[Taxx]

It was so frustrating- she ought to be doing better by now. Why was she finding it so hard to hunt and fight? She tried, but she had yet to actually catch anything, two moons into her apprenticeship, and most of the other apprentices could pin her without getting winded- Mistpaw being the only exception, and she kept getting trounced too. Except she didn’t seem to mind.

Smokepaw minded.

The tip of a tail flicked her nose, and the young she-cat glanced up into Silverstorm’s eyes. “You weren’t paying attention,” he scolded. “Is that why you’re having trouble?”

A light tease, but Smokepaw’s eyes narrowed instantly. “No!” she retorted.

“Good. Then we’ll begin. Show me your hunting crouch.”

She obeyed, falling into the position with ease, one ear turning to keep track of her father as he circled her, one paw gently adjusting her stance before coming to rest on her tail. “Keep it still. Rustle leaves or grass, and you’ll frighten prey. Has Darkfrost taught you nothing?” The tone of disappointment, however mild, stung deeply and Smokepaw’s tail lashed, tugging free of the silver tom’s paw.

“Of course she has. I just can’t seem to actually… catch anything.”