Rejection is nothing more than a necessary step in the pursuit of success.
- Bo Bennett

"Can't catch me!"

"Give it back!"

Minnowpaww grabbed desperately for the shriveled mouse that dangled from her sister's mouth. Diamondpaw looked at her scornfully, snorting in amusement. Minnowpaw slumped sadly next to Swanpaw, who was watching with interest.

"Need me to help?" the white she-cat purred at Minnowpaw. "I can reach Diamondpaw more easily than you can."

Although Swanpaw didn't mean to be rude, Minnowpaw's stomach sank. She didn't want to be tiny, and it had always been a teasing spot with her littermates. Swanpaw seemed to sense what she had done, and she flattened her ears in embarrassment.

"Sorry."

Minnowpaw shrugged her silver shoulders. "It's fine."

Her stomach growled, and she glanced at the mouse hungrily. She resented relying on the puniest mouse just because Diamondpaw wouldn't let her eat any other fresh-kill. Minnowpaw couldn't even eat old prey in peace, with Diamondpaw stealing everything she wanted.

Their brother, Graypaw, always backed Diamondpaw up, because she was always in charge. Even their parents, Watershade and Bloodshine - who names their kit Bloodkit, anyway? - fully supported Diamondpaw. Beautiful in every physical way, nothing could hurt Diamondpaw without the Clan going overboard in revenge. It seemed to Minnowpaw that she was the only one who saw past her sister's looks, deep down to her ugly personality.

"Don't let her get to you," Swanpaw advised. "It'll only make it worse."

"I know," Minnowpaw sighed sadly.

Swanpaw tipped her head, deep in thought. "You know, I was saving it for later, but - here."

She stood up, and Minnowpaw's eyes almost popped out of their sockets as Swanpaw revealed a juicy vole that had been hidden under her huge, fluffy pelt. Minnowpaw pulled it closer, eating it with quick, ravishing bites. Swanpaw kept watch as she was eating, nudging her when any of Minnowpaw's family came close.

"Graypaw," the white apprentice muttered, slinking toward her. "He's with Watershade."

Minnowpaw nodded, quickly finishing the vole before standing up. "Thanks, Swanpaw. I'm going to go hunting."

Swanpaw's eyes widened, revealing twin amber moons. "But you don't have a mentor! Oakstar said you have to be a queen for your entire life!"

"I know," Minnowpaw meowed easily. "That's why I'm going to hunt."

Her friend hesitated, but nodded after a few seconds. "All right. Don't get killed."

Minnowpaw grinned, nodding and running toward the thorn barrier. She burst through, ignoring a cry from Deerstream as she fled toward the river. Got to get away, got to get away... Her paws carried her past trees and ferns, finally coming to a stop at the muddy riverbank. She took a few deep breaths before taking the fishing position. She crouched silently, her claws digging into the ground. She saw a fish swish by, and without thinking, she lunged for it.

She screeched as she landed in the water, and immediately tried to swim for the bank. She barely noticed she was heading for the wrong side - the side that was past the border - until she had clawed her way up to the grass. She stared in dismay at her territory, wondering what to do.

But yet, as Minnowpaw stared at the rushing river, a new choice came to her for the first time: Leave.

She could leave WillowClan.

Forever.

Away from Diamondpaw, and Graypaw, and Bloodshine, and Watershade, and Oakstar, and every other cat in WillowClan she hated.

Forever.

And as she stared at the river, almost hypnotized by the pattern of the swirling water, it became clear what she must do. Slowly, Minnowpaw turned and walked into the rogue woods.