𝐡𝐚𝐳𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐧 -- moonlit rock page [members only]

Hazelwing

Having traveled deep into the heart of Moonlit Forest, Hazelwing padded slowly up to the large boulder at the end of the tree line. Surrounded by a group of oak trees, the rock was lit by the sunlight that streams through the branches above. Taking in a deep breath, the she-cat stood back admiring the beauty of the large stone.

"You shouldn't stare at it as if it's going to move," Bearstep meowed behind her, making her jump.

"You followed me here?" Hazelwing's eyes widened as she whipped around, the large tom surprising her.

"Of course," the tom growled, coming up closer to her. "You didn't think I'd let you come here alone? Just because our medicine cat is busy with her clan duties, you think you can talk to StarClan alone? We haven't explored this entire forest, you know. We don't know all its secrets quite yet."

Hazelwing sighed, sitting down in front of the rock, wrapping her tail around her paws. She flicked her ears as she took in the enormity of the stone. She was silent as she realized the monstrous responsibility she was taking on. She was going against tradition and going in alone to get her lives.

"It's not as easy as it sounds, no?" Bearstep chuckled, coming to sit beside her. "You do know that I can help you. I have experience where you've been."

"You have? There's still so much I don't know about you, Bearstep," Hazelwing replied thoughtfully, glancing over at him.

Bearstep nodded, placing his nose on her shoulder. "You could say in a past life I was something of a leader. Not formally or anything. I used to be your paws. There is so much that you have to take on, but watching a clan grow and thrive is the most rewarding thing in this world."

Hazelwing got to her paws and had this determined look on her face. "You know what? You are so right, Bearstep! I've made up my mind!" She announced, walking right up to the stone, lay down in front of it and pressed her nose to the cool surface.

A rush of wind blew through Hazelwing's fur and the trees rocked above and round her. The sunlight was suddenly gone, replaced by the darkness of a storm. Hazelwing's eyes flashed open, the iris' beginning to glow. She felt something moving around in the darkness and she instantly got to her paws. She leapt on top of the Moonlit Rock and stared down below her. She frowned, the large form of Bearstep a small ant in comparison. The only thing that made this moment even weirder was that he was staring back up at her, just as confused as she was. "Bearstep! What's going on?!" She yowled against the wind.

Bearstep opened his mouth, but thunder roared, drowning out his words. Lightning flashed and shook the trees. A branch snapped off and flew directly at Hazelwing on the rock. The she-cat tried to leave the rock in order to avoid getting hit, but her legs wouldn't move. She shut her eyes just as she was knocked backwards with the impact.

Opening her eyes she found herself waking up in front of the rock, the warm sunlight pressing into her back. She jolted upright and looked around for Bearstep. He wasn't there and her heart began to race. She bit her lip. "What am I supposed to do now?" She meowed quietly, beginning to shake in fear.

Out of the ferns came Bearstep. "I figured that might be a problem," he meowed, sadness written on his face. "There aren't any StarClan Members to grant you your lives. I'm sorry, Hazelwing."

Hazelwing looked crestfallen as she stared at the ground. "How am I supposed to lead the clan now?"

Bearstep nudged her with his nose as he came to stand beside her. "How do you think all the great clans of the past were started? They had one cat who stood above the rest and lead their clan until the day they died. They then protected the clan and its members long after their death."

Hazelwing looked up at him with a sad expression. "Why can't you take the position instead of me then?"

"It's not my path; not yet anyway. I can help you lead the clan if that's what you like, but you have to make a formal announcement to do so." Bearstep calmly explained to her. "Come on, let's head back to camp."