Moth Flight’s Vision

Chapter 28

Moth Flight threaded among the rustling bracken stems, following her Clanmates into Fourtrees, where the full moon blanched the clearing.

The scents of RiverClan and ThunderClan swirled on the warm evening breeze. She scanned the cats below, recognizing Thunder and River Ripple moving among the gathered cats, dipping their heads in greeting, while their Clanmates clustered in groups, heads close as they shared gossip.

Silver Stripe and Black Ear stampeded past Moth Flight, White Tail leading, their tails flapping excitedly. It was their first full-moon Gathering. They’d been restless all day, excited at the thoughts of seeing new faces and smelling new scents.

“Slow down!” Slate hurried at their heels, her fur rippling anxiously along her spine as her kits burst into the clearing.

Eyes flashed in the moonlight as muzzles jerked around, clearly surprised by the commotion.

Slate dodged in front of White Tail, hissing sternly. “Calm down. I don’t want RiverClan and ThunderClan thinking I raised a pack of foxes!”

As the bracken thinned around her, Moth Flight’s thoughts flashed to her own kits back in camp. Rocky had promised to watch them and make sure they were tucked in their nest by the time she returned. Spotted Fur and Holly had also stayed behind with Eagle Feather, Fern Leaf, Reed Tail, and Storm Pelt. With border tensions running high, Wind Runner had not wanted to leave the camp unguarded and, for once, Moth Flight was grateful for her mother’s caution.

Not that she believed SkyClan would attack. But if a stray dog or hungry fox found their way into camp, she knew her kits would be well protected.

This was her first Gathering in moons, and the first time she’d see the other medicine cats together since the last time she’d traveled to the Moonstone with Micah. She quickened her pace, falling in beside Dust Muzzle. Her Clanmates flanked them, moving wordlessly through the bracken. There was tension in their hunched shoulders and flicking tails as they neared the bottom of the slope. Wind Runner led the way into the clearing, her eyes narrowed. Moth Flight knew that her mother had come to settle scores, and anxiety wormed in her belly. Please let her remember the full-moon truce.

She glanced at the brambly slope at the other side of the clearing, looking for signs of SkyClan. But Clear Sky hadn’t arrived yet and the woods beyond were eerily silent.

“Moth Flight!” Following Dust Muzzle from the bracken, she recognized Dappled Pelt’s mew. The RiverClan medicine cat was hurrying toward her, Cloud Spots at her heels.

As Dust Muzzle followed Wind Runner into the throng of cats, Dappled Pelt stopped in front of Moth Flight. Her eyes shone. “How are the kits?”

“They’re well,” Moth Flight told her. In the moon since they’d been born, they’d grown more boisterous each day. Even

Blue Whisker had started exploring the camp with her littermates. Only that morning, the yellow-and-white she-kit had climbed the stones beside the camp entrance and called to Moth

Flight from the top, her fur fluffed with delight.

Cloud Spots jerked Moth Flight from the memory, flicking his tail happily. “Dappled Pelt says they have Micah’s coloring.”

“Honey Pelt looks just like him,” Moth Flight told him proudly.

Cloud Spots purred. “I’m sure Micah’s watching them from StarClan.”

He is. Happiness surged through Moth Flight as she remembered her dream.

Silver Stripe’s excited mew sounded behind her. “Please can we talk to the others?”

She turned to see the pale tabby pacing around her brothers.

Black Ear was staring wide-eyed at the gathered cats, while

White Tail gazed around thoughtfully, his nose twitching.

“RiverClan cats smell funny,” he commented.

“Hush!” Slate lowered her voice. “They smell a bit fishy, that’s all.”

“I want to ask them if they really swim!” Silver Stripe whispered.

Moth Flight nodded toward a pair of RiverClan cats. “Go and talk to Drizzle.” She’d spotted the gray-and-white she-kit—a young cat now—standing beside her brother.

Pine Needle had grown; his shoulders were broader and his black pelt was as sleek as an otter’s. He stared around the clearing, his eyes round. Moth Flight wondered if it was his first

Gathering too.

Silver Stripe padded impatiently around Slate. “Can we?” she begged.

But Black Ear was already crossing the clearing toward the young RiverClan cats.

Slate’s ears twitched. “Of course.”

Silver Stripe hared after her brother, White Tail at her heels.

“Don’t forget to be polite!” Slate called after them.

Dappled Pelt watched the young cats race away. “Gray Wing would have been proud of them.”

Slate blinked at her sadly. “He always wanted kits of his own,” she murmured. “I just wish he’d had a chance to watch them grow up.”

Moth Flight swept her tail along Slate’s spine. “He’s probably watching them right now.” Just like Micah watches over our kits.

Wind Runner’s angry mew rang across the clearing. She faced Thunder, her eyes flashing accusingly in the moonlight. “I knew you’d defend him.”

River Ripple padded between the two leaders. “We should wait and let Clear Sky speak for himself.”

Wind Runner scowled. “We’ve heard enough lies from him.”

As she spoke, grass swished at the top of the hollow. Lithe bodies swarmed down the far slope.

Clear Sky? Moth Flight stiffened. Would Wind Runner manage to keep her temper? Would she openly accuse the SkyClan leader of sending hunting patrols onto their land? And what would happen when Clear Sky accused her in return?

ShadowClan scent washed over her and she recognized Tall Shadow’s pelt, hardly more than a shadow in the long grass.

Dappled Pelt eyed Moth Flight anxiously. “Are there still hunting disputes between WindClan and SkyClan?”

“Yes.” Moth Flight’s pelt prickled. “Clear Sky has banned any cat from crossing his borders.”

Cloud Spots blinked. “How will you fetch catmint from Twolegplace?”

Dappled Pelt didn’t give her a chance to answer. “What about Acorn Fur? Did you finish training her?”

Moth Flight dropped her gaze guiltily. “I tried, but Clear Sky won’t let her leave and I can’t get past the border to see her.”

She watched the ShadowClan cats weave among the waiting cats, greeting them with nods and flicks of their tail. Murmured gossip hummed in the evening air.

Shattered Ice gazed grimly at Mud Paws. “Clear Sky’s patrolling his borders again.”

“Pebble Heart was turned away when he tried to gather borage,” Juniper Branch told Milkweed.

Moth Flight saw pelts ripple with apprehension. Milkweed glanced nervously toward the bramble-covered slope where SkyClan usually made its entrance. Dawn Mist moved closer to Drizzle and Pine Needle.

Pebble Heart reached the medicine cats, his eyes round with worry. “I thought the prey dispute would have blown over by now, but it’s gotten worse.”

Moth Flight’s ears twitched uneasily. “Clear Sky has stopped me from training Acorn Fur,” she told him. “He won’t let any cat cross his border. He’s been sending hunting patrols onto our land again.”

Pebble Heart’s gaze darkened.

“Sparrow Fur and Acorn Fur both say that Clear Sky hasn’t sent hunting patrols onto our land but Willow Tail swears she’s seen Red Claw taking WindClan prey across the border.” Moth Flight glanced at Willow Tail. The pale tabby stood in a circle of ThunderClan and RiverClan cats, her eyes flashing with malice as she talked. Moth Flight’s belly tightened. Why was she so determined to stir up trouble? She lowered her voice. “Wind Runner’s started sending hunting patrols onto SkyClan land to teach Clear Sky a lesson.”

Pebble Heart’s tail twitched. “This needs to stop now before it gets serious.” He glanced up the slope hopefully. “Perhaps when Clear Sky arrives we can talk some sense into him and Wind Runner.”

Moth Flight’s heart lurched. “Do you think they’re ready to listen to us?” She glanced at Cloud Spots and Dappled Pelt.

How much influence did any of them have over their leaders?

Cloud Spots swished his tail. “We speak for StarClan.”

Dappled Pelt frowned. “From what I’ve heard, Clear Sky has no time for StarClan.”

Pebble Heart glanced at the stars, sparkling high overhead.

“They’re his ancestors as well as ours.”

“We should hold the meeting without him!” Wind Runner’s angry mew rang once more across the clearing. As Moth Flight turned, the WindClan leader shouldered her way through the crowd and leaped onto the great rock.

Wind Runner glared at Thunder, River Ripple, and Tall Shadow. “Why should we show him respect by waiting when he shows us none by being late?” She lashed her tail, her brown pelt pale in the moonlight. “He probably won’t come at all!

That’s how little he values us.”

Tall Shadow weaved past Juniper Branch and Milkweed, glancing at Sun Shadow before jumping up beside Wind Runner. River Ripple followed slowly, his pelt ruffled. Thunder hesitated, checking the SkyClan slope once more before leaping onto the rock.

Wind Runner’s gaze swept the Clans as the cats crowded closer and raised their muzzles to their leaders.

“We must treat Clear Sky as he has treated us!” she yowled.

“If he wants to stop all cats from crossing his land, then we must turn our tails on him!”

Thunder stared at her, ears twitching. “What do you mean?”

“From now on, SkyClan is not one of us,” Wind Runner showed her teeth. “They do not exist. They must survive alone.”

“No!” Thunder bristled. “Clear Sky must have closed his borders for a good reason. You say he’s being hostile. For all we know, he’s simply defending his land. You claim that SkyClan has stolen prey from you! But where’s your proof? They’re not even here to defend themselves.”

River Ripple nodded. “Clear Sky should at least be given a fair hearing.”

“Why?” Tall Shadow narrowed her eyes. “He hasn’t even shown up. Clearly, he doesn’t consider himself one of us. Of course you defend him, Thunder; he’s your father. But why should we doubt Wind Runner’s word? She has never lied before. Clear Sky has been lying since he was a kit. Have you forgotten his treachery to Gray Wing? He started the Great

Battle! We have been patient with him long enough! We will be stronger without SkyClan.”

Stronger without SkyClan? Outrage surged in Moth Flight’s belly. Didn’t these cats realize that banishing a Clan would be like pulling a woven twig from a nest? Each twig made it strong. Once you began to unravel it, the whole nest might collapse. “We cannot turn our tails on another Clan!” She was shocked to hear her own voice ring loudly across the clearing.

Eyes flashed toward her.

Dappled Pelt lifted her chin. “We came from the mountains together. We share blood and memories.”

“Unite or die!” Cloud Spots yowled. “Don’t you remember the Great Battle? The spirit-cats told us afterward that we could not live without each other.”

“Unite or die!” Thunder stepped to the edge of the rock. “If we are to survive, we must act together. This dispute must be ended with words, not deeds.”

“Words?” Wind Runner spat. “Since when did Clear Sky ever resolve anything with words? He only knows how to use his claws and this is the only way we can avoid battle. We must shun Clear Sky, before he starts another war.”

Moth Flight stared at her mother. “What about the rest of SkyClan? It’s they who will suffer if we abandon them.”

Willow Tail called from among the crowd. “How will they suffer? They won’t starve. They have enough prey in the forest.”

Shattered Ice lifted his muzzle. “Clear Sky has always caused trouble for the Clans. Without him, we can have peace.”

“But their medicine cat hasn’t finished her training!” Moth

Flight whisked her tail angrily. “Who will care for their sick?

And what if they need herbs that only grow beside the river, or on the moor? Do we turn them away and let their Clanmates die?”

Juniper Branch spoke up. “The Clans must work together. I only survived my kitting because Moth Flight helped Pebble Heart. Now I have three healthy kits!”

Muted murmurs of agreement rippled through the Clans.

Willow Tail silenced them. “A few moons ago, we didn’t even have medicine cats! We survived then. We’ll survive now!”

Moth Flight swung her gaze toward the she-cat. “StarClan ordered us to care for our Clans. Would you go against

StarClan?”

“Why not?” Willow Tail snapped. “They’re dead! They know nothing about the living.”

“That’s not true!” Moth Flight lashed her tail. “They watch over us.”

River Ripple nudged past Thunder, his eyes glittering with starlight. “StarClan brought peace. They see things we cannot.”

He stared at Willow Tail. “Do you think you know better than they do?”

Willow Tail looked away, her pelt rippling.

Thunder glanced gratefully at the RiverClan leader. “We cannot make hasty decisions without speaking to Clear Sky.”

Wind Runner growled. “It’s not your border that Clear Sky has crossed. It’s not your prey he’s stolen. It’s clear that he wants to push us into war. I am only suggesting a way that a battle might be avoided. By cutting him off, we are sending a strong message: We won’t fight with him. We will patrol our borders and protect our land, but we will not fight. He is on his own.” She glared suddenly at Moth Flight. “And that means medicine cats too. You will not share your knowledge with Acorn Fur. You must go to the Moonstone without her. She is forbidden from your meetings.”

Moth Flight’s hackles lifted. You don’t have the right to decide that! She opened her mouth to object but Wind Runner pressed on.

“This is the best way to stop Clear Sky. You’ve seen him drag us into war before. Help me stop him from doing it again.”

As her gaze swept beseechingly over the Clans, yowls of agreement filled the still night air.

“Cut him off!”

“Forget SkyClan!”

Moth Flight blinked at her mother. Was she really going to deprive SkyClan of help and healing? What would StarClan say? She glanced around her Clanmates, disappointment weighing in her chest. Dew Nose and Swift Minnow were joining in with the cheering.

Gorse Fur lifted his muzzle. “It’s the only way to avoid war!”

Moth Flight stared at her father in disbelief. Wind Runner was hotheaded, but Gorse Fur had always tempered her rashness with reason. Why was he going along with this madness?

A yowl sounded at the top of the hollow. The Clans fell silent, their eyes flashing as they turned to see who had called.

Sparrow Fur was haring down the slope. “Help!”

The gathered cats parted and let her race to the center.

The tortoiseshell gazed around, her eyes wide with horror.

“Where’s Moth Flight? Pebble Heart?” She scanned the Clans desperately.

Moth Flight pushed her way through the cats, Pebble Heart at her heels. “What’s happened?”

Sparrow Fur stared at her. “Tiny Branch is hurt! He got his paw trapped! There was a fox. We fought it off but Tiny Branch—”

Dappled Pelt burst from the crowd. “Was he bitten?”

Sparrow Fur nodded, her eyes wild. “It’s bad. We’ve carried him back to camp, but he’s unconscious.”

“Fox bites cause infection.” Cloud Spots nosed his way past

Dappled Pelt. “They must be treated at once.”

Sparrow Fur was trembling. “Acorn Fur can’t stop the bleeding.”

Moth Flight’s heart lurched. Tiny Branch was less than six moons old. If the blood loss didn’t kill him, the shock might.

“Come on.” She began to race for the side of the hollow.

Wind Runner’s snarl made her stop. “Where are you going?”

“I have to help Tiny Branch!” She skidded to a halt and glared at Wind Runner.

“I told you! SkyClan is on their own!” Wind Runner’s eyes blazed with fury.

“You decided that!” Moth Flight hissed. “I’m a medicine cat. I won’t stand by and let cats die.”

Shocked mews sounded around her.

“She can’t go!”

“She must!”

“What about the kits?”

“That’s Clear Sky’s problem!”

Shattered Ice blocked her path. “Clear Sky must learn that he can’t push the other Clans around.”

Moth Flight flexed her claws. “Get out of my way.”

A low growl rumbled behind her. Dust Muzzle stalked past and faced Shattered Ice. “Let her pass. Tiny Branch shouldn’t have to pay for his father’s mistakes.” He looked meaningfully at Thunder.

Thunder dropped his gaze. “Let her go, Shattered Ice.”

Shattered Ice glared at Thunder, hackles raised. “You’re not my leader.”

“But I am.” River Ripple stepped forward. “Let her pass.”

Growling, Shattered Ice backed away.

Moth Flight glanced at Dust Muzzle. “Thank you.” Breaking into a run, she pelted up the slope. Sparrow Fur charged after her, Cloud Spots, Dappled Pelt, and Pebble Heart at his heels.

Sparrow Fur dodged in front of her as they reached the top of the slope. “Follow me!”

Zigzagging past brambles and leaping logs, she blazed a winding trail through the thick woodland. Moth Flight’s chest burned as she raced to keep up. Behind her, she could hear the thrumming paw steps of Cloud Spots, Dappled Pelt, and Pebble Heart.

As the forest floor began to slope down, she recognized the glade where Sparrow Fur had stopped her and sent her home only a few days earlier. The tortoiseshell crossed it and headed for a thick clump of brambles. Ducking through a small gap at one edge, she disappeared. Moth Flight narrowed her eyes against the prickly stalks and followed her through, surprised to find herself emerging into a small hollow edged by trees and lush ferns.

Clear Sky stood in the center. Star Flower trembled beside him. The rest of SkyClan ringed around them, their horrified gazes fixed on a blood-soaked scrap of fur lying at Clear Sky’s paws.

Tiny Branch!

Moth Flight scrambled to a halt and crouched beside the kit.

She could hear her own heart pounding in her ears as she swiftly scanned his body. There were deep teeth wounds on his flank.

His hind paw was twisted and bloody, as though it had been yanked from a thorn bush. His eyes were closed, flickering slightly. His muzzle was clumped with dried blood.

She smelled the sharp tang of horsetail and marigold rising from Tiny Branch’s wound. Dried green pulp showed on his bloody fur. Acorn Fur had clearly been trying to treat him for some time. Moth Flight glanced at Clear Sky. “Where’s Acorn

Fur?”

“She went to find cobwebs.” Clear Sky’s mew was tight.

Moth Flight pictured the SkyClan medicine cat struggling alone to help Tiny Branch. Sympathy pricked at her heart. She wasn’t trained to deal with injuries as bad as this. She must be terrified. “She should have sent for help sooner.”

Clear Sky’s tail twitched. “SkyClan doesn’t ask for help unless there’s no choice.”

Did you stop her? Moth Flight angrily swallowed back the words. Picking a fight with Clear Sky wouldn’t help Tiny

Branch.

Star Flower didn’t wrench her gaze from her kit. “Will he be okay?”

Moth Flight didn’t answer. “Where’s her herb store?”

Clear Sky stared at her blankly. “I don’t think she has one.”

Red Claw stepped forward. “She’s been gathering herbs for a while,” he told his leader.

Moth Flight turned to the dark red tom. “Where are they?”

Red Claw began to lead the way to a short steep slope where the roots of an oak snaked into the earth.

As Moth Flight straightened to follow, she felt Dappled Pelt’s nose on her shoulder.

“I’ll go with him.”

“Bring every herb she’s got,” Moth Flight told her. She glanced at Pebble Heart. “What can we do?” She wasn’t sure which wound to treat first.

Pebble Heart crouched beside Tiny Branch while Cloud

Spots shooed the Clan backward, making room on the kit’s other side.

Pebble Heart pressed his paws on the brightest wound, where blood was still welling. “We need to stop this bleeding first. It’s the worst injury.”

Moth Flight slipped her paws under his. “I’ll press the blood back while you check the rest of him.” Warmth oozed under her pads. Fear flashed beneath her pelt, but she ignored it.

Cloud Spots sniffed Tiny Branch’s mangled hind paw. “This needs wet nettles to take down the swelling.”

Moth Flight looked toward the slope, relieved to see Dappled Pelt hurrying back, a wad of leaves in her jaws.

“Are there any nettles in there?” Moth Flight asked as Dappled Pelt dropped the herbs beside her.

“No.” Dapped Pelt began to sort through the pile. “It’s mainly chervil and borage.”

Moth Flight stiffened, frustration flaring through her. If only she’d been allowed to finish training Acorn Fur! Her store would be fully stocked. She avoided Clear Sky’s gaze, swallowing back anger. Tiny Branch is his kit. This wasn’t the time to argue about borders.

“There’s some thyme here.” Dappled Pelt mewed hopefully.

Moth Flight frowned at the unconscious kit. “He can’t chew anything.”

“We could put a sprig under his tongue,” Pebble Heart suggested.

“That’s better than nothing.” Moth Flight pressed harder on the wound as Pebble Heart slipped a claw between Tiny

Branch’s lips and very gently levered his jaws open.

Alarm sparked in her belly. The kit’s breath was so weak she could hardly feel his flank move. He was as limp as dead prey.

She watched, her mouth dry, as Pebble Heart slid a thyme stalk beneath the kit’s tongue.

“You’re here!” Acorn Fur burst into camp. Moth Flight saw relief glistening in the SkyClan medicine cat’s gaze. Cobwebs swathed her forepaws and she hurried over and peeled them off.

Pebble Heart took them from her and began stuffing shreds into the bloodiest wound. He nodded to Acorn Fur. “Put your paws here.”

As she pressed the cobwebs deep into the bloody flesh, Pebble Heart ripped the remaining wad into two and gave one half to Cloud Spots. Between them, they wrapped every graze and bite they could see.

Moth Flight leaned down and listened to Tiny Branch’s chest. There was no bubbling inside, but his heart was fluttering like a trapped bird, weak with exhaustion. Her belly tightened.

She glanced at Star Flower.

The golden tabby she-cat must have seen the despair in her gaze. She recoiled, pressing her muzzle into Clear Sky’s shoulder.

Clear Sky’s dark gaze swept the medicine cats, then fixed on Moth Flight. “He’ll live, won’t he?”

Tiny Branch suddenly whimpered. His eyes flickered open for a moment. Then he jerked, and fell still.

Clear Sky stared at him, his mouth open.

Moth Flight pressed her ear to Tiny Branch’s chest once again.

Nothing.

Her thoughts raced to her own kits. Were they safely tucked up with Rocky? What if a fox had gotten into the camp? What if one of them had wandered alone onto the moor? Panic tugged at her belly. She needed to see them. She had to know they were okay. But first she had to tell Clear Sky his son was dead.

She looked at the SkyClan leader, pity twisting her heart.

“I’m so sorry.”

His eyes clouded. Pain flared in their blue depths. Moth

Flight was startled to see the tough Clan leader sway on his paws. Star Flower rocked beside him, her nose buried deep in his pelt.

Their Clanmates began to move around them. Blossom tugged a clump of damp moss from between the roots of a tree and carried it to Tiny Branch’s body. Gently she began to wipe the blood from his fur. Thorn and Quick Water pressed against

Star Flower, supporting her as Clear Sky stepped away and crouched beside their dead kit. He rested his nose softly on the kit’s head. “I should have been there, my son. I should have saved you.”

Moth Flight glanced at Acorn Fur.

The SkyClan medicine cat was staring bleakly at her leader.

Moth Flight got to her paws and pressed her nose to the brown she-cat’s cheek. “I don’t think any of us could have saved him,” she murmured.

“If only I’d had more cobwebs in my den,” she mewed thickly.

Pebble Heart straightened. “It would have taken more than cobwebs.”

“He’s with StarClan now,” Dappled Pelt gazed sympathetically at Acorn Fur. “You did all you could.”

The tugging in Moth Flight’s belly grew stronger. “I have to see my kits.” Guilt flashed through her as Clear Sky jerked up his nose and stared at her. “I’m sorry—” She began to apologize, but he cut her off.

“Go to them,” he growled hoarsely.

She backed toward the entrance, grief tearing at her heart. “I wish we could have come straight away.”

Clear Sky’s gaze hardened. “Why didn’t you?”

Moth Flight froze. She felt the anxious gazes of the other medicine cats flashed toward her.

Sparrow Fur stepped forward. “Wind Runner didn’t want her to come,” she mumbled. “She said that SkyClan was on its own.”

Clear Sky straightened, the muscles in his broad shoulders rippling.

Star Flower padded forward shakily. “She was going to let a kit die?”

“It’s not that simple.” Fear flashed through Moth Flight. She only wanted peace. “You need to speak with Wind Runner.”

Star Flower’s green eyes brimmed with pain. She turned away.

Clear Sky blinked at Moth Flight. “You should go,” he growled. “Your kits need you.”

Her heart pounding, Moth Flight turned and raced out of camp. The scent of Tiny Branch’s blood lingered on her tongue.

My kits! She had to know they were safe. She hared through the forest, her paws skidding on fallen leaves as she swerved among the brambles and ferns. She broke from the forest and pelted onto the moor. She needed to smell her kits and feel their warmth against her muzzle. Her gaze fixed on the distant hollow, she pushed against the coarse grass, racing breathlessly upslope. Bursting into camp, she bounded over the moonlit tussocks and ducked into her den.

Rocky lifted his head sleepily and blinked at her. The kits were curled against his belly. “I told you I’d have them tucked up by the time you got home.”

Peace enfolded Moth Flight as she gazed at her beautiful kits. Spider Paw stirred in his sleep, stretching a paw to rest it on Bubbling Stream’s muzzle. Bubbling Stream pushed it off and rolled over, a tiny whimper escaping as she snuggled against Blue Whisker’s pelt.

Moth Flight padded closer, breathing in their milky scent.

She closed her eyes and lifted her muzzle. Thank you, StarClan, for keeping them safe.