Bluestar's Prophecy

As her shock eased, Bluepaw’s whiskers and muzzle began to sting. She backed away when Goosefeather returned holding an ointment-soaked leaf in his jaws. “Will it hurt?” she asked.

“It will soothe the pain,” he promised softly.

She held still as he gently smeared the ointment over her muzzle. His eyes seemed to be searching hers, but she couldn’t figure out what he was trying to see.

“Will I be scarred?” she asked nervously.

Goosefeather shook his head. “The fur on your nose is just singed,” he reassured her. “It’ll grow back in a moon.”

Then why were his eyes glittering with worry?

Maybe I’m imagining it.

Suddenly Goosefeather leaned closer. “Like fire, you will blaze through the forest,” he hissed.

“What?” Bluepaw flinched away. Had he gone mad?

“The burning branch was a sign from StarClan.” His eyes glittered. “You are fire, Bluepaw, and you will blaze through the forest.”

Alarmed, Bluepaw backed away. What was he talking about?

“But beware!”

She stiffened.

“Even the most powerful flames can be destroyed by water.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m telling you what the burning branch meant,” he growled.

Don’t be silly! This was the cat who had told his Clan that a vole’s fur meant they should attack WindClan, and look what had happened!

Snowpaw came bounding in. “Are you all right?” She sniffed at Bluepaw’s nose, wrinkling her own. “What did he put on it?”

“Comfrey and honey.” Goosefeather’s voice had returned to normal. “It’ll soothe the pain and stop infection.”

“You were so brave,” Snowpaw mewed. Her tail was flicking excitedly as she circled Bluepaw. “I couldn’t believe it when I ran into the camp and you weren’t with me! I thought the fox had got you. But when I came out again there you were facing it! And then the branch fell down and you didn’t move! You looked like a real warrior!”

“Hush!” Goosefeather silenced her. “Weedwhisker’s in that nest.” He nodded to a gap hollowed in the ferns. “He’s recovering from bellyache. I don’t want him to be disturbed.”

Snowpaw dipped her head. “Sorry.”

“Out, both of you!” Goosefeather ordered briskly. It was as though he hadn’t mentioned a prophecy at all. Bluepaw wondered if she’d imagined it, or if he was just playing a joke on her. She turned and followed Snowpaw from the den. As she padded down the fern tunnel, a voice sounded in her ears. “You are fire, Bluepaw. Fear water.”

She whipped around to see if Goosefeather was following, but his speckled gray back was only just visible at the far side of the clearing as he checked on Weedwhisker. Spooked, Bluepaw hurried to catch up to Snowpaw.

Stormtail was waiting for them in the clearing. His eyes gleamed as Bluepaw joined them. “You faced a fox!” He sounded genuinely pleased, but his expression darkened as he went on. “But you’re not a warrior yet, so no more fox-fighting on your own.”

Before Bluepaw could respond, Lionpaw raced over with Goldenpaw on his heels.

“I wish I’d been outside. I would have fought off that fox.” He fluffed up his fur and growled.

Snowpaw’s whiskers twitched in amusement, but Bluepaw’s mind was on Goosefeather’s bizarre prophecy. Could it really be true?

You are fire? You will blaze through the forest?

Did that mean she would one day lead ThunderClan? And how could water destroy her? She wasn’t a RiverClan cat. She would never go near water, apart from jumping the smallest stream.

Stormtail’s mew broke into her thoughts. “Adderfang’s leading a patrol to make sure the fox has gone. Stay in camp until they report back.”

Bluepaw nodded as Stormtail turned and padded away.

“Are you okay?” Snowpaw’s concerned mew broke into her thoughts. “Did Goosefeather give you anything for the shock?”

Bluepaw shook her head.

“Something’s bothering you.”

Bluepaw scanned the camp, looking for a quiet corner where they could talk. Perhaps Snowpaw could help her make sense of Goosefeather’s words.

“Come with me.” She led Snowpaw to the nursery and slipped behind it.

“What is it?” Snowpaw sat down. “Why are we hiding?”

“I wanted to ask you about something.” Bluepaw wondered how she could tell Snowpaw about the prophecy when she wasn’t even sure of it herself.

Snowpaw leaned forward, lowering her voice. “What?”

“Do…” Bluepaw searched for the right words. “Do you think…” This is impossible! “Do you think I’m…special?”

Snowpaw broke into a purr. “Well, of course! You’re the best sister in the world!”

Bluepaw shook her head, frustrated. “That’s not what I meant.”

“What else could you mean? Is there something wrong with you? Did Goosefeather find something when he checked your burns?”

Bluepaw dug her claws in the ground. She would have to be direct. “Goosefeather said the burning branch was a sign.”

“A sign?” Snowpaw’s eyes grew wide as an owl’s. “From StarClan?”

Bluepaw nodded.

“What did it mean? What did he tell you? Does Pinestar know?” Snowpaw blasted her with questions.

“He said that I would blaze through the forest like fire.”

“He’s mad as a hare!”