It had been two moons since Flower had become an apprentice. Owlstrike, her mentor, had little trouble making her concentrate on training. ''Flower! You'll scare away any mice that are around with those pawsteps!'' The senior Gatherer flicked his tail in annoyance
''Now, do you hear that?'' The grey cat twitched his ears in the direction a sound was coming from; A Thrush only four tail-lengths away.
Flower nodded. She began silently stalking, slowly but surely she was right behind the unknowing prey, and with a swift pounce, it was dead. Owlstrike nodded in approval. Even if the bird was small it was better than nothing.
With the prey safely buried in the ground, they continued their hunt. Flower padded uncertainly on the wet grass. The fields were her least favourite place to go hunting, mud squelched with every paw step.
''Owlstike? when do you think we can start battle-'' Her question was cut off by a shriek. A pair of yellow eyes flashed from the forest to her right. She stopped, unsure if she should move.
What is that? The eyes were now coming closer, a large orange creature stepped out. ''A Fox!'' Flower instantly remember the nursery tales. This ugly animal with a long snout looked bigger than anything she had ever seen.
Of course, she was alone though, the wet grass must have been a squelchy omen! How mouse-brained could she have been to not scent the fox before?
Flower hissed at the Fox, which only angered it more. She remained hopeful that her mentor would return, wherever he was.
''What do you want now Foxy? You want to fight?'' Flower lurched at the creature only to be surprised with the Fox clamping its jaws around her neck. Mrrow!
A hot, seething pain filled her whole body, as she clawed at its eyes. The Fox released her and only momentarily stopped fighting to turn and look at the trees behind her.
Cubs! The Fox had three small orange blobs looking pitifully at their battling mother. She definitely couldn't kill the fox by herself, but maybe she could scare it away?
Flower fluffed out her tail and yowled at the creature, trying to look frightening despite the size difference. ''Go! Go far away!''
It didn't seem to work. She scratched at the apprentice with dagger-sharp claws, giving her a dreadful wound. Then bit down hard on her tail, drawing blood. Flower could feel her strength melting away into nothingness.