"So, is this an assessment or what?"
"No, I just want to see how you are doing out here so far. You are the youngest in the Clan so far. Did Honeywhisker teach you anything about tracking," Spottedstar asked.
Bluepaw looked thoughtful, "Yeah, she did. I remember some of what she said."
"Good, let's see how much you've learned so far. First, we have to find a trail. See if you can scent anything," Spottedstar instructed.
Bluepaw did as she was told. She soon flicked the tip of her tail before padding forward. She led them to a small rabbit trail.
"Can you tell if it's freshly used or not?"
Bluepaw tasted the air once more and twitched an ear before pondering it. "Yeah, I think so. Also a squirrel ran down here," she mewed.
Spottedstar tasted the air and then turned to Bluepaw,
"Very good! Let's see if we can track them down and take them back to camp."
Bluepaw's eyes glistened and her tail rose from the praise before dipping her head and began following the path. They walked along the small path for about a tree-length before Bluepaw caught a fresh scent and dropped into a crouch. She crept forward before leaping through the undergrowth. A squirrel shrieked before it dashed out onto the path, saw Spottedstar, and leaped onto her back, chattering loudly.
"What the – Lor?!" Spottedstar almost hissed.
"Aye, young cat tryin' to eat me," Lor chirped, flicking his half-tail back and forth over his back.
Bluepaw leaped back onto the path and stared at them in astonishment. "S-Spottedstar? What-There's…" She stumbled for words.
"Yes, I know. There's a squirrel on my back. A talking one nonetheless," Spottedstar sighed.
"Wait…" Bluepaw narrowed her eyes in thought. "Isn't that the squirrel who was spying on us earlier?"
"Spyin'? I was merely watchin'." Lor answered.
Spottedstar huffed before glancing at Lor over her shoulder. "Can you please get off my back now?"
"Why? Ya can't take me wit' ya," he asked, flicking his tail once.
"Not unless you want a bunch of cats giving you the hunter's stare," Spottedstar told him.
Lor shrugged slightly, "So, let 'em stare. It won't bot'er me none."
"Okay," Spottedstar sighed softly. She then turned back to Bluepaw. "Can you scent anything else around here?"
Bluepaw tasted the air before dipping her head slightly and stalking off into the bushes again. Spottedstar crouched down and followed her. Soon a rabbit dashed out onto the path and Bluepaw shot forward. Spottedstar ran after it, Lor clinging onto her back with all four paws.
Bluepaw was small and fast and she kept up almost easily with the rabbit. She took one leap and bowled over the rabbit, sending them sprawling away. Spottedstar skidded to a halt as she watched Bluepaw leap to her paws and jump on the rabbit, making the killing bite.
"Very good catch! You're fast, I almost couldn't keep up with you," Spottedstar panted.
Bluepaw looked up and beamed. Spottedstar flicked her tail and Bluepaw picked up the rabbit. They then began to trek back to camp, Bluepaw dragging the rabbit behind her.
When they got to the entrance of the camp, Spottedstar stopped and glanced back at Lor. He flicked his tail and Spottedstar just shrugged before brushing passed the reinforced entrance. She emerged and looked around. Cats were working on the camp. Flamestripe had also suggested reinforcing the walls of the camp in case of invasions or predators. Few cats looked up and gave confused stares as they saw Spottedstar and Lor. She moved out the way to let Bluepaw through so she could drag her biggest catch to the fresh-kill pile.
"Told you they would stare," Spottedstar shot over her shoulder, padding over to the fallen tree.
"Don't bot'er none," Lor repeated.
Spottedstar rolled her eyes and stopped in front of the log. Lor jumped off her back and climbed up to the top of the log just below the branches. Spottedstar leaped up beside him.
"'Ey, maybe I could be a scout for ya. Y'know, to warn ya if predators are coming or invadin' cats. Ya never know what might 'appen," Lor told her with a flick of his half-tail.
Spottedstar blinked and then pondered that thought. A scout? A squirrel scout? I don't remember hearing anything about any scouts… Though, it couldn't hurt… Spottedstar sighed through her nose. "I'll think about it. It is very thoughtful of you, Lor." She swished her tail over her paws.
Lor dipped his head slightly, flicking his tail twice, and then climbed up to the left branch and sitting on it.
Spottedstar huffed and leaped back down from the fallen tree. Honeywhisker waited for her at the bottom.
"Were you actually talking with that squirrel?" Honeywhisker glared up at Lor before giving her sister a disbelieving stare.
"Yes, I was. I told you, you won't believe me." Spottedstar lashed her tail. "His name is Lor, and he finds us very interesting. He offered himself as a scout for us."
Honeywhisker hissed softly, "Prey as a scout? I find that unbelievable!"
"Well, I don't," Spottedstar told her. "And if I see any cat trying to eat him, they'll be checking George for ticks." She gave Honeywhisker a stern glare before flicking her tail to where George was dosing in front of one of the empty dens.
Honeywhisker lashed her tail, glaring up at Lor, before dipping her head and stomping away.
Spottedstar lashed her tail and then caught Mixherb's stare. She shook her head before turning and entering her den.
