Ivypool's Lament

|Chapter VIII|

Ivypool woke up earlier than usual, the cold air making it's way throughout her fur. The sun would rise soon. It had been seven days, and she had to go report to MS. She crept out of the Warriors den, making sure to do it silently. Once she got out of the quiet den, she raced across the camp to the entrance. The forest outside was still riddled with shadows; owls hooed in the depths of the forest. Ivypool weaved through the trees till she reached the lake.

Making sure to not slip in, Ivypool ran alongside the lake, getting to the treebridge in no time. She carefully walked across it, leaping off of the other end. She pushed her way into the clearing, and stopped to look around. It seemed empty, but she knew it wasn't. Ivypool jumped a little at a voice.

"You're here early."

Ivypool turned around, relaxing when she realized who it was.

"What? You aren't scared of me now are you?" MS asked, amusment in his mew.

Ivypool playfully swatted at him, just missing his ear.

"You just scared me, that's all," Ivypool meowed.

"So, why did you get here so early?" MS asked.

"I didn't want to be late."

The sun had started rising, so the other cats would be coming soon.

"Go ahead and give me your report now then," MS told Ivypool.

Ivypool nodded her head, telling him about Dovewing's kits and the normal hunting. Just as she had finished, Breezepelt and Tigerheart came through the undergrowth. MS looked over at them.

"Hello, you two. Any sign of Beetlewhisker?" MS greeted.

"We saw him walking here now, he should be here soon," Tigerheart told him, sitting down near Ivypool.

Breezepelt took a seat next tot Tigerheart and started his report. Around when he was about to finish, Beetlewhisker walked in.

"Sorry I'm late, I had to help Willowshine with something," Beetlewhisker apologized.

MS nodded, "It's fine, Breezepelt just finished his report. Tigerheart is about to go, so you can go after him."

Every cat finished their reports, and were dismissed back to their Clans. Ivypool stayed.

"Why did you stay?" MS asked.

"I wanted to take a chance to get to know you better. I know that we meet in the Dark Forest, but that's with everyone else, so I'm guessing you don't tell us everything," Ivypool told him, sitting back down.

"Okay, ask away."

"What is your full name?" Ivypool asked.

"Mind Stunner."

"Mind Stunner?"

"Yes, Mind Stunner."

Ivypool opened her mouth to speak, but was interrupted by Tigerheart and Beetlewhisker running up.

"Blackstar and Mistystar are fighting on the border," Tigerheart panted.

MS' ear twitched, and his eyes turned back to sockets. His pupils were little white pinpricks again. He disapeared, bringing Ivypool, Tigerheart, and Beetlewhisker with him. They reappeared next to Mistystar and Blackstar, who were still fighting.

"You almost crossed the border!" Blackstar growled.

"There are no borders, and thanks to you, that mouse got away!" Mistystar hissed.

Ivypool sat down and watched them, Beetlewhisker and Tigerheart following her lead. MS stood there for a second, watching the two leaders fight. Mistystar and Blackstar spat a few more insults before they noticed the tom standing next to them. Mistystar shrank in her pelt, and Blackstar stopped mid insult, his mouth still open.

"Can anyone explain to me why you're having a dispute over borders that don't exist?" MS questioned.

"I was about to catch a mouse, it crossed out of what used to be RiverClan territory," Mistystar meowed. "Blackstar stopped me and said I was going to cross the border."

The ShadowClan leader took a step back, ears flattened.

"I'm still the leader of ShadowClan, this is my territory!" He hissed.

MS reached out a paw and hit Blackstar on the head, causing him to stumble.

"There are no territories, and you may still be a leader, but no one has to follow you. I lead now," MS told him.

Blackstar looked like he was about to argue, but thought better of it and dipped his head.

"I'm sorry, Mistystar. Continue your hunt."

Blackstar turned and walked back into the pine forest, his paws stirring pine needles. Mistystar huffed, and held her tail up high. She quickly put it back down when she remembered that MS was standing there.

"Thank you, MS," she said, dipping her head.

Mistystar started walking back to her camp, Beetlewhisker right behind her. Tigerheart ran after Blackstar. Ivypool sighed, and got to her paws. She started heading back to the ThunderClan camp.

"Be ready for what we're doing in the Dark Forest tonights."

Ivypool turned her head to look at MS.

"You're all being paired up with a Dark Forest warrior," he explained, then disapeared.

Ivypool stared at the spot where he was standing, mouth agape. Paired with the Dark Forest warriors? She shook her head and started walking back towards ThunderClan's camp. Mapleshade still hasn't faded, she's old and bitter. Whoever gets paired up with her is going to have a fun time.