Ivyshadow woke up early the next morning, determined to follow Pebbleclaw wherever he went. She slipped out of her nest carefully, not wanting to disturb Runningmouse.
She scanned the Warrior's Den, looking for empty nests. Violetfang slept peacefully, she noticed thankfully. Sunshine was gone, as well as Redclaw, which was a surprise.
it was raining outside, the cold droplets sure to wash away any snow that remained. Ivyshadow shook her fur, wishing she had Snowfall’s long coat.
Pebbleclaw, Sunshine and Petalpaw stood together, clearly getting ready for a patrol. So Petalpaw is Sunshine's apprentice then, Ivyshadow realized. It was a good choice; Sunshine definitely had the experience.
“Ivy, you want to go hunting?” Runningmouse slipped out of the den behind her.
“Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you up,” Ivyshadow’s heart sank. She would love to go hunting with him, but… “I think I'll join the patrol instead.”
Runningmouse blinked, looking confused. “Oh - okay, yeah, that's fine.”
Ivyshadow turned away with a pang of guilt. She could tell him about it later. “Pebbleclaw, Sunshine. Can I join you?”
Pebbleclaw nodded, looking delighted. “Of course! I was just looking for someone else.”
Ivyshadow smiled back, “let me go grab Forestpaw.”
A couple minutes later, all five cats set off into the newly green forest, chatting among each other. Ivyshadow left her apprentice to join Petalpaw, and caught up with Sunshine. “How are you?”
Sunshine dipped her head, smiling. “I'm doing well! My kits finally became warriors while you were gone.”
“I heard! Morningcloud and Daybreeze. Beautiful names.”
Sunshine purred, “I think so. That's one thing Acornstar does right.”
Ivyshadow shifted her paws, uncomfortable with talk against her leader. She still felt a certain loyalty, rooted deep in her bones, no matter what Acornstar did.
“So, you and Runningmouse are mates I heard…” Sunshine leaned closer teasingly.
Ivyshadow's ears blushed, “We'll, yes. I suppose.” She nearly tripped over the root that she was stepping around.
“That's wonderful to hear. I remember when he first joined Tall Trees; so skinny and lonely.”
Ivyshadow perked her ears, “really? What was he like?”
“I was pretty young when he joined: I was still Sunpaw. I spent most of my days padding after Blackpaw, even then.” Sunshine's eyes looked at something far away, as if returning to the memory. “He was Runningpaw. A skinny, overly nervous tom. He was awful at fighting but great at hunting. He was a fair bit younger than me, and looked up to Blackpaw and I. He was always so hardworking, even from the start.” Sunshine sighed, “I miss those days.”
Ivyshadow tried to picture the confident Runningmouse she knew as a nervous young apprentice, but couldn't. Shouldn't I know everything about him? She worried, I am his mate after all.
○○○
By the time they got back to camp, Ivyshadow was starving. She ran straight for the prey pile before remembering she was supposed to be watching Pebbleclaw. Ivyshadow picked up a rabbit, and turned to join Acornstar, Pebbleclaw and Larktail as if it was something she did every day. “Good morning Acornstar!”
Acornstar dipped her head, looking slightly confused. “Good morning.”
“How has the elder’s den been going?” Pebbleclaw was saying, turning to Larktail.
YOU ARE READING
The Life And Adventures of Ivyshadow
FanfictionCOMPLETED Ivykit, the daughter of a traitor and adopted by her cruel aunt, is determined to prove herself. Follow her as she grows from Ivykit to Ivypaw to Ivyshadow and watch her cry, laugh, and fall in love along the way. This is meant to give yo...
