Honeystar woke with a yawn and stretched, shaking her body as she did. She had recently been confirmed leader of Forestclan but was confused as to what this could mean. She remembered a cat speaking to her as though from a distance, telling her to seek out others and bind them together into a clan. He had told her that he was a Starclan spirit, the afterlife where clan ancestors went. But should she really put so much stock into a dream? The tabby shook her head and stood. Perhaps she could test this "Starclan" by requesting a member to come to her. See if they complied.

The lake from which she had awoken a leader was almost a day from the nest that Honeystar had made and by the time she reached it, the sky had already darkened. She glanced at the rising moon and hesitated. Would Starclan grant her wish? Did they even exist? Would this mysterious tom come and speak to her? She snarled in an attempt to push away her fears. She had to do this. Had to see if this was all real or nothing more than a dream. She lapped up some of the waters and went to sleep.

The world in which she awoke was one of mist and for a moment, Honeystar simply stared with wonder. Then, she remembered her request. Maybe this was a simple dream. Or maybe this was not. "Cats of Starclan," she said, "I know that I am a new leader and I need your help. Would you be so kind as to send me a…" Here, she paused for a moment. Ranks swam through her brain and she wondered how she knew them. Who did she want first? A warrior, capable of protecting the borders of her territory and hunting within them? A deputy, sure of loyalty? "I would like you to please send me a medicine cat," she said finally and the world faded to black. The next time she blinked, she found herself lying on the ground next to the lake, hoping that her wish would be granted.

The weather was miserable and Honeystar found herself growling at the rain pouring from the sky. Why did she have to set up her borders so far from the Moonpool, the name she had decided to give to the lake. She found that she didn't have an answer for that.

"Excuse me?" asked a quiet voice coming from her right.

The golden-brown tabby swung around with a hiss. Had it been dry, her fur would have puffed in fright and hostility. As it was, her face was quite a fright. Her rage quickly stilled at seeing the black tom trying to shrink into the boulder. "I'm sorry," she said quietly, trying to position herself in a less aggressive manner. "I just got startled and I hate this weather."

The tom chuckled. "I know what you mean," he said. "I was just passing through and when the weather started, took refuge here."

Honeystar cocked her head. "How would you…like to be part of my clan?"

"What's that?" asked the tom, confused.

Honeystar's ears twitched with embarrassment. "Oh, uh," she stammered. "How about you tell me your name first? I'm Honeystar, leader of Forestclan. Not that there's much to lead," she muttered.

"I'm Crow," replied the tom, not giving any indication he'd heard Honeystar's muttering. "Wandering healer." He cocked his head. "You're not going to press me into service, are you? I've heard that some of the groups 'round here do that. Kidnap cats and force them to be loyal."

Honeystar started. "No- who- I'd never do that!" she sputtered. "No, if you want to join as a healer, you're welcome to. But if not, you can go." Kidnap cats? She hadn't heard that about the other clans. But then, she also knew very little about the other clans nearby.

Crow looked at her and his intense gaze made it seem as though he could see right through her. "I believe you," he decided. "And I suppose I might as well come with you, assuming you have some shelter?" With this, he looked at her expectantly.

"Not really," she admitted. "But I've got the beginnings of some dens. And if you could help me with those, I'd be eternally grateful."

"Eternally, huh?" he mused, small grin on his muzzle. "Alright. Let's go. The weather's not getting any better."

And that was how Forestclan gained its first medicine cat.