Warriors: Heronpaw's Secret (Complete)

Chapter 20

 A moon had passed since the fight against the rogue group. Wolfstripe and Brownbranch were dearly missed, but the Clan was slowly moving on. Frostbreeze vowed that she would tell her kits stories about them, and she would warn them about Hawkgrowl if they ever misbehaved.

 Heronfall padded toward the RiverClan border, yawning. He didn't go to the last Gathering, which happened last night, but it didn't bother him too much. However, it surprised him to hear that Splashpelt, RiverClan's deputy, had died.

 The black-and-white tom reached the border with RiverClan and sniffed around. Whitelion sent him to patrol the border and the whole area by the gorge, up until their territory stopped right in front of the barn.

 When he made sure that no cat trespassed, he marked the border and was ready to move on when he heard paw steps. He suddenly panicked and spun around, but sighed in relief when he saw Leopardstorm walk toward him and stop on the Twoleg bridge.

 ''Hi there, Heronfall!''

 ''Hello, Leopardstorm. What are you doing here?'' Heronfall asked, tilting his head.

 ''Well, I..I was at the Gathering yesterday, and Rosestar told the Clans about a rogue attack and how two of your cats were killed. Are you all right?'' Leopardstorm asked, looking worried.

 Heronfall blinked in surprise, but nodded. ''Yes, I'm fine. Why did you ask?''

 ''Well, you're still my friend, even if we're from different clans.'' Leopardstorm meowed, looking anxious. ''And you didn't come at the Gathering, so I was a little worried.''

 Heronfall purred and sat down, resting his tail over his paws. ''I understand. Well, I'm fine, but you should leave soon. It's freezing today!''

 ''True.'' Leopardstorm meowed and looked toward the sun that was just peeking over the horizon. ''At least leaf-bare is almost over.''

 ''I can't wait.'' Heronfall sighed in relief. The snow was already starting to melt, even though the days were still cold. But they were less colder than they used to be, and Heronfall couldn't wait for newleaf. He then got up. ''Anyway, I should go. Whitelion wants me to patrol the territory. See you at the next Gathering!''

 ''See you!'' Leopardstorm nodded and turned around, rushing toward his camp. Heronfall padded away, following the river's direction and checking for any suspicious activity.

 Even though Hawkgrowl was exiled, he still lived with the fear that he or the rogue group would return, but they haven't returned yet, and Hawkgrowl didn't leave with them, either. There was a small chance that they would ever come back to the barn.

 Heronfall looked down at the gorge, then back up. He froze when he saw a rock that was close to the edge of the cliff. A painful memory flashed strongly in his mind about Meadow, his sister, who fell in the gorge. He sighed and moved forward, pushing the thought away. I still miss her, but I know she's watching over me. And one day, I'll see her again. I hope she's proud of me.

 Suddenly, Heronfall stopped. He sniffed the air and looked around, then looked in surprise in front of him. Near the edge of the cliff sat a rogue who looked at the gorge. But it wasn't any ordinary rogue. It was Rattlesnake, Heronfall's father, when he was still in his first life.

 He growled, lashing his tail and padding toward him. What is he doing here?! He's not the reason I died, but he still didn't do anything to stop Nectar throughout my whole life!

 However, he tried to look calm as he approached Rattlesnake. He bared his teeth. ''What are you doing here?''

 The rogue looked up at him, his eyes wide. ''Oh, I'm sorry, Clan cat. I was just admiring the gorge.''