~The Kitten and the Wolf~

The night passes on quietly, the soft chirping of crickets and grasshopper's serenading her as the moonlight makes the crystals in the cave glow softly inside.

River stayed close to the crystals after moving her nest, liking the light they gave off before she eventually just fell asleep there next to the crystals.

Soon sunlight puts a beam of light into the cave come early morning, lighting up the cave brightly and making the crystals shine bright enough to wake her up. Sitting in front of her as she opens her eyes is Brambletail. And he's smiling at her happily.

River woke up and yawned a bit, her ears twitching before she noticed Bramble and purred happily. "You came back~"she said and bounced up, running over to him as she rubbed against his legs happily since she was happy he was there again.

Brambletail chuckled and gently nosed River behind her ears.

Of course I came back young hunter. I was watching you the entire time. You did very well surviving on your own. I am ever impressed.

He praises her, finding even himself gazing in awe at the young kitten's curious albeit marvelous find.

River swished her tail happily and stayed close to him, really very happy he came back.
You really watched me the whole time? And I did okay?
she asked and looked up at him. She was really happy about his praising, since she knew he wouldn't leave her behind now.

Brambletail nodded.

You did much better than I had originally thought. I even had the confidence in you to do a little scouting ahead while I was watching over you. There's a desert to the north of here that I've never been through before. Conditions would be harsh going through there but it's manageable. My old forest is off to the west of here as well. It's....not much to look at now. But maybe we'd find something that had survived the flames of the storm so long ago.

Brambletail sat down and his tail lashed in thought before he looked to River.

Why don't I leave the final decision of our travel up to you? I don't mind going to either place but both places will be difficult to survive in. Much more difficult than surviving here in the forest.

He asks her, curious as to which environment the tiny little kitten would pick to explore next.

River watched him a bit as she listened, her head tilting some as she heard about the two different places. When he said he would let her pick though she twitched her ears some and looked at the floor as she thought.
Can we go to your old home? Maybe we can find something there?

Brambletail hesitated a bit before finally nodding in acceptance. He would have to go back to the scene of his greatest failure sooner or later.

Very well. I cannot guarantee that there will be much prey there as most of the forest is burnt and destroyed. Safe water will likely be very scarce as well. You're sure that's where you want to go?

He asks her, trying to confirm her choice of places to go and explore.

River nodded and looked at him as her tail swished.
We can do it together, so we will be okay.
She told him and purred a bit.

Brambletail sighs and nods as River purrs at her choice.

Very well then. We should hunt one last time before we proceed to my old forest. It would probably be in our best interest to do so anyway. Go out and hunt for what you want on your own while I do the same. We'll be more efficient if we separate for now. Let's meet back here once we've caught our prey alright?

He tells her before getting up and leaving the cavern to hunt for his own prey. He could smell lots of squirrels and rabbits out today as well as a couple of deer that made his mouth water.

River nodded some as she watched him leave, her tail swishing as she walked over to the pond inside of the cave. She remembered seeing the fish the night before and wanted to see if she could catch any of them.

Brambletail decides to go after the rabbit's, quickly finding one and crouching into position to hunt it. The poor creature doesn't even seem to notice him as he suddenly springs out of the bushes and quickly cuts its life short with a swift bite to it's neck. After finishing his kill, he sits back onto his back legs and breathes a bit.

I'm getting old....I used to be able to hunt four or five of these before I got tired. I should exercise more later.

He thinks to himself before getting back up and collecting his kill, burying it near the cave before heading out to search for another one.

~Back in the Crystal Cave~

River can see a couple of very colorful fish in the pond as well as many of the same fish that were in the pond near the human's nest. These however, were much bigger than the ones in the pond near the human's nest. They don't seem to notice her as she walks over, all of them swimming around calmly without a single care in the world.

River watched the fish and sat down as she did, waiting quietly and patiently since she didn't want to scare them away. She waited for a while before moving quickly, like she was taught, trying to scoop one that had gotten close to her and the surface.

River manages to hook one of the fish with her claws and fling it very easily onto the ground of the cavern. It flops around wildly as it struggles to get some air, slowly suffering to death.

-------------------

Brambletail manages to hunt another rabbit before he returns to his small pile of fresh kill. He had managed to catch three rabbits and was now very tired and a bit sore. Lying down next to his small pile of prey, he takes a second to catch his breath.

River purred happily when getting the fish out, going over and biting it quickly to kill it. Making sure to hang onto it tightly she rinsed it in the water like Bramble taught her before going back to the little nest she had made and started to eat.

River manages to make it about halfway through her fishy meal before Brambletail walks back inside, four rabbits dangling by their ears in his jaws. He sets them all down in front of her before lying down with a heavy breath and taking one to eat for himself.

River noticed the heavy breath he let out and tilted her head some, finishing her fish quickly though and went to lay down against him as she purred and cleaned herself up.

Brambletail manages to finish three of his caught four rabbits before he lies down onto his side and closes his eyes.

You may have that last rabbit if you wish little one. I am exhausted and must rest.

He tells her, his breathing slowing down a bit more to indicate that he was falling asleep.

River looked at him confused but she nodded, pawing the rabbit over to herself as she ate. She was happy to eat since she was still a bit hungry. It didn't take her long to finish, and she went back to cleaning herself when she did.

Brambletail opens up an eye after a while and watches River carefully.

I'm curious little hunter....what do you expect to find in my old home? I expect nothing but ashes and soiled river water.

He asks her.

River looked at him a bit and stopped licking her paw as she tilted her head.

I expect something to explore. A place you know, and spent time in.

Brambletail blinks at River in confusion.

Interesting....you know of the dangers but you still seek my old home....only to see the sights and what was once my territory?

He asks her.

River looked at him and moved to curl up against him.

Is it wrong to be curious? What about what is beyond your forest?

Brambletail smiles at her and curls up around her, keeping her warm with his fur.

I already know the answer to your question. There is a rainforest nearby as well as a mountain region to the west of my old home. It is why I doubt you will find much. Although I never did explore either of those regions due to being the guardian of the forest. I had to watch over all of the creatures in my territory and protect them from harm.

He explained to her.