Battle Plan [Tigerheart & Patchpaw]

[Yoko]

Is Tigerheart really this heavy? Or is he just pressing down really hard? Patchpaw thought curiously. She attacked when he signaled, lashing out smoothly with both hindpaws synchronized. She had been prepared to give her enemy a good pretend clawing. As ridiculous as it seemed, even though Tigerheart told her he would dodge, Patchpaw was actually a bit frustrated about hitting nothing but empty air. Her little muzzle pinched a little in annoyance, but again, she would be more annoyed if this were an actual battle and her massive enemy managed to dodge her most powerful learned move yet.

She gasped as he bent his head down, "But a true warrior doesn't have to kill to win their battles, right?"

She quickly wished she had bitten her tongue. Perhaps it was naive of her to think she would never have to kill any cat, but what did she know? She had never been in a serious battle. Maybe, if she were lucky, there would be none in her life span. But that seemed silly too. The Clans were constant rivals. Specklestar proved that at the last Gathering. How could real Peace like this ever last. She realized then that her mind was wondering, and Tigerheart may have answered her question and she may not have heard it. Her ears burned a little, and she rolled onto her side before standing up and giving her fur a good shake.

So the lesson was over? Well, the light sure had been drained out of the hollow. There was the glow of fiery sunset overhead. With it being leaf-green and all, it will probably stay there for a long while. The air was warm and heavy with the scents of fully grown ferns and trees surrounding the hollow.

Patchpaw repressed a yawn, only just realizing how tired she was. She began to review what she had learned thus far today, "So the Belly Rake is a good move to use when I'm pinned down. I use both off my hindclaws together to deal more damage and maybe send my opponents running away. Kicking too hard makes it hard to slice my opponent down, and kicking too softly will probably just give them a good scratch if their belly itches. On the other paw, if I should be so fortunate to pin down a small cat than me," she giggled, she was pretty small and doubted this would happen. "It's an attack I would have to watch for and possibly avoid. BUT if I'm the one pinned and my opponent dodges it, I'll have to use another move all together. Is that everything?"

She blinked, looking up at her mentor.

[:c a i:]

With a long, brooding look, Tigerheart replied to Patchpaw's first question after a few moments. It was an interesting question which deserved a decent answer, in his opinion. "A perfect warrior would never have to kill another cat." Tigerheart replied. "He or she would always find a way to resolve a disagreement or problem without the need for violence. There would be no need to kill. But... I'm afraid none of us get to be perfect warriors, and - I won't lie to you - the chances are you will have try to take another cat's life at some point in your life." The truth was cold and unpleasant, but Tigerheart would never tell his apprentice a lie. It was an unnerving thought, Patchpaw with her paws stained by another's blood, but she would be a warrior with a warrior's duties, because that was how it went.

"Of course, we can be good warriors, and a good warrior won't kill unless it becomes the last possible option. Better by far to simply defeat your opponent and let him escape alive, but disciplined. Though I hope you and I both are spared from such situations for many moons to come, you must be ready for any change among the Clans." Tigerheart sighed, dipping his head slightly in thought before adding in a pensive voice- "Peace is never everlasting. We would be fools to think otherwise. And so it's my job to make sure you can fight your own battles." The pensive mood lifted, and Tigerheart smiled a rueful smile.

"All this serious talk. I shouldn't be so gloomy with you, Patchpaw; my apologies. He chuckled slightly and settled himself down with his paws crossed over one another, listening as his apprentice started a review of their lesson. He nodded and made noises of confirmation whenever necessary, his golden eyes losing their brooding look and being replaced by a lightly amused one. The sun had all but disappeared by this point, leaving just a faint glow to light their way. Their session had lasted quite a while, though it seemed to go by quickly. Tigerheart had to admit that he found training Patchpaw enjoyable; it was certainly no chore.

"You've got it all down, Patchpaw. Well done. Today was a good session," he rose to his paws again and tapped her shoulder briefly. "Tired? It's about time I got you back to camp anyway, so you can grab a piece of fresh-kill and rest. Tomorrow's going to be a tough session!"

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[Yoko]

Patchpaw took a rather deep breath. She had learned even more than she had expected to today, and that made her feel accomplished. She padded along rather slowly, a bit proud of the sting in her young muscles. Tigerheart really was an excellent mentor. She did not know what she would do without him...She shivered. What had given her that thought? She shrugged it off.

"Tougher than today? Bring it!" she mewed with a confident grin.

((ooc: End thread...))