Nightstar is an interesting choice for being Rosetail's mate and the father of Redtail, Spottedleaf, and Willowpelt. Anything prompt that change? What's their history?
Rosetail was often made to feel like an outsider in her own clan due to never knowing who her mother was and Thistleclaw constantly pointing this out. When her best friend Bluefur began to drift away and her father grew older as leader, Rosetail ended up developing a friendship with the frail ShadowClan tom, Nightpelt.
He was unlike other ShadowClan warriors, so soft spoken and kind. Learning he wasn't born in ShadowClan and instead came as an outsider himself... well it just struck a chord with Rosetail. A curiosity about the world she came from enveloped her, and the two became close.
They realize later they're better off as friends, and while they truly do care for each other, they aren't mates in StarClan. Still, Nightpelt is the father of Redtail, Spottedleaf, and Willowpelt, and keeps his identity as their father a secret.
When ShadowClan was beginning to feel the wrath of Brokenstar's leadership, Rosetail begged her dear friend to seek shelter in ThunderClan, where Bluestar could keep him safe. However, Nightpelt knew it would only put Rosetail and his kits in danger, as well as scrutiny to happen when it was far too late to be addressed. He couldn't leave his clanmates, not when young were dying left and right. Sadly though, Rosetail is killed by the very cats Nightpelt hoped to protect her from...
Nightpelt is heartbroken knowing he outlived two of the kits he never got to know. It also hurts more when he learns it was his brother who killed Spottedleaf :(
As you can see, their kits really do look like them!
Smaller facts
Nightheart is descended from Nightstar
Bluefur knew the father. Rosetail confided in her and they rekindled their close friendship. She was the only other cat to know the truth. Bluefur would protect the kits with her life.
Rosetail was in love with Bluestar but alas nothing ever came from it.
Willowpelt is named after her father by Rosetail's request, Sunstar honoring it even if he didn't know the true reason.
Redtail is named after Rosetail.
Redtail, Spottedleaf, and Willowpelt are 75% "Outsider Blood", and 25% ThunderClan.
Spottedpaw is a medicine cat apprentice from the beginning, never a warrior. Thistleclaw tries to manipulate her prophetic dreams and guide her in his favor rather than the Spottedleaf's Heart version. There is no romantic relationship.
