Chapter 8: FearClan
Cedar glared at Lion when she had come in, her once beautiful fur scored with ragged wounds. Blood staining her brownish-gray fur. Fire was in her bright green eyes as she stalked up to her. Claws scoring the ground in frustration. They had gone to sleep early and Heather promised to let Cedar know. Shaking her head, Lion understood. There was no space for cats who can't pull their own weight.
"Who told you that you can bring strange cats here?" She snapped.
"I brought them to see you, I didn't know the hunting went sour until I got back." Lion replied in a tight mew.
"What can they even bring to this group? One is so scared she is no more than a kittypet!"
"The tom can fish." Lion answered her, holding her ground. "I don't know what the she-cat can bring but he wouldn't leave her."
"He can fish?" Heather broke in, padding up to them.
"I saw him last night fishing from the river while I was hunting. I was going to chase him off, but he escaped. He swims and everything. Almost like he has always done it."
"We should keep them, what if the she-cat can fish too?" Heather looked to the rogue leader expectantly.
Cedar was silent, her tail twitching before she meowed. "Bring the tom to me."
Lion dipped her head, "Yes, Cedar." she mewed, heading to her den to fetch the black tabby. Shadow, as he called himself, was huddled up to the dusky brown she-cat. His pale green eyes flashing to her. Lion blinked slowly, "Cedar wishes to speak with you."
Shadow nodded, rising to his paws and murmuring something to Dusk before going up to her. "Is it about if we could stay here?"
"I don't know." Lion admitted softly, "Just follow me and only speak when spoken to."
A puzzled expression was on Shadow's face, but she ignored it as she whirled around and lead him to Cedar. Despite the claw marks and bites that marred her beautiful coat, Cedar still had a deceptive beauty about her. Lion was unsure how, was it more than her fur? Was it in her eyes and unmarked face? She didn't know, but it unnerved her.
"This is Shadow." she mewed softly.
"Thank you Lion." Cedar meowed, her eyes glancing over the tom's features. "My, my she has brought back such a strong looking cat. Shadow, was it?"
Shadow nodded, "Yes."
"And you are with a she-cat, who is she?"
"My sister, Dusk."
Cedar's eyes gleamed. "Is that so? Does she hunt? Fish perhaps?"
"She hunts," he replied, seeming to be relaxed now. "I have tried to teach her to fish, but she isn't the best at it just yet."
"We can let you and her stay if you teach us to fish." Cedar meowed, trilling softly. "Of course, I would like to learn this skill first if you don't mind."
Alarm flashed through Lion. Her gaze glanced to the toms of the group, the four of them were looking to each other nervously. They knew what she was up to. Cedar had a she-cat only group and only recruited toms for herself. Any tom she couldn't control and keep for herself became beneath her.
"I would be honored to." Shadow replied, purring softly, "You look like a fast learner."
What on earth are they thinking! Is he an ally for us to have or a potential mate for her? Lion thought, looking between the two before looking to Heather whose gaze was unreadable. She would never speak out against Cedar, after all she supported her leader without question. Nonetheless, Cedar was padding away with Shadow.
"Lion, make sure his sister is comfortable. Perhaps have Reed or Falcon watch over her needs." Cedar called over her shoulder.
Lion dipped her head, glancing to Reed and Falcon. "Come with me. She's shaken so be gentle."
"I don't see why we should." the golden tabby snorted.
"What if she can be the one we can have kits with?" the brown tabby suggested.
"Only one of us can though. If that is the case you can have her."
Lion lashed her tail. "Show some respect. You know Heather and Cedar wouldn't allow her to have kits."
"Like she wouldn't allow you to?" Reed shot back.
Lion flinched, it was true. The she-cats had been forbidden to have kits. Only Heather and Cedar could and they were picky about the tom who sired their kits. It was miserable, but it was the way things were. After all, Cedar was the leader and there was nothing they could do about it.
"Whose to say she will make you leave with her or worse?" Lion snapped before sliding into her den.
The toms were silent as they followed her, probably concerned for their positions among the group. With the tensions high they wouldn't be able to survive. Their hide out among the reeds was all they had of the wilderness. If needed they would scatter back into Twoleg Place to regroup with stronger numbers. Until then, the toms had to hold their urges back as they set their eyes on the dozing she-cat.
Amber eyes glinted in the gloomy den, twinkling in the dappled sunlight that dared to shine through. Her fur was unruffled, her tail twitching as her head rose. "Is Shadow coming back?"
"He's speaking with our leader, Cedar." Lion explained, "She will allow you to stay as long as you pull your weight in hunting. These toms are Reed and Falcon. They will look after you until you feel well enough to hunt."
Dusk blinked, looking the toms over before rising to her paws. "I'd like some fresh air and maybe a bite to eat. If you two don't mind showing me around afterwards."
Lion flicked her muzzle to Dusk. "Go on. Take turns bringing her prey at her request. I will leave you two to it. I'll ask Heather if I may make them a den for themselves."
"Of course Lion." Reed meowed softly, "Falcon, you get her the prey, I'll make sure she comes outside safely."
"Very well." Falcon flicked his tail, slipping back out of the den before Lion followed him out.
The reddish-brown she-cat walked to the creamy brown she-cat who watched from the shadow of a willow tree. Her eyes glinting in the sunlight as she peered around the busy clearing. Pounce was licking at his wounds with Berry's help. Frost padding in another water vole in her jaws for Heather to inspect while Timber had a pair of mice she managed to hunt down.
She slowly joined the group, Heather collecting the prey with a sniff and a murmur. Lion blinked as the two she-cats went to Moth, probably telling him to go and hunt next. Flicking her tail in greeting she dipped her head to Heather.
"What do you come here for now, Lion?" the she-cat hissed.
She answered, "I was hoping I could make a den for Dusk and Shadow."
"Why don't we wait, you could use a denmate." Heather replied with a growl.
Lion blinked, "I prefer to have my own space."
"Then Dusk can make her own den and nest, like the rest of us."
"Cedar has appointed Reed and Falcon to her." she reminded Heather bravely.
Heather narrowed her eyes, claws unsheathing. "Then they can handle her affairs not, you she-cat."
Taking the hint, Lion dipped her head. "Very well, Heather." She turned and padded back to her den, roughly brushing against Dusk to squeeze back into her den.
"Well, you could say excuse me!" Dusk grumbled.
"Don't mind her, Lion is always trouble." Reed meowed.
"Yeah, she questions the higher ranking cats more than any cat here." Falcon mewed, dropping prey for Dusk.
Lion snorted, flopping onto her nest. She curled up to relaxed, imagining the river to greet her again. It calmed her like always as she ignored the gossip about her. It wasn't her problem if Dusk believed their tales. All she cared about was living the way she wanted even under the watchful eyes of Heather and the others around her. She could only wonder what Cedar was up to with Shadow. Was she converting him to believe everything she did and her story on how things were?
It wouldn't be the first time. After all, that was how all toms joined the group. Tricked into joining a raging war that had been happening for many seasons and moons. Another tom pulled into the rushing current of Cedar's wishes was nothing out of the ordinary for her. Wrapping her tail around her nose, she relaxed to wait for when Heather decided to send her out for hunting.
Author Note:
I should consider writing the history of BushClan and FearClan at this rate to flesh this war better. Maybe a series with Bushstar as the protag in the future?