Bluefur couldn't get Goosefeather's words out of her head. You must give up your kits, Bluefur! The fire must burn alone!
She shook her head. There had to be another way.
She could be deputy and a mother, couldn't she? Sunstar could choose her to be the next deputy, and could have someone be come temporary deputy while she was in the nursery. She just had find a way to convince him, and- no.
What was she thinking? Sunstar would want his new deputy to be by his side as soon as possible. He'd never choose a queen like herself!
The only way to save ThunderClan would be to give up her kits. But she couldn't do that. She couldn't abandon them and leave them for Oakheart and RiverClan. They should know who they really were. And only Bluefur could tell them.
These kits could save ThunderClan. She didnt have to.
As she watched Mosskit stumbled and bumped her nose. Bluefur bounded out to help her kit.
"Are you alright Mosskit?" She asked.
"I'm alright." Mosskit squeaked. Bluefur licked her head, feeling a sense of pride over her kits. They were so strong, and brave. Just like their father. Oh my precious kits, how could I ever have thought about giving you up! I t was then that Bluefur finalized her decision. Her kits would stay in ThunderClan.
Bluefur entered the elders den, intending to talk to Goosefeather. "Goosefeather," she walked up to him "may I speak with you in private?" Goosefeather just squinted at her, until she added "It's about the kits." Then he got and shook his pelt, his eyes bright and eager. "Come with me. I have a place where we can talk undisturbed." He padded out of the den.
Bluefur followed Goosefeather out of the camp and into the forest. They stopped in a small clearing. Goosefeather turned to her. "So. Has Oakheart agreed to take the kits?"
Bluefur gave him a look of pure disgust, taken aback by how easily he could see her as so heartless. "Why would I bring them to RiverClan, when they could stay here? My kits deserve a mother's love, Goosefeather!"
"You'll doom the clan, Bluefur! Thistleclaw will unleash rivers of blood, and there will be no stopping him! You're kits will die, and so will many others!"
"No. I'm making the right choice, Goosefeather. Another cat can stop Thistleclaw instead of me."
"And how many will die in the process?"
"Your just trying to convince me to give them up." Bluefur snarled.
"You can't hide from the truth Bluefur." Goosefeather told her.
"I'm not hiding," Bluefur retorted "because it's not the truth."
Goosefeather growled. "So be it. But your stubbornness will be the end of you." At that, Bluefur whirled away, running back to camp. Running from the truth.
Goosefeather walked back to camp, following Bluefur at a steady pace. He suddenly had a strange feeling. He turned around, and saw a blue fire, burning on a thistle patch. "Great StarClan. It's an omen. Kin of the blazing blue fire will strike down the thistle of blood for is not doomed after all."
"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the high rock for a clan meeting!" Bluefur padded out of the nursery when she heard the traditional call. This is it. She thought. Thistleclaw's deputy ceremony.
"Tawnypelt has retired to the elders den after serving the clan." Sunstar said after the clan had gathered. "Therefore, we need a new deputy.I say these words before StarClan so that they may hear and aprove my choice. Thistleclaw will be the new deputy."
The clan cheered. "Thistleclaw! Thistleclaw!" However, Bluefur did not join in. She sat in stony silence, watching. She had a sinking sensation that she should have been up their instead...
But she had made her choice. This was it. Thistleclaw would be the next leader. And he would unleash blood and suffering.
