Starlight/Chapter 2

==Chapter description==
:Leafpaw watches her sister, Squirrelflight, make her way down to the lake with the rest of her patrol. She can tell her sister is excited by the tingling of her fur. Leafpaw feels drawn to the presence of Crowfeather, knowing of all the cats from the Great Journey he was the hardest to understand. She wishes she could get to know him better, although something had told her he had an important path laid ahead of him by StarClan. 
:She jumps as Cinderpelt brushes past her, and then stares at her. Cinderpelt asks if she wants to go with the patrol, Leafpaw hesitates, unsure what to say. She sees an image of Crowfeather in her mind, and gasps, imagining she and Crowfeather bounding through the grass. Finally, she shakes her head, saying that there's enough work to be done.
:Cinderpelt agrees with her apprentice, and admits their stock is only a few leaves and a pawful of berries. Leafpaw gulps, wondering if she should've gone with the patrol to look for new supplies. Her mentor continues that they will be meeting up with the other medicine cats, since they had to discuss where and how to find herbs, and how they would communicate with StarClan. She whispers she hopes they can find another Moonstone. 
:Leafpaw spots her friend Mothwing and the ShadowClan medicine cat Littlecloud. Warriors and apprentices move around, dividing into groups. Cinderpelt waits until most patrols had gone to greet their fellow medicine cats. Leafpaw bounds over to Mothwing, and the RiverClan medicine cat admits that she feels so helpless, since she has no supplies and the RiverClan cats are weak. Leafpaw isn't surprised Mothwing is anxious, since her mentor, Mudfur, had died before she had the chance to complete her training. Leafpaw doesn't envy her, and is glad Cinderpelt is still alive, young and healthy, and strong enough to serve her Clan countless moons more. 
:She promises that they will all help her, and when Cinderpelt asks about Barkface's whereabouts, Littlecloud answers that he is probably with Tallstar. Leafpaw thinks it doesn't seem fair that Tallstar would join StarClan's ranks before he got the chance to explore WindClan's new territory. When Barkface approaches, Littlecloud demands how Tallstar is. Barkface states the journey was too much for Tallstar, and that it is clear StarClan will be calling for him to join their ranks soon. Cinderpelt bows her head in respect for the WindClan leader, then collects herself and states there is much to do.
:Mothwing points out they need remedies for illness, since they are most susceptible to it when they are in a weak state. Cinderpelt replies they would look around for some herbs soon, and asks where they would meet for the next Gathering and for half-moon. There is a long silence, and Littlecloud asks at last whether this is the place StarClan truly meant for them to live. Leafpaw pleads it might be right, and uses the Cave of Pointed Stones as an example of how there are many ways to have a place where they steadily could communicate with their ancestors.
:Cinderpelt says that she believes StarClan had sent them a sign when they had seen their reflections in the lake. Though Barkface suggests they will find another Moonstone, Littlecloud is doubtful. Mothwing asks whether it really matters, since there is nothing to stop them from finding herbs to treat her Clan. Her voice dies away as the others stare, and Leafpaw comes to the rescue, restating that Mothwing had meant that they would continue to looking after their Clanmates as they wait for StarClan to speak to them.
:Litlecloud says they could start restocking. Barkface rises to his paws to look after Tallstar, and asks them if they could get some coltsfoot. Mothwing states juniper berries would be better, and Cinderpelt promises they will get him some. Barkface goes to where Tallstar rests, and lies down beside his dying leader. Cinderpelt states that they will go toward the boggy place, and Mothwing points out there are good herbs in boggy areas. Littlecloud says he wouldn't mind eating a toad or a frog, and defensively adds that they don't taste that bad. As they near the lake, the moorland turns into a spongy ground, water sinking into Leafpaw's paws. She pauses to shake the water out of her paws, then catches up with the other medicine cats.
:When she reaches them, Cinderpelt and the others are standing beside a large clump of horsetail, and more clumps of the herb litter the ground. Cinderpelt is happy, and when questioned, Leafpaw answers it is used for infected wounds. Littlecloud meows they are going to need it, especially because the Clans have picked up all sorts of scrapes and scratches along the way. They set off again, and Leafpaw is the first to spot watermint, a good cure for bellyaches. Mothwing and Leafpaw swerve away from the water, and Leafpaw quickly spots some juniper berries. They head back toward the others when they had collected as much berries as they could.
:She finds the distinct figures of Littlecloud and Cinderpelt in the distance, who are following the lake's edge. She realizes what was thought to be a wooded spur of land is actually an island. Leafpaw informs Mothwing of an island she had located. The young medicine cat's eyes shine as she exclaims it would be perfect for a Gathering, and goes down to tell the others. Leafpaw follows, thinking that only RiverClan cats would be able to swim to the island, which is a pity, since the island would be a good place to meet, and had little threats on it. 
:When Leafpaw reaches them, Mothwing is excitedly informing the other medicine cats of the spotted island. Cinderpelt agrees it looks great, but asks if she would fancy telling the elders that they would have to swim in order to get to the island. Littlecloud is amused, and Leafpaw diplomatically suggests Mothwing have a look to see whether it is shallow. Mothwing hares away toward the lake. The lake is too deep so that Mothwing can't continue to walk, so she switches to swimming. Leafpaw notes it isn't possible to wade across. 
:Littlecloud suggests they eat, but Leafpaw continuously watches her friend until she is sure Mothwing is fine. Leafpaw sees Littlecloud catch a vole, and Cinderpelt also makes a kill, telling Leafpaw that Mothwing will be fine. Padding up to a rocky section, Leafpaw finds a vole also and kills it quickly. The prey in the forest had been frightened easily and scrawny, and Leafpaw fails to remember the last time she'd ate a piece of prey so plump. Mothwing comes back from the island and informs them that it is perfect, with room for every Clan. 
:Littlecloud states only RiverClan could cross the stretch of water, and states some cats might drown. Mothwing adds there is a big oak, and wishes they could use it. Cinderpelt is regretful they can't use it, and thanks Mothwing for checking it out. Leafpaw wants to ask Mothwing about anything unusual about the island, and thinks it might perhaps be a place to connect with StarClan. Once it is clear the Clans wouldn't be using the island as a Gathering spots, Mothwing had turned away. Leafpaw decides to ask her another time. The rest of the medicine cats begin to depart. With one last look at the island, Leafpaw follows them.
:The Clans needs a place where they could hold a Gathering and a new Moonstone. They also need safe, sheltered camps. The Moonstone and the Gathering place would be the home to StarClan. Leafpaw shivers, even though the reeds block the cold breeze. Unless they find the places quickly, the Clans' future and survival will be doubtful.
==Characters==
===Major===
===Minor===
===Mentioned===
==Notes and references==
de:Sternenglanz/Kapitel 2fr:Nuit étoilée/Chapitre 2nl:Sterrenlicht/Hoofdstuk 2
Category:The New Prophecy arc
Category:Chapter subpages
Category:Starlight