Sorrelclan
Celeste--No, Fulmarpaw, was excited for her first training session with Monkeyface. The older molly had come into the clan not much sooner than Fulmarpaw herself, but carried herself with the type of confidence that made the apprentice respect her. Sorrelstar had instantly apprenticed the young not-kitten to the new warrior, claiming that she had important things to do such as recruit for the clan. Fulmarpaw didn't mind; surely Monkeyface would be much more exciting than the slightly stiff leader. Better. More moral. These words echoed in the apprentice's head and while she still didn't truly understand it, she was beginning to feel a sense of comradery with her fellow clanmates, few as they were.
"C'mon!" called Monkeyface from the entrance to the camp. The camp was rather pitiful, not much more than a small grove with various holes that the three had carved out for themselves. And yet... And yet Fulmarpaw could almost imagine how at some point in the future, there would be a litter playing under that stump, apprentices talking near that stone, a future leader calling the clan from the tree branch over there. The camp could live; they just needed to give it time.
"Coming!" replied Fulmarpaw, shaking herself out of the not-memory. She bounded over to the golden warrior who chuckled. Fulmarpaw giggled a little, too. Monkeyface was giant for a cat, even larger than Sorrelstar herself, and her fur was so long that the apprentice wondered how it stayed so neat. Monkeyface had claimed it was due to an intense grooming regimen and Fulmarpaw couldn't deny it. She had seen the warrior every evening. What a grooming session.
Monkeyface and Fulmarpaw reached their destination, a small hollow, fairly quickly. "Today, we'll be doing a little sparring," said Monkeyface. "I'm not going to be teaching you any 'moves.' Anything is allowed except for unsheathed claws, biting, or choking of any sort. Understand?" Fulmarpaw nodded. "Great. Let's take positions." Fulmarpaw scooted a few tail-lengths away from Monkeyface. If anything went, then speed and surprise would be her best moves.
One heartbeat. Two heartbeats. Three heartbeats. Fulmarpaw leaped towards Monkeyface, who evaded her easily. The gray-and-white apprentice landed lightly and turned, springing onto Monkeyface. The larger warrior had been just about to turn around when Fulmarpaw crashed into her. The sparring session continued for a while, with the mentor and apprentice agreeing to pause a few times. The sun was high in the sky by the time Monkeyface called an end to the session. Despite losing multiple times, Fulmarpaw had a big grin on her muzzle.
"That was fun!" she said.
Monkeyface chuckled. "We'll be hunting later but tomorrow we can always go sparring again."
"Yes please!"