Runningnose/Main article

Runningnose is a small, gray-and-white tom with a constantly running nose.

He is born as Runningkit to Lizardstripe and Mudclaw, and his littermates Tanglekit and Deerkit. He gains Brokenkit as a foster brother, and bullies him along with his siblings until Yellowfang reprimands them for doing so, whereas Runningkit stops, unlike his siblings. Runningkit takes in interest in medicine, eventually becoming Yellowfang's apprentice under the name of Runningpaw, and develops a close friendship with his mentor. He then gains his full name of Runningnose, chosen by Yellowfang as a reminder that Medicine cats cannot cure everything. Later on, Yellowfang is accused of murdering Marigoldkit and Mintkit, and Runningnose comes to the defense of his mentor, along with Rowanberry, Nutwhisker and Newtspeck, ultimately however, Yellowfang is exiled, but Runningnose tells her that he will do everything to prove she is innocent.

He becomes ShadowClan's full Medicine cat under the tyrannical rule of Brokenstar, and is forced to constantly heal battle wounds and ease the deaths of many young kits who were apprenticed much too early, breaking Runningnose's heart every time. When Brokenstar is forced out and Nightstar takes over, Runningnose is forced to keep the secret that Nightstar was not granted nine lives by StarClan, and tries to help care of his Clan during the carrionplace epidemic, but is not able to save Nightstar nor the deputy Cinderfur due to himself being the sole Medicine cat. Runningnose is then forced to take up both the titles of Leader and Deputy until someone could take over, but with ShadowClan fighting the epidemic, nobody can do so. To Runningnose's luck, Tigerclaw comes to ShadowClan with former ShadowClan cats and helps the Clan back to strength, and when he becomes ShadowClan's new leader, Runningnose, content with ShadowClan's recovery, knows of Tigerstar's ambitions and feels guilty for even allowing it to happen. During this time, he takes on Littlecloud as his apprentice, and when informed of Yellowfang's death, he is devastated at the fact. He helps his Clan during the Battle against BloodClan, whereas Tigerstar is killed beforehand by Scourge and takes Blackstar to the Moonstone when he ascends to leadership. Runningnose eventually retires, giving him some peace after his long and stressed life.

Super Editions

 * In Yellowfang's Secret,

Novellas

 * In Tigerclaw's Fury,

Detailed description

 * Runningnose is a small, gray-and-white tom with patchy, grizzled, ungroomed fur, a gray muzzle, rheumy eyes, and a constantly running nose.

Interesting facts

 * Runningnose's prediction of a glorious future for ShadowClan was fulfilled when Tigerstar became leader.
 * Runningnose was given his name as a reminder that medicine cats cannot cure everything.
 * While Nightstar was sick, Runningnose played the roles of both deputy and medicine cat, and stood in as temporary leader until StarClan decided to appoint a new leader.
 * Although Runningnose mentions he has no expertise in battle training, it is mentioned in Night Whispers that all ShadowClan medicine cats are trained to fight like warriors.

Mistakes

 * He has been mistakenly shown with additional black patches.
 * He has been depicted without white.