Sunrise (book)/Chapter 22

"But I've been putting things together, and last night everything fell into place. Squirrelflight's loyalty to the cat who gave birth to us. The vague memories I have of that journey through the snow. The way you behave toward the three of us. And the fact that Mousefur remembers parsley accidentally mixed in with her tansy about that time. Parsley is used to stop the milk in nursing mothers. You would have needed to take it to stop your own milk."

— Jayfeather to Leafpool on her being his mother in Sunrise, page 254

Sunrise (book)
Chapter number:	22 (of 28)
Page numbers:	253-257
Point of View:	Jayfeather
Chronology

Below contains in-depth information for chapter twenty-two of Sunrise (book). If you are looking for a shorter summary of the entire book, please check the main article.

Chapter Number: 22 (of 28)

Page Numbers: 253-257

Chapter description

Jayfeather struggles through the snow, which reaches his belly fur. He recognizes a tabby-and-white pelt in front of him, realizing it's Leafpool. Jayfeather wails for help as the snow swallowed him, but he falls away into darkness. He wakes up in his own nest, noticing the torn bedding from his thrashing limbs. Jayfeather gets up, hearing Leafpool rummaging through the herb store, feeling waves of anguish coming from her. Jayfeather springs to his paws, pushing away the urge to ask her if she was his mother, and asks what's wrong.

Leafpool then confesses that she told Hollyleaf something she shouldn't have, and Jayfeather immediately understands. he raises his chin, asking if she told Hollyleaf that she was their mother. Leafpool is shocked, demanding how he knew. Jayfeather admits that he's been putting pieces together since Squirrelflight was loyal to Leafpool, the memories of the journey through the snow, and the fact that Mousefur recalls Leafpool eating parsley. After this was a long silence.

Leafpool tells Jayfeather urgently that he must help his littermates to live with the truth. When he stays silent, his mother begs him to find his brother and sister. Jayfeather hesitates, but then nods and backs out of the den.

He locates Lionblaze by the fresh-kill pile, telling him that they needed to talk. His brother is confused, but Jayfeather asks where Hollyleaf was. Lionblaze answers that she hasn't been seen since after vigil. Jayfeather mews that they have to find her, because she knows something that could upset her. When Lionblaze asks what, he responds that he'll know when they find Hollyleaf.

Lionblaze demands that Jayfeather tell him what it was, so the medicine cat turns and says that Leafpool was their mother. His brother gasps in shock, saying it was impossible, but Jayfeather insists that they have to decide what to do about it.

The two followed traces of Hollyleaf's scent until they found her by a mossy bank buy the lake. Jayfeather meows that they need to talk, but she responds that there'as nothing to discuss, and that they must find out who their real father was. Lionblaze questions her reasoning, but Hollyleaf repeats that they must find out who their father was. Jayfeather agrees with her, asking her if she asked Leafpool. The black she-cat replies no, stating that Leafpool wouldn't tell them anyway. Jayfeather realizes that she was right, but Lionblaze asks if they really want to go through with this.

Hollyleaf hisses at him and calls him a mouse-brain, demanding if he never wanted to know who his father was, her claws tearing at the moss. But Lionblaze tells her to think about it, sitting down by Jayfeather, saying that Leafpool wouldn't confess who their father was. But Hollyleaf lashes her tail, spitting that she wanted to know. Lionblaze suggests that they keep quiet until things cool off, and Jayfeather doubts it, but says nothing. His brother excitedly says that Leafpool's their mother, and Firestar is her father, so the three are still part of the prophecy.

Characters

Major

• Jayfeather

Minor

• Leafpool
• Lionblaze
• Hollyleaf

Mentioned

• Squirrelflight
• Mousefur
• Firestar