Leopardstar's Honor/Chapter 4

"Pain tore at [Leopardfur's] heart like a vicious dog. She wanted to close her eyes and bury her muzzle beneath her paws until it eased. But how could it ever ease? Sunfish was dead, and the hope Leopardfur had tried to give Whitepaw last night had become a lie. He stared at her, his eyes reflecting her own pain so intensely she couldn't bear to see it. She grabbed his scruff and pulled him into her nest. Wrapping herself around him, she held him close. Her heart seemed to beat in time with his sobs until she thought it would break."

— Leopardfur and Whitepaw after Sunfish's death in Leopardstar's Honor, pages 106-107

Leopardstar's Honor
Chapter number:	4 (of 35)
Page numbers:	76-107
Point of View:	Leopardfur
Chronology

Below contains in-depth information for chapter four of Leopardstar's Honor. If you are looking for a shorter summary of the entire book, please check the main article.

Chapter Number: 4 (of 35)

Page Numbers: 76-107

Chapter description

Leopardfur dives into the river and catches a carp. She carries it back to shore and drops it by Sunfish, who frets about Whitekit. The dappled warrior reminds her that Beetlenose is keeping an eye on him and that he cannot be harmed inside the camp. Leopardfur insists that Sunfish catch a fish and she reluctantly agrees. Sunfish catches a perch and says that they must return, worrying that Whitekit may get into trouble. Leopardfur offers some reassurance, but relents, not wanting Sunfish to be worried. As the two enter camp, Whitekit comes running toward them and tells them that Crookedstar is going to start his training soon, and he wonders who his mentor will be. Leopardfur silently hopes that she will mentor Whitekit and, seeing Crookedstar speaking with Mudfur, wonders if she has enough experience. She mentions it to Sunfish jokingly, and Sunfish encourages the idea.

Crookedstar begins Whitekit's apprentice ceremony and, to Leopardfur's disappointment, assigns Whitefang as his mentor. Leopardfur reminds herself that Whitefang is kind and patient, and a good match for Whitepaw's energetic nature. When the cheering dies down, Leopardfur congratulates her former mentor. Beside him, Whitepaw announces that they are going hunting, but Whitefang corrects him and tells Leopardfur that he is going to take him to see the RiverClan territory.

Later that day, Leopardfur and Sunfish are weaving fresh willow leaves into the walls of the warriors' den, until Crookedstar calls Leopardfur over to him and Oakheart. Crookedstar requests for her to lead a border patrol to Sunningrocks and lets her choose the cats to accompany her. He tells her to mark the border carefully, with his deputy advising her to bring a large group of cats just in case. Leopardfur first selects Sunfish, and, overhearing the conversation, Whitepaw abandons Tanglewhisker to ask if he can come. Whitefang firmly rejects the young tom, as it is too dangerous in case of battle, and Leopardfur hesitantly asks Whitefang to join the patrol. Whitepaw protests, though Leopardfur and Whitefang reason that he is not experienced enough to handle a potential battle. After Sunfish joins in, Whitepaw returns to the elders in defeat, and Leopardfur invites Frogleap, Stonefur, Ottersplash, and Rippleclaw to join them.

Once they reach Sunningrocks, Leopardfur orders Whitefang to take Rippleclaw and Ottersplash to mark the border up to the cliff edge. She then turns to Stonefur, Frogleap, and Sunfish, instructing them to mark the trees on the other side alongside her. As Leopardfur's group spreads out, Sunfish catches the scent of ThunderClan, before a hiss from the upper cliff causes the whole patrol to back away and group up. Rippleclaw confirms that there is a ThunderClan patrol up ahead and that they are coming, and Leopardfur orders her cats to group together. When the ThunderClan cats arrive, she questions them, and Redtail tells her that they are marking their border. He does not move when warned, and Whitefang tells Leopardfur that they should leave. The ThunderClan cats taunt RiverClan, and when Leopardfur retaliates, Redtail begins edging his paw further over the border. Leopardfur refuses to leave and the two patrols continue to bicker.

When Redtail slides his paw forward again, Leopardfur attacks him in a rage, and the two Clans rush into battle. Leopardfur and Redtail fight, with Mousefur joining in against her, causing Leopardfur to struggle. Frogleap comes to her aid and fights Mousefur expertly, and Leopardfur watches him in admiration. The sound of Sunfish shrieking makes Leopardfur turn, and she sees her friend collapse, badly wounded by Redtail. Leopardfur fends Redtail off, then sees Whitefang fighting Lionheart, who slashes Whitefang’s throat and kills him. The battle halts, and the RiverClan cats carry Whitefang’s body home, defeated.

Mudfur declares Whitefang dead and takes the grieving Leopardfur to speak to Sunfish, telling the other visitors to leave. While Mudfur tends to Sunfish’s wounds, Leopardfur reassures her, thinking that she ought to have attacked ThunderClan quicker. Mudfur takes her out of the den to question her about the battle, growing angry when he realizes that she had made assumptions and started the fight. The two argue, with Mudfur saying that warriors prioritize land and pride over all else and Leopardfur defending her actions.

Following Whitefang’s vigil and burial, Crookedstar calls a Clan meeting. He honors Whitefang’s memory and sacrifice, and assigns Leopardfur as Whitepaw’s new mentor to pass on Whitefang’s teachings. A quarter-moon later, Leopardfur is visiting Sunfish, who is still in the medicine den, and tells her about Whitepaw’s training. She reflects on her concerns over Whitepaw’s grief and how she has tried to distract him. Mudfur reports that he has tried all the herbs he can, while Sunfish refuses to eat. Leopardfur leaves and reassures Whitepaw, sending him to check on the elders, before telling Frogleap about his sister’s condition. The two warriors settle to eat together, and Leopardfur expresses guilt over not protecting Sunfish. Frogleap agrees and encourages her to eat, and she again admires how he has grown.

When Leopardfur returns to camp with her patrol, Mudfur tells her that Sunfish wants her. Sunfish asks her to care for Whitepaw as a mother, just as she would, in the event that she passes. Leopardfur initially resists, not wanting to believe that Sunfish may die, but eventually relents. When she leaves her to be with Beetlenose, Whitepaw again asks how his mother is, and Leopardfur assures him that Sunfish is improving, before taking him out hunting. That night, Leopardfur is woken by Whitepaw, who tells her that Sunfish has died, and the two share their grief. Leopardfur vows to never forgive ThunderClan for killing Whitefang and Sunfish.

Characters

Major

• Leopardfur
• Sunfish
• Whitekit/Whitepaw
• Whitefang
• Mudfur

Minor

• Beetlenose
• Tanglewhisker
• Vixenleap
• Grasswhisker
• Silverstream
• Crookedstar
• Oakheart
• Echomist
• Piketooth
• Cedarpelt
• Stonefur
• Frogleap
• Skyheart
• Rippleclaw
• Ottersplash
• Redtail
• Lionheart
• Whitestorm
• Tigerclaw
• Mousefur
• Runningwind
• Longtail
• Timberfur
• Birdsong
• Blackclaw
• Loudbelly

Mentioned

• Softwing
• Willowbreeze
• Reedtail (Indirect mention only)
• Sedgecreek (Indirect mention only)

Important events

• RiverClan is defeated by ThunderClan in a battle for Sunningrocks.

Ceremonies

Whitepaw's apprentice ceremony

Crookedstar: From today, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Whitepaw. And your mentor will be Whitefang. I am certain Whitefang will teach you well. He has a lot to share. Whitefang, you have trained some of our best warriors. And I know you will teach Whitepaw the same skills you taught them, and the respect and honor only a true RiverClan warrior understands. Everyone: Whitepaw! Whitepaw! Reference: Leopardstar's Honor, pages 81-82

Whitepaw's new mentor ceremony

Crookedstar: [...] But just because Whitefang is dead doesn't mean Whitepaw will stop learning. His new mentor will be Leopardfur. Whitefang taught her well, and she will be able to pass on his knowledge to Whitepaw. She has proved herself a loyal and strong warrior and more than ready to train an apprentice. Leopardfur will be a fine mentor. Leopardfur: I'll be the best mentor I can. Everyone: Whitepaw! Whitepaw! Reference: Leopardstar's Honor, page 99

Deaths

• Whitefang: Killed by Lionheart
• Sunfish: Infected wounds caused by Redtail

Errors

• Sunfish is described as a tabby twice.