Chapter Six- the earning of the nine lives

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A faint scent of a shrew wafted to Onestreams nose. The white she-cat glanced at Whitepaw, she was sniffing the air. The apprentice dropped low, and so did her mentor. A moment later, the small prey scurried across from where the two crouch. Whitepaw jumps, and tumbles onto the mouse-like created. Her mouth flashes to its neck, and soon it lay still and cold in the leafless woods.

"Nice catch," Onestream says, and Whitepaw nods. "Do you want to try a woodpecker?" The mentor dares, and the apprentice agrees. They both look up the red and grey bird gnawing away at a low ash tree branch in front of them. A tabby crouches again, and very slowly pads towards the ancient tree. The pecking of the bird stops, and Whitepaw freezes. Then it starts up again and the stalking continues.

The youngling sits now, ready to pounce. The she-cat makes the leap and lands on the woodpecker. Onestream runs for her, and two smile at each other, "Wow, that was pretty good for a kit like you!" Onestream admirers again.

---

They slowly and carefully climb down, into the icy camp with a pice of fresh-kill dangling from their jaws. Some cats, such as Bumblestripe, were still weeping over the loss of the leader and deputy. His striped fur looked ungroomed in the darkened light. Onestream sniffed the cool air, a storm was approaching. "Feed that to the elders, Whitepaw," She orders her apprentice, and the tabby cat dashes over to the fallen log.

"Onestream?" The voice scares her, and she jumps. Only to turn and see Foxleap, dipping her head the young warrior says, "Yes, Foxleap?" His broad shoulders are out and his green eyes shone. "I would like you to come with me to Moonpool," The leader asked, Onestreams heart lifted at the honor, and replied, "I'd love to."

"Thank you," the leader gave her a grateful glance and continued, "we must leave at sunset, make sure you get traveling herbs from Jayfeather." She nodded, and padded to the fresh kill pile. She chose a small vole and dat next to Ivypool, who was looking into the forest, into nothing. "Mind if I sit here?" The tabby just nodded, and looked at her paws.

Onestream new why she was like this, Dovewing. Onestream had put that thought out of her mind, but it had hit her again that her mother was never coming back. Gulping up the furry creature, the she-fat stood and stretched. The sun was a quarter past sunhigh, and a familiar voice sounded from nearby. "All cats of ThunderClan that can catch their own prey, please gather below Highrock!"

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