Journey to the Cats of the Park (RH)

"I'm coming back. RiverClan is part of me. But Arc and the park cats are part of me too. [...] I want to be a cat who's loyal. Who protects those who protected me. Who feeds those who fed me. Who cares about those who cared about me. Isn't that what you want in a leader? I can't be a good leader to you if I can't be a good friend to Arc."

— Riverstar to RiverClan about helping Arc in Riverstar's Home, page 323

Journey to the Cats of the Park
General information
Book	Riverstar's Home
Locations	The forest territories to the new park
Duration	Greenleaf-leaf-fall; approximately two moons
Participants	Riverstar, Arc, Drizzle, Finch
Outcome	Slash is defeated, and the park cats are freed from his control Riverstar loses some of his Clanmates' trust and unites RiverClan again RiverClan defeats SkyClan
Chronology
Preceded by:	SkyClan-WindClan conflict
Concurrent:	Plan to get rid of Slash
Followed by:	Battle for RiverClan

The journey to the Cats of the Park took place in Riverstar's Home, where Riverstar traveled with Arc and Drizzle to save the Cats of the Park from Slash and his rogues.

Summary

Premise

"Park cats love peace, but not a peace we have to pay for with hunger and fear. That's why I came. We can't fight [Slash] alone."

―Arc to Riverstar ^{Riverstar's Home, page 311}

After the destruction of the park, the park cats manage to find a new home outside of a Twolegplace. However, moons after his defeat by the Clans, Slash moves into the park and eventually takes over, forcing the park cats under his control and causing them to suffer in hunger and fear to the extent that they must hide their elders. After some time, Arc decides to leave his new home to find the Clans and request their help to get rid of Slash.

Overview

«[Riverstar] remembered his vision―the fork in the river. You must choose. He'd thought StarClan had been asking him to choose between being the park cat he once was and the warrior he'd become. [...] The choice had been something deeper. He had to be true―not to his past, or to his future, but to himself. It wasn't the river he'd been following all this time, but the flow of his own heart, and he must follow it now, even if it meant swimming against the current.»

—Riverstar's thoughts ^{Riverstar's Home, page 320}

Riverstar agrees to help the park cats defeat Slash

An injured Arc is brought to Riverstar by Lightning Tail and Cloud Spots. After two days, Arc heals under Dappled Pelt's care, and he informs Riverstar of what has happened to the park cats and asks for help against Slash, who has taken over the new park. Initially, Riverstar refuses as he needs to protect RiverClan, but after a vision of Flutter, Riverstar decides to accompany Arc to defeat Slash. After the pair cross the river, they hear Drizzle's calls for help and Riverstar leaps into the river to rescue her, losing a life in the process. Reluctantly, he allows Drizzle to join him and Arc on their journey.

While following a Thunderpath over several days, the cats cross a bridge by the beams underneath, with Arc and Drizzle encouraging the anxious and overwhelmed Riverstar, escape a large Twoleg den while being pursued by Twolegs, and climb a cliff with Arc leading the way and Riverstar supporting Drizzle. At the top of the cliff, they see the forest in which the park cats live. Arc leads Riverstar and Drizzle to the camp, where they find Slash and his rogues taking advantage of and hurting the park cats.

Riverstar decides to persuade some of Slash's rogues to join them and trains the park cats over two days. The park cats attack Slash's rogues but are overwhelmed, and the battle is halted by Slash taking Owl hostage. Infuriated, Riverstar attacks Slash, but is killed by his rogues. With Gray Wing's advice, Riverstar manages to use his revival to frighten the rogues into fleeing, and Finch rescues Owl from Slash, who slips off the cliff into the water below.

Riverstar and Drizzle are trapped with the park cats by rain, preventing them from riding the river home. Feeling comfortable, Riverstar is reluctant to leave, despite Drizzle's growing frustration, and he takes Finch as a mate. After Drizzle nearly drowns trying to get home, Riverstar finally relents, and Finch reveals that she is having kits, though she still refuses to go home with them. As Riverstar and Drizzle head home on a raft, Finch joins them at the last moment, and they ride the raft until it is destroyed by rough waters. Drizzle sustains a serious injury, but the three cats soon make it to RiverClan territory.

Description

Arc's plea

"Can I be loyal to both my old friends and my new friends? Or must I choose?"

―Riverstar to Dappled Pelt ^{Riverstar's Home, page 317}

Arc asks Riverstar for help against Slash

While Riverstar hunts with Croak, Hollow, Spider Paw, Pine Needle, and Mist, they are approached by Lightning Tail and Cloud Spots. An injured Arc is with them, and he pleads for Riverstar's help before collapsing. They take Arc to the RiverClan camp, where Dappled Pelt looks after him while Riverstar confides in Dappled Pelt and Night about his bond with Arc and struggles with memories of the park. Over two days, Arc's injuries heal, and he speaks with Riverstar, informing him that the park cats found a new home and about Flutter's death. Arc tells RiverClan that Skystar had wounded him and that Slash and his rogues have taken over his new home. Hearing that the Clans have defeated Slash before makes Arc hopeful that Riverstar can help fight him, making RiverClan uneasy. Riverstar takes Arc aside and tells him RiverClan needs a leader to defend them from the other Clans, alarming Arc that the Clans would be so competitive over food and territory. Relenting, Arc decides to go back home, but Riverstar persuades him to stay a little longer to rest.

Riverstar confides in Dappled Pelt about Arc's opinion of the cat he has become, wondering if he must choose between his old friends and his Clan. At Dappled Pelt's suggestion, Riverstar decides to consult with StarClan about what he should do, and he has a vision of traveling down a branching stream with Flutter ordering him to choose. Convinced that StarClan wants him to choose who to be, Riverstar feels confident in his choice to stay with RiverClan, though he still experiences doubts. He tells Arc this, convincing him to stay one more day. That night, Riverstar dreams of fighting against the river current to reach Flutter, and he realizes that he needs to follow his heart. The following morning, Riverstar announces that he will be accompanying Arc to help the park cats, to the dismay of his Clanmates. He promises to return in a half-moon and tells Night to take his place as leader if he does not return within two moons.

The journey

«[Riverstar's] nerves felt stretched to the limit. The farther away the river seemed, the more unsettled he felt, as though his connection with it might snap entirely if he took another step. [...] Arc and Drizzle had been encouraging him to meditate each morning before they set out. But without the river's soothing chatter, meditation also seemed to open an emptiness in his heart that frightened him. The river had been his companion and comfort for so long, he felt lost without it.»

—Riverstar struggling with the journey ^{Riverstar's Home, pages 359-360}

Riverstar and Arc travel through Clan lands, falling into a comfortable mentor-apprentice rhythm. They reach a dangerous stretch of the river, and, despite Riverstar's misgivings, Arc decides that they should cross by sharp, treacherous rocks. As they cross, Riverstar slips and falls into the river, though he manages to grab onto a branch and make it to shore. As they trek upstream, they hear Drizzle call for help, and they find her in time to see her lose her grip on one of the stones. Swimming after her, Riverstar manages to grab her and push her toward shore, before he is knocked unconscious. In his dream, Riverstar is greeted by Gray Wing, who warns him to be less careless with his nine lives, as he has now lost one. When he wakes, Riverstar finds Arc and Drizzle discussing what to do, and he scolds Drizzle for leaving RiverClan. With Drizzle pleading for the chance to learn from Arc and Arc's encouragement, Riverstar allows her to join them, and they decide to camp before searching for a nearby Thunderpath to follow.

The next day, while following the Thunderpath, the three cats find a bridge crossing over a gorge. Arc points out beams stretching underneath that they can use to cross and avoid the monsters, and despite Riverstar's fear and reluctance, Arc and Drizzle proceed with the idea. Riverstar is frightened and overwhelmed by the height, noises, and sensations, even as Drizzle tries to encourage him. Growing dizzy, he freezes up, and Arc and Drizzle tell him to focus on them and on his destination. With their help, Riverstar manages to reach the other side. After two days of travel, the cats come across a huge Twoleg den, spurned by hunger to check it out despite Riverstar's wariness. They hop into a monster to find food, only for Riverstar to be frightened into fleeing by the approach of a second monster. The cats end up running into the den and scramble to find their way out, pursued by Twolegs and struggling to avoid them. After a cave carries them downward, they rush out through a square opening in a clear wall and find Twoleg scraps outside.

After another two days, Riverstar feels agitated that they still have not found the river and snaps at his companions in his impatience. After growling at Drizzle, Riverstar corrects himself and tries to be more positive as they head toward a cliff with a tunnel that the monsters travel through. Intimidated by the tunnel, the cats decide to climb over, helping each other along the way. When they reach a ledge, Arc takes the lead, telling Drizzle to follow and Riverstar to support her. They make the dangerous climb, with Riverstar helping Drizzle when she slips while attempting Arc's trick to bridge a gap. After some time, they reach the top of the cliff and can see not only the river, but the park cats' forest as well. They reach the forest the next morning, staying out of sight as they approach the camp. There, they find the park cats frightened and miserable under the control of Slash, whose rogues outnumber them.

Defeating Slash

"I'm going to make sure you never hurt another cat again."

―Riverstar to Slash ^{Riverstar's Home, page 392}

Riverstar, Drizzle, and Arc meet up with Stoat, Squirrel, and a new member of the park cats, Finch, at night. They inform Arc that Slash wounded Dart when he tried to protect Moth, who was to be punished for Arc's disappearance. Arc insists that Riverstar can help them since he has dealt with Slash before, though Finch is distrustful. Riverstar offers to train the park cats to fight and says that they need to get some of Slash's rogues to turn on him. Over the course of two days, he and Drizzle train the park cats in small groups, while Scooby and Magda persuade three of Slash's rogues—Swallow, Bee, and Splinter—to join them in battle.

On the third morning following their arrival, Riverstar, Arc, and Drizzle enter the rogues' camp, and when Slash wakes, Arc attacks him, and the battle breaks out. As the battle wears on, Riverstar realizes that the park cats are losing and that Swallow, Bee, and Splinter are merely observing. Drizzle saves Riverstar from Snail and fights alongside him, and they join Arc to fight off the onslaught of rogues. The battle comes to a halt when Slash reveals that he is holding Finch's father, Owl, hostage, threatening to kill him. Enraged when Finch is shoved back, Riverstar attacks Slash, only to be overwhelmed by the rogues.

Riverstar loses a life and is advised by Gray Wing that he is an outsider, unknown to any cat there but Drizzle. When he wakes, Riverstar taunts the rogues, who are horrified to see him come back to life. The rogues flee, telling Slash to deal with Riverstar and leaving him on his own. Riverstar challenges Slash, who backs away in fear. Suddenly, he grabs Owl again, threatening to throw him off the cliff if Riverstar does not let Slash leave. While Slash is occupied with taunting Drizzle, Finch darts forward and snatches her father from him. Startled, Slash stumbles backward and falls off the cliff and into the river below, to the park cats' relief.

Riverstar and Finch

Arc: "Riverstar didn't want to leave the park, but he did. He didn't want to come back here, but he did. He doesn't want to go home. But he will."

Riverstar: "You make it sound like I never want to do anything."

^{Riverstar's Home, page 421}

For half a moon, Riverstar and Drizzle stayed with the park cats due to rain that has made the river too dangerous to ride. Riverstar is pleased, relieved to allow Arc to take charge, but Drizzle feels bored and frustrated, wishing to return to her training at home and missing her kin. She accuses him of not wanting to go home and wanting the park cats to admire him. Finch reminds Riverstar that he had promised to teach her how to fish, and Arc pulls Drizzle away while Riverstar heads out with Finch. Riverstar admires her and enjoys teaching her, helping her to catch a chub. When they return home, the park cats meditate, and Riverstar gives Night a message that he will be home soon.

Over time, Riverstar and Finch become mates, and Drizzle grows impatient to return home. She eagerly convinces Riverstar to check the river with her again, pointing out along the way that they have been away from RiverClan for more than a moon. She expresses doubt that Finch will follow Riverstar home, though he clings to his belief that she will. They find that the river is still too high and turn back, only for Finch to appear and invite Riverstar to scavenge with her. Riverstar is unhappy with Finch's comfort around Twolegs and monsters, and after a failed attempt at stealing food from a Twoleg den, he begs her to stay away from them. Feeling guilty, Riverstar tells her that he must go home, to which she replies that she must stay with her father, kits, and friends.

A quarter moon before Night is set to receive her nine lives, Riverstar dreams of her visiting the Moonstone and fears that StarClan is warning him to go home. Riverstar heads out to find Drizzle at the river, only to discover that she is being dragged downstream by a log. Riverstar rescues her, freeing her paw from the log, and pulls her to shore. When he snaps at her, Drizzle retorts that she wants to go home since he will not. Arc finds them and, upon hearing what had happened, tells Riverstar that Finch can make her own choice. Finally relenting, Riverstar searches for Finch, who tells him that she is having his kits. He tries one last time to convince her to join RiverClan, but she insists that she must stay. The next day, Riverstar and Drizzle say their goodbyes, with Riverstar promising to visit Finch if he can, and set out on a raft to return home.

Returning home

Riverstar: "The river was too high to ride on."

Night: "The rain stopped nearly a moon ago. The river started to fall almost at once. Why didn't you come back then?"

^{Riverstar's Home, page 458}

Drizzle, Riverstar, and Finch fend off a fox

The raft catches on a rock and Drizzle tries to free it. As she does so, Riverstar hears Squirrel cry out for Finch and realizes that she is swimming after the raft; he manages to grab her while Drizzle focuses on holding the rock. After helping Finch, Riverstar pulls Drizzle back onto the raft just in time. Finch explains that she wants her kits to grow up with Riverstar, and he and Drizzle warn her that she will have to learn to be a warrior and a RiverClan cat, and they teach her about Clan life. That night, the raft hits the rapids and spirals out of control, ripping apart as it strikes rocks. They are forced to swim, though Riverstar is separated from Finch and loses both her and Drizzle for a moment. Spotting Finch helping Drizzle, Riverstar aids her in getting the wounded she-cat to shore. With the raft destroyed, Riverstar and Finch go out to hunt while Drizzle rests, and Finch expresses anxiety about warrior life. They return and find a fox confronting Drizzle; together, the three cats chase it off. They shelter in a cave for the night.

After another day of traveling, with Riverstar and Drizzle supporting Finch, the cats encroach upon WindClan land and are confronted by Dust Muzzle and Spotted Fur, who are eager to protect WindClan against RiverClan. Spotted Fur briefly mentions Skystar but is silenced by Dust Muzzle, and the two admonish Riverstar for leaving. He and his companions leave the WindClan warriors behind, with Finch feeling upset by the Clans' apparent aggression. As they reach RiverClan territory, Finch collapses and Drizzle fetches Dappled Pelt, who notes Finch's exhaustion and hunger and helps them bring her back to camp. Riverstar's Clanmates are delighted to see him, showing him the new dens, though Night is upset. She takes Riverstar to his new den, where she scolds him for coming home so late and informs him of RiverClan's trouble with Skystar, and Drizzle interrupts to tell him that Moss Tail, Dawn Mist, and Pine Needle have left. Riverstar promises to make everything right again.

Aftermath

«I am Riverstar. I am an outsider, and perhaps I always will be. But if [the other Clans] won't help me—I will settle this as only I can.»

—Riverstar's thoughts about dealing with SkyClan ^{Riverstar's Home, page 483}

Skystar uses Riverstar's absence to threaten RiverClan

Due to his long absence, Riverstar loses the trust of several of his Clanmates. Skystar has taken Riverstar's disappearance as an opportunity to threaten RiverClan and trespass, citing the fallen tree across the river as a sign from StarClan that SkyClan should take RiverClan's land, and he warns Riverstar as much. RiverClan is fearful of Skystar, but Riverstar is determined to protect them. Cleo tells them where Moss Tail, Dawn Mist, and Pine Needle have gone, and Riverstar, Night, and Drizzle retrieve them and convince them to come home. Additionally, he appoints new warriors, strengthening RiverClan and fostering unity. At the Gathering, the other Clans refuse to help RiverClan against SkyClan, forcing them to stand on their own. Soon after, Riverstar and Finch's kits—Ripple Shine, Dusk Smoke, and Arc Shadow—are born, causing Riverstar to feel more confident in defending his family and Clan. Days later, Riverstar gives Skystar a final warning to dissuade him, but Skystar does not back down. As a result, RiverClan attacks SkyClan at the fallen tree, securing victory and defending RiverClan's honor.

Characters

Riverstar

«‎Home. The word opened a wound Riverstar assumed had healed. He thought he'd stopped missing his old life, stopped longing to go back. But seeing Arc again, hearing his voice and hearing that his old parkmates were in trouble, had brought memories flooding back, memories he couldn't ignore.»

—Riverstar's thoughts about the park cats ^{Riverstar's Home, pages 312-313}

Riverstar struggles with an internal conflict between his former life as a park cat and his current life as RiverClan's leader

Upon being approached by Arc for help against Slash, Riverstar experiences an internal conflict as to whether to help his old friends or stay true to his responsibilities to RiverClan. He initially resolves to stay with RiverClan, but after a vision from Flutter, he agrees to help the park cats, understanding that he must follow his heart. Riverstar begins his journey with Arc, allowing his old mentor to guide and reassure him. He rescues Drizzle from the river, losing a life in the process, and reluctantly allows her to join them. Throughout the journey, Riverstar shows great anxiety about being separated from the river and dealing with Twolegs. He hesitates to follow the Thunderpath and to cross the beams beneath a bridge, doubting his ability to stay calm due to no longer upholding his habits from the park, though Drizzle and Arc's encouragement helps Riverstar to cross. Riverstar's new familiarity with Clan life comes to odds with Arc's comfort around Twolegs, as he is reluctant to eat Twoleg food and panics while they are eating, leading them to flee through a Twoleg-packed den. Their separation from the river agitates Riverstar, though he attempts to keep his temper in control, and when they climb over a cliff, he is relieved to find the river again.

Riverstar is disturbed by Slash's rogues' treatment of his old companions and develops a plan to get rid of them. He leads a battle against Slash's group and loses a life, but with Gray Wing's advice, is able to use what the rogues know him to be—a strange outsider with the power to overcome death—to chase them off. Slash is ultimately killed when he falls into the river. Rain causes the river to become too dangerous to ride home, and Riverstar and Drizzle stay with the park cats for a prolonged period. Riverstar is happy as he leaves the leadership duties to Arc, enjoys time with his old friends, and bonds with Finch. Riverstar's duties to RiverClan loom over him, especially as he realizes how different his and Finch's lifestyles are. His refusal to depart drives Drizzle to attempt to go home herself, only to nearly drown until Riverstar rescues her. He finally agrees to leave, but not before Finch tells him that she is expecting kits. As Riverstar and Drizzle head off on a raft, Finch joins them, and they ride the raft until it is destroyed by the rapids. Drizzle is left with a head injury, but the three cats continue to travel. Riverstar tries to persuade Finch to warm up to the idea of Clan life, though he recognizes how similar he now seems to the mountain cats. The trio make it home, though Riverstar is soon faced with more challenges.

Arc

"StarClan gave you nine lives. Night changed her whole way of life because of you. Cats turned their backs on their own Clans to choose yours. They have faith in you. Why don't you have faith in yourself?"

―Arc to Riverstar ^{Riverstar's Home, page 422}

Realizing the threat that Slash poses, Arc leaves his friends to travel in search of Riverstar's help. On the way, he is badly wounded by Skystar, who warns Arc off of his territory. Arc is guided by Lightning Tail and Cloud Spots to RiverClan, and Dappled Pelt tends to his injuries for two days until he recovers. Arc seems to approve of Riverstar's new life and asks him for help against Slash, but to his confusion and dismay, Riverstar refuses with the explanation that he must protect RiverClan. After receiving a vision from Flutter, however, Riverstar agrees to help the park cats. On the journey, Arc proves himself to be calm, capable, and confident, and he assumes the role of mentor for his companions. He encourages Riverstar to cross the river by sharp stepping stones, doing so himself confidently while offering reassurance to Riverstar. When Drizzle nearly drowns while following them, costing Riverstar a life in saving her, Arc reasons with Riverstar to let her stay with them. As they travel, Arc entertains Drizzle's curiosity about meditation, softly admonishing Riverstar for abandoning meditation. Compared to the anxious and tense Riverstar, Arc is calm and self-assured; he demonstrates a familiar mentor-apprentice bond with Riverstar, guiding him as they cross the gorge by beams beneath a Twoleg bridge, dodge Twolegs in a huge nest, and climb a steep, dangerous cliffside.

When the three cats make it to the park cats' new camp, Arc shows Riverstar and Drizzle the state of the group under Slash's control. He learns from Finch that Dart had been injured by Slash as punishment for Arc's disappearance, and assures Finch, Stoat, and Squirrel that Riverstar can help them. After two days of training, Arc kickstarts the fight with the rogues by attacking Slash, and he fights hard against the rogues. Following Slash's death, the park cats return to their normal lives, with Arc assuming leadership over the group and guiding them through meditation. After Drizzle nearly drowns again trying to go home alone, Arc convinces Riverstar to leave at last, encouraging him to think for himself. The following day, Arc says his goodbyes to Riverstar and Drizzle, warning Riverstar that the two toms will never meet again, but that their meditation will keep them connected.

Drizzle

"I was going home, since you don't want to! [...] You might want to stay here with Finch, but my kin are in RiverClan and I miss them!"

―Drizzle snapping at Riverstar ^{Riverstar's Home, page 420}

Drizzle shows considerable courage on the journey to the park cats

When Arc arrives to the RiverClan camp, Drizzle is curious about him, and Riverstar notices her speaking to Arc excitedly. As Riverstar and Arc travel through Clan lands, Riverstar feels as though they are being watched. After crossing the river, the two toms hear Drizzle calling for help, and Riverstar saves her from drowning, losing a life. Riverstar is furious, but Drizzle insists that she wants to accompany them to learn from Arc; after some arguing, Riverstar is persuaded to let her come. While traveling, Drizzle pesters Arc eagerly with questions, showing great curiosity for meditation. Drizzle shows a calmness similar to Arc, crossing the beams under a Twoleg bridge seemingly with little fear and encouraging her frightened leader when he freezes up, earning Riverstar's respect. Drizzle displays bravery, willingly heading into a monster to eat Twoleg food and seeming largely unfazed after a panicked escape through a huge Twoleg den. She is optimistic even in the face of Riverstar's anger and, despite her nervousness, courageously climbs a steep cliff with her companions while Riverstar supports her.

Drizzle is horrified and angry to see the park cats' condition under Slash's control, and she readily helps train them to fight, showing a gentleness that Riverstar appreciates. Drizzle participates in the battle against Slash, fighting Snake and Ember and helping Riverstar and Arc. Drizzle stands up to Slash and is mortified when Riverstar offers to let Slash go if he releases Owl. She helps Riverstar reassure and praise Finch after Slash's death. When Riverstar and Drizzle are forced to stay with the park cats because of rain, Drizzle grows frustrated and restless, wanting to return home to her kin and continue her training, and often gets Riverstar to check the river with her. She seems annoyed at Riverstar's relationship with Finch, questioning whether Finch will even want to leave with them. She attempts to return home by herself, but nearly drowns, and after Riverstar rescues her, Drizzle turns on him for not wanting to leave. She and Arc persuade Riverstar to leave, and the next day, the two set off. Finch ends up joining them, and Drizzle tells her about Clan life and the warrior code. Drizzle is injured when the raft breaks apart, but Finch saves her. Despite her injury, Drizzle bravely stands up to a fox that preys on her, and she, Finch, and Riverstar chase it off. When Finch collapses, Drizzle retrieves Dappled Pelt and helps get her home, where Drizzle finds that her kin have fled because of Skystar.

Finch

Riverstar: "I want you to come with me. I don't want to be without you."

Finch: "Then stay here."

^{Riverstar's Home, page 415}

Some time after Riverstar had been separated from the Cats of the Park, Finch ended up joining them to escape aggressive cats. When Riverstar first meets her, Stoat, and Squirrel to discuss Slash, Finch is angry at the state of the park cats under Slash's control and highly distrustful of Riverstar. She is desperate to get rid of Slash and eager to learn how to win against the rogues. She courageously participates in the battle against Slash's group, standing firm even as the park cats are defeated. Finch cares deeply for her father, Owl, fearing for him when Slash holds him hostage and attempts twice to save him. She is successful the second time, taking advantage of Slash's distraction to grab her father from him, causing Slash to slip from the cliff. She is disturbed that she caused Slash to fall to his death, but Riverstar and Drizzle reassure her that she did well.

Finch grows close to Riverstar, though she does not take to his ways well, preferring the park cats' way of life. The two become mates, and while Riverstar feels uneasy with the way Finch fits in with the park cats, he insists that she will return home with him. Finch proves to be very comfortable with Twolegs, while Riverstar no longer likes being around them—this leads to conflict after a close call while scavenging from a Twoleg den, with Riverstar pleading with her to stay away from Twoleg dens and go home with him. She refuses to join RiverClan out of loyalty to her father and friends.

After Riverstar saves Drizzle from drowning in her attempt to go home and decides that they need to leave, Finch informs him that she is having kits, though she remains unwilling to join RiverClan. Just after Riverstar and Drizzle head off on their raft, Finch rushes to join them after all, stating that she does not wish to go on without Riverstar, though she seems reluctant when it comes to learning about Clan life. When the raft is broken in the rapids, Finch shows bravery in rescuing Drizzle and defending her from a fox soon after, and though she is intimidated by Clan life, she begins to try to accept it. The group's experience with two WindClan warriors, Spotted Fur and Dust Muzzle, again causes Finch to question Clan ways and express anxiety about being a warrior. Even so, she determinedly makes it to RiverClan camp and soon settles in with her new Clanmates, eventually taking on the warrior name of Finch Song.

Slash

"If you don't leave now, I'll kill this old fleabag and then his denmates. Slowly. One by one."

―Slash threatening the elders ^{Riverstar's Home, page 385}

Slash takes control of the park cats

Exercising the very same cruelty and control that the Clans witnessed moons prior, Slash takes over the park cats' new home, forcing them to hunt for him and his rogues and refusing to allow them to leave. His cruelty is so great that the park cats hide their elders from his group to keep them safe. Upon arriving to the new camp with Arc, Riverstar and Drizzle find that the park cats are trapped in fear under Slash's control, and that Slash has gathered more rogues since the Clans drove him out. They are also informed by Finch, Squirrel, and Stoat that Slash harmed Dart, who had tried to protect Moth from punishment for Arc's disappearance. After training the park cats for two days, Riverstar leads an attack on the rogues, and Slash's cruelty shines through when he takes an elder, Owl, hostage, threatening to kill him if Riverstar and his companions do not leave.

Slash grows fearful of Riverstar after his revival, ordering his rogues to challenge him instead. When he is abandoned by his rogues, Slash retreats from Riverstar and his friends toward the cliff in a show of cowardice. Riverstar's hesitation at the thought of killing him gives Slash the opportunity to snatch Owl again, and he mocks the park cats cruelly, even insinuating that he may have killed his own kits before. When Finch darts forward to grab her father from him, Slash is startled and ends up slipping off the cliff and into the river.

Quotes

"[Arc] taught me how to meditate and to be kind and to share with other cats and— [...] He taught me to be myself."

―Riverstar to Dappled Pelt about Arc ^{Riverstar's Home, page 304}

"I don't want all the Clans. I can't help feeling that a cat like Skystar would cause more trouble than he'd solve. But if you came—you might be able to show our parkmates how to stand up to Slash. The way your Clans did."

―Arc asking Riverstar for help ^{Riverstar's Home, page 311}

Arc: "Of course. Park cats learn to meditate as soon as they open their eyes. Ripple—I mean, Riverstar was a natural. It's a shame he's let it slip."

Riverstar: "I've had a lot on my mind."

^{Riverstar's Home, page 340}

Arc: "You can do this, Ripple. Let go of the river and the monsters. They can't reach you. Keep your attention here. Take a breath and remember that your paws belong to you. They are all you need. Put your attention here in this moment and start walking."

Drizzle: "You're so close! Don't think about the monsters! Don't think about the river! Think about us. We're waiting for you."

^{Riverstar's Home, page 345}

Gray Wing: "What's your greatest strength?"

Riverstar: "I don't know!"

^{Riverstar's Home, page 388}

"I realized I didn't want our kits to grow up without knowing you. And I didn't want to live without you."

―Finch to Riverstar ^{Riverstar's Home, page 430}

See also

• Riverstar's Home