BreezeClaw's Massacre

Chapter 4

STILL BEING RE-WRITTEN (19/12/24)
Breezepaw and her littermates sat within the clearin awaiting their mentors. The sun slowly seeped through the horizon, coming into view.

Sunray and Paleblue approached the clearing, thier tails intwined as they neared the three apprentices. "Come on, Sunpaw. I'll give you a tour around the territory. I'm sure we'll have plenty of time." With that Sunpaw cheerfully arose to her paws, making her way towards the fresh kill pile, Breezepaw and Firepaw following not too far behind her.

"What do you reckon you're gonna catch if you go hunting?" She enquired to her brother.

"If? You mean when, and I'm gonna catch a sparrow, a Crow even. An Owl is the limit for me!" He proudly proclaimed.

"Yeah right, besides. We both know an evne catching an Owl wouldn't convince our dad to blink twice in our direction." She sighed, grabbing a frog.

"Why would I care about what he has to say? He doesn't care about us, let give him the same attitude. I hate that raggedy foxheart." Firepaw hissed.

"Sure you do, well I want to prove myself to both our parents so I'm going to catch something and then present it to him, today." She said proudly 1s she dug into the frog.

Firepaw humphed, "You'll tell me how that goes- Mister Deputy is here for you."

She turned to to see Owlsong sat beside the feather rock waiting for her. "Let's see how he cat who only became deputy because of his father has to teach me."

***
"And that's the Owl tree, owlclan's bets achievement. It's said to be the only Owl in the whole forest. If you find it awake, that's your sign to return to camp." Owlsong mewed to his apprentice who eyed the bird with a narrowed gaze.

"So we can't eat it?"

He widened his eyes, not expecting such a question.

"No, we may not eat it. Owls are said to have multiple feathers with barely any meat beneath. It would be a waste of time to hunt such a gorgeous bird. Speaking of which, why don't we proceed on to hunting strategies." He mewed, walking along the riverbank.

"Strategies? What are there to know? You hide, pounce and you've caught your prey! Nothing more to it." She rolled her eyes.

Owlsong couldn't help but chuckle at how blunt she was. "And I suppose you know more than me huh? It's not like I was made a warrior early and then also deputy." He said wihh sarcasm ringing in his tone.

Breezepaw spun, surprised to hear the statement. "You were made a warrior and deputy early?" She paused to think.

What could he have possibly done to reserve such a title. Oh yeah, have his father be the leader.

"Well this lesson isn't about me now is it? What I'm saying is that you should trust my judgment. Now why don't we head towards the plains for our first lesson."

They head towards rhe plains where Breezepaw managed to catch a rabbit.

***
Breezepaw tread through the short tunnel lined with moss vines infront of it. She peered around the clearing, taking note of all the cats gathered within until she spotted one in particular. A black, white and brown mottled tom with brown eyes, he had his tail curled along his paws and his supposed mate laid beside him, resting her head against his flank. Breezepaw clenched the rabbit in her jaw and made her way towards them. She dropped the rabbit at her father's paw, a proud smile spread across her face. Blackmask eyed it used his paw to prod at it, noticing the massive chunk ripped out.

"The elders haven't eaten today. Meaning you ate this yourself, didn't you?" He averted his questioning gaze towards her which made the shecat stiffen. She cleared her throat, "Well erm- yes I uh- wasn't aware that the elders eat first, father." She muttered. "Regardless of whether I ate it or not I caught if swiftly and Owlsong would assure you I did." She mewed but Blackmask wasn't amused. "This rabbit couldn't satisfy a kit, let alone an elder. The ribs are protruding I doubt it put up a chase, you were just lucky it was weak and starving. When I was your age I caught prey way plumper than this. I'm not impressed, disappointed in fact." He gritted his teeth. Breezepaw wanted to snarl but didn't utter a word and simply stared at her paws, not daring to meet his gaze.