Dawn (book)/Chapter 20

==Chapter description==
:Leafpaw pushes herself closer to Cinderpelt, noting the cold weather, and she notices Ravenpaw bringing a rabbit. While everyone else is sleeping, they perk up upon smelling Ravenpaw's rabbit, and it is deposited in front of Firestar's paws. Firestar wishes for Ravenpaw to come with them, but the loner says that the barn is his home. The two talk about past events and the journey, and Firestar says that he never imagined leaving the forest before he and Ravenpaw say their final goodbyes.
:Leafpaw feels sympathy for her father, knowing what he's about to leave behind, and Cinderpelt states that they should check to see if everyone is ready for the journey ahead. She nods in agreement, and then recalls what happened the night before. Brambleclaw and Squirrelpaw had told the Clans about the dying warrior omen, and Tawnypelt realized that the rock Midnight was referring to was Highstones.
:Leopardstar wondered what was behind the mountains, and Brambleclaw explained that the star went to a new territory, the one they are supposed to travel to. Tawnypelt and Squirrelpaw thought of ways to cross the mountains safely. Leafpaw saw fear in her sister and Brambleclaw's eyes, and thought about why StarClan chose a dying warrior omen. Cinderpelt snaps Leafpaw out of her thoughts, and admits to her that she could hardly hear StarClan or make out anything at the Moonstone yesterday.
:Leafpaw feels bad for StarClan, as they are powerless to fix anything, and Cinderpelt agrees. The medicine cat continues, saying that those are questions that cannot be answered before telling Leafpaw to get a move on. The latter finds Ravenpaw's untouched rabbit, asking if she can take to Ferncloud and Birchkit, which Sandstorm allows. Leafpaw takes it to Ferncloud, who is licking Birchkit to warm him up, fear in her eyes. Delighted at the sight of the rabbit, Ferncloud rips off a piece for her son before promising to eat some herself.
:Leafpaw, hungry, looks around for any cats needing attention, yet finds none. Whitepaw and Spiderpaw beg Brambleclaw and Squirrelpaw about what the journey was like for them, and Brambleclaw describes aspects like sheep and Thunderpaths. Leafpaw ponders about why everyone is so scared of the mountains, wishing that StarClan can be with them. Later, Leafpaw sees fields upon fields of sheep, just as Brambleclaw described.
:She wonders why Squirrelpaw isn't talking that much, and recalls that Brambleclaw had been weaving around everyone. She feels a sensation like a storm, but instead figures out that the sensation is from a Thunderpath. Everyone presses together as the noise grows, and they find the Thunderpath next to a ditch. As he crawls into the ditch, Firestar says that they'll take the kits across first, but Mudclaw spits that they should keep to themselves. Leopardstar disagrees, yet Mudclaw continues protesting, stating that WindClan doesn't need help.
:Firestar and Blackstar chastise Mudclaw, and Brambleclaw intervenes, explaining which cats will help each Clan cross. Mudclaw is further angered when Crowpaw is selected to lead, despite him only being an apprentice, but Brambleclaw reminds him that he has had more experience with this Thunderpath than he does. Stormfur crouches by the edge of the Thunderpath with RiverClan, and soon gives the yowl to move; Leafpaw relaxes when she sees the Clan helping Dawnflower safely cross with her kits.
:However, her mood soon fades when she realizes that Mudclaw has given the order to cross before Crowpaw. Panicking, Crowpaw screams for everyone to save the kits, and he carries one across as more WindClan cats do the same. Morningflower, a WindClan elder, lags behind, and Firestar gives her encouragement so she can get across. Leafpaw prepares for an oncoming monster to hit Firestar, who is directly in its path, but it misses him. Morningflower limps on, determined, and Sorreltail tells Leafpaw that her father will be okay.
:ShadowClan prepares to cross next, and when an apprentice tries to cross, Tawnypelt reminds the Clan that they cross together. Blackstar gives the signal and ShadowClan gets across the Thunderpath. Leafpaw is relieved to see Tallpoppy and her kits get across, but she soon freezes when she sees one of the kits has wandered back onto the Thunderpath. Dustpelt and Mousefur prepare to rescue it, but Brambleclaw warns them that it is far too dangerous.
:While Tallpoppy struggles to reach her kit, Dawnflower quickly rushes back on the Thunderpath, grabs it, and starts to lick it profusely until she suddenly stops, remembering that it isn't her own. Tallpoppy is not mad, and dips her head in gratitude to Dawnflower before walking away. Later, Squirrelpaw explains that the Clans have reached the fence where she got stuck, describing how Feathertail rescued her with dock leaves. Leafpaw notes that there is no apparent danger here, and the sun-drown quest cats are making sure everyone is keeping pace.
:Tallstar works to keep up with Onewhisker, and Barkface says that they need to rest. The Clans head toward a nearby copse, and Blackstar scents stale fox. Dawnflower suggests for them to sleep together, before firmly reminding Tumblekit to lie down. Onewhisker proposes for the kits and queens to sleep together, along with the older cats, and Blackstar agrees. Leafpaw believes that Ferncloud will be happy sleeping with Birchkit tonight, and despite the smell of the other Clans, curls up beside Cinderpelt.
:Later, Leafpaw notes that she has gotten used to crossing Thunderpaths, and that the queens have been watching the other kits closely. Brambleclaw states that they should be nearing the mountains by now, and Leafpaw looks up at the snow-capped stone peaks. Firestar asks Leafpaw if she'd like to hunt, and she eagerly agrees before being sent over to Brambleclaw and Squirrelpaw. Brambleclaw takes the she-cats to a hedgerow full of mice. Leafpaw quickly catches a brown mouse and pounces on it, but it gets away.
:Leafpaw is startled by a condescending voice behind her, who she finds to be Hawkfrost. Suddenly, he scents dog, and commands Leafpaw to get back to the hedge. The dog soon arrives, and Hawkfrost fights it as Leafpaw calls for Brambleclaw and Squirrelpaw. Brambleclaw joins the fight and clings on to the dog, but it shakes him off and turns on him. However, Hawkfrost rescues him and scares the dog off, and the half-brothers argue over who saved who.
:Leafpaw catches Squirrelpaw up, and after Hawkfrost leaves, the sisters and Brambleclaw continue hunting. Seeing the mountains makes Leafpaw realize that she doesn't have Squirrelpaw's bravery, wondering how the kits will make it across slippery, rocky cliffs. She prays for StarClan, but she fills with dread as no one answers her back.
==Characters==
===Major===
===Minor===
===Mentioned===
==Notes and references==
de:Morgenröte/Kapitel 20fr:Aurore/Chapitre 20
Category:The New Prophecy arc
Category:Chapter subpages
Category:Dawn (book)