Heartstar's rise : Book one

Ch. 4

Heartkit growled and jumped at the dark orange, almost red striped kit. He sunk his small teeth into the other kits neck and they rolled onto the ground with a thud. Dirt sprayed around them, making the den clouded and hard to breath in. 

           "Come on Firkit," came a voice, coughing slightly. Sandwing lay, watching them intently. "H'es two moons younger than you. Show me what a warrior you can be!" Firkit swung Heartkit off his back and hissed. 

            "I'm going to beat you up," he said grandly but he waited a moment as Heartkit shook himself. Once he was sure Heartkit was ready, he got into a crouched position and they wrestled in a mess on the ground. Honeykit, a cream coloured cat, watched them, cocking her head with excitement. 

            "Come on Firkit!" she cheered, jumping to her paws. Lionkit, a light orange, almost yellow cat watched sleepily. He yawned, showing his small fangs. 

            "You're going to regret messing with me," Heartkit said puffing his chest as he threw Firkit off his back. Firkit leapt at Heartkit, and rolled him to the ground. Then he pinned the kit under him. He howled in triumph then jumped off. Heartkit frowned and brushed himself off. Firkit prodded him playfully. 

              "It's ok, you're two moons younger, you'll win next time," Firkit assured Heartkit. Heartkit nodded unsure. 

               "We'll see about that," scoffed Sandwing. 

               "Good job Firkit," smiled Honeykit, ignoring Heartkit. She puffed out her fur and curled up next to Lionkit, who was already snoring gently. 

              "Do you want to have a rest?" asked Sandwing. Firkit shook his head. 

              "I'm going outside," he said. Heartkit padded over to Sandwing and curled up next to her, feeling her hat warm him up. 

              "You should go out," Sandwing told him, shuffling away from him. Heartkit gave her a confused look. "Go join Firkit. Get some fresh air." Heartkit nodded and shrugged before pounding after Firkit. 

Stormpelt brushed through the bracken and back into the camp sheltered by large trees. He spotted Heartkit and Firkit under the log near the elder's den. Whitecloud was dozing off next to them, Riverclaw and Crowtail were talking to the kits. Stormpelt left his patrol, instructing Deerdapple to report to Pinestar about the patrol. He trotted to his kit. He came up behind Heartkit and nudged him forward. Heartkit topped over with a cry of surprise. He quickly sprang out and turned to Stormpelt. 

              "Hey!" he cried. 

             "Hi," smiled Stormpelt. Heartkit raced to Stormpelt and nuzzled his leg. His eyes sparkled, happy to see his father. "Hello Crowtail, Riverclaw, how are you doing today?"

             "Great actually, thank you," smiled Crowtail. He had been in the elder's den for a few moons now. He longed for the time when his legs worked properly and when his nose was still sharp. 

              "We were just telling the kits about our fights at the Carrionplace," Riverclaw explained. He licked his dark tabby fur. Stormpelt shivered. He'd been an apprentice then. The rats had been big and deadly, not fearful of Shadowclan. They had even attacked a few cats and bitten Daisyfoot but she had healed luckily. 

               "Ooh," shivered Stormpelt. "That was one of my scariest experiences as an apprentice." He licked Heartkit. "I'm going to get something to eat? We can share." Heartkit jumped around with excitement. 

               "Yes please!" cried Heartkit. "I fought with Firkit today, he won but he's two moons older and he said that one day I would win!" Stormpelt's eyes twinkled with amusement and affection and he glanced at Firkit. He sat straight, his muscles rippled under his fur. He was so young yet so brave and strong. I'll make a deputy and leader out of him yet, thought Stormpelt to himself. 

               "Thank you Firkit," Stormpelt dipped his head. "We'll leave Riverclaw and Crowtail alone now, come along, you can come and take something from the fresh-kill pile as well." Firkit raced after Heartkit excitedly. Riverclaw dipped his head in respect. 

               "Thank you," he said. Whitecloud shifted in her spot. 

               "Is that you, Stormpelt?" she rasped. Stormpelt approached her. 

               "Yes, Whitecloud, do you need anything?" he asked. 

               "No no no," she said, yawning and slowly pushing herself up. "You know, I may have breathing problems but I know a bright and brave kit when I see one. Heartkit will grow up to be a strong cat and warrior, I know it." 

                "Thank you, Whitecloud," Stormpelt said, his chest bursting with pride. 

                "Why don't you go join them?" Whitecloud said, her voice coarse. "Heartkit and Firkit are waiting. Brightheart would be so proud." Stormpelt suppressed a sad smile as he thought of his lost mate. He trotted towards his kit and Firkit. They were eyeing the fresh-kill pile seriously.