Starlight/Chapter 16

"Stop pretending, Leafpaw." […] "To me, StarClan, our warrior ancestors, these signs we're supposed to interpret—they're nothing but a bunch of stories to keep the Clans happy."

— Mothwing confessing that she doesn't believe in StarClan in Starlight, page 247

Starlight
Chapter number:	16 (of 23)
Page numbers:	235-250
Point of View:	Leafpaw
Chronology

Below contains in-depth information for chapter sixteen of Starlight. If you are looking for a shorter summary of the entire book, please check the main article.

Chapter Number: 16 (of 23)

Page Numbers: 235-250

Chapter description

Leafpaw watches the Clan cats in the clearing, wishing to speak to Crowfeather about Morningflower. She notes that she saw him earlier, head down, and Leafpaw is frustrated that he's gone. Suddenly, Cinderpelt snaps her out of her thoughts, informing her that the medicine cats are staying at the clearing, and she doesn't know if there is a sign about the new Moonstone. Leafpaw wishes to speak with Crowfeather, and Cinderpelt detects this, reminding her about where her heart lies. The apprentice protests that she just wants to know if Barkface gave Morningflower the herbs, but her mentor is skeptical, and Leafpaw remains frustrated as she follows her. After sitting near the tree stump, Leafpaw senses painful distress radiating off Squirrelflight as Blackstar requests silence.

Leafpaw dashes over to her sister, asking if she fell out with Brambleclaw again, but Squirrelflight retorts that she shouldn't mention his name. She then explains that Brambleclaw was chatting with Hawkfrost, refusing to listen to her claims that he was untrustworthy. Squirrelflight spits that it comes down to trust, and she and Brambleclaw cannot be together if they have conflicting views, making Leafpaw feel helpless. Despite being confused by her actions, she gives her a reassuring nuzzle, reminding her that Brambleclaw and Hawkfrost are half brothers and they have a right to be in each other's space. Squirrelflight snaps that it's more than blood, and Leafpaw remembers the blood will spill blood prophecy she received, questioning its meaning. She tries to find Cinderpelt, and sees her with the other leaders, who are ready to begin the Gathering.

Onewhisker awkwardly attempts to climb onto the tree stump, but fails, and Squirrelflight and Leafpaw note that he doesn't look like a leader. Blackstar begins the Gathering, bringing up the new ShadowClan border and asking Leopardstar if it's okay to her. She replies that it's perfect, and Leafpaw is confused as to why Leopardstar is being so cooperative, thinking that she would try going for more territory before remembering the Twolegs. Blackstar continues, mentioning the newly-marked boundary with ThunderClan, and when Firestar suggests moving the stream marker, he retorts that the ThunderClan leader should have been hastier setting them up. Firestar doesn't argue further, and says that his Clan has set up their boundary with a dead tree, a tall holly, and an abandoned fox den. For the other border, he adds that it should be set up so both Clans have access to the stream water.

Squirrelflight is puzzled as to why Firestar cares so much about the water, but Leafpaw points out that if the borders are altered, WindClan will get the woodland back, and it won't make Onewhisker look excessively generous. Relieved at his suggestion, Onewhisker thanks Firestar, and says that they'll take the horseplace as WindClan's other border. Firestar then warns that no Clan should claim this territory, as they need a place to gather, much to Leopardstar's disapproval. Firestar reassures Leopardstar that StarClan will find them a better Gathering location, and she needs to give up her land claim. She decides to do so on the condition that something will be done in two moons, allowing Firestar to move on and deliver more ThunderClan news. Leafpaw observes that a cloud has covered the moon, giving an eerie feel, and some cats shift nervously.

Leafpaw reassures Ashfur that StarClan is with them as Onewhisker jumps up on the tree stump to report WindClan's news. Heavystep complains that they can't hear him, but Mudclaw surprisingly defends his leader, snapping that he won't if he's not quiet. Onewhisker continues, reporting that two of their elders have recovered from being sick, and Leafpaw murmurs that he shouldn't have mentioned that, as he'll make WindClan look weak and dependent. Suddenly, Leafpaw notices movement in the clearing, alerting the Clan cats. Foxes emerge, not fazed by the cats, and Dustpelt begins to attack one, fastly moving. Rainwhisker, Hawkfrost, and Russetfur rush over to help him, and they drive out the overwhelmed foxes quickly. Leafpaw is relieved to find them uninjured, and finds most to be uneasy, expecting them to return.

Leafpaw glances up at the sky, wishing to be under the safe oaks of Fourtrees. Blackstar ends the Gathering, and as everyone disbands to head home, Leafpaw informs Squirrelflight that she has to stay behind with the medicine cats. Her sister takes off with Ashfur, and Leafpaw notices Brambleclaw with Hawkfrost, pondering if Squirrelflight is correct after all. Mothwing suddenly greets her, saying where they're meeting, and apologizing for giving the elders tainted water. Leafpaw ressures her that she didn't know and that they can always gather more herbs, but Mothwing seems unconvinced as she leads her friend over to the other medicine cats. Barkface starts the meeting, saying that the fox attack proved they need a better Gathering place, and he inquires if anyone has had a sign yet.

Everyone shakes their head, and Cinderpelt states that finding a Moonstone is urgent, as Onewhisker needs his nine lives. Littlecloud begins to think that they've failed to identify a sign, but Barkface dismisses that, and he chastises Mothwing when she suggests the Moonstone isn't here, stating that no Moonstone would mean that this isn't the right place for the Clans. He also points out that many will refuse to leave if they break the news that they couldn't find a place to share tongues. Leafpaw suggests that they should search for signs, and Cinderpelt and Barkface agree with her, giving suggestions on what to do. Barkface then closes the meeting, and Littlecloud asks Mothwing if her elders were sick, which she confirms. Barkface harshly demands what she treated them with, and he nods when she names what she used.

After the medicine cats leave, Mothwing thanks Leafpaw for not telling them everything, and the latter tries imagining Mousefur with a bellyache. Mothwing, her eyes troubled, nervously asks Leafpaw if they're still friends, which she confirms. The dappled golden she-cat then admits that she'll never receive a sign from StarClan, confusing her friend, and Mothwing goes on to say that she thinks StarClan is just a bunch of stories to make the Clans happy. Leafpaw is shocked by the revelation, protesting that Mothwing shared tongues with StarClan themselves, but the she-cat waves it off as merely a dream and thinks she can heal without her ancestors. Knowing that she'll dismiss her encounters with Spottedleaf, the tabby she-cat remains silent as Mothwing questions why they need to look for signs.

Leafpaw tries to protest again, and the ground feels unsteady as she thinks about Mothwing refuting everything she believed since she was a kit. She insists that faith in StarClan means to go on, and they won't know they are there until they die, but Mothwing shakes her head in sad disapproval. She attempts to point out the moth's wing sign, recalling that Mothwing wasn't Clanborn, and she had struggled to be accepted in RiverClan. Mudfur soon found a moth's wing outside his den, which he believed indicated that Mothwing was meant to be RiverClan's next medicine cat. Just before Mothwing can respond, Cinderpelt calls Leafpaw away, and the RiverClan she-cat instead bids her farewell.

As she walks with Cinderpelt, Leafpaw contemplates her friend's lack of belief in their ancestors, remembering that she had always struggled in her duties as a medicine cat. She thinks about telling her mentor about everything, but then dwells on the possibility that StarClan is silent because Mothwing doesn't believe in them. She sighs, grabbing Cinderpelt's attention, and she inquires if everything's alright. Leafpaw says yes, firmly denying that she isn't thinking about Crowfeather, and Cinderpelt doesn't press further. Leafpaw tries to see the starlight in Mothwing's point of view, but stops, reminding herself to have faith in StarClan.

Characters

Major

• Leafpaw

Minor

• Cinderpelt
• Crowfeather
• Squirrelflight
• Ashfur
• Blackstar
• Firestar
• Leopardstar
• Onewhisker
• Heavystep
• Mudclaw
• Dustpelt
• Rainwhisker
• Hawkfrost
• Russetfur
• Brambleclaw
• Barkface
• Littlecloud

Mentioned

• Morningflower
• Tigerstar
• Spiderleg
• Darkfoot (Unnamed)
• Mousefur
• Spottedleaf
• Sasha (Unnamed)
• Mudfur

Trivia

• This chapter aligns with part two of Winds of Change.