Fighting Practice #1

[Timberstar]

(Rosepaw only)

Timberstar wasn't one to go and wake his apprentices up. He expected them to wake up early on their own, and if they failed to do so, they would get plenty of extra chores. This is how he kept the warriors of Rainclan strong, quick, and smart. This is why Rainclan had such a good history of leaders and warriors. They were not babied like kits, they were treated like adults who live in a wild world where you have to fight to survive.

So here he was, waiting on his apprentice, Rosepaw, to arrive at the Training Hollow. He wouldn't bother with her tour of the territory yet. He desired to teach her how to fight for right now. He had absolutely no idea if she would be a better hunter or fighter, or if she'd even make a fine warrior, instead of a Medicine Cat, or just another mouth to feed.

But what he did know about her, was that she was running late for the day's session.

[Rosepaw]

I gave a small yawn as I crawled from my den. The early morning sun was still rising, dawning a purple hued sky above. I slowly walked to the freshkill pile, ready to snatch my morning meal when something ticked in my head. I was forgetting something. No, someone. I paused and looked around in confusion. Morning patrols being sent out with a thin group of cats. I looked over to the nursery, the elders' den, the leader's den-- the leader. Oh no. I had to be wrong, but I knew I wasn't in an instant. I scrambled around ungracefully towards the camp's exit, tearing out of the clan like rabbit being chased by a CinderClan cat.  I took a opened my mouth slightly and took a sniff with my nose; I was following the path to the training hollow by the scent-trail.

I skidded into the hollow, the form of my leader quite bigger than I.  I flattened my ears and looked down.  "I... uh, I'm here," I said, looking up with an awkward smile.

[Timberstar]

Timberstar watched with a blank expression as his apprentice skidded into the hollow, looking as guilty as a kit who had been caught in the Medicine Cats' Den. He let himself look annoyed, and got to his paws and marched over. But as he got to her he couldn't hold the act anymore, and gave her a halfhearted smile. "Oh, don't worry about being late. I always let my apprentices make up late work." He purred, quite amused with the situation. Apprentices never would change.

He padded a few steps away from her, then turned and immediately pounced at her. He had never, ever, told an apprentice his attack plans on the first day of battle training. War did not come with move announcements. It came with tail signals, hissing, yowls of pain, and blood. His apprentices would have to catch every sign, every signal, and every meaning in the art of battle if they wished to ever defeat him in training, or if it came to be, a true fight with other cats.

[Rosepaw]

I scrunched down as he marched over, my tail bristling with nerves as the leader marched over.  I shrunk even more when I caught a glimpse of his expression.  He was none too happy.  Taking another risky glance upwards, I was shocked to see a change in face.  I relaxed as a smile stared back at me.  "Th-thank you..."  I murmured, still feeling a tad bit flabbergasted.

I watched him walk forwards, almost like a death march in my mind.  I gulped, knowing nothing good could come out of this.  I swallowed hard and perked up my ears.  "Um, ah, Timberstar?"  I rose to speak my voice, wondering what the leader was doing.  My body stiffened as he turned around to pounce.  I took a quick blink and flattened myself to the ground, hoping I could avoid the leap.

[Timberstar]

Ducking for cover? How predictable. Timberstar landed behind the she-cat, and quickly, but lightly, kicked out with his rear paws. He then turned around to face her, expression as blank as ever. "Alright, so, what do you think you need to work on based off of what just happened?" He asked calmly, sitting down and licking one paw.

(wowlazyok)