Fireheart had drifted off just after dawn, tired out by the night's hunting session. He woke up to see Tigerstar glaring down at him. Sandstorm was snuggled up to him, still asleep. "You are to lead us to the badger." Tigerstar stated and without further explanation he went off to gather his badger-hunting patrol. He chose Longtail, Darkstripe, Runningwind, Willowpelt and Fireheart. Fireheart had asked if they could take Cloudpaw, his apprentice, as well. Tigerstar, of course, had ignored him and chose Swiftpaw instead. ("He can run faster." Had been Tigerstar's blunt excuse.)
The band of cats had filed out through the bramble tunnel and was heading towards Sunning Rocks when Tigerstar stopped under a tree near the Sandy Hollow to discuss how he planned to drive out the badger. "…that way, we can drive the brute out over the Riverclan border." He finished. "That's not fair!" Retorted Fireheart, "We can't set the beast upon another clan!" He exclaimed, astonished by his leader's savage attitude.
"We can if I, your leader, say we can." Tigerstar snarled back.
"No Tigerstar, that's not right. I agree with Fireheart, it would be cruel to put another clan's kits and elders at risk." Willowpelt mewed quietly.
"I agree with them too, why not just drive the badger out past the Tree-cut Place, away from clan territory?" Suggested Runningwind.
Tigerstar growled and meowed, "Let's have a little voting session then, shall we? And waste all this time?" In his spine tingling mew.
"Yes, let's." Mewed Fireheart, quickly shooting a thankful look in Willowpelt and Runningwind's direction.
"Fine!" Growled Tigerstar, "But don't blame me if our camp gets attacked by the badger whilst we're standing around figuring out which direction to drive it out in!"
Longtail and Darkstripe sniggered at this.
"Those wishing to drive the brute out towards Riverclan, which may I hasten to add, will be much quicker, please raise your tails." Tigerstar meowed. Longtail and Darkstripe raised their tails along with Tigerstar himself. "And those wishing to take it slow?" He meowed. Fireheart, Willowpelt and Runningwind rolled their eyes and raised their tails simultaneously. "Three on each side." Announced Fireheart.
"Well as leader, I shall make the final choice, we shall drive it-" Tigerstar started.
"Wait." Willowpelt interrupted, looking down out of discomfiture, "What about Swiftpaw? He hasn't cast his vote." She pointed out.
"A mere apprentice can't make the final decision!" Tigerstar scoffed.
"He's my apprentice, Tigerstar, and I think he can choose wisely enough." Mewed Longtail, clearly expecting his apprentice to take his side.
"Fine, what do you think Swiftpaw?"Scorned Tigerstar.
"I-I think that I have to agree with my father, rather than my mentor on this matter. I d-don't think that it would be okay t-t-to set the ba-ba-badger on R-Riverclan." He stammered, terrified of his leader. Runningwind, his father, looked at him with pride shining in his moss green eyes.
Tigerstar growled and looked daggers at Longtail. Longtail shrunk in fear. "That settles it then," Fireheart announced triumphantly, "We shall drive the badger towards the Tree-cut Place for the safety of all the clans!"