Эрин Хантер - Moth Flight’s Vision

Spider Paw tipped his head thoughtfully.

Moth Flight was still watching Blue Whisker. She had guessed that her shyest kit would take it hardest. But Blue

Whisker’s eyes were sparkling with curiosity. “Do ThunderClan cats climb trees?”

“I don’t know,” Moth Flight confessed.

Blue Whisker’s gaze drifted upward. “I’ve always wondered what it’s like to look down on everything, like a bird.”

Honey Pelt flicked his tail encouragingly. “I bet

Thunderstar’s always climbing trees. It’s probably the first thing he’ll teach you.”

Bubbling Stream was staring up the slope, where darkness swallowed the forest. “I’ll be going to ShadowClan.” She sounded uncertain.

Moth Flight’s thoughts flicked back to the moon she’d spent there. “It’s peaceful in the pine forest. And Juniper Branch’s kits are only two moons older than you. You’ll have someone to play with.”

“You’ll have to eat frogs,” Spider Paw snorted. “That’s even worse than fish!”

Bubbling Stream ignored him. “Are ShadowClan kits allowed out of camp?”

“They’re probably allowed to roam anywhere they like,” Honey Pelt told her. “Buzzards can’t hunt in forests.”

Moth Flight blinked at him gratefully. He sounded so much like his father: so optimistic and ready to take on any challenge.

She purred. “I will miss you all so much.”

Blue Whisker brushed her muzzle along Moth Flight’s jaw.

Spider Paw weaved around her legs.

Bubbling Stream clambered onto her back. “One last badger ride!”

Moth Flight began to lumber heavily across the clearing, making Bubbling Stream sway on her shoulders until the kit mewled with delight.

Honey Pelt trotted beside her. “Skystar is the bravest leader, isn’t he?”

Moth Flight glanced at him, trying not to imagine what sort of guardian Skystar would be. “He’s the most confident,” she conceded.

Honey Pelt whisked his tail. “I wonder what forest prey tastes like.”

“Better than fish,” Spider Paw muttered.

“Fish tastes great.” Moth Flight halted and blinked at him.

“You’ll love it.”

“Moth Flight.” Blue Whisker’s anxious mew made her stiffen. The kit was staring at the far slope.

Moth Flight followed her gaze. The bracken stirred as a shape moved through it. She shook Bubbling Stream from her shoulders, opening her mouth and tasting the familiar scent of RiverClan.

The stems swished as Riverstar padded into the clearing.

Spider Paw pressed against her. “I don’t want to go.”

“It will be all right.” Moth Flight lifted her chin to greet the RiverClan leader. “Thank you for coming.”

Riverstar dipped his head. “I am honored that you trust RiverClan to care for one of your kits.”

As he spoke, paw steps thrummed the slope behind. Moth

Flight looked up as Thunderstar bounded into the clearing.

He scrambled to a halt beside Riverstar. “Hi.” His gaze swept the kits, glowing with surprise. “They look so much like Micah!”

Before Moth Flight could answer, more paw steps sounded as Shadowstar followed Skystar into the clearing.

Blue Whisker ducked beneath Moth Flight’s belly. Bubbling Stream backed away.

“This must be very hard for you all.” Shadowstar stopped in front of Moth Flight, her gaze solemn.

Honey Pelt stepped forward, meeting her gaze. “We’re not scared.”

Skystar purred. “I can’t imagine any kit of Micah’s being scared.”

Bubbling Stream tipped her head. Blue Whisker crept from beneath Moth Flight. Spider Paw lifted his muzzle.

Thunderstar blinked at them. “Which one is Blue Whisker?”

“I am.” Blue Whisker’s mew was hardly more than a whisper. She padded slowly forward and stopped in front of the ThunderClan leader. Moth Flight could see her trying not to tremble.

“Violet Dawn has made you a nest,” Thunderstar told her.

“I’ve never slept by myself,” Blue Whisker whispered.

“Then you can share a nest with Milkweed’s kits.”

Thunderstar’s mew was gentle. “They’re not much older than you. Although Milkweed says they fidget like rabbits in a burrow.”

“Bubbling Spring fidgets too,” Blue Whisker murmured.

“So I won’t mind.”

Thunderstar pointed his nose toward the forest. “Are you ready to leave?”

Blue Whisker glanced back at Moth Flight, her eyes glistening. “Can I stay with you, please?”

Moth Flight hurried forward and pressed her nose into the kit’s soft fur. Blue Whisker’s warm scent filled her nose. She fought the urge to scoop her close and never let go. “You must go,” she croaked. “ThunderClan needs you.”

Blue Whisker turned away, her tail down, and began to follow Thunderstar from the clearing.

Bubbling Stream padded toward Shadowstar. “I’m supposed to come with you.”

Shadowstar blinked at her. “You must be Bubbling Stream.”

“I’m not eating frogs,” Bubbling Stream told her bluntly.

Shadowstar’s eyes flashed with surprise. “Okay.”

Bubbling Stream glanced at Moth Flight. “Will you come and visit?”

“Of course!” Moth Flight hurried forward and pressed her muzzle against Bubbling Stream’s.

Bubbling Stream drew away and stared at Moth Flight.

Anxiety darkened the kit’s eyes, but she blinked it away. “See you soon then.” She padded toward the slope.

Shadowstar nodded to Moth Flight. “We’ll take care of her like she’s one of our own.”

Moth Flight dipped her head, unable to speak. Blue Whisker and Thunderstar had vanished over the top of the slope as Shadowstar turned away. At the edge of the clearing, Bubbling Stream nosed her way into the bracken.

Riverstar glanced from Honey Pelt to Spider Paw. “Which one comes with me?” His friendly mew was brisk.

Honey Pelt glanced at his brother. Spider Paw was staring at the RiverClan leader as though Riverstar were a hawk circling prey.

Riverstar swished his tail enticingly. “The cats of RiverClan are looking forward to meeting their new Clanmate.”

Spider Paw edged forward. “I’m coming with you,” he murmured.

Riverstar blinked at him. “You look like you’ll make a good swimmer. You have broad shoulders and wide paws.” He nodded toward Spider Paw’s extra claw. “Fish are slippery. That claw will make them easier to catch.”

Spider Paw glanced down. “I nearly drowned once.”

Riverstar snorted. “That’s because you didn’t have the right swimming coach.” He began to head toward the slope. “I haven’t lost an apprentice yet. You’re in safe paws.”

Spider Paw blinked at Moth Flight. “Do I really have to go?”

Moth Flight leaned forward, pressing her muzzle against his head. “It’s your destiny,” she whispered. “Don’t be afraid.

StarClan is watching over you.”

“I want to be your kit, not RiverClan’s,” Spider Paw whispered.

Moth Flight met his gaze. “You’ll always be my kit.” The words caught in her throat and she looked away as her gaze clouded.

When she looked back, Spider Paw was hurrying after Riverstar.

Skystar padded forward. He dipped his head to Honey Pelt.

“Are you ready to join SkyClan?”

“Yes.” Honey Pelt lifted his chin.

Skystar glanced at Moth Flight. “Are you ready?”

Compassion filled his gaze.

Moth Flight reached for words, but could only stare back, her heart breaking.

Honey Pelt touched his nose to her cheek. “I know you have no choice,” he whispered. “If this is StarClan’s wish, then I’m happy to go.”

“Your father will be as proud of you as I am,” Moth Flight croaked.

“Don’t be sad.” Honey Pelt pressed his muzzle deeper.