Ask to Join A Berry on the Breeze

Without passion you don’t have energy, without energy you have nothing.

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Blah blah blah blah! Breezewing's long winded words didn't make becoming a warrior any faster, he knew what Fourtrees was, he went there in the last gathering! The young cream tom failed to suppress his boredom with a groan as he caught up with his grey tabby mentor.

"Breezewiiiiing! We went to the gathering last moon, I knowwww." He complained, letting out a short huff. "What's this have to do with hunting and fighting anyway? All the cool warriors do that!" He asked, less of a compaint or a sassy attitude and more of a genuine question that had been bugging him since the trips from his first day out with Breezewing. 

"I met the deputies of ThunderClan and ShadowClan at the gathering. Kestrelswipe and Dawnflurry I think. Dawnflurry seemed close in age to you or Rooknose" He noted, trying to make the conversation more interesting. Talking with interest about other cats always seemed to lightening up conversations, at least it did with Beewhisker.

Those who follow blindly will never learn to see the truth. ~Breezewing
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Breezewing couldn't help but chuckle slightly at Berrypaws enthusiasm for training. A purr rumbled deep in his chest, "We have combat training tomorrow, young one. But for now, you must know your borders." 

Flicking his tail towards the gorge, "Now. Tell me, Which clan territory is in that direction and what is their main source of prey?" He eyed his apprentice thoughtfully. He may be enthusiastic for combat and hunting training but borders and clan knowledge were a necessity for any good warrior.

Without passion you don’t have energy, without energy you have nothing.

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Berrypaw wanted to argue, he really did, to argue that the faster her learns how to be a warrior the faster he'll become a warrior, surely Breezewing would retire quickly like he wanted to if his apprentice made it to being a warrior so early. But he didn't argue, he simply rolled his pale blue eyes and his gaze followed where Breezewing towards the gorge.

The deep chasm split the two territories apart, and from what Berrypaw saw, he could see rivers splitting apart the land on the other side, there was no question what clan that was. "It's RiverClan, the cats that make themselves fat on fish!" He replied with pride and certainty. "You'd never catch me eating a fish, I bet they taste salty and bitter." he added, flicking his tail tip impatiently.

He then glanced towards the thick woodland, determined to guess it before Breezewing prompted him. He had seen the warriors of ThunderClan leave that way when the gathering had ended last moon. The answer was just as obvious "ThunderClan is that way, they eat the woodland stuff."

Those who follow blindly will never learn to see the truth. ~Breezewing
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Breezewing nodded approvingly, "Good. Very good. Now, every clan excels in something specific. What is it for each clan?" He continued padding forward before making a sharp turn and heading towards the Shadowclan border.

Scenting the air, he caught a whiff of rabbit and his mouth began to water. Now wasn't the time for hunting but it was a very tempting smell. He looked back at his apprentice to see if he picked up on the scent as well.

Without passion you don’t have energy, without energy you have nothing.

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Berrypaw bounced after Breezewing with the agility and speed of a cat twice his age. I'm small but I'm mighty he thought to himself as he met his mentor at the border to ShadowClan, the thunderpath strewn ahead of them, the acrid smell making the tom double back a few paces. 

"Well, WindClan are the moor runners, we're fast and can fight the winds." He began, trying to ignore the smell that burned his nose. Whiskers twitching as if they would expel the scent, he added. "RiverClan is obviously swimming" he added with a little eye roll.

His ears pricked at the shuffling sound of prey in the grass "ThunderClan... something about trees..." Berrypaw's attention drew elsewhere when he scented the rabbit that made his mouth water.

The young tom rasped his tongue across his lips. "And ShadowClan stalks well, can we catch that rabbit now?" He asked, speaking in quick succession now, as if there wouldn't be another rabbit in their territory. His gaze followed the scent, dusty brown fur could be spotted hidden in a small clump of heather. Berrypaw's tail twitched irritably at his mentor's lack of direction.

Those who follow blindly will never learn to see the truth. ~Breezewing
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Breezewing’s yellow eyes narrowed slightly as he caught the scent Berrypaw was drooling over. He let out a low, rumbling growl, shaking his head. “Hmph. Slow down, Berrypaw. That rabbit isn’t going anywhere… yet.” He padded closer to the young apprentice, tail flicking with controlled impatience. “You’re letting your stomach run your head again. A WindClan warrior hunts with patience, not just speed.”

His gaze drifted to the rabbit hiding in the heather, then back to Berrypaw. “I’ll give you a chance to catch it, but first, you’re going to listen. RiverClan swims? Fine. ThunderClan hides in trees? Fine. ShadowClan stalks? Fine. You need to know your enemies before you leap at prey.”

Breezewing crouched low, the tips of his ears swiveling to track the rabbit. “Now, show me you can wait… then we’ll see if your ‘mighty’ speed can actually get you a meal.”

Without passion you don’t have energy, without energy you have nothing.

✧･ﾟ: ✧ :･ﾟ✧⭑🍓⭑✧･ﾟ: ✧ :･ﾟ✧

Berrypaw let out a bored groan, just about ready to roll on the ground and make a nest for himself there out of spite and just bake in the sun while Breezewing spoke to the trees, but he knew better. He knew that was rude of him, and he wouldn't learn anything that way. A cat doesn't become a warrior from sleeping in soft grass, he'd be no better than a kittypet that way.

"Shouldn't I try to not make any enemies? Isn't that how cats get hurt?" Berrypaw asked, picking up pace to walk beside Breezewing, his mentor may be boring, but there was the way he spoke that line that perked his ears, taking his mind off of the rabbit almost instantly. 

Across the Thunderpath, Berrypaw saw another cream cat, a lynx point with brighter blue eyes than his own. He saw her flick her tail in greeting, though it seemed more so a passing gesture rather than a cat looking for conversation as she bounded back into her own territory. Good, the moors belonged to WindClan. "Was that a ShadowClan cat?" he asked as she passed, the she-cat across the path was far enough to have not heard him in the first place but he whispered like even the wind was listening.

Those who follow blindly will never learn to see the truth. ~Breezewing
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Breezewing’s whiskers twitched at the question, though he didn’t slow his pace. “Hmph. You shouldn’t go looking for enemies,” he replied, voice low and rough, “but pretending the world’s full of friends will get your pelt clawed off just the same.” He gave Berrypaw a sidelong glance, his yellow eyes glinting. “A smart warrior knows when to keep the peace and when to stand his ground. You’ll learn which is which, if you listen more than you talk.”

When Berrypaw whispered, Breezewing followed his gaze across the Thunderpath, his tail flicking once in recognition. “That one? That’s a ShadowClan cat... Clovershine, if I’m not mistaken.” His tone hardened slightly, old distrust sharpening the edges of his words. “She’s trouble only if she’s on our side of the Thunderpath. Don’t mistake a friendly flick of the tail for kindness, Berrypaw. ShadowClan cats smile with their claws ready.”

After a pause, he softened just enough to add, “Keep your eyes open and your paws steady. The moors are ours, and I intend to keep them that way.” With that he padded towards the border to check on the rival clan cat.

Without passion you don’t have energy, without energy you have nothing.

✧･ﾟ: ✧ :･ﾟ✧⭑🍓⭑✧･ﾟ: ✧ :･ﾟ✧

Berrypaw hardly felt the smallest bit amused by his mentor's lectures, his eyes half-lidded as his mentors words rolled over his head. Something about not going off thinking every cat is a friend? It simply seemed to pass through his ears, through one and out the other as he followed his mentor.

And then it was something about not mistaking friendliness for kindness... "Mhm, got it. Don't make friends, be grumpy all the time like you. Absolutely." Berrypaw feigned a slouch and a false grumpy expression as he looked over at the now empty patch of land where he spotted the pale she-cat. 

"She probably went back to her camp." Berrypaw replied, his mock grumpiness faltering just slightly to let a snort free, though he quickly returned to the feigned grouchy Breezewing impression. It was quite accurate if he did say so himself. "Like she outta!" he rasped out in the grumpiest tone the energetic apprentice could muster.

While his attitude may have been... less than ideal, he did hear the more important parts of Breezewing's words, alliances are helpful to an extent, but some cats weren't worth being friends with. He wasn't going to refuse friendship from kind cats just because his mentor said so though.

Those who follow blindly will never learn to see the truth. ~Breezewing
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Breezewing stopped mid-step, staring at Berrypaw with a look that sat somewhere between outrage and disbelief. His whiskers twitched once, dangerously close to a laugh, but he swallowed it down with a gravelly huff.

“Oh, is that what you heard?” he growled, though the edge lacked its usual bite. “Stars above, apprentice, if your ears get any more clogged with nonsense I’ll have to ask the medicine cat to dig out the moss.”

He eyed Berrypaw’s exaggerated slouch and grumpy face. “And I do not look like that.”
A heartbeat passed.
“…Most of the time.”

Without passion you don’t have energy, without energy you have nothing.

✧･ﾟ: ✧ :･ﾟ✧⭑🍓⭑✧･ﾟ: ✧ :･ﾟ✧

Berrypaw blinked at him, once, twice , and then puffed up in exaggerated indignation, lifting his head from the dramatic slouch he'd been performing.

"Ohh, so now my ears are full of moss?" he shot back, eyes brightening with a spark of mischief that always preceded trouble. "That explains why I can't hear you have the time! I thought it was just because you mumble." His tail flicked playfully, betraying the grin he was fighting.

"And you absolutely make that face." He pressed on, scrunching his muzzle into a perfect parody of Breezewing's sternest scowl. "You did it this morning when I tripped over that rabbit hole. And yesterday when I 'accidentally' woke you up before dawn. And-" He cut himself off with a snort-laugh, shoulders shaking before he tried... poorly, to smooth it into something more serious.

"... But, y'know," he added, softer but still teasing, "it's a good face. Makes you look like you know what you're doing. It's just not for me." He bumped Breezewing's shoulder with his own, light and warm. "Don't worry, mentor. I hear plenty. Especially the important stuff."

Those who follow blindly will never learn to see the truth. ~Breezewing
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Breezewing narrowed his eyes, though the edge of his irritation softened at Berrypaw’s bright, teasing tone.

“You’ve always got something to say,” he muttered, but there was a faint warmth beneath it.

He flicked his tail toward the open stretch of moorland ahead.

“Cut the chatter. There’s a rabbit moving through that patch, upwind.”

He stepped aside to give Berrypaw space, his voice dropping into the calm, focused cadence he used only in training.

“Belly low. Slow steps. Keep your tail still.”

He waited a moment to let Berrypaw drop into the hunters crouch.

“Go on then,” Breezewing said, gaze sharpening. “Let’s see you catch it.”

Without passion you don’t have energy, without energy you have nothing.

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"Better than not saying anything when my voice might help." Berrypaw shot but, but he wasn’t irritated or annoyed, the smile of his face was almost palpable in its intensity and his joking tone proved there was no intention of arguments

As he was about to playfully bicker further, Breezewing ordered him to catch a rabbit and his words seem to simply vanish like they had never been there. 

Berrypaw glanced at the rabbit, it hadn’t seen him, but he remembered a thing Breezewing said when he was first learning a hunters crouch, ’Rabbits will smell you before they see you’ so it only made sense to check which way the wind was blowing.

The small apprentice angled his ears forward noticing that the rabbit scent was being brought to him and not the other way around. Perfect.

He wordlessly fell into his best crouch, his size made him get much lower than his dam or sister could, making him near invisible in the tall grass. He took pride in his size, smaller meant harder to find when he needed it, and it made him quicker, it was the mark of a good WindClan warrior. He was sure he’d get there father than he would think.

Final, he crept forward slowly, placing his paws carefully around stray twigs so he wouldn’t snap them and make noise. When it came to this, the voices that could be around him simply vanished into a faded hum that was close to silence. In hunting, he was quiet.

And then, without much issue, he pounced. The rabbit was large, very large, nearly his size in fact. So before the rabbit could whirl around to run or kick him, his teeth met with the brown-ish grey fur before sinking into the succulent flesh that made Berrypaw’s mouth water.

The prey thrashed for a moment but Berrypaw held as firm as he could, pulling the rabbit back when it tried to leap from his grip. All until there was nothing but a limp pile of fur. The apprentice dragged it back proudly by the scuff, his chest puffed, but while his head would usually be held high, it was weight down by the rabbit’s weight as he pushed through the heather and made it back to his mentor. Mission Complete.

Those who follow blindly will never learn to see the truth. ~Breezewing
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Breezewing watched the grass settle behind Berrypaw’s disappearing tail, the apprentice’s earlier chatter fading into blessed silence.
Good. At least when it mattered, the young tom could listen.

He heard the scuffle, the thump of hind legs, the brief struggle, and by the time Berrypaw dragged the rabbit back through the heather, Breezewing’s whiskers had lifted in the faintest hint of approval.

“That,” he said, stepping forward, voice even but unmistakably warm, “was clean work.”

His gaze swept over the rabbit, nearly as large as the apprentice hauling it, and then to Berrypaw’s crouch-mussed fur and proud eyes.

“You kept downwind, stayed quiet, and didn’t lose your grip. That’s the kind of hunting a WindClan warrior is expected to do.”

A pause. His tail tip flicked.

“Don’t get used to rabbits that big letting you take them so easily,” he added, the closest thing he ever gave to teasing. “But you earned this one.”

He nudged Berrypaw’s shoulder lightly with his muzzle before turning back toward camp.

“Come on. Let’s get it home before something else decides it wants a share.”

Without passion you don’t have energy, without energy you have nothing.

✧･ﾟ: ✧ :･ﾟ✧⭑🍓⭑✧･ﾟ: ✧ :･ﾟ✧

Through Berrypaw’s pride he did notice his mentor’s words and took them to heart. But with a soft chuckle, anything they might have inflicted seemed to vanish like the stars during the day.

Berrypaw placed the rabbit down placing a paw in his catch so he would have room to speak without his mouth getting stuffed with rabbit fur. "Of course I did! That’s what you told me to do!" He shot back, more playfully than argumentative. "I listen just as much as I talk… when it matters."

As the small apprentice was about to say something back to Breezewing, he simply nodded at his direction and picked up the prey. He was about ready to get back to camp anyway, he’d have enough of listening to long winded lectures for today.

And with that, Berrypaw bounded after Breezewing, the mouth watering rabbit’s feet dragging in the dirt behind them.