This story, Apprentices of the Dark Forest, is set soon after Omen of the Starts Book #2, Night Whispers. It is told in the perspective of Ivypaw as she is trained by the dark warriors, and has to help another warrior struggling to fulfill a task set by them. Also, she deals with past problems and faces new ones.

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CHAPTER 1

Ivypaw glanced around the camp. The darkness was deep; most of the cats were already fast asleep. It was late and even colder than it was in the day. Leaf-bare had still a while to go on, and a thin layer of frost blanketed the ground. The camp felt dark and cold – unlike it had been before, making her a little uncomfortable. Yet, this had to be good. There weren't cats to overhear her conversation. No one would ever notice that she had left the camp.

Not like they would notice anyway. Ivypaw tried to push the negative thought out of her mind, but she couldn't help it. The Clan hardly noticed her. It had taken them a ridiculously long time to notice when she was taken hostage by ShadowClan. The memory was still strong in her mind, and so was the sharp embarrassment she felt, having to be rescued and paid for by ThunderClan. She bit her lip, trying to concentrate on where she was going.

Walking quietly, Ivypaw made her way out of camp. Passing the apprentice den, she gave a quick glance inside. Out of the corner of her eye, she made out Dovepaw lying at the edge of the den in a small ball. She was fast asleep, breathing deeply and peacefully, tired from a long day's work. Ivypaw felt a stab of regret that now, after Dovepaw had exposed everything, after the sisters had both come completely clean about the secrets they'd carried, she now held information from her. She longed to sit down and tell Dovepaw everything – if only it were that simple. If only cats' lives weren't depending on her every move.

Ivypaw swiftly entered the thorn tunnel, quickly pulling herself under and out into the cold, breezy night. Fresh, chilly air pulled back her ears and blew through her fur. Blinking, she gazed up through the shadowy trees into the black, stretching sky. A full moon was visible, pure white and glowing, it's reflection shining on the powdery clumps of snow caught in tree's branches and on the grass.

She moved quickly and quietly through the trees. Her paws were cold and tired and her body ached. She just wanted to curl up in her nest and go to sleep. As if. Even if she managed to fall asleep, that wasn't exactly rest – she would be in the Dark Forest, training brutally with Hawkfrost and Tigerstar and any of the other Dark Forest warriors. That wasn't exactly peace and quiet, by any definition. Every day, she seemed to have a new battle wound, and they seemed to be getting worse each time. One shoulder ached badly even now – she'd wrenched it when Thistleclaw threw her down during a training session the night before.

Ivypaw suddenly paused, alert. She stood beside a large clump of brambles, and to her left she could hear the sound of paws on hard earth. She sniffed the air and detected the faint scent of RiverClan. She must be halfway there, then. It was the agreed meeting spot, anyway. She wasn't sure if he would honor this, but expected that he would. He wasn't a disrespectful cat – yes, he trained in the Dark Forest and didn't want the warrior code – but he wasn't mean or vicious. At least she didn't think he was.

A branch cracked. Ivypaw jumped. He must be ahead, then. What else would make that sound? She turned and headed left, toward the direction of the sound. The smell of RiverClan was growing stronger now. She was nearing the halfway point, and the path opened up into a clearing, with shallow hills leading up to the other side. Along one of the hills she spotted him, shuffling quickly. He's uncomfortable. Well, why shouldn't he be? This meeting wasn't exactly for the fun of it. And it was the middle of the night – not like that was a change for him.

"Ivypaw!" he called softly when they were a few feet away from each other. His voice was hoarse and his dark brown pelt was mud-streaked.

She ran up to meet him, streaking through the grass. "Hollowpaw." She dipped her head casually. They weren't really friends and they both knew it – there was no need to be more friendly then need be. "So, you came."

Hollowpaw bristled. "What, you didn't think I would? You think I'd just make an agreement and act like it never happened?" he snarled.

Ivypaw shrank back. "Sorry," she mumbled. She hadn't meant to treat Hollowpaw as if he was dishonest.

Hollowpaw glared at her, obviously still irritated. "Just because you're ThunderClan doesn't give you the right to act like all the other Clans are worthless." His voice was cold. "ThunderClan cats act like they're so superior to everyone else." He dug his claws into the grass.

The need to defend her Clan suddenly overwhelmed Ivypaw. She forced herself not to send back a sharp retort. Instead, she just shrugged. "That's not what we came here to talk about. We don't have much time left, anyway."

"Fine." Hollowpaw sat down and Ivypaw followed suit. "Go on."

Ivypaw shrugged. "Okay." She tried to figure out how to say what she had to. "I know the assignment Tigerstar assigned you is really difficult." Hollowpaw was silent, so she continued. "It's a huge task to manage on your own. So I think that we should work together. Us and Tigerheart."

"You want to help me?" Hollowpaw jumped to his paws, scowling. "That's your plan? I thought you'd come up with something clever I could do myself!"

Ivypaw glared back. I'm only trying to help you! "Well you've clearly overestimated me," she snapped back. "After all, I'm just one of those ThunderClan cats who act as if every other cat is below them!"

For a moment both cat stood still, watching each other coldly. Hollowpaw's fur was ruffled, a couple of hairs standing on end. His dark eyes gleamed in the light of the full moon as it spilled down through the clearing over them.

"Well, that's the only plan I have," Ivypaw said quietly. "I'm offering to help you. And I think that Tigerheart might help us too. All of us could have been assigned the task you were – in fact we could be at any moment." She tensed her shoulders. "That's why we have to help each other. We're all apprentices of the Dark Forest, even if we're from different clans."

Hollowpaw twitched. "Oh yeah? Do you really think Tigerheart's going to come running to help you after what you almost did to his brother?"

Ivypaw felt a stab of pain – sharp, blinding, horrible pain. All the sadness and regret she'd felt pounded back to her as she remembered the horrified look on Tigerheart's face when he saw she was about to murder his brother, Flametail, on Brokenstar's command. Tigerheart hadn't spoken to her since what she'd done, acting as if Ivypaw wasn't even there. She hoped Hollowpaw hadn't seen the panic and grief in her eyes, but he must have. Turning to face him again, she drew in a short breath and said nothing more.

"Well? You think he'll come running?" pressed Hollowpaw.

Anger burned through Ivypaw's pelt like poison. What a rude, selfish cat! You'd think I was trying to force poison berries down your throat! "Maybe I shouldn't help you at all," she snapped, her voice like acid. "You seem to forget the task you've been assigned!" Feeling encouraged at the worried look that had appeared on his face, she continued. "We weren't so cocky then, were you? When Tigerstar gave you his directions you looked as if you might keel over in shock!"

Hollowpaw was suddenly silent, looking fearful. Ivypaw suddenly regretted losing her temper. He deserved it!

"All right then, will you help me?" asked Hollowpaw after a few moments. His mew sounded afraid, something she'd nearly never heard before from him. If Tigerstar could see them now…

Ivypaw nodded. "I'll do my best. It's late and I really should be heading back to camp." She glanced around. "I'll talk to Tigerheart when I see him tomorrow night. When do you want to meet next?"

Hollowpaw shrugged. "How about in three nights? Same place."

"Okay." Ivypaw gave a brief dip of her head. "Goodbye, then."

The RiverClan apprentice turned to go, giving a brief swipe of his tail to signify he understood.

Ivypaw slid away, moving towards the edge of the clearing toward the trees. A cold wind blew into her face, making her shiver. Every bone in her body seemed to ache, and her legs felt as if they might cave in underneath her. She couldn't wait to get back to camp and crawl into her warm nest.

"Wait – Ivypaw!" The sudden voice in the dark night surprised her, and she whisked around to see Hollowpaw standing back where she'd left him, looking frazzled.

"Yes?" she called back. What do you want now?

The dark brown apprentice looked embarrassed as he called, "Thank you!" and scurried off into the night.