Heartstar's rise : Book one

Ch. 5

             "All cats old enough to catch their own prey, gather around the Tall Stump!" called Pinestar. He leapt onto the stump in the middle of the clearing and his gaze swept over camp. Cats filed out of the warrior's den and a few apprentices stood by the Tall Stump, looking nervous and excited. Their mentors tried to calm them down. Heartkit peered out of the nursery. 

               "Come back in," said a stern voice. Heartkit turned to see Sandwing looking at him with a frown. 

               "Why? I want to see the meeting!" Heartkit protested. 

               "You heard Pinestar, are you old enough to catch your own prey?" asked Sandwing angrily. 

               "No....," Heartkit trailed off. His tail dipped. Honeykit and Lionkit watched him disapprovingly, curled up underneath their mother's belly. Firkit couldn't sit still, pricking his ears to listen to the meeting. Just then a grey cat pushed his head in and Heartkit meowed in happiness. Stormpelt licked Heartkit then looked at Sandwing. 

                "I'm taking Heartkit to see the meeting," he informed her. 

               "But he's not old enough," she said. 

               "He'll be right outside," said Stormpelt firmly. "Firkit, Lionkit, Honeykit, would you like to come too?" Firkit sprung to his paws and nodded but Lionkit and Honeykit looked at Sandwing expectantly. 

                "No, you're not going," she told them firmly then looked at Firkit. "Come back here." 

              "It's his choice," Stormpelt said, looking at Firkit. "Go on out first Heartkit." Heartkit sprung out and Firkit hesitated. Sandwing glared at him expectantly. As Firkit was unsure, he saw Stormpelt's steady gaze on him. The Clan deputy gave him permission! Surely the deputy's word was more important than his mothers. He padded to the entrance of the nursery. Sandwing gaped. 

                "Come back Firkit," she snapped. 

               "He's going to be fine," muttered Stormpelt, ushering Firkit out. 

               "you have no right!" bristled Sandwing. Stormpelt lifted his eyebrow. 

              "Oh really? Who is deputy?" he asked then turned on his heels and padded out. He was just on time to hear Pinestar give three apprentices their new names. 

              "Shadepaw, from this moment on, you will known as Shadefern. Starclan honours your bravery and skill. Rosepaw, from this moment on you will be known as Roselight and Starclan honours your intelligence and kindness. Nightpaw, from this moment on, you will be known as Nightcloud. Starclan honours your determination and spirit. We welcome you, Shadefern, Roselight and Nightcloud as full warriors of Shadowclan." Stormpelt smiled broadly. He loved seeing his Clan growing and new apprentices becoming warriors. He was so proud of the being deputy to such a strong Clan. 

                "Shadefern!" 

               "Nightcloud!"

              "Roselight!" Heartkit yelled at the top of his lungs. He and Firkit were on their paws, joining in on the chorus of cheers and congratulations of their Clanmates. Stormpelt watched them proudly. He couldn't help but smile. When the commotion was over and the three new warrriors prepared for their vigil, Heartkit and Firkit talked excitedly together. Night was coming. 

                "Come on," Stormpelt said, nudging Firkit and Heartkit towards the nursery. "It's almost time to sleep." 

                "But you need to say goodnight," moaned Heartkit. 

                 "I promise I'll come before you sleep but I need to go talk to Roselight, Shadefern and Nightcloud alright?" promised Stormpelt. Heartkit nodded and he and Firkit trotted into the nursery. Stormpelt approached the young warriors. Shadefern had a black tabby cat with piercing yellow eyes and lean muscles rippling under her sleek fur. Roselight was a light brown tabby cat with gentle and passive eyes and a calm and sweet nature. Nightcloud was black with only his tip of the tail white. He had green eyes which shone bright and sparkled with determination. Stormpelt walked over to the new warriors. 

                "Shadowclan is honoured to have such strong warriors," he told them. Roselight licked her chest fur with embarrassment and pride, mumbling a shy thank you. Shadefern puffed out her chest and smiled slyly while Nightcloud dipped his head back in respect to the deputy. 

                 "Thanks," nodded Shadefern.

                "We too are honoured," Nightcloud said. Although Shadefern didn't show it as much as Roselight, the three newly made warriors were all bursting with pride and joy that the deputy had come to speak to them. 

                 "I am happy to be a deputy of a Clan with such strong and smart warriors," nodded Stormpelt. 

                  "Thank you, Stormpelt," Nightcloud almost stammered.

                 "Yeah thanks, we're really happy too," Roselight said, almost in a whisper. Stormpelt smiled and left the three cats to settle down. He entered the nursery quietly. All of Sandwing's kits were sleeping calmly. Heartkit sighed in relief when Stormpelt entered and gave him a lick of affection. Sandwing turned her head away and closed her eyes. 

                 "Goodnight," whispered Stormpelt. "I love you. Bightheart and I love you." Heartkit smiled blissfully. 

                  "Goodnight," replied Heartkit, smiling, in a soft whisper.