Heartstar's rise : Book Two

Ch. 20

Heartstorm sprang. He felt his claws dig into the mouse and felt it squirm. He quickly snapped its neck and sat down. He gobbled down the mouse, feeling extremely hungry after a morning of hunting. He finished his mouse quickly then trotted to the tree where he had buried the rest of his prey. He pulled out another mouse, a pigeon and a shrew. He took them in his mouth and padded back to camp. The air was fresh and warm. The sun shone brightly but not too hotly. The sky was a beautiful blue with a few white puffy clouds. This was Heartstorm's weather. He ducked into camp and dropped his catch into the fresh-kill pile. Thornstar padded to him. His eyes were sparkling with something Heartstorm couldn't pin down. 

               "Good job," said Thornstar with a small dip of the head. "Heartstorm, I needed to talk to you." Heartstorm frowned, raking his brain for something he had done wrong. He couldn't find anything. Except... Did Thornstar think he wasn't good enough to be a warrior? Maybe Thornstar realised he wasn't ready. Heartstorm gulped. 

               "Heartstorm," said Thornstar gently, seeing the look on his face. "It is nothing bad, I assure you." Heartstorm wasn't very assured. 

                "Oh right, thanks. What is it?" asked Heartstorm. 

                "Please come with me to my den," beckoned Thornstar. Heartstorm followed Thornstar, worry clouding his mind. He didn't notice the beautiful weather or the chirping birds anymore. Thornstar disappeared into his den. Heartstorm walked forward and pushed past the long strands of ivy hanging down. He entered a dim den. The ground was cold stone and Heartstorm couldn't help but shiver. He looked around. The walls were tall and smooth. On one side was a large nest and on the other was a small pool of clear water. Heartstorm was busy looking around he didn't notice the other cats in the den. He finally focused on them and quickly sat beside them. Applenose, a messy furred brown cat, Sparkbelly and Wolfstep were sitting in front of Thornstar, Reedpelt and Frogleap. Reedpelt smiled kindly at Heartstorm who gave back a feeble smile. 

                 "I have asked you here today," said Thornstar. "To talk about the three kits. Rosekit, Hawkkit and Dustkit." Heartstorm listened carefully, feeling more curious. He mustn't have done something bad if Sparkbelly, Applenose and Wolfstep were there. He glanced at Sparkbelly who gave him an excited smile. 

                 "In two moons they will be ready to be made apprentices in two moons," continued Reedpelt. Heartstorm felt his stomach squirmed and finally understood. 

                   "And we think you four are ready to take on apprentices," finished Thornstar. Heartstorm's stomach made a happy turn. Sparkbelly shot Heartstorm a grin and Heartstorm grinned back happily. 

                  "But there are only three kits," pointed out Applenose. He was the more serious one. Heartstorm thought him a bit like Moorpelt. 

                  "Yes, we just want to talk to you a bit to see if you are ready and we will chose three of you to become mentors," nodded Thornstar. Wolfstep turned to Heartstorm who was now nervous once more. 

                   "Don't worry," he whispered soothingly. "You would be a great mentor." Heartstorm wasn't sure but was grateful nonetheless for the encouragement. He liked Wolfstep, he was kind and strong and loyal and wise. Heartstorm admired him now for his calm composure. He would be one of the mentors for sure. Applenose was eyeing Heartstorm and Sparkbelly now, looking suspicious. Heartstorm hung his head. He was the youngest of them all. He had barely been a warrior for half a moon and he still didn't really know his place as a warrior in RiverClan. It felt weird to be able to make his own decisions of what to do for the day. 

                  "Now, Applenose, which kit do you think you'd like to teach?" asked Thornstar. 

                 "Rosekit," replied Applenose instantly. Everybody knew she was the strongest, bravest and most outgoing than all the kits for now. Heartstorm resented Applenose slightly for choosing her just because she was bigger and stronger than the other kits. 

                  "Sparkbelly?" asked Reedpelt. Sparkbelly frowned. 

                  "Dustkit," he replied. Dustkit was more quiet and followed Rosekit but he liked playing jokes on other cats. Heartstorm thought he and Sparkbelly would definitely match.

                "Heartstorm?" asked Thornstar. Heartstorm snapped out of his thoughts. 

                 "Oh um..., Hawkkit," he answered. He liked Hawkkit. He was not the strongest of the kits but he liked his personality and found him quite cute. 

                  "Yes and Wolfstep?" asked Thornstar. Wolfstep thought for a while, his brow furrowed. 

                   "Hawkkit," he nodded. Heartstorm felt his heart drop. Wolfstep would surely get him. Wolfstep gave Heartstorm an apologetic look. 

                  "But I wouldn't mind any kit. They are all as able as the next," added Wolfstep. Thornstar nodded. 

                  "Well, Heartstorm how are you fitting in your role as a warrior?" he asked. 

                   "It's been alright... I felt a bit lost but I'm getting used to it," replied Heartstorm unsurely. 

                   "I think we need time to discuss," came a voice. Heartstorm looked to the side of the den and spotted Frogleapt standing up. He hadn't talked till now. "You'll know in two moons." Heartstorm and the three other warriors nodded and walked out. Heartstorm blinked in the sudden sunlight and felt more refreshed and happier. They sky was clear and everything woul be alright. A gentle breeze blew on Heartpaw, making him take a deep relaxing breath. 

                  "Don't worry, Heartstorm," said Wolfstep. "If they think you're to be a good mentor then you will be mentor to Hawkkit, not me. I don't think I'm more able than you." Heartstorm stared at him for a moment. 

                  "Er, thanks," he said. Wolfstep nodded and padded away. Sparkbelly joined his side, grinning happily. 

                 "Do you think you're going to be made mentor to Hawkkit?" asked Sparkbelly. "He doesn't really talk much... Oh well. I really hope I get Dustkit. He's got plenty of jokes. Applenose's a bit grumpy, don't you think?" Heartstorm shrugged. 

                  "Anyways, I've got to go," said Sparkbelly. "See you!" Heartstorm watched as Sparkbelly bounded away towards Acornheart and Moorpelt. Heartstorm sighed. He looked around for Deerpaw or Eelpaw. He was excited at the prospect of being a mentor but he would only know in two moons and he was sure Wolfstep would be chosen. Not seeing any sign of Deerpaw or Eelpaw, Heartstorm slipped under the tunnel and out of camp for a stroll. He needed time to think. A breeze blew gently, refreshing Heartstorm and he felt his worried blow away. If Wolfstep became Hawkkit's mentor, he would be worthy. Heartstorm still had plenty of time to become mentor. Suddenly, a silver cat stopped in front of Heartstorm. Silverdrop. Heartstorm felt himself groan inwardly. 

                     "Ready for your climbing lesson?" she asked seriously.