Life 4:5
There was a strange new balance in the Shadowclan camp. With the downtime from training came a new realm of gossip and interactions. The cats of team one were repeatedly teased for being in the back row. While the inter team relations appeared to divide the clan in three, it also set a new precedent in terms of diligence. Every cat knew that a slip up at training could make them and the rest of their team the back row. After a few more days' training, they came to realize that their teams could only be moved to the back row or up a row, meaning that the front row was the ones most respected and receiving the most attention from Shadowclan's leadership.
Trainings changed slightly as cats fell in line and became less prone to outbursts that might make them back row material. While formation systems were taught, the most profound change was in how Blackfoot addressed the clan. He would ask the front row and back row for advice and ideas on formations. Then he'd ask the middle row to weigh the two opinions and give their thoughts on the two solutions. While middle row usually sucked up to the front row, it became clear the purpose of the dynamic. The front row maintained conservative viewpoints resisting change while the back row near always advocated for changes to near possible extremes. Then the middle row would mediate the two ideas developing a balanced solution.
Morale drastically increased in the clan as a result of these new policies. They felt important because their voice was heard. Even if both Tigerstar and Blackfoot had the ability to overrule the rows' decisions, Blackfoot usually just let their decisions go through while Tigerstar was often too busy to weigh in on the decisions. For now, the decisions were relatively small like what should the patrol sizes be and what should we primarily hunt for now. The rogues brought in during the plague were properly integrating. The few warriors that were born Shadowclan began helping their new comrades to be more Shadowclan like and were teaching them the values of the code and the forest's way of life, even if it was for the selfish reason of keeping a teammate from getting them sent to the back row. Each team was also developing its own team dynamics with one cat designated as the spokesperson per team. It made the clan feel more interconnected.
Of course, Tigerstar wasn't entirely blind to what was going on. He did notice that Shadowclan's warriors and his rogues were interacting more, which he cautiously approved of. His real worry was whether the clan was coming to learn loyalty to him or Blackfoot. He decided he needed to test them.
Training was proceeding as normal when Tigerstar revealed himself. Shadowclan was prepared for this. They'd been drilled to hold Tigerstar's new salute if he were to approach them in a formal setting. Thus, each row raised their left paw and chanted, 'The tiger watches.' Tigerstar preened at the show of loyalty, but he still wanted to pose his test.
Tigerstar knew a bit on how the new dynamic worked, so he gave the command to stop saluting. "At ease. Normally I would not come by for training, but I came to see your progress. So far, I like what I see. Each of you is to be commended for your loyalty and capability. Though, since I so rarely see these trainings, I feel the need to be cautious. I want to confirm this isn't some sort of coup against me. For that reason, I will demand a test. I wish for you all to prove your loyalty to the cause."
Tigerstar's eyes slid over the rows as he decided what the best way to test their loyalties was. Then his eyes settled on Snakepaw, a cat near universally loved by those not in the know. He knew killing the apprentice would do nothing and sow discontent, but the apprentice was also a good benchmark to test how loyal the new warriors were.
"I will be asking you to do something that seems unreasonable and amoral. Understand that this is just a test. Snakepaw has already agreed to assist on this." Tigerstar lied. Snakepaw briefly looked shocked at Tigerstar's statement but quickly hid it. Tigerstar was known to be rash and violent. Outing the lie was a good way to earn his ire.
"You all will scratch Snakepaw once. I do not care how deep or hard you do. Every one of us will. I will start." Tigerstar mewed, feigning that this was something he did not relish.
Snakepaw forced himself to keep still as Tigerstar approached. He could feel Tigerstar's hot breath on his face as Tigerstar flexed his massive claws. Tigerstar didn't plan to go all out. It was merely a show for now. Maybe later he could push it harder. For now, it'd be something light and showy. Tigerstar pointed his massive claws right at Snakepaw's right eye. Snakepaw didn't flinch, having long since overcome the reflex. Then Tigerstar flicked his paw up, leaving the tiniest scratch upon the ridge of Snakepaw's brow. There was only the tiniest trickle of blood to prove the claws even hit.
"See, that easy. Every one of you will get a turn, starting with Blackfoot." Tigerstar announced.
Blackfoot approached Snakepaw hesitantly. He didn't want to follow Tigerstar's command, but orders were orders. He also knew Tigerstar wouldn't accept anything as soft as he had done. Blackfoot needed to make a scar, but he desperately didn't want to. His eyes met Snakepaw's conveying his confliction. Snakepaw's eyes were calm, having already accepted the current situation. Pain didn't really phase Snakepaw, the only thing he really worried about was debilitating damage. Blackfoot raised his paw, eyes flicking about for a good point to hit to do the least amount of damage while still looking like the wound would be bigger. Snakepaw met his eyes once more before flicking his left ear and giving a barely perceptible nod. Blackfoot hesitated a moment more, having realized what Snakepaw had suggested and knowing it was likely the best solution. He brought his paw down, slashing the tip off of Snakepaw's left ear. Blood tricked down the now shortened ear. Blackfoot recoiled I how much damage he'd actually done. He'd miscalculated and took off more of the ear than he wished. Snakepaw seemed unphased by the wound, nodding to Blackfoot and gesturing for him to move.
Tigerstar looked pleased at Snakepaw's now mismatched ears. He didn't like the idea that Snakepaw was some kind of immortal. Nor did he like how unafraid and dismissal the apprentice was of him, as if he couldn't do any real lasting damage to the apprentice. This was his attempt at a reminder. Each row came up, and each cat gave Snakepaw a scratch. A vast majority of them copied Tigerstar, giving barely a glancing scratch. Though, there were two that went a little harder, giving him an eye watering scratch across the nose and a small nick in his right ear. Snakepaw took it in stride, not reacting at any of the hits that crossed his small form. To him, the pain was nothing new. It wasn't even in his top thirty worst experiences. Overall, Tigerstar was pleased with the results, and especially Blackfoot.
As soon as Tigerstar was out of sight, Blackfoot rushed to the apprentice, fussing over each scratch and apologizing profusely. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to take so much off. It was just supposed to be a nick or a small bit of the tip. I didn't mean to hurt you so bad." Blackfoot lamented.
Snakepaw, as calm as ever, replied. "It's ok Blackfoot. I don't hold it against you. You didn't really have any other options. I told you to do it anyways. Besides, I always thought cats who have cut or nicked ears were kind of cool. Though, I'm kind of mad at whoever decided to scratch my nose. I'm not going to be smelling anything but blood all day. What a pain." Snakepaw teasingly complained.
Blackfoot's eyes sought out the cat who'd done that. They were a cat of the front row, so Blackfoot decided to punish them. He stomped his way over to them and said one thing. "Back row." He mewed in a hostile monotone.
The first row heard his order and saw the aggression in his eyes. They scrambled to move to the back. One of them even swatted the cat who offended Blackfoot for making the deputy mad before falling in line. Blackfoot also looked for the one who nicked Snakepaw's right ear. He kept his tone monotone as he gave the cat a warning. "The only reason I'm not punishing you as well is because Snakepaw somehow thinks nicked ears look good. Despite this, I do not forgive those that take pleasure in dealing pain. Being back rowed is but a minor punishment I can inflict. Shape up or learn what I mean." He threatened before returning to fussing with Snakepaw's many scratches. Littlecloud was the medicine cat of this training and was bandaging the worst and dirtiest of Snakepaw's scratches. Unfortunately, after receiving so many, the medicine cat could only bandage the ones that were actively bleeding and open. The others would have to be ignored until Snakepaw could get to the medicine den. Blackfoot called for the end of training for the day, knowing Tigerstar's test was an ordeal for all of them. When everyone left, Blackfoot remained alone, scouring the ground for that chunk of ear he'd carved from Snakepaw's head. When he found it, he teared up a bit before respectfully burying it. It was another sin on Blackfoot's pile, another reason he was bound to the will of tyrants. He hated this, but what could he do?