[Fawn]

58 Moons, Warrior of TreeClan

There was no point in using the hidden thicket for training. Not only had the fire damaged some of it, but Zephyrfang didn't like designated training areas. There weren't designated battle areas, so why waste their time training in conditions designed for ease of access, not realism? Zephyrfang had gathered Ravenpaw in the early hours of the morning, when the mist was thick over the Sparkling Brook and other small bodies of water on TreeClan's territory.

A part from Ravenpaw, Zephyrfang had also borrowed Fawnpaw - prodding her from her nest and guiding her after Ravenpaw with nary a word to anyone. Maplebrook was on patrol, not like he could ask for her permission. Besides, she wasn't going to be in any real danger.
"What are we doing?" mewed the paler apprentice sleepily, just keeping up with Ravenpaw's longer limbs. 

"Battle training." Replied Zephyrfang, sharing a roguish smirk with his dark-furred apprentice. "Why don't you go on ahead? I need to talk to Ravenpaw." They were approaching the shallow marsh. Fawnpaw's eyes narrowed, but she shrugged and padded on ahead. Zephyrfang waited until the end of her blue-gray tail-tip had disappeared into the mist before sharing his plan. "I don't care what anyone says. Battle training is useless unless you do it right. You have unclear conditions and unstable terrain. Get the upper paw."

Zephyrfang's tawny face revealed a seldom-seen calculating side. Remnants of his less-than-savory training sessions with his mother. "Engage Fawnpaw in battle. Whether or not you use your claws is up to you. You're both nearly warriors - she can take a few scratches." And if she couldn't, well... He'd tolerate getting screeched at by Moonfeather later. He'd monitor the fight from here (as much as he could see of it, anyway), but the rest was up to her.

304 Words Silver Notes: xD poor Fawnpaw!

[Silver]

Warrior Apprentice of TreeClan

Her final lesson was beginning and that meant that Ravenpaw was up and ready when Zephyrfang came for her. She didn't mind being woken up early for something so important. Her stance was proud and calmly confident because the lesson was one she knew she could excel in. She spared her opponent only a passing glance as she followed to the area her Mentor had decided for them. She smirked as she heard his plan and nodded; a calculating expression lighting her orange eyes. "Alright, I agree with you. It's no good if we're just playing a game of smack the idiot. We can't learn that way."

This was why she liked having Zephyrfang as her Mentor. Fawnpaw wasn't going to know what hit her. Moving forward, Ravenpaw surveyed her surroundings for a long moment before disappearing into the thicker fog much like she did the shadows she loved so much. Fawnpaw's paler fur made her blend in a bit with the fog but at the same time the color stood out against the background. Ravenpaw moved into a hunting crouch and stay as much as possible under cover as she snuck up on her opponent.

Soundlessly she moved, using the low visibility of her terrain to the advantage it was. Instead she relied on her other senses. She could scent Fawnpaw nearby and hear her breathing as she neared. She moved slowly and methodically; in no hurry to begin a fight and ruin the benefit of surprise. Then suddenly she launched her body forward and pounced Fawnpaw; claws out as she threw the entirety of her weight against the other she-cat. The aim was to knock her off balance and she was quick to jump backwards after her initial attack in order to keep her opponent in a position beneficial for her.

She didn't think much of Fawnpaw, but she wasn't going to underestimate her either.

I know I'd better stop trying - You know that there's no denying - I won't show mercy on you now

Tags | Fawn

[Fawn]

Fawnpaw

13 MOONS - SHE-CAT - TREECLAN

The fog was something to see. This wasn't Fawnpaw's first experience with mist hanging around the tree roots, but it was the first time she could recall walking through the fog alone. Usually she'd had Thornpaw or Aspenpaw with her, or Maplebrook. But today, Fawnpaw was a solitary figure stepping lightly through the damp undergrowth, mindful of where she placed her paws. Where did those two go? It had become eerily quiet, and Fawnpaw halted, a small shiver of suspicion coursing through her body like electricity.

Are they up to something? Is Ravenpaw going to--

WHUMPH!

Fawnpaw was knocked clean off her paws, the smaller she-cat yowling as she rolled into a patch of dew-strewn ferns. Pelt fluffed and normally fun-loving temperament set aside, Fawnpaw jumped out of the bracken with a slight hiss, dirt smeared across a pale shoulder. "That was a dirty trick!" But she won't see it that way. Zephyrfang was her mentor, and the former loner obviously had some unorthodox tricks up his sleeve.

Yeah, well, I'm a former loner's daughter. I have my own tricks.

Noticing the press of Ravenpaw's claws into the ground, Fawnpaw took a step back, ears flattening. Claws? We're fighting with claws? I bet Gorsetail wouldn't want us to. But Gorsetail wasn't around, and Fawnpaw knew she was at the mercy of Zephyrfang's teaching methods. If Ravenpaw was going to try shredding her to mouse-meat, she wasn't going to keep her own claws tucked away. Ravenpaw was older, and probably stronger. But Fawnpaw, if nothing else, could leap.

I'll jump over her and land a blow. Sounded good in her head, but could she execute it? Fawnpaw fervently tried recalling her battle lesson with Skyfall and Maplebrook, even as she kept her body in a defensive stance, the slight quiver in her muscles giving away her preference for dodging over attacking.

As we soared above the town that never loved me
I realized I finally had a family
❋

321 Words ❋ Silver Phoenix (Gorsetail mention) ❋ Notes

[Silver]

Warrior Apprentice of TreeClan

A dirty trick?! Ha! Did the little fool think an enemy was going to play fair? What a kit she was if so. She darted backwards, staying low to the ground and moving carefully around her target; knowing visibility was low. She noted the shifting in the other Apprentice and smirked. So she would rather avoid confrontation than tackle it head on, that was interesting. Her tail lashed around behind her as she looked for her opening. This might prove to be fun after all. 

Deciding maybe to tempt fate a bit, she tried another tactic. Her voice was cool and collected, helping her appear unaffected by the happenings around her. Her words, however, were precise. "This is battle training, little fawn, it's not meant to be easy or fair. If you want to be a Warrior, you'll have to actually come at me. No running away." It was going to be interesting to see how the little fool reacted now.

If Fawnpaw continued to do nothing...well then Ravenpaw would strike again and see if she couldn't provoke a reaction in another way. She couldn't learn with an opponent that refused to fight back, after all.

I know I'd better stop trying - You know that there's no denying - I won't show mercy on you now

Tags | Fawn

[Fawn]

Fawnpaw

13 MOONS - SHE-CAT - TREECLAN

'Little fawn?' Just because she was a few moons older, she got to be condescending? Some cats just didn't care to be considerate of others - she could have at least warned her they'd be fighting with claws! But enough crying over lost prey. Fawnpaw sniffed, trying to ignore the point the dark-pelted apprentice was making. She had to attack now, not just to prove that she could, but because Ravenpaw was... right.

Don't be upset, Fawnpaw. Just treat it like a normal sparring session. Fawnpaw considered her plan. She couldn't spend too much time strategizing, that's not how a fight worked. With renewed fire, the paler, petite she-cat ran forward, gathering the strength in her legs for one good leap. The fog obscured the forest around them, but Fawnpaw didn't hesitate. She jumped, tail stretched out behind her for balance and landed on Ravenpaw's otherwise.

With a flush of triumph, Fawnpaw tried to bite Ravenpaw's haunch before the she-cat could turn around, one paw raised for a retaliating strike just in case she missed. She had trouble keeping her claws unsheathed against a Clanmate; they had never been close, but that didn't make it any less... weird-feeling to behave truly violently towards someone she shared a den with.
There'd be no harsh feelings later - right? - but Fawnpaw still wasn't comfortable with the idea at all.

Don't be a mouseheart. She'll just tease you if you are.

That was the last thing she wanted. Fawnpaw unsheathed her claws again, trying to adapt.

As we soared above the town that never loved me
I realized I finally had a family
❋

250 Words ❋ Silver ❋ Notes