Silently the brown and white tabby she-cat crept forward through the snow towards the tiny, brown mouse. Just as she came within jumping distance, something startled the mouse and it lifted it's head and ran off towards it's burrow. The tabby jumped up and raced to catch up with the mouse. Just as the mouse reached the entrance to it's hole, she slammed her paw down on it's tail. Quickly she nipped the back of it's neck and it fell limp in her jaws. Proudly she picked it up and looked around. A grey tom stepped out of the bushes and flicked her with his tail. "Nice catch Mintpaw." he complemented her. "Next time, you should try to walk on the snow. Not through it." Mintpaw purred and nodded. "Yes, Skyhawk." she promised. Skyhawk smiled. "Let's head back to camp." he said. "We can pick up your squirrel on the way." Mintpaw gripped her mouse tighter and bounded forward. "Come on!" squeaked. Skyhawk picked up his pace so he could keep up with his energetic apprentice. Mintpaw bounced over to where she buried her squirrel, and began digging ferociously. As soon as the squirrel emerged, she snatched it up with her claws and tossed it over to Skyhawk. "Can you carry that?" she asked him, already knowing he would. Once he picked up her squirrel, Mintpaw turned in a circle and raced to camp.
As soon as Mintpaw exploded into the clearing, she knew something was wrong. Cats were running everywhere and Rainstorm, Tide clan's medicine cat, was crouched beside several bundles of fur just outside of the nursery. Skyhawk trotted into the clearing behind her and looked around in bewilderment. Noticing the mentor and his apprentice for the first time, Rainstorm stood up and slowly padded up to Skyhawk. "Skyhawk," The black and brown medicine cat whispered sadly, "While you were gone, Robinshadow kitted. She had some difficulties. I'm so sorry, She's gone...and... I was only able to save one of your kits." Skyhawk dropped Mintpaw's squirrel and raced over to the bundles of fur. He pushed nose into each one and let out a mournful cry each time. With fat tears dripping down his face, he tuned to Rainstorm and whispered, "I want to see my kit."