Mothwing's Secret/Chapter 4

==Chapter description==
:Mothwing counts herbs in the medicine den as a hoarse sounding Mudfur makes a comment about what he had taught her. The golden she-cat regards the older tom's current state coming at an awful time, noting that terrible things had begun happening to the Clan's territories as Twolegs started invading. She recounts that cats from each Clan had journeyed far and had learnt of a prophecy foretelling the destruction of the forest and that a sign would come to tell the Clans where to go. However, Mothwing laments that the sign has not come yet, but that so far RiverClan has remained safe due to the river, as Leopardstar affirmed the Clan would stay until Twolegs touched their territory. Mothwing sadly notes that despite consistent rainfall, the river has began to grow shallower each day and that the Clan might have to soon consider leaving.
:She is drawn from her thoughts as Mudfur groans in pain. The medicine cat apprentice creates her mentor a mixture of poppy seeds, honey, and feverfew leaves and tries coaxing him into taking it. Mothwing silently pleas for the older tom to recover as she feels she won't be able to work alone. She remains firm that she knows a lot, thanks to Mudfur's teachings but her thoughts linger on her brother's trickery and StarClan.
:As night falls, Hawkfrost brings her a mouse and makes small talk with his sister. He tells her that he spoke to Sasha at the edge of RiverClan territory. Mothwing asks how the she-cat is, recalling that Sasha and several Clan cats had been captured by Twolegs, but had been freed by a ThunderClan patrol. Mothwing reflects it had been good to see her mother again and remembers that the reason the tawny she-cat couldn't stay was due to the identity of their father. Hawkfrost tells his sister that while he had spoken to Sasha, Firestar and some other ThunderClan cats had seen them and that the ThunderClan leader had learnt the truth of them being Tigerstar's kits. This briefly worries Mothwing as she does state that cats would've figured it out eventually, but questions if they will have to leave. Hawkfrost comforts her with the thought that Firestar wouldn't reveal the secret and that if anyone does turn on either of them, he will retaliate. The dark tabby then takes his leave as Mudfur shifts in his sleep.
:Mudfur makes a small noise from his nest, catching Mothwing's attention as he tries to move before gasping for air. The she-cat rushes to his side as bile rises from his mouth as he gags. Mothwing calls out for help as Blackclaw, Swallowtail, and Volepaw rush to the medicine den. The golden she-cat snaps at them, asking for Leopardstar. Soon, the golden leader appears and asks what is happening to the brown tom. Mothwing begins to explain before being cut off by the leader as she demands to know if the tom will recover as the medicine cat apprentice remembers that Mudfur is also the leader's father. Mothwing, feeling helpless tells the leader she is unsure and has done everything she can do. Full of shame, she asks if she can ask Cinderpelt for help and Leopardstar grants her permission, stating that ThunderClan's camp is at Sunningrocks. The younger cat rushes off, as she thinks to find Leafpaw first, as the two are friends. As she does, Mothwing begins doubting herself and wonders what would happen if Mudfur died, as it would leave her to look after RiverClan by herself. She comes to believe that StarClan is punishing her, but that Mudfur's belief in her was enough to keep her faith in line and remain firm in herself.
:A few sunrises later, after being visited by Cinderpelt and Leafpaw, Mothwing notes that Mudfur has slowly began building his strength up, but remains ill. In the same span of time, she also notes that the destruction of the territories has gotten worse and that it has been decided it was time for the Clans to leave. Mothwing sits with the dying medicine cat as Leopardstar appears asking how long, to which she tells the leader not long. The golden leader states that she will tell the Clan that they will wait to leave, to honor the tom's service to the Clan. As Leopardstar leaves, Shadepelt appears to say farewell to old tom and Mothwing feels comfort in the elder's presence as the two sit with Mudfur. A little while later, Runningnose, Cinderpelt, and Leafpaw appear. The tabby apprentice tells Mothwing that they had brought Frostfur and Speckletail with them, as the two she-cat's wished to care for Mudfur when RiverClan leaves. The medicine cats all say their farewells to their peer as Mudfur finally passes away.
:Mothwing announces his passing to StarClan, as she inwardly gasps at the thought of StarClan. She wonders if she could truly care for her Clan if she doesn't believe in their ancestors. She remains confident in her healing abilities and voices her concern of being alone. Cinderpelt comforts her as Mothwing remains thinking about StarClan. Mothwing leaves the den to tell RiverClan of Mudfur's passing and allows them to pay their respects to the tom. Hawkfrost and Stormfur approach her and Mothwing comes to believe that Hawkfrost is all she has left as he comforts her. Leafpaw tries to get her attention, but Mothwing is wrapped up in her thoughts until she notices the two ThunderClan cats recovering her herb supplies. The RiverClan cat tells them that she can do that and she wants to help, but Cinderpelt tells her that she has already done so much and that they could help instead. Mothwing is thankful for the gesture and realizes that she, alongside Hawkfrost, also could turn to the other medicine cats.
:RiverClan gathers and prepares to leave, Mothwing comes to terms that she is responsible for her Clanmates. She lets Leopardstar know that she's prepped traveling herbs and with that, the Clan leaves, meeting up with ThunderClan and ShadowClan to join up with WindClan at the moor. Mothwing travels beside Hawkfrost as she spares a final glance at the remnants of ThunderClan's camp. As they leave, Sasha appears to beg her kits not to leave as she tells them she had brought them to RiverClan to be safe, however they are no longer safe. The tawny rogue regards her son's comment about himself becoming leader, pushing past him and seeing Leopardstar. She tells the leader why she had come, as Leopardstar agrees the two should remain in RiverClan, but it is their choice. In a moment of anger, Sasha reveals Mothwing and Hawkfrost's father to be Tigerstar, sparking a moment of silence as the Clans stare at the two siblings.
:Firestar steps forward, voicing his opinion of the two remaining with the Clans because their father was a great warrior with courage. Mothwing notices the ThunderClan leader looking at Brambleclaw, and recalls that he and Tawnypelt are both respected warriors of their Clans. Firestar continues to vouch for the two RiverClan cats despite some cats voicing their own issues. Mistyfoot and Stormfur step up for their Clanmates as both Hawkfrost and Mothwing tell their mother that they wish to remain with RiverClan as a loyal warrior and medicine cat respectively. With that, Sasha regards the statements and wishes her kits well on the journey as she takes her leave, padding away into the forest. As the rogue slips away, Firestar continues to lead the Clans as Mothwing asks Hawkfrost if they have made the right choice. Staring straight ahead, he nods, stating that RiverClan is their home. Mothwing silently agrees as she looks ahead of them, knowing that they are apart of RiverClan and she will have to trust that.
==Characters==
===Major===
===Minor===
===Mentioned===
==Errors==
*Hawkfrost is called Hawkwing.
*Shadepelt claims she was a kit at the same time as Mudfur, though he is several years older than she is.
==Important events==
===Deaths===
*Mudfur dies from an unspecified illness.
===Other===
*Sasha reveals Hawkfrost and Mothwing's father to be Tigerstar to the Clans.
*The Clans leave the forest territories after it is destroyed by Twolegs.
==Trivia==
*This chapter aligns with chapter twelve, chapter sixteen, and chapter seventeen of Dawn.
==Notes and references==
Category:Chapter subpages
Category:Mothwing's Secret
Category:Novellas