Bluestar's Prophecy/Chapter 31

==Chapter description==
:Bluefur spins around and dashes back through the forest angrily, leaving Thistleclaw to finish the patrol by himself. When she returns to camp, Sunstar asks her why she's back so early. Bluefur lies that prey was poor and that she had come back to spend more time with Whitekit. He replies by saying that she had returned more to her old self. Bluefur wonders if this is true, and Sunstar notes that when Whitekit is old enough to become an apprentice, she will be ready to become a mentor.
:Bluefur promises not to give up on the prey next time and goes to visit Whitekit. When she enters the nursery, Robinwing says that Whitekit is exhausted from feeding and being worn out by Thistleclaw. Bluefur nuzzles him and also notes that his paw is as soft as a rabbit's tail. Thrushpelt appears at the nursery and asks her how the prey was running, and Bluefur tells him that they hunted near Tallpines, replying that it was scarce. He asks about Whitekit, and she says he was fine. Thrushpelt further compliments Bluefur about caring for Whitekit after he lost his mother. Rosetail pads past carrying a vole, and Bluefur is relieved to see her, joining her when she deposits the vole on the fresh-kill pile. Rosetail starts talking about her and Thrushpelt, and Bluefur becomes embarrassed, responding sharply that they're just friends. She adds that she is too busy with Whitekit to think about a mate, and is reminded of Snowfur. Rosetail changes the subject and tells her about Tawnyspots' condition, and how many cats are expecting him to step down as deputy. Upon hearing this, Bluefur assumes his successor would be Stormtail. Rosetail suggests Adderfang or Thistleclaw, but Bluefur disapproves. She scorns the thought of Sunstar appointing the spike-furred warrior.
:Later that day, Bluefur is cleaning out Mumblefoot's nest of stale moss. She notes that the younger warriors had to tend to the elders because there were no apprentices at the moment. She tells Weedwhisker that Lionheart is going to bring fresh bracken later, and Weedwhisker grumbles that he won't have anything to sleep on. Larksong purrs and reminds him that he has plenty of good moss to sleep on. Bluefur meows that she had promised Featherwhisker that she'd check them for ticks. Stonepelt concedes that the elders can do it themselves. Bluefur is relieved and leaves the den, hoping to join a patrol when Sunstar calls a Clan meeting.
:Bluefur wonders why the ThunderClan leader still used Pinestar's traditional call, while Tigerkit stands waiting in the center of the clearing. Swiftbreeze and Robinwing bundle out of the nursery, their kits following, eyes glittering with excitement. Fuzzypelt and White-eye arise beside the nettle patch, and Lionheart and Goldenflower are seen dragging a bundle of bracken into camp, leaving it by the entrance and hurrying to join their Clanmates, along with Adderfang, Poppydawn, Speckletail, Windflight, and Dappletail, who had been chatting. Bluefur sits next to Rosetail and notices Tawnyspots cowering at the corner of the clearing, the deputy's eyes dull and his pelt ragged. Sunstar announces the welcoming of a new apprentice, beckoning Tigerkit forward while his mother, Leopardfoot, trembles with pride. The leader renames him Tigerpaw, his mentor being Thistleclaw. The Clan cheers for him, but Bluefur feels a pang of disappointment that Sunstar hadn't chosen her as Tigerpaw's mentor.
:When Rosetail whispers in her ear that Thistleclaw will be more convinced he's going deputy, Bluefur feels a twinge of uneasiness. Then Whitekit approaches from behind her, saying that he was glad she wasn't Tigerpaw's mentor, because Whitekit wanted to be Bluefur's apprentice. She looks up to Sunstar, who narrow his eyes and gives a small nod.
:Poppydawn pads forward as Sunstar reports that she will be moving to the elder's den. Then Bluefur realizes how old she is and remembers that she always trailed at the rear of patrols, and brought back weaker prey, and there were also flecks of gray on her muzzle. Poppydawn dips her head and solemnly adds that she has been honored to serve her Clan while she did, and that she will live a peaceful life as an elder. While Clanmates brush muzzles with her, Tigerpaw exclaims that he'll take better care of her than any other apprentice. Rosetail leans over and says that won't be hard, and Bluefur is amused. She thinks that she couldn't help but admire the young cat's eagerness, but prays that Thistleclaw won't teach him otherwise.
:Sunstar then announces that Adderfang will take on the role of deputy while Tawnyspots is ill, but adds that he will resume his duties once he recovers. At this, Bluefur's Clanmates exchange uneasy glances, clearly doubtful that Tawnyspots will recover. To everyone's astonishment, Goosefeather steps forward and announces that he will help gathering herbs, and requests that Bluefur come with him. She awkwardly accepts the invitation and they exit camp.
:As they are trekking up a grassy slope, Goosefeather starts talking about Whitekit, saying he noticed that she's taken an interest in him. When Bluefur mews that Whitekit is her kin, Goosefeather replies that she doesn't visit him, but she tries to ignore this and continues walking. The medicine cat ominously tells her that young kits are easily influenced, and that he's glad that Bluefur is able to protect Whitekit. She assumes that Goosefeather is warning her about Thistleclaw again, but pushes this thought away. He asks her if she had thought about the prophecy, and she nods. Goosefeather is satisfied with this and leans down next to a small leafy plant, and Bluefur wrinkles her nose as he uproots it with his paws. The medicine cat warns her not to use her teeth to do so, or her tongue will be numb for days. She begins pulling up the lush plants, having to tug hard while Goosefeather approaches a birch and starts tearing off strips of bark. He asks her if she had also thought about becoming deputy, but she hesitates, uncertain. Bluefur reminds him that she hasn't gotten an apprentice yet, and she's far too young to take on that role.
:At this Goosefeather tries to convince Bluefur that Sunstar wants someone like her to serve as deputy. She wonders out loud if he means Thistleclaw, but the medicine cat is alarmed and warns her not to concentrate on anything else. Bluefur's head begins to spin as she thinks he means Whitekit or Oakheart. He then orders her to bring the herbs back to camp and to leave him in peace. Their conversation left Bluefur dazed as she makes her way back to camp. She thinks that if Snowfur were still alive, she would discuss this with her. To her surprise, Thrushpelt appears on the way back and offers to help. As they carry the herbs back to camp, Bluefur wonders if he had been waiting for her, and why he didn't spark the same feeling in her as Oakheart did.
:They enter the ravine and deposit the herbs at Featherwhisker's paws. Bluefur asks how Tawnyspots is coping, and the medicine cat replies that the herbs would help. At hearing this, she remembers Goosefeather's words echo inside her head, and that the sickly deputy wouldn't live forever. Thrushpelt's voice breaks into her thoughts as he asks about the new deputy. Alarmed, Bluefur fears that he had overheard Goosefeather and her chatting. He reminds her that Featherwhisker only said the herbs would help, not that Tawnyspots would recover. She feels a wave of relief that he didn't overhear.
:Thrushpelt meows that Thistleclaw's got his heart set on it, although Adderfang was clearly the logical choice. Bluefur uses the same argument that Goosefeather had used on her: that Sunstar prefers youth to experience. Thrushpelt blinks and notes he hadn't thought of that, but then changes the subject and asks her if she's hungry. Uncomfortable, Bluefur hunches her shoulders and replies that she would keep Rosetail company, and briskly takes a sparrow from the fresh-kill pile and hurries away to go join her friend.
:She passes Dappletail and Stormtail sitting by the nettle patch, sharing a squirrel. Bluefur remembers that the Clan was waiting for an announcement of coming kits, but hears Poppydawn tell Swiftbreeze that some she-cats never had kits, even if they wanted to. She continues through the camp, noticing Sparrowpelt and Fuzzypelt patching the nursery wall, and outside the nursery Robinwing was intently washing Whitekit. The little kit tries to interact with Bluefur, but is held back by Robinwing, who was still washing him. When she settles down beside Rosetail, the she-cat is watching Thrushpelt and comments that she had never seen any cat so disappointed, which aggravates Bluefur. Then Rosetail demands to know what's wrong with her for dismissing Thrushpelt so hastily. She responds impatiently that she doesn't have time for a mate, and Rosetail asks why. Bluefur ignores the question and begins washing her face.
:Afterward she watches Goosefeather pad into the clearing with burrs sticking from his pelt. The unkempt medicine cat takes a piece of prey from the fresh-kill pile and starts wolfing it down. Bluefur is annoyed that he has to eat so loudly, and tries to imagine him as a fit young apprentice, but can't. She also finds it hard to believe that he and Moonflower had been littermates.
:Suddenly Tigerpaw bursts into the clearing, followed by his mentor. The tabby apprentice asks quickly if they could practice battle moves again, but Thistleclaw answers that he could practice on his own, and growls that he should use his imagination. Bluefur stiffens as Tigerpaw's gaze falls on Whitekit, who was dozing beside Robinwing in a patch of sunlight. Relief floods through her as she watches the apprentice continue searching for a battle partner. Then Tigerpaw randomly boasts that he can fight a whole Clan of enemies, amusing Poppydawn, who chimes that RiverClan had better watch out.
:Leopardfoot approaches her son and sniffs his pelt, asking if he had any injuries. He replies no and shows his mother a battle move that he learned during the training session, and Brindlekit and Frostkit come to watch, their eyes round with interest. When Adderfang and Stormtail compliment Tigerpaw, Bluefur narrows her eyes, but is impressed by the young apprentice's durability and his sharp claws. She also notices that Goosefeather is the only cat who doesn't look up to or admire Tigerpaw. Goosefeather then mutters an apology to StarClan under his breath, saying that Tigerpaw should've never survived. Bluefur glances around warily, realizing she was the only cat who heard him, and wonders if Goosefeather believes that Tigerpaw should have died.
==Characters==
===Major===
*Bluefur
===Minor===
===Mentioned===
==Important events==
===Ceremonies===
==Notes and references==
fr:La prophétie d'Étoile Bleue/Chapitre 31
Category:Super Edition arc
Category:Bluestar's Prophecy
Category:Chapter subpages