𝚂𝚒𝚕𝚎𝚗𝚝 𝚂𝚑𝚊𝚍𝚘𝚠𝚜 || 𝚂𝚑𝚊𝚍𝚎𝚍 𝚂𝚎𝚌𝚛𝚎𝚝𝚜 #1

Chapter Three

Hailwatcher stirs, his field of vision slowly becoming clear.

As he pulls himself up from his nest, last night's vision immediately flies into his mind.

He tries to remember any details he may be forgetting, but the only thing that comes to mind is the gaping, jagged abyss and the reddish light that radiated from its depths.

He starts to question whether StarClan is merely toying with him; placing the burden of knowledge on him can't be the best course of action.

Sunlight filters through gaps in the cavern's ceiling, providing rays of sunlight to nourish the medicine den's seedlings.

Hailwatcher pads over to the herb stores, steadying his balance in the process, and glances down at a little bundle of herbs and flowers- Thornflight's creation, just for him.

Feeling at least a bit more like a ShadowClan cat, he gently paws it and notices the marigold flower squeezed in between two juniper branches.

The small gray tom sighs, tucking the bundle behind his ear, and starts to pace around while he thinks of something to do.

He considers going outside and socializing, whatever that entails, but realizes that his Clanmates will feel some obligation to congratulate him, actual feelings about the matter notwithstanding.

Hailwatcher snaps from his thoughts as he looks over at the entrance to the medicine den; the hanging vines covering the entrance start to quiver.

Getting a bit nervous, the small gray tom cautiously advances closer to the den mouth.

"Who's there...?"

"Boo!"

A brown blur comes flying at Hailwatcher from behind the vine curtain, crashing into him.

Hailwatcher hits the ground with a thump, dust flying up around him.

Trying to figure out what's going on, he squirms as paws slam down on his shoulders and pin him down.

"Got you good this time!"

Still struggling in this familiar assailant's grasp, Hailwatcher gives up and goes limp.

A moment later, the other cat's grip on his pelt loosens and he manages to pull himself out from under them.

Standing before him is a mottled brown tom only a bit taller than himself with a wide, devious grin on his face.

Recognizing Kestrelwing, Slightstar's younger apprentice with a propensity for supposed pranks, Hailwatcher sighs.

"What was that for?" he protests, smoothing down his fur while keeping a wary eye on the mottled warrior.

"Just for fun," replies Kestrelwing with a sneer, slipping behind Hailwatcher and whacking him in the face with his tail.

"Oopsie!"

"Hey!"

Hailwatcher scowls, unamused, though his large eyes and kitlike facial features do a bad job of helping him look menacing.

"Aw, are you angry? Whatcha gonna do about it, huh?" Kestrelwing's insufferable grin stretches even wider as he starts to cackle at his own taunt, green eyes narrowing in a provocative sneer.

"Learn how to take a joke!"

"..Can you please just leave me alone?" Hailwatcher mumbles.

"I just want to go-" The young medicine cat starts toward the mouth of the den, only to jerk back in pain as Kestrelwing's paw slams down on his tail.