Herbs and Claws

Prologue

A young blue-grey she cat sat in the middle of her territory, her blue eyes filled with raw grief for a dead Clanmate. Not just any Clanmate, but her deputy. Now, you could guess who the she cat was. The leader of her Clan. She perked her ears, turning her head as she heard a rustle in the bushes. It didn't sound like a mouse. The pawsteps were too heavy. Was it an enemy Clan, infiltrating her territory, or just another ThunderClan cat? She jumped to her paws as she heard a rumble, full of the recognizable note of teasing.       

"Hello, Bluestar," a deep voice mewed from the shadows. Bluestar's eyes ajusted to the gloom, and she saw her former apprentice, a dark brown tabby tom cat with many stripes and scars. His amber eyes sparkled. Bluestar let out a chuckle. "Hello, Tigerclaw. You scared me out of my fur!" She purred. Tigerclaw shrugged. "It's what I do best, I guess," the young tom joked, his eyes shining. Bluestar shoved him playfully. She stretched her paws, age suddenly showing in her bones. She looked up at the stars. She jumped once again as a small tortoiseshell she cat padded quietly out of the bushes. Bluestar relaxed quickly, dipping her head to the cat who smelled of herbs. "Spottedleaf, hello."

Tigerclaw dipped his head in respect. "I'll go hunt," he offered politely, to leave the two she-cats in peace. Bluestar smiled warmly. "Alright."

The two she-cats looked at the stars, side by side. Bluestar looked at Spottedleaf. "Has StarClan spoken to you?" She queried. Spottedleaf hung her head. "Not for some moons, Bluestar."

Suddenly, she froze, her fur bristling, and her eyes widening. She shivered, and her jaws were open in a breathless yowl. Then, it all ended, and she was looking down, eyes closed, ominous.

"Fire shall save the Clan, but not in a way you expect," she meowed, her voice thick with emotion, and full of pain and anger. She looked up, her yellow eyes confused, as if she was recovering from something. Bluestar tipped her head to one side. "But fire is feared by all the Clans! How can it save us? And how will it save us?"

Spottedleaf looked at her paws. "All I know is this is what StarClan wishes to share with me," she murmured, looking up at Bluestar, wide eyed. Bluestar lay her tail on Spottedleaf's shoulder. "I have never doubted you before, Spottedleaf. It must be so. Fire will save the Clan, in an unexpected way."

                                                                                             END OF PROLOGUE