Loyalties[C]

Sunflare couldn’t explain the thrill he got from a good chase. It was his one flaw, really, taking such pleasure in ways more suited to a WindClan cat than a proud ShadowClan warrior. So his first concern upon being interrupted was naturally with his own pride. “Oh, pardon me,” he purred. “I promised one of the queens in my clan a squirrel. She’s so cranky these days and simply must have it, you know.” Not entirely false, the queens had been down his neck about prey since he left his nest this evening. “I would have caught it, too, had I not been intercepted.” His voice held a bit of edge to it. “Regardless, it’s lost now. What brings you so close to the ShadowClan border, rogue? Do you have any mouths to feed, or simply a desire for trouble?”

Sunflare’s hackles lowered a little. “Fair point, my friend, fair point. I suppose you don’t have many cats counting on you in your way of life, though. With no code, you have no hope of ever achieve the grandeur we do. But alas, we cannot choose our birth. I commend you on your good manners regardless.” Sunflare took in the other tom’s appearance. Tall and slender like himself, he presented an oddity in the marsh. For a moment Sunflare wondered if they might share blood, some obscure quirk in a marsh cat heritage, but he pushed the thought aside. Still, he found himself asking, almost unbidden, “Have you any kin nearby, or are you alone in your travels? A mate, perhaps kits?”

It was always good to know one’s enemy after all. He took a step back, closer to the border. “ShadowClan takes care of its own,” he added. “I’d not step too much closer if I were you. If you’re looking for harebrained fools who’ll let you have your way I’d try WindClan. They don’t even have enough brain to understand the simplest logic.”

No harm nudging the potential threat towards his worst enemy either.

Sunflare bristled a bit. “My parents are loyal ShadowClan warriors,” he growled. But the thought nagged at him. He’d noticed long ago that he and his littermates were built different. But Sunflare knew both his parents!

So this cat had a rogue group… An idea began to take form in the warrior’s mind… no, it was ridiculous. But it could work! He took a deep breath.

“I think I’d like to make you an offer,” he mewed, flexing his claws.

Sunflare stretched, sending a slightly flirtatious glance the rogue’s way. He’d never been interested in toms himself, and of course his heart lay with Tawnyshadow, but attraction could be a useful bargaining tool.

“I know my clan and the others aren’t inclined to be kind to your ilk,” he began, “but I see a future where things are different. A future where ShadowClan and your group could rule the forest together, hunting wherever we like, with or without borders. All that’s in the way are the pathetic other clans. I could learn their secrets, whether as an open foe or disguised as a friend, and bring to you the tactics needed to defeat them. However, you must leave ShadowClan alone. Attack us if you must, to clear suspicion, but take no lives or you lose my help.”

Then, when all the clans except ours have fallen I can reveal myself and be the hero.