Hunting Solo

Rapidpaw skirted the edge of the river bank. The waters surged around his paws, higher than they had been the day before. Rain drops pattered on the water’s edge, soft and gentle, but never ending. His claws scrapped the slick stones as he worked his way up the bank and away from the water. Damp reeds folded around him, rubbing his belly fur and wetting it with rain water. His ears swiveled about, listening for tiny footsteps among the falling rain. His sightless eyes blinked into the reeds, one foot padding in front of the other. He scented the air but the rain muffled the smells. His paws sunk into mud with a soft squishing sound. The river clan apprentice worked his way through the reeds, coming out the other side onto firmer ground. Willow trees swayed in the gentle breeze, guarding the ground from some of the rain.

The tom paused, shifting on his paws as he listened impatiently for the sounds of prey.  Rapidpaw frowned to himself scenting the air and still finding nothing. He circled the grove of trees, pausing every so often to listen to the rain falling on the outstretched tree branches. Birds chirped overhead, hiding among the willows, but Rapidpaw could not be bothered to go after them. He huffed, his scowl deepening as he continued his hunt for a decent catch.

He left the willow grove, steering towards the river once more, heading around the reeds into a now march like area thanks to the rain. Rapidpaw padded gingerly on the soft ground, clinging to the tiny grassy patches. His nose stung with the scent of rotting plants. He clamped his mouth shut trying to drive out the acrid stench. He hurried through the marsh, avoiding the mud the best he could but his paws came back slicked with muck. He took in a sharp scent of fresh air, blinking away rain from his eyes. He shook out his pelt, scattering water droplets in the wilted grass around him.

Rapidpaw carefully made his way back down to the river bank. Rain prattled on his back trailing down his oily pelt as he picked his way now the wet river stones. His footing slipped, one paw losing its grip on the rocks, sending him sliding down to the water. The young tom hissed, picking himself up from the rocks and feeling the tender spots on his forelegs. He shook it off, flicking his tail with frustration as he followed the water’s edge down to a dip in the ground. The grass felt springy under his paws as he made his way down. The sweet scent of grass greeted him, lifting his frown and he crouched low to the ground, feeling more confident about finding something. His ears focused downward, listening to the crickets hoping about in the long grass. Rapidpaw stalked forward, targeting the shuffling noises of a larger catch. The scent of water vole pierced his nose, flooding his senses with its presence. It’s slick body brushed the folded reeds as it chewed blades of grass and floating seeds. It’s beady eyes remained focused on the surface of the water as the dark tabby apprentice inched slowly closer. His bright blue eyes narrowed, ears folded forward, focused on the little creature inching closer and closer. His tail laid flat out behind him, resisting the urge to twitch it nervously.

The grass softened his foot falls as the space between the cat and his catch shrank heartbeat by heartbeat. Rapidpaw crept forward, his breath catching in his throat as blood thumped through his ears. He paused, waiting for just the right moment to pounce. He took to the air, cutting the distance in just a moment. His claws met flesh, snapping the vole’s neck with his teeth. Rapidpaw gave a soft chirp of excitement, half expecting to have missed his target. He picked up his catch, taking it to a drier spot up the bank, stashing it away under some dirt before returning to the bank to catch another.