Heartstar's rise : Book one

Ch. 28

Heartpaw trotted into the apprentice den. The ground was soft soil and there were six moss beds. Smelling a few, he recognised which ones were Firpaw's, Honeypaw's and Spottedpaw's. He took the one nearest to the entrance of the den and curled up into his new bed. Spottedpaw a black and white cat padded in. 

            "Hey," said Heartpaw, looking up. Spottedpaw harrumphed in response and curled up into her nest. "I'm Heartpaw." 

             "I know," grumbled Spottedpaw. 

             "So, um, how long have you been an apprentice?" asked Heartpaw. 

             "I'm going to become a warrior soon," mumbled Spottedpaw. 

             "Right," smiled Heartpaw. "So who's your mentor?"

              "You ask a lot of questions," she said through gritted teeth. "My mentor is Brichstep." Heartpaw nodded. 

              "So...?" Heartpaw trailed off. 

              "I'm going to sleep," replied Spottedpaw. Firpaw and Honeypaw entered, talking together animatedly. 

              "I can't believe Lionbreeze is a medicine cat before us!" said Firpaw. 

              "But I'm really happy for him," said Honeypaw. 

              "Yeah, of course, but I wish we could become warriors early," sighed Firpaw. He spotted Heartpaw. "What are you doing here?" 

              "I'm an apprentice. Or have you forgotten?" answered Heartpaw.

               "Shouldn't you be in the nursery, alone?" Firpaw grunted. Honeypaw frowned. 

               "You don't have to be so mean you know, Stormpelt died," Honeypaw told her brother. Heartpaw gritted his teeth at the mention of his father. 

                "So? He gave up being a deputy," growled Firpaw and stalked to his nest. 

                 "He was a brave warrior," Honeypaw countered. 

                "Whatever," growled Firpaw. Heartpaw growled under his breath and lashed his tail angrily. 

                "Don't ever talk about Stormpelt badly ever again!" he snapped. 

                "What you gonna do?" Firpaw taunted. 

               "Quit acting like a jerk Firpaw," warned Honeypaw, brushing her tail across Heartpaw's mouth. Firpaw rolled his eyes and curled into a ball. Heartpaw faced the other way, bristling. He wanted to scratch Firpaw's eyes out. What had he turned into? He used to be a promising warrior. Stormpelt used to be so proud of him. But now... He was just a bitter bully.