Mates

Mate is the Clan terminology for a partnership between two cats.

Taking a mate
Two cats are usually considered mates after spending some time together, and are seen sharing tongues often, and after some kind of confession of love, or asking them if they would like to be mates. Usually when cats are apprentices or warriors, they will show some sort of affection toward a certain cat. Clan cats usually take a mate from the same Clan, although there are examples of pairings from different Clans or groups. However, sometimes cats from different Clans will mate secretly despite it being against the warrior code. Examples are Bluestar and Oakheart, Silverstream and Graystripe, or Leafpool and Crowfeather. It is not unusual for a cat to have more than one mate. After a while, if they stop showing affection, or if their mate dies, they will usually take on a new mate.

Breaking up
In the Warriors universe, breaking up is fairly rare, but can happen. Some examples of mates who broke up:
 * Bluestar and Oakheart.
 * It is noted that they are mates in StarClan.
 * Daisy and Spiderleg.
 * Leafpool and Crowfeather.
 * Bumblestripe and Dovewing.
 * Goldenflower and Tigerstar.
 * Rainflower and Shellheart.
 * It is noted after Rainflower's death, that Shellheart always loved Rainflower, even after they weren't mates anymore.
 * Sasha and Tigerstar.
 * Crowfeather and Nightcloud

Reasons
Mates break up mainly for the following reasons:
 * They decide they are not suited for each other anymore, truly love one another, or has feelings for another.
 * Ending a relationship of forbidden love by mutual agreement, recognizing that loyalty to their Clan is more important than their love.
 * Disagreements, mistrust, or misunderstanding.
 * Disappointment in their mate's actions or behavior.
 * One of the cats leave the Clan.
 * One of the cats dies.

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 are usually not trusted.
 * Medicine cats, either male or female, are not allowed to take mates, in order to be fully dedicated to their medicine cat duties, though this rule has been broken before. (ie. Crowfeather and Leafpool, Yellowfang and Raggedstar.)

Unofficial romances
There are a variant relationships with similar aspects to mates, either in mutual affection, mutual displays of affection, and/or breaking the warrior code to meet with another Clan cat at night. However, these couplings are never considered official mates for varying reasons and never resulted in kits. Main examples of these are:


 * Firepaw and Spottedleaf
 * Squirrelflight and Ashfur
 * Lionpaw and Heatherpaw
 * Jayfeather and Half Moon
 * Hollyleaf and Fallen Leaves
 * Bramblestar and Jessy
 * Needletail and Rain
 * Dappletail and Stormtail
 * Tallstar and Jake
 * Foxleap and Rosepetal
 * Alderheart and Velvet
 * Ravenpaw and Barley

Reasons
Common reasons why these aren't true mates are the following:
 * It was forbidden by the warrior code and one or both would refuse to break it. (Spottedleaf and Firestar)
 * Were never in an official relationship. (Jayfeather and Half Moon, Squirrelflight and Ashfur, Bramblestar and Jessy, Alderheart and Velvet)
 * Were never clearly described as mates or resulted in kits. (Dappletail and Stormtail, Needletail and Rain, Tallstar and Jake)
 * Author realized they were related. (Foxleap and Rosepetal)
 * Author discrepancies. (Hollyleaf and Fallen Leaves)

References and citations
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