This is a challenge from the forum CharlieClan.
Leopard- Golden she-cat with spotted tail, thick brown stripe on head, and emerald eyes
Fleetfoot- Brown-and-gray tom with amber eyes
Grey- Speckled gray tom
Sunflower- Golden she-cat with brown paws
Magpie- Black-and-white tom
Jackey- Light cream tabby kittypet with a fluffy tail
Charliestar- Fluffy brown she-cat with green eyes and white paws
A paw prodded Leopard. "Wake up, Leopard!"
"Leave me 'lone," the golden she-cat muttered. She swatted the paw away, opening her emerald eyes blearily. A nest of yellow straw encircled her; dim rays of sunlight filtered through the roof, giving it a warm glow.
"Shall we go out and hunt?" the older brown-and-gray tom in front of her purred.
"Sure," Leopard replied, stretching her legs. The tom blinked fondly at her, then slipped out. Leopard followed him, coming out of her home, an abandoned Twoleg barn.
"So, what hunting technique am I learning today, Fleetfoot?" Leopard inquired as she padded alongside the young tom.
"You've learned how to catch a mouse and a vole," Fleetfoot listed. "Today, you are going to learn how to catch a squirrel!"
Leopard made a face. "Squirrels are too hairy! Especially their tails!" Fleetfoot laughed softly. Together, they caught a squirrel, though Leopard missed two other squirrels before. They went back to the barn, Leopard proudly carrying her prey. The squirrel dragged at her paws, since it was almost as big as her.
Two adult cats were waiting back at the barn. A speckled gray tom with green eyes eyed the squirrel. "Well, aren't you going to give it to me?" Leopard pushed the squirrel to the tom, who started gulping the prey down. The other, a golden she-cat, licked the tom's ear.
"Um, should I get you a mouse, Grey?" Leopard stared at the squirrel as the tom ate it.
"Get me one," Grey ordered. "And call me Father. It's rude to call your father that." The she-cat ignored Leopard.
"Yes, Father," Leopard padded away, hanging her head.
"Your parents don't really care what happens to you, do they?" Fleetfoot asked her. Leopard shook her head.
"They didn't really want me," Leopard sighed. "Even though my mother Sunflower doesn't treat me like her own daughter, she is pretty nice, compared to that bossy old furball."
Fleetfoot's eyes gleamed. "Grey would claw your ears off if he heard that!" Leopard chuckled, but then she stopped.
"You know those stories of CharlieClan?" Leopard said quietly. "The ones that my mother Sunflower used to tell me about?"
"So?" Fleetfoot tipped his head to one side, puzzled. "What's this got to do with you?"
"Sunflower told me that CharlieClan is recruiting new cats," Leopard murmured. "Their ways of life are very...interesting."
"Wait…" Fleetfoot's amber eyes widened. "You aren't thinking of joining them, are you?"
"Of course I am," Leopard mewed. "No one here really cares for me. Except when you came to live with us, Fleetfoot."
"Leopard, you are too young," Fleetfoot flattened his ears. "You are still a kit, just only five-in-a-half moons old! I only taught you hunting early so that you could learn to survive on your own."
"And that time is now," Leopard retorted. "I wish to join CharlieClan. There is nothing for me here except ignorance."
"I'm come with you," Fleetfoot brushed his tail against her pelt. "I'll protect you. You are still a kit, you know."
"Well, I've heard that in CharlieClan, you are to be apprenticed at six moons old," Leopard puffed out her chest. "I'll be just in time for that! And then I'll be called Leopardpaw." She marched off towards the barn.
Grey raised his head."Well? Have you brought the mouse yet?"
"Now, Grey, no need to be too pushy," Sunflower meowed.
Leopard hesitated, then took a deep breath. "I am going to join CharlieClan." There was silence for a moment, when both parents looked astonished.
"What?!" Grey roared. "Sunflower, I told you not to fill this kit's brain with fluff! This is a load of fox dung!" In reply, Sunflower hissed back at her mate.
Fleetfoot pressed up against Leopard, glaring defiantly at her father. "If Leopard wants to leave, then so be it! She's just a kit, yes, but I'll protect her!" Grey's fur fluffed out, his green eyes filled with fire.
Then he relaxed, forcing his fur to lie still. "Fine. You can take the kit. I never wanted her anyways." He stalked to the back of the barn, and vanished in the shadows to sulk. Sunflower cast an apologetic look to Leopard.
"If you are leaving, bye," Sunflower called as she followed Grey to calm him. "Have safe travels. If you do ever stop by here, say hello." Leopard felt a twinge of anger. Grey didn't care about her, and Sunflower treated her as if she was a traveling stranger! She sighed. At least her mother had acknowledged her and said goodbye.
"Let's go," Fleetfoot curled his tail around her to comfort her and to guide her away. Leopard warmed to her friend. Not just a friend, Leopard thought. He's like a father to me, since I'm a kit. They padded away from the barn, the forest brushing by them.