Sparring (MASS CLAN TRAINING/BONDING EXERCISE)

The place was perfect. It was a large clearing among the fox-length tall grass and reeds, plenty big enough for all of the apprentices and warriors that would be present today. The soil was damp, soft, and even, except in the center. Cutting right through the middle was a clear trickling stream, creating a small ditch. It was still early in the morning and surprisingly chilly, with Leaf-fall still roughly two moons away.

Reedheart hadn't experienced something like this yet. A big battle exercise with practically the whole Clan! He couldn't help but be a bit excited, even though he knew the reason for this combat training. But who said it couldn't be a bit of fun? Some of these apprentices still had the scent of the nursery on them, they didn't need to experience the fear and intensity of a real battle. They could teach these cats how to defend themselves and still have them be smiling the whole way.

"Alright, everyone, line up!" Reedheart called to the ragtag patrol behind him. It was almost time for the fun to begin.

Morningfur stood off to the side, her eyes sparkling. She would enjoy watching the apprentices train, and it would give Lichenpaw the battle training he needed, and also a little medicine practice if anybody was injured. A small pile of herbs lay next to her, ready to be used if anything happened. She might be able to help teach a few basics to the apprentices. All cats, she thought, should know a little bit about medicince in case there was an emergency.

(Wink wink nudge nudge coughsleepimboredcough)

Lightpaw lined up like Reedheart had asked. Finally! Battle training! Lightpaw was exited. She could finally learn how to fight! She wondered what they were going to do. Would they practice fighting each other? Are they going to learn new moves? Whatever they are going to do sounds like fun!

Mapleclaw huffed a bit from her spot, but there was a smile on her face as she watched the cats gather. She hadn't been on so keen on the idea of such a massive Clan training session, but after seeing the joy that sparkled in Lightpaw's eyes, she couldn't help but think that maybe this would be a good idea. As she waited for everybody to get ready, she glanced at Morningfur. She was a bit surprised to see the medicine cat at the mass training, but than again she could help with some things.

Mintcloud, following the rest of her clanmates through to a wonderful clearing. Battle training - why not, she needed to review anyway. Taking a seat next to Mapleclaw, the silver tabby was curious to how Reedheart was going to manage all this. The clan was large and it was a bit difficult already. Speaking of which, was Froststar going to supervise this training on this space of tall reeds and soft soil? At the corner of her eyes, the she-cat was looking for Duckstep.

Duckstep padded into the clearing, watching the cats pour in and line up, preparing for the training exercise. He took a seat on the other side of Mintcloud, curling his bushy tail over his paws and yawning. He shook his head, trying to clear the tired fog that seemed to cling to him since he woke up.

Russetpaw let out a long yawn, muffling the end of it under his paw. He hadn't been too excited about the battle training, since he just had the feeling it wasn't his area of expertise - along with the fact that both his mentor and her replacement had both forgotten about his training had sorta dull out any other excitement he had left; but still he came her, looking around at the rest of his clan and expectantly at Reedheart as he got in line next to Duckstep. Funny how apprentices and warriors were lined up all together, he thought.

Silvershade's eyes sparkled in anticipation. She'd been meaning to train Froststar's apprentices but had gotten sidetracked with all of her other duties; this would be a chance to get their battle training done. She took a seat next to Reedheart, a soft smile on her face.

Goldenpaw followed the other cats eagerly; ready to be trained. Froststar had been missing lately and Silvershade had been too busy; she was ready to hone her skills.

OOC: That ceremony is completed now. I'm bumping this one before just continuing on, with or without the rest of the Clan.

One of the newest apprentices, Leafpaw, took a spot where the apprentices were and looked at Reedheart. She was excited, but tried to remain calm; yet that didn't last long. With an excited gleam in her eyes, she wouldn't go without doing as told. I wonder what we are doing.

Froststar sat down beside Reedheart, watching the apprentices line up. She let the senior warrior take charge of the training, but she would do all she could to help. She had been meaning to train her apprentices, but she had been so busy with everything else that she had forgotten. The calico knew that everyone, even the warriors needed the practice with all that had been going on...

OOC: Done waiting now. Sorry if you missed out. D;

IC: Reedheart looked over the Clan at his disposable. A pity, he had hoped there would have been more. Oh well. he sighed. This will have to do. The warrior raised his head and walked forward, in front of the deputy and leader.

"How many of you have learned your fighting techniques?" he asked, looking over each apprentice. Most hadn't, he assumed. He hated to think it, but the Clan was in a sorry state. Apprentices were getting ignored and their training was forgotten... in such a time, that was unacceptable. How could they possibly know how to defend themselves if ShadowClan came bursting through the reeds or if a skirmish started at Sunningrocks?

He remembered with a cringe himself at that age. After his apprentice ceremony, Froststar seemed to forget about him as well... and the first time she ever took him out on a patrol, he got himself crippled on the rocks. After being stuck in the medicine den that long, watching his nursery-mates all earn their warrior names when he still hadn't even learned how to hunt, he'd grown resentful of the Clan, right up until warriorhood. Reedheart hoped that none of these apprentices would become resentful as well.

Leafpaw shook her head. "I have not, Reedheart... But I want to learn!" She chirped, looking respectfully at the older tom.

"I haven't either!" Lightpaw said. She looked around at every one else to see who hasn't either.

Reedheart nodded, looking over the two apprentices. "You two will spar with each other and act as if you were rival warriors." he mewed, flicking his tail. "Remember to keep your claws sheathed. We'll coach you along the way, but the moves should come naturally to you."

The best teaching tool was experience. Play-fighting with each other would get them better prepared in a real battle.

OOC: Since Russet and Golden both bit the dust, you can either spar with each other or quietly disappear from this topic.