Bluestar's Choice

Chapter Two

Bluefur woke up, feeling sick. It was morning, and the last thing she remembered was taking a nap. Bluefur tried to laugh. That was a long nap! But she couldn't even stifle a purr.

She checked that the kits were sleeping, and they were. Sleeping soundly in her own nest. I wonder who put them to sleep, Bluefur thought. They wouldn't have gone to sleep if I didn't tell them to.

Bluefur cascaded out of the den, carefully and quietly so she wouldn't wake her kits. Fresh air poured on her, and she saw that most of her clan was already awake.

She saw Featherwhisker pacing in and out of the medicine den, and Bluefur saw her speak to Fuzzypelt. Fuzzypelt nodded and ran off. Featherwhisker probably needed a herb that wasn't in her herb store, Bluefur thought.

Bluefur decided to go and talk to Featherwhisker. "Hi." she mewed as she padded up to her. Featherwhisker looked down at her and responded quickly, "Hello."

Featherwhisker looked panicked. "How is Tawnyspots?" Bluefur asked, concerned. Featherwhisker started pacing around in circles. "He's really, really, really ill." she admitted. "I don't think there's much I could help him with anymore."

Bluefur bristled. "Of course you could! You need to." Bluefur said sharply. Featherwhisker looked at her, surprise clouding her gaze, then worry.

"StarClan decides his fate now." Bluefur was sure her anger was showing. If Tawnyspots dies, then Thistleclaw would be made deputy...

"StarClan better let him live." she growled. Bluefur bounded away quickly, but she felt Featherwhisker's questioning gaze following her.

Bluefur was so lost in thought, that she didn't notice Thrushpelt was padding up to her. She stopped. "Hi Bluefur." Thrushpelt mewed happily. "Why do you look so... upset?" he asked, worry spreading through him.

"Tawnyspots is really ill." Bluefur explained, and in a lower whisper, she mewed, "Don't tell Thistleclaw."

Thrushpelt nodded, surprised. "I won't." he promised, half-jokingly, he added smugly, "If you could stop me."

Bluefur felt outraged. This wasn't the time for jokes! But Bluefur didn't want to be unkind to Thrushpelt, when he had only been kind-hearted to her from kithood to now.

"Try me." she mewed. She tried to sound soft and sarcastic, but a low growl followed. Thrushpelt either seemed to not hear, or ignored it. "Oh– I don't want to! Please, I'm so sorry, Bluestar." Thrushpelt pleaded.

"Very funny." she growled. Bluestar, Bluefur thought, I like that. She cleared her throat. "I'm serious. It isn't funny when Tawnyspots' life is at cost."

She instantly felt guilty as Thrustpelt's delight faded. He looked overwhelmed and guilty himself. "I'm sorry." he mewed. "But you looked so upset, I just wanted to cheer you up."

Bluefur's heart lurched. He loved her. He really did. And he never stopped loving her. "No, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have snapped at you like that. I just feel sad. Tawnyspots still has moons left to live, and I didn't want it to all go to waste because of some dumb sickness."

Thrushpelt seemed satisfied and happy about her apology. He nudged her shoulder. "We can agree on one thing right? The sickness is so stupid and dumb!" Thrushpelt joked. Bluefur forced a purr. "Aren't "stupid" and "dumb" the same thing?" Bluefur retorted.

"Even a kit can tell the difference between those words!" Thrushpelt teased. He added softly, "But you're not either of those things."

Bluefur suddenly felt warm. Maybe I can live life with Thrushpelt. She imagined him with her. Joking all the time, and trying to help her feel better through the worst. But what about Oakheart, her mind challenged her. He's from a different Clan! I decided I won't talk to him anymore, Bluefur argued.

Yeah sure, her mind argued back. "Bluefur?" Thrushpelt's voice interrupted her thoughts. "Are you day-dreaming?" Thrushpelt teased. "What about?" he asked, though Bluefur could see more than curiosity beneath his voice.

I wouldn't be day-dreaming about you, when you're talking to me mouse-brain, Bluefur thought.

"About things." Bluefur mewed, but she couldn't help adding, "Not about you." Though that was probably a lie.

She saw Thrushpelt bristle, and the hurt in his eyes transferred to Bluefur

"Sorry." She apologized. Bluefur added smugly, "Maybe I was lying though."

Thrushpelt looked so delighted and happy that Bluefur wouldn't want to take back her words.

"Do you want to go hunting with me?" Thrushpelt asked wryly.

"Who are you, Clan deputy?" Bluefur regretted her words as Thrushpelt's gaze lifted to the medicine den.

"Maybe..." he trailed off. Bluefur nudged him affectionately. "Of course I'll go hunting with you, you stupid fur-ball.

Thrushpelt gazed fondly at her. "Then let's go."

~~