BØØK TWØ--A Shattered Start

Chapter 21

Thank starclan... Blue thought as he watched Silverpaw bound away.

"Continue," Winterpaw insisted, scooting closer. Blue felt his body tremble at the sudden closeness and gulped.

"I thought that maybe one day we would be more than just friends," he murmured quickly.

"That could happen," Winterpaw purred. She rubbed her cheek against his purring and looked him im the eye to see shock. "I can see this happening," she whispered.

"Really?" Bluepaw purred, brightening up.

"Of course!" Winterpaw purred, licking his cheek happily.

Bluepaw purred gently then looked at her warm green gaze.

"Blue! Winterpaw!" Thistlestar is going to make an announcment!" Snowsoar called suddenly sending the two apart and skidding over to the apprentices.

"And no, you're not becoming warriors," Bramblefur added in amusment as the young cats ran over to see Hollowthorn, Bramblefur and Snowsoar waiting with bright eyes.

"Dang it," Winterpaw sighed. Bluepaw looked up at his old mentors warm gaze to his father's, feeling at home at last.

The cats gathered around Thistlestar as she looked down at her Clan.

Blue saw the three unfamiliar cats. A black and white Tuxedo Tom, a dark tabby shecat and a brindle brown shecat. I wonder who they are Blue pondered to himself before looking up to face the grey leader on Highrock.

"Cats of Skyclan, today a memorable apprentice has returned after being kidnapped by a Rogue pack. Bluepaw, welcome back." Thistlestar purred.

Bluepaw smiled and looked at the grey shecat kindly.

"These cats have come to Skyclan for help," Thistlestar continued after a quick warm glance at Bluepaw. "They need us to help them,"

"They are strangers," Leafclaw spoke up from the base of highrock.

"Rippleseed, Cloverpetal, and Tigerapple. Welcome to the Clan. They have had training from different Clans, but were kicked out for reasons unknown, so be watchful." Thistlestar mewed. Bluepaw gave the newcomers a reproachful look as they padded past to speak to some warriors, followed by Thistlestar.

"This is outrageous," Bramblefur hissed from beside Bluepaw.

"They shouldn't let strangers in," Hollowthorn said sharply.

"What if they are spies?" Echostorm piped up with a cold glint in her eyes.

"They could be anything!" Blazeecho declared with a furious lash of his tail.

"Snowsoar?" Hollowthorn asked.

"This could be what the next prophecy has been waiting for," she murmured. Bluepaw glanced at Winterpaw with a puzzled look and followed her to where Bonepaw and Darkpaw were seated with Specklepaw, Fawnpaw, and Silverpaw.

"Prophecy?" Bluepaw asked.

"Yes. We've been waiting for one," Winterpaw began.

"Right," Bluepaw replied.

Hollowthorn looked at Snowsoar, yawning.

"Do you think..." Snowsoar stammered.

"Maybe. Our kits are heir of the prophecy." Hollowthorn mewed.