Welcome to Boot Camp | Blackfeather and Nightpaw

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Blackfeather had whipped through the traditional tour of the territory at lightning speed, hauling Nightpaw through each of ShadowClan's territory spots as fast as possible. After all, there was plenty of time to sightsee. But Blackfeather wanted Nightpaw to get ahead. She was determined that her apprentice be the fastest, the fittest, the strongest. Blackfeather wanted to demonstrate the prowess of her pure-blood and create a strong force for ShadowClan's future. No cat would deny the power of a true ShadowClan cat, not after a legacy of greatness was created. It worked both ways, too. Iif Nightpaw worked hard, then she would be able to show that- Dapplepaw, was it?- who was boss. She would be able to stand up for herself and prove whatever point she felt necessary. All this was within reach and Blackfeather felt sure that her young apprentice wouldn't disappoint her.

"Your training begins, Nightpaw." Blackfeather drawled, looking back at the black apprentice. "You seem strong. Confident. Unafraid. Good qualities to have. But I also see your obstinacy and hot temper which, if left unchecked, could land you in... Unpleasant situations." Blackfeather flexed her paws, sheathing and unsheathing her claws. "Yet nothing which will not be sorted in time." The dark she-cat smiled casually, as if the world was at her paws to be moulded around her.

"Now. Most mentors do not immerse their apprentices in full training on their first day. They like to give time for comfort and adjustment and preparation." Blackfeather's face twisted in disapproval, then smoothed into a confident smile. "But I tell you now, Nightpaw, you won't find me to be like every other cat. I will push you hard and I will make you a great warrior. Are you willing to do whatever it takes?" Her husky voice was soft and fast, a hint of that peculiar dangerous undertone which lingered on Blackfeather surfacing.

[Amber]

Thank StarClan she didn't get a mentor who was one of those pushovers who thought it was fun to bond with their apprentice and spend what felt like moons looking at all the borders. Now that would have been irritating and bore her, might as well just kill her. Nightpaw had already visited most of the places with her brother...no not her brother, she needed to stop that, needed to stop letting herself think that Dreampaw was her brother. No, she was alone in the world, the only kin she had ever had abandoned her at birth. At least she had friends, they kept her going, and now she was about to be in the same den with Thornpaw again, her best friend since...well as long as she could remember, and not only that but she would be sharing a den with Reedpaw, another of her best friends. He had stayed with her through the truth of it all, when her world came crashing down. And she couldn't forget Dreampaw, althought it was hard to figure out what they were now. Yesterday they had been brother and sister, today what were they? Maybe this was a question for another day. She needed to focus on training right now. Blackfeather was the perfect mentor for her, she would beat the little piece of foxdug, Dapplepaw, in less than a moon, she could feel it. Nightpaw knew that she would be strong with this she-cat's guidance. Maybe for once she would actually listen to someone other than herself. Yes, it had been decided she would give Blackfeather her all.

Nightpaw stayed silent as her mentor began to talk, she could talk later, right now she felt it was best to listen. And she wasn't going to argue with this she-cat, no she would wait on that one. She wanted to learn first, and if that meant shutting her mouth and listening, she would do it. Her eyes seemed to light up at the mentioning of what most mentors did and what Blackfeather's plan was. "I would not want it any other way. I am not some weak, helpless little cat who wants to have pity or spend useless time doing things that are pointless. I want to train and prove to everyone I can be great." she said a small smile forming on her face. She would prove to everyone that she wasn't the same cats her parents were. She wouldn't abandon her Clan and be some pushover. "I am ready to do whatever is asked of me. I will do whatever it takes to be a warrior, and to be a worthy apprentice for you." Nightpaw glanced at Blackfeather a surge of determination was in the young she-cat's eyes. She was ready for whatever Blackfeather had planned, no matter what she was going to throw out, Nightpaw would be ready, she would give it her all and not stop.

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A small half-smile of calculating satisfaction curved its way over Blackfeather's face as a light breeze ruffled her long fur. For a moment she was still as stone, yet her eyes bored into her apprentice with a stark intensity. Nightpaw had given the only response which could possibly have pleased Blackfeather, what with the she-cat's renowned ability to dislike those she deemed unworthy. For Nightpaw's sake, it was a good thing that Blackfeather had taken something of a shine to the apprentice who seemed to be ready to adopt her own principals.

"Reaching power and strength is a difficult path to run down. You'll fall down on it. You'll struggle. You'll become so tired that you think your paws will drop off. But you will never give up; do you understand?" Blackfeather paused, then continued in her cool, liquid tones. "You and I will not always see eye to eye. That's normal. But fundamentally we are now a team and it is my job to make sure you achieve your full potential." Green eyes temporarily glimmered in amusement. "Which, I suspect, is of some substance." The gleam gave way to a stony resolve. and in a flash, Blackfeather had shifted from her casual stance into a battle-ready crouch.

The next moment saw the dark she-cat move faster than one might expect, plunging towards Nightpaw in an instant. The fastest way to learn was by personal experience. After just one day, it would be possible for Nightpaw to be carrying out the basic attack and defence moves. The process would only be sped up if she managed to figure things out for herself. This was also the time for Blackfeather to figure out how much natural ability her apprentice had; to gauge the instincts and reflexes Nightpaw naturally possessed.

Nightpaw would be caught off-guard here and she had never been taught how to properly dodge. Blackfeather was fast and aiming straight at the youngster and fairly certain to hit, though she held back by the slightest amount, just to make some kind of response possible. Unlikely, but possible. Now the question was, how would Nightpaw react?

[Amber]

Nightpaw wouldn't be intimidated by this she-cat, no she would hold her own. Looking up she listened carefully, trying to remember each and every word. She would be a warrior before Dapplepaw, she would make sure of it. The apprentice could care less how hard her road ahead would be, she was focused on the outcome. "I understand. Pain is only temporary and the only thing that will cure it is to push yourself even more." she said and then shut up once again to listen. The black apprentice smirked at the thought of being on a team. She would have to put aside everything, all of her emotions and that wasn't very hard, no she could just take them out on Dapplepaw later. But the two words that caught her attention were 'full potential'. She was going to go beyond her limits to push herself, there was no doubt about that in her mind. It was obvious she wasn't weak, and now here was her chance to become even stronger.

It was in a split second that Blackfeather had changed gears. First she had been talking now she was crouching. Nightpaw stared at the warrior curious as to what was going on. A surge of excitement went through her body as she realized this was it, she would begin her training now. Her mentor had taken off so quickly, Nightpaw didn't even have time to think. Perfect, this was like a real battle. The thought then hit her, she didn't know what do do, she had never even seen a battle before and had only watched the apprentices as a kit playfight. This would be challenging but she was ready. She dug her claws into the ground preparing for the warrior's attack. Nightpaw knew she wouldn't have time to get away, might as well try her best to hold her ground. She wasn't afraid and she concentrated on the attack, she wasn't going to back down.