Return- Hawkfrost x Ivypool

Chapter Twelve

"Why can't we go together?" Nightfoot asked.

Mapleshade lied easily. "Because you'll end up somewhere you shouldn't if you do."

Swallowing horror, Hawkfrost beckoned to Nightfoot, who followed him into the trees. He could sense gazes on his back from the members of the Dark Forest. They would see if he let her go.

StarClan, forgive me! He begged silently. 

They stopped in a small clearing. "OKay, Nightfoot, look up and close your eyes. Don't move a whisker. If you feel anything, it's probably just your imagination during the journey."

She obeyed him, oblivious to his trembling. He stepped forward. "I can't do this," he whispered. 

Stars sparkled in front of him, and Spottedleaf appeared. Before he could talk, she meowed, "No one else can see me. Do not fear. I will take Nightfoot safely to the gods. They will bring her back, in a way. Do not feel bad."

With that, she faded.

That didn't really help, Hawkfrost thought. Still, he unsheathed his claws.

"What's taking so long?" Nightfoot meowed. 

Hawkfrost glared at her as she opened an eye. "I told you not to move!"

"Sorry!" She shut her eyes.

Hawkfrost was tempted to close his eyes so he didn't have to watch. Slowly, he crouched down. 

Then he pounced, throwing Nightfoot to the floor. She still didn't open her eyes, believing that she was just feeling the effects of returning home. Spottedleaf, give me strength!

Determination flooded his pelt, and he bit down on Nightfoot's throat. She loosed a choking noise, and he dug his teeth in deeper, tasting blood in his mouth. He so desperately wanted to let go...

Then she went limp. Numb, Hawkfrost stepped back from the black she-cat's body.

Spottedleaf appeared again and stared sadly at Nightfoot's body. "You'll have to do it again," she reminded him before picking up Nightfoot as if she were a kit and vanishing into thin air.

"She's right," Hawkfrost whispered, returning to the place where he had first woken. The cats that had gone to Brokenstar were gone.

Mapleshade was talking to Cloudtuft. "Longfur has returned home. Are you ready?"

"I hope you realize that I'm going to tell my Clanmates everything," he spat.

Mapleshade rolled her eyes. "Hawkfrost, you take him. And I want to watch. Talonwhisker, we'll be back."

Talonwhisker gave her a nod, and Hawkfrost took Cloudtuft to another, even smaller clearing. This time, he couldn't show regret or hesitation. If Mapleshade saw him stalling, she would become suspicious. If Hawkfrost survived the night, he could tell his Clanmates about what was happening.

Without even telling Cloudtuft to close his eyes, Hawkfrost leapt, snarling. The white tom's blue eyes widened in horror. 

Hawkfrost dug his claws into Cloudtuft's shoulders, ripping ferociously at fur and skin alike. Cloudtuft was bigger than him- which gave him plenty of new opportunities.

The white tom growled and slashed back, but Hawkfrost dodged. He couldn't afford to be wounded. Mapleshade began to creep up behind Cloudwhisker.

She suddenly lashed out, hissing, forcing Cloudtuft to turn his attention to her. The minute he had turned around, Hawkfrost hesitated for a moment, and then jumped onto his back.

He stretched his paws down and began slashing wildly at Cloudtuft's eyes. He heard the WindClan tom yowl in pain, but he kept going until Mapleshade finally sliced across their enemy's throat.

Shivering with disgust, Hawkfrost pushed Cloudtuft away, ready to let him die in the clearing. Mapleshade followed him as they returned to where Talonwhisker was waiting, his back to them.

"Do you want to do it?" Hawkfrost whispered to her, trying to get a satisfied gleam in his eye. She nodded eagerly and began to slide forward.

Just as Talonwhisker noticed the sound that Hawkfrost was trying to discreetly make, Mapleshade came flying out of the bushes.

The ThunderClan warrior darted to the side in a panic, unsheathing his claws. He panted along with Mapleshade.

Survive, Talonwhisker! Hawkfrost begged in his mind.

Before he could strike, a shape came falling out of a tree, landing on Talonwhisker and snapping his neck.

"Hey!" Mapleshade snarled at Sparrowleap. "That was my ki-"

Hawkfrost's eyes shot open. There was an empty nest next to him. That's Talonwhisker's. 

I need to tell Ivystar! Hawkfrost jolted up. Then, as he started to leave the warrior's den, a cloud grew in his mind, blocking the memory.

"Wh-what?" He asked. "What am I supposed to be doing?"

Hawkfrost looked outside. Ivystar sat in the moonlight, looking terrified. He raced out to sit next to her. "Ivystar, are you okay?" He blurted.

She looked at him sadly. "I don't know how to protect the Clan from the Dark Forest."

"So we're finally talking about that issue." Hawkfrost said, somewhat happy despite the grim topic.

Ivystar glared at him. "It's not a laughing matter, but if you think so, go back to sleep."

"No, I didn't mean it like that! I know exactly what you're feeling. I don't know how long I can keep killing cats to fool Tigerstar," he meowed.

She turned a horrified gaze on him. "What do you mean, killing cats?" Suddenly, the cloud on his mind lifted enough for him to remember what he meant.

Unable to find an excuse, Hawkfrost recounted the events of the training in the Dark Forest. When he finished, the ThunderClan leader stood up. "I need to tell Jayfeather and Leafpool and Lionblaze-"

"No! Let them sleep. You all need your rest."

"Hawkfrost, I can't do that! I don't have time!"

He stopped her. "I know you're worried. But passing out is not going to help the Clan. This can wait for morning."

"I can't do this," whispered Ivystar, sitting back down.

He stepped in front of her and gave her a serious look. "Ivystar, you might be the strongest cat I have ever met. You can do this, okay?"

She met his gaze, and then nodded solemnly.

"Get some sleep," he meowed, and returned to the warriors' den.

That's a longer one!

I am open to OCs for seriously the whole story. And I won't be super awful and picky about your OC. If they fly around and shoot rainbows, they obviously won't be fighting the Dark Forest, unless it's in Hawkfrost's dreams. If they're a crazy serial killer, they also won't directly impact the story, but they will be mentioned at some point. Please, just tell me:

Name, appearance, gender, Clan, a short description of their personality, and the side they'll be on. Also, if you want them to have a mate, you can mention that (but it's not going to be Hawkfrost) or if you don't particularly want them to die. If you don't specify, I will choose for you, meaning that your character is likely to be one who dies or that appears as a god. You never know.

You can message me privately, or just comment. I'll take anything. Probably.

Also, another thank-you to CherryfeatherWC!