Training Hawkpaw {P}

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Hawkpaw bounded across the mountainside towards his meeting spot with his mentor, Lightfeather. Though he had only been apprenticed for two moons, already, he had adapted exceptionally well to the SnowClan territory. Already, his paws navigated the rough, rugged mountain trails with effortless ease. Very soon, he caught sight of his mentor up ahead, her ginger fur gleaming in the faint, leaf-bare sunlight.

Hawkpaw put on an extra burst of speed and skidded to a halt before her, dipping his head respectfully in greeting, his amber eyes glowing. He gave his dusty golden-brown fur a shake and then met Lightfeather's gaze. "Good morning, Lightfeather. What are we doing today?" He forced himself to stifle his excitement, seating himself to wait patiently for what his mentor had to say.

Surprise and pleasure sparked in Hawkpaw's eyes at Lightfeather's response. It was very rare that apprentices were given the opportunity to choose their own training. Automatically, he turned towards his strengths. Hunting. Climbing. Navigating the difficult terrain of SnowClan territory. However, instead of choosing one of these, he forced himself to face his weaknesses instead. Defense in battle training. "How about working on some defense fighting moves?" he suggested, swallowing his desire to do something he already excelled at. A moment after the words left his mouth, he wondered if this had been a test.

Hawkpaw narrowed his eyes thoughtfully as he considered Lightfeather's question. He eyed his mentor, sizing her up as an opponent, mentally calculating his chances of standing against her blow, and evading it. "My first instinct would be to evade," Hawkpaw answered honestly. He was still a lot smaller than his mentor, and despite how it stung his pride, he knew he would not stand much of a chance bracing himself against the attack and staying on his paws. "Or at least redirect you to hit a part of me less vital than my head." he added after a pause. He hated how blank his mind was when it came to anything more strategic in defense. While he could think up every creative way to attack any kind of opponent, defense just didn't work the same way.

Hopefully, Lightfeather had some tricks up her sleeve that could help him out with his lesser size and strength than a fully grown cat.

In response to his mentor's words, Hawkpaw nodded. However, he couldn't help but to wish he would grow faster into the powerful warrior he'd always longed to be. A flash of movement distracted him, and he suddenly found himself staring up at Lightfeather as she dashed towards him and reared onto her hind legs. An involuntary hiss of astonishment escaped Hawkpaw's throat and without thinking, he sprang backwards, his hackles raised. Had Lightfeather gone mad?!

Seeing her raise her paw to strike his head, he scrambled backwards another few pawsteps and ducked out of the way, bracing himself and waiting for the paw to come crashing down, praying that he had been fast enough. But Lightfeather stopped her paw just before she touched him. Once he realized the danger had passed, Hawkpaw sprang to his paws and darted out of range of any more un-anticipated attacks before he glared at Lightfeather. "What was that for?!" he exclaimed, his bristling fur stating that he was still startled.

Still eyeing his mentor cautiously, Hawkpaw took a few wary steps closer and seated himself in front of Lightfeather. "Oh. Okay then, what next?" he asked, tipping his head slightly.

Hawkpaw's eyes widened in astonishment at Lightfeather's suggestion. The validation of her comments and teaching always seemed to increase his respect for her by the day. His tail lashed with excitement - this was a strategy he could use! And she was absolutely right - it was his talent to keep his balance in even the most difficult terrain.

Already his mind was creating a possible fighting scenario. Another apprentice, lunging for him. Instead of dodging, he would stand firm and root himself in the ground, staying as steady on his paws as an oak tree in the forest, letting his opponent land their attack. Then, as soon as they were off balance from the power of their attack, he would whirl on them, taking advantage of their already unsteadiness, and bowl them over, taking the upper hand in the fight. His swiped his tongue around his jaws in anticipation of the next time he was to face an opponent.

"No, but that sounds like a great idea! Can I try it?" he mewed eagerly, springing to his paws and bouncing with impatience.

"Alright then, I'll attack. It might take a while, but I'm sure that you'll get it."

With a nod, Hawkpaw readied himself, widening his stance to increase his center of balance and sticking his tail out slightly curved and stiff behind him as he always did when he needed balance. He sank his claws into the ground and watched Lightfeather carefully. She fell to a crouch, her coat rippling, her eyes focused intently on him. Hawkpaw tightened his muscles in preparation to meet her. Then, she sprang.

Hawkpaw dug his paws into the ground and forced himself not to yield to his instincts and flinch away. If he lost his concentration for a moment, she would sweep over him in an instant. The impact of her crashing into him came as a shock - even not trying her hardest to take him down, he still staggered under her attack at the unexpected power behind her leap. As he was unbalanced, he felt the momentum from her leap throw him to the ground. Dust and pebbles flew from under his paws as he crashed to the ground in a flailing heap, with his mentor's paws pinned firmly over his shoulders.

"Mousedung!" he exclaimed, thrashing wildly before he started to try and wriggle out of her grip. He wrenched himself free and scrambled to his paws, spitting out dirt and sand. However, he forced himself not to feel discouraged - he couldn't expect to learn a battle move on the first try, and at least, now he knew how much he should resist Lightfeather now that he knew how powerful her jump was. "Can I try again?" he asked, his eyes blazing with determination. He would get this soon enough!

"Of course." Responded Lightfeather, backing away and readying herself before she turned expectantly to wait for Hawkpaw. He place his paws apart in his defensive stance once more, this time, bracing himself even more fiercely. His tail lashed once, and then he held it still concentrating fiercely. His amber eyes unwaveringly sought Lightfeather's as he waited for her to launch her attack.

Hawkpaw gritted his teeth as his mentor struck, her eyes meeting his evenly. Though he was more prepared for her attack this time, his paws still slid several tail-lengths, and he felt sharp stones graze his pads as he skidded over them, and at last moment, lost his balance and fell onto his side. For a moment, he lay still, then scrambled to his paws again, shaking the dust out of his fur. He suppressed a hiss of frustration. He wouldn't stop! He would keep this up until he got it. Wordlessly, he took up his stance again and waited for Lightfeather to attack him again, his eyes silently conveying his wishes to her.

This time, when Lightfeather flew at him, Hawkpaw felt something different in his stance. His paws found the most solid ground they could - flat but covered with some rocks which hurt his pads - but they gave him more grip. His unsheathed claws sank deep into the hard earth. As his mentor's forepaws collided with his side, he braced himself with all his strength, feeling the impact leave bruises that were sure to hurt tomorrow morning.

His paws slid slightly, but this time, he had been more prepared. Fierce satisfaction welled up within him as he withstood her attack for the first time. I did it! I did it! Without hesitating, he spun around and launched himself directly at Lightfeather's face, hoping to catch her off guard and off balance. "How was that?" he mewed proudly.