Mates

Mate is the Clan word for a partnership between a tom and a she-cat who love each other and plan to spend their life together.

Taking a Mate
Two cats are usually considered mates after spending some time together, and after some kind of confession of love. Clan cats usually take a mate from the same Clan, although there were examples of pairings from different Clans. Similarly, loners, rogues and kittypets generally take other loners, rogues and kittypets as mates.

Breaking Up
In the books, breaking up is rare. Some examples of couples who broke up:
 * Daisy and Spiderleg
 * Squirrelflight and Brambleclaw
 * Leafpool and Crowfeather

Reasons
Mates break up mainly for the following reasons:
 * They decide they are not suited for each other (Squirrelflight and Ashfur)
 * A cat does not love their mate anymore (Daisy and Spiderleg)
 * Ending a relationship of forbidden love by mutual agreement, recognizing that loyalty to their Clan is more important than their love (Leafpool and Crowfeather)
 * Disagreements, mistrust (Squirrelflight and Brambleclaw)
 * One of the cats leave the Clan (Goldenflower and Tigerstar)
 * One of the cats die (Graystripe takes Millie as a mate after the death of Silverstream)

In some cases, mates will get back together after breaking up (such as Squirrelflight and Brambleclaw in Sunset, after they broke up in Starlight).

Restrictions
Taking a cat from another Clan (or a non-Clan cat) as mate is implicitly forbidden by the first rule of The Warrior Code, as such pairings are considered a sign of disloyalty. Kits born from such relations are named half-Clan, and usually mistrusted.

Medicine cats, either male or female, are not allowed to take mates, in order to not be distracted from their mission and work. Apprentices do not take mates either.

List of Mates

 * Adderfang and Swiftbreeze
 * Berrynose and Poppyfrost
 * Birchfall and Whitewing
 * Brackenfur and Sorreltail
 * Brambleclaw and Squirrelflight
 * Cloudtail and Brightheart
 * Cloudstar and Birdflight
 * Crowfeather and Leafpool
 * Crowfeather and Nightcloud
 * Dustpelt and Ferncloud
 * Firestar and Sandstorm
 * Fuzzypelt and Robinwing
 * Graystripe and Silverstream
 * Graystripe and Millie
 * Halftail and One-eye
 * Oakheart and Bluestar
 * Pinestar and Leopardfoot
 * Raggedstar and Yellowfang
 * Redtail and Brindleface
 * Rowanclaw and Tawnypelt
 * Ryewhisker and Cloudberry
 * Smallear and Speckletail
 * Smoky and Daisy
 * Stone Song and Broken Shadow
 * Stormfur and Brook
 * Stormtail and Moonflower
 * Spiderleg and Daisy
 * Thistleclaw and Snowfur
 * Tigerstar and Goldenflower
 * Tigerstar and Sasha
 * Whiteclaw and Leopardstar
 * Whitestorm and Willowpelt
 * Windflight and Poppydawn