Hawkstar strode briskly through the autumn woods, his footsteps chased by little leaves carried by a cool wind. The faintest hint of the harsh winter to come lingered in the crisp air as it rattled the dead branches overhead, underwritten by the scurrying of prey here and there preparing their burrows for a long sleep. The ThunderClan Leader took no notice, for his mind was elsewhere.
Why had Firestar requested this meeting? The question had remained with him ever since that envoy had arrived in their camp. He’d wanted to rip their whiskers off, but it was hardly their fault. The whole subject just raised his hackles, as well it should after all that had happened between their families.
It couldn’t be about Oceanstorm, he thought. That whole mess was as dead and buried as it was possible to be by this point, though the rumor mill still liked to dig it up occasionally. It was hard to forget a covered up murder between two Clans, even if it hadn’t been revealed by twin imposters wearing false skins.
A squirrel shot across his path, too abruptly for him to take any action, though it stoked his mind making him wonder if this was about food. The upcoming winter had everyone worried, but surely Firestar knew better than to come to him for help.
He finally arrived at the meeting place, no closer to guessing its reason than when he had started out, shouldering his way into a clearing that revealed the regal looking Leader of SkyClan. Great orange brute, Hawkstar thought derisively, as he sat himself down in front of Firestar.
“Greetings, Firestar. To what do I owe...this?” He’d started out intending to say ‘to what do I owe this pleasure’ but they both knew it certainly wasn’t one. May as well act like adults.
Firestar |The Courageous Lion of Skyclan|
Eyes narrowing as he takes in the mocking tone of Hawkstar, the Skyclan Leader could sense that the black feline would not see to reason. Pursing his lips as he notes the reference to twolegs, not being able to comprehend the meaning irked Firestar but he could deduce enough from Hawkstar’s tone that it certainly was not what he was aiming for. ”Borrow…share. Either would suffice, I would not be here if it was not dire” Fire huffs out as he shoves his pride to the side to break through to Hawkstar.
Yet, he pauses at the mention of his murderous son. Blinking slowly in surprise before anger flares within his ember and emerald eyes. Lips pulling back in a snarl as he regards Hawkstar, ”Father of a murder? Why doesn’t that seem familiar Hawkstar? You must be looking in your reflection” he mocks with a harsh grin as he takes a step forward. ”We are both parents of murders, you spineless hypocrite! I was the one who took your daughter in when you allowed yourself to be possessed, I am the one who brought you back to the land of the living! I am the one who put a stop to the war! Do not patronize me!” he snarls loudly as his voice echos in the clearing.
He knew he was letting his temper get the best of him, the inferno within blazing heatedly with no way to quell the flame. ”We may not see eye to eye but we both care for our clan. When I give my word I stick to it. It is only temporary until the woods in Skyclan come to life again” he frustratedly explains, pacing back and forth as the anger flickered dangerously within the large ginger tabby Maine Coon. Yet, all reason and rationality dissipates within Firestar’s jumbled mind at the sly taunt in regard to Firestar’s mate and kits. ’This cocky bastard! Thinks he can disrespect Auroraskies so casually!’ seething as he watches Hawkstar slowly rise to his nimble paws, ready to take leave.
An angered smirk forms on Firestar’s deranged features as he swiftly lunged for the smaller male while Hawkstar’s back was turned. Using his large bulky form to press firmly into the dark tom, his large paw grasping harshly at the back of Hawkstar’s neck as he shoves him face first into the ground. Amusement glittering in his eyes briefly at watching Hawkstar eat dirt before lowering his head to whisper darkly. ”You may ridicule me, but keep my mate and kits out of your filthy mouth! At least I am loyal to my mate and care unconditionally for my kits…can you say the same?” he mocks as he puts more pressure on Hawkstar’s neck, warning him not to struggle. ”Just remember Hawkstar….I asked nicely and I only do that once” he growls softly before shoving Hawkstar once more before stalking away, his eyes glowing in pure rage and malice. He knew what he needed to do for his kin.
“Oh? You want to “borrow” ThunderClan land? Like a twoleg borrows a bag of sugar?” He smirked, suspecting that the metaphor probably went over the fat head of the tom. It was hardly a mark against Firestar if he didn’t grasp it, but knowing something the other Leader didn’t made Hawkstar feel smug.
“And I supposed to, what, trust the father of a killer that you’ll just give it back when you’re done?” All humor dissipated instantly as he invoked their shared bloody history. There could be be jokes from either of them on it.
“Do you truly doubt that ThunderClan needs this land as much as you do? Perhaps it would have been better to have slept in separate nests from your mate, might have fewer mouths to feed.” His mouth curved upwards into a smug grin at his own cleverness, although cheap pot shots at how many children Firestar had was hardly advanced level humor. Just seeing his dumb orange face awoke the temper which had been hibernating since his ordeal with the tom’s son.
“No I don’t think I will. This discussion is over.” He rose to his feet, making to leave.
Firestar |The Courageous Lion of Skyclan|
A sharp sigh escapes Firestar’s lips as he impatiently waits for Hawkstar to appear for the meeting at the Skyclan Leader’s request. Course, Fire would love to be anywhere but here as it was well known that the two leaders did not particularly get along. Though at this moment it had nothing to do with their tense history or dislike for one another, Firestar had a whole other reason for needing to speak to the often idle Thunderclan leader. It was out of desperation and necessity for his clans survival and Firestar would do anything to help his clan no matter how he needed to do it. Shifting uneasily on his hunches at the cold breeze ruffling his fiery orange tabby pelt. There had been a shift around Firestar ever since he awoken from his coma. The usual calm and collected leader had grown restless and on edge as of late, though not many could blame him for what he has endured within the past moon.
Blinking away the sleep from his dull bicolored eyes as he suddenly glances over his shoulder, brows furrowing as he had thought he had seen something in the corner of his eye. Inwardly rolling his eyes at his paranoia, mentally berating himself, ’It was just a branch moving in the wind…lack of sleep certainly is playing tricks on me’ he thought with a small frown. Since waking up from being in a coma, he could not help but feel that a piece of him was still stuck in Starclan, though he suppose that was the case when a life was stripped away from him. Every time he closed his eyes he felt as if he was right back in the trail fighting his way out to get back to his family, to his mate.
Head snapping up suddenly at the approaching steps of Hawkstar. Straightening his posture, his face remaining stoic as he regards the dark tom. Eyes narrowing slightly at the awkward greeting, but quickly brushes it aside, he did not care what Hawkstar thought of him, that was not why he was here. Standing up from his seated position, flicking his tail as he shakes his head dismissively. ”I will cut straight to the point” he begins, his usual smooth voice holding a harder edge, showing just how serious he truly was. ”I have asked you here today to request from you to allow my clan to temporarily use a section of your land to hunt?” he adds, taking note of the surprise flickering over Hawk’s face. Grunting in frustration at the situation he was in, forcing down his irritation towards himself as he refocuses. ”I normally would not ask of this, but with Thunderclan being the closest. It is the best course of action to ensure my clans survival. Skyclan has become sparse of prey from a disturbance that has left a lasting mark on my land” Firestar reluctantly reveals more details, hoping to sway Hawkstar.