Again, author's note at bottom.

A/N

"Ivypool!"

Ivypool blinked lazily, her eyelids sticky with sleep. Suddenly, the silver warrior started, every hair on her pelt standing on end, hackles up and teeth bared. A low growl rumbled in her throat, and her whiskers quivered in fear as darkness crowded her vision. Hawkfrost? The voice called again. Antpelt?

"Ivypool?"

The she-cat blinked again, and squinted as sunlight streamed through holes in the tattered warriors' den, fur still bristling. A warm wind tickled Ivypool's sore paws and tiny bits of bracken swirled gently through the air.

"What in the name of StarClan are you doing?" Thornclaw snapped from next to the fresh-kill pile, tail lashing. The sun was already high up in the sky and cats were circling through the clearing, busily re-building dens or preparing for patrol. "When you've quite finished the argument with the den wall, get over here."

"Go on," Dovewing mewed, not moving from her nest of moss. Her eyes were filled with a grief beyond Ivypool's understanding. "Squirrelflight wants you."

Ivypool stared down at the scratches running through her sister's shoulder with a heavy sigh. The first night after the battle had left ThunderClan defeated and every cat was wounded. It's the second day...Then, the silver warrior bristled in shock, remembering Dovewing's words. "Squirrelflight wants me? What for?"

Dovewing grunted good-naturedly and prodded Ivypool's flank with her soft gray tail. "Mouse-brain! Have you forgotten your deputy?"

Surprise shot through Ivypool and embarrassment ruffled her fur. Too much happened last night! "How many patrols have I missed?" she demanded anxiously, dark eyes flashing, "What did Bramblestar say? Is he going to-"

"He's not going to do anything," Rosepetal interrupted from a nest in the far corner, one of her dark cream ears flattened to block out sound. "Bramblestar told us to rest however long we needed to."

Ivypool let out a breath of relief. Thank StarClan!

"But," Rosepetal continued in a half-murmur, shifting slightly to reveal cobwebs plastered all over her hind legs, "From the way Thornclaw sounds, you'd better not delay."

"Okay." Ivypool forced her fur to lie flat and pushed her way out of the den. Outside, warm rays of light and softly falling leaves filled the ThunderClan clearing. Foxleap was patching the nursery walls, and mumbled a meow of greeting around a mouthful of sticks. Dustpelt, ears flattened, was circling the elders' den, looking for any gaps. Icecloud hurried about, carrying bundles of dripping moss into the medicine clearing. "Birchfall!" the white warrior called to Ivypool's father, "Bramblestar wants you to fix the warriors' den!"

Finally, Ivypool glimpsed Squirrelflight, eating a shrew in the shade of a thorn bush. The deputy smelled sharply of marigold and cobwebs from a deep gash on her flank.

"There you are!" Squirrelflight stood up, licking her lips. "How are you feeling?"

Ivypool flicked her silver tail. "Fine," she replied curtly, wondering why the ginger warrior had called her over. Am I in trouble for sleeping so late? "What do you need me to do?"

To Ivypool's bewilderment, Squirrelflight let out a soothing purr. "Bramblestar needs to see you," the orange warrior meowed, flicking an ear at the den on the Highledge. Firestar's den. "When you're done, do you feel up to a hunting patrol? Nobody's had the strength to hunt after last night. Just try to bring back a lot; I think Graystripe wants extra," Squirrelflight added, suppressing a mmrrow of laughter.

"Sure." Ivypool dipped her head to the deputy, twitching her whiskers as Graystripe yowled, "I heard that!" The she-cat nervously stumbled through the clearing, bounded up the Rockpile, and squeezed into Bramblestar's den. The leader was settled in his nest, thoughtfulness and grief flickering in his amber eyes.

Bramblestar sat up, tail curled over paws. "Ivypool," and here Ivypool fidgeted under his piercing stare like the kit she had been moons ago, "Thank you for your help in-and before-the battle." He means my spying in the Dark Forest! Then, the dark tabby blinked and spoke again. "Your courage has been seen by many," he purred. "Firestar would be proud of you."

Ivypool's heart twisted in grief for her old leader. Is he really watching me now?

"Lilykit and Seedkit are approaching their sixth moons." Bramblestar went on, whiskers twitching subtly. "You have not yet had an apprentice. How would you like to mentor Lilykit?"

Shock pulsed through Ivypool, pumping its way around her body faster than a lightning bolt. I'm going to be a mentor! "B-b-but I- but I've just been made a warrior!" She and Dovewing had only received their warrior names a few seasons ago.

Amused, Bramblestar drew a tabby paw over his left ear. "You've shown much bravery and loyalty since you first sat vigil for our ancestors with your new name. Why shouldn't you have an apprentice?"

"I-Is Dovewing g-going to mentor Seedkit?" Ivypool couldn't help but stammer, fur ruffling in many different directions. The young she-cat's gaze was suddenly distant. Dark memories swirled through her thoughts as she envisioned herself back in the Place of No Stars...

I was a mentor then!

Remembering Antpelt's wretched death made Ivypool cringe in fear, horror, and piercing guilt...suddenly, Ivypool remembered Flametail's terrified expression when she had almost killed him... Oh, StarClan, how can I train a young cat when I was about to betray my Clan and warrior code in the Dark Forest?

Bramblestar quietly continued washing his ears, his sudden movement and speech breaking into Ivypool's thoughts. "I've already asked Dovewing. Do you accept, then?"

The silver warrior's paws twitched with excitement, pads itching to jump and squeak like a kit. "Of course!" I will teach my apprentice everything I know!

"Good." Bramblestar flicked his tail dismissively, amber eyes warm. "Can you tell Squirrelflight that I need to talk to her for a moment?"

As Ivypool dipped her head and padded out of the den, she paused for a heartbeat, tilting her head to look up at the sky.

StarClan! Ivypool called to her starry ancestors who were hidden by the bright daylight as joy rose like a bird in her heart, I will train this apprentice in the ways of the warrior code! Never will I betray my Clanmates again!

A/N

Note: I will be continuing this as far as I see fit...stay tuned for Chapter 3! As for anything else, you'll just have to wait and see! ;D