Robinpaw trudged into the camp, her muscles screaming. The Hunting Testing was never this hard! I combed the woods for any prey, and even then I barely would catch it!

The silver trainee stopped by the freshkill pile and dropped the two mice she'd caught into it, wincing as she saw how tiny they were. Why am I such a failure?

As if to prove her statement, Thrushpaw walked into the camp, carrying both a hare and a squirrel. Her eyes lit up as she spotted Robinpaw, but with the squirrel tucked beneath her chin and the hare dangling from her mouth, Thrushpaw could only wave a tail in greeting.

Not only are her catches impressive, but the fact that she can carry them both! I'm such a failure. Robinpaw exhaled in defeat and sat down, exhausted, as the white she-cat deposited her prey into the pile and hurried over to her.

"So, how was it?" she inquired, stretching out her back.

Robinpaw sighed. "Horrible."

Thrushpaw turned to face her. "Really? It wasn't Foxtail, was it?"

"No," mewed Robinpaw, flicking her tail in dismissal. "I can't hunt! I had to search FOREVER to find anything, and then I'd leap and miss it! I only got two mice," she finished glumly.

Thrushpaw purred. "You're annoyed because it isn't like the Testing, aren't you? Not as easy?"

Robinpaw nodded. What is it? Are my muscles weak for sleeping on soft moss? Is that it? Or is--

"Robinpaw, the Testers sprinkle seeds in the hunting ground there, so prey comes over and eats it. That's what those little circle things on your paws were, remember them?"

Robinpaw did remember them. Her fur begin to feel hot as she realized that the prey was always eating that. "Oh." So I'm not a failure?

"Every trainee needs at least a couple of days to adjust from the easy hunting of Testing. You're not a failure," she added, purring and nudging her playfully.

Robinpaw's body relaxed. Thank the Sun and Moon...

"And you caught two mice! I think I went home empty pawed my first day!" purred Thrushpaw.

"Really?" purred the silver she-cat.

Thrushpaw nodded, staring off into the forest as she recalled the time. "Yep! I was concentrating so hard on impressing my mentor, I forgot to keep my tail still. The prey heard me coming every time." She turned back to Robinpaw. "It's great you brought back something. The pile's looking a little low."

Robinpaw turned to look at the pile. Low? It seemed to have plenty of prey! "Low?" she repeated.

The white she-cat nodded. "Yeah. Remember, there are only so many hunters. Let's see...Larkfoot, Deerleg, Ratmuzzle, Shrewfoot, Harewing, Moletail, Foxtail, you, Quailpaw, and I." She paused. "Oh, right! And Kestrelwing!" She tilted her head. "Well, sort of. Not right now, you know, she's under suspicion or something, but normally she'd be hunting."

Kestrelwing's face flashed into Robinpaw's memory, and she suppressed a shudder. Her mother's indifference was one of the scariest memories she had...along with her lack of reaction to her son's death.

"Put that way, that seems like a lot. But remember, there are ten Leaders, eleven or twelve Lesser Leaders, seven Fighters, and...oh, I don't know how many servants. Don't see them much. But that's a lot of cats."

Yeah...a lot of cats, agreed Robinpaw. "Why aren't there more hunters?" That genuinely confused Robinpaw. Why wouldn't there be more Hunters and less Lesser Leaders? They didn't do anything useful.

Thrushpaw sighed, wrapping her tail around her paws. "There were, but last leaf-bare, two of our hunters got coughs. They went to the healer's den, but before we knew it, they were convulsing on the floor." She shuddered. "I wish I hadn't seen it."

Robinpaw winced.

Thrushpaw shook her head quickly, dispelling the memory. "Anyway, that's why we have to catch more than usual, and even two mice are useful." She paused, purring. "Anything helps."

Robinpaw wrapped her tail around her friend. "Thanks, Thrushpaw. I guess I just really needed to hear that."

The white she-cat purred. "No problem." Her stomach gave a rumble, and she looked towards the prey pile. "Want to share a sparrow? You've definitely earned it, Robinpaw."

With a grateful nod, Robinpaw padded over to the fresh-kill pile and selected a plump sparrow. They began sharing it, both eating it until their stomachs were full.

Thrushpaw's gaze wandered to the Den of Hunters and Warriors. Robinpaw followed her gaze, imagining resting her aching muscles on that wonderful softness.

The silver trainee stood up, turning towards the den, but paused, glancing back at her companion. Am I allowed to go rest..?

Thrushpaw purred, standing up as well. "I'm tired too, Robinpaw. No need to feel bad." She led the way towards the den, turning to make sure her friend was following.

Robinpaw hadn't moved; a bit irritated, Thrushpaw walked back and prodded her gently with her tail. "Come on, Robinpaw," she repeated, padding towards the entrance. Robinpaw followed her obediently, but froze when they reached the hole.

She desperately wanted to go and rest, but her mind was a mess of doubts and insecurities. Don't we have to hunt more? After all, I only caught two mice... "Are you sure it's all right?" voiced the light grey she-cat. I don't want to get into trouble on my first real day as a trainee...

Thrushpaw flicked her ears at Robinpaw's hesitation. "Really, it'll be fine." She stopped, studying her drooping tail, sagging whiskers, and tired yellow eyes. "Besides, you really need it." Her voice sounded truly concerned.

But you just gave that speech about the prey pile being low...

She held back a sigh. But she's right...I'm so tired... She looked up into Thrushpaw's concerned amber eyes before letting her head droop again.

This time, when Thrushpaw spoke, her voice was harsher and more commanding. "Robinpaw, I'm not telling you this again. We're going to rest, okay?" Her voice softened again. "I'm worried. You don't want to be tired and clumsy while hunting, ever."

Robinpaw still hesitated.

"We'll hunt more afterward."

Finally nodding, Robinpaw followed Thrushpaw into the den, collapsing onto the moss. So...soft... was her last thought before drifting off to sleep.

~----------------------------------------~

"Robinpaw." A tail poked her leg, a bit harshly. "Robinpaw."

"Hmm?" Robinpaw sat up blearily to see Thrushpaw's face above her. "Why'd you wake me up?" I quite clearly remember she was the one who insisted I sleep...

"Remember? We were going to go hunting," Thrushpaw reminded her.

"Oh, right. Let's go then."

With Thrushpaw a tail-length behind her, Robinpaw walked towards where she'd hunted earlier, then thought of the Battle Testing area. She shuddered. "Do you know of any other hunting places?"

Thrushpaw nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, I do! Follow me." She began to pad in the opposite direction, away from the river.

Robinpaw followed her gratefully, thankful that she didn't have to pass the Battle Testing area again. A pair of blue eyes surfaced in her memory, but she shoved them down. I can't think about Tankit now...

"So, um, where are we going?" asked Robinpaw, if only to break the silence.

"My favorite hunting place!" mewed Thrushpaw excitedly before she seemed to realize that didn't tell Robinpaw much. "It's under one of the biggest trees in our territory, and all the mice and squirrels love it here."

Robinpaw's spirits rose dramatically. Maybe I can actually catch something!

Thrushpaw increased her speed, weaving through the rapidly denser forest with ease. Robinpaw could hear the rushing water and realized they must be heading for the stream. Her companion sped up even more, purring.

"Can't catch me!"

Robinpaw purred and ran into the clearing. She immediately understood why her friend liked it so much--the tree was a beautiful birch that rose just a little higher than the rest.

The skittering of tiny paws caused her to cock her head curiously and inhale sharply. The scent of squirrels invaded her nostrils; she quickly located it, nibbling some sort of nut under the tree. Her tail lifted slightly before she forced it back down, getting into the hunting crouch she'd attempted earlier that day.

Light footsteps...straight tail...watch out for leaves... The silver trainee crept closer and closer to her prey, hardly daring to breathe. She was maybe a fox-length away...a bit less...

Robinpaw leaped as far as her young muscles would take her, propelling her through the air and squarely unto the squirrel. She killed it with a swift bite to the neck before it could squeak a warning and turned back to Thruhpaw, her eyes bright.

"Let's hunt."

Can you believe it? I updated! As you might've known from Feather's comment last chapter, I got a concussion and haven't been able to be on electronics that much--not long enough to write anyway. But finally it's mostly gone! Sorry if it is a bit choppy-- I had finished more than half before my brain injury, so the switch might be a BIT awkward. However, I really hope I'll be able to update more faithfully now! 

Question for today-- What do you think of Thrushpaw? Like her? Think she's too nice? Basically, just your opinion on her :) 

(Obviously dedicated to Featherfrost_ for informing you all 'bout my injury & helping me come up with this title)