Bravepaws paws ached from yesterday's trek around the Clan's territory.
After their encounter with the Windclan patrol they had reported back to Bladestar, who decided to wait until tonight's gathering to bring it up with Hedgestar before doing anything rash.
The elders den smelled of musky moss as Bravepaw wrinkled his nose at the smell.
"This is the worst part ever about being an apprentice," Bravepaw thought.
As he gritted his teeth and tried to ignore the smell he grabbed a wad of damp moss and dragged it back out of the den.
As he inhaled the fresh air, he sighed deeply, "Oh sweet relief."
Looking out towards the center of the camp grounds, life was continuing as normal.
Blackraven and Hazelfur were sharing tongues out by the Warrior's den, and Velvetfoot, (The Thunderclan deputy) was returning with Edgeclaw, Berrybranch, and her apprentice Willowpaw from a hunting patrol. It looked like it had been a successful outing. Willowpaw beamed as she put her squirrel on the freshkill pile.
"Nice catch Willowpaw!" Sharp-eye meowed.
*Sigh* Bravepaw continued on with his menial task.
"Is that the hunting patrol that just returned?"
Bravepaw turned to see who had asked, it was Oakfang, one of the clan elders, his gray whiskers and shaggy fur that covered his bones made him seem like he would blow over if there was a strong breeze.
"Yes it is. They just got back. Can I get anything from the freshkill pile for you?"
"Anything but a vole," He croaked, "chewy critters."
Bravepaw walked over to the freshkill pile and picked out a fresh, juicy mouse.
While he was holding it in between his teeth, his mentor called from clearing.
"Hey Bravepaw, hurry up and finish that mouse. We're going with Sunblaze and Sparrowpaw for battle training."
"Yes! Battle training!" thought Bravepaw. Then he remembered the moss he still had to finish.
"This isn't for me. I'm bringing this to Oakfang, and I've not finished cleaning out the elders den yet…" Bravepaw meowed.
"Well hurry and bring that mouse to Oakfang and I'll ask Ashnose to have Redpaw finish the elders den. We're going to be leaving soon."
Bravepaw practically bounced over to the elders den.
"Here you go, it's still warm," He meowed.
Then as he turned to leave, Oakfang asked, "Where do you think you're going? I don't have any fresh moss in here!"
Bravepaw called over his shoulder, "Redpaw will be in to finish it in a moment."
"Paws," Oakfang muttered, "Never finishing what they've started."
As they arrived at the training hollow, Bravepaw felt his paws tingle with excitement.
"Let's begin now shall we. Alright, let's start off with the knock 'n' pin. Willowpaw, would you please explain to Bravepaw how the move works?" Sunblaze asked.
"Sure! Okay, let's say your attacker is about to pin you down, you want to try knock them over by slashing at their legs, and then pin them down." She meowed.
"Well I think I can do that." Bravepaw thought.
"Okay now, you can be the attacker Bravepaw and let Willowpaw show you how the move works in action."
Bravepaw stared at Willowpaw, Even though she was about a moon older than him, She was the same size or slightly smaller than him. "Won't I hurt her?" He thought.
"Alright Bravepaw anytime now," Grayleaf meowed.
"Oh… er', Right!" Stepping forward he tried to swing his paw down on Willowpaws shoulder, before he could even come in contact with her she had scratched his leg (Claws sheathed) and pushed with all her weight and pounced on Bravepaw!
"Oh, uh sorry," Willowpaw stuttered as she hopped off.
Thoroughly embarrassed, Bravepaw scrambled back up as Sunblaze congratulated Willowpaw on her technique.
"A good thing to remember, Bravepaw, is to never take your opponents size for granted."Grayleaf meowed, "But don't worry, this is only your first lesson, Willowpaw has been training for a whole moon before you. Now let's try it again, this time Willowpaw will attack."
This time, Bravepaw was ready, as Willowpaw reared and tried to cuff him on the ear he swiped his claws along her exposed belly, and pushed up sending her landing on her back.
"Very good Bravepaw, Next time though, try pushing off more with your legs. Remember not all your opponents will be as small as Willowpaw. Let's go again," Grayleaf meowed.
The afternoon seemed to fly by as they continued practicing battle move, after battle move.
Bravepaw was having so much fun practicing with Willowpaw, he didn't even realize the sun was setting.
"Alright, that's enough for today," Sunblaze meowed, "We need to be back in time to head out for the gathering. You both deserve your pick from the freshkill tonight."
"This was so fun!" Willowpaw meowed enthusiastically.
"Yeah I never knew battle training was like this!" Bravepaw replied. "Now I'll be ready to go and attack those mangy Windclan warriors."
Willowpaw suddenly became quiet. "I hope we don't have to attack Windclan, I wouldn't want to see any of my clanmates die," she meowed softly.
"Bravepaw glanced at Willowpaw, "I guess you're right. A strong warrior should only attack to defend the weak or to preserve justice. At least that's what Edgeclaw always says. Though, I sure am ready to preserve some justice! Bravepaw meowed.
As, they entered camp Bravepaw saw Redpaw running up to meet him.
"Elmfur just told me that Bladestar said we're going to the gathering tonight!" He panted.
"That's awesome!" Bravepaw exclaimed. "Could this day get any better?"
He only hoped his paws wouldn't fall off, and would have the strength to carry him to the gathering at four trees.
"I have to run and get some water for Oakfang. But I'll be back soon." Redpaw meowed.
Making his way to the freshkill pile, he spotted Edgeclaw emerging from the dirt place.
Bravepaw missed all the time he hadn't had to spend with Edgeclaw since he became an apprentice.
"Have you eaten yet?" Bravepaw asked him.
"I was just going to." He replied, "Care to join me?"
Bravepaw meowed, "Yeah let's go and eat our prey under the oak tree."
"So how was your day?" Edgeclaw asked, as he took a bite into his vole.
"It was great! Well… it actually didn't start so great, first I had to do the elders bedding, but then Grayleaf took me battle training! She said I did very well for my first try at it." He added proudly.
"Is that so?" Edgeclaw chuckled, "Then you must have been pretty good! Grayleaf doesn't give out compliments unless you deserve them. Are you excited about going to your first gathering?"
"Am I ever!" Bravepaw responded enthusiastically.
"Are you going to the gathering?" Bravepaw asked.
"Yes I am. I think Bladestar wants to put up a strong front in case we decide to attack Windclan. He wants them to know that we will not put up with them stealing our prey and their insolent behavior any longer."
"I'm glad Edgeclaw will be there." Bravepaw thought, "If anything happens he'll know what to do."
Bravepaw and Edgeclaw sat in companionable silence, enjoying each other's company as they finished the rest of their meal.
Elmfur announced that all cats that had been chosen to come to the gathering must come to the center of the camp. As they assembled, Bladestar emerged from his den and meowed. "Let's be off."
Author notes/ Hey everyone! Hope u r enjoying the story thus far. Please leave a comment if u r enjoying it, even if you're not enjoying it, please comment Hahaha