Book Four, The Building Task

Chapter Four

Ivysong's POV

It had be a few days after Rosefall gave birth to Flickerkit, Dapplekit and Breezekit. The day after their birth, Lilly had given birth to Primrosekit, Barkkit and Shadowkit. Lilly had given them Clan names to honor our hospitality, but truly I knew she just wanted to be in the Clan.

Taro was not happy about that, in fact, he was outraged. He had stormed out of camp that very day and we've not seen him since.

I really want to be deputy. I thought. No. I want to be leader.

I'll get there. I thought darkly, looking over at Brambleheart organizing the evening patrols. Even if I have to use force.

I took this time to think about how I'd get what I want. I could accuse her of something, I'm pretty popular in the Clan, get her exiled. 

Nah, it would be much too difficult, she's also very popular.

I could start up a battle, maybe then she'd die.

Low chance of that happening, she's very strong. I extended my claws in frustration. 

I then angrily stomped to my den and slid into my nest. Sleep very quickly overcome me. I woke in an unfamiliar place. It reeked of something rotting. I wrinkled my nose in disgust.

"Don't like the smell?" a deep voice startled me and I turned around to see a sleek, black tom with piercing green eyes.

"Wh-Who are you?" I stammered, then hardened my gaze. I looked this tom up and down. He had large muscles and sharp claws.

"My name does not matter for now. I've only been instructed to take you to my leader." the tom looked me up and down. "You look weak, almost soft." he spat. "I never liked rogues, then, Batstar always felt sympathy toward them."

"Don't you ever talk about my leader with that tone!" I shot at him, hissing slightly.

He rolled his eyes and flicked his tail for me to follow him. I reluctantly walked alongside him, through the dark trees and dense undergrowth.

I looked up at the sky, it was a dark red colour. No sun or moon shone here. I shivered. It was a cold, dark place with nothing but the stench of blood, fur and that... rot. 

"We're here." the tom had taken me to a clearing in the darkest part of the forest. There was a huge rock near the end of the clearing, atop it stood a cat I could barely see.

The tom let out a large meow and the cat atop the rock leapt down and rushed to us. "Sir.." the tom bowed to the cat.

I just stood there, staring into this cat's eyes. It narrowed its eyes. "This is her?" the raspy voice of the cat spoke.

The tom nodded. The other cat looked me up and down.

"Okay, I'm tired of this. Where am I and why does this place smell so retched?" I finally broke the silence. The cat narrowed its eyes. "You are in a place of evil. A place where no cat comes out the same. Ivysong, welcome to the Dark Forest. The reason it smells terrible is because of the stench of rotting cats. If you wish to complain, I'll gladly kill you so you can stay here forever." the cat threatened with a snarl.

The Dark Forest..? What an odd name.. Fitting, but odd. 

"I am Shadowheart, leader of the Dark Forest. And that cat there is Crowflight, a trusted Clanmate." Shadowheart said. I shivered again. Shadowheart... I've heard that name before.. but where..?

"Why am I here..?" I asked, anxiously looking around me.

"Simply because you desire something, and we're here to help you get it." Shadowheart explained.

"You'd really help me become deputy?" I asked. Perhaps these cats could be useful...

"Not just deputy, leader." Crowflight said. I saw him smirk. "You could completely control StormClan with our help."

I smiled darkly. "I'd love to have your help.. so long as StormClan can be mine and only mine." I said to the two toms. "Alright fine." Shadowheart said.

I noticed my paws were fading. "You're waking up. Shadowheart will guide your paws throughout the day with just his voice.." Crowflight's voice faded away.

I awoke and dawn was slowly creeping over the horizon. I got up and stretched.

I exited the den and there was a small mouse on the fresh-kill pile. I rushed over and gulped it down in many swift bites. Brambleheart was in the center of a group of cats organizing patrols. "Cinnamonsky, lead a border patrol with Larkfeather, Moonwish and Dewfall."

Brambleheart spotted me in the crowd. "Ivysong, take Quartzshine, Stonefall and Skywing on a hunting patrol." I nodded and gathered my cats.

We exited camp and headed toward Bigrocks. "Let's split up and meet back here when we've all caught something."

I raced off toward the ShadowClan border. I knew the dawn patrol hadn't passed here and scared off the prey yet so it'd be perfect for hunting. I checked the air. The day was getting hotter and hotter. This greenleaf had been hot. Luckily soon it would be leaffall.

I soon scented a rabbit. I crouched down and followed the scent until I saw it. Fairly close to the border. If I wanted to catch it, I'd have to be extremely quiet.

I crawled carefully and silently toward the rabbit and then pounced on it, digging my teeth into its neck, killing it instantly. I got up with my rabbit in my jaws. I ran back to Bigrocks triumphantly.

When I reached Bigrocks I saw that only Stonefall and Quartzshine were there, Stonefall had two robins and Quartzshine had a mouse. The sun was a bit higher in the sky now and we waited a few more moments, then Skywing appeared, carrying a large blackbird.

I nodded approvingly. "Looks like we had a good hunt."

"Yeah. Prey is plentiful! We should enjoy it while it lasts." Quartzshine noted.

I nodded. "Let's go. The Clan'll be hungry."

We then returned to camp and dropped our load onto the pile. I went up to Brambleheart who was sitting under the Greatledge grooming herself with Batstar. "Our patrol has returned. Did you send another out or would you like us to hunt again?" I asked her.

"I've sent another patrol after you left, plus there is a chance the dawn patrol may catch something." Brambleheart responded.

I nodded and padded away. I was beaming with anger. I hate her. 

Oh, I know you do.

I stopped midway in my tracks and looked around me. Nothing. Then whose voice is that..?

It's Shadowheart, the cat you met last night. I hear your every thought. That Brambleheart is in your way of greatness. You must eliminate her soon.

That makes sense but I have no chance of becoming deputy unless I mentor an apprentice. That could take a while, Lilly or Rosefall's kits are nowhere near ready to be apprenticed. Domino left to find Taro, and Lilly is in the nursery.

You're a very smart cat.

It's not smarts, it's common sense.

Listen, I have a plan. Let me tell you...