Mates

Mates

Mate is the Clan terminology for a partnership between a tom and a she-cat who love each other greatly and plan to spend their life as partners.

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, especially toms. After a while, if they stop showing affection, or if their mate dies, they will usually take on a new mate. An example is Graystripe and Millie or Willowpelt and Patchpelt.

Breaking Up

In the Warriors universe, breaking up is fairly rare, but can happen. Some examples of mates who broke up:

Daisy and Spiderleg

Squirrelflight and Brambleclaw

Leafpool and Crowfeather

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

Reasons

Mates break up mainly for the following reasons:

They decide they are not suited for each other anymore or don't truly love each other

One cat does not love the other 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, misunderstanding (Squirrelflight and Brambleclaw in Starlight)

Disappointment in their mate's actions or behavior (Squirrelflight and Brambleclaw in Sunrise, Shellheart and Rainflower in Crookedstar's Promise)

One of the cats leave the Clan (Goldenflower and Tigerstar)

One of the cats dies (Graystripe takes Millie as a mate after the death of Silverstream)

In some cases, mates will get back together some time after breaking up, for example, when Squirrelflight mistrusted Brambleclaw, but then made up with him later, though this is fairly rare.

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 is often broken. (ie. Crowfeather and Leafpool, Yellowfang and Raggedstar.)

Apprentices do not take mates because they are too young, and that if females were to give birth to kits, it would distract them from their duties, though they do sometimes show affection.

List of Mates

ThunderClan

Adderfang and Swiftbreeze

Berrynose and Poppyfrost

Birchfall and Whitewing

Brackenfur and Sorreltail

Brambleclaw and Squirrelflight

Cloudtail and Brightheart

Dustpelt and Ferncloud

Firestar and Sandstorm

Fuzzypelt and Robinwing

Graystripe and Millie

Halftail and One-eye

Morningstar and Songbird

Patchpelt and Willowpelt

Pinestar and Leopardfoot

Redtail and Brindleface

Smallear and Speckletail

Stormtail and Moonflower

Spiderleg and Daisy

Tawnyspots and Willowpelt

Thistleclaw and Snowfur

Tigerstar and Goldenflower

Whitestorm and Willowpelt

Windflight and Poppydawn

WindClan

Crowfeather and Nightcloud

Gorsestar and Wind

RiverClan

Hailstar and Echomist

Shellheart and Rainflower

Tanglewhisker and Birdsong

Beetlenose and Sunfish

Cedarpelt and Lakeshine

Crookedstar and Willowbreeze

Mudfur and Brightsky

Owlfur and Softwing

Piketooth and Shimmerpelt

Rippleclaw and Graypool

Timberfur and Ottersplash

Shellheart's Grandfather and an Unnamed she-cat

ShadowClan

Mudclaw and Lizardstripe

Raggedstar and Yellowfang

Rowanclaw and Tawnypelt

SkyClan

Braveheart and Shiningheart

Billystorm and Leafstar

Cloudstar and Birdflight

Patchfoot and Clovertail

Rainfur and Petalnose

Waspwhisker and Fallowfern

Half-Clan

Crowfeather and Leafpool

Graystripe and Silverstream

Oakheart and Bluestar

Reedfeather and Fallowtail

Ryewhisker and Cloudberry

Shellheart's Grandfather and Mapleshade

Tigerstar and Sasha

Windflight's parents

Clanless Cats

Husker and Moss

Jake and Quince

Jake and Nutmeg

Smoky and Daisy

Smoky and Floss

Willie and Minty

Tribe / Ancient Lake Cats

Chasing Clouds and Rising Moon

Falling Rain and Falcon Swoop

Jagged Lightning and Owl Feather

Sheer and Night

Stone Song and Broken Shadow

Stormfur and Brook