stronger by the day {sootstorm}

A huge smile graced her friend's face and warmth bloomed in her chest. This was so different was war it was impossible to imagine that's what this prepared them for. The grief of losing so many clanmates weighed heavy as a stone inside Rosepaw, but she covered it with smiles, and flowers, and sunshine. It was like how the medicine the humans gave to take away her pain had felt ~ like walking on sunshine, even when she couldn't walk at all. She was just treating her own emotional wound, wasn't she?

Before she could even blink, Sootstorm had darted forward and swept her legs from under her, eyes narrowed teasingly. Fair was fair. It knocked the breath out of her and she huffed like an old elder, though, compared to him she supposed that's what she was. But she was already twisting away from him before she hit the ground, the first strike and the one intended for her shoulder hitting the ground and throwing up sand.

Rosepaw used Dodge and Fight for -7 SP, regaining +14 HP, and dealing no damage!

Rosepaw
15 / 15 HP {+14}
16 / 30 SP {-7}

Sootstorm
42 / 50 HP
106 / 120 SP

The member 'isla' has done the following action : Dice roll

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'Effect Dice' : 2

The member 'Copperbeans' has done the following action : Dice roll

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'Effect Dice' : 4

Before Rosepaw could regain her paws, Sootstorm barrelled into her. The two twisted and tussled until he came out on top, pinning her down with a strong paw, this time much more difficult to escape from. Accepting her friend's challenge, she tried to duck and twist out from under his paw. With only his one paw pinning her down and a determined fight for his challenge, she was able to throw him off her. "Got it..." she puffed with a satisfied purr.
rosepaw ~ duck and twist with success
8 / 15 HP
11 / 30 SP {-5}

sootstorm
35 / 50 HP {-7}
91 / 120 SP

The member 'isla' has done the following action : Dice roll

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'Effect Dice' : 4

Rosepaw warmed ears tufts to tail tip at her friend's praise, tail lashing with fight and excitement. "Thank you," she replied bashfully. Then taken aback, "you really think so?" It sent a shock through her to hear it out loud. She was... she was scared. Rosepaw wasn't even sure she could make that promise to WindClan, not with how her trust had been lost. Could she really follow Smallbean? Or, did she even know how to protect her loved ones ~ truly protect, not just follow orders.

With her head spinning, Sootstorm's surprisingly gentle boop on the nose dragged her back to the fight. She expected a second blow, but none came.

"Are you being nice?" she smiled. She could have none of that ~ she needed to become strong. Though, she didn't know where to find that strength. She closed her eyes, and finally, when Sootstorm must have expected her to have given up, she struck out at least one more time.
rosepaw ~ play dead
1 / 15 HP
4 / 30 HP {-5}

sootstorm
29 / 50 HP {-8 +1}
84 / 120 SP

Sootstorm's surprise was satisfying, even if that blow had been all the last of her strength and she was about ready to fall off her paws. Already distracted, Rosepaw wasn't prepared for the warrior to dart forward and barrel into her chest. It barely hurt at all but it was enough to knock the breath out of her. Regaining her voice, "Next time I'll have more strength and stamina!" she promised.

It was odd how such an idealistic and peace-loving cat was her sparring teacher. The after-image of Sootstorm sinking his teeth into Brackenwing's scruff and dragging the elder away from Shrikestorm flashed through the apprentice's mind's eye. The burns over his pelt, still healing, was a reminder the warrior had stepped in and been too close to the lightning bolt. Rosepaw wondered who she would become as she grew into the life of a warrior, and if it was something she even wanted to find out.

She knew the first rule of the warrior code, spoken at every warrior ceremony, defend your clan with your life. But what was the heart of your clan? Was it the kits and elders, who were always fed first? Was it the leader, whose word was the warrior code? Had Sootstorm been more honourable in defending Shrikestorm or had Whisperear in defending Brackenwing? At that point, what did defending your clan even mean?

"I'm not ready to become a warrior," Rosepaw admitted in a whisper. Even more quietly, "Because I don't know if I want to." She couldn't bring herself to say it loud even for her friend to hear.