A familiar pelt moved toward Wind Runner. Willow Tail!
Clear-eyed and strong, Willow Tail stepped forward. She carried no signs of her injuries from the battle. Chin high, she took Branch’s place.
Wind Runner met her gaze, her eyes flashing with anger. “You lied to me.”
Willow Tail nodded. “I know. I led my Clanmates into battle for no good reason.” As she leaned forward, Wind Runner began to duck away. “I’m sorry.”
Wind Runner paused and met Willow Tail’s touch with her nose.
“With this life,” said Willow Tail, “I give your heart the grace to forgive all cats, however weak or wrong they may be.”
Wind Runner hardly flinched. Only her tail-tip shivered.
As Willow Tail stepped away, a kit took her place.
Moth Flight’s heart swelled with joy as she recognized Morning Whisker.
As the she-kit padded forward, Wind Runner blinked. Her eyes clouded. “Morning Whisker?” Disbelief edged her mew.
Morning Whisker purred loudly. “Hi, Wind Runner.”
Wind Runner thrust her muzzle forward to greet her, but Morning Whisker backed away.
“Not yet.” The she-kit gazed at Wind Runner, joy shining in her eyes.
Wind Runner’s tail trembled. “Are you happy? Are you well?”
Morning Whisker glanced fondly toward her starry Clanmates. “Yes. Half Moon and Gray Wing have taught me how to hunt.”
“You hunt?” Wind Runner sounded surprised.
“We hunt, and warm our pelts in sunshine and share tongues, just like you.”
A delighted purr throbbed in Wind Runner’s throat. Then she paused. “Is Emberkit with you?”
Morning Whisker blinked slowly at her mother and then, without answering, reached up and touched her nose. “With this life, I give you resilience, to keep going, whatever troubles life brings.” As she finished, Wind Runner’s pelt bushed. She stiffened, her claws scraping stone as she braced herself against the pain of her kit’s gift. Then her shoulders loosened and Morning Whisker backed away into the shadows.
Emberkit took her place.
Moth Flight leaned forward, her heart pounding. What must it be like to meet a kit you’d never had chance to know in life?
“Emberkit?” Wind Runner’s mew was thick with emotion.
“Hello, Wind Runner.” Emberkit stared at his mother with round, star-specked eyes.
“It is so good to see you.” As Wind Runner’s gaze flicked over the young tom-kit’s fluffy pelt, Moth Flight swallowed back a purr of pleasure.
“I wish I could have stayed with you longer,” Emberkit told his mother softly. “But I’m happy to be with StarClan. There are moors for me to play on. One day I’ll show them to you.” Before Wind Runner could answer, Emberkit reached up and touched his nose to her muzzle. “With this life I give you love.”
This time, Wind Runner did not flinch with pain. Her pelt smoothed. Closing her eyes, she swayed softly. She grew still as Emberkit drew away, her eyes closed as though lost in a dream.
Half Moon took the tom-kit’s place, waiting patiently for Wind Runner to drift back into the moment.
When, at last, Wind Runner opened her eyes, she tipped her head as though confused. “Who are you?”
“Half Moon.” The slender white she-cat’s dark green gaze reflected the shimmering Moonstone.
“Are you Stoneteller?” Wind Runner dipped her head. “Gray Wing and Jagged Peak have spoken of you often. Moth Flight too. I am honored to meet you.”
“You are the first,” Half Moon told her solemnly. “May you carry StarClan in your heart always.”
“The first?” Wind Runner narrowed her eyes.
Half Moon stretched her muzzle forward and touched noses with the WindClan leader. As she did, a jolt seemed to race through Wind Runner.
Moth Flight stiffened as her mother jerked wildly. Her paws buckled beneath her and she collapsed to the floor.
“No!” Heart bursting, Moth Flight darted to her mother’s side. Wind Runner lay like dead prey on the stone, her flanks still. No breath stirred the cold air. “You killed her!” She glared accusingly at Half Moon. “I brought her here to be saved!”
Half Moon blinked calmly and stepped away. “Have faith, Moth Flight.”
Moth Flight’s mind whirled. Have faith? In what? They were meant to stop Wind Runner from dying! She stared around the starry cats, appalled at the joy lighting their eyes. Didn’t they realize what they’d done?
Why had they brought her here? Had they wanted Wind Runner to die?
Desperate with grief and rage, Moth Flight buried her nose in Wind Runner’s pelt. How was she going to tell Gorse Fur that his mate had died, far from her Clan and the moor?
Suddenly Wind Runner moved. Moth Flight jerked her nose up, shock sparking through every hair. She stared as her mother pushed herself lightly to her paws.
Wind Runner lifted her chin and shook the comfrey from her hind leg. The once-bloody fur around her throat was clean and soft. Her injured paw pressed against the stone, as strong as the others.
Moth Flight shivered, her thoughts spinning. Had her mother joined StarClan? She scanned her pelt for sparks of starlight, but saw only plain brown fur. “I don’t understand.” She stared at Half Moon.
“Remember your dreams,” the white she-cat told her.
Those cats didn’t die! Moth Flight’s fur prickled with hope.
Half Moon dipped her head to Wind Runner. “You are the first of the stars that will rise.”
The prophecy! We will split the sky. And later, stars will rise.
Half Moon went on. “We have given you the gift we will give all leaders: the gift of nine lives. From now on, you shall be known as Windstar.”
Joy flooded like starlight beneath Moth Flight’s pelt. She remembered her vision of the gray she-cat in the ditch. Suddenly it made sense. Wind Runner could die eight times and still come back to life.
Around her, StarClan began to chant, their voices echoing around the shimmering walls of the cave. “Windstar! Windstar! Windstar!”
CHAPTER 35
“Moth Flight!” Bubbling Stream paced in front of her mother, her stumpy tail fluffed with excitement. “White Tail says I can go hunting with him and Storm Pelt.”
Moth Flight was lying in the morning sunshine outside her den. She gazed sympathetically at her kit. “You’re too little.”
“He says he won’t let any buzzards get me,” Bubbling Stream argued.
“Storm Pelt’s taking White Tail out to teach him hunting techniques,” Moth Flight argued. “How can he learn anything if he’s protecting you from buzzards?”
Bubbling Stream scowled and stomped away.
Blue Whisker hurried to meet her littermate. “I told you she’d say no.”
Moth Flight flicked her gaze past her kits to the sandy clearing below the tall rock. Windstar stood at the head, Gorse Fur beside her, while the Clan milled around her. She was assigning patrols for the day. The bright morning sunshine gleamed on her pelt. As she paced, the WindClan leader showed no sign of a limp. At her neck, there wasn’t even a scar where the gash had been.
Jagged Peak nosed his way through his Clanmates and stopped in front of her. “Can I hunt the moortop burrows?”
Windstar shook her head. “We’ve hunted there too much this greenleaf. There’ll be no rabbits left. Take Holly to the ShadowClan border and see what’s running there.” She nodded toward Dust Muzzle. “I want you to train Silver Stripe. She’s fast, but her stalking needs work.”
Silver Stripe pricked her ears. “Can we hunt lapwings?” she asked Storm Pelt excitedly.
Storm Pelt padded toward the young she-cat. “Lapwings are hard to catch,” he told her. “Let’s start with mice.”
Black Ear pushed past his sister. “Can you train me as well?”
Windstar cut in. “Spotted Fur can train you.”
Black Ear lifted his tail happily as Windstar turned to Spotted Fur.
r /> “Show him the borders and the best places to scent mark,” she ordered.
Spotted Fur puffed out his chest proudly as Windstar turned to Swift Minnow.
“You can go to the ShadowClan border with Fern Leaf, Jagged Peak, and Holly. Reed Tail”—she nodded to the tom—“take Dew Nose and Eagle Feather along the moorside. I saw kestrels hunting there yesterday. The prey must be running well.”
Moth Flight noticed Reed Tail’s gaze flit over Windstar anxiously. “Will you be hunting again today?”
“Of course.” Windstar sounded surprised. She’d hunted every day since her return.
Reed Tail was staring at her healed hind leg. “Are you sure you’re strong enough?”
Windstar rolled her eyes. “How many times must I explain? I’m fine now. You’ve even checked my leg. Does it look broken?”
Reed Tail’s ear twitched. “It’s just hard to believe StarClan has such power.”
Moth Flight understood his bewilderment. She could hardly believe what she’d seen. And yet it was true.
When they had returned from the Moonstone a few days ago, reaching camp in the early dawn light, Gorse Fur had been waiting at the entrance, his eyes widening with shock as Windstar padded toward him. He’d run to meet her, circling her in disbelief.
“StarClan healed you!” he gasped.
Windstar met his gaze steadily. “They did more than that. They gave me this life back, and eight more lives to lead WindClan through endless moons.”
Gorse Fur halted, his pelt rippling along his spine. He glanced toward Moth Flight. “Nine lives? How can that be?”
“I’m not sure.” Moth Flight shifted her paws. She was still awed by StarClan’s power. “But it’s true. I’ve seen it before in my dreams. It’s a gift they will give to all leaders.”
In the days that followed, Moth Flight had traveled to each camp, sharing her news with Acorn Fur and Clear Sky, Cloud Spots and Thunder, Pebble Heart and Tall Shadow, Dappled Pelt and River Ripple. River Ripple had seemed the least surprised; Clear Sky the most excited. Moth Flight was sure he’d have traveled with Acorn Fur by now to receive his nine lives. She hoped all the Clan leaders had visited the Moonstone by now. She’d find out tonight at the half-moon gathering.
Windstar’s mew jerked her from her thoughts. “Honey Pelt, get down!”
Moth Flight looked up to see the tom-kit scrambling onto the ledge halfway up the tall rock.
Swift Minnow and Reed Tail had leaped from the hollow. Reed Tail reached up with his forepaws, stretching until he was high enough to pluck Honey Pelt from the ledge by his scruff. He placed him on the ground.
Honey Pelt fluffed out his fur grumpily. “I’m not allowed to have any fun!”
Windstar stared at him sternly. “Go and play with your littermates.” She nodded toward where Bubbling Stream and Blue Whisker were chasing Spider Paw’s tail as he darted among the tussocks, whisking it over the grass.
Frowning, Honey Pelt padded toward them. His Clanmates streamed past as they raced for the entrance, heading for the moor. Above the camp, the sky stretched, clear and blue. Heather scent mingled with prey scent, rolling into camp on a light breeze.
Spider Paw halted and stared wistfully after Windstar and Gorse Fur as they followed the others through the gap in the heather wall.
Bubbling Stream bounced around him. “Let’s play hunting!” She ducked low, pressing her belly against the grass. Blue Whisker crouched beside him. Honey Pelt scrambled onto a tussock and reached his forepaws into the air. “I’m hunting buzzards!”
“Has a cat ever caught a buzzard?” Blue Whisker blinked at Moth Flight.
Moth Flight padded toward her. “I don’t think so. But when Gray Wing used to tell stories of the mountains, he said they caught eagles.”
“Who’s Gray Wing?” Blue Whisker asked.
Before she could answer, Rocky padded from his den. The old tom blinked at her sleepily. “Do you want me to watch the kits while you gather herbs?”
Moth Flight hesitated. Her stores had been low since Windstar’s sickness. She ought to restock them. But, in the days since she’d returned from the Moonstone, she’d felt a desperate need to be near her kits.
Rocky stared at her. “Yesterday, you said you need to fetch more catmint,” he reminded her. “You said your store was so low—”
Honey Pelt interrupted. “Can I have a badger ride?” He leaped from the tussock and landed on Moth Flight’s shoulders. She staggered, struggling to keep her balance.
Rocky padded closer. “I can do badger rides.”
Bubbling Stream bounded toward him. “Me first!”
Moth Flight padded forward, Honey Pelt wobbling on her back. Her thoughts drifted and unease twisted beneath her pelt. Windstar had nearly died. Spider Paw had nearly drowned. Torn between the needs of her Clan and the needs of her kits, Moth Flight felt herself veering between indecision and panic. She wasn’t being the best medicine cat she could be. Her medicine cat duties threatened her kits’ safety. Her duties as a mother threatened the good of her Clan. How could she give her full attention to both?
I’m a medicine cat.
Half Moon’s words rang in her mind again and again. This is your destiny, whether you want it or not. You have no choice but to follow it. Every Clan’s destiny depends on you.
Rocky gazed at Moth Flight questioningly. “Are you going to collect herbs?”
Moth Flight winced as Honey Pelt dug in his tiny claws. “Tomorrow,” she told Rocky. “I want to spend today with my kits.”
Moth Flight followed Pebble Heart through the tunnel. Cloud Spots padded behind. The scents of Acorn Fur and Dappled Pelt hung in the chilly air. “They must be waiting for us,” Moth Flight murmured, half to herself.
Pebble Heart’s tail stirred the air ahead. “It smells like they’ve just passed this way.”
Cloud Spots’s mew echoed against the damp stone. “I hope the clouds clear soon. The moon is rising.”
Fresh scents swirled around Moth Flight’s muzzle as the tunnel opened into the cave. In the watery light, she could just make out Acorn Fur and Dappled Pelt, sitting beside the Moonstone. Dappled Pelt’s face was raised toward the hole in the roof. Cloud shielded the stars.
“No moonlight tonight,” Dappled Pelt murmured.
Cloud Spots padded to the Moonstone and settled beside Acorn Fur. “The clouds might still clear.”
“Not before the moon passes.” Dappled Pelt turned to face him. “How will we share with StarClan?”
“Perhaps they don’t want to share tonight,” Acorn Fur sniffed. “That’s why they sent clouds.”
Moth Flight padded across the cold stone and sat down a little way from the others. Her heart felt heavy, her paws weary. She’d spent the whole journey praying that the sky would clear. She needed to share with StarClan. Half Moon, help me. Grief tugged at her belly.
Pebble Heart padded to her side and sat down. “StarClan has shared enough this moon.”
Acorn Fur tipped her ears toward him. “Did they give Tall Shadow nine lives?”
Pebble Heart nodded. “She’s Shadowstar now.”
Dappled Pelt’s tail swished over the rock. “River Ripple is Riverstar.”
“Thunder is Thunderstar,” Cloud Spots told them. He glanced at Acorn Fur. “What name did they give Clear Sky?”
“Skystar.” Acorn Fur’s tail swished over the stone. “I was so scared when I saw how much pain each life caused.”
“I don’t know how Riverstar stayed on his paws,” Dappled Pelt admitted.
Moth Flight gazed blankly at the Moonstone, only half-listening. She wanted to reach out and touch the dark stone. Perhaps StarClan would share even without moonlight.
“Did they really heal Windstar’s leg?”
Moth Flight suddenly realized Cloud Spots was speaking to her.
She shook out her pelt, trying to focus. “It’s like it was never broken.”
“I wish I could bring Sun Shadow here,” Pebble He
art commented sadly.
Moth Flight jerked her muzzle toward him. “Is Sun Shadow sick?”
“He’s had redcough,” Pebble Heart told her. “He’s over the worst of it, but he’s taking a while to get his strength back.”
Dappled Pelt leaned forward. “Do you think the Moonstone heals any cat?”
Moth Flight stared at the rock, surprised how dull it was without moonlight. “The Moonstone doesn’t do anything except let us share with StarClan. It’s StarClan that heals.”
Acorn Fur dipped her head. “Then let’s pray they heal Sun Shadow.”
Cloud Spots and Dappled Pelt murmured in agreement.
Pebble Heart glanced at Moth Flight. “How is the rest of your Clan? Have they recovered from their battle injuries?”
“Storm Pelt’s ear tip will always be torn,” Moth Flight told him. “But I think he’s secretly proud of his scars.”
Acorn Fur snorted. “Red Claw’s the same! He asked me not to treat the scratch on his muzzle. I told him not to be silly. What if it got infected?” She purred suddenly, her eyes glistening with affection. “I didn’t realize Red Claw was such a kind cat. He’s changed since the battle. I think making peace with Willow Tail has softened him.”
A teasing glint flashed in Dappled Pelt’s gaze. “You sound like you’re in love.”
Acorn Fur looked away shyly. “We have been getting close,” she admitted. “We’ve even talked about sharing a nest.”
Cloud Spots purred. “It looks like Moth Flight won’t be the only medicine cat with kits.”
“No!” Moth Flight stiffened, surprised at the harshness of her mew.
Pebble Heart blinked at her. Dappled Pelt and Cloud Spots narrowed their eyes.
“What’s wrong?” Acorn Fur tipped her head uneasily.
Moth Flight’s throat tightened. Grief swelled in her chest.
“Are you worried I’ll lose him like you lost Micah?” Acorn Fur pressed. “You were unlucky. Not all relationships end like that. I mean, I’m sorry yours did, but it doesn’t mean Red Claw will—”