Not all allies are equal [Closed]

At the edges of the moors, a silver tabby stood out starkly in the sea of snow. Her darker brown stripes setting her apart from the white for any patrol to spot. By her side, she brought a small patrol consisting of warriors that lingered just outside of WindClan's borders. Only she entered into the land of rabbit-chasers, being semi-respectful to their boundaries by not charging ahead to their camp. It was only polite to pretend that she didn't know exactly where it was from Fishstar's last invasion.

When she caught a passing by patrol'ss attention, she clearly directed them to fetch her Ashstar. Though she had a hunch it was an exercise in futility, Ivystar figured it was always worth giving even their most foolish of rivals a chance to make a wise decision.

Ashstar had only recently brought Blizzardstar back to the territory, so when Quailfeather ran up breathlessly to tell her who was on WindClan land, she was both surprised and slightly anxious along with the warrior. Ivystar, leader of RiverClan. They had recently had a war with ThunderClan... Did they know that she'd promised to help out Blizzardstar? Was that what this was about? Had one of her warriors attacked another apprentice? Doubtful. Regardless, the WindClan she-cat thanked her grandkit and went off to meet the other leader. This was certainly becoming an eventful day. Dashing off lightly atop the snow, at a good speed, the journey to the border didn't take long. When she finally saw the silver tabby in the mddle of a snow drift, Ashstar nodded respectfully, though her eyes were impartial. It was best to act neutral- she didn't really know why the she-cat was here. "Greetings, Ivystar," she meowed politely. "What gerings you to my territory?" Her slight annoyance was implied, but not obvious.

"Good afternoon, Ashstar." Ivystar meowed politely, dipping her head as she have the other leader a once over. She seemed annoyed, nothing obviously showing that she was aware of the incident with ThunderClan, perhaps Blizzardstar had chosen to be wise for once in her life. "I'm here to bring an offer of an alliance. Things have been tense between our clans under Fishstar's reign, but it is time to let bygones be bygones. I wish for us to make amends, work together for the benefit of both our clans. Would you be amendable to that? I don't see why we should be at odds with each other, we're both out to protect our clans and would do anything for our families. I see many similarities in us."

Ashstar tensed up at the other leader's words, but then made herself relax. Anger would help nothing. Yet, she felt a hot, burning pit of rage slowly building in her heart. Obviously, Ivystar wasn't aware that she knew of the battle- of the murdered apprentice, of the hostage medicine cat. Otherwise, she wouldn't sit there so calmly, with that smug self-righteousness gleaming behind her cold eyes. As the RiverClan leader finished speaking, the gray she-cat let out a dry, humorless laugh. "Would that you'd've come a day or two earlier, Ivystar," she meowed, a bitter sound in her voice. "I would've accepted, then. I thought you were better than Fishstar, you know... smarter, more understanding. I hate being wrong about cats." Her green eyes burned into the silver tabby's pelt as she continued, words still calm and cool. "If I didn't know about what you did, I'd welcome you as an ally, as a friend. Unfortunately, I find you a fox-hearted hypocrite, and I don't usually look for those qualities in a colleague." Ashstar didn't usually insult other cats, but what Ivystar had done, considering her Clan's actions when the tables were reversed, caused her to lose a little bit of her control. "Condoning an apprentice's death? Taking a medicine cat from a wounded, defeated Clan? Due to your reaction to the 'atrocities' you took such joy in accusing me of a while back, the two maimed apprentices, I'm surprised you haven't exiled the warrior already. Practice what you preach, isn't that what they say? Well, all those words about justice you spouted off to me then seem quite a bit empty, now. I think I'll have to politely decline your generous offer, on the terms of an unresolvable difference in our morals." Ashstar shook her head in disbelief, a tiny, sarcastic laugh finding its way out of her mouth.

"Similarities between us? StarClan forbid."

"Oh, so it seems that Blizzardstar has come by." Ivystar meowed half to herself, the leader's eyes narrowing at this little piece of information. Plans had changed, she'd give back Honeyspark, but Lionspark's life would be forfeit. Pity, there went their chance for peace. It was time for a new alliance to be forged, Shadow and River. They would bleed ThunderClan and WindClan dry...

More focused on her scheming, Ivystar only half listened to Ashstar, waving the leader off as she rather rudely walked away from her. "Yes, yes, that's nice. Well have a good day, Ashstar. Enjoy the peace while you can."