Chapter Nine

Ivypool's P.O.V.

The entire Clan, including me, was in a state of panic. Every time we heard a cough, we would wince or jump, startled. Briarlight had been moved to the elder's den to make room for the sick cats. So far only two cats had fallen victim to green cough, Brackenfur and Dovewing, my sister. I winced and instinctively glanced toward the medicine den. As much as I'd tried, I wasn't allowed to visit her. I began to pace in frustration. I couldn't help her; I couldn't fight this for her; I wasn't even allowed to see her!

I closed my eyes momentarily, my thoughts drifting back to just a few days before. I had been helping clean the nursery when Sorreltail had padded into the den. "Hello!" she meowed warmly, nodding to each of us in greeting.

"Hello, Sorreltail! What brings you to the nursery today?" greeted Ferncloud, touching noses with Sorreltail.

"Well, I've just finished a patrol with Dovewing," she had begun. "I think it's high time she made a nest in the nursery." She sat down and started grooming herself.

"I agree," Ferncloud had meowed fervently. "She must be exhausted! She's much too close to kitting to be performing warrior duties."

"I think so, too," I had put in.

"Then it's settled," Daisy had announced. "Let's go fetch her, Ivypool." I had nodded and followed her to the warriors' den. We both froze at the mouth of the den when we spotted Jayfeather bending over a wheezing Dovewing.

"Green cough," Jayfeather had murmured grimly. I had felt the world turn upside down. Oh no..!

I opened my eyes, returning to the present, when I felt a tail draping over my shoulders. I jumped in surprise as I met the striking emerald eyes of my leader. They were glowing compassionately. "She will be okay," he meowed softly. "StarClan is watching over her."

"Thank you," I murmured.

"Jayfeather is keeping good care of her-" Firestar was interrupted suddenly by the gray tabby himself.

Jayfeather ran out of the medicine den, his eyes filled with terror. The entire Clan seemed to freeze at the sight of their medicine cat. Birchfall, who had been sharing a squirrel with Whitewing, paused mid-bite. The elders sat up from where they were sunning in the fading light. Graystripe looked up from a hushed conversation with Brambleclaw. My heart dropped.

"Someone fetch Leafpool!" he yowled. "Dovewing's kits are coming early!" From where we stood, still as rocks, we could all hear the hoarse screech of my sister.