Bluestar's Spirit

This page contains a fanfiction written by Stormy. This page contains the opinions of the original author(s), and is not patrolled for factual accuracy. Remember that this story is non-canon. It may contain false characters, plots, or locations. Responses, comments & other feedback should be made on the comments section below.

Super Edition of Forest Of Rain
Preceded by: Hazestar's Courage	Bluestar's Spirit	Succeded by: Snapfire's Confusion

Blood and gore warning!.

Blurb:

Your spirit is bright, but do you have enough loyalty to save the clans from the rising shadows?.

As an apprentice, Bluepaw wants to be nothing but a loyal ShadowClan warrior. After bearing her warrior name, Bluespirit. Though the clan isn't aware of it, Bluespirit feels that something is not quiet right. And when trouble and tensions starts to rise within ShadowClan, Bluespirit knows it's up to her to stop it.

Allegiances:

Bluestar's Spirit/Allegiances

Sign here if fan:

ya, friendship is nice, but its the love that counts.

ɪᴛ's ɴᴏᴛ ᴛʜᴇ sᴛᴀʀs ᴛʜᴀᴛ ʜᴏʟᴅ ᴏᴜʀ ғᴀᴛᴇ, ʙᴜᴛ ᴏᴜʀsᴇʟᴠᴇs

Hai I'm Ginger

--User:Honylight11/futurecatsareawesome#Ashnutfanclub has joined Blisscord server 1 (Bluestar's Spirit fans)--

OFC I'M A FAN!!! :DDDD - Snowy (Here's my sig: Snowy Storms)

I'M A FAN! BUT I DON'T HAVE A SIG THO!!!! ~ Wispy/Stormstar

Fernshadow haters

ya, friendship is nice, but its the love that counts.

Heh heh heh heh LET ME AT HIM -- Ginger! _{Obey me or I'll sic the Illumuffinati on you >:>}

GET HIM ILLUMUFFINATI!!!!! HEHEHE Snowy Storms

Lemme at him! Lemme kill im! MAKE A FOX EAT HIM! OR WORSE! A BADGER! ~ Wispy/Stormstar >:3

Prologue

Lilystem followed her mentor, Brownear, as they walked down the path that led to the Moonpool. She glanced around, spotting the other medicine cats from ThunderClan, WindClan, SkyClan, and RiverClan. She left her mentor’s side, and bounded over to the ThunderClan medicine cat, Whiteblaze.

"Hi, Whiteblaze!" She mewed.

"It’s great to see you!"

"It’s great to see you too!” Whiteblaze responded with a grin.

"I’ve heard that Honeyfire has given birth to four kits two sunrises ago. How are they?" Whiteblaze asked.

"They are just fine." Lilystem responded. Whiteblaze smiled.

"What are their names?" she asked.

"Tuftykit, Rosekit, Gingerkit, and Bluekit."

"Cool." Whiteblaze purred. With a nod to Lilystem, the ThunderClan medicine cat turned and padded closer to the Moonpool, curled up herself in a ball, and pressed her nose tip to the edge of the pool. Lilystem glanced at the other medicine cats. By now, they were all doing the same thing Whiteblaze was doing. After a few more heartbeats, she trotted over to the pool, crouching besides Whiteblaze, and pressed her nose to the water. Darkness swept over her at once, and the next heartbeat when she opened her eyes again, she was standing in what looked like StarClan’s hunting ground. But there is no one here. She thought, and she gazed around blankly. Just as she was about to head towards the hillside to her left to look for the StarClan cats, a voice sounded behind her.

"Greetings, Lilystem. It is a pleasure to see you once again." Turning, Lilystem found herself facing a ginger she-cat, who was sitting on a flat rock not more the two tail lengths from here.

Lilystem then dipped her head.

"Greetings to you too, Flarestar." She meowed, raising her head once more. Flarestar nodded to her in return, then she summoned Lilystem closer with a sweep of her tail. Rising to her paws, she padded over to Flarestar, sitting next to the ginger she-cats side, and looking up at Flarestar eagerly. Flarestar bent her head down and rested her muzzle next to Lilystem’s ear. She opened her jaws and spoke.

"Shadows are rising, Lilystem. Shadows that can tear apart all five Clans." Flarestar paused, and after a few heartbeats, she went on.

"And only one cat, with a spirit that shines as bright as the stars above us, will be able to save them." She paused again. She rose to her paws and faced Lilystem.

"I have told you all I know." Flarestar told her briskly.

"Now you must tell no one but the medicine cats about this prophecy, otherwise, there will be trouble. You are on your own from here, Lilystem," she mewed.

"And I trust that you will do what is right." Leaving a stunned Lilystem, Flarestar turned and raced towards the hillside, bounding over several twigs and stones before she disappeared from Lilystem’s view. She shivered, staring at her the former ShadowClan leader once stood. She started to pace as she prophecy rang in her mind.

Shadows are rising, shadows that can tear apart all five Clans, and only one cat, with a spirit that shines as bright as the stars above us, will be able to save them.  Lilystem shook her head, confused. What does that even mean? I haven’t gotten a prophecy like this before! I -  She broke off with a gasp, she felt as cold as if she had just plunged into the ice-cold waters of the lake as she saw the vision unfold in front of her. Fire raged around her, as she looked around, she realized that she was standing on the hill that led to the Moonpool, and to her surprise, she saw five large groups hunched at the edge of the moonpool. From her she was standing she could hear the yowls are pain and fear. Fur bristling with fear, she raced down the slope and towards that group of cats, ready to help in any way she could. Not stopping to take a breath, she bounded across the through the heather, dodged around a boulder, and skidded to a halt just at the edge of the spiral path that went down the Moonpool. Now that she was closer, she felt even more confused as she recognized the mass of ThunderClan, ShadowClan, SkyClan, WindClan, and RiverClan. She glanced back at where the fire was slowly advanced on the fire Clans. Just looking, she could tell that as slow as the fire was moving, all five clans had time to get to higher grounds. But to her dismay, they stayed where they were, just starring at the approaching fire with eyes wide with fear. Just as she was about to open her jaws to tell them to run, flames surrounded her, forcing back until the Clans were clear from her view. No! She wailed inside, as she tried to get out of the fires way, but no matter how much she tried, she could not find a way to escape. Glancing back behind her, she saw that she had back up into a tall oak tree, and before she could dart from behind her, the flames surrounded the tree. Panic rose in her chest as she looked back in front of her at the incoming flame. All her hope lost, she sank to the forest floor onto her belly, and closed her eyes tightly. It almost felt like she was on fire right now, but even with her eyes closed, she knew that she was safe from the flames for just the time being. Her mind reeling, she did not hear approaching paw-steps. And when she opened her eyes, she saw a cat standing over her. Lilystem expected it to be Flarestar once more, but after her eyes adjusted to the brightness of the flames, instead of seeing Flarestar’s ginger fur, she only caught sight of musky brown fur. As the cat came closer, Lilystem recognized Honeyrose easily. Shaky, she found the energy to rise to her paws and face Honeyrose. When the brown tabby spoke to Lilystem, her voice was a low instant growl.

"Shadows are rising," she snarled.

"Shadows that can tear apart all five Clans, and only one cat, with a spirit that shines as bright as the stars above us, will be able to save them."

Lilystem stared at Honeyrose in dismay.

"Not you too!" she groaned. Honeyrose shook her head.

"Every StarClan cat that came from ShadowClan knows about this prophecy!" She snapped, fixing Lilystem with a hard stare.

"And it would be best if you do what Flarestar said and tell only the other medicine cats." Without another word to Lilystem, Honeyrose slipped back into the flames. At the same time, the area around her started to fade. A few heartbeats later, she found herself still curled in a ball next to the surface of the Moonpool. Whiteblaze stood over her, her yellow eyes flashing in the Moonlight.

"Get up!" the white she-cat growled. "The others are way ahead already, and I stayed behind to make sure that you will get yourself back to ShadowClan in one piece." Though she knew her friend was joking, she couldn’t help but keeping thinking back to her vision, and what Flarestar and Honeyrose has said about sharing her vision with the rest of her fellow medicine cats. She glanced awkwardly at Whiteblaze. Could she trust the ThunderClan medicine cat not to tell any of her clanmates of what Lilystem saw? She shook her head. Of course, I can! She thought at last. But I don’t think I’m ready to tell anyone yet…….

Chapter 1:

Bluekit lifted her head, blinky hard against the dawn light. She glanced around. Right next to her, Gingerkit was curled in a tight ball. Bluekit studied Gingerkit’s pelt closely. That’s what she did with every cat the entered the den the last moon. Of course, with the name Gingerkit, Gingerkit’s fur was a bright ginger, and all along her back, were thick white overlaying stripes. What might her eyes look like? Bluekit wondered. She stretched at her neck, hoping to catch a glimpse of Gingerkit’s eyes. But her sister’s eyes were closed. Sinking back into her side of the nest, she raked her gaze across her other two siblings: Tuftykit and Rosekit. Tuftykit had a wiry brown and cream pelt, and with her eyes open just a bit, Bluekit saw that she had amber eyes. She blinked. What do my eyes look like? Are they amber? Maybe green? She twisted her head back and studied her own fur. Nothing but a ball of blue-gray fur. They must be blue then. She thought as she turned and rested her head on her paws. After a few heartbeats, Bluekit turned her head and looked to her left. On the other side of her, was Rosekit. She had a snow-white coat, with thin cream stripes. Bluekit leaped to her paws, and started circling Rosekit, studying her sister closely. A heartbeat later, movement next to her caught Bluekit’s attention, and she looked away from Rosekit, to see that her mother, Honeyfire had moved on her side to look at Bluekit. Her eyes were a bright green, like the leaf Bluekit and her sisters were playing with the other day. Honeyfire was out of camp though, so she never got to see what color her mother’s eyes were.

"Mother!" she squeaked, trotted over to her mother’s paws, sinking into her mother’s fur as she pressed against her. Honeyfire chuckled, bending her head down and licking Bluekit between the ears.

"Good morning, Bluekit." Honeyfire purred.

"Did you have a good sleep?"

"Yes!" Bluekit squealed. She twisted her head and stared eagerly at her mother.

"When can we go outside?" She asked.

"Can I go now? I bet I could-"

"Calm down, calm down." Honeyfire interrupted with a sigh.

"I think you can wait for your sisters to wake up, Bluekit. But" she went on when Bluekit opened her jaws to protest.

"You can go and play with Fawntuft’s kits." She mewed, whiskers twitching.

"I’m sure Fawntuft could use the break to get away from those wild three for a little while." Excited, Bluekit sprang for the nest and turned her attention to the other nest that was on the far side of the den. Tail head high, she bounded over to it. Before she could reach it, she saw nothing more than a black blur, and a moment later she felt herself knocked off her paws. Bluekit landed on her back with a grunt. A black she-cat stood over her. Her yellow eyes flash playfully.

"Hey, I’m Thymekit!" She squealed.

"And you must be Bluekit, Honeyfire’s kit."

"Yes, I am." Bluekit responded. She looked behind the black kit.

"Where are your siblings?" She asked Thymekit.

"Outside." Thymekit meowed with a roll of her yellow eyes.

"Bouncekit and Moonkit are always out there every time they can get". Bluekit purred. She turned back to Honeyfire, who she noticed, was dealing with Rosekit, Gingerkit, and Tuftykit. Leaving Thymekit’s side, she raced towards the other kits. With a playful hiss, she sprang onto Gingerkit’s back, hanging on as much as she could without bringing out her claws. Gingerkit let out a wail of protest, and reared, dislodging Bluekit from her back. She landed on her side, grunting. A soft laugh sounded behind Bluekit, and she twisted her head back to see a brown she-cat standing by her nest, her amber eyes brimming with affection. That must be Fawntuft. She realized. Jumping to her paws and facing the brown queen. The mother of Thymekit, Bouncekit, and Moonkit. Oh, I wonder who the father is……. who’s my father? What does he look like? Does he have green eyes like Honeyfire? Amber like Tuftykit? Or maybe blue eyes like mine! She looked at Fawntuft again, then remembering that Honeyfire said that Fawntuft had needed a break from her kits for a while. Did she just get back, or was she in the camp the entire time? She asked herself curiously. She turned back to Honeyfire, who has sunk into her nest once she had freed herself of Bluekit’s sisters.

"Honeyfire," She squeaked, scooting closer to the calico she-cat.

"Can I go outside?" she asked.

"All the other kits are outside, and Tuftykit, Rosekit, and Gingerkit are awake." She pointed out. Honeyfire sighed, closing her eyes, clearly tired.

"I suppose so, Bluekit." She said, glancing at Bluekit, Tuftykit, Gingerkit, and Rosekit.

"I don’t see any reason why I should keep you inside on a sunny day like this."

"Yes!"  Bluekit and Rosekit hissed at the same time. Taking the lead, Rosekit shot out of the Nursery, kicking up moss on her way out. Bluekit felt a pang of disappointment. She had hoped to be the first on out.

"Come on, I’ll show you around!" She heard Thymekit call, as she saw Thymekit raced past her. Excited, she raced after her friend as Thymekit lead her to a den to the far edge of the camp. Skidding to a halt at the entrance of the den, Thymekit turned to her, panting.

"This is the Elder’s Den," She explained.

"Lilacshade is the elder of the Clan. There used to be her and Honeyrose, but eversince Honeyrose died from Greencough, Lilacshade has hardly come out of her nest." Bluekit tilted her head.

"What’s Greencough?" she asked Thymekit. The black she-cat shook her head.

"Unfortunately, I don’t know. I’m not interested in becoming a medicine cat apprentice to find out. I want to be a warrior!" Warrior! Bluekit thought, imaging herself as a warrior of ShadowClan. And what might my warrior name be? She thought, thinking of possible names for her warrior name. Bluetuft? Blueheart? Bluefire?. She cleared her mind of possible names and turned her attention to the Elder’s Den.

"Is she in there now?" She asked.

"Of course, she is!" Thymekit huffed.

"Why would I say that about her if she was not in there?" Thymekit asked. Bluekit ignored her, brushing past her, and making her way into the den. Inside, in a nest close to the den entrance, was a wiry brown and white she-cat, whom Bluekit assumed was Lilacshade. She padded over to Lilacshade’s nest and rested her front paws on the nest.

"Hi, Lilacshade!" She squeaked cheerfully. Lilacshade’s only response was a grunt. To Bluekit’s disappointment, Lilacshade did not seem very aware of the young kit, as she only turned on her side, her back to Bluekit. Now unsure what to do, she turned away from the nest and headed towards where she saw Thymekit waiting for her. Before she reached her friend, movement near the corner of her eye caught her attention, turning to where she saw the movement, she let out a gasp of amazement as she saw a brown she-cat standing in the corner of the den, staring at Lilacshade with sadness in her eyes. Might that be Honeyrose? She wondered. She turned to Thymekit.

"Is that Honeyrose?" She asked her friend, pointing her tail towards the brown she-cat. Thymekit peered past her at where she was pointing. She shook her head, clearly confused.

"I don’t see anyone other than you, and Lilacshade." She told Bluekit.

"Are you sure you are not just seeing things?" Thymekit asked her. Bluekit shook her head.

"No, Thymekit." She replied, staring blanky at her friend. Then she hesitated.

"At least I don’t think I did." She murmured.

She turned back to where the brown tabby was standing, but to her utter confusion, she had vanished. She shook her head, feeling as confused as Thymekit looked. She turned back to the black kit.

"Never mind," she reassured Thymekit.

"Can you show me the rest of the camp?" she asked her.

"Of course!" Thymekit responded with a purr, clearly pleased that the two kits were talking about something else. Thymekit swept her tail, beckoning for Bluekit to follow her.

"I think I will show you the Warriors Den.” Thymekit meowed, whiskers twitching.

"That’s where my father, Lynxhisker sleeps." So that’s who her father is. Bluekit thought. Then the titled her head thoughtfully. Is my father in the Warriors Den too? She wondered as she followed Thymekit. She was distracted when she saw her sisters and two other kits, whom she guessed were Thymekit’s littermates, Moonkit and Bouncekit. As she watched them, all five were creeping as slowly as they could toward a den that was just between two large boulders, on the other side of the right boulder, Bluekit noticed, was a tiny stream. Curiosity surged in her chest, turning she nuzzled Thymekit’s shoulder, and pointed at where the five kits were heading for the den opening.

"Who’s den is that?" She asked. Thymekit rolled her eyes as she followed Bluekit’s gaze.

"The leader’s den." She muttered.

"Our leader, Hazestar is out of camp." Thymekit told her.

"And won’t she be up for the surprise if she catches a stampede of kits in her den." Bluekit purred, then threw another question at Thymekit.

"Is anyone allowed to go in there?"

"No," Thymekit responded, narrowing her yellow eyes to slits as the group of kits disappeared into the den.

"You need to have the leaders permission to go in the leaders den." She then ducked her head, purring.

"I heard that if the leader finds a kit in their den, they will eat that kit." Bluekit rolled her eyes.

"Very funny, Thymekit." Bluekit mewed. Seeing that Thymekit was no longer talking to her, Bluekit sprang to her paws, and gazed around the camp. Leaves littered the clearing, when she opened her jaws to taste the air, she smelled nothing but the strong tang of pine, and the cool sweet smell of the soft breeze that passed though the camp.

"Bluekit, there you are!" Honeyfire’s call rang cross the camp, and Bluekit twirled around as her mother padded up.

"I need to leave camp, Bluekit." She meowed.

"Can I trust you to keep you’re siblings out of trouble?"

"Yes!"  She responded, determined.

"Good." Honeyfire purred, resting her tail briefly on Bluekit’s shoulders before heading for the thorn barrier. Bluekit stood starring after her mother until she disappeared from the kit’s view. Turning, she bounded across the den and to where the kits had disappeared into Hazestar’s den. Climbing up the small stony path that led to the opening of the den, she peered inside. She saw that all five kits were all curled in Hazestar’s den. From here, she could see that all of them were asleep. Quickly but slowly, Bluekit scrambled into the den and hurried to the side of the nest. To her relief, none of the kits stirred when she kicked up pebbles on her way down. Seeing that, she swiftly reared onto her back legs, and rest her front paws on the edge of the nest, noticing that Hazestar’s nest was a lot taller and thicker than Lilacshade’s nest. Is that why? she asked herself. Because they want to sleep in a nest that isn’t even theirs? Pondering on that possibility, she didn’t even notice that a cat to her dismay, but as soon as the cat entered, the den, her eyes grew wide as she spotted Bluekit and the other kits. The shock was quickly replaced by disappointment and she narrowed her eyes at all six kits, after seeing that five of the kits were asleep, she turned her hard stare on Bluekit. She avoided the she-cat’s gaze, knowing she would be expecting an explanation as to why six kits were in her den.

Chapter 2:

Bluekit hesitated, staring at her paws, after a few more heartbeats of not saying a single word, Bluekit raised her head and met the gray she-cat’s gaze.

"I’m sorry," She muttered.

"Me and Thymekit saw them come in here, and I wanted to explore the camp, but do you think we should have stopped them?" Bluekit felt relieved when the she-cat’s gaze softened.

"Come here, young one." She murmured, sitting back on her haunches, and beckoning for Bluekit to come closer. She did so, gazing up and the gray she-cat.

"Bluekit," she began.

"My advice to you, for future reference is that you must always do what you think is right, and what those kits did is a prime example of what I mean. If you think it would be right to leave them up to me and my deputy, Lightflower to handle, then that is what you should do," She explained

"And if you think that you should try to help out, and tell them right from wrong, then that is what you are to do." Bluekit stared up at her.

"But how will I know what’s right and what’s wrong?" The gray she-cat chuckled.

"Oh, Bluekit," she sighed.

"In time, you’ll understand, little one." She assured her, nosing Bluekit towards the den opening.

"But for now, you are needed outside in the sunshine." She purred with a grin. Bluekit purred as she allowed the gray she-cat to guide her into the camp. As Bluekit crossed the clearing towards the Nursery, she heard the gray she-cat call after her.

"And my name is Hazestar by the way, young one. Feel free to come and visit me anytime you want!" Bluekit purred once more, tail waving. When she entered, the only other cat in the den was Fawntuft, who was fast asleep in her nest. Glancing around, she saw no sign of Thymekit. But then, after all that, she didn’t feel like she want to play. She trotted over to Fawntuft, hauled herself inside the nest, and curled herself in a tight ball besides the brown queen. A few heartbeats later, she felt Fawntuft curl her tail gently across Bluekit’s back, purring softly. Bluekit purred as well, as she felt herself being drawn into sleep.

Bluekit blinked. She opened her eyes. She was still in the Nursery. She saw that Fawntuft had left, and that Bluekit was the only one is the den. Slowly rising to her paws, she shook herself, gave herself a quick grooming, and made her way for the den opening. Making her way outside, she saw that everyone was already out and doing their everyday duties. Walking out to the center of the camp, she spotted the returning hunting patrol next to the fresh-kill pile. She recognized the pelts of Seamist, Lynxwhisker, Appleclaw, and Squirreljump. All four of them carried prey. Mouth watering, she took a step closer to the fresh-kill pile, the strong smell of thrush, rabbit, and squirrel hit her. She purred.

"Smells good, don’t it?" Seamist asked softly.

"Yes!" Bluekit agreed eagerly, eyeing the fresh-kill, her belly growling. Now it was Seamist’s turn to purr. Bluekit watched as the young warrior reached down and pulled out a plump squirrel.

"Here," Seamist mewed.

"Eat this for now. That should hold you off until the next hunting patrol gets back." Giving Bluekit a single nod, Seamist turned and padded over to where Deerblossom, Fawntuft, and Snipreed were sharing a sparrow. Turning her attention back down to squirrel. But before she could take a bite, Thymekit’s yowl sounded behind Bluekit.

"You better be planning to share that!" Bluekit rolled her eyes slightly as Thymekit, Gingerkit, and Bouncekit came bounding up. Settling down on either side of Bluekit, the three kits started eating. Bluekit joined them, wanting to make sure that there was enough for her once the other kits were done eating their fill of squirrel. After all the four kits were done, they all licked themselves clean and went to different areas of the camp. Bluekit decided to sit next to the thorn barrier, waiting for Honeyfire. She thought that would have been back by now, due to that she’s been out for a while already. Maybe she just feel asleep. Bluekit thought, pounding on it for a moment. She twitched her ears. Moments went by, and still no sign of the calico she-cat. Impatience surged in her just, and she sprang to her paws, abandoning her watch, and heading over to where the other kits were playing. They were already playing with the moss-ball that Moonkit laying besides the Nursery.

"Hey, Bluekit!," Thymekit squealed.

"Come join us!" Bluekit purred in reply, falling in besides her friend, batting the moss-ball out of Rosekit’s reach as the white she-kit lunged for it. She let of a wail of complaint, but Bluekit and the others just ignored her, as they were too busy on the Moss-ball, which was now soaring through the air.

"Race you!" Gingerkit yowled, taking off as fast as she could. But Thymekit was faster. Bluekit watched as the black kit shot past her sister within two heartbeats, sprang into the air after the moss, and caught it between her teeth before landing on all four paws.

"That’s not fair!" Gingerkit complained, coming to a halt beside her Thymekit had dropped the Moss-ball.

"How come you also when?" Thymekit only responded to the ginger she-cat with a shrug. Bluekit could tell that she was clearing not paying attention to the younger kit as she picked up the Moss-ball again, and headed for the Nursery, head and tail high. Her littermates: Moonkit and Bouncekit followed, not looking back at the remaining kits. Besides Bluekit, Gingerkit was muttering under her breath, clearly still upset that she didn’t get to the Moss-ball first. But Bluekit hardly glanced at her littermate, for she was watching the one warrior, Squirreljump, appear from the warriors den. Seeing her chance, she sprang to her paws and bounded over to the brown tom.

"Squirreljump! Squirreljump," she yowled, skidding to a halt when the tabby tom turned to look down at her.

"Have you seen Honeyfire?" she asked him.

"She went out into the forest this morning, but she hasn’t been seen since." Squirreljump shook his head.

"No," he meowed, glancing at the thorn barrier as if he expected to see Honeyfire padding into camp any moment now.

"But" Squirreljump continued.

"Lightflower could assign a patrol to look for her." Turning, Squirreljump trotted over to Lightflower, who was sitting next to Hazestar’s den. The two bent their heads together, passed a few words to each other. Lightflower then sprang to her paws, trotted over the clearing, and dove into the warriors den, a few heartbeats later, she returned with Bluekit’s father: Russetsong, along with Seamist, Deerblossom, and Lynxwhisker.

“I’m sure she’s fine, Bluekit.” She heard Fawntuft mew, as the brown she-cat padded up to the small kit and wrapped her tail around her.

"Honeyfire has always been a strong cat." Bluekit felt a little more reassured at Fawntuft’s words, and she sank down onto her belly with a sigh.

Chapter 3:

Fawntuft’s wail rang across the clearing, jerking Bluekit out of her sleep. Springing up to her paws, she raced outside. To her surprise, everyone was crowding around the thorn barrier that led out of camp. Picking up speed, Bluekit sprinted over to the group of assembled cats. Gingerkit, Thymekit, and Rosekit were faster, charging past her, all three of them nothing more than colorful blurs. Reaching her Clanmates a few heartbeats later, Bluekit slowed down to a trot, and made her way through the mass of cats, focusing on getting towards the front. Pushing past Seamist, Appleclaw, Lynxwhisker, and Lightflower, Bluekit wondered what has caught her Clanmates attention. Is it cats from another Clan? She wondered. She parted her jaws, tasting the air. No rival Clan scent hung in the air. The only thing she felt was shock and grief coming off her Clanmates like waves. Finally making her way to the front, Bluekit finally smelled something stronger then the squirrel Seamist had given her. Then she recognized the smell. Blood. She shuddered. But then, no one is hurt. I might be imaging it. She thought hopefully, as she looked at every cat in her eyesight. From what she could tell, every cat looked fine. Then what’s going on, is there- she broke off, as the cat in front of her shifted to the left, leaving Bluekit enough room to see more. But to her shock, and dismay, she wished that the warrior had stayed in their place. Honeyfire lay sprawled on the ground a few tail lengths away from the assembled Clan. As much as Bluekit tried, she could not tear her gaze away from the calico she-cat. Tried blood covered Honeyfire’s flank, and her eyes were wide, and lifeless. No! Bluekit bit back a cry of grief. She staggered forward, leaning her mother’s shoulder. Come on, wake up! You have to! You promised that you’ll come back. Even Fawntuft said you would be fine! Her thoughts overwhelming her, she didn’t notice the approach of Thymekit.

"I’m so sorry, Bluekit." She mewed, wrapping her tail gently across Bluekit’s shoulders. But Bluekit hardly heard or felt the black kit. She couldn’t tear her gaze from her mother’s limp body. How did this happen? She asked herself. Why did this happen? She started feeling dizzy, and her paws started to tremble. Finally seeing enough, Bluekit managed to turn and head the other direction, away from her mother. She was only two whiskers away from the Nursery, darkness surrounded her, causing her to stagger and trip over pebbles and twigs she wasn’t aware of. At last, she felt her legs buckle beneath her. Collapsing on the forest floor, she let a groan. Rosekit’s wail rang in Bluekit’s ear, and the next moment, she let the darkness blind her completely.

"Bluekit, are you alright?" she heard Seamist mew.

"You’ve been unconscious for a while now." Bluekit groaned and turned over on her side to look straight at Seamist.

"What happened." She asked the warrior, ignoring her question. Seamist’s eyes rounded with sympathy. She scooted closer to Bluekit.

"Sweetie, Honeyfire is dead." Those were the exact words that Bluekit treaded. She slumped back into the nest.

"I’m so sorry, Bluekit." Seamist murmured. Bluekit didn’t hear her. The only thing on her mind that moment was what Fawntuft had told her that morning: I’m sure she’s fine, Bluekit. Honeyfire has always been a strong cat. Bluekit flattened her ears, realizing the brown queen had said Honeyfire was a strong cat, instead of is. Does that mean she knows what happened to Honeyfire? Bluekit asked herself, her suspicion of the brown she-cat rising in her chest. She turned to Seamist.

"How well would you say Honeyfire and Fawntuft were as close as friends?" she asked Seamist, not caring how suspicious her question sounded. She wanted to know. The warrior’s eyes widened.

"Close enough," Seamist responded at last, casting a curious look at Bluekit.

"They were good friends." Then Seamist narrowed her eyes at Bluekit.

"You don’t think they would hurt one other, would you?" Bluekit found that she had no answer to that question, Bluekit just simply starred at her paws, shifting around nervously. Then she shook her head.

"I don’t know, Seamist. It’s all confusing. First Honeyfire said she would come back. She did, but she came back dead, and Fawntuft said that she was a strong cat instead of is a strong cat. And that makes me wonder if Fawntuft had something to do with Honeyfire’s death." The fur started to rise along Seamist’s back, and she fixed Bluekit with a hard stare. She then shook her head, disappointment washed of her like waves.

"No, no, Bluekit," she sighed.

"There’s no proof that Fawntuft had something to do with Honeyfire’s death. And besides, I trust Fawntuft as a friend, and I was with her the entire time before I was picked to go on the patrol to look for your mother."  Though she didn’t admit it, Bluekit knew that Seamist was right. Her suspicion towards Fawntuft fell.

"I’m sorry." She muttered.

"I didn’t know what to think." Seamist wrapped her tail across Bluekit’s shoulders.

"It’s okay, sweetie. It’s good to have suspicions of cats, but not your own Clanmates, especially if they didn’t do any harm to the Clan." Bluekit nodded, taking in Seamist’s words.

"Now," Seamist continued.

"It’s time to sit vigil for Honeyfire, young one. Follow me." Seamist rose to her paws, beckoning Bluekit with her tail. Bluekit followed her out to the clearing, where her Clanmates were gathered around Honeyfire in the center of the camp.

Chapter 4:

Bluekit peered at from her nest. Besides her, Gingerkit and Tuftykit were fast asleep, while Bluekit and Rosekit were not. Bluekit watched silently as Rosekit snuck up on Fawntuft, who was sleeping in her own nest. Thymekit, Bouncekit, and Moonkit were all out in the clearing, which left Bluekit and Rosekit the time to torture Fawntuft without the three kits warning their mother of the two kits. Bluekit jumped swiftly out the nest, landing on the den floor as softly as she could without disturbing her two sisters, and the brown queen. She bounded to Rosekit’s side, copying her movements, and crouching besides the cream furred she-kit, fixing her gaze on Fawntuft, then letting her attention flash towards the brown she-cat’s tail, which was hanging out the side. Bluekit crept forward, keeping all her attention on the brown queen. She ignored Rosekit’s loud breathing with a roll of her eyes. As loud as she is, the whole Clan could hear her in here! She thought. Bluekit was now a tail-length away from Fawntuft’s nest. She paused and pricked her ears forward. To her relief, Fawntuft was still asleep and unaware of the two kits. She drew her paws beneath her and held her breath. Wiggling her hindquarters, Bluekit sprang forward, landing square on Fawntuft’s tail. Rosekit pounced a second after Bluekit, throwing herself against Fawntuft’s left flank. The brown queen jumped, with a hiss. She whipped her head back, her gaze darting back and forth. Then she saw Bluekit and Rosekit. She shook herself.

"What do you two think you’re doing?" She muttered.

"Playing."  Rosekit responded with a grin. Bluekit purred. She still had Fawntuft’s tail pinned beneath her. This was the most fun she’s had ever since Honeyfire died. Bluekit reflected. She glanced swiftly at Fawntuft. And she started trusting Fawntuft more. Eversince the day of her mother’s death, Bluekit kept her distance of the brown queen for only a quarter moon. Even though she still had her suspicions, Bluekit knew deep down that Seamist was right when she told her that Fawntuft was a loyal ShadowClan warrior. As she felt Fawntuft dragged her tail out from under Bluekit’s paws, Hazestar’s yowl rang across the camp.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather around the high-stump for a Clan meeting." Bluekit peered out of the Nursery, seeing Hazestar sitting back on her haunches on the High-stump, waiting silently as the Clan gathered around her. That’s when Bluekit spotted Thymekit, Bouncekit, and Moonkit sitting close to the front, their eyes gleaming and their pelts groomed. It must be their apprentice ceremony. Bluekit reflected silently. She sat down on her haunches and watched as Hazestar approached the three kits slowly.

"Bouncekit," she began, beckoning the brown tom-kit with a sweep of her tail.

"You have reached the age of six moons, and I believe you are ready to become an apprentice. Bouncekit, from this moment on, you will be known as Bouncepaw. Your mentor will be Seamist. Seamist, you are ready to take your first apprentice. Your mentor was Honeyrose, and I trust that you will past all the wisdom and skills you've gained down to your apprentice. Teach that young one well." Bluekit saw movement at the edge of her vision, and a moment later, Seamist pushed her way through the ShadowClan cats.

"I will do my best, Hazestar." She mewed, her head held high. Then she bent her head down, touching noses with Bouncepaw.

"Bouncepaw, Bouncepaw!" The Clan cheered. Seamist and Bouncepaw retreated back to their Clanmates. Bluekit watched closely as Hazestar carried on the ceremony, making Thymepaw the apprentice of Lightflower, and Moonpaw the apprentice of Maplewing.

"Bouncepaw, Thymepaw, Moonpaw!" The Clan cheered again. The three apprentices stood in the middle of their Clanmates, their eyes shining. Their parents, Fawntuft and Lynxwhisker, were standing a fox-tail away from their kits, their tails held high. They really are happy for them. Bluekit thought, with a pang. Her gaze darted across the clearing to where her father Russetsong was sitting close to the warriors den. Too bad Honeyfire can't be here to watch us become apprentices. She thought sadly. Besides her, Gingerkit and Tuftykit clearly felt the same way. Gingerkit hung her head, muttering, as she poked at the pebbles beneath her paws, while Tuftykit averted her gaze from her Clanmates, staring down at her paws. Seamist, who was now their foster mother, taking Honeyfire's place, padded toward them, her eyes sympathetic.

"How are you three? Don't you want to congratulate your Clanmates?" No kit responded to the young warrior. They only stared at her, silent. Bluekit shifted her paws, wishing she knew what to say to her Clanmate. For what seemed like forever, Bluekit was relieved when the one apprentice, Leafpaw, came rushing towards them.

"Hey, Bluekit, Seamist!" He called as he skidded to a halt besides the four cats.

"Hazestar wants to see you." He told them, only pausing for a heartbeat to give Gingerkit, and Tuftykit and curt nod.

"Oh." Seamist muttered softly, giving her chest fur a few licks.

"I don't know what she would want to see us for.." Her voice trailed off, and the young warrior looked thoughtful for a moment. Then she sprang to her paws and cast a friendly gaze towards Bluekit.

"Come on, Honey. Let's go." She told the gray kit in her 'serious' voice. She beckoned Bluekit with a twitch of her tail tip. As she followed Seamist, she felt Leafpaw, Gingerkit, and Tuftykit's gaze boring down on her shoulders. She didn't look back at them. She knew that all three cats looked sulky and wondering why they couldn't be invited into Hazestar's den. She quickly followed Seamist across the clearing. Seamist halted a fox-tail away from her sister's den. A moment later, Hazestar's low growl came from her den.

"Come in, you two." Seamist rested her tail on Bluekit's back gently, and the two ShadowClan cats came forward. Seamist thrust her way into Hazestar's den, Bluekit followed the young warrior. Hazestar was in her nest, her head raised, and ears pricked. While Seamist dipped her head respectfully, Bluekit studied the den. Lichen hung in the far back corners of the den. And the tang of squirrel blood hung in the air. Bluekit's nose twitched as she came forward to stand besides Seamist. When the gray kit came into view, Hazestar rose from her next, shaking moss from her pelt. Besides Bluekit, Seamist shifted her paws nervously.

"You wanted to see us, Hazestar?"

"Yes, I did." Hazestar responded. Then the gray she-cat paused, looking thoughtful. Then she turned to Bluekit.

"Bluekit," She went on, glancing at the gray kit.

"Thymepaw told me yesterday that you saw a cat by the name of Honeyrose in the Elder's Den next to Lilacshade. Is that true, Dear?" Bluekit froze. She hesitated, now unsure.

"What do you mean, she saw Honeyrose?" Seamist asked the ShadowClan leader, her eyes narrowed slightly.

"Honeyrose has died many moons ago. If Bluekit saw her in a dream, that would make sense, but Bluekit is always into trouble, she hardly sleeps!" Hazestar paused, then went on.

"Thymepaw told me that Bluekit was with her and Lilacshade in the Elders Den a moon ago, wide awake, when she told her who she saw. Does that sound like a dream to you, Seamist?" She asked her sister. Seamist shook her head, clearly dumbfounded.

"No, but-"

"Believe me," Hazestar meowed, interrupting Seamist.

"We could be talking about something that might help the Clan in the future." Hazestar turned back to Bluekit.

"So, tell me, Honey. What did this cat look like?" Bluekit's whiskers twitched nervously as she stared at her leader.

"It was a wiry brown she-cat." Bluekit meowed. She let out a cough to keep her response from coming out loud and shrill.

"She was standing by Lilacshade's nest, and she looked sad." She broke off, realizing both cats were staring at her, their eyes wide and heads titled thoughtfully. When Bluekit finished talking, Hazestar turned to Seamist.

"What do you think?" She asked her. Seamist shook her head, glancing at Bluekit sadly.

"I want to believe she saw one of our warrior ancestors, but it might just be a coincidence. There's no proof that she saw Honeyrose. No one else saw her, except for Bluekit. She might just be seeing things, Hazestar." The ShadowClan leader didn't respond. She turned and fixed Bluekit with an intense stare. Bluekit carefully avoided her yellow gaze, alarm rising in her chest.

"Am I in trouble?" She blurted out before she could stop herself. Seamist looked horrified.

"Of course not, Bluekit." She exclaimed, wrapping her tail around Bluekit's shoulders. She jerked her muzzle towards Hazestar, her eyes dark.

"Is that right, Hazestar?" The pale gray she-cat returned Seamist's glare coolly.

"No, you aren't in trouble, Bluekit," Hazestar said at last.

"I'm just asking a few questions." Bluekit let out a sigh of relief.

"Of course, Hazestar." Bluekit meowed quietly. She looked up a Seamist.

"Can we leave now?" She asked.

"You can, Bluekit." Hazestar meowed.

"No, not you Seamist. I would like to have a talk with both you, and Lilystem." She nodded to Bluekit.

"Get her please, Dear." Bluekit nodded and slipped out of the den.

Chapter 5:

Bluepaw's fur fizzed with excitement as she watched Hazestar scan the assembled Clan.

"Barkshine," The pale gray she-cat meowed.

"You will be the mentor of this fine cat. You are also ready to take another apprentice. Your mentor was Lilacshade, and I trust that you will pass all you know down to your apprentice." Bluekit twisted her head back to see Barkshine pad to her side. The brown she-cat lifted her head and held Hazestar's gaze calmly.

"I'll do my best." She murmured. Then she bent her head to touch noses with Bluepaw. She listened as the Clan cheered her name. She glanced quickly at her sisters. They looked just as excited as Bluepaw. Their mentors, Lynxwhisker, Morningshine, and Grayfur stood behind them, their heads held high. As the Clan parted, Barkshine turned to Bluepaw, her whiskers twitching.

"Well young one," The brown she-cat began.

"Are you ready to get to see the territory?" Bluepaw nodded quickly.

"Yes!" She responded. Barkshine purred.

"Good! I think I will show you the ThunderClan border first." She turned to Grayfur, Morningshine, and Lynxwhisker. The four cats shared a few words. Then Barkshine turned back to her.

"Rosepaw and Tuftypaw are coming with us. After you all see the border with ThunderClan, we're going to split up." She turned to Grayfur and Gingerpaw. But she was mainly talking to Grayfur.

"Are you sure you and Gingerpaw don't want to tag along, Grayfur?" She asked the gray tom. Grayfur shook his head.

"No," He meowed.

"I want to show my apprentice around the territory by myself for now." He told her. Barkshine gave him a brisk nod before turning and trotting towards the thorn barrier. She quickly looked over her shoulder.

"Come on, Bluepaw." She called. Bluepaw raced after her. Rosepaw and Tuftypaw followed them, Lynxwhisker and Morningshine not far behind.

"What are we going to do after we see the border with ThunderClan?" She heard Rosepaw ask.

"See the border with RiverClan." Lynxwhisker responded. Besides Bluepaw, Tuftypaw wrinkled her nose in disgust.

"I don't want to smell RiverClan stink!" The mottled brown she-cat complained.

"Moonpaw and Bouncepaw say they smell like fish. Yuck!"

"Hush, Tuftypaw." Morningshine told her apprentice sternly. As the six cats walked down the pine littered path, the pine trees began to thin out, and the lake shore came to view.

"The lake!" Rosepaw cried. The cream furred she-cat was already racing down the slope towards the shore.

"Rosepaw, get back here!" Lynxwhisker shouted, with a roll of his blue eyes. Bluepaw and Tuftypaw snickered, while Barkshine and Morningshine looked the other way. Clearly the two warriors had decided to let Lynxwhisker handle his apprentice. If the large apprentice heard Lynxwhisker, she paid no attention to him at all. She was wadding out into the water, the waves lapping at her belly fur.

"Rosepaw!" Lynxwhisker yowled again. From where she stood, Bluepaw saw Rosepaw flick her ear back, and she knew that Rosepaw heard Lynxwhisker perfectly. But Lynxwhisker knew that too. He glared at Rosepaw, the fur along his back bristling like flames. Tuftypaw shifted beside Bluepaw. Morningshine leaned forward, eyeing Rosepaw with interest. Barkshine paced at the edge of the trees. The brown she-cat lifted her head nervously and looked up at the sky. Then she shook herself and walked out of the shadows.

"Rosepaw!" She yowled, joining Lynxwhisker.

"Now's not the time to play. After all, you are an apprentice now, and if you want to act like a kit, you will be treated like one. So, if you don't want to spend the rest of the day and night in the Nursery like a kit, you might want to listen to your mentor!" Rosepaw froze. She looked horrified at the thought of spending one more day in the Nursery. She hurried out of the water, scrambling up the slope to where the group of cats were waiting. Lynxwhisker and Barkshine looked both amused, and disappointed, while Morningshine, Bluepaw, and Tuftypaw remained silent. But to Bluepaw's dismay, Rosepaw stopped in front of her, and shook herself dry. Bluepaw raked her gaze across her soaked fur. She noticed Tuftypaw trembling with laughter.

"It's not funny!" Bluepaw snapped. Rosepaw rolled her eyes.

"Whatever you say, Bluepaw." The cream furred she-cat turned and followed Lynxwhisker into the trees, leaving Bluepaw glaring after her.  A tail length away, Barkshine shook her head, then let out a cough. Bluepaw knew her mentor was biting back laughter. Bluepaw rose to her paws, and scurried after Lynxwhisker and Rosepaw, wet and cross. Barkshine hurried after her. The two cats walked in silence for a moment. Then she heard Barkshine yowl.

"Lynxwhisker - can you slow down?" The brown she-cat was answered with a huff of annoyance. A moment later, Lynxwhisker came out of the bushes, his eyes flashed in anger, as he halted in front of Barkshine.

"I try to stay with you and the apprentices," He began bitterly.

"But my apprentice doesn't know the first rule of how a warrior apprentice should behave." Barkshine let a sigh.

"Well," She meowed.

"Why don't we split up? I'm going to take Bluepaw to the ThunderClan and RiverClan borders." She told Lynxwhisker.

"And you can do what you can with Rosepaw." Barkshine added, her whiskers twitching with amusement. Lynxwhisker gave her a curt nod, then turning around and heading back into the undergrowth. Barkshine turned back to Bluepaw.

"I'm sorry for the delay, young one. Now, while we have the chance, I will show you the border with ThunderClan" Bluepaw nodded. She followed her mentor as Barkshine led her deeper into the trees.

Chapter 6:

"This is the border with ThunderClan," Barkshine meowed briskly.

"ThunderClan is known for their honor, courage, and loyalty." She went on, scanning ThunderClan's side of the border as if checking to see if a patrol would come out of the undergrowth any moment. Bluepaw turned to her mentor.

"Can you make friends with cats from other Clans."

"I suppose you can." Barkshine mewed. Then she bent her head and gave her chest fur a few embarrassed licks.

"My main friends are Smokewillow, Blizzardberry, and Echoblaze. They are nice friends." She looked at her mentor.

"I think Smokewillow and Blizzardberry just returned to the Warriors Den, after their kits were made apprentices, and Echoblaze just moved to the Nursery." Barkshine stared at her.

"How do you know that?" She gasped. Bluepaw shrugged.

"Seamist told me." Bluepaw responded calmly.

"Well then," Barkshine went on quickly.

"Who else in ThunderClan have you heard of?" Bluepaw narrowed her eyes thoughtfully.

Well, I heard about some of the apprentices from Thymepaw and Moonpaw."

"Who, Dear?"

"Morningpaw, Acornpaw, and Tally. But they aren't the only ones. Whiteblaze is currently with them in the Apprentice's Den, but she's training to be a medicine cat under Rainrose, and the newest warrior, Flamefrost just moved out of the Apprentice's Den last moon." Barkshine nodded approvingly.

"That's right. Now, Bluepaw, I've showed you the ThunderClan border, lets head to RiverClan's." As her mentor finished, movement caught Bluepaw's attention. She turned and stared at the bushes on ThunderClan's territory. A moment later, a ginger tom came out of the undergrowth, followed by three smaller cats. Bluepaw guessed they were apprentices. The ginger tom glowered at the ShadowClan cats from where he stood.

"What are you doing here?" He snarled, his yellow eyes narrowed to slits.

"I'm just showing my apprentice the territory, Emberflame." Barkshine meowed coolly. Then the brown she-cat turned to the three apprentices.

"How's your training going?" The small brown tom that stood next to Emberflame puffed out his chest.

"I'm the best apprentice of ThunderClan!" He boasted. Then he cast a sly glance at the silver cat that hung in the shadows of the nearby oak tree. She returned his gaze coldly. She rose to her paws and stepped forward in the sunlight.

"That's not true!" She snapped.

"I'm the best hunter! Now that Flamefrost moved out." The tortoiseshell she-cat shifted her paws nervously.

"You both are good hunters, Tally, Acornpaw. Can't you stop competing with each other for one day?"

"No Morningpaw!" Both cats snarled at the same time. Morningpaw flinched. Bluepaw's whiskers twitched. ThunderClan cats. She thought. Honorable, loyal, and grumpy. She turned her head around. Barkshine was already rushing up the slope. Bluepaw turned to quickly look back at the ThunderClan cats. Tally and Acornpaw were standing nose to nose, Morningpaw looked miserable, Emberflame just looked amused. Bluepaw turned and rushed up the slope, and after Barkshine.

"Okay, enough distractions!" Bluepaw heard Barkshine hiss when she padded up to the brown she-cats side. The two cats walked around the marshes and hurried down a stone path.

"This is the marshland," Barkshine told her.

"This is where we catch most of our fresh-kill." Bluepaw nodded. The two cats walked in silence. Soon the trees parted again, and the strong smell of river hit her throat. Bluepaw wrinkled her nose. Barkshine led her out further into the open, and soon the river came into view.

"This is the river." Barkshine meowed. Bluepaw thought her mentor sounded bored. She didn't blame her. It must get old saying the same thing to a new apprentice on their first time out of camp.

"This is RiverClan's main source of food," Barkshine went on. She gazed out at the wetlands across the river.

"And that's RiverClan territory." Barkshine gave her chest fur a few licks.

"Now with that said, let’s go and find the others before I smell like a RiverClan cat!"

• Time skip*

"I saw everything!" Rosepaw yowled, making a teasing circle around Lynxwhisker.

"Not everything, Rosepaw." The brown tom said crisply, then he let out a sigh.

"Where did you see?" Rosepaw opened her jaws to reply, but Lynxwhisker cut her off.

"We saw the hunting grounds, and ThunderClan territory." Lynxwhisker told her bitterly. He cast Rosepaw a look of disappointment.

"We would have seen more if Rosepaw would just do what she's been told." He added.

"I showed Bluepaw the Marshlands, plus ThunderClan and RiverClan territory," Barkshine butted in quickly.

"What about you, Morningshine?" Morningshine rose to her paws.

"I only got to show Tuftypaw ThunderClan. She was asking too many questions. Which is good, I suppose. But she wasted a lot of time." Barkshine gave her a brisk nod.

"I think Grayfur and Gingerpaw are already in camp. I think we should head back." Barkshine turned and trotted toward the camp, Bluepaw, Lynxwhisker, and Morningshine on her heels.

Chapter 7:

"How was your first day out of camp, Bluepaw?" Bluepaw looked up from her squirrel. Leafpaw was standing next to her.

"It was great!" She purred.

"I got to see ThunderClan, RiverClan, and the Marshlands!" She squealed. Leafpaw narrowed his eyes.

"Well, how's Barkshine as a mentor? Is she strict?"

"No- she's nice. I like her as my mentor!" Leafpaw rolled his eyes.

"You are one lucky cat." He groaned.

"I think Fernshadow is the strictest cat in the whole of ShadowClan! He's also so weird. He always has this dreamy glint in his eyes. Almost too thoughtful, like he's planning something." Bluepaw's whiskers twitching.

"What could he be planning?" A purr rumbled in her chest.

"A surprise for Lilacshade when she's asleep?" Leafpaw rolled his eyes again.

"I'm serious, Bluepaw!" He exclaimed.

"I think he's planning something." Bluepaw narrowed her eyes.

"And what would that be?"

"I don't know!" Leafpaw snapped. Leafpaw's retort attracted few cats' attention. Such as Lynxwhisker, Seamist, Thymepaw, and Fernshadow himself. Stares burned down on her back. She shook her fur and glared at Leafpaw.

"And why don't you work on your tone level?" Bluepaw snarled. Leafpaw met her gaze.

"Sorry." He muttered. Bluepaw grunted.

"You can tell me more about Fernshadow's 'plan' next time." She told Leafpaw briskly. She glanced sideways at her squirrel. But she wasn't hungry anymore. She rose to her paws and turned away from Leafpaw. As she padded across the clearing, Bluepaw's gaze drifted off and stopped and the tiny cliff above the Warriors Den. large ginger she-cat was crouched at the cliff edge, digging her claws into the dirt. Then she noticed Bluepaw staring straight at her. She relaxed, and jumped down from her spot, and padded towards Bluepaw. Bluepaw was the first to speak.

"Who are you?" She asked. Then ginger cat stopped whiskers away from Bluepaw.

"I am Flarestar, former leader of ShadowClan." Bluepaw gasped.

"I heard of you!" Seamist and Hazestar talk about you all the time!" Flarestar purred.

"I bet they do, young one." She meowed. Flarestar lifted her head and gazed around at the other Clan cats.

"How's Hazestar? I hope she's taking good care of the Leader's Den." Flarestar mewed, a teasing light in her amber eyes.

"She's fine. Hazestar's a good leader."

"Of course." Flarestar paused.

"May I ask you something, Bluepaw?"

"Sure." Flarestar paused again, the continued.

"Have you ever wondered why you can see things others can't?" Bluepaw hesitated.

"No." Flarestar muttered something under her breath.

"Is that a bad thing?" Bluepaw asked.

"No, no! That's actually a good thing. You don't understand, as you are just an apprentice. But one day, you will." Bluepaw titled her head, confused.

"Understand what?" Flarestar didn't have a chance to answer Bluepaw's question.

"Bluepaw, who are you talking to?" She turned. Seamist was padding up to her, concern flashing in her eyes.

"Why are you talking to the air." Bluepaw shook her head.

"I wasn't talking to the air." She told her.

"I was just talking to Flarestar." Seamist's eyes darkened.

"What?"

"I was talking to Flarestar." Bluepaw repeated. She turned to look in front of her. Flarestar was gone. She turned back to Seamist.

"I know what I saw." Bluepaw told her firmly. Seamist shook her head. She beckoned Bluepaw to follow. She led her to the Medicine Cat Den.

"Lilystem!" Seamist called. Paw steps echoed from the den, and Lilystem rushed out, herbs clinging to her snow-white fur.

"What is it?" Lilystem demanded. Her gaze flashed over Bluepaw and Seamist.

"No one's hurt." Seamist reassured the medicine cat.

"It's Bluepaw I’m worried about." She hesitated.

"She says she just saw Flarestar, and two moons ago the same thing happened, but the first time she saw Honeyrose. I think she's seeing things, but she's so... detailed when she's explaining what she saw." Lilystem's eyes soften.

"Come here, Bluepaw." Lilystem told her. She stood off to the side, and nosed Bluepaw into her den. The white she-cat looked back at Seamist.

"I'm sure she's fine." She mewed.

"I will check her, but I believe you have nothing to worry about, Seamist." The gray she-cat nodded, casting a concerned glance at Bluepaw before padding across the clearing, over to where Russetsong and Lightflower were sitting next to the Elder's Den.

"Come inside, Bluepaw." Lilystem meowed, leading her inside. Bluepaw plopped down on the empty nest in the far-left corner of the den. Lilystem joined her, bringing no herbs of any sort with her.

"Aren't you going to give me something?" She asked. Lilystem shook her head.

"No, Bluepaw. There's nothing wrong with you, I'm very sure of that. But there is something I would like to discuss with you." She sat down next to Bluepaw and wrapped her tail over her back.

"Bluepaw- what you see, cats that no one else can, is a power, that you and you only have."

"What you mean?" Bluepaw asked. Lilystem sighed.

"You have the ability to see dead cats. You have the power to spirits of all dead. Not just cats that come from StarClan. Now, back to what I was wanting to discuss with you: I received a prophecy from Flarestar. She told me that shadows were rising that can tear apart the Clans and only one cat with a spirit as bright as the stars above us can save us all. And I have a strong belief that you are that cat. And seeing spirits of the dead will help you. They will guide you as you follow the path they have laid out for you. You are the future of the Clans, and that's why StarClan chose you." As Lilystem finished, cats joined them. Bluepaw thought they were their living Clanmates, until she saw right through them. So, I see spirits. How wonderful. She recognized Flarestar and Honeyrose among the group of cats. Their eyes gleamed with approval. She turned to Lilystem. The white she-cat was staring at the StarClan cats. She caught Bluepaw's gaze and gave her a nod. Bluepaw returned it.

Chapter 8:

Bluepaw curled her tail over her paws as she watched Rosepaw and Thymepaw argue over who would go on the next hunting patrol. She hunched her shoulders and sighed. She silently pawed at the pebbles, kicking up dust. Bluepaw lifted her head and pricked her ears when Barkshine appeared.