She looked out at her clan from the entrance to her den. A group of apprentices were tossing a vole back and forth, their claws leaving red streaks in the fresh kill. The warriors were sharing tongues, lounging in the sun that warmed the pebbly ground of the camp. She searched further, looking for Sootheart so he could help some of the youngest warriors with their newly reopened wounds. She finally found him as he was walking back into the camp. She caught his eye and flicked her tail towards her den.
"Where were you?" She asked, a question in her eyes.
"I was just out for a walk," He said calmly.
"Cats need you." She hissed. "Don't shirk your duties Sootheart."
"It won't happen again Emberstar," He promised.
"Good. Now, go attend to some of the younger warriors, they have reopened their wounds."
"I'll see to them." He bowed his head and left the den. Mange ridden excuse for a cat. Her tail lashed. It seemed Sootheart was always trying to get away from the clan. The past few moons he has been more on edge and had been going on walks instead of doing his duty to the clan, he didn't even celebrate with them when they took over some of Waterclan's territory.
She stepped outside her den and padded across to where the warriors were all lying around.
"Snakeheart." The thin gray warrior looked up from where he was talking with Spottedshadow, and with a twinge of disgust, Emberstar saw Spottedshadow's tail curl. She pulled her lips back from her teeth and glared at the black and red tom, before turning to Snakeheart. "I want you to keep an eye on Sootheart. I'm concerned he has higher priorities than his clan, and there is no room in Fireclan for traitors. I need to know if he lives outside the warrior code before it's too late."
"As you wish, Emberstar." He bowed his head, his voice cold. As Emberstar padded away, she heard him sneer at Spottedshadow. "She doesn't even talk to you boy. What are you doing? You don't stand a chance."
"Shut up!" Spottedshadow snarled, and Emberstar heard the distinctive sound of fur being torn and smelled the metallic tang of blood. Let them fight. They needed the energy for their next battle. She planned to invade Airclan next. Though their wings gave them an advantage, they were small and their bones were fragile, and no other clan fought with the viciousness and fearlessness of Fireclan.
