Warrior Cats SERIES 1: North and South (Book 1)

Prologue

"T'is time," The dark grey shecat smiled, "I will take on an apprentice. You'll see, he is the perfect cat." Her ears flicked forward and her whiskers twitched, her tail waving as she spoke calmly. "StarClan has spoken."
           "StarClan must not have this will, they are wrong. I am sure that he is not who you are waiting for." He replied simply, "They must be confused with which cat." The black tomcat was curled in the corner of his den with his paws tucked under his chest, while his face showed a doubtful expression.
           The dark grey shecat did not speak, instead she nodded as if she completely understood the tomcat. She let her tail down and curl back around her,
           "Now, Rushingstar, we must not doubt StarClan. They have sent me a prophecy and I know now that he is the right choice." She paused before slowly continuing, "He may only be a kit now, but he is soon to be an apprentice and he will be mine."
           "Of course." Rushingstar's eyes narrowed, "If you suppose that he is worthy to be your apprentice, then your apprentice he shall be." He seemed to have decided that the shecat in front of him was talking sense. "This prophecy, Meltedfur - do you have any idea what it might mean?"
           "Most certainly. StarClan showed me a sign." The shecat lowered her head and her amber eyes glowed. "The winds have been colder than ever, this leaf-fall. They have been coming from the north, Rushingstar." She was speaking as though the tomcat wouldn't understand a word she was saying if she spoke faster.
           "Do you suppose that it is just a coincidence? Surely StarClan's will is not to push this kit into the responsibility of a medicine cat?" Rushingstar disagreed in a decisive tone.
           "So you doubt, Rushingstar, the will of StarClan?" Meltedfur's tone turned cold but her expression stayed calm.
           "Of course not, Meltedfur. I am most simply saying that StarClan may be pulling you in the wrong direction." The tomcat flicked his tail and shook his head. "I certainly do not doubt the will of StarClan, for they have lead us through the darkest times." Rushingstar shook his mane and looked back at Meltedfur, his beloved medicine cat.
          "In that case, Rushingstar." Meltedfur's ears turned out sideways, "I shall leave you be to decide in your own time. He will be ready in a quarter-moon to become an apprentice."
          "And I will be ready to appoint him as your apprentice, Meltedfur." Rushingstar dipped his head, "For now, I must ask Coralclaw for patrols." Meltedfur nodded and dipped her head, backing out of his den.