Ivyshade's story

Branch's POV

It was chilly, the clouds were becoming gray and the trees were leaning due to the wind picking up. A brown tabby frantically bolted through the woods. Where is she? Where is she? The tom thought. He skidded to a halt when he reached a clearing. A white she-cat lay with a newborn kit. "They came- or its only one," he said, purring faintly. His heart sank a little when he saw that his mate looked weak. "Ivy, are you okay?" The tom padded close and leaned down to lick her head. The white she-cat lifted her head, ignoring the tom's question.
"It's a she-kit. Isn't she so lovely, Branch? She looks just like you!"  Ivy rasped. Branch looked at the little kit. It did. She was a brown tabby with a lot of white. "More like a mix between us," he commented, his purring growing louder. "You will have to name her. I wont be here to name her," Ivy mewed, her voice sounding very weak. It was then Branch noticed it seemed like his mate had lost a lot of blood. "Wh-what!? No! You will survive this! Our kit must have a mother!" Branch's purring completely stopped. Ivy shook her head, then laying it down. "It will be o-okay," she reassured her mate. Branch looked at his newborn. How could his kit survive without a mother?
Branch looked back at his mate. Her belly didnt move at all. No! She cant be gone! Not yet! What about our kit?
He could feel his heart shatter. He wanted to sit here and grieve, but he had to get this kit a she-cat who can take care of her as soon as possible.

    Branch had ran all the way over to the twoleg place, his kit in his jaws. He found one of his friends, Lillian, kittypet. Branch showed her his new little one. "I am sorry, Branch. I cant take her. I've tried to help another friend's kit before, but my housefolks just took the kit away as soon as i brought the little one back. I dont think you want that to happen, do you?" Lillian mewed. Branch's heart sank. "The only other she-cat I know that is around here is Meg, maybe she can help?"
Branch nodded and ran off without another word.

"Take care of this little one?" Meg, another kittypet grinned softly at the tabby kit. Branch smiled hopefully. Meg's grin faded. "Oh Branch. I am old. I have raised many litters of kits, and I'm not sure I can take care of another. Nor do i think my housefolk would like to have yet another kitten to take care of," Meg said sadly. At this point Branch had lost hope. But when Meg saw the devastated look in the tom's eyes, she had another idea. "You know, there are a group of wild cats that live in the forest. I know I know, doesnt sound very nice. But I have met a couple of these wild cats. They have great shelter, they help each other out, they have great hunters to provide food, and great fighters to defend the kits from danger. Maybe you should take your kit there?"  She suggested. Branch hesitated. Did he really want his daughter to live with wild cats? It's my last hope. You must take the risk. He nodded, and thanked the older she-cat.

Meg had explained where to find these wild cats, so Branch set off back into the forest. It was not long before he came across another cat. A golden tom with a stern look. "What are you doing on ThunderClan territory?" The tom growled. "M-My name is Branch. I n-need help.
My mate died giving birth to this little one. She needs a nice home where she can be safe. Can you take her?" Branch asked.

Leopardclaw's POV

Leopardclaw's pelt prickled. This loner had just wandered over the border like it wasn't there! But the answer that followed the deputy's demand shocked him. His eyes trailed down to the tiny she-kit in the trespasser's jaws. It was mewling non-stop.This kit has no mother? Leopardclaw looked back up at Branch's grieving eyes. How could he possibly deny this helpless kit? It was apart of warrior code that a warrior must always help a kit in need even if that kit was not apart of your clan. Not to mention, Leopardclaw was also born to loners and taken into ThunderClan. "Yes, I will take her. What if her name?" Branch hesitated. It almost looked as if he hadn't thought it through yet. Finally he said "Ivy."

Leopardclaw padded back to camp, little Ivy in his jaws. His mate, Lichenfang, had just given birth to his kits today. Leopardclaw wouldn't mind another kit in his newest litter, and he was sure Lichenfang wouldn't mind either. When he reached the entrance to ThunderClan camp, he stopped for a moment and looked down at his new adopted kit. "Your name will be Ivykit. I was once just like you, and I know you will make a great warrior one day."