Dawn (book)/Chapter 12

==Chapter description==
:Leafpaw looks through her fur, and cracks a flea that is bothering her. She is with Squirrelpaw in a shallow dip, staring at the sunset. Squirrelpaw asks her sister if she's going to the Moonstone tonight, and Leafpaw says Cinderpelt is talking about it with Firestar, remembering it as the way the medicine cats talk about recent events. Cinderpelt emerges near the edge of the hollow, and sadly tells Leafpaw that Firestar agrees it is too dangerous to travel to Mothermouth.
:Leafpaw briefly argues with her mentor before giving up. She asks Squirrelpaw if RiverClan might go, but her sister disagrees, noting how she and Brambleclaw learned from Stormfur that Mudfur was sick. Leafpaw says she was hoping the medicine cats could unite, and also admits to Squirrelpaw she wanted a sign from StarClan. Squirrelpaw states the Clans have more things in common, and they talk about kin. Shocked, Leafpaw asks the ginger she-cat if she knows about Tigerstar being Hawkfrost and Mothwing's father, which leaves her stunned.
:Leafpaw replies to her sister, saying she didn't believe it was important and didn't make a difference, trying to convince herself there will be no cat like Tigerstar. She insists Brambleclaw is a great warrior, but her statement just makes Squirrelpaw even more furious. She quickly agrees with her sister, and she calms down, but says Brambleclaw and Hawkfrost have no similarties to each other. Leafpaw lays next to Squirrelpaw, knowing she doesn't need a sign to know the ginger she-cat has romantic feelings for Brambleclaw.
:She hopes StarClan will share her dreams, even if the medicine cats are not at the Moonstone. A while later, Leafpaw and Squirrelpaw are woken up by the presence of Mothwing, who explains to Leafpaw that she needs help with a very ill Mudfur. Squirrelpaw is angered, but her sister is not, knowing Mothwing is in trouble. She tells the golden tabby that she will tell Firestar and Cinderpelt, as they need to know where she's going. Leafpaw proceeds to awake her father, and informs him of the situation. At first, Firestar is hesitant, but eventually gives her permission to go.
:Cinderpelt tells Leafpaw she'll come with her as well, and they pick up some leaf bundles. Squirrelpaw wants to go as well, but she is told to stay behind, and she glares at Mothwing distrustfully. Leafpaw knows she is thinking about Tigerstar, but reminds her she does not share his heart, and leaves for the RiverClan camp. As they cross the river, Leafpaw remembers how she had to save an apprentice from drowning with Spottedleaf's guidance. They enter the camp, and Leopardstar greets them warmly. The ThunderClan apprentice notices how dull and thin the leader is, but wonders why, as RiverClan is away from the destruction.
:Leopardstar guides them in the direction of Mudfur's den, telling them to try anything but not to let him suffer through his condition. When they arrive inside, Mudfur groans from his nest, and Cinderpelt examines the pained brown tom. Mothwing explains to Cinderpelt what herbs she has already used on him, and Leafpaw reflects that she seems more experienced compared to when she had a panic attack during the rescue of the RiverClan apprentice. After talking with Mothwing, Cinderpelt says they can do no more, but they can give him poppy seeds.
:She grinds up a pulp with the seeds, and tells Mudfur to lick it, which he does with gratiude. Leafpaw briefly wonders if Cinderpelt gave him enough to send him to StarClan, but only knows she's trying to make him feel less pain. She sends Leafpaw and Mothwing out so she can sit with Mudfur alone; the two inform Leopardstar of his condition. Leafpaw tells Mothwing that she is surprised Leopardstar doesn't want to leave, despite her and the Clan struggling with catching enough fish. The golden tabby states Leopardstar is still refusing to leave because she believes they can hunt new prey, which frustrates Leafpaw.
:Fumbling for a new subject, Leafpaw says Mothwing has become a good medicine cat, but is startled to hear the arrival of Hawkfrost. He explains that they are better than Tigerstar and Sasha; both had their flaws, and they have the courage to be great members of RiverClan in the future. Leafpaw feels like she has been thrown into a cold river, and Mothwing reassures her that Hawkfrost often gets carried away. The medicine cat apprentice hopes she is right, but a feeling tells her Hawkfrost is not to be trusted.
==Characters==
===Major===
===Minor===
===Mentioned===
==Trivia==
*This chapter aligns with chapter four of Mothwing's Secret.
==Notes and references==
de:Morgenröte/Kapitel 12fr:Aurore/Chapitre 12
Category:Dawn (book)
Category:Chapter subpages
Category:The New Prophecy arc