HEY!
"Hunting?" asked half of the clan incredulously. The other half looked skeptical.
"Really?" asked the apprentices eagerly.
"Hmm...." mused Silverpelt.
"Sounds great!" came one exclamation.
There was Fierceclaw again, coming up at the sound of a physical challenge.
"What?" asked Sunfur. "How-"
"I don't know." answere Fierceclaw. "It just sounds...fun."
"Um, okay," Silverpelt said, "Look, how many of you remember the techniques mentioned in the books for stalking?"
"It should be easier now that we're cats," put in Ravenpelt.
"What was it.." mused Mouseclaw. " Wasn't it 'a mouse will hear you before feel you' or something?"
"That doesn't sound quite right..." Tigerstripe put in.
The apprentices started to practice creeping over the ground, under the watchful eye of Fierceclaw.
"Nonono." he was saying to Thornpaw. "Don't lean into your front paws, but lean back like this."
He crouched down on his haunches, like a human would squat. Then placing his front paws on the ground, ever so carefully, he glided forward, belly fur inches from the ground.
Thornpaw tried to copy him, but fell over.
"Here," said Fierceclaw, nudging him back to his paws. "Try again, but this time don't waddle like a duck, but use your forepaws like propellers, pulling yourself forward, but not thudding on the ground. You see?"
"No," muttered Thornpaw, "I don't."
He tried again, and with better results.
"Good try," purred Fierceclaw.
"That's it!" suddenly exclaimed Silverpelt. She paced near the apprentices, tail in the air, eyes wide with excitment.
"He was the first one up the tree. The first one to figure out how. He's always been athletic-he's the best at physical stuff. He doesnt' even have to think about it. He just does it."
"Ye-ah" said Whiteclaw. "Of course!"
"Fierceclaw," ordered Silverpelt. "Go take a hunting patrol of...er, Whiteclaw, Skypaw, and Mouseclaw."
Mouseclaw fairly glowed.
"Show them how to stalk prey and stuff, and try to get enough food for all of us, at least. Can you do that?"
"Sure Silverpelt, hunting is easy as saying 'twice mice'" he replied, leading the cats back into the forest.
"Twice mice?" wondered Bluepaw. "Really?"
Sorry so short. I'm outta time, and only place I could stop for awhile. Next chappie will be longer, and more fun-er. LOL!
Until next time:
Please review!
-Owly. :)