Book 1: Echoing Voices - Warriors

Chapter 25

Ivypaw's POV

Ashfrost was in the middle of a clearing. Raven was in front of her and many other unknown cats were surrounding her.
"Leave her alone!" Ivypaw snarled, being held back by Ravine.
Raven ignored her and padded up to Ashfrost.
"Why don't you explain to your apprentice." Raven meowed.
It wasn't a question.
"I know what she did, I don't blame her, let me go!" Ivypaw hissed.
Ashfrost was silent, but her gaze seemed to flicker. She was squinting slightly from the light, as if it she had gone days and days without sunlight. Her rib cage was even more visible under the light.
"She didn't do anything, why do you even care?" Ivypaw demanded.
Again, ignored.
"Enough Ivypaw." Ashfrost whispered.
Ivypaw froze and she stared wide-eyed.
"You don't know..." the grey she-cat murmured.
Raven's gaze darkened, Ivypaw couldn't tell what the she-cat was thinking, but she didn't like it.
"Nightmoon, she-" Ashfrost struggled for her voice.
Ivypaw let out a breath at the sound of her mother's name.
"She's gone."
Ivypaw didn't need Ravine to hold her back anymore. Her mouth opened and she stared at Ashfrost.
"When I heard about the fire, I-Kestrelstar ordered me to leave with you, Dappleshade, Nightmoon, and Ebonymint. In that group, I was the one who was suppose to go and get Nightmoon. I didn't." Ashfrost rasped.
She had clearly inhaled a lot of smoke and maybe received permanent breathing problems. She needed water.
But Ivypaw didn't care.
Through clenched teeth, Ivypaw spoke, "Why?"
Ashfrost seemed to flinch at her tone, "She was going to die anyway. When I saw Shimmersong running towards the old twoleg den, I followed. By the time we got there, we found Nightmoon's body half way out of the den through the fire. We couldn't reach her. I held Shimmersong back and we left."
Ivypaw felt her claws unsheathe and she felt her lips draw into a snarl something snapped. It felt like she was hit squarely in the chest by a block of ice.
"As if my sister wasn't enough." she spat.
Ashfrost winced, "W-what?"
"My sister! Want to know who else died? Well, someone by the name of Snowpaw." Ivypaw snarled.
She yanked herself out of Ravine's grasp, which had loosened and went over to tackle Ashfrost and pinned her to the ground. Ashfrost let out a choking cough, but Ivypaw just held her paw down at her throat.
"You didn't even care. You left her to die. Do you know what happened to Rowanthorn? Is he dead too?" Ivypaw demanded.
Ashfrost didn't reply, it's not like she could since she was a little busy choking.
"I....no choice..." the grey tabby managed to get out.
Ivypaw brought her muzzle down to Ashfrost's ear, "You had the choice to save her before the fire got too close." she spat.
Ivypaw, from the corner of her eye, could clearly see Raven watching. The black she-cat was sitting silently and all the cats around had intense gazes.
"Ivypaw....don't." Ashfrost begged.
"I guess I don't listen very well." Ivypaw growled, slowly digging her claws into Ashfrost's throat.
Ashfrost sputtered and her breathing shallowed. Ivypaw lifted her paw off, but it didn't make a difference.
"I probably learned it from my mentor." Ivypaw whispered into Ashfrost's ear, finishing her last statement.
The she-cat let out one more choked cough before her eyes glazed over and she went limp while her blood covered Ivypaw's claws.