After a long time of preparation and travel the group arrived nearby the tiger clans territory.
The territory was on guard against enemies so the group had to stay out of sight to avoid provoking a conflict.
Not only did they have to hide from the tiger clan beasts but those who were wandering outside.
As they settled down in their new location, Shadow began to instruct them. "Be sure to stay here and try not to be seen or start any conflicts. I will go investigate the area alone, I will send out a signal if I need help."
After that she disappeared into the forest and hid her presence as she silently headed towards the tiger clans inner territory.
White Wolf clan
An imposing looking white wolf stood before his clan members with a smaller white wolf by his side.
The clan members looked upon the wolf with great respect and awe as they greeted him.
The imposing wolf let out a snort as he grit his teeth in anger. "Those tigers are getting more and more arrogant! Just because they have that old fellow to protect them they think they can do as they please. Continue to suppress them and don't let them leave their territory!"
One of the elderly wolves frowned as he spoke up. "Don't you think that this is a little rash? Do you mean to start a war over a kids fight? It's not like anyone was killed."
"Silence! Their child injured my son and that is a total provocation towards me, they dare to shame my bloodline? I will slaughter their whole clan!" The white wolf became increasingly bloodthirsty.
"I don't think it would be wise that we make any movements right now, although the old tiger is close to death I am feeling anxious about this situation. Your brother and his followers have not returned for a week now, I fear something may have happened." The elder wolf argued back.
"Humph… Don't remind me of that useless brother of mine. Even without him, why should I fear a small clan like them? Our white wolf clan has survived for hundreds of years in our territory, we have faced countless enemies and won. What is there to fear?!" The imposing wolf shouted at the elder as he grew even more agitated.
"Fine then do as you wish but please act with the clans best interests in mind before you make your decision." The elder sighed as he spoke.
"Everyone, we will move out and attack the tiger clans territory as the sun goes down so make preparations!" He ordered and then turned to his son. "You will stay by my side at all times during this attack."
The son looked extremely happy as he thought of finally getting revenge. "Yes father! Please leave that brat alive, I want to see him suffer as he loses his loved ones and make him suffer some more before he dies."
"Very well son." The father petted his sons head as he praised himself. 'If he does not get over this defeat he will suffer more losses in the future, it's best I take this course of action to get his confidence back.'
As the elder gazed upon the father and son pair he grew distressed as he saw all of his clans spirit beasts preparing to leave, if it was years ago he could have stopped something like this from happening as he was the clan leader and held a lot of influence.
Sadly as times change, his sons had grown up and gained more followers while increasing their strength, slowly growing their own influence.
As more time passed his words began to fall on deaf ears, he had to give up his position to the one of the sons while the other son frequently left the clan to hunt.
While it was true that the clan had survived for a long time and been through many battles, it was also true that they had lost many of their elite fighters during the many years.
The elder had tried to voice his opinion because the clan had grown weaker after losing so many and now the leader wishes to start up a war between clans.
His other son had not returned so he was naturally worried too, he held some influence within the clan and without him here during the war the chances of victory would be lower.
However the clan leader did not care, in fact he had seen it as an opportunity to bring those who favoured his brother to come under his influence.
Tiger clan
Within a dark cave lay an elderly tiger with black stripes marked on his body, he looked incredibly weak and lacking in vitality.
A young pair of tigers entered the cave, one was the male tiger who injured the white wolf in a friendly duel and the other was his twin sister.
The male had grown strong through constant harsh training and battle reaching spirit gathering 3rd stage while his sister remained at the 1st stage for a long time because of her gentle nature.
The brother had a brave and daring personality while his sister was more calm and intelligent.
The brother lowered his body before the elder as he spoke. "Elder I acted without thinking again I am sorry that I have brought this situation upon the clan."
The sister frowned as she scolded. "Sure you may have injured him but so what? Everyone who witnessed that fight saw you win in a fair duel, if he did not sneak attack you when you turned your back it could have been you that was injured or even died! It was lucky that you responded quickly and fended him off, he was lucky to get away with his life for that."
"Silence." The old tiger groaned.
"Yes elder." They both awaited their punishments.
"I asked you here today because if the situation turns unfavourable I want our bloodline to live on. So you will not participate in the clan war, even if I have to exhaust the last of my strength I have to let the both of you escape." The old tiger sighed as his eyes contained sadness. 'I feel so useless in my old age, if I wasn't so close to death those wolves wouldn't be so arrogant!'
"But elder I want to fight alongside our clan!" The brother showed his heroic spirit.
"No elder, I don't want to lose my family members!" The sister despaired as she could only accept the elders ordered. 'I am too weak, if I was stronger I could protect them.'
"I'm sorry children but this is all I can do for you so listen to my orders. grandson, it's good to be brave but it is also foolish to charge to your own death so learn to know when to retreat. Little girl, learn from this experience and grow stronger… We tigers grow best in the face of brutal and ferocious battles, I admire your gentle nature but your enemies will not show mercy to you unless you have enough strength to protect yourself." The old tiger let out a hoarse cough as a few drops of blood came out.
"Elder are you okay?" The twins grew worried at seeing the elder cough up blood.
"I am fine, you both may leave now. I hope you take my words to heart." The elder tiger began to feel a little weaker so ended his lecture and sent them away.
The twins looked quite upset as they left the cave leaving the elder tiger on his own as he lay there in frustration.
Suddenly a gentle female voice travelled into his ears and he became alert. "Hehe elder you sure do treasure your young ones. Say would you like to make a deal with me?"