Apprentice for the Day [Cami]

[Skiv]

Ivyheart stormed out of Pebblestar's den. She was mostly doing it more for effect when she left the den originally but now she was doing it because she was truly pissed off. She knew that her laziness would get her in trouble but she had no idea that the leader would take her apprentice away from her. The tabby was happy to get rid of the apprentice because he just caused trouble for himself. but at the same time she felt like she wasn't trusted. Which is what really pissed off the cat because she wasn't disloyal one bit. There were other cats in the clan that were much worse than her and she was the one that got in trouble. They actually trained their apprentices though The thought came up easily in the she-cat's mind. Then she growled and she knew that Mudpaw was a waste of her leader's time. There was no way that training that cat will be easily for Pebblestar, one the apprentice hated her, and two there was something really strange about the leader lately. Ivyheart could tell along with all the other warriors, it wasn't hard to notice that the leader going through a difficult time. Mostly because the leader seemed to look like herself, not put together. Which is something that Ivyheart always noticed about Pebblestar since the tabby cat had been an apprentice. It probably had to do something with her kits, and her mate. Ivyheart wanted to feel bad for her leader but yet again she wasn't, because Pebblestar needed to get her poop in a group. Which made the loyal cat very concerned. 

Out of all cats of course Pebblestar had to pick her right hand man, Tigerfang. She knew that she was about to get an earful from the large tom about how she did not train her apprentice. but Ivyheart wasn't about just to let anyone tell what she did was wrong, she knew that Pebblestar was going to have a hard time and she knew when that would happen Ivyheart would then barge in and say what she thought right to the cats that needed to hear it. but she just was going to wait for that right moment. Because she wasn't going to tell Pebblestar her honest thoughts when the leader wasn't herself, and not while Mudpaw is there. Even though she could have she really didn't want Mudpaw to see that coming from her. Mostly because she wanted to show him how to trust others, that was the main problem with her... wait Pebblestar's apprentice. She wanted to show him how to be respectful and loyal to the clan because that was the only problem with him. 

Ivyheart scanned her eyes across the clearing, with in moments she was able to spot her mentor for the day. She pranced right up to him with her head held high, and her tail high in the air as well and she said with a crisp voice, "Well, I'm here. Lucky you, get to spend the whole day with me. We can talk about all your current problems. And for being such a good mentor for the day I'll even allow you to take a nap. How's that sound, Mentor."

CaℳI, well she's pissed.... XD

[CaℳI]

Tigerfang could practically feel the flames shooting out of his eyes. This disrespectful joke of a warrior would definitely have a thing or two to learn. "Unlike a worthless mentor I don't just sleep all day." He hissed at her, his fur standing on end. The huge tom towered over the pathetic creature. "You don't have to be a brat because YOU are a useless waste of space in Talonclan. ALSO I don't need someone who's opinion is so worthless to talk to my life about to. If you really want to get technical, I don't need anyone to talk to my life about. YOU need to learn respect IvyPAW and until you learn it, you WONT receive it. Do I make myself clear?" His voice was sharp, intimidating.

What brainless kittypet would dare approach him in that manner? Anyone that might even consider it was a very poor excuse for a creature that MIGHT have a single dropping of even PART of a brain. He wouldn't deal with this. "You don't need hunting, or fighting. You need respect Ivypaw. Can you handle that or does your tiny excuse for a brain not compute?!" Now he was just being nasty towards her. If anything she WOULD respect him, or there would be a huge issue. "And what kind of name is Ivyheart when you have no heart at all. Having heart is about respect. It's about loyalty. It's not MY fault you aren't loyal to your clan."

Welp now that he ripped her apart it was time to put her back together. Even though he was still pissed. She was lucky she had caught him in a pretty good mood. He had done this same thing with Mudpaw, and it had ALMOST worked...Mudpaw had showed him respect...of course he had showed a lack of respect to everyone else. He sat calmly, his face not changing from a blank but frowning hold. He looked pretty mad, but he wasn't. This was more or less how his face looked when he was resting. He waited for her to try to chew him out. If she didn't choose to do that, then maybe they could get started.

[Skiv]

Ivyheart just let it happen. She watched as Tigerfang's fur stand up then she let the lecture start. Was she supposed to act intimidated, because she was not. Then she heard him talk about his personal life and how she was being a brat. She was not going to lie to herself she was being a brat but she just needed to let it out and now she was done. She looked at Tigerfang and blinked her bright green eyes at the large tom in front of her. She didn't narrow her eyes or move any part of her body she just let the words come in. She just let him release his anger. Both of them yelling at eachother was going to get them nowhere. Then he accused her about her name and thats when she exploded.

"Heart, no heart. I earned my name fair and square and you know it Tigerfang. Don't sit here and lecture me about what I have done. Don't you think I already know that I messed up with Mudpaw, and let my clan down. Yeah I already know that and you know what having you here yelling at me and saying that I don't isn't going to get us anywhere. Why do you think I came over here Tigerfang, I'm doing my duties. I am being loyal to my leader. Having my apprentice taken away from me was enough punishment to have it click in my so called 'tiny brain' that I really messed up. I really don't need you to add to that. Also, Don't tell me I'm not loyal. Because you and I both know thats a lie. I wouldn't be in front of you right now if I wasn't, I would probably be still in Pebblestar's den arguing with her about this." Then she took and deep breath and then she added "Something is wrong with this whole clan, all of a sudden everything is turned upside down. And I know I have added to it." Then she got up started padding towards the entrance of camp she needed to think but having Tigerfang breathing down her back calling her names all day wasn't going to get her to change her actions. She turned and said, "I need to think for a moment is it alright if I go hunting? Or would your rather have me do other duties."

[CaℳI]

Tigerfang was irritated. This idiot didn't know anything. He was so sick and tired of stupid cats thinking they were so cool for standing up to him. He deserved more respect then practically any other warrior in Talonclan that he could think of. "You think you know me, but you don't even know yourself. You're trying to act brave, but you're only coming off as prissy and stuck up. You need to get over yourself before anyone will ever respect you. I don't respect you because you don't deserve it, Mudpaw didn't respect you because you didn't deserve it. If you actually had intelligence, you would suck it up and learn something before it bites you in the tail." He didn't hiss this time, barely moved. This prissy little brat didn't bother him. He would just have to suck it up and spend the day with her. Not like he was connected to her via vine and forced to live with her the rest of his life...which if Starclan cared about him at all would hopefully be short because Talonclan was turning out to be a huge piece of crap as far as he was concerned.

"Seriously though, you don't know me. So don't sit here and tell me I KNOW you're loyal, and don't tell me that I KNOW you earned your name. Because I DONT. I don't know you Ivypaw, and I doubt you wish to know me either, so glad we got that over with." His tone was obviously annoyed.

He was calm, didn't even smirk, "Don't you think I know Talonclan is a wreak? I'm not blind, Ivypaw." He would continue calling her Ivypaw. Since she obviously didn't earn her name like she claimed. She had really earned nothing as far as he was concerned.

He was pretty far done with the way the clan was acting. He was intimidating if they liked it or not. Just because he hadn't killed anyone...lately...didn't mean he was kind hearted and loving. Sure he could be the most compassionate thing on the planet if you gave him respect, and if you didn't- he had the ability to rip you apart and not even feel guilty. He was sick of the lack of respect. Sick of kits thinking they could take over the clan. Sick of mentors making the kits and apprentices think they had to cause an uproar. This was the fault of cats...cats like Ivyheart. Cats that weren't even loyal enough to train an apprentice correctly. The lack of respect was disgusting. If Starclan had any power left they would flood the whole clan and kill each and every cat.

He sighed, giving up on everything. Forget Ivyheart. Forget Mudpaw. Forget it all. He was one tail length away from losing it all and going on a rampage. but for now his face was oddly calm...so calm it was almost scary, because deep down inside, he was waiting to explode with passion, fire, and rage. "No, it's not alright. You're stuck with me today. I'm going to be up your tail, everytime you turn around...basically punishment enough huh? So now he was being sarcastic...under the rage, and pain, and heartache...he still found some sarcasm. Not very unlike him after all. "You're going to clean the elder's den. And I'm going to help you because even though you're an apprentice today, you won't be one tomorrow. As much as we don't seem to get along, we're a clan, and we're family." He didn't smile, he didn't even blink. He still had a frown on his face...well kinda. More like the look his face always had. He had a resting frown face problem...or so the apprentices had told him. He didn't care what Ivyheart said. If she was loyal like she claimed, she would do it anyways.

[Skiv]

Ivyheart just stopped and listened for a moment to Tigerfang. She just shrugged and said to his comment "I do know myself Tigerfang. I may not act like it but I do. Maybe you just don't like the cat that you see in front of you, being true to her nature. So thats why your making these assumptions that I don't know myself. I can't make you like my personality and I'm not going to try. I'm just going to be me." Then she shrugged and said, "I don't think Mudpaw didn't respect me Tigerfang. I think he doesn't trust any of his clan mates, I mean he trains with a cat in his dreams."

Ivyheart just nodded to the next comment, this cat just seemed to expect because he was large and cold and the leader's best friend that he needs to be on top of the world. but she wasn't going to mention that thought to the tom yet, she needed him to understand her but how was she going to do that when she really didn't understand him. Maybe this wont be such a bad day after all She thought, now that she had a purpose she was going to make out the most of this day.

Then his next comment made Ivyheart snort. She said simply "Tigerfang, I never said you were blind and I never said that you didn't know that Talonclan is falling apart. I simply stated that 'this clan is upside down.' It was me being honest, because thats who I am as a cat and a warrior, even if just for today I'm a apprentice, wise guy. but since I'm an apprentice I'm sure you wont even consider what I have to say so why bother right. Well I am going to say something because I do know who I am."

Then when heard his next statement she just laughed. She couldn't believe this guy. He was trying to get under her fur and she was just going to blow him off. He was putting words in her mouth that she didn't even say, just to make her look bad but she was catching them and correcting him. Even though she really didn't want him breathing down her neck but at this point she had no choice. She just nodded and said "Punishment, Ha! Well at least if your going to be on my tail and every time I turn my head I'll see you. And not going to lie your not half bad to look at. It could be worse." Then she padded past him and headed towards the elders den and said, "Well, you don't have to help Tigerfang, it would be just a waste of your time to help a mere apprentice do the dirty work. I can do it just fine but you know I'm not going to argue with you because I'll take the help if your going to offer it." Then the tabby's tail disappeared in the elders den.

[CaℳI]

Tigerfang shook his head. This joke of a warrior didn't know who she was, yet she was judging him. Apparently she didn't have a concept of the intelligence that Tigerfang hid behind his bold build and the piercing yellow eyes that Starclan gave him. No, toad! He didn't respect you at all, you simpleminded rube. I would know, because I was practically his mentor while you were sleeping your life away! He respects me more then he could ever respect you. He sighed, pretty sure that this cat was hopeless. She unquestionably didn't have intelligence on her side, so he wouldn't bother to argue with her. It would be like fighting with a kittypet. Pointless and a waste of his time.

Tigerfang's eyes narrow as the dull ball of fur ranted on about how she didn't say he was blind. Wow, yeah she was right. Maybe she was honest and loyal, but a rabid badger would have had a better sense of humor then this weird cat. She definitely wasn't graceful with her words. "Calm down fur ball. It's called sarcasm...." His eyes were all twisted up as he gave her a look as if she was the dumbest thing in the entire clan...and she just might have been. He was not convinced.

"Okay, moving on now that you got your pointless rant out."

A deep roar of a laugh filled his throat as Ivyheart claimed he wasn't half bad to look at. No joke, he wasn't. He rolled his eyes, almost playfully, and shook his head before padding off after Ivyheart who was now headed towards the elder's den. "Ah, and that's where your wrong Ivyheart. Another reason Pebblestar paired you up with me even though you probably just think it's because her and I are friends. Which is fine if you feel that way. but I happen to be one of the best mentors in the clan. Today is a punishment, sure, but it's also about helping you to be a better mentor, Ivyheart. I don't doubt your hunting and fighting skills, I doubt your mentoring skills. I'm not saying Mudpaw was an easy apprentice, because I'm sure he wasn't. That fur ball is something else for sure. but you and I both know there are things you could have improved on." He was sick of this name game, screw calling her Ivypaw. She had at some point earned her warrior name...despite her tiny brain...so he would just call her by her damn name.

His voice was clam and more natural, as if he was talking to friend...but he wasn't...he was talking to dull old Ivyheart. "You mentioned Mudpaw doesn't trust his clan mates. It's about trust, Ivyheart. It's not a bad idea to help your apprentice even with a minor duty from time to time. Not all the time of course, but the bonding is a good idea." The dark tabby headed into the elder's den. If she didn't want to learn, he couldn't make her. but he would offer his advice as he was moons and moons older then Ivyheart. Even if she didn't seem to be listening, he was hopeful she would take his advice and use it for her next apprentice...even if she would never admit he was the one that gave her the advice in the first place. He sighed, not even sure if Ivyheart was taking in what he was saying. He couldn't make her care if it just wasn't in her nature.

[Skiv]

When he told her to calm down Ivyheart was kind of confused. She was actually quite clam. Though maybe her choice of words and her voice that she said them in made it seem like she was flustered and so the tabby just shrugged it off. She was already sick of this tom thinking that she had no brain. She did have a brain, though it was quite lazy. She could have told anyone that she knew that she slept most of the day, and she surly wasn't really ashamed of that. She knew that she should be but then she thought some more and figured that the cats that are not clan born are acting more like warriors than she was a this point. My sisters are probably going to hear this and be so disappointed The tabby thought sadly. That almost deflated her on the inside but on the outside she tried to not let this big bad tom see that. Because she knew that playing the I'm so worthless and cry to get what she wanted was not going to make this tom respect her. That was one think that she knew but also she need to show him that she was clam and smart, she would die for anyone in this clan with out a heartbeat. Maybe I should just die to prove it to him at this point cause nothing was going to change his mind

She hear him laugh at her statement and she just flicked her ears back telling him that she heard him. When she was almost in the elders den the lecture started once again and Ivyheart just waited for him to finish. She was personally sick of his ranting. She was smart enough to see what she did wrong. She just could not get it in his one-sided brain that she knew what was happening and what the clan thought of her. She just wanted to scream right at him I KNOW WHATS GOING ON but once again yelling at him was only going to make him believe anything that she said. She mumbled, Why bother. That was mostly just for her own brain and had nothing to do with what Tigerfang and just said to her, but she knew that since it slipped out she was going to hear from it. She rolled her eyes towards herself and pushed her way into the elders den. She was going to reply to that statement when he seemed to continue on about Mudpaw. Thats when she shut him out.

Going to the first nest Ivyheart sat down and started pulling out the bad moss. She poke at the others to see if they were wet or not. She could easily tell what was good and what was bad and she sat down and just worked. Her mind was spinning from the whole situation but she had to say something, she couldn't let him just talk to her like she had no brain and let him get away with it. She said in a calm easy voice, "Good for you being one of the best mentors. It makes me really proud to know something about you as a clan mate other than your just big and scary to everyone else. Also I really do like that you point out something to me that I already know, thank you. I'm glad you care about your clan mate Tigerfang." Then she finished with the first nest and she moved on to the second nest and added to the pile of bad moss. She sat down again and started fishing through the nest. Ivyheart made sure her voice was easy going like she was talking to one of her sisters, "Yes I can always improve, and I knew my weaknesses before but get apprentice showed me what I have to improve on them even more, I am smart but I thought I could get away with it. but, having that duty taken away from me before I even started this day with you I knew I need to change but it seems like you think I don't know that. but what about you Tigerfang? I think you need to improve on the idea of being a little more open minded and actually listen to what someone is saying before you just assume things." She looked at the big tom and shrugged, "Please don't give me a lecture about what I just said I can already see it. She cleared her voice and then dropped it low imitating his voice, "Don't say anything that you don't know Ivyheart, the way your act is just kittypetish and you need to grow up and get your shit together." Her eyes sparkled with amusement and her flicked her tail hitting him on the shoulder as she pushed pass him to the next nest.

"but I do have a question for you, Tigerfang. If your willing to let me ask it."

[CaℳI]

Tigerfang rolled his eyes. He was trying to help this twit but she just kept putting words in his mouth. "Yeah. Now you know that I'm a big, scary, great mentor...perfect." The sarcasm rolled off of his tongue. What a great reputation. He was really over the way the entire clan was treating him and Pebblestar when they had done nothing wrong. It seemed like all of Talonclan was just disrespectful.

He was done with her acting like a snob, "Ivyheart! I've done nothing but listen while you put words in my mouth and act like a prissy snob...." but before he could even finish she informed him he didn't need a lecture. At least she knows she's acting like a kittypet and needs to grow up. He hissed at her with narrowed eyes when he felt her touch him, "I never assumed anything! You're making crap up Ivyheart. Seriously, just leave it be. If this is the way you act I don't blame you for sleeping your life away. I doubt anyone wants to be around someone that acts this way." He was livid that she was lying. She had proven to him she wasn't honest, and definitely not respectful. She kept making up things that he said that had never even happened. It was crazy how insane this cat was.He lunged putting his face close to hers, "And NEVER touch me with your nasty ungroomed tail EVER again. All you've proven if you have no respect for anything. You aren't honest because you keep saying I'm assuming things that I'm not. You don't listen. You aren't loyal to your clan. You only care about yourself. Worthless...." He rolled his eyes and started walking away. "Go hunt or something!" He yelled as he threw his paws in the air, little kits turning from where they were playing in the clearing to look at him. One of them getting up and running back into the nursery.

Ivyheart was a lost cause. She wasn't listening. You couldn't help someone who thought they were Starclan. They thought they knew everything when in reality they didn't know anything at all. If you couldn't even be a good mentor what use were you to the clan? None. You were just another mouth to feed. Just another cat I put MY tail on the line for, yet shows me no respect. I'm really over this whole clan. I should have told Pebblestar yes when she asked me to run away with her. I should have pretended I thought she was seriously. I should have left a long time ago. I'm so done with this shit! He started padding across the clearing. If she needed him, she could find him, but for now he wanted to get away from her tyrant like ranting and brainless words and assuming. All she did was make crap up. I can't believe she touched me! How disrespectful! For a moment he thought they might even get along. but not with her acting like a spoiled kit. She had just pushed him too far and he really didn't feel like entertaining her another moment. He had totally forgotten she had a question. He quickly turned around sighing before walking back, still looking really pissed off. "What did you want to ask me?!" He asked as he came back, frowning and waiting so that he could leave again. He was too curious about what the question was for him not to go back. He hated that he was curious, it had always been a pain in his tail. Curiosity. How annoying!

[Skiv]

She just chuckled at his scarcasim towards her. Maybe Tigerfang wasn't that bad when he wasn't yelling at her. but she knew that soon enough that he would be with the things that she just said. Even though she kept her voice easy and calm she knew that Tigerfang was about to blow up soon. She considered the second part a joke even though she knew that she was acting like a kittypet in his eyes. That when it happen she flick him with her tail, more of like a teasing thing but the last thing that Ivyheart was expecting was Tigerfang to blow up at her for that. She listened as he said that she put words in his mouth but the last time she remembered that he had done the same thing. Wow, he's just harsh no wonder why nobody can stand him. The tabby thought but then she thought about herself Nobody can stand me either For the reasons he was saying but Ivyheart was the cat that had a huge heart, yes she was lazy and yes she was brutally honest and tell you what she seriously thought but she really did care of her clan mates. Which is what the main thing that Ivyheart was going to ask Tigerfang because she knew that he would considering it with a lot of thought. Plus her question had to do with Pebblestar and she knew that Pebblestar and Tigerfang were really close but she really didn't even want to ask it anymore because anything she says that she believes is true is just being turning into her not caring for anyone else, or her clan. but thats all really cared about ever. She didn't really have any close friends but her sisters but she knew even at this point her sisters wouldn't even want to been seen with her. They would probably hate her, she honestly didn't know what to say. So she just let the words sit in her gut as she cleaned out the elders nests. She wasn't going to cry or storm or pout like a kit. but at this point she didn't know what to do. She was sort of lost, but she knew that this tom in front of her thought that she was a waste of time.

Just like you thought Mudpaw was

The tabby just kept repeating that in her head. It finally just clicked.

The tom in front of her had to practically push her off a cliff to get that to click. She finally realized that he was just trying to help her and all she did was fight against it, just like she did to Mudpaw. That poor apprentice now had to deal with someone that he even hated more because she was too proud of herself to even consider what happened to him. Thats when Tigerfang's angry face right in her's brought her back to the present. but instead of backing down she stared at him straight in the eye when he talked about her touching him. Ivyheart actually looked at her pelt, it was actually groomed today. She remembered cleaning her pelt for the first time in two days before she went to grab Mudpaw that morning. That's something new She thought to herself, one was for her pelt but the other is that she just found out that Tigerfang didn't like to be touched. She tried to keep laugh from pouring out of her throat. She didn't want to laugh because this wasn't the time so she bite her tongue with trying to keep her laughter in she missed on what he had said after that. She was about to open her mouth to ask him to repeat it but then he yelled at her to go and do something.

So I guess my question was a no then.

She nodded to the warrior respectfully, and simply said, "Ill get the elders fresh moss and then Ill go hunting." Then she watched him stalk out of the den. She watched him go and she knew what this was. She was Mudpaw and he was her. He had given up on her like she had given up on Mudpaw. Once he left that's Ivyheart dropped her tail to the ground and closed her eyes, she finally knew what her poor apprentice felt like. And with that Ivyheart said, "I'm so sorry Mudpaw." Then the tabby got to work once again. She scooped up the bad moss and headed out of the elder's den. She wasn't looking on where she was going and ended up running straight into Tigerfang. She tried to stop before she ran into him but she failed and ended up hitting the large warrior. She dropped the moss that she was carrying, she was about to snap 'Watch where your going but she held her tongue when she realized to whom it was she back up and blinked her green eyes she was about to apologize, she knew that he was going to freak out for touching him again, even though this time was an accident.

What question? .... Oh right!

She clustered the moss back together that she dropped. As she did she said "Sorry for running into you Tigerfang, I was carrying to much moss and I wasn't paying attention to where I was going." Then once the moss was put back together she looked up at Tigerfang, her eyes were full of concern as she asked the question.

"Is Pebblestar going to be okay training Mudpaw?"

[CaℳI]

That was the one thing that always pushed Tigerfang into guilt. When he treated someone poorly, even if they deserved it and then they stopped, understood what he had been trying to say, and tried to fix things. It made him want to scream. His eyes grew bright when Ivyheart ran into him, but he kept his composure. "That's alright Ivyheart. I accept your apology." When he heard her question, he thought he might melt into a giant tabby puddle right there.

Act normal. Pebblestar is my FRIEND....my FRIEND...nothing else, we're just friends. Could she tell? Of course not! He tried to keep his composure as he sighed, his eyes deepening into what almost looked like worry. He felt for Pebblestar. "I hope so..." His voice was very soft, he sounded unsure. He wanted to blurt out that Pebblestar was going through a lot and that he was worried for her health, but he didn't. He had to keep that between himself and Pebblestar.

"Mudpaw is rough Ivyheart. It's not completely your fault. I tried to train with Mudpaw. He listened, he respected me, he treated me well and responded well. but even after I thought him and I had reached an understanding about how very important respect is, he continued to disrespect you, he continued to disrespect Pebblestar. I don't know why. I thought I had gotten through to him." He had given out more then he wanted to, but maybe if he opened up to Ivyheart, she might open up too. Mudpaw was obsessed with Tigerfang! He followed him everywhere, talked about him to everyone he met. It was obvious he really liked the large tom...but if that was the case, why couldn't Tigerfang reach into the apprentice's little brain and get through to him? At the time it seemed like they had reached an understanding, but apparently they hadn't.

Respect was the most important thing in the world to Tigerfang. More important then love, more important then loyalty, more important then bravery. If you didn't respect, you couldn't be respected. "I'm sorry I went off on you Ivyheart. I'm irritable...not right this moment...but just naturally." He gave an odd half smile to the cat before thinking for a moment. Everyone had been so hard on Pebblestar and they were just so close. It broke his heart to see her in pain. Pebblestar never cried in front of other's, but Tigerfang thought back to the past night when he laid there holding Pebblestar, as tears ran down her face. She had been so crushed by the way she had been treated. By Duskflame, by Brackenkit, by Mudpaw...it hurt him to see her that way. "I would rant about how hard things are right now...but that would be pointless for I'm sure you've gone through hard things in your life before and aren't interested." His voice was calm. He didn't want to bore her with useless info about his silly life.

[Skiv]

Ivyehart watched as Tigerfang eyes almost seemed to glow with anger. She now knew that he didn't like to be touched so she just waited for him to comment on about touching him with her horrible pelt. Which was actually groomed today so if he said that she would comment that she did groom it that morning but if he didn't say anything she was not going to say anything either. So she watched for a horrible reaction from this large tom about her not trusting the leader and her judgement. She had already prepared her come back to that situation but then she blinked in surprised at Tigerfang's reaction. She didn't know a large tom like himself could talk that quietly. She could hear the unsure in his voice and that almost made it worse. The tabby knew that this tom was close to Pebblestar and if he was concerned then that was a problem. It was her fault, hers. She tilted her head and said back to him. "I hope so too, she hasn't been herself lately and I'm afraid that Mudpaw is making it worse."

Then Ivyheart started collecting the the moss up in her jaws again she was about to pick them up when Tigerfang started talking again. but this time it was different, some had changed. With both of them or maybe Tigerfang just decided that she was worthy to talk to. She just narrowed her eyes slightly and picked up the moss she headed out of the camp when she heard talk about Mudpaw and his training with him now this kind of pissed her off, a few moments ago he couldn't stand to be around her. Now was was telling her things and opening to her. She stopped and dropped the moss, she wanted to take Tigerfang's kindness, but at the same time this was almost to good to be true. She looked at him with narrowed eyes and she said, "Two second ago you were blaming me for Mudpaw's respect. No why all of the sudden the change? Then your saying it wasn't all my fault. And a few moments ago you were convinced that it was." Then she shook her head she didn't understand she wanted to scream. "I just can't take the forgiveness all of a sudden. It just doesn't seem right." the tabby said to the large tom.

Then Ivyheart was about to grab the moss once again but stopped. She listened as he apologized to her. She couldn't believe it, her jaw actually dropped. Now she was confused but she almost liked it. Maybe now he would actually listen to her, or maybe respect her a bit more. There was once thing he now got from her respect. Then the tabby warrior laughed, she tossed her had back and twitched her whiskers at Tigerfang she said in between her laughter "Irritable? Hey, you know thats not half bad, I mean it could be worse. You could be like me, lazy and a brat."

Then she said. but then as she listened to what Tigerfand said next she knew that they both change a bit, and there was some respect between them she thought. "Well if you don't want to talk about that's okay I'll be happy to share my problems. She cleared her throat, "Pebblestar is only going to get worse because of me. Me! I was the worse warrior ever, she in trusted me with an apprentice and I fail now she feels like she has to take care of it and she can't do it."

That's how I gained my warrior name Tigerfang, with my large heart.

[CaℳI]

Tigerfang simply nodded when Ivyheart spoke her concerns. He knew for a fact that Mudpaw wasn't helping anything. Pebblestar really seemed to think that her entire clan hated her. It had to be a horrible feeling after everything she had done for them. Without her there wouldn't really even be a Talonclan. He knew she hadn't been herself lately either...but the kits also had a lot to do with that. Not right now... He ignored the thought and tried to focus on what Ivyheart was saying.

A sly half smile began to appear across his face. "Mudpaw does have respect problems...and you probably didn't exactly help that...but at the same time, it's not like you told him to walk around and be disrespectful. That's something he did on his own. Almost like a personality defect. So it's definitely not completely your fault."

Tigerfang smiled and shook his head when she claimed it could be worse. "Well yeah, I'm not lazy...and I've never really been the brat type." He laughed shortly thinking about what type of large tom would really fit the definition of a brat anyways. "If anything I was more mad about how you hadn't been training Mudpaw properly, but that doesn't mean the entire clan taking a fit is your fault. Plus you did something at the meeting that Pebblestar called the other day that I respected. You got on Mudpaw's tail for being disrespectful to Pebblestar." His tail flashed in a quick twitch. Maybe Ivyheart wasn't half bad. She seemed pretty compassionate, even if she was a bit sassy.

Next thing he knew she was spilling out all of her problem...which was fine with him really, it just took him by surprise a bit. "Oh no, no. I'm sure there are FAR worse warriors out there. Being lazy isn't even that bad! You could be an evil, kit-killing maniac." He nodded with a straight look on his face. His thoughts flashed back to Silverstar. Had she been crazy alright! She was downright insane! He was glad she was dead and now Leafclan was free from her clutch. It wouldn't have really mattered to him anyways...but he had been born and raised in Leafclan.

Maybe Ivyheart was a pretty bad mentor, but she wasn't the worse warrior ever for sure. "Pebblestar will be okay with Mudpaw...he just won't be ready by this next ceremony most likely. I think they tried training the other day...and Mudpaw just ignored her the entire time, wouldn't even speak to her. It seems he hasn't been speaking to anyone in the clan lately. Not sure if he's just finally shut down or what." Even if Mudpaw was a total jerk, he was still worried about his safety. Tigerfang tended to worry about the health of his clan mates. Like he had told Ivyheart, clan was family.

[Skiv]

Ivyheart just didn't say anything to the first comments Tigerfang had said about Mudpaw. She was still pretty convinced that it was her fault. but she trusted this warrior's judgement and if he didn't say it was her fault then she was going to let a little bit of weight off of her shoulders but not all of it. She just collected the moss in front of her when she was about to pick it up once again but then stopped with the next thing that Tigerfang said. She looked up at him and totally tried to think of her personality into that big tom. She just burst out laughing from that. She couldn't stop, the laughter just came pouring from her mouth and the next thing she knew he was continuing on and she clamped her mouth shut. but you could still see the laughter in her eyes as he spoke about something that she did right.

I finally got a complement, I'm going to mark that as one.

She then said easily, "Well of course I did. She is the leader of the clan after all, I wasn't just going to let him get away with that. In all honesty, I honestly didn't care what she treated him like, it shouldn't matter anyway because of the fact that she has been through way more to become the leader than he had. And after all she was accpected by Starclan and recieved nine lives, you just can't ignore that either. I mean I would understand if a leader tried to kill you, but I knew Pebblestar would never treat a cat unfairly, she would treat them like they deserve. And if thats how he deserved to be treated then so well be it. I trust the leaders judgement alright. I just don't think he understood that cats are tough on him because they only want to make him better." Then Ivyheart just shook her head, and said, "I did explain that several times to him as well but it must have never gotten through that thick skull of his." Then the tabby sighed, I should have made it happen though

This next part surprisingly didn't catch Ivyheart on her toes, Tigerfang was actually being somewhat understanding. She just looked at him with a blank face, there was no emotion at all when she was saying all that stuff about kit killing cats then she just mumbled, "but I am a kit killer." Then she put a paw over her mouth like she was surprised and looked at Tigerfang with wide eyes and said in a hushed tone, "Don't tell that to anyone else okay, I don't want the word getting out. Its bad for my reputation." She didn't know if he could take a joke but she through one out there anyways, I mean if he attacked her then that would be a no. but she had a feeling that this tom would get her joke and either not comment about it at all or just roll his eyes. One of the two she was pretty determined that it was going to be either.

Then when Tigerfang went on about Mudpaw Ivyheart, actually became serious. She thought through what he had said. Before she answered, "I hope so. That's understandable." Then Ivyheart narrowed her eyes and added, "It wouldn't surprise me, by now he probably has himself convinced that nobody in the clan care's for him. I'm quite surprised that he hadn't run off by now. He's just full of assumptions that aren't true, thats why I never trained him. Because he couldn't trust my judgement and he believed right from the start that I hated him along with everyone else. Sure I was tough on him, and wasn't afraid to call him out for anything that he did wrong. Though as my duty just because of that reason I shouldn't have just not trained him. And personally I couldn't handle it so I gave up. Now he has probably just a deeper hole and nobody will be able to get him out of."

Then Ivyheart just looked at off towards the leaders den and asked, "Why was I even given a apprentice?"

[CaℳI]

Tigerfang made eye contact and listened intensively as Ivyheart told him about how hard she had tried with Mudpaw and the way he had treated Pebblestar. It did make sense. He wished Mudpaw wasn't such a hard head, but that really had nothing to do with Ivyheart. That part wasn't her fault in the least. "Mudpaw definitely is something else. I'm worried about his future here in Talonclan if he doesn't straighten up. I have no idea what might happen to him." Tigerfang sighed and shook his head in doubt for what Mudpaw had coming to him. Would that mousebrain apprentice ever straighten up?

A smirk came across his face when Ivyheart joked about killing kits. She obviously had a sick sense of humor, but he couldn't help but laugh for a brief second. He just shook his head. A twisted sense of humor really didn't bother him. Tigerfang had actually killed cats...but he wasn't proud of it. Never a kit though. He blank for a second, shaking the memories of his loner days from his mind. He had wondered for a while if he should just leave Talonclan and go off on his own again...but he wouldn't dare. As much as he didn't want to, he loved Talonclan. His calnmates were his family after all. He could never leave Pebblestar either. At least not right now.

Tigerfang appreciated Ivyheart being open minded towards him finally. It felt like they were making progress. He smiled at her, "Because you were ready." He said it quietly and then nodded at her, almost trying to convince her against her will that it was true. "Even though you messed up...it was meant to happen Ivyheart. You learned. Next time around, you'll be better."

[Skiv]

Ivyheart hear the tom laugh and she just smiled. She was glad that he took her joke well. but then she noticed that it didn't last long and the tabby's smile disappeared just as quickly as it appeared. She noticed that Tigerfang was thinking about something. She really didn't know what but she was going to pry about it either. She just waited for him to answer her question about being a mentor. She was staring at Pebblestar's den just thinking about everything that happened in the past few days. She remembered her days as an apprentice and her mentor was perfect for her.

Ivyheart was brought back to the present when she heard Tigerfang speak. She looked at him and she saw his smile. Which almsot looked funny on the large tom in front of her. Because she had never really seen him smile ever. It was a good look for him that was for sure. She was going to tell him that later. but she just listened as he large tabby spoke his mind. She was glad that they opened up to eachother. She knew that probably the only thing they had in common was the fact that they were both worried greatly about Pebblestar. She just didn't know what to say any more. She was still his apprentice for the day and she was ordered to go hunting. Which would actually be nice because that was the one thing that this warrior was good at.

She nodded to Tigerfang and said "Thank you Tigerfang. I appreciate your honesty." Then she paused for a moment before adding "It will be a long time before I get another apprentice. but thats okay, I need some time to get myself put back together before that happens." Little did the warrior know she was getting another apprentice. She said "I do hope my sisters get an apprentice next time they both deserve it." She started to collect the moss at her paws once more she collected it in her jaws and said her voice muffled a bit. "I'm going to get rid of this moss then go hunting. Just like I was ordered to do." Then Ivyheart took the moss out of camp. Then she poked her head back in camp and said. "You know Tigerfang, I think you need to smile more often then maybe others wouldn't think of you as the big bad warrior. Plus not going to lie, its a good look for you." The warrior smiled and twitched her whiskers at the tom.