So, yeah. Had an accident and lost half my edits in the middle of it... joy.

Chapter Three: Flight

Katha opened her eyes, feeling rather strange. She didn't remember having gone back to sleep during the day.

"Katha," Ava said gently, rocking her awake, "You have to come with me!"

"What?" Katha asked drowsily, "What's going on?"

"There's a new owlet!" She answered, bouncing a bit on her perch. The full moon was rising behind her.

Katha glanced from her friends face to the moon. Really? she wondered, A new owlet? Why don't I feel exited...?

"Come on, Katha!" Ava sprang up into the air, her wings flapping with excitement.

Katha flew after her friend with a sigh. The night was much cooler than the one before and it felt good to stretch her wings again in the fair weather. The appearing stars looked like holes to gluamora above.

"Has it had its TUPSI?" Katha asked Ava.

"Him," she replied, "It's a him. And no, not yet. I suppose they could always have him kill that one sooty... you know, the one who is always staring at me?"

"No pellets," Katha churred, "You know what I think? I think you looo-"

Ava cuffed her, which didn't quell her friends laughter. "Shut up. I don't care about some stupid lesser sooty."

They landed near another hollow. Katha let her curiosity get the best of her, and she peeked inside first. An older barn owl chick was still sleeping inside. His beak rested softly in his chest-feathers, his flight feathers looking just about full. However, something about the bird seemed younger than he really was.

"Hey, Sammy!" Ava lightly hit him with her wing.

The owlet opened his eyes just to glare at her. "Don't call me that! I'm going to get a real name soon..."

"Yeah, fine, whatever. This is Katha," she said, swiveling her head towards her.

"Hi." Sammy/No Name replied, relaxing a bit.

Katha yawned. "Is anyone up for a flight? I need to get my blood flowing"

"Me!" Ava volunteered.

Sammy just stood there looking nervous. "Why don't we get to know each-other more elsewhere? Like, here... on the ground..."

Katha sighed. "First of all, were in a tree. Second, are you scared of flying? You already have all your feathers, for Glaux's sake!"

Sammy glowered at her. "I'm perfectly capable of flying, thank you much!"

Katha churred, "Really, Sam?" She asked, poking the younger owl. "You sure you arent a little afraid."

Ava joined her in poking the poor owlet, making him angrier.

Finally, he couldn't take it anymore. Sammy hopped past Katha and Ava and spread his wings. "You can't even touch me!" he shrieked, starting to fly.

"Nice one," Ava said to Katha before following him. Katha watched them both go before taking off herself, still smiling to herself.

After they had gained altitude, Katha moved up next to Ava. "Do you think he has what it takes for the special ceremony?" she asked quietly.

"Of course he does!" Ava whispered, "Dont be ridiculous. His da already killed his uncle. He probably doesn't even care about killing enemies."

"What if it's not an enemy he has to kill?" Katha hissed in reply.

"It's not like they're going to use us," Ava retorted, "Just relax."

Sammy flew closer to the other barn owls, clearly enjoying one of his first flights. "Everyone keeps talking about my special ceremony," he said, "What do I have to do?"

"You'll see," Katha said, "The important thing is that you do it. Once you do you become a true member of the Tytonic Union. It's a great honor, Sam. Plus, you'll get a real name."

Sammy still looked wary. "I know what I said earlier, but I guess Sammy isn't a bad name. What if I get a crummy one like Dirt or Mud-face?"

"That's only for the sooties," Katha assured him and smiled, "They're less pure than us, though I suppose they can't do much about it than fight to purify all owls."

"What was your name before you got Katha?" he asked her, flying a little higher.

"I..." Katha paused. "I don't know. My parents were killed by the Guardians when I was a week old. Probably a stupid one..."

"Do you know what Ava's was?" he pressed.

"Stella or something like that," she answered, "Trust me, you'll like your new one much better."

They flew for a while in silence, each bird hatching his or her own plans. Sammy's was to get a good name, to make his mum and da proud. Ava's was to get to know the both of them better. And Katha's was to finally get revenge on the owls that had killed her parents. Soon, however, they were interrupted from their thoughts as they encountered a few rogue air currents

"Winds are getting stronger!" Ava yelled from ahead of them.

"Maybe we should go back!" Katha replied.

"I want to work more on my flying!" Sammy protested. The other two exchanged a look and continued flying, wanting to appease the younger owl.

The three owls continued to fly even as the winds picked up. Proud of himself for being so bold, Sammy flew higher than both other owls, much to Katha's dismay.

"OI!" Ava shreed, "Be careful!"

"This is GREAT!" Sammy cried back from above them. He was flapping his wings carelessly, his eyes filled with sheer delight in his new skills.

Katha screamed words that were lost in the wind as a great gust of wind smacked her in the back like a bear paw. She heard Ava shrieking in terror, Sammy shouting something, and the desperate flaps of her own wings as she tried to right herself.

She was falling. Why was she falling? She wanted to soar above, to fly, but something was tearing her down. Something that wasn't real was pulling her towards the earth. Katha gasped as she came to a realizationg. It was her fear. I'm going yeep, she thought, I'm going to die. I'll never have revenge! I'll never make my parents in Glaumora proud! I'll never... NO! She mentally smacked herself, quickly regaining her composure and righting herself as she fought against the winds.

Katha breathed. She was flying. She was back in the air. "I'm not yeep! I'm not going yeep!" she cried triumphantly.

"Sammy!"

Katha's senses suddenly multiplied by a thousand times as she heard Ava scream. She flew down to her as fast as she could. Ignoring her fear of impact, she landed hard on the ground, sending dust up around her.

Blood. It was covered with blood.

So. Two chapters in one day. Madness, you say!? For me, not really. Two hours between classes gives you free time and being on campus gives you access to a keyboard with a working backspace key... ANYWAY! Enjoy, please. Also, vote on my poll. Im confused as to what to do first.