Heartstar's rise : Book one

Ch. 27

Heartpaw trotted after Pinestar. He took in everything. The dark trees and the ground covered in dead grass. The chirp of birds. The strong breeze. The smells. The sounds. The scents. The sights. They went deeper and deeper into the forest. 

               "Heartpaw, there is a reason I chose to mentor you," Pinestar said finally. "Now come, let me show you territory." Pinestar went into a long speech about landmarks in the territory, they went to Thunderclan border and Windclan border. Windclan's scent was like the moor which stretched out. It smelt like wind, taking out a faint scent of everything as wind goes everywhere, sweeping around the world. The scent of Windclan mingled in Heartpaw's nose, making him want to sneeze. 

               "I know the smell is unpleasant," said Pinestar. "But to them, we smell bad too." Heartpaw didn't think it unpleasant though. He found it exhilarating and exciting. Thunderclan's scent was strong and seemed to seep into Heartpaw's nose strongly. He cringed. 

              "Thunderclan's scent is strong," agreed Pinestar. "This is the Thunderpath." Heartpaw looked at a long path with stretched out either side of them, like a straight, putrid smelling river. It was vast and dark coloured. He crinkled his nose. 

               "You don't want to cross it," said Pinestar sternly. "We will not cross it, hopefully we never will need to cross it ever again." Heartpaw wondered if Pinestar was thinking about the great battle with Thudnerclan. Heartpaw had never asked about the battle. He had never needed to know more. Stormpelt and Littlestorm had died. Shadowclan had still won. That was all he needed to know. They went through the whole territory until Heartpaw's pads hurt and throbbed. He hadn't walked this far in...., well ever. He had never imagined Shadowclan like this. He knew it was big so it's big borders didn't surprise him how far it stretched but he hadn't expected to see so many things. Tired, they finally went back to camp.

               "You can go see those pads with Lionpaw and Eagleflight when they come back," Pinestar said. "Although Lionpaw probably won't be Lionpaw anymore." Heartpaw nodded. 

               "You're sleeping in the apprentice den tonight, with the other apprentices. Tomorrow, wake at sunrise," Pinestar said. "Goodnight and good work Heartpaw." Heartpaw smiled and nodded as Pinestar walked away. He was bouncing with excitement when he saw Lionpaw and Eagleflight duck into camp. He ran over to Lionpaw. 

                 "Lionpaw! It was so fun! I never knew there was going to be so much to see!" cried Heartpaw. 

                 "It's not Lionpaw anymore," corrected Lionpaw, "it's Lionbreeze." Heartpaw stopped in his tracks and his jaw hung open. 

                 "You're a medicine cat!" squealed Heartpaw. Lionbreeze nodded proudly. 

                 "Yes," agreed Eagleflight, his eyes sparkling with pride. Cindertail trotted over to them. 

               "Lionbreeze is a medicine cat!" cried Heartpaw. Cindertail gasped then congratulated Lionbreeze quickly. 

               "Pinestar!" she called. Eagleflight touched his tail to her shoulder. 

               "I'll get her. I think it should be my duty, to tell the Clan," said Eagleflight. 

               "Right," Cindertail nodded apologetically. 

               "No problem," said Eagleflight. "You're doing great as a deputy." Cindertail nodded solemnly and walked quickly away. "I'm going to see Pinestar." Lionebreeze nodded and asked Heartpaw about his day. 

                "We went around the whole territory," exclaimed Heartpaw. 

                "Do your pads hurt?" inquired Lionbreeze. Heartpaw shrugged. He wanted to seem strong. 

               "They're fine," he assured Lionbreeze. 

               "Are you sure? I can treat it," Lionbreeze pressed. Heartpaw nodded convincingly. Heartpaw told Lionbreeze about the whole walk, only stopping to take a few breaths. He ranted on and on excitedly.