Heartstar's rise : Book Two

Ch. 39

Heartstorm yawned and stretched. He gazed out of the warrior's den. The sky was slowly lightening. With another yawn, Heartstorm padded past sleeping warriors. He peeked out of the warrior's den. A cold breeze blew, making Heartstorm wish he could retreat back into the den and into his nest to sleep. With a sigh, he walked out. A few cats were gathering at the entrance, the dawn border patrol. Reedpelt nodded to Heartstorm as he passed. 

                 "Morning," grunted Reedpelt. 

                 "Morning," replied Heartstorm. He headed for the fresh-kill pile, his stomach grumbling. He picked a small sparrow and and settled down to eat it quietly. As he ate, the thought of Silverdrop. Just then, Eelfrost stumbled out of the warrior's den, looking ruffled. He spotted Heartstorm and padded towards Heartstorm, yawning and looking drowsy. He slumped to the ground next to Heartstorm. 

                   "Morning," yawned Eelfrost. Heartstorm yawned as well. "Why you up so early?" 

                   "Hawkpaw," explained Heartstorm in one word. "You?"

                    "Was supposed to go on the dawn patrol, but they're gone," Eelfrost said. "Should not have even agreed to go in the first place." Heartstorm couldn't help but laugh. 

                     "Really?" he laughed. 

                     "Yeah really," Eelfrost said seriously but found the funny side to it and started laughing as well. They both lapsed into silence and yawn. Heartstorm then spotted Hawkpaw slowly walking out of the apprentice den looking sleepy and drowsy. Eelfrost spotted Hawkpaw as well. 

                     "Well good luck," Eelfrost said. "I'm sure glad I'm not a mentor. I'm not ever waking up early again..."

                     "Hmm," tutted Heartstorm. "See ya." 

                      "Bye," Eelfrost said as Heartstorm padded towards Hawkpaw. Before Heartstorm reached Hawkpaw, he shook himself. He felt more awake and smiled at Hawkpaw. 

                      "Good morning," said Heartstorm brightly. Hawkpaw grunted. 

                      "Morning," he mumbled. Heartstorm laughed, his eyes sparkling.

                     "What's wrong?" asked Heartstorm.

                      "Nothing," muttered Hawkpaw. "Why are mentors never tired? I mean, we don't need to start this early." Heartstorm only smiled. He had to agree with Hawkpaw. 

                        "Come on," Heartstorm beckoned with his tail, heading towards the exit. "We've got  lot of training today." Hawkpaw seemed more awake now and trotted beside Heartstorm. 

                       "What are we going to do?" he asked. 

                       "Fighting practise," said Heartstorm. He himself hadn't practised his fighting since he had been an apprentice but all the moves were clearing etched in his mind. 

                       "Cool!" exclaimed Hawkpaw. Heartstorm led Hawkpaw towards a clearing. The sun had almost fully risen. A cool breeze blew and the birds sang cheerfully. They stopped at the clearing. 

                     "Right," Heartstorm said. "Let's start of with a bit of running. Three laps." Hawkpaw looked like he was about to complain but then shrugged and started to run around the clearing. Heartstorm watched, noting how Hawkpaw was taking short strides and pushing hard and how he already seemed to be out of breath. Hawkpaw finished his three laps, panting hard.