On The Rise

Chapter 1
Two cats stood on the bank of a stream, a small tabby tom and a pale ginger she-cat.

"You know, Littleclaw," said the she-cat, "it's really dumb that we've both hunted here for so long and we've barely spoken."

"Yeah, all these moons of this stunningly boring task," muttered Littleclaw.

"Actually, I really like hunting. The wind in your fur, warm prey at your claws, making sure the Clan's fed..."

"Yeah, it's pretty cool," said Littleclaw with an awkward laugh. "So how've the past couple of days been for you, Flowerheart?"

"Well, I met this tom," she said. "He's pretty handsome, and I thought he was a bit of a mousebrain at first-"

"You know what they say- trust your instincts."

"But," continued Flowerheart, "he's actually really sweet. It's interesting how cats can be layered like that- underneath, they're completely different than they are on the surface."

"And sometimes there's another layer underneath that, and that one's the same as the top one," said Littleclaw.

"Huh?" Flowerheart looked confusedly at her friend.

"So you're going to keep seeing him?" asked Littleclaw, ignoring the question.

"I think so."

"Oh. Well, that's nice."

"Um, Littleclaw?"

"Yes?"

"You're digging your claws into the ground." The warrior looked down at his paws.

"So I am," he said. "Funny." More awkward laughter.