Эрин Хантер - Moth Flight’s Vision

Pebble Heart followed her gaze. The three cats had stopped.

Birch was marking a tree with his scent. “It’s a border patrol.”

Moth Flight blinked at him. “A what?”

“Clear Sky’s given orders that his borders are to be checked daily and fresh markings left.”

Anger flared in Moth Flight’s belly. “Does he still insist on borders?” She could hardly believe any cat could be so rabbit-brained.

“He says cats belong in their own territory,” Pebble Heart murmured.

“So Micah died for nothing!” Moth Flight flattened her ears.

“Doesn’t he realize that Micah would never have died if he hadn’t been so bothered about his borders?”

Pebble Heart avoided her gaze. “He says Micah would never have died if you hadn’t crossed the border with him.”

Moth Flight trembled with fury. “How dare he?”

“Don’t let it upset you,” Pebble Heart begged. “If Clear Sky wants to fuss about his borders, then let him.” His gaze slid past her.

She jerked her muzzle around, following it, and saw Willow

Tail and Eagle Feather watching the SkyClan patrol from a distant, rocky outcrop. “Don’t they have anything better to do?” she snapped. “They should be feeding their Clan, not watching borders!” She broke into a trot, heading for the hollow.

Pebble Heart hurried after her. “Let Wind Runner worry about it,” he told her. “You’re a medicine cat, not a hunter.

Borders aren’t your problem.”

As he spoke, a gray-and-white pelt showed against the heather upslope.

Moth Flight recognized it at once. “Swift Minnow!” The sight of her Clanmate distracted her from her anger.

Swift Minnow squinted at them, lifting her tail suddenly and breaking into a run. “Moth Flight! Is that you?” She sprinted toward them, meowing happily, and skidded to a halt a tail-length away. She stared, her eyes rounding as she saw Moth

Flight’s swollen flanks. “You’re expecting kits!” Joy lit up her gaze. “Are they Micah’s?”

“Yes,” Moth Flight purred.

“We were beginning to think you were never coming home.”

Swift Minnow cast an anxious glance toward the hollow.

“I needed time to grieve,” Moth Flight explained.

The heather rustled behind Swift Minnow, as Slate padded out. She pricked her ears as she saw Moth Flight. “You’re back!”

Moth Flight felt a rush of happiness. The grieving queen looked well, her eyes brighter than they’d been in moons.

“How’s White Tail?” she called. “Have Silver Stripe and Black

Ear been behaving themselves?”

“They’re all fine!” Slate hurried toward them. “You’d hardly recognize them! They’ve grown so much.” She slowed, her ears pricking. “You’re expecting!”

Swift Minnow plucked at the grass excitedly. “They’re

Micah’s kits!” she told her friend.

Slate wove around Moth Flight purring happily. “Have you come home for good?”

“I want my kits to grow up on the moor,” Moth Flight told her.

“Hurry up!” Swift Minnow ducked into the heather. “Let’s get back to camp!”

Moth Flight noticed Pebble Heart hesitate.

“I’ll go home, now that I know you’re safe,” he meowed shyly.

“Are you sure?” Moth Flight gazed at him fondly.

“Yeah.” He flicked his tail and began to head downslope.

“Take care. Send for me when the kits come!”

“Bye, Pebble Heart!” Slate was nudging Moth Flight toward the heather. “Wait until Gorse Fur sees you! He’s been so worried.”

Moth Flight followed Swift Minnow’s trail, zigzagging between the bushes until she emerged onto the stretch of grass outside the camp entrance.

As the scents of home swept over her, her pelt rippled with pleasure.

Swift Minnow had already disappeared inside and Moth

Flight followed, her heart beating loudly in her chest.

“Moth Flight!” Dust Muzzle was the first to come bounding across the tussocky clearing. Spotted Fur and Fern Leaf hurried after him, their eyes bright.

They scrambled to a halt in front of her, staring at her belly.

“I’m expecting Micah’s kits.” She glanced anxiously at Spotted Fur. Was he still jealous?

Spotted Fur blinked at her, then purred. “Congratulations!”

Relief washed over her.

Fern Leaf purred and murmured “How exciting!” as Dust

Muzzle pressed his nose to her cheek. “I’m glad you’re home.”

Gorse Fur was crossing the clearing toward them, Rocky lumbering behind.

Moth Flight felt a flicker of worry as she saw the old cat.

“Are you better?” she called. She should have been here, taking care of him.

“I’m as healthy as a fox,” he rumbled.

Gorse Fur stopped beside her. “I knew you couldn’t stay in that dark old forest forever.” He weaved around her while

Rocky stared at her proudly.

“I’m glad you’re back,” the old tom rumbled. “Reed Tail won’t let me have catmint.”

Moth Flight stiffened. Had Rocky been exaggerating? Was he still sick? “Do you need some?”

Rocky glanced at his paws. “I don’t need it, but sometimes I get a sore throat and a little catmint always makes me feel better.”

Reed Tail was stalking toward them, his ears pricked. “The only reason you get a sore throat is from snoring so loudly!” He padded past the old tom and greeted Moth Flight with a nod.

“Thank StarClan you’re back. I’m run off my paws trying to find herbs, and if Silver Stripe ever makes it through a day without getting a scratch or a graze, I’ll be amazed.”

Moth Flight’s whiskers twitched with amusement. “Where are the kits?” She gasped as she saw three young cats bounding toward her. She recognized their pelts, but they were so big!

“Silver Stripe! Black Ear!” They looked old enough to hunt!

“White Tail, you’ve grown so handsome!” The gray-and-white kit had his father’s broad shoulders and Slate’s soft amber gaze.

“ Black Ear’s handsome too!” Silver Stripe told her proudly.

“Of course he is!” Moth Flight looked admiringly at Black

Ear before purring at Silver Stripe. “And you’re as beautiful as your mother.”

“Who cares if I’m beautiful?” Silver Stripe stuck her nose in the air. “Beauty doesn’t help with hunting, and I’m going to be the best hunter in WindClan.”

“I can believe it.” Moth Flight nosed her way through her Clanmates and headed across the clearing. “How’s my den? I hope no rain’s gotten in. My herbs should be good and dry by now. Although I need to pick fresh ones. Cloud Spots says fresh herbs work better.”

Reed Tail fell in beside her. “I’ve been using your den,” he confessed. “It seemed best, since I was being medicine cat while you were away.”

Moth Flight caught his eye, gratitude flooding her. “Thank you so much,” she mewed earnestly. “I’m sorry I left you responsible for everything. I just couldn’t face…” Her mew trailed away as a sudden wave of grief slapped against her like cold water. The familiar faces and scents had carried her back to a time before Micah had died. She swallowed.

Reed Tail shot her a look. “You’ll feel at home again in no time,” he promised.

“Yes,” she answered huskily. She stopped outside her den, her Clanmates watching from beyond the tussocks. They looked so pleased to see her. Her heart swelled with thanks. Then she spotted two pairs of eyes staring from the shadows of Jagged Peak’s den. Her fur prickled anxiously. Holly and Jagged Peak hadn’t wanted her to leave. She’d stayed away for a whole moon. Taking a deep breath, she headed toward them.

Jagged Peak ducked outside first, his ears twitching.