Book Four, The Building Task

Chapter Twelve

Ivysong's POV.

I woke up to a small paw swiping my muzzle. Startled, I jolted upward and growled slightly—just my kits. I lay back down and they began to suckle at my belly. A half moon had passed since I gave birth to them and I had been already tired of dealing with them.

Day and night they would squeal wanting more food. They constantly climbed out of my bedding because they smelled the other queen Lilly's milk.

They mainly fed off of her, however her milk was beginning to dry, so I'd have to feed them until they were weaned. I appreciated Lilly's help though, it allowed me to work as deputy while also having kits.

My kits finished feeding and I rose from my nest. They started to squeal. "I'll be back, my dears." I smiled at them.

I trotted to the fresh-kill pile and chose a plump mouse. I crouched to eat it fast, the pile was low. It would need to be replenished by evening.

The sun high in the sky and the warm greenleaf breeze ruffling my fur I made a swift call to my warriors to gather them.

They poured out of their dens and gathered fast around me. "Fallensky, Quartzshine and Frogsong I need you to hunt by Bigrocks." I ordered. They nodded and rushed to the camp entrance.

"Stonefall, Sweetwish and Moonwish, go hunting as well. Check by Mothermouth." They went away. "Now Larkfeather, Dewfall and Skywing, head on a border patrol to check the ShadowClan border." they nodded.

"Shall we make ourselves known?" growled Larkfeather. I like his fierce attitude. I noted to myself.

"Yes, set strong scent markers. Let them know we aren't going to be forced into oppression. StormClan is strong!" I encouraged them with a warm voice.

The three rushed away to preform their duties. "Lastly, Oakleaf and Juniperbrush, you may patrol our last two borders." the two nodded and padded away.

Satisfied with my duties, I began to groom myself even though I was already clean. "Ivysong!" it was Rosefall's little kit Breezekit.

"Yes? What's up?" I trotted over to her, sitting in front of the kit. "Your kits are squealing and Lilly is angry," the kit squeaked.

"Oh boy, I better deal with that huh?" I smiled down at Breezekit. "Come on, my kits are probably hungry."

Breezekit and I padded back to the nursery and stepped inside. My kits were squealing loudly. "Thank StarClan you're here! I'm trying to sleep!" exclaimed Lilly. Rosefall, who was grooming herself in her nest, looked up sympathetically at me.

"It's not my fault they're squealing." I replied simply, then lay down in my nest to soothe them.

"Maybe if you were a better mother.." Lilly stated arrogantly under her breath. My muscles tensed and hackles raised.

"What was that?" I hissed venomously, growling a warning. Rosefall turned to glare at Lilly, her eyes like fire.

"Lilly, Ivysong is a great mother!" Rosefall retorted. "She's just a very busy one, and that's okay; she may have retired from her warrior duties, but the Clan cannot go without a deputy!"

Although I didn't show it, I felt a glow of pride that my sister was defending me. I remembered how awful I had been to her recently, shoving her around and snapping, but she still remained there for me, no matter the issue.

"Yeah and what about her apprentice?" Lilly retorted. "Domino is my brother and I want to make sure he is not forgotten!"

I froze. Domino sure was an amazing apprentice, a keen and kind-hearted soul. He needed to be trained and trained properly. "I'll handle him." I growled.