Time

 t i m e

i. days
Amberpaw’s eyes narrowed as he crouched, extending his forelegs, stiffening his tail. He crept forward, eyes on Mistlepaw. The grey she-cat had a familiar spark in her gaze as she circled Amberpaw, her tail whipping back and forth. Amateur, Amberpaw thought to himself. Even though she’s young, she should know that she should keep her tail straight lest she alert whomever she’s ambushing. Mistlepaw leapt for Amberpaw with an excited squeal. The tom quickly dodged her attack, everything shifting into focus. Her pelt suddenly sharpened, and Amberpaw could detect every slight movement she made. She seemed startled, her paws less than grounded. Amberpaw cupped her shoulder with his paw and flipped the apprentice over. Mistlepaw let out a grunt as her soft, white underbelly was exposed. With a smug grin of satisfaction, Amberpaw pressed a paw to her chest, the rest grounded around her lean body. Mistlepaw struggled under his weight, and then he felt her body go limp. Amberpaw didn’t relax his grip; he knew this move and that she would try to overtake him if he let up. Mistlepaw’s eyes opened, a mixture of anger and frustration mingling in the dark green depths. “That was good, Amberpaw.” The tom nimbly leapt off of Mistlepaw’s body at his mentor’s voice. The grey she-cat scrambled to her feet, shaking off the dust that had accumulated on her pelt. “You too, Mistlepaw.” She brightened at Thornpelt’s praise. The golden warrior was watching them, standing with Leafdappple, Mistlepaw’s mentor, as well as Maplepaw and Chervilpaw. “Mistlepaw, try and step lighter and steadier, and keep your tail straighter.” Mistlepaw deflated as Leafdapple critiqued her. Amberpaw smiled. “And Amberpaw, be quicker to attack, A more experienced apprentice could’ve gotten away before you flipped them on their belly.” Amberpaw’s ears flattened. “The move was perfect!” he protested. “There’s no way to improve it- too slow, my tail,” he added. Thornpelt’s eyes narrowed. “Don’t talk back, Amberpaw, or you’ll be on nursery duties for a moon,” his mentor said harshly. Amberpaw shut his mouth and rolled his eyes, tail flicking angrily. The move really was perfect. The brief pause he took was to size up his opponent and find the ideal location to flip them over- for Mistlepaw, it was her broad shoulders. For someone like Chervilpaw, it was his haunches. “Whatever,” Amberpaw mumbled under his breath. Thornpelt’s eyelids raised, and the ginger apprentice held his tongue. He padded over to sit beside his mentor. “Mistlepaw, I want you and Chervilpaw to try the same move,” Leafdapple said. Mistlepaw gave an excited bounce as Chervilpaw and her faced each other, their pelts contrasting. Amberpaw felt Maplepaw nudge his shoulder. “I thought you were good,” she mewed, green eyes shy. “I haven’t been able to get that move right yet, but you made it look so easy.” Amberpaw hadn’t really paid much attention to Maplepaw before. She was a bit younger than him, but she was an only kit like he was- so, they were apprenticed together. She had a pretty tortoiseshell pelt and bright green-amberish eyes. “Thanks,” he responded coolly, fighting off the heat that was growing in his eartips. Maplepaw’s gaze lingered on him for a little longer. Stop looking at me! Then she shifted and went back to watching Chervilpaw and Mistlepaw battle. Amberpaw’s gaze flickered over to Maplepaw as he attempted to watch the younger apprentices spar. ''Chervilpaw is too clumsy; he’s putting all his weight on his left side. Mistlepaw’s form is better this time, but she needs to crouch more''. Amberpaw wrinkled his nose. ''She’s flouncy, too. Her leaps don’t have any weight to them''. He suppressed a groan. Days are too long.