THE STARS TWINKLED in the dark sky above, like little eyes watching the land below. Not a trace of cloud lined the darkness, but left it bare, in a beautiful way. There was lush grass, flourishing in the newleaf climate, where Dovepaw walked. But there was something else stalking through the grass, a faint starry shape.

"Frostfeather!" Dovepaw exclaimed quietly. "What message do you have to share with me?"

The white and black-spotted she-cat let out a gentle mrrow of amusement. "Dovepaw, you must learn patience. I know this is a dark time that your Clan is suffering, and you desperately need answers, but you still need patience."

Dovepaw felt her fur grow warm with embarrassment. "Er—I'm sorry, Frostfeather. Is it something about Moonclaw, though?"

A purr rumbled from inside Frostfeather's throat once again. "Yes. The other StarClan cats and I have discussed it. The more ancient cats have informed us that they have seen things that have to do with the history of Moonclaw."

Dovepaw flicked her tail. "Oh, well, I already know some of her history. From stories from the elders when I was just a kit. She was a MoonClan apprentice before the Clan left our old territory."

"What I wanted to tell you was: Moonclaw isn't actually that bad." Frostfeather eyes Dovepaw with such intensity that Dovepaw felt her fur prickle all over.

"What are you telling me? At least tell me what her ability is! I know she has some sort of ability, because she's so unnatural," Dovepaw pleaded.

"We don't know exactly what it is, so it is your duty to find out, Dovepaw," Frosfeather meowed.

Dovepaw's jaw dropped open in shock. She stared at Frostfeather in disbelief. "B-but that's impossible! How can I find out without putting myself in certain danger?"

Frostfeather tilted her black-speckled head to one side. "And why would you be putting yourself in danger?"

Dovepaw had her answer immediately. She straightened up and looked Frostfeather in the eyes boldly. "Well, if Moonclaw was sent away to do MoonClan's bidding, then surely something bad would happen. It's MoonClan we're dealing with here!" How could she be so dumb? She's oblivious to the facts!

Frostfeather brushed her tail over Dovepaw's flank in an effort to calm her. "Calm yourself. Now I understand why you think this would put you in danger. But I wouldn't make you do this if I knew you would get harmed. I care about you, Dovepaw. You must know that."

A sigh of defeat escaped Dovepaw. "Okay. I guess I'll search for signs." Frostfeather drew in breath to answer, but Dovepaw interrupted. "But since you promised, I trust that you'll prevent anything bad from happening to me."

Frostfeather purred at Dovepaw's wry comment. "I will prevent anything bad from happening to you," she promised, repeating Dovepaw's statement.

Dovepaw dipped her head approvingly. Then, casting one last thankful glance at Frostfeather, she disappeared into darkness along with the dream.

When Dovepaw opened her eyes she looked around at the den. Soft gray light was just fading and being replaced with bright sunlight. The camp was quiet besides the quiet murmurs of the returning patrols. The trees' leaves rustled in the light wind.

Dovepaw sat up in her small nest and began to give herself a thorough wash quickly. Then she left the den and limped to the medicine den. She was mostly worried about Whitefoot, but she also wanted to know what they would be doing for training that day. "Good morning," she greeted them. Badgertooth was awake and grooming himself thoroughly. "Today I thought that maybe we should go over poisonous plants and the herbs that can heal their side effects," Badgertooth mewed between strokes of his tongue.

Dovepaw nodded approvingly. "Okay. But really, haven't we gone over that enough?"

Badgertooth began to give himself a wash. In between licks he explained, "We have gone over just herbs a lot. Not poisonous plants. You've only had experience with deathberries, but you'll need more knowledge than that."

"And I could tell you about my thoughts from last night on the way?" And I could tell him about Frostfeather's message at the same time.

Badgertooth purred. "Sure. You seem to be quite ecstatic about this. I'm sure this'll be interesting."

Dovepaw shrugged. "Can we go now?" She glanced at Whitefoot, who was just emerging from slumber.

"Check his injury first. Make sure there's nothing wrong," Badgertooth instructed.

Dovepaw nodded and strode to Whitefoot. "Good morning. Do you feel alright? Do you need anything?"

Whitefoot yawned. "I feel fine, thanks. When can I return to warrior duties?"

Dovepaw glanced at Badgertooth and then back at Whitefoot. "Today, maybe. I think you are doing fine, which tells me that you will experience no trouble doing warrior jobs."

Whitefoot's blue eyes lit up with jubilation. "Really? That's amazing! Thank you!"

Dovepaw dipped her head, both in a playful and former manner. "You are so very welcome." She looked at Badgertooth again and joined him. "Now can we go?"

"Sure. Will you be fine here?" Baadgertooth asked Whitefoot.

"Perfectly."

Badgertooth nodded and kinked his tail over his back to tell Dovepaw Follow me.

Excitedly Dovepaw followed. Badgertooth led her outside of the camp and to the forest where most of the herbs grew. "Hey—can I tell you about my thoughts from yesterday now?" Dovepaw asked expectantly.

Badgertooth nodded. "Go ahead."

Taking a deep breath, Dovepaw began: "Have you noticed anything odd about Moonclaw? Unnatural, really?"

Badgertooth shook his head. "Not really. She's just very calm. All cats have a different personality."

"She's calm and very beautiful, but that's not it. Her appearance is so unnatural, like she isn't real, but at the same time, I know she's real," Dovepaw explained. "You know what I mean?"

Badgertooth nodded. "But I've talked to her some, and she seems like a nice cat. I don't think she's up to anything."

I bet she made you think that! I know she's doing something, like doing MoonClan's bidding. And that is probably what the ability is. Makes sense that a MoonClan cat would have an ability like that. Dovepaw prevented herself from bristling. "I'll just have to look into it."

"And how do you think you're going to do that? There's no way, unless you talk to Moonclaw," Badgertooth meowed. "But I doubt you could get to RiverClan without having your pelt torn off."

Dovepaw flicked her tail irritably. "If you say so. But I'll find a way to prove you wrong."