Chapter Three

The medicine cat den had a very strong smell to it, that hit Hazekit's nose suddenly. The kit, startled by all the strange and tangy scents, bolted for cover behind Littlepaw.

"That's the smell of herbs," Littlepaw explained to Hazekit. "It's pretty strong."

Hazekit noticed a cat with his back turned to them. She poked Littlepaw with her paw and whispered, "Is that Reedtail?"

Littlepaw nodded. "He has a problem with his hearing."

Hazekit pricked her ears, and was glad her hearing was as fit as can be.

"You called, Reedtail?" Littlepaw spoke up, and Reedtail swung his head around. He was pure white with gleaming green eyes and a smile that twisted awkwardly.

At first, Hazekit was startled by the tom, but his voice was calm and a pleasure to hear.

"Yes, I did Littlepaw," he replied. "I need you to count the poppy seeds. And- now, who's this?" Reedtail's green eyes sunk into Hazekit's pelt.

"Um, this is..." Littlepaw glanced at Hazekit who stepped forward.

"Hazekit," Hazekit mewed bravely, suddenly feeling more confident.

"Mm-hm. Brave little kit, aren't you?" Reedtail then turned to his apprentice. "Has she met Stormstar yet?"

Littlepaw shrugged. "I don't suppose," he mewed softly.

The clan leader- of course! Hazekit wanted to meet him soon.

"Here, Hazekit. Do you want to help me?" asked Littlpaw as he padded to the back of the den.

"Okay," Hazekit agreed, and followed him.

Littlepaw halted at a stack of herbs placed in a nook and pawed out a few seed-like things.

"Poppy seeds?" asked Hazekit, and Littlepaw nodded.

"They help you fall asleep," he explained.

"Oh."

Littlepaw rolled a few towards Hazekit. "Can you count those? I'll count the rest."

Counting didn't sound very fun, but Hazekit didn't want to sound snooty, so she began to count the tiny black seeds. One rolled away, and Hazekit scrambled to catch it. The poppy landed in a stack of sweet smelling leaves.

"Mm..." Hazekit sniffed. "What are these herbs?"

"Cat mint," Littlepaw explained, then sniffed also. "They smell wonderful, don't they?"

Hazekit's mouth began to water, and a dark thought crossed her mind. Maybe if she snuck one back to the nursery, she could share it with Ashkit...

"How many poppy seeds did you count?" asked Littlepaw.

"Um, five." Hazekit quickly drew herself away from the cat mint.

"I counted five also. Reedtail," Littlepaw called to his mentor. "Should I go search for some more poppy seeds?"

"Yes. Bring a warrior with you," Reedtail replied, not looking up from his work.

Padding back out into the clearing with Littlepaw, Hazekit breathed in the fresh air of Newleaf.

Littlepaw was heading for a cluster of warriors, so Hazekit decided to follow.

"Um, I need a warrior escort to come help me find herbs," the little apprentice spoke up shyly to the older warriors.

"I'll come," volenteered a brown and white tom.

"Thanks, Rowantail." Littlepaw dipped his head respectfully.

Rowantail! That was Rockpaw's mentor!

"I've got to go, Hazekit. Um, see you later," Littlepaw meowed, before padding off Rowantail.

Hazekit stretched her paws and watched the two go.