Mates

Mate is the terminology used to describe a romantic partnership between cats.

Brightheart and Cloudtail have been mates for many moons.

Taking a mate

Two cats are usually considered mates after spending some time together, being seen sharing tongues often, and after some kind of confession of love. The latter can be in the form of asking 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.

Separation

Sasha separated from Tigerstar after learning of his horrible deeds.

In the Warriors universe, separation is fairly rare, but can happen. Some examples of mates who separated:

• 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 were no longer mates.
• Sasha and Tigerstar.
• Crowfeather and Nightcloud.

Reasons

Mates may separate mainly for the following reasons:

• Things did not work out between them,
• One or both has feelings for another cat.
• Ending a relationship of forbidden love by mutual agreement, recognizing that loyalty to their Clan is more important than their love.
• One or both get blamed for a tragedy.
• 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

Leafpool, a ThunderClan medicine cat, broke two codes by being mates with Crowfeather, a WindClan warrior, and bearing his kits.

• Taking a cat from another Clan (or a non-Clan cat) as mate was implicitly forbidden by the first rule of the warrior code, as such pairings were considered a sign of disloyalty. Kits born from such relations were named half-Clan, and they were usually discriminated against and not trusted.
  • This rule was overturned in River with additions being made to the warrior code.
• 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

Rootspring fell in love with Bristlefrost despite them being from other Clans, due to her saving his life.

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 couples are never considered official mates for varying reasons and never resulted in kits. Main examples of these include:

• Firestar and Spottedleaf
• Squirrelflight and Ashfur
• Lionpaw and Heatherpaw
• Jayfeather and Half Moon
• Hollyleaf and Fallen Leaves
• Bramblestar and Jessy
• Honeyfern and Berrynose
• Needletail and Rain
• Dappletail and Stormtail
• Tallstar and Jake
• Harveymoon and Mintfur
• Alderheart and Velvet
• Bristlefrost and Rootspring
• Feathertail and Crowfeather
• Tempest and Sweetums

Reasons

Bristlefrost and Rootspring decided not to officially become mates due to the laws at the time.

Common reasons why these are not true mates are the following:

• It was forbidden by the warrior code and one or both would refuse to break it:
  • Spottedleaf and Firestar
  • Alderheart and Velvet
  • Bristlefrost and Rootspring

• Were never in an official relationship:
  • Jayfeather and Half Moon
  • Squirrelflight and Ashfur
  • Bramblestar and Jessy
  • Harveymoon and Mintfur
  • Feathertail and Crowfeather

• Were never described as mates within the series or related media:
  • Dappletail and Stormtail
  • Honeyfern and Berrynose
  • Needletail and Rain
  • Tallstar and Jake
  • Tempest and Sweetums

• Author discrepancies:
  • Hollyleaf and Fallen Leaves

List of mates

ThunderClan

Firestar and Sandstorm are two of the most well known mates in ThunderClan, and did many quests together.

• Adderfang and Swiftbreeze
• Bayshine and Thriftear
• Berrynose and Poppyfrost
• Birchfall and Whitewing
• Brackenfur and Sorreltail
• Brambleclaw and Squirrelstar
• Bumblestripe and Dovewing (former)
• Cloudtail and Brightheart
• Dewnose and Sorrelstripe
• Dustpelt and Ferncloud
• Fernsong and Ivypool
• Finleap and Twigbranch
• Firestar and Sandstorm
• Flamenose and Larksong
• Flipclaw and Myrtlebloom
• Fuzzypelt and Robinwing
• Graystripe and Millie
• Halftail and One-eye
• Larksong and Sparkpelt
• Leaf and Milkweed
• Lionblaze and Cinderheart
• Lionheart and Frostfur
• Morningstar and Songbird
• Oakstar and Sweetbriar
• Oakstar and unnamed she-cat
• Patchpelt and Robinwing (former)
• Patchpelt and Goldenflower (former)
• Pinestar and Leopardfoot (former)
• Rooktail and Daisytoe
• Runningwind and Dappletail
• Smallear and Speckletail
• Snowbush and Lilyheart
• Spiderleg and Daisy (former)
• Stemleaf and Spotfur
• Stormtail and Moonflower
• Stripebark and Fogdrift (former)
• Thistleclaw and Snowfur (former)
• Thornclaw and Blossomfall
• Thunderstar and Violet Dawn
• Tigerstar and Goldenflower (former)
• Whitestar and Rosebush (former)
• Whitestorm and Brindleface (former)
• Whitestorm and Willowpelt
• Windflight and Rainfur (former)
• Windflight and Poppydawn
• Yew Tail and Gooseberry

WindClan

• Breezepelt and Heathertail
• Cloudrunner and Morningflower
• Crowfeather and Nightcloud (former)
• Deadfoot and Ashfoot
• Emberfoot and Sedgewhisker
• Flutterfoot and Appleshine
• Gorsestar and Windstar
• Gray Wing and Slate
• Hareflight and Mistmouse
• Hickorynose and Meadowslip
• Jagged Peak and Holly
• Oatclaw and Featherpelt
• Onestar and Whitetail
• Pebblenose and Gale Rise (former)
• Redclaw and Brackenwing
• Sandgorse and Palebird (former)
• Shrewclaw and Ryestalk
• Stagleap and Wrenflight
• Woollytail and Palebird

RiverClan

• Appledusk and Reedshine
• Beetlenose and Sunfish
• Blackclaw and Mistystar
• Cedarpelt and Lakeshine
• Crookedstar and Willowbreeze
• Frogleap and Mosspelt
• Graysky and Floatshimmer
• Hailstar and Echomist
• Jayclaw and Curlfeather
• Lizardtail and Lakeheart
• Mallownose and Petalfur
• Mintfur and Icestar
• Moss Tail and Dawn Mist
• Mudfur and Brightsky (former)
• Owlfur and Softwing
• Piketooth and Shimmerpelt
• Rippleclaw and Graypool
• Riverstar and Finch Song
• Shellheart and Rainflower (former)
• Sneezecloud and Havenpelt
• Tanglewhisker and Birdsong
• Timberfur and Ottersplash
• Unnamed tom and Willownose

ShadowClan

• Blazefire and Lightleap
• Blizzardwing and Featherstorm
• Blizzardwing and Hollyflower (former)
• Brackenfoot and Brightflower
• Cinderfur and Ashheart
• Clawface and Rowanberry (former)
• Crowfrost and Dawnpelt
• Finchflight and Dawncloud
• Flaxfoot and Pouncestep
• Mudclaw and Lizardstripe
• Raggedstar and Yellowfang (former)
• Ravenstar and Juniper Branch
• Rowanclaw and Tawnypelt
• Scorchfur and Snowbird
• Scorchwind and Darkflower
• Slatefur and Cinnamontail
• Sparrowtail and Berryheart
• Spikefur and Pinenose
• Stonewing and Grassheart
• Toadskip and Poolcloud
• Toadskip and Nettlespot
• Toadskip and unnamed she-cat
• Wolfstep and Fernshade

SkyClan

Billystorm and Leafstar were SkyClan mates. They started a happy family in the gorge.

• Billystorm and Leafstar
• Buzzardstar and Fernpelt
• Cloudstar and Birdflight
• Dewspring and Nectarsong
• Gravelnose and Wrenflight
• Harrybrook and Blossomheart
• Hawkwing and Pebbleshine
• Kitescratch and Needleclaw
• Nettlesplash and Mintfur
• Patchfoot and Clovertail
• Quailfeather and Reedclaw
• Rabbitleap and Bellaleaf
• Rainfur and Petalnose
• Sagenose and Birdwing
• Sandynose and Plumwillow
• Sharpclaw and Cherrytail
• Skystar and Star Flower
• Sparrowpelt and Tinycloud
• Tree and Violetshine
• Waspwhisker and Fallowfern

Half-Clan

Graystripe of ThunderClan was mates with Silverstream of RiverClan.

• Appledusk and Mapleshade (former)
• Beechfur and Gorsetail
• Birchfeather and Ridgeglow
• Bound Hunt and Gale Rise
• Crowfeather and Leafpool (former)
• Eaglestorm and Squirrelwhisker
• Graystripe and Silverstream (former)
• Hal and Featherstorm (former)
• Micah and Moth Flight (former)
• Nettle and Yarrowleaf (former)
• Nightheart and Sunbeam
• Oakheart and Bluestar
• Onestar and Smoke (former)
• Reedfeather and Fallowtail (former)
• Ryewhisker and Cloudberry
• Shellfur and Fernstripe
• Spireclaw and Fringewhisker
• Stripestar and Gale Rise (former)
• Tigerstar and Sasha (former)
• Tigerstar and Dovewing

Clanless cats

• Algernon and Bess
• Barley and Ravenpaw
• Casper and Cleo
• Fang and Daffodil (former)
• Huntheart and Fernwhisper
• Husker and Moss
• Jack and Moonlight (former)
• Jake and Quince (former)
• Jake and Nutmeg
• Harley and Red
• Oliver and Princess
• Root and Moonlight (former)
• Shorty and Cora
• Smoky and Coriander
• Smoky and Daisy (former)
• Smoky and Floss (former)
• Splinter and Milkweed
• Stick and Velvet (former)
• Willie and Minty
• Sol's father and Cinders (former)
• Sol's father and Unnamed she-cat
• Tom and Turtle Tail (former)

Tribe of Rushing Water cats

Stormfur left the Clans to be together with Brook in the Tribe.

• Pebblenose and Thrushcall
• Sheer and Night
• Stormfur and Brook

Ancient cats

• Chasing Clouds and Rising Moon
• Clear Sky and Bright Stream (former)
• Clear Sky and Storm (former)
• Dark Whiskers and Shy Fawn
• Falling Rain and Falcon Swoop
• Gray Wing and Turtle Tail (former)
• Jackdaw's Cry and Hawk Swoop
• Jagged Lightning and Owl Feather
• Moon Shadow and Dewy Leaf (former)
• Sharp Hail and Dewy Leaf
• Stone Song and Broken Shadow
• Stone Song and Hollow Tree

The wildcats

• Strike Slash and Wish Stalk
• Tumble Leap and Stalk Purr

Notes and references

Author references