Outsiders on the inside (c)

Goldenfang sauntered almost lazily through the wide plain with Sunpaw close by. The day was bright, the sky was a beautiful shade of blue, and the big, puffy clouds above promised a warm and dry hunting trip ahead. First, of course, the warrior had to teach her apprentice how to hunt. It wouldn’t be too difficult; most cats just needed to experience it for themselves to really get it. She paused as she found what she’d been looking for: a well-hidden hole in the ground that smelled faintly of prey. ”Alright, Sunpaw, this is a rabbit’s burrow. Take a deep breath in - that’s relatively fresh rabbit scent. I’d say one has gone out scavenging. We may find it out here soon enough! But first, the burrow. It connects to a series of tunnels, called a warren. This particular warren may or may not be connected to several other warrens in what’s typically just called ‘the tunnels.’ The opening’s a bit too narrow for a full grown cat to get inside, so I’d hazard a guess that it’s not connected. Any questions?”

Sunpaw padded dutifully after Goldenfang, eyes wide as he looked around in an attempt to soak in as much information as he possibly could. WindClan's territory was beautiful, and fronds of grass tickled his flank as he brushed past. He was nervous about this training (well, he was always nervous) and desperately wanted to make a good impression, but he had a feeling he wouldn't be super great at hunting yet.

Goldenfang stopped and he stopped with her, scooting up to peer into the rabbit burrow. It did smell like prey, a warm, fleshy smell that he couldn't quite describe. It was one he had experienced before, however. This one smelled of grass, wind, and dirt, and he stored that information away in his brain for later.

Sunpaw was quiet for a moment, but soon found that he did have a question. "Goldenfang, um...Cats used to use these tunnels, right? Or, still use them? Isn't...isn't it dangerous?"

She could see his brain working through the information. Goldenfang smiled, pleased that her apprentice seemed bright, even if he might be a little timid. ”Right. It can be dangerous, yes. We try to keep in the tunnels that are sturdy and wide rather than newer tunnels that might not be safe. But it’s okay, we’ll only start a little bit at a time when we explore the tunnels so you can get used to being underground. And for now we’ll practice prey pursuit in open air before chasing them through the tunnels.” She turned with a beckoning swish of her tail and followed the trail of rabbit scent a little way.

She lifted her nose to confirm that it was still nearby, and with an excited purr, she turned to Sunpaw. ”Alright, here comes the fun part! When hunting quick prey like rabbits and hares, you have a better chance at catching them with other cats. We should approach it from two different sides so that if the first cat misses the second one can cut it off. First, we need to pinpoint where it is. You just learned what it smells like - now find it. I’ll follow your lead help you corner it. I want you to go for it, Sunpaw! Give it your all for me!” She meowed, tail high in anticipation.

"O-Oh, okay," Sunpaw replied, following after his mentor. He blinked up at her when she explained what he had to do, apprehension dropping like a rock into his stomach. She wanted him to do it? The orange apprentice swallowed hard and forced himself to nod. Her words of encouragement did help a bit, actually, more than he expected. "Alright, Goldenfang, I'll do my best...!"

Sunpaw raised his head, catching the rabbit scent on his tongue. The breeze blew his whiskers, and he realized he was upwind, not downwind. Screwing up his face in concentration, he backpedaled, long limbs moving awkwardly. Another test, correct this time, so he set off trying to pinpoint the rabbit.

He was so focused on his task that he didn't have time to worry; although he tripped a little occasionally due to unfamiliar territory, he managed to locate the rabbit. Looking up at Goldenfang for more instructions, Sunpaw crouched low in the tall grass to hide his equally tall frame.

"Now what?" he whispered.

“Now what? Chase it, that’s what! If you’re fast you don’t have to waste time stalking!” she whispered back, jerking her head towards their prey in a get on with it! way. He was timid for sure, but Goldenfang was certain it would melt away once he tasted the blood of fresh rabbit in his mouth. She had turned partially to the side, preparing to move to cut off the rabbit’s flight if necessary. As much as she wanted to take this one by herself, she knew the value of letting Sunpaw learn from his own attempt, be it success or failure. She watched his movements carefully. She could feel her own heartbeat quickening in delicious anticipation.

He flinched at her words, eyes widening, ears perking up. "Yes, G-Goldenfang!" he hissed, looking back towards the rabbit. It was still there, munching on weeds, and Sunpaw thought back to what his father said. Run, son. Get out on the moor and run as if you have never run before. I find it to be one of life's great treasures. You will be wind.

Right...! Be the wind! he thought, wiggling his hindquarters a little to gear himself up. Uncoiling with all his might, Sunpaw shot forward, gaining fast on the rabbit with long strides.

It...felt amazing. His breath left him in a giddy crow of laughter, and it took him a moment to remember he was supposed to be hunting. He had gained on the rabbit, so he unsheathed his claws and sprang at it.

Much to his surprise and delight, he managed to sink his claws into the prey, holding it down as it squirmed, squealing. It nearly slipped out of his grasp, but he moved to press his body over it, panting. "I...I caught it!" Now that he had it, how did he kill it?

Floundering now with uncertainty, he tried biting its neck, but he wasn't sure where to bite. With his teeth sunk into the poor thing as it thrashed, he yowled, "Golfdebfamng, helbp!"

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Sunpaw attempted to catch a rabbit. He was successful, using -3 stamina.

Sunpaw
20/20 HP
57/60 SP (-3)

The member 'Aspen' has done the following action : Dices roll

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'Hunting Dice' : 7

She was elated as she skirted around from the side and watched Sunpaw bring down his target. He dug his teeth into its neck and... and it was still moving. He called for help and she was there in a flash, buyring her own fangs deep enough to connect with its spine and end its struggling for good. "Whew, that was a riot!" Goldenfang laughed, sitting back with a big grin. "That could have been dangerous, though. Rabbits and hares have pretty dangerous claws and cut pretty deep when they kick you. You should keep an eye out for their hind legs in the future." She nosed the rabbit's back claws to draw his attention to them. "But other than that and the mess, you did great. When you bite it in the front of the neck, you should squeeze down on its windpipe. That'll choke it. If you bite it from the back of the neck, aim for the spine so you can sever it and stop it from thrashing. It'll bleed out either way. Go ahead and bury that and we'll catch a few more for a proper feast, alright?" She didn't mind this mentoring thing. It was fun, and she liked the younger cat's energy. It also made her giddy and even proud to look at Sunpaw and think of the warrior he would become. She beamed at him again, thoroughly pleased with his success.  

Her ear flicked to the side. Blue eyes slid over as well. She'd heard the distant scrabbling of another creature thumping against the ground, and her focus was locked on. She flicked her tail at Sunpaw as a gesture for him to follow her and then set off at a stealthy trot while she tracked the thumping by sound. Soon enough traces of the scent began to float in the wind, and she knew what she was hunting: another rabbit, ripe for the picking. Her tail straightened up in the air to gesture Sunpaw to be cautious, then slowed down to a prowl to pinpoint the location of her prey. Now it was her turn. She'd lead the charge on this one, and when she caught sight of the fluffy tail of her prey, she crouched low in the sweet-scented heather.

It was none the wiser. She didn't even have to chase it, although she would have liked to. The warrior was on it in a flash of gold fur and bloodstained teeth, and quickly enough it was dead at her paws. Satisfied, Goldenfang licked the blood that was dripping down her chin.

The member 'Sun' has done the following action : Dices roll

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'Hunting Dice' : 4