A Panther’s First Prey

Pantherkit bolted out of the nursery, head high and tail swishing with excitement. Finally! Free from the crowded nursery! The young kit rolled on the ground, his bold, amber eyes focusing on a leaf, a few mouse-lengths away. Clambering to his feet and shaking out his fluffy pelt, he stalked towards the dry, crumpled object, large paws unbothered by the thin layer of snow coating the ground. Pouncing, he landed on it with a crackle under his paws, as he laughed. Picking up the largest piece left of his temporary toy, he strutted around, before, in his pride, he bumped into the paws of a much larger cat, with grey fur and an imposing build. Instead of showing fear, he sat up straight, the scrap of dead leaf forgotten. ”Hi there! You sure are big. I’m Pantherkit, and I’m gonna be the best warrior in RiverClan one day!” With that, the long-haired gray and black kit pounced on Stormstrike’s paws, attacking them with as much kitten ferocity he could muster.

"Hmm." The large tom flicked the small, boisterous kit away halfheartedly, watching him tumble into the dust. "Bold for such a little scrap of fur." He finally grunted, his cream tail-tip twitching as the young kit scrambled to his feet. "Pantherkit... you've got quite an impressive namesake. Who are your parents, Pantherkit?"

Scrambling back to where he could look at the big tom's eyes, Pantherkit's own fiery orbs lit up with curiosity. "Namesake? Who was I named after?" However, he paused at Stormstrike's question. "My mama and papa aren't here anymore. My papa died soon after I was born and my mama coughed a lot, ever since I could remember! Then she went to the medicine den one day and I never saw her come out!" Not bothered much, the young tom continued romping around and attacking random objects, collecting up snow in his thick pelt till it was near white in some places.

"Why, the panther of course." Stormstrike sat down, wrapping his feathery tail around his body neatly. "A fierce hunter and quite a formidable enemy." The dark-furred tom's ears twitched. An orphan. "My mother is dead." He mewed simply, clearly not sensitive about the whole affair. He never met her after all, so why should he mourn? "As for Jaystar..." He huffed, casting a wayward glance towards his father's den. "He doesn't rule Riverclan like my grandmother did."
The cream-chested tom heaved himself to his paws. "Ivystar was my mentor," He explained. "She was a strong warrior, and an excellent leader. Tell me, Pantherkit. Who do you think will be your mentor?" This conversation was tiring, although Stormstrike would be lying if he didn't see potential in the small kit. Perhaps, one day...

Skidding to a stop and sitting upon the snow, now rustled and scattered by his playing, the young kit tilted his head in thought. "Hm, I dunno. Maybe you? After all, you're a really big, strong warrior! Y'know, I bet you're even stronger than Jaystar! It would be really cool to have you as a mentor!" Shaking the white flakes out of his thick pelt, Pantherkit grinned up at the larger tom. "You were mentored by a leader? Awesome!"