"We have to prepare for war and we have to start now."
Bramblestar's voice was grim as he spoke to the cats gathered around. He hadn't announced this to the rest of the clan yet, but the ones that had accompanied him to the Gathering the night before were whispering about it already.
"Can we survive another battle, though?" Jayfeather asked skeptically.
The Medicine cat knew fully well that there was no chance of avoiding the fight with Windclan, but he was bringing up a thought the others didn't want to dwell on. Was Thunderclan strong enough to make it through this so soon after the Great Battle and then the floods?
"There are no other options. Breezestar made it quite clear that he wanted Thunderclan gone and he's got backing from the other clans."
"What do you mean?" Firefoxx tipped head to the side.
"He told them about us letting you stay with our Clan, and the other Clans have always disapproved of the charity we show to outsiders. They didn't care to listen to my explanations. That's why we have to act now, before Breezestar can convince them to fight on his side."
The Mianite crew looked horrified at this news, realizing that it was partially their fault. Meanwhile, Jayfeather and Ivypool nodded with dark eyes. There would be dire consequences if they didn't hurry. The Gathering last night had been very tense. As it turned out, Breezestar really had become leader following Onestar's death, which was apparently a mystery even to his own Clan. Windclan blamed rogues out loud, but no one had missed the accusing stares from them. It was obvious that most of the Clan thought another Clan was responsible for their leaders death. It must have been a brutal fight too, for Onestar to have lost all of his remaining lives.
Breezestar had wasted no time in announcing Thunderclan's housing of more "kittypets" and quickly stirred up the already on-edge Shadowclan and Riverclan. Mistystar was less apt to be angry at Bramblestar, but Rowanstar had been itching for a fight ever since Thunderclan had stepped in to help them with their last problem. The Thunderclan leader could only attempt to defend himself, but none of them was in the mood to listen. When the Gathering was dismissed, the other two clans left first, leaving Thunderclan and Windclan alone while they waited to cross the tree bridge. Tensions were high, and Bramblestar was sure that on any other day a fight would have broken out immediately.
As the Clans ambled about and moved to make their way back home, the new Windclan leader fell in beside Bramblestar. Static seemed to crackle like thunder between their pelts and the tabby leader had to force his fur to lie flat. Breezestar's amber eyes had narrowed with hate as he stared into his rivals eyes.
"Watch yourself, Bramblestar. The next time Thunderclan is found to have wronged Windclan, it will be one of your warriors lying on the ground with his innards spilling out, looking like half-eaten crowfood. Think of that kittypet as a warning."
Bramblestar could only stare in shock at such an open threat and Breezestar hurried after his Clan without another sound. The tabby tom was much older and larger than Breezestar, but something about the dangerous tom made him shiver. Breezestar had trained with Tigerstar and Hawkfrost in the Dark Forest and even though Bramblestar's dastardly family was finally dead once and for all, their legacy of hate lived on in the warriors they had taught. If something wasn't done fast, then Breezestar could risk destroying the Clans, just as Tigerstar had nearly done with Scourge and Bloodclan.
Bramblestar didn't repeat the threat to the cats around him, fearing that it would only discourage Jericho's friends. These cats were their key to getting rid of Dianite and probably the only hope they had at avoiding another tragedy. If they backed down, Thunderclan faced destruction.
"We'll have to start preparing immediately, and attack as soon as possible." Bramblestar's voice dropped at this point.
The Thunderclan warriors looked surprised at this and they glanced at their leader uneasily. He looked back at them, his eyes mirroring their doubt. It wasn't the most pleasant plan of action and they couldn't guarantee that it would even work.
"Breezestar is used to Thunderclan avoiding fights for the sake of peace, if we attack now he won't be expecting it. It's our best chance at winning without huge casulties."
Jayfeather, Lionblaze and Ivypool nodded grudgingly, even they couldnt argue with that logic. The Clan would be skeptical at first, but Bramblestar felt confidant that they would stand beside him when the time came. Thunderclan would prevail.
"We'll go back to explain what must be done to the others. Lionblaze, assess them and make sure they're ready to fight. If they aren't send them back to help aroumd camp. I won't lose another friend to Breezestar's brutality."
Firefoxx blinked at him with a bittersweet smile, grateful of his worry but still wishing that they'd thought to check before letting her boyfriend rush to his death. After the others left, the golden tabby fixed them all with a searching look. He was sizing them up.
"Are you prepared to face Windclan again?" He asked after a moment.
Syndicate and Sparklez nodded curtly, bit Firefoxx looked apprehensive. Was it fair to ask her to fight for a third time, after losing so much to them? Her companions flashed disappointed looks at her hesitance, but Lionblaze could understand her anxieties. The toms could use their size and strength to their advantage while fighting the scrawny Windclan cats, despite their lack of proper warrior training. Firefoxx on the other paw...she was more like a Windclan cat in stature than a Thunderclan cat. And perhaps as fast too...
"Come on, Firefoxx! Don't bitch out on them now, they've done a lot for us." Syndicate growled, shooting a glare at the she-cat.
The tension of preparing for war must have already affected the two toms, because they turned on their companion before Lionblaze could speak. The fox-colored she-cat flicked her ears back with guilt written plainly on her face, but she still hesitated. It was obvious that she didn't consider herself ready to fight trained warriors, but her friends didn't see it that way. They both wore identical looks of disappointment and contempt. They thought she was cowardly for putting her own safety first.
"Hey! Calm down you two. Forcing her to fight alongside you won't help anything, it'll only speed up her death." Lionblaze butted in, fixing them each with a stern look.
When they stepped back and stared at their paws, shame rippling through their fur, the golden tabby spoke again. "I think I have a better job for Firefoxx, anyway. How would you like to help Jayfeather and Leafpool?"
"What could I possibly do to help them?" The she-cat asked, looking bewildered.
"One of the medicine cats will come with us, for emergency care, and the other needs to stay in camp. Jayfeather is the first choice to come with us...but he's blind. He can't see which cats need help first and he doesn't know the terrain as well as he knows his own territory. He'll need someone to run in and deliver herbs, or quickly transport injured warriors to him. Extra paws are always helpful, and you're faster than our apprentices."
With this new option, Firefoxx seemed to brighten considerably. Here was a job that was important, and she could do it well...but it was also less dangerous. She wouldn't have to worry about her lack of fighting skills or strength now. It opened up a whole new path to her. After she nodded quickly to show she appreciated his offer, he moved on to testing Sparklez and Syndicate. It would be a long day...teaching these "kittypets" the fighting moves the needed for the coming days.
AN: I took it upon myself to take a break from writing since I had a three day weekend...and it turned into a week long break. But I'm back feeling more refreshed then ever and with about a million and a half ideas for one-shots. Also, I'm posting this from my phone, so if there are any mistakes let me know so I can fix them when I get home. Just three more chapters to go! :D Maybe! :D