Heartpaw curled up in his nest. He listened to the owls hooting outside. He closed his eyes and felt the calm of his new home. RiverClan. He knew he was where he was supposed to be. It felt right. He had only ever felt this much at home the first few moons of his life, when he had Stormpelt and Firkit. 

Heartpaw opened his eyes and looked around. He slowly got up. A stream was trickling next to where he was. He looked down into the stream and gazed into his reflection. He saw himself, his fur nicely groomed and his amber eyes. Then he saw another face. A grey cat with calm eyes. Heartpaw's heart leaped. 

            "S-S-Stormpelt?" stammered Heartpaw, looking back. There, stood his father. His fur was groomed and somehow he looked more content then Heartpaw had ever seen. 

            "Yes, Heartpaw, it's me," said Stormpelt with a smile. 

            "Y-you're in StarClan," was all Heartpaw could manage. He didn't know what to feel. He was feeling surprised, overjoyed, excited, but he also had questions. He had never thought he would see his father in StarClan. Only Brightheart ever came. 

              "Yes, Heartpaw, I'm not in the Dark Forest," chuckled Stormpelt. 

              "Um.., how are you?" asked Heartpaw. 

               "I'm in StarClan. I'm great," said Stormpelt. 

               "And you have Brightheart," Heartpaw replied. "Why didn't you ever come and see me?" 

               "You weren't ready," sighed Stormpelt. Heartpaw opened his mouth to protest. "No.., I wasn't ready." 

              "Why not?" asked Heartpaw. 

             "Just some things..., about you," Stormpelt explained with a huff. Suddenly, his eyes didn't seem as friendly anymore. "Heartpaw, I have to tell you something. It's hard.. um..." 

               "What is it?" asked Heartpaw. 

                "Well," said Stormpelt taking a deep breath. Heartpaw frowned. 

                 "Dad, are you alright?" asked Heartpaw. Stormpelt looked away. His fur slowly rising. Then he turned back to Heartpaw, his gaze cold and judging. 

                  "Don't call me that," he said softly, almost in a growl. 

                  "What, why?" cried Heartpaw, confused. 

                  "I don't have a son, I don't have a Half Clan son," growled Stormpelt. 

                  "What do you mean?" asked Heartpaw. 

                  "I thought seeing you here tonight might change my mind, but no, it has not," Stormpelt said coldly. "You chose to become RiverClan. To betray my Clan. You are not my son anymore." Heartpaw's eyes bulged. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. His own father, the one he looked up to, loved the most in his life, was disowning him. 

                  "But..., Dad, really? Dad..., how about Brightheart...?" Heartpaw stammered confusedly. His whole body seemed like it was plunging into cold water. 

                  "I have another son and daughter. Real ShadowClan warriors. I don't need you," hissed Stormpelt. "Brightheart told me you would change Clan. I didn't believe her. I was sure you'd never betray your Clan. Betray me." 

                   "But I didn't...," protested Heartpaw. 

                   "You killed Spottedwhisker. You brought rogues to our Clan. You stained our reputation by seeing a WindClan apprentice," growled Stormpelt coldly. He lashed his tail and his eyes flashed with disdain. "You are not my son." Suddenly, darkness swirled around Heartpaw and his vision turned dark. Then he only felt cold. 

                   "Heartpaw," snapped a firm voice. Heartpaw sprung to his paws and his eyes shot open. He blinked as he looked around. He was in the apprentice den, it was the crack of dawn. Frogleap stood over him, a frown on his face. Deerpaw and Eelpaw watched from behind, looking nervous and fidgety. 

                    "Wha?" Heartpaw babbled. 

                    "Finally," huffed Frogleap. "You were having a nightmare. Turned as cold as stone. No herbs could've helped that. Thank StarClan they saved you." Heartpaw wasn't so sure about that. 

                   "What happened?" asked Eelpaw, peering anxiously at Heartpaw. "You were like trembling and your eyes rolled in your head." Deerpaw shuddered. 

                   "I um.. I just had a bad dream," Heartpaw assured them. Frogleapt frowned, as if he was reading Heartpaw's lies and questioning them. 

                    "Yes well, your dream was a pretty bad one," Frogleap said. "What was it about?" 

                   "StarClan...," Heartpaw trailed off, looking down. His head whirled with what Stormpelt had told him. The warm, protective father was gone, replaced by some other cold cat he didn't recognise. 

                   "A prophecy?" inquired Frogleap. The two apprentice inched closer to Heartpaw. 

                   "No..., it was my father..," said Heartpaw. 

                    "From ShadowClan?" asked Frogleap. 

                   "He's um, from StarClan," said Heartpaw. 

                     "Yes but he is ShadowClan," Frogleap clarified. Heartpaw nodded. "What did he say?" 

                   "Don't worry, I'm not about to change Clan or something," Heartpaw said. 

                   "What did he say?" repeated Frogleap, looking slightly worried. 

                    "He disowned me," whispered Heartpaw. 

                   "Really, why is that?" Frogleap questioned calmly. 

                    "Because I apparently betrayed him..," Heartpaw said frowning. 

                      "You're with us now. Don't pay attention to your dead father," assured Frogleap. "Now go on out, your mentors must be looking for you." Heartpaw nodded and solemnly padded out with the two apprentices at his side. He couldn't wrap his mind around what his father had said. He couldn't understand what Stormpelt had said about having another daughter and son. He was Brightheart's only kit. He was the only kit. The only kit Stormpelt swore to take care of, never let out of sight, always be proud of. But he wasn't Stormpelt's son anymore. Blacktail trotted over to him. 

                      "Why the sad face? You're RiverClan," she mewed. 

                       "Nothing," mumbled Heartpaw. 

                      "There's a Gathering tonight. Thornstar will be mentioning you," Blacktail told Heartpaw. "So you're going." The news hardly helped Heartpaw's mood. He went through battle training and hunting for the elders as if in a trance and finally, they departed to go to the Gathering. Deerpaw was shivering with excitement by his side. Thornstar led the way as they slipped through the bracken and alongside the river. The Clan was quiet but he could feel their strength as they walked together towards the Four Trees. He couldn't have felt prouder. Going to the Gathering were, Thornstar, Reedpelt, Frogleap, Beestripe, Sparkbelly, Moorpelt, Blacktail, Smoketail (A messy grey furred warrior with brownish ears), Deerpaw, Embergaze (a light golden tabby with green eyes who was extremely shy and seemed to shy away from Heartpaw) and of course, Heartpaw. They finally saw the Four Trees in the distance and Heartpaw's heart raced. It would be his first Gathering since he was banished from ShadowClan and became RiverClan. He was almost trembling with anticipation and excitement. Deerpaw pressed her pelt against his, speaking quickly about how excited she was. They finally reached the Four Trees where cats were gathered. Heartpaw suddenly felt extremely nervous he felt about to pass out. He then spotted Cinderstar. She was talking to the WindClan leader, Fawnstar. Heartpaw felt unease creep through him. He wondered what they were talking about. RiverClan marched past WindClan warriors, some of them huddled together and past ShadowClan warriors. They were packed together, talking in low voices. Heartpaw's heart started racing as he spotted his former Clanmates. He saw Oakfall, Shadefern, Rabbitleap Nightcloud, Sorreclaw, Flamebreeze, Thistlenose and... Honeylight. Honeylight was whispering into Oakfall's ear and Heartpaw quickly looked away, hoping his former Clanmates hadn't seen him. He settled in the middle of the crowd of RiverClan cats, although many left to talk to other cats. Heartpaw pressed himself nearer to Deerpaw and held his head down. 

                 "Do you recognise the ShadowClan cats?" asked Deerpaw in a low voice. Heartpaw nodded quickly. "Who are they?" 

                "The light ginger one..., is Honeylight," said Heartpaw, lifting his eyes for a moment to rest them on Honeylight's soft, light fur. She was more beautiful then ever. He shook his head. What was he thinking? "She's talking to Oakfur, the older warrior." Deerpaw nodded as she stared at Honeylight and Oakfur. 

               "The black she-cat next to that dark tabby cat is Nightcloud and the tabby is Shadefern," continued Heartpaw. "That one over there is Sorrelclaw and Flamebreeze. And the one at the end if Thistlenose." Deerpaw nodded then looked down at Heartpaw. 

                "Are you nervous?" she asked. 

                "Yeah!" exclaimed Heartpaw under his breath. Sparkbelly joined their side. 

               "Don't be nervous, you're with you now. No RiverClan warrior is shy or nervous," whispered Sparkbelly. Heartpaw almost wanted to say Embergaze. "Come on Heartpaw, you're one of us. Hold your head high. Be proud." Heartpaw suddenly felt a spark of confidence and pride in being RiverClan. Sparkbelly was right. He looked up and puffed out his chest, looking as confident as he could. Suddenly, he heard a gasp come from one of the ShadowClan cats. Then he felt the piercing stares of cats on him. But he kept his head high. Honeylight turned to Heartpaw, her eyes wide. He stared at her, not flinching from her gaze. He didn't know what she was feeling but after a while, she turned away. Then the leaders, to Heartpaw's relief, leapt up and a hush spread. Falconstar began. 

                 "Leaf-bare has come and is soon going, without any loss for ThunderClan," he said. A few ThunderClan cats cheered. Falconstar stepped back into the shadows and Fawnstar went next. 

                  "Leaf-bare has brought some troubles with food but we are now doing very well and we now have a new warrior, Firecry," announced Fawnstar. Everybody started chanting Firecry's name and Heartpaw spotted the young warrior, puffing his chest out in pride as Ivypaw wrapped her tail around his happily. Heartpaw grimaced and looked away. Then Thornstar stepped up. 

                  "RiverClan, is thriving. We have plenty of prey and our warriors have been having good training sessions and hunting patrols have been coming home with plenty. We have a new apprentice, who has just joined RiverClan. We have let him in knowing he is strong and will prove himself a great warrior," declared Thornstar, then he looked directly at Heartpaw. "Heartpaw." Howls and growls rose from ShadowClan. Cinderstar stepped in beside Thornstar and shot a look at Heartpaw. Heartpaw was aware of Thistlenose, Oakfur and Shadefern hissing insults. He could also see Rabbitleap, sheathing and unsheathing his claws, digging them into the. Honeylight was looking away, with an expression Heartpaw didn't know. 

                  "I'm sorry to have to tell you that you have taken in a rejected apprentice and a traitor," spat Cinderstar. Heartpaw suddenly felt so much hatred toward her. She had been the one to tell him never underestimate the enemy, she had been so wise, and now she was full of hatred. "Maybe he lied to you to make you take him in, but let us, ShadowClan, his former Clan, tell you, that he is no good. He should be abandoned to the rogues." Heartpaw felt slightly hurt by her harsh words but tried not to let it show. Deerpaw pressed closer to Heartpaw. Heartpaw turned and met Ivypaw's eyes. Ivypaw gazed at Deerpaw and at Heartpaw, her expression unreadable. Heartpaw looked down at his paws. It seemed the only cats he didn't know were ThunderClan and they didn't seem to care about the RiverClan and ShadowClan rivalry. They seemed lightly amused. 

                "Oh no, Heartpaw told us the truth. How he betrayed you. But he is RiverClan, he will not betray RiverClan," answered Thornstar evenly and met Heartpaw's gaze, giving him a slight nod of encouragement. Rabbitleap leapt up and hissed, lashing his tail. 

                 "Heartpaw, you are a disgrace. Mousebrained, foxdung, buzzard faced, snake tongued, mange-pelt dung faced cat!" growled Rabbitleap. Oakfur joined his side, growling angrily. Nightcloud watched, her eyes cold with hostility. Honeylight watched from behind, gazing at Heartpaw with something he didn't understand nor cared. 

                "Aww," grinned Moorpelt. "ShadowClan is jealous of RiverClan." Oakfur bristled. 

                "We are not!" growled Flamebreeze. 

                 "We would never be jealous of RiverClan. ShadowClan, stay back," hissed Cinderstar. Thornstar lashed his tail. 

                  "But it seems you are," said Thornstar. "Yelling unreasonable insults." 

                  "ShadowClan was always jealous," hissed Sparkbelly. Even Embergaze bristled. 

                 "Inside, you're all cowering cowards," spat Embergaze, his voice soft but powerful. Thornstar stood, watching his Clan, his eyes telling them not to get into a fight. ShadowClan though were bristling and Cinderstar couldn't seem to keep them under control. The moon was shining brightly over them, urging the Gathering to continue. Nightcloud placed her cool eyes on Heartpaw then leapt out and lashed out. Heartpaw barely dodged her blow. Thornstar stepped forward, glaring at Cinderstar. 

                  "Keep your warriors under control," he boomed. Falconstar joined Thornstar's side. 

                  "Yes, Cinderstar, you don't seem to be very much in control of your Clan. Maybe you aren't made to be leader..," said Falconstar lightly, a small hint of amusement in his voice as he watched the ShadowClan leader, trying to keep her Clan under control. ShadowClan looked up at Falconstar and a few cats backed off, wanting to show him wrong. Cinderstar seemed to be trying not to look away with embarrasement. 

                  "ShadowClan!" snapped Cinderstar. "Stay back. It is a full moon. Remember the truce." Rabbitleap lashed his tail with Nightcloud by his side, ignoring their leader. 

                  "Cinderstar, keep your warriors under control," Thornstar growled. Cinderstar glared at him. 

                  "Rabbitleap. Nightcloud, go back!" Cinderstar yelled loudly, her eyes sparked with anger. Nightcloud and Rabbitleap looked up at their leader and after a pause, reluctantly padded back to the rest of ShadowClan. 

                 "Now, if I'm not mistaken, this Gathering is not over yet, because of Cinderstar's unprofessional interruption. ShadowClan has not announced any news yet," Fawnstar said with narrowed eyes. Cinderstar took a deep breath, Heartpaw could practically feel her embarrassment. 

               "ShadowClan is thriving," she said, her voice almost a growl. Goldenheart has had two kits, Blizzardkit and Birdkit." A few ShadowClan cats managed a weak yowl. Thornstar snickered and leap down. He flicked his tail for RiverClan to follow and together, they made their way away from the Four Trees. Frogleap, after having met with the other medicine cats which also meant Lionbreeze, the ShadowClan medicine cat, joined them. They made their way back to RiverClan, chatting and joking about ShadowClan. Heartpaw felt joy bursting in his heart, thinking of how his Clanmates had defended him as if he really were RiverClan. And he was.