Kan crouched in his den. The moonlight washed in weakly through the crack in the boulder cave. His eyes closed, his ears flat, he thought to himself of the battle to come. Claws would clash against fur. Teeth would meet tough muscle. Yowls would fill the air, the battle cries of two forces. Only one of those forces would win. It's a matter of destiny. Kan's breath billowed in the cold air, raising in a misty cloud before vanishing. He opened his icy blue eyes, the pupils dilating, as someone entered the den. Red's silhouette broke the milky light from the entrance of the den. The big tom crouched in front of his leader as a sign of respect. His eyes reflected the moonlight, flashing in the near darkness.
"You said we would attack soon." The tom tried not to sound impatient.
Kan gave a gritty purr, sitting up slowly as he stretched his claws. "I did say that didn't I." He licked a paw casually, his claws still extended. Red watched them carefully. He remembered how Kodiak had been beaten by the fiery ginger tom when he was called into the den. Kan was unpredictable in his temper. "Are the others ready?"
Red stayed in his crouched position, his muscles tense."As ready as they will be. You know the tribe cats will resist fighting." His voice deepened with irritation at the weaker cats. Kan flattened his ears, his tail tip twitching.
"Oh. Yes. I know they intend to resist my intentions no matter what they are. And that could be detrimental to us if they decide to fight on the side of the clan cats mid battle, which I would expect from them."
"So what do we do?"
The air billowed softly, making the cats shake out their pelts. Kan's blue eyes flicked from side to side as he thought, as though chasing an invisible piece of prey. "We'll just have to give them some motivation." His eyes darkened with an evil agenda. Red's ears pricked as he sat up slightly.
"And what could we motivate them with?" Kan explained the plan quietly. Red nodded, his expression grim. The two cats exited the den. Cats were already crowding around anxiously. Kan spotted Sitka in the crowd and pulled him aside. They spoke quietly for a moment, Red watching the scene quietly. Sitka's soft eyes hardened and he looked at his paws before he nodded. Leaving the black and white tom, Kan yowled for the cats to gather. They did so. Kan paced back and forth, resembling a caged tiger as his lips curled and ears flattened with anticipation.
"My brothers and sisters!" He said in a near mocking tone, knowing that was often how the tribe cats referred to each other. The other rouges sneered at the remark as well. "You know the time has come to claim what should rightfully be ours. It's a matter of destiny! We are stronger. We are smarter. We are the survivors. The conquerors!" Cats cheered, while others grimaced at his words.
Hawk stepped forward, seeming to have recovered from their fight remarkably well. "We'll never fight for you!" Kan's blue eyes glowed harshly as he eyed the brown tom. He tilted his head back and mrrrowed with amusement. Hawk looked around almost nervously.
"Oh I know you won't. Willingly that is." His tone was malicious. Kan looked to Sitka in the crowd, who had seated himself next to Cloud. The ginger tom flicked an ear and the rouge pounced on the white she-cat. He pinned her in a second, closing his jaw at the back of her neck.
Hawk yowled, about to come to her rescue, but Kan stopped him. "I wouldn't do that if I were you!" The brown tom glared fiercely at the rouge leader, his brown eyes desperate as he looked to his friend. She mewled in a panic, struggling to get free. "We can all clearly tell a hunter can't defend herself against a trained, battle worn cat, can't we? By the time you get over there, Sitka will have killed her. So, if I were you. I'd sit still and listen." Hawk sat stiffly, ears flat. The other tribe cats looked just as distressed.
"Why are you doing this!?" Hawk demanded. Cloud let out a wail. Kan sighed heavily, his tail tip twitching irritatedly.
"It's quite simple actually. This is your motivation. Tonight, you will go to the clan camp and fight along side us as hard as you can and to your best ability." Kan looked over at the white she-cat as she gave up the struggle, her blue eyes pleading. "And if you don't. You know, I think you get the picture. Sitka and our little Cloud here will stay behind at camp. If any of you disobey me tonight, he will know what to do." The tribe cat's exchanged panicked, defeated glances.
"And..if we fight for you?"
"She will be let go, unharmed. And we can all forget we had this little difference of opinions." Kan thought for a moment. "I'm feeling rather generous. I might even let you all go." This sent murmurs through the crowd. There seemed to be a silent agreement on the deal. There was really no choice. The ginger tom seemed highly satisfied that his plan had gone so accordingly.
Sitka felt Cloud's hard breath and smelled her fear as he pinned her down. The black and white tom knew he couldn't lighten his grip, though his teeth and claws slightly pierced her. So he quietly mumbled an apology, guilt sweeping over him. Kodiak seemed proud of his friend for being given such a special task.
"All right then! Now that we are a unified group, let's show those clan cats what true fear and defeat is!" The group roared with excitement, with the exception of the tribe cats, and Kan lead the front towards the clan camp. It wouldn't take long in the silent clear night to make it there. Soon the peace would be shattered with claws, teeth, and bloodshed. There's no way they can win. We are more prepared. We are better trained. Tonight we shall soak in the victory of new territory.
