Dead pine needles shifted under paw as Silverscreech walked forward, ears pricked for sounds of any prey. The tall pines shaded the area, its fresh smell from the trees hitting her senses, almost calming. But her mind was halfway in a daze the whole distance. She now had an apprentice for the first time in her life to train. She never had stayed long enough in Shadowclan years ago to have one, and she wondered if she would even make a good mentor. Would her new apprentice Soulpaw even like her? Did she judge her too for her past decisions like many others in the clan? Rumors had been heard in the camp from the silver-white striped she-cat. She usually tried to block them out, concentrating on her warrior duties.
Stopping, she turned her head to glance back at her new small black apprentice. Flicking her fluffy gray tail impatiently, she sat for a moment. “Catch up Soulpaw. The prey aren't gonna wait for ya.” She mewed seriously. Her piercing yellow gaze watched carefully as Soulpaw trudged towards her. Once she finally caught up, Silverscreech smiled slightly at the black apprentice. “So, you finally ready for your first hunting lesson?” She asked. The Shadowclan warrior silently hoped the best for both of them in this first session.
Soulpaw felt a restlessness in her spirit that could only be fulfilled by knowledge, the feeling burned inside her and she had hardly slept at all since her ceremony. Her new den mates welcomed her kindly, but she didn’t interact with them much. The night of her ceremony, she was talking with Tenderpine seeking advice. She felt doubt within herself, wondering whether she was truly ready to learn what it meant to be a warrior. But she was highly determined and had a strong heart, Tenderpine reminded her of this and reassured her that Silverscreech would take care of her.
Soulpaw kept these thoughts with her as she trotted after Tenderpine, her pelt buzzing with excitement for her first ever lesson. It was her first time setting foot outside the Shadowclan camp, and even someone with as much focus and self discipline as herself couldn’t help but let her eyes wander towards the long trunks of the tall green pines. Their comforting green needles reminded her of her mother’s kind eyes, and the dead brown ones crunching beneath her paws reminded her of her own amber eyes, different from her mother’s but containing the same energy. Many scents invaded her senses and she opened her mouth slightly to take them all in, picking up little hints of prey and Shadowclan scent, all washed over by the strong scent of pine.
Her swirling thoughts and wandering curiosity distracted her from the path ahead of her, a rare occurrence for Soulpaw. She felt the warmth of embarrassment wash over her body as Silverscreech called to her a few fox lengths ahead. She quickened her pace and was at Silverscreech’s paws in a couple of strides.
“Yes, Silverscreech.” she replied somberly, bowing her head politely. Her paws shifted slightly out of nervousness, but her expression remained unchanged.