Snowflake's Story

Chapter Ten

Snowflake focused on her prey. A mouse was eating a fallen nut in front of her. She kept her tail under her belly and crouched low, stepping lightly on the ground as she crept forward. She paused to check the air; the mouse wouldn't scent her. Today she promised herself that she would start bringing Blizzard prey; the key beginning to her future. Grateful for Cookiedough's training (even though she might have talked too much), she waggled her haunches, then pressed on the ground with her hind paws and leaped. She extended her forepaws and stretched her claws, landing perfectly on the mouse's spine and killing it instantly.

"Good job," Cocoa meowed. Him and Puddle had gone on a hunting party. "Can I ask you something when we get back home, kitten? I need advice."

Snowflake blinked at him, unsure what advice she could possibly give. "Okay," she replied.

"Thanks, you're a real friend; even for a kitten," he teased.

Snowflake smiled and stood up. "Where's Puddle?"

"Right here," Puddle responded, muffled by the fur of a dead squirrel he was carrying. "You think Cookiedough will like this?" He meowed.

Cocoa licked his lips and stared at the squirrel. "I would."

Snowflake rolled her eyes. "Of course; any cat would."

Puddle dropped the squirrel and narrowed his green eyes. "I'm not asking if any cat will like this, i'm asking if Cookiedough will like this."

Snowflake raised an eyebrow. "Why Cookiedough, precisely?"

Puddle turned away and flicked his brown tabby tail, the white tip standing out against the bushes. "No reason."

Snowflake and Cocoa looked at each other before looking back at Puddle.

"A-Anyway, why not peek around the stream? There might be frogs," Puddle suggested.

"I'll catch one!" Cocoa cheered before racing to the stream.

Snowflake bounded after him with the mouse in her jaws; Puddle brang up the rear with his squirrel.

Cocoa raised his tail suddenly, causing Snowflake and Puddle to halt. He lowered his tail under his belly and prowled like Snowflake had, then pounced and turned around with a frog in his jaws.

Puddle jerked his head in the direction home to signal return.

Once they got to the brick building, Snowflake trotted over to Blizzard with her tail raised high.

"Oh, is that for me?" Blizzard purred.

Snowflake nodded and dropped the mouse at her paws.

Blizzard licked her chops. "Why thank you, sweetie!" She meowed.

Snowflake felt a light in her heart; it was good to make another cat feel happy. Then her mind clicked; Cocoa had wanted her to give him advice for something. She scanned the room for Cocoa; he had been waiting patiently for her.

Snowflake padded over and sat down in front of him. "What's up?" She asked.

"Keep it down a little, kitten," Cocoa whispered. He glanced at something, but he looked back at Snowflake before she could follow his gaze. "Is there a certain thing that all queens like?" He asked, his voice hushed.

Snowflake raised an eyebrow. "I know that me and Bird share a liking for flowers. Her favorite are pink, if that's what y--"

"Got it, thanks," Cocoa rasped, cutting her off. He stood up and began to pad off.

"Wait!" Snowflake called. "To return my favor, can you tell me something?"

"What?" He hissed over his shoulder.