Feeding the Flame [C]

Firepaw had, at even his own annoyance, left his makeshift nest near the rest of Skyclan's apprentices to stand near their fresh-kill pile. The sun had just begun peeking above the horizon, causing the four great trees that grew to cast long shadows on the clearing. The air carried a chill, and despite his long pelt, the tom found himself padding around for warmth. Of course, his eyes also watched for his mentor as he moved, waiting for news of training. He wanted to learn, to know what he had to do to become a warrior. So many of his peers wanted to be the best warrior, or the best fighter... his ambitions went beyond wanting recognition for what he did. Unfortunently, he didn't know what he wanted to be good at yet, but as soon as he started training, he'd figure it out quickly. He knew he would.

Moonlily had been digging in her brain for just what she would work on with Firepaw. Thoughts of Crowpaw filled her minds eye at every corner, and the molly had to dismiss them. He's not here anymore, Moonlily, and it isn't your fault. The pain of his passing never seemed to quite leave her, no matter what. But this wasn't Crowpaw. This was Firepaw. A whole new life, a new chapter, a new story. She wasn't going to fault her new apprentice in any way because she herself couldn't see past what she had lost. ... There was a lot she had lost, recently. One final shake of her head, and the large feline finally brought herself to approach.

"Ready?" She asked simply, her ears rising almost playfully to show she herself was excited to get Firepaw training. "We'll be starting with hunting, then moving onto battle training. Hunting is a great way to start, not only because it means you can always help out your Clan, but it helps teach you the patience for a battle." She rambled almost awkwardly, her tail fidgeting as she signaled for them to start their trek away from where Skyclan was calling camp. To be at Fourtrees... it was almost an entirely new realm for her. Almost. Sure, she'd gone there consistently for gatherings, but to actually live here? She didn't know the land as well as she did back home. Nevertheless, it was fairly simple enough: Find trees that seemed least traveled by, and there would be prey there. "Is there anything you know about hunting already? Perhaps that the other apprentices have told you?"

Firepaw almost jumped when he saw Moonlily approach, as ready as he was to train, he hadn't given much thought to the fact that he had to be with a cat that he knew nothing about. Thankfully when she began to speak, her own rambling tone soothed his nerves... at least a little bit. Padding along behind her, when she signaled for them to begin moving into the forest beyond, the apprentice couldn't help but be incredibly anxious. "I... don't know anything really, sorry." He mewed quietly, trailing off toward the end. His pawsteps were as quiet as his voice, as if he were afraid to even exist in someone's presence. He had felt so confident alone, but now... now he would be lucky if he didn't trip over his own paws.