Warriors: Heronpaw's Secret (Complete)

Chapter 18

 Heronfall's blue eyes grew wide with shock and disbelief as Hawkgrowl approached him and the other two rogues. The Clan deputy has been working with the rogue group all along, and no one knew.

 Hawkgrowl jumped over the fence and approached them, dipping his head toward the two rogues. ''Hello, Snowdrop. Hello, Mudslide.''

 The two rogues dipped their heads back, and Heronfall felt his heart drop when Hawkgrowl looked at him. He snorted. ''Did you two catch another one?''

 ''Oh, him? No, actually.'' Mudslide meowed. ''He came here willingly, claiming that he wants to join our group. Should we trust him?''

 ''Oh?" Hawkgrowl tilted his head and studied Heronfall with his dark amber eyes. ''Why?''

 ''Well..'' Heronfall's heart pounded against his chest. He wanted to run away, but he stood his ground. ''I..I've hated Cougarheart for a long time, and I'm sick of WindClan. And, since they captured Cougarheart, I want to be part of them.''

 ''Hmm.'' Hawkgrowl mumbled. ''You two haven't talked in quite a long time, and she does seem upset with you. I guess we can let you join, although I will keep a very close eye on you, so don't try anything funny.'' He narrowed his eyes distrustfully. ''Now, since you're here, I assume you know that I was the one who led this rogue group to WindClan's camp?''

 Heronfall nodded, his mind buzzing from all the new information.

 ''Rosestar is weak and a fool, and so was the leader before her.'' Hawkgrowl spat. ''They're making WindClan weak. They need a new leader, one like me! I will lead them to glory!''

 Heronfall's tail lashed, trying not to betray his anger. I'll make sure Rosestar hears about this, don't you worry.

 ''You agree with me, don't you?'' Hawkgrowl asked, studying him with a cold, expressionless gaze.

 ''I.. yes, of course I do. Rosestar is weak.'' Heronfall had to agree with him. He wanted to bite back his words, but he had to make the deputy believe that he truly hated WindClan. Otherwise, he would be done for.

 Hawkgrowl continued to stare at Heronfall for a few more heartbeats, but then he nodded slowly. ''Good. Let's go back to the barn, then.'' He meowed, then looked at the two rogues. ''Snowdrop, Mudslide, lead Heronfall to Cougarheart and..'' He whispered something that Heronfall didn't hear. ''And I'll talk with Shark.'' He raised his voice.

 Heronfall tilted his head. He didn't like that Hawkgrowl lowered his voice when telling the plan to the rogues, but he was quickly pushed toward the barn by the two rogues.

 ''Come on, let's go see your enemy!'' Snowdrop purred, holding her tail high and nudging him toward the barn.

 Heronfall hesitated and looked at Hawkgrowl, who was padding towards Shark. The rogue leader was watching them intently from the base of a tree. He then turned his attention toward the WindClan deputy.

 When Heronfall entered the barn, he blinked twice, not realizing how dark it was inside. When his eyes got used to the darkness, he looked around. A few rogues were sitting and talking to each other, and he guessed that the rest of the group was patrolling or hunting outside.

 ''Who's this?'' A ginger she-cat growled, lashing her tail. 

 Snowdrop looked at her. ''Sunset, this is- uh..''

 ''Heronfall.'' He meowed.

 ''Heronfall.'' Snowdrop nodded. ''He wants to join our rogue group because we have his Clanmate Cougarheart, and he supposedly hates her. May you let us inspect our prisoner?''