Blood rushed in Ivystem's ears, and her heart raced. This battle was intense, the cats surrounding her screeched, all of the noise seemed to fade as she focused on her target, a large white tom, circled around her brother, Rainfoot, growling ominously. Ivystem felt confident and charged the tom, expecting her superior speed to make this an easy fight. She flung herself under him raking his underbelly with her sharp claws, he swung at her his bulky foot knocking her back. But, Ivystem wouldn't give up, she rushed him again, but this time he was ready, they screeched and clawed at each other, becoming a blur of fur, but they didn't notice they were nearing the bank of the river, they separated for a second before the tom charged and knocked her into the river. Realising his mistake he plunged in after her and sunk his teeth into her scruff, but the current was too strong, and he was forced to abandon her to save himself. The tom swam to the opposite bank, his sides heaving and head down. Ivystem had stopped fighting and her body began to sink. With her head under water the roar of the battle ceased. Calm washed over her, she knew it was her time. She let the water lull her to sleep.

Ivystem woke up. She felt warmth swarm around her and as she looked at her paws they seemed different. A rush of serenity came to her as the events before her death fluttered in her mind. She didn't feel mournful, even though she got the feeling she should. Ivystem just knew that this was meant to happen. She felt a stab of grief though for her clanmates, she was not the only life lost in the battle. The turmoil of life, seemed so petty and far away from her now. The ones death had taken from her came back to mind, her loved ones were no longer lost.

After that thought crossed her mind, her heart ached to see, Thornwhisker, her beloved mate. She began to look for him, and as she was ready to give up he appeared. "Ivystem I've missed you" his voice rang out and Ivystem purred, "Oh Thornwhisker, I love you so much." They curled up next to each other and talked of their adventures without each other. Soon they fell asleep purring with content.

Ivystem woke up still next to Thornwhisker. Stretching slowly she let out a satisfied 'merow'. Thornwhisker woke up and stood beside her. "Would you like to see your clanmates with me?" He commented. "I would love that." she purred. They set off towards a forested area with shady spots for lay. Hawkheart, a Thunderclan warrior, looked over his shoulder. "Ivystem," he meowed, "it's great to see you." She walked up to him, "Hawkheart, it's great to see you too!" She licked his shoulder in respect. Relishing the sound of his voice she politely nodded and continued on.

Ivystem sat by a stream her fur brushing against Thornwhisker's. A scent drifted towards her nose, could it be? A nearby bush rustled and out padded Littlepaw. "Oh, Littlepaw!" Ivystem exclaimed. She ran up to her, purring. It was stunning to see her former apprentice. They touched noses and Ivystem began to release a thought that had weighed so heavily on her chest. "It hurt so much to lose you." The sentiment pricked her heart with another wave of mourning. Littlepaw had been so young. "Littlepaw!" A young StarClan apprentice called. "Goodbye, Ivystem" Littlepaw wished and padded off to join her friend.

Thornwhisker and Ivystem had settled by the cool stream to eat some fresh-kill they had caught earlier. Thornwhisker nibbled at a trout he caught and Ivystem, a small robin. Her mate offered her a bite so she reluctantly bit off a small fragment of the fish. It was chewy, and not surprisingly, tasted fishy. "I'll stick to the robin." She teased. "You never were adventurous when it comes to food" Thornwhisker remarked. "Very true." She agreed. As they finished up they strolled along the sandy banks. The soft pale sand felt good underneath her pads. "Lionstar!" Her mate called out to a tawny tom who was letting his tail hang drowzily from a low branch. He quickly scrambled down to greet her. "Ivystem, I'm sorry to hear of your passing." He apologized. "It's okay, it was bound to happen." she lamented. Thornwhisker piped in, but as they chatted Ivystem spotted a sleek figure by the river.

"Riversong" she whispered. Almost as if the gray she-cat had heard her, her head turned. Ivystem couldn't look away as their eyes locked. Lionstar and Thornwhisker's conversation was cut off as they noticed her stare. "Ivystem?" Thornwhisker questioned. She jerked away from the once RiverClan cat. "I killed her." She gasped. "What are you talking about?" He asked, concerned. "The battle with RiverClan, by sunning rocks," Ivystem faltered, "her death is my fault."

She couldn't help but remember the death. Cold leaf-fall winds buffeted at Ivystem's thick gray fur. A skinny brown apprentice entered the camp, out of breath, "RiverClan attacked a patrol at sunning rocks!" he squeaked. Fireclaw the deputy stood and she announced, "Shadepelt, Sagetail, Stripepaw Thrushstripe, Addernose, Rainfoot, Ivystem, and Blackheart come with me!" The patrol followed her swiftly navigating the chilly forest and undergrowth. They finally arrived by the river where the ThunderClan patrol was vastly outnumbered by the RiverClan cats. Ivystem began to attack a black she-cat. She pounced on the smaller cat her weight toppling the RiverClan cat. In retaliation the tom tried to bat at her face with unsheathed claws. Ivystem avoided them and nimbley struck out landing solid blows on his shoulders. They continued to tussle until the smaller cat backed out clearly outmatched. Triumphant, Ivystem, hurried to help Stripepaw who was taking on a sleek RiverClan she-cat. She distracted the gray cat with a few nasty scratches on her ears. The she-cat turned to face her larger opponent and lashed out with quick blows that temporarily stunned Ivystem. Another swift slash left Ivystem gasping for air. As the strikes continued to buffet her pelt she started to fight, for her life. Her slashes were stronger and her claws felt sharper. But the RiverClan cat did not back down. They were locked in a match of screeching and claws. Ivystem didn't notice the she-cat begging to slow, but when she paused the gray cat was struggling to breath. Blood was spattered over the entire clearing, and most of it came from her opponent. Ivystem began to panic. "Stay strong, don't die." she begged. She didn't listen, her eyes were glassy and her breath slowly faded away.

Ivystem's paws burned with panic. Her paws stepped forward, as if she had no control over them. She stopped when she stood in front of Ripplesong. "I'm sorry." she whimpered. The elegant StarClan cat dipped her head, "I forgave you long ago." Guilt that had burdened Ivystem for moons was released. "Thank you." She whispered.

I started this like a year ago and now I've finished it. Where's my gold star?
Hope you enjoyed.