Warriors: Beyond the River (SOB prequel) (COMPLETE)

Chapter 8

"That's it, now swipe at me."

Icepaw shot a paw at Frozenripple, resisting the urge to unsheathe his claws. "I know!" He snapped.

Frozenripple ducked and stepped back, nodding approvingly. "Okay, let's practice the belly rake." He turned away and flicked his fluffy tail.

"No!" He sat down stubbornly. "I already know all of this!"

The long furred tom sighed. "Get up, Icepaw. Shimmerstar ordered me to retrain you, and that's what I'm going to do."

Icepaw glared at the warrior. "Don't call me that. My name is Iceslide!" As his mentor closed his eyes, he went on, tail lashing. "Come on, you're wasting your time. Can't you just lie to Shimmerstar and say we trained?"

"I don't lie to my leader," Frozenripple meowed quietly, his eyes narrowing.

"You could be with Petalfin or your kits right now!"

"Yes, I could be, if some cat hadn't decided he'd rather spend time with kittypets than care for his clan!" Frozenripple suddenly snapped, and Icepaw flattened his ears. "Now, we're battle training whether you like it or not." He stepped back and watched him. "Come at me."

Icepaw gritted his teeth and lunged at him. Frustration surged through his body as he thrust the silver and white tabby onto his back, pushing his paws into his long fur. Frozenripple kicked his hind legs up at his stomach, and Icepaw grunted in surprise as he was thrown off of the warrior.

Frozenripple rolled to his paws and shook grass from his long fur. "Not bad," He meowed. "But you can do better. You weren't prepared for me to kick you. You should have..."

He ignored his mentor as he went on and looked up, wanting to yowl at the sky in frustration. This is ridiculous! I'm not a stupid apprentice! I'm a warrior! His paws itched to run to twolegplace and never return to RiverClan. He could be free of responsibilities and training sessions with Frozenripple. He could be happy with Violet. I wouldn't have to be a kittypet. He realized. I could just live around there. It would be fine! I-

"Icepaw?"

He snapped out of his thoughts at Frozenripple's voice. He was looking at him, twitching his tail impatiently. "Did you hear me?" He asked.

"Of course," Icepaw lied, narrowing his eyes.

"Good." Frozenripple tilted his head suspiciously. "Than do what I said."

Oh no. Icepaw hesitated. Just as he was about to admit he hadn't been listening, the reeds rustled behind him. He turned to see Salmonstripe, Heronpaw, and Lilynose appear.

"There you are," Salmonstripe meowed, dipping his head to Frozenripple. "Frostedcloud wanted you and Icesl- Icepaw, to join our hunting patrol."

Frozenripple glanced at Icepaw as though letting him know how lucky he was that the patrol had showed up when it had. "Very well." He flicked his tail and padded over to the others. "Let's go, Icepaw."

Icepaw flattened his ears. Iceslide! It's Iceslide! His insides pulsed with frustration every time he was called by his apprentice name. He sighed and slowly followed his clanmates, his tail drooping.

As they walked, Lilynose slowed her pace and fell in beside him. He couldn't look at her. "I'm sorry," She meowed quietly, sounding sympathetic. "It must be hard."

Icepaw hung his head, his tail twitching with irritation. He didn't want to deal with her right now. He was frustrated enough as is.

Lilynose brushed her shoulder against his as they walked. "You're still Iceslide to me," She meowed quietly, sounding sympathetic. "And you're one of the greatest warriors in RiverClan."