Warriors: The Changed Clan #2: Danger Rising

Chapter Three

Tigerstar let out a sigh as he entered his den. There's been so many cats with kittypet roots inside them, he thought. Why must my sons bring two kits into the camp? He paused as he saw a mottled grey cat sitting on his nest. 

"Th -- Thistleclaw?" The cat nodded, though he did not look pleased. His amber eyes were blazing like a fire as he stared at his former apprentice. "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be in the Place of no Stars mooning over Snowfur?"

"Snowfur is not part of this discussion," Thistleclaw snarled. "You know I was separated from her because of Blue. . .fur."

"Why are you even in my den?" Tigerstar demanded. "I don't recall inviting you into TigerClan's territory." 

"Tough luck," Thistleclaw replied. "I do what I please. Now -- why would you take in two kits with kittypet blood in them?"

"I am luring Fireheart closer to me and his daughters are the bait," Tigerstar replied. "Then, out of nowhere, I can swoop in like a hawk and kill Fireheart at last." 

"How will you be sure your plan won't fail like last time?" Thistleclaw asked as he began circling around Tigerstar. 

"It was your plan last time," Tigerstar replied. "As this is my own plan, I will make sure it's successful." Thistleclaw narrowed his eyes.

"But I can see it'll fail," Thistleclaw mewed. "Do you expect Fireheart to not get the message you're everywhere? He's got to be more clever than a mouse." Tigerstar gave a roll of his eyes.

"Whatever, Thistleclaw. I don't need your help anymore. You're just holding me back from my ambition."

"Yours?" Thistleclaw's voice began to raise with anger. "We are in this together -- from the day you first met me! You can't just back out like that on me, Tigerstar. I'm partly the reason you're a good fighter. Thank me for everything you've got!"

"Well, I don't need you anymore," Tigerstar replied calmly. "You're no use to me. Now go back to the Dark Forest and be alone like you're supposed to me." Thistleclaw let out a growl.

"Mark my words, Tigerstar, you will regret the day you walk out on me." At once the Dark Forest warriors' spirit began to fade from the den. Tigerstar didn't care about Thistleclaw. He meant nothing to him anymore; all he ever wanted was the skills of a true warrior and he had got that. 

All I've ever asked was for a decent leadership with all I want, Tigerstar thought. Why must RiverClan and WindClan refuse to make a cats' dream come true? They'll pay for ruining it, I'll make sure of that. . .

"Tigerstar!" Frostfur called and entered the den. Tigerstar glared at the she-cat. "Oh, sorry. Dustpelt and Brackenfur are fighting!" Tigerstar rose to his paws and barged past Frostfur. He wanted to see this fight and enjoy watching the two warriors beat each other.

As Tigerstar walked outside his den, he saw Longtail across the clearing, and the cream warrior saw him too. "Fight! Fight!" Longtail began calling. He's just encouraging them because I'm here.

Tigerstar settled himself onto the sandy ground below him, watching as claws tried hitting at pelts. I expect better fighting skills from Dustpelt. "Is that all you got, mouse-dung?" Dustpelt taunted Brackenfur. 

"Go kill him!" Spiderkit called to Dustpelt. "Shred his ears off and claw his whole pelt until it's hairless!" 

"Stop," Tigerstar sighed. The two fighting warriors didn't seem to be listening to him. "Stop it!" Dustpelt paused while Brackenfur's paw of unsheathed claws crashed onto his head. "This fight is unecessary. Go see Runningnose or else there will be no fresh-kill for you for a half moon." 

Dustpelt and Brackenfur nodded and began walking to the medicine den. Longtail joined Tigerstar's side and he wished his deputy would just keep away from him once in a while. "That fight was useless," Longtail mewed.

"Stop trying to impress me," Tigerstar told him. "You're a failure."

"How come you made me your deputy?" Longtail retorted. "You wouldn't have made me it if I was."

"Do you want Hawkfrost to replace you sooner?" Tigerstar threatened. He unsheathed his claws and held them in front of Longtail. "I can kill you right now if you wish."

"Sorry," Longtail replied quickly and dipped his head. “I’ll get out of your sight.” He began to walk swiftly away from the dark tabby and Tigerstar was glad. He finally gets it. I should have changed the warrior code ages ago! How could I have forgotten?

Tigerstar gave a mighty leap, landing on the Highrock. He turned and looked down, taking a deep breath before yowling, “All TigerClan cats gather for a Clan meeting!” When only a few cats had gathered below him, he couldn’t be bothered waiting for the whole Clan to gather.

“There will be changes in the warrior code,” Tigerstar announced. His announcement made murmurings ripple through the clearing, which annoyed him. “Silence! First, you must always attack cats from other Clans. Their territory is ours and they have no right to it.”

“What if they’re not crossing into our territory?” Brindleface questioned. “You can’t exactly attack them then.” Tigerstar looked at Brindleface, giving her a silencing glare.

“Kits will be apprentices a three moons old and the strongest may eat before the weaker cats,” Tigerstar continued. “When a cat dies, they will not be mourned for. If you get in a fight, one cat must now die in order for it to end. There will be no medicine apprentices and if there are any weak kits in a litter, they must die. If a cat is close to dying, they must be fed deathberries. Any cat who disobeys me will suffer dearly with death. Do I make myself clear?” Cats nodded to his question.

“Good. Now you can leave,” he dismissed. He watched as Squirrelkit and Leafkit hopped after Ferncloud, Shrewpaw and Spiderkit running after them. Fireheart’s kits seemed to get along with Ferncloud’s really well.

“Fireheart, Squirrelkit and Leafkit are missing!” Sandstorm’s wail filled up the barn. Fireheart blinked and began to worry.

“They should be here,” Greystripe replied. “I mean, they were sleeping with you and if they weren’t, I’d have heard them.” The cats were looking around the barn to find any traces of the two she-kits that were missing.

At once Fireheart was going to give up the search with defeat, he froze as he saw a tuft of fur. The tuft was one that belonged to a dark tabby, and at once Fireheart knew who had stolen his kits in his sleep.