Ivystar's Choice

Chapter 3

     A deep silence settled over the cats gathered in the dusky clearing. But it was abruptly broken as an apprentice bounced around excitedly. "Foxhearts! Cowards!" he yowled, so loudly that Ivykit's ears were left ringing. A pretty golden tabby she-cat scolded, "Keep your voice down Hailpaw! Remember that we're in unfamiliar territory!".

     Hailpaw ducked his head, embarrassed, "Sorry Leopardspots."  She snorted, "I should think so." A voice called out from the back of the crowd, "Did you find the kits?"

     All the cats looked around worriedly. From under the bramble bush, Ivykit saw her father pad over and sweep the brambles aside with a large paw. "You can come out now", he mewed softly. Ivykit crept out timidly, flanked by Thunderkit and Silverkit. "They look terrified!", a tabby she-cat exclaimed and rushed over to comfort them, You're safe now little ones" she murmured. A cat cleared their throat and meowed "Lets get them home." And a cat gently picked her up and as one, all of the cats turned and raced for home.

     The moment they entered camp, a yelp of surprise welcomed them. And the rest of the Riverclan camp gathered around them chattering with excitement and relief. The cats carrying Ivykit, Silverkit, and Thunderkit escaped the crowd and padded over to the nursery where Cherryleaf and Amberstorm were huddled with Sunkit and Bravekit, slumped sorrowfully.

     Bravekit caught sight of them first. He gave a squeak of excitement. Cherryleaf and Amberstorm looked up. As soon as they caught sight of the little bundles flailing excitedly from the warrior's jaws, they leaped up and dashed to their kits, nuzzling them lovingly. Ivykit pressed with Silverkit against her mother's flank, with her mother rasping her warm tongue over their filthy pelts, comforted by her warm fur. Amberstorm's purrs drowned out all of the chatter outside. And the other kits came in and bounced around excitedly squeaking and wrestling.

     When Amberstorm finally untangled herself, they padded outside. Ivykit felt warm with content. but that melted when she saw the motionless bundle of gray fur in the center of the Riverclan Camp. Ivykit stifled a whimper and raced to the Medicine Cat's body. She braced her paws on her belly and shook her. Despair filling her as Willowfrost's body was ice cold. She felt Amberstorm's warm flank press against her, reassuringly. Ivykit wailed, "Its my fault! She died trying to save me!".

     Ivykit heard the pad of paws behind them and Amberstorm shifted. She turned to see a magnificent silver and blue she-cat standing behind her. Her mother began, "Mistystar..." The leader silenced her with a look. Amberstorm nodded respectfully and backed up a tail length. Mistystar sat with her tail wrapped over her paws, gazing kindly at her. "Why did she have to die?" Ivykit wailed. Mistystar sighed sorrowfully, "It was her time. Although it may have been too soon.". "Its my fault! If I haven't been captured..."

     Mistystar stood and sat next to Ivykit. She meowed, "Willowfrost died a warrior's death although she was a Medicine Cat. She died trying to save a Riverclan kit from rogues, and Starclan and Riverclan will honor her memory, but life will go on. You must not grieve over her too long. She wouldnt've wanted that, she would've wanted you to grow up to be a great warrior. Do not let her sacrifice have been in vain." Mistystar touched her nose to Ivykit's head and stepped back.

     Ivykit stepped forward, toward Willowfrost's body and crouched, pressing her nose into the Medicine Cat's cold fur, and whispered, "Thank you for trying to save me, and I promise to make you proud. I only wish I could've known you longer." Amberstorm's warm pelt touched her flank and gently drew her away.

     Ivykit stumbled to Amberstorm's nest curling up next to Silverkit and Bravekit. As she drifted to a fitful sleep, she heard her promise echoing through her dreams, whispering softly.