Captain Scar: I did not, actually. It was just a name that I came up at the last minute, but even if it was from that, I probably would have changed it soon after.
Springflower: XD Thank you, thank you. No, you don't sound like that at all, my friend. XD
Enjoy Chapter 9!
~Frost
After the ceremonies, multiple cats went over to Ivypaw, mewing congratulations; the same happened to Blackstone. After the crowd had dispersed somewhat, Shadefrost padded over to the young brown she-cat.
"Ivypaw, isn't it?" She asked quietly, coming to a stop in front of the newly made apprentice. Ivypaw nodded slowly, answering with a hesitant "Yes.."
"Well, I thought I should say congratulations," Shadefrost replied lightly, her pale gaze glimmering in amusement at the she-cat's hesitance. "Oh, thanks," Ivypaw said with a faint smile.
Shadefrost dipped her head slightly toward the younger she-cat before she headed to the warriors' den, slipping inside silently. With some more murmurs of congratulations, slowly the warriors began to head into the warriors' den, anxious for some rest for the busy day that was soon to come.
Her gaze sweeping over the cluster of nests, she soon found an empty nest near the back of the den. Avoiding the moss nests and the occasional tail from a sleeping warrior, Shadefrost settled into her separate nest, her pale green gaze flashing one last time as she drifted into a light sleep.
The morning sun rose slowly, the dawn light lighting the forest as if it was on fire. Moving slowly higher and higher up into the soft blue sky, the sun moved with grace as if its rightful place is right there, high up in the sky. The vivid sunlight poured into the camp, highlighting every detail there was.
The shadows danced in the entrance of the leader's den as Stormstar awoke, peering from the depths of his den. Padding out into the open, Stormstar stood by the Highrock, blinking as he noticed a faint rustling in the entrance of the warriors' cave.
The StormClan leader relaxed as he realized that it was only Shadefrost appearing, with the still-drowsy deputy right behind her. He dipped his head toward his deputy before nodding to Shadefrost calmly. She returned the gesture, curtness flashing in her cold gaze. Watching her as she stalked her way to the entrance of the camp, Stormstar directed his attention to Jaycloud.
"Hm, what do you think of her, Stormstar?" Jaycloud asked suddenly, glancing at the dark brown she-cat. The stormy-grey leader followed her clear blue gaze, thinking for a moment before he gave his reluctant answer. "Well, I believe that she has a potential to become a warrior, but she must learn how to live with other cats in close range if she wishes to stay."
The dark-grey she-cat nodded slowly in agreement, keeping her gaze fixed on the other she-cat who was staring up at the soft blue morning sky silently. "Assign her to a patrol whether it's a hunting patrol or a border patrol," Stormstar instructed quietly. Jaycloud dipped her head, "Very well, Stormstar."
He gave her one last nod before disappearing into the dark recesses of his den, wanting some time to mull over his thoughts, leaving the deputy and Shadefrost alone in the clearing.
Remaining in her position, Jaycloud began to wonder who she should put on the patrol with Shadefrost. Just then, the pattering of paws across the clearing caught her attention. Glancing over her shoulder, she smiled when she noticed the young apprentice. Blackstone should take his apprentice out on a patrol. It would be a good experience for her, after all.
As if on cue, the jet black tom appeared in the entrance to the warriors' den, instantly spotting Ivypaw. Padding towards her, he murmured in a low voice to her. With a flicker of amusement, Jaycloud watched the young she-cat's reaction.
Turning around, she headed toward Blackstone and Ivypaw. "You're on the dawn hunting patrol," she informed them. Met with nods, one of acknowledgement and the other of excitement, Jaycloud flicked her tail at Shadefrost, who was still standing at the entrance, and added, "Take Shadefrost with you."
"Alright, Jaycloud," mewed Blackstone with a glance at Ivypaw who was brimming with excitement and energy. Flicking his tail over her ears, the warrior padded toward Shadefrost with Ivypaw close behind. Shadefrost, who had tensed up at the sudden arrival, nodded in understanding before she followed the two into the forest.
Meanwhile, across the clearing, a white she-cat tentatively made her way across the semi-empty clearing to Fernripple's den. "Yes?" a voice asked from the den. Pausing in her tracks, Speckwind asked, "Can we talk? In private?"
A tortoiseshell head popped out from the medicine den, amber orbs gazing at her steadily. "Alright," the medicine cat said reluctantly before allowing the white warrior to come in. Warily glancing over her shoulder, Speckwind padded through the curtain of ivy and came to a stop in front of a moss nest.
"Now, what is it that you wanted to talk to me about, Speckwind?" Fernripple asked, padding out from under a small crevice where the aroma of herbs wafted out. "Well, I've been extremely nervous over the past few sunrises. When I eat my share of the fresh-kill, I'm always not satisfied."
At this, Fernripple chuckled knowingly. "Why, you don't know, Speckwind?"
"Know what?" Speckwind blinked, concern rising in her.
"Well, I'm rather surprised that you didn't know the signs," Fernripple said, her eyes widening faintly.
Speckwind remained in a remote silence, overly confused at what Fernripple had meant by that.
Then it clicked.
"But.. what...?" Speckwind's voice trailing off as she stammered in shock.
Fernripple frowned, tilting her head as she gazed at the she-cat. "I thought you would be more happy, Speckwind."
Her mouth agape, Speckwind didn't reply to Fernripple's comment. Slowly, her tail flickered behind her as the white she-cat struggled to process this new and shocking information.
Fernripple remained silent, as well, watching Speckwind curiously. "May I ask who's the lucky tom?" her voice had a slight teasing lilt underneath it.
At this, Speckwind snapped back to reality, her dark-brown eyes flashing back to the tortoiseshell. "Uh.. I prefer not to say who exactly.." she replied slowly yet cautiously.
Her amber eyes still wide faintly, Fernripple nodded in understanding. "It's alright if you do not wish to speak of it. After all, it is understandable that some queens prefer not to reveal their mate's identity and the Clan will have to live with that, I guess."
"I think you should move to the nursery soon, Speckwind. In a moon or so, your kits will come," Fernripple advised.
Speckwind nodded blankly, still struggling to process this new event. "I'll go and give you some borage, if you would like," the medicine cat suggested, already moving to the back of her den.
Still in shock, the she-cat stood in the middle of Fernripple's den, not choosing to reply to what Fernripple had suggested. Gazing blankly at the wall, thoughts whirled in the she-cat's head. Shock, a flutter of happiness, and a tinge of sorrow flashed in her eyes.
Realizing that Fernripple had dropped some of the borage in front of her, and was now standing before her, Speckwind nodded slightly. With a slight flick of her tail, Fernripple silently urged Speckwind to eat the borage. Bending her head down to eat the herb, the white she-cat made a little face at the tangy taste.
Fernripple chuckled faintly before saying, "Alright, you better be going now. I'll inform Jaycloud that you are expecting."
Speckwind hesitated for a brief second, but nodded anyway. "Thanks," she murmured quietly before she slipped out of the den.
Fernripple remained silent before heading out herself, moving to make her way across the clearing to where Jaycloud stood, assigning warriors and apprentices to separate patrols. Standing beside her, the tortoiseshell medicine cat murmured, "Speckwind can't do any patrols for a while."
"What, why?" Jaycloud demanded, sharply turning around to face her.
In reply, Fernripple's dark tail flicked toward the nursery where Speckwind was ducking into. Understanding flared in the deputy's clear blue gaze accompanied with a nod. "I see. I'll tell that to Stormstar for you, if you like."
"That would be appreciated," Fernripple mewed gratefully, nodding.
With a nod, Jaycloud silently padded into Stormstar's den, her long dark-grey tail disappearing from sight. A few moments later, Shadefrost, Blackstone, and Ivypaw padded in from the forest. Held from Shadefrost's mouth, two mice and a vole hung limply as the she-cat made her way toward the pile of fresh-kill. Blackstone followed silently behind her, his mouth full with a few shrews.
Halting in front of the fresh-kill pile, the dark-brown she-cat dropped her haul before stalking off to another part of the camp. Blackstone watched her leave with his before dropping his own catches. Ivypaw, however, was trembling with barely held in excitement as she laid her catch, a plump mouse, on top of the others.
Smiling lightly, Fernripple watched the scene for a moment more before sighing quietly and padded to her sanctuary, her thoughts drifting to Shadefrost's aloofness. Noticing the said she-cat lying down on her side by the warriors' den, Fernripple paused for a moment to simply gaze at the dark-brown warrior.
Feeling as if she was being watched, Shadefrost turned her head toward the direction of the medicine cat den, but saw nothing. Only a slight rustling sound from the wall of ivy told her that whoever had been staring at her had disappeared inside. Narrowing her eyes slightly, she turned to stare around at the camp, noting a black she-cat lying outside of the elders' den, one of her hindlegs sprawled awkwardly behind her.
Hm, injured she-cat, Shadefrost thought with a faint flicker of interest. Sighing in the lack of activity going on around the camp, the she-cat unsheathed her claws, examining the curved edges with slight amusement. Shadefrost then rose to her paws, sheathing her claws as she did so.
Glancing around the clearing, she started heading for the entrance. "And where are you going?" a voice called out, stopping her in her tracks. Turning back around, Shadefrost met the cat's gaze. Glancing at the grey tom as though sizing him up, Shadefrost replied coolly, "Going for a little walk around the forest."
Thistlepond narrowed his eyes faintly, but nodded reluctantly before he resumed weaving some brambles on the nursery wall to reinforce it. Making a vague sound in the back of her throat, Shadefrost trotted out of the camp and into the lush forest.
Tell me whose POV I should do in the next chapter in the reviews!
~Frost