CHAPTER ONE

Her eyes snapped open. She was shaking uncontrollably. It was the same nightmare, over and over and over again. The same cat, his piercing ice blue eyes staring into her soul, like chips of ice. Walking through flames and never wavering, coming straight at her. His broad shoulders silhouetted against the licking flames. Always the same. Always as scary as the time before.

"Are you okay, Ivypool?" Her sister, Dovewing asked, her white face appearing in the early morning darkness. "You were crying out and I was worried."

"I'm fine.." Ivypool trailed into silence. They both silently knew that it wasn't alright, wasn't fine. Too many cats were killed in the Great Battle against the Dark Forest. It had barely been a moon since, but it seemed like just the day before.

"Are you sure?" Dovewing asked, concern etched into her voice.

Though the worry was a turn from all of her whining, Ivypool still felt a bit of hate and jealousy towards her sister. Dovewing was perfect; she was talented, pretty and special. Thankfully, Jayfeather had been busy in the Medicine Cat den, and Lionblaze had been constantly hunting and helping Dustpelt rebuilding the dens.

"Shall we go hunting?" Ivypool suggested. She needed to get out of the cramped Apprentices Den, and get some air.

"That's a good idea." Dovewing agreed and Ivypool pushed herself to her paws, pushing out of the den, and into the sunshine.

She and Dovewing headed into the forest, stride for stride. Ivypool lifted her muzzle and drew in the scents. One scent caught her attention and she dropped into a hunting crouch. She pulled herself forward until she could see a tiny brown mouse, nibbling at seeds on the forest floor.

Her muscles tensed and she leaped forward, planting the mouse to the floor and killing it quickly. She came back up, the warm body still in her jaws, and smiled slightly at Dovewing.

"Great catch!" Dovewing praised and then her ears pricked forward. "Vole." She hissed quickly and dove into a bush.

Ivypool waited, burying the mouse. She sat down and placed her tail over her paws, tilting her head and listening to the forest sounds. Birds chirped and leaves crackled. The bush rustled and Ivypool's eyes darted to the greenery. Dovewing reappeared, a vole in her jaws and a happy look in her eyes.

"That's a good catch." Ivypool nodded. "I'm sure that Purdy would appreciate that."

Dovewing blinked in acknowledgement, and the two sisters headed back to camp. They pushed through the bramble barrier, catches in their jaws, and were greeted by Lionblaze.

"Hunting?" Lionblaze guessed. "Well, give that to Purdy, Greystripe and Sandstorm."

"Greystripe and Sandstorm?" Dovewing asked, cocking her head to the side in confusion.

"They've retired to the elders den just now." Lionblaze explained. "If you had been here, you would have heard Bramblestar announce it."

"Sorry." Dovewing mumbled. "But hunting is part of the warrior code, remember? And Cloudtail would be complaining all night long, otherwise - we'd never hear the end of it!"

Lionblaze purred in agreement. "I'm going on Dawn patrol. Squirrelflight ordered patrols. Dovewing you're on Sun-high patrol, and Ivypool, you're on Moonhigh patrol."

Ivypool groaned. "Why me?"

Dovewing nudged her playfully. "C'mon, Greystripe will start eating his ticks if we don't hurry up!"

"Okay, wait for me!" Ivypool bounded after her sister, for once happy since the Great Battle.

Thanks for reading! I really hoped you liked it! R&R for more, people! Also, I do not own Warrior Cats, much to my sadness.

Kisses,

- Nat xx