Going The Distance[C]

Half a moon had passed since Stoatpaw was named an apprentice, and Sootstorm had never been more busy. Between checking in with the hoards of new kits, arranging patrols for every time of the day, and keeping an eye out for his clanmates that needed his help a little more than others, he had almost no time to train Stoatpaw. And when he did, they'd often have to cut a training session short so that he could get back to camp in time to arrange the next batch of patrols. He was beginning to understand why some deputies didn't take on the role of mentoring apprentices, and made a note to himself to arrange his time better in the future. More often than not, he'd have to ask another warrior to take his son out for a training session, and though that meant that Stoatpaw had plenty of time to train with his denmates and littermates, the deputy couldn't help the guilt that churnned in him each time he had to leave Stoatpaw with another warrior. It just wasn't fair to Stoatpaw; he himself knew how it felt to not have your mentor around for every training session, and even if it wasn't the mentor in question's fault, it still slowed down his training by a considerable amount.

And so, he had dedicated one day to training Stoatpaw only, after asking Tigerstar to help him out with patrols for one day. He couldn't thank his brother enough, especially since he had two apprentices rather than one. He'd definetly have to ask his leader for tips. For now, he was waiting at the camp's entrance, pacing back and forth in his excitement as he waited for Stoatpaw's arrival. He stopped once he saw the familiar pelt of his apprentice, and quickly waved the tom over. "What do you feel like doing today?" He prompted, tail flicking with barely contained eagerness.

Sootstorm didn't miss the lack of any pause between his question and his son's answer; it seems that this question had been in the mind of Stoatpaw for a while, long enough for the answer to become extremely obvious to him, and it sent another pang of guilt in the deputy. Had it really been that long since he last took Stoatpaw out? The way that Stoatpaw refered to him, too, made him bite back a... what was it? A request? A demand? If he wanted to, he could simply request that Stoatpaw call him his father, but... he didn't really deserve that title, did he? One day, he'll earn that title. One day, Stoatpaw would acknowledge that Sootstorm was his father, not just his mentor or his deputy.

And so he bit back his remarks and his disappointment and put on a smile that was so characteristic for him. "Splendid idea," He managed to say with as natural a voice as he could manage, then turned and led the way out of camp. "Do you remember what I taught you last lesson?" He asked over his shoulder. Whenever the last lesson was... he had done a battle lesson with Stoatpaw before, right? And not just given him to another warrior for such a crucial first lesson? No, of course not, he'd never- he'd never do that, right?

Heat rippled through Sootstorm's pelt at Stoatpaw's answer. Either it had been so long since their last lesson that Stoatpaw couldn't remember what it was that they went through, or there was never a lesson where they did touch on battle training. Either way, he had failed his son. The thought left a bitter taste in his mouth. He had never failed an apprentice before, not Finchspeckle, arrogant as she was, Molehill or Nectarflower or... Dustpaw. But he had failed Dustpaw, hadn't he? If he had kept a closer eye on his son- if he had noticed sooner that he was gone and went looking for him, perhaps his son would still be here. Perhaps Dustpaw would be the one training Stoatpaw instead of him. Was he doomed to fail all his kits that he trained as apprentices? He didn't want to. He didn't want them to suffer, especially not if it was because of him. The tom felt his throat tighten, and blinked back the tears quickly.

"In that case, we'll just go over the basic moves. If you're confused or have any questions, feel free to stop me and ask that I repeat or explain the move, alright? Remember, no mistake or question is silly: you're here to learn, and I'd rather you make the mistakes now than in actual battle," Sootstorm began the lesson, repeating words he'd often tell his previous apprentices with a smile. A refresher for Stoatpaw... what would be the moves that had been taught to him? Sootstorm moved a little further from his apprentice to make space for himself. "This one is the Front Paw Strike," He stated as he lashed out one paw to slice the air in front of him, then swiftly lunged forward to sink his fangs into an imaginary enemy, "And that's the Snap." He crouched down and launched himself forward, crashing into where an enemy would have stood before landing on all fours. "That's the Jumping Strike, and this is Dodge and Fight," He called out as he rolled away, dodging an imaginary attack and swiftly turning on one leg to lash out at the air. He ducked behind, and pretending to grip something in his jaw, yanked the air backwards. "Tail yank, and..." His paws lashed out, swift as a bird and deadly as a wolf's bite. "Swift strike," Sootstorm finished, straightening and looking over at Stoatpaw as if to ask if he understood everything. There were a few more moves, like Leap and Hold, Play Dead and Bellyrake, that he'd have to teach Stoatpaw in order for Stoatpaw to be ready for a real battle.

Sootstorm hadn't been expecting to be attacked, but he didn't mind it. He should probably try getting some real practice in for Stoatpaw. His eyes narrowed playfully, and swiftly he regained his balance. "Well, since you think you're so good, try dodging this!" He challenged teasingly, dropping down into a crouch before letting one of his paws to lash out gently to brush his son's muzzle. It wouldn't do anything more than feel like a shock for a heartbeat; it was used to test Stoatpaw's reaction time rather than anything else.

Sootstorm used Front Paw Blow, dealing 7dmg and -5SP

Stoatpaw
13 HP / 20 HP (-7)
55 SP / 60 SP

Sootstorm
66 HP / 70 HP
155 SP / 160 SP (-5)

Sootstorm purred as Stoatpaw managed to dodge his attack, using the speed that every WindClan kit had been born with to avoid an equally as fast blow. Unfortunately, Stoatpaw didn't managed to regain his balance in time to aim his next blow fast enough, and it missed Sootstorm by a whisker-length. No matter, it was simply something that would be improved with practice. His lunged forward, fangs closing around his son's tail and yanking it backwards to trip up the apprentice. Time to see if Stoatpaw had it in him to regain his composure in the heat of battle fast enough to avoid a deadly move.

Sootstorm used Tail Yank, dealing 10dmg and -15SP
Stoatpaw is stunned for 1 turn

Stoatpaw
10 HP / 20 HP (-10)
48 SP / 60 SP

Sootstorm
66 HP / 70 HP
140 SP / 160 SP (-15)

Stoatpaw was able to recover swiftly, much to Sootstorm's delight, and even got another hit in. The deputy crouched down, eyes narrowed playfully before hurling himself forward to butt his head into his son's shoulder. "Take that!" He purred.

Sootstorm used Headbutt, dealing 7dmg and -5SP

Stoatpaw
3 HP / 20 HP(-7)
36 SP / 60 SP

Sootstorm
60 HP / 70 HP
135 SP / 160 SP(-5)

Sootstorm laughed as Stoatpaw rolled away in a burst of laughter. When was the last time he heard his son laugh like this? Part of him wished that this moment could last forever, but he knew that duties awaited him in camp. Not just a deputy's duties, but also a medicine cat's, now that Daisyfang was gone. The proud look in Stoatpaw's eyes, just waiting for praise, reminded him so much of his youth. "You did a great job. I'm sure you'll become a great warrior one day," He purred, looking down at his apprentice with pride, "Until then, however, we still have some places to go. Come on, let's try that dodge again. We'll keep trying until you can get it right."