Author's Note: Hello, readers. I noticed that a few people favorited this story, but no one reviewed? That was really disappointing for me. I'm not saying you have to review, but I'd appreciate it if you did. Reviews are helpful. Oh yeah, SUPRISE! I'm back from hiatus/vacation/I got internet connection! Woohoo! So, yeah, that's all I have to say. Read & Review, HawkAngel13.
Chapter 2
I padded back to camp, only to find the bewildered stares of Firestar, and Brambleclaw.
I shot them a glare, "What?" Their shocked looks faded into awe.
"You are probably the bravest she-cat I have ever had the pleasure of knowing," Brambleclaw said. I stopped in front of them.
"How often do you go to . . . . . the Place of No Stars?" Firestar asked.
"Every night," I said calmly.
"You don't have to go every night. It's not nessecary," Firestar said.
"It's not like I have a choice! Once you go, it's nearly impossible to stop going every night! You don't go because you want to, you go because you have to," I said, angrily. A look of pity fell upon Firestar's face.
"Ivypool, I'm sorry. I didn't know. But," the pity left, and was replaced by a stern look.
"There is no reason to get prickly with me. I'm proud and honored to have such a loyal warrior, that goes to the Dark Forest just to help her clan. But, I am still your leader, and will not tolerate disrespect," Firestar warned me.
I took a deep breath, let it out, and tried to keep a calm face as I said, "Yes, Firestar." And with that, I turned my back on him, and walked away.
"We could use you on a hunting trip, Ivypool," Brambleclaw called after me. I stopped, sighed, and turned back to him, "Fine."
Brambleclaw led the way as he, Dustpelt, Spiderleg, Rosepetal, and I headed out into the forest. I tired of looking at Spiderleg's rear, so I bolted forward. I decided to hunt alone. Brambleclaw didn't say anything. Even if he did, I wouldn't have cared. I stopped, pricked my ears, and listened carefully. I heard a small scrabbling noise to my right. I turned my head, and noticed a squirrel twitching his fluffy tail, and cleaning his face with his tiny paws. I crouched quickly, but silently. I looked at the ground ahead of me. Dead leaves were strewn across the forest floor, which would make being silent near impossible. I heard a chirp near me. The kind of chirp a cat would make. I looked around, and saw Rosepetal's dark cream fur. She far in front of me, but closer to the squirrel than I. She made a small rustle, the squirrel looked towards her, and listened. How clever! Rosepetal would scare it right into my claws! Rosepetal swished around a few dead leaves with her tail, and stepped toward the furry piece of prey. It squeaked, and ran in my direction. I had crouched down behind a bush, and as the squirrel ran past the bush, I darted out from behind it. I sprinted after it, pounced, and swiftly delivered a killing bite to its throat.
"Nice work," Brambleclaw meowed, stepping out from behind a bush.
I nodded, "Thanks, Rosepetal."
She smiled, "Anytime."
I trudged through the forest, listening for unfortunate prey that may have wandered toward me. I heard talking a little ways off, and padded quietly toward it. I could smell Brambleclaw's scent, and saw his fur. So, I crouched behind a bush, and noticed Squirrelflight standing in front of him. Happy that I was downwind from them, I listened.
"Brambleclaw, you can't keep avoiding me," Squirrelflight hissed.
"Yes, I can!" Brambleclaw hissed back.
"I told you I was sorry! I know you're mad that Jayfeather, Lionblaze, and Hollyleaf weren't your kits, but I had to lie to you to keep Leafpool's secret!" Squirrelflight said, miserably.
"You could have told me," Brambleclaw mumbled. "I wouldn't have told anyone. Leafpool's a good friend of mine."
"A good friend of yours? What's that supposed to mean?" Squirrelflight growled.
"It means that I'm good friends with her! What did you think I meant?" Brambleclaw said.
"I dunno' Brambleclaw! You've been awfully close to Leafpool since she became a warrior!" Squirrelflight said.
"See! That's your problem! You're too clingy! Just because I'm friends with your sister, doesn't mean anything!" Brambleclaw yowled.
"Fine! If that's what you think, then-then-then you're a fox-hearted piece of crow-food!" Squirrelflight yowled back, and then stomped off, probably scaring off any prey in the area.
I rolled my eyes, and walked away. I was so tired of everything. My clan, my clanmates, my sister, the Dark Forest, Breezepelt, and most of all, Jayfeather and Lionblaze. They were the ones that forced me to be their little spy! Now I'm stuck in the Dark Forest, every night, no matter what! I hissed to myself, and with the hair standing up on my back, I kept hunting.
Wintershadow's POV:
I padded into my den, to see my friend, Viperblood, layed out on the floor.
"It's about time. I thought you'd never get back," he said sarcastically.
"Well, I am, so shut up," I snapped.
He chuckled weakly, and almost sat up, until he winced, and flopped back down. I examined his left back leg, he had twisted it wrong while hunting.
"Hmm. Looks fine to me," I remarked.
"I knew you'd say that," Viperblood said irritably.
"Then you know what else I'm about to say," I said.
I bent down and growled, "Get. Up."
Viperblood made a big deal of struggling to stand up, making it look like he can't balance. He lifted his left back leg, and hobbled towards me. He looked at me, his green eyes ablaze with hatred. He ruffled up his black and orange, tortoiseshell fur, unsheathing his claws.
"Fine, I'm up. Did you get anything for me to eat?" he asked smugly.
I growled, unsheathed my own claws, and said, "You better hope I did, you lazy mouse-brain! Because, obviously, you aren't able to do anything for yourself! And why? Because-"
I stopped myself, and put on a sweet smile.
"Yes. I did, Viperblood. And I will continue to hunt for you until you are completely healed," I said, picking up a rabbit and laying it at Viperblood's paws.
Viperblood sighed, "I hate when you do that. You're my best friend, Wintershadow. You can tell me when I need to shut up. . . "
I shook my head a little, "No. I'd rather not. You'd only be angrier. And though you're one of the most irritating toms I've met, I enjoy company."
Viperblood smiled a little, "Thanks, Wintershadow. I-"
"But if I ever get the chance to have anyone, and I mean anyone else to have as company, I will take. That. Chance."
And with that, I stalked out of the den, and back into the field. I sat down under a small tree, lying in the cool shade, relaxing. I heard a rustling a little ways off. A slight breeze tickled my whiskers, and the breeze had carried a strong scent that hit me in the face like cold water. It made the hair on my back stand up, my ear pin down, and it made me bare my teeth. The scent. . . . was fox. The scent was getting stronger by the second, and so was the wind. It began coming from all directions! Confusing me, because I couldn't tell which way the scent was coming from.
Suddenly, a yowl sounded. I knew it was Viperblood, so I began to turn to the den, when, behind me, I saw Viperblood on the back of a large fox, digging his claws in. I smiled a little, and yowled as I slashed at the fox with my long, black claws.
I was lying in my den, while it rained. Viperblood came running into the den, and shook himself a little, careful not to get me wet. In his jaws, was a squirrel. He padded over to me, and set the squirrel down.
"Sorry, I tried to keep it dry by staying under the trees, and keeping my head down. Is it okay?" Viperblood asked.
"It's fine. Thanks," I muttered, as we shared the squirrel.
"I'm sorry I've been a jerk lately," Viperblood said.
"It doesn't even matter. Just eat, and I'll see you in the Dark Forest," I said, lying down to go to sleep.
"Wintershadow?" I heard Viperblood whisper.
"What?" I asked fiercly.
"You have a piece of squirrel fur on your head," Viperblood whispered.
I opened my eyes, shook the fur off my head, unsheathed my claws, and walked toward Viperblood. And with all the force of the tiger that was somewhere within my blood, I prepared to shred Viperblood into small pieces.