeats. You give her those, before tentatively trying again...

"She's making her own way in the world," Hornetspring scoffs lowly, but does seem to start to calm - you'll need to find Silverberry if you really want her to simmer down, "Just like her mentor."

"...whatever." Your older sister scuffs a paw, knocking a rock aside, "Let's just go find that old bat."

---

Now, as your family flocks to you, you understand how overwhelmed Sandsplash must have felt after his ceremony.

Palesong gets to you first and, honestly, you wish she hadn't; she's smothering, chattering and laughing and loud - which, well, your sister has always been like that, but age has only seemed to worsen it all.

Featherflame is next, rescuing you briefly before Appleflame and your parents swoop in, all beaming with pride. Dustyblossom and Sandsplash press in on the edges, and you find it hard not to smile as dad buttheads with you and mom nuzzle into your cheek.

No doubt, you will be exhausted by all this attention later, when you sit vigil, but for now - because you love your family - you suffer.

---

Even though you were not there, the tunnel collapses unsettles your family just as much as the clan. It seems only you keep a quiet faith in your fellow tunneler's work.

The truth is, though... you were suppose to be working in that tunnels that day, but Sandsplash has discouraged you, sighting the increased rains.

That does not stop Appleflame from hovering, unfortunately.

She's lurking, looking for any moment of weakness, where she can swoop in and offer you a shoulder to lean on. Her supportiveness is... aggressive, but you know she means well. So you suffer and hope that, if you wait her out, she will move on.

You're not that lucky.

"Are you sure you're alright?" She mutters one night, nestled half a tail-length away, "If you need me--"

"You're right here." You murmur back, tired but unable to let this go on, "Thank you."

She falls quiet and you hope she's fallen asleep, reassured and happy with your expression of gratitude. It seems like it for a long time and the sounds of others slumbering away starts to lull you back to sleep too...

"Sorry." She chuckles, and you pop an eye open, "I'm overdoing it again."

Stifling a yawn, you shuffle to your paws and sleepy creep over to her side, mindful of waking anyone else. She purrs as you lay next to her and get comfortable, relaxing noticeably at your presence.

"I appreciate it." You yawn, pointedly kneading at her shoulder with a lazy paw, "Now sleep."

---

You peered around Featherflame, eyeing the young cat your parents had adopted - you can't imagine how horrible it was, to be kicked out by your own mother.

Frostpaw, brought in by a patrol a few days before his sixth moon, stared back, unafraid of you or your overprotective older brother. His tail twitches with slight annoyance. Even after being in the family for two moons, it was obvious he was scared to trust.

Pointedly, you shove into Featherflame and push past; Frostpaw tenses minutely at your approach, but you stop short of their personal bubble and offer a friendly smile. Appleflame had also been adopted by your parents, so the newest addition to the family isn't a surprise - not to you at least.

"Come eat with us." The lynxpoint blinks at you, then blinks again, before glancing around, "We can share tongues afterwards, too."

That does make the apprentice perk up and your smile turns into a pleased grin - you had noticed their dedication to a clean, pristine pelt a while ago, as well as their love of food in general. You gave Featherflame you're best doe eyes as he moves forward, tilting your chin down for added effect.

"Yeah," he grumbles, nodding begrudgingly, "Ma was saying you need more meat on your bones."

Frostpaw looks startled at the statement, so you step in.

"She says the same about me, too." You chuckle, turning and gesturing to a particularly sunny spot in the clearing, "We'll pick out the food, Featherflame, and meet you over there."

The slender apprentice follows close at your heels as the three of you split off, Featherflame dragging his feet as he moves off. You shortened your stride so the smaller cat can keep up, beaming at him as the two fo you reach the fresh-kill pile.

"Grab whatever you want," They shiver in excitement, not needing to be told twice as they start to pick over what was available, "Featherflame and I'll share."

As you drag a ground squirrel out of the pile, you notice the blue lynxpoint has paused.

"No..." the younger cat stutters on the word, before clearing their voice and you stifle your joy and surprise as they continues: "We... we all can share."

---

"I just don't get it, y'know?" Palesong laments over a shared bird, sighing dramatically, "They see me coming and just -- poof! Vanishes."

Nodding, you hold your tongue has you pluck some pretty blue and white feathers, adding them to the pile you've been collecting. Frostpaw liked to add them to their nest, said they liked how soft they were.

"It's like--" your littermate pauses, then narrows her eyes at you, "--like you! How somedays its impossible to find you at all!"

You take a bite to stall, not looking forward to this having this conversation again; the last time, the hurt feels had required your mom's intervention. But... you know it will need to be, albeit more tactfully, simply for one reason: Frostpaw is like you.

"Palesong," she huffs, stuffing her face as she keeps her narrowed gaze on you, "you are a vibrant ray of sunshine; you can pierce through even the cloudiest of days."

But? Her gaze prods, and you swallow a quick bite before continuing.

"And Frostpaw is use to being on their own," which is true, though you can tell they're finally starting to make friends, "so they're not use to some caring as intensely as you."

"I guess..." She drawls, swallowing her bite and sighing, "I just... I want them to feel at home, here, y'know?"

You nod, perfectly understanding, and smile at her; she smiles tentatively back, probably recalling a much clumsier version of this talk the two of you had as apprentices. Sometimes, as much as you love your sister, she could be a lot and her extroversion made it hard for her to stop and think things through. She meant well, though; you'd just have to explain that to Frostpaw when they, too, inevitably came around to vent.

"I think they know that," you reassure her, reaching over and putting your paw on hers, "you just need to work more at their pace - like we do."

"Our pace, huh?" She glances between you and where you can hear Frostpaw laughing with some other apprentices. After a few moments, she nods and cheekily puts her other paw on top of yours.

"Alrighty."

---

"I don't think our son knows how lucky he is, to have a kit like you."

You feel a bit bashful at the praise as Hawkrose speaks up, glancing over at your grandmothers as they work. They should, honestly, be retiring soon, but everyone knows that Meadowback will work until her joints quiet on her - or her mate convinces her she's lonely enough.

Days like this, you see a lot of your dad in Hawkrose, despite the fact he isn't her kit by blood: soft-spoken, kind, and always with praise or compliments for those around them. It is Hawkrose that taught Molebreeze that, if you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all - you remember, fondly, how she explained it to you moons ago.

'Life is hard enough, there's no need to make it harder by being horrible to others; a little kindness goes a long way, honey.'

"You're Molebreeze's kit, alright," Meadowback straightens, taking a brief break to stretch, "And he's yours, Hawkrose."

Despite the two being mates for many, many moons, you have to stifle a laugh as your other grandmother turns flustered. Their romance warms your heart and, for a moment, the two mollies are less their legacies and more just... well, your grandmothers.

---

Word spreads from the tunnels like wildfire, and a large patrol is quickly summoned.

Ridgeclan is attacking Mistclan.

It does take much convincing for you to stay in camp with Frostpaw, and Dustyblossom and Sandsplash join you. Those of your family that don't stay in camp but also are not picked to come, hover around the tunnels in the territory, waiting for news.

Meadowback and Hawkrose go, to your infinite surprise, and so your dad follows along. It's only common sense from Appleflame that keeps Asterberry from going with Molebreeze.

Your heart is heavy in your chest the whole time they're all gone, fearful of what such a large scale battle may result in. Frostpaw sticks to you like a tick and you take a bit of solace in their company, Sandsplash hovering at the edges of your peripherally.

When, finally, after what feels like ages (but is really no more than half a day), the groups returns...

But not all your family does.

---

Molebreeze spends the day of Meadowback's funeral with Hawkrose, who is terribly injured in the medicine den, and your mom is an inspiration, offering support to his siblings in his stead. Everyone understands that Meadowback would want her mate to be tended to in her stead and so, eventually, two of your dad's littermates vanish - likely to join him with their mother.

You linger at Rosemary Hill with Hornetspring and Palesong, who were perhaps the closest with your grandmother. Palesong leans into your heavily, while your older sister is as silent as the grave before you, tense and rigid as slowly, friends and former apprentices of Meadowback trickle away.

Finally, as the sun as slid past the horizon, Mom calls you all away; its time to visit Hawkrose...

Expect, when the family meanders tiredly into camp, your dad is waiting for you with Frostpaw. His tear filled eyes and subtle shaking are all you need to know, as Dustyblossom sniffles a gasp.

Hawkrose has gone on to join her mate.

---

Within a few days of your mother announcing her new pregnancy, Smokeleap's health starts to go. It spirals rapidly downwards, no matter what Maplefrost does to help.

It's painful to watch, but you are perhaps one of the first - aside from your parents - to realize death comes for everyone. You and your siblings take shifts visiting Smokeleap no matter where they are, not wanting to add further strain on your mother (she's already a bit old to be having more kits, none of you want the stress of it all to kill the kits... or her).

"Just you wat-" Smokeleap is cut off by some coughs and leans more heavily on Brightstream one evening, jabbing a weak at you and Frostmask, "-watch! I'll live to see this grandkit or Starclan will never know peace again!"

You smile at her vigor, as your grandparent proves their willpower is stronger than their frail body: they make it the two more moons it takes for your youngest sister to be born. Stars, they even drags themself to the nursery the evening your mother starts to kit, determined to see it all through to the end.

In a way you'll never be able to explain, as you voluntarily help them back to their nest in the elder's den - Smokeleap had practically ordered your grandfather to stay behind and look after their daughter - alone, you understand what is coming. The smoke elder gets settled easier than you've seen in recent moons, and you linger, a sense of knowing filling you.

"Told ya." They murmur, oddly breathless as their eyes close.

"You're really strong," you agree, leaning over and pressing your nose to her forehead, "We love you."

When you pull back, rising to your paws to go et Maplefrost, Smokeleap is peacefully still; a rattling sigh slips past their lips and all movement ceases. You're glad, in a sad king of way, you got to see her off.

---

Ironically, Briarkit reminds you a lot of Smokeleap.

"Play! With! Meeeeee!" She slaps your head, emphasizing each word; today, you are on babysitting duty, as your mother tires so easily nowadays.

"We are playing, Briarkit." You gently bat the mossball closer to her, "This is what you said mossball was your favorite."

"But it's so boring with the just us!" Her tail lashes as she pouts, knocking the mossball promptly into your nose; you snort and lift your head, following her gaze.

Some of the younger kits in the clearing, under the watchful gaze of their parents, rough-housed loudly. Their joyful squeals remind you of your days playing with your littermates as kits...

Maplefrost had told your mother, when only Briarkit was born, that it was not uncommon for older mollies' to see their litter sizes decrease as their age advanced; the news had saddened your mother, who was used to large, lively litters. And, as you glance back down at Briarkit, you can see she feels like she's missing out.

It's simply not the same, playing with siblings you are at least 18 moons older than you, if not older.

"Why don't you join them?" She peers up at you without moving her head and you nod at the wrestling litter across the clearing, "I won't mind."

"...okay." She nods, resolute, and then waddles away. The parents look up at you and you nod, agreeing quietly to take over watch duty today, before rising to move closer.

---

When your dad tells you of how Ashkit and Patchkit were found - half-starved, trying to seek shelter from the chill of leaf-bare by ducking into a tunnel - you can understand why he brought them back to camp. You also understand, when you see that runty Ashkit is a smoke tabby, why your mom was so eager to adopt them.

The two have been keeping their distant, slow to warm up to anyone after what they have said is a moon fending for themselves, and even your slow and steady approach is rebuffed by the pair of siblings.

At least, you think, watching them play with Briarkit, she has littermates now. In the wake of so much loss in the family, you decide their arrival is a sign of good fortune...

And hopefully they'll grow to enjoy being part of your family soon.

PRE-PLOTTING


[family tree link here - litters not grouped in order]

Family is a big part of Hazelstream's life and they come from quite a large one: they have four older siblings, two littermates, and four younger siblings; aside from that, they're extended family is as numerous as the grass in the fields. All of them are exceedingly close, despite the recent passing of their grandparent and grandmothers, and its easy to say Hazelstream is a deeply family-oriented cat. However, coming from such a big family does means its easy to overlook them, with Hazelstream being more of the side-character sort, but they don't mind - as long as their family is happy and whole, they are too. 

✝ Meadowback & Hawkrose (paternal, adoptive grandmothers) - Molebreeze's mothers come from similarly long lines of tunnelers and they've left quite the legacy for the family to fulfill. However, though they were often very busy cats, Hazelstream tended (and still does, to some degree) the beauty of their love for each other.

Brightstream (NPC) & ✝ Smokeleap (maternal grandparents) - of their mother's parents, Hazelstream tended to favor their grandfather Brightstream - he was a like-minded soul, placid and calm as a still pond. Smokeleap, while they meant well, as all caught up in traditions and the sanctity of up-holding family customs and could be overbearing. Nonetheless, Hazelstream misses their grandparent.

Asterberry & Molebreeze (parents) - Astberberry and Molebreeze have always been a pair - kithood friends from the start, they've always been joined at the hip; therefore, it was unsurprising when the two became mates and had kits. Asterberry is a strong maternal figure for her horde of kits and Molebreeze has always worked hard to make sure their adopted kits feel as important as the two's biological ones. Hazelstream is their father's kit, though adores both their parents.

Appleflame (adopted older brother) - amongst all their older siblings, Appleflame has worked the hardest to shelter and protect all of her younger siblings; she's the strong one, the shoulder to lean on and she does her best to be there for everyone all the time. She can be overbearing because of this, but Hazelstream knows its how she shows her love.

Featherflame (older brother) - where Appleflame sees herself as the family's stalwart shoulder to lean, Featherflame sees himself as the defender of his family - and is especially protective of Hazelstream, as he's certain their docile personality will attract the wrong sort of cats, inside and outside of Prairieclan. And while Hazelstream knows that their older brother means well, he is a tad suffocating in the way he hovers.

Dustyblossom (older sister) - often times, it's easy for those outside the family to forget that Dustyblossom is Hazelstream's older sister - she tends to be timorous and fretful, with a few childish tendencies, and as such seeks peace and quiet from everyday with her younger sibling. It's not uncommon to see Hazelstream consoling the worrywart at least once every other day.

Hornetspring (older sister) - Hornetspring and Hazelstream are not the closest in the family, unfortunately; their older sister has always had a fierce independent streak in her and so works hard to prove herself outside of any family accomplishments. She is the first member of their family in a long time to not be a tunneler, but not the last.

Palesong (sister) - Hazelstream and Palesong love each other - as family is wont to do - but unfortunately, their sister is an exceedingly extroverted individual and often forgets others might need alone time to recoup from socializing. Due to the tensions this can cause, the two tend to interact more sparingly than others in the family.

Sandsplash (brother) - following in Hornetspring's footsteps, Sandsplash chose the life of a warrior instead of a tunneler, though Hazelstream understands better than others as to why: their brother loves the water. He is never more at home than when he is down at the river, swimming and fishing, and, if they're lucky, he'll sometimes invite Hazelstream along to sunbathe together.

Frostmask (adopted younger sibling) - brought into the family at nearly 6 moons old, Hazelstream has always worked especially hard to make Frostmask feel like part of the family. The two are especially tight-knit, even closer than Hazelstream is with their own littermates.

Ashpaw & Patchpaw (adopted youngest siblings) - despite Hazelstream's best efforts to make Ashpaw and Patchpaw feel welcome, the two are much closer with their parents than any of their siblings - aside from Briarpaw.

Briarpaw (youngest sister) - Briarpaw tends to get along better with Hornetspring and Palesong than them and has often voiced her frustration with their gentle personality, much to Hazelstream's quiet chagrin.

---

Due to Hazelstream being the shy, wallflower sort, she doesn't have a lot of friends nor does she make them very easily; its easy to simply pass through a dull, dim forest in favor of brighter, greener pastures. However, because she is a quiet, gently ray of sunshine, those take the time to peer through the canopy will be rewarded with a warm and bright sun. Hazelstream tends to inspire loyalty in the few friends they do make because of this and offers the same as well in return.

---

Hazelstream is exceedingly inexperienced in terms of romance, because they have never stood out amongst their siblings: not in achievements, not in personality, and definitely not in looks. It's never been a fact that bothered them, but perhaps had made them... painfully oblivious too. (There is also, for consideration, likely several protective family members hovering about)

---

appearance