Heartstar's rise : Book Two

Ch. 17

Heartstorm entered the warrior's den. It was a large cave with a sandy floor. Big nests of moss were laid everywhere. It was gigantic. Heartstorm took in the new smells. Sparkbelly led him to his new nest at the end of the den. 

            "You know everybody right?" Sparkbelly asked pointedly. Heartstorm looked around. Most warriors were curled up in their nests sleeping or resting. Heartstorm saw Moorpelt, Blacktail, Embergaze, Beestripe, Softcry, Applenose, Reedpelt, Rainfeather, Mudclaw, Cloudbreeze, Smallear, Greyspeck, Smoketail, Wolfstep and Acornheart. There was only one cat he rarely saw and that he had never talked to. He frowned. He had only seen that cat a few times. She had light grey fur and looked quite small. 

             "Who's that?" asked Heartstorm. "I can't believe I don't know her." 

            "It's alright," said Sparkbelly. "She keeps to herself most of the time. She never goes on border patrols. Only on hunting patrols and she hunts by herself. She's mostly out of the forest when it isn't night or she's in her nest." Heartstorm gazed at the she cat at the other side of the den. She looked peaceful. 

                "Her name's Silverdrop," said Sparkbelly in a low voice. 

                "She looks.., young," whispered Heartstorm. 

                "She is... Only about thirteen moons, maybe less," said Sparkbelly. "Youngest warrior. We don't really know how she ended up here..., well, some of us do. Only Thornstar and Frogleap but they won't tell us. But she's been warrior for as long as she's been here. And a really good one, if she'd just be a bit more social." 

                 "Almost like Embergaze," pointed out Heartstorm. 

                 "No. I mean, Embergaze doesn't talk much but he isn't antisocial. He prefers listening. He doesn't waste words. Only uses them when necessary," explained Sparkbelly then yawned. "Anyways, I'm gonna sleep now. Good luck on your vigil. Goodnight and congratulations, Heartstorm." Heartstorm nodded and watched Sparkbelly slip into his nest and curl his tail over his snout. Heartstorm stepped out of the den and wished he was back in the apprentice den with his best friends. He missed them deeply. It was a bit like an ache in his heart. He felt scared. He was a warrior. He didn't feel like he fit in. He was in the same den as Blacktail! His former mentor! His eyes wandered to her. She was sleeping peacefully. Heartstorm settled down in the middle of camp, watching the stars and the moon, setting vigil. The night was quiet. Calm. With a sigh, Heartstorm put his head in his paws and closed his eyes. It took a long time before sleep washed over him. 

Heartstorm woke up lat after sunrise. He looked around and trotted to the warrior's den. Only Greyspeck and Wolfstep remained talking in the warrior's den. He quickly trotted out of the warrior's den. Many warriors were walking around camp or talking in groups. Heartstorm couldn't remember a day he had awoken this late. It felt weird. He looked around for Blacktail then remembered she wasn't his mentor. He felt lost, not knowing what to do. 

                "Wondering what to do?" came a soft voice. Heartstorm turned around. He came face to face with Embergaze. "Don't worry, feeling lost is normal. You can go ask Reedpelt to join a hunting or border patrol. Then you can go out if you want, see the elders, the kits or just hang around here." Heartstorm nodded. 

                 "Thanks," he said and headed for Reedpelt who was near the medicine den talking to Frogleap. Deerpaw and Eelpaw were nowhere to be seen. Heartstorm lingered behind the two talking cats, unsure whether to cut in. 

                  "Ah, Heartstorm," came Frogleap's voice. "I didn't have time to congratulate you last time. Welcome, Heartstorm to RiverClan as a warrior." Heartstorm beamed and dipped his head respectfully.