Chapter 4
Heatherpaw lifted her head when she heard someone coming into the medicine den. It was Lionpaw. "Lionpaw!" she exclaimed, but wished she hadn't said it with so much excitement. But to her relief, Leafpool was outside and Jaypaw only looked up and gave a curt nod to his brother and then went back to sorting herbs. It had been a long time since she and Lionpaw had found the caves. They were both close to earning their warrior names, but since the caves had flooded, it had been harder to see each other after they decided to get back together. She was kind of glad too, because both of them were lacking their skills in hunting, fighting and a lot of other things, but was also sad because she would like to see him more. Now, she could see him without hiding. She hoped she didn't have to leave too soon.
Lionpaw purred and bounded up to her. "How are you doing?" he asked. "Fine," she mewed with a sigh. "Leafpool says I have to rest for a day or two, but I'm alright," she told him. Jaypaw, unaware of Lionpaw and Heatherpaw's affection for each other came up to his brother and said, "Can you watch her for a while. I need to go and get some Juniper and Marigold. I'll be right back, though. If you need to leave, tell Leafpool or Brightheart," he told his brother. Lionpaw nodded. "It's okay. I'm sure I have nothing else planned for the day," he meowed. Jaypaw nodded and then padded out of the den. "So," he purred. "How is everything in WindClan?" he asked. "Very good…. that is, until RiverClan wanted some of our territory," she mewed quietly. "Why did they want your territory?" he asked. "There's a large pond near the border we share and there is tiny fish in there. They spotted Harepaw and Breezepaw trying to fish, and they decided that it should be theirs. Especially when they saw that there were also herbs there that are for water sickness. We've never had that case before and they have, so that's the other reason they wanted the territory," she explained.
She looked at him and said, "Thank you," in her soft sweet voice. "I couldn't have done it without Honeypaw," he said and remembered how harshly he had spoken to her and suddenly felt a jab of guilt. Heatherpaw tilted her head to one side. "Honeypaw…. was she the golden brown tabby that helped you get me here?" she asked. Lionpaw nodded. "Wow, tell her I said thanks," Heatherpaw mewed. Lionpaw just stared at the ground. "Lionpaw, what's wrong?" Heatherpaw asked. Lionpaw shook his head to clear his thoughts. "What… oh, yeah. I'm fine," he meowed. Suddenly, Leafpool entered the medicine den. A sleek dark gray, almost black tom followed her. "Crowfeather!" Heatherpaw exclaimed, looking at her mentor with happiness. "Heatherpaw, are you alright?" he asked her. The she-cat nodded. Crowfeather looked at Leafpool and Lionpaw sensed something between the Medicine Cat and the WindClan warrior.
"Thanks, Leafpool," the warrior said uncomfortably. "Your welcome, Crowfeather," Leafpool mewed softly. The two cats' eyes met for a brief, but warm moment. Lionpaw was confused, but shook his head. He looked at Heatherpaw, the beautiful brown tabby that he loved and wished she could stay longer, but he knew she would have to go back to her Clan sometime. Crowfeather looked at his apprentice. "I brought Mosspelt to help me get you back to our camp," he told her. She nodded. Lionpaw helped her stand, but after that, Crowfeather and a small tortoiseshell and white she-cat, which he was sure was Mosspelt, helped Heatherpaw. Lionpaw and Leafpool saw the three to the camp entrance and over to the border. Heatherpaw looked back at Lionpaw and whispered to him. "Thank you so much." They then left, much to his disappointment. He knew he couldn't sneak out to see her either because of her injuries. He'd have to wait a few days until he could sneak out to the clearing to see her again. He sighed and watched them leave and go into their own territory.
"Come, Lionpaw. Let's get back to camp," his aunt said to him. Leafpool was his mother, Squirrelflight's, sister. When they reached camp, Squirrelflight and Lionpaw's father Brambleclaw, came up to him. "Lionpaw, Firestar wants you to have an assessment!" Squirrelflight said excitedly. Brambleclaw nodded, his amber eyes filled with pride. "You and Hollypaw," Brambleclaw told him. His heart skipped a beat. He and his sister were going to perform their skills so Firestar could see if they were ready to become Warriors. "Leafpool is going to give Jaypaw an assessment so he can become a full medicine cat," Squirrelflight added. "That's amazing," he purred. "Does Hollypaw know?" he asked. His parents shook their heads. "I'll go tell her," he mewed and ran over to his sister, who was sharing tongues with Cinderpaw. "Hollypaw!" he exclaimed to his sister. Her pure black pelt shone brightly in the afternoon sun. Cinderpaw's dark gray fur glowed too. He explained everything Squirrelflight and Brambleclaw had told him.
"Yes!!!" she exclaimed, jumping in the air. Cinderpaw congratulated them. She, Honeypaw and Poppypaw had already had their assessments and were expected to become warriors soon, too. He then remembered Honeypaw. He looked over and saw her carrying a vole and two small birds into the camp and dropped them into the fresh-kill pile. "I'll be right back. I need to talk to Honeypaw," he said to the two she-cats.
Honeypaw looked up and saw Lionpaw bounding towards her. She felt anger rise inside her and turned and stalked away. "Honeypaw, wait!" Lionpaw called after her. "I don't want to talk to you, Lionpaw," she hissed, not looking at him. He caught up her. "Honeypaw, please, I'm sorry about earlier. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings," he told her. She stopped and spun around to face him, her eyes filled with hurt. "You should be sorry," she snapped at him. "I was only saying what I said because I was scared for you, Lionpaw," she mewed to him. "I'm sorry," he meowed to her. "Lionpaw, you're my best friend. I don't want to lose you," she said to him. "You won't lose me. We're best friends till the end," he purred, flicking her shoulder with his tail. She nodded. "I forgive you, you stupid fur ball," she meowed teasingly. He glared playfully at her and tried to swipe a sheathed paw at her and before they knew it, they were play-fighting.