Bluestar

The island was especially cold that night. Bluestar shivered, kneading her paws on the ground in a futile attempt to keep warm. She was early. The only other cat here was Mudclaw. It was strange that ShadowClan were late. They were almost always the first to arrive.

As if on cue, three forms emerged from the black waters of the lake, stepping into the moonlight almost reluctantly, as if even straying that far from the shadows was difficult. Then Bluestar's heart almost stopped. There, standing in plain view, was Brokenstar. Bluestar unsheathed her claws and dropped into a crouch. Why is that fox heart here?

"Greetings, Bluestar. It's been a long time."

"You monster!" She hissed, "Why are you here? Come back to steal more kits?"

The ex-ShadowClan leader narrowed his eyes, "It would be wise not to insult me, Bluestar."

"And it would be wise for you to leave the Clans alone," growled Oakheart, flattening his ears as well. He was bigger than Brokenstar, and Bluestar knew that the rogue wouldn't dare attack him one on one.

"We're not leaving anyone alone until we get what Brokenstar wants."

Bluestar regarded Clawface coldly, "I used to think that you had at least a little bit of brains inside that ugly head, but you just proved me wrong. You're just blindly following a rogue. Look where it's got you so far."

Brokenstar didn't leave Clawface time to reply, "Getting kicked out of the Clans was more of a help than a harm. At least now I don't have to pretend to care about that stupid Warrior Code. And I still have my best warriors. Something you should keep in mind."

"Are you threatening me?"

"Oh no. I'm just pointing out that if it comes down to it, we're ready to fight, and we're ready to win. I would be careful if I were you."

"We beat you once, we can do it again." The two leaders glared at eachother, one Clan, one rogue.

Then Mudclaw broke the hostile silence, "So, why did you come here, Brokenstar?" His mew didn't carry any of the hostility that Bluestar's and Oakheart's had. Is he loyal to the Clans at all?

"I just wanted to let all of you know," the cat replied, "that I'm watching. I don't want you to keep refusing my cats like they're annoying kits. Because that annoys me. And annoying me has some very serious consequences."

Bluestar began to pad back towards the water, "Don't think you can force us to do anything you want."

Brokenstar lowered his ears, "You be careful what you say. You were lucky to get your kits back alive once. Maybe next time that won't happen."

Bluestar didn't even glance back, "Last time we beat you with a squad of our average warriors. Next time, we'll bring Tigerclaw." Then she waded into the water, and paddled away from the island.

She padded through the forest, back towards ThunderClan. There was something relaxing about the forest at night. There was no sound except the hooting of a far away owl. The stars peeked through tiny gaps in the canopy of leaves overhead. Bluestar let out a sigh of contentment, the first in a long time. ThunderClan was worth all of this. Then, a strange scent reached her nose. Bluestar whipped around, instantly on the alert. Then, to her shock and horror, Oakheart stepped out from behind a tree.

"Oakheart?" Bluestar mewed, unable to keep her surprise out of her voice. "What are you doing here?"

"The meeting broke up right after you left," Oakheart responded, his amber eyes shining in the light of the moon. Bluestar was about to reply, but Oakheart continued before she could. "Well, that's not important. I've been trying to find you, Bluestar. Trying to get you alone."

The urgency in Oakheart's voice stopped Bluestar. She looked up at the larger tom, her own blue eyes widening.

"Why?"

Oakheart's eyes softened, and in them, Bluestar could see worry. Whatever Oakheart's news was, it was important.

"Stumpytail and Clawface. At the last… er, Gathering, they told me, Whiteclaw, and Mudclaw that they wanted to kill you."

"K―kill me?" Bluestar repeated, her voice rising with near-panic. "Kill me?"

"Shh!" Oakheart cautioned, but Bluestar barely heard him.

"Why?" she demanded.

"How should I know? All they said was that they wanted you dead. I came to warn you, to tell you to watch your back. And whatever you do, don't―"

"Bluestar!"

Bluestar flinched. It was Dustpaw, most likely sent by Tigerclaw or Yellowfang to find her. She turned back toward Oakheart.

"You have to go. Now. I'll be careful, I promise."

"I know you will." Oakheart's eyes softened. "Goodbye, Bluestar." Then he turned and bounded away into the undergrowth, in the direction of the WindClan border.

A minute later, Dustpaw burst through the undergrowth and skidded to a stop in front of Bluestar.

"Bluestar!"

"What do you need, Dustpaw?" Bluestar asked calmly.

"Tigerclaw asked me to come find you―just to make sure you were, you know, safe."

Bluestar took a deep breath. "I'm fine, Dustpaw. I'll be back in camp soon."

The brown tabby apprentice nodded and bounded off again. Bluestar began the walk home, making sure to stay alert for danger.

Why would they want me dead? Bluestar thought, Does this have anything to do with Sparrowfeather and her mousebrained deal? But deep in her heart, Bluestar knew that that wasn't the case. She was dealing with a new enemy here.