Book Four, The Building Task

Chapter Two

Ivysong's POV

It was night now. I was laying in the warriors den amongst the rest of the warriors.

Ever since Rosefall started showing a belly, she and Fallensky moved to the nursery.

Rosefall never had time for me anymore. She was always with her mate or alseep. It kind of bothered me.

Before she was expecting kits we would always go hunting together or have time together, always, but then Fallensky came along.

I don't resent him, I'm delighted at the fact that he will be fathering my sister's kits, but the annoying thing was how much he ran around.

He nearly ran into me head on going to the fresh-kill pile the other day, I had hissed at him in annoyance but as usual, he didn't notice.

I sighed deeply and let sleep overcome me.

"Ivysong, wake up." I opened my eyes to see my mate Juniperbrush standing over me.

"I'm up." I groaned. I hadn't slept well last night and my belly was sore. Probably because I'm hungry.

I pushed past Juniperbrush and ran to the fresh-kill pile. The pile was very small. The hunting patrols aren't back yet. I figured.

There were two small mice. I turned my head as Juniperbrush appeared beside me. "I already ate." He said.

"Okay," and without a second thought I gulped down the two mice, licking my mouth for any remains.

But my belly wasn't satisfied. I sighed deeply. "What's wrong?" I turned my head to Juniperbrush.

"I just have a bellyache, nothing serious." I replied. Juniperbrush's eyes showed worry. "You should go see Streamsight," he suggested.

I rolled my eyes at him. "Honestly, you worry too much." I sighed deeply. "Well I'm sorry I love you, my goodness." he mewed back.

I rolled my eyes again. "Fine, if it'll make you happy." I turned away from the fresh-kill pile and stalked to the medicine den.

"Streamsight?" I called as I peeked my head into the den.

"She isn't here at the moment, what do you need?" it was Streamsight's apprentice, Nightpaw. The she-dog was groomed very neatly, almost as if she was trying to prove something.

"I have a bellyache, Juniperbrush forced me to come here, it's not even that bad." I told her.

"Alright, I've just the herb to help." Nightpaw turned away and walked into the herb store. Even though I was used to having Winnie and her pups in camp, I still felt a bit frightened around them. Something about their huge teeth and non-sharp claws still scared me.

"Here eat this, this is watermint. If the pain continues longer than a day, please tell me." Nightpaw dropped a few dark green leaves in front of me. I lapped them up quickly. "Thank you." I dipped my head and left the den.

I felt the pain slowly ease as I layed in a patch of sun. I looked over as I smelt an unfamiliar scent. "What's that..?" I murmured to myself and got up.

A hunting patrol returned with a few unfamiliar cats. The cats laying around near me all got up to see what was happening. Cinnamonsky, the cat leading the patrol, motioned to Larkfeather to get Batstar.

He walked away into Batstar's den and returned a few moments later with the brown-black she-cat. "What are these cats doing here?" She questioned Cinnamonsky.

"We met them just as we left for hunting, they were fairly close to camp, and they won't speak as to why they're here." Cinnamonsky responded.

"Well?" Batstar turned to look at the unfamiliar cats. I could see them now. Two toms and a she-cat, the she-cat looked as if she were expecting kits, like Rosefall.

I looked over to Rosefall, she was gazing with worry toward the cats. I angrily looked to my paws.

"We-We're on your territory because we are just passing though, we saw this place from afar and it looked like shelter," the smaller tom started, then turned his head to the she-cat. "Lilly here is expecting Taro's kits any day now.." he talked about the larger tom who was staring angrily at the ground.

Batstar held her firm gaze. "You didn't smell our scent?"

"W-Well I did but Taro said to keep going because Lilly needed shelter."

"And what is your name?" Batstar responded cooly.

"I-I'm Domino." What an odd name. I know I used to be a rogue but still!

"Domino, Lilly, Taro. If you'd like, you can stay here until Lilly's kits are able to travel." Batstar said. I looked over to Rosefall. Relief had flooded her gaze. I angrily looked down. Be cool, be cool..

Murmurs rose among the Clan. Some of annoyance - "We have enough mouths to feed." grumbled Oakleaf. And some of intrest - "I'd like to meet these cats," said Winnie.

"Oh we'd greatly appreciate that, right, Taro?" Lilly turned to Taro.

"Where will we be staying?" He grumbled, not looking to Batstar.

"You all may stay in our spare den. Nightpaw! Please fetch them some moss from your den." Batstar said.

She signaled for the rogues to follow her to the den. Brambleheart sent the patrol that found the rogues back out.

I sighed and begun grooming myself. I knew I should be friendly with the rogues because I used to be one but I do not care.

Domino is tiny. If he stayed he'd be destroyed by the other Clans. Lilly will have kits, so she'll just be an annoying mouth to feed. Taro is the only one who caught my eye, with an obvious strength, although I hate his demeanor.

I groomed my tail and then my paws. I hope if they stay, I'll never end up mentoring one of them. I huffed.

The pain in my belly was completely gone now. Eased by the watermint. A thought then occured to me.

What if I became deputy?