Ch.12- What a day

( Brambleclaw's p.o.v)

"Get to work" a cat snarled behind his ear.

I turned around, the muscles of my broad shoulders seducing the old cat Halftail, making the old piece of junk suddenly feel small.

"Just who do you think you're speaking to like that?" I retorted coldly.

How dare he? I show my teeth in aggression and unsheathe my claws, and gave him a cold glare, lashing my tail.

His eyes widen in fear. That should show him, I thought.

"Firestar ordered me to command you to get to work."

"Orderedyou?" I snort. What a lie. Would Firestar do that? Why would Firestar do that?

"Yes."

"Like I would believe you," I said, licking my shoulder. "And if he did, you didn't have to snarl in my ear as viciously as you did to prove that point"

The scrawny cat shook his head vigorously. " My.. apologies. You need to clean the elder's ticks. I-Includ-ding m-mine." he meows, trying to crack a joke and lighten up mood, that's clearly not working.

"Firestar is a coward. If he has something to say, he should have said it to my face." I hiss.

Halftail's fur prickles. "Firestar is your leader, don't you dare talk to him like that!" he attempts to growl, but it comes in more like a croak. "Warriors like you need to learn to respect their leader."

Brambleclaw rolls his eyes at the ridiculous cat. "Mouse dung, fine, here. Turn around. Allow me to tear the living ticks out of your back."

Frail old Halftail lowered himself to the floor, shaking, and in the most quiet voice whispered "oh wait y-you need mouse bile for that."