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Post by darkwolf45 on Jul 1, 2019 20:57:08 GMT -6
He'd spent the night before he started training Softpaw panicking, worried that he would let his brother's memory down, let down Snapfrost's memory. It was a lot to handle, his restless paws aching even after sleep, and while he had no desire to explore beyond the borders anymore, he still found that he ran along unknown paths in his mind. He'd watched his brother's mate grieve, watched her two remaining kits grow into strong kits, so proud of them. Rushwind had since come to terms that he would do the best he could, he would make his brother and mentor proud of him.
Dawn crept over the horizon, his gaze watching it erase the stars from the sky, the same as it had done for the past few moons. The same as it done his whole life and would do for forever. Rising to his paws he padded towards the apprentice's den, peering inside for the familiar pelt of his niece, "Softpaw. It's time to wake up. Let's try some training."
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Post by Warrioress on Jul 1, 2019 21:01:57 GMT -6
Softpaw blinked open her eyes as she heard her name, noting that once again she had edged her way to being halfway in her nest and halfway into Squeakpaw's nest. She carefully disentangled herself from her brother and made her way outside where her uncle was waiting. "Morning Rushwind" she greeted softly, her demeanor still shy even around family.
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Post by darkwolf45 on Jul 1, 2019 22:00:07 GMT -6
A soft smile was given to her, backing away so she could exit easily, "Morning Softpaw. Did you sleep well?" Her quiet and shy nature was a contrast to his own but it didn't bother him as he nodded for her to follow him out of the camp. The early morning mist from the surrounding waters sparkling in the dawn light. It felt like just yesterday he was in her pawsteps, following Snapfrost, her grandmother, out to training.
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Post by Warrioress on Jul 1, 2019 22:03:52 GMT -6
Softpaw smiled back, giving a nod in answer to his question. She shook out her fur before following after him, her steps light as she wondered what they would be doing today. It took her a few moments to gather up enough courage to speak "what are we doing today?" making sure her voice was loud enough for Rushwind to hear.
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Post by darkwolf45 on Jul 1, 2019 22:25:28 GMT -6
His gaze swept ahead, a pair of familiar boulders approaching, pools of water glinting in the sunlight as they approached. Old memories of racing Snapfrost that day so long ago, the excitement he felt for life everyday. As they passed the boulders he let his paws take him to the edge of one of the pools before he turned to answer her question. "Today, I think we'll focus on water tactics. Fighting in the water, how to best your enemies if there ever came a time you needed that." Rushwind echoed her words, for a moment instead seeing her with them, strong and guiding him through his apprenticeship, teaching him more than just the rules, hunting, and fighting. But about family and friends and the love for one's clan.
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Post by Warrioress on Jul 1, 2019 22:38:41 GMT -6
Softpaw followed after Rushwind, curious but content. Her ears perked as they came upon pools of water, she listened to the words and felt a small spark of fear, that she would end up failing this part of the training. She hated violence, though she knew she would protect her family she still hated it. "O-Okay, what's first?" she asked, determined to get thru this, both for her mother and Squeakpaw but also for her father and Quiverkit.
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Post by darkwolf45 on Jul 1, 2019 23:48:03 GMT -6
He gave her a small smile, "You don't have to be nervous. I hope you never have to use any of these techniques, but it is always good to know. It is in the warrior code not to use excessive force. We want to avoid killing others if we can. But if you are in a life or death situation, or fighting an enemy that will not yield... it is good to know how to finish them off, if you need to save your own life." Adjusting his stance with his back to the water, he nodded to Softpaw, "I want you to try and push me in." The echo of his own training hung in his head and heart, and he couldn't help but feel proud of what he had learned from Snapfrost.
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Post by Warrioress on Jul 1, 2019 23:58:30 GMT -6
Softpaw felt herself calming down at Rushwind's words, she took a deep breath before focusing on her mentor, searching him for where she could possibly attack him to push him into the water. She crouched down and moved closer, her heart hammering in her chest. Using her small build, she darted forward to take a swipe at the warriors hind legs, hoping that would unbalance him and force him backwards.
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Post by darkwolf45 on Jul 2, 2019 12:50:02 GMT -6
He watched her with careful eyes, judging where she would try and hit him, there were a number of ways an experienced WillowClan warrior could knock a cat into the water. She wasn't quite on that level yet, but he had confidence she could be quickly. When she darted forward, eyes on his hind legs he shifted his stance, bracing for the impact, rocking slightly as she swiped at his hind legs. Rushwind turned, using his larger paws and frame to swipe at her paws.
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Post by Warrioress on Jul 2, 2019 20:06:35 GMT -6
Rushwind's paws hitting her paws had Softpaw letting out a low yelp of surprise as she scrambled to gain her feet and back away from her mentor. Her ears flicked backwards on her head as she narrowed her eyes, studying the tom. She waited a beat, keeping her eyes level on her mentors hind legs, she darted forward, actually aiming for his forepaws, hoping her misdirection of her gaze would help her.
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Post by darkwolf45 on Jul 5, 2019 18:32:36 GMT -6
Shifting his weight again he tilted his head slightly, watching her curiously to see if she would repeat the same action again. The way she was eyeing his hind legs again told him that she was thinking about it. Rushwind was ready to repeat his earlier action when she darted forward and slammed into his front legs, a grunt escaping him as they buckled and he slid, off balance suddenly.
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Post by Warrioress on Jul 5, 2019 20:12:09 GMT -6
Softpaw felt a flash of satisfaction at Rushwind's apparent surprise at her attack, and quickly followed it up with a swipe at his hind legs, hoping it would be enough to cause him to fall back in the river. She still felt nervous, not wishing to harm anyone but wanting to make her uncle proud of her.
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Post by darkwolf45 on Jul 5, 2019 22:13:51 GMT -6
He hadn't had time to right himself, couldn't get his front legs back up quick enough when his hind legs slide out from under him and the water splash around him. It was shallow so there was no danger, but a bit of mud did stick to his white pelt as he lay in the water. A bit of laughter escaped him, "You've done well." Rushwind sat up in the water, amusement twinkling in his gaze, "First time I tried, I ran head first at Snapfrost and tripped at her paws."
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Post by Warrioress on Jul 5, 2019 22:35:53 GMT -6
Softpaw shuffled her paws as she practically beamed with pride, feeling a small smile blossom on her face. Her ears perked though as Rushwind spoke about his own training, giving an insight to him and also information about her grandmother. "Was she a hard mentor?" she asked, curious about her family, about the she-cat who raised her own mother.
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Post by darkwolf45 on Jul 5, 2019 23:33:37 GMT -6
Rushwind pulled himself out of the water, coat dripping where it was wet. He sat himself down, closing his eyes as he remembered his training days, a smile lighting up his face. Opening his eyes he looked at Softpaw, "No, she wasn't hard. She was fun, kept up with my restlessness really well even when she was carrying kits." He couldn't have asked for a better mentor.
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Post by Warrioress on Jul 7, 2019 22:38:23 GMT -6
Softpaw saw the smile on Rushwind's face and noted the fondness in his expression. She couldn't help the wish that she had been given the chance to know the she-cat that her mentor spoke of. "She sounds amazing" she mewed with a flick of her ears, her gaze soft as she studied her uncle. She loved her family and hoped to learn everything that had been taught to her uncle, she was determined to make him proud in the training to come.
~ fin ~
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