Restless (a re-match)

Honeypaw was restless.

Not the same restless as when she was a kit, scuffling around in the dirt, making a fool of herself. No, she was the itchy kind of restless – the excited kind, that tingled in her muscles and made her tail lash in anticipation. It was perfect.

Amber eyes trained on an unsuspecting golden apprentice, sitting in an empty corner of camp.

Honeypaw flicked her tail, studying the familiar joke of an apprentice she had challenged as a kit. Honeypaw scoffed, remembering those days. But the ginger she-cat was no longer that little scrap of fluff, barely able to budge a stone. No. Although it was clear it would be moons yet until she was at her full height, Sedgestrike’s training had made Honeypaw lithe and strong. Power had grown beneath her sleek tabby fur – as had her confidence.

Sandpaw – or was it Sunpaw? – didn’t look much different than Honeypaw remembered. Fluffy golden fur – dorky, vacant face. The serious apprentice eyed her critically, as if sizing up an old foe, but she shouldn’t have bothered – the older she-cat really hadn’t changed.

The time she fought Sandpaw flashed in her mind.

It had always tingled at Honeypaw’s fur – her first fight. She’d knocked Sandpaw cleanly, but Honeypaw wasn’t so foolish as not to know the golden apprentice would have destroyed her younger self. Honeykit had been an arrogant, weak little thing. But Honeypaw was not.

The apprentice’s tail lashed again, seriously considering it. It was early morning, still – a little while until Sedgestrike came to take her for training. Honeypaw's ear flicked -- even if it did cut into training, she doubted her mentor would stop her. Even if the battle was one-sided, it was still training.

Seeing Sunpaw-Sandpaw’s eyes made up the apprentice’s mind. She was obviously listless -- with nothing better to do. Honeypaw's stride was purposeful as she approached her – amber orbs intense.

“It’s been a while,” Honeypaw mewed, eyes boring into the other apprentice. “But I believe you owe me a re-match. And I really suggest you take me seriously this time. You might get hurt.”


OOC: When Honey takes things too seriously. >u<

The clouds were awfully pretty today, as far as clouds went, Sunpaw noted. White and fluffy... She could kind of see shapes in them if she paid close enough attention to each one individually. That one, she thought, focusing on a smallish cloud, looked a little bit like a bird. It was a fun game, she supposed, staring at the sky and seeing what shapes the clouds had taken today. Maybe it wasn't as productive as hunting or training, but relaxation and taking the time to avoid too much stress was, in her opinion, just as important.

The sound of a vaguely familiar voice reached her ears, though she wasn't quite paying enough attention to make out the words. She flicked her ear slightly, and moved to face whoever it was that seemingly needed her. She did recognize the cat before her - they shared a den, after all - though she didn't know what was said - after taking a moment to recall their last interaction, she supposed she had a decent enough idea of what Honeypaw would want, but she was pretty sure she could have fun with this. "Maplepaw?" she asked curiously, tilting her head to the side in confusion. "What do you want, exactly? I wasn't paying attention."

Who does this she-cat think she is?!

"It's Honeypaw," she replies sharply, amber gaze burning -- but Honeypaw managed to resist the urge to tear into her face. No, she'd make Sandpaw beg first. Harnessing her indignance, the ginger apprentice jut her chin away, muttering harshly under her breath. "How foolish of me to think mousefodder like you could remember anything of importance..."

Tail lashing, she considered the golden apprentice -- clearly simple minded. Obviously Honeypaw was going to have to repeat herself for anything to stick in that air-headed brain of hers.

"And I challenged you to a battle," Honeypaw repeated, unsheathed her claws to score little lines in the dirt -- just envisioning her victory. Honeypaw had trained so diligently -- clearly this she-cat had not. "It's a perfect day for some training -- and since you're obviously not busy, I thought I'd invite you." Since you obviously need it. Badly.

"A battle?" Sunpaw asked, mildly intrigued by the idea. "Well, I don't have much else to do, I guess." She spared the clouds one last glance. It was so easy, so tempting, to not do things. Forcing herself to stand was a struggle, having gotten so comfortable in the grass. "But if we fought, wouldn't we get in trouble?" The irony of that statement coming from SkyClan's resident troublemaker wasn't entirely lost on her, but injuring a Clanmate wasn't like sneaking around or dropping things out of trees. It was serious, and she wanted to at the very least get someone's permission before breaking any serious rules.

Sedgestrike padded up to the pair with a curious look. His sleek silver fur recently groomed after a nap he took after dawn patrol. A brief luxury that he had permitted himself. Honeypaw's progress was going smoothly, and he had complete faith in her continuing her training even if he had chosen to take that brief break.

The sight of his own apprentice lazing in camp at first bristled under his fur, but as he stalked forward, he noticed that she was speaking, no, demanding for a spar. He set his muzzle into a stern expression as he sat down calmly between the pair of she-cats.
"Claws in, Honeypaw." Sedgestrike meowed firmly, then blinked and looked at Sunpaw. "You won't get in trouble, because I will watch both of you." He turned to level a meaningful look at Honeypaw. "Mind your claws. No severe injuries." He ordered, then stepped back to allow this duel to take place with an assessing look at Sunpaw. How much had she grown during the time he hadn't been paying attention to her? He was about to find out.

"Of course, Sedgestrike," she mewed, nodding at her mentor's words -- sparing only a brief respectful glance at the stern warrior before returning her piercing gaze to Sandpaw. I won't need to inflict serious injury for this one. "Are you ready, Sandpaw?"

Part of her fur had raised when she noticed Sedgestrike's approach -- but of course her mentor would allow it. It was battle training, after all. And Sandpaw could only improve...

With a lash of her dark tabby tail, Honeypaw strode from camp -- ducking under the foliage to an emptier clearing just outside. Honeypaw would've loved to trounce this kittypet where all could see, but a prickle on the back of her neck told her Rippedstar wouldn't be pleased. The queens, either.

When they arrived, the amber-eyed apprentice rounded on her opponent. Sedgestrike was watching them both with hawk-like eyes, and Sandpaw must have been nervous -- facing such an intimidating opponent, that is. The golden-furred she-cat looked just as much of a mouse-brain as always -- but it didn't bother Honeypaw, in that moment.

The moment it was clear to begin -- a silence falling upon them -- Honeypaw had to consciously sheath her claws. But just as Sedgestrike had taught her, the apprentice didn't give her opponent time to truly gather herself -- and like a bird snapping into flight, Honeypaw sprang into movement!

Aiming for the tree, the ginger apprentice hooked her claws in expertly -- scaling it cleanly before she pushed off with a powerful kick, like Sedgestrike had shown her! With a little yowl, Honeypaw slammed across golden-furred shoulders -- heavy paws pinning the older she-cat in a move she'd practiced for moons. It took effort not to let her claws unsheathe, slice into a better hold, but Honeypaw just narrowed her eyes.

"May the best win," she hissed above Sandpaw, blood coursing through her. Sedgestrike's presence only made her more keen on victory -- more determined to showcase her skill. "But I promise you -- I'm not a helpless kit anymore."


Honeypaw used Leap-and-hold, dealing 6 damage and costing 10 SP. Honeypaw can't be hurt for two turns.

Honeypaw
20/20 HP
70/80 SP

Sunpaw
14/20 HP
80/80 SP

The member 'grapefruit ginger' has done the following action : Dices roll

---

'Effect Dice' : 4

Sunpaw was caught off-guard, but at least she was struggling to break free. She wouldn't give up easily, if that's what Honeypaw expected from her.

Feeling the strain, Honeypaw kept her paws firmly across Sandpaw's shoulders -- gripping the older she-cat's scruff with her teeth. The golden-furred apprentice struggled beneath her but the fierce she-cat's grip was unforgiving, even without her claws sinking into the delicate fur of her flanks. I don't need claws to win this!


Still holding, Honeypaw deals 6 damage to Sunpaw, costing 10 SP.

Honeypaw
20/20 HP
60/80 SP

Sunpaw
8/20 HP
80/80 SP

Sunpaw hissed, attempting wildly to roll out of Honeypaw's grasp.

Sandpaw's struggles were mighty, but Honeypaw was used to the strain -- moons of Sedgestrike's training building her strength and endurance to the burn of her muscles. She gripped tightly and continued to grind her teeth -- undoubtedly causing stings of pain across the apprentice's neck.


Still holding, Honeypaw deals 6 damage to Sunpaw, costing 10 SP.

Honeypaw
20/20 HP
50/80 SP

Sunpaw
2/20 HP
80/80 SP

Sunpaw hissed sharply at her opponent, finally breaking free. Of course, her immediate response was to try the exact same tactic Honeypaw had employed against her - pinning the other apprentice as swiftly as she could, holding her down as roughly as possible without using teeth or claws.

Sunpaw used Leap-and-Hold on Honeypaw, dealing 6 damage and costing 10 stamina. Honeypaw is pinned for 2 turns.

Honeypaw
14/20 HP
50/80 SP

Sunpaw
2/20 HP
70/80 SP

The member 'Professor Holly' has done the following action : Dices roll

---

'Effect Dice' : 6

Honeypaw gasped, anger bursting free when Sandpaw slipped free of her grip, causing the apprentice to stumble. And her fury only doubled when harsh paws slammed into her own shoulders -- pinning her against the ground!

Honeypaw is pinned.