Blueflower’s Prophecy
Prologue
Goosefeather paced back and forth, his tail flicking impatiently. How could Pinestar even be considering this? Was he that foolish? The coward wouldn’t even spare him a glance!
“She isn’t thinking straight, Pinestar,” Goosefeather reasoned. “She just lost her mother. You mustn’t let her jump into things like this!”
“Should she not be allowed to create her own destiny? If this is what she wants, than who am I to stand in her way?” Pinestar retorted.
“I know her true destiny! If she doesn’t fulfill it, Thunderclan is doomed!”
“You think you know everything, don’t you, Goosefeather?” Pinestar snapped, lifting his head to look up at him. His green eyes were blazing. “Let’s not forget that you’re the one who sent us to battle over crowfood and cost us valuable Warriors! Bluepaw and Snowpaw wouldn’t have lost their mother if it wasn’t for your so-called prophecy!”
Goosefeather felt a pang of guilt as he thought of his sister. He hadn’t meant for her to be killed - he was only interpreting a sign from Starclan. He swallowed, pushing his grief down. When he looked back up at Pinestar, the leader’s gaze had softened - he almost looked ashamed.
“I didn’t mean-“
“In any case, we don’t need another medicine cat. Featherwhisker and I have everything under control,” Goosefeather cut Pinestar off, not wanting his pity.
Pinestar parted his mouth to speak, seeming hesitant. He sighed. “No, Goosefeather, I… I think it’s time you retire. You’ve served Thunderclan well, no cat would deny that, but…”
Goosefeather’s mouth went dry. He had no words. A lump formed in his throat - his clan really had lost faith in him. He hung his head, defeated.
“As you wish, Pinestar.”
With that, he began to shamble out of his leader’s den. Pinestar called out to him, but he didn’t listen. There was nothing more to say.
Chapter One
“Are you sure about this, Bluepaw? We were going to be Warriors together…”
“Everything is different now,” Bluepaw replied simply.
“I’ll hardly see you if you’re stuck in the medicine den all day!”
“Of course you will. We’ll still share tongues and eat fresh-kill together.”
“It won’t be the same,” Snowpaw curled her tail around her paws, pouting.
Bluepaw’s heart ached for her sister. The last thing she wanted was for Snowpaw to feel alone, especially after they’d just lost Moonflower. But this was what she had to do. The grey she-cat leaned over and gave her sister’s forehead a comforting lick.
“Don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll be coming in with wounds all the time,” Bluepaw teased, trying to cheer Snowpaw up.
“… Yeah, like I’d trust you to take care of them,” Snowpaw quipped with a soft purr.
Their was still a melancholy note to her voice, but Bluepaw was glad to hear her sister’s fiery attitude shine through again. Before she could say anything more to her, a voice rang across the clearing.
“May all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather around the Highrock for a clan meeting!” Pinestar yowled.
Cats emerged from their dens, including Lionkit and Goldenkit, who Speckletail promptly dragged back into the nursery. Bluepaw’s whiskers twitched, and she headed to Pinestar, her sister in tow. Once everyone had settled, the leader spoke.
“Only a few sunrises ago, I named two promising young cats Warrior apprentices,” he nodded to Bluepaw and Snowpaw, his gaze warm. “… However, one of them has decided that Starclan has a different path laid out for them. Bluepaw, please step forward.”
Some of her clanmates stepped out of the way to make room for her as she made her way to the Highrock. Her pelt burned as she felt all of their eyes boring into her, and she cast an uncertain glance over her shoulder to Snowpaw.
“You can do it,” Snowpaw mouthed, pride in her blue eyes.
Bluepaw felt relief flood over her, certain now that her sister wasn’t angry at her.
Of course she’s not. She’s the best sister any cat could ask for.
Heart swelling, Bluepaw continued. She looked up at Pinestar expectantly.
“Bluepaw, do you wish to train as a medicine cat apprentice?” The leader asked.
“I do,” Bluepaw confirmed, dipping her head.
“Then from this day forward, your mentor will be Featherwhisker,” the leader looked over to the medicine cat. “He may be young, but he has proved himself to be a loyal and reliable healer to his clanmates. I know he will pass his skills onto you.”
Featherwhisker looked down bashfully as the clan cheered in agreement. Bluepaw joined in, shouting as loud as she could for her new mentor. When the chanting finally stopped, Pinestar went on.
“Your name will be Bluepaw until Featherwhisker has decided you are ready to be a full medicine cat, at which point he will give you your medicine cat name. Good luck, Bluepaw, may Starclan light your path.”
With that, the clan began to yowl her name. Bluepaw looked back, eager to catch Snowpaw’s eye - but it was Goosefeather she locked gazes with. The old tom’s eyes were glazed and full of disdain. Bluepaw swore she felt a chill run up her spine, and she had to force her fur to lie flat.
“Congratulations!” Snowpaw practically barreled into Bluepaw, sending her thoughts of Goosefeather to the back of her mind.
“Thanks,” Bluepaw purred.
Through the dissipating crowd, Stormtail wove his way to his daughters. He cleared his throat, standing awkwardly before them. Snowpaw shot a glance to Bluepaw as they waited for him to speak.
“You would have made a fine Warrior,” the blue-grey tom remarked. “But I’m sure you will do well in the medicine den. In any case… Moonflower would be proud.”
Bluepaw’s heart twisted. She wished her mother was there to see her.
I miss you so much, Moonflower. I’ll make you proud, I promise.
“Anyway, Snowpaw, you should stop pestering your sister. I’m sure she doesn’t want to keep Featherwhisker waiting,” Stormtail prodded.
Snowfur bristled. “I’m not—“
“It’s okay,” Bluepaw ran her tail over Snowpaw’s flank. “I should go speak with Featherwhisker, I have a lot of training to do. Meet me by the fresh-kill pile later?”
Snowpaw glanced between her father and sister. Finally she nodded.
“Okay. Good luck,” Snowpaw mumbled.
She walked off with Stormtail.
Why does Stormtail suddenly care about my training?
“Bluepaw!”
Bluepaw spun around. Featherwhisker was making his way towards her.
“I didn’t want to interrupt you and your sister, but she seems to be busy now. Why don’t we head to the medicine den?”
She followed the silver tom to the den, her heart pounding. She was excited, but nervous, too. How would she ever learn to keep track of all the herbs? What if she used the wrong one? She shook her head.
You have six moons to learn. You can do this!
When they entered the den, Bluepaw was overwhelmed by all the scents. They reminded her of when she and Snowpaw had snuck in as kits, and how Snowpaw had eaten a few too many poppy seeds for her own good. Her whiskers twitched now, though she still remembered the fear she’d felt when it had first happened. She didn’t want to let that happen to any other kit!
Taking notice of her anxiety, Featherwhisker rested his tail on her flank. “Don’t worry, we won’t start with anything too complicated. In fact, I think I have the perfect task for you. Could you get some cobwebs to dress Stonepelt’s wounds? Oh, and dab it with some wet moss, too, just to make sure it’s clean. ”
Bluepaw nodded eagerly. Any cat knew how to apply cobwebs! After a few moments searching, Bluepaw found what she needed. She headed over to Stonepelt, who was lying with his chin resting on his paws. His green eyes flicked up to her, and he suddenly looked more lively.
“Bluepaw!” he purred.
“Hi, Stonepelt,” Bluepaw mewed warmly. “Are you feeling alright?”
“I been better,” the grey tom admitted. “I’m sorry I couldn’t attend your ceremony. Featherwhisker won’t let me walk until I’m all good and healed.”
“It’s okay,” Bluepaw assured him. “I’m just glad you’re alright. May I see your wound?”
“Mm,” Stonepelt nodded.
With a grunt, the tom shifted to present his shoulder to his former apprentice. Bluepaw winced at the deep gash - even covered with cobweb, it looked agonizing. Carefully, Bluepaw nipped the old cobweb off the wound and tossed it to the ground. She began to dab it with moss, trying her best not to apply too much pressure.
“I can’t believe it was only sunrises ago that I was teaching you to gather moss - bet you’re using that same moss on me now,” Stonepelt chuckled.
“Maybe,” Bluepaw’s whiskers twitched. “I can’t believe it was only a few moons ago that you were ready to claw my ears off for wandering into the Warriors den. You were as grumpy as an elder!”
Stonepelt purred with amusement. “Don’t make me regret not doing it! … Truth is, Bluepaw, I might just be a grumpy ole’ elder soon.”
Bluepaw paused, drawing the moss from Stonepelt’s shoulder.
“…What do you mean?” She asked, beginning to apply cobwebs to the wound.
“I mean things ain’t looking to good for me,” Stonepelt sighed. “I’ll push through, sure, but chances are I won’t be hunting or battling again with a shoulder like this.”
“Did Featherwhisker say so?”
“Mhm.”
“How can he be sure? It’s barely had time to heal!” Bluepaw protested.
“Now, now, no need to get all worked up. I’ve lived a good life as a Warrior. Truthfully, I wouldn’t mind a few moons of lying around. Sometimes, you just gotta take things as they come to you - ain’t no use fighting something you can’t change,” Stonepelt offered Bluepaw a reassuring smile. “It’s okay, Bluepaw.”
Bluepaw still wanted to believe that Stonepelt could make a full recovery, but she didn’t argue anymore. Stonepelt seemed ready to move on from this part of his life- just as she was as a Warrior apprentice.
“… Well, you can rest assured that Snowpaw will guard the Warriors den from all the vicious kits in your place,” Bluepaw teased.
Stonepelt chuckled. “Think she can measure up to grumpy ole’ Stonepelt?”
“She’ll be even worse!” Bluepaw purred with amusement. She had a feeling that everything was going to work out.
