Arbor woke to the sound of rain hitting the roof of the barn. A large droplet landed on his nose. "Good morning, sleepy head," Mel teased.
"Today's looking great so far, if you ask me! Even with the rain!"

"It would be better if you weren't standing on my paw," Arbor grunted.

Mel took a step back. "Come on! There's a big puddle by the fence!"
Arbor shook himself awake and stood up. His sister was like this every morning, no matter what.
"Sheesh, Arbor. You act like a grumpy old cat when we're only six moons!"

"And you still act like you're a kit."

"And you-"

"Mel! Arbor! Stop bickering this instant!" their mother called from outside.

Arbor sighed. "Yes, Aurora." He padded outside to where the horses were kept. They payed no attention to him, and he certainly didn't mind them. They haven't scared him since he was a kit. He leapt up onto the door of an empty stable and scanned the floor for mice. A particularly plump mouse was in the corner, nibbling on something Arbor couldn't see. He smiled. Food wasn't usually this easy to find.

Arbor quickly dropped into the best hunter's crouch he could manage on the door. He sprang forwards, landing on the mouse's tail. He dispatched it with a swift blow to it's head.

"Well, well!" a voice called from behind him. "You really are a good hunter already!" Arbor turned and saw a brown and white tom where he just was. "Hey, is Mel around as well? I've been dying to meet you two."

Arbor gave the cat a nervous glare. "Who are you, and how do you know about us?" he hissed.

"Oh! I forgot to introduce myself. How silly of me. The name's Birch. I assume you're Arbor."

He nodded. "Yeah, that's me. Now why the heck are you so excited about meeting us?"

"I think I'll let Aurora explain that," Birch purred. He motioned for Arbor to follow and leapt off the door.