30 First Training with Firestar

The morning sun shining down into the apprentice's den. The sun shining onto Starpaw's pelt and warming her up. Starpaw stretched herself and peeked out of the den, waking herself up. Starpaw looked around to see Bluepaw still asleep. "Wake up Bluepaw!" yelled Starpaw. Bluepaw rolled around her nest ignoring Starpaw. "Ravenclaw wants us up by sunhigh for training. Come on Bluepaw!" No response from Bluepaw, but another voice broke the silence.

"Are you awake, Starpaw?" Starpaw knew who the voice was and turned around to see Graypaw there. Starpaw nodded in response. "Well, are you going to wake her?" Graypaw had no idea how hard Starpaw was trying to wake Bluepaw up. "I've been trying to," replied Starpaw with a tint of annoyance. Before Bluepaw could roll around some more, or for Graypaw to respond, another voice popped in. It wasn't one they liked. It was Ravenclaw's voice. "Trainings about to start." Ravenclaw stopped for a second to say that. He was passing by, and didn't like to see the apprentices late. "That's it Bluepaw! You have to wake up now." demanded Starpaw. "Uh, what? Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. I'm coming." Bluepaw had finally woken up from her slumper.

Starpaw and Graypaw walked out of the den first and was stopped by Ravenclaw. "Where is Bluepaw," asked the deputy. "Inside, she just woke up," meowed Starpaw. "Training would do good for her. She has grieved for long enough." Starpaw was shocked by Ravenclaw's words, and couldn't help herself, but to reply with a bit of rudeness. "Redtail has only been died for two days. She can grieve for as long as she wants." Ravenclaw ignored her hissing and focused his attention on Bluepaw as she walked out. "Hi everyone, I'm ready." Ravenclaw continued to meow, "Firestar will be ready for you in a moment, Starpaw." Starpaw couldn't help, but question, "His wounds are healed, already?" Wow, Spottedleaf must be an amazing medicine cat thought Starpaw. "This will be my first training session with Firestar!"

"That's cool. I wish Redtail was still here."

"Bluepaw you can join my apprentice and I. That's if Graypaw is up for it. He got some pretty nasty nettle stings while we were battling the rats."

"I'm fine now, let's go!"

Graypaw knew it was an issult, and he knew why Ravenclaw said it. No one really thought much of it. Ravenclaw, Graypaw, and Bluepaw left to go train. Meanwhile, Starpaw waiting for Firestar. It has been a few moons since Starpaw joined the clan. Starpaw enjoyed seeing all the clan cats enteracting with each other throughout the day in the camp. Starpaw then saw Firestar heading over to her. "Let us start training, now," Firestar meowed. Starpaw followed Firestar out of the camp. Starpaw had noticed that he wasn't traveling with Darkstripe and Longtail, his two "bodyguards". Starpaw was unsure of why he needed one in the first place. She was very confused of what was going on Ravenclaw's head, all she knew was that it wasn't good. Starpaw knew that this would be the opportunity to tell Firestar what she heard last night. "Will your guards be joining us?" Starpaw needed to make sure they wouldn't come. "No, I ordered them to help with the repairs at camp. Securing ThunderClan's base is our first priority." Starpaw needed to be farther away from camp before telling Firestar.

Starpaw slowed down to a stop as she thought about what she was going to say. She knew she couldn't just get straight to the point. She had no evidence. "Starpaw, come along," Firestar meowed. "Oops, coming Firestar!" Starpaw replied as she catched up with him. As Firestar came to the stop, Starpaw knew this is where they would be training.

"Where are the others?"

"I ordered Ravenclaw to take the other apprentices to another part of the forest. I really want you to focus on your training."

"Why, it's not like I'm going to slack off."

Starpaw didn't mean to say it like that and quickly appolized. Starpaw wanted to tell Firestar about what she overheard, but all of a sudden. POW

"Do I have your attention now?"

"Yes, Firestar! Sorry." Starpaw quickly got up off the floor.

"Starpaw, you have been in this clan for many moons now. I've watched you fight. With the rats you are quick, with ShadowClan warriors you are fierce, you outwitted Bluepaw at the very first day we met and you defeated Goldendust with your cleverness, but one day you will meet an opponent with all of these things as well, quick and fierce and clever. It is my duty to prepare you for that day."

Firestar was not joking. He was serious and it Starpaw knew what he said was true. One day she will face someone like that. However, Firestar does not know that, that someone is Ravenclaw.

"Now attack me."

Firestar was three times her size. Her normal paw swipes and wrestling isn't going to work. Starpaw wanted to jump onto his back to knock him off his paws. She knew it had to be one powerful jump. Starpaw jumped, but was swatted down like a fly to the ground.

"Intresting strategy. A clever one, too. It could of worked, but your eyes betrayed you. It just told me where you were aiming. Now try again."

Starpaw took his words, and didn't want to make that mistake again. She decided to look at his shoulder and aim for the paws, but she was knocked to the ground again. Dirt piled on her and her face. Starpaw did not like the taste of the ground.

"Now, try something I wouldn't expect."

Even Goldendust wasn't this hard. Starpaw attacked again. Again the taste of dirt.

"Starpaw you are lightweight and quick. It is easy for me to knock you off balance. You must learn to control your speed and body weight. Try again. Starpaw tried again. Firestar pushed Starpaw to the ground as she tried to attack him. In defense, Starpaw curled up and kicked Firestar on his chin, knocking him over.

"Yes, I got him! Firestar? Oh no, your wounds. Firestar, are you okay?"

"That was much better, now it is my turn."

The two cats kept training and training. Until it started to get dark.

"Starpaw you did good. It is time to get going."

"Phew, I'm tired, but I can't wait to tell Graypaw and Bluepaw about what I've learned!"

"We better get back to camp then."

Just then, Starpaw forgot to tell Firestar about the Graypaw thing. It was too late now, but for now going back to camp now.