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Below contains in-depth information for chapter thirty-one of Crookedstar's Promise. If you are looking for a shorter summary of the entire book, please check the main article.
While RiverClan is pleased they have regained Sunningrocks, Rippleclaw and several other warriors question why Mudfur was allowed to fight alone. Mudfur insists it was to prevent needless bloodshed, though his Clanmates aren't inclined to agree. Hailstar orders that RiverClan will fight as a Clan from now on. Reedpaw and the other apprentices are eager to visit Sunningrocks and defend it from ThunderClan. Crookedjaw asks his father if he's feeling well after burying Rainflower, and Shellheart's about to delve into his thoughts about Rainflower when Mudfur abruptly yowls for Hailstar: he wishes to become a medicine cat, having lost his taste for unnecessary battles and hopes to heal his Clanmates instead. Crookedjaw suspects Mudfur's still grieving Brightsky's death and felt powerless to save her. Mudfur's decision is briefly challenged, but Hailstar stands up for his warrior's choice.
Immediately after, Shellheart announces that he's retiring to the elders'den, and Crookedjaw is shocked by his father's decision. Willowbreeze points out that Shellheart's been looking thin for a long while so it's not unexpected. Hailstar accepts his old friend's decision and invites several senior warriors into his den to talk about who should be the new deputy. Sedgepaw bounds up to her mentor and complains why all the good stuff happened while she was in the dirtplace. Reedpaw, Loudpaw, and Sedgepaw then pester Crookedjaw about Mudfur's battle with Adderfang, but Voleclaw silences their questions by reiterating that Hailstar has forbidden it. Loudpaw asks if they can train in the meantime since Oakheart is still resting after sitting Rainflower's vigil that night. Voleclaw offers for him to train with him and Sunpaw, and he invites Crookedjaw, Beetlenose, and their apprentices to join them.
While heading to the training area not far from camp, the four apprentices bicker who Hailstar will pick as deputy, but Voleclaw silences their squabble by asking Sunpaw and Loudpaw to hunt birds. With Beetlenose and Reedpaw practicing climbing trees, Crookedjaw hopes to have an one-on-one session with Sedgepaw so she's not bothered by the other apprentices' teasing. He instructs her to practice stalking for birds and they spot a nearby finch. Crookedjaw hopes it'll be enticed by the nearby blueberry bush, having learned that from his time with Fleck in the barn. He encourages Sedgepaw to try and catch it, something she hasn't done successfully before. The tabby apprentice manages to catch the finch, and as Crookedjaw yowls his congratulations, a squirrel darts nearby. The twisted-jaw warrior quickly catches it, and he hopes the other warriors won't mind the typical forest prey.
Near sunset with no news of a new deputy, Crookedjaw dampers his hopes that he'll be named his father's replacement since he believes he is too inexperienced. Willowbreeze notices Sedgepaw eagerly staring at her finch on the fresh-kill pile hoping some cat would eat it, though she also compliments Crookedjaw's large squirrel sitting on top of the pile. Hailstar and his senior warriors emerge from his den to briefly eat before continuing their discussions. However, Hailstar freezes in shock when he spots the fresh-kill pile and he calls for Brambleberry. The medicine cat hurriedly arrives and she is also shocked by the sight: the jaws of the squirrel are wrenched open. Echomist reveals it was Crookedjaw's catch, and Hailstar declares it is an omen signifying Crookedjaw should be deputy.
