The sun flashed and weaved its way down from its sky perch. The clouds turned scarlet and rose and peach. The grass was tinted gold, the earth's minerals shining in the dirt.
Dust flew into the air. A rabbit, terrified, sped forward, breath coming in short, fearful gasps. It was too far away from the burrow to escape, and it cried out for help that would not come as claws sank into its ticked hide. The calls were silenced as the cat clamped his jaws around the hare's neck. His black tail flicked to and fro as he picked up his heavy kill and began to carry it into the shelter of the trees.
He stopped, dark ears swiveling. Yellow eyes scanned the area, searching for what he had heard. His sensitive auditory system finally pinned down the noise.
It was the mewl of a frightened kitten. The black cat dropped the dead rabbit and walked carefully through the green, crouched and quiet. He made out a dust-covered, trembling bundle of dirty fur that was peering around with terror in her orange eyes. A kit, four moons at most judging by her size, spotted the dark figure and froze.
"Please don't hurt me," She whispered in a ragged voice, backing away. The tom tilted his head in confusion.
"I wouldn't harm you, little one. Come, let my Clan help you." His voice was rich, warm and comforting. The she-kit flattened her ears but after a moment nodded almost imperceptibly. The black cat stepped forward and touched her shoulder with his tail, guiding her with him.