Let's Get Down to Business {//Closed//Darkpaw}

A long and dark furred warrior sat at the edge of the clearing, her position was just near the entrance of camp. Blue eyes reflected the light as if they were moons themselves. A white tipped tail was curled neatly around her paws. It twitched from time to time. While Nightwatcher was enthusiastic with reciting an apprentice-- she was also quite anxious about messing up. The opportunity to teach the young cat not only about the territory all the things that comes with it, but also about StarClan, seemed almost too enthralling. However, the white dappled warrior seemed hesitant about how to go about it.

The only indication of this internal conflict was the slightest twitch of her tail. On the outside there was a stone set expression. One of all seriousness. Nightwatcher would not tolerate any misbehavior.

Darkpaw woke up, not used to te new bedding in the apprentices den. She walked out the den hoping she'll find something to do.

"Darkpaw," Nightwatcher greeted, calling her apprentice's attention. "Are you done with your nap? Remember, you are not in the nursery anymore. This means getting up earlier. Do you understand?" The warrior tilted her head as the questions were proposed. She did not mean for it to come out as harsh. That being said--it was the truth. Becoming a warrior starts with not as much sleep. Leafbare was rapidly approaching and there was no time for napping the day away.

Shocked by the scolding of her mentor, she nodded and lowered her head. "Yes, Nightwatcher. I will get up earlier now" Darkpaw said faintly.

Seeing Darkpaw's understanding, the warrior nodded her head towards the enterance. "Let's go show you the territory, it is quite large. But I assume you are rested up enough to see all of it." The mentor beckoned her apprentice onward, leading the way out of camp with nothing more than a leap and bound. The marsh like water soaked her paws, the black fur sticking close to her frame.

Darkpaw followed her mentor tightly, hoping she'll avoid another scolding. The mud made her paws sink and each step took an effort. Focusing too hard on each step, she stumbled over a branch and almost fell.

The older cat paused at a thud accompanied with a splash not a second later. Nightwatcher turned toward the younger cat, whiskers twitching in amusement. The warrior was aware it was Darkpaw's first excursion out of camp, so she held a calm look--waiting for her apprentice to get back to her paws. Nightwatcher also knew that the best way to teach a cat is by their mistakes. When you make them, you learn from them. She herself knew that from experience. The warrior waited for the apprentice to pull herself back to her paws.

Darkpaw regained her balance and stood up again, she wasn't gonna let Nightwatcher think she was weak. This time she was wary of her surroundings and padded on. I'm gonna learn how to hunt and fight!!!

There was a twitch of Nightwatcher's ears, approval shone in her eyes as she padded on. The young cat set a moderate pace--making sure her apprentice could keep up. Especially after such a trip she had taken as an apprentice herself, she was well used to traveling at a speedy pace. It did feel odd to be confined in a territory once again, and Nightwatcher found herself wanting to go explore past the clans' boarders. Yet, she knew that StarClan's code was in place and should be respected.

Speaking of...the she-cat slowed to a stop, raising her tail in the air as a sign to pause. In a puddle barely three tail lengths away croaked a toad-- who blinked lazily. Nightwatcher cast her apprentice a glance, as if asking her to hunt down the toad herself. The mentor wished to see how much the young cat had already learned.

Darkpaw almost bumped into her mentor with the sudden stop. There was a toad in front of her and Nightwatcher looked like she wanted her to hunt it. The apprentice tried to remember the moves she used as a kit to pretend hunting. She dropped down into a crouch and slowly stepped towards it, making sure every pawstep was silent. Then she pounced awkwardly and missed the toad as it hopped away.

Nightwatcher nodded in a sagely manner. "Don't worry, not every cat makes it on each try. I sure didn't." Her words were presented in a comforting manner, the warrior approaching the apprentice. "Your stalking was almost flawless, so be proud on that front. However, your leap needs work. This can be fixed with training." With the moment of praise gone, she continued onward. A roar like noise became more and more prevalent the closer they got to the boarder.

They arrived at a black and oily path. The stench was revolting, and the sight of it was equally so. On the far side of the road was a dead creature-- mouse by the warrior's best guess-- lay unmoving with black streaks down it's body. "Stay back. We don't cross the Thunderpath. On the other side lays ThunderClan, and even farther down it is the boarder with WindClan." There was another distant roar. It came closer and closer the longer they stood there. "This is also why we don't cross." Nightwatcher told her apprentice. She had plenty of experience with Thunderpaths, as she didn't flinch as a red pelted monster passed by. It brought a rather powerful gust of wind in its wake. With curious blue eyes, Nightwatcher glanced at her apprentice to see her reaction to the foreign event.

Darkpaw tried to cover her nose at the stench of the thunderpath. Suddenly, a red monster flew out in her face and she leaped back in surprise. "Are-r they dangerous?" She asked as she hid behind a tree.

Nightwatcher nodded. "Quite so. Don't get in their way-- they will not stop for any cat." With that, the warrior directed the apprentice along the road. "Because it is so dangerous, we don't want to risk any lives when we try to get to the gathering." The warrior explained, she went quiet as they continued to walk. Nightwatcher paused to mark the territory periodically. Soon enough, they arrived to a dip in the ground, leading into what looks like a tunnel that was built under the Thunderpath. "We pass through here in order to avoid monsters." She paused to let her apprentice take it in.

Darkpaw nodded as her mentor explained everything so clearly. She then peered inside the tunnel Nightwatcher had mentioned. "It's dark" She said.