Nightpaw glance at Badgerfang and Runningnose before sitting down. Maybe this is a test of some sort. See if he knew about clan culture. Good thing he asks Littlepaw about medicine cats, otherwise he would fail.
"I won't fight Runningnose. He's a medicine cat and Littlepaw told me medicine cats don't fight." He look at them again as their whiskers is twitching with amusement.
"That is correct, if this was any other clan. Unlike the others, we train even our medicine cats in warrior skills. You see, long ago there was this ThunderClan cat. She went crazy and during a half moon meeting, killed her own medicine cat for some reason. Sloefur, the ShadowClan medicine cat at the time, found his body right by the Moonstone. Anyway when Sloefur was late coming back, he told the leader at the time what happened. Forgot who was the leader at the time but they felt it was best for all medicine cats to learn warrior skills." Badgerfang explain with a nod to Runningnose.
"This is so we can defend ourselves in case the camp is attack. We do have claws too. Makes no sense not to learn since we are important to the wellbeing of our clan. Today we are just learning basic skills so it not like you can hurt me." Runningnose went to one end of the hollow, waiting for Nightpaw to take his place.
Nightpaw went to the other end, looking at Badgerfang for instructions. Badgerfang show him a front paw blow as he stood next to him. Nightpaw's claws was sheathed for this technique. Badgerfang had to correct his stance so his blows had power behind the hits. He had to do ten correct blows with each front paw before moving on to the next technique. Runningnose also gave him advice, knowing how hard it is for someone who never fought with techniques before. Nightpaw felt the muscles within his paws getting tiring. They rest a bit before Badgerfang show him how to do a back kick. He watch closely, seeing Badgerfang check behind him before letting loose a kick using both back paws, balancing carefully on his front paws. He quickly got into the pose, watching his mentor check his stance, nosing a leg that wasn't right. Badgerfang told him to close his eyes, use his whiskers, tail and ears to sense when Runningnose is behind him.
He heard Runningnose coming close, his ears moving to track him. He felt Runningnose gave his tail a nip and he let loose a back kick but fell while performing it. He open his eyes, giving a frustrated growl before going back into the pose. Who knew that this move would be so hard. He thought as he close his eyes again.
"Remember to use your tail for balance. It's going to take a few tries but you are doing great for your first time." Badgerfang encourage him. He try a few more times, managing to kick out before Runningnose nip his tail. He got the sense right but he falls every time. Badgerfang told him to head to a tree, and put his hind legs up on it but keep his front paws on the ground.
He did so, wondering why is he doing this. He asks and Badgerfang told him it was to get use to balancing on his front paws but with support. He nodded as he close his eyes, using his senses as well. They was still dull due to him spending his life in a den. Yes he can sense twolegs with no issue but other cats is going to take some time. He now can recognize most of ShadowClan scents. He open his eyes as he use his front paws to walk while keeping his back legs in the air. Despite falling a few more times, he got use to the feeling. The sun was setting when he is finally able to pull it off. Badgerfang asks him if he thinks he can spar using just those moves. He said yes as he also want to test himself.
After another break, Runningnose was ready at one end of the hollow. Nightpaw faced him, his tail and whiskers showing his excitement. The only rule is no claws and first one pinned loses. They both charge at each other when Badgerfang told them to start. He jump over Runningnose, landing behind him as he did a front paw blow on his hind leg. Runningnose use a back kick, hitting him hard. It cause him to land a few feet from him. Shaking his head, he quickly got up, sensing Runningnose behind him, he did a back kick of his own, feeling it hit. He turn around, aiming a lot of front paw blows on his head. Runningnose grin as he dodge these, his body moving like a snake as he knock Nightpaw off his paws. He quickly pin him, telling him he did good against a seasoned medicine cat. Letting him up, Runningnose check him over for any lasting bruise from the back kick. Nightpaw purr as he gave it his all. Maybe he would win if he knew more moves.
"What was that move you used to knock me off my paws?" He asks Runningnose, with respect glowing in his eyes.
"An advanced move that you will learn one day. Don't try to rush ahead of yourself." Runningnose eyes twinkle as they clean their pelts.
"Remember that you just started. Don't worry for I will teach you all our techniques and soon no one will be able to battle you without wounds." Badgerfang adds as they start to head back to camp.
Nightpaw purr at that as he saw the patrols looking at something in the ground. Blackfoot was stabbing at something while talking to the two badger patrols. Weird as he thought they would have left by now.
"Badger wasn't there. So now Blackfoot is getting the patrols to search for traces of the badger to make sure it not coming back. Yellowfang is one of our best trackers so she in charge of one while Swampcloud is in charge of the other." Volewhisper said to Badgerfang as they went to the prey pile.
"So can apprentices join or is it still too dangerous?" Nightpaw asks with a hopeful gleam in his eyes.
"Sorry but no. You just only learnt two fighting moves and none will help against a badger. Besides you need to rest." Badgerfang said with a frown. Runningnose gave a nod.
"Also I believe someone want to talk to you alone." Runningnose said as his tail point to Turtlepaw who was watching them from afar. Nightpaw grab a mouse before heading to her. He saw Runningnose head to the medicine den while Badgerfang went to talk to Blossomsky and Tallpoppy.
Putting the mouse down, he asks if she wants to share. Her eyes widen before giving a small nod. He step back to give her first bite before digging in himself. His ear twitch as he heard her paws shuffling in nervousness.
"I'm sorry for the way I been towards you. Can we start over?" Turtlepaw mew softly. Nightpaw gave a smile as he nod.
"Sure. I learnt two battle moves so was wondering if we can practice together some time?" Nightpaw meow as they finish the mouse.
"That will be nice. But don't think I will go easy on you." she let out a playful hiss with her eyes narrow.
"Wouldn't want it any other way." Nightpaw mew with a small purr.
They watch as the two patrols left the camp and Blackfoot came towards them. Turtlepaw, why don't you show Nightpaw where to get moss. It something he needs to learn since one of apprentices' jobs is taking care of nests. It nice that you two are finally getting along." Blackfoot left them as a border patrol led by Cinderfur came in. He excuse himself as they rush to him.
"We found pieces of prey near the Windclan border. Seems like they are stealing prey again. We need to teach them a lesson since they didn't learn last time." Cinderfur growl as he pace back and forth.
"We will teach them as many times as we need to." Russetfur hiss with her tail lashing.
"No one steals from Shadowclan and get away from it." Blossomsky growls softly.
Turtlepaw brush her tail on Nightpaw's side to get his attention. He wish he could be in a fight against the other clans. Sighing he follow Turtlepaw to outside the camp.
As she explain how to claw the moss off without having splinters, he went to the moss to try. He can see how this too is a type of training, learning how to control clawing instead of going all out. If he claw carelessly, then the moss would be full of splinters.He stop as he got a good amount. Turtlepaw went to the pile, getting the splinters out.
"Good for your first try. We can give this to Runningnose as he uses moss as well." Turtlepaw look over at Nightpaw as he went to the pile to get the splinters out as well. They work together in silence, rolling the moss into a ball and tucking it under their chin.
After they gave the moss to Runningnose, Nightpaw saw Nightpelt motioning to him to join him as the other elders were asleep. The moon is rising as he went to see what the elder want from him. They went to the elder, who asks them how they are liking the training. Turtlepaw says her training seems to be tough due to Mossclaw stern ways. Nightpaw says Badgerfang seem a bit softer but maybe it due to him. But he does make sure he learns from his mistakes, and he learning how to stop expecting to be good right away. Nightpelt purr as he heard that, saying they got good mentors and their differences is due to their apprentices. He then told them that he was Brokenstar's mentor when he was younger. Before he can continue, Clawface came up, saying he not that old. Nightpelt gave him a hearty bump with his head, saying he not as young as he was. Nightpaw watch this with interest since Clawface didn't look like he would be friendly to elders.
"You seem surprised, Nightpaw. Nightpelt here is my brother. Bet you didn't think someone like him is related to me." He gave a throaty purr as he bop Nightpelt on the head with a paw.
"Heard about what you did for your brother. I can respect a cat who is fearless like that. Unlike the other clans who hate fighting, we love it. It what makes ShadowClan so great. Going to head for some night hunting. See ya Nightpelt. Will bring you a mouse since I know that your favorite." Clawface bump his head into Nightpelt's side before leaving the camp.
"Can you explain the other Clans? I want to know what so different between them. Aren't we all cats? I know this will sound dumb but why can't we get along?" Nightpaw mew softly while looking at Nightpelt with confusion.
"I only heard about WindClan. They are scrawny but very agile cats who lived on the moors. As a kit, I remember seeing Whitethroat bearing a lot of cuts on his body after fighting them." Turtlepaw meow as she looks at Nightpelt, wondering if she was right.
Nightpelt lay down, letting them know to get comfortable. They glance at each other before copying him.
"You would be right about WindClan but that isn't all. They are faster than the prey they catch, which is rabbits. Tallstar seem like an okay leader even if he doesn't know what his clan is doing half the time. That how they get away with prey stealing. Always stealing mice and birds, never lizards or frogs. Otherwise they will get caught by Deadfoot, their deputy. Those rabbit munchers smell like their home and the prey they eat so we can always tell when they are on our side of the border. We have no rabbits in our marsh. They strike fast and hard in battle, so always keep an eye on them. Don't give them any room to run, otherwise you will lose the fight. Fighting on the moors is hard but we got counters. You will learn that much later." Nightpelt made sure they was listening closely before continuing.
"We don't need to worry about RiverClan. I heard that due to the rogues, you never saw our territory. Shame that is. Badgerfang needs to hurry up with that. Won't do any good if you get lost on our own territory. Mossclaw did right by you, Turtlepaw." He start to have a small coughing fit.
"Sorry about that. My old sickness is acting up again." Nightpelt said as it finally stop.
"Don't know much about RiverClan except what is shown during gatherings. They can swim and smell of fish. Often overhear them bragging about what shells they collect. Due to not sharing a border, all we know is they live on the river. Crookedstar is the leader and despite his appearance, he seem like a good leader. RiverClan seem happy and content. Unless they are near ThunderClan. Always meowing about some rocks that they fight over. Which is what I overhear. Us cats with black pelts are great at overhearing things." He gave a throaty purr.
"Last is ThunderClan. Out of all the clans, they like to think of themselves as the heroes of the forest for some reason. It is thanks to the Thunderpath that we rarely fight them or have anything to do with them. They are so prideful so to rile them up, just insult them. They hide in the undergrowth of their forest so be prepare to get surprise attack. Bluestar is the exception as she seems always calm, cool and collected. Tigerclaw is a notable warrior since he is a fierce fighter. Many of our warriors been in the medicine den due to his claws. Heard they taken in a kittypet too but he don't have the fire burning in his heart like you. After all you fought to join us, something we respect a lot. It also help that you didn't wear a collar. Anyway that all for now. thanks for listening to me. Come visit again some time. I be sure to have other tidbits of information later." Nightpelt let out a yawn as he got up. He purr as he saw them yawning as well.
They gave a nod before shuffling off to the apprentice den. Looking inside, he notice that only Gullpaw, Littlepaw, Mousepaw and Gingerpaw is asleep. The information he gotten roll around in his mind and he barely said goodnight to Turtlepaw before laying in his nest. There was so many different Clans and they seem so tough. Cats that can run faster than rabbits. Cats that can swim. And cats that hide in undergrowth. He never knew that the forest he look out had so much happening in them. He slowly fell asleep, hoping he can keep up in his new fast pace life.