I feel like I should point out that some of my clan-rules are different. I acknowledge this, and I am doing it on purpose.
"Why are we hunting mice?" whined Swamppaw. "They're really fast and they don't even taste that good."
"Be silent or you will chase them away," scolded Tornfoot. "You need to know how to hunt every type of prey."
Her ears twitched as she heard the soft sound of snow crunching.
"We are downwind," muttered Tornfoot. "Good. Now follow me."
The ground still had white patches here and there, but the thin layer of snow had started to melt. Tornfoot crept along some grass clumps, hiding himself. Swamppaw shadowed him as silently as she could.
What could it be that they were hunting? She wasn't sure from the smell. She hadn't smelled this kind of prey before on the freshkill pile, but she had caught similar whiffs coming from Tunnelclan's territory. Said territory was quite near to where they were, but the scents were dampened by the mushy snow.
Tornfoot rounded a clump and got into a hunter's crouch, still hidden by grass. He signaled for her to also do this with a flick of his tail. The prey was an odd creature, only slightly smaller than Tornfoot. It had long erect ears and was searching for new-growth to nibble on. It's black eyes bulged from the sides of its face. Its gaze passed unsuspectingly over the grass clump that they hid in. It looked away, and immediately Tornfoot pounced.
Swamppaw jumped onto the creature right after her mentor. Tornfoot toppled it over and grabbed its neck in his jaws. Swamppaw held it down best she could, diverting the kicking legs away from them so that her mentor could better get a grip to finish the thing off. Blood trickled down its white fur onto the snow. Snap! It was done.
"This is so much more violent than swooping up fish from the water."
Tornfoot shrugged. "You will have to do things like this if there is ever a drought. I admit that I don't get much fun out of this either, but it is a needed skill. Let's take this back to camp now, I think this is worth a few fish in size."
Swamppaw agreed. It was heavy enough that both her and Tornfoot had to drag it back.
"What is this animal called anyway?" She asked through a mouthful of its fur.
"It's a rabbit. They usually roam the plains of Tunnelclan's territory, but this one wandered in. It happens sometimes."
"Does it taste good?"
"If you get a chance to eat it, you can say for yourself."
The two cats dragged their kill back to camp. Two kits ran out of the nursery to greet them, their mother Dewnose right behind.
"Wow! What is that!?" mewed one.
"It's so big!" mewed the other.
"It's a rabbit," stated Swamppaw proudly. Tornfoot tugged the rabbit -and her- to the freshkill pile, ignoring the energetic kits.
Their mother ushered them back to the nursery.
"Fishheart told me that we should go on patrol with Grasswhisker after our hunting trip. In the meantime, it looks like there is plenty of food. We were rather quick, so I think we can grab a bite to eat until Grasswhisker returns from whatever it is he is doing." Tornfoot said this plainly as usual. "I believe he was helping Nightfang train Minnowpaw in combat if I recall correctly."
"Are you ever going to teach me combat?" posed Swamppaw.
Tornfoot hooked his claws into the rabbit and positioned it so that they could both eat. "Not now."
He sliced the rabbit open in an attempt to bypass the fur. "When then?"
He tilted his head thoughtfully. "Ideally never, but I suppose a bit of defense couldn't hurt."
"Just defense?"
He nodded. "Yes. Just defense. Not every warrior is built for combat, nor does every warrior need to learn that skill. It is up to the mentor, me."
"But how can I rise in the ranks if I can't fight!"
Tornfoot crunched on a chunk of cartilage. "By being responsible, confidant, and smart. Fighting isn't the path to becoming an important cat, learn this and focus on your character."
Swamppaw hung her head. Character... She pondered this as she ate the rabbit with Tornfoot. It didn't taste as good as the fish, but seeing as she just got lectured, she didn't feel in place to complain. Character...