Leafpool's paws hit the springy forest floor that was scattered with pine needles and crunchy leaves left there from leaf-fall. The wind whistled through the trees that were swaying lightly from side to side. They seemed to be whispering secrets between each other. As she stepped out of the trees onto the grassy moorland she looked up to see a half moon set into the starry sky glowing fabulously. She slowly padded on towards the stream that gurgled softly in the night. As she looked into the water she saw the starlight on the water and it reminded her of earlier days. The way she got her true medicine cat name, when she was free. Free from her own feelings that shifted restlessly inside her very soul.

Before long Littlecloud trotted into view. There goes my hope of talking to Mothwing before we talk with StarClan. Although Leafpool wanted to talk to Mothwing, she was kind of glad that she didn't arrive first. She was still building up the confidence to even think about it, shouldn't she be able to tell one of her best friends? She shook her head to clear it and meowed a greeting to Littlecloud.

"Hey Littlecloud" Leafpool was aware that her voice was cracked with stress but she couldn't hide it.

"Good evening Leafpool. Is all well with Thunderclan?" Littlecloud seemed to take her up on her exhaustion.

"As well as I can expect it to be after the badgers. And Shadowclan?" Leafpool asked.

"We're fine too. Look I heard about Cinderpelt. I'm so sorry. Losing her, she was so young..." He hung his head and added "She was the one that influenced me to be a medicine cat"

"We'll all miss her." Leafpool wondered if she should tell him about Cinderkit's, Cinderpelt-like eyes and pelt, but she thought better of it.

Not to long after Littlecloud had arrived, Barkface's dark pelt appeared slipping over the wind blown moorland. Leafpool shifted uncomfortably, hoping he would not bring up Crowfeather. Soon he was pulling himself out of the stream to sit by Littlecloud. He deliberately ignored Leafpool's gaze and directed his greeting at Littlecloud.

"Good evening. Is all well with you?"

"Yes Shadowclan are fine. Leafpool was just telling me about the badgers. Did they affect you?" Littlecloud meowed

"Not much. We sent a patrol of our warriors over to help but none of them had that bad wounds." Barkface kept his voice tight so not to give away anything about Leafpool and Crowfeather. Leafpool shot him a glance and he returned it with a look that could tear apart her soul. He seemed sorry for her. She was almost to embarrassed to hold his gaze and lowered her head. They sat there a while longer before Barkface meowed.

"We better be going. Mothwing'll catch up with us. She is normally late, no point waiting any longer"

Leafpool had to admit he was right. The half moon already rode high in the night sky and the were wasting time. Wearily she trudged up the hill behind Littlecloud and Barkface. The stream trickle gently beside them and the wind dropped to reveal a rather warm night, even though the air was still fresh. Leaves were beginning to force their way out into the open and trees were starting to look fuller again. Before long every plant would be in full bloom and it would be easier to restock the medicine supplies.

They were almost at the moonpool by the time Mothwing caught up. She was panting heavily and reeked dirty water. Her usually glowing fur was slick with water and grime.

"What happened to you?" Littlecloud meowed laughingly "You look like you fell in the lake!"

"Er.. Well I did sort of..." Mothwing broke off embarrassed.

"You... You actually fell in the lake?!" Leafpool reeled amazed "How do you manage it Mothwing?" How? You never fail to amaze me!"

Barkface and Littlecloud let out a mrrrwww of laughter whilst Mothwing turned her back and meowed "It's not my fault!" But even Mothwing couldn't help cracking a smile.

"Okay then we best be going now. We are literally there come on you lot!" Barkface, the eldest of the medicine cat meowed it, whiskas still quivering with amusement. Then he slipped behind the screen of ferns and descended to the moonpool. Littleclouds looked back at Mothwing, eyes gleaming and followed. Mothwing turned her head to Leafpool and purred for at moment then they set off after the other two medicine cats.

Leafpool opened her eyes to find Spottedleaf standing in front of her.

"Spottedleaf. I thought you'd never speak to me again! Especially as..." Her voice faded away and Spottedleaf paced over to her and placed her tail on her shoulders comfortingly.

"No one is ashamed of you Leafpool. Goodness knows we all have feelings." Spottedleaf's voice gave off nothing and was a quiet as the ripples on the surface of the moonpool.

After a while Leafpool looked up at her "Are you talking about my father?"

Spottedleaf sighed "Yes. And I'm not scared to admit it. I loved Firestar, but he was destined to be with Sandstorm and I cannot change that. I trust Starclan with where they lead my paws"

Leafpool swallowed back her emotions and meowed "Crowfeather is meant for Nightcloud... Isn't he?"

Spottedleaf didn't answer. Instead she looked out across the moonpool and meowed "Look at the water, what do you see?"

Leafpool narrowed her eyes at Spottedleaf. Why hadn't she answered? Did she think she couldn't handle the truth? She peered into the water. She didn't see anything out of the ordinary. "There's nothing there Spottedleaf!"

"Exactly. Nothing is there." Spottedleaf

"What do you mean." Leafpool was now thoroughly confused.

"Look again. But this time look at yourself" Spottedleaf meowed

Leafpool leant over the edge. No sounds or movements disturbed the water. When she looked at herself she almost fell in. The water was black and reflected nothing. Not the stars in the sky or herself and Spottedleaf.

"What does it mean Spottedleaf?"

Spottedleaf didn't answer but Leafpool heard it in her head.

Great trouble is coming. Night will cover vision.