Willowtail's Doubts

As she was on her way to the Mistpool to become leader, she was having second thoughts. Willowtail didn't want to do this again. She didn't want to become the leader of MouseClan. It hadn't worked before.

She had been the leader of MoonClan, long ago. She was well-liked there because of her hunting abilities. When she went out to hunt she would take two apprentices with her to help carry her sizable catch. Then it happened.

A border patrol went out to survey the WaveClan border. WaveClan had been accused of prey-stealing by MouseClan just a quarter moon before, and MoonClan didn't want to take any chances. The patrol found their clanmate, Frozenspring, just inside the border, lying dead in a pool of sticky blood with a gash through his throat. Next to him was a clump of fur, what the patrol identified as her fur.

She tried to tell them that she hadn't done the terrible thing she was accused of, but they wouldn't listen. They drove her out, but fortunately MouseClan took her in.

Willowtail drifted back into the present, "Mintcloud," she said to the MouseClan medicine cat while padding into the dark cave of the Mistpool.

"I don't want to do this. I don't want to make the same mistake again."

"Don't worry," Mintcloud comforted her, "You will be fine. We both know that you didn't do what you were accused of. Just breathe in deeply, let the mist calm you, and we can get started."

"Okay," Willowtail replied shakily. She took a deep breath and could smell the wonderful scent the mist possessed. It smelled of morning dew, her favorite scent. It caused Willowtail to fall into a deep sleep.

When she awoke she was in a bright, shimmering forest, StarClan surrounding her. Nine cats stepped out from the crowd, among them was Frozenspring. He gave her a warm look, and she knew that he understood.

With each life she received from the glistening cats, she felt more and more confident that this was the right thing for her.