Moth Flight’s Vision

There was no sign of Acorn Fur and no scent either. She glanced at the darkening sky, wondering whether, with the sun hidden, the SkyClan medicine cat had lost track of time.

Acorn Fur was a quick learner, just as Micah had said. And she seemed to have a deep understanding of suffering as well as a burning need to ease it. Teaching such a willing apprentice had been fulfilling and, in going over her knowledge in such depth, Moth Flight had renewed her own delight in her healing skills. Was it time she relieved Reed Tail of some of his duties?

She frowned. She already felt that she spent too much time away from her kits.

She gazed toward the forest, impatience fizzing beneath her pelt. Where are you? It wasn’t like Acorn Fur to be late. She was usually pacing the hillside, waiting, by the time Moth Flight arrived.

Unease jabbed her belly.

Perhaps Acorn Fur couldn’t come.

Her fur tingled with worry. Had Clear Sky found out about their meetings?

He can’t stop her from learning! She headed downslope as the rain thickened, heading for the SkyClan border. Does he think his wishes are more important than StarClan’s? Anger pulsed through her paws as she crossed the wet grass.

The pungent scent of SkyClan markers washed her muzzle as she neared the ferns that edged the trees. She pushed through the dripping fronds. Padding into the shelter of the woods, she glanced around, wondering where SkyClan’s camp lay. She had to know where Acorn Fur was. If Clear Sky was stopping her, someone needed to explain to the rabbit-brained leader how important it was for his medicine cat to learn everything she could.

Sniffing the ground, she smelled paw prints and began to follow them. They must eventually lead to the camp. She trailed around a bramble and between two fallen trees. Ducking beneath a branch, she smelled more paw prints. She must be getting close. She could see a glade ahead where rain dripped through the canopy.

I hope he hasn’t hurt her. She suddenly remembered her mother’s warning. He’s capable of more cruelty than you can imagine. Moth Flight pushed the words away. She wasn’t going to be bullied. She had StarClan on her side.

As she slid through a clump of ferns, a hiss made her freeze.

Tortoiseshell fur flashed at the corner of her vision.

Something hard slammed into her flank and knocked her, sprawling, to the ground.

Panic flared beneath Moth Flight’s pelt as she scrambled to her paws. The scent of a SkyClan she-cat filled the air. Jerking around, she saw Sparrow Fur glaring at her, hackles raised.

“What are you doing on SkyClan land?” The tortoiseshell’s eyes flashed with suspicion.

“I’m Moth Flight!” she growled.

“I know who you are,” the tortoiseshell returned.

“Then you know that I’m a medicine cat! I can walk where I please.”

“No one walks in this forest without Clear Sky’s permission!” Sparrow Fur growled.

“Since when?”

“Since he said so!”

Frustration surged in Moth Flight’s belly. “I’ve come to find

Acorn Fur.” Perhaps if she explained that she was worried about her Clanmate, Sparrow Fur would understand.

“Acorn Fur is in camp, doing what she’s supposed to do.”

“Which is?” she demanded.

“Taking care of her Clanmates!”

“But I haven’t finished training her!”

Sparrow Fur’s tail swished ominously. “She’s had all the training she’s going to get.”

Moth Flight didn’t understand. “Don’t you want her to be the best medicine cat she can be?” Just because Clear Sky was a rabbit-brain, didn’t mean his whole Clan had to act dumb!

“What I want doesn’t matter,” Sparrow Fur snarled. “Clear Sky is my leader. I follow his orders. And his orders are that no cat should cross our border. Especially not a WindClan cat.”

Fury scorched Moth Flight’s belly. “I’m not here to hunt!

StarClan ordered me to train Acorn Fur and that’s what I’m going to do.” She headed past Sparrow Fur.

The SkyClan she-cat dodged ahead of her.

She glared at the tortoiseshell angrily. “Get out of my way! I have to—” She stopped, surprised to see worry clouding Sparrow Fur’s gaze.

“You have to leave!” Lowering her voice, Sparrow Fur glanced nervously over her shoulder.

“Why?”

“Clear Sky will rip you to shreds if you reach the camp,” she warned. “And then he’ll rip me to shreds for letting you.”

Moth Flight halted. “He hasn’t hurt Acorn Fur, has he?”

“No!” Sparrow Fur looked indignant. “But he’s angry that she’s been sneaking onto WindClan land to train with you. How can he prove that we don’t cross the border if she trails SkyClan scent all over the moorside?”

“But you do cross the border!” Moth Flight accused.

“Willow Tail’s seen you.”

“She hasn’t seen me!” Sparrow Fur snapped. “SkyClan cats don’t hunt on other Clans’ land. Not like WindClan. We found Jagged Peak’s fur caught on a bramble this morning. And fresh-kill blood less than a tail-length away.”