A Blazing Sight

Chapter 1

     In a deserted clearing, an old gray she-cat sat alone, staring up at the clear night sky. All around her inthe shadows she could hear the breathing and stirrings of sleeping cats.

 A small tortoiseshell she-cat emerged from a dark corner, her pawsteps quick and soundless.

 The gray cat dipped her head in greeting. "How is Mousefur?" she meowed

"Her wounds are deep, Bluestar," answered the tortoiseshell, settling herself on the night-cool grass."But she is young and strong; she will heal quickly."

"And the others?""They will all recover, too."

Bluestar sighed. "We are lucky not to have lost any of our warriors this time. You are a gifted medicinecat, Spottedleaf." She tilted her head again and studied the stars. "I am deeply troubled by tonight's defeat.ThunderClan has not been beaten in its own territory since I became leader," she murmured. "These aredifficult times for our Clan. The season of newleaf is late, and there have been fewer kits. ThunderClan needsmore warriors if it is to survive."

"But the year is only just beginning," Spottedleaf pointed out calmly. "There will be more kits whengreenleaf comes."

The gray cat twitched her broad shoulders. "Perhaps. But training our young to become warriors takestime. If ThunderClan is to defend its territory, it must have new warriors as soon as possible."

"Are you asking StarClan for answers?" meowed Spottedleaf gently, following Bluestar's gaze andstaring up at the swath of stars glittering in the dark sky.

"It is at times like this we need the words of ancient warriors to help us. Has StarClan spoken to you?"Bluestar asked. 

"Not for some moons, Bluestar." 

Suddenly a shooting star blazed over the treetops. As it flew pass, it blazed into ice blue. Spottedleaf's tail twitched and the fur along her spinebristled. She inhaled sharply. "Fire. Fire and Ice. They will save our clan" 

Bluestar turned to her and sighed "If its a sign from starclan it must be correct"

Spottedleaf stood, nodded, then turned to walk away.