Chapter 9
The next moon had been an eventful one. Three more warriors joined named Samuel, Cotton, and Lilac. Now all they need was a medicine cat, a leader, and a deputy and they could go to the clans.
But none of the cats had any knowledge of herbs. And none had had any strange dreams.
As the sun started to rise Lightningstrike took Foxtail, Kimber, and Link out on a hunting patrol.
Kimber had just caught a mouse when Lightningstrike heard the bushes rustle.
Foxtail was about to spring on the bush when a cat emerged. It was a tabby and white she-cat; she was a lot like Kimber in color. But instead of Kimber's pale green eyes, her eyes were a brilliant silver.
"Are you Lightningstrike?" the tabby asked
"Yes I am, how do you know my name?" he said suspiciously.
"I am sorry to frighten you, my name is Estrati", she said.
"You didn't frighten me"
"Oh… I am here because the cats in my dreams told me to come"
"What did they look like?"
"They were all colors but every cat had stars in their fur"
"Are you sure?" Lightningstrike questioned.
"Of course I'm sure", Estrati snapped.
"I'm sorry; I didn't mean to be rude. Would you be willing to join us if I told you what the dreams meant?" Lightningstrike proposed.
She didn't answer right away, but when she did she said nodding, "I want to know what the dreams mean"
"Alright then, follow me", Lightningstrike said as he guided her back to the den.
"These dreams that you have, they are from Starclan; they want you to become our Medicine Cat", Lightningstrike said to Estrati
"What's a Medicine Cat?" Estrati asked.
"A Medicine Cat is a cat that heals the rest of their clan and receives messages from Starclan about the future", Lightningstrike explained
"That's twice now you've talked about Starclan, what is that?" Estrati asked quizzically.
"Starclan is the dead warriors of the past. You can see them at night in the Silverpelt", Lightningstrike said
"Well…, I guess living with you cats can't be any worse than living as a loner", Estrati joked.
"Good, so do you now any herbs?" Lightningstrike asked
"I know a few basic ones", Estrati said, "But how will I learn the others?"
"Starclan will help you in your dreams", Lightningstrike said surely
"Oh…right", Estrati muttered, still sounding very unsure.
Lightningstrike left Estrati's side and went to the middle of the den where all the cats where siting around and announced, "Estrati has decided to become our Medicine Cat. Now that we have everyone we need I thought we could vote on who the leader should be. Does anyone have any ideas?"
Clover stepped forward and said, "You brought most of this clan together, I think you should be leader Lightningstrike"
"Me…leader!?", Lightningstrike said astounded.
"I agree", Yowled Foxtail
"As do I"
"I do to"
"Me too"
"Then it is settled", Foxtail announced happily, "Lightningstrike will be our leader"
All the clan shouted, "Lightningstrike, Lightningstrike!"
"Fine, I will be your leader. Which means I must choose a deputy. I say these words before Starclan, so that the spirits of our warrior ancestors may hear and approve of my choice. Foxtail will be the new deputy!" Lightningstrike said with pride in his friend.
"Foxtail, Foxtail!", the clan shouted
"I have one more announcement. Every clan needs a name and ours shall be Lightningclan"
"Lightningclan, Lightningclan!", the clan shouted once more.
"Then we shall go to the clans tomorrow. I want everyone in the nests soon. I want you all strong for tomorrow", he ordered.
Then he went to his nest and fell asleep, excited for what tomorrow would bring.