@
Arie
(ik, ik, you said to keep it a little shorter, but I couldn't help it)
Puddlepaw remained on the trail of Weaselskip, keeping his radar up and occasionally glancing at his surroundings to make sure no noises would be made. The slightest misplacement of a paw, or the crack of a twig could alert all prey in the immediate area that they were there. And that wouldn't do them any good. Fixing his eyes back on Weaselskip, he noticed the molly was heading back in his direction. He assumed this meant she had found some rabbits up ahead, and his impression was right. Nodding to indicate he had understood her first instructions, he started off in the direction she had specified. He only made it out a few tail-lengths before stopping in his tracks, realizing that Weaselskip had more to say.
Oops. This time, he gave her his undivided attention, making sure not to prematurely jump to the conclusion that they were ready to begin. He listened attentively to what she said, soaking up all the advice like a sponge. This was it. His first proper hunt. Giving Weaselskip a quick smile, he was reassured when she mentioned she wouldn't get upset if it got away this time. He watched as she disappeared in the other direction. And with that, he dropped into a crouch, making sure to use the proper form taught a few moments ago. Without further hesitation, the tom took off across the moor, heading carefully in the direction of the rabbits. His pace was a little on the slow side at first, but he gradually began picking up speed. Soon, he was able to see one of the rabbits, munching on some greenery, completely oblivious to the fact that it was about to meet an untimely end. He circled around the area until both he and the rabbit were in line with where Weaselskip was concealed. But he didn't go for it immediately. He kept glancing in Weaselskip's direction, waiting for some kind of indicator. As a tail poked up from behind the lush tall grass, Puddlepaw took this as a sign that the warrior was ready. Creeping as close as he thought possible, he suddenly burst out from behind a clump of taller grass, launching himself towards the rabbit. It seemed the rabbit was prepared, but so was Puddlepaw. As it raced away, he stayed hard on its heels, not letting it out of his sight. Whenever it attempted to veer off path, he would circle around on its side, steering it back into the imaginary line he had drawn out in his mind. They were getting closer and closer to where Weaselskip lay in hiding, and he knew the warrior would likely pop out at any moment to complete the ending chase. But, for now Puddlepaw was quite content with himself. He was actually doing it! He was flushing out the rabbit!