by Erin Hunter
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.”
Moth Flight growled under her breath. Wind Runner must have sent him to teach Clear Sky a lesson. She’d only made the situation worse.
“But I’m a medicine cat!” she insisted. “We need to be able to travel in each other’s territory. How else will I get catmint from Twolegplace? And how can Acorn Fur get to the Moonstone without crossing the moor?”
“That’s not my problem.” Sparrow Fur began to guide Moth Flight toward the border.
“What if something happens to Acorn Fur and you need my help?” Reluctantly, Moth Flight let Sparrow Fur steer her back along the trail. The tortoiseshell clearly wasn’t going to let her pass without a fight, and she didn’t want to get her into trouble with Clear Sky.
“Nothing’s going to happen to Acorn Fur so long as she stops training with you.”
Moth Flight blinked at the tortoiseshell as they reached the border. “This is the dumbest decision ever!”
Sparrow Fur flicked her tail toward the moor. “Just go home!”
Moth Flight saw doubt in her gaze. “You think he’s wrong, don’t you?”
Sparrow Fur looked away. “He’s my leader,” she growled and stalked back into the forest.
Blood roared in Moth Flight’s ears. If the Clans started guarding their territory like this, how could the medicine cats share their knowledge? Half Moon’s word rang in her mind. Every Clan’s destiny depends on you, though they don’t know it yet. Why didn’t Clear Sky understand? His medicine cat had to go where she was needed. There will come a time when they will listen to you and you alone. I can tell you this, but it’s up to you to earn their respect.
How? Helplessness swamped Moth Flight. She had to persuade Wind Runner and Clear Sky that cats’ lives were more important than borders. StarClan, what can I do?
CHAPTER 28
Moth Flight threaded among the rustling bracken stems, following her Clanmates into Fourtrees, where the full moon blanched the clearing.
The scents of RiverClan and ThunderClan swirled on the warm evening breeze. She scanned the cats below, recognizing Thunder and River Ripple moving among the gathered cats, dipping their heads in greeting, while their Clanmates clustered in groups, heads close as they shared gossip.
Silver Stripe and Black Ear stampeded past Moth Flight, White Tail leading, their tails flapping excitedly. It was their first full-moon Gathering. They’d been restless all day, excited at the thoughts of seeing new faces and smelling new scents.
“Slow down!” Slate hurried at their heels, her fur rippling anxiously along her spine as her kits burst into the clearing.
Eyes flashed in the moonlight as muzzles jerked around, clearly surprised by the commotion.
Slate dodged in front of White Tail, hissing sternly. “Calm down. I don’t want RiverClan and ThunderClan thinking I raised a pack of foxes!”
As the bracken thinned around her, Moth Flight’s thoughts flashed to her own kits back in camp. Rocky had promised to watch them and make sure they were tucked in their nest by the time she returned. Spotted Fur and Holly had also stayed behind with Eagle Feather, Fern Leaf, Reed Tail, and Storm Pelt. With border tensions running high, Wind Runner had not wanted to leave the camp unguarded and, for once, Moth Flight was grateful for her mother’s caution.
Not that she believed SkyClan would attack. But if a stray dog or hungry fox found their way into camp, she knew her kits would be well protected.
This was her first Gathering in moons, and the first time she’d see the other medicine cats together since the last time she’d traveled to the Moonstone with Micah. She quickened her pace, falling in beside Dust Muzzle. Her Clanmates flanked them, moving wordlessly through the bracken. There was tension in their hunched shoulders and flicking tails as they neared the bottom of the slope. Wind Runner led the way into the clearing, her eyes narrowed. Moth Flight knew that her mother had come to settle scores, and anxiety wormed in her belly. Please let her remember the full-moon truce.
She glanced at the brambly slope at the other side of the clearing, looking for signs of SkyClan. But Clear Sky hadn’t arrived yet and the woods beyond were eerily silent.
“Moth Flight!” Following Dust Muzzle from the bracken, she recognized Dappled Pelt’s mew. The RiverClan medicine cat was hurrying toward her, Cloud Spots at her heels.
As Dust Muzzle followed Wind Runner into the throng of cats, Dappled Pelt stopped in front of Moth Flight. Her eyes shone. “How are the kits?”
“They’re well,” Moth Flight told her. In the moon since they’d been born, they’d grown more boisterous each day. Even Blue Whisker had started exploring the camp with her littermates. Only that morning, the yellow-and-white she-kit had climbed the stones beside the camp entrance and called to Moth Flight from the top, her fur fluffed with delight.
Cloud Spots jerked Moth Flight from the memory, flicking his tail happily. “Dappled Pelt says they have Micah’s coloring.”
“Honey Pelt looks just like him,” Moth Flight told him proudly.
Cloud Spots purred. “I’m sure Micah’s watching them from StarClan.”
He is. Happiness surged through Moth Flight as she remembered her dream.
Silver Stripe’s excited mew sounded behind her. “Please can we talk to the others?”
She turned to see the pale tabby pacing around her brothers. Black Ear was staring wide-eyed at the gathered cats, while White Tail gazed around thoughtfully, his nose twitching.
“RiverClan cats smell funny,” he commented.
“Hush!” Slate lowered her voice. “They smell a bit fishy, that’s all.”
“I want to ask them if they really swim!” Silver Stripe whispered.
Moth Flight nodded toward a pair of RiverClan cats. “Go and talk to Drizzle.” She’d spotted the gray-and-white she-kit—a young cat now—standing beside her brother.
Pine Needle had grown; his shoulders were broader and his black pelt was as sleek as an otter’s. He stared around the clearing, his eyes round. Moth Flight wondered if it was his first Gathering too.
Silver Stripe padded impatiently around Slate. “Can we?” she begged.
But Black Ear was already crossing the clearing toward the young RiverClan cats.
Slate’s ears twitched. “Of course.”
Silver Stripe hared after her brother, White Tail at her heels.
“Don’t forget to be polite!” Slate called after them.
Dappled Pelt watched the young cats race away. “Gray Wing would have been proud of them.”
Slate blinked at her sadly. “He always wanted kits of his own,” she murmured. “I just wish he’d had a chance to watch them grow up.”
Moth Flight swept her tail along Slate’s spine. “He’s probably watching them right now.” Just like Micah watches over our kits.
Wind Runner’s angry mew rang across the clearing. She faced Thunder, her eyes flashing accusingly in the moonlight. “I knew you’d defend him.”
River Ripple padded between the two leaders. “We should wait and let Clear Sky speak for himself.”
Wind Runner scowled. “We’ve heard enough lies from him.”
As she spoke, grass swished at the top of the hollow. Lithe bodies swarmed down the far slope.
Clear Sky? Moth Flight stiffened. Would Wind Runner manage to keep her temper? Would she openly accuse the SkyClan leader of sending hunting patrols onto their land? And wha
t would happen when Clear Sky accused her in return?
ShadowClan scent washed over her and she recognized Tall Shadow’s pelt, hardly more than a shadow in the long grass.
Dappled Pelt eyed Moth Flight anxiously. “Are there still hunting disputes between WindClan and SkyClan?”
“Yes.” Moth Flight’s pelt prickled. “Clear Sky has banned any cat from crossing his borders.”
Cloud Spots blinked. “How will you fetch catmint from Twolegplace?”
Dappled Pelt didn’t give her a chance to answer. “What about Acorn Fur? Did you finish training her?”
Moth Flight dropped her gaze guiltily. “I tried, but Clear Sky won’t let her leave and I can’t get past the border to see her.” She watched the ShadowClan cats weave among the waiting cats, greeting them with nods and flicks of their tail. Murmured gossip hummed in the evening air.
Shattered Ice gazed grimly at Mud Paws. “Clear Sky’s patrolling his borders again.”
“Pebble Heart was turned away when he tried to gather borage,” Juniper Branch told Milkweed.
Moth Flight saw pelts ripple with apprehension. Milkweed glanced nervously toward the bramble-covered slope where SkyClan usually made its entrance. Dawn Mist moved closer to Drizzle and Pine Needle.
Pebble Heart reached the medicine cats, his eyes round with worry. “I thought the prey dispute would have blown over by now, but it’s gotten worse.”
Moth Flight’s ears twitched uneasily. “Clear Sky has stopped me from training Acorn Fur,” she told him. “He won’t let any cat cross his border. He’s been sending hunting patrols onto our land again.”
Pebble Heart’s gaze darkened.
“Sparrow Fur and Acorn Fur both say that Clear Sky hasn’t sent hunting patrols onto our land but Willow Tail swears she’s seen Red Claw taking WindClan prey across the border.” Moth Flight glanced at Willow Tail. The pale tabby stood in a circle of ThunderClan and RiverClan cats, her eyes flashing with malice as she talked. Moth Flight’s belly tightened. Why was she so determined to stir up trouble? She lowered her voice. “Wind Runner’s started sending hunting patrols onto SkyClan land to teach Clear Sky a lesson.”
Pebble Heart’s tail twitched. “This needs to stop now before it gets serious.” He glanced up the slope hopefully. “Perhaps when Clear Sky arrives we can talk some sense into him and Wind Runner.”
Moth Flight’s heart lurched. “Do you think they’re ready to listen to us?” She glanced at Cloud Spots and Dappled Pelt. How much influence did any of them have over their leaders?
Cloud Spots swished his tail. “We speak for StarClan.”
Dappled Pelt frowned. “From what I’ve heard, Clear Sky has no time for StarClan.”
Pebble Heart glanced at the stars, sparkling high overhead. “They’re his ancestors as well as ours.”
“We should hold the meeting without him!” Wind Runner’s angry mew rang once more across the clearing. As Moth Flight turned, the WindClan leader shouldered her way through the crowd and leaped onto the great rock.
Wind Runner glared at Thunder, River Ripple, and Tall Shadow. “Why should we show him respect by waiting when he shows us none by being late?” She lashed her tail, her brown pelt pale in the moonlight. “He probably won’t come at all! That’s how little he values us.”
Tall Shadow weaved past Juniper Branch and Milkweed, glancing at Sun Shadow before jumping up beside Wind Runner. River Ripple followed slowly, his pelt ruffled. Thunder hesitated, checking the SkyClan slope once more before leaping onto the rock.
Wind Runner’s gaze swept the Clans as the cats crowded closer and raised their muzzles to their leaders.
“We must treat Clear Sky as he has treated us!” she yowled. “If he wants to stop all cats from crossing his land, then we must turn our tails on him!”
Thunder stared at her, ears twitching. “What do you mean?”
“From now on, SkyClan is not one of us,” Wind Runner showed her teeth. “They do not exist. They must survive alone.”
“No!” Thunder bristled. “Clear Sky must have closed his borders for a good reason. You say he’s being hostile. For all we know, he’s simply defending his land. You claim that SkyClan has stolen prey from you! But where’s your proof? They’re not even here to defend themselves.”
River Ripple nodded. “Clear Sky should at least be given a fair hearing.”
“Why?” Tall Shadow narrowed her eyes. “He hasn’t even shown up. Clearly, he doesn’t consider himself one of us. Of course you defend him, Thunder; he’s your father. But why should we doubt Wind Runner’s word? She has never lied before. Clear Sky has been lying since he was a kit. Have you forgotten his treachery to Gray Wing? He started the Great Battle! We have been patient with him long enough! We will be stronger without SkyClan.”
Stronger without SkyClan? Outrage surged in Moth Flight’s belly. Didn’t these cats realize that banishing a Clan would be like pulling a woven twig from a nest? Each twig made it strong. Once you began to unravel it, the whole nest might collapse. “We cannot turn our tails on another Clan!” She was shocked to hear her own voice ring loudly across the clearing.
Eyes flashed toward her.
Dappled Pelt lifted her chin. “We came from the mountains together. We share blood and memories.”
“Unite or die!” Cloud Spots yowled. “Don’t you remember the Great Battle? The spirit-cats told us afterward that we could not live without each other.”
“Unite or die!” Thunder stepped to the edge of the rock. “If we are to survive, we must act together. This dispute must be ended with words, not deeds.”
“Words?” Wind Runner spat. “Since when did Clear Sky ever resolve anything with words? He only knows how to use his claws and this is the only way we can avoid battle. We must shun Clear Sky, before he starts another war.”
Moth Flight stared at her mother. “What about the rest of SkyClan? It’s they who will suffer if we abandon them.”
Willow Tail called from among the crowd. “How will they suffer? They won’t starve. They have enough prey in the forest.”
Shattered Ice lifted his muzzle. “Clear Sky has always caused trouble for the Clans. Without him, we can have peace.”
“But their medicine cat hasn’t finished her training!” Moth Flight whisked her tail angrily. “Who will care for their sick? And what if they need herbs that only grow beside the river, or on the moor? Do we turn them away and let their Clanmates die?”
Juniper Branch spoke up. “The Clans must work together. I only survived my kitting because Moth Flight helped Pebble Heart. Now I have three healthy kits!”
Muted murmurs of agreement rippled through the Clans.
Willow Tail silenced them. “A few moons ago, we didn’t even have medicine cats! We survived then. We’ll survive now!”
Moth Flight swung her gaze toward the she-cat. “StarClan ordered us to care for our Clans. Would you go against StarClan?”
“Why not?” Willow Tail snapped. “They’re dead! They know nothing about the living.”
“That’s not true!” Moth Flight lashed her tail. “They watch over us.”
River Ripple nudged past Thunder, his eyes glittering with starlight. “StarClan brought peace. They see things we cannot.” He stared at Willow Tail. “Do you think you know better than they do?”
Willow Tail looked away, her pelt rippling.
Thunder glanced gratefully at the RiverClan leader. “We cannot make hasty decisions without speaking to Clear Sky.”
Wind Runner growled. “It’s not your border that Clear Sky has crossed. It’s not your prey he’s stolen. It’s clear that he wants to push us into war. I am only suggesting a way that a battle might be avoided. By cutting him off, we are sending a strong message: We won’t fight with him. We will patrol our borders and protect our land, but we will not fight. He is on his own.” She glared suddenly at Moth Flight. “And that means medicine cats too. You will not share your knowledge with Acorn Fur. You must go to the Moonston
e without her. She is forbidden from your meetings.”
Moth Flight’s hackles lifted. You don’t have the right to decide that! She opened her mouth to object but Wind Runner pressed on.
“This is the best way to stop Clear Sky. You’ve seen him drag us into war before. Help me stop him from doing it again.”
As her gaze swept beseechingly over the Clans, yowls of agreement filled the still night air.
“Cut him off!”
“Forget SkyClan!”
Moth Flight blinked at her mother. Was she really going to deprive SkyClan of help and healing? What would StarClan say? She glanced around her Clanmates, disappointment weighing in her chest. Dew Nose and Swift Minnow were joining in with the cheering.
Gorse Fur lifted his muzzle. “It’s the only way to avoid war!”
Moth Flight stared at her father in disbelief. Wind Runner was hotheaded, but Gorse Fur had always tempered her rashness with reason. Why was he going along with this madness?
A yowl sounded at the top of the hollow. The Clans fell silent, their eyes flashing as they turned to see who had called.
Sparrow Fur was haring down the slope. “Help!”
The gathered cats parted and let her race to the center.
The tortoiseshell gazed around, her eyes wide with horror. “Where’s Moth Flight? Pebble Heart?” She scanned the Clans desperately.
Moth Flight pushed her way through the cats, Pebble Heart at her heels. “What’s happened?”
Sparrow Fur stared at her. “Tiny Branch is hurt! He got his paw trapped! There was a fox. We fought it off but Tiny Branch—”
Dappled Pelt burst from the crowd. “Was he bitten?”
Sparrow Fur nodded, her eyes wild. “It’s bad. We’ve carried him back to camp, but he’s unconscious.”
“Fox bites cause infection.” Cloud Spots nosed his way past Dappled Pelt. “They must be treated at once.”
Sparrow Fur was trembling. “Acorn Fur can’t stop the bleeding.”
Moth Flight’s heart lurched. Tiny Branch was less than six moons old. If the blood loss didn’t kill him, the shock might. “Come on.” She began to race for the side of the hollow.