Moonpaw - by Feathermoon
I crouched low to the ground, the fur of my belly scraping the blanket of leaves that covered the forest floor. My eyes narrowed in concentration. I crept forward, focusing on the leafy bush in front of me. I checked that my hind quarters were in the correct position and my tail was straight before I leapt. I whizzed through the air, the wind brushed past my pelt as I arched downward. My outstretched paws landed on the small mouse, it's body felt bony and fragile. I bit down carefully on its neck, delivering the killing blow. I stood up, grasping the small grey mouse in my mouth, revealing the catch to Foxfur. She smiled " Well done." She praised. Warmth spread through my pelt, sometimes it proved impossible to please Foxfur. I lowered the the mouse slowly, it left behind pieces of fur in my mouth, sending me spitting. "However, you must stay lower to the ground, this makes it easier to spring. You must also get closer to your prey, it means you don't need such a huge leap. " she added, walking back through the forest. I giggled to myself and leaped up after her, making sure to bring my catch along.
We padded through the forest. Foxfur had mentioned that we would be training with another apprentice. I was excited to learn some fighting skills I could use on the cats back at camp. I looked up at the fiery trees, leaf fall brought brilliant colours to the leaves. The floor was also littered with the unique shades. The leaves crunched under my paws, and birds sung in the trees. I wandered what Stonekit would be doing up in starclan. Searing pain filled my chest as I thought back to my brother who's life had been claimed by a riverclan invasion. The past few moons had been tough, trying to deal with the loss of my best friend. Training had managed to take my mind off the cracks that had formed in my heart. I blinked back tears and scampered up to Foxfur.
We padded towards the murmur of chatter that filled the forest. Foxfur said that we would be meeting another apprentice. Nerves churned in my belly. The last thing I wanted to do was get beaten. We walked through the patch of trees. Two cats tousled on the sandy clearing floor. They had kicked up a whirlwind of dust, it hung in the air like a cloud. The battle continued until they realised they were being watched. "Okay! Fine you win." The cats mentor called out from under the blanket of dust, the brown, tabby apprentice yowled in triumph. " looks like your getting beaten oaktail! " Foxfur smirked.
