[BlooRey DVD]

Long white whiskers twitched as the lithe black and white tom tipped his head up to the sky. Dark, foreboding clouds hung heavy in the air, as though threatening to press down upon the Clans at any given moment. But the winds of yesterday had stilled, and though the air carried with it the scent of rain, Nightstep felt certain the storm would hold off for the remainder of the day. The air was heavy, but it wasn't alive with the chaotic nature of a coming storm. Sparing only another moment or two to test the still air once more, Nightstep directed himself toward the apprentice den. He didn't push into it much further than his shoulders, using his voice instead and trusting Cloudypaw would identify it as belonging to him. "Cloudypaw, meet me by the camp entrance." Backing away, Nightstep padded confidently to their designated meeting spot, curling his tail over his paws as he took a seat. Bright yellow eyes turned up to the sky again, a thoughtfulness briefly settling into his gaze. He planned to further Cloudypaw's battle skills today. They'd worked on battle skills previously, but Nightstep felt a certain reluctance emanating from the timid she-cat whenever the subject was brought up. He hoped she'd grow comfortable enough with his presence to reveal to him what was on her mind, so that they may move forward more easily. But so far, she'd kept quiet; Nightstep would have no other option but to ask her directly if she did not offer any indication of what was troubling her soon. Motion near the entrance to the apprentice den left the handsome tom to banish any traces of the neutral pensiveness that had settled over him. As his muzzle re-leveled itself, a self-assured and inviting smile cracked the tom's lips. "Apologies for dragging you out on a day as gray as this. A storm seems to be approaching, however, and I'd like for us to get some training in while the ground is still dry." After briefly touching his nose to her ear, he waved her toward the exit with his tail. He hung back momentarily, allowing her to exit first out of politeness. He soon followed her, pulling up at her side and taking the lead once they were clear of the entrance. "We are headed to the Trampled Clearing." He told her, yellow gaze fixed ahead as it pierced through the flat light. Though his pace never faltered, he spared his apprentice a quick glance, before speaking once more and adapting a tone that one might label as compassionate. "Have you been getting enough rest? Don't worry, we'll be back before the storm advanced."

Fawn

Note: 43 moons old

[Fawn]

Cloudypaw had been nestled against her siblings — Sunnypaw, Mistpaw, and Niko — hovering around sleep like a moth to a flame, never quite touching it. The voice of her mentor, calm and confident, snapped the tabby-and-white cat's attention, her ears pricked as if terrified she'd miss a word. "O-Okay!" It was a whispered reply, the she-cat never very good at speaking loudly. Now less of a self-confidence issue and more a personality trait, Cloudypaw tiptoed around her dozing littermates, paused at the entrance to clean her face (a few neat rubs of her paw), and stepped out into the rest of camp.

The weather was a distraction, and Cloudypaw's rainy-blue eyes widened as the bruised edges of a coming storm blotted out the newleaf sunshine.

"Apologies for dragging you out on a day as gray as this. A storm seems to be approaching, however, and I'd like for us to get some training in while the ground is still dry."

Cloudypaw started out of her daze, blinking at the tuxedo tom with sheepishness. "O...Oh." Training ground? And then he announced that they were going to the trampled clearing. Suddenly feeling as if her paws had been replaced with rocks, the already timid, submissive she-cat's posture changed from curious but cautious, to reluctant.

As they walked to the practice battleground, a thousand negative thoughts were bumping against each other like the storm clouds ahead, filling her head with thunder and lightning. I-I have to speak up! You can do it, Cloudypaw. Y-You can.

Struggling to find a voice, her jaws had barely parted when Nightstep was glancing back at her, speaking warmly, asking like a doting uncle if she had gotten enough sleep. Cloudypaw's head bobbed in a gentle nod.

"Nightstep? Can I tell you something?" It had been so easy to be excited, moons ago, after realizing her purpose in life was to nurture and make the Clan strong by raising strong kits. But the fear she'd felt over fighting had been replaced by another fear. A fear of disappointing her mentor. So she had sat on this revelation, trying to avoid the subject of battle whenever possible, secretly dreading the day — this very day — where Nightstep set his sights on the trampled clearing.

Cloudypaw's ears twitched in nervous intervals, tail tucked against her flank. The heaviness of her paws won, and Cloudypaw stopped moving.
"I want to be a queen, not a warrior. I want to take care of kits. I don't want to hurt anyone." Cloudypaw shuffled her paws, looking at the ground. Her voice trailed off into a whisper. "I'm not a good fighter. Pl-Please don't be mad." At me.

Word Count: 443 Words
Tags: BlooRey DVD
Notes:

[BlooRey DVD]

Nightstep sensed the change in the young she-cat, like a hunter attuned to the weakness of its prey. Cloudypaw's gait faltered, her steps falling leaden on the ground as she moved, far too loud for a cat as dainty as she. Her apparent desire to speak to him slowed his pace, black and white muzzle tilting fractionally to the side as his sharp yellow eyes flicked over her figure. Momentarily, he wondered if he'd missed some physical ailment preventing her from performing at top capacity. Nothing was glaringly obvious, yet Cloudypaw still looked as though she feared he might attack her on the spot. His black and white tail swished slowly behind him, the tuxedo tom inclining his head encouragingly to his apprentice. He halted only when he noticed Cloudypaw come to a complete stop. Nightstep turned himself just so, facing her and lowering himself into a sit as he awaited whatever she might have to say next. And then, she confessed her desire to be no more than a queen. With her gaze wrapped up in eyeing the ground below, the LightningClan tom allowed his pleasant mask to melt away. Beneath, there was distant contemplation. Not quite disappointment, but impassiveness. The rhythm of his tail mirrored his features, its tip flicking from one side to the other. His mind churned, piecing together a new guise with which to manipulate the current situation. He refused to allow moons of training to dissolve into nothing, thus he worked to find some way to push her further. A solemn understanding replaced his cold calculation,  eyes adopting a warmth that would fool most with ease. Rising to his paws, he closed the distance between them, tail tip flicking beneath Cloudypaw's chin to draw her eyes from the ground below. "I am not mad." His rumbling voice carried with it reassurance, and as her eyes met his, he smiled. "No one is expected to enjoy all aspects of a warrior's life. You must, however, understand the importance of the skills you are taught. Battle training's true significance lies in protection, Cloudypaw. Even medicine cats are taught the basics, so they may protect themselves if the need arrives. The same is true for queens. In fact, you might even say it is most important for queens." He let the thought sink in, padding away from her a pawful of steps. He paused to glance back at her over one shoulder. "What if LightningClan is attacked? What if enemy warriors, hearts brimming with ill-intent, make a beeline for the nursery? A queen is not only a caregiver to LightningClan's youth, Cloudypaw. Though we pray to StarClan that it never occurs, a queen may very well be an innocent kit's last defense against an enemy's thorn-sharp claws." His expression was grave, presumably wrapped up in the dark images he'd presented her. As he turned to face her once more, he let his ears tip back regretfully. "I'm sorry this is not something you enjoy but... I hope you can see the need?" With one hesitant step in her direction, Nightstep glanced to her left thoughtfully. "I wish only to help you become the best version of yourself, Cloudypaw."

Fawn

Note: 43 moons old

[Fawn]

"What if LightningClan is attacked? What if enemy warriors, hearts brimming with ill-intent, make a beeline for the nursery? A queen is not only a caregiver to LightningClan's youth, Cloudypaw. Though we pray to StarClan that it never occurs, a queen may very well be an innocent kit's last defense against an enemy's thorn-sharp claws."

The more Nightstep spoke, the more the she-cat seemed to shrink, her sense of surety shriveling faster than a blade of grass in a wildfire. Blue eyes widened with horrors placed there by her mentor's words; a vivid imagination, drenched in fear, filled up Cloudypaw's thoughts. Flashing teeth. Deadly claws. Mewling, whimpering kits. Cloudypaw shivered, body made to tremble. I want to go home.

She didn't want to train. She didn't want to be the last line of defense for the nursery. She couldn't even protect herself, let alone a den full of innocent, defenseless kits. But what if I was all there was? It was a whisper, faint, but Cloudypaw heard it nevertheless. Heard that very real possibility that her claws would be needed to fight off a fox or an enemy warrior.

Nightstep was right. Cloudypaw wished right down to her soul that he was wrong, but she was old enough now to know better. Tail and ears drooped, Cloudypaw looked at his feet, then followed the white socked pattern up until she found his eyes.
"I-I... I will try." And trying would probably get her killed. But it was worth it, if kits were involved.

Frightened by the harshness of this world, Cloudypaw imagined herself as Mina, a tiny kitten trailing after her mother, her eyes screwed shut to keep out the storm. Those were the days when her biggest worries had been on a day-to-day basis. The weather. Food. Shelter. Now Cloudypaw understood the feeling of dread.

Sheathing and unsheathing her claws, she took a preparatory breath. Her nerves were still about as stable as a weather-beaten sapling, but at least she hadn't turned tail and run.

In the softest voice possible, without her usual stammer - this question was too important to trip over - Cloudypaw mewed to her mentor.
"If I die, will I go to StarClan? Even though I'm not a real Clan cat?" From what her fathers had told her of the afterlife, it made death not seem so... terrible.

Word Count: 383 Words
Tags: BlooRey DVD
Notes:

[BlooRey DVD]

Behind a mask of gentle concern, the gears of Nightstep's mind churned. Nightstep had no true opinion on the existence or lack thereof of an afterlife. He'd grown up with the tales of mighty ancestors who continued to walk the stars even after passing on. He'd witnessed leaders die, and come back to life once more. Yet he harbored no mystical thoughts or feelings on how this came to be, what forces were behind it all. To him? It was a fact of life, it occurred and needed no further explanation or thought. But now, his mind worked to determine what this might mean for Cloudypaw. A wave of his tail signaled for her to step closer, to follow him the final few pawsteps into the Trampled Clearing. Once within the training terrain, Nightstep lowered himself to the ground, belly fur meeting the familiar terrain below as he invited her closer still. Ever observant, the tuxedo tom had watched the young she-cat interact with her father figures before. In an effort to offer her the same comfort she pulled from them, Nightstep opened himself to his apprentice, gently touching his nose to her ear as she drew closer. "I know that you will try, Cloudypaw. That is all myself, LightningClan and even StarClan would ever ask of you. There is no need to compare yourself with others, not if you've given it every thing you've got." Pausing briefly to double check his words once more, Nightstep continued in a reassuring voice. "I have no doubt StarClan will welcome you. I am certain you've heard many opinions from many cats around what it means to be a Clan cat. But a Clan cat is not made by the blood running through their veins. A Clan cat is many things, of which blood is but one of the many possible factors." His tail tip swished gently behind him, voice even as he responded to her fears. "Being a Clan cat means putting others before yourself. It means respecting each individual for their strengths, and accepting their weaknesses. It may take bravery, but it also may take kindness. There are many traits that make a warrior, Cloudypaw. Some you will possess, and some you will not. But StarClan does not use your ancestry as the sole determining factor upon considering your entrance. StarClan knows and understands all; and when your time comes, they will look to see who you've become, and what you might have done still to determine whether to grant you access." Blinking down at her, he offered a confident grin. "You already have much to offer, and I'm certain you will develop further skills and traits as you continue to grow. Speaking of skills..." He trailed off slightly, tapping her shoulder with his tail before rising to his paws once more. "Why don't we practice some of them now. You wish to be a queen? Can you think of any special considerations we might want to take into account with your battle training now that you've decided this?"

Note: 43 moons old

[Fawn]

So there would be peace waiting for her, in the end. So long as she gave LightningClan all she had to offer. It was not much, but Nightstep reassured her that it was enough. Cloudypaw's confidence was as fleeting as a mouse's shadow, but it still managed to exist, coaxed out of hiding every now and then by a kind word or positive result.

Cloudypaw nodded gently, unable to put into words how appreciative she was of his patience and compassion. She wished there was something she could do, a way to thank him that would really speak volumes of her gratitude. An inner voice that sounded much like Flashbrook's filled up the almost-warrior. Show him your gratitude by doing your best. That's all you can do. Nightstep deserved an apprentice who would at least try.

If she knew enough of battle stances, she would have taken one to show him she was ready.

The question, however, got her thinking. It pulled her into the right mindset. "To step lightly? I don't w-want to step on any kits, while I-I protect them." While I protect them. Were those really her words? They didn't sound as foreign as Cloudypaw had expected. "A-And to stop anyone from getting past me." It was crucial that she be a physical barrier between the Clan's enemies and the innocent, defenseless lives in the nursery.

Word Count: 229 Words
Tags: BlooRey DVD
Notes:

[BlooRey DVD]

Brilliant yellow eyes surveyed his apprentice as the timid she-cat fumbled over her own thoughts. He made certain that not a muscle in his body moved, despite the way his tail wanted to flick from one side to the other. Her initial answer was... Not exactly what he'd been looking for, though he couldn't fault her either; she was correct in that stepping on the kits you sought to protect was generally frowned upon. It was when she mentioned inhibiting enemies from passing her that he nodded his head. "Precisely. You have a barrier, you have a task. No one's paws but your own should cross that threshold." As he spoke, he stepped forward, moving to Cloudypaw's right slightly and drawing a thick line in the ground with his paw. He soon moved to her left a pawful of paces and did the same, creating a space approximately the width of the nursery's entrance with Cloudypaw standing in the middle. "That is your territory. You must guard it with every fiber of your being. If your adversary pushes past you, you lose. If you are toppled over, you lose. You must hold out long enough for backup to arrive or knock your opponent to the ground." He was not about to just launch poor Cloudypaw into this on her own. "First, show me your hunter's crouch." He instructed her, waiting as she settled into it before making minor adjustments primarily in her stance and the height of her tail. "This is a stance designed for stealth. It seeks to keep you low to the ground, while minimizing the area your body takes up and minimizing the chance you alert your prey." He reminded her simply. He circled her again, reaching forward with his paws to pull each of her fore paws out so her stance was not as narrow and easily pushed over. Doing the same with her hind legs, he guided her into a stance more suited to defense than hunting. "Tell me what feels different about this stance."

Fawn

Note: 43 moons old

[Fawn]

Nightstep's choice of words were still frightening to her —'you must' and 'you lose'—enough to press flat her tabby ears to her skull, but Cloudypaw obediently eased into the hunting crouch he had taught her. It was a relief to be on more solid ground, both physically and academically. This was something she knew... Until he started rearranging her stance.

Cloudypaw fought a small battle with herself, trying not to slide her paws back to the position she thought was comfortable. This wider, stronger stance—a ready stance—felt strange. Like she was pretending to be bigger and more frightening than she was. "I feel..."

Cloudypaw struggled for the right words. I feel silly. That wasn't the answer he wanted. "I'm not very big or strong, N-Nightstep. How do I keep enemy cats out?" The she-cat's tail swished left to right, the tip a nervous, frustrated wriggle. She had never envied the strength or size of her brother, Sunnypaw, or any of the other cats in the Clan; but for once... Cloudypaw felt weak and unimpressive. As if anything could bowl right over her. "But I still have cl-claws," she whispered to herself, almost unaware she'd said it out loud. "What's different ab-about this stance is... I'm easy to see. My paws aren't very light. I'm... I'm harder to move?"

A nervous glance was stolen then, and the timid feline hoped she was at least within the right area of the correct answer.

Word Count: 240 Words
Tags: BlooRey DVD
Notes:

[BlooRey DVD]

"Strength is not measured solely in your capability to throw weight around, Cloudypaw." He meowed simply, long limbs carrying him around her as he inspected her posture one more time. Nightstep himself was not the largest of cats; it was not often a LightningClan cat was found to be large by any accounts. No, broad shoulders were far more common a trait in TreeClan or StoneClan than the moor-dwelling lands of LightningClan. Like many in his Clan, Nighstep was built for speed and agility. He simply knew well how to use what power he did have, and possessed a sharp mind to compliment it all. "Correct, you are much harder to move. You have better control of your lateral movement now than you would in your hunter's crouch. And yes, you have claws." Satisfied with the way she was standing, he padded until he stood before her once more and slid into a pose much like hers (though a little more practiced and comfortable). "Like this, you are larger, taking up more room in the nursery's entrance. Additionally, you have control over the shift of your weight. As an enemy moves, you can keep them before you without conceding your position in the entryway." As he explained, his weight moved from one shoulder to the other, changing the angle of his body without moving his hindquarters from their position in the center of his imaginary nursery entrance. "Control, Cloudypaw. It is about controlling what you can, and managing what you cannot. Your opponent has it more difficult than you in this setting. You know the terrain. You simply have to stand your ground. They must advance and attempt to maneuver an unfamiliar area. Remain calm, remain focused, and remain defensive. Your task is not offense. When your opponent does approach? Aim to disable. The face, or the legs are your best options." With his directions finished, he straightened his stance. "Now, show me your control Cloudypaw. Move with me, but do not open the entry to my presence." And then, he padded to the right just so, waiting to see her adjust the posture of her shoulders to keep him firmly in her sights.

Fawn

Note: 43 moons old

[Fawn]

C-Control, not strength. She could do that, couldn't she? Cloudypaw watched Nightstep as closely as a hawk watched a mouse but with none of the hunger. Terrified of messing up, she bobbed her head sharply at his instruction, and tried to mimic his shoulder movements once, twice, and three times for good measure.

Cloudypaw had one advantage to her name; with her great leaping abilities, her hind legs were strong, and her sense of control was excellent considering she gave it so little thought. Now that she was focusing, Cloudypaw unsheathed her back claws for added grip, and then, like a robin trying to defend her nest from a menacing crow, she gazed at Nightstep.

He's going right, so I g-go right too. I know the terrain. I know it. I can do this. Inner voice whispering a peptalk to the she-cat, Cloudypaw leaned slightly to the right, her eyes fixed on him as if she could root him to the spot with her stare alone. She instinctively raised one paw to swipe at him but remembered his words quickly there-after.

Defensive, not offensive.

Cloudypaw's tail shook like a blade of grass in a strong breeze. She didn't want to aim for Nightstep's face. She didn't want to put her claws anywhere near her mentor; it felt wrong. Praying that wasn't the next part of the lesson, Cloudypaw's legs trembled behind her, but she stayed as rooted as a stout shrub. Albeit with the occasional tremor.

Word Count: 246 Words
Tags: BlooRey DVD
Notes:

[BlooRey DVD]

Yellow eyes tracked the young she-cat's movements as she mimicked his trajectory. He was observing the balance shifts performed by Cloudypaw, to ensure she was doing it effectively. One wrong move would present a weakness to an enemy, which he would not accept from an apprentice of his. And... He supposed that Clan morals dictated he should be concerned for the kits she would be protecting. If thoughts concerning potential threats to the young of the Clan were a driver for Cloudypaw's performance, then he would use that to his advantage. As it was now, he had no reason to be concerned. Perhaps that would change when he and Palescreech had a litter. Then, he would have progeny of his own, and they would be strong additions to LightningClan. Side-stepping to the left with a fluidity earned through countless hours of practice, Nightstep watched as Cloudypaw shifted direction. He also noticed how her hind claws had sunk into the earth, providing her an anchor. "Excellent, Cloudypaw. You move well. Anticipating your enemy's moves will give you an advantage, it will help you protect the young of out Clan. Be vigilant for signs that your opponent is considering something, and never let your guard down." His ear flicked as he spoke, muscles in his hind legs shifting just so as he collected himself. Pushing forward, he closed much of the distance between himself and his apprentice, ducking any initial blow and reaching out to deal his own, sheathed claws aiming for the foreleg that was still grounded. He was interested to see how she'd retaliate.

Fawn

Note: 43 moons old

[Fawn]

Before she could get too used to the praise, Nightstep was already engaging her in something more aggressive. Cloudypaw uttered a startled squeak as her initial defensive swipe was dodged completely - and he was now aiming for her unprotected foreleg. Cloudypaw couldn't think of what else to do, so she reacted on instinct instead. Trying to nip the paws coming towards her, she also used her head as a shield, trying to butt him away.

It wasn't the most effective, but she was rewarded with the faintest of nods from her mentor.

I ca-can do this!

The entire process got a little more challenging after that. Nightstep was fast, so she had to be faster. She couldn't anticipate his moves; her ears stayed pinned back for much of the exercise, but she was trying. Cloudypaw's back legs felt weak and tired from keeping them so tense, and the shaking was wearying all by itself.

When Nightstep tried to get past her for what felt like the umpteenth time, Cloudypaw swiped, her limbs feeling heavy as rocks, and pulled herself off balance completely. She landed forward on the grass with an exhausted huff. Trying to push herself up, Cloudypaw whimpered, somehow found the strength to stand, and hurried back to her spot. Thirsty and weak, she wanted to beg Nightstep to take a break, but had a sinking feeling in her bones that he didn't really approve of breaks.

It was why he was such a great warrior. He pushed himself.

But Cloudypaw wasn't sure how much further she could push herself without breaking down.

Word Count: 264 Words
Tags: BlooRey DVD
Notes: ready to wrap up?

[BlooRey DVD]

Sharp yellow eyes watched as the young she-cat collapsed beneath her own weight. With a quiet "Oof!", Cloudypaw's muzzle connected with the earth, leaving the poor thing to scrabble exhaustively back to a standing position. He could see the same exhaustion written if every one of her limbs, but to her credit, she hauled herself back into her zone. He didn't outwardly frown, instead considering her with a paw raised; he'd been about to strike out to test her once more when she'd collapsed to the earth. Just because the adrenaline was still tearing through his veins, didn't mean Cloudypaw would possess the same endurance. Something to work on. He thought impassively. Lowering his paws, he breathed in slowly, working to dispel the energy coursing through him. Despite feeling as though he could curl his claws into something in that very moment, he managed to work his features into something akin to a gentle smile; only those aware of the darker thoughts in his mind would see something off about the look. "That will be enough for today, Cloudypaw. You may relax." His black tail swished behind him slightly, ensuring her attention was drawn to him. "You did well to bury your hind claws into the ground, Cloudypaw. I neglected to mention it earlier, in hopes you would figure it out yourself. I was not disappointed. In the future, I want you to play with other techniques; watch your strikes, so that you do not over rotate your upper body. Otherwise you risk opening up your far side to your enemy's mercy." A final flick of his tail signified to end of his debrief. "Come, let us return to camp. There, you may pick your favorite piece of prey from the fresh-kill pile as a reward for a spar well fought." As he waited for her to join his side before returning to camp, his voice slipped into his mind. She'll do.

Fawn

Note: 43 moons old