The shadow of a heather [p]

[Deleted]

(Smokestar, let's have it be Flareclan territory for now. The two clans can dispute later. Also, sorry for shortness.)
Heatherbreeze went out to shore to get a few herbs when she saw Smokestar. froze. There was always a part of her that did when she saw a cat of another clan on  the border and always had to make sure she was on her side. She nodded to herself reassuringly as she wadded through the water. "Hi Smokestar." she called before ducking her head down to grab some watermint.

[Smokestar]

Smokestar just needed some time away from FlareClan. A trip to the AquaClan border to get some water sounded like a nice time. And maybe, just maybe... she'd be able to sharpen her claws on some AquaClan fur.

But no. She didn't see anyone. And it probably wouldn't be a good idea seeking battle against her neighbor. Especially since their territories involved a wide body of water in between them that was a prime place for her Clan to drink from. She couldn't risk losing AquaClan's neutrality towards FlareClan drinking from her lake.

"Hi Smokestar." a voice called, and the charcoal raised her head. She had been crouched by the sandy shore, lapping at the delicious water before her in a calm manner with her onyx eyes closed. Although it seemed she had company. Straightening herself up into a sitting position, Smokestar met the gaze of Heatherbreeze, the AquaClan medicine cat. "Heatherbreeze." she said respectfully, giving her head the smallest of nods. The FlareClan leader watched the medicine cat grab some herbs in silence, not uttering a single word until a certain amount of time had passed. Then, Smokestar glanced back down to the water, staring at her shimmering reflection. "How is AquaClan?"

[Deleted]

Heatherbreeze carefully placed the herbs on the shore and got out of the water. "Oh, pleas, don't bother with the formalities." she said. She had always hated how everyone was so respectful instead of treating her like a normal cat.
Aquaclan? We're doing great. Low on some herbs, but other than that, great." she responded, pausing a moment before asking; "And how might Flareclan be doing? It's getting really warm here and I can't imagine how that would effect you guys." she said, slightly cringing at the thought. Even at leafbear, the territory's border was always scorching, and now that t was getting hotter out here? The thought was too much for her. But, maybe it was so hot that it stayed the same all year around.

[Smokestar]

Smokestar's eyes narrowed at her words, although she gave her head a slow nod in acknowledgement. Her ears did perk at the information about AquaClan's short supply of herbs. "Hmm. I would offer our own supplies to assist, but you know how difficult it is for FlareClan to find plants in the first place." she meowed calmly, gesturing to the watermint with a soft wave of her tail.

At the question about FlareClan, Smokestar closed her eyes and nodded. "We are used to the heat. A little more than usual won't dampen our spirits." she replied, giving her tail a sharp lash of anger after that, as if daring Heatherbreeze to doubt her Clan's strength. Yet she said nothing more, sour words scorching her tongue not right for the situation before her.

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Heatherbreeze thougt for a moment. "You would have to collect herbs from near the borders, right? We do too mainly, borders have more than half and we have a few on the islands, but not much more than those used most often." she made sure not to share too much on their position in terms of herbs, but mainly to explain that she felt for their medicine cat. b[]"And we would never ask to dip into your already low supplies. We understand how much trouble you go to to gat what you have."[/b]

Heatherbreeze nodded. "Good, Aquaclan would not want any of our allies, no matter what level of trust between, to be in danger of anything."

[Smokestar]

Smokestar nodded at Heatherbreeze's words. "We have some herbs within our desert, but like you say, the borders are where most of our supplies come from." Although her eyes darkened at the jab against FlareClan by the medicine cat. Slowly, Smokestar leaned forward, a deadly look in her onyx eyes. "Trouble we wouldn't have to endure had your ancestors treated us fairly." she growled, leaning back with a frown, though the danger left her posture immediately.

Smokestar only stared back at Heatherbreeze for a few moments. Before she blinked. "Likewise." she muttered curtly.

[Deleted]

Heatherbreeze shook her head. "Our ancestors have wronged you. You were loyal to your leader to the point, and anyone with differing ideas chose to leave. I, however, choose to believe that clans can break off the path of their history. Even Whisperclan admits that what happenedd was wrong, and though I believe we can change, I know we hve not. If we had it would be easier to convince the other cats to share territory in at least an attempt to make up from the wrongs. 'm sorry I don't have a stronger say in things." she frowned.

[Smokestar]

Smokestar's rigid posture seemed to have relaxed at Heatherbreeze's words. But she knew not to fully trust or believe the sincerity within the AquaClan medicine cat's tone. All she said were words, no promises or no true apology that could soften the fire of her Clan's treatment. The Clans would not change. Nor would FlareClan. At one point, sometime in their history, FlareClan had tried to please their neighbors. To gain their trust and support. But that led to nothing. No change, and no mercy.

Smokestar would not let her Clan be fooled again by false promises or unbeneficial apologies. Although, she did seem to have calmed at Heatherbreeze's response. "You may apology now. But that does not change the present. Your apology is meaningless if there is no action behind it." she growled, though her growl was not directed at Heatherbreeze herself, but rather to her anger behind FlareClan's experiences. "I note your guilt, Heatherbreeze. We hold nothing against you, nor will we most likely ever. But to say we were wronged, and yet to still not have this wrong righted... not now, or in the future... makes your words pointless to even be saying."

She paused. "Although, I am glad you are saying them. I will give you that, Heatherbreeze."

[Deleted]

Heatherbreeze nodded. "I know it is useless, Even if I try, I have no leader, and Whisperclan is not on my side in this case. I truly wish I could, but on my own I cannot do more that try to get others to change things when they din't see how it effects them." she said, not completely sure how to out her thoughts into words. "Anyway, any... less depressing stuff you want to talk about than how nothing will ever change because cat's are to stubborn and arrogant?" she asked, trying to perk up a bit more.

[Smokestar]

Smokestar had been quiet. But at the mention of changing the subject, the leader nodded stiffly. "Not in mind." she commented, although her charcoal shoulders rose in a shrug. "I am not much for... conversation. If you have any ideas, you're welcomed to voice them."

[Deleted]

Heather breeze paused for a while. "Well..." she started. Yeah, no, I've got nothing." she muttered.

[Smokestar]

Smokestar hummed at that. "Then this talk appears to be over." she concluded calmly.

[Deleted]

Heatherbreeze nodded. "I had better finish collecting these." she said as she picked up the watermint. "Bye." she called as she walked, or more swam, away, her voice muffled by the herbs.

[Smokestar]

"Bye," she mumbled. Smokestar watched patiently as Heatherbreeze left, before her eyes drifted down to her paws. After another minute, the she-cat turned, and padded off back to camp.