Heartstar's rise : Book Two

Ch. 18

Heartstorm woke up to the sound of the soft pitter patter of rain. He looked up. Outside, it was raining gently. Heartstorm put his head back down on his paws and listened to the calming sound of the gentle rain. Soon, it was raining harder and harder until it was pouring. Heartstorm finally got up. Only Smallear was in the den. He was snoring gently. Heartstorm padded softly past Smallear and poked his head outside. Cold water hit his snout. He wrinkled his nose and backed back into the den. He shook himself. The air outside was cold and he shivered. It reminded him of leaf-bare once more. Heartstorm debated whether he should go out. He didn't know what he was going to do in the rain and he didn't want to get wet. Suddenly, a cat emerged from the rain and slipped into the den. It was Acornheart, soaked through. She shivered and shook herself. Water splattered everywhere. Smallear jumped up hissing angrily. 

             "Sorry," muttered Acornheart. "It's pouring." 

             "I hadn't noticed," answered Smallear coldly. 

             "Heartstorm! Reedpelt wondered if you wanted to go out hunting. Thornstar doesn't want us to go out alone though. It's hard to see in this weather and the river is starting to overflow so Silverdrop is waiting at the medicine den. You can hunt with her," said Acornheart. Heartstorm nodded. He was glad he had something to do but did not relish the idea of having to go out in the rain. Taking a deep breath, he stepped outside. Rain splattered onto his pelt, soaking right through his fur. He shivered with the sudden cold. He couldn't see very far ahead of himself. He narrowed his eyes, looking down so no water went in his eye and made his way towards the medicine den. Everything was grey and the ground was muddy. Heartstorm's feet sunk into the ground, slowing him down. He saw a dark shape in front of him. It was another cat. He couldn't see who in the rain and made his way towards the medicine den without stopping. He wondered if Deerpaw and Eelpaw were training in this weather. He finally reached the medicine den and slipped inside, happy for cover. He shook himself gratefully. 

               "Hey!" snapped an angry voice. "I've got all my herbs here! What do you think you're doing?" Frogleap bustled to Heartstorm's side, muttering angrily. 

               "Sorry," mumbled Heartstorm, taking a step back, feeling slightly guilty. He spotted another cat in the corner of the den. Silverdrop. He studied her. She was calm and she seemed not to have noticed his arrival. Suddenly, she got up and flicked her tail. 

              "Let's go," she said. Heartstorm frowned but followed her as she marched out of the medicine den and into the rain without hesitation. Heartstorm barred his teeth as rain started to pelt down on him once more. He trotted to keep up with Silverdrop. They crawled under the tunnel and out of RiverClan with difficulty. Silverdrop led Heartstorm in the shelter of a bush. The rain didn't fall onto them as directly. 

               "Where should we go to hunt?" asked Silverdrop. "It's going to be hard to smell and see prey in this weather and communicate together." 

                 "How about the river?" suggested Heartstorm. The fish would certainly be plenty if there was a flood. 

                 "There won't be many fish if the river is overflowing and rushing quickly," said Silverdrop. Heartstorm looked down at her retort. "The trees." Heartstorm frowned. 

                 "The trees?" he said. 

                  "Yes, we can hunt in the trees," said Silverdrop. 

                  "I don't.. climb," said Heartstorm. This was the first time he had talked to Silverdrop and he already didn't like her.