Training Lionpaw.

[.:.S.:.t.:.o.:.r.:.m.:.]

Stormheart padded out to the sandy hollow, watching patiently for Lionpaw to arrive. She sat down, looking up at the sky; it was sunhigh and Lionpaw was late. As she waited, Stormheart thought of what to do. She was very excited, as she was sure Lionpaw was, but she was also nervous. She wanted to make sure she didn't embarass herself in front of Lionpaw, as she was certain in some way she would manage to do. Maybe I should teach her battle training, especially with DeathClan so hostile, she thought.
When Lionpaw finally did arrive, she stood up, shaking all of the sand off of her. "Today, Lionpaw, I will teach you some battle moves," she told her, tail swishing from side to side.

[lionpaw]

Lionpaw jumped up and down with excitment. Finally something to do besides sit in the nursery! She was so happy that she was finally going to be of some use to the Clan. She had felt like an outsider to the Clan, but now that she was an apprentice and would be able to help around, maybe she would finally feel like she felt like she was part of the Clan. And maybe she would also be able to prove herself when she had her first battle with DeathClan.

[.:.S.:.t.:.o.:.r.:.m.:.]

Stormheart smiled warmly at the young she-cat's enthusiasm. She seemed determined and brave; key components in the makings of a fine warrior. Lionpaw also seemed like she wanted to prove herself, as most kits did when they were first made apprentices. They were normally looking for a place in the Clan, and to feel important and needed. She knew that she had felt that way when she was an apprentice. Her smile turning into a grin, her green eyes began to gleam with amusement. "Lionpaw, attack me," she instructed, eager to see what this young apprentice could do. She got into a fighting stance, ready for Lionpaw.

[lionpaw]

Lionpaw crouched down and stalked forward. She didn't know many moves so she tryed a simple one. She took one more step towards the warrior, then she swiftly tryed to jump onto her back, making sure to keep her claws sheathed.

[.:.S.:.t.:.o.:.r.:.m.:.]

Stormheart side-stepped, lightly hitting Lionpaw in the stomache as she sailed past her with a sheathed paw, sending her landing on her back on the sandy ground. When Lionpaw stood up, she said: "Try a move like this," and ran at Lionpaw, ramming into her side with her shoulder, stunning her. While Lionpaw was dazed she swiped a sheathed paw at her throat, missing by a few inches. "See how much better that works? Anyway, here's another move; an improved one of the move you just used, or try to use, at least, on me." Stormheart acted as if she were about to lunge at Lionpaw's legs, but at the last moment jumped up, landing on the apprentice's back. She got off of her and stood up. "Now, try and attack me again. Take into account my size, and don't let you eyes show me where you'll attack."

[lionpaw]

Lionpaw nodded. And looking straight into Stormhearts eyes, she dashed right for her. She used her shoulder to try and knock Stormheart back, but because of her size only moved her a few inches. "How was that?" she asked looking eagerly up at her mentor. She then began to lick the fur on her shoulder back into place.

[.:.S.:.t.:.o.:.r.:.m.:.]

"That was very good, Lionpaw," She said. "Though you have to use a little more force, the motions were correct. Now, attack me again. When you attack me this time, think of my size compared to yours; I am much larger than you, use that to your advantage." Stormheart stretched one of her front legs out, and fixed the tufts of fur that were standing out from Lionpaw's attack with her tail, getting into a fighting stance. She waited for Lionpaw to attack, ready for anything that the small apprentice could throw at her. She's showing great determination, she thought, smiling internally.[/color]

[lionpaw]

Lionpaw once more charged at her mentor staring straight into her eyes. But, this time she charged a little past her then rolled under her trying to confuse her. Then with all of her force, she charged into Stormheart's side. She was very proud of herself, and was now waiting for her mentor to tell her how to improve.

[.:.S.:.t.:.o.:.r.:.m.:.]

When Lionpaw had dove under Stormheart, she had planned to just lay down on the apprentice, squashing and knocking the breath out of her. Right before she was about to lay down she felt Lionpaw crash into her side, and landed hard on the opposite side Lionpaw had barreled into, shocked. She stood up, dusting herself off by shaking, and then turned to Lionpaw. "Very good," she told her, nodding approvingly. "The cats of DeathClan should know right to fear you. I never saw you coming until it was too late." Stormheart's eyes glimmered with approval at the young apprentice. "Just don't use all of your strength for one attack. Yes, use a decent amount of it, but by using just enough you can weaken an enemy with a few blows, and then they'll be begging for your mercy."

[lionpaw]

Lionpaw nodded excitedly. She had surprised her mentor! She couldn't wait until she became a warrior and would be able to destroy DeathClan. She shook the dust off of her belly fur, then sat down. "What next? What next?" she said jumping up and down, unable to hold in all of her excitment.

[.:.S.:.t.:.o.:.r.:.m.:.]

"First off, you need to chill," Stormheart said as she sat down, Lionpaw bouncing around her with excitement anticipation. She thought for a moment, wondering what to do. The fresh-kill pile can always benefit from a piece of prey, but maybe I should show her the DeathClan border. When Lionpaw finally seemed to contain herself, which took a few minutes, she spoke. "I'm sure you've heard much about DeathClan. I'll show you their border, so you know to not cross over it, and you will recognize your scent if they come onto our territory." Stormheart stood up, and walked away, dissapearing into the forest surrounding the sandy hollow. She looked back once, her silver fur barely visible. "Are you coming, Lionpaw?" She asked her, before continuing to walk away. Stormheart hoped there wouldn't be any DeathClan patrols around; what a pain that would be, to have to deal with the likes of them.

[lionpaw]

Lionpaw followed Stormheart deeper into SoulClan territory, now calm and content. She scented around trying to get used to the territory. "Stormheart?" she began. "Can you teach me how to hunt after you show me the DeathClan border?" she asked. She had already heard that DeathClan has a putrid scent, so she knew that it wasn't going to be to hard to pick out.

[.:.S.:.t.:.o.:.r.:.m.:.]

"Yes, of course, Lionpaw. We can hunt on the way back to camp." Stormheart replied warmly back, smiling at the young apprentice's enthusiasm. The fresh-kill pile can never be too full, she thought. She was sure that Lionpaw could tell which scent was DeathClan and which wasn't, but it was still good for her to be sure of the scent. Sometimes loners came into the territory, or lost kitty-pets who carried a putrid scent as well. There was no need for a false alarm if it could be avoided. Stormheart lingered in the sun for a moment as they approached a small clearing of trees, before continuing on. It was a nice day out; not too hot, not too cold. The perfect type of weather for hunting; most of the prey would be out in the open. As Stormheart and Lionpaw padded on, a putrid scent hit her nostrils. Stormheart could tell they were very close to the border now. "You smell that, Lionpaw? Take a big whiff. That's DeathClan scent."

[lionpaw]

Lionpaw scented the air, taking in the DeathClan scent. The putrid air hit her nostrils almost immeadietly. She wrinkled her nose. "Ewwwww..." she said taking a few steps back, getting away from the horrid scent. How do they survive with that horrible smell?! she thought. She took a few more steps back, getting even further away. "Can we do something else, Stormheart?" she said nasily, trying not to scent the air any longer.