I'm really sorry at long it's taken me to get this chapter up. It's not that I haven't already had it written out, it's just that whenever I get the computer to myself for typing this (which isn't often), I find myself sidetracked by this really addicting webcomic I've been following. So, again, sorry. Oh, but on a different note, I'm actually kinda proud of this chapter. It marks the longest chapter I've ever written, and I think I deserve a little credit for that. Anway, enjoy!
Chapter Four
"No," growled Tigerstar, lifting his paw off of Jaypaw's chest and allowing the gray apprentice to stand. "You have to anticipate my move. You may be able to see here, but you're at a disadvantage in the real world. You have to use the warrior's senses you were born with. I'm not going to waste my time mentoring you if you're not going to at least try. Now, let's do this again."
Tigerstar took up a crouching position a few tail-lengths away and, gritting his teeth, Jaypaw scrambled to his paws. Though deep down he knew that what the broad-shouldered tabby said was true, it still angered him. Taking up his own fighting crouch, the two began circling one another, tails lashing the air.
This time it was Jaypaw who made the first move. He suddenly broke their ever-closing circle and leaped at Tigerstar, who dodged effortlessly to the side and delivered a stout blow of his own to Jaypaw's head. The hit knocked the young cat effortlessly to the ground, and, seizing his opportunity, Tigerstar hauled him up from the ground by his scruff. Jaypaw felt the movement and immediately went limp. He felt Tigerstar's whiskers twitch in triumph, and then he struck.
Swinging round, Jaypaw kicked his captor in the throat, causing Tigerstar to drop him to the ground as his mouth was forced to open in a wordless yowl. Quick as a flash, the apprentice pushed the older cat down and, in the split-second before he realized what was happening, had pinned him down.
"Hmph," scoffed Jaypaw, smirking. "If that's what you call a waste of your time, I'd like to see what you consider a good use of it."
A murderous glare passed over the dark tabby's eyes, but it was gone so fast it was almost as if it wasn't there at all. Then he did something completely unexpected: he purred. It was a misused, rusty purr, but it held genuine pleasure and amusement nonetheless. "So, it would seem that the pupil has bested the teacher!" Then his eyes became hard once more. "But it is the teacher, not the student, who teaches the last lesson."
With a heavy grunt, Tigerstar rolled forward onto his paws, his heavier bulk carrying Jaypaw forward with him. The gray apprentice tumbled to the ground and landed with a surprised grunt. The giant paw adding weight to his chest didn't help. "Better," grunted Tigerstar, getting off, "but still not up to your full potential. Ask that silly mentor of yours for more battle practice. It's like she just has you sitting around in that den sorting herbs all day. I'll see you tonight."
Jaypaw would have liked to have been able to tell Tigerstar just how accurate his assumption was, but the dark tabby was already fading from view. As the world faded into black once more, he vowed to take Tigerstar's advice.
"Hey, Leafpool," began Jaypaw, approaching his mentor. The tabby-and-white medicine cat was busy taking stock of their supplies, but at the sound of her apprentice's voice turned around and blinked for him to continue. "Can I have more battle practice?"
Jaypaw felt Leafpool's look of surprise and felt his fur prickle. He had decided to be blunt with her, but still, it wasn't all that surprising. Did she really expect me to prefer sorting and collecting boring old herbs to fighting? How mouse-brained! He stood shifting anxiously from paw to paw for what felt like ever before she anwered him.
"Sure," Leafpool meowed hesitantly, nodding slowly. "I suppose some more training won't hurt." Despite her words, Jaypaw could feel her indecisivness rolling off of her in waves. Scowling inwardly, he wondered whether everyone secretly thought that he would never be able to fare for himself. Probably, he thought, but I'll show them. I'll show them all! And I'll prove them all wrong!
"So, can we start now?" Jaypaw asked, challenge and impatience both present in his voice. Leafpool nodded again and, feeling her hesitation, Jaypaw turned and stalked out of the medicine cat den, Leafpool following right behind him.
The medicine cat took the lead as they went through the entrance tunnel. Emerging out into the forest, the two almost bumped into Firestar, who was leading back a border patrol.
The ThunderClan leader's face registered pleasant surprise at encountering both his daughter and grandson. Stepping aside so as to allow the rest of his patrol, made up of Dustpelt, Sandstorm, and Graystripe, to enter camp, he turned to Leafpool. "Hello, Leafpool, Jaypaw. What a pleasant surprise, running into you two."
Dipping her head to her leader, Leafpool meowed, "Good morning, Firestar. How was the patrol? ShadowClan not giving us any trouble, I hope."
"No," Firestar shook his head in negation. "It's as silent as a mouse over there. How're things going in the medicine cat's den? Jaypaw's training is going well, I trust." Leafpool nodded.
Jaypaw kneaded the ground impatiently, tearing up the grass with his claws. He was getting bored with all of this small-talk, and wondered when they could finally get back to his battle-training. His senses were flooded with the sounds and smells of the forest, and sounds of the older cats' conversation swiftly faded into background noise. The forest, what he could sense and feel around him; it awakened the warrior blood inside him, making him feel like the most powerful being on Earth. He felt like tearing through the forest, participating in the wonder of the hunt, and fighting battle after battle, never tiring. He felt strong, but more than anything, he felt dangerous.
"Jaypaw? Jaypaw?" Leafpool's voice called him back to the present here-and-now. Looking up at her, he stared her straight in the face and asked, "What?" He was slightly puzzled that Firestar was still there, and briefly wondered what it was the ThunderClan leader could want.
"Firestar's offered to train with you. He says he doesn't spend as much time with the training of young cats as he should, and feels that, if you don't mind, he'd like very much to help in your battle training."
Jaypaw scoffed silently at her choice of wording, but nodded wordlessly. If agreeing to let Firestar train him was going to let them actually get some fighting anytime today, he'd do it. Besides, he thought, being taught by another leader is no bad thing.
Seeing his assent, the ginger tom led the way to the training hollow which, surprisingly, was empty. Jaypaw came right on in after him, with Leafpool lagging behind. The tabby-and-white she-cat looked less than enthusiastic, and seemed as hesitant and unsure as ever. Jaypaw could sense the worry in her amber eyes as she watched her father and nephew prepare to square off, but, as usual, her thoughts were an impenetrable mass of fog.
Firestar took a stance on the opposite side of the training hollow and said, "I suppose Leafpool has at least taught you the basics of fighting?" Jaypaw shook his head quickly. Leafpool hadn't bothered to teach him anything but herbs.
Firestar seemed rather taken aback, but quickly shook it off. "Okay, then," he meowed, "let's start with a few basic fighting moves. I'm going to stand here, and I want you to attack me."
Jaypaw almost scoffed out loud. He had already passed this stage in training with Tigerstar. This is going to be so easy...
Considering carefully, Jaypaw slid into a crouch. He felt confident in his ability to fight, and therefore wasn't afraid to show a little cockiness. Taking the time to first sink his claws slowly into the sandy floor, he then launched himself across the hollow and felt his paws sinking into Firestar's pelt. There was a brief struggle, and suddenly he felt himself falling. Yowling in surprise, Jaypaw scratched frantically at the air and managed to land on all four paws.
Breathing a sigh of relief, Jaypaw pricked his ears at the sudden movement to his left. He barely had time to turn before Firestar barrelled into him, knocking him, once again, to the ground. A paw to his chest stopped him from even attempting to get up, and then, just like that, it was over.
"Hmm. Very good, Jaypaw. You probably would have had me if you'd been a bit faster. Work on your agility a little bit more and you may be able to beat me."
"I'm sure that's all very true, Firestar. But still, as my apprentice, I believe Jaypaw is up to par on what he needs to know." meowed Leafpool tersely.
Firestar and Jaypaw turned to Leafpool as one. "Oh, come on, Leafpool!" meowed Firestar. Jaypaw could sense the excitement boiling up in his leader, and could just imagine his green eyes sparkling with excitement. "I just want to take care of his battle trianing; he'll be completely free to you for any and all medicine cat duties. Besides, you know how long it's been since I last had an apprentice, and he's just got so much potential!"
"Well, yes, but still! He's my apprentice!"
"Please!?" asked Firestar. Jaypaw turned his eyes to Leafpool as well, fixing her with a pleading stare. This could be the chance he'd been waitng for! His one chance to prove everybody wrong and show them all that he could be more than just a medicine cat. He fervently hoped that Leafpool would give in to her father's pleading.
It would seem that his prayer, and Firestar's, had been answered. Leafpool rolled her eyes and meowed, "Alright, alright! I know how stubborn you can be, Firestar. You won't stop bothering me until I agree, and Jaypaw, you can be just as bad. Just go! I won't be needing you for the rest of the day." With that, Leafpool turned and left the training hollow, muttering under her breath about headstrong tomcats all the way back to camp.
When she was gone, Firestar turned to Jaypaw and meowed, "Let's get started then, shall we?"
It was nearing sunset when Jaypaw and Firestar, tired and hungry, came back into camp. They had spent all day in the training hollow, practice fighting. Jaypaw had improved, and despite his rather jubilant mood, he felt rather sore all over. While Firestar went over to the fresh-kill pile, Jaypaw stumbled to the medicine cat den and flopped down on his nest, exhausted. He was just too tired to eat right now.
As soon as he closed his eyes he fell asleep. Blinking them open, he was surprised to find himself standing in the training hollow (which he only recognized by the scent), and across from him stood Tigerstar.
"Greetings, Jaypaw," meowed Tigerstar, blinking his amber eyes warmly.
Jaypaw returned the greeting, then asked, "What are we doing here?"
"Ah, yes. Well, I thought that, as your mentor, I should at least bother to show you around the territory you occupy when asleep. I do realize that you know your territory, but that only be what you can hear and smell. This is your chance to see it. Now, this is the first and only time I'm going to do this, so memorize it. Got that? Alright, let's go!"
Tigerstar took Jaypaw all over the territory, showing him the landmarks and telling him what type of prey could be found there, what the dangers were, and how it could be used stratigically. When they were done and had returned to the hollow, Jaypaw felt more worn out and ragged than ever. "Did you get all of that?" Tigerstar asked sternly. Jaypaw just nodded weakly as Tigerstar disappeared in a whirl of smoke.
When Jaypaw next opened his eyes, it was only to see the solid blackness to which he was accustomed. He still felt just as tired as he had when he'd laid down, even more so after his run with Tigerstar that spanned the whole of ThunderClan territory.
Closing his eyes again, he tried to return to sleep, but he was already wide awake, and with a sigh he acknowledged this and got up. Scenting the air, he could tell that it was still night. Feeling even more put off by this, he decided now would be a good time to go take a walk.
Okay, just so you know, I only made Leafpool a little bit of a control freak because, well, besides from appearing nosey, she always seemed so bossy to me. That's part of the reason she's not officialy on the list of my favorite characters for this series. Also, I know it seems kind of weird, but think about it, Firestar hasn't had an apprentice since Brambleclaw, and if I were him, I'd be pretty excited to be mentoring another young cat. Oh, and I know Jaypaw seems kind of OC, vut that's only because after he became a medicine cat apprentice his character became kind of boring. Let's just say this is me trying to spice him up a little bit more. However, if that image ruins your perception of his character, just think of it of how his character would be if I wrote the books.