[Fawn]

Lionstar

The crown is getting heavy
But they've written my name in the stars

The birds were active today, flitting in and out of the trees with songs in their throats and a breeze through their wings. Lionstar had gone to the Great Maple, using it as a focal point and working his way through the territory, searching for the best hunting location for Lilypaw's training.

Birds and squirrels were a challenge even for hunters with their full sight. As he explored, assessing and reassessing, going through everything he had ever learned or taught others about hunting, there was no escaping the doubts and concerns about his daughter. How could she chase prey she could not see? Perhaps she would have to hunt like StoneClan cats -- hiding, getting perilously close, and then pouncing before their target could break into a real run.

Stop trying to solve every problem before it's even occurred, Lionstar chided himself. What would Sagefur do in this situation? Take it one step at a time. Think of her as any other youngster he had trained; special treatment was only effective if it was actually helpful.

The wildflower clearing was a solid place to start.

"Lilypaw, we're going training." Lionstar let his voice rumble through the apprentices den, scents of maplewood and wild herbs clinging to his pelt from his morning of exploration. 'We'll eat when we return,' he meant to say, but the words wouldn't come. Gentling, Lionstar licked Lilypaw's ear when the apprentice finally appeared. "Eat first. It's your first day of hunting practice." They had spent extensive time learning the territory, focusing on what Lilypaw's senses could pick up and couldn't. She probably felt a little behind her siblings, but Lionstar would never rush her. It wasn't a competition. He just had to make sure he didn't hold her back, either. She was stronger than he knew.

I've been building up all these kingdoms for so long
It's good to be king

90 Moons || TreeClan ||293 Words || @poptart

[Deleted]

    Lilypaw was a bit surprised her father hadn't come to collect her for a day of training sooner, however the reason soon became apparent after she was summoned by Lionstar to the entrance of the den. The young she-cat's lack of sight had taught her to rely on her other senses which saw them heightened and it was apparent that Lionstar had been trekking the territory from the scent of his fur. Lilypaw pieced the scenario together in her mind after she was informed they would begin her hunting training, obviously her father had been looking for a place where he thought she could succeed. Refusing to let it get her down Lilypaw purred at the lick delivered to her ear and complied with her fathers command. Sniffing the freshkill pile Lilypaw picked out a mouse and began taking quick, neat bites of it. After finishing she returned to her father, tracking him by scent, and chirped "Okay, I'm ready to go!"

Fawn

[Fawn]

Lionstar

The crown is getting heavy
But they've written my name in the stars

Her spirits were high, and they lifted Lionstar's in return. The golden tom leaned in to brush his jaw between her ears, a fond nuzzle he often did with his kits. Even Brackenpaw, who tried to duck out of the way, saying he was too old for being treated like a kit. "Let's get started. TreeClan's forests have a plethora of prey to catch or chase down; sometimes we get squirrels and hares that cross our borders with NightClan and LightningClan. What we're going to focus on today, is hunting mice."

It was fortunate that she'd selected a mouse from the pile. Now she would be familiar with the shape and scent of it; the way it felt under her paws. Lionstar's ears pricked, listening for that comforting sound of the sparkling brook. They would have to cross it to reach the wildflower clearing.

"We have to get across the brook, to reach the best hunting grounds. Stay close, I'll show you where the brook is shallowest." He was no RainClan cat, but he was resourceful. What kind of Clan leader would not know the finer details of his Clan's territory? Lionstar raised his tail, using it as a barrier between Lilypaw and the brook as they walked along the bank. When his paws began to leave impressions in the wet grass and mud, Lionstar stopped. "I want you to place your paw in the water, Lilypaw. Gently. Can you feel the pebbles and grit on the bottom?"

I've been building up all these kingdoms for so long
It's good to be king

90 Moons || TreeClan || 247 Words || @poptart

[Deleted]

Lilypaw leaned into Lionstars' affectionate touch appreciating the calming effect it had on her nerves which had been beginning to fray at the thought of starting her training. The quick lesson of the fauna that inhabited the Treeclan territory wasn't entirely necessary, Lilypaw took pride in her ability to keep track of details, however she did appreciate her father being thorough. Listening intently Lilypaw nodded along as Lionstar revealed their target for the day. "I think I can find mice!" Lilypaw replied afterwards as the excitement bubbling inside her seemed to roil a bit more wildly at the thought. Following closely behind Lionstar Lilypaw felt a ping of anxiety as he mentioned crossing the brook, water was stressful enough without being a sense down after all. Trying to stay calm and putting her trust in her father Lilypaw did as she was instructed and dipped her paw into the cool waters of the brook and began to agitate the bed of the small stream. The feeling was odd, as if the stones beneath her paws were weightless and didn't obey the laws of time that they did on land. Not able to accurately describe the sensation Lilypaw replied simply, "Yes Dad..."

Fawn

[Fawn]

Lionstar

The crown is getting heavy
But they've written my name in the stars

"Good, now I want you to take a few steps into the brook. Just a squirrel-length or two." Lionstar followed the movement of her paw as she lightly churned the bottom of the brook, a few loose pebbles rolling under the kitten's touch. He entered the brook first, used to the sensation of the water lapping against his legs; it would be closer to his bellyfur when he reached the middle, but they weren't quite there yet.

"I will be right in front of you, Lilypaw. You have nothing to be worried about. In fact, on a day like this one, the brook can be a nice feeling." Lionstar projected confidence and certainty, not about to be the source of his daughter's anxieties or hesitations. No matter what StarClan threw at them, he would look out for her. "The brook will get deeper towards the center. When you're ready, walk towards my voice. If you can't feel the bottom, then I want you to tell me, and we'll find a shallower place to cross."


Droplets dripped from his whiskers and the long ends of his mane, especially where it met with the fur towards the bottom of his chest. They were shaded from the sun by the trees clustered all around, but there was no telling how long that would last. Sunhigh had a way of penetrating even the thickest foliage, bringing heat to every cat in the valley.

I've been building up all these kingdoms for so long
It's good to be king

90 Moons || TreeClan || 239 Words || @poptart

[Deleted]

Lilypaw found that Lionstar's techniques were quite effective, as she did indeed trust her father and found his presence brought a calming factor to an otherwise stressful experience. Water was deceptive, there was no way for her to smell how deep it was, hear how deep it was, or even feel how deep it was until it would be far too late. The only thing that Lilypaw had left was trust in her father, and honing in on that feeling she took her first cautious steps towards his voice. The world didn't end, and it turned out that the cool, flowing water was as nice as Lionstar had suggested. "This isn't so bad..." Lilypaw quietly mewed as she took another few steps towards her father feeling the water surrounding her creeping ever higher. Soon however she found that it was deep enough to begin lapping at her shoulders and mewed softly "I don't like this Dad..."

Fawn

[Fawn]

Lionstar

The crown is getting heavy
But they've written my name in the stars

"You're being very brave, Lilypaw. It's daunting, I know, but you're halfway across. The water will lessen if you keep moving forward." Though the voice he used was soothing and warm with reassurance, Lionstar's paws itched as if he'd stepped on an ant hill. He wanted nothing more than to cross the river in a few long strides, scoop up his daughter and carry her to safety - but he had to let her do this.

She was capable of more than he knew. Lionstar, for all his good intentions, for all the softness of his heart that had come with fatherhood, understood his role as a parent. It was similar to his role as a Clan leader. He couldn't hold every Clanmate by the scuff to keep them out of harm's way; he couldn't hover, he couldn't be there for every possible moment, try to cushion them from anything untoward.

Lionstar could not be in every place at once. And even if he could... He wouldn't. They were strong because they believed in their own strength, and because they had been trained. What Lilypaw needed was training, not anything that would undermine her confidence disguised as overwhelming parental concern.

"Nearly there," he called softly from the bank. "You can do this, Lilypaw."

I've been building up all these kingdoms for so long
It's good to be king

90 Moons || TreeClan || 211 Words || @poptart