Edited ✔️
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Snowdrift's steady blue gaze rested firmly on the pelt of a nicely sized rabbit. The creature's tiny pink nose quivered, sending vibrations up its whiskers as it careful advanced in the snow, blissfully unaware of the white tom-cat's presence. Mouth watering, Snowdrift crept forward, placing his paws expertly against the snow as to not make any sudden noises to alert his prey. A hiss of frustration and a furious yowl exploded from the underbrush behind Snowdrift, and without a moment to lose, the rabbit bolted, its eyes rounded in horror.

Grinding his teeth together, Snowdrift hared after it, snow spraying into the air as he kicked powerfully with his legs. He cursed beneath his breath as the rabbit darted swiftly to the side. Snowdrift followed, his paws scraping against dirt through the snow which he had scattered. Measuring his distance and knowing that he'd lose any chance to catch the creature if he waited a moment further, he propelled himself into the air, landing with a thump on the rabbit, his claws sinking into its plump haunches. The prey fought to escape, but quickly Snowdrift ended its life with a bite to the neck. Sending his thanks to StarClan, the tom picked up the rabbit and padded back to where he had heard the yowls, his ear flicking irritably.

Mosspaw and Streampaw had revealed themselves from the bush, sitting in the clearing where the rabbit had been spotted, while bickering amongst themselves and threatening the other constantly. Mosspaw swiped his claw over Streampaw's ear, and she snarled in response, rearing onto her hind legs.

Snowdrift cleared his throat, and the two apprentices fell silent, their eyes darting towards the tom.

Hesitantly, Mosspaw raised his voice to a meow. "Er, nice catch." He muttered casually, brushing a forepaw awkwardly against the snow laden ground, however casting a quick scowl to Snowdrift before aiming his gaze back at the snow.

Snowdrift huffed, dropping the freshkill to the ground, the warm taste of it fading steadily from his mouth. "Not as well as I had hoped for it to be." He growled, staring sharply at the gray and white apprentice.

Mosspaw bounced to his paws, his jaw parted in frustration. "Why are you looking at me?" He demanded, tail lashing. "It's Streampaw's fault!" He glared at his sister, his green eyes burning with accusation.

"Was not!" Streampaw retorted, plopping back down into a sitting position.

Mosspaw parted his jaws to respond, but was interrupted by Snowdrift's tail swiping across his muzzle. The apprentice sneezed, before returning his glare to Snowdrift.

"Mosspaw," the white tom growled, his tail whipping lightly back and forth. "It was you, who as far as I can tell provoked your sister, so it is you who must be punished. Now, get back to camp."

Mosspaw stomped his foot against the ground. "That's so unfair!" He whined, sticking his muzzle in the air. Snowdrift silenced the apprentice with a glare, before the tom whipped around and stormed back to camp.

The white tom then turned to Streampaw, his gaze stern as he locked eyes with her. "Now, Streampaw..." he began, his voice softening and the muscles in his face relaxing to a smile. "Be more careful with your brother, he's a nuisance and can get you in major trouble with the clan."

Streampaw's gray head bobbed up and down in an enthusiastic nod. "Of course, Snowdrift!" She purred.

Snowdrift gave a satisfied smile. In the past quarter moon, Streampaw and Mosspaw's mentors became infected with greencough. Pebblestar had entrusted Snowdrift with the privilege to teach the two any extra information on their apprenticeship before they became warriors. It had honestly startled the tom since he was hardly even a warrior himself, however he did understand Pebblestar's intentions. He flicked his tail, and returned to Streampaw.

"Now, lets test your hunting skills." Snowdrift began. He tasted the air, sniffing for prey. There. He padded along swiftly, the scent of squirrel heavy on his tongue, until finally, he spotted the grayish-brown shape scuffling along, digging its tiny paws into the ground as it scavenged for food. Snowdrift twitched his tail, beckoning Streampaw to come over. The apprentice did as she was ordered, lowering down into a crouch next to the warrior.

Snowdrift silently observed Streampaw's hunter crouch. Satisfied, he gave a brisk and hardly noticeable nod. Streampaw's eyes flicked from Snowdrift over to the squirrel, and she responded by flicking her tail over Snowdrift's flank. Finally, she slunk forward, making sure that the wind was flowing towards herself. At a close distance, she streaked towards her prey. The squirrel let out a startled squeal, and made for the nearest tree. It's paws scrabbled at the bark as it raced up the trunk, but it was too late, for Streampaw had dug her claws into its tail. She dragged the squirrel towards herself and finished it off with a blow to the spine, a smile crawling onto her face as she plucked it up from the snowy ground.

Confidently, the she-cat pranced back over to Snowdrift, dropping the squirrel beside the rabbit.

"How's this?" She purred, blinking at the white tom.

Snowdrift looked at the squirrel, comparing it to normal prey in leafbare weather. "It's plump." He acknowledged, pride swelling in his chest. "Much better than any other prey our clan has caught this season." Streampaw beamed.

"Great!" She chirped, her large tail swiping into the air. "Let's head to camp, shall we?" She plucked the squirrel from the ground, and began advancing in the direction of the hollow. Snowdrift did the same, his teeth sinking into the fur of the rabbit. He frowned lightly, realizing that his prey was much thinner than he had first assumed, it's fur making it look plump. He shook his head, focusing on the thought of how many cats Streampaw's squirrel would feed, and a smile once more was drawn into his face. A little while passed, until finally, the two pushed through the bramble barrier which protected the camp.

Snowdrift tugged on his rabbit as one of its ears got caught on the thorns, tearing away a clump of its fur. He and Streampaw were greeted with a couple of grateful yowls, along with a glare from Mosspaw. Leopardstalk, the medicine cat, hurried forward, his green eyes glittering in relief. "Wonderful hunt, I see." The tom praised, his black fur rippling. "Could I have the squirrel for the sick? They're starving, and —"

The tom was cut off by Pebblestar pushing his way between the him and the two, a smile sprawled along the leader's jaws. "Ah, great job, you two." He purred, his tail swiping across Leopardstalk's muzzle. The black tom recoiled in response, his nose wrinkling. "That's a wonderful looking squirrel." Pebblestar continued. His yellow eyes glowed hungrily, his tongue rasping across his lips.

Snowdrift placed his rabbit on the ground, a frown creasing into his expression. "Yes, it is." He replied coolly.

Pebblestar advanced a step forward. "I'd love to have it for a meal." He rumbled, his breath blowing across Snowdrift's muzzle. Snowdrift's nose crinkled at the stench, but he fought back an angry remark.

Leopardstalk barged forward, clearing his throat. "Pebblestar," he interrupted, his fur rising in irritation. "If you will listen, elders and queens are supposed to eat first. That includes the sick."

Pebblestar glanced at the medicine cat, still wearing a relaxed expression. "Leopardstalk, your patients will eat first. You'll be having this rabbit." He shoved Snowdrift's catch towards the black tom, and Snowdrift parted his jaws to say something, but thought better of it, and instead wore a frown.

Pebblestar grinned. "Now, I'll take this." He tore the squirrel away from Streampaw's grip. "Thank you, and amazing job with your catch." He meowed, and with a swish of his tail, he padded away just as quickly as he had come.

Leopardstalk muttered to himself, his tail lashing furiously back and forth. Finally, he picked up the rabbit and marched back to his den to feed the prey to the sick, frustration noticeable in his expression.

Snowdrift sighed, closing his eyes for a few moments to calm his boiling rage. He felt somebody's nose lightly touch the tip of his ear, and he turned around to see Streampaw blinking kindly at him. "It's alright." She meowed. "It's just Pebblestar being Pebblestar, everything's going to be fine."

Snowdrift gave a small nod, appreciating the comfort Streampaw was giving him. He looked up at the sky, sighing once more.

As long as I have Streampaw, everything will be just fine. He assured himself.