Heartstar's rise : Book Two

Ch. 38

                   "Our loss of Wolfstep leaves Hawkpaw with no mentor," declared Thornstar. Cats bowed their heads in respect. A quarter moon had passed and Hawkpaw was on his feet once more, more determined than ever to make Wolfstep proud. Heartstorm stood near Hawkpaw, hoping he would be chosen this time. Stripedfur, Moorpelt and Hawkpaw all wanted him as mentor. Heartstorm spotted Acornheart's hopeful gaze. 

                  "Heartstorm, you have had good training from Blacktail and you are ready to take on an apprentice. I hope you will pass on all you know to Hawkpaw," announced Thornstar. Heartstorm leapt to his paws with joy. He padded up to the High Rock and joined Hawkpaw and Thornstar. Hawkpaw grinned happily at Heartstorm. They touched noses. Heartstorm turned to the crowd of cats and they burst into cheers. Heartstorm leapt down with Hawkpaw behind him. He grinned happily. Eelfrost and Deerflame rushed to his side. 

                  "This is great!" exclaimed Deerflame. "Good job!" 

                   "Nice dude," grinned Eelfrost. Heartstorm could only smile. Moorpelt and Stripedfur approached them. 

                  "Teach our son well," nodded Moorpelt looking proud. 

                  "Thank you," smiled Stripedfur. Heartstorm finally managed to escape the crowd with Hawkpaw. 

                   "You feeling good enough to swim?" asked Heartstorm. Hawkpaw's eyes widened. 

                    "Yeah! Right now?" he exclaimed. 

                     "Let's go then," Heartstorm nodded. Hawkpaw followed Heartstorm out, ranting on excitedly. Just then, Silverdrop appeared, trotting to Heartstorm. She congratulated Hawkpaw and said she was glad he was better now. 

                     "You're going to be a great mentor," whispered Silverdrop as she walked past Heartstorm. He smiled blissfully then shook himself and led Hawkpaw towards the river running through the middle of RiverClan. 

                     "I wanna see what you've learned about swimming and fishing for now," Heartstorm said. "I know from Wolfstep and from what I saw when you were a kit, you're very good at it." Hawkpaw puffed out his chest proudly. They reached the river. The air was cool and the sun was partially covered by white fluffy clouds. 

                     "It's not very warm today," noted Hawkpaw. 

                    "You'll see, it's better swimming now than in leaf-bare or new-leaf," assured Heartstorm. Hawkpaw nodded, shivered and slipped into the water. He gasped. "You alright?" Hawkpaw nodded numbly. 

                    "It's cold," he said. 

                     "I know, keep swimming," Heartstorm said. He walked down the river bank, Hawkpaw swimming after him. Heartstorm noted the way he swum and kept giving Hawkpaw encouragement or ways to improve. 

                      "Right, good job," Heartstorm said finally. "Come up and dry yourself." Hawkpaw gratefully hauled himself out of the water and shook himself. Water sprayed everywhere. 

                      "Wow, that actually felt good," grinned Hawkpaw. "What are we going to do now?" Heartstorm looked up. The sky was darkening. It must be late in the afternoon now. 

                     "You can't forget, you're an apprentice. You've got duties. Such as feeding the elders," Heartstorm said firmly. Hawkpaw groaned. 

                      "Please?" He begged. "I was hurt. Rosepaw and Dustpaw will hunt for them." Heartstorm knew he would have felt that way as an apprentice but he was Hawkpaw's mentor and he needed to teach Hawkpaw to be the best warrior he could.