Not really hunting... (Whiskers only)

[Rolo]

Frostpaw looked at him blankly, feeling like he had tried once again to hurt her. His words sent a small surge of anger through her veins, giving her enough power to reply,

"Understand what?" She asked soberly, "That my mother hated me from birth... that my clan hated my being from the moment I asked a question... that I got given a mentor who will never like me... that that same mentor would not allow the one friendship I have ever made... that my entire being and belief system is wrong?"

She gazed at him, her eyes a little clearer "There is nothing understandable there. And I can't believe in Starclan. I am unable to. It makes no sense to, its against my entire being."

She pondered for a moment. Though her words had not been said with complete conviction, something within them gave her a little more confidence. A little more of herself returned as she reaffirmed that Starclan was not what she believed in. She felt defeated now, yes, but Rowanheart had not truely won. He had put her off believing forever, even with those tempting thoughts of giving up and just believing to stop the hurt. She would never believe in Starclan. And so, by knowing who she was, and it made her feel more settled.

"You won't get your way, Rowanheart." Her tone was sober again, but held a little more life and excitement, "I don't want to be like you, I don't believe in Starclan. Stop trying to get me to be so."

Slowly, with her last few words, her anger built up again. It was as if she finally realised what he had said to her, and a delayed reactions was being invoked within her. Irritation at his sickening and patronising tone nagged at her, making her want to bite him again. It brought her back and made her realise how ridiculous he was. She was given the power to give him a defiant glance. She felt as if, slowly, her heart was being rekindled into her old self.

She smiled knowingly. How she loved how easily her attitude returned. Her hate for Rowanheart had brought her back long enough for her not to give into him. She would break away.

"I won't give you any explanations, Rowanheart, I will simply tell you this." She found herself saying calmly, "I hate you. I will hate you with a passion my entire life, and from now on I will no longer respect or listen to you. I am no longer your apprentice, I will learn nothing more from you."

Her words were delivered with some of her old fire, a fire that had said the words without any thought. A tired and old fire, but fire nonetheless. She stood and her smile widened as she turned from him. Never again would she let him get to her. She would no longer listen to his dictations, she would hate him and let that hate remind her of the evils of starclan belief.

Without another word, her legs carried her onwards without her telling them to do so. She dashed wildly away. Her anger gave her energy, speeding her away from the oppression of Rowanheart and letting her feel free again. She headed towards camp, wanting to speak to Owlstar right away. She would make her give her her warrior name somehow. She could not fail, she would not fail, that not having that would mean facing Rowanheart again... and she knew one thing, she never wanted to see him again.

[Whiskers]

How quickly she rebounded!

It seemed the mere mention of Starclan sent her boiling and spitting. In this case, she was calmer, and her anger was reserved and seemed more mature. This was interesting and different but because she wasn't as riled up, he didn't get riled up either.

And when she told him her plan, he couldn't say he wanted to stop her. Over the moons, little training had gotten done. They had mostly bickered in the forest and scared all the prey away when their voices were raised. He figured that he'd be stuck with Frostpaw forever because she simply refused to train with him and so how could he ever tell Owlstar that she was ready to get her warrior name?

And though he didn't know what Frostpaw was planning, he knew that clearly she was through with him, he was pretty much through with her, and that soon they would only have to bother with each other on patrols. And even then, they could simply not speak... though that was hardly Frostpaw's way. That was only if Frostpaw became a warrior. And he couldn't see how Owlstar would make her a warrior when she clearly didn't have the skill needed. Could she hunt? Yes, to an extent. Could she fight? With words, but she was not as successful with her claws. Would she be able to defend her clan? She'd probably receive countless scratches trying, but she'd do it clumsily. She was average. Less than average maybe. She barely had the credentials. If he was a leader, he would look at her and know that she had a few more moons of work to go.

So, in Rowanheart's mind, he saw her asking for another mentor, as that was more realistic anyway. Which was fine with him. He'd oblige, agree that they couldn't work together properly because they were simply too different, and they clashed too often. She'd get a new mentor and maybe that one could deal. But he had to admit... it would be slightly embarrassing on his part and he would feel ashamed when he had to face Owlstar... he had failed after all...

But, one thing would not change. Though Rowanheart knew that this was an end to his mentorship of the cruel Frostpaw, he would never let her hurt Finchpaw or Firepaw. (Though Firepaw was just as headstrong as Frostpaw so he wasn't worried as much.) They were in the same clan, but measures would be taken to secure the safety of his sons.

Go ahead, hate me Frostpaw, he thought to himself, almost bemused as he took a longer route back to camp as well. He did have to talk to Finchpaw now, after all, though he'd have to do it after his son tended to Smallfoot.It's the only thing you're good at anyway. Hate me, but never come near my family. Or next time I will claw off that smirk.

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