Lionblaze sat down in what could have once been the shade of a tree. Now, the branches bare and waving back and forth due to the early winter breeze, which came and went as it pleased...The space looked unbecoming. But for once, the golden tom didn't seem to mind. He lay down lazily, lost in thought. It seemed like a while had passed, but Lionblaze was on no dawn patrol. ThunderClan was still weary from the battle that had almost taken the life of Icepaw, but it was strong. The expert skill of his brother, Jayfeather, had helped most recover. Only Squirrelflight remained, because her old wounds from a previous battle had reopened. But this part was ignored by Lionblaze.
He meditated for a while, not eager to get used to the harsh, but still fairly recent style of his life. Family had meant a lot to him as a kit, an apprentice, and maybe even in his first warrior days. He had loved to stand proudly at a Gathering, knowing he was the son of Brambleclaw, the Clan deputy. But of course, this was too good to be true.
The next gathering isn't too far off...the young warrior mused, we'll meet again, Breezepelt. You will pay for your lack of sympathy. Lionblaze smiled, imagining Breezepelt taken away by Twoleg monsters as the old Clan deputy, Graystripe, had been. Luckily, Graystripe had found his way safely back home with Millie. But in Lionblaze's thoughts, Breezepelt would not be so fortunate. Some part of him wanted to stop, what kind of noble warrior would want to wish death on another cat? Yet he couldn't help it.
The golden warrior must have fallen asleep or something, because he was saved from having to think of such things. When his eyes opened later, a cat had pinned him down and was holding on tightly. It was a blue gray she-cat, which reminded him of the description of Bluestar. All right, maybe the leader before Firestar in her youth. Earlier, Lionblaze would have chuckled to himself, but there was no time for that.
The resemblance to Bluestar ended there. The strange she-cat's eyes were a bright, mossy green. Although she did not smell like a Clan cat, her fur was sleek and it shone. Usually, Lionblaze would have muttered a threat to this invader and driven her away. But he thought she was beautiful for a rogue or a loner, simply gorgeous.
The she-cat must have read his mind, because she leaned in and whispered in his ear.
"Care to take a stroll?"
Lionblaze grinned, but somehow stopped himself. "Thank you, but no. Who are you?"
She shook her head. "You are coming with me, it is your StarClan's will and so be it."
His eyes widened. "Star Clan?"
She nodded. "Runningnose is a very special friend of mine."
"Let me up then," Lionblaze meowed. If this cat knew an old medicine cat, what harm could this walk be? The she-cat stepped back, and grudgingly let the tom regain his footing.
She showed him wonders, and led him to a cave just outside the Clan's borders. A group of kits scuffled around inside, with older cats evidently watching.
Her eyes looked into Lionblaze's own. "This can all be yours if you let it."
"Never!" the golden brown tom had never been so angry. He backed away. The cave's entrance was nearby, but he noticed that it was blocked. "What is all this?"
The blue gray she-cat's fangs sank in his spine. She was ruthless.
"Some cats call me Blue. Others call me Belly."
"I don't care!" hissed Lionblaze, struggling to get away.
"Really?" The she-cat bit harder and seemed to enjoy it. "Well, no cat has ever survived denying Bluebelly?" Now, the young warrior was, if there could be something like that, even more desperate.