CHAPTER TWO

IVYPOOL

Her legs shaking, Ivypool padded toward the fresh-kill pile. After the Great Battle, she was still sometimes seen as the cat that fought with the Dark Forest, and given cold glares. And she had too many nightmares at night, which let her jumpy and easily spooked in the mornings.

A group of cats had gone out hunting and the Dawn patrol had already returned with prey. Squirrelflight had been kind and had given her a few sunrises to recover from the battle, as she had with a few others who were greatly injured or needed time to recover mentally and emotionally, like Dustpelt.

Ivypool spotted Dovewing, her sister, with Lionblaze. Suddenly, Dovewing stopped and her eyes widened, and she whispered urgently to Lionblaze. Ivypool flicked her tail angrily.

Always acting like something's important, Ivypool thought, Like everything lies on your shoulders, Dovewing.

That's when she realized that she could hear something as well. Ivypool curled her lip and tasted the air. Sure enough, the smell of a non-Clan cat was coming toward them. She unsheathed her claws. A rogue would be easy enough for her.

A hiss and growl came from the thorn barrier and Berrynose pushed through, followed by Foxleap and a black she-cat that Ivypool didn't know. Ivypool turned and stared at the rest of the Clan cats. Greystripe and Sandstorm were pushing out of the Warriors den, eager to find out what was happening. As soon as Greystripe saw the she-cat, his eyes narrowed until they were little more than slits.

"Who are you?" Ivypool looked up to see Bramblestar bounding down from his den, scrambling down the rocks until he reached the cat. "Do you need anything?"

"She's a rogue!" Berrynose hissed, his tail lashing and his pelt ruffled. "I say we drive her away! She attacked me and Foxleap!"

Ivypool glanced at the black she-cat. She had a gleam in her piercing blue eyes, and when she replied, it was with cool authority. "Is that really true, young one?"

Foxleap stepped forward and dipped his head to Bramblestar and the she-cat. "She's correct. We attacked first, and I apologize."

"Thank you, Foxleap." Bramblestar meowed. "Would you tell us your name and why you're here?" He asked, turning to the pretty she-cat.

"My name is Dusk." She mewed and dipped her head respectfully. Ivypool was nearly rocked off her paws. The she-cat's voice was like the silken threads of cobweb, so smooth and not wavering.

"Why are you here?" Berrynose butted in again, his lips drawn back in the beginnings of a snarl.

"Feisty one, eh?" Dusk's whiskers twitched in amusement, and then she spoke to Bramblestar. "I need nothing."

"You can stay for the night." Bramblestar offered. "You can have food and water, and a place to sleep."

Ivypool had to lean in and strain to here what the she-cat said in reply. Her ears twitched as she tried to pick up what she said.

"What if I need to stay?" She was saying. "What if I need not go home? What if I can't? What if I won't? What if my home is not my home anymore? What if too many memories lie there? What then?"

Ivypool glanced at Bramblestar. He looked flustered. In his hesitation, Ivypool stared at her Clanmates, who wore the same expression of confusion and unease. What would Bramblestar say?

"Well, you can stay for tonight and if you want to stay for longer, then you are welcome, Dusk." Bramblestar replied awkwardly, his tail flicking and his ears twitching.

"You can't be serious!" Berrynose burst, his eyes wide with anger and puzzlement. "What if this she-cat is like Sol? What if-"

"What if nothing?" Bramblestar countered. "I'm the leader here, Berrynose, so please respect that."

"Fine." Berrynose grumbled unhappily, casting a glare at the black she-cat, who simply let her blue eyes twinkle in amusement.

"Right, that's settled." Bramblestar rose his voice. "Lionblaze come with me and the senior warriors. Ivypool, find Dusk a nest in the apprentice den, please."

Ivypool nodded, excited to get to talk to the new she-cat. She padded towards her and nodded respectfully. "Come on, then."

Hey guys. Thanks for reading! Please R&R, because Ivypool would like that, and so would I. Thanks again for all the support.

Next update would probably be on Tuesday. Love all of ya!

Kisses,

-Nat xx