It was silent. The only a sound was the small pitter patter of tiny, scuffling feet across the dew covered ground and the bigger, hushed paw steps of its pursuer. Her tail, strait and unmoving she padded towards the plump vole that would be her very first prey. She lowered her body to the ground, only the tips of her smooth, orange and grey belly fur wisped the ground. She could feel the cold dew creeping up to her belly and forced herself not to shiver, in fear of frightening the small creature. About to pounce, she tucked her back legs further underneath of her when suddenly she was knocked off balance and thrown to the ground. She leapt up and spun around to glimpse her attacker. She hissed in annoyance when she saw who it was.
"Blazepaw!" she hissed, "You just scared away my first prey! I almost had it! Why do you have to be such a flea brain?" she spat.
"Oh lighten up Mosspaw!" Blazepaw said. He was rolling on the ground with laughter. "You should have seen your face! You were scared as a mouse!" Mosspaw leapt on her friend forgiving him instantly for ruining everything. They tussled on the ground for a few minutes before breaking apart. Mosspaw gave her ruffled chest fur a few licks.
"Let's head back to camp! Race you!" Blazepaw mewed happily. He took off without seeing if she was following. Mosspaw ran halfheartedly, trying to think of an excuse to tell her mentor why she came back to camp empty pawed. It wouldn't be so bad if her mentor wasn't the leader of her clan, Troutstar. Troutstar is very strict and all of Riverclan respects him. Mosspaw shook her head clearing it, and caught up with Blazepaw.
They were nearing the camp now and slowing their paces, their legs matched step for step. They came to the edge of the water that surrounded their camp and paused. He gave her a sidelong glance and moved closer to her. "Mosspaw?" he mewed sheepishly.
"Yes?" she was still winded from the run. "What is it?" she asked more sincerely realizing he was serious.
"Can I talk to you about something? It's just…. I care about you." He mewed
Mosspaw shook her head. "Blazepaw we were just only apprenticed. We should be focusing on our training. Not finding a mate. Maybe when we are warriors something can happen. But not now." She gave him a sympathetic lick between the ears.
"Ok Mosspaw. I get it. " he glanced away.
Mosspaw looked at him and stood up and started padding towards the water. She wanted to lighten up the mood with him so when they reached the edge she tackled him pushing him into the water letting out a mrrow of laughter. They tumbled around in the shallows. Blazepaw grappled her belly with his paws sheathed, so not to hurt her. She flipped him over and held him under the water until he knocked her over and they both sat out of breath laughing.
"Lets go!" She purred and swam the rest of the way across to their camp.
Blazepaw followed, "wait up!" He was the better swimmer so he passed her quickly. When they pulled themselves onto shore they shook out there dripping pelts and walked into camp. She definitely could see a future with him someday.
As soon as the Mosspaw set foot in the camp she saw Troutstar waiting for her. She hung her head and slunk slowly up to him. He gave looked down at her and she winced, waiting for him to be disappointed with her. When she looked up she was suprised to see he didn't look disappointed at all. And was that a glint of humor in his eyes? What's so funny? She thought, getting more on the defensive side.
"What?" Troutstar meowed, "Nothing to bring back?"
"I'm sorry Troutstar… It got scared away at the last second. I was a whisker away from catching it!" she growled in frusturation.
"Don't be troubled Mosspaw. It was just your first outing. You aren't expected to be perfect right away." He gave her an affectionate look. "Just don't do it again." He said jokingly as he padded away.
Mosspaw stuck out her tongue to his back and went to get something to eat off the fresh kill pile. She was starving! She chose a plump squirrel and carried it over to Blazepaw.
"wanna share?" she asked around the mouthful.
"Sure! I'm starving!" Blazepaw exclaimed as he licked his lips.
Mosspaw put the squirrel down and they started to eat. Squirrel was never one of her favorites… but she ate happily anyway next to her best friend. When she ate her fill she sat back and started to wash, running her tongue over her fur.
Her and Blazepaw both got up and headed to the apprentice den. They curled up to eachother and drifted into a deep sleep.