Fog layed across the creek and above the trees. The winter breeze ruffled in the lush green bushes. Cometpaw, Lynxpaw, Bushpaw, Coalstar, Fawnclaw, Cresentfur, Brackentail and Snowfoot walked up stream. The three apprentices talked, while the others stayed quiet, Coalstar was in the lead, jumping up on a rock, than to a huge fallen tree the layed high above and across the creek. Fawnclaw followed, then Cresentfur and Brackentail. Bushpaw leaped across and slipped, Brackentail quickly grabbed him by the scruf and pulled him up. "Don't fall. It'll hurt." Cresentfur reminded - earning Bushpaw to nod and let out a shaky breath - she then looked at her brother, "Good catch Brackentail."

Brackentail nodded in thanks then looked to Lynxpaw and Cometpaw, tapping his front right paw on the log, "Hurry up you two." He mewed.

Lynxpaw looked at Cometpaw, then looked to the log, "Together?" She questioned, making Cometpaw smile and nod. The two leaped and landed onto the log perfectly in sink, Coalstar nodded and began walking up the log to the other side of the creek. The others following close behind, Bushpaw shivered, "It's cold this winter…"

Fawnclaw nodded, "Indeed." She mewed in agreement.

--

Ghostkit sat and watched as warriors and apprentices helped the elders get the fresh-kill. She hummed and looked to elders who had no food then back to the busy warriors - Stormheart and Crystalshade being two of them. Ghostkit stood and padded over to the pile, grabbing a big rabbit by its foot, digging her forepaws into the ground pulling the huge creature. After a failed attempt she stopped and huffed, grabbing a small rat-sized bird and carrying it over to one of the elders. She placed it in front of her and moved it forward while smiling, "Miss." She began politely, "I brought you a bird. I figured you'd be hungry."

The tortoiseshell she-cat looked down at her with a small smile, "Why thank you little one." She mewed, "But you didn't have to-."

"No!" Ghostkit cut off, "I want to help. I don't wanna sit down and do nothing while everyone is cold and hungry." She stated, pushing the bird closer, "Enjoy your meal." She finished then bounded back to the fresh-kill pile.

The she-cat shook her head and began eating.

Ghostkit grabbed another bird and began making her way over to another elder, when Spottedthistle trotted out in front of her and stopped, looking down at the small she-kit. Glaring at the bird, "Getting yourself a snack?" The warrior hissed, "Don't you know the elders go first?"

Ghostkit looked down at the bird, then to the huge warrior, she growled while her fur fluffed up. She placed the bird on the ground, "I'm not greedy, unlike you!" She hissed, "I was taking it to an elder before you got in my way. I may be a kit, but I know when to back down and when to stand my ground."

Stormheart watched as Ghostkit picked up the bird and went around the warrior, glaring at him and padded off to the elder she was going to give it to. Stormheart smiled and continued on her work.

After giving the elder the bird, Ghostkit walked back over to the fresh-kill pile, siving through to pick the right meal for the next elder.

Once she fed the elders she could, Ghostkit began to head for the nursery when the most turned into rain, it wasn't heavy, just enough to be a pain. She quickened her pace, then a loud strange screech sounded, she suddenly stopped and looked around sniffing the fresh air. The screech sounded again but closer, curiosity peaked in the young she-kit, she slowly walked over to a rock that bordered the camp and jumped onto and sat down. She looked for any signs of something moving amongst the leaves of the bushes.

A few leaves rustled ahead, a small furry brown creature poked its head out of the bush, Ghostkit cocked her head to the side and raised a brow, "What a strange creature." She mewed to herself.

The creature's attention turned to her then stepped fully out of the bush, showing its body was covered in white spots. The creature slowly walked towards her, it put its ears back and snarled.

Ghostkit stood, her fur fluffing up in defence, she slowly backed up, growling in the process. The creature made a screech and pounced at her, Ghostkit immediately jumped out of the way but slipped off the rock and landed on her side, the creature looked down at her and narrowed its dark brown - nearly black - eyes. She hissed and stood, quickly running past the rock towards a tree. The creature quickly pounced on her and knocked her onto her back to the ground, Ghostkit's heart raced, she quickly unsheathed her claws and slashed at its face.

Suddenly a black-brown blur zoomed over and tackled the creature off Ghostkit. Stormheart crushed the creature's throat in her mouth, then dropped it and quickly went to Ghostkit who layed on the ground in shock. Stormheart licked her forehead and purred, "Are you okay?"

Ghostkit shook out of it and nodded, "Yeah… I guess…" She rolled over and stood, staring at the strange thing, "What was that?" She asked as she looked up to her mother.

"That's a quoll." Spottedthistle growled, "Their fierce little things."

"Is that what hurt you?" Ghostkit asked as she shook off the rain.

Spottedthistle nodded and huffed, "Let's go." He growled then walked off.

Stormheart nudged her forward and began following Spottedthistle. Ghostkit took one last look at the quoll and went to follow Stormheart and Spottedthistle.

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