sunbeams and rosepetals [c]

It was nearly dawn by the time Sunfire found himself awake and ready to go. The sky was dark, with the faintest streaks of pink on the eastern side of the forest. The dappled tom padded quietly to the entrance of camp, nodding a greeting to the night guard, and settled there with his tail curled neatly around him to wait for Rosepaw.

Thankfully, it looked like it was going to be a quiet day... Sunfire hadn't had any particular plans, though truth be told he was loathe to leave camp. He was worried about his brother, and the current state of SkyClan. Things seemed calm enough, but still... he wouldn't be going far. Another moment passed, another streak of pale pink in the sky... and Sunfire flicked his gaze towards the apprentices' den. If Rosepaw wasn't out here soon, he was leaving without her.

Rosepaw waited quietly on her perch in the tree next to the camp entrance, her tail flicking back and forth with anticipation. She hoped the night guard wouldn't give her away when Sunfire came over; she wanted to see if her mentor would notice her hiding spot. It hadn't been easy to wake at the crack of dawn, but she was determined to make sure her first day of training went as smoothly as possible. Sunfire certainly wasn't her favourite choice of mentor, but Rosepaw was determined to make it work. She would have to, if she wanted to fulfill her dream of one day becoming deputy.

Movement caught her eye. Sunfire was approaching the entrance of camp! The apprentice watched as he nodded to the guard at the entrance. He doesn't know I'm here, Rosepaw thought. She watched with rising nerves as her mentor padded over to sit right underneath her tree. She pondered for a moment, considering her next move. Sunfire glanced over to the apprentice's den, and despite her apprehension, Rosepaw smirked to herself. He's either going to be very annoyed, or very impressed, she thought.

Steeling her nerves, Rosepaw leapt down from the tree, landing right next to Sunfire. She stumbled slightly, and grinned at him, hoping he hadn't noticed. "Good morning Sunfire!" she mewed cheerfully. "What are we doing today?"

Before he'd even had time to refocus his gaze, something dropped from a tree above him, landing right at his side. Though Sunfire didn't rise to his paws or make a move to, the dappled tom did turn and hiss at the unexpected visitor, his bottlebrush tail and slicked back ears clearly conveying that she'd caught him by surprise. Once he realized who it was, however, the shock in his expression was quickly replaced by one of annoyance, and, despite himself... a little bit of amusement. It wasn't often that anycat caught him off guard, even within the safety of the camp, where he usually let it down. But Rosepaw had managed, and though he wouldn't say it to her, he had to admit he was a little impressed.

Grunting once, he finally stood, forcing his fur to lie flat with a quick shake of his entire body. Tail twitching, he looked at her, guarded. "Good to see you can follow directions," he said. "Come along." Sunfire moved past the camp guard, and deeper into the forest. Deeper and deeper into the trees they went, off the beaten path, ignoring the prey that they passed. He was sure Rosepaw's belly would be grumbling with hunger by the time they got there, but that was good. Hunger made you sharper, more intense. And that's what the apprentice would need if she planned to get through his training.

Once they'd made it to the spot he'd prepared last night, by flattening down the grasses in a large, circular area as best he could, Sunfire paused, turning to her. "Today, we fight. Hunting is important, yes, but kits can hunt. A cat that can't fight to defend their clan is a cat that a detriment to that clan. You will not be a detriment to SkyClan." He looked hard at her, as if forcing that point home, before softening ever so slightly and inclining his head towards the center of the clearing. "I've seen you around, before you were an apprentice. You're driven, and you're tough. I believe you have what it takes to be a good warrior... but I'm not here to make you a good warrior. I'm here to make you a great warrior."

Moving opposite her, Sunfire tightened his stance, flexing his claws into the earth and lowering his head to well below his shoulderblades. His long tail swished side to side, slowly, as he stared at her. "Do you want to be a great warrior, Rosepaw?"

Rosepaw's smile widened at the sight of Sunfire's shocked look and his fur standing on end. When he'd recovered, he had a look of irritation on his face, but Rosepaw thought she detected something else. She tilted her head, but she'd missed it. The apprentice was so distracted by it that by the time she noticed Sunfire was speaking, he was already walking through the entrance and beckoning her.

Her stomach was becoming an annoyance as she followed Sunfire through the woods. Rosepaw cursed herself for not thinking to eat before waiting for her mentor. She'd been far too excited for her training, but she was bitterly regretting it now, especially when they passed opportunities for fresh kill. Sunfire obviously had something in mind, otherwise they'd have stopped to hunt by now. Rosepaw considered asking where they were going, but figured that the question would probably get her snapped at. She made sure she was always checking their surroundings, and was in awe of everything her. As a kit, she'd been good and never left camp, so this was her first ever trip outside of camp.

Eventually they reached a circular patch of flattened grass. Rosepaw tilted her head, then her tail shot straight up in excitement. Battle training! This was the best day of Rosepaw's life.

During Sunfire's speech, Rosepaw's gaze never strayed from his face.  She watched as his face lit up with passion and his whole body seemed to come....alive? Rosepaw began to realize that though Sunfire could be rude and irritable, he cared a great deal for protecting and serving their clan. She could feel excitement taking hold once again: was he the right mentor for her after all?

At Sunfire's question, Rosepaw's eyes widened. Staring straight back at her mentor, she tilted her chin up and replied without hesitation, "Yes, I do!" She lashed her tail and dug her claws into the ground, trying to mimic Sunfire's stance.

The sun dappled warrior was reasonably certain that he had Rosepaw figured out... and her reaction to what he'd said only confirmed his observations. Almost every kit wanted to be a warrior, but there was something different about Rosepaw: she had huge ambition, and a thirst for glory and recognition... and so far she hadn't attempted to hide it - not from him, or anyone else. Sunfire smiled, though there was a sharp, almost sinister color to it. Suddenly, he found himself making a mental note to thank his mother. If he could mold this young she-cat into a loyal warrior, someone who he could trust to fight at his side...

Sunfire shook his head, blinking away grandiose schemes of war and prestige. There would be time for that later. He fixed his gaze back on to his apprentice. "I'll tell you the number one rule of fighting..." He moved closer, slowly... as if his voice for some reason wouldn't carry across the space between them. Sunfire got within a tail length of Rosepaw, and then suddenly surged forward, slamming his shoulder into her with an intent to send her tumbling backwards into the grass. It was dirty, yes... but it was a teaching opportunity that he couldn't pass up. Even though he hadn't hurt her, he was confident that she would remember that for the rest of her life. Standing above her, Sunfire made it clear with both tone and body language that he held no malice. His eyes were gentle but firm as he met hers. "Don't trust your opponent to fight fairly."

He moved back, allowing her space to get up. "The warrior code is important, and it says to fight honorably... but honor doesn't win battles. Skill, and determination win battles. Now... I want you to come at me with everything you've got," he instructed. "And I mean everything. Don't curb your blows. Don't sheathe your claws. I am an enemy cat and we don't hold back against enemies." He nodded once at her, and then half-crouched, waiting.

Sunfire used Headbutt on Rosepaw, choosing to deal 0 damage at the cost of 5 stamina.

Sunfire
40/40 HP
95/100 SP

Rosepaw
20/20 HP
60/60 SP

Rosepaw leaned forward as Sunfire spoke softer. She certainly didn't expect him to suddenly lunge forward and ram his shoulder into hers, sending her flying. The apprentice landed on her side and lay, winded, as her mentor stood over her. Shame flooded her body for a moment, but as she got back up and took in Sunfire's next words, the feeling was replaced by determination. This was obviously another test, and she certainly didn't intend to disappoint.

The young cat flattened her ears and sprang forward with unsheathed claws. Realizing mid-leap that she hadn't thought this through, she awkwardly grappled his neck and dug her claws into his thick fur in an attempt to pin him. Rosepaw growled softly, struggling with his weight.

Rosepaw used Leap and Hold on Sunfire, dealing 6 damage at the cost of 15 stamina.

Sunfire
34/40 HP
95/100 SP

Rosepaw
20/20 HP
45/60 SP

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

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'Effect Dice' : 4

Straight and to the point, just like he'd predicted, Rosepaw charged in. Sunfire grinned, tensing himself and preparing for her to slam into him the same way, but was taken by surprise as she practically sailed over his head, claws catching his fur and slinging her forelegs around his neck. He'd prepped himself for a frontal attack, and the sudden shift in equilibrium caused by Rosepaw's added weight around his neck knocked him off balance. Sunfire sank down to an elbow, shifting in an attempt to adjust his weight more evenly to all four paws. Had she been a smaller apprentice, it wouldn't have been quite so successful, but her size matched her determination, and as Sunfire felt claws prick his skin, he lashed his tail in wild exhilaration. This was going to be fun.

Sunfire is pinned for two turns.

Sunfire
34/40 HP
95/100 SP

Rosepaw
20/20 HP
45/60 SP

Rosepaw felt her mentor trying to regain his balance underneath her, and dug her front claws in harder. I can't believe that worked! she thought excitedly.

Forcing herself to focus and celebrate later, the large apprentice decided to push her luck. Leaning forward, she sunk her teeth into Sunfire's scruff. Rosepaw growled again, using her weight to try to push Sunfire down further. She really didn't want him to be able to escape her grip, since she was sure his retaliation would be swift and painful. The exhilaration of the fight flooded her body, and Rosepaw found herself focused for what was probably the first time in her life.

Rosepaw continues to pin Sunfire, dealing 6 more damage and losing 15 stamina.

Sunfire
28/40 HP
95/100 SP

Rosepaw
20/20 HP
30/60 SP

The moment Sunfire felt teeth in his neck, instinct took over. As Rosepaw leaned in, attempting to press him further down, he thrashed in an attempt to dislodge her, but she held tight. Eyes narrowing slightly, the young warrior crouched and then sprang upwards, Rosepaw's weight causing the leap to be more a sideways one than a vertical one. But he dropped his shoulder as gravity drew them down, Rosepaw remained steadfast. Her claws pierced deeper, and he hissed, kicking out his rear legs to buck her off. Eventually, she would lose her grip. Eventually.

Sunfire attempted to use Duck and Twist, and failed at the cost of 5 stamina! He chooses to do 0 damage. Sunfire is still pinned.

Sunfire
28/40 HP
90/100 SP

Rosepaw
20/20 HP
30/60 SP

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

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'Effect Dice' : 2