Direstar training w/ Thistlepaw

First topic message reminder :

welcome to your taining thistlepaw! we can cover anything or everything!
sunclan wolves only please

Thistlepaw was about to close his eyes and send his prayers to StarClan when his father rammed into the side of the bear. Wasting no time, the apprentice leaped to his feet and attacked, jumping on the back of the bear as his father was distracted. Sinking his claws and teeth into the flesh of the bear, the boy held on as tight as he could as the predator let out a terrifying roar and reared upward, attempting to rid himself of the attacker on his back. This opened up his belly to Direstar, giving him a few seconds of time to make a quick attack as Thistlepaw's grip was being loosened.

Direstar rolled onto his feet and leapt up going for the throat of the bear. his sharp fangs sunk into its fur. pulling up his front legs to scrape at its shoulders he continued trying to get a good grip on it. hsi red fur blazing brightly in the sunlight. he let out a guttural growl.

The apprentice lost his grip and fell to the grassy ground beneath him. He lost his breath for a moment before regaining it and once again jumping to his feet. The bear seemed to have forgotten about him, and was preoccupied with his father. Slashing his claws across the bear's back, he made contact with its skin to his satisfaction. The bear roared in pain and gave up on defeating the duo. It ran into the forest and disappeared. Turning his gaze to his father, Thistlepaw grinned. "We make a good team, dad. Showed that bear who's boss."

Direstar beamed at his son and apprentice, he walked over and lightly ruffled his head fur with a paw. "of course we do champ we are cut from the same cloth". he chuckled and licked his sons head then said "well we might as well practise hunting for a bit, you have proven yourself in battle skills"

Thistlepaw smiled, head-butting his father affectionately. He then nodded quickly, agreeing to his next task. He didn't know much about the best hunting techniques, but of course now was the best time to learn! The boy walked deeper into the forests around them, searching for any kind of prey. Suddenly he heard a rustle nearby and he instinctively crouched down low, stalking forwards. Up ahead he saw a rabbit nibbling on some plant life. It didn't seem to notice him yet, though it was faced towards him. Suddenly he leaped forward and ran for the mammal, but he stood no chance. The second he emerged from the brush the prey darted away and into the undergrowth. After a couple seconds of crashing through the forest after it, Thistlepaw stopped and gave up, sighing in disappointment.

Direstar chuckled and said "might be better to start with a mouse, make sure to mind the wind and keep your footsteps light as a feather" he leapt up into a tree and watched his son at work. a grin apon his white muzzle. heloved his son he showed a real greatness for determination.

Thistlepaw nodded, accepting his father's good advice. A sudden gust of wind signified that he was already downwind. Padding forwards he scented another piece of prey. This time it was a squirrel. Crouching downwards, and extremely mindful of his steps, the boy inched forwards slowly towards his prey. The squirrel was scavenging around in the leaves and seemed to not have noticed him quite yet. Waiting until he was about a foot away, Thistlepaw then leaped forwards, making sure to use his tail to balance, and landed on the unsuspecting squirrel. With a quick bite it was all over. Picking up the dead animal in his mouth, he trotted back to his father, laying it down in front of him and waiting for further instructions.

Direstar nodded with pride and said "well done thistlepaw, you did excellently, some other tips from me would be always hunt them if they are foraging, sometimes they get so into their foraging that they forget to check for predators" he then paused then said "try hunting low flying birds, sunclan wolves have strong back legs like the ancient skyclan wait for a low flying bird to pass, judge its speed accuratly and leap to grab it in your jaws"

Thistlepaw nodded, though his eyes were wide. He had to catch a bird while it was flying? The task seemed intimidating, but he supposed that his father was probably an expert and could help him if he did anything wrong. Now he moved towards a more open area instead of in the forest, all the while looking up at the deep blue sky. Wispy clouds floated past occasionally and the sun was shining brighter than it had been over the past couple months. Clearly spring was fast approaching, and Thistlepaw was glad for that.

He went to hide himself nearby some bushes so the bird wouldn't see him right away. Close by he caught sight of a small mouse eating some blades of grass and nuts near by. Crouching down low, he was going to go after it when a hawk suddenly flew down and snatched the prey in his large claws. Running forwards, Thistlepaw made quick use of the situation and launched himself into the air with his back paws, his front claws aiming forwards for the unsuspecting bird. Contact was made and the apprentice slammed the bird back into the ground. With a killing bite to the neck the bird was dead. The mouse had escaped its claws in the struggle and disappeared into the grass, probably glad that it was still alive. Taking a couple deep breaths to relax himself after the effort, Thistlepaw sad down in the grass and turned to look for his father.

Direstar nodded with approval watching his son make the best of the situation, he gave a slight grin and said "try going for a deer, they will fight back more giving you an oppurtity to practise your defensive moves" he flicked his ears his heart burning with pride. he was almost glad that oakthorn was gone so he could have the chance to train the boy.

Thistlepaw turned away as he was given his next instructions. He didn't really like going after birds, they had large talons and it took much energy to leap into the air, and thus he much preferred going after something that could only stay on the ground. The boy walked forward, sticking his nose into the air and scenting the area around him. Spring had brought new flowers and grasses along with much more prey than the harsh winter had. Although he had only really experienced winter and spring, he knew spring would be his favorite season.

Seeing a deer munching on some fresh green grass, Thistlepaw lowered his body into a stalking position and moved forwards, keeping his pale yellow eyes on this new prey. His eyes moved to the right, catching sight of the baby deer that was standing nearby. The boy knew his father had told him to go for a large deer, though, and so he focused on the female one. Running forwards the deer suddenly turned. Thistlepaw could see that the deer was going to defend her baby with its life. As he was almost upon the deer, something with burst forwards, antler down, running straight for Thistlepaw. He turned and scrambled away from them, then twisting and leaping for the neck of the male deer that shook its head back and forth, trying to rid itself of the annoying apprentice. Before he could sink his teeth too deep, he lost his grip and fell backwards, rolling sideways to avoid the next attack by the antlers. The female deer and baby had, by now, run into the undergrowth.

Thistlepaw knew he wasn't strong enough to kill the male buck by himself, but he took his time to defend against it. Moving backwards into a defensive position, the buck charged at him. Moving to the left to avoid the antlers, he sent a well timed swipe to the shoulder blade of the buck. He then leaped downward to grab the hoofed leg of the buck and tried to hold on for his life.