Turtles Beneath the Poplar Tree ((CLOSED))

Poplarstripe was more than excited that he already had an apprentice to mentor, he only only been appointed a warrior a few days prior, so this was a big, yet exciting step forward for him.

The young tom waited by the camp entrance for his new apprentice, who went by the name of Turtlepaw. Poplarstripe had suggested going on a patrol the next day to show the younger cat around the territory and if there was time, teach them some battle moves.

Turtlepaw got up from her nest, instantly wide awake, and bounded out to the clearing. Her new mentor Poplarstripe was already waiting for her and she raced over to him. "I'm ready" the tiny she-cat meowed, "will we go along the borders? If I see a ThunderClan cat I'm gonna shred it!" She was practically running in circles with excitement at leaving the camp for the first time.

Poplarstripe couldn't help but chuckle a bit toward her enthusiasm, "yes we'll walk along to borders, but I would advise against shredding a ThunderClan cat if they aren't doing anything thing wrong." He smiled down at the she-cat, "now come on, let's go I'm sure you're more than eager to get started." He said with a swift flick of his tail, and began to turn to leave the camp.

Turtlepaw raced out of camp and stopped. She spent a couple seconds absorbing the scents and sights of her territory. Their camp was on a small island. She turned around and looked at Poplarstripe, "Which way?" she mewed.

He motioned with his muzzle, "keep going forward," Poplarstripe mewed, happy to see her so eager to explore. "Stop at the border, the river." He rephrased, trotting to catch up to her.

Turtlepaw bounded over to the river. She looked at it with wide eyes. It was beautiful, as well as dangerous. "Just like me" she meowed aloud. She wrinkled her nose at the scent from across the river. "That's disqusting, what do they eat, crow-food?" she asked Poplarstripe. Turtlepaw continued to gaze at the river looking for fish.

"No," he replied, "they just stink." He said in a joking tone, although it was true, every scent a carried that wasn't from RiverClan did smell off.

He gazed down at the river for a moment before turning to face Turtlepaw, "how about I show you the gorge?" He asked.

Turtlepaw's eyes shone with excitement, it was so great hearing about all the places she had heard about for 6 moons. "Yes Poplarstripe!"

Poplarstripe nodded with a smile, "alright let's go, I'll lead the way." He mewed, then began to trail off through the undergrowth.

The newly appointed warrior lead Turtlepaw toward the gorge, and began to slow down once he head the rushing of the rapids that had swept away so many countless cats. He then lifted his tail, telling Turtlepaw to stop.

"Don't get too close, wouldn't want you falling in." He mewed seriously, lowering his tail now.

Turtlepaw ran into Poplarstripe's tail, and after hearing his warning, she walked close to the edge. She gulped as she looked down and then backed away quickly. "Do many cats fall down?" she ventured.

Poplarstripe paused, "occasionally, more than I'd like to admit to." He started, then trailed off, remembering how Fracturedhawk and Fallowstripe had told him about the WindClan kit that had fallen in.

"Always keep a good few steps away from the edge," he informed the apprentice, making sure she knew of the gorge's danger.

Turtlepaw backed away from the gorge. "What kind of prey do you catch here where we can't reach the river" she asked, setting off along the side of the cliff.

"You don't." He replied bluntly, "even if we could get down there safely without falling, the water is much too quick." Poplarstripe informed, making sure Turtlepaw knew and understood the dangers of the gorge.

"Would you like to move on?" The warrior asked, "I could teach you a few battle moves." He suggested after a moments pause.

Turtlepaw's eyes lit up. "Yes!" she mewed excitedly. She would show the other young cats not to make fun of her for being small now! "How many battles have you been in Poplarstripe?" She asked.

OOC: mind giving me a full battle system run-down? I haven't done it yet.

Poplarstripe shook his head, "none, thankfully though." He replied, smiling a bit. "Battles may seem fun and brag worthy but a lot of cats get hurt." Personally, the young warrior didn't like battles too much, nonetheless being involved with them.

"Now, come away from the gorge, let's get some real training in." He now mewed happily and lead her away from the rushing rapids.