INTERMISSION 1

Sunlight streamed through leafless branches. The earth was hard, like stone, and just as cold.

Paws tiptoed over bracken and tails swished through the ferns as a hunting patrol padded through their territory, looking for any signs of prey.

"It's too cold for this," Sunpaw complained, his breath billowing in front of him. "My moss is getting cold."

"Oh, come on," Birchfall meowed over his shoulder. "The Clan needs to eat!"

"And in order to feed them, we must remain quiet," Dustpelt growled from the head of the patrol.

Sunpaw lowered his head, clamping his jaws shut to prevent his teeth from chattering. Badgerpaw pressed close to her brother, sharing her body heat. He flashed her a grateful glance.

The song of a lone, brave bird cut through the frigid air. The hunting patrol lifted their heads, eyes gleaming with triumph.

Dustpelt opened his mouth to give an order, but he was interrupted by a strange sound.

"Ke-ke-ke-ke-ke!"

Every cat on the patrol swung their heads around, shocked, to see Badgerpaw staring up at the trees, her jaws slightly agape. She chattered again. "Ke-ke-ke-ke-ke!" Then she blinked, looking startled at herself.

Delight slowly blossomed on Sunpaw's face. "What was that?" he demanded.

Badgerpaw's ears flattened, looking slightly embarrassed. "I - I don't know!" she giggled. "It just slipped out!"

"That was adorable," Birchfall purred.

"Firestar used to do that all the time when he was an apprentice," Dustpelt grunted. His voice was gruff, but his whiskers were twitching with amusement.

"Cloudtail still does it," Brightheart purred fondly.

"Do it again!" Sunpaw urged. Badgerpaw's tail twitched.

"I don't know how!" she laughed.

The bird sang another tune. Badgerpaw's eyes shot upwards. "Ke-ke-ke-ke-ke!"

The patrol burst into laughter. They could not find it in their hearts to be quiet, even as their startled prey flew away.

Notes:

This was just a short intermission - a character-driven chapter that doesn't have anything to do with the plot. Hope you enjoyed!

I now have a tumblr! (I know, how very 2013 of me.) I'll be posting mediocre art and answering questions about this story on there. galacticskunk . tumblr . com