The way's of a warrior. (open)

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The weak ray's of the leaf-fall sun filtered through the leaves of the apprentice's den. As the light filled the den a small she-cat woke from a less then perfect night of sleep. The fluffy orange and white cat stretched showing off her long, muscular legs. She sat in her nest for a few heart beats to enjoy the warmth that the sunlight had to offer. The young cat wanted to take advantage of the warmth before the cold long months of leaf-bare came to the forest. I should get going she thought with excitement, for today was her first day being a apprentice. She still got excited as she thought of who her mentor was going to be. Out of all the other apprentice's the leader had pick her to mentor. She felt like the luckiest cat in the world. The great Oakstar was going to mentor her, the thought of this made the Dewpaw smile. She couldn't wait to tell all of the other apprentice's about the great day she had hanging out with Oakstar. She could almost see the jealousy that would be in their eyes, as she told them of all the fun stuff she did with Oakstar.

Dewpaw walked over to the fresh kill pile. I'm too excited to get started with training to eat today, the she-cat thought as she turned and ran out of the apprentice's den. The camp was just starting to come to life as she walked through the camp. She still small kit next to some of the warriors, she found it hard to believe they where all small kit's once. Dewpaw ducked under the the thorn barrier that surrounded the camp. Once she was out of camp she ran as fast as she could to the training hollow. It was starting to get late and she didn't want to show up late on her first day of training. Dewpaw slowed down as she got closer to the training hollow. She sent up a silent prayer to Starclan that

Oakstar wouldn't be to mad that she was late. She let out a sigh of relief when she saw that she was alone in the hollow. Maybe he is running a little late too. She walked slowly to the middle of the hollow and sat down to wait for her mentor. Excitement was building in her small body as she waited to start her training. It seemed like ages had passed and the was still no sign of Oakstar. What if he forgot about me, the thought of her mentor forgetting about her brought tears to her eyes. "I'll show him" she growled as she stood up, "I'll go train by myself." She ran as fast as she could out of the training hollow. I think I should go try to hunt, though I'm not sure how to. Oh well it can't be to hard after all rabbits can't be to smart. She thought with a smile as she ran into the heart of Windclan's territory.

[kitteh]

There was something in the morning air that tasted better then the normal days. It had been many moons since he had taken on an apprentice, and depending on how well this kit turned out, would determine the next apprentice's fate. As he lay on his side, gently thinking about the night before, Oakstar realized that he was a mentor. It always came as a shock to him. The first day of training unceasingly came to him as a surprise-seeing as even the thought of himself being a leader at times sent chills down to his tail even in the warm months of green-leaf.

The sky was a pale blue, a blue so soft not even a kit's cleanly licked fur could compare. It was early and Oakstar was sure that none of the other cats were up, besides the morning patrol lead by his deputy and a few of his trusted warriors. Walking over to the queens den, he took a silent breath and looked at the small litte tufts of fur cradled next to their mothers, the only thing that let the Leader know that they were alive was the gentle rise and fall of their little chests. He wanted kits- no he needed a mate. Not that the briliant cat was alone, he just had a feeling that somehow, if he didn't take on a mate, he'd be alone for a very long time.

With a gentle swish of his tail, he ate a small rabbit and trotted out of the camp watching the long blades of grass swish back and forth. Soon he would be with his apprentice. Feeling the cold damp feel on his pads he walked past the training grounds, hiding himself in the taller grass. And then, he waited.

Oakstar pondered what the little cat could be doing, wouldn't she be excited? Wait- was that her? His ears twitched towards the small she-cat that entered the clearing. Today she'd have her first test. A good Apprentice always waited for their mentor, no matter how long it took them. He watched the cat paw at the ground nervously, and watched tears come to her gentle eyes. That wasn't what he was trying to do, but he watched-unmoving-as the young apprentice dashed away.

He stood out of the tall grass, " Dewpaw..." He was sadened by the thought that she assumed she had forgotten him, and trotted behind her until she was clearly in sight. "Dewpaw." he didn't seem pleased, but not angry, "Where are you going?"

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Dewpaw stopped dead in her paw steps when she heard her leader calling her name. "Fox dung" she muttered under her breath, there is no way Oakstar would be happy with me just running off like this. She turned and slowly walked back over to her leader her head hung low, what was I thinking. Of course Oakstar wouldn't forget me she thought her heart sinking at the thought of how upset he might be. She took in a deep breath the cold air filled her lungs.

She sat down in front of her leader. Her soft green eyes focused on her paws she didn't think she could bring herself to look at her leaders eyes. My first day as a apprentice and I blew it. Dewpaw wanted nothing more then to go back to her nest a curl up into a tight ball and pretend that this day had never happened. "Oakstar" her small voice cracked as she said her mentor and leader's name. Everything seemed to go quite as she was trying to think of what she would say next. "I'm sorry" was all she could get out.

Her small voice choked with emotion, her eyes slowly started to fill up with tears. What am I a kit she thought as she tried her hardest to fight back the tears. She sat waiting for her leader to speak, she just hoped he wouldn't be to mad with her. I hope he will still let me be his apprentice, she shivered as a cold wind ruffled her fur. She hoped that her leader would decided what to do with her soon. She hated sitting still out on the exposed moorland. Her kitten fur was no match for the cold wind.

[kitteh]

When the she-cat stopped in her tracks he knew that she had heard him. He sat on his haunches in an almost shocked state as the thought of his apprentice actually running away blew up in his head. He thought that he had done nothing wrong, and he was there, the little faith the kit had in her leader was astounding, but in due time she would learn. If anyone was going to be on time for anything, it would be him, leader of Windclan.

As Oakstar wrapped his tabby tail around his large paws he watched dewpaw come with her head down, gazing at her paws. Embarrassment leaked over the cats body as she thought she realized the thing that she had done. He listened to the she-cats apologies and tilted his large head slightly looking at her with sad but stern eyes of his own. "Dewpaw, i have accepted you apology." The little cat's eyes seemed to water and he took a deep breath. "You failed your first test Dewpaw. You didn't have faith in me as your mentor and your leader to be here, on time. A respectful and dignified warrior will wait on his leader until he, or she is told otherwise." He felt sorry for the apprentice, but he had to make sure she knew what she was getting herself into. "Without a warrior, and with you not knowing the skills of a warrior anything can take you. Starclan is great, magnificent, but will take whatever cat that they deem fit, whether it be because of ill ideas, or bad judgment. Nature is tough and unforgiving." he took a deep breath, "and i won't always be here to protect you."

Oakstar didn't take his eyes off his apprentice, " I expect you to learn a lesson from this." He stepped closer to dewpaw and gently touched his nose to the top of her head. "Be careful. We don't need cats your age joining our elders." he took a step back and looked around, deciding to wait for his apprentice to answer.

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Shock filled Dewpaw, was running off like that really that dangers? She looked up at Oakstar, "I promise from now on I will have more faith in you Oakstar." She stood up starting to fill better about herself, "So what are we going to learn first Oakstar." The little she-cat meowed trying to contain her excitement that was back and stronger then before. She was ready to prove to her leader that she was on of the best apprentice's in Windclan. Her excitement grew to much and before Oakstar could reply to her early question she meowed "could you teach me how to hunt today?" She had always wanted to hunt down a rabbit or maybe a bird.

"I bet I could catch the biggest rabbit on the moor, if you teach me how that is." She could hardly stand still, she had to much energy. I just want to get going and learn everything there is to know. Then I can become one of the best warriors the clan has ever seen. I have to prove to Oakstar that I can be a loyal warrior. Then maybe one day I could even become a deputy or maybe even the leader of Windclan.

"Oakstar I think I have learned my lesson" she said before the leader could reply again. She was begging to see now just how dangerous her running off was. What if she had ran into a warrior from another clan. She would of been no match for them, even if she had found a rabbit she didn't have the training yet to catch it anyway. From this moment on I will never lose faith in my leader again. She vowed in her head, she had a filling that the rest of today was going to be fun.

[kitteh]

Even though the leader was tough on his apprentice, somehow, everything seemed much calmer than it would have been if they had that same conversation moons from now. The point was now made, and it was clear that the young apprentice knew, now, the dangers that the open moors could bring. As the wind blew, Dewpaw stood egarly awaiting an answer at what plans for a lesson today would be. "Actually, i was going to save hunting for another day, but if you would like to do it now, then-" The Leader stood up towering over the new apprentice, "I guess we can do it today."

Oakmist turned around and motioned with his tabby tail to have her follow him. As the grass gently licked their sides, Dewpaw continued to talk, putting a smile on the leaders face, "The bigest rabbit? You sure about that?" His tail twiched in amusement as he pictured the litte orange and white cat on top of a rabbit if not her size, twice it a big wide smile plastered across her jaws.

"Good." He was glad Dewpaw really understood what could happen, kits are taken all the time if mothers aren't careful about each one at all times. There is nothing worse than a distraught Queen when she's lost her kits. Oakstar stopped, putting his tail out to both shush and stop his apprentice. He smelled the air for a moment, and stood downwind from the rabbit. "Do you see it?" he mewed. He pointed gently with his nose, "Watch me, and then you get to go." Oakstar nodded at Dewpaw and stalked gently and quietly behind the bunny. He waited. Following mr rabbit, makiing sure to stay down wind of the animal and then he lept.

His paws hit the ground. cold and hard. It darted. Once. Twice. The tom was on its tail. Faster. And Faster. And faster. The thumping of the bunnies paws matched Oakstars heart. Thump. Thump. One more stride, one more kick and now! He jumped springing into the air landing on the back of the animal with a sicking thud, he put it out of it's misery and stood, with his head high.

There was always the thrill of catching, and killing. The adreinalin corsed through his body, his senses acute. He waved his tail at Dewpaw to join him.

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"That was so cool!" Dewpaw yelled as she came runing up to Oakstar. She was amazed her leader could keep up with the rabbit so well. She was so excited for her turn she could hardly wait to catch her first rabbit. "Can I try Oakstar?" She meowed hoping Oakstar would let her go. She was pretty sure that she remebered how Oakstar caught the rabbit. All I have to do is be fast and have good timing. If I do those two things I'm pretty sure I could have a rabbit by Sunhigh. "Oakstar I think I know how to catch a rabbit. All I have to do is run fast and have good timing right?"

She decided to ask Oakstar just incase she was wrong. I need to make sure I catch a rabbit by the end of today so I can show it off to all the other apprentice's. She smiled at the thought, she looked down at the rabbit Oakstar had just caught. It was nearly twice the size of her. This won't be an easy task to take down something bigger then me. But maybe I could find the strength to take one down Dewpaw thought.

[kitteh]

The blood was roaring in his ears as he looked down to the gray-white fuzzed kill that lay at his feet. The site of it's neck in such a position was wrong, but in a way, it was something that the clan needed. It wasn't for the pleasure-forget the fact that it was fun-but for the sake of the clan. "You have to thank starclan for every kill that you make for the clan. Give thanks to the ones that give us the food in the first place." He looked to the sky and closed his eyes, thanking starclan, and after a moment, he looked back to dewpaw who was off her rocker with excitement. The little she-cat stood on the balls of her feet bouncing slightly. Oakstar chuckled, "Of course, we'll try and find you a smaller one."

He picked up the limp fresh kill and waved his head for her to follow. "Yes, that's it." Excitement for his apprentice began to bubble up his throat like a cascade of water. He believed in his apprentice, but if she caught a rabbit, he feared that she might get hurt in the process. The animals have very strong hind paws, the last thing they needed was to have a dead apprentice, "Ok, first rule of hunting, is you need to find it." he looked around sitting again for a moment. "Second rule, you have to gauge the size of your prey. If it is to large, then you could get hurt, and that isn't what we want." He paused for a moment, "Always stay downwind, so that they can't smell you. Once they do, they are gone."

Oakstar stood and pointed to a small rabbit, maybe thirty feet away nibbling at the grass, "Why don't you try that one."

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Dewpaw's excitement was rising as she looked over at the small white rabbit. It has no clue I'm even here, perfect. She could fill the wind against her whiskers. Good she thought I am down wind of the rabbit already. Dewpaw slowly stalked the rabbit waiting for the right time to go after it. Her heart started beating faster as she got closer and closer to her target. The little rabbit was still unaware of the danger that was getting closer to it.

Poor little rabbit you are going to be my first kill, Dewpaw thought happily. Just then the rabbits head shot up and looked right at her. Its now or never she thought as she stopped in her paw steps. The rabbit knew something was wrong and started to run looking for a burrow to hide in. Dewpaw started to chase after it as fast as she could run. I can't lose this rabbit, if I do lose it I might not find another one today. Dewpaw felt as if she was not going to ever catch the rabbit as it got farther and farther away from her.

I have to catch it, she pushed herself harder tell her paws started to hurt from running so fast. She soon was closing the distance between her and the rabbit. She soon was right behind the rabbit. Its almost as big as me she thought suddenly aware of how much work it was going to take to kill this rabbit. The rabbit spotted a hole in the earth and was heading for it. Its now or never she thought and jumped onto the rabbits back. The small creature was a lot stronger then she thought it would be. She dug her claws into its pelt determined not to let it get away. She bite down hard on the rabbits neck dropping the creature. She held on tight filling its warm blood fill her mouth, she wanted nothing more then to let go of the rabbit. But she wanted to make sure it was dead. After what seemed like ages she let go of the rabbit. "Yes my first kill, Oakstar how did I do?" she yelled back over to Oakstar smiling from ear to ear.

[kitteh]

He watched the overwhelming excitement consume his apprentice and he smiled as her little body shook with surprise. Dewpaws steps were very quiet in the large grass and even he, with a higher attention span, and much greater level of hearing, couldn't hear even one of the little cats steps. It was amazing, really amazing how quickly that she caught on. It wasn't this way for any other apprentice he had, or even himself. Oakstar was loud and clumsy when he was her age. His body never could stay the same size and he always had to learn a new fighting skill to mirror his bodyshape and weight. He never got cocky, but he knew of littermates that became cocky after their first kill. Even though it took the Windclan leader over a moon to catch his first rabbit, it was worth it in the end. Who became leader, him, or his littermates?

The she-cats steps became louder, noisy enough to warn the prey. He was going to tell his apprentice, well he could tell her but what would that teach the kitten? Nothing but that her leader would have her back. Yes, he would protect her if she needed it, but she has to learn to keep her pads silent against the grass. It was meere seconds after her loud paw steps that the bunny was warned and ran, its giant hind paws thumping loudly against the ground, seeming to make foot prints in the dirt. There was a cloud of dust begining to form around the cat and her prey, but it was almost obvious that she wasn't going to catch the rabbit. She was a good lenght behind it. Dewpaw shouldn't even be ashamed of that. Her first day isn't one that she should catch something. If she did, Starclan was on her side, and if she didn't then it didn't matter. Dewpaw would have many more moons where she would have time to practice her skils.

Wait, she was catching up. The little cat sped up, got to a fast enough speed that she could jump on the rabbit from behind and go for it's neck. Shock ebbed and flowed through his body like the water of a fast moving stream. No cat that he knew was that quick to learn. Starclan was with her in Dewpaws hunt. She hung onto her prey as she should, like its her first. Once the excitement seemed to fade enough, she dropped the prey and smiled at him. Eyes the size of the moon. He chuckled, " Congrats. " he pointed at the dead animal, "I've never seen someone learn that quickly. Well done." Though the she-cat was very good at hunting, he knew that fighting with him wasn't going to be easy, even for a warrior four times her age. "How do you feel?"

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"Exhausted, do I really have to carry the rabbit all the way home. They are a lot heaver then I was expecting." The little-she cat poked the rabbit with her paw as she said this. I don't think I will be able to run for moons she thought. Her body already ached from her nose down to her claws. How was she meant to hunt multiple rabbits in one day? Then she still would have to drag the limp rabbits home. Dewpaw looked down at the rabbit, "I never thought rabbits put up such a fight, you made it look easy Oakstar. I don't think I could ever be such a good hunter as you are."

Oakstar had caught a rabbit that was the twice the size her rabbit was. That and he had been so smooth in his movements when he was stalking the creature. Oakstar also made less nose then she did. When the rabbit did finally hear him it was to late. It still had a second to run but the chase was almost over in the blink of an eye. Dewpaw sat down, she no longer had the energy to stand. She was not use to this sudden lack of energy. She was always hyper and full of energy. Now all she wanted to do is sleep for a moon. I hope it's not like this after every rabbit I catch, she thought.

She looked down at the rabbit, her excitement started to come back. My very first catch, I can't wait tell I get back to camp with it. I bet Oakstar will have me give it to the elders when I get back. She slowly got back up, her paws ached and protested as she took a step toward the rabbit. If she was ever going to be a warrior she would have to learn to carry her own prey back.

[kitteh]

The excitement radiated off the young apprentice in waves, but the poor little cat couldn't get herself to breath correctly. That must have been the most that Dewpaw has ever had to run in her short kitten life. her ginger coat blew in the windclan air as she looked up to Oakstar with adoration. He smiled, "You don't have to carry it there, but you might want to carry it into the clan, it is your catch. You wouldn't want anyone to make you think that i caught the rabbit, right?" He chuckled at himself and picked up his own prey and put it next to hers. The smell of fresh kill wavered in the air around the two cats.

He saw the action in his head again, her feet noisily hitting the ground in a way that only new apprentices would walk. But her speed is what surprised him. Even though it took Dewpaw a while to catch the prey, she did, and killed it all by herself on the first time out. This was the cat that just a little bit before didn't believe in her leader and was about to run out on him. Things like that shocked him on a level that was never reached before.


"I make it look easy because i've been doing it for many many years. you'll get your speed, and you will become a great warrior, i can already tell." He smiled and watched the apprentice sit down. Knowing that he couldn't press his apprentice to do any more, he layed down, placing his side on the grass, licking his paws and gently washing behind his ears. his eyes were soft when he looked at his apprentice, it made him want kits of his own, that much more. If a kit this young wasn't his and he felt this much pride, what would he feel if he had his own blood do that. "I'll let you rest."

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"Thank you Oakstar" the little she-cat meowed as she fell to the ground. Every inch of her body was sore. I'm happy I have a mentor that will let me rest when I need it. She looked over at the tom. He was the best mentor any cat could ask for, that's why I have to be the best apprentice he could ever have. The young she-cat started to fell guilty about how she had acted early that day. How could she ever think that this cat would forget about her. "Thank you Oakstar for teaching me how to hunt. Also thank you for not being to angry about early today." She looked over at her rabbit trying not to think of her growing hunger. That rabbit was for the clan, she could wait to eat. Her stomach growled, she hoped Oakstar hadn't hear it.

I knew I should of eaten before I came to training she thought. Cursing herself for being such a fool. Why didn't I eat when I had the chance. The pain of hunger made her wince, it felt like moons since she had eaten anything. She looked away from the rabbit not wanting to think about her hunger anymore then she had to. She knew it was against the warrior code to eat before the clan had a chance to eat. That and she really wanted to have her rabbit to bring back to the elders.

[kitteh]

Oakstar closed his eyes and smiled thanking starclan for every rabbit that he had ever caught. He thanked them for the seasons, for the health of his clan- and he thanked them for his apprentice. Though the young she cat wasn't used to being tested, she didn't to way to bad for her first day of training. After they took the food to the clan- they were going to go out to check the borders. If anything, that was the next most important thing on his list for his apprentice.

"You are welcome Dewpaw." he opened his eyes and looked the she-cat over. She was going to be a great warrior, as long as she kept up her training and never forgot that her mentor was going to be there for her no matter what. "You know- I will be there for you" he twitched his tail once or twice eyeing his apprentice. "no matter what." The tone in his voice was fatherly.

The small cats stomach rumbled like the thunder in the dark sky when starclan sent a storm upon them, "Hungry Dewpaw?" He sood looking down at his apprentice, "If so we need to take this food back to the camp so you can eat, and we can patrol the border. You need to see them." His eyes were emeralds gazing at his apprentice. waiting for an answer.

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Dewpaw stood up and stretched, excitement filled her tiny body at the thought of going and seeing the boarders. Even though Dewpaw was still tired from hunting. "Ok that sounds like fun." Dewpaw meowed in her squeaky voice. She was so lucky first she got to learn how to hunt and now she was going to go patrol the boarders. Dewpaw could barley contain her excitement. She ran up to her rabbit and picked it up. She could just barley pick it up to the point where she could drag it home. She wasn't about to show Oakstar that she was weak. No she had to carry this rabbit all the way home.

Dewpaw waited for Oakstar to take the lead. She was not sure yet how to get home. After all it was her first time this far away from camp. She never dreamed that Windclans territory was this big. She had always heard story's of how big it was. But this was huge, how was she ever going to learn where everything was. And she still hadn't even seen all of Windclans territory.