[p/t] Storm of Embers

[kira]

Berrystorm came to a halt inside of the training hollow, sitting down and turning soft, emerald eyes on Emberpaw. ''I don't know whether or not you heard Twilightstar, but Sunheart---a warrior exiled for threatening an apprentice---started up a rebellion, some of our own Clanmates included,'' The dilute tortoiseshell mewed, her ears wrapping her tail around her freezing paws that kneaded the crunchy snow beneath. ''Your mentor---Tigerfur---was a part of the rebellion. Twilightstar and Crowtooth found out about the rebellion, and they took some of the Furies to go and stop it. Tigerfur was exiled, alongside Ottercold, Mistypaw, Rootpaw, and Ferretpaw---who used to be my apprentice; Sunheart was executed by Crowtooth.''

She touched her nose to the young apprentice's head. ''Twilightstar has asked me to take over your training; I think that she's hoping that we can bond over our shared grief for the cats we lost. Are you....Are you willing to work with me, Emberpaw?''

------> [ @Splashcloud ]

[Splashcloud]

Emberpaw was shocked. I need another mentor? She thought. What am I doing wrong? She briefly wondered if no cat liked her. Her thoughts drifted to her training session with Tigerfur. He'd seemed annoyed at her enthusiasm. Was that why he joined that...rebellion? Was to get rid of cats like her? Emberpaw looked up at the warrior sorrowfully. Will you reject me too? She asked, thought she already knew the answer. She knew that this cat would say no, and say that she would teach Emberpaw everything she knew, and be the best mentor they could be for her sake. That's exactly what Blizzardnose had said. What will happen when she thinks I'm too much, and reassigns me "for my own good"? Emberpaw waited for her response. @kira

[kira]

''Of course not,'' Berrystorm murmured, wrapping her tail around Emberpaw's shoulders. ''I will never reject you; you haven't done anything to deserve that. Even if you did, I still wouldn't.''

------> [ @Splashcloud ]

[Splashcloud]

Originally Posted by kira

''Of course not,'' Berrystorm murmured, wrapping her tail around Emberpaw's shoulders. ''I will never reject you; you haven't done anything to deserve that. Even if you did, I still wouldn't.''

------> [ @Splashcloud ]

Emberpaw was taken aback. I haven't done anything wrong? She wondered. All the bouncing, and excitement, and the pestering? Emberpaw was suddenly giddy with relief. I guess you can be my mentor! She mewed. When do we start training? Tigerfur taught me the front paw blow, and the front paw strike! I also tripped up Hollypaw- sorry- Hollyhawk, when we were training! She giggled at the memory of Holly flying as she pushed him over. Guess how I did it?

[kira]

Berrystorm blinked and stood, her feathery tail swaying behind her. ''We can start now, if you'd like,'' The dilute tortoiseshell purred warmly, fixing emerald hues on the she-cat. ''However, since you have some battle experience, I want to start you off with some hunting under my mentorship, all right?''

The WindClanner didn't wait for an answer, instead meowing, ''Show me your best hunter's crouch, Emberpaw.''

------> [ @Splashcloud ]

[Splashcloud]

Emberpaw quickly dropped into the hunters crouch that she had been taught, making sure to keep her paws in the right place, and her tail above the ground, but not to far up that prey would see it. She quietly stalked forward on an imaginary mouse, and pounced, landing in a pile of snow. She sneezed as snow went up her nose, and shook it out of her fur. She looked up at Berrystorm. Tada! She mewed. @kira

[kira]

''Tuck your hind paws in closer towards your belly,'' Berrystorm instructed. ''It will add more power and strength to your spring.''

------> [ @Splashcloud ]

[Splashcloud]

Originally Posted by kira

''Tuck your hind paws in closer towards your belly,'' Berrystorm instructed. ''It will add more power and strength to your spring.''

------> [ @Splashcloud ]

Emberpaw did as told, and lost her balance, falling over in a laughing heap. Then she jumped up to try in again, making sure to tuck her paws closer. She looked up at Berrystorm, waiting for approval. How was that? She asked, still crouching.

[kira]

''Excellent!'' Berrystorm purred, giving a wave of her tail. Her green eyes shone brightly. ''Scent the air and tell me what types of prey you can smell.''

The dilute tortoiseshell wanted to get Emberpaw's mind off of Tigerfur for as long as possible, and focusing on her training was doing just that.

[ @Splashcloud | Emberpaw ; enjoy this totally not late post ]

[Splashcloud]

Emberpaw sniffed the air hopefully. Umm.... Rabbit...? She mewed uncertainly. Then she cringed. This is WindClan! She scolded herself. Of course there's rabbit!
@kira