Warriors: Heronpaw's Secret (Complete)

Chapter 13

 Heronpaw looked around, confused. Where am I?

 He was in a warm, lush forest. The sun was shining brightly on the clear blue sky above him. Although the atmosphere was warm and welcoming, he didn't want to be there. He had no idea what was going on, or where he was. He dropped into a crouch, feeling scared

 ''You broke your promise.''

 Heronpaw spun around and saw the white StarClan tom walk out of some bushes, his fur brushing against them. ''You told Cougarpaw the truth, and you broke your promise. It's time for your punishment.''

 Heronpaw looked up at him, cowering with fear. His eyes were wide with fear.

 ''Because you didn't keep your secret about your first life, you'll lose your second one as well.'' The tom meowed indifferently. ''Welcome to StarClan, Heronpaw.''

 The tom looked at the StarClan cat, shocked. ''Wait, no! I can't die! Please, let me go back!''

 The white tom looked away. ''You told Cougarpaw about your first life, and you broke the promise. That was the only rule you had to follow. And everyone who breaks a promise must be punished. I can't chase you out of StarClan, that's just cruel. You have to leave your second life behind and join us for good.''

 Heronpaw felt sick as the StarClan tom turned around and started to walk away. He let out a wail, getting up slowly. ''You don't understand! I have to go back, please!''

 The tom didn't respond, instead flicking his ear to show that he heard him, but didn't care about what he had to say.

 Heronpaw looked at his white paws, sighing. This is it, then?

 Suddenly, he shook his head, angry. No! I can't give up! Cougarpaw might not want anything to do with me anymore, but she still needs me! She just has to get over her anger!

 Heronpaw raised his head, trying to look as confident as he could. He called out indignantly. ''Listen! If you saw your friend grieving because their friend died, but you're their reborn friend, what would you do? Just sit there and watch your friend grieve and be sad until the end of their life? Tell me!''

 Heronpaw's words caught the StarClan's tom attention. He stopped and turned his attention to the apprentice, although he didn't give away any emotion, so Heronpaw just continued.

 ''I care about Cougarpaw, and I didn't want her to suffer for nothing! I just had to tell her!'' Heronpaw hissed. Although he seemed angry, he was actually scared, terrified even, but he didn't want to die yet. He knew what he was doing was risky, but he had to do it. ''Answer me! Would you continue lying to your friend and watch them suffer?''

 The StarClan cat's eyes narrowed with sympathy. ''Honestly? No, but that was the rule.''

 ''Who made the rules?'' Heronpaw hissed. ''This is mouse-brained! Did they even have friends?''

 The white tom let out a sigh. ''Wait here, I'll be back.'' He then turned and disappeared in some bushes from behind him. The bushes rustled for a few heartbeats, then fell silent.

 Heronpaw sat down, and as time began to pass, he started getting anxious. What if he just left me? What if.. I'm stuck in StarClan forever, and I'm really dead?

 But while he was worrying, the StarClan cat came back. A long-furred silver-and-white she-cat was following him. She twitched her tail and sat down in front of Heronpaw, then whispered something to the white tom. When he left, she turned her starry blue eyes to the apprentice. He started pawing the ground, feeling self-aware.

 ''My name is Featherwish. I was once RiverClan's deputy, many moons before you or your parents were born.'' The she-cat meowed. Heronpaw felt intimidated.