[BEAR.]

Now they were getting somewhere.

Lionstorm whipped his tail, flexing his claws into the sandy floor of the den. "Then you need to prove you mean it, Sootstar - you need to give that ShadowClan scum-pelt an ultimatum if you don't wish to jump into battle without preparations.

"She can fix her Clan-mates and get them in line, or we'll put her Clan in line for her. ShadowClan is still sore from what WindClan did to them a few moons back - if she doesn't want a worse repeat, she should ensure her cats never cross our river again. If she shows an ounce of disrespect, if she does not heed this warning, that's when we can strike. We'll demolish their camp again and send them scrambling like the rogues they are."

But that wasn't all.. Lionstorm had one more idea. "But, at the very least if it doesn't escalate to a raid.. we can make our borders more enforced. If their cats are so willing to trespass to kill us, I think it's only fair if we put a kill ShadowClan on sight if they cross our land without one of our patrols escorting them." Warnings did nothing, not when the other Clan made a habit of this.

Warnings did nothing to those who didn't care to hear them.

His firm gaze didn't waver as he looked into Sootstar's eyes. Unsure or not, unable to think - this wasn't something one could hold off on. If Sootstar wanted to prepare, he needed to be ready to get his mind churning. A million miles an hour, preferably. "You're leader now, Sootstar. It's your call - but you need to prepare yourself for what's to come. You don't always have the luxury of time on your side to make a decision."

[ @wnder ]