_breathing in a desired amount of sweet milky scent, valentine released his gratitude that he had done well in naming the last two offspring. comforted to know that he was adjusting to clan ways, the forest lord tipped his skull in a downward angel so that he could linger in the curve of her chin in affectionate safety. to his discomfort the length of this feeling didn't last in his favor; wolfclan's deputy broke the set mood with her authoritative presence, a mouthful of barbaric words spilling from her maw. the barbed accusations poisoned his mind with guilt, a feeling he had hoped would not arise in such a moments of happiness; though flatly he reminded himself that emotions of a pure gleefulness could never last for an unforgivable abomination such as he. physically, the tom remained together, posture and facial expression unchanged by anything that had perspired; whether it had been by ashenblade's forceful inquires, cloudstrife's addled questions, or flarekit's sudden outburst, valentine remained undeterred.

_lamely tipping his skull to one side, the broad feline king adjusted his brazen gaze upon the wolfclan deputy, wishing to neither gain her respect nor make an enemy of her. strongly, he rolled to peaked height and spoke responsively in a deep voice which detected nothing but plain honesty. "blades molded from the strongest ashes, i shall not name thyself as part of your clan, for i do not belong. my blood dost not sing with wolves, but i shall remain as a guard for my mate and kits --- whom i love very much if i must makest myself clear --- until they are no longer in need of my guidance. if it settles fairly between you and your leader i shalt like to stay a while in this clan which bares the name wolf. and need i remind you that these kits and their goddess bearer are loyal members, if nothing they are more." satisfied, valentine leaned in closer to cloudstrife, a challenging glint resting in his pupils, daring for ashenblade to rebuke. not far from his side, jaykit squeaked with energetic ferocity as flarekit was returned to his mother's side after an attempted attack on wolfclan's second in command.

_pale optics glittered with admiration as the brawny kit fluffed up his blue fur, tiny teeth bared in a lip curling snarl, small throns flashing as he sliced through air, meaning it to be ashenblade. grunting, the black mate rested his tail in front of the tough fledgling, keeping him rounded at bay, but unbothered to cease his claw striking. thunderkit however rested a bushy tail peacefully onto flarekit's shoulder, casting a worried glance between him and jaykit; though when green eyes met with that of the deputies, a determination seemed to lift the small tom's chest, eyes sparkling with interest instead of sour bitterness. perhaps the golden kit wished to some how prove to ashenblade that he could be an excellent warrior even with loner blood tainting his veins. this thought was most interesting to the forest king.