Smokepaw yawned as she opened her sleepy eyes. Warm sunlight poured into the den.
It's my second day as an apprentice! She thought happily. She gave herself a lick, then went into the clearing. Pinestar padded up to her, his eyes as green as the grass.
"Are you ready?" he asked. Smokepaw nodded. "Follow me," Pinestar instructed, and Smokepaw bounded after him.
It was a beautiful day, with the flowers blooming and the sun shining. "What are we going to do first?" Smokepaw questioned. Yesterday, they had toured the territory, and Smokepaw wanted to learn how to fight.
"We're going to hunt," Pinestar answered. He lead Smokepaw into a clearing, and sat down with his white splotched tail curled around his paws.
"Hunt?" Smokepaw tried to smile, but dissappointment dropped like a stone in her belly. "What?" Pinestar said, shrugging. "The clan needs food."
Smokepaw dropped into a lousy crouch. "Like this?" she asked. Pinestar shook his head. "Tuck her paws tighter underneath you and keep your tail higher above the ground."
Smokepaw did, and Pinestar nodded. "Now...leap!" Smoke jumped. She felt like she was flying! She closed her eyes. In doing so, she didn't see the ground coming up beneath her and fell on her side, wind knocked out of her. "Keep your eyes open," Pinestar corrected.
Smokepaw tried again, and again, and again. She practiced until Pinestar said, "I think you're ready to actually hunt now." Smokepaw smiled. Finally!
"Although it is really early in your training, I'll let you go on your own to hunt. But I'll be watching!" Pinestar winked, then disappeared into the shade of the forest. Smokepaw chose a different direction, and ran off.
Now, where would I go if I were prey? Smokepaw thought to herself. The Old Oak! She swiftly ran to the oak, and opened her mouth. The scent of prey filled it. She lowered herself into a crouch, and slowly, step by step, followed the scent.
Smokepaw saw the mouse soon enough, and had to pushed down her excitement. Nearly there! It felt like forever, but in no time was two tail-lengths away. She wriggled her hindquarters and leaped.
Smokepaw landed a little left to her target, but quickly killed it. Yes! She had never felt so proud of herself! Suddenly, Pinestar walked out of the bushes and licked her ear.
"Good catch!" Pinestar commented. "Now let's show everyone at camp how good at hunting you are!" Pinestar walked off, and Smokepaw, grinning, followed.