[Jesse]

Originally Posted by Arie

There was only one thing that could be done here and that was to let out a sigh of frustration and annoyance in order to clear his head. Burningpaw it seemed was too smartass for his own good and this attitude was not going to last him in the long run nor bring him much luck... or at least that was Breezefeather's view on it. Following the apprentice's lead and ears flickering in acknowledgement of his apprentice's observations, the deputy had one thing that it seemed Burningpaw had forgotten both of the times.

The kid might be showing great tracking potential but he'd only shown Breezefeather were the rabbits had been... not where they were right at that moment and showing up by the young cat he sat down and noticed the track with a careful eye himself. They were fresh, but there were still no clear sign of a rabbit and he couldn't help himself as he took up a paw and rubbed his silver spotted face. This was an exhausting thing having to repeat himself over and over again, but he could not teach Burningpaw how to hunt with just tracks, he needed an actual living and breathing example to demonstrate, or at least have Burningpaw try on his own.

"Your tracking skills are on par Burningpaw, however this is the second time already you've not done what I instructed. You found where a rabbit had been, quite recently even, but you did not find the rabbit itself. This burrow may house a lot but it doesn't right now. There is no rabbits near us right now or we would be clearly aware of it. Do what I tell you so you'll actually learn something, because that is my job as your mentor, to correct you where you are wrong and guide you onto the right tracks." And that was exactly what he was going to do.

"Follow me." And with that Breezefeather took off, silver legs stretching far out in front of him as he raced across the moors. They would have been able to find a rabbit nearby surely, but he also needed this to clear his head. Otherwise he was going to get more and more frustrated so this did its own work on his mind. Pausing and stopping abrutly though, he gestured to Burningpaw to hopefully listen and do the sam. His ears were perked, green eyes focused as he spotted the creature nibbling on some of the last remaining strands of grass through the snow.

Burningpaw had done exactly what he'd asked. He did find a rabbit. It wasn't his fault Breezefeather failed to specify whether or not it needed to be within pouncing distance. Then came the lecture.. Burningpaw might as well have been covering his ears. Or maybe your senses are dull and you cant feel the rabbits digging around only a whisker-length beneath your paws, he thought bitterly as his mentor finished. He'd have repeated it aloud if Breezefeather hadn't dashed off before he even had the chance to open his mouth. Where was he going in such a hurry? The rabbits weren't going anywhere. He followed with some reluctance, sprinting a ways behind.

When Breezefeather stopped however, Burningpaw did not. In fact, he sped up, grazing his mentor as he rushed onward at a breakneck speed. Nothing would stand between him and his prey- or so he thought. The rabbit heard him coming far before it saw him coming and bolted off through a crop of dead brush. Burningpaw didn't end his pursuit however, and he dived headfirst into the brush after it. There was a loud struggle- the alarmed bleats of a frightened rabbit, the scraping of branches. Then, suddenly, Burningpaw's head broke to the surface, a ring of blood staining his maw and something furry wedged between his teeth. It wasn't a rabbit though. It was a piece of fur, with flesh attached. The rabbit had broken free and it could be seen flying away over the snowy landscape. But Burningpaw didn't look discouraged- in fact he looked the opposite. He was gleaming.

"Don't worry, we can follow it. It left a trail of blood, see. It will tire and lead us to a burrow. Aren't you proud?"

Had he done that on purpose?