Raven x Barley
BarleyRaven / RavenBarley
This shipping describes one of the alleged cutest shippings: that of Ravenpaw, the former apprentice of ThunderClan, and Barley, the barn cat on the edge of WindClan territory.
When Ravenpaw is forced to leave ThunderClan by his abusive mentor, he goes to live with Barley, the friendly loner cat. This pairing becomes more and more natural as the series progresses; allowing evidence to show through that Ravenpaw and Barley enjoy each-other's company greatly, and are close friends (doesn't seem like evidence, but if you're familiar with Warriors shippers you'll know it's pretty good...)
This shipping remains in the past, most notably documented in the original series and the early The New Prophecy, Ravenpaw and Barley are left behind when the Clans leave the forest. Though this isn't a defined end for the pairing, it makes future appearances doubtful.
THEORIES AND FAN VIEW
Raven x Barley features very little differentiating on shipping theories and themes. In fact, Ravenpaw x Barley is almost universally accepted by slash shippers to be *nearly* canon. Those who oppose this ship are nearly only those who dislike it for it's slash.
"EVIDENCE" AND "SUB TEXT"
This pairing is, as all Warriors slash, is non-canon. But if any slash pairing where canon, Barley x Ravenpaw would be. Despite that, there is no solid, canon evidence. But here's a look at some of the alleged subtext dug up by fans of the pairing:
"'Thanks for sending Ravenpaw to me,' replied Barley. 'He's turning into a fine ratter. And it's good to share a meal with a fellow cat from time to time.'"
Fire And Ice, page 72
Alright, so this piece does really prove much. Barley just thanks Fireheart for sending Ravenpaw to him (Hm... Sounds like they had cooked up something before hand ;D) and that he likes to share a meal with him from time to time. So they doesn't make them even friends, nevertheless mates. At least, not yet. Remember that Ravenpaw has only been at the barn a moon or so. Vicky does mention on one of her tours in April that she imagines Ravenpaw and Barley still live in the barn at the outskirts of the Clan territory, and that she imagines them much like a married couple; "What would you like for supper tonight, squirrel or mouse?"
"Perhaps Bluestar had been right when she'd said that Ravenpaw would be better off without the Clan. Each cat has his own destiny, he thought. Ravenpaw was happy, and that was all that mattered."
Fire And Ice, page 75
Whee! This is not really evidence, nor is it really relevant, but it just seems like a cute, shipper thing to stick in. Especially considering the circumstances of this pairing. But Ravenpaw's happy, and that's all that matters to Fireheart. *wink*
"Ravenpaw shifted closer to his friend and pressed his muzzle comfortingly against his flank. "That's why Barely left," he meowed. "Tell Firestar about it, Barley.""
The Darkest Hour, page 248
This is the real clincher bit, which is nice, because two books or so later we'll be leaving shipping for good when Ravenpaw and Barley stay behind. So here they are, Ravenpaw has convinced Barley to come to Firestar and relive his obviously painful past. The physical interaction in this quote makes it's popularity with shippers quite obvious.