Fireheart & Cinderpelt/Sandstorm

9

  Tigerclaw paced around the warriors den, his pawsteps giving off a resounding echo. His next step for his plan was risky but if it pulled off he could claim his revenge on a few cats...

Darkstripe slipped into the den, eyes glinting in the gathering darkness. Tigerclaw snarled, his stress getting to him.

"Tigerclaw? Is everything alright?"

"No. Nothing is going according to plan. Who's fault do you think that is?"

"Yours," Darkstripe muttered under his breath. Tigerclaw looked at him sharply, lips beginning to curl back in a snarl.

"What did you say?"

"Nothing." Darkstripe scraped at this nest, trying to make it a little more comfortable.

Tigerclaw narrowed his eyes. "I make plans, I execute my plans, but everyone else always seems to ruin them." He dug his claws into the dirt, shredding some moss along with it.

"Cinderpaw-"

"She cannot be used anymore, Darkstripe."

"Maybe she can be used, Tigerclaw." Darkstripe's eyes reflected the moon, glinting in the dark. Tigerclaw felt a pleasant shiver as he quickly latched on to the idea.

"What're you trying to say?" He sheathed his claws, ears pricking forward.

"You want to get rid of Fireheart first before the big plan, right?"

Tigerclaw flattened his ears. Even the thought of Fireheart made his lips curl. "Of course. So?"

Darkstripe's eyes seemed to smile, and he turned around, walking out of the den as a reply.

Excitement ran down Tigerclaw's spine, adrenaline coursing through him. At long last Darkstripe shows a purpose. I might not have to dispose of him just yet. Standing, he followed Darkstripe out of the den, his shadow still overshadowing the smaller warrior in front as they headed to the medicine den.

Fireheart stepped out from the den just then, his eyes narrowing as he caught sight of the two formidable warriors approaching. "Tigerclaw, Darkstripe." Fireheart greeted coldly. "Have you come to see Cinderpaw?"

Tigerclaw quickened his pace, stepping in front of Darkstripe and answering the question first. Darkstripe stepped back, irritation and slight jealousy flicking in his eyes, but he suppressed it before Tigerclaw saw. Fireheart didn't miss it though.

"We have. Is she alright?"

"She's fine." Fireheart didn't elaborate, his stance firm and strong as he blocked the way to the medicine den. Tigerclaw flicked his tail.

"Are you stopping us from going to meet our clanmate?" Tigerclaw's voice was tainted in faint amusement, his body relaxed and eyes mocking.

"She's sleeping. I don't want anyone to disturb her."

Tigerclaw purred. "It's funny how you only care about her now. Isn't that right, Darkstripe?" He turned his head slightly, pinning the smaller warrior in his gaze. His eyes hardened.

Darkstripe purred, "He's right, you know." His statement was targeted at Fireheart. Seeing the confused expression on his face, Darkstripe continued, "Why do you think Cinderpaw went to the thunderpath that day? To please you, of course. It's your fault she ended up this way." He stepped closer, yellow eyes seeming to cut straight into Fireheart's soul.

"Stop pretending you care about her now, Fireheart. Only after the accident happened." Tigerclaw was now sitting back, tail curled comfortably around his body.

Fireheart felt a slight shiver at how he said the word accident. "I told Cinderpaw not to go that day."

"But she still went. Always trying to please you, that one." Darkstripe purred, claws tracing a small circle on the ground.

"I wasn't the one who slashed her cheek," Fireheart's voice grew a bit more defensive. Tigerclaw's ears twitched in annoyance.

"Didn't she tell you? She slashed it herself - on her way to the Thunderpath."

Darkstripe stepped closer, his nose almost touching Fireheart's. "I think you lost this fight, Fireheart. We're only caring for Cinderpaw in a way you didn't - and can never do."

"I didn't abandon her. You call caring for her as abandoning her?" Fireheart snarled, claws digging into the ground in frustration.

Yellowfang stepped out of the den, eyes flashing in annoyance and anger. "Carry your fight elsewhere. I want to get some sleep."

Fireheart whipped around, "Did you hear them? Did you-"

Yellowfang snapped, "I don't want to know, Fireheart. It's in the middle of the night and you're causing a ruckus. Visit Cinderpaw, or leave." She addressed this to Tigerclaw and Darkstripe, fur bristling.

"We're visiting Cinderpaw. Except there was this mousebrain blocking the way and causing such a... ruckus." Yellowfang didn't miss the mocking tone in his voice.

"You may think you're deputy, but you do not hold any power over me." Yellowfang growled. Then she disappeared into the den. Tigerclaw immediately felt a touch of hatred as he watched the old she-cat disappear into the shadows of the medicine den. You're wrong. You will beg for my mercy when the time comes. It's almost pathetic, he thought. Just another foolish cat to get rid of.

Darkstripe walked into the den, disappearing after her. Fireheart was visibly shaking in anger, a low growl still rumbling as Tigerclaw shoved his way past him. His bigger, stronger frame pushed Fireheart aside. "This isn't over, kittypet."

Author's Note:

I didn't notice I hadn't updated in such a long time:( I'm sorry for the long wait, buut hopefully I'll be able to upload a few more soon! :) still have tons of work to do even though I currently have a break :") 

Such a short chapter bUt the tension is building \0/ Who's side are you on? Cinderpaw or Sandstorm? What do you think Darkstripe planned to do? >.<

~Jayhow