Dawnpaw ran through the forest, the wind carrying along the scents of the forest. Sunlight filtered through the trees, and she skidded to a halt as she heard scuttling next to her. Pushing her tail and belly to the ground, she padded up slowly, smelling mouse even before the pink nose popped out. She swatted the prey with her paw, nipping it in the neck and burying it neatly.
Cloudtail had been watching. "Good show, Daypaw! That was excellent." His blue eyes sparkled with a mixture of excitement and proud.
---
Sandstar smiled knowingly at her long-time friend. "I know it's hard to choose. Why don't we ask them?" She turned to the two apprentices, and her whiskers twitched. "Boys, now, you know what a responsibility being a medicine cat is, right?" Ravenpaw nodded excitedly; Birchpaw merely yawned.
Sandstar stifled a giggle."It seems it's obvious who would like to be your apprentice, Queenclaw." The leader turned to the medicine cat, and her eyes gleamed in anticipation.
---
"Loststar..." The voice drifted into his cave, jerking him from his thoughts. Shaking himself, he padded to the entrance and found his mate waiting. He licked her gently between the ears. "Yes, Eaglestrike?"