Yozers brozers it's Reddy with another chapter!
I'd like to say thank you to Lunarsparks for your nice comments! :"D
And thank you to any other readers who I don't know of, I hope you're enjoying the story and I know everyone can't wait to see the bad cats pop up. (just hang in there guys, they're coming xD)
On to the story!
"Are you sure that this is all of the cats?" Rainbowheart gazed at the group of cats that sat in the clearing. Buck sat beside her, along with Streak and the loner from yesterday, Star. In all honesty, what they stared at wasn't that impressive.
"Yes, though I wish that the number could have been better," Buck replied distastefully. He spoke what was on Rainbowheart's mind.
Streak's expression turned sour, "You'd think some of the big-talking toms would have joined. Just goes to show."
Counting Buck, Apple, Meera, and Star, along with the new cats, there were fourteen cats in all.
"I knew not that many would join, but I thought at least a few more would come along." Buck's gazed flickered over the chatting cats with worry in his amber orbs.
"That bad huh..." Rainbowheart muttered.
Jade had padded out of the den, with the kits right behind her. She sat right next to Buck and the others.
The tom dragged his gaze away from the cats to look at Rainbowheart. "Believe me, it's bad. The Peace Reapers are filled with some of the most horrid fleabags imaginable," he sighed, "and some of the most innocent. Some of them are only with Bloodstorm because they tried to stand up to him, and he liked the fact that they could fight."
"But why would they-"
"Because, he's threatening them," Buck cut the warrior off off, fury filling him up. "The only reason half of those cats are with him, is because they are scared, or Bloodstorm has threatened to kill their loved ones." Buck directed his gaze to the ground in front of him. "If we are to get our home back, then that monster must be stopped." He dug his claws into the dirt.
Jade touched her tail to Buck's side, trying to calm him down. "Buck, calm down." Her voice was soothing, just like a mother's.
A few deep breaths escaped the tom's jaws before he settled. His ears flattened.
"I will do everything I can to help train these cats. Maybe, if the others see how the training can help them, they will also join." There was no response from the big tom, and Rainbowheart suddenly felt pity for him. She could tell that he wanted desperately to save his home; he would not abandon it, or his friends there.
She could relate to that.
"Well... I suppose I should get started." Rainbowheart got up. There was hesitancy in her footing, but she eventually came to stand in front of the new cats. She cleared her throat, signaling to them all that she would be the one to talk. "My name is Rainbowheart, and I'll be teaching you how to fight and defend yourselves."
"Now, if you can, I would like you all to get in a single file line, facing me, shoulder to shoulder, and introduce yourselves." The warrior could see that they all were a bit hesitant. "The sooner this is done, the sooner we can get to what you came here to do."
That cats looked at one another, before doing as was ordered. They all lined up so that Rainbowheart could get a good look at them. She gave each of them a quick look over from where she stood. They seemed like a pretty decent-looking group; the loners looked a tad bit stronger than the kittypets, but all of them were still underfed.
"Ok, so why don't we start with you, there at the end." Rainbowheart pointed her gaze towards a black she-cat at her far left. The first six cats were all kittypets, so she thought that she might as well start with them first.
"My name is Blair," the cat said.
"Um… hi I'm Nutmeg," the next she-cat said quietly.
"I'm Suzie."
"They call me Chilly."
"I am Blue, heh, because of my pelt, not my personality." A blue-grey tom dipped his head to Rainbowheart, chuckling. A calm and collected smile was on his face. He seemed friendly enough.
"I'm Jewel. I look forward to learning from you, and becoming a great a fighter as you must be," spoke the next cat, a ginger she-cat. She was sitting up straight, looking like she was one of the most confident of the group.
The grey tom beside her scoffed, "Ever so formal aren't we softmouth." He had obviously insulted the she-cat without care.
Jewel fluffed out her fur and glared at the tom, "And what's that supposed to mean garbagepelt?"
The tom didn't bother with acknowledging the cat any further, obviously wanting to get a rise out of her. He stared at Rainbowheart and dipped his head. "The name's Hampton. It's a pleasure to be here, learning from such a skilled wild-born cat." He put emphasis on the term wild-born, and shot a look at the kittypets.
And the fighting begins without the enemy even being here, Rainbowheart thought with chagrin.
"Come again," Jewel snapped at Hampton. The she-cat looked like she would tackle the cat right now, which would have impressed Rainbowheart if it weren't for the fact that they were here to learn, and not bicker like kits over a moss ball.
"You heard me softmouth!"
It was time for Rainbowheart to intervene, "All right that's enough!" All of the cats looked at her, frozen in place. "You two, since you seem real close, will be partners for training exercises."
Both cats were about to protest, but she gave them a stern gaze. "You are here to learn how to defend yourselves from those cats you're all so scared of, not fight each other. While you are here, you will obey my rules, my terms, or you can go home. I don't need to waste my time on you all."
Jewel and Hampton took a moment to growl at each other, but, in the end stopped. They were indeed here to learn, or they'd be sent home. At the same time they agreed, "Yes Rainbowheart." They both glared at each other, but then turned away.
Rainbowheart's gaze flew across the rest of the cats, "If you want to learn how to fight, then you mustn't fight with your new comrades. It does not matter whether you are kittypet or loner, you shall all learn to work together, so that there is a balance. The cats around you now, will be your new friends, if they aren't already, so get to know them."
Both Jewel and Hampton gazed back at Rainbowheart, and then looked at each other. A form a temporary truce was formed silently between them, and they dipped their heads to one another.
"Good," Rainbowheart stated at the cats' understanding. She gazed at the cat that sat next to Hampton. "How about we continue with introductions," she motioned for the brown tom to speak.
"You can call me Cliff," he said, then dipped his head.
"Brick," the red tom next to Cliff stated.
"Spike."
The last to be introduced, was a small black and white tom. The cat puffed out his fur excitedly, "Hi, my name's Chris."
Rainbowheart looked the cat over more thoroughly, and could tell that he couldn't be more than eight moons old; young enough to be an apprentice.
"Chris, that's an unusual name for a loner as young as yourself," Rainbowheart commented.
The young cat blinked, and then chuckled nervously, "Yeah… well… I didn't exactly like living as a house cat. It was too boring, and I thought that I needed more excitement and adventure. And I couldn't stand that food that they were giving me, no offense to you guys." Chris glanced down at the kittypets.
Jewel was about to make a chastising comment, but then thought better of it.
"None taken, from you at least." She glared at the grey tom beside her.
Chris smiled, thankful that the she-cat didn't snap at him. "It was fun at first, but I guess I never noticed what Bloodstorm was doing. Those fleabags have been taking my food and have been nothing but bullies to my friends. I'm gonna run them all out if it's the last thing I do."
The young tom sat up straight, "I promise that I will work hard to meet your expectations. I want to learn to fight, so that I can protect my friends and home. I want to be strong."
Rainbowheart was impressed with the tom's determination, despite his age. He actually reminded her of a clan apprentice. "Well if you feel up to the challenge, how would you feel about being a part of my first demonstration?"
Chris looked up at the warrior, eyes sparkling, "Really, that'd be awesome!" The young tom seemed to catch his sudden excited outburst, and regained his composure, "Um, I mean, that would be very good. Thank you."
The red-eyed warrior heard a chuckle and a few whispers from the she-cats of how "cute" Chris was. She herself couldn't help but shake her head at them. "Alright then, I think that's everyone." Turning around, she motioned for Streak to suddenly come forward.
The cat obliged, padding forward to stand beside Rainbowheart. When Streak had moved forward, Topaz and Sparrow had followed their aunt. They were now bounding around the two cats, excitedly observing the new arrivals.
"Streak here is going to assist me with your training along with Buck." Rainbowheart shuffled her paws out of the way when the kits suddenly ran by to get a better look at the other cats.
"We're going to train too, right Rainbowheart?" Topaz turned around. He bounded back over to where the warrior and Streak stood, pawing at their feet. "You promised."
"Topaz, Sparrow, you both get back over here right now."
"But mommm." The call of their mother sent the kits slowly padding back to the sidelines, whining.
"She said she'd teach you how to hunt, not fight. Just watch and you can practice whatever she shows them."
"Right now, Chris please, won't you join me." Rainbowheart motioned for the small tom to follow her.
While they padded to stand at one end of the clearing, Streak stayed where she was, in front of a large stump that stood between the forest and the clearing. She was joined by Buck a moment later.
"Ok, so first we'll start off with a little training game." The warrior had thought all that morning on how to approach the situation. What better way to get them in the mood for training than a game? "The goal of this game is for one team to make it past the other team, and get onto the stump." She glanced down at the cat next her, "Think you can handle it?"
Chris, though he was nervous on the inside, nodded confidently, "Just tell when to go."
Rainbowheart admired the young cat's spirit. "Are you both ready down there?"
Streak gave a smirk and got into the position that Rainbowheart had taught her that morning."If you are."
Buck followed Streak's stance, head lowered, shoulders broadened, and ready.
Rainbowheart nodded, and looked down at Chris, "You go for Buck, and I'll take care of Streak. Keep your claws sheathed, and use non lethal blows. Buck is bigger so use your size to dodge."
As Chris processed this information, Rainbowheart gave the command.
"Begin!"
The warrior shot forward, with the young cat just joining her, a few seconds into it. She jumped over Buck, and landed in front of Streak, who immediately took a swipe at her. Rainbowheart easily dodged the attack, and smacked the black cat with a paw. "So," she said casually as she dodged her friend's paws, "how are they doing?"
Streak leaped away from the warrior, and took a quick look over at Buck who was engaged in battle with Chris.
Buck swiped at the young cat, who narrowly dodged all of them.
Chris soon found himself on the ground, after the larger tom tripped him up with quick blows to the legs. When Buck went to jump on him, Chris rolled away, and the bigger cat became stunned by the ground's impact on his legs. At that moment, Chris took the opportunity to knock the tom over.
If only Buck had stayed down. Before Chris could run for the stump, the brown cat had gotten up and thrown his weight on the smaller cat. Chris was now being smushed against the ground, the poor cat.
Streak seemed a little impressed by the young tom at first. Right up until Buck incapacitated him. "Chris was doing good at fir-!" She was stopped, midway in her sentence, after being barreled into by Rainbowheart. The black cat silently cursed herself, having forgotten she was fighting too.
Rainbowheart got up, looking down at her. "Never turn your back on your opponent, no matter how brief." She turned around and signaled for Buck to release Chris. "You Both did a decent job for a first exercise. Chris lost because he was overpowered by a larger opponent, and Buck you had some trouble because Chris was quicker. You'll learn how to handle these situations, though."
Chris seemed embarrassed for his loss, but nodded. Both he and Buck then went and sat with the line of trainees.
"We would like to go now."
Rainbowheart noticed the cat, called Blue, yell out, and he padded forward with Spike right behind him.
Rainbowheart nodded, and then turned to Streak. "You with me?"
"So it's you and me then. Heh, like when we fought that fox," Streak commented, and got into position beside Rainbowheart.
The red-eyed cat matched Streak's stance, and eyed the toms across from them. She could tell that Spike was a little nervous-the tom's spiky tail quivered ever so slightly. Blue however, had confidence in his eyes and stance. "Yeah. Just like the fox," Rainbowheart muttered her command to the cat beside her.
"Remember, everyone, you must get to the stump. Anything counts, but all claws must be sheathed, and keep it light with your teeth. I'd rather not have to use up the herbs around here."
Both toms nodded, and Rainbowheart gave the signal, "Go!"
As soon as she gave the signal, both cats charged at Rainbowheart and Streak. Streak quickly surveyed the situation and noticed that her partner's eyes were trained on Spike. Guessing that Rainbowheart had Spike covered, she decided that she'd take out Blue.
Soon both sets of cats collided in a frenzy of sheathed paws and yowls. Rainbowheart was dodging away from Spike's onslaught, and trying to pin him down. The big tom had the idea, but seemed a little off on his aim, just throwing out swipes that didn't hit.
Streak meanwhile was busy with Blue who was jumping out of her attack range and running right back and hitting her. With his nimble stature and long legs, it was easy for him to dodge the other cat.
Rainbowheart was eventually able to pin Spike down, after using her front paws to trip him up. Looking up she saw that Streak had her paws full with the blue-grey tom who kept jumping away then running back, tiring the black she-cat out easily. Hmm, he seems to be more experienced that I would have thought or just clever.
The black-and-white cat's train of thought was lost when Streak ended the bout.
Blue was now pinned to the ground himself, with a triumphant looking Streak on top of him. He struggled to get up, flailing his paws, but it was pointless with the other cat's weight fully on him.
Streak had finally been able to see through his attack, being just as speedy herself. Blue had been jumping away and then attacking, using his lean form to his advantage and tiring out his opponent. So the next time Blue jumped out of the way of Streak's attack, she jumped forward so that she landed on top of him, just as he was about to attack again.
Rainbowheart nodded at Streak, and both cats let their opponents up off the ground. "Good job you two. Go rest now." She motioned over to the group, and the tired and beaten cats walked over and sat down to rest and clean themselves up a bit.
Rainbowheart sat in front of them all. "Now, can anyone tell me what they did wrong?" Most of the others just stared at her, while a few looked at the ground. "Anyone? Come on now, think." She looked from left to right at the cats.
"Um… I think that I... I can answer, but I'm not sure if it's right."
All eyes were on Nutmeg now. The timid cat seemed to be staring at her paws, with eyes barely glancing up.
"Go on, it's alright if you aren't right. Now, what was it that they did wrong?" The warrior-teacher encouraged.
"Well… I think that it was that they attacked without a plan." Nutmeg looked down, and started playing with her paws a little nervously.
"You're correct."
Nutmeg looked up and saw the red eyed she-cat giving her an approving look. Blair and Jewel whispered congratulating words to the fluffy, nervous she-cat.
"Both cats rushed into battle without thinking it through. But that is only one part; can someone else point out the other half?" Rainbowheart asked.
This time it was Spike that spoke, "Well, I guess we could have worked together, instead of separately." The tom seemed embarrassed to be speaking about himself, but tried to ignore the feeling. He didn't like the thought of pointing out his flaw.
Rainbowheart nodded and walked closer the group. "When in a battle, try and converse with your comrades, if not through speech, then by signaling them somehow and reading when they need help or when to attack." She stopped in front of Spike and Blue, "You both did really well on your own, but if you can work as a pair, then you will be more effective when attacking."
"Now," Rainbowheart looked up at Nutmeg and Brick. "You two are up next."
The brown she-cat seemed a little nervous, but Brick and Jewel encouraged her to go.
Rainbowheart grimaced to herself. Hopefully they can learn quickly and improve together.
Don't worry the boring-ness will end soon. c: Some bad guys join the party next chapter.