[Fawn]

43 Moons || Senior Warrior || Tom

there's a light that you give me when I'm in shadow

The day started off cooler than it had in a long time. Sprucefur rose quickly, not wanting to waste the day away shaking the moss from his pelt. He stepped around a few drowsy apprentices that were doggedly following their mentors out for the dawn patrol. Sprucefur resisted the urge to clench his jaw, feeling a small knot of sadness in his stomach over his own lost pupil. Was she alright, wherever she was? With Demon skulking about, preying upon innocent cats—he worried for her. He blamed himself for not giving her the skills she needed to defend herself... But there just hadn't been enough time...

The death of Puddlepaw had hit Nightpaw hard, but if only he'd noticed how hard, he might have stopped her before she ran off. She could've been a warrior by now, joining the ranks of the new fully fledged fighters and hunters and queens the Clan produced every full turn of the seasons.

Rather than select a chaffinch from the fresh kill pile (he preferred to hunt on an empty stomach, getting only water from the sparkling brook when it was possible), Sprucefur stopped only to groom himself quickly and set off for the camp entrance.

"Where do you think you're going?" Said a very familiar voice behind him.

Sprucefur's ears swiveled back even before he could halt and turn, frowning. What had he done to deserve Lionstar's ire this morning? The tom was seldom cross with him (or with any cat, for that matter), and Sprucefur wracked his tired brains to see what could possibly be the cause. "I am going hunting. Did Meadowleaf assign me to the dawn patrol?" Foxdung... He had not heard the tortoiseshell deputy call his name.

Lionstar maintained his serious disposition, up until he stepped aside, revealing the black and white she-cat he had brought.

Badgerpaw...?

Was something the matter?

"No, but did you really expect to go hunting without taking your apprentice with you?" The golden tom's eyes glinted faintly with mischief, and Sprucefur stared at him, jaw dropping.

"MY apprentice?" Was he kidding? Was this a test? The pale furred warrior shook himself as if to wake from a dream, stepping closer as though he might touch noses with the black and white kitten. He glanced between the two, suspicious and grateful in equal measure, though the gratitude eventually one out. "Are you sure?" He murmured to Lionstar.

The Clan leader snorted. "If I wasn't, would I be here with Badgerpaw?"

No, he wouldn't...

Taking a careful breath, Sprucefur smiled, greeting the young she-cat with a soft touch of his nose to hers.
"I'll do better this time. Teach her everything I know. What about Sootmask?"

"He's already been dismissed of his mentoring duties."

And that was that. Sprucefur nodded, feeling anxious happiness bubble up in his heart like a wellspring newly unblocked. An apprentice. He had his own apprentice again, and by StarClan, he was going to see to it that she became a warrior!

there's a feeling you give me, an everglow

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Word Count: 515 Words
Tags:@marshymutt
Notes:

[Deleted]

Badgerpaw was silent for the most part, as she watched Lionstar interact with Sprucefur. She recalled the golden leader telling her that she would be getting a new mentor during their last hunting  trip. That being said, the tuxedo apprentice couldn't help but feel excited whilst she watched her new mentor react with surprise to this new information. She had high hopes for herself now that she would no longer have to work off of Sootmask and as her pale furred mentor seemed to step forward as though to touch noses with her, she instinctively moved closer as well. She took it as a good sign though, already feeling far more comfortable around Sprucefur than she had around Sootmask.

"I promise I'll do my best when training with you Sprucefur! I won't let you down." She purred out proudly, determined to prove herself to be a worthy apprentice to her new mentor.

Words:152 Tags:Fawn Notes:

COOL SONG LYRICS GO HERE

[Fawn]

43 Moons || Senior Warrior || Tom

there's a light that you give me when I'm in shadow

The innocent determination in Badgerpaw's voice made him smile, appreciative of her willingness to work with him. That he had lost his last apprentice, Nightpaw, would that both her? Would she suspect he was a failure of a mentor? As much as Sprucefur hated to rely on Lionstar's... entire steadying, commanding personality, perhaps Badgerpaw would trust their Clan leader's judgment when it came to him.

He'd make sure she knew he was fully invested in seeing her reach warriorhood, however. And that he could be a good mentor. Burning with the desire to prove to the world that he belonged in this Clan and any responsibilities given to him were fully deserved, Sprucefur glanced over Badgerpaw's head a moment, focusing distantly on the trees behind her as he thought of where to start first.

She would know their borders, and she probably knew how to hunt. Had Sootmask bothered to teach her valuable battle moves? Had he covered that part of Badgerpaw's training? Sprucefur did not know; he would have a word with Sootmask later (barring any awkwardness over it, though something told him the other tom wouldn't... care), but for now he... would go with his gut.

"Okay Badgerpaw. Tell me two things you're most excited to learn." There was something fortunate about having an older apprentice to work with; he did not need to go over every little thing to ensure she knew it. They could focus on what needed the most work, or what had yet to be covered. Sprucefur's pale gaze flitted briefly to the trees as a flock of sparrows settled in the branches nearby, aware they were safe from the predators underneath.

there's a feeling you give me, an everglow

---
Word Count: 282 Words
Tags: @marshymutt
Notes:

[Deleted]

Already she could sense her new mentor's willingness to teach, something that had been mostly absent in her last teacher. It was a good feeling, more natural and welcomed than Sootmasks' desire to be done with her as quickly as possible. In fact, it was rather comforting to know that her mentor was so willing to put up with her, most other cats weren't as eager to do so. Perhaps it was simply in her head, but she could swear that most of her clanmates, warriors included, weren't all that interested in interacting with her.

Still, to have found someone who seemed so willing to work with her, it made her feel so good. She made a mental promise to try and be as good as she possibly could for her new mentor in the hopes that she keep him around for a while.

Her ears twitched slightly, catching on to the words he spoke as he asked her what the two things she was most excited to learn were. It didn't take long for the tuxedo apprentice to reply with a playful shout. "Battling and hunting!" She burst into little giggles afterwards, unable to contain her excitement before realizing she should probably explain what she meant by hunting. "I mean, I know how to hunt mice but there are other prey animals in Treeclan and I want to learn how to catch them all!"

Words: 235 Tags: Fawn Notes:

I'm not the one who wants to hurt you

[Fawn]

43 Moons || Senior Warrior || Tom

there's a light that you give me when I'm in shadow

Sprucefur smiled, finding her sudden giggles endearing. He hadn't realized she was the kind of cat who giggled. Badgerpaw was that apprentice back at camp that he always took for a serious kind of soul; there was nothing wrong with being serious (unless you've talked to his sister, in which case Appleshade thinks it should be classified as a minor medical condition), but there was something... warm, and positive about seeing Badgerpaw open up.

"We'll do some hunting today then." Sprucefur gestured with his tail to the trees, going off of the hunch that Sootmask had not bothered to teach her how to catch squirrels. "We're going to look for the best places to find squirrels. Which trees do you think would be good to look for? Especially given the time of year."
He offered a hint mixed in with his question, eager to give her every chance to be just as smart and just as happy as she hadn't been able to express under Sootmask's mentorship.

Already, he was trying not to 'cheat' by scenting the air for the distinctive woodsy tang of squirrels; it was important to hunt with all your senses, not just the nose and tongue. He wanted Badgerpaw to look for the right kinds of trees; it would click with her soon which trees he meant. It was almost leaf-fall... and what were squirrels doing during leaf-fall? Building up their stores.

Putting his own lesson into practice, Sprucefur recalled where he had passed by a collection of oak trees, which would be of peak interest for the territory's squirrel population.

there's a feeling you give me, an everglow

---
Word Count: 265 Words
Tags: @marshymutt
Notes:

[Deleted]

They would be hunting squirrels!? That certainly was a good step up from mice! She took her time pondering his question though, where WAS a good place to find squirrels this time of year? 'Well, it's getting close to leaf-fall and usually around this time the squirrels will begin to store food for the coming leafbare. So wherever the most food is, the squirrels will likely be there too.' She thought.

'But what kind of tree has the most food available to them this time of year?' She questioned. As much as she hated to admit it, she didn't know the answer to that question and though she gave herself a little more time to think it through, she eventually decided to give a response. "I don't know Sprucefur, which trees are the best to find them at?" She asked, feeling her pride take a bit of a hit as she subtly admitted defeat by asking. the question.

Words: 158 Tags: Fawn Notes: Sorry if this is a little short

I'm not the one who wants to hurt you

[Fawn]

43 Moons || Senior Warrior || Tom

there's a light that you give me when I'm in shadow

"If you are quiet, I can show you." The pale warrior gestured for her to follow, his tail acting as a guide while he set course for deeper into TreeClan's territory; much of it was maple, with some ash, some spruce, a few pines closer to NightClan's border, but there were sizeable oak trees here as well.

Trusting that she could pick up the signs, Sprucefur glanced at the broken bits of acorns and walnuts that had been growned into the forest floor, part of the partially decomposing detritus, and one of the sure signs of fall. Acorns began falling late greenleaf, so the squirrels had gotten a head start for leaf-fall. Even as they approached, the gnarled gray bark of towering oaks now within their sights, Sprucefur could hear the low chatter of the bushy-tailed rodents and their claws scrabbling up the bark as they maneuvered through the trees with as much ease as birds flew through the sky.

"When the acorns start falling, the squirrels start storing." Sprucefur whispered this to Badgerpaw, the pale tom now hiding in a densely foliaged blackberry bush, ignoring the strong smell of sun-ripened (and rotting) fruit to watch the squirrels. He trusted her to keep quiet beside him; she was a smart cat.

"The key to squirrels is speed. Some cats even chase squirrels through the branches--but that's very dangerous, and very advanced." Only Feathercloud could ever do such a thing without causing injury to herself or to any cats watching down below. Perhaps later on in Badgerpaw's training, he would ask the pretty silver she-cat to give them a demonstration.

there's a feeling you give me, an everglow

---
Word Count: 268 Words
Tags: @marshymutt BlooRey DVD (Feathercloud mention!)
Notes:

[Deleted]

The bi-color kitten went silent, following along behind her mentor as he led her deeper into the territory. She kept her eyes trained on Sprucefur's tail, watching it carefully for any signs that she should stop. Occasionally though, she couldn't help but glance around, looking up at the trees that towered above them. Suddenly, a memory of what Sootmask had said to her while teaching her the layout of the territory crossed her mind. He had said something about having to learn how to climb one day didn't he? Would this be how it occurred, during a lesson on hunting squirrels?

Her question was quickly answered however, when she and her mentor took up position in a blackberry bush. He explained to her that the squirrels began storing food when the acorns started falling, before then going on to remark that catching squirrels was a matter of speed and some cats chased them through the branches. She was relieved to find out that she wouldn't be learning to do that part yet though, she much preferred catching them on the ground. Slowly, the she-cat responded with a nod, to show that she understood and then waited for her mentor to give her a signal to begin the chase.

Words: 208 Tags: Fawn Notes:

I'm not the one who wants to hurt you

[Fawn]

46 Moons || Senior Warrior || Tom

there's a light that you give me when I'm in shadow

Catching a squirrel wasn't going to be easy, especially if they had to chase the creature down. Sprucefur hoped that by positioning themselves in the blackberry bush, they could take advantage of their natural strength in their legs to leap out at the right moment. That moment seemed soon, however, and Sprucefur felt his body try to lean forward, wanting to pursue the squirrel himself.

Instead, he gently tapped Badgerpaw on the shoulder with the tip of his tail. "Try to catch it," he mouthed, words so soft they barely counted as a whisper. The squirrel was digging around through the undergrowth, rifling through broken acorns and cracked walnuts, looking for whole ones. Badgerpaw would have a heartbeat or two at most. If she wanted to catch one on their first hunting trip, then she would have to act now.

Sprucefur, who knew a thing or two about unfair expectations, did not pressure her into performing well. This was a learning exercise; if she missed the squirrel, then no hard feelings. It was only the beginnings of leaf-fall. There would be others. TreeClan had an abundance of trees that produced all kinds of nuts and seeds; birds, rodents and other creatures were bound to come out of the woodwork now that the leaf-fall preparations had begun.

there's a feeling you give me, an everglow

---
Word Count: 216 Words
Tags: @marshymutt
Notes:

[Deleted]

Badgerpaw glanced up at her mentor when she felt him tap her shoulder. Her eyes trained on his mouth as he gave her the go ahead to chase down her prey. Without a second of hesitation, the she-cat readied herself and dashed out of the bush, heading straight for the squirrel.

Her prey however, was startled by the sound of the she-cat dashing out of the bushes. Taking off in a sprint up the tree, the bushy-tailed beast eluded the kitten, glancing back at her with an almost taunting look in it's eyes as it scrabbled up to a branch.

Badgerpaw's eyes widened as her target escaped and she immediately planted her feet on the ground to stop herself mid run. She skidded to a halt just before the tree trunk and glared up at the rodent. 'You just got lucky. Next time I wont go easy on you.' She thought to herself before stalking off back over to Sprucefur.

"I'm sorry Sprrucefur, it was too fast for me." She said softly, ears pinning to the back of her head in disappointment. She had been so certain that this would go over well, now she had only succeeded in embarrassing her new mentor. This day just wasn't going the way she had hoped. "B-but I'll do better next time, I promise!" She mewled out quickly, hoping it would help to remedy the mistake she had made. She wanted so badly for Sprucefur and Lionstar to be proud of her, it wasn't fair to them if she didn't come back from this trip with at least one squirrel in her jaws.

Words: 270 Tags: Fawn Notes:

I'm not the one who wants to hurt you

[Fawn]

46 Moons || Senior Warrior || Tom

there's a light that you give me when I'm in shadow

He'd been able to tell the moment she launched out of the blackberry bush that the squirrel would be too fast. He didn't know very many apprentices that could catch a squirrel on the first try. He'd been puzzled too, when Nightmaple had told him to catch a squirrel, and she'd congratulated him on his failure.

So Sprucefur told Badgerpaw what Nightmaple had told him. "You still did very well. You tried, and that's what I wanted. A warrior who knows only successes only understands half of what it means to be a Clan cat." The pale tom nodded, pleased by her exuberant response, her willingness to try harder. "We can't always catch everything we're aiming for, but when we do catch something, we give thanks to StarClan and take pride in our successes. Because we worked hard."

With a flick of the ear, he indicated they should go towards a different tree. "Now that you know where the squirrels are, you can practice on your own when you have time to spare. For now, let's try something a little easier. Luckily, mice can't climb trees." Sprucefur planned to teach her in parts. Because she was a beginner, a novice at this, he would focus on perfecting her hunter's crouch and sharpening her mind. After that, he would focus on her scent-work and stealth. Lastly, he would focus on her speed—if she had the aptitude for it—and teach her how to climb trees safely.

Sprucefur stopped and glanced at her, feeling a sudden rush of relief and... pride at Badgerpaw's presence. I can do this. I will train her as best as I can. She deserved that kind of dedication, and he wasn't going to ruin his second chance at getting this right.

there's a feeling you give me, an everglow

---
Word Count: 303 Words
Tags: @marshymutt
Notes: We can cut the thread short (say they come back to camp with a couple of mice each) or we can continue the lesson! =) Any preference?

[Deleted]

 She was surprised when the tom stated that she still did very well. Though his words comforted her a little, yet still allowed the fire inside of her to burn brightly, not entirely snuffed out by her failure. He was right, failure was a part of being an apprentice and she was lucky that he was kind enough to allow her to make such mistakes without getting upset with her. She was sure that with time and practice, she would be able to hone her skills and make him proud.

Until then, she was happy to give a nod of approval at the tom's suggestion that they head out to go mouse hunting instead. For now, she would focus on practicing the skills she already knew as well as building up her abilities. He would of course, provide other techniques for her to learn as time goes by that she could work with him on learning. As she followed her mentor towards the same kind of tree she had properly caught her first mouse beneath, she thought of how far she had to go. She had a ways to go surely, but with Sprucefur's guidance she was sure that she'd be able to grow into a great warrior soon enough.

Words: 210 Tags:Fawn Notes: Sure, you can end it if you like

COOL SONG LYRICS GO HERE

[Fawn]

46 Moons || Senior Warrior || Tom

there's a light that you give me when I'm in shadow

Sprucefur padded back to TreeClan's camp with Badgerpaw keeping step beside him. Between the mentor and apprentice pair, they had caught three mice and a vole, the latter being a lucky catch when Badgerpaw surprised the hapless creature right into Sprucefur's claws. He had swiftly dispatched it, pleased to have so much fresh prey to bring back to the camp. Overall, he thought that went well; he felt some of his confidence returning to him. Maybe I can finally... speak to Feathercloud... The tom held his breath as they crossed the threshold into camp, and after depositing the mice and vole on the fresh kill pile near the ancient stump, Sprucefur took a steady inhale, trying to detect his friend's scent.

She must be out. A part of him was relieved; a very big part of him, actually. It was going to be a while before he could look her in the eyes. One successful training mission did not make him an expert or experienced mentor; he just had to keep working hard, keep proving himself, and he could face Feathercloud again with his head held high. Seeing Gorsetail going out with his apprentice, Nightpaw, Sprucefur tapped his friend's shoulder with the tip of his tail, a brief nod for greeting when Gorsetail glanced his way.

"Good hunting," he mewed to the pair, before facing Badgerpaw again. "Well done. We'll train some more tomorrow, you can have the rest of the day off." Hoping she would appreciate that (and guessing she might be tired from all the walking), Sprucefur smiled once before departing, going into the warriors' den to catch a bit of shuteye before he was inevitably assigned a patrol.

there's a feeling you give me, an everglow

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Word Count: 285 Words
Tags: @marshymutt (Phoenix for Gorse mention) BlooRey DVD (For Feather mention!)
Notes: