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Post by Sunspirit on Nov 8, 2009 18:37:53 GMT
A golden-colored she-cat made her way out of the Warrior's Den, stretching before continuing on her way. It was dawn, and a cool breeze and weak sunlight broke into the camp, showing once again that it was Leaffall. But the leaves were beautiful, with bright oranges, yellows, and reds. Leaffall was Sunspirit's favorite season because of the leaves. She loved to see them whirling in the wind, making the air dance with exotic colors.
But right now, she decided not to sit and watch the leaves, and instead do what she had gotten up early to do. She padded calmly over to the Apprentice's Den, peeking her head in and looking for Smokepaw, her apprentice. She saw him curled up besides Dragonpaw, and she entered. Leaning over him, she whispered into his ear, "Smokepaw, get up. Meet me outside, we're going on a hunting patrol." She nudged his side with a golden paw just in case he was lazy to get up. Then she exited the tree stump that was the den and sat just outside, watching as around her the camp was waking up.
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Post by cloverleaf on Nov 8, 2009 20:59:47 GMT
"Smokepaw, get up. Meet me outside, we're going on a hunting patrol," were the first thing the gray tom heard one pleasant Leaffall morning. Then he felt a paw prodding his side, as if to make sure he was awake. He opened his eyes and saw as his mentor walked out of the den. He raised himself up and stretched luxuriously, savoring the warmth under the tree stump. With one last look at his comfortable nest, he walked out after Sunspirit, who was sitting outside, waiting for him. "Good morning," he greeted, sitting down close besides her to hide from the chilling breeze. "Where are we going to hunt?"
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Post by Sunspirit on Nov 10, 2009 3:48:30 GMT
"Good morning. Took you long enough to get up," she greeted with a playful swipe of her tail. She noticed that he was using her as a shield from the wind, and to bother him about it, she stood up to face him, leaving him vulnerable to the wind. "We are hunting by the Great Beech today. I hope to also do some climbing lessons. So since it looks like your ready, we can get going. We can eat something while we are there, but we must hunt first, so the sooner you get a lot of fresh-kill, the sooner you eat." Sunspirit then turned and began to pad towards the entrance, expecting Smokepaw to follow. When they were outside, she silently made her way to the beech, stopping every once in a while to hunt, and observing her apprentice's hunting progress.
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Post by cloverleaf on Nov 11, 2009 1:00:12 GMT
Smokepaw's stomach rumbled at his mentor's information about fresh-kill. But he knew it was necessary, so he didn't complain. Then he lowered his ears in embarrassment as she moved away,obviously to leave him to the wind. He thought he had been inconspicuous about it, but apparently not. He stood up and walked after Sunspirit, taking her lead to begin hunting. He was aware of her eyes watching him, so he took care in his hunting. So far, he had proven to be a good hunter, but not outstanding. He wasn't that great a fighter compared to Dragonpaw either. He was still looking for his special skill, and he hoped he found it soon. He managed to catch two mice before arriving at their destination.
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Post by Sunspirit on Nov 11, 2009 17:10:32 GMT
Seeing how Smokepaw had caught two mice without trouble, she buried her own fresh-kill, leaving a magpie out for herself. "You can eat now," she mewed before eating her own breakfast. When she was done, she quickly groomed her muzzle for any traces of blood. Then she waited for her apprentice to finish his meal.
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Post by cloverleaf on Nov 13, 2009 3:38:21 GMT
Smokepaw buried one of the mice and quickly ate the other, relieved that his belly was now full. Unlike Sunspirit who groomed her muzzle, Smokepaw just licked his fangs swiftly and asked eagerly, "So what are we doing first, hunting or climbing?" He looked up at the Great Beech and was amazed at how tall it was. He was eager to try climbing it.
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Post by Sunspirit on Nov 22, 2009 0:20:39 GMT
"We are going to climb first. Now, this takes balance and concentration to do. At all times, your tail is out, your eyes watching, and your senses alert for everything. Once you have used your claws to climb up the bark and once you're on a branch, you must be careful and your pawsteps delicate. No harsh movements if possible. When hunting in the trees, you might have to pounce, but that should be the only exception. I am going to climb first. I want you to watch everything I do." With that, Sunspirit unsheathed her claws and walked up to the Great Beech. She dug her claws in and steadily ascended up the tree, making everything slow so Smokepaw could see. Once on a branch, she walked across it to show her carefulness. Then she began her descend cautiously. Once back on the ground, she looked at the gray tom and with her tail, motioned to the tree. "Your turn. If for some reason you fall, remember to spread out your tail; it helps you land on your paws. I'll climb right besides you to catch you if you fall and guide you." Then she walked back up to the tree, ready to begin climbing again when her apprentice started.
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Post by cloverleaf on Nov 24, 2009 1:46:24 GMT
Smokepaw listened intently and was eager to try it. Already on his paws when Sunspirit got down from the tree, he clambered up to it and unsheathed his claws. It looked so easy, but he knew he still had to be careful. He stuck his claws in and slowly began to lift himself up. He did everything perfectly, his movements graceful and confident. After he got the hang of it, he quickened his pace until he arrived to the first branch. He mimicked his mentor's previous actions and managed to get onto the branch with ease. He lifted his tail, pleased with his automatic ability to climb. Maybe this was his talent; climbing.
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Post by Sunspirit on Nov 25, 2009 4:52:40 GMT
Following her apprentice from the side, Sunspirit observed his technique. Most cats always had trouble the first time they climbed, but Smokepaw did it like he had done it for countless of moons. Once they reached the branch, she meowed to him, "That was fantastic. I have never seen anyone climb so gracefully and easily. Are you sure you're not half-squirrel?" She purred in laughter but then continued. "Alright, now walk on the branch a few times for practice."
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Post by cloverleaf on Nov 27, 2009 20:57:12 GMT
Ignoring his mentor's comment about being half-squirrel, Smokepaw obeyed and walked along the branch twice to show how simple it was. He was overjoyed that Sunspirit had mentioned how well he was at climbing. Now he could challenge the other apprentices at it and win! "What else?" he asked, happiness running through his gray body.
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Post by Sunspirit on Dec 7, 2009 3:56:27 GMT
Smokepaw's natural talent at climbing impressed Sunspirit. She knew that when it came to climbing, she couldn't teach her apprentice anything else. She sighed as she realized her plans of teaching him weren't going to last today. "Since you can already climb better than me, we can begin hunting. Try hunting by the trees and especially for squirrels today. I want you to chase them up the trees for additional practice." Then with a flick of her tail, she began her descend from the tree branch.
Leaping down on the ground, she waited for Smokepaw to get started before opening her jaws to take in the scents around her. It was mostly plants and dirt. She walked farther from the Great Beech, still watching her apprentice. Smelling the air again, this time the scent of a dormouse wafting towards her. She crouched down and began the hunt.
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