Softwing

Softwing is a small, lithe, snowy-white she-cat with golden tabby patches, long fur and blue eyes Revealed in Chapter 162..
Softwing was born as Softkit in RiverClan. She was apprentices alongside Whitepaw, and became a warrior alongside him as Softwing and Whitefang. She became mates with Owlfur and had a litter consisting of Dawnkit and Mallowkit. She later mentored Skyheart, then Perchwing. She supported LeopardClan and was a spy for them, remaining in ThistleClan. She was killed by Thistlestar when he discovered she was a spy.
==History==
===Pre-Canon===
====Crookedstar's Promise & Leopardstar's Honor====
Read a more detailed summary of Softwing's history in Crookedstar's Promise here!
Softpaw is an apprentice alongside Whitepaw when Stormkit and Oakkit are in the nursery. She and Whitepaw are noted to be close. When Crookedkit returns, she and Whitepaw have earned their warrior names as Softwing and Whitefang.
Softwing respects Oakpaw after he saves their patrol from a dog attack. Owlfur is shown to be protective over her during this. Softwing then joins a battle patrol to take Sunningrocks from ThunderClan.
Later, Softwing helps lure a dog away alongside Shimmerpelt. Then, Softwing earns Skypaw as an apprentice, and Owlfur teases that Skypaw will wear her whiskers off. Softwing responds that she can handle her.
Softwing is chosen for a second battle patrol to keep Sunningrocks. When Mudfur beats Adderfang, Softwing defends Mudfur, saying he did win Sunningrocks for them, though she does question if Mudfur is allowed to become a medicine cat later.
She officially becomes mates with Owlfur and has a litter consisting of her daughters, Dawnbright and Mallowtail.
===Burning Thistles===
====Prequel====
Softwing is mentioned once, asking Rippleclaw if Oakstar was on the patrol that went to fight at Sunningrocks. Rippleclaw responds that Oakstar was, but he sent him back to get help.
====Fire and Ice====
Softwing asks Airleap if he is okay travelling with ThunderClan when he plans on going on the quest to retrieve WindClan. She glances at Sandstorm and Runningwind with suspicion in her eyes. Later, Airleap thinks about how Softwing and Silverstream would tell him he was good at hunting in the thick undergrowth of RiverClan’s territory.
====Rising Storm====
During Flood Time!, Voleclaw takes Greenflower and Softwing on a patrol to search for the missing kits and hunt. Later, she gives Fireheart a sympathetic look for his wet pelt.
When Mistyfoot begins to tell RiverClan about Silverstream's passing, Softwing is the first to ask if she's okay, and if she kitted alone somewhere. When Mistyfoot reveals she's died and her mate was Graystripe of ThunderClan, Softwing is also the first to ask if the kits are okay and if they've survived. She is then worried for their safety when Mistyfoot says a ThunderClan queen is nursing them, stating that ThunderClan tormented "poor Airleap" who was "so sad and scared all the time." Softwing expresses further concern, saying they must rescue the kits as she can't bear to think of attacking their clanmate's kits in the future, when they're warriors.
Later, once RiverClan obtains Featherkit and Stormkit, Softwing mistakenly believes that the tiny scars on Featherkit are from ThunderClan, when, in reality, they are from Lightningfur holding her wrong.
====A Dangerous Path====
Perchpaw is apprenticed to Softwing. She is stated to be an older warrior and noted to be very warm and friendly with her new apprentice. She also blinks sympathetically at Leopardfur when Lightningfur shoulder-checks her. Softwing has Perchpaw clean the elders' bedding on his first day.
After Leopardfur received a warning from Mudfur, she sees Softwing sleeping beside Lakeshine and Owlfur.
Softwing and Perchpaw patch up a hole in the elders' den.
While ThunderClan is in RiverClan camp, Primrosepaw mentions to Lizardpaw that Petaldust and Softwing sent her and Perchpaw back during training after Primrosepaw ripped her nail.
Softwing is sent on the patrol that escorts ThunderClan home after the fire. She waits for the ThunderClan cats patiently before following after them. Though, she does complain when they slow down, stating that they "can't wait any longer! The moon will be setting soon."
Lizardpaw runs into Softwing, causing her to drop her herbs. Softwing is kind to her, asking what the rush is. Lizardpaw apologizes and explains that the half-moon meeting was tonight, and she wasn't sure if Thistlestar would let her go. Softwing retorts that he better, and when Lizardpaw says he's her leader, Softwing corrects her, saying StarClan is her leader. When Lizardpaw hesitates, Softwing says that she'll help her sneak out if Thistlestar doesn't let her go, surprising Lizardpaw, who thought Softwing had never seemed outspoken to her. Lizardpaw thanks her.
Lightningfur sees Leopardfur talking with Softwing. She completely ignores Softwing talking to Leopardfur and asks Leoaprdfur for a hunt. When Leopardfur reluctantly agrees, Leopardfur assigns Softwing to the afternoon hunting patrol.
When Lightningfur accuses Leopardfur of attacking her, Softwing protests that Leopardfur has been loyal to RiverClan since the day she was born. Later, when Lightningfur is appointed deputy, Softwing cuffs Robinpaw's ears for calling Lightningfur's name, stating that they don't do that for deputy ceremonies. When thinking of cats to send on patrols, Lightningfur dismisses Softwing, calling her too soft, and that she had been getting on Lightningfur's nerves as of lately.
Robinpaw thinks about how jealous he is of the other apprentices and their mentors, like Softwing and Perchpaw, and how well they get along.
When Lightningfur is announced as deputy at the Gathering, Softwing only gives a half-hearted mew of praise. At the end of the Gathering, Softwing tells Leopardfur she supports her, not Thistlestar, and that she didn't leave ThistleClan because she didn't want to leave Perchpaw or Owlfur behind. While Softwing states that Owlfur would refuse to leave even if everyone else had, Leopardfur privately thinks that Owlfur would follow Softwing anywhere, and so would Perchpaw. Softwing then explains that Leopardfur needs a spy on the inside, offering herself. She says she'd risk her life to do so. Softwing agrees to protect Lizardflight for Leopardfur, then says goodbye to LeopardClan.
Thistlestar asks Softwing and Perchpaw to join him on a patrol, and Softwing is wary but follows. When he explains its a battle patrol, Softwing tells Perchpaw to keep close to her and not to get separated from another cat if it comes to a fight. Mistyfoot and Softwing exchange fretful glances, concerned for the young apprentices.
When the battle starts, Softwing is cut off from Perchpaw when Bluestar and Thistlestar soar past, fighting. Then, she and Mistyfoot stand protectively over Perchpaw, defending him from Graystripe and Lynxpaw. Lynxpaw lunges at Softwing, and the two begin fighting fiercely. Owlfur runs to help his mate.
Later in the battle, Stonefur and Owlfur are fighting, and Stonefur accidentally knocks Owlfur to his death. Softwing rushes to her dead mate's side, desperately calling for help, either from Lizardflight, Spottedleaf, or Cinderpelt. She is distraught when no one does anything, not wanting to believe he is already dead. When she looks to Thistlestar, he orders RiverClan to keep fighting, and she is dismayed and falls to Owlfur's side, mourning him.
When Mistyfoot calls for Perchpaw to follow her to LeopardClan, but Perchpaw hesitates, Softwing tells Mistyfoot that she'll look after Perchpaw and Pikepaw both. Softwing then drags Owlfur's body over the river.
At the next Gathering, Graystripe asks Softwing if Greenflower is there. Softwing tells Graystripe that Greenflower would claw him if he asked her about his kits. Then, she explains they are apprentices with Lightningfur and Blackclaw as their mentors. When Graystripe worries if Lightningfur has been mean to Featherpaw, Softwing answers that she's still "snappish, short-tempered, [and] aggressive" but that she has a soft spot for Featherpaw. Softwing also nods politely to Swampfur as the ShadowClan warrior passes.
==== The Darkest Hour====
When Graystripe is worrying about his kits, he mentions that Softwing wasn't at the last Gathering. Graystripe also reflects that his life in RiverClan had not totally been bad, citing hunting with Softwing as a positive.
Graystripe scents Softwing on the patrol he is tracking in RiverClan while looking for his kits. When he gets caught, Softwing protests that he probably isn't stealing Featherpaw and Stormpaw, but just visiting them, as their father. But when Stormpaw says he was, Softwing asks Graystripe if it was true. When Blackclaw and Greenflower get angry at Graystripe, Softwing tells them that the apprentices are old enough to make their own decisions, and asks if they want to leave with Graystripe. After they refuse, the others want to make Graystripe a prisoner, but Softwing says they have no time for prisoners as they are preparing for war against LeopardClan. When Blackclaw says they can use Graystripe to get Sunningrocks back, Softwing tells him Thistlestar wouldn't make his son, Firestar, do that, and Blackclaw wavers. Softwing convinces Blackclaw to let Graystripe and Feathercloud go.
Later, when Graystripe and Feathercloud explain to Firestar what they were doing on RiverClan territory, Feathercloud calls Softwing "Nice-wing" in pawspeak. He says that "Nice-wing" let them go, and Graystripe adds that Softwing never respected Thistlestar as leader.
When Thistlestar notices Softwing has been missing from camp lately, he confronts Perchpaw and pressures him into telling him where she was. Perchpaw claims she was on a morning hunt, and Thistlestar says that Softwing needs to ask before she goes hunting alone. Thistlestar follows Softwing's scent trail and discovers her talking to Leopardfur, just as he suspected. He overhears Softwing saying that Thistlestar has no plans to attack yet, and that she was willing to risk her whiskers and her tail for the future of RiverClan. Softwing asks Leopardfur to say he to Skyheart for her. When Softwing worries if LeopardClan has enough territory to feed their growing clan with the addition of Skyheart's unborn kits and CopperClan, she cuts Leopardfur off when she starts to reveal where they made camp.
Thistlestar attacks Softwing when she leaves Leopardfur. When Thistlestar calls her a traitor, Softwing says, "Of course. Why would I ever follow you?" When Thistlestar tells her Owlfur would be ashamed of her, she surges forward with strength. In the end, Thistlestar pins her, though she claws his leg up good. She warns Thistlestar that "the entire forest's coming for you...Count your days!" And when Thistlestar tells her it's a shame she won't be alive to see his family rise to greatness, she tells him it's a shame he won't be either. She then collapses, and Thistlestar performs a killing bite on her "as mercy."
Perchpaw discovers Thistlestar killing Softwing, and Thistlestar forces him to carry her body back to camp. There, Thistlestar lies and says Perchpaw killed Softwing, and makes him a warrior for killing a traitor. Perchpaw is named Perchwing "in honor" of Softwing.
==Personality and Relationships==
===Personality===
Softwing is said to live up to her name multiple times, being called soft-spoken and keeping to herself. She is kind-hearted and sympathetic to cats in pain, and is polite even to cats she does not like. She can be protective over cats such as Airleap and Perchwing, and very loyal to cats she loves, such as Owlfur.
Though Softwing is very willing to give her all to the point of sacrifice, Softwing appears not to realize how much others love her and would sacrifice for her, as stated when Leopardfur thinks that Owlfur and Perchwing would follow Softwing anywhere.
Many cats were noted to be shocked when she acted more outspoken, implying this is unusual or new behavior for her. Cats are also surprised by how strong she can be in brute strength. She appears to be decently good at keeping secrets and going behind her leader's back.
===Relationships===
====Whitefang====
Whitefang is implied to have been Softwing's best friend. They were denmates for their apprenticeship and only had each other. They were likely as close as siblings, though not much detail is known about their relationship, nor how Softwing reacted to his death.
====Owlfur====
She is very close to Owlfur, and adores him. He is very protective of her, and she is protective right back. She lovingly calls him "hard-headed" and loves him despite his support of Thistlestar. She believes that he wouldn't leave RiverClan as he was too stubborn, but Leopardfur believes that Owlfur would follow her anywhere, implying he is very dedicated to her.
She was devastated by his death and angered when Thistlestar spoke of him.
====Dawnbright & Mallowtail====
Her relationship with her daughters is unknown, but likely okay. Softwing's reaction to Dawnbright's death is unknown.
====Airleap====
Softwing "babied" Airleap and was overly protective of him, thanks to his nervous demeanor and Thistlestar's "sob story." She believed Airleap was abused by ThunderClan and did not trust them around him.
====Thistlestar & Lightningfur====
Softwing does not support or like Thistlestar or Lightningfur. She thinks Thistlestar and Grasswhisker's relationship is weird, and calls Lightningfur snappish and aggressive.
====Graystripe & ThunderClan====
Softwing was stated to be one of Graystripe's friends when he was in RiverClan. She was kind and hunted with him. She also covered for him when he snuck into RiverClan's territory to see his kits and convinced Blackclaw and Greenflower to let him and Feathercloud go.
While she initially seemed skeptical and suspicious of ThunderClan, believing ThunderClan discriminated and hurt their own cats, especially kits, she was likely more receptive towards them after Leopardfur's exile.
====Leopardfur & LeopardClan====
Softwing supports LeopardClan and believes Leopardfur should be leader instead of Thistlestar or Lightningfur. She was a spy for Leopardfur. She got along well with Leopardfur and was often sympathetic towards her even before she exiled under false accusations.
====Lizardflight====
Softwing is kind to and supportive of Lizardflight. She was willing to lie for Lizardflight in order to let her sneak off to the half-moon meeting for medicine cats.
====Skyheart & Perchwing====
Softwing appears to be very close to her apprentices, expressing interest in how Skyheart is doing in LeopardClan and being very attentive and protective of Perchwing.
==Family Tree==
Mate:
Owlfur
Daughters:
Dawnbright,
Mallowtail
==Ceremonies==
===Mentorship ceremony===
==Fanart==
Softwing has no fanart or references yet.
==Trivia and Notes==
===Trivia===
* Softwing prefers birds. Revealed in Leopardstar's Honor.
===Notes===
* In canon, Softwing is Stonefur's mentor. However, because Onestar's Confession was released after the beginning of Burning Thistles, her mate, Owlfur, was made Stonefur's mentor instead.
==References==
Category:Character
Category:StarClan
Category:RiverClan
Category:LeopardClan
Category:ThistleClan
Category:Female character
Category:White cat
Category:Ginger cat
Category:Golden cat
Category:Ginger and white cat
Category:Blue eyes
Category:Thistleclaw's Victims
Category:Deceased
Category:Murdered