Hard times [s]

Sunpaw, despite how tempting it was, was not allowing himself to fall into despair over the current circumstances of his clan. He held onto his optimism with teeth and claws alone, digging in to keep himself afloat as hunger, frustration, and despair threatened to drive him right back into his worst habits. But he could not let down his clanmates right now, and so he had to believe that everything will be alright and keep pushing forward.

“Everything might feel wrong now, but things will change.”

Sunpaw repeated Twistpools words in his head like a mantra, telling himself them over and over again in the vain hope that it’ll make some difference in his heart. He knew they were true. Even if things had not changed the way he had wanted to every time, they had changed since Twistpool had said that to him. Sunpaw had changed. He was nearly fully grown now, though lack of food had made him less stocky, he was taller and stronger, no longer the kit Twistpool knew. He wondered if Twistpool was proud of him.

Things will change.

Taking a deep breath, Sunpaw continued his hunt through the territory with renewed vigor. He was determined to catch something and bring it back to his clan. He caught a hopeful scent in the air, and he gave the warrior escorting him a little nod before pursuing the scent. He slunk carefully through the weeds, afraid to even breathe too loud. Eventually he found what he was seeking, a squirrel darting around the long grass towards the nearest tree. It wasn’t much, but it was still food, and Sunpaw’s eyes narrowed with determination.

Slinking forward carefully, Sunpaw caught up to the squirrel as it slowed to a stop for a moment. As soon as he was close enough, Sunpaw leapt from his crouch to attempt to pounce. Unfortunately, the squirrel must've heard his approach, because just before Sunpaw leapt for the pounce, the squirrel darted off and dashed up a tree faster than Sunpaw could pursue it. Not that it stopped him from trying, slipping on the ground in his haste to shift gears from pounce to run, Sunpaw attempted to chase after the squirrel. He even attempted to leap up the tree in pursuit of it, but had no luck, the squirrel scrambling higher than Sunpaw could safely climb before leaping to another tree and then out of sight entirely.

Sunpaw leapt back down with a hissed curse, tail lashing as frustration welled up inside of him. Even when he was giving it all, he couldn't even catch one measly little squirrel. He grit his teeth together, digging his nails into the dirt, and allowed himself a few moments to wallow in his anger and despair at the situation. And then, he relaxed his claws, took a deep breath in, and closed his eyes. Fine. He couldn't catch that one. He'll find and catch something else. Simple as that. Shaking out his fur, Sunpaw got to his paws again and begin to walk back to the warrior on patrol with him.

Things will change, things will change...

Sunpaw attempted to catch a squirrel, and failed! -5 SP.