Windclan's Hope

Chapter 4

Ivypaw lifted her head as Ratfur and Rabbitstrike guided Littlewhisker into the medicine. She took a deep breath, the horror in her eyes must have shown. "Ivypaw, go find your siblings." Turtlehearts gasp sounded from the darkness of the den. Ivypaw nodded, bounding outside quickly. She took a breath of relief and sat down next to Squirrelpaw and Stempaw. "What happened to Littlewhisker? I heard him sobbing." Stempaw mewed. Redcall passed, the sadness in his voice apparent. "Riverclan is holding Dovepaw hostage. Littlewhisker tried to go after them but instead got claws to the eyes by a traitor of Windclan. Lionoak." By now, Redcall was speaking to the entire clan. "Raventail, well Ravenstar now was there. Sunstar mysteriously passed and now Hawkgrowl is their deputy while Lionoak is the most trusted warrior along with Brackentail," A hiss from Bramblestar came, "Branchfur and Graypounce although she is a queen now." Redcall explained. "Riverclan is getting worse, they are following the dark forest. Those moves they used… were all too familiar." Bramblestar hissed. "I'll flay Hawkgrowl, then Ravenstar." Ivypaw almost flinched at her kin's anger. She knew Hawkgrowl had started listening to his dead, dark forest sister again but to go to Riverclan? Ivypaw shuddered at what it could be like for Bramblestar, to battle her former mate and one of her kits.
Ivypaw padded back into the medicine den later that night, finished her piece of the rabbit and looked as Littlewhisker sniffled in the corner of the den while Turtleheart soothed him with gentle words. Leaving the den, she wandered around the clearing "Hey Whitekit! Why arent you in the nursery?" She padded towards him and sat down next to him with a smile. She saw Bramblestar slip into the den. She looked sleep deprived but also had a determined fire in her eyes. "Turtleheart." Was all Bramblestar said. Turtleheart beckoned her and Ivypaw followed. "Sorry we didn't get to talk." She never heard Whitekit's responses, she knew he was sad but she'd talk to him later.
They sat in Bramblestar's den. "How can we get into Riverclan and rescue Dovepaw?" Turtleheart mewed. "Those plans are too dangerous." Quiet until now, Ivypaw mewed. "I'll go. They wouldnt hurt a medicine cat, if they did, Whistlefall will help me. At the half moon meetings he practically begs for help, you've seen it, Turtleheart." Her mother shook her head. "They'll hurt you!" She hissed. "While I'm there, I can gather information. I'll be there as long as you need. Train up Windclan, attack when ready. During the attack, I'll get Dovepaw out. I'll be fine, Turtleheart." The medicine cat seemed to calm down and Bramblestar was nodding. "Fine, but if they hurt you in any way while you are there ill shred Ravenstar's pelt nine times over." The leader yawned. "Now get some rest and make sure you speak to your siblings before you go." Turtleheart sighed, leading them to the medicine den. "I can't believe you want to do this." She mewed quietly. "I have to save Dovepaw somehow. I'm not scared, just ready for Windclan to be safe."
She settled into her nest just before dawn and had just begun to sleep when Squirrelpaw and Stempaw woke her. "You are going into Riverclan? Are you crazy?" Stempaw growled. Squirrelpaw batted her head. "Ow! Squirrelpaw that hurt! Can you two just listen?" She hissed, whiskers twitching in anger.
"Yes, I'm going to save Dovepaw." She said, finished the explanation although there wasn't much. Stempaw looked worried, Squirrelpaw was just angry. "You can go there. It's dangerous. I'm going too. Lilyfrost said i'm one of the strongest fighters she has seen. Please let me go?" She asked. Stempaw gasped. "I can't lose both my sisters. No, you both can't go." He seemed to have decided." Ivypaw flicked her tail. "Squirrelpaw, if Bramblestar says you can go then fine. But Stempaw, you won't lose us. Just keep training until Windclan attacks." Stempaw didnt seem sure but finally nodded.
"Squirrelpaw and Ivypaw are going to Riverclan on a mission to save Dovepaw. While they are gone, Windclan will train harder than it has ever done before. Warriors and apprentices will train together, obviously no claws, that's sickening." Bramblestar had been announcing to the clan. Ivypaw stood next to Squirrelpaw, taking deep breaths. "Lilyfrost has offered to escort them to the border along with Ratfur and Rabbitstrike. Littlewhisker will walk them to the edge of camp." Bramblestar sighed. "Good luck, Squirrelpaw and Ivypaw, may Starclan light your path." The leader said as the clan echoed. At the edge of camp she halted, Whitekit was rushing towards her. "Wait dont go! You can stay and play with me!"