Bluestar's Prophecy

“All by herself!” Snowpaw boasted about her littermate.

Bluepaw lowered her gaze as her Clanmates gathered to see her catch, hoping they wouldn’t think she was being smug.

“Was that your first hunting session?” Thrushpelt asked. He sounded really impressed.

Bluepaw nodded.

“You’re lucky to have her,” Fuzzypelt told Stonepelt.

“ThunderClan’s lucky to have her!” Windflight’s pale green eyes were round. “I don’t remember any other apprentice catching prey on their first try.”

Bluepaw scanned the camp. Where was Stormtail? Had he seen what she’d caught? Frustration pricked her pelt when she realized that he was nowhere to be seen and there was no fresh scent of him in camp. He must have gone out with the dusk patrol.

She felt Moonflower’s muzzle brush her cheek. “I’m so proud,” she whispered.

“I’m going to catch something tomorrow,” Snowpaw promised.

“It’s not a competition,” Sparrowpelt reminded her.

Weedwhisker padded from the fallen tree. “I smell fresh squirrel.”

Snowpaw skipped to meet him. “Bluepaw caught it,” she announced.

While Weedwhisker admired the catch, Stonepelt took Bluepaw aside. “I’m very impressed with you today. You listened well and you learned quickly.”

Bluepaw felt a purr spring to her throat.

“I want you to come to the Gathering tonight.”

Bluepaw gulped. She’d been an apprentice for only two days. Was she ready to meet the other Clans? She’d be one of the youngest cats there, and with so many new faces and in such a new place—what if she got lost? Or separated from her Clan? Nerves gnawed at her belly.

“I assume you want to come?” Stonepelt queried.

Bluepaw nodded at once. She wasn’t going to turn down an opportunity like this, no matter how scary it seemed.

“Good. Now, get some food and rest as much as you can. We’ll leave when it gets dark.”

A light breeze made the gorse barrier whisper in the moonlight, and the rising stars turned the dens silver.

Warriors were gathering at the camp’s entrance, ready to leave.

Bluepaw felt a worm of anxiety in her belly. Would she be able to keep up? She’d had a nap, but her legs still felt tired from the hunt.

“I wish I were going with you.” Snowpaw flicked her tail crossly.

“I wish you were going with me, too,” Bluepaw mewed back.

Windflight was nudging Thistlekit back toward the nursery. “It’ll be your turn soon enough.”

“But I’m almost as big as Bluepaw, and she’s going!” Thistlekit complained.

“You’re not an apprentice,” Windflight reminded him.

Adderfang was staring at Highrock while Tawnyspots paced around him, his eyes gleaming. Stormtail was talking with Stonepelt beside the barrier. Were they discussing her training? Bluepaw tucked her paws closer to her belly, wishing her butterflies away.

Moonflower pressed in beside her. “Stay close to me.”

“Shouldn’t I stay near Leopardpaw and Patchpaw?” She eyed the two apprentices, who were chatting near the entrance, tails sleek, ears pricked, not a sign of ruffled fur. Weren’t they nervous?

“Next time,” Moonflower advised. “Once you know what to do.”

What to do? Alarm shot through Bluepaw. Was she supposed to do something?

“I mean”—Moonflower gazed back sympathetically—“how to behave.”

“How should I behave?”

“The Gathering is held under a truce. For the night of the full moon we are one Clan, so long as Silverpelt shines. But…” Moonflower paused, as though weighing her words carefully. “Never forget that the truce ends.”

Bluepaw tipped her head on one side.

“Tomorrow we will be rivals again,” Moonflower explained. “Don’t say anything that might weaken your Clan, and don’t make friends with cats you may one day face in battle.”

Bluepaw nodded eagerly. She couldn’t even imagine speaking to a cat from another Clan, let alone making friends.

The lichen swished at the entrance to Pinestar’s den. Sunfall, who had been sitting outside, got to his paws as the ThunderClan leader padded out.

“All ready?” Pinestar asked him.

Sunfall glanced at the cats gathered by the entrance and nodded.

“Come on, then.” Pinestar headed across the clearing, head high, as his Clanmates parted to let him through.

“Will you challenge WindClan about the stealing?” Adderfang’s mew silenced the Clan.

Pinestar paused and gazed around his warriors. “I will mention that we found blood and warn all the Clans that prey inside our borders belongs to ThunderClan.”

Windflight and Swiftbreeze nodded in agreement, but Adderfang narrowed his eyes.

Pinestar glared at the mottled tabby. “I won’t accuse WindClan.” His mew was firm, and Adderfang did not reply as Pinestar marched past him and headed out of camp.

Bluepaw stood staring as her Clanmates began to stream through the tunnel.

“Come on, little one.” Moonflower nudged her forward. “You’ll be fine.”

“Remember everything so you can tell me all about it!” Snowpaw called as Bluepaw followed her mother to the entrance. “I’ll stay awake till you get back.”

Chapter 6