A Different Path

A Glimspe Into the Past

Maplepaw yowled in annoyance as the rabbit narrowly escaped her pounce. A rustle of leaves sounded behind her and the embarrassed apprentice crouched as she looked at her paws. Her pelt was hot with embarrassment but she heard a warm mew.

"It's okay Maplepaw you'll do better next time." It was Birchpaw's friendly mew. The older apprentice sat down next to her.

Maplepaw could smell the fresh scent of blood on his breath, "You seem to be having a successful hunt."

"I've been training for moons." Birchpaw meowed as he rubbed his ear with his paw. "You've just started your training plus I was always told I had a gift in leaping and hunting. I'm sure your a natural at other skills."

"Like what?" Maplepaw tilted her head.

"Well you are ambitious and that'll take you far in life. Maybe you'll become the next leader after my father?"

Maplepaw just chuckled. She couldn't help but let out a purr. Birchpaw then spoke again, "How about you stay with me and we can hunt together?"

"That sounds wonderful."

The two stalked a large plump robin and a rabbit that was nearby. Birchpaw's tail flicked to signal for Maplepaw to go around the other way. Quickly Birchpaw launched himself at the robin once he knew Maplepaw was positioned. He landed straight onto the robin and the rabbit ran away and straight into Maplepaw's claws.

"You don't need to rush when hunting. You seem to pounce just a little too soon. Take your time being stealthy so you aren't noticed and pounce when you are near." Birchpaw pointed out.

"Yeah you got pretty close." Maplepaw nodded.

"I sometimes pounce farther away. Just understand how far you can pounce so you know your limit. If you can pounce from father away than do so but if not then take your time." Birchpaw's tail flicked patiently.

"How about I try and you watch?" Maplepaw suggested.

"Sure!" Birchpaw beamed, "Then you can tell Bloomheart how you've improved."

"And how good you are at teaching. You'll make a wonderful mentor!"

Birchpaw shuffled his paws embarrassedly as he suddenly became shy by the praise, "Thank you." His mew was quiet and barely more than a whisper.

Maplepaw smiled at him before taking in the scents of the forest. She could taste the scent of vole in the air. It's little footsteps were faint as the little animal scampered a few fox lengths away.

As she got into a hunter's crouch she readied her haunches and wiggled her hindquarters before silently making her way downwind from the vole. Her rump wasn't sticking up like it use to after Bloomheart's last hunting lesson. As she made her way to the vole she was careful not to step on any leaves or sticks.

Light on her toes she got close to the vole and leapt just like how Birchpaw leapt sending her a little farther than she wanted. She twisted her body as she flew over the vole and roughly landed on her stomach.

Ignoring the pain she quickly spun toward the vole but it had already ran off. She looked up to see Birchpaw trying desperately to hold back his mews of laughter.

"I didn't even push off that hard." Maplepaw muttered.

"I know but you got such a good form you cut through the air. How about you try again?" Birchpaw's mew was encouraging, "I guess now you can pounce farther.

Maplepaw grunted in annoyance as she ignored the pain and soreness from the landing, "Okay."

After a few paw steps Maplepaw picked up the scent of a squirrel. Just like before she got into a crouch and carefully made her way toward the squirrel. She got close and did a short pounced. Landing right on top of the big fat squirrel she quickly bit its neck before turning to Birchpaw.

"I did it!" She excitedly squealed.

"Great job Maplepaw. Now we need to work on understanding your pounces and get control on then and you'll be a great hunter." Birchpaw praised.

"I guess I should tell Bloomheart that." Maplepaw breathed a sigh of relief, "Thank you, Birchpaw. It really means a lot that you took the time to help me."

"Anytime Maplepaw!" Birchpaw gave her a warm smile making her heart flutter.

The two got their prey. Maplepaw had to make two trips for her rabbit and squirrel while Birchpaw had to take more with how much prey he had caught.

"Well done Maplepaw!" Bloomheart praised, "You did so much better this time."

"Birchpaw helped me a lot. He says I need to get a better understanding of pouncing."

"We void definitely work on that next." Bloomheart purred encouragingly to his apprentice.

Mapleshade laid in her nest as her kits snuggled with her. They were now very large and soon would become apprentices. She new she would miss being with them in the nursery but she was excited to see them grow into fine warriors like their father.