“That was fantastic!” Icepaw was staring at him from the other side of the tree, her eyes wide with awe.

Whitewing’s ears were pressed back in surprise.

Lionpaw felt something tickling his nose. One of the thrush’s soft feathers had stuck to his muzzle. He swiped it away, feeling self-conscious.

Ashfur nodded. “Impressive.”

“That was a huge leap!” Whitewing meowed. “You could have easily missed.”

No, I couldn’t. Lionpaw bit back the thought. Considering the surprise still lingering in his Clanmates’ eyes, he decided it might be better to let them think it had been a lucky strike. Perhaps Jaypaw was right: They might not be too happy to know the truth behind his powerful kill.

As they headed back to camp, Lionpaw’s nostrils filled with the mouthwatering aroma of the thrush. It bounced against his chest, its wings dredging leaves. Icepaw padded beside him, her small catch tripping her as she tried to match his pace.

“I wish my legs weren’t so short,” she complained, her words muffled by vole fur.

“They’ll grow,” Lionpaw promised.

Whitewing and Ashfur walked ahead, each carrying a catch of their own. This late in greenleaf, all prey was welcome. The Clan needed to gorge itself if it was to make it through leaf-bare. At least, that was what the older cats kept saying. Lionpaw couldn’t remember leaf-bare, other than something beyond the nursery walls—a menace that worried the older cats and made the branches of the den rattle.

“That was such a great catch,” Icepaw mewed.

Lionpaw grunted his thanks. He didn’t want to swallow a feather and spend the rest of the day coughing.

“Why did you jump so soon?” Icepaw persisted. “Did you think it might hear you if you’d gone closer?”

“I just thought I’d try.” Lionpaw was sure he could have padded right up to the thrush if he’d wanted. But why waste time tiptoeing about?

“You’re such a great hunter,” Icepaw went on out of the corner of her mouth. “I thought Hollypaw was good, but you’re amazing. Where did you learn to jump like that? Do you do extra practice to get so strong? Do you think I ought to be doing more training?”

“I’m sure Whitewing will give you all the training you need.”

“I just hope she trains me as well as Ashfur trained you.”

Lionpaw watched his mentor disappear behind a bramble spilling over the track ahead. Ashfur had taught him well. He had never wished for any other teacher. But Ashfur had not been his only mentor. Tigerstar had trained him, too. And he had been born with powers Icepaw could never dream of, even if she trained day and night every moon of her life.