Jaypaw gazed at Iceleap with a sigh. "When will I be having battle training?" He growled, his tail tip twitching in irritation.

Iceleap glanced back at him with a sigh. "I'm sorry, Jaypaw... But there's nobody to help with your battle training." As Jaypaw looked up at the icy tom in confusion, he began to explain. "In order to do battle training, you need another apprentice."

"But the clan has never done that before!" Jaypaw exclaimed, freezing in his tracks. "Why does it have to change now?" Iceleap spun around.

"Because it's the way my mentor taught me!" He growled. "That is that—so stop complaining like a stupid old kit!" Jaypaw flinched away, his eyes wide.

"I wish you weren't my mentor!" He growled, his fur bushed up, making him look twice his size. He pelted off towards camp.

"Jaypaw! Get back here!" Iceleap yowled. Jaypaw barged into camp, and ran to the apprentices den. Stupid Iceleap... He thought angrily.

"Jaypaw!" Crowlight exclaimed, rushing over to her son, her eyes glowing with pride. "How was border patrol?" She asked curiously. Jaypaw shoved past her, not answering her question.

"Jaypaw... Are you okay?" She asked, following him, obviously sensing that something was wrong.

Jaypaw spun around. "No! I'm not okay!" He snapped. Crowlight flinched backwards. "Go ask my stupid mentor what's wrong! I'll never be a warrior with that mouse-brain teaching me nothing!!!" He flung himself into the den, and curled up, tightly wrapping his tail over his muzzle.

***

"There, there... Shh..." Jaypaw wearily felt a tongue rasp over his matted fur.

"Thanks..." He mumbled, keeping his eyes shut and not bothering to figure out who was trying to comfort him.

"You'll have a better mentor in the morning.... I was told that you and Iceleap don't get along." Jaypaw blinked open his eyes, and realized that it was Shimmerstar.

"Thank you.... Shimmerstar...." He purred just as he slipped back into the depths of sleep.