“Moth Flight!” Bubbling Stream paced in front of her mother, her stumpy tail fluffed with excitement. “White Tail says I can go hunting with him and Storm Pelt.”
Moth Flight was lying in the morning sunshine outside her den. She gazed sympathetically at her kit. “You’re too little.”
“He says he won’t let any buzzards get me,” Bubbling Stream argued.
“Storm Pelt’s taking White Tail out to teach him hunting techniques,” Moth Flight argued. “How can he learn anything if he’s protecting you from buzzards?”
Bubbling Stream scowled and stomped away.
Blue Whisker hurried to meet her littermate. “I told you she’d say no.”
Moth Flight flicked her gaze past her kits to the sandy clearing below the tall rock. Windstar stood at the head, Gorse
Fur beside her, while the Clan milled around her. She was assigning patrols for the day. The bright morning sunshine gleamed on her pelt. As she paced, the WindClan leader showed no sign of a limp. At her neck, there wasn’t even a scar where the gash had been.
Jagged Peak nosed his way through his Clanmates and stopped in front of her. “Can I hunt the moortop burrows?”
Windstar shook her head. “We’ve hunted there too much this greenleaf. There’ll be no rabbits left. Take Holly to the ShadowClan border and see what’s running there.” She nodded toward Dust Muzzle. “I want you to train Silver Stripe. She’s fast, but her stalking needs work.”
Silver Stripe pricked her ears. “Can we hunt lapwings?” she asked Storm Pelt excitedly.
Storm Pelt padded toward the young she-cat. “Lapwings are hard to catch,” he told her. “Let’s start with mice.”
Black Ear pushed past his sister. “Can you train me as well?”
Windstar cut in. “Spotted Fur can train you.”
Black Ear lifted his tail happily as Windstar turned to Spotted Fur.
“Show him the borders and the best places to scent mark,” she ordered.
Spotted Fur puffed out his chest proudly as Windstar turned to Swift Minnow.
“You can go to the ShadowClan border with Fern Leaf, Jagged Peak, and Holly. Reed Tail”—she nodded to the tom—“take Dew Nose and Eagle Feather along the moorside. I saw kestrels hunting there yesterday. The prey must be running well.”
Moth Flight noticed Reed Tail’s gaze flit over Windstar anxiously. “Will you be hunting again today?”
“Of course.” Windstar sounded surprised. She’d hunted every day since her return.
Reed Tail was staring at her healed hind leg. “Are you sure you’re strong enough?”
Windstar rolled her eyes. “How many times must I explain?
I’m fine now. You’ve even checked my leg. Does it look broken?”
Reed Tail’s ear twitched. “It’s just hard to believe StarClan has such power.”
Moth Flight understood his bewilderment. She could hardly believe what she’d seen. And yet it was true.
When they had returned from the Moonstone a few days ago, reaching camp in the early dawn light, Gorse Fur had been waiting at the entrance, his eyes widening with shock as Windstar padded toward him. He’d run to meet her, circling her in disbelief.
“StarClan healed you!” he gasped.
Windstar met his gaze steadily. “They did more than that.
They gave me this life back, and eight more lives to lead
WindClan through endless moons.”
Gorse Fur halted, his pelt rippling along his spine. He glanced toward Moth Flight. “Nine lives? How can that be?”
“I’m not sure.” Moth Flight shifted her paws. She was still awed by StarClan’s power. “But it’s true. I’ve seen it before in my dreams. It’s a gift they will give to all leaders.”
In the days that followed, Moth Flight had traveled to each camp, sharing her news with Acorn Fur and Clear Sky, Cloud
Spots and Thunder, Pebble Heart and Tall Shadow, Dappled Pelt and River Ripple. River Ripple had seemed the least surprised; Clear Sky the most excited. Moth Flight was sure he’d have traveled with Acorn Fur by now to receive his nine lives. She hoped all the Clan leaders had visited the Moonstone by now.
She’d find out tonight at the half-moon gathering.
Windstar’s mew jerked her from her thoughts. “Honey Pelt, get down!”
Moth Flight looked up to see the tom-kit scrambling onto the ledge halfway up the tall rock.
Swift Minnow and Reed Tail had leaped from the hollow.
Reed Tail reached up with his forepaws, stretching until he was high enough to pluck Honey Pelt from the ledge by his scruff.
He placed him on the ground.
Honey Pelt fluffed out his fur grumpily. “I’m not allowed to have any fun!”
Windstar stared at him sternly. “Go and play with your littermates.” She nodded toward where Bubbling Stream and Blue Whisker were chasing Spider Paw’s tail as he darted among the tussocks, whisking it over the grass.
Frowning, Honey Pelt padded toward them. His Clanmates streamed past as they raced for the entrance, heading for the moor. Above the camp, the sky stretched, clear and blue.
Heather scent mingled with prey scent, rolling into camp on a light breeze.
Spider Paw halted and stared wistfully after Windstar and Gorse Fur as they followed the others through the gap in the heather wall.
Bubbling Stream bounced around him. “Let’s play hunting!”
She ducked low, pressing her belly against the grass. Blue
Whisker crouched beside him. Honey Pelt scrambled onto a tussock and reached his forepaws into the air. “I’m hunting buzzards!”
“Has a cat ever caught a buzzard?” Blue Whisker blinked at Moth Flight.
Moth Flight padded toward her. “I don’t think so. But when Gray Wing used to tell stories of the mountains, he said they caught eagles.”
“Who’s Gray Wing?” Blue Whisker asked.
Before she could answer, Rocky padded from his den. The old tom blinked at her sleepily. “Do you want me to watch the kits while you gather herbs?”
Moth Flight hesitated. Her stores had been low since
Windstar’s sickness. She ought to restock them. But, in the days since she’d returned from the Moonstone, she’d felt a desperate need to be near her kits.
Rocky stared at her. “Yesterday, you said you need to fetch more catmint,” he reminded her. “You said your store was so low—”
Honey Pelt interrupted. “Can I have a badger ride?” He leaped from the tussock and landed on Moth Flight’s shoulders.
She staggered, struggling to keep her balance.
Rocky padded closer. “I can do badger rides.”
Bubbling Stream bounded toward him. “Me first!”
Moth Flight padded forward, Honey Pelt wobbling on her back. Her thoughts drifted and unease twisted beneath her pelt.
Windstar had nearly died. Spider Paw had nearly drowned. Torn between the needs of her Clan and the needs of her kits, Moth
Flight felt herself veering between indecision and panic. She wasn’t being the best medicine cat she could be. Her medicine cat duties threatened her kits’ safety. Her duties as a mother threatened the good of her Clan. How could she give her full attention to both?
I’m a medicine cat.
Half Moon’s words rang in her mind again and again. This is your destiny, whether you want it or not. You have no choice but to follow it. Every Clan’s destiny depends on you.
Rocky gazed at Moth Flight questioningly. “Are you going to collect herbs?”
Moth Flight winced as Honey Pelt dug in his tiny claws.
“Tomorrow,” she told Rocky. “I want to spend today with my kits.”
Moth Flight followed Pebble Heart through the tunnel.
Cloud Spots padded behind. The scents of Acorn Fur and Dappled Pelt hung in the chilly air. “They must be waiting for us,” Moth Flight murmured, half to herself.
Pebble Heart’s tail stirred the air ahead. “It smells like they’ve just passed this way.”
Cloud Spots’s mew echoed against the damp stone. “I hope the clouds clear soon. The moon is rising.”
Fresh scents swirled around Moth Flight’s muzzle as the tunnel opened into the cave. In the watery light, she could just make out Acorn Fur and Dappled Pelt, sitting beside the Moonstone. Dappled Pelt’s face was raised toward the hole in the roof. Cloud shielded the stars.
“No moonlight tonight,” Dappled Pelt murmured.
Cloud Spots padded to the Moonstone and settled beside
Acorn Fur. “The clouds might still clear.”
“Not before the moon passes.” Dappled Pelt turned to face him. “How will we share with StarClan?”
“Perhaps they don’t want to share tonight,” Acorn Fur sniffed. “That’s why they sent clouds.”
Moth Flight padded across the cold stone and sat down a little way from the others. Her heart felt heavy, her paws weary.
She’d spent the whole journey praying that the sky would clear.
She needed to share with StarClan. Half Moon, help me. Grief tugged at her belly.
Pebble Heart padded to her side and sat down. “StarClan has shared enough this moon.”
Acorn Fur tipped her ears toward him. “Did they give Tall Shadow nine lives?”
Pebble Heart nodded. “She’s Shadowstar now.”
Dappled Pelt’s tail swished over the rock. “River Ripple is Riverstar.”
“Thunder is Thunderstar,” Cloud Spots told them. He glanced at Acorn Fur. “What name did they give Clear Sky?”
“Skystar.” Acorn Fur’s tail swished over the stone. “I was so scared when I saw how much pain each life caused.”
“I don’t know how Riverstar stayed on his paws,” Dappled Pelt admitted.
Moth Flight gazed blankly at the Moonstone, only half-listening. She wanted to reach out and touch the dark stone.
Perhaps StarClan would share even without moonlight.
“Did they really heal Windstar’s leg?”
Moth Flight suddenly realized Cloud Spots was speaking to her.
She shook out her pelt, trying to focus. “It’s like it was never broken.”
“I wish I could bring Sun Shadow here,” Pebble Heart commented sadly.
Moth Flight jerked her muzzle toward him. “Is Sun Shadow sick?”
“He’s had redcough,” Pebble Heart told her. “He’s over the worst of it, but he’s taking a while to get his strength back.”
Dappled Pelt leaned forward. “Do you think the Moonstone heals any cat?”
Moth Flight stared at the rock, surprised how dull it was without moonlight. “The Moonstone doesn’t do anything except let us share with StarClan. It’s StarClan that heals.”
Acorn Fur dipped her head. “Then let’s pray they heal Sun
Shadow.”
Cloud Spots and Dappled Pelt murmured in agreement.
Pebble Heart glanced at Moth Flight. “How is the rest of your Clan? Have they recovered from their battle injuries?”
“Storm Pelt’s ear tip will always be torn,” Moth Flight told him. “But I think he’s secretly proud of his scars.”
Acorn Fur snorted. “Red Claw’s the same! He asked me not to treat the scratch on his muzzle. I told him not to be silly.
What if it got infected?” She purred suddenly, her eyes glistening with affection. “I didn’t realize Red Claw was such a kind cat. He’s changed since the battle. I think making peace with Willow Tail has softened him.”
A teasing glint flashed in Dappled Pelt’s gaze. “You sound like you’re in love.”
Acorn Fur looked away shyly. “We have been getting close,” she admitted. “We’ve even talked about sharing a nest.”
Cloud Spots purred. “It looks like Moth Flight won’t be the only medicine cat with kits.”
“No!” Moth Flight stiffened, surprised at the harshness of her mew.
Pebble Heart blinked at her. Dappled Pelt and Cloud Spots narrowed their eyes.
“What’s wrong?” Acorn Fur tipped her head uneasily.
Moth Flight’s throat tightened. Grief swelled in her chest.
“Are you worried I’ll lose him like you lost Micah?” Acorn Fur pressed. “You were unlucky. Not all relationships end like that. I mean, I’m sorry yours did, but it doesn’t mean Red Claw will—”
Moth Flight glared at her. “You don’t understand!” The walls echoed the sharpness of her voice. The fear and uncertainty that had nagged at her since Windstar had been hurt hit her like an icy blast of wind. She gripped the stone with her claws, bracing herself against the emotion sweeping over her.
“No medicine cat should have kits! They shouldn’t even take a mate!”
Acorn Fur stared at her. “But you did!”
Moth Flight’s mouth dried as she gazed back at the SkyClan cat. “I was wrong.” Her mew cracked.
“What do you mean?” Pebble Heart’s eyes rounded with worry.
“I can’t be a mother and a medicine cat,” Moth Flight sobbed. “Spider Paw nearly drowned. I pulled him from the river. He wasn’t breathing.” She stared at the others wildly. “I was so scared, I didn’t know what to do! A medicine cat can’t be like that!”
“But you saved him,” Pebble Heart pointed out.
“Micah saved him!” Moth Flight confessed. “He spoke to me and told me what to do. I was frozen with terror! If Micah hadn’t told me what to do, I would have watched my kit die.”
Her flanks heaved as her breathing quickened. She felt Pebble Heart’s tail smoothing her spiked fur, but she went on. “I spend half my time terrified that my kits might die while I’m looking after my Clan, and the other half terrified a Clanmate might die while I’m looking after my kits. StarClan sent me a sign that let me save Windstar. But what if they’d sent it earlier, while I was rescuing Spider Paw? I would have missed it! Windstar could be dead. And we’d have never discovered that leaders should have nine lives.”
Cloud Spots lifted his chin. “StarClan would have sent another sign! They’d have made sure you saw it.”
“You don’t know that! We can’t risk it!” Moth Flight’s eyes grew hot as she glared at Acorn Fur. “You can’t have kits with Red Claw. You mustn’t even share his nest. You must live only for your Clan. It’s the only way to stay strong.”
Acorn Fur’s eyes flashed angrily in the darkness. “That’s easy for you to say. You’ve had a mate. You’ve got kits!”
Moth Flight shifted her paws, the stone walls pressing in around her. “I can’t do it anymore!”
Pebble Heart stiffened beside her. “Are you going to stop being a medicine cat?”
“No.” Moth Flight gasped as sorrow plunged thorn-sharp claws deep into her heart. “Being a medicine cat is my destiny.
It’s what I was always supposed to be. The Clans depend on me.
Half Moon told me.”
Pebble Heart’s eyes glowed darkly in the half-light. “What are you going to do?”
The earth seemed to tremble beneath Moth Flight’s paws.
The pain she’d felt at Micah’s death seemed to open in her chest, pouring out grief sharper than any she could imagine.
“I’m going to give up my kits.”