The Runt That Gets Nothing

Hunting Time! (Chapter 6)

Hollowpaw was out hunting training for the first time. Yesterday, Hollowpaw and Hollystar went to the Elder's Den and helped them with their ticks. Today was hunting training. 


As Hollowpaw stalked through the grass, she smelled a mouse. She stalked closer and when she saw the small prey, she crouched and crept forward. The smaller mouse raised its head and looked around. It must've sensed her. Hollowpaw then leaped onto the mouse, claws unsheathed, and killed it in one swift swipe. 

"Good job," Hollystar meowed from behind Hollowpaw. "It's small but very plump. You did good."

Hollowpaw smiled, showing off her sharp teeth. "T-thanks Hollystar! Did you catch anything?" She asked, tilting her head, and the dead mouse laid in from for her paws as she sat.

"Yes, but I buried it a bit back," Hollystar said, pointing back farther into the forest with her tail. "We can go get it then bring out prey back to camp."

"Will we come back to hunt some more?" Hollowpaw asked.

"Of course we will." Hollystar said as she stood and trotted away. Hollowpaw grabbed her mouse then ran after her mentor.

~~ Time Skip back at camp ~~

Hollowpaw and Hollystar had come back to camp a short while ago. Hollystar went to her den to rest but she promised to take Hollowpaw back out to hunt later. Hollowpaw puffed and trotted towards the Medicine den to see how Crowpaw was doing.

When she entered the Med Den, Crowpaw was learning about herbs. Of course...he's learning about herbs... Hollowpaw thought. Leaffall turned to Hollowpaw when she noticed her presence. Leaffall smiled and waved to Hollowpaw with the tip of her tail.

"Why, hello there, Hollowpaw. Nice to see you again." Leaffall greeted the younger she-cat as Crowpaw turned his head to look at his sister.

"Hey, Hollowpaw! How'd training go today?" Crowpaw asked Hollowpaw as she walked over to them.

"It went good. I caught a small but plump mouse on my first try." Hollowpaw purred, proud of herself. 

"That's great, Hollowpaw! Keep up the good work." Leaffall said, smiling.

"I will!" Hollowpaw smiled. She then said goodbye and walked out of the Med Den. She saw Nightpaw, who was sitting with Thornpaw, who was three moons older than them. Hollowpaw and Crowpaw both knew about Nightpaw's crush on Thornpaw, but they didn't know how Thornpaw felt about Nightpaw. Hollowpaw thought that Thornpaw liked Rosepaw, a light red and white she-cat with green eyes. Crowpaw thought Thornpaw liked Lightkit, who was now Lightpaw along with her brother, Darkpaw. Darkpaw and Lightpaw both became apprentices before Crowpaw, Nightpaw, and Hollowpaw did.

Hollowpaw rolled her blue eyes at her sister when Nightpaw turned to glare at her. Hollowpaw didn't care. She then felt a presence behind her so she turned to see who it was.

"My kits are all grown up," Silverfrost meowed, smiling. "I hope you all haven't caused too much trouble." she continued.

Hollowpaw purred in amusement. "No, we haven't."

"That's good," Silverfrost said as she gave a loving lick to Hollowpaw's forehead. "I hope Nightpaw isn't causing too much trouble...again." 

"Well, if you don't count her annoying Thornpaw, then no." Hollowpaw shrugged.

Silverfrost purred in amusement once more. She was then called back into the Nursery by Blackstripe, her mate. "I have to go now. I hope you all do good in the future." Silverfrost said as she turned to walk away.

"See you later!" Hollowpaw called after her foster mother. Hollowpaw then turned to go eat some fresh-kill.