Moth Flight’s Vision

River Ripple moved beside Moth Flight. “Are we all agreed?” he called to the cats below. His gaze fixed on Clear Sky.

Clear Sky hesitated. “Are you sure this catmint will help?” he asked Micah.

“It helped me when I was a kit.”

“We have to try it!” Star Flower urged.

“Okay.” Clear Sky dipped his head. “If you can heal Tiny

Branch, you can stay with SkyClan.”

Tall Shadow lifted her muzzle. “From now on, Pebble Heart will be ShadowClan’s medicine cat.”

“And Cloud Spots will be ThunderClan’s,” Thunder agreed.

“Dappled Pelt will be medicine cat for RiverClan.” River Ripple sat down and tucked his tail over his paws.

Moth Flight looked toward Wind Runner. She met her mother’s gaze, surprised at its warmth.

“Moth Flight will be medicine cat for WindClan.”

Her heart swelled with pride and joy as her mother spoke.

Quickly, she slithered down the side of the rock and leaped to the ground. She hurried toward Wind Runner. “I’m sorry I scared you,” she blurted as she reached her.

Wind Runner touched her nose gently to Moth Flight’s cheek. “I understand now why you went.” She pulled back, meeting Moth Flight’s gaze. “I’m sorry I was so hard on you.

Gorse Fur was right. You are special. I’ve been rabbit-brained not to see it.”

Gorse Fur reached them, Dust Muzzle at his heels. “I’m so proud of you!” His eyes shone as he looked at Moth Flight.

She purred loudly, hesitating as memories of Emberkit and Morning Whisker flashed in her thoughts. “I saw my littermates,” she told Wind Runner. “They were with the spirit-cats and they spoke to me.”

Wind Runner’s eyes glistened with emotion. “Are they okay?” Her mew caught in her throat.

“They are still kits,” Moth Flight told her. “But they look well and happy, and they have grown wise.”

Wind Runner jerked her muzzle toward Gorse Fur. “They are happy.” The words were no more than a breath but they were filled with joy.

Gorse Fur pressed his cheek against his mate’s. “They will always be safe,” he murmured.

The ShadowClan cats were starting to climb the slope toward the pine forest. Thunder was leading his cats away through the trees.

“We should go too.” Wind Runner signaled to her cats with a flick of her tail and began to head for the moor.

Clear Sky and Star Flower led SkyClan into the brambles as RiverClan disappeared into the long grass that reached toward the reed beds.

Dust Muzzle nudged Moth Flight’s shoulder. “Are you coming?”

Moth Flight scanned the empty clearing, relieved to see Micah hanging back at the bottom of the slope. “I’ll catch up with you,” she told Dust Muzzle.

Her brother glanced quizzically at Micah, then headed after their Clan.

Moth Flight hurried toward Micah. “We did it!” she mewed excitedly.

Sadness clouded his gaze.

“What’s wrong?” Wasn’t he happy that they’d convinced the Clans?

“I’m going to miss you,” he mewed softly.

Her heart quickened. She’d forgotten! He was going to live in SkyClan’s camp. They’d only been together a few days, yet leaving without him seemed strange. “I’ll miss you too.”

He leaned forward and touched his muzzle to hers. “I’ll see you at half-moon.”

“We can travel to the Moonstone together,” Moth Flight murmured.

Eyes flashed from the top of the slope. “Micah! Hurry up!”

Clear Sky’s mew rang around the hollow.

“I’d better go.” Micah headed for the undergrowth. “I don’t want to start off on the wrong paw.”

Moth Flight watched him disappear. The pricking sadness in her heart was suddenly swept away by excitement. She’d changed the future of the Clans! Nothing would ever be the same again. She glanced up at the sky, wondering if Half Moon was proud of her.

Green wings flitted in the moonlight overhead.

The moth!

It fluttered toward her, dancing closer until it settled on her muzzle. Her whiskers twitched as it tickled her nose. Her breath stirred its wings, then the moth swooped away, circling higher and higher until it was lost among the oak branches.

Had it come to say good-bye?

Thank you! Moth Flight heard the bracken rustle at the top of the slope. Her Clan was heading onto the moor. She hurried after them, pushing through the stiff stems. Her life was going to be different now. Her heart quickened. Half Moon, she whispered into the chilly night air. Help me be strong enough to fulfill my destiny.

Chapter 16

“Moth Flight, look at me!”

Silver Stripe’s mew sounded behind her. Shaking leaf crumbs from her paws, Moth Flight turned impatiently to watch the pale gray she-kit.

Silver Stripe was wedged into the prickly gorse halfway up the wall of her den. Black Ear was tugging at his sister’s tail, while White Tail was trying to climb up beside her.

“Please, get down!” Moth Flight marched across the freshly dug floor of her den and snatched Silver Stripe’s scruff in her teeth.