To say he felt apprehensive entering BlizzardClan's territory was an understatement. He knew marching straight forward into it and to their camp was madness, so he chose the more passive route. Swirlstar lead his patrol towards the border, an uncomfortable turning within his belly making him slow once or twice. He could hear Skypool moving at his right side, leading along Brightspots with her tail carefully, instructing her on what lay before her paws and if she should move a certain way. To his left was Gingerclaw, his own nephew and a trusted warrior. He knew this tom shared the same level headedness that Swirlstar's own brother had, and the kind Swirlstar had wished he'd held when he was young.
Gingerclaw seemed even a little apprehensive himself, but Swirlstar had a feeling that Brightspots must be feeling the most. Not having of left camp for moons, and now, she suddenly would venture out into enemy territory. Despite it all, she kept a calm mask, her fur flat and even on her shoulders and hackles. Any fear that lingered within her couldn't be seen through her milky eyes nor her scent. Swirlstar knew he couldn't have chosen anyone better.
He halted at the BlizzardClan border, where the bright and bushy foliage gave downward to dark, descending pines. The sharp scent bathed the leader's tongue, and an even sharper one washed onto it as approaching cats could be heard. A patrol of three burst through the bushes without slowing. They bustled straight passed the SnowClan patrol, not even taking notice until one young tortoiseshell caught sight of them and slowed. She meowed something unintelligible to the others in her patrol, and they stalked over towards the SnowClan border.
"Why do you linger here?" She asked, voice somewhat snappy and none too friendly, much like her glittering yellow eyes. The other two behind her Swirlstar didn't quite recognize either. They all looked rather young, newly made warriors.
"I wish to speak to Oakstar."
"About what?" The instant retaliation startled the SnowClan leader. He was taken aback by her commanding attitude. Had a new deputy been appointed already? Surely not her.
"Are you deputy?" He asked. The other two muttered something to each other, and the tortoiseshell snorted, shifting on her paws. She almost seemed proud at the question, and her stiff posture lightened slightly. Just barely.
"Why? Do I seem like one? I mean, no, I'm not, but-"
"Then don't worry about what affairs I have with your leader." Swirlstar interrupted her. She blinked, her now on the surprised end of the stick, but it didn't last long. She snorted, eyes narrowing to slits.
"If you can't tell me what's going on, what makes you think I can trust my leader with you?" She snarled, back arching slightly, tail raising. The other brown tabby with her bared his teeth, his own back arching, while the white one seemed a little hesitant. Swirlstar sighed through his nose, just suppressing a snort. He figured it'd go like this, especially with young cats as hotheaded as these.
"A leader's concerns is none of his clan's unless made one." Skypool had come forth, interrupting. She was calm, yellow eyes glittering with assurance of the whole approach. The tri-colored she-cat switched her eyes over to the lamed medicine cat, fur starting to lie flat. "They are both leaders, and if they wish to share words without the knowledge of their warriors, then they have every right to do so." Hesitation lay heavy in the air, and slowly, the BlizzardClan warrior had started to relax.
"Why doesn't he come by himself, then?" She muttered, eyeing Swirlstar suspiciously, along with Gingerclaw and Brightspots.
"Would you think wise if your leader ventured to his rival clan without anyone?" Skypool prompted, tilting her head to the side. The other she-cat was silent. "I'm here to ensure that peace is kept. Medicine cats take no sides, only that of StarClan and the life teetering between their paws." At first, there was no answer. The tortoiseshell still seemed rather hesitant.
"We should… Just bring them back, Spottedsage." The white warrior said quietly, hesitantly tiptoeing forward.
"I know that." She snapped to the tom, whom flinched back with flattened ears. "I just wanted to make sure that there really was no tricky business going on. You know SnowClan, just wanting to make friends with everyone." She jeered, a sneer curling on her lips as she stepped back and turned. "Come along, then. We'll make sure you can see where you're going so you don't wrench a claw. Must be a burden, having all that sunlight."
It took all of Swirlstar's might to hold on his tongue. He knew that when he was younger, he would have retorted without a second thought, but he couldn't allow himself to stoop so low now. He simply lifted his head, chirping an order for his cats to follow as they trotted across. The two other toms flanked their sides with Spottedsage taking up the front. The further they ventured, the darker it got. Little sunlight touched the cool, pine-needle ridden ground beneath their paws. An ominous aura seemed to loom in these cats' territory.
Swirlstar didn't even notice the camp coming up before them. He probably wouldn't have, either, but he'd stopped abruptly when Spottedsage raised her tail and halted herself. Tail raised as well, his cats followed suit. "Leaftail and Fogfur, stay here and make sure they don't go anywhere." Spottedsage ordered the two other warriors, who in response bowed their heads. "I'll go get Oakstar, and see if he wants to let you into the camp." She snorted, turning and slipping inside the thorn enforced walls. Swirlstar suppressed a sigh, looking over at the white tom. His eyes weren't really focused on the SnowClan warriors before him.
"Is she always like this?" The leader prompted. Fogfur jumped slightly, mildly startled, and looked at Swirlstar. He could see the white warrior's yellow eyes try to harden, but it didn't really seem to work out.
"Yeah." He sighed, finally. "She's quite demanding. Guess who wants to be deputy?" He shrugged, a touch of humor in his voice.
"She would be good at… Commanding. She seems rather young, though. How long has she been a warrior?"
"About three moons or so. Hasn't had an apprentice, and quite frankly, I can't see her having one anytime soon." Fogfur admitted, whiskers twitching in amusement. Swirlstar chortled, muttering his own agreeance.
"What about yourself?" Fogfur seemed startled once again.
"What? Wanting to be deputy?"
"No, how long you've been a warrior."
"Oh. About the same time, give or take. Five moons though, probably at this point." Swirlstar dipped his head at his response. He seemed to be one of the more reasonable cats in the clan, and at such a young age, too.
"I have a feeling one day things may change." Swirlstar mumbled, leaving Fogfur to tip his head to the side. The sound of rustling bushes drew them both away from each other, turning to look as a black tom slid out from the camp, Spottedsage sticking close to him.
"What business do you have with Oakstar?" The tom asked, cold blue gaze scrutinizing the bunch of SnowClan cats. Swirlstar desperately groped for the tom's name. He'd seen him before, deputy of BlizzardClan. Silver stripe, dark brown underbelly… Right! Brushfang.
"We've discovered some tracks within our boundaries that shouldn't be there." Swirlstar put carefully. He didn't want to say it at all, merely for the fact that the three other warriors(specially Spottedsage) were still there, but he had a feeling the deputy wouldn't let him in otherwise. Brushfang's eyes narrowed, tail slowly swishing behind him. However, he lifted his head, raising his tail.
"Alright." He meowed, turning and slipping into camp. Spottedsage sneered faintly as Swirlstar stalked past her, following into camp after Brushfang. It seemed news of the SnowClan cats' arrivals didn't take long, for cats were out of the dens, lurking about and watching with leery eyes. The kits sat outside the nursery, one teetering close to the patrol. A queen swept them back with her tail, baring her teeth as they passed by. Swirlstar swallowed, ignoring the hostile air about the camp, and simply focused ahead. In the far confines of the camp, the true shadows, a pair of glittering pale eyes watched through slits. Finally, the cat drew himself up, strolling out. He was large, probably bigger than Swirlstar. His braken brown tabby pelt showed just through how many fights he'd been in.
He looked none to friendly. Definitely not one for a welcoming committee. His gaze was calculative as he scanned over the cats having of accompanied Swirlstar. A blind cat, a medicine cat, and a warrior. "We'll talk in my den. Alone." He rumbled, turning and sweeping into an even darker crevice of the camp. Looking over, he saw Skypool had already been approached by Rockfur, BlizzardClan medicine cat. The two touched noses, no ill will held against each other, and Skypool's golden eyes met Swirlstar's own. She dipped her head, ensuring all would be fine. The leader instinctively looked towards Brightspots, hoping to catch her eye, but realization struck him as he realized that she could not look back at him.
However, she did face towards him. Her eyes did meet his, almost if she could see him. She urged him on silently, so he turned and strode after the BlizzardClan leader. The reddish tabby tom was already settled in his nest, but remained sitting up. Swirlstar sat across from him, calming his heartbeat.
"You seem nervous, Swirlstar." The tabby mused, tipping his head to the side slightly as he observed the cat before him. Swirlstar swallowed down anything else, eyes narrowing. He couldn't look like a meek little apprentice about the receive a scolding. He was the leader of a clan, for StarClan's sake. He couldn't let another leader intimidate one, especially one that lead such a bully of a clan.
"I'm not. Just a little surprised at how nosey your warriors seemed to be." He responded. "But I'm not here to reprimand your warriors, Oakstar. I have other matters to discuss." He knew he probably didn't start off on the best paw here, and Oakstar didn't think it too amusing, either. His ears had drawn back. However, he allowed him to speak with a twitch of his tail. "Lately, BlizzardClan scent has been too far into my borders. No, it hasn't drifted over. Yes, they are hunting on our land. Just the other day we found a tree swarmed with BlizzardClan scent, and squirrel blood to follow it. There have been other incidents as well, mostly with squirrels too, it seemed."
"Are you accusing BlizzardClan of stealing your prey?" Oakstar rumbled, voice more near a hiss than anything else. Swirlstar suppressed a sigh. He had a feeling it would go like this. He knew he couldn't beat around the bush with Oakstar, however.
"Yes. We've had several incidents. I don't know whether your warriors have been doing this behind your back, or what the case is, but I won't stand for it. You have to stop it now." He pressed, sitting up more so. He held his ground, despite the intimidation Oakstar attempted to give off. The BlizzardClan leader sat up more as well, huffing.
"I believe you're mistaken. Do you blame us because of our past? Because of our strength? Our reputation?" He accused, pelt twitching with irritation.
"No, I don't. I'm not blaming anyone, I'm just pointing out facts. Look on the bigger picture of things, Oakstar; You have a big clan. It's no surprise if your warriors got bored and decided to hunt on our land." Swirlstar retorted. "However, it's an unacceptable act. You have to contain them, teach them discipline."
"My cats have more than half the 'discipline' your sniveling clan does." Oakstar snapped in response, tail lashing. "We're not an open invite, unlike your mixed, muddy clan." The leader's words surprised, and it took all of Swirlstar's might to hold his tongue and keep from lashing out at his muzzle.
"And I suppose your deputy is full BlizzardClan blood, yes?" Swirlstar sneered back. Oakstar's eyes flickered, then narrowed, and he rose to his paws. Swirlstar did as well.
"Don't you talk ill of my cats." He snarled, and that's when the marbled tabby knew he'd hit a soft spot. "Mine are more loyal than your gathering of half-breeds. They'd lay down their lives for this clan, and aren't foxhearts. We don't steal prey, and we don't certainly accuse other clans of doing it. I don't' want to hear anymore of your nonsensical talk, Swirlstar. Leave my territory immediately."
This wasn't how Swirlstar wanted this to go at all. He frowned, narrowing his own eyes, and gave a lash of his tail. He turned, stalking out of the den, and back into the main of the camp. He could hear Oakstar follow behind him. "Escort them to the border." He heard the leader bark. Spottedsage instantly took up this opportunity, and the tabby from before did as well. Fogfur returned to his original position.
"Let's go." The tortoiseshell snapped, looking mainly at Skypool, whom was chatting with Rockfur and Larkpaw. Skypool bid her farewells, striding over to the rest of the patrol. Brightspots was lead by Gingerclaw over to the patrol, and they were lead out no sooner. The journey back was quiet, and went by rather briskly, unfortunately for Brightspots. She looked to have a little trouble keeping up, sometimes slipping on pines and falling, and Leaftail would nudge her up. He'd be pushed back by Gingerclaw, but it didn't seem to do much; He was twice the orange warrior's size. Fogfur looked like he wanted to talk to Swirlstar about what happened, but he didn't dare to.
When they reached the border, Spottedsage moved to the side, allowing them to cross back over. "Let's wait until they go back. We don't want them coming back around." She meowed loudly. Swirlstar swallowed again, once more just managing to stop himself from clawing another BlizzardClan cat today. He didn't bother to argue, though, just meowed for his cats to follow him as he stalked through his territory.
He didn't speak. He was too frustrated to. He was afraid that something would come out of his jaws that he didn't intend for. The others seemed to feel his static, so they kept quiet as well. As soon as they reached camp, he stalked towards his den. "Swirlstar," He heard Brokensoul call. He barely slowed his stride. "Goldtail wants to talk to you about apprenticing her kits."
"Later." Was all he mumbled, the deputy stopping short as the leader nimbly leaped up the rocks and into his den. He settled down in his nest angrily, snorting through his nose. How dare Oakstar call his clan half bloods? Muddy? Too friendly? There was nothing wrong with training new blood. For StarClan's sake, Brushfang wasn't even any BlizzardClan blood! His parents were outlaws from two different clans. Brushfang's mother was from a tribe! How could he think his cats so trustworthy? That seemed to be the opposite of BlizzardClan reputation.
Maybe he was wrong. Maybe BlizzardClan wasn't all bad as they seemed to be. It didn't change the fact that they had been breaking the code, though! Swirlstar couldn't sit and accept the fact. He needed to do something. He didn't want to plunge into battle over a dispute like this, but if push came to shove…
He refused. He would hold strong. He needed to strengthen his cats, though. Make sure they knew what was happening. If worse came to worse, they would need to be ready for battle. He would avoid that however he could, though. Giving a lash of his tail, he stood, stalking out from the den. He climbed up onto Highledge, raising his head. "Let all cats old enough gather!" He yowled the summons into the air. Heads were raised, poked out of the den, confusion lingering in the air.
Once the clan had gathered, he began. "BlizzardClan has been stealing prey from us." The camp was a mixture of outraged and confused meows. A vast majority were silent, knowing the truth behind it, but those who'd neglected to hear of the news made no attempt to hide how they felt. "I've confronted Oakstar about this today. He denies all accusations, so we must prepare ourselves. I don't want to go into battle, but if something happens, then we might. We need all the power we can get." He looked towards the nursery, where Goldtail sat outside. "Get your kits." He meowed to her. Goldtail blinked, startled, but obliged as she turned and disappeared into the den.
Moments later she reappeared with her two kittens. They both looked hazy from sleep, but as Lionkit caught sight of Swirlstar on the rock, his eyes and body alike perked up. Poppykit seemed to realize it too, her own amber eyes stretching wide. "Come here, you two." Swirlstar leaped down from Highledge, the two apprentices bundling over to him. "Tawnysplots, you're ready for another apprentice. Poppypaw is all yours." He announced.
The rusty orange and black spotted warrior looked surprised, but masked it as he came forward, touching noses with the newly named apprentice. "Applefur, I trust in your skills to give Lionpaw a good mentorship. Train him well." He informed. A light brown tabby with darker brown patches strode forward, nervous but proud as he touched noses with the young golden apprentice.
"Lionpaw, Poppypaw!" The clan called out, but was abruptly silenced by Swirlstar raising his tail.
"Make sure if you catch any wind of BlizzardClan within the borders to report to me immediately. I want all the details." His tail twitched, and he looked at Brokensoul. "Keep patrols tight along the border. If you catch any cats in the act, I want you to bring them to camp. That means BlizzardClan border patrols are to be no less than four cats."
His clan seemed a little disarrayed at his strict attitude on the whole subject. Half appeared to be in agreement with him, tails lashing, voices obliging with his instructions. Others seemed worried, murmuring to each other while they spared glances at the camp entrance and Swirlstar himself. The leader drew himself up, waving his tail dismissively as he turned back towards his den. "Swirlstar." He halted, looking over as Brightspots trotted over to him. "Can I talk with you in your den?" She asked.
Swirlstar's tail twitched, calming slightly. He glanced over, then focused back on her. "I don't know. Can you make the climb?"
"Can I trust you to lead me?" She asked, not missing a beat. The marbled tom inhaled slightly at the question. He swallowed.
"Of- Of course." He responded, not so sure why he was tripped up from the question. "Come here." She obliged, and he lead her with his tail. He informed her of the obstacles, where to jump, where to place her paws. The climb was a bit clumsy and slow, but in the end, she made it up. Swirlstar invited her inside, moving in first to settle down in his nest. Once she seemed to realize she was inside the den, Brightspots settled down with a sigh, paws tucked under her chest.
"Um… What is it you wanted to talk with me about?" The leader was the first to venture. At first, Brightspots didn't respond. Her head was tilted towards the ground, almost as if in deep thought. The tom opened his jaw to speak again, but she beat him to it.
"I think you're making this sound a lot more urgent than it really is." She admitted finally, turning her head to him. Swirlstar slowly closed his jaws, surprised.
"What?"
"You heard me. You're making it sound like as if they've been hurting our cats." She elaborated.
"They might as well be. They're stealing prey from us, Brightspots. Our prey. On our land." He stressed. "Each piece of prey counts. With the clan growing, one piece awry could cause an uproar. Once piece could save a cat's life. We don't know when, or how, or if it'll even happen, but I don't want to take those chances."
"BlizzardClan has their own reasons." Brightspots mumbled softly, gaze trailing away towards her paws, almost as if she really was looking at them.
"Is there something you know that I don't?" Swirlstar suddenly snapped, growing steadily more irritable. "Who's side are you on? You know what they've done, their malicious ways and intents, their-"
"They did it all to save their clan. And the others." She retorted crossly, snapping her head up towards him. "Everyone has to make sacrifices in one way or another. I'm not saying it's not wrong for them to take our prey, but I'm also saying that you're pushing down too harshly on this matter. You should go about this a different way."
"Then what do you suggest?" He snorted, sitting back in his nest with a huff. When there was no immediate response, he only uttered out a, "Thought so."
"Maybe if you bring the situation to the light at the gathering it will change his mind." His ears twitched in the surprise at the suggestion.
"I thought you just said to not make it a big deal."
"Don't make it one. Simply mention to Oakstar that you won't stand anymore of it. Or… Probably all the other clans, too. Don't specifically single him out. I don't think he'd like it."
"He's not supposed to like it, though. That would be the point." Swirlstar frowned, tail swishing against the ground. "Have you… Ever been to a gathering?" He suddenly asked. He couldn't recall ever bringing her, or seeing her come with…
"Once. Seasons ago, when I was a new apprentice." Her head lifted, gaze even more distant as she focused away from Swirlstar. "After the gathering, I had gotten lost. I wandered onto FlameClan territory. I got a good lashing from one of their newer apprentices, but their deputy intervened and lead me home. I haven't been since. Haven't had a desire to go back since." She simply shrugged at the end of the statement, focusing back on her paws. There was no immediate answer from the tom.
"Would you… Like to attend this time? I'll be with you for as much of it as I can. I think it would do you good to mingle with the others." He finally meowed. He could see her stiffen, fur twitching in apprehension.
"What are you trying to say? You telling me I'm too antisocial?" She replied, a teasing tone lighting up her voice. Swirlstar let out a breath, a faint purr leaving his throat.
"Look, I'm not saying anything, but…" He joked, tail twitching from amusement.
"I think you are saying something." Brightspots chuckled, ducking her head in amusement. She pondered on his offer. Swirlstar could tell from the flexing of her toes to the mild twitches of her ears. "Well… Alright. I'll go, since you so insist."
"I do." He purred, feeling more at ease. "That, and… You'll be able to see how it won't be so easy subtly laying blame on Oakstar."
"I trust you to do your best, there. I'll be sending my good vibes towards you." She churred, the leader laughing in response. "Really, though. I know your judgement is good, but you cannot let your emotions get the best of you." She insisted, and before he could protest, she went on. "Like just now. I know you're worried for the sake of your clan, like any good leader should be, but you can't let any emotions make judgements for you."
He didn't respond once again. Deep down, a part of him knew that she was right, but there was another part that felt as if she was thinking too much into it. "Okay." Was all he said. He didn't want to argue about this anymore. He just wanted to enjoy the fact that he actually had privacy inside his den with Brightspots, as compared to in front of the entirety of the camp.
The she-cat had been apart of his life for as long as he could remember. Ever since he was an apprentice. Even a little as a kit. His bond with her had grown strong, but when he was a young warrior, he'd hardly had talked to her. He was one of the most popular amongst the clan, with more than one she-cats left padding after him. He'd never taken any of them as a mate, and deep down, he had a feeling he knew why.
Everything had stopped, however, once Gingershade had been killed. Ever since that day, Swirlstar's true destiny had been laid out in front of him. He'd sobered up from his carefree tendencies, and had to choose the path of deputy, to leader. He'd discarded all of the she-cats that he'd toyed around with to focus on his path, and had merely talked to Brightspots.
Once again, he had a feeling he knew why.
He'd never broached the subject of mates with her. She'd never seem interested in it. He didn't want to push his luck. She seemed content with being an elder, but then again, she could be merely covering her basis. Everytime he'd been tempted to broach the subject, something, or someone, would come up and his chances would be dashed. It was just them now, however. His chance.
"I'm hungry. Can we grab something to eat?" Brightspots spoke first. Swirlstar stifled a sigh, shoulders dropping. His head lowered faintly, but he stood.
"Sure. I'll lead you out." He mumbled, placing his tail over her shoulders as she rose up, shuffling back out of the den. When they'd reached the bottom of the small cliff, she trotted over to the pile, Swirlstar in tow. He could still talk to her, ask her it was important. She wouldn't say no.
"Swirlstar." The tom didn't bother to stifle his sigh this time, turning his head to Brokensoul as he bounded up. "Goldtail wants to talk about the choices you made for her kits about the apprenticeship." Brokensoul's tail tip twitched as he glanced at the queen anxiously pacing outside the warriors' den. "Now."
Maybe another time. Swirlstar thought, casting a longing glance towards Brightspots as she chose a chaffinch for herself. He looked back at his deputy, giving a nod. "Okay."