Heartstar's rise : Book Two

Ch. 27

Heartstorm shifted uncomfortably. Deerpaw and Eelpaw joined his side, both talking excitedly. 

               "You alright?" asked Deerpaw anxiously, peering at Heartstorm. He couldn't get himself to speak. Thornstar had just called a Clan meeting. 

               "I'm sure you're going to be chosen," said Eelpaw excitedly. Heartstorm wasn't so sure. He spotted Sparkbelly, Wolfstep and Applenose sitting just beneath Thornstar. Reedpelt and Froglpea were right next to them. Heartstorm had a bad nagging feeling that he was not going to be a mentor. 

               "Rosekit, Dustkit and Hawkkit, please come forward," echoed Thornstar. Heartstorm turned to see Rosekit and Dustkit scrambling forward excitedly. Hawkkit padded behind them, trying to stay calm. Rosekit had a large beam on her face and Dustkit was grinning. They clambered next to Thornstar. 

               "Rosekit, you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Rosepaw. Your mentor will be Applenose. I hope Applenose will pass down all he knows on to you," declared Thornstar. Rosekit was practically jumping. Heartstorm felt his stomach lurch. 

               "Applnose, you are ready to take on an apprentice. You have received excellent training from Lightdapple, and you have shown yourself to be brave and quick thinking. You will be the mentor of Rosepaw, and I expect you to pass on all you know to Rosepaw," said Thornstar. Applenose nodded and touched noses with Rosepaw, whispering something in her ear. Heartstorm saw Stripedfur and Moorpelt out of the corner of his eye, they were both beaming with pride. Thornstar repeated the process with Dustkit, telling him, with no surprise, that Sparkbelly would be his mentor. Then it was Hawkkit's turn. Heartstorm was shaking. 

                 "Heartstorm!" said Eelpaw softly. "You'll be fine! Hawkpaw will definitely be mentored by you!" Heartstorm wasn't so sure though. 

                  "Hawkkit, you as well, have now reached the age of six moons and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day on, till you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Hawkpaw. Your mentor will be...," Thornstar looked up and Heartstorm urged him to look at him but instead, he looked directly at Wolfstep. Heartstorm's heart dropped. "Wolfstep. I know Wolfstep will pass down to you all he knows." Hawkkit beamed and shot a happy look at Heartstorm but Heartstorm wasn't looking. Deerpaw and Eelpaw were whispering apologies and encouragements to Heartstorm but he wasn't listeining to them. Thornstar had chosen Wolfstep. Heartstorm brushed away from Deerpaw and Eelpaw just as Wolfstep and Hawkkit were touching noses. He marched out of camp. His feelings were mixed. He didn't understand them. He had known he would not have been chosen but still feeling the disappointment was too much to bear. Thornstar had not chosen him. He headed for the river to cool down. He accidentally let out a growl of frustration. 

                "You weren't chosen," came a calm voice. Heartstorm spun around to snap back but his breath was taken away. It was Silverdrop. He didn't say anything, just swallowed. "I don't think Thornstar will appreciate you walking out on an apprentice ceremony." Heartstorm knew Silverdrop was only pointing out the obvious but she wasn't trying to make him feel better so he growled. 

               "You didn't even attend it," he snarled angrily. Silverdrop watched him with her beautiful, sparkling eyes. 

                 "I knew you'd come out and someone would have to talk sense into you," she said smoothly. 

                 "You knew I wouldn't have been chosen," Heartstorm hissed. 

                 "I didn't know, I had my suspicions," she said.