Tom (ES)

"Keep the dumb kits. Let them grow up wild. I don't care."

— Tom disowning his kits in The First Battle, page 208

Tom (ES)
The pixel artwork is fanart based on the canon description; undefined traits are left to the artist's interpretation.
Affiliations
Last known:	Unknown residence
Past:	Kittypet Rogue Clear Sky's camp
Biographical information
Cause of death:	Killed by One Eye
Names
Early Settler:	Tom
Rogue:	Tom
Kittypet:	Tom
Ghost:	Unknown
Kin
Former mate:	Turtle Tail
Daughter:	Sparrow Fur
Sons:	Pebble Heart, Owl Eyes
Book appearances
Living	Thunder Rising, The First Battle, The Blazing Star, The Ultimate Guide
Living	Thunder Rising, The First Battle, The Blazing Star, The Ultimate Guide

Tom is a copper-colored tom with a thick pelt colored like autumn leaves.

Tom was a former kittypet that lived with Turtle Tail and Bumble. After Turtle Tail discovered she was expecting his kits, Tom began abusing her and Bumble, forcing them to flee to their friends. She gave birth to Owl Eyes, Sparrow Fur, and Pebble Heart. He tried to steal his kits away, causing in Turtle Tail's death, and later disowned his kits when Thunder and Lightning Tail rescued them. Tom introduced One Eye to Clear Sky and his group, and died trying to defend Sparrow Fur from One Eye's violent assault.

History

In the Dawn of the Clans arc

Thunder Rising

Gray Wing: "So, how did that happen?"

Turtle Tail: "How do you think it happened? I made a mistake. I missed you all so much. Tom seemed strong and friendly, I thought I could move on and make a new life with him. But when I realized I was expecting kits, he...changed."

^{Thunder Rising}

When Turtle Tail returns from Twolegplace, she explains to Gray Wing that another cat had joined her and Bumble not long after she decided to live with the latter. She notes that her Twolegs were carrying a large tom, and that the tom had lived with another Twoleg prior, but one day, they stopped feeding him. Turtle Tail then adds that he went to live with other cats, but they were cooped up together, and notes that his name was Tom. Gray Wing comments that he could never understand Twolegs, as they named a tom Tom, and Turtle Tail continues that Tom then went to live with Bumble and Turtle Tail. Gray Wing inquires if Tom was friendly, and Turtle Tail remarks that they got along, but she had to leave.

Gray Wing notices Turtle Tail's swollen belly, and asks her how it happened. Turtle Tail explains she thought Tom was friendly, but once she was expecting kits, he changed. She notes that he didn't have any plans for the kits, and neither Bumble or Tom would admit something was wrong. Turtle Tail discovered that Bumble was also asked by Tom not to inform Turtle Tail of the truth. When Bumble pleads to join the group, she explains that her injuries were caused by Tom, as he turned against and blamed her for telling Turtle Tail the truth.

She also answers that he swiped and scratched her when their Twolegs didn't notice. Once Bumble speaks to Tall Shadow, she explains that Tom was pushing her around, and Tall Shadow asks why he attacked her. Bumble replies that she thought he was angry due to Turtle Tail's departure, and Sparrow Fur asks who Tom is. After that, Tall Shadow asks if there was a way Bumble and Tom could live peacefully together, and Bumble shakes her head, stating that Tall Shadow should be stating that to Tom, and not herself.

The First Battle

Thunder: "We came by ourselves. Turtle Tail and Gray Wing wanted us to bring you home."

Tom: "They are home."

^{The First Battle}

Thunder first sees Tom at Bumble's grave. He approaches the kittypet, asking who he is. Tom gives him his name, and Thunder is dumbfounded at the fact that his name is simply a gender. They bicker for some time, but eventually, Thunder brings up Turtle Tail, peaking Tom's interest. Tom orders Thunder to fetch her, stating that he would not leave until he sees her. Seeing no choice but to obey, Thunder concedes, getting Turtle Tail to go to Bumble's grave with Tall Shadow, Gray Wing, and Thunder. At Turtle Tail's appearance, Tom begins to grow affectionate, but the fear on Turtle Tail is expressed through her body shaking

Gray Wing, at first, is jealous, but realizes that Turtle Tail is frightened of Tom due to his status as a bully. Tom says he misses her and their play fights, in order to spite her. Turtle Tail snaps at him that he was the only one who was ever playing. In order to trick Tom, Turtle Tail says that their kits Sparrow Fur, Pebble Heart, and Owl Eyes are scrawny, that they are poor things, nobody wants them, and she wasted her milk on them, in order to trick Tom into not wanting them himself. He growls about never wanting them anyways. He threatens to come back, and then he stalks away from the four moor cats after remarking he would've preferred Turtle Tail's death over Bumble's.

When Turtle Tail's kits go missing, Jagged Peak and Turtle Tail discover that Tom has taken them. While the queen pursues, he returns to camp and informs Thunder and Lightning Tail. The two leave immediately to try and find them. Meanwhile, Clear Sky sees Tom and his kits passing through his territory, but decide to let them pass. Lightning Tail and Thunder cross a stream to follow the trail, and River Ripple helps them. They continue on and meet Flower, who points them to Tom's den.

Lightning Tail, Thunder, and River Ripple spot Tom with his kits, though they aren't happy. He suggests a game of hide and seek, but quickly contradicts and has them go back inside. Tom's Twoleg comes out, and the three rescuers are appalled to see him act friendly towards it. The Twoleg drops off food, and the three kits come out. Thunder, Lightning Tail, and River Ripple confront him, but it's to no avail. Lightning Tail forms a plan and leaves the kits behind.

Lightning Tail suggests that they tell the kits what it's really like to live with Twolegs, and with Tom. While they want to avoid telling him he's their father, they know they must do whatever they can. The three step forward, saying they'd come to say goodbye. They mention to the kits how they'll never hunt lapwing, probably receive new names, and miss out on a lot. Lightning Tail starts yowling after Tom's Twoleg, though the kittypet tries to get him to cease. The black tom lets the Twoleg pick him up, and the kits are horrified that they might have to do that too.

The kits express their desire to return to the moor, so River Ripple quietly leads them away. Meanwhile, Tom is angry at Lightning Tail for stealing his Twolegs. Thunder helps his friend escape their grasp, and they race away with Tom following. They stop to confront him, telling him that the kits will forever be wild. Tom spits back at them, but Lightning Tail points out that they will blame him for leading their mother to her death. The kittypet snarls that they can keep the kits and stalks away. Once Lightning Tail and Thunder reunite with River Ripple, they explain to the kits that Tom isn't with them.

The Blazing Star

Tom: "All right, not 'returned' exactly. This is my first time living in the wild. But it feels like I'm returning...to my real home."

Clear Sky: "Oh, I feel so sorry for you! It must have been hard, living in the warm and dry of a Twoleg den when your spirit was craving the cold, wet, and hunger of the wild!"

^{The Blazing Star}

While walking in the forest, Clear Sky discovers Tom passing through. The leader approaches him, but he insists he means no harm. Tom mentions that he's interested in joining a group, and likes the concept of living and working together. Clear Sky questions if he could make it, since he's a kittypet. Tom replies that he did live with Twolegs, but feels like he's coming home out in the forest. Clear Sky inspects him, and the other tom questions if he can join, saying he's heard about how he makes tough decisions.

After Tom begs again to be accepted, Clear Sky says he can come to camp, if he can support himself. Tom is elated, and says they won't let them down. One Eye reveals himself, and Clear Sky looks the rogue over. After One Eye impressively catches a pigeon, he agrees they can both come with him. They settle into Clear Sky's group, and go on patrols. Tom confronts Gray Wing, Thunder, and Mouse Ear, who inform Clear Sky of how the tom had stolen Turtle Tail's kits. Clear Sky feels shame, but defends his new campmate. Cats within the moor group worry about the threat Tom and One Eye pose. Owl Eyes asks why Tom is so bad, and if they want them around if their father is a bad cat. Gray Wing reassures that that isn't the case.

In the forest camp, Clear Sky watches One Eye lead a fighting technique session. He's impressed with the progress Tom has made, losing his kittypet softness. One Eye sends Tom away to get a sharp rock for practice, but Sparrow Fur comes seeking after her father. The former rogue attacks her, almost killing the kit. Clear Sky is about to intervene, but Tom reaches Sparrow Fur first, and yowls at One Eye to stop. The two toms begin to fight while the rest of the surrounding cats begin to tend to the kit's injuries. By the time cobwebs are placed on Sparrow Fur, One Eye has killed Tom.

Cats at the moor camp wonder where Sparrow Fur is, and if Tom's taken her. After investigating, they learned what happened. Owl Eyes is devastated at his father's death, and wishes Clear Sky hadn't let One Eye into his group.

A Forest Divided

Thunder remembers Tom as a kittypet and the father of Turtle Tail's kits. He remembers that he stole the kits trying to make their mother suffer, who died trying to rescue them.

Path of Stars

Although unnamed, Gray Wing explains to Quiet Rain that Turtle Tail was carrying someone else's kits when they became mates. Quiet Rain asks whose and Gray Wing explains a kittypet, feeling bitter at the memory of the arrogant and selfish tom.

In the Field Guides

The Ultimate Guide

Tom is mentioned on Turtle Tail's page, and it is said Turtle Tail thought she could have a life with him, and became pregnant with his kits.

Detailed description

Tom is a big, ragged, copper-colored tom. He has a broad face, and shoulders and a nick in his ear. He has a thick pelt colored like autumn leaves, a dark moleskin muzzle, and a thick, feathery tail.

Trivia

Interesting facts

• Kate has stated on her blog that Tom took the kits not necessarily to abuse them, although she thinks he possibly would have, but to continue having control over Turtle Tail.
  • She also believes that Tom had a sense of ownership over his kits, rather than affection for them, and that meant letting One Eye hurt them was unacceptable.
• Kate says that Tom probably walks in a kittypet sky after his death, where gentler kittypets are teaching him to be kinder.

Mistakes

• He was mistakenly called ginger, and orange.

Character pixels

Main images

The pixel artwork is fanart based on the canon description; undefined traits are left to the artist's interpretation. Kittypet Version Rogue Version Early Settler Version Unknown Residence Version

Alternate images

The pixel artwork is fanart based on the canon description; undefined traits are left to the artist's interpretation. Alternative Rogue Version

Kin

Members

Mate:

Turtle Tail (formerly): Deceased, verified StarClan member

Sons:

Owl Eyes: Status unknown

Pebble Heart: Deceased, verified StarClan member

Daughter:

Sparrow Fur: Status unknown

Tree

Gray Wing ♂

Turtle Tail ♀

Tom ♂

See more

Owlstar ♂

Pebble Heart ♂

Sparrowstar ♀

    = Tom

    = She-cat

    = Gender unknown

Personality

Before Turtle Tail was expecting kits, Tom was a kind and gentle cat. But as soon as he found out about Turtle Tail’s pregnancy, he became cruel, controlling, and violent. He scratched Turtle Tail when the housefolk weren’t looking, and tried to steal the kits after they are born. He is eventually killed by One Eye while defending Sparrow Fur from the rogue leader.

Relationships

Turtle Tail

"I made a mistake. I missed you all so much. Tom seemed strong and friendly, I thought I could move on and make a new life with him. But when I realized I was expecting kits, he . . . he changed."

―Turtle Tail about Tom ^{Thunder Rising}

At first, Turtle Tail and Tom had a loving relationship, and Turtle Tail harbored affection for him. However, after Tom discovered that she was expecting kits, he completely changed, abusing Turtle Tail and physically harming her. Eventually, Turtle Tail runs away from him, but Tom comes back and steals her kits. Turtle Tail dies on the Thunderpath while trying to rescue her kits in Twolegplace.

Sparrow Fur, Pebble Heart, and Owl Eyes

Thunder: "We came by ourselves. Turtle Tail and Gray Wing wanted us to bring you home."

Tom: "They are home."

^{The First Battle}

Tom becomes cold when he hears about Turtle Tail’s kits, and won’t help her make any plans for them. He tells Bumble not to tell Turtle Tail about how her kits will be taken away from her by the Twolegs, and when Turtle Tail finds out, she runs away back to Gray Wing and has her kits on the moor. Tom follows her and steals the kits, bringing them back to Twolegplace to live as kittypets with him. When they are saved by Thunder, River Ripple, and Lightning Tail, Tom says that the kits are worthless anyways and that he doesn’t want them. However, Tom returns and sacrifices himself to save Sparrow Fur from One Eye.

Bumble

Bumble was another kittypet who lived with Tom and Turtle Tail. She got along with Turtle Tail but was forced by Tom to withhold the revelation that their housefolk would take away Turtle Tail's kits once they were born. When Tom isn't around, Bumble reveals that their housefolk will take Turtle Tail's kits away prompting the latter to leave. Unfortunately Tom finds out what Bumble told Turtle Tail and beings to physically abuse Bumble as punishment. Tom was clever enough to inflect injuries that would be impossible for their twolegs to notice unless they looked very closely. This also prompts Bumble to leave and she travels to the Moor to join Tall Shadow's group. However, Tall Shadow refuses to recruit Bumble into her group.

Appearances

• Thunder Rising (First appearance)
• The First Battle
• The Blazing Star †
• A Forest Divided (Mentioned only)
• Path of Stars (Indirect mention only)
• The Ultimate Guide (Mentioned only)

Quotes

"It was Tom. He turned against me once you left, because he blamed me for telling you the truth. He's been bullying me; he swipes and scratches at me, but he's clever enough to do it where the Twolegs won't notice unless they look really hard."

―Bumble explaining to Turtle Tail and Gray Wing where her injuries came from ^{Thunder Rising}

Lightning Tail: "Never come near the moor again. You'll regret it. Your kits will remember you as the cat who killed their mother. They won't follow you next time, and if any of us see you again, we'll shred you."

Thunder: "We'll shred you now, if you like."

^{The First Battle}

"Leave her alone! She's my kit!"

―Tom as he stops One Eye from attacking Sparrow Fur ^{The Blazing Star (book)}

"We've always been curious about our father. It's hard, only knowing about half your kin, especially when your mother is dead and you feel like an orphan."

―Owl Eyes about Tom ^{The Blazing Star (book)}

External links

• Warrior of the Week Gallery #11 - Tom on the Warriors official website (Warrior of the Week #11) (backup link)
• The Best Fathers a Cat Could Have on the Warriors official website (Mentioned only) (backup link)

Notes and references

Author references