Heartstar's rise : Book one

Ch. 9

Heartkit peered out of the nursery, impatient. Firkit pushed his head beside Heartkit's. 

             "Are they back yet?" asked Firkit. Heartkit shook his head numbly. He was sure his father would return victorious. 

              "Get back in here," ordered Sandwing. "When they come back, they won't want kits meddling and getting in their way." Heartkit was about to retort but he nodded and retreated from the entrance. 

                "I bet they're gonna win," Firkit cried happily. 

               "Shadowclan always wins," assured Sandwing. "They will win. Now come." Heartkit shuffled next to Sandwing and closed his eyes just as some shouting and the noise of cats approached. He sprang onto his paws and rushed out of the nursery. Firkit was right behind him. They burst from the den and saw the patrol of Shadowclan cats, injured, panting but victorious. Stormpelt had a few scratches on his muzzle, bleeding badly and he had a few bites on his tail and back but his eyes shone with victory and excitement. Pinestar rushed to them with Eagleflight. Heartkit raced towards Stormpelt but Skytail took him by the scruff. 

              "Stormpelt is hurt," she said, putting him down. He watched as Eagleflight tended to him. Stormpelt caught Heartkit's eye and smiled. 

              "You won?" cried Heartkit, springing to his paws. Skytail stopped him with her paw. 

              "Of course," Stormpelt said painfully. He winced as Eagleflight wrapped one of his wounds. Pinestar was making sure the cats were not too badly injured then returned to Stormpelt's side. 

             "What happened?" he asked. 

              "The patrol had gone deeper into our territory. We got them back to their side of course. Although we won both sides were badly injured. I'm sure they'll come back," Stormpelt reported. Pinestar let a hiss escape. 

              "We will double our patrols there with twice as many cats for each patrol," growled Pinestar. "Four cats will hide but will watch the patrol so Thunderclan do not think we're paranoid." Stormpelt nodded in agreement. 

              "I will go one one of the patrols," Pinestar decided then spotted Heartkit and Firkit. "One day you will be one of the strongest warriors fighting Thunderclan and Windclan." Heartkit bounced up in happiness and Firkit beamed with pride. Stormpelt watched his kit with a smile. 

              "Ouch," he muttered as Eagleflight pressed on his wounds on his muzzle. 

             "You will have these scars forever," Eagleflight reported. "You need to rest for four days." 

            "I don't expect you to go out of camp for five days then," Pinestar said firmly. He turned to Eagleflight. "How long do the others need to rest?"

             "Three days minimum," Eagleflight reported. 

             "You will all rest for three days. No exceptions," Pinestar announced to the patrol. Clawpelt threw his head back and moaned. 

             "Three days is too much," he protested. "I barely got hurt." Pinestar glared at him and he shut his mouth. Pinestar nodded to Stormpelt and beckoned him to his den. 

              "I'll come and see you later Heartkit," Stormpelt said. "Go back to Sandwing."