To kill a butterfly [S]

Leafbare had not yet fallen, though the ever growing chill was a steadfast reminder of its imminent arrival. Suppressing a shiver, Brackenkit was perched on a narrow branch, his tail pin straight for balance. There were few trees in the New SkyClan camp, and most of them were not ideal for beginners, but Brackenkit had never let that sort of thinking stop him. If he learnt the hard way he would be miles ahead of every other kit when he became an apprentice, which would give him an edge over everyone. Being the best at everything would also guarantee he was the best at protecting his siblings. Putting his body on the line meant that Harekit, Honeykit, Flamekit and Shatteredkit would all live to fight another day.

-

On his first attempt to scale the tree, Brackenkit had found the bark slick, the water caught in the crags of the bark having frozen during the cold nights. There was little grip for his paws, but the tom kit was determined. Brackenkit knew he would turn six moons during Leafbare, and the trees would be in worse condition then, better to have practice before him and his siblings were throne out into the harsh world. Rearing back, Brackenkit placed an unsheathed paw on the tree, testing it. A shiver ran up his spine, at the icy feel. Deciding not to wait any longer, the cream kitten tensed before leaping on to the trunk, arms splayed wide to give him the best grip. His claws latched onto the slick surface, but as soon as he tried to climb Brackenkit felt his grip slipping. Even as he scrambled with his hind legs for purchase he knew it was too late, he was already falling the short distance to the ground.

Brackenkit twisted as he fell, landing on all fours and absorbing the brunt of the fall. It was nice to see his survival instincts were already in place, it helped ease the frustration he felt at his first attempt. Maybe the next time he’d get it.

But he didn’t. The tom kit had fallen and fallen, the sun now at its peak as opposed to how it had been just breaching the mountain view when he had begun his own training. Brackenkit hit the ground for what must have been the hundredth time, his legs sore from absorbing so much of the impact. With a huff, he sat down. His shoulders rising and falling with each deep breath he took trying to calm his temper and fill his lungs. He was growling to himself, annoyed that the tree had made such a fool of him, that this one simple skill all SkyClanner’s had he could not conquer. The ground beneath Brackenkit was loose from his frustrated claws. But even in his rage Brackenkit couldn’t give up. He narrowed his blue eyes, and his powerful back legs rose to the challenge.

-

Poised on his branch, having finally conquered the basics of tree climbing the cream kitten watched as a tortoiseshell butterfly fluttered down and landed on the branch opposite him. The insect opened and closed its wings, soaking in the meagre warmth of the sun. It wasn’t even aware of the glimmering icy blue gaze of the tom kit. Brackenkit couldn’t help but think of how cute Honeykit would find the butterfly, or how she’d yell at her brother to ”leave it be!” how she did with all small animals, not that it bothered his sister to gorge herself on the mice in the freshkill pile or the squirrels. However Brackenkit did not share Honeykit’s softbellied beliefs, and the butterfly would make excellent hunting practice - and a good snack for his hard work if he could catch it.

The member 'Midnee' has done the following action : Dice roll

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'Hunting Dice' : 2

Brackenkit steadied himself on his branch, preparing to strike. Silently, or as silent as the kitten could manage, he lept to the butterflies branch. Miraculously, he did not jostle the branch, and a grin crossed his maw at the progress he had made in just one day. On the tips of his paws, he stalked forward, each paw step more and more calculated the closer he got. When he was less than a tail length from the unsuspecting insect, Brackenkit paused tensely then sprung forward nimbly. The butterfly didn’t have a chance, Brackenkit held it in his maw, letting out a proud chirrup so everyone could see his catch as he leapt back to the forest floor to enjoy his hard earned snack.