Bluestar's Prophecy

Pinestar gazed down. “You have been with us for six moons. Today you will start your training. Your father has been loyal to ThunderClan and is a brave warrior. May you both tread in his paw steps.”

Bluekit glanced at her father. He’d stopped muttering with Adderfang and was watching intently. Bluekit’s legs trembled harder. Why did she have to look such a mess?

“Snowkit.” Pinestar’s mew rang out in the cold dawn air as the sun began to turn the camp a rosy pink.

Snowkit lifted her muzzle.

“From this day forward you shall be known as Snowpaw.”

As Snowpaw puffed out her chest, Pinestar scanned the warriors watching from beneath Highrock. “Sparrowpelt,” he meowed.

The dark brown tabby looked sharply up at him, as though surprised.

“You will mentor Snowpaw. Train her to be a fine warrior.”

Blinking, Sparrowpelt stepped forward and touched his muzzle to Snowkit’s head.

“Bluekit,” Pinestar went on, “until you earn your warrior name, you will be Bluepaw. Your mentor will be Stonepelt.”

Stonepelt padded to her side. “You’re still not allowed in the warriors’ den,” he teased, nudging her head with his nose.

Bluepaw could hardly believe it. She was going to sleep in the apprentices’ den tonight!

Chapter 4

“Bluepaw! Bluepaw!”

As the Clan began to chant her new name, Bluepaw looked around the clearing, feeling as tall as Highrock. At last she could begin to help her Clanmates.

Stormtail gave her a small nod. She wanted to run and press her muzzle against his. But her paws wouldn’t move and she stared in silence as he turned back to Adderfang.

“Can you believe it?” Snowpaw ran up to her, purring.

Rosekit, Sweetkit, and Thistlekit came dashing across the clearing, mewing excitedly.

“You’re apprentices!” Sweetkit squealed.

Rosekit skipped around them. “We’ll miss you in the nursery.”

Thistlekit’s eyes were dark with annoyance. “If you’re apprentices, I don’t see why I can’t be. I’m almost as big as you.”

Sweetkit rolled her eyes. “No, you’re just always boasting!”

“Don’t worry, Thistlekit!” Snowpaw reassured him. “I’ll teach you every battle move I learn.”

Thistlekit stuck his nose in the air. “I’m already a better fighter than you’ll ever be!” he huffed.

Bluepaw’s claws itched. She wanted to cuff him around the ear. He should show some respect to the apprentices in his Clan!

“Congratulations!” Swiftbreeze trotted toward them with her tail straight up.

Bluepaw purred, looking around for her mother.

Moonflower had stopped to talk with Stormtail but, catching Bluepaw’s eye, she broke away and hurried to join her kits. “I’m so proud of you!” She glanced back at Stormtail. “Your father is, too.”

Almost as though she had beckoned him, Stormtail padded toward them. Adderfang followed, his eyes narrowed as though something were troubling him.

“Well done.” Stormtail’s gaze flicked to Bluepaw’s muddy paws. She sat down with a bump, tucking them as far out of sight as she could.

“We’re going to be the best apprentices!” Snowpaw mewed happily.

Stormtail flicked his tail. “I expect nothing less.”

Goosefeather joined them, with Featherwhisker beside him. “Congratulations, you two,” he meowed warmly.

“Thank you.” Bluepaw dipped her head.

Goosefeather nodded to Stormtail. “You must be very proud.”

Stormtail’s ears twitched. “Of course.”

Adderfang wiped a paw casually over one ear. “It’s interesting that Pinestar chooses now to make you apprentices.” He paused, his paw in midair, and looked Bluepaw up and down. “One might almost think it was unplanned.”

Bluepaw tipped her head on one side. “What do you mean?”

“He doesn’t mean anything,” Moonflower meowed quickly. She glared at Adderfang. “Do you?”

The mottled brown tom met her gaze without flinching. “Well, it has certainly distracted the Clan from WindClan’s thieving.”

Goosefeather flicked his tail. “If there’s going to be a battle, Adderfang, then we will need all the warriors we can get.”

Adderfang shrugged. “Warriors, yes. But apprentices?”

Snowpaw fluffed out her fur. “We’ll fight as well as any cat.”

Adderfang’s whiskers twitched. “I’m sure you’ll do your best, but only training will make you a warrior, and you’ve had none.”

Bluepaw suddenly felt very small. What in StarClan had made her think she could help her Clan? Coldness crept under her pelt. Was Adderfang right? Had Pinestar really made them apprentices only to stop a battle with WindClan from happening?

Stonepelt’s mew shook Bluepaw from her thoughts. “I hope you’re ready to climb the ravine again.”

The coldness left her pelt. “Are we going out right now?”

“The sooner we begin your training, the better,” Stonepelt meowed. “If WindClan is planning something, you’ll need all the skills I can teach you.”