Mothwing's Secret/Chapter 3

==Chapter description==
:Mothwing thrives as she continues to work towards her goal of becoming medicine cat, hoping that if StarClan saw her hard work, they'd share a sign for her to become an apprentice. She sorts through herbs as she notes that the medicine den was now empty as Blackclaw had made a recovery. The she-cat recalls that Mudfur had told her that quiet times meant that it was a medicine cat's job to prepare for the inevitable. Since being given that advice, Mothwing works hard to create packed mixtures of herbs and fresh bedding for the den. She also listens to every bit of advice the older tom offers her, including what to keep handy for queens giving birth. However, as he talks, he suddenly cuts himself off as a cloud passes over the sun. Mothwing asks the still silent Mudfur if he is okay, and he tells her to leave the den so he could interpret the possible sign from StarClan. She protests but leaves, almost tripping over her own paws in the process.
:Outside of the den, Mothwing runs into Hawkfrost who asks her what was wrong. She tells what had happened and that she finds it somewhat absurd. Hawkfrost tells her that she can't talk like that, even though he feels the same way about StarClan, but that he will pretend to believe in them to remain a part of RiverClan. The tom adds that she would have to too, to become a medicine cat and not be thrown out to be rogues again. Mothwing hears the subtle threat to his words, but agrees, feeling the responsibility weigh on her shoulders.
:Two days later, Mothwing reflects that Mudfur hadn't shared with her what the passing cloud meant as she watches him ease Loudbelly's joint pains. She chews up a poultice and asks Mudfur if she should put it but he tells her that she can't until she a formal apprentice of his. She watches the older tom work and reflects that Mudfur let her clean the medicine den and sort herbs but without a sign from StarClan, she wasn't allowed to touch a patient. She wonders if there will ever be a sign from StarClan or she would spend the rest of her days following him around or return to her warrior duties.
:The following morning, Mothwing watches the sunrise for a hot greenleaf day, noting that Hawkfrost had accidentally woken her. She wonders if Mudfur would notice if she spent the day in her nest, but knows that he would but questions if it would matter. Mothwing notes that other RiverClan warriors had started talking about her in low voices and their eyes would watch her when they thought she wasn't looking. The golden she-cat wonders if she should leave RiverClan, knowing that if she isn't a medicine cat, she doesn't belong in the Clan. Across the clearing, she spots Mudfur with a surprised look on his face. Mothwing watches him pick something small up in his paws and race to Leopardstar's den. Not a moment after, Leopardstar sticks her head out of the den to call to the nearby Mistyfoot.
:A few moments later, Leopardstar calls a Clan meeting as the cats of RiverClan slowly make their way out of dens, commenting on the early call. As the cats quiet down, Leopardstar announces that StarClan had given Mudfur a sign for Mothwing to begin her formal medicine cat training. Mudfur steps forward to explain that as he awoke that morning he had found a moth's wing outside his den and that it was an unmistakable sign from StarClan. Beside Mothwing, Hawkfrost tells her that she'd been worried about nothing as their Clanmates begin congratulating her.
:At half-moon, she accompanies Mudfur to be presented before StarClan. The two return to RiverClan camp as Mothwing tells her mentor how good she feels and the excitement. She recalls the day behind them, that they had risen early and that it was a long, hungry walk to Highstones and that the sun had set as they met the other medicine cats at Mouthermouth. However, Mothwing notes that she felt as though what she "shared" with StarClan had just been her thoughts about RiverClan's future and that from what Mudfur had spoken about, felt as though there should've been more. The thoughts stay with her as Mudfur retires to his den for the night. Mothwing heads to the fresh-kill pile where she finds Hawkfrost, who had stayed up to see her.
:He asks about the half-moon meeting to which Mothwing tells him it went well and that all the medicine cats had been kind to her. Hawkfrost makes a comment that they truly belong to RiverClan now, but the tone he uses unsettles Mothwing, prompting her to ask him what was going on. The dark tabby reveals he had planted the moth's wing so that she could be the medicine cat she was meant to be. The news upsets Mothwing and she thinks to tell Mudfur the truth, but her brother stops her, stating that StarClan let it happen and that RiverClan is better off with her as their medicine cat. Mothwing takes a deep breath, realizing that Hawkfrost is right and that if she did tell the truth, they'd both likely be kicked out. With that in mind, she promises whether or not StarClan exists, she would be the best medicine cat she can be.
==Characters==
===Major===
*Mothwing
===Minor===
===Mentioned===
==Notes and references==
Category:Chapter subpages
Category:Mothwing's Secret
Category:Novellas