Battlecats - The Path to the Trees

Chapter 13

 Hawkpaw crouched at the edge of a tree root, holding his tail completely still. He watched as an unsuspecting blue jay landed precariously on the ground a fox length away. He stared at the prey as it hopped across the forest floor, flipping up leaves to find seeds or bugs to eat. Hawkpaw narrowed his eyes at the bird, readying himself for the ensuing attack. Inching that much closer, he wriggled his haunches before springing on top of the bird. It gave a quick screech before Hawkpaw landed squarely atop it, quickly dispatching it with a swift bite to the neck.

He admired his catch for a moment before picking it up and trekking back to where he had come from. These past weeks training had honed his skills in hunting and he was proving himself to be an intelligible hunter at that. When he arrived back at the training clearing, he was greeted with the sight of his mentor speaking with Pebblesplash and Silentpaw quietly listening. He pushed his way past the throng of plants that had gathered around the trees and made his way inside.

"So like I was saying," Timberhollow began but then turned his attention to Hawkpaw. "Another catch! We're going to run out of prey with you out there hunting for us." He joked. Hawkpaw smiled around his prey, the praise warming his pelt significantly. He placed down his well earned catch and dipped his head to the older tom. "Thanks for all the praise Timberhollow." He mewed.

The brown tom waved a paw in the air emphatically. "It was no problem dear pupil." Hawkpaw couldn't help but chuckle at his antics.

"So, what did you catch Silentpaw?" Hawkpaw asked as he got closer, noticing the pile of prey gathered at his paws. Silentpaw smiled warmly, pointing with his tail at all the prey they had managed to catch, a squirrel, a cowbird, even a fat gopher as well.

"He's one silent hunter," Pebblesplash commented, dipping her head to Silentpaw. The young tom beamed at that.

"I think we've caught enough prey for today," Timberhollow meowed, admiring the pile they had managed to scrape up. "Just remember you two, it won't always be like this. With leaf-color around the corner the prey will be ready to go into their dens and hide for the upcoming frost." Hawkpaw and Silentpaw both nodded quickly, understanding the importance of appreciating sun-time and all its gifts.

The cats each picked up at least two pieces of prey and they made their way back to LeafPod's podgrounds. The trek wasn't so far but with all the prey weighing them down it certainly felt like a long journey, especially to Hawkpaw.

As they entered the clearing, cats began to gather around them and congratulate them on a successful day's hunt.

"What a haul!" Fawnspot mewed, admiring their prey. Hawkpaw smiled around his prey.

"It's all thanks to these excellent battlekits," Timberhollow meowed around his prey, glancing at both Hawkpaw and Silentpaw. The two brothers gave each other a smile or reassurance.

"It's all because of your training Timberhollow, Pebblesplash," Hawkpaw mewed, dipping his head respectfully to the mentors. Pebblesplash looked down at her paws, smiling lightly at the praise. Timberhollow puffed out his chest with pride, beaming at the other battlecats.

"Sharp Spirit sure made a good choice in mentors for you two," Sleetfur meowed, dipping his head respectfully to the Timberhollow and Pebblesplash. "That means a great deal coming from you Sleetfur, thanks so much," Timberhollow mewed, also dipping his head to the senior battlecat. The cats then dispersed after their congratulations and the four cats each brought their prey to the kill mound and subsequently sat down to enjoy the rest of their afternoon.

Hawkpaw was busy cleaning his pelt when a familiar voice began calling for him and Silentpaw. He shifted his gaze up to see Slenderpaw making her way toward them, her tail high and her expression excited.