Leopardstar's Honor/Chapter 9

"I can see that it's not just RiverClan that's found its paws these past moons. I'm glad to see that you've become as skilled with words as you are with your claws. But we won't be fishing near Sunningrocks today."

— Crookedstar to Leopardfur in Leopardstar's Honor, pages 173-174

Leopardstar's Honor
Chapter number:	9 (of 35)
Page numbers:	171-192
Point of View:	Leopardfur
Chronology

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

Chapter Number: 9 (of 35)

Page Numbers: 171-192

Chapter description

As Leopardfur is observing her surroundings in camp, Rippleclaw informs her that his patrol found fox prints, and she tells him to track it and cover its scent trail. She reflects on her anger over ShadowClan hunting on RiverClan territory and how she has worked to strengthen her Clan and earn their respect. She spots Crookedstar leaving with his patrol and speaks to him, suggesting that he fish near Sunningrocks since the river is still theirs, before retracting her statement. He remarks on her clever use of words, but refuses, though Piketooth seems convinced by her argument. Leopardfur asks Blackclaw about Heavypaw's training, and Stonefur decides to accompany him to the gorge with Shadepaw.

Leopardfur sees Frogleap with Mosspelt and, feeling jealous, scolds Mosspelt for missing the early patrols. Wanting to see their relationship, she invites them to hunt with her, along with Reedtail and Emberdawn. They leave camp, with Leopardfur still fretting over the nature of Frogleap's bond with Mosspelt, until they find a ShadowClan patrol hunting a rabbit and scaring off the prey. The RiverClan cats are unhappy, but ultimately can do nothing since Crookedstar gave ShadowClan permission. Once they reach the river, they find a Twoleg fishing with a long stick and thread and gathering fish. This angers Leopardfur, who believes that the Twoleg is stealing prey, and she decides that they will steal its fish. She orders the others to distract the Twoleg while she takes the fish, but Frogleap decides to help her.

Once the cats are in position, Leopardfur signals to the others, and they begin attacking the Twoleg's den. Leopardfur and Frogleap struggle to get the panicking fish out of their container, until Frogleap notices that the Twoleg is attacking the others with a curved spike. As the rest flee, Mosspelt's claws get stuck in the den, and Frogleap rushes to protect her so she can run. Leopardfur attempts again to grab a fish, hopping inside the container for a salmon, and tips the container over. She and Frogleap drag the fish toward the river while the Twoleg follows, but it is distracted by the spilled fish and hurries to gather them back up, allowing the cats to cross the river. Watching Frogleap tend to Mosspelt's injury, Leopardfur decides not to resent them. She tells the patrol not to say anything to the Clan about the Twoleg, so as not to risk any cat repeating their attempt.

Back at camp, their Clanmates admire their catch, with Crookedstar praising the patrol. However, when Shadepaw tries to take some of the salmon for the elders, she is injured by a thorn that was inside the fish's cheek. The patrol is forced to admit to what they had done, and their Clanmates praise them for taking the fish back. Crookedstar divides the salmon up between the Clan while Leopardfur thinks again about Frogleap and Mosspelt, deciding that she needs to focus on becoming leader. Crookedstar takes her aside and asks her what she saw on patrol, and she reports the ShadowClan cats. He tells her that Brokenstar has been chased out by ThunderClan and ShadowClan, and that Nightpelt has taken over. Leopardfur believes their agreement with ShadowClan can end, but he refuses, believing that they should wait, as RiverClan is safe.

Characters

Major

• Leopardfur

Minor

• Heavypaw
• Shadepaw
• Rippleclaw
• Crookedstar
• Sedgecreek
• Lakeshine
• Birdsong
• Tanglewhisker
• Shimmerpelt
• Ottersplash
• Piketooth
• Whiteclaw
• Blackclaw
• Stonefur
• Mosspelt
• Frogleap
• Reedtail
• Emberdawn
• Three ShadowClan warriors
• Fishing Twoleg
• Softwing

Mentioned

• Mudfur
• Brokenstar
• Tallstar
• Nightpelt

Important events

• Leopardfur's patrol steals a salmon from a Twoleg fishing in the river.
• Crookedstar informs Leopardfur that Brokenstar has been driven out and replaced with Nightpelt as leader.

Errors

• Leopardfur requests help from Frogleap when trying to lift a heavy fish out of a Twoleg container, however, it was written as "she mewed Frogleap" instead of "she mewed to Frogleap." This is fixed in the paperback edition.