Chapter 5

Chapter 5

 Bluekit blinked open her eyes slowly, pushing back the tiredness which threatened to swamp her. Her pelt felt heavy from an invisible weight, and her senses were numb and pitiful.

She looked around her, seeing unfamiliar territory before her eyes. Tall trees towered above her and the sounds of prey scuttled along the forest floor.

Something grabbed her attention out of the corner of her eye, swivelling her head she tried to see what it was.

A large tortoiseshell tom sat behind her, his expression mildly amused but warm all the same. Bluekit scrambled to her paws, shaking off droplets of water from her pelt as she did so. Why was she soaking wet?

"Awake at last, little one." The tom's voice rumbled, "It's been a while."

"Where am I?" She asked sleepily, hoping that this strange cat would tell her.

"You are safe." He mewed slowly, his wise eyes boring into hers. That's no answer! She thought, narrowing her blue eyes and glaring back at him.

"Tell me where I am!" She hissed, unsheathing her claws.

But the tom just purred indulgently, his whiskers twitching in amusement. Bluekit lashed her tail in annoyance and wished that she had been out of camp before, then she might recognize some of this wild forest.

"Rest little one, you should be thankful for a good sleep."

"Why? Why should I be thankful?" Bluekit mewed shrewdly, not trusting this cat one little bit.

"Because I saved you from an untimely death." The tom mewed, inclining his magnificent head towards her.

He saved my life? The thought echoed through Bluekit's mind as she tried to remember what happened, but all she could think of was running into tunnels of blackness. However, the distrust for the strange tom vanished almost instantly. If he had saved her life, then he shouldn't want to do any harm to her, surely?

"What happened?" She asked, tipping her head to one side.

"I found you in the lake after following your scent in the tunnels, you were swept into an underground river. I'm surprised you're still alive, but I was there to save you so it is not so much of a surprise." The tom mewed grandly, his stately figure hovering above her head.

"How could you scent me through water?" Bluekit mewed frowning, assuming his story was true - which would explain the water on her pelt - then it would have taken great skill...

"I have learnt the fine art of scenting even the faintest of smells, yet yours was particularly divine I must say." He mewed softly.

It was almost as though he was flirting with her, those soft tones and amber eyes like honey. To be honest, Bluekit almost fell for his tricks. But she was cleverer than this stupid tom thought she was. She wouldn't fool for his lies, but she'd play along with them. Pretending to scuffled her paws in embarassment, Bluekit blushed.

"Wow. You must be some cat from StarClan to be that cool." She mewed, her voice awed.

"StarClan? I've met those cats - they're stupid and irresponsible, not to mention arrogant - full of their own fur. Please don't tell me you believe in that load of mousebrained tales." The tom mewed, his voice mocking and aloof.

Bluekit paused for a moment. This tom knew StarClan! But he said that they were stupid. Was that true? After all, she was still in the Nursery, it could be just a mousebrained tale like he said, the real StarClan cats just being selfish and arrogant. Perhaps this tom was telling the truth.

"I-I don't believe in StarClan." Bluekit mewed weakly, but her voice firmed as she repeated herself; "I do not believe in StarClan."

"Bluekit!" Lionstar's yowl sounded from behind her, filled with joy she whirled around expecting to see her leader's face as happy as hers to have found her. But his amber eyes were burning in pure fury as he looked at the other tom.

Huh? What's wrong with him?  

"ThunderClan." The stranger snarled, curling his lip back in disgust.

Oh, right - he's an enemy... Bluekit thought, a little sheepishly.

"Go away Sol, or I'll make you." Lionstar growled, his voice showed not a flicker of doubt.

"Oh really? I have a feeling that you won't be able to actually." Sol mewed, his voice softer than a purr, but even more sinister than Bluekit could ever have imagined.

Suddenly without warning, Bluekit found herself being picked up by the scruff and lifted up and away. The forest floor was moving fast beneath her, Sol's teeth digging into the back of her neck as he carried her away from the patrol. But the patrol was gaining on him.

Yowling in terror, Bluekit tried madly to get herself free of Sol's jaws. To think that she had almost trusted him!

"Hold on Bluekit!" Bumblestripe's cry came from behind her, and hope soared in her belly. Her father was here. Perhaps he'd forgiven her for Mountainkit, maybe he loved her again? It was too much to risk setting her hopes on, because this might just be a spur of the moment sort of thing. But still, she just clung onto that hope - for it might just be true.

Sol skidded to a halt, and Bluekit found herself dangling over the hollow in surprise.

He's going to drop me over the hollow! 

Letting out a frightened yowl, Bluekit could do nothing but stay completly frozen.

"Sol." Hollyleaf's snarl broke into her thoughts.

The pregnant she-cat stepped towards them, her green eyes blazing. Something must have happened between the two of them before, because her agonized hatred was even more ferocious than Lionstar's fury.

Bluekit shivered. She felt for the first time a fear of Hollyleaf.

The she-cat unsheathed her claws, and leapt at Sol with her forepaws outstretched.

Bluekit felt Sol's fear pulse through him as the tom stepped back a pace in surprise. He wasn't so sure of himself now.

Hollyleaf bowled into him, thrashing and scratching wildly, her claws hitting him on every blow. Bluekit squealed in fright as she came close to the edge of the cliff. It was such a long way down... She'd surely break every bone in her body if she fell.

Sol lost his footing, his backpaws scrambled and kicked as they shot over the edge. He was holding on by his forepaws as Hollyleaf stood over him.

Without warning, the tom gave a surge of energy and wiped out a raking strike at Hollyleaf's belly, letting her blood spill out of her as she cried out in horror and disbelief.

But Sol had a malvelont look in his eyes. He'd lost his grip on the cliff, but he'd managed to do what would set his spirit in peace before he died - kill Hollyleaf's kits. Now he tumbled down to the hollow carrying Bluekit with him, but he would die happily.

Bluekit suddenly realised something as she began to fall with him. She was going to die too.

Yowling and crying in horror she screeched out in help but she was falling, falling, falling into nothing... 

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

 Jayfeather felt droplets of blood slowing travelling down his cheek, but right now he was almost completely oblivious to it. All his senses were on fire. Sharp as thorns he felt Bluekit's anger and frustration pierce him as she sped out of camp, and at first he mirrored those feelings. But they were replaced with concern and worry for the kit as Lionstar began to order out patrols to bring her back, Dovewing's emotions hitting him like a wave. She was clearly annoyed with her kit, but the anxiety to make sure she was okay overpowered that feeling by far. Naturally, Bumblestripe was trying to calm his mate, though Jayfeather could tell that the striped tom was as worried as she was.

"Jayfeather? Are you okay?" Briarlight's voice interuppted his thoughts.

"What? Yes I'm fine." He murmured weakly, not really concentrating on the warrior.

"No you're not. And don't bother saying otherwise either. Now get back to your den and let me have a look at you." She snapped, sounding more like Leafpool than herself.

"Fine, fine." He growled, following her, but added under his breath; "Keep your fur on..."

"Actually, Briarlight, I'd like a word with Jayfeather first." Bumblestripe's voice came from behind them.

"What? Oh, okay then." Briarlight mewed, and left the two toms alone in the den.

"So, what do you want?" Jayfeather asked, though he'd already guessed it.

"To know what's up with my kit, and what did you do to her - that's what I want!" Bumblestripe snarled, his voice had a threatening undercurrent which made Jayfeather's fur bristle.

"I haven't done anything to her!"

"Oh yes you have! Ever since you didn't help Mountainkit and let her try and help she's been moping around like a dead shrew! If it weren't for you, then she'd be happy!"

"She had to try!" Jayfeather hissed, finding himself repeating Yellowfang's words.

"No she didn't, you did! Some medicine cat you make if you can't be bothered enough to treat your own patients and let kits try instead!"

"How dare-"

"I can dare as much as I like - but at least I do something about it." Bumblestripe interuppted him with a hasty hiss.

"Do you think I didn't let her try without a reason?"

"Well, you see, well... Yes!" Bumblestripe muttered doubtfully, but firmed his resolve with a growl and a contemptious flick of his striped tail.

"Listen, please, I have not done anything to Bluekit. Nor do I intened to," Jayfeather snapped, for carrying on with a sigh, "But can't you see that she needs support? Her siblings are ignoring her, which they can do - they're just kits, they don't know any better - but her parents are too. You've barely spoken to her since Mountainkit died, and she's been in turmoil. I tried speaking to her, but she won't listen - she just lashes out at me. Bluekit's broken hearted, and she needs you to fix her up." His last sentence was barely more than a whisper, Jayfeather felt compassion for Bluekit. It wasn't her fault, she just needed to open her eyes a little, and so did her father.

"I-I-" Bumblestripe stammered, before hastily running out of the den yowling; "Where's that patrol? I'm joining it!"

Jayfeather sighed. Some cats just needed to be told the right thing to get them going. 

Leopardkit's pacing was beginning to annoy Jayfeather. The young kit had been padding back and forth ever since Bumblestripe and the patrol had left the camp, even Beekit - whom in Jayfeather's opinion was the most cheerful of cats - was getting a little anxious.

Dovewing had made no attempt to hush them, she'd been sitting close by to him so she could tell him if she'd heard Bluekit. But Dovewing couldn't hear Bluekit, even after scanning the territory twice over. Jayfeather was finding the she-cat's muttering more and more irritating. And it didn't help that the rain was slowly starting to pour down, making his ear tips twitch every time a droplet hit them.

After what seemed like a moon, the patrol trudged in with their fur plastered to their bodies and their tails drooping. Leopardkit was about to call after them to see if they'd seen his sister, but Dovewing had hushed him before he had the chance. It was clear by their mood that no cat had seen her.

The patrol all seemed unanamously glum, except for Hollyleaf who looked extremely worried. Jayfeather thought it was probably because she thought that she shouldn't have gone out in that weather when she was expecting kits. But even though he'd tried to tell her not to, Hollyleaf had wanted to go for Dovewing. The two she-cats had become unexpectedly good friends.

"What's wrong?" He asked his sister as he padded up to her.

"I think, if she was, well she'd be drowning, but I'm beginning to think that..." Hollyleaf trailed off uncertainly.

"Tell me!" Jayfeather demanded, his sightless eyes blazing.

"I think she might be in the tunnels."

Jayfeather froze.

Everything fell into place. Dovewing couldn't hear her because she couldn't hear underground, nobody could find her because they wouldn't think she was there and she would be drowned because the rain was-

"We've go to find her!" He hissed, before running over to Lionstar who was trying to console Bumblestripe.

"Hollyleaf thinks she could be in the tunnels!" He growled at him.

It took a while for Lionstar to register this, but he got to it faster than everyone else who had seemed to have heard him.

"Then we must find her now before the rain gets any heavier!" He cried, leaping to his paws.

But yowls of uncertainty came from the other cats in the hollow.

"How could she be? They're deep in our territory and no cat would be mousebrained enough to go in there!" Thornclaw mewed loudly.

"She's a kit! Of course she'd be mousebrained enough!" Cloudtail snorted.

"We must rescue her!" Rosepetal cried, as if nobody had thought of doing that before her.

"She got herself into this mess - she can get herself out of it." Purdy muttered from beside Jayfeather, and under normal circumstances, Jayfeather would have agreed with him.

"What are we waiting for? Let's get her now!" Leopardkit's shreiked sounded loudest of them all, conveying his dismay more sharply than the rest of them who were just worrying aimlessly.

"Silence." Lionstar roared, and silence followed his words instantly.

"Right. Hollyleaf, Dovewing, Cinderheart, Brackenfur and I will go and see if we can rescue her. No other cat is to try and go off on their own little expedition - understand?" He mewed, sending a threatening glare at Bumblestripe as if he knew that the young warrior was planning to try and rescue Bluekit.

Murmurs of agreement ascended, and Lionstar nodded at his clanmates, then set off on the patrol to rescue Bluekit.

Worry for Hollyleaf lurched in Jayfeather's belly as he watched her leave camp, her belly swollen with her unborn kits. Was it really wise for her to leave now?

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

 Bluekit sniffed disdainfully as she stepped out of the Nursery. She hadn't been out in camp for days, not since- Nevermind. It was Dovewing who forced her out here in the first place, and if she hadn't Bluekit would probably have stayed in her nest peacefully wallowing in greif.
Bluekit snorted. Trust her to be in a grumpy mood after just stepping out into open air.
She sighed wearily, and looked around camp. A grim mood seemed to have swept over her clanmates like an overhanging cloud ever since Mountainkit had, had passed on. Even now after three days they still hadn't been as cheerful as they once were.
And it's all my fault! Bluekit thought in despair, and screwed up her eyes tightly.
Perhaps she could just go away and die in a hole some place, nobody would care. Nobody from her hushed clanmates to the annoying starlings chattering in the forest.
Bluekit thought of the starlings, how they could just fly away from their troubles. Listening closer to them, Bluekit realised that the birds squarking was actually quite formal. It was as if they were talking to eachother. Probably about the Clan cats who ate their brothers and sisters.
It wasn't fair, Bluekit decided, that the birds had to die and they survived. But it wouldn't be fair if we died and the birds survived, she noted dryly in her head. Life was good how it was, unfair to the birds, but it was still good.
Bluekit pricked her ears and began to listen closer to the starlings, imagining them hopping along the branches, talking to eachother about the weather. They were probably just like a Clan in their ways, sharing tongues and looking after one another.
She smiled for the first time in days. She could almost tell what they were singing by the tone of their birdy voice:
"I'm hungry!" One of them tweeted, probably a young chick.
"You can't be hungry now, you've just eaten!" She imagined an older bird telling the chick off for being annoying.
"Aww, please can I have something to eat," The other bird chirped loudly.
"No. And that's the last of it. Now hurry along and go and do something to entertain yourself!" If birds could growl, I bet this one would Bluekit thought, twitching her whiskers in amusement.
Trying to think of the birds as cats was quite fun, they did have lives just as them. Though Bluekit was just putting words to the sounds she heard, she could bet that what she guessed was right.
"You seem happy," A voice sounded from behind her, and the kit flashed open her eyes and whirled around in surprise.
"Jayfeather!" She squeaked, her voice shrill. She had not expected to see the medicine cat.
"Bluekit." He mewed wryly, settling himself down beside her, "You haven't been at all right ever since Mountainkit died. And you know it."
Bluekit turned away, wincing inwardly as he said her dead littermates name.
"It wasn't your fault you know," Jayfeather began gruffly, as though he hated to be having this conversation. Well she didn't either.
"Shut up!" She snarled, spinning around and lashing out her claws at him.
Jayfeather leaped back in alarm as the claws hit his face.
Instantly, Bluekit felt satisfied as she saw beads of blood begin to swell from his cheek. But the satisfaction soon turned to horror as she realised what she had done.
It seemed like the whole Clan had seen it too because they gave a united gasp of shock.
Bluekit stepped back with her jaw dropped, shaking her head.
"Bluekit!" Lionstar's growl came from across the clearing as the leader jumped down from his den, scattering stones as he padded towards her.
Jayfeather just stood there, paralysed in amazement.
"Bluekit what have you done?" Lionstar hissed at her through gritted teeth as though he was fighting back the urge to slash her with his own claws.
It was all too much.
"Just leave me alone!" She screeched and she ran out of camp as fast as she could.
It wasn't soon before she heared pawsteps tearing after her, letting out a frustrated yowl she headed for the closest hiding place - some sort of strange tunnel. It looked disused, old and ancient; perfect for her to hide in. Bluekit didn't know much about ThunderClan territory, so the more old and disused the place was, the better.
Charging into the tunnel she let her paws carry her swiftly until the weak light left her in complete darkness.
Alone and scared, Bluekit let out a faint whine of distress, before collapsing onto the hard stone ground beneath her.

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

 Jayfeather had been sorting out the shrivelled juniper berries from the new ones, idly listening to Briarlight chattering away like a starling to Cherrytail. To be honest, Jayfeather was tired of having the medicine cat filled with cats. The late new-leaf had brought greencough and whitecough to the camp, not to mention the death of Molepaw.

The tom flicked his tail uneasily as he padded past the talking she-cats out of his den, something was wrong. He could feel it in his paws. Perhaps Dovewing knew, she'd probably hear anything bad.

A deafening screech came from the Nursery, making all the cats in the hollow jump in fright.

Jayfeather ran to the Nursery as if his paws were on wings, if anything had happened to Dovewing's litter...

As he entered fear and anger washed over him, Dovewing's emotions almost swamped him before he'd even smelt her.

"What's wrong?" He mewed urgently, not wanting to waste any time.

"Mountainkit's not breathing!" Bluekit and Dovewing wailed at the same time, and for a few moments Jayfeather had a flash of sight; Bluekit towering over her sister, pawing her chest as though to try to force Mountainkit to breathe.

But the vision was over in an instant, and Jayfeather had no time to ponder over it. Hurrying over to Dovewing's belly where Mountainkit, he nosed the little one over.

He felt for the kit's heartbeat, willing for him to feel a pulse, a movement, anything. But it was too late, Mountainkit was on her way to StarClan.

Jayfeather bowed his head, which was enough to show Dovewing what he thought. The queen let out a mournful yowl of grief, which echoed throughout the hollow ominously.

"I-I'm sorry Dovewing, but-"

"She's alive!" Bluekit's squeal pierced his ears, interupting him. He set his sightless gaze onto the kit beside him, pity for the young she-cat spreading through him. Yet the pity stopped in his tracks.

He heard a fluttering heart beat.

It was so faint he could have been imagining it, but no - it was there. Mountainkit was alive.

Jayfeather pawed the kit so she was on her back, feeling for her heart. It felt weak beneath his paws, and he lifted them off her chest.

But Bluekit replaced his position, barging the medicine cat out of the way. He gave a hiss of annoyance and was about to shove her to the corner, but something barred his way.

Yellowfang!

The musky scent of the old she-cat drifted through his nose, and he heard a hoarse whisper in his head. "Wait, Jayfeather, let her try."

Holding back a hiss of frustration he waited, silent and still. For a few moments, nothing could be heard but Bluekit's frantic movements and everyone's baited breath.

But the heartbeat had stopped once more. This time, Jayfeather was certain Mountainkit was dead, and it seemed that Bluekit was too.

"Is she, d-dead?" Leopardkit asked from behind him.

Silently, he nodded his head.

There was an absolute uproar as Mountainkit's family all chourused yowls in their shared grief and sorrow. It was too late.

Jayfeather padded through StarClan's hunting grounds, searching for the cat whom he longed to give a few sharp words to.

"Looking for me, Jayfeather?"

He whirled around to face Yellowfang, the face of the former medicine cat was right up against his, as though defying every breath he made in her defense.

"You! If you hadn't stopped me I could have saved Mountainkit's life!" He hissed.

"No you couldn't. No cat could. But Bluekit had to try, she had to learn." Yellowfang reasoned, almost pleaded with him.

"She learnt nothing but pain and death! Now she thinks it's her fault. But it's yours. Let that be on your conscience Yellowfang!"

"She learnt that you must try with all your heart, and if you do not succeed, to learn from your expriences. She will be stronger for it." She retorted, flicking her tail tip fairly.

"She'll just hate herself for it. You know that. You've crushed her spirit Yellowfang. She's a wreck. Her littermates won't even look at her! You don't know at all do you?"

"It had to happen! She must learn to stay positive, it's vital for her to become-" Suddenly Yellowfang stopped, looking a little guilty as though she had let something slip.

"Vital for her to become what Yellowfang? What?" Jayfeather growled, eyes glowing with curiousity.

Yellowfang sighed, and the cat looked older than ever.

"When the blue bird calls and the skies fall, a star shall be reborn again."

The StarClanner rasped slowly, her voice rougher than all the hardships of time itself.

Jayfeather shivered. "What do you mean?" He asked furiously as Yellowfang began to walk away.

But she did not answer.

Chapter 1

Chapter One

 "Hey! Get off me Leopardkit!" Bluekit yelled, trying to shove her weighty brother off her using her hind paws, but it wasn't working.

"Leopardkit, get off your sister at once." Bumblestripe growled from behind her, and the weight was lifted from her belly.

Scrambling to her paws, Bluekit stuck her tongue out at Leopardkit indignantly whilst her father gave her rough licks on her head, causing her to squeal in protest.

"Bluekit you're no fun, I was just playing." Leopardkit grumbled scuffing his white paws on the ground, scowling at her.

Bluekit let out a humph of annoyance. Brothers, why couldn't they be a bit more careful! She thought to herself, though really she wasn't that angry at Leopardkit. She just wished she could be bigger than her siblings. Leopardkit was massive!

"Cheer up you two, why do you go and play with Mountainkit and Beekit?" Bumblestripe suggested hopefully, Bluekit guessed he had better things to do with his time than sorting out their problems.

"I bet they will play something fun." Leopardkit muttered, stomping out of the Nursery.

Bluekit sighed and chased after him, not wanting to be left behind.

Bluekit licked a stormy grey forepaw, watching her siblings play around in front of her. They liked the battle games, and were pretending to be Rowanstar, Lionstar and Mistystar - battling it out for the thrush Hazeltail had caught this morning. Normally she'd be Onestar, but today she wasn't feeling up to it.

Almost silent pawsteps signaled Dovewing's entrance from the medicine cat den. Bluekit chirped with joy - her mother had been talking to Jayfeather for ages.

"Dovewing! Dovewing!" She purred and bounded up to her across the clearing.

"Bluekit?" She mewed in surprise, before flicking her tail tip in worry, "Why aren't you playing with the others?"

"I-I don't feel like it today." The kit stammered, before changing the topic quickly, "What were you talking to Jayfeather about? You've been in there for moons!"

Dovewing hesitated, a guilty look flashing in her eyes. "I was just, just chatting." She mewed vaguely, before walking briskly over to Bumblestripe who was watching Leopardkit, Mountainkit and Beekit proudly.

Bluekit sighed. Sometimes she wondered what Dovewing was hiding from her, and she could swear that her grumpy medicine cat was in on the secret too. It wasn't fair! Why won't she tell me?

"Bluekit, I'm going to be Lionstar's apprentice!" Beekit yowled at the top of his voice, even though Bluekit was only a few mousetails away.

"Really?" Bluekit mewed, intrest and awe glinting in her eyes.

"What! That's so unfair!" Leopardkit hissed, scowling at Beekit and lashing his tail.

"How did you manage that?" Mountainkit mewed, obviously curious.

Beekit looked taken aback and he stepped backwards a few paces. "Well, I, err... That's the plan, anyway." He muttered, looking a little unsure of himself as though he hadn't expected to not be Lionstar's apprentice.

"I knew it!" Bluekit snorted, "You've got less sense than a mouse in camp!"

Mountainkit was laughing beside her, but Leopardkit was fuming.

"Don't say that! I thought you meant it." He growled, glaring at Beekit.

"Well I meant it at the time, that is, well, yeah..." Beekit mumbled, averting his amber eyes.

Bluekit chuckled at her brother, he could be so stupid sometimes. Both of her brothers could. At least Mountainkit had some sense to her, but she seemed too cowardly at times. Am I cowardly? Bluekit wondered absently, before brushing the thought out of her head. No, she wasn't cowardly. Or so she hoped.

It was sunhigh, and the kits were back in the Nursery. It wasn't fair; the Nursery was far too small for the four of them, let alone with Hollyleaf expecting Thornclaw's kits. It was high time Bluekit and her siblings were made apprentices, in fact, she should speak to Lionstar about it - he was kind to her at least. But she couldn't help but have to ignore the look her leader sometimes gave her, as if he was waiting for her to suddenly start flying. But who was she to question what her leader thought of her? Maybe she could fly? Bluekit snorted. She was being silly, cats couldn't fly even if they tried.

Bluekit curled up closer to Dovewing, ignoring the shrieks from Beekit and Leopardkit who were fighitng over who would be Clan leader. If they had any luck, it would be neither of them. Besides, Bluekit secretly had a little ambition of her own. If she could be Clan leader... Well, she could keep her siblings in check.

Mountainkit's heavy breathing from beside her told Bluekit that she was sleeping. A yawn stretched Bluekit's features. Even if it was sunhigh, it was high time for a nap. Trying to time her breathing to her sisters, she closed her eyes, listening to Mountainkit's fading heartbeat...

Bluekit's eyes shot open.

"Mountainkit's not breathing!" She screeched, leaping to her paws, stormy grey fur out on end. "Help! Help!"

Chasing Birds

I have written this after reading the Forgotten Warrior, by Erin Hunter, writing it in the timezone of after the Battle of the Stars.

Enjoy.

Prologue

A blue-grey she-cat sat beside a starlit pool of water, her eyes closed in thought.

“Whitestorm, what is it?” She mewed warily, opening her blue eyes to look at the white tom who was carefully padding his way over to her, his expression worried.

“Bluestar, you have seen the signs, have you not?”

Bluestar twitched her tail irritably, “Every cat has seen the signs Whitestorm,” She hissed, “But has any cat done anything? No. Why? Because there is no point.”

“You must do something – we are all expecting you too. You have guided ThunderClan for so long, you must not give up now.”

Bluestar spat and turned her head away ruefully. “They have another cat to guide their paws – I am not needed!” She growled fiercely though doubt hung in her mew.

“You are needed Bluestar, you always have been.”

“They have Firestar to look up to now. No cat should bother remembering me, so I won’t bother remembering them!” She snarled, her fur bristling.

“Firestar is powerless to help them – he is not capable of reading the signs just yet.” Whitestorm mewed fairly, “ThunderClan will always remember you – just as you will remember them. Who was it that warned her Clan time and time again? Who was it that watched over their Clan more carefully that a mother watches her kits?” He paused, before letting out a sigh and mewing, “Who was it that over countless times has shared her wisdom, that has tried with all her might and conviction to keep ThunderClan safe?”

“Some other cat…” Bluestar mumbled, studying her paws.

“Well it must be! Because the cat in front of me looks weaker than a dead shrew!”

At that, Bluestar drew herself up, glaring at the long-furred, white warrior before her. “I am not weak, nor am I going stand for the Clan of which I am no use to!” She spat, and with that she fled from the clearing, her tail streaming out behind her.

“My dear Bluestar, you will never be of no use.” Whitestorm murmured softly after her, before sighing and leaving from the way he came.

All the while, a grey she-cat with matted fur and a flat face was watching from the bushes, yellow eyes wider than moons.