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waved his tail to beckon Alderpaw. Oh, StarClan! It is about me, Alderpaw thought. Exchanging a glance with his sister, he swallowed and headed toward his Clan leader.
    â€œI know you’ve been working hard as an apprentice,” Bramblestar began as Alderpaw joined him. His voice and his eyes were kind. “I’m really proud of all you’ve learned. But sometimes a cat can find himself halfway down the wrong path.”
    Alderpaw blinked at his father. “I don’t understand.”
    Bramblestar’s eyes softened. “It appears that you now have a new destiny: you’re going to be a medicine-cat apprentice.”
    Alderpaw gaped. “What?” He had expected to be punished for his failure, but never that he would be taken away from Molewhisker altogether. “I’m not going to be a warrior anymore?”
    Bramblestar nodded to the two medicine cats. “Leafpool and Jayfeather saw your new destiny in a vision.”
    â€œBut I can’t !” Alderpaw had never in his wildest imaginings thought of being a medicine cat. I’d be even more useless at that!
    Besides, he couldn’t really believe in this vision. Surely it was just an excuse so that Bramblestar could protect his feelings. Leafpool and Jayfeather don’t need another medicine cat, he thought. He was so horrified and humiliated that he wanted to flee from the camp and run and run until he was far away from any cat who knew about his failure.
    â€œPlease,” he begged. “I promise I’ll do better. I’ll listen to Molewhisker and try really hard!”
    â€œI know you’ve already been trying hard,” Molewhisker told him sympathetically. “I’m not angry with you.”
    Leafpool took a step forward. “This isn’t a punishment,” she explained. “Jayfeather and I asked Bramblestar for this.”
    â€œThey said they believe you’ll be able to talk with StarClan,” Bramblestar put in.
    Alderpaw began to realize that his Clan leader, his father , wouldn’t lie to him. But he was still doubtful. I can’t think what’s given Leafpool and Jayfeather the idea that I can speak to StarClan. “Isn’t there anything I can do to make you change your mind?” he asked desperately.
    Bramblestar shook his head. “It has nothing to do with me ,” he replied. “It is the will of StarClan. This is what you are meant to do.”
    Realizing it would do no good to keep on arguing, Alderpaw took a deep breath. “Okay,” he sighed. When Bramblestar dismissed him with a nod, he staggered back to where Sparkpaw was still eating, and stared blankly at the remains of the thrush. I’m not hungry anymore.
    â€œWhat did Bramblestar and Molewhisker want to tell you?” Sparkpaw asked curiously.
    â€œThey said . . .” Alderpaw’s voice was trembling; he took a breath and started again. “They said I have to be a medicine-cat apprentice.”
    Sparkpaw’s eyes stretched wide with amazement. “That’s great!” she exclaimed. “Medicine cats are really important.” Then she seemed to realize how unhappy Alderpaw was feeling and added more sympathetically, “But it doesn’t seem like it’s as much fun to be a medicine cat as it is to be a regular warrior. All those icky herbs!” She blinked thoughtfully for amoment. “Maybe that’s why you’re so bad at hunting—you’re meant to be a medicine cat.”
    Alderpaw felt as if he wanted to retch up every piece of prey he had ever eaten. I’m sure that’s why they want me to be a medicine cat: not because I’m special and important, but because I’m no good as a warrior apprentice.
    He swallowed hard, feeling as if there were a tight knot in his chest. Well, I’ll just show them! I’m going to be the best medicine-cat apprentice I can be, he resolved. I’ll try really hard, and make