Heartstar's rise : Book Two

Ch. 49

Applenose was giving Rosepaw and Hawkpaw instructions. They were fishing in the river together. Heartstorm stood back, lost in his thoughts. Silverdrop was going to have their kits. It was great but... Heartstorm was sure that the cat dying in Silverdrop's dream was his kit. He closed his eyes. He didn't want his kit to die. But there was nothing they could do now. Maybe.., Heartstorm hoped, the kits would not at all look like the cat fighting Blizzardkit in Silverdrop's dream. Maybe Silverdrop's dreams weren't even true. 

         "That was good for today. Take a break and we'll do some partner fighting," Applenose called out to the apprentices. They scampered away, laughing. 

          "Hey," Applenose said, sitting beside Heartstorm. "You're not very.. involved."

          "Yeah um thanks for training them," Heartstorm said. "Not really in the mood today." Applenose raised his eyebrows. 

           "You can't always be in the mood," he said rather coldly. 

           "Sorry," muttered Heartstorm. His mind was whirling with possibilities. He wanted to have kits. Silverdrop's news would have been great.... but not now that he knew his kits.., everything he loved was in danger. He hoped more than all that ShadowClan wouldn't attack them. He hoped Cinderstar was lying. Who could trust her anyways? 

           "Right. Why don't I take care of their training today," Applenose suggested. "You go back to camp, rest or do whatever you need to do." Heartstorm nodded gratefully. He slunk back to camp and into the warrior's den. It was empty. He slumped into his nest. Suddenly, he smelt a familiar smell and looked up. 

           "Morning," Silverdrop said gently. 

           "Hey," Heartstorm forced a small smile. 

           "You can't know that the cat Blizzarkit is fighting in my dreams is our kits. Don't get worked up about it," Silverdrop said. "There's nothing you could do, even if it was true." Silverdrop frowned. "Don't feel bad alright. This is what we wanted. To raise kits." Heartstorm knew Silverdrop was right. He took a deep breath. 

           "When are you having the kits?" asked Heartstorm lightly. He glanced at Silverdrop's stomach. It was slightly bulging. His heat skipped a beat, thinking of their kits. He shuffled nearer to her and she leaned her head on his shoulder. 

           "In a moon and a half," smiled Silverdrop. Heartstorm smiled back. 

           "When will you have to go sleep in the nursery?" he asked. "I'll sleep there with you, if you like." Silverdrop chuckled. 

             "I don't think Frogleap or Acornheart would like it," she said. 

             "Acornheart?" repeated Heartstorm. 

             "You didn't know? She moved in yesterday. She's having her kits in like half a moon," said Silverdrop. 

               "Oh right," Heartstorm said. "So, what should we name them. For real." 

               "I told you already. Bumblekit and...," Silverdrop nodded to Heartstorm, "Brightkit." 

               "What if they're only she-cats?" asked Heartstorm. 

                "I know so many she-cat names," beamed Silverdrop. "Mistkit, Mintkit, Bloomkit, Flowerkit, Briarkit..." Heartstorm's thoughts flickered to Briarkit. A ShadowClan kit now resting in StarClan because of a ThunderClan warrior. Heartstorm shuddered. He should have saved her.