Nightpaw's Assessment

Dewstar stretched, a long and loud stretch that sent tiny cracks down her spine. She suppressed a yawn and trotted from her den, stifling and irritated snarl when her paw sunk deep into a pile of snow the first step. Today will be tough for Nightpaw. Hopefully he'll pull through. "Nightpaw! It's sunrise! Get up so we can do something special!" She dug a small hole in the snow and plopped into it, using it to trap body heat to stay warm while she waited for her apprentice.

"I'm com-" he started to say before tripping on the snow and face-planting. He shot up and shook his fur, padding closer to Dewstars form. "I'm up." he mewed feeling the cold on his fur.

She purred in amusement. "So it would seem. Come on then, let's get to it." She stood up and strolled through the gorse tunnel, stopping just outside. "Today is your assessment. I know it'll be rough with the snow, so I'll be willing to extend grace should you need it. Catch me three pieces of prey before sundown and you'll pass."

"Yes Dewstar" he mewed before bounding into the snow. As he went deeper into the territory, he slowed, carefully smelling around. He caught the scent of much prey, but most of them covered by snow. As he got caught up in his thoughts, a rabbit shot out from the snow and darted away, startling him. 'Mouse-dung, I have to pay attention' he scolded himself and zoned back into hunting. He saw a little brown figure slowly making its way across the snow, probably heading for its den. He crouched, stalking forward, taking his mothers light steps and gliding across the snow. He bunched his hind quarters and leaped, landing square on the mouse. He nipped its neck and quickly buried it in the snow.

Padding back out into the open, he slowly padded across the snow, careful not to make it crunch too much. Spotting a bird before smelling it, he ducked closer to the ground. He saw it peck at the ground, before hopping closer to him. He started to crawl forward before a vole shot out in front of him, startling his thrush. The vole was gone way out of sight, so he shot forward toward the thrush. He leaped after the flying form and caught its wings, bringing it back to the ground before giving a quick bite. He buried the thrush before going further into Thunderclan territory. He spotted a moving white form, freezing, he noticed it was a rather large rabbit. 'Better not mess this up'

Crouching, he once again glided across the snow before leaping onto the unsuspecting rabbit. Quickly killing it before burying it. He went one by one and brought his other prey to the rabbit. He waited for Dewstar to come out.

She watched in silence. There were a few reckless misses, but secretly she didn't mind. When he caught his mark, she stepped from the snowy bushes and shook her pelt, removing the snow that stuck to her back. "Well done. You've passed." She gave him a firm nod and picked up his large rabbit, motioning for him to go collect the rest of his kill.

Nightpaw nodded and grabbed his mouse and thrush. He padded after Dewstar, back to camp.