Lost Stars/Chapter 8

==Chapter description==
:Rootpaw feels cold and hungry as his mentor, Dewspring, tests him on warrior code, and finds it difficult to concentrate. Still, he thinks SkyClan is lucky to have such sheltered territory, as the other Clans are faring even worse. Dewspring asks what he should do when he catches prey, and Rootpaw says he would eat it. Dewspring scolds him for the incorrect answer, and Rootpaw is dissapointed with himself as Dewspring reminds him to give thanks to StarClan for its life and feed the Clan before himself. They are interrupted when Frecklewish, Fidgetflake, Leafstar, and Hawkwing emerge from the leader's den. Rootpaw overhears Fidgetflake worriedly report that he and Frecklewish have been unable to contact StarClan. Dewspring covers Rootpaw's mouth with his tail to keep him quiet before Rootpaw can exclaim in shock.
:Frecklewish remarks that StarClan had never left them back at the gorge, and Frecklewish questions if they made the wrong decision and weakened their connection to their ancestors by moving to the lake. Leafstar says they made the choices they thought were best, and expresses doubt that StarClan has left forever. Fidgetflake questions what will happen if a cat or leader dies, and if they will be able to reach StarClan or return for another life. Hawkwing and Leafstar reassure him that it's unlikely to happen, and Leafstar asks to see the herb stores as they walk away. Rootpaw asks Dewspring what they should do, and he tells him that they can rely on their leader, deputy, and medicine cats to solve the problem. Rootpaw thinks that although he speaks confidently, his mentor is just as worried as him, but Dewspring tells him they are going hunting before Rootpaw can question him further.
:Dewspring and Rootpaw walk through the snowy forest, but there no scent of prey. Dewspring catches and then buries a scrawny shrew, thanking StarClan for his catch, though Rootpaw questions if they can hear him. As they approach the lake, Rootpaw spots a large crow, and Rootpaw is determined to catch it and feed his Clan. He sneaks up, leaps onto its back, and quickly kills it, shocked at his success. Dewspring praises him, and Rootpaw thanks StarClan, imagining his Clanmates' approval when he brings back the crow. He struggles to drag the crow back through the snow, and after Dewspring retrieves his vole, they see Tree sitting in the snow, which has fallen onto his back and nearly covered him. Dewspring questions what he's doing, to Rootpaw's extreme embarrassment. Rootpaw wonders why his father has to be so strange, and thinks Dewspring must question Tree's loyalty to SkyClan. A vole scurries by, and Tree slams his paw down on top of it, causing Rootpaw and Dewspring to realize he's hunting. Tree explains his "think bush" technique, in which he sits still and pretends to be a bush, to Dewspring's wry amusement, but they see he has already caught a mouse and shrew.
:Tree notices the crow and asks if Rootpaw caught it. Dewspring confirms this, and Tree praises his son before they all head back to camp. Rootpaw feels less embarrassed about his father now that he know he caught several pieces of prey. Needlepaw exclaims in excitement when she sees the crow, shocked that her brother was able to catch it, and Violetshine looks proud as she licks Rootpaw's ears. Leafstar nods at him in approval, noting that the Clan will eat well. Dewspring and Tree tell Rootpaw to take a plump vole to Fallowfern, and the elder thanks him. Turtlepaw praises Rootpaw's catch, and he's surprised at how shy she suddenly seems. Kitepaw nods respectfully at him, and Tree and Dewspring tell Rootpaw he can enjoy his crow with whichever cats he chooses. He offers it to Needlepaw, Kitepaw, and Turtlepaw, and settles down to eat and talk with them. He explains how he caught it down by the lake, and they discuss how demanding mentors can be as Rootpaw admits he thought Dewspring would never be pleased with him. Kitepaw admits he was impressed by Rootpaw standing up for himself the day he fell into the lake, even if it was foolish. Rootpaw laughs, optimistic that he can be friends with Kitepaw and Turtlepaw, and thinks things will soon be better once leaf-bare is over.
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===Mentioned===
==Notes and references==
Category:Lost Stars
Category:Chapter subpages
Category:The Broken Code arc