Life 4:6
Seeing all the progress Snakepaw was making on Shadowclan's warriors, Tigerstar decided to take the apprentice along to his next negotiations wish Riverclan. After all, he knew Snakepaw and Leopardstar had been close. On top of that, Shadowclan was starting to regard the apprentice as an amazing source of insight. Tigerstar wanted to leverage the apprentice for all that he was worth.
The sun was half up when Tigerstar and Snakepaw reached the Riverclan camp. Accompanying the two were two of Tigerstar's hand picked rogues, widely considered Tigerstar's enforcers. The enforcers hung back as Snakepaw and Tigerstar moved forward to greet Leopardstar and her deputy Mistyfoot.
"I greet you kindly." Tigerstar mewed formally.
"I greet you as well." Leopardstar answered with equal formality.
"May we enter your camp to discuss our alliance?" Tigerstar pressed.
"Yes. I, Leopardstar, invite you into our camp" Leopardstar answered in kind.
Tigerstar's enforcers remained behind outside of camp to keep watch while the negotiations occurred. It would just be Tigerstar and Snakepaw who'd join the chats. Tigerstar was far more clever than most cats gave him credit for. He did not miss how Leopardstar's eyes had locked onto Snakepaw and his scars. More importantly, he did not miss the flash of anger when Leopardstar saw Snakepaw's ear. A wicked smile flickered across his muzzle at the sight. He already figured out Leopardstar was far too invested in Snakepaw's wellbeing, which he planned to take every advantage of.
Things began simple enough with Tigerstar, Snakepaw, Leopardstar, and Mistyfoot gathered in the leader's den for a private conversation. There was clear tension within the den between Leopardstar and Tigerstar, but neither wanted to be the one to break the alliance first. Mistyfoot was the one to break the silence.
"So, that brings you here Tigerstar? We've already accepted the alliance. Are you planning to make a move?" She queried.
Tigerstar flicked his tail dismissively. "Circumstances have changed. I've gotten word that the cats of the Twoleg Place are amassing something that could rival the forest. Clans alone will not stand should they turn their attention on us. It could become a case that we either unite or die, but I see this as an opportunity. Imagine how powerful we could all be if we were united in purpose instead of squabbling among each other. No more border issues. No more meaningless deaths from battles over a few tail lengths of land. Sickness and starvation will lessen when we all work together and pool resources. Can you imagine a Leafbare where Riverclan does not go hungry because the river froze? Can you imagine Shadowclan not struggling with sickness because more medicine is available? Yes, we shouldn't lose our identities as River, Shadow, Wind, and Thunder, but maybe its time we come together under one rule. Then even the Twolegs might come to fear our presence." Tigerstar propagandized.
While Leopardstar looked interested, Snakepaw couldn't help remembering the many before who made such promises. A bottomless freshkill pile. A possibility to never be sick again. They never really panned out. There'd always be complications, usually with the effect being the exact opposite of the promise. While Snakepaw would have loved to speak up, he knew it wasn't his place. She was Shadowclan. Leopardstar was the one who had control. He'd have to trust her judgement. Even if she accepted, Snakepaw knew she'd likely have an understanding of the drawbacks of such a union.
After a moment, Leopardstar came to an answer. "Fine. I will accept this union as long as we are both considered equals in this union. If Shadowclan can remain in its own borders, we'll have to put less resources towards patrolling it. I'll save my final judgement until I see how this unification goes." She mewed in an aloof but interested manner.
"Very good. I'll see about sending some Shadowclan cats your way and you can send some of yours to Shadowclan so we can both keep a presence in each other's camps. Keeping to the theme of our alliance, I suggest we name the union Tigerclan. Though, I do have some of my own doubts towards this union myself. As you probably can tell, I'm not too fond of Thunderclan at the moment. I'd prefer to keep ourselves away from them for now, but I have some doubts about your clan's ability to remain against Thunderclan given that you've got four cats of Thunderclan descent in your camp." Tigerstar mewed alluding to Bluestar's kits as well as Graystripe's kits.
Snakepaw decided to act in this moment. He whispered into Tigerstar's ear so Leopardstar and Mistyfoot couldn't hear what he said. "Can I talk to you a moment? I'd like to give you some ideas on what to do with those four." He tempted, which intrigued Tigerstar.
Tigerstar nodded, making a show of how he listened to Snakepaw, knowing that Leopardstar had a very high opinion of the apprentice. "Of course. Give us a moment Leopardstar. Snakepaw informed me of something important."
Tigerstar let the apprentice guide him out before dropping his façade. "You better have had a good reason for that. I was just about to get Leopardstar to deal with those loathsome cats." He rumbled.
Snakepaw did not flinch in the slightest. He'd been growled at by many cats, some of which had taken pleasure in trying to elicit a reaction by any means. Tigerstar simply did not hold a candle to them. Instead, he simply nodded.
"I know this isn't really about them being interclan kits. This is about Bluestar, isn't it?" Snakepaw pressed.
Tigerstar knew Snakepaw saw right through him, but he wasn't shying away or decrying him. Maybe the strange immortal was more willing to go along with his plans than he thought. It couldn't hurt to humor the apprentice. "Fine. What would you do with those two in my position since it is clear you disagree with how I want revenge."
Snakepaw looked skyward, as if pondering philosophy as he gave an answer. "Revenge is like the finest of prey, succulent and fatty. At some point or another, we all crave it. The real question is how do we get it. While murder is a viable answer, it is often a short one that only feeds you a most tantalizing morsel. I offer an answer that could extend its taste at the cost of being slightly less intense. Your revenge is based upon Bluestar. You wish to spite her and punish her from beyond the grave. While killing her family would make you happy, it would be fast and less anguish inducing than you'd think. Instead, imagine if you swayed them to your side. How much would that really hurt her to know her kits sided with the one she hated most? Instead of denouncing them as a case of heretical mixed blood, lean into it. Call them proof that we were always meant to be unified. Encourage interclan couples between Shadowclan and Riverclan. They could be your proof and symbol that your plan will work, whether they like it or not. Does that not taste like a savory revenge?"
Tigerstar could already see it, the anguish in Bluestar's eyes as her kits betrayed her. It was exactly as Snakepaw described, savory and rich. While his claws itched for blood, this made his mouth water with want. Who could argue against him? The only ones who'd really try and top him were the ones he'd be pushing into the forefront. He'd even get the chance to drag Bluestar's name through he mud all the while making it seem like she'd have endorsed him. It was perfect. Tigerstar grinned an evil grin before nodding at Snakepaw.
"You are far more intelligent than I thought. You see what I see, a future where I truly rule. I see that your pledge to me was not just a meaningless platitude. Of course, if you continue to serve me well you will be rewarded. Even though I know you gave me the suggestion just to save those four's lives, I can appreciate a cat who seeks my favor. I will take your suggestion and go with it. Tigerclan, the great unity of the clans. I can already taste it." Tigerstar mewed as if bragging about something that already happened.
Snakepaw couldn't help but repress a shudder. He didn't know if what he did was wise, but to him, saving even one life was worth it if he could do so. The question was if he really saved them or condemned them. He did not know.