Bluestar's Prophecy

“Tigerclaw wanted to join in,” Leopardfoot added. “Thistleclaw practically had to sit on him to stop him. Cedarstar was so embarrassed. He assigned Brokenpaw to clean the elders’ den for the next moon. You should have seen Raggedpelt’s face when he did that. He was furious. He acted like he was proud that Brokenpaw nearly shredded two apprentices.” Leopardfoot shook her head. “ShadowClan is turning into a bunch of fox-hearts.”

Bluefur settled back into her nest, picturing Oakheart as her eyes grew heavy with sleep.

Leopardfoot chatted on. WindClan had lost their plumpness already. RiverClan had acted like they’d never had Sunningrocks in the first place…

Bluefur dozed.

“I’m not surprised you didn’t come tonight.” Leopardfoot’s comment jolted her awake.

“Why?”

“Have you told Sunstar yet?”

Told him what? Bluefur’s heart began to race. Did Leopardfoot know something? Had someone at the Gathering given their secret away?

“Told him what?” she asked shakily.

Leopardfoot blinked at her. “That you’re expecting kits.”

Expecting kits?

I can’t be! Bluefur stared at her denmate in horror. How does she know?

“Don’t worry about being nervous.” Leopardfoot brushed her tail along Bluefur’s flank. “It’s natural the first time.”

Rosetail was awake now. “Bluefur! You’re having kits? Why didn’t you tell me? Does Thrushpelt know yet?”

“Keep your voice down!” Bluefur hissed.

Rosetail ducked closer. “Sorry,” she whispered. “But I’m so pleased. I knew there was something going on between you and Thrushpelt. He’ll make a brilliant father.”

Leopardfoot’s ears twitched. “I didn’t know there was anything going on between you and Thrushpelt.”

There isn’t! Bluefur bit back the words. They’d only want to know who the real father was. “Don’t say anything to him,” she pleaded.

“You want to tell him yourself, of course,” Leopardfoot purred. “I understand. But you’re going to have to say something soon. You’re getting awfully big. Even the toms will be noticing soon.”

As Leopardfoot and Rosetail settled down to sleep beside her, Bluefur gazed into the darkness at the edge of the den. I’m sorry, she murmured under her breath. Snowfur, Moonflower, forgive me. I never meant for this to happen.

When morning came she heaved herself from her nest, suddenly aware of the extra weight in her belly. How had she not noticed? Outside, the warriors were gathering around Adderfang, who was assigning duties for the day. Tawnyspots slept in the medicine den now, and had pretty much given up his role as deputy.

Bluefur stumbled past her Clanmates and headed for Sunstar’s den. Pausing outside, she called through the lichen. “Can I speak with you?”

“Is that Bluefur?” Sunstar’s voice echoed from inside. “Come in.”

Bluefur nosed through the lichen, fighting queasiness.

Sunstar was sitting beside his nest, washing his face. “Are you okay?”

“I’m not feeling well,” Bluefur told him. “May I be excused from patrols?”

Sunstar tilted his head to one side. “Is it something you’ve eaten?”

“Maybe.”

“Of course you’re excused, but you must see Featherwhisker if you don’t feel better by sunhigh.”

“I just need some fresh air,” Bluefur assured him, backing out of the den. She headed for the camp entrance, seeking the solitude and peace of the forest.

Thrushpelt broke away from the knot of warriors and caught up to her as she neared the gorse tunnel. “Are you okay?”

“Fine.” Bluefur didn’t even look at him, but kept walking. Her ears burned. She couldn’t believe she’d let Leopardfoot and Rosetail believe that he was the father.

Thrushpelt fell back and left her alone to squeeze through the tunnel. It pricked her sides, raking her fur into stripes. Her belly had swollen. Bluefur felt heavy and tired as she hauled herself up the side of the ravine. She was breathless by the time she reached the top. She sat and looked down at her round belly. Were there really kits growing inside her? A rush of protectiveness surged through her, and she leaned down awkwardly to lick the soft fur.

The sound of the first patrol leaving the camp made her stand up and trot into the cover of the ferns. She kept going until the noise faded behind her. When she looked up, the trees ahead were thinning, outlined against the sky. Her paws had led her to the river. She was honest enough with herself to know that she wanted the reassurance of Oakheart. She wanted to share her news. But would he still be looking out for her?

She padded down the smooth stone slope and sat at the water’s edge. The far bank had been stripped by leaf-bare frosts, and she could see far into the trees. What would happen now? How would she explain these kits? Water will destroy you. Was this what the prophecy meant? Having kits that were half-RiverClan?