Heartstar's rise : Book one

Ch. 35

A sharp pain flared in Heartpaw's ear. He shot up to his paws. Firpaw jumped back, a glint of amusement in his eyes. Heartpaw growled and bristled. 

              "What was that for?" he snapped. 

              "Pinestar is waiting," Firpaw said, his whiskers twitching in amusement. "He asked me to wake you." Heartpaw huffed and slunk out into the clearing. The sun was bright and he blinked angrily. Grumpily, he padded towards the camp entrance. Pinestar stood, waiting with Cindertail by his side. She seemed to be talking animatedly to him but he didn't seem to be listening. 

               "You're late," Pinestar stated when Heartpaw came to a stop in front of him. 

               "Yeahsorry," mumbled Heartpaw. Pinestar frowned and led Heartpaw out. Heartpaw trotted after Pinestar, his steps slightly clumsy. Finally, Pinestar halted and Heartpaw crumpled to the ground, tired. 

               "If you can't wake up after a Gathering, you won't be going anymore," Pinestar growled. Heartpaw's ears pricked. His first thought was "I won't see Ivypaw!". Then he scolded himself for thinking like that. He had never felt like this before. 

              "I'm sorry," Heartpaw said quickly, suddenly fully awake. "I won't be late again." Pinestar nodded. 

             "Good. Today, we're going to learn fighting moves. We are going to start with the front paw strike," Pinestar declared. "Right, position yourself like this..." Heartpaw positioned himself like Pinestar. He crouched but not too low and Pinestar told him to put his weight on his hind paws and balance well. When Heartpaw was in a good position, Pinestar striked out, bringing his front paw down on Heartpaw's head. He crumpled to the ground, dizzy and moaning. Pinestar waited till Heartpaw got up then nodded for him to try. Fuelled by the thought of getting to hit the Clan leader, Heartpaw brought his front paw down at Pinestar but he merely patted Pinestar's head and he didn't move. Heartpaw huffed and Pinestar started going into a long speech about position and strength. 

After a gruelling day of training, Heartpaw padded back to camp, tired and aching. He slumped under the shade of a bush. Honeypaw trotted over to his side. 

             "Tough day?" she asked. 

            "Mmm," muttered Heartpaw, not looking up. 

            "Do you want to share something with me?" asked Honeypaw. Heartpaw's stomach grumbled but he didn't want to eat. 

            "Nah," he said. 

            "Are you sure?" Honeypaw asked, peering down at him with wide eyes. Heartpaw barely nodded. Firpaw padded past and narrowed his eyes. 

            "Don't waste your time on him, he isn't worth it," he said coldly. Honeypaw sighed and got up, trotting after her brother. Heartpaw hauled himself up and dragged himself into his den. He curled up into a ball and closed his eyes to sleep. Just then, Lionbreeze trotted into the apprentice den. 

             "Hey, you feeling ok?" asked Lionbreeze. "I was looking for my brother. Do you know where he is?" Heartpaw mumbled a reply. 

            "You alright?" asked Lionbeeze, approaching. He peered down at Heartpaw. "Seem fine to me. Tired?" 

            "Yeah," Heartpaw managed to utter. Lionbreeze nodded and slipped out of the den. Heartpaw fell into a much needed sleep.