Эрин Хантер - Moth Flight’s Vision

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.

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.