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Lionpaw prowled through the undergrowth quietly. He sniffed the air, pinpointing the location of the mouse he was stalking. He crouched low to the ground, the fur on his belly brushing the earth, and sniffed again. He froze. The mouse sat just a tail length in front of him, nibbling on a seed in its tiny paws. Holding his breath, Lionpaw leaped, pouncing fiercely on the mouse and killing it with a single blow.
"Good job, Lionpaw!" Brackenfur appeared from behind a nearby bush. "You're getting better. Just remember to keep your tail as low as your body. Prey can spot you easier if your tail is up in the air." Lionpaw nodded his acknowledgement. "Good. Go take this fresh-kill to Leafpool and Jaypaw. Then meet me at the camp entrance. We'll go down to the ancient oak to train."
"Okay Brackenfur. I promise I won't be long." Lionpaw replied, and he scampered off towards camp with the mouse in his jaws.
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Lionpaw waited excitedly at the camp entrance for Brackenfur. A few heartbeats later, Brackenfur emerged from the warriors' den with Ashfur and Brightheart. Dovepaw, who was sitting near the fresh-kill pile, jumped up to join them. When the four of them reached Lionpaw, Brackenfur spoke.
"Lionpaw, I've been chosen to go on a hunting patrol. I want to get some battle training in today, though, so I've asked Ashfur to fill in for me." Ashfur grunted halfheartedly. No! Lionpaw thought, Not Ashfur! He's mean. He doesn't seem to like me very much.
"Well, let's get going, then." Brightheart meowed cheerfully, attempting to break the tension in the air around them. Brackenfur touched noses with Lionpaw and walked towards a group of cats, apparently the hunting patrol.
I bet Ashfur doesn't think I'll be good at fighting. Lionpaw thought. I'll show him!
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"No, no, no!" Growled Ashfur. "You're supposed to attack me, but you're going about it all wrong!" Lionpaw's fur prickled with embarrassment. "Stop being so predictable Lionpaw! The whole point is to fool the enemy. You have to attack in a way or place that your opponent isn't expecting. Try again, but this time, go for my back instead. When you attack, swerve around me and leap onto it. If you get shaken off, roll under me and go for my belly instead. If you do this in a real battle, you're going to have to try to fall off on the side that the opponent appears to be running away to. That way, you can cut them off."
Lionpaw nodded. As much as he disliked Ashfur, he knew that the older cat was an extremely good fighter. This time, Lionpaw darted to the side, just missing Ashfur's pawswipe. He leaped onto Ashfur's back and grabbed a hold with him teach. Ashfur hurriedly jumped to the side, throwing Lionpaw off, but Lionpaw swiftly rolled under him and pummeled his stomach with his paws. After a few heartbeats, Lionpaw stopped so that Ashfur could tell him how he did. Lionpaw stood, watching as Dovepaw threw herself into a mock battle with Brightheart.
"Lionpaw!" Lionpaw's head snapped back to Ashfur, his eyes filled with nervous anticipation. "Good job Lionpaw!" Ashfur meowed. "You may just be a better fighter than I thought. I can't believe I'm saying this, but you'll make a good warrior someday." Hearing this, Lionpaw started to sing:
I'm gonna be a warrior, so enemies beware!
Ashfur:
I've never seen a Clan warrior
With quite so little tact
Lionpaw:
I'm gonna be the main event
Like no warrior was before
I'm brushing up on looking down
I'm working on my skills
Ashfur:
Thus far a rather uninspiring thing
Lionpaw:
Oh, I just can't wait to be a warrior!
Everybody look left
Dovepaw:
Everybody look right
Lionpaw:
Everywhere you look I'm -
Lionpaw and Dovepaw:
Standing in the spotlight!
Ashfur:
Not yet
Lionpaw and Dovepaw:
Let every creature go for broke and sing
Let's hear it in the fields and on the wing
It's gonna be Lionpaw's finest fling
Lionpaw:
Oh, I just can't wait to be a warrior!
Dovepaw:
Oh, he just can't wait to be a warrior!
Lionpaw:
Oh, I just can't wait...
Dovepaw:
Just can't wait
Lionpaw and Dovepaw:
To be a warrior!
"Thank you Ashfur." Lionpaw mewed, dipping his head respectfully.
"Now, I think Brightheart and Dovepaw are done here." Ashfur grunted. "You and you're sister can go hunting for the elders now. Remember the code, don't eat until you've fed your Clan."
"Yes, Ashfur." Replied Lionpaw and Dovepaw, who was now standing beside her brother with Brightheart.
"Good." Meowed Ashfur. "Don't stay out past sundown. Oh, and once again, good job today, Lionpaw. I'll be letting Brackenfur know how much your skills have improved."