[gs29513]

 

The kits were almost a moon old and Scratch called them from the den. Itzel was away doing something, and they were old enough to learn how to fight. Kits, come here. As they lined up in front of him, at least the three that had survived, the fourths death having earned Itzel a missing ear, he surveyed them quickly. They were now looking much more healthy, hopefully they would learn how to fight quickly.

He began his instruction momentarily. All of you need to know how to fight. The first move you need to learn is the belly rake. Try ducking under each other and hitting. No claws just yet, we'll get to that soon enough. Watching as they ducked and smacked he noticed that one of them was particularly good. One! he singled her out quickly. They didn't hav names, they were just numbers for now. Eventually they might earn them, but for now numbers.

I want you to take on both of your siblings. No claws still. he reminded, before settling back to watch. She was more than able to hold her own, and he was somewhat worried by the seeming uselessness of her younger sister. It was more of a one v one than a two v one, and he would have to keep an eye on three.

 

Itzel moved through the forest. Her legs trembled slightly as she moved, her weakness from the time nursing the kits and lack of movement during that time evident. Her ribs showed prominently along with her hipbones and her paws twitched lightly as if to unsheath her missing claws. Her belly was already beginning to bulge again slightly, filled once again wit kits.

Why Scratch had allowed her this far away without being watched was beyond her, but she wasn't about to argue. She needed to eat. Prey dashed by and she was unable to catch any, her weakness preventing success. Eventually, after what felt like a moon of trying, she was able to catch one very scrawny mouse. It was a meager meal and she knew she hadn't even replaced the expended energy, but she hoped that Scratch would give her more prey. He had to, didn't he?

 

Your kits aren't up to standard. Scratch snarled as Itzel returned. Only two of them seem to have any skill whatsoever, and even those two aren't on the same level as Rip was. I need you to do two things. First, you need rest. You're far to weak. Second, you will eat more. I will provide prey. After you have your strength up, you will find me a cat. I don't care what kind, but I want a cat. Bring them back, alive, and the kits will learn how to kill. We'll see then if Three is even worth my time.If she wasn't, he would have a small test of the other kits loyalty.