Crookedstar's Promise/Chapter 40

==Chapter description==
:In the morning after Willowbreeze's, Minnowkit's, and Willowkit's deaths, Crookedstar's Clanmates struggle how to comfort their leader when he emerges from his den. Crookedstar asks to speak with Brambleberry alone outside of camp, and he finally admits the full truth about the promise he made to Mapleshade. He fears that he is to blame for Hailstar's, Rainflower's, and Willowbreeze's deaths because he agreed to sacrifice them to become Clan leader. However, Brambleberry instead doubts that Mapleshade has the power to influence life and death, and she comforts her Clan leader for having to bear this burden alone. Relieved by Brambleberry's trust and compassion, Crookedstar feels invigored to face his Clanmates. When Brambleberry questions about Silverkit, his sole surviving daughter, Crookedstar, insists he has patrols to organize.
:A quarter-moon later, Shimmerpelt prompts Crookedstar that he should visit Silverkit after witnessing Beetlenose entering the nursery to visit his own daughters, Grasskit and Vixenkit. Crookedstar declines, insisting it will be too crowded in there. He reflects how grateful he is that Sunfish has been raising Silverkit with her own litter in the meantime. Crookedstar then asks Petaldust to take a border patrol to check Sunningrocks, and he snaps at her when she explains that Timberfur's patrol had already checked that morning. While walking near the nursery, Crookedstar overhears Silverkit encouraging Vixenkit and Grasskit to play. 
:Oakheart confronts Crookedstar about visiting his daughter. Their conversation quickly turns into an argument when Oakheart insists Crookedstar is being heartless by ignoring his own daughter when he grew up alone and neglected by Rainflower. Crookedstar challenges that Oakheart was no better with his own kits, but his brother insists he was always there for Mistyfoot and Stonefur as they grew up. Crookedstar attacks Oakheart when he compares his parenting style to Rainflower's. Timberfur attempts to break up the fight but Mudfur insists they need to let them sort it out themselves. As the two brothers continue to battle with their words and claws, Crookedstar realizes he is about to use a Dark Forest death blow on his own brother, and he falters to the ground. The Clan leader laments how he can ever love again after losing so many cats, but Oakheart encourages his littermate to find his courage as love will always end with heartbreak. 
:Silverkit chirps from the nursery about the fight, and Oakheart prompts Crookedstar to finally speak with her. Crookedstar gently touches her ear and soothes that they were merely training. He is amazed how much she resembles Willowbreeze and a flicker of hope emerges in his heart. He wishes for Willowbreeze to watch over them as Silverkit questions if they really were training. Crookedstar promises that they were and vows that, as her father, he will always keep his promises.
==Characters==
===Major===
*Crookedstar
===Minor===
===Mentioned===
==Important events==
*Crookedstar reveals the full truth about his promise to Mapleshade to Brambleberry.
*Sunfish has given birth to Beetlenose's kits: Vixenkit and Grasskit.
==Notes and references==
fr:La promesse de l'Élu/Chapitre 40
Category:Crookedstar's Promise
Category:Super Edition arc
Category:Chapter subpages