Moth Flight’s Vision

The scent of prey washed her muzzle. A rabbit was grazing calmly on the grass a few tail-lengths ahead. Moth Flight imagined carrying it home to her kits. They were almost old enough for their first taste of fresh-kill. She swallowed back a purr as she imagined Bubbling Stream’s eyes lighting up at the sight of it. Spider Paw would be first to beg for a taste. Blue Whisker would hang back shyly, but Honey Pelt would make sure she had a piece before he’d take a bite.

Her heart ached with love for her kits as she thought of them. They were perfect. Even Spider Paw’s extra toe, which he’d been named for, was adorable.

She dropped into a hunting crouch and began to stalk silently through the grass. The rabbit didn’t even twitch as she neared. This is going to be an easy catch.

Yellow fur flashed at the edge of her vision. Moth Flight jerked her muzzle around, her breath stopping in her throat as she saw Micah padding toward her. The rabbit, still blissfully unaware, hopped lazily away. Moth Flight let it go, her gaze fixed on Micah.

“Can you see me?” She hardly dared speak. No one ever heard her in her dreams. The last time she’d dreamed of Micah, he’d been wandering in mist, unable to see her. But this time Micah’s eyes were fixed on her, sparkling green in the bright sunshine and filled with love.

As he neared her, he quickened his pace until his scent bathed her. She closed her eyes, her heart pounding. Was she really going to speak with him? His whiskers grazed her cheek as he reached her.

“I have missed you so much.” His words were soft in her ear.

She purred, rubbing her cheek fiercely against his. “I thought I’d die without you.”

“I’m glad you didn’t.” He drew away and looked at her, his eyes shining. “I’ve seen the kits. I’ve watched you with them.

You are a wonderful mother.”

Joy surged beneath her pelt. “Aren’t they gorgeous? They remind me so much of you. Honey Pelt even washes his paws the same way you did.”

“Keep an eye on Blue Whisker,” he fretted. “She’s so shy.

Don’t let the others push her around.”

“They won’t,” Moth Flight promised. “They’re protective of her. Especially Spider Paw. He won’t let Slate’s kits near her because she’s scared of them.”

Micah frowned. “They haven’t hurt her, have they?”

Moth Flight purred. “No, of course not. But she can’t understand why such big cats act like kits. I keep telling her they’re still kits. I don’t think she believes she’ll be that big too in a few moons.”

Micah’s green gaze darkened. “I wish I were there.” Grief edged his mew.

It caught hold of Moth Flight, twisting her heart. “So do I.”

She hadn’t felt anger since she’d left ShadowClan’s camp, but rage flared in her belly now. “It’s not fair! Why did you have to die? In a dumb accident!”

Micah sighed and rested his muzzle against hers. “It was my destiny.”

She pulled away, blinking at him. “Did you know all along?”

“No, but I see that our destinies were only ever meant to cross for a short time.” His eyes glistened with love. “Aren’t we lucky they did? Now you have our kits.”

“But I want you too!” Moth Flight couldn’t push away her resentment.

Micah gazed at her gravely. “You must travel alone from here on. This is your path. But I will always be with you.”

Her vision swam with grief. “How?”

“I will be in your thoughts and your heart and your dreams,” he murmured. “You will see me in the kits and if you need me, you only need to close your eyes.”

Moth Flight’s throat tightened. Is that enough? She touched her nose to his softly. It would have to be.

Around her, the meadows began to grow hazy. Micah’s pelt grew pale, light showing through.

“Don’t go yet!” she begged.

“You’ll see me again,” he promised, his mew growing faint.

“Micah!”

“Someone is coming to visit you.” She could barely hear his mew as it faded into echo. “You must help her. I’m depending on you.”

“Who?” She spoke into darkness as the dream faded.

Jerking awake, she lifted her head. The kits fidgeted at her belly, asleep in the starlight that filtered through the gorse.

Moth Flight’s heart ached with longing, but warmth enfolded her. I will always be with you. As she remembered his words, his scent lingered on her tongue. With a gasp, she recognized the meadows in her dreams—StarClan’s hunting grounds! He’s in StarClan. A purr rumbled in her throat. Now I know that we will never be far apart.

“Go faster!” Bubbling Stream’s fur spiked with excitement as she clung to Storm Pelt’s shoulders.

Storm Pelt bounded across the tussocks and Bubbling Stream mewled with delight.

“Be careful!” Moth Flight watched with wide eyes from the sunny patch of grass outside her den.

Beside her, Slate purred. “She’ll be fine,” she reassured Moth Flight.

“She’s only a moon old!” Moth Flight worried. “Aren’t badger rides dangerous?”