Bluestar's Prophecy

“Where’s Dappletail?” Bluefur asked, wondering why Goldenpaw wasn’t being watched by her mentor.

Thrushpelt didn’t take his eyes off the pale ginger shape scrabbling through the leaves. “She had to see Featherwhisker about a seed that got stuck in her eye.”

“I’m going to ask Sunstar if Thrushpelt can be my mentor forever!” came a squeal from above them. “Dappletail would never have let me climb this high!”

Thrushpelt flashed Bluefur a guilty look. “Oops,” he meowed. “Goldenpaw seemed so sure she could do it, I assumed it wasn’t the first time…”

Bluefur purred. “Don’t worry. I won’t tell Dappletail!”

Thrushpelt flicked his tail lightly across her flank. “Thanks! And I’ll make sure Goldenpaw gets back to the camp in one piece!”

Heading away from Goldenpaw’s tree, Bluefur wandered through a grassy glade and pushed her way past a wall of ferns. She was thirsty, and the river was burbling nearby. The bushes there were still lush; this part of the forest was sheltered from chilly nights and cool breezes. The river had risen since the height of greenleaf, splashing over stones and lapping at the shore, its chatter harmonizing with the soft rustle of the forest. Bluefur peered through a bush and down the leaf-strewn bank.

A reddish-brown pelt moved in the shallows.

Fox?

She tasted the air warily. Stiffening, she recognized the tang of RiverClan. She stared in astonishment as Oakheart padded out on the ThunderClan side of the river, barely three tail-lengths from Bluefur. He shook himself like a dog, then stretched out on a smooth stone sloping up from the water. The sun glistened on his sleek pelt, which clung darkly to his well-muscled frame. He was going to sleep! On ThunderClan territory!

Bluefur tensed, ready to spring out and confront the trespasser. Then she paused. He looked so peaceful. Caught in the moment, she found herself watching his flank rising and falling.

What am I doing?

She plunged through the bushes and skidded to a halt behind him, sending small stones rattling down to the water. “Get out!”

Oakheart lifted his head and glanced over his shoulder. “Bluefur!”

He could at least act guilty! She’d caught him on ThunderClan territory.

“Just because you took Sunningrocks,” she hissed, “doesn’t mean you can help yourself to any piece of territory you want.” Her pelt sparked with fury.

“Sorry.” Oakheart got to his paws. “I couldn’t resist such a sunny spot.”

“You couldn’t resist?” Rage choked her. “You arrogant fur-ball!” Without thinking, she launched herself at him, claws swiping at his face.

He ducked and she missed.

Bluefur stopped with her paws dug into the stones to stop her from falling over. Were his whiskers twitching? I’ll teach him! She twisted and sharply nipped his hind leg.

“Ow!” Oakheart hopped out of the way and swung his broad head toward her, catching her shoulder as she reared for another lunge.

While she was scrabbling at the air, Bluefur’s hind paws skidded out of the stones. She lost her balance and flopped ungracefully into the river. As the water drenched her pelt, panic shot through her. I’m drowning!

“Help me!”

But Oakheart stayed on the bank, his eyes bright with amusement. “Try standing up,” he suggested calmly.

Bluefur thrust her paws downward, expecting to vanish underwater. Instead, her feet stubbed against the round stones on the bottom of the river. She stood up, surprised to find the water barely lapping at her belly fur. Hot with embarrassment, she stalked onto the bank and shook herself, making sure Oakheart felt the spray.

“How was I supposed to know it was that shallow?” she snapped. “ThunderClan cats don’t have to get wet to catch our prey.”

Oakheart shrugged. “Sorry you got a bit damp.” His gaze flitted over her pelt. “I was just defending myself.”

His feeble apology only made Bluefur angrier. “Why don’t you shut up and get off my territory?”

He tipped his head to one side. “It seems a shame to leave at the start of such a promising friendship.”

Friendship! This RiverClan cat was cheekier than the most upstart kit! “You’d better leave now, or I’ll give you a scar you won’t forget,” Bluefur growled.

Oakheart dipped his head, his gaze holding hers for an instant, then padded into the shallows and swam sleekly across the river. Bluefur watched him slip onto the bank at the other side, water dripping from his thick pelt. Before he disappeared into the trees he looked back at her, his eyes gleaming.

“I won’t forget you, scar or no scar,” he called.

Bluefur didn’t dignify his dumb comment with a reply. Mouse-brain! Wet and cross, she stamped up the bank and headed into the trees. When she reached the top of the ravine, she was still pricking with anger. How dare Oakheart be so brazen when he was on ThunderClan territory? Did he think StarClan had given him the whole forest?

She was so lost in thought, Rosetail made her jump when she bounded over the top of the cliff.