As the Sun Rises (Closed)

Sunpaw

Sunpaw didn’t think he was supposed to be out on his own, but how else was he supposed to learn the territory? Nightdancer hadn’t taken him out for training today - well, maybe she was planning to, but he’d gotten out of his nest to explore the forest before sunrise. She probably wouldn’t like that, but his scent trail would be easy enough to follow. The apprentice’s plan was to explore the borders - hopefully, patrols wouldn’t be out until later in the day; if the other Clans ran a schedule anything like ThunderClan’s, night patrols would be returning just about now.

The tom planned to go to SkyClan’s border today, and that one only - he figured it would be too much to go to every single border, especially if Nightdancer did find him and force him into a training session. Sunpaw had foraged past the forest he’d seen so far, but the comforting scent of his Clan continued - until it didn’t, and he saw an unfamiliar cat standing on what was still certainly ThunderClan territory.

Adrenaline began to race through Sunpaw as he realized where the cat was from. [i[SkyClan.[/i] It was the stench - foul, the same one wafting from what he now realized was the border. But this intruder (thankfully, it looked like another apprentice - Sunpaw was doubtful in his ability to fight off anyone older) was clearly not in his Clan’s territory anymore, and he looked like he knew it.

Sunpaw had taken up a position in some bushes, where he hoped the intruder couldn’t see him. His fur bushed up and claws unsheathed as he prepared to attack. The warrior code said to challenge all trespassing cats - and if this wasn’t a challenge, what was it?

The apprentice let out a loud caterwaul as he leapt out of the bushes, claws unsheathed and paws outstretched, hoping to knock the trespasser to the ground. “This is ThunderClan territory! Explain what you’re doing, SkyClan invader!”

Sunpaw used Jumping Strike on Stoatpaw, dealing 9 [first attack advantage; 6+3] damage and costing 7 stamina.

Sunpaw
20/20 HP
53/60 SP [-7]

Stoatpaw
11/20 HP [-9]
60/60 SP

Sunpaw

Perhaps his loud yowl hadn’t been the best idea, Sunpaw resolved, as the SkyClan intruder noticed him a moment too soon. His attack missed, and he was left rolling tail over toes for a moment before he regained footing, spinning around to face his opponent - who, thankfully, didn’t seem keen to counterattack.

The other apprentice opened his mouth. With adrenaline playing upon the excitement of his first ‘real’ fight, Sunpaw mistook it as a sign of attack, and sprang towards him with a few quick strides, until he registered the words coming out of Stoatpaw’s mouth.

Sunpaw wasn’t quite able to stop himself in time. He tried to do minimal damage, lowering his head to ram into the other apprentice’s chest, keeping unsheathed claws safely away from ripping fur and drawing blood. “I didn’t hear you in time-” came a half gasp, half shriek from the ThunderClanner, speech hindered by a pelt full of fur in his mouth. Sunpaw backed away quickly, shaking his head to clear momentary dizziness, showing his claws sheathing as what he hoped was sign of peace. He kept the thoughts in his head to himself - How do you not smell the border? I suppose SkyClan is full of birdbrains, but surely any cat with a working nose could tell the difference between two freshly-marked Clan scents.

“Look. How about we pretend this didn’t happen? I won’t tell my Clanmates you trespassed, and you don’t do it again.” Sunpaw felt it was a generous offer, considering the other apprentice had been in the wrong. He wasn’t sure if he was intimidating enough to stop the other snooping around the territory another time, but hopefully a patrol, or someone more experienced would tell him off. Plus, I attacked him twice, and he didn’t really try to attack me. I guess it’s what I’m supposed to do. Maybe I can ask Nightdancer later - no, I don’t want her to find out about this… hopefully he’ll take the offer and leave.

Sunpaw (accidentally) used Headbutt, dealing 4 damage and costing 5 stamina.

Sunpaw:
20/20 HP
48/60 SP [-5]

Stoatpaw:
16/20 HP [-4]
53/60 SP

Sunpaw

Sunpaw exhaled in relief as the tom’s paw slowly lowered. “Yeah, yeah,” he muttered, ears twitching slightly. Hopefully Nightdancer would never find out about this. He’d probably be sentenced to an unholy amount of time cleaning the elder’s nests and fur if she ever did. The SkyClanner was still making pointed remarks even as Sunpaw backed away slowly, trying to show his peaceful intentions. He crossed the border! I had every right to attack. Whatever. Could have been worse, I guess.

“Just go back to your own territory, bird-brain,” Sunpaw snapped, perhaps a bit more harshly than intended - but he was easily aggravated, and confident now that he knew patrols would reach him soon if the other tom decided he didn’t want to leave so easily. “And stay out of ours.”