Mouse Slayer

[Jayfox]

The sleek black cat eyed the mouse warily. He was very very close but it had still not seen or smelt him. He could kill it from here, with one quick swipe.
No… no he couldn’t. It was too cute; too innocent. And what if it had a family? What if it had little baby mouselings that depended on it for food?

Blackbird narrowed his eyes in frustration as he tried to build up the courage to kill the little creature. He was the deputy, for goodness sake. He of all cats needed to be setting an example. The clan needed to be fed, and it was his job to make sure that happened.

But just as he raised his sleek black paw, preparing to strike, something startled the mouse. It scurried of into the undergrowth, quickly vanishing amongst the leaves. He’d missed his chance. Blackbird sighed. To another cat’s ears it might sound like a sigh of disappointment, but it was really a sigh of relief.

[Cloudfeather]

Phantomheart was watching her deputy hunt, being on a patrol with him. She caught the mouse as it ran into the bushes, killing it swiftly. She jumped out of the bushes, laying it at his paws.

She shrugged as she licked a bit of blood from her mouth. Standing again she slipped back into the bushes and growing darkness. She knew of the deputys...disability....with killing. It intrigued her, causing her to want to observe him. Shed noticed how he had hesitated.

Hopping agiley into onto a low branch she watched from above to see his reaction. She had been utterly silent the entire time. It was in her nature, she wasn't very social and didn't share tomgues with cats other than kits and elders. The other cats made her uncomfortable.

[Jayfox]

Blackbird felt a rush of sadness as Phantomheart killed the poor mouse. He stared down at the limp body helplessly, wishing it didn’t have to be so. He found himself wondering what the creature’s life had been like. Had it had a mate? Children? Had it been an accomplished forager? At least it had been a quick end, he supposed. And the cat who had it for dinner would have a nice meal.

The black cat glared up into the branches where Phantomheart stood. He’d taken care that no one had seen his hesitation to kill, and this was not going to be good for his image if the rumour spread. He was a strong tough warrior, and held the respectful rank of deputy. He did not want cats thinking he was a coward. That would not do.

Blackbird stalked forwards, his pelt easily merging with the dark undergrowth so that he was nearly invisible. He hated hunting. Why had he even bothered going on patrol?

[Cloudfeather]

Phantomheart jumped down, landing beside him. She sighed and touched the tip of her tail to his flank,"I'm the only one who knows. Blackbird i don't think any less of you, it just means you have more of a heart, to some cats though they'd wish to challenge your authority.", she said quietly. She looked back to the mouse and sighed,"Death is not something to be celebrated, but celebrate the life it had and thank its spirit for the nourishment it gives to keep us alive. It will help.", she said. She wouldn't tell if he did not want her to, if he wanted his secret spilled then he could do it himself.

Slinking back she grabbed the mouse and dropped it in front of him,"Come along. You can have a few to say you killed some. This way you didn't actually kill any.", she said calmly and awkwardly half smiled. She still had prey to gather that she'd covered so it wouldn't be stolen.

She shrugged and looked up at him as she waited for a response, for some reason she was always calm, never on edge. This made her a worthy opponent in battle since she could keep a calm, cool, and collected head when fighting, keeping her mind off anything except her one purpose.