two little troublemakers[o]

"If we did what was easy, then there wouldn't be anything to live for."

Before Lilypaw was an apprentice, she had been a warrior, and she had known these marshes. No amount of time in a two leg city could change where she had grown up, after all.

So she wasn't all that bothered by going out on her own. Yeah, there was the rule about apprentices not being allowed on their own, but she wasn't just any apprentice, either.

Surely it wouldn't be a problem to take another cat with her.

"I'll take ya out training, Cloudpaw. I need to stretch my leg out anyway. It gets sore when I sit around too long. Maybe I'll even tell you the story behind my scars."

She made it a point not to look at Nettlepaw, let alone talk to him. He'll just think anything she said was an attack against him, anyway. And honestly, she was so tired of fighting with him. It seemed so ridiculous, and like Sablestrike had said, she was supposed to be the bigger cat. She wasn't going to apologize, not after their last fiasco, but she was done with the drama.

Maybe if she just pretended he didn't exist, they could put everything behind them. Or at least pretend to be civil around each other.

Just nothing like what happened last time. She couldn't do that again.

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discord: karunamaya  | timezone: edt | code (c) kieer | images: 1 2

"If we did what was easy, then there wouldn't be anything to live for."

Lilypaw let out a long, drawn out sigh, flattening her ears against her head. "Can you please not yell? You're giving me a headache."

She looked back at Nettlepaw, finally taking in his form. "There are a few things you need to understand, Nettlepaw. One, you and I are not the same. You are assuming everything that applies to you is the same for me. That is false. Yes, I chose to take an apprentice name, but that was my choice because I wanted a fresh start, away from certain disasters that had happened in the past. I was not demoted for my lack of capability as a warrior. I spent my whole life in these marshes. I have seen these marshes throw a lot more at me than you have ever seen in your life.

Two, I am still an adult cat. I do still hold some authority as your elder. Even still, I am trying so hard to remain civil.

Three, my leg still hurts, and that is not going to get better by pretending you are all high and mighty, Nettlepaw. I have been going out into the territories every day to stretch out my leg. Leopardstar has even seen me out in the territory, on my own, mind you, and has said nothing. I think that is enough to say that I am capable enough of satiating Cloudpaw's wishes to go out.

If this offends you so much, Nettlepaw, you can come with us. Otherwise, you can shut up, show some humility, and just walk away. Not everything requires you to say something, I can promise you a lot more cats would like you if you shut up from time to time. There is a very good reason no cat respects you, Nettlepaw, and that happened long before I came into the picture. Why don't you have a good think about why. I'm not as much of the problem as you think."

With all that said and done, Lilypaw turned back to Cloudpaw, limping after the young cat. "Hey, if we're going to do this, you're going to stick close to me, got that? Much as I hate to say it, Nettlepaw is right about one things, these marshes aren't any game. Espescially not this close to new leaf. The deep marshes aren't the only thing to watch out here. This territory had chased us out of our own home on multiple occasions. You need to tread carefully."

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discord: karunamaya  | timezone: edt | code (c) kieer | images: 1 2

"If we did what was easy, then there wouldn't be anything to live for."

Lilypaw didn't grace Nettlepaw with a response as she padded out of the camp, in no rush whatsoever. Cloudpaw may have been out of sight, but she could still scent. And the apprentice hadn't even gone far enough away for her to struggle scenting her.

It was one hill. If that was all it took for Cloudpaw not to know her way back, she was in trouble. But at least she was smart enough to stay still.

And small enough for Lilypaw to pick up as she dragged the kit, because clearly Cloudpaw was still a kit, back to camp. And plopped her right in front of Nettlepaw, a smug look on her face.

"You go right on ahead and get a warrior. Tell them all about how you apparently forgot to use your nose."

Then she turned back to Cloudpaw with a glare. "I literally just told you to stay with me, and you immediately run off. Now I am taking back my offer. I tried to be nice, but if you can't listen, then you don't need to go out there. Since Nettlepaw wants to be a hero so badly, he is going to kitsit you while I go out for my daily walk. If you try to follow me, Sablestrike is getting involved. And he won't be as gentle as I was."

She didn't even wait to hear the complaints of the other cats, simply turning back around and walking away. She was highly annoyed now, and at this rate her leg was throbbing.

This is what she got for trying to be a good cat.

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discord: karunamaya  | timezone: edt | code (c) kieer | images: 1 2