The Forgotten Warrior

Ivypool was pleased to have been chosen for Hollyleaf’s patrol, padding close behind her with Brackenfur and Berrynose bringing up the rear. As sunrise followed sunrise since Hollyleaf’s return, she had gained more and more respect for the black she-cat’s courage and her occasional sharp tongue. She knows how tough life can be, and she still keeps going.

“Hollyleaf is doing everything she can to fit into the Clan again.” Ivypool’s ears swiveled back to pick up Brackenfur’s low-voiced remark.

“Yeah, she even takes on the worst chores to help the apprentices,” Berrynose murmured.

Ivypool thought how unusual it was to hear Berrynose praising another cat, then remembered that it was Hollyleaf who had saved his kits from the fox.

Brackenfur let out a faint mrrow of amusement. “Yes, to go on this patrol Brambleclaw had to drag her away from searching for the elders’ ticks!”

Hollyleaf glanced back. “Less noise,” she ordered. “We’re getting close to the border.”

Tasting the air, Ivypool picked up the reek of the ShadowClan scent markers, mingled with the scent of Twolegs. Emerging from the trees at the edge of the clearing, she saw that it was full of Twoleg pelt-dens, with Twolegs sitting or lying on the grass, or jumping up and down tossing brightly colored objects at one another.

“What in StarClan’s name are they doing?” she muttered.

Hollyleaf shrugged. “Maybe it’s a training exercise.”

From farther downstream, Ivypool could hear the happy yowling of Twoleg kits as they splashed around at the edge of the lake. I wonder if they’re fishing, or just cooling their paws. They’ll scare all the fish away with that racket!

Silently, swiftly, the four cats slipped across the clearing, avoiding the Twolegs. Ivypool wondered if Hollyleaf was tempted to set the markers at the ThunderClan side of the clearing, and leave the open grass to ShadowClan.

“I can’t believe ShadowClan fought so hard to keep this useless bit of territory,” Brackenfur muttered.

I can’t believe we fought so hard to win it, Ivypool thought. A sharp pang of guilt pierced her as she remembered how it had been her fault that ThunderClan had gone into battle. But now that it’s ours, we’re stuck with it. We have to set these wretched markers every day.

All her fur stood up as she dodged around the pelt-dens; she hated being in the open like this, so close to Twolegs. And she couldn’t relax when they reached the opposite side, because now the scent of ShadowClan was all around them.

“Okay,” Hollyleaf meowed as they reached the border. “Let’s split up. Brackenfur, you and Berrynose go upstream and renew our markers there. Ivypool, you and I will go downstream.”

Brackenfur gave her a brisk nod and headed off with Berrynose beside him. “Go straight back to camp when you’ve finished,” Hollyleaf called after them.

Hollyleaf set the first marker; by the time she had finished the two toms were out of sight. Ivypool padded at her shoulder as she turned toward the lake. Pausing to set another marker, Ivypool picked up more ShadowClan scent, strong and fresh.

“A patrol!” she whispered.

As she spoke the ferns on the other side of the border were thrust aside and three cats emerged into the open. Dawnpelt was in the lead; with her were Redwillow and Scorchfur.

Dawnpelt drew her lips back in a snarl as she spotted the ThunderClan cats. Ivypool felt her neck fur beginning to rise at the naked hostility in the cream-furred she-cat’s gaze.

“Set one paw across—” Dawnpelt began, then broke off as she noticed Hollyleaf. “You!” she exclaimed. “I thought you’d left the Clans.”

Hollyleaf shrugged. “I came back.”

For a few heartbeats Dawnpelt’s hostility faded, to be replaced by a look of interest. But Ivypool hoped that she wouldn’t want to stand around and chat. I’ve got nothing to say to that flea-pelt. I don’t trust her one bit. Before we know it, she’ll be accusing Hollyleaf of murdering Flametail, too.

“We’re not doing any harm,” Ivypool meowed. “Just setting markers.”

Dawnpelt snorted disbelievingly. “I’d better check where you’re putting them,” she hissed, padding forward and craning her neck to sniff the marker Ivypool had just placed. “I’ll tell Blackstar if any of them are a leaf’s depth out of place.”

“Feel free,” Hollyleaf retorted. “If you can find anything wrong, I’ll tell Blackstar myself.”