★ Lilli Thelightshadow ★

Dark Forest Trainees AU part 11

Ivypool's POV:

“Well we’d better gather them now before leaf-bare sets in!” Minnowtail called.
“Aren’t the stems already dead?” Raven asked with a tip of her head.
“Not all of them.” Minnowtail answered. “Some will have been sheltered from the first frost by the ones that *did* die.”
Ivypool watched as the two she-cats headed to the herb dense areas of the Willow Grove.
Apricot slid out of his and Icewing’s den. She'd finally gotten a nest-mate. Since Ratscar had decided to sleep on the floor of Ivypool and Whiskernose's den.
“Morning Apricot!” She called.
He blinked at her. “Yes it is the morning. Why?”
*Nevermind*. She shook out her pelt. “Oh no reason, just uh. . . Trying to be polite.”
Apricot snorted. “What does telling me that it's the morning have to do with politeness?” he trotted off.
Ivypool turned back to the foraging patrol. Blossomfall had joined them. Minnowtail paused. “I uh. . . don't know how I'm supposed to find these. . .” she admitted awkwardly.
Raven shifted her paws. “Oh maybe we should. . . uh dig?” she suggested.
“Dig what?” Blossomfall asked.
“I don't know!” Raven tapped her claws on the snowy ground.
“What are they doing?”
Ivypool turned, spotting Darktail standing a few fox-lengths off, watching through half narrowed eyes. “Minnowtail asked Raven to help her gather herbs, and Blossomfall joined them.”
Darktail sat down beside Ivypool. “So you still act like a clan? Like you have a medicine cat.” he clarified.
“I mean, I guess. Having a group is hardly unique to the clans.” Ivypool reasoned.
Darktail shrugged. “Yeah-yeah whatever.”
Ivypool watched as Blossomfall kicked up snow, and it showered over Raven.
“So what happened in your old group, if you don't mind me asking.” Ivypool wondered if Darktail was only acting so suspicious because he was scared of them. Rain seemed pretty jumpy, too.
Raven spun around, fluffing out her pelt.
Darktail’s eyes shimmered with panic for a second so brief, Ivypool wondered if she’d imagined it. “Well it started when my friend died. He got sick with green-cough a few leaf-bares ago. . . the group didn’t want to treat him. . . h-he died. . ." His gaze darkened with grief.
From the corner of her eye, Ivypool saw Raven tackle Blossomfall.
“Oh I'm sorry.” Ivypool told him sympathetically.
Darktail shook his head sadly. “Then. . . Raven’s real family joined the group. They were the worst and always caused problems. We got sick of dealing with them after a while.” his former grief had disappeared like morning dew.
Blossomfall threw Raven off her and dived onto the black she-cat. Raven swiped snow up at Blossomfall. “I shall not be challenged by *snow*!” she yowled.
“If you don't mind me asking, how’d you even end up there?” Ivypool tipped her head.
Darktail’s eyes burned with a deep, unfiltered anger. “It started when my father rejected my mother after she’d requested to join his *clan*. Yes, my father is a clan cat. Imagine that. Well, on the way home, my mother ended up giving birth, but without help, all my littermates *died*. All four of them. Then my mother was killed by four rogues. . .” he trailed off, eyes darkening with horror, as though he hadn’t meant to reveal any or most of what he’d just said. He dug his claws into the ground and sat rigidly.
Ivypool looked back at Blossomfall and Raven, seeing they were engaged in a snow-fight. Minnowtail watched them, balled up some snow, and then kicked it at Raven.
Raven squealed like an excited kit and threw snow back.
Blossomfall leaped onto Raven, the black she-cat twisted in a way that sent both of them tumbling across the small clearing. When they broke apart, Raven sat up, laughing at an obnoxious volume.
Darktail watched, expression soft. “I’ve never seen her look so happy. . .” he murmured to himself.
Blossomfall pounced on Raven again, Raven batted her away and fell over. “Fear me! I am Raven! I have eaten dogs!”
Blossomfall snorted. “Why are you eating dogs? You fluffing weirdo!”
Raven rolled onto her back. “Dog is tasty. Yum yum.”
“Psychotic behavior.” Blossomfall nudged Raven playfully.
*Huh. . . Did not expect to see Blossomfall acting so friendly.*
“Why do you always stare at Blossomfall?”
Ivypool jumped. “Ah!” She scrambled away. She'd almost forgotten Darktail was there, and he'd been hovering over her. “Why are you asking?”
“Cause.” He answered.
*What a strange cat. . .*

“Hey Ivypool, wanna try your paw at swimming again?” Pebblefoot called to her.
Ivypool wanted to say yes in order to spend time with her friend. But she also knew she just wasn't prepared to just yet.
Breezepelt trotted past her. “Ya know Ivypool, maybe if you'd keep your promise to Blossomfall, she'd wanna be your mate.”
Ivypool scoffed. “Are you trying to give me relationship advice?”
“No.” Breezepelt answered with a lash of his tail.
Darktail stopped beside Ivypool. He'd been following Breezepelt, as the two had gone on a hunting patrol that afternoon. “Is Breezepelt your friend?” He asked as the black tom headed over to Heathertail.
Ivypool blinked at Darktail in surprise. “No.” She considered Darktail more of a friend than *Breezepelt*. Even if she still had lingering suspicions towards the black and white tom. He wasn't nearly as irritating as Breezepelt.
“Oh. . . I mean, he's much nicer to you than a lot of the other cats. . .” Darktail scuffed the ground, seeming to silently curse himself.
Ivypool chuckled. “Yeah he is, but that really doesn't mean much.” She had accepted a while ago that she and Breezepelt were just neutral with each other. She didn't like him, he didn't like her. But they still bantered once in a blue moon.
Darktail nodded. “True. I kinda like him. He was nice while we hunted.” he seemed to be gauging her reaction.
“Eh. Good for you.” She was pleased he'd finally started getting along with someone in the group, even if it was only Breezepelt.
Darktail licked his chest. “So Ivypool, wanna be on guard duty with me tonight?”
Ivypool smiled. “Sure!”

Note: Darktail’s story about his dead friend is different from the one told in Hawkwing’s Journey on purpose.

15 hours ago | [YT] | 9

★ Lilli Thelightshadow ★

Dark Forest Trainees AU part 10

Ivypool's POV:

Ivypool jumped into action. She pulled Icewing away from the fox and shoved the she-cat behind her. Darktail darted away from the fox, swatting its ear and turning its attention to him.
The fox yipped furiously, its eye gleamed with hatred and recognition. It was the same fox Darktail and his friends had fought before. Darktail lunged forward, digging his claws into the fox’s shoulder. The fox shook him off without much effort.
Ivypool tensed, waiting for it to make its next move. It never did. It glared at the cats, they glared back.
The fox straightened, lashed its tail, then opened its jaws, “This is *my* place! Find your own!” it spat.
Ivypool stared at it, thinking she must have been imagining things. How could this *fox* have been *speaking*?!
Darktail was the only cat who was completely unfazed by this. “You tried to kill my sister! It doesn’t matter if we were ‘trespassing’!” he snarled.
The fox barked with rage. “You tore out my eye!”
“*Raven* did, in self-defense!” Darktail retorted. “Why don't *you* get your own eye?”
“Hmph.” The fox’s tail twitched. “It’s not my fault cat’s are always attacking foxes that are just minding their own business, now is it?”
“No. But that’s not an excuse.” Icewing was the first former clan-cat to speak, her voice calm as always.
The fox’s ear twitched. “I recognize you. You’re from the group of water cats. You killed Ragged. Thanks. Everyone hated him.” he dipped his head politely.
Icewing padded closer to the fox, Ratscar darted forward and pushed her back. “Don't go near it! Are you insane? It’s a fox! It’ll kill you!”
Icewing side-stepped him. “I appreciate your concern, but im sure i can handle him.”
The fox watched, tipping his head curiously as Icewing approached. Icewing sat down in front of him. Meeting his gaze without fear. “Why did you attack us?”
Ivypool wanted to spring forward and drag her camp-mate away from the fox, but her paws felt rooted to the ground.
The fox shrugged. “You would’ve scented me and attacked me if I hadn't. You cats don't like us. I understand why. A lot of foxes are cruel and bloodthirsty. But most of us aren’t. Me and my friend Rosette used to have this cat friend named. . . well, I don't quite remember his name. Toad, I think.”
Darktail flinched, gaze darkening with what appeared to be guilt.
Ivypool’s suspicions of the black and white tom flared up again. What did he have to feel *guilty* over?
“I’m sorry i attacked you. It was not ok.” Huckleberry finished, shame in his remaining hazel eye.
Ratscar drew his lips back in a snarl. “All foxes are the same! I don't know what you’re trying to pull, but i’m not falling for it! You will not harm a hair on *any* of these cats’ pelts if you value your life!”
Ivypool was surprised by the force of protectiveness in the tom’s voice. He seemed completely ready to fight this fox off to defend cats he’d openly mocked and belittled.
The fox shrugged. “Ok. no need for that. I don't eat cats. Not worth the hunt, nor does it feel right to eat something that acts so much like you.”
Icewing stood up, pressing her nose to the fox’s injured shoulder. One of many half healed wounds marring his pelt. “What’s your name?” she asked. “Mine’s Whitewing.”
“Huckleberry.” the fox answered. “I was born near a huckleberry bush, and my mother was not creative.” he added with amusement.
“Why do we care what it’s name is?” Ratscar scoffed.
“Do you have anything but scorn to say, ever?” Ivypool asked with irritation.
Ratscar snorted. “Yes. It's just that none of you are worth saying it to.”
“You’re only kind to Whiskernose.” Darktail joined in. “Why? Do you think he’s too handsome to be rude to?” his words landed somewhere between a tease and a jibe.
Ratscar rolled his eyes. “Maybe so.” he muttered.
Ivypool bit her lip. *Well, ok then*.
Icewing padded back to the patrol. “Alright everyone, serious question; what’s a reason we shouldn’t invite Huckleberry to join us?”
“I beg your pardon?” Ivypool tumbled out.
Icewing whisked her tail silkily. “We could use the extra paws, and besides, what he said is true, we’re not really so different.”
“He’s going to eat us while we sleep.” Ratscar’s eyes sparkled with fury.
“If you don’t wake up to shrieks of your campmates, that seems like a you problem.” Ivypool found herself agreeing with Icewing. Barring their initial impression, Huckleberry had been nothing but respectful. “I think we should at least let him recover. I mean, he *did* get his eye ripped out.” she reasoned.
Darktail nodded. “Yes. good idea.” his voice was strangely hollow, as though he didn't really agree.


Allegiance Recap:

Willow Grove Cats
Breezepelt
(Long-legged black tom with spiky fur, yellow eyes, tattered ear, and a heavily scarred hind leg)
Ivypool
(Well muscled white and silver tabby she-cat with blue eyes and a scar over her left eye)
Thornclaw
(Large golden tabby tom with green eyes and scars in an ‘x’ shape over his chest)
Birchfall
(Short legged pale tabby tom with scarred hind quarters)
Icewing
(lightly-built, snowy white she-cat with brilliant blue eyes and a sharp, pointed face)
Harespring
(Missing tail tipped brown and white tom with a springy gait and green eyes)
Larkpaw
(Skinny pale brown tabby she-cat with yellow eyes and a scarred back)
Blossomfall
(Tortoiseshell and white she-cat with yellow eyes and a heavy scarred right hind leg)
Minnowtail
(Fluffy black she-cat with a white underside, deep blue eyes and a scarred muzzle)
Mousewhisker
(Grey and white tom with green eyes and a scarred tail)
Ratscar
(Fluffy brown tabby tom with green eyes and a rat bite scar on his flank)
Whiskernose
(Short furred tan tom with yellow eyes, one of which has lost function)
Pebblefoot
(Brindled grey tom with green eyes)
Heathertail
(Brown tabby she-cat with blue eyes and a fluffy tail)
Rain
(Fluffy grey tom with green eyes)
Darktail
(Lithe black and white tom with a fully black tail, blue eye, and a scarred paw)
Raven
(Sleek black she-cat with yellow eyes)
Apricot
(Large dog-fox with one remaining small hazel eye)

2 days ago | [YT] | 14

★ Lilli Thelightshadow ★

And historians will call them- MURDERERS. - Every Dashing Ashes Ship probably

2 days ago | [YT] | 8

★ Lilli Thelightshadow ★

Dark Forest Trainees AU part 9

Ivypool's POV:

Ivypool was sitting watch with Heathertail.
They sat in silence. There wasn't really even anything for them to discuss.
“Do you think the fox will be back?” Heathertail broke the silence.
“Probably.” Ivypool answered.
Heathertail nodded. “Knowing foxes, it'll keep coming back until we kill it.”
Ivypool looked up as she heard the pounding of pawsteps that announced the hunting party's return.
Blossomfall was in the lead, a large crow and a vole in her jaws. The newcomer, Raven, was right behind her with two robins. She looked extremely pleased with herself. And finally, Ratscar was so far behind them it was almost like he wasn't part of the patrol. He had two plump rabbits. The largest catch, as usual.
“Great work, you three!” Heathertail called.
Raven dropped her catch on the fresh-kill pile. “You should have seen me! I almost lost that second robin, but i leaped so high that I grabbed its leg and plucked it right out of the sky!” She sounded so excited, like an apprentice, after making their first catch.
Blossomfall nudged Raven playfully. “More like scrambled about while trying to kill it after dragging it to the ground.”
Raven huffed and stuck her tail up. “Don't pretend you could've done better!”
Ivypool purred with amusement. She was glad to see the new member fitting in so well. She'd been afraid they'd keep to themselves. And well, Rain and Darktail did. But Raven was extremely social.
“Ivypool! You're off guard duty early. Thank me later!” Breezepelt practically pushed her down into the clearing.
Ivypool just let him. “Ok, ok, I'll let you flirt with your mate!”
Breezepelt let out a snarl and stalked over to Heathertail.
Ivypool let out a purr of amusement and headed over to Minnowtail's den. It was one of the largest, the she-cat deciding to be the acting medicine cat. Or the actual medicine cat, considering there really was no reason to abide by the medicine code out here. They weren’t even a clan. How could they have a true medicine cat? Or at least that was Mousewhisker's reasoning.
Minnowtail looked up at Ivypool. “Hey!” She greeted her.
Darktail was there too, probably getting his wounds checked. He looked up at Ivypool and dipped his head respectfully. “Good afternoon, Ivypool, right?”
“Yeah.” she confirmed.
“That’s a pretty name.” he complimented. “It sounds like the kind of name’s clan cats have.” he added.
Ivypool twitched her ears awkwardly. “Oh well. . . we were clan-cats at one point.” she explained.
Darktail’s expression changed. It seemed to darken. . . it unsettled her. “That’s interesting. Why did you leave your clan or clans?” he asked.
Ivypool’s fur prickled uncomfortably. She sensed danger. But couldn’t place her paw on why. “Oh well, it's uh pretty hard to explain. But most of us were kicked out and me and Pebblefoot just followed.”
Darktail nodded and said no more.

Later that day, while Ivypool was sharing a rabbit with Blossomfall and Pebblefoot, she spotted Darktail with Raven and Rain. the three seemed to be discussing secretively. Not even an unintelligible sound could be made out.
*What are they up to?* Her fur twitched, suspicion worming beneath her.
Blossomfall curled her tail around Ivypool’s. “So how was your day?” she asked.
“Fine.” Ivypool answered plainly. “Nothing exciting happened.”
Blossomfall nodded, swiping her tongue over her jaws. “It’s been quiet for the past two days.”
Pebblefoot puffed out his chest. “Well i forced Breezepelt to learn how to swim.”
Ivypool let out a snort of laughter as she remembered Breezepelt’s shrill wails as Icewing softly coaxed him into the water. He was absolutely terrified of it. He was only even trying to swim to impress Heathertail and one up Harespring. He’d been so scared that once he’d finished, he’d retreated to the sanctuary of Heathertail’s fur. She’d assured him that he’d done great, and Breezepelt quickly recovered and was back to his usual snappy self.
*He’s such a mouse-brain.* Ivypool glanced at the black tom. He was boasting about his battle skills to Larkpaw and Heathertail, the ladder of which looked amused by the attempt.
Blossomfall rolled onto her side. “Now you’ve gotta learn, Ivypool.” she said with a teasing edge. “I do too. I guess we could learn at the same time~”
Ivypool purred, thinking she’d feel much better with Blossomfall there, too.
Pebblefoot stood up. “Well i’m gonna go talk to. Harespring. Bye!” he trotted off abruptly.
Ivypool blinked in surprise. “What’s his problem?”
“Eh. who cares?” Blossomfall nuzzled Ivypool’s flank. “Means i get more time with you~”
Ivypool could see the embarrassment in Blossomfall’s eyes with every word. She got the hint. She laid down beside Blossomfall and licked her cheek.
Blossomfall wrapped around Ivypool. Her pelt was warm, a stark contrast to the setting in weather of leaf-bare. The tortoiseshell nuzzled Ivypool’s chest and purred.

***

“It’s too cold to be up this early!” Ratscar complained.
“It’d be cold no matter how early you got up.” Darktail retorted. “There’s snow on the ground.”
“Oh shut it! You and your band of unless rats have only been here for a little more than a quarter moon!” Ratscar snapped.
“Don't talk about them like that!” Darktail’s fur fluffed out in outrage. It was the first time Ivypool had seen him look genuinely angry.
“Or what?” Ratscar challenged.
“Or i’ll use your pelt to line my nest!” Darktail spat.
Ivypool was unsure of what to do. She flashed, Icewing a glance. The white she-cat stepped between the two toms. “Enough you two. Fighting will get us nowhere.”
Darktail dipped his head. “You’re right, sorry.” his anger seemed to disappear like morning dew. Like he wasn’t really over it, just pretending to be.
Ratscar scoffed, casting Darktail a disdainful glare.
Ivypool fell into step beside Darktail. He looked briefly up at her before returning his attention to the patrol.
As they passed the spot where the newcomers had fought the fox, Ivypool checked for fresh scents. And she found them. Her claws slid out, and she opened her jaws to alert the other cats.
She was too late, a fox leaped out of a nearby tree. Ratscar whipped around, clawing its ear as he dodged it. The fox snarled furiously and lunged for Icewing, catching the tip of her tail in its yellow fangs.

4 days ago | [YT] | 10