Bluestar's Prophecy

The ShadowClan warriors were already halfway across the Thunderpath.

“You don’t escape that easily!” Snowfur screeched furiously as they skidded to the other side and disappeared into the pines. Pelt bristling, eyes wide, Snowfur streaked after them, over the oily Thunderpath.

Bluefur froze.

A monster was roaring straight at Snowfur.

Without slowing down, it slammed into her body.

Bluefur heard the dull thump, then the howl of the monster as it thundered away, leaving Snowfur’s body lying like a wet leaf at the edge of the Thunderpath.

“No!”

Chapter 28

The monster’s roar faded quickly away. Bluefur could see the ShadowClan warriors peering from the trees beyond the Thunderpath, their eyes wide with horror.

“Snowfur?” She bent down and nudged her sister with her paw. The white warrior didn’t respond, just lay limply on the stinking grass. “Come on,” Bluefur urged. “We have to get back to camp. We’ve got to report those ShadowClan warriors.”

A thin trail of blood rolled from Snowfur’s mouth.

“I’ll help you,” Bluefur offered. She grasped Snowfur’s scruff and began to drag her into the forest. “Try your paws,” Bluefur begged through her mouthful of fur. “Once you’re walking, you’ll feel better.”

Snowfur’s body slid over the leaf-strewn floor.

Oh, StarClan, why did I tell her about Oakheart? She wouldn’t have run off. We’d have never have found those ShadowClan warriors. They’d be home by now, Whitekit bouncing with excitement at seeing his mother back.

“Bluefur?” Adderfang’s mew sounded through the trees.

Bluefur let go of her sister and stared at the mottled warrior, her mind blank. Adderfang had come. Everything would be fine now. Dappletail was with him, and Windflight and Thrushpelt. They’d know what to do.

Her Clanmates swarmed around her. She felt their pelts brushing hers as they leaned over Snowfur.

“A monster hit her,” Bluefur explained. Her voice sounded as if it was coming from far away. “ShadowClan cats were hunting squirrels in our territory and we chased them, and it hit her.”

“Thrushpelt”—Adderfang’s order was brisk—“check ShadowClan has gone and isn’t coming back.”

As Thrushpelt raced away, Adderfang grasped Snowfur’s scruff.

“Be careful!” Bluefur cautioned, heart lurching. “I think she’s hurt.”

She felt White-eye’s tail drape over her shoulders.

“Come on,” the pale she-cat murmured, coaxing her forward. “Let’s get back to camp.”

Bluefur’s paws, numb with shock, stumbled over the forest floor. She’s hurt. She’s just hurt. No matter how many times she repeated the words in her mind, her heart had recognized the scent of death on her sister. She knew Snowfur was dead, and with each step the horror grew stronger, until grief threatened to swamp her.

“Just keep walking,” White-eye whispered, pressing closer.

“I told her she’d be back with Whitekit,” Bluefur mumbled.

At the top of the ravine, Adderfang laid Snowfur down and faced Bluefur. He stared steadily at her until she blinked away the haze of grief and looked into his eyes.

“Bluefur?” His mew was gentle.

“What?”

“You must tell Whitekit.”

Bluefur flinched. “Why me?”

“Because you love him,” Adderfang told her. “I’ll tell Thistleclaw and Stormtail and make the report to Sunstar.”

White-eye gazed at Snowfur’s body. “Thistleclaw could tell Whitekit,” she suggested.

“No!” Bluefur bristled. Thistleclaw would never be gentle enough for news like this. “I’ll tell him.”

Blindly stumbling, she managed to reach the bottom of the ravine. She padded into the clearing and past her Clanmates, who knew nothing of the tragedy, who still believed Snowfur was alive.

She slid into the nursery. “Whitekit.”

“You’re back!” Whitekit looked delighted. He glanced behind Bluefur. “Is Snowfur with you?”

Bluefur took a deep breath and tensed to stop her paws from shaking. “Come outside, little one,” she mewed.

“Has Snowfur got a present for me?” Whitekit chirped.

Tigerkit stopped chasing Brindlekit’s tail. “Can I come, too?”

“Just Whitekit,” Bluefur told him, thanking StarClan that he listened for once.

Whitekit followed her out and she led him to the fallen tree and ducked in among the branches.

“What is it? Where’s Snowfur?” he squeaked. “Is she playing hide-and-seek?”

“Come here.” Bluefur wrapped her tail around his small body and pulled him close, sheltering him beside her belly. She bent over him, shielding the sight of Adderfang carrying his mother’s body into camp.

She felt her heart crack. So much pain. “Snowfur won’t be coming back.”

Whitekit looked up at her. “Till when?”

“Ever.”

“Why not?” Whitekit stiffened. “Doesn’t she like me anymore?”

“She loves you very much,” Bluefur promised. “She’ll always love you. But she’s with StarClan now.”

Whitekit put his head on one side. “Can I visit her?”

Bluefur shook her head.