“We should get the kits back to Slate,” Spotted Fur meowed.
Moth Flight was suddenly aware that White Tail was shivering against her belly. “He’s right. They’re getting cold.”
“You didn’t seem worried about that while you were digging out your precious weed.” Willow Tail stared fiercely at the heather where Red Claw had disappeared. “What if he stays on our land?”
“Who cares?” Moth Flight grasped White Tail’s scruff and began to pad toward camp, annoyed at the older she-cat. It’s not a weed, it’s a plant! And she made me leave it behind for the sake of the kits. Now she wants to go chasing after a SkyClan cat.
“I’m sure he’ll leave,” Spotted Fur assured Willow Tail, gathering her in with his tail. “Even SkyClan cats know better than to tangle with Wind Runner. Now let’s get the kits home.”
Willow Tail watched the heather for a few moments more, then sighed and began walking back toward camp. “All right.”
Soon, Moth Flight could see the dip where their camp nestled into the hillside and, after a few more paw steps, its heather walls showed against the windswept grass. They were nearly home.
Spotted Fur fell in beside her, Black Ear dangling from his jaws.
She frowned, wondering why he’d been so tough on Red Claw, then she heard a yowl.
Slate was bounding from the camp, Wind Runner at her heels.
“Are they okay? Are they safe?” Slate skidded to a halt, her eyes round with fear.
Spotted Fur placed Black Ear at her paws. “They’re a bit cold and hungry, but no harm done.”
Moth Flight put White Tail gently down. The kit ran at once to his mother and nuzzled into her soft gray flank.
Silver Stripe wailed, struggling in Willow Tail’s jaws. “I fell down a rabbit hole!” Willow Tail dropped her and she raced toward Slate. “Moth Flight had to climb down and push me out.”
“She was in there for ages!” White Tail told Slate.
“We thought a badger was going to eat her!” Black Ear added.
Slate pulled her kits to her belly, her eyes glistening even brighter with worry.
Spotted Fur brushed Moth Flight’s flank with his tail. “It was just a rabbit hole,” he told Slate. “Too small for badgers.
We had to dig it open before Moth Flight could squeeze in and rescue her.”
Moth Flight felt a wave of gratitude toward her friend.
Spotted Fur always defends me. But then she caught Wind Runner’s eye and her belly tightened.
Her mother was glaring at her. “You were asked to watch them, Moth Flight.”
Moth Flight stared at her paws, shame worming beneath her pelt. “I’m sorry.”
Slate began lapping her kits furiously. “It was my fault,” she murmured between licks. “I was in a hurry to lie down. I should have asked someone more reliable to keep an eye on them, like Fern Leaf, but she was hunting.”
Her words raked Moth Flight like claws. She glanced nervously at her mother. Wind Runner’s eyes were burning with rage.
The WindClan leader growled. “Moth Flight is old enough to know better. Her Clanmates should be able to rely on her.”
Moth Flight shifted her paws. “It won’t happen again,” she mumbled.
“I wish I could believe you,” Wind Runner hissed. “How does it look to the Clan if my own kit can’t be trusted?”
Moth Flight flinched. Why did her mother have to be the Clan leader? Everything I do must be an example to the Clan!
And if she got anything wrong, she was letting the whole Clan down. Resentment burned in her belly as she watched Slate fussing over her kits. I bet she doesn’t expect them to be perfect all the time!
Gray fur flashed at the camp entrance. Her father, Gorse Fur, was hurrying toward them, Dust Muzzle and Fern Leaf at his heels. “You found them!” He stared proudly at Moth Flight.
“She lost them!” Wind Runner snapped.
Dust Muzzle’s eyes rounded with sympathy as he caught sight of Moth Flight. She saw him exchange glances with Spotted Fur. This was so humiliating. Did Wind Runner have to scold her in front of every cat?
Spotted Fur seemed to guess her thoughts. “Let’s get the kits into camp,” he suggested. “It’s more sheltered there.” Wind was tugging at their fur. He began to nose Silver Stripe, Black Ear, and White Tail toward the camp entrance, then glanced at Willow Tail. “Are you coming?”
The pale tabby shook her head. “I’m going to follow Red Claw’s scent,” she growled. “I want to make sure he crossed the border.”
Wind Runner narrowed her eyes. “Was Red Claw on our land?”
Moth Flight lifted her head sharply. “He wasn’t hunting. He just wanted to lie in the sun.”
“They have sun in SkyClan,” Wind Runner answered sharply. She nodded toward Willow Tail. “Go make sure he’s left our territory.”
“I’ll go with you,” Fern Leaf offered, following Willow Tail.
“Why do we have to have all this fuss about borders?” Moth
Flight blurted.
Wind Runner silenced her with a look. “You weren’t around for the great battle. If you had been, you’d understand.” There was darkness in her gaze.
Moth Flight curled her claws into the ground. I don’t know why I bother opening my mouth. Her fur pricked angrily along her spine as Willow Tail headed away. Then she remembered her plant. She had to fetch it before a rabbit ate it or the wind blew it away. She turned and began to pad downslope.
“Where are you going?” Wind Runner snapped.
Moth Flight halted. What was wrong now? “I have to fetch a new plant I discovered.”
“No you don’t.” Wind Runner’s mew was hard with anger.
Gorse Fur nosed past the Clan leader and met Moth Flight’s gaze. “Your mother wants us to go hunting together.”
But my plant! Moth Flight’s heart sank. What was the point in arguing? Wind Runner would never understand.
Dust Muzzle weaved around her. “Come on,” he murmured to her softly. “Hunting will put us all in a good mood.” He snatched a glance at Wind Runner.
Moth Flight huffed. “Yeah, right.”
Gorse Fur sniffed the air. “I smell rabbit!” Lifting his tail, he raced across the grass. Wind Runner shot Moth Flight a final searing look, and bounded after him.
Dust Muzzle nudged Moth Flight with his shoulder. “Come on. She can’t be angry forever.”
Moth Flight stared after her mother. The lithe tabby moved with expert speed across the grass, her tail low, and her shoulders pumping rhythmically. Why did Wind Runner have to be so good at everything?
Dust Muzzle darted away. “I’ll race you!” he called over his shoulder.
Moth Flight hurried after him, her heart like a stone in her chest. Her brother’s words rang in her ears as her paws thrummed the earth. She can’t be angry forever. Wind streamed through her fur.
With a daughter like me, she probably can.
Chapter 3
Gorse Fur pulled up sharply as the slope steepened toward the moortop. Moth Flight was out of breath and relieved to see Wind Runner halt beside her mate. Dust Muzzle reached them first. She couldn’t help noticing that he was hardly panting as she scrambled to a halt beside him.
Wind Runner surveyed the moor, her pelt rippling the chilly breeze. Moth Flight gazed past her, staring across the wide valley that dipped behind them to Highstones. The sun burned orange in the pale blue sky and, as it sank toward the craggy peaks, Moth Flight watched their vast shadow fall across the moor and fold it in darkness. She suddenly felt very small.