[Deleted]

BELIEVE IN STRENGTH

Pumafang

TREECLAN - WARRIOR - 33 MOONS

It seemed like a pleasantly cool morning, and the darkness of the hollow tree where most of TreeClan resided was calming to the deputy. Pumafang felt tiredness weigh his paws down as he sauntered towards the fresh-kill pile. The tom had lead the midnight patrol along the NightClan border early this morning, and luckily all seemed uneventful. He had just finished sending off the dawn patrols within the hour, and after that he had tended to the elders to give the apprentices a head start in their training for the day.

The valley knows they needed to be as prepared as possible for the impending future.

It was a kind, quiet morning, and catching a few moments with the senior citizens lightened Pumafang's mood. They, of course, were pleased that the deputy had time to spend with them: the small group of elders loved to hear up to date news from a reliable source and delve into an endless bickering of politics, and of how the world was better when they were strapping lasses and lads.

They were kind, perhaps only slightly senile folk.

"LightningClan has moved the scentlines!"

One of the dawn patrol warriors had raced back from the border and burst through the entrance, jogging angrily up to Pumafang. The she-cat's tail lashed furiously. Cats who had easily overheard the messenger's warning began bristling. Pumafang's tail twitched in irritation as he beckoned the youth quickly, and quietly, out of camp. He needed the youth to tell Lionstar exactly what had happened. Not that there was much to state about LightningClan's cowardice in the night. The sun had barely crested the horizon and showered the forest with a cold, red light.

Red skies in the morning. Pumafang noted. He should have known the day wouldn't bring anything but bad news.

There was no doubt the dawn patrol at the Open Woods was waiting tensely at the border for further orders from their messenger.

It was a short walk, the massive tom's swaggering and ground-covering stride laced with annoyance. His eyes, although empty from an untrained glance, burned with irritation in their deepest depths. How vexing. TreeClan's deputy thought, though his mind settled as they approached their leader's den. The cats paused, relishing the calm before the storm.

"Lionstar," Pumafang rumbled flatly. "We have a situation that needs your immediate attention."

Word Count: 403
Tags: Fawn
Notes: xxx

[Fawn]

Lionstar

The crown is getting heavy
But they've written my name in the stars

What is it now? It felt like TreeClan couldn't go half a moon without something earth-shattering taking place. Lionstar rubbed his muzzle against his drowsy mate's, as much to bolster his own strength to face this newest headache as to console her that all would be well. He would, as he always did, handle it.

Leaving behind the companionable warmth of his nest in the ancient stump, Lionstar stepped out into the rays of sunlight, reddish-orange tones staining the trees and bark like a sign from StarClan. Lionstar braced himself, looking into the sharp face of his deputy and the wide-eyed, youthful face of the smaller she-cat beside him.

"Speak," he directed, tail making a small flick behind him, as if to cast aside the part of him still clinging to the hope that he could return to his nest sooner rather than later. The message the young cat had blurted upon arrival was repeated, and with a quick thank you and an even quicker 'leave us', Lionstar dismissed the warrior, leaving the two toms alone.

"I expected Firestar to act eventually," Lionstar's whitening muzzle flexed in a grimace, brow heavy. "I imagine she saw an opening, to take advantage of our strife with NightClan to weasel some territory away from us." The golden tom grunted, annoyed. "I'm inclined to let her keep it. But with a condition. If you have no objections, I want you and a pawful of calm, rational warriors to meet with Firestar. Tell her that LightningClan may have the open woods - after the next Gathering. I want TreeClan to have use of that hunting spot until the worst of the heat starts to strike."

TreeClan cats preferred coverage; the open woods was a false paradise. It was too sparsely wooded, though some woodland creatures managed to dwell there. If LightningClan wanted it so badly, they could have it. This way -- if they agreed-- TreeClan could stock up on prey, and the boldness of their neighbors would feel less like a blow to a Clan that already felt like it was limping. If LightningClan refused, however...

Lionstar considered their options, but after a short sigh, he fixed his gaze back upon Pumafang. His emotional outburst at the gathering had been his choice, and they would be seeing the consequences of that declaration soon enough. Now, however, it was time to share the burden of leadership with the deputy he'd chosen. "But first, I would like to hear your opinions, Pumafang."

I've been building up all these kingdoms for so long
It's good to be king

102 Moons || TreeClan || 414 Words || @jet

[Deleted]

BELIEVE IN STRENGTH

Pumafang

TREECLAN - WARRIOR - 33 MOONS

Pumafang felt like TreeClan was a rose between two thorns.

The chocolate black tom listened to Lionstar's plan critically, trying to stifle a spark of discomfort before it kindled to doubt. It was obvious Lionstar was catering to TreeClan's mental state, though the deputy was more concerned with the coming Leafbare. Was TreeClan to be left with no border territories at all? Pumafang couldn't remember a time when his clan was ever so inferior to their neighbors.

Lionstar wouldn't let TreeClan suffer, so what would be appetizing to Firestar about this plan? What could TreeClan offer her?

Pumafang was confused at how either clan could benefit from Lionstar's bold proposal. Greenleaf was a prosperous time, and a season or two without the Open Woods seemed fine, as long as they took it back by the time breaths began to freeze. Or perhaps Lionstar had a more ambitious alternative, standing up to the clan who was on the prowl for Brackenstride's life? Pumafang blinked, gaze flickering with curiosity before returning to an empty, amber void.

If Lionstar was planning to take back land from NightClan, perhaps having the Open Woods for another season wasn't such a bad idea.

"Is that really what's best for TreeClan?" Pumafang rumbled genuinely, his stoic form shifting to a sit. "What I mean is, how would you sell this to Firestar? If at all possible, I would like to be wholly convinced that this is best for TreeClan before I take a patrol into a rival's camp with something they may consider an empty threat. Every clan knows our conflict with NightClan. Everyone knows they are a formidable and unrelenting opponent. All I ask is, looking forward...what is in it for her, and what is in it for us? So that I may entertain her with a deal she couldn't refuse."

Pumafang's mind rushed with questions.

What if Firestar accepted? Would TreeClan take back the Open Woods from her when Leafbare showed its face, confront NightClan and take back the Deer Path, or let their rivals keep both territories in the hardest, most brutal season of all? The large, black tom felt that would not only shatter TreeClan's pride, but also weaken them into destitution.

What if Firestar declined? How would Lionstar respond, when his clan was already on high alert with NightClan? Did TreeClan have the strength to fight on two fronts, and win at least one of them? Being worn out in time for Leafbare with nothing to show for it...Pumafang's frustration leaked out only by the twitch of his tail.

He just hoped he could persuade Firestar to accept, or decline.

Whatever was best for TreeClan.

Word Count: 458
Tags: Fawn
Notes: Take two lol

[Fawn]

Lionstar

The crown is getting heavy
But they've written my name in the stars

"I don't intend to sell this to Firestar," replied the golden tom coolly. "It's a test of her temperament towards us. She's obviously feeling bold enough to take territory from us - I want to know how bold. Her leniency now will sway me to be lenient later, when she next needs a favor. It was her idea to share the open woods. Remind her that TreeClan could have refused." Pumafang was looking highly skeptical, and Lionstar could practically read the questioning retorts all over the tom's broad brown muzzle, so he added. "We will not fight a war on two fronts. TreeClan wouldn't survive. Not that we will simply roll over and let LightningClan walk all over us. However, our attentions need to remain on NightClan. Darkstar's greed for vengeance and her twisted notions of glory are only going to lead to bloodshed. We need to reclaim the Deer Path. If Firestar refuses to give us the season, then we will deal with LightningClan at another time. The Clan will not be happy to lose more territory, but better territory than lives over a piece of land that doesn't have even half the hunting potential of our wildflower meadow."

It was a sparse stretch of woods, thinning out into grassy moorlands. The Deer Path, however, was rich in forest prey and well worth the pains of battle.

Lionstar's thoughts were gathering like fog, filling up every corner of his mind until he was consumed, concentrating on the next move TreeClan needed to make. "Our Clan doesn't want a war. But I don't like the idea of being a mouse in the brush, just waiting for claws to sink into us..." The golden tom's expression grew stern, as if annoyed that he could not see into the future and anticipate further disasters. "I may visit the Moon Tree soon..." Lionstar refocused on Pumafang. "I hope your visit with LightningClann won't be a wasted trek, but I am not holding my breath for success."

Still, he believed this was the best option to take; their other choices were a messy dispute over the open woods, or simply acknowledging the scentlines without a fuss. Neither was appealing, so Lionstar went for diplomacy.

I've been building up all these kingdoms for so long
It's good to be king

102 Moons || TreeClan || 370 Words || @pumafang