♕

White water crowfoot flowers sprouted around them, they had finally made it to the beech copse where mentors would train their apprentices both out of sight and out of the sun as it beamed down onto them.

Birds chirped as the three cats gathered together.

"This is the beech copse, it gives us shade from the burning sun," Lionstone repeated.

Leopardfur nodded. "It's always perfect for battle training, which I decided is what we should start off with first," he added.

Excitement boosted her confidence, she was prepared for anything!

Leopardfur flicked his tail for Lionstone to come. The tom obeyed and padded over, listening to what her mentor had planned. "I'm just going to teach you the basics for now, me and Lionstone with demonstrate."

Honeypaw leaned closer, trying to make sure she didn't forget anything.

"I'll be a cat from a different Clan," Lionstone commented, keeping his claws sheathed as he got into a battle position, his back arched.

Leopardfur got into the same position, nodding. "It's easier to show if you watch so watch closely!"

Leopardfur made sure his claws were sheathed and waited for Lionstone to pounce. The older warrior leaped onto Leopardfur, pinning him to the ground with his broad shoulders. Though, her mentor was smart as he kicked up his legs, sending Lionstone rolling onto the ground, scrambling to her paws. Lionstone was a big cat so it took longer to stand, giving Leopardfur more time to tackle his opponent.

Her mentor leaped onto Lionstone as he batted at his head, the tom shrunk back at the massive blow. Leopardfur pinned him down, he had won the battle as he leaped off, shaking his fur from the dirt.

She stared in amazement, it seemed easy, but it was defiantly not, it would take a lot of practice before she got the hang of it.

"Great job Leopardfur, I remember when you were my apprentice, you have defiantly gotten better," Lionstone purred.

Leopardfur dipped his head. "I learned from the best," he added, turning to Honeypaw. "Do you want to try that?"

Honeypaw hesitated before nodding. "I guess I can give it a try." She padded over to Leopardfur who flicked his tail for Lionstone to move. He obeyed, sitting near the edge of the beech copse, watching carefully.

"We're going to do the thing I just did there with Lionstone. Since he's much bigger than me I had a disadvantage, though, I used that disadvantage as a positive force. I was able to quickly pin him down before he could get up. So, if you're ever in a situation when there's a much bigger cat than you I suggest using it."

"Ok," Honeypaw replied, getting in position.

This was her first time battle training so of course, she didn't know exactly what to do. She tried copying Lionstone's stance, I guess this works.

Leopardfur's eyes flashed with concentration as he twitched his tail. Waiting for his signal, Honeypaw made sure her claws were sheathed as her paws indented the sand, scuffing her pads. A slow breeze was blowing by, leaves swirling to the ground. Then, Leopardfur dashed toward her. She remembered what she watched, if Leopardfur pinned her down she could kick her hind legs, or, she could simply roll out the way.

Choosing the easier way she waited for Leopardfur to get close enough for her to roll, though, Leopardfur knew what she was going to do and whipped out a paw, tripping her as she tumbled through the sand. She hadn't given up yet, she scrambled to her paws quickly enough that she could move out the way of Leopardfur's pounce.

Sand gritted her pelt as she slept under Leopardfur's grasp, though, he closed his hind legs, trapping her. He swung around, pushing his paws against her chest. She tried squirming around get his paws loose, though, he had yet again gotten another victory. He stepped off, twitching his ears with satisfaction.

"Well done!" he praised, clearly impressed.

She sat up and puffed her chest, pride swelling through her body, she had finally impressed her mentor! "I tried!" she admitted.

Lionstone walked over. "Well done Honeypaw, that was a great first try, keep that up and you'll be able to fight off any cat!"

She let out a loud purr. "Can I try again?"

Leopardfur shrugged. "I don't see why not," he looked over to Lionstone. "Do you want to try against my apprentice? She's a tough opponent!"

Lionstone nodded. "I suppose."

They both got into position again. This time she was facing a much bigger and stronger opponent. She would have to use her small body as her advantage. Lionstone pounced, his paws out in front of him.

Honeypaw leaped out of the way as fast as possible, but Lionstone's paws still caught her by surprise as she tumbled once again. This time the warrior knew what she was going to do and softly bit her leg. It didn't hurt but she couldn't move as he pinned her down easily. It was over once again.

"Good try," Lionstone mumbled, letting go of her leg. "If any cat grabs your leg or neck like that be sure to not panic, like you did, and try doing the same to them, but bite down harder. They should let go from the pain."

Honeypaw nodded, taking in the information.

Leopardfur padded over, clearly impressed once again. "That was a good job, Honeypaw. Like Lionstone said, if any cat does that to you do the same back, just harder and they'll let go. Trust me, it works most of the time," he added.

Honeypaw smirked at her mentors additional feedback. "Are we done for the day?"

Leopardfur shrugged. "Are we, Lionstone?" he asked the other warrior.

Lionstone thought for a moment. "I want to teach Honeypaw one more move," he said, walking over to Leopardfur. "Watch closely."

Listening to Lionstone, she watched closely. He was showing her simple moves. First, he gently raked Leopardfur's underbelly. "That's the belly rake, you simply just rake your opponents belly," next he swiped his paw, "That's just an easy way to swipe at your opponent or use while hunting."

Finally he showed his last technique, kicked Leopardfur with a fast and strong force. "That's called the back kick, it's a good move to get out of tight or hard situations when you can't use your paws," he finished.

Honeypaw dipped her head, acknowledging everything Lionstone was teaching her. "Thank you, Lionstone," he mewled.

Lionstone nodded his head. "It was fun helping you guys, but we should probably get back to camp, it's getting a little break and I'm sure you're both hungry."

He was right, her stomach was growling with hunger, as her thoughts were sweeping back into her mind. Everything about HedgeClan and the prophecy, she hoped she could figure out everything soon, but it would be a while before her warrior ceremony.

They began walking back. "I can't wait until the gathering," Leopardfur pointed out. "There hasn't been anything going on recently, I hope the other Clan are alright."

Lionstone nodded with agreement.

"When is the gathering?" Honeypaw asked. She was thrilled to be able to be picked as one of the cats that go to the gathering now that she was an apprentice.

Leopardfur purred. "Oh yes, I forgot that you might be picked to go to this gathering, but usually everyone is able to go unless they're sick, misbehave, or need to watch the camp," he went on. "It's in a couple sunrises, and if you're picked you'll be able to meet all the other apprentices!"

Meeting more apprentices would be amazing, maybe some of the apprentices also knew about HedgeClan...?

"I remember my first gathering, it was amazing and I met so many cats that were nice, it'll be fun," Leopardfur went on.

Honeypaw wasn't listening anymore, she had too much on her mind, if any other apprentices did know about HedgeClan they could possibly tell her anymore information that she didn't know...