Lost Stars

He sank at once into sleep, but his worries followed him even into his dreams. He was standing in the forest, looking down at Bramblestar, who lay unconscious at his paws. The ThunderClan leader’s eyes were closed, and white flakes of snow were settling in his dark tabby fur.

Shadowpaw woke with a jerk. Gray light was shining into the den, and Puddleshine was already up and out somewhere. Gathering his courage, Shadowpaw headed across the camp and halted outside Tigerstar’s den.

To his relief, Dovewing wasn’t there. Tigerstar was awake and grooming himself when Shadowpaw stuck his head inside.

“Is something bothering you?” Tigerstar asked, looking up and beckoning with his tail for his son to enter the den. Shadowpaw nodded solemnly. “Then come and tell me what it is.”

Shadowpaw padded inside and sat next to his father. “Tigerstar,” he meowed grimly, “we have to talk.”

Chapter 16

The last border patrols of the day had just left the camp, and the remaining cats of ThunderClan were milling around outside the warriors’ den while Squirrelflight organized them to go hunting. Though the fierce cold still gripped their territory, most of them seemed eager and optimistic, their eyes bright with purpose.

Bristlefrost stood a little way apart, wondering how her Clanmates could act so cheerful. For a short while the sun had broken through the heavy clouds of leaf-bare, but no light had penetrated the darkness of her heart.

“Hey, Bristlefrost!” Twigbranch called to her. “Do you want to hunt with us?”

Normally Bristlefrost would have agreed at once, pleased to have been invited. All she had ever wanted was to be a warrior and hunt for her Clan. But today she couldn’t summon up any enthusiasm.

She shook her head. “No, thanks. I . . . er . . . there’s a thorn in my bedding and I need to get it out.”

Twigbranch’s whiskers twitched as if she thought that was a feeble excuse, and Bristlefrost had to admit to herself that her Clanmate was right. She turned listlessly and was about to enter the den when she felt teeth fasten in her shoulder fur and turned her head to see her former mentor, Rosepetal. Ignoring Bristlefrost’s cry of protest, Rosepetal dragged her to a secluded spot between the outer branches of the den and the wall of the stone hollow.

“What’s going on?” Bristlefrost asked, bewildered.

“What’s going on with you?” the cream-colored she-cat challenged her. “You’ve just been made a full warrior, and that was always your dream—or so I thought. So why are you moping around camp like some cat stole your prey?”

Bristlefrost didn’t want to reply. She knew Rosepetal would just think she was being ridiculous, mooning over Stemleaf when the Clan had so many more important problems to face. But her feelings were still so sharp, so overwhelming, that to her horror she found herself pouring out everything to her former mentor.

“I really like Stemleaf,” she confessed. “And I was sure that we were meant to be mates, just as soon as I became a warrior. But he wasn’t thinking about that at all.” Her voice shook with misery as she remembered that terrible conversation. “The whole time, he’s wanted to be mates with Spotfur. I’ve been working so hard, and now . . . it feels like it’s all been for nothing.”

Rosepetal nodded. To Bristlefrost’s surprise, her eyes were kind. “I know exactly how you feel,” she meowed. “I’ve been in that position myself.”

Bristlefrost’s tail shot up in amazement. “You have?” She found it hard to believe that Rosepetal—such a beautiful, graceful she-cat, with all the skills a warrior needed—had ever pined for something she couldn’t have.

“Of course,” Rosepetal went on calmly. “Every cat has been there at least once. I know how painful it is when something, or some cat, that you’ve set your heart on doesn’t work out.”

“How did you get through it?” Bristlefrost asked.

“I focused on the things I could control,” Rosepetal replied. “Like being the best warrior I could be. And you can do the same. All your training isn’t a waste if you can use it for the good of your Clan. And maybe one day you’ll find the right mate. You’re a young cat; there’s no rush. Meanwhile, your Clan needs you.”

Bristlefrost nodded slowly. Though Stemleaf’s rejection still hurt, Rosepetal’s words made sense. Maybe she was right. Maybe Bristlefrost just needed to find her purpose within the Clan.

“Thank you,” she murmured. “I’ll try my best.”

“Good.” Rosepetal swished her tail with satisfaction. “Now, if you’re up to it, your Clanmates are getting ready to hunt. They could really use your help, and if you hurry, there’s still time for you to join them.”

Bristlefrost nodded, and rushed around the side of the den to where the cats were assembling. Most of them had already left, but one group remained, gathering around the Clan leader.

Seeing that Stemleaf was part of the group, Bristlefrost hesitated, almost changing her mind. Then she remembered what Rosepetal had said and held her head high as she joined the others.