Turtles Beneath the Poplar Tree ((CLOSED))

Turtlepaw followed her mentor, slightly disappointed by his lack of enthusiasm for fighting, but showed no sign of it. She couldn't wait to battle, surely there was no greater glory than fighting for your Clan? When they reached the place they were to train she turned and asked "what first?"

"Well, before we move to offensive move, let's teach you how to protect yourself." He mewed, pausing and and turning around to face her.

"It's difficult to be able to block an attack in the flash of battle, so I suggest dodging." He paused, flicking an ear as he thought. "I'm going to run at you, I want you to bound out of the way." Poplarstripe was still for a brief moment before suddenly jumping forward toward his apprentice.

Turtlepaw nodded, and when she saw Poplarstripe crouch she swiftly moved to the side. She knew that that would be the only easy one, she had been warned it was coming. "Is that all you've got?" she teased, muscles bunched to leap away once again.

"No," he mewed tauntingly, and bounded forward again, this time using a sheathed paw to swipe at her flank, giving her an example of what might happen in battle. He landed a few paces away.

Turtlepaw waited until the right moment, and sprang away once again. But as she jumped she felt Poplarstripe's paw swipe her from the side, easily toppling her tiny body over. She sprang up and shook the dust off her, then attacked without hesitation. Turtlepaw tried to make is look as if she was going in to swipe at his legs, then jumped at the last second, aiming for Poplarstripe's back.

Poplarstripe watched as she at first appeared to head for his legs, he stumbled back a bit, yet kept his balance he felt her paws strike his back.

He turned on her, grinning, "well done!" He praised, happy to see she already had the hang of it.

Turtlepaw's eyes sparkled at her mentor's praise. She kept light on her paws, ready for Poplarstripe's next attack. Trying to follow his eyes.

Poplarstripe paused, relaxing. "You know, I think that's enough practice for now, we'll come out again and really get a good battle going some other time." He mewed, his tail flicking back and forth. "Let's head back to camp."

Turtlepaw straitened up, "OK" she meowed. Turtlepaw felt a wave of tiredness wash over her, only now did she realize that it had been a long and hard day. But it had been great! Thank StarClan she wasn't a kit anymore. "What are we going to do tomorrow Poplarstripe?" she asked excitedly.