In the Sky [Closed]

Wasppaw stood at the base of the tree, Wolfstar across from her. Her mismatched gaze stared up the trunk in determination. Her face set in a look of thought and careful calculation. The leader had just instructed her on the basics, so now Wasppaw studied her way up. Every bone in her ached to be in the branches, sliding around undetected. Thoughts of the doors it would open to her if she could even just match Wolfstar's skills in the trees.

"I'm ready." She said finally, taking a step back. With one final smirk at her opponent, the tree, Wasppaw began her ascent. Every tip she had gleaned off Wolfstar ran through her head as she clawed her way up the tree. Her back legs that she had worked tirelessly to condition gave her the boosts she needed to make it up. It was like she was flying and or a squirrel with how easy it felt... Until about half way up. Puffing, she hauled herself up with less grace than she began with until the first branch finally came into view. With one last grunt, the apprentice made her way to the branch and plopped down with a sigh.

Wolfstar paced across from Wasppaw and stood. The air was a little bit cooler than it had been thanks to recent rain, and that meant exercising wouldn't be an absolutely miserable task. So today's agenda was to spar. After explaining the basics to her apprentice, Wolfstar watched as she climbed a tree. "Okay, claws sheathed because this isn't a real fight... And Hopefully you won't have to use these skills for real any time soon." She mewed, "You'll learn to master fighting in the trees, but it's a style of fighting that requires you to pay attention to your surroundings as well as your opponent, more than fighting on the ground does."

"Alright... Your opponent is larger and stronger... And has more experience, Don't tell me your first move, just act." She watched her apprentice, blue eyes bright before suddenly leaping into the low-hanging branches above her head.

Wasppaw stifled a groan as she pushed herself up as Wolfstar climbed next to her and peered at the ground. They weren't actually that far off the ground. Her eyes looked up at Wolfstar as she listened to her final instructions. One second her paws were on the branch and the next she was in the air, using her strong back legs to launch herself off. The thought didn't even cross her mind until after she was in the air in what felt slow motion. In an actual heartbeat, she was colliding with Wolfstar's hard body like a launched missel. Her oof from the contact was buried in Wolfstar's long fur and then they were falling, streaming for the ground.

It was then that the panic set in and despite her ingrained knowledge of not using claws, desperation brought them out as she clung to Wolfstar's shoulders as she braced for the impact about to come. When they met with the ground, Wasppaw landed with a loud thud, the wind knocking straight out of her lungs. Stunned for a second, Wasppaw gasped for breath as she scrambled to her feet, still regaining her balance and bearings as she spun around to face Wolfstar, trying to ready herself for Wolfstar's counterattack - be it a scolding or strike.

She had not expected to tumble from the branch when Wasppaw leaped at her, but she did. Thankfully the height from which they had fallen would only cause some bruising, even if the sudden impact against the forest floor left the leader gasping for air that had very suddenly left her lungs.

"Stars," Wolfstar couldn't help but laugh once she'd gotten her breath back, "Good, now you know how to deal with any cat foolish enough to try to climb after you. And if they aren't foolish enough to get out of the way, landing on them from above will also really hurt. A lot of cats also just... Forget to look up when they walk, and that will always give us the advantage when we need it. The trees offer us both different ways of attacking, and safety if we ever have to retreat from a fight. No other clan can move in the trees like we do, and that applies to other enemies as well. Dogs can't climb."

Wasppaw's eyes gleamed with mischief. "Have we ever tried invading other clans with this tactic? I suppose WindClan is the only clan safe from us..." She trailed off, shifting her sore shoulder around. Maybe she'll start practicing falling over and over again until it didn't hurt anymore. She was a smaller cat. Not tiny, but on the smaller side of SkyClan's usual large frames. But this, this could even the playing field even against a truly battle worn warrior.

Wolfstar let out a soft hum at Wasppaw's question. "Not to my knowledge... Riverclan would be difficult though. The trees on their territory are more sparse... Not that I'd recommend crossing the river to get a better view. And Shadowclan... Their marshes are treacherous enough to need a guide through their territory. I'd be scared of where one might land were they to try and leap from one of those trees."

"There's Thunderclan... But let's not reopen old wounds, yeah? Skyclan does not go inviting trouble when there is none to be found currently." Although Acornstar was weak... But Skyclan had lost more than enough since that ill-fated war too. Wolfstar had no intention of starting up another one if she could help it.