Blank Slate

CHAPTER TWO

"Again, Slatepaw."

Slatepaw huffed, scrambling to his feet. Peonystrike was seated across the small clearing with her tail wrapped neatly around her paws. Her gray-and-white pelt was completely unruffled, giving Slatepaw the disappointing notion that his mentor wasn't spending any energy to stop his attacks.

"But I did everything you said to do!" His whiny mew seared through the rustling pine trees above, and he instantly felt even more embarrassed.

Peonystrike frowned and shook her head. "Your timing is all off. It's clear that you know what you're doing, but you're too hasty. You need to slow down and be more patient."

Slatepaw could feel his ears heat up, and he cast a sidelong glance across the small clearing to see if anyone was watching the exchange. To his relief, Cinderpaw was engulfed in conversation with his calico mentor, Tigerthroat. Slatepaw turned his eyes downward and studied the soft copper pine needles beneath his paws.

Before Burnetflame's accident, Slatepaw always used to be excited to train. His former mentor had a way to make every bit of information important and engaging. The two cats would often stay out from dawn until dusk, but it only felt like a few heartbeats. Slatepaw missed how she would push him to extremes, placing her faith in him to complete even the most daunting tasks. It was as if she knew that in real battles – specifically the rebellion – safety wouldn't be a priority.

On the other paw, Peonystrike was careful. She never let Slatepaw try challenging things and always obsessed over his health. With her, a training session would be over if Slatepaw so much as stepped on a thorn. It was a nice thought, theoretically, but the wiry gray tom thought she was almost too hesitant. She wasn't part of the rebellion, and that made him suspicious. Perhaps she was limiting his training so he'll never grow to be strong enough to fight for democracy.

"Hey, did you hear me?" Peonystrike's voice startled him out of his daze. "I want you to perfect this move by the end of the day."

Slatepaw stole a glance at the sky; the sun wasn't even close to reaching its peak. It was going to be a long day.

"Yeah, I heard you. Slower timing."

She nodded. "Yes, now try again."

The apprentice heaved a sigh. He was trying to learn how to effectively convince an opponent of his surrender before springing up and startling them. It was a fairly simple move, but Slatepaw hated waiting. Remaining pinned under an enemy's claws made him far too uncomfortable and it took every scrap of his focus to keep still and be patient.

He took a few steps towards his mentor before halting and swallowing his dread. Peonystrike swished her tail once before exploding from her position and flying toward the expectant gray tom. Her outstretched paws were sheathed, but Slatepaw could still feel the air leave his lungs as she landed.

Peonystrike was heavier than him, and she used it to her advantage. She pressed all her weight onto his back, forcing his muzzle into the dirt and his footing to go haywire. He couldn't breathe, couldn't balance, couldn't move, and it made him uneasy. He felt vulnerable, and he hated it. Nevertheless, he convinced his eyes to stay open, and he counted along with the pounding of his heart.

One, two, three, he relaxed his muscles. Four, five, six, he waited for her grip to loosen. Seven, eight, nine, he prepared to strike. Ten, eleven, twelve, he dug his claws into the ground and pushed up with all his might.

As his body soared through the air, he used his tail to effectively twist and aim his paws toward the gray-and-white cat's chest. He hit her squarely, and she teetered for a moment before collapsing on her side and sending pine needles flying. Slatepaw remained in position until the dust settled, then removed his weight and took a step back.

Peonystrike shook her head to clear it and climbed to her feet. "Much better."

A bit of shuffling to the side caught Slatepaw's attention, and he turned to see Cinderpaw and Tigerthroat nodding their approval.

"Hey, Peonystrike," the muscular she-cat mewed. "I have an idea for an exercise that we can all train together."

Slatepaw's mentor flicked her ear, and she and Tigerthroat padded a short distance away from their apprentices to discuss. Slatepaw looked at Cinderpaw, who had appeared at his side.

"Nice job," the brown tom mewed with a glow in his green eyes, "you improved."

Slatepaw smiled. "Thanks, but don't give me all the credit. Peonystrike is slow to react if I wait long enough to jump up."

"Why do you think she's slow?"

Slatepaw nudged his companion and let out a small purr. "Can't say for sure, but I do know that she could lay off on the fresh-kill a bit. Don't you think?"

The apprentice expected agreement, but instead, Cinderpaw shifted away slightly and narrowed his eyes. Disapproval swam in his emerald irises, and Slatepaw couldn't place where it had come from.

"Hey, don't say that. Peonystrike is plenty healthy and never takes more than her share."

Slatepaw was swamped with confusion. Surely Cinderpaw felt the same amount of distrust as he did towards Peonystrike. After all, the she-cat wasn't in the rebellion, which could mean that she supports Brightstar and the idea of one leader.

"Sorry, just trying to make a joke," Slatepaw felt humiliation heat up his ears.

Cinderpaw stared at him for a few heartbeats before shaking his head and erasing the discontent expression from his face. "No matter. After our mentors are through with us, would you like to train at the rock?"

There it was, those words. That phrase. Spoken so nonchalantly, but hiding a meaning much deeper than their appearance. A spark of hope pinched Slatepaw's chest, and he was eager to fan the fire. Cinderpaw remembered! He wouldn't let this opportunity go to waste.

"The forest seems smarter."

Slatepaw pushed his paws into the ground, anticipating Cinderpaw's response with bated breath.

"But... I thought you said... weren't the rocks your idea?" The brown apprentice blinked with bewilderment. "Uh, that's fine. I'll meet you outside of camp later."

As Peonystrike and Tigerthroat turned and beckoned their apprentices, the gray tom took a few numb steps toward them with his mind completely elsewhere. What was going on with Cinderpaw? It didn't make any sense why he'd miss the hidden message in their conversation. Something was going on with him, but Slatepaw knew he had a chance to figure it out later when they met in the forest. Until then, he'd act natural and draw no attention to himself during the training session. Staying undercover was essential.

Heyyo, 'tis Feather here. I know we're still just getting things started, but who's your favorite character so far? Do you think Slateyboi should trust Peonystrike? Let me know your thoughts! ~ Feather