Mothwing's Secret/Chapter 2

==Chapter description==
:A few days later, Mothwing trails behind a patrol, exhausted from her little sleep due to dreams of Tadpole's death. Ahead of her, Hawkfrost, sniffing a plant, asks if it was watermint, only to be told no by Mistyfoot, who also notices Mothwing's state. The deputy sends the two siblings away from the patrol, telling them to head back to camp so Mothwing can rest and waves off the golden she-cat's protests. As they walk away, Hawkfrost faces Mothwing, calls her Moth and reiterates that they need to be the best to be accepted by RiverClan. She stiffens at her former name and corrects the tom as he tells her that they can practice their fighting moves back at camp, claiming it to be more important than herbs.
:As they enter the camp, Mothwing scents a musty smell and Hawkfrost points their attention towards the medicine den. The golden she-cat notes that it must be Cinderpelt coming to talk to Mudfur. Mothwing, intrigued, listens in on the medicine cats, recalling to herself the job was fascinating to her and that when she some moons earlier had been bothered by pains in her belly, Mudfur had been nothing but kind. Mudfur mentions to Cinderpelt that his chamomile stocks were low, prompting her to mention there would be some growing near Twolegplace. Mothwing creeps closer to continue listening but is interrupted by Hawkfrost who slams into her, pretending to be a ShadowClan warrior. She tells him that she doesn't want to play, also being self-conscious of being judged by ThunderClan's medicine cat. Hawkfrost leaves her, heading to the warrior's den and Mothwing wonders if his keenness for battle was something he had inherited from their father, Tigerstar.
:The she-cat shakes away the thoughts of her father as Skyheart approaches her, full of concern. Mothwing tells her she's fine and despite the queen's concern, mentions that she was tired from patrolling earlier. Before the queen can respond, Heavystep rushes into camp yowling that Blackclaw is stuck in the mud, having slipped from a stone into it. Mothwing rushes, along with other RiverClan cats, to follow Heavystep to Blackclaw. Mothwing takes a few hesitant steps towards the mud bank, thinking that she might be light enough to cross it. But, the sight of Blackclaw struggling scares her, reminding her of Tadpole's earlier demise. She recoils, as Leopardstar, with the help of Heavystep, manages to rescue the exhausted black warrior. On the bank, Blackclaw begins gagging on the mud as Leopardstar calls for help. Cinderpelt and Mudfur come rushing as they attempt to scoop the mud from his mouth. After a moment, Mothwing recalls Tadpole's limp body and that they were too late to save Blackclaw as well, however, a sudden cough lets the gathered cats know that he is once again breathing.
:Later that day, Mothwing hovers around the medicine den, noticing that Blackclaw had been cleaned of the mud and was resting with hoarse breathing. Mudfur catches her and asks if she is alright, to which Mothwing tells him that she's fine and that she is just interested in how the tom is caring for Blackclaw. Mudfur tells the warrior that the black tom is fine and she probably has some warrior duties she could be doing instead. Mothwing poses the question though of what if she trained to be a medicine cat. The two cats talk, Mothwing explaining her reasoning of wanting to be one and Mudfur explaining that he had also been a warrior before becoming RiverClan's medicine cat. He tells her that before taking her on as an apprentice, he would have to talk to Leopardstar and Mistyfoot first as there hadn't been a sign from StarClan.
:Mothwing questions his point of StarClan when she is already keen to learn and help her Clan. Mudfur tells her about StarClan's role with the life of a medicine cat and that they share tongues with their ancestors. The she-cat, while at first remains confused, becomes excited at the prospect of being able to communicate with their ancestors and hopes that StarClan allows her to follow the path of a medicine cat.
:In the following days, Mothwing notes that Mudfur still hadn't received a sign from StarClan but that she was allowed to start helping the tom. As she races across the clearing, Mistyfoot calls out to her with a joke, but sees the hurt in her former apprentice's eyes and wishes her the best and to not be disappointed if she can't continue if no sign is given. Hawkfrost butts in as she thinks aloud, reminding her that they had only just proven themselves as RiverClan warriors and that her choice of becoming a medicine cat could ruin it for them if it fails. Mothwing questions her brother's thinking but tells him that she will work had to prove herself as a medicine cat. She heads into the medicine den hearing Blackclaw coughing and then seeing Mudfur with the tom, rubbing his back. The she-cat grabs juniper berries and coltsfoot leaves to make a pulp for the warrior and Mudfur gives her his approval, mentioning that perhaps StarClan is guiding her paws and that his doubt at her becoming his apprentice was disappearing. Mothwing perks up at his comment and notes that she is on the path of becoming a medicine cat.
:At a Gathering, Mothwing shakes as she recalls how angry the Clans had been as she and Hawkfrost were introduced as RiverClan cats. A voice calls them rogues, but Leopardstar jumps to their defense and reminds the Clans that ShadowClan had its share of former rogues and that Firestar had also once been a kittypet. Blackstar growls about rogues knowing of StarClan, which prompts Mudfur, to speak up and defend the young she-cat from the sneers of the Clans. As RiverClan leaves the Gathering, Mudfur reassures Mothwing that he's sure she'll become a medicine cat and prove them all wrong. However, the golden she-cat questions whether or not StarClan will send a sign, and the tom tells her that he is sure that they'll send one and that the next morning they can begin making a poultice for Blackclaw's throat.
:Mothwing watches him disappear into the medicine den as her heart sinks. She notes that the older tom had been so confident but she wonders if the sign from StarClan would come, or if they were real. She shakes away the last thought before reaffirming herself that she needs to become a medicine cat and not let either RiverClan or Mudfur down.
==Characters==
===Major===
*Mothwing
===Minor===
===Mentioned===
==Trivia==
*This chapter aligns with chapter three of Midnight.
==Notes and references==
Category:Chapter subpages
Category:Mothwing's Secret
Category:Novellas