[Thistledawn]

Originally Posted by Mauve

It was almost as if every decision Shadetail had made since joining ShadowClan was coming back around to bite him in the tail. No matter what, everywhere he turned there was a cat questioning his loyalty, despite the fact that he'd thrown himself head-first into each battle, regardless of how pointless they each were. "What I don't understand," he hissed throw clenched teeth, his yellow eyes in slits now, "is how ShadowClan does not even give me the chance to prove myself." Anger filled his veins as Shadetail fought to calm himself down further. He would not prove his point by continuing this useless fight with Ashnose - if anything, it would prove the other tom right. It would show that Shadetail was nothing but a hot-headed former Dusk Syndicate cat who did nothing except butt heads with anyone who dared speak their opinion on his heritage. Perhaps they were right in questioning him. After all, the doubts still crept around in the back of his mind. How could he possibly expect his Clanmates to trust him when Shadetail was beginning to lose trust in himself?

As Ashnose seemed to be wrapping the patrol up on his own, Shadetail found that he couldn't necessarily argue. He didn't want to be around the tom any longer, and though he hated making enemies in his new home, the tom would not stand by while he was disrespected simply because of where he had been born. It hadn't been his choice after all to be raised in a blood-thirsty group - it was all he knew. By the time he could think for himself, Halite and the other Syndicate members had turned him into a cold-blooded killing machine to be used against the Clans at their will. Shadetail heaved a frustrated sigh and dug up the first piece of prey they had caught, leaning down to grip the limp body firmly between his jaws. "I'll let Goldenstar know his faithful and loyal warrior is finishing his patrol solo," the tom muttered around the piece of prey, not really caring if Ashnose understood him or now. Instead, he trotted forward, consciously bumping against the tom with his shoulder jutted out. With a wave of his tail, the gray tom headed back towards camp, yellow eyes narrowed and paws flicking snow off themselves as they carried him back to camp.

The taste of blood suddenly became apparent to Ashnose. He'd been biting back a response to Shadetail's ignorant words and ended up biting into his lip and leaving a cut deep enough for the taste of blood to trickle out. He wanted to badly just to dig his claws into Shadetail's pelt and teach him a lesson. Ashnose silently prayed to StarClan to give him the strength not to rip the other tom to shreds. I'll play nice for now, he decided. But as soon as this stupid cat does anything wrong. . . "Yeah, go do that." The gray tom mewed between clenched teeth. He completely ignored what Shadetail said before. Either the Syndicate tom would learn what it means to be a ShadowClan cat or he'd leave. Ashnose hoped with all of his heart the second option would become reality. Another burst of fury spread throughout the ShadowClan warrior's body. "You know what? Why don't you add 'devoted' while you're at it? Faithful, loyal, and devoted." The amber-eyed tom called to Shadetail as he padded away. Now more angry than he'd been in ages, Ashnose turned on his paws and stalked deeper into ShadowClan territory.