When Ivypool came back to her senses she was still cold, still so very, very cold. Slowly lifting her head, she realized that she was in the space between the elders and the warriors den, where Firestar had kept Sol prisoner before the great battle. Looking around, she saw that Bramblestar had put up a guard. Craining her neck to get a better look, she saw Thornpelt sitting sullenly outside of the space.
Looking across the clearing to the medicine den, she saw Bramblestar pacing briskly outside. It seemed like whole clearing seemed to have an extra layer of stress in the air, now that she was getting a proper look.
She turned her head back towards the medicine den, seeing that Jayfeather had emerged. He was exchanging quick whispers with Bramblestar that got lost in the breeze before they reached Ivypool. Bramblestar pulled his ears back suddenly, lowered his head, any signs of hopefulness draining from his face as he trotted slowly back to his den above the highledge.
Ivypool sighed as she relaxed her paws, realizing that she had her claws stretched out. She pondered talking to Thornpelt, but decided to stay quiet. Opening her mouth to breath the air, she recoiled as a foul scent floated over her scent glands: ShadowClan. Jumping upright, she ran to Thornpelt, who hissed in surprise as she almost crashed into him.
"Thornpelt!" Ivypool stammered, "ShadowClan!"
"What?" Thornpelt snapped angrily.
"I've scented ShadowClan! I don't know if they're here to attack, but we should be prepared in case-"
"Why do you care if ShadowClan attack? What do you know about watching out for your clan? I was assigned to guard you because I care. And because you don't."
Ivypool flinched. "Thornpelt… I-"
"Lionblaze!" Thornpelt shouted across the clearing to the golden warrior. Lionblaze bounded toward them, reaching them in just a few heartbeats.
"What is it?" Lionblaze questioned.
"Will you watch her for a few moments? I need to talk to Bramblestar."
"I don't know… Bramblestar seems pretty stressed, I don't know if you should bother him…"
"I think we're all a little stressed right now, Lionblaze, but it could be important."
Lionblaze opened his jaws to reply, but before he could say anything an alarmed yowl sounded from the bramble tunnel. The scent of ShadowClan was overwhelming now, and Ivypool was sure that was what it was about.
"What's this about?" A bold voice spoke from near the highledge. Bramblestar was emerging from his den.
"ShadowClan," Dovewing, who was guarding the tunnel, replied, "But there's only one, I don't think they are here to attack." Ivypool's heart broke in seeing her sister looking so distressed. For the first time since she had woken up she reflected on what she had done. What had happened to Squirrelflight? Was Squirrelflight alright? What had even happened? These questions soon became a heavy burden of her shoulders.
"Be ready, we don't want to be defenseless if it is a trap."
Dovewing nodded. Just then, the bracken surrounding the camp entrance opened to reveal a frantic black-and-white tom.
"What is your business here?" Bramblestar asked.
"Blackstar…" Crowfrost panted, taking deep breaths to calm himself, "is sick. Littlecloud can't help him on his own…"
"How do we know it's not a trap? I mean, what has ShadowClan ever done for us?" Thornpelt voiced, but Bramblestar flicked his tail to silence him.
"Please, we need help!" Crowfrost breathed. The Clan stood in silence, surprised that the ShadowClan deputy of all cats would come to ThunderClan, mewling for help like a kit that had been separated from its mother.
"Does Blackstar know you came here?" Bramblestar asked.
Crowfrost was silent.
"I'll go," Jayfeather said finally, "if Blackstar really is sick, I will do all I can to help him."
"No, Jayfeather," Leafpool spoke up. "ThunderClan needs you to take care of Squirrelflight. I'll go." She looked at Bramblestar, who nodded.
"Lionblaze, go with Leafpool to ShadowClan." Bramblestar ordered, though his voice was strained at the mention of Squirrelflight.
Lionblaze dipped his head respectfully and padded over to Leafpool who was now standing near Crowfrost.
"Thank you," Crowfrost breathed. "we are forever in your debt." With that, the three cats pushed their way out of the camp, and within heartbeats the rustling of the ferns had settled and they were gone.
Many cats were now awake and started heading to the center of the clearing to be put on patrol and hunting parties.
"Birchfall," Bramblestar stated at the light brown tabby, "you will act as deputy until Squirrelflight is well." He then turned and walked back into his den.
A murmur went through the crowd of gathered cats as Birchfall leaped onto the tree stump that Squirrelflight used to organize the clan.
Ivypool felt stunned at the disarray that had been caused by her, the questions still lingering. No, Ivypool thought. Mapleshade did this.
"Oh, I wouldn't say that." A sneering voice whispered from behind her.
Ivypool whipped around to see Mapleshade sitting behind her, her front paws crossed and her tail twitching. "No, you did this. I would be a regular warrior if it weren't for you."
"Oh but you have so much potential! So much darkness inside…" Mapleshade was watching Ivypool like she was a rather plump mouse that she would love to sink her claws into.
"Go away!" Ivypool shouted. Thornclaw whipped around and stared at her, but Ivypool didn't care. "I joined the dark forest because I wanted to be special, like my sister. I didn't ask for this! Why can't you leave me alone!"
"Ivypool!" Thornclaw said, "what do you think you're doing?"
"He's interfering with your life, holding you back. Don't you think you're better off without him?"
"No. You're wrong. I'm not a traitor."
"You've already killed a cat." Mapleshade spat.
"Squirrelflight's not dead…" Thornpelt was now asking Ivypool questions about what's going on, but Ivypool pushed past him and dashed to the medicine den.
"Jayfeather!" Ivypool shouted.
"Ivypool!" Jayfeather meowed angrily. "What are you doing here?"
"I-I wanted to check on Squirrelflight."
"Why do you care?"
"Jayfeather… I promise, it was an accident. Mapleshade made me."
"I told you you should have told Bramblestar!"
"Please, Jayfeather, believe me! I wish I could undo it, but I need to know if Squirrelflight is okay!" Ivypool meowed.
Jayfeather sighed. "I don't know, at this point it's StarClan's decision."
"No…" Ivypool breathed. "can I… can I see her?"
"I don't think that would be best idea right now." Ivypool stopped listening as he started going on about how whatever herb was making her tired and she needed to rest. "So if I give her three or more poppy seeds…" Ivypool tensed when she saw Mapleshade creeping up behind the blind cat. Mapleshade readied to pounce.
"Look out!" Ivypool warned. Jayfeather tensed and turned around, but it was too late. Mapleshade had leapt into the air and within moments her outstretched paws reached Jayfeather, or they would have if Mapleshade didn't suddenly disappear.
"What was that?" Jayfeather meowed in confusion.
"You must be going mad." Mapleshade meowed behind her. Ivypool ignored the remark and turned back to Jayfeather.
"Nothing." She replied.
"You sure?"
"Nothing." Ivypool repeated. Nothing.