a clever fighter is one who not only wins, but excels in winning with ease

Kipling had searched for something to hunt but unfortunately whenever he’d find a rabbit or bird they’d always get away.  The boy had finally found something he could catch though it wasn’t very impressive.  Did he even want to play with it more?  A howl came from their commander.  He liked Tika and he liked fighting!

Kipling picked up the box turtle between his paws, its head mostly hidden in the hole.  Kip placed the back of the turtle shell into his mouth still undecided about its fate.  For now, the turtle would get a free ride to where the training was being offered.  Maybe he’d just see if the turtle was still around after fight lessons.  If it was then he’d play with it more!
Kip sped along as quickly as he could manage but it took a little while.  When he imagined them starting without him the boy let out his own howl ‘coming!’.  Admittedly, it was probably a slurred message with a turtle in his mouth. He had just been doing expert hunting after all, so maybe he wasn’t at his fastest right now, alright?

Kip spotted Elowen and Tika, and promptly both dropped and forgot the little box turtle.   “I’m here!” his eyes shifted to Elowen, “Hey El,” and whatever he was about to tell her was lost as Kip’s gaze then turned curiously to the dog.  “Who’s this?” From there his gaze went back to Tika, “are we going to fight today?  I can beat El up.”  The comment was thrown in a manner of typical friendly sibling rivalry.  

"Kipling Carpathius"