Hollystar's Legacy

Part 2

War.

She came back, and of course, there had to be a war.

And now here she is, watching Hawkfrost fling himself towards Ivypool. Everything felt as if it was moving slower; Hollyleaf was making her decision in a split second, but it felt like an eternity.

Defending Ivypool could mean certain death. But it was the only thing to do; after all, wouldn't any one of her Clanmates do the same?

"Get off her!" Hollyleaf yowled as her powerful hind legs propelled her through the gorse and sent her slamming directly into Hawkfrost. She knocked the Dark Forest warrior to the ground and watched with twisted pride as he spat out a mouthful of blood.

Free from Hawkfrost's claws, Ivypool turned on Thistleclaw and Snowtuft. She began slashing with her front paws, remembering in a crystalline moment every moon of training. Hollyleaf reared up beside her, matching her blow for blow, as though she instinctively knew where Ivypool would strike next. Blood sprayed the forest floor as Ivypool sliced Snowtuft's muzzle and tore Thistleclaw's nose.

Turning, she kicked out with her hind legs and knocked Thistleclaw backward, then sank her teeth into Snowtuft's neck.

The white warrior screeched and ripped free from her jaws. Ivypool tasted his blood as he hared

away through the bracken. She met Thistleclaw's gaze. Fear sparked in his eyes as she spat out a bloody clump of Snowtuft's fur.

"Run," Ivypool hissed. "Because if you stay, I will kill you."

Mouth open, Thistleclaw fled, disappearing through the gorse.

Hollyleaf refocused her attention on the battle. In an instant, she saw Hawkfrost preparing to leap and knew exactly what he was planning to do. His teeth were bared in a low snarl. She'd already stopped him from killing Ivypool before, and she would stop him again.

Without even thinking, she pushed herself in front of Hawkfrost's jaws. A shriek exploded from her mouth as she felt his powerful teeth dig in to the back of her neck.

Despite the searing pain, she turned and swiped at his muzzle, claws fully unsheathed. The force of the blow sent the Dark Forest warrior crashing away. He dropped with a thump and scrabbled to his paws. Blood dripping from his cheek, one eye swollen shut, he glanced at Hollyleaf and tore his way through the gorse.

Ivypool stared at the black she-cat. "You saved my life!"

Hollyleaf staggered and fell to the ground.

"Hollyleaf!" Ivypool darted to her side. Hollyleaf could feel the deep wound on the back of her neck. The pain scorched through her body, fiery hot. It suddenly struck her that this could be the end.

At least I'll die defending what I love, she thought. Her eyes slipped shut and her surroundings seemed to warp and warble.

Ivypool shoved her shoulders underneath Hollyleaf's limp body, struggling but eventually lifting her, and she began to carry her Clanmate toward the ThunderClan border. Jayfeather would know what to do.

"I'll get you home," Ivypool growled through gritted teeth. "I promise I'll get you home."

Hollyleaf murmured, trying to beg her not to bother, but she couldn't form any words.

A tabby pelt crashed through the gorse toward them. Hollyleaf, still barely conscious, felt Ivypool bracing herself, ready to fight again.

"Let me help!" Tigerheart stopped beside her and shoved his nose beneath Hollyleaf's shoulder. Taking half the weight, he pressed his flank against Ivypool. "We can do this together." The screeches of the battle for WindClan faded behind them as they began to haul the injured warrior away.