Bellicosity

bellicosity - noun - the inclination to start quarrels, fights, or wars.

i.
On the first evening of green-leaf, the battle ceased. WaveClan cats have fur too hot and heavy to fight in the heat, or so declared Ivystar, leader of BreezeClan.

The young leader appeared to be proud of his clan, proud that they had defeated such a fierce adversary. He watched them celebrate their victory from the mound of stones where he gave his announcements. Despite not being much older than several of the warriors, he already felt a disconnect from them.

He missed being deputy, just a little bit. Now, with a new name and nine lives, there was this veil preventing him from interacting with the others. Ivystar wondered if the leader before him ever had this problem.

"Are you thinking about Lionstar again?" The low rumble of his mate's purrs made him turn his head. Ivystar instantly relaxed at the sight of the sandy tom adjusting himself so that he was pressed right up him.

Ivystar murmured, "You caught me. I keep thinking about what she would do in our situation."

His mate responded, "I'm certain that she would be proud of you. Your memory will be kept alive through nursery tales as the leader who defeated WaveClan!"

Ivystar chuckled, "Thanks, Dustclaw. You always know how to cheer me up."

Dustclaw flicked his tail, "I mean it. Lionstar believed in you to no end, and she chose you as her deputy because there was no better choice in the whole clan."

Ivystar purred gently, nuzzling Dustclaw's cheek.

The two were content to stay there for the rest of the night, and likely would have, were it not for the sudden sound of claws attempting to climb up the rocks next to them.

Dustclaw looked over the edge, then drew his head back just before his head smacked into the one that was approaching. With what appeared to be a ton a strength, the BreezeClan medicine cat threw herself onto the rocks, nearly knocking the other two off of it.

"Fireflower?" Ivystar asked, tilting his head curiously, looking at the she-cat with concern. Her green eyes were wide with panic, and her ginger tail was completely fluffed up, "What's the matter?"

She paused, sucking in a breath of air, then whispered, "Ivystar... Can you come to the medicine den? I've had... I've had a sign."

Ivystar and Dustclaw exchanged glances. A sign from StarClan, and right after a battle too? It was enough to make the dark grey leader feel unnerved. He got to his paws, then followed Fireflower down the rocks, across camp, and into the den. A few cats whispered amongst themselves, but Ivystar tried to ignore them.

When the two were safe inside, Fireflower whispered, "BreezeClan is in danger."

Ivystar blinked, "Danger? But we just won a battle!"

The she-cat's white fur bristled, "It's what the sign said! Do... Do you not believe me?! I'm your medicine cat!"

"I believe you!" Ivystar responded hurriedly, "It's merely a surprise, is all."

Fireflower mewed, "According to the sign... the clan will be destroyed from the inside by a blackened cat, and no matter how quick we are, we can't stop it."

Ivystar flicked his tail, "I see... That's very concerning. Did StarClan say anything else on the matter?"

Fireflower shook her head, "That was all. What do we do, Ivystar? One of our own is going to slaughter us!"

"Not if I have anything to say about that," Ivystar replied firmly, "I will defend this clan with everything, even if it takes all nine of my lives to do it."

"Ivystar..." Fireflower began.

The leader nodded, "I know. I know. Now, what will we do about this sign? A blackened cat, you're certain?"

Fireflower responded, "Of course I am!"

Ivystar peered out through the gaps in the hanging lichen. One cat stood out among the celebrating clan, a young warrior named Swiftflight. Time and time again, he had proven to be reckless, impulsive, and aggressive. Could this be the cat the sign spoke of?

"You think that it's him?" Fireflower asked, evidently following his gaze, "What are you going to do about it?"

Ivystar continued to watch him, his eyes narrowed in thought. Something in his heart told him that maybe this wasn't the right desicion, but sense prevailed. There was nobody else in the clan that it could potentially refer to. Swiftflight was going to destroy BreezeClan.

"The right thing," Ivystar responded, "That's what I'm going to do."

ii.
(tbc)