Moth Flight glared at her. “You don’t understand!” The walls echoed the sharpness of her voice. The fear and uncertainty that had nagged at her since Windstar had been hurt hit her like an icy blast of wind. She gripped the stone with her claws, bracing herself against the emotion sweeping over her. “No medicine cat should have kits! They shouldn’t even take a mate!”
Acorn Fur stared at her. “But you did!”
Moth Flight’s mouth dried as she gazed back at the SkyClan cat. “I was wrong.” Her mew cracked.
“What do you mean?” Pebble Heart’s eyes rounded with worry.
“I can’t be a mother and a medicine cat,” Moth Flight sobbed. “Spider Paw nearly drowned. I pulled him from the river. He wasn’t breathing.” She stared at the others wildly. “I was so scared, I didn’t know what to do! A medicine cat can’t be like that!”
“But you saved him,” Pebble Heart pointed out.
“Micah saved him!” Moth Flight confessed. “He spoke to me and told me what to do. I was frozen with terror! If Micah hadn’t told me what to do, I would have watched my kit die.” Her flanks heaved as her breathing quickened. She felt Pebble Heart’s tail smoothing her spiked fur, but she went on. “I spend half my time terrified that my kits might die while I’m looking after my Clan, and the other half terrified a Clanmate might die while I’m looking after my kits. StarClan sent me a sign that let me save Windstar. But what if they’d sent it earlier, while I was rescuing Spider Paw? I would have missed it! Windstar could be dead. And we’d have never discovered that leaders should have nine lives.”
Cloud Spots lifted his chin. “StarClan would have sent another sign! They’d have made sure you saw it.”
“You don’t know that! We can’t risk it!” Moth Flight’s eyes grew hot as she glared at Acorn Fur. “You can’t have kits with Red Claw. You mustn’t even share his nest. You must live only for your Clan. It’s the only way to stay strong.”
Acorn Fur’s eyes flashed angrily in the darkness. “That’s easy for you to say. You’ve had a mate. You’ve got kits!”
Moth Flight shifted her paws, the stone walls pressing in around her. “I can’t do it anymore!”
Pebble Heart stiffened beside her. “Are you going to stop being a medicine cat?”
“No.” Moth Flight gasped as sorrow plunged thorn-sharp claws deep into her heart. “Being a medicine cat is my destiny. It’s what I was always supposed to be. The Clans depend on me. Half Moon told me.”
Pebble Heart’s eyes glowed darkly in the half-light. “What are you going to do?”
The earth seemed to tremble beneath Moth Flight’s paws. The pain she’d felt at Micah’s death seemed to open in her chest, pouring out grief sharper than any she could imagine. “I’m going to give up my kits.”
CHAPTER 36
“The oaks are so big!” Honey Pelt’s breathless mew echoed across the shadowy Fourtrees clearing. He gazed up through the branches. The sky was turning purple as the sun sank below the distant horizon. Stars began to show, glimmering among the leaves.
Blue Whisker huddled closer to Moth Flight. “Can we go home now?”
Moth Flight’s throat tightened. Words dried on her tongue. She couldn’t answer. Instead she called to Spider Paw, who was scrambling over an ancient oak root. “Stay close.”
He glanced over his shoulder. “But I want to explore.”
Honey Pelt marched toward his brother, Bubbling Stream at his heels. “Moth Flight said to come back!”
Blue Whisker started to shiver. “I’m cold.”
“It won’t be long now.” Moth Flight scanned the slopes of the Fourtrees hollow. Were they coming?
Pebble Heart, Dappled Pelt, Acorn Fur, and Cloud Spots had arranged everything. They’d spoken to their leaders and brought news that each Clan would accept one of Moth Flight’s kits.
“Are you sure that you don’t want them to stay together?” Acorn Fur had asked when she’d visited the WindClan camp the day before.
“No.” Moth Flight had been certain. “I want one kit to go to each Clan.” She hadn’t explained more. She knew she was doing the right thing.
“But if they stay together, they’ll be able to look after each other,” Acorn Fur had reasoned.
“I’m sure their new Clans will look after them well enough.” Moth Flight hadn’t met Acorn Fur’s gaze. It was hard enough to stop her mew from trembling.
Acorn Fur didn’t press her. “Clear Sky and Star Flower are thrilled to be taking Honey Pelt. They still miss Tiny Branch, and Honey Pelt will be a comfort to them.”
“Moth Flight?” Blue Whisker’s mew jerked her back to the moment. The she-kit was gazing through the branches. Her white-and-yellow pelt glowed in the dusky light. “Is that where StarClan lives? In the sky?”
“A new star is born each time a cat dies,” Moth Flight explained.
“Which one’s Micah?” Blue Whisker narrowed her eyes, straining to see through the leaves.
“I’m not sure.” Moth Flight’s mew thickened. “But he’s up there watching you.”
“Really?” Blue Whisker blinked at her hopefully.
Moth Flight touched her muzzle to the yellow-and-white kit’s head. “Really,” she promised.
“Get out of the way!” Bubbling Stream’s cross mew rang across the clearing. She was trying to pull herself onto the gnarled oak root beside her brothers.
Moth Flight gazed at them desperately. They were so small, their pelts like pale thistledown against the bark. “Come here,” she called. “I need to speak to you.”
Honey Pelt leaped from the root and charged toward her. He must have heard the fear in her mew. “What’s wrong?”
Spider Paw raced after him. “Are we going home now?”
Bubbling Stream dropped to the ground and hurried behind them. “Why did you bring us here?”
Moth Flight nosed Blue Whisker away from her flank. “Stand beside your littermates.” She gazed at her kits as they lined up in front of her, their eyes wide with excitement. “I have to tell you something important.”
One day you will gather the scattered petals of the Blazing Star, but not yet. Micah’s words burned in her mind. She remembered the stories her mother used to tell of the Blazing Star prophecy, which had separated the cats into Clans.
You will gather the scattered petals.
She was destined to bring the Clans together, one flower made of five petals, just like the Blazing Star flower.
But not yet.
She would bring the petals together, but first, she must scatter them. Her bloodline must flow into each Clan.
She blinked solemnly at her kits. “The leaders of the Clans are coming here tonight.”
“Why?” Spider Paw pricked his ears.
Blue Whisker shrank back. “Do we have to meet them?”
Moth Flight didn’t answer. She forced herself to go on. “They are coming here to meet you. They want you to go live with them, as part of their Clans. Each of you will go to a different Clan.”
Bubbling Stream stuck out her muzzle. “I’m not going anywhere.”
Moth Flight steadied her breath. “You will be well cared for and your new Clan will be your home from now on.”
Blue Whisker’s eyes clouded with terror. “I don’t want to go.”
“Are you giving us away?” Spider Paw looked confused.
Bubbling Stream frowned. “Did we do something wrong?”
“No!” Moth Flight’s heart seemed to crack. She began to tremble. “I love you so much. But it has to be this way.”
Honey Pelt’s gaze grew hard. “No it doesn’t. You want it this way.”
Moth Flight swallowed. “Yes,” she admitted softly. “But not because I don’t want you—it’s because you are special.”
Spider Paw growled. “So special you have to get rid of us!”
Micah, help me! Moth Flight glanced up desperately. Why do I have to do this alone? She straightened, determined to be strong. “Your father spoke to
me,” she began. “He told me that one day I would gather the scattered petals of the Blazing Star.”
“What’s that got to do with us?” Spider Paw demanded angrily.
“You are the petals,” Moth Flight told him. “Long before you were born, the spirit-cats came into this clearing—”
“Spirit-cats?” Bubbling Stream looked anxiously over her shoulder.
“Are they with us now?” Blue Whisker blinked into the shadows.
“We’re alone,” Moth Flight soothed. “But they used to come here. Before I found the Moonstone. Before the Clans existed. It was the spirit-cats who told us to split into five Clans, like the petals of the Blazing Star flower. The cats had grown jealous. They all wanted land. They fought over who owned the forest and the moor. Many died. So we divided the land fairly among us and became the Clans.”
“But the Clans still fight each other,” Spider Paw pointed out. “That’s how Windstar got hurt.”
Moth Flight nodded. “That is why you must each join a Clan. You are littermates. Your bond is strong. One day, when you are grown up, that bond will make the Clans into one family once more. You are the petals of the Blazing Star.”
Honey Pelt narrowed his eyes thoughtfully. “So we won’t fight anymore?”
“Exactly.” Pride warmed Moth Flight’s pelt.
Bubbling Stream looked unconvinced. “Why do we have to join new Clans? Why can’t Storm Pelt and Eagle Feather and Dew Nose?”
Spider Paw glanced at his sister. “Because we’re special.”
Blue Whisker stared at Moth Flight. “I don’t want to be special.”
Moth Flight hesitated. Her mind whirled back to the moor, all those moons ago. She remembered her father’s words. Dust Muzzle will make a fine hunter one day, but Moth Flight is special. How little she’d understood. She thrust her muzzle close to Blue Whisker, her heart twisting. “I need you to be brave, little one. I’m asking you to do something very hard. I know you’re scared. But you will be safe. ThunderClan cats are kind. You’ll love the forest. It’s full of beautiful plants, and it’s warmer than the moor. The wind whispers high in the trees so you’ll never feel lonely. And the Clan will raise you as its own.”
“But I want you to raise me.” Blue Whisker’s breath warmed Moth Flight’s cheek. The pain in her heart was almost too much to bear, but she forced herself not to tremble.
Honey Pelt nosed between them. “Come on, Blue Whisker. It’ll be exciting. You’ll see Moth Flight at Gatherings and the rest of us won’t be far away.” He looked at Moth Flight. “Which Clan will I go to?”
“SkyClan,” Moth Flight told him.
“You see?” Honey Pelt blinked at Blue Whisker. “I’ll be living in the same forest as you, and Bubbling Stream or Spider Paw will be in RiverClan.”
“Spider Paw is going to live with RiverClan,” Moth Flight told him.
Spider Paw’s eyes widened with horror. “I’ll have to eat fish. And swim!”
Honey Pelt nudged him. “At least next time you fall in the river, you won’t half drown.”
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 suppo
sed 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.