Moth Flight’s Vision

She peered over the edge. What a long way down! Her Clanmates seemed suddenly small. Moth Flight glanced at the sky. A thick band of stars stretched like a silver pelt across the indigo blackness. Was that where the spirit-cats lived? A star Clan? She remembered their star-flecked pelts, glittering in the darkness of the cave. How small the Clans must look to the spirit-cats. They were so powerful they could command lightning! And yet they cared about these cats, enough to watch over them and guide them.

“There can be no disagreement now.” River Ripple’s mew jerked her back into the moment. The Clan cats were watching her expectantly.

Thunder lifted his tail, his orange pelt pale in the moonlight.

“The spirit-cats have spoken. Each Clan will have a medicine cat.”

Quick Water called from among the SkyClan cats. “If we’d had medicine cats earlier, the sickness might not have taken so many.”

Moth Flight shook her head. “We don’t know any more now than we did then,” she pointed out. “We can’t change the past.

But we can change the future. Somehow we must discover new herbs and new cures.”

“How?” Pebble Heart looked up at her. “It will take moons to test out every plant.”

“Yes,” Moth Flight agreed. “In the meantime, we can learn from each other. Each Clan has cats who know a little about healing.”

Swift Minnow lifted her muzzle. “Reed Tail knows plenty.”

She glanced proudly at her mate.

The silver tabby dipped his head modestly. “I am happy to share the little I know with Moth Flight.”

“And I’ll share whatever you teach me with the other medicine cats.” Moth Flight nodded to Pebble Heart. “Will you learn all you can from the cats in ShadowClan?”

Pebble Heart nodded.

Cloud Spots whisked his tail. “I will gather all the knowledge in ThunderClan.”

“The medicine cats are to meet at Highstones every half-moon,” Moth Flight told them.

Dappled Pelt blinked. “That’s a long way to travel!”

Moth Flight met her wide-eyed gaze. “Once you have seen the moonlit stone for real, you’ll be glad you made the journey.”

She suddenly realized that she was addressing the Clan like a leader. She backed away from the edge, butterflies rising in her belly once more.

“Don’t be afraid,” River Ripple whispered in her ear. “The spirit-cats chose you. This is your destiny.”

She stared at the mysterious RiverClan leader, wondering if the star Clan ever shared with him. He seemed so wise.

An angry mew rang in the clearing.

Moth Flight stiffened as Clear Sky glared up at her. “You talk as though everything has been decided.” He fluffed out his pelt. “We shouldn’t have to take medicine cats who have been chosen for us! We should decide our Clan’s future for ourselves!”

Moth Flight forced herself to meet his gaze. “We can’t ignore the spirit-cats.”

“You must have misinterpreted what they told you!” Clear Sky was eyeing Micah. “Why would they choose a stranger for SkyClan?”

“Are you saying she’s a liar?” Wind Runner turned on Clear Sky, hackles up.

Clear Sky held his ground. “I’m just saying she might be mistaken.”

“If she were mistaken, would the spirit-cats have sent a sign?” Wind Runner snapped. “Micah is your medicine cat!

Stop complaining!”

Clear Sky’s gaze flashed with fury. “That’s easy for you to say. You don’t have to take in a rogue.”

Wind Runner’s tail twitched irritably. “You’ve taken in plenty of rogues before, Clear Sky. You just don’t like being told what to do.”

Clear Sky glared at the WindClan leader. “Neither do you.”

“At least if I’m wrong, I’ll admit it,” Wind Runner flashed back.

“I’m never wrong!” Clear Sky’s ears twitched.

Moth Flight felt a sudden rush of pity for Micah. What if Clear Sky did agree to take him? The SkyClan leader had never let any cat tell him what to do. The spirit-cats wanted the medicine cats to advise their leaders. How could Micah advise Clear Sky if he wouldn’t listen? She glanced at Micah, who watched silently, moonlight silvering his pelt. His gaze seemed so sure and steady. He’ll find a way.

She stepped to the front of the great rock once more. “Micah may be a stranger to the Clans, but he shares a bond with us. He always has.”

Clear Sky lifted his muzzle to stare at her. “What?”

Mews of surprise rippled around the cats. Micah stiffened as they stared at him, their gazes sharp with curiosity.

“Tell them, Micah,” Moth Flight encouraged.

Micah’s tail quivered. “I’ve dreamed of you.” He nodded toward Clear Sky. “I dreamed I was bringing you catmint to treat a sick kit.”

Star Flower pricked her ears. “What’s catmint?”

“It’s an herb that grows on the farm,” Micah told her. “We use it to treat coughs.”

Star Flower turned to Clear Sky, her purple gaze glittering.

“He could help Tiny Branch!”

Clear Sky’s fur lifted along his spine. He looked uneasily from Star Flower to Micah. “Can you get some of this catmint?”

“Of course.” Micah tipped his head to one side. “Who is Tiny Branch?”

Clear Sky narrowed his eyes. “He’s my kit.”

Micah lifted his tail. Moth Flight could see he was excited.

He was clearly keen to start work.