Bluestar's Prophecy

For once the RiverClan warrior seemed lost for words. He stared at her for several moments, then murmured, “I’d be lost if anything happened to Crookedjaw.”

“You’ve got no idea.” Bluefur marched away, furious. How dare he pretend to know what she felt?

“Isn’t it great?”

Bluefur had nearly crashed into Goldenflower.

The young ginger warrior was staring at the assembled cats with wide, glowing eyes. “I’ve never seen so many cats at a Gathering before!” she went on. Then she caught Bluefur’s eye and stopped. “What’s wrong?”

“Oakheart’s been sticking his nose in where it doesn’t belong,” Bluefur growled.

“Ignore him,” Goldenflower advised. “He’s so full of himself that he’s got no room left for brains.”

Bluefur snorted. “That just about describes the smug fleabag!”

“Look!” Goldenflower stared up at the Great Rock as the leaders bounded to the top. “They’re starting!” She hurried away, pushing through her Clan to get to the front. Bluefur was happy to loiter at the back.

Rosetail sat down beside her. “WindClan’s looking plump.”

Bluefur hadn’t noticed, but now she realized that the moorland cats did seem healthy and well fed for once. “I hope they don’t get too fat to catch rabbits,” she muttered. “We don’t want them thieving from the forest again.”

Rosetail nudged her. “Don’t be so grumpy.”

Sunstar was addressing the Clans. “ThunderClan has three new kits.” Murmurs of appreciation spread through the Clan. “And two new warriors.” The ThunderClan leader gazed down at his Clanmates. “Lionheart and Goldenflower.”

The two young cats pricked their ears and straightened their whiskers as the Clans called their names. As the cheers died away, Sunstar went on with his report.

“We chased a fox back into Twolegplace and halted the kittypet intrusions.”

Bluefur wondered if any of the patrols had seen Pinestar since he’d left.

“ShadowClan has a new medicine cat.” It was Cedarstar’s turn. He nodded toward the thick-furred, flat-faced gray she-cat that Bluefur had noticed several moons ago, at a previous Gathering. “Yellowfang will work alongside Sagewhisker from now on.”

Bluefur narrowed her eyes. Like Hawkheart, Yellowfang had been a warrior first. That made for a dangerous combination, in her experience. Medicine cats should never study the skills of battle; they should be trained only to heal and help their Clanmates.

Hailstar nodded respectfully. “Welcome, Yellowfang.”

“May StarClan light your path,” Sunstar meowed.

Heatherstar padded forward. “I pray that your ancestors guide you wisely in your duties.”

Bluefur’s gaze drifted to the foot of the Great Rock. To her surprise, Raggedpelt, the ShadowClan deputy, was narrowing his eyes at Yellowfang. The gray she-cat shot him a look sharper than flint. Had the two Clanmates just quarreled? Bluefur twitched her ears. Yellowfang didn’t look like she’d be easy to get along with. Bluefur didn’t envy ShadowClan, having to put up with her as their medicine cat after Sagewhisker.

Heatherstar began her report. “WindClan has thrived this greenleaf. We have never seen so many rabbits on the moor, and we’ve made the most of StarClan’s bountiful gift.”

Hailstar stepped forward. “RiverClan, too, has enjoyed rich prey. The river has been full of fish and its banks stocked with prey.” He glanced down at his Clan and Bluefur realized the RiverClan leader was looking straight at Oakheart. “Only one cloud shadows our horizon.” He nodded to the RiverClan warrior. “Oakheart has more information.”

Bluefur snorted as Oakheart bounded onto the Great Rock. “He has no right to be up there,” she hissed to Rosetail.

Clearly other cats agreed. Shock murmured through the Clans.

“I am sorry,” Oakheart began, his voice carrying clearly across the hollow. “I do not belong here, but with so many cats I was afraid you wouldn’t be able to hear me from down there.” He nodded to the shadowy base of the rock. “I hope you will forgive my boldness. I do not mean to offend.” The murmuring ceased. Ears pricked up and muzzles were raised to hear what the young RiverClan warrior would say next.

“Smooth as a snake,” Bluefur growled.

“I know,” Rosetail breathed, “and so handsome.”

“You don’t actually think—”

“Hush!” Rosetail cut her off. “He’s speaking.”