Willowshine

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"Warriors don't attack medicine cats. And even if they did, it's worth the risk. Saving cats is why I became a medicine cat, and now I have to do this to save Mosspelt."

— Willowshine to Mothwing about finding more watermint in River of Fire, Bonus Scene, page 21

Willowshine is a small,^[7] lithe, sleek,^[8] thick,^[9] and soft-furred,^[10] pale gray^[2] tabby^[11] she-cat^[12] with bright green eyes.^[11]

She is born to Mosspelt as Willowkit, and almost immediately finds passion for learning and using herbs. She helps Mothwing during the time when several RiverClan cats became sick after drinking tainted water. Upon being made an apprentice she becomes Mothwing’s apprentice, known as Willowpaw. Leafpool also mentors Willowpaw in the ways of their warrior ancestors, as Mothwing does not believe in StarClan. When Hollypaw becomes a medicine cat apprentice, she quickly becomes friends with her. Willowpaw eventually earns her full medicine cat name, Willowshine. When Mistystar announces that RiverClan won’t be interacting with any other Clans for some time following Darktail's terrible reign, Willowshine and her mentor aren’t allowed to go to the Moonpool or speak with the other medicine cats. However, Willowshine has a vision about a six toed cat, and she goes to Alderheart to help her with the vision.

History

In the Super Editions

Crowfeather's Trial

Kestrelflight attends the medicine cat half moon meeting, trailed by his escort Crowfeather. Willowshine insists that he stay outside the hollow, or she'll claw him. Littlecloud agrees, but notes that medicine cats aren't ones to attack. The medicine cats share with StarClan and then head back to their own Clans.

At the next Gathering, Mistystar reports that her Clan suffered from a mild outbreak of whitecough. She assures that Mothwing and Willowshine quickly took care of it, and it never turned to greencough.

Bramblestar's Storm

After the battle with the Dark Forest, each Clan decides to come up with their own way to mourn their fallen Clanmates. After Onestar, WindClan's leader, says that WindClan has a rockpile, with stones for each cat, Mothwing steps forward. The RiverClan medicine cat says that she and Willowshine grew a circle of ferns. She also says that the flood damaged them, but they'll grow again.

Tigerheart's Shadow

Willowshine travels with Alderheart to ShadowClan's camp, after the RiverClan medicine cat has a prophecy. She reveals that she was told by StarClan that a cat with an extra claw will help the Clans survive the oncoming threat. Tigerheart is surprised to see Willowshine, as her leader, Mistystar, had decided to close RiverClan's borders in an attempt to help the Clan recover from the battle with Darktail and his rogues. When none of ShadowClan's cats can answer Willowshine's prophecy, she and Alderheart depart for their next destination.

In The New Prophecy arc

Dawn

Willowkit makes her first but very brief appearance when Leafpaw is asked by Squirrelpaw to check Dawnflower's kits, after the Clans have crossed a Thunderpath, on their way to their new territory. Willowkit squeals that the monster would have never caught them and Dawnflower replies by telling Willowkit to be quiet.

Twilight

Mothwing's eyes are full of affection when Willowkit comes to her aid in the medicine cat den. She helps Mothwing when many cats are infected by a strange toxic liquid left behind by Twolegs, showing keen interest and skill in the duties of a medicine cat. When Beechpaw is choking on a clump of chewed-up yarrow, Mothwing is unable to retrieve the yarrow out of his mouth, so Willowkit sticks her tiny paw into his throat, and pulls it out. She's praised for her good work that day. She asks Mothwing if this is what being a medicine cat is like, saying it is the best feeling ever, and that she can't think of any other way to live her life.

Later, Leafpool tells her to go back to the nursery and tell her mother, Mosspelt, how well she did. While doing so, Leafpool tells Willowkit that she'll make sure Beechpaw knows that the kit saved his life, later. Mothwing mentions to Leafpool that Willowkit is always helping out in the medicine den and that she would take Willowkit an apprentice as soon as she is old enough. Willowkit confirms that Beechpaw is doing fine.

Sunset

Willowpaw is seen at a gathering when Leopardstar announces that Mothwing took her to be her apprentice. She is later seen at another gathering sitting beside Mothwing. Mothwing tells Willowpaw to go and tell Mistyfoot that Mothwing would be along in a moment. Leafpool doubts if Willowpaw can be a proper medicine cat if she doesn't learn about StarClan from her mentor.

Willowpaw becomes Mothwing's apprentice, training to be a medicine cat. When Leafpool discovers that Mothwing doesn't believe in StarClan she realizes that someone else would have to teach Willowpaw about StarClan.

Feathertail visits Leafpool in her dreams, telling her that StarClan wants Leafpool and Feathertail to visit Willowpaw in her dreams, to train and teach her. They find Willowpaw in her nest and they tell her that she would get used to being visited in her dreams, as she was now a medicine cat. Willowpaw asks Feathertail who she is, saying that she had RiverClan scent but she had never seen her before. Feathertail replies that she was one of the cats that journeyed to sun-drown-place. Willowpaw tells Feathertail that she will always be remembered by RiverClan. Leafpool and Feathertail tell Willowpaw about some catmint on the edge of the RiverClan territory. Willowpaw tells Feathertail and Leafpool that she wished that they had catmint when Heavystep fell ill.

Willowpaw is seen sitting next to Mothwing when Hawkfrost wants to speak to Mothwing. When Willowpaw visits the Moonpool for the first time to be officially received by StarClan as Mothwing's apprentice, Mothwing asks Willowpaw if it is her wish to become a medicine cat and Willowpaw replies that it is. Mothwing presents her to StarClan and tells her to drink from the pool. Spottedleaf shows Leafpool and her a dream that suggests that Hawkfrost will do something bad.

In the Power of Three arc

The Sight

When she and Mothwing come to the ThunderClan camp, Hollykit appears to be rather happy to see Willowpaw. She remembers that she had met Willowpaw when Mothwing brought catmint supplies to the ThunderClan camp. Hollykit had spoken with Willowpaw, wanting to know what it was like to live in a different Clan. Hollykit bounds up to Willowpaw, who had been looking troubled. Willowpaw asks Hollykit if she was an apprentice, in which Hollykit confirms she wasn't yet. Hollykit asks Willowpaw why she and Mothwing were at the camp. Willowpaw's whiskers twitch, and she tells Hollykit that she had a dream and wanted Leafpool to interpret it. Confused, Hollykit asks if Mothwing could interpret the dream herself, in which Willowpaw glances at her paws, saying that Mothwing suggested that they get Leafpool's opinion. Hollykit asks what it was about, but looking solemn, Willowpaw says that she couldn't tell the kit until she'd shared it with Leafpool. Willowpaw is then invited by Leafpool to enter her den, and she does, followed by Mothwing.

Soon after, Willowpaw is greeted by Hollykit once more. The she-cat twitches her ears, blinking at the kit as the faraway look clears in her eyes. Hollykit asks if Leafpool helped the apprentice, in which Willowpaw says she did. Willowpaw then offers to tell the dream to Hollykit, claiming that she dreamed of clouds streaming across the sky, tumbling across the blue. Suddenly, they stopped and the sun scorched down onto the RiverClan camp, shrivelling plants and nests until there was no shelter from the burning heat. When Hollykit shudders, asking what it means, Willowpaw replies that Leafpool thought it was a warning of trouble for their water supply. Willowpaw, however, appears to disagree, reasoning that there was plenty of rain throughout the leaf-bare, so it probably didn't mean a drought. Leafpool had advised Willowpaw to tell Leopardstar to check all of the streams near the camp to make sure they were safe.

Leaning forward, Hollykit asks Willowpaw how she became Mothwing's apprentice. Willowpaw tells Hollykit that she had helped Mothwing with her patients when there was an outbreak of sickness. She says that she enjoyed the tasks that Mothwing gave her, and she kept going to the medicine den until Mothwing suggested that Willowpaw become her apprentice. Hollykit asks Willowpaw if she had always wanted to be a medicine cat, and the young cat replies that she didn't think about it and it sort of happened. She mentions that she couldn't imagine being anything else, as being a medicine cat was great. Before Hollykit could agree, Mothwing calls to Willowpaw that it was time to leave. She says goodbye to Hollykit over her shoulder while bounding away behind Mothwing. After the two cats leave, Willowpaw is noted to have made Hollykit even more determined to become Leafpool's apprentice.

When she first sees Jaypaw at the Moonpool, she asks where Hollypaw is, and Jaypaw tells her that Hollypaw didn't want to be a medicine cat anymore. When they start walking on, Willowpaw pulls Jaypaw away from a rabbit hole in front of him. Jaypaw already knew it was there and gets angry at her. Hurt, she tells him that she was only trying to help him, and when he says that he doesn't need help, she angrily tells him that she won't help him next time. Jaypaw is rebuked by Leafpool and gives a reluctant apology, and Willowpaw replies that next time she hopes he falls in.

Dark River

Hollypaw has a dream where she is in the forest chasing Willowpaw. She keeps calling Willowpaw but she doesn't stop running. Finally, when she catches up to her she asks what's wrong with RiverClan but gets no answer. She wakes up before she gets an answer from Willowpaw.

Jaypaw goes into her dream when Mudfur, a former medicine cat of RiverClan, who was Mothwing's mentor, and now a member of StarClan comes to Willowpaw's dream. He tells Willowpaw that RiverClan should escape from the disaster, caused by a bunch of Twoleg kits messing around the camp.

Hollypaw is worried for Willowpaw and her Clan. When Hollypaw comes to the camp she is surprised and angry that Hollypaw came. Later, she shows Hollypaw what is happening in her old camp when Hollypaw visits RiverClan's new camp on the island to find out what was wrong.

Outcast

At the Moonpool Gathering at the half-moon, she meets up with the other medicine cats, but comes alone; without Mothwing. When Leafpool questions her of Mothwing's whereabouts, and Willowpaw replies that Beechfur has an infected bee sting, so Mothwing stayed to treat him. In his thoughts, Jaypaw comments angrily that Mothwing must've stayed home because of her disbelief in StarClan; therefore there is no need to walk all the way to the Moonpool. She greets Jaypaw coldly, and the annoyed Jaypaw silently thinks about how he's not all that besotted with her either.

Eclipse

It is said that Littlecloud, Mothwing, and Willowpaw are oblivious to the tension between the WindClan and ThunderClan medicine cats. As the medicine cats journey to the Moonpool, they talk about how next time it would be colder when they come, and Willowpaw says that she'll miss the warm weather. Also when Mothwing asks if Littlecloud had chosen an apprentice, Willowpaw seems eager for more company. Before the medicine cats share tongues with StarClan, Mothwing grants Willowpaw her formal medicine cat name, Willowshine. Everyone congratulates her and then they go dream. Jaypaw is warned to stay out of Willowshine's dreams.

Long Shadows

When Jaypaw comes to the Moonpool alone, Willowshine is slightly jealous and annoyed that she had to wait to receive her full medicine cat name before Mothwing allowed her to come to the Moonpool alone. When the other medicine cats notice that Littlecloud isn't present, she murmurs that maybe he can share tongues with StarClan from his own territory. After meeting with StarClan, she starts being nicer towards Jaypaw, but there is always an edge to her voice.

She visits the Moonpool and watches Jayfeather receive his medicine cat name. Jayfeather mentions she doesn't have anything to act superior about now, as she has always liked Hollyleaf more than Jayfeather.

Sunrise

On the night when the medicine cats go to the Moonpool, Willowshine and her mentor, Mothwing, are late due to a thorn that got stuck in Petalkit's eye. It is mentioned that they licked the thorn to get it out of the kit's eye. Littlecloud tells her that celandine is also good for repairing damaged eyes. Mothwing asks Willowshine if there is any in their stack, and she replies that it is not much, but it should be good enough.

In the Omen of the Stars arc

The Fourth Apprentice

Willowshine does not formally appear in The Fourth Apprentice, but is listed in the allegiances.

Fading Echoes

At the medicine cat half-moon meeting, Willowshine meets with the other medicine cats at the Moonpool with her mentor Mothwing. She settles in to meet with StarClan there, and Jayfeather considers whether he should listen in on her dreams.

Night Whispers

When Dovewing uses her senses she hears Mothwing ask Willowshine if she fixed Pouncetail's bedding.

Willowshine is scented by Jayfeather when he is traveling to the Moonpool. She commented that it was freezing cold, and she wanted to travel on, stating that the other medicine cats would have to catch up. She's worried by her fellow medicine cats' no show and hopes they're alright.

She is later seen with Mudfur and Graypool in StarClan, while they try to persuade her to break ties with the other medicine cats, saying RiverClan must stand alone. They warn her but they speak in incomplete sentences. Willowshine is terrified by the scenes her ancestors have described. She is last seen trembling with fear.

Sign of the Moon

Cats notice that the medicine cats are being very uncomfortable around each other, and they're wondering what happened. Willowshine is with Mothwing at the Gathering, talking quietly, keeping her distance from the other medicine cats due to StarClan splitting up. The medicine cats are seen mostly around only their Clanmates, withdrawing from any medicine cat communication.

The Forgotten Warrior

She is seen when Dawnpelt accuses Jayfeather of killing Flametail, and agrees with the two leaders, Mistystar and Onestar, and the other medicine cats when they say Jayfeather's duty as a medicine cat should be suspended until Jayfeather can prove he didn't kill Flametail.

The Last Hope

She is first mentioned when Jayfeather is dreaming and sees Brambleberry, he asks if Willowshine had sent her to him. Soon after she is mentioned when Jayfeather and Mothwing are at the Moonpool. He asks if she was the only one to come, and she says yes because Willowshine refused to come. She also asks him what was going on with StarClan, saying that Willowshine was ordered not to be near the other medicine cats of the Clans.

Soon after, Mothwing informs Jayfeather that Willowshine said there would be a battle between StarClan and the Dark Forest. Jayfeather confirms this and Mothwing is shocked to find out. Upon leaving, she tells Jayfeather that she'll try to convince Willowshine to come to the Moonpool again.

When Jayfeather comes into RiverClan territory to speak with Mothwing, the young gray tabby is unwilling to speak with Jayfeather until the accusation of murder made against Jayfeather is proven to be false. Mothwing shoos her apprentice, hissing with annoyance at her blind faith in StarClan.

When Mothwing brings Jayfeather to RiverClan again to show him a sign she found, Jayfeather asks Mothwing if she had shown Willowshine the smoldering reed, but she says she isn't looking for signs like he is. Jayfeather later tells her what had happened, and she says that she was told to talk to StarClan that night which Mothwing doesn't usually tell her to do.

Later, Flametail tells her and the other medicine cats that Jayfeather did not murder him.

While sleeping, Jayfeather summons the medicine cats of each Clan, to warn each of them that cats from the Dark Forest have found a way into the Clan territories and that the mysterious scents appearing in their Clan at night were caused by trainees, not rogues. Next, they go to the Moonpool to meet with StarClan to confirm that the Clans will battle. Willowshine and the other medicine cats agree to bring their leaders to the island to discuss this.

In the A Vision of Shadows arc

The Apprentice's Quest

Willowshine and Mothwing scramble up the slope next to Jayfeather and Leafpool at a half-moon medicine cat meeting. Once they arrive at the Moonpool, the medicine cats walk down one at a time, in turn. When they wake up in StarClan's hunting grounds, the medicine cats are shocked as they realize they share a single dream. Willowshine and Leafpool are seen talking in quick, anxious murmurs. Jayfeather starts to head over to them, but Firestar, Leopardstar, Barkface, Blackstar and Flametail appear. Willowshine greets Leopardstar and dips her head respectfully to RiverClan's former leader.

At Alderpaw's first Gathering, he notes that Willowshine sits at the bottom of the Great Oak along with the other medicine cats. She is also mentioned to be following Mothwing at Alderpaw's first half-moon meeting. Littlecloud comments about there being too many medicine cats in ThunderClan, Willowshine reassures Alderpaw that there can never be too many cats taking care of their Clan. When they arrive at the Moonpool, she murmurs that it looks amazing and awes her every time.

Thunder and Shadow

Willowshine and Mothwing are present at the half-moon meeting, and they meet the ThunderClan medicine cats at their border. The dark gray tabby asks Alderpaw how his training is going, and he replies that it's okay, but doesn't know if Jayfeather agrees. Willowshine purrs that Jayfeather's probably never agreed with anything in his life, and assures him he'll be a great medicine cat - trained by one of the best. The tom then is led down to the Moonpool by Willowshine. After the meeting, the medicine cats talk about the new rogue threat. The gray tabby she-cat chips in that they must've already left since fighting the Clans for prey would be too hard. When Jayfeather asks after Leafpool, the ThunderClan she-cat says that she needs to train Puddlepaw a little while longer. Willowshine and Mothwing offer to help the blind medicine cat, but he brushes them off. Each of the cats are confused, however, as none of them shared with StarClan this time. Willowshine concludes that the rogues must be no threat if no warning was sent. She and Mothwing soon leave, calling that they'll see the other medicine cats at the Gathering.

At the Gathering, Willowshine sits with the other medicine cats. Alderpaw wishes he didn't have to stay with them, as they're too solemn and serious. The Gathering starts and Rowanstar announces that Puddleshine has had a dream from StarClan. Willowshine exclaims that the tom really is a medicine cat then, but apologizes to Mothwing, knowing that her mentor doesn't believe in the starry cats.

Willowshine attends the next medicine cat half-moon meeting and sits with Mothwing and Puddleshine. The gray tabby she-cat tells the ShadowClan medicine cat that birch sap might help his sick Clanmates, as it gives energy to cats who can't eat. Jayfeather asks if it cures coughs, and Willowshine replies that they don't know, as it is newly discovered. After the meeting, Hairspring and Kestrelflight allow the other medicine cats to gather lungwort on WindClan territory. Willowshine and Mothwing go with them, and they stream over a rise.

Shattered Sky

After the Clans lose in the battle against the Kin, Leafpool hears about how many injured RiverClan warriors jumped to the serious wounded Mistystar’s defense and offers to help Mothwing and Willowshine treat them. Bramblestar refuses, insisting the medicine cats’ can take care of their own Clan. During a Gathering, Alderheart and Jayfeather murmur greetings to Willowshine and Mothwing who are sitting close to the Great Oak. Kestrelflight joins them and they ignore the tom, due to WindClan fleeing when the Clans were about to defeat the Kin.

After Darktail takes over RiverClan camp, Willowshine and Mothwing quickly pack cobwebs onto the worst injuries. Darktail asks Mistystar where she is taking the injured and the leader explains with them so Willowshine and Mothwing can take care of them. Darktail keeps them as prisoners, however. Mothwing is desperate to know how the prisoners’ are later on and asks Alderheart to help since Willowshine is very busy with the injured warriors they have with them. The plan is to claim they are getting medicine herbs since Mothwing and Willowshine built a good store in their den.

Willowshine is seen with Mothwing being helped by Leafpool with checking on RiverClan cats that are still badly injured after the battle. When RiverClan moved to ThunderClan camp, Squirrelflight suggests moving the worst injured to the abandoned Twoleg nest and send Leafpool and Willowshine to stay with them. The leaders don't agree with this plan though. On the way to the Moonpool, Willowshine walks with Jayfeather and Leafpool. At the next half-moon, Willowshine and Mothwing walk right behind the ThunderClan medicine cats. Later, Alderheart addresses to all the medicine cats, including Willowshine, urging them to come to him and he knows what StarClan's message means.

Darkest Night

Coming Soon

River of Fire

When Alderheart is in RiverClan's camp to ask about gathering watermint, Mistystar permits him to, but reminds the tom that their borders are closed. However, not every cat is happy about this, and the ThunderClan cats see Willowshine shifting her paws with an unhappy expression. At the medicine cat half-moon meeting, the medicine cats from other Clans agree to start the gathering early. They note that Willowshine and Mothwing won't be able to come due to their borders being closed. Later, as RiverClan is escaping from the fire in their camp, Willowshine is with Reedwhisker's group. She limps forward to stand with the deputy, saying that she thinks Mistystar and some others escaped and went towards WindClan. Hawkwing asks what they can do to help, and the RiverClan cats look at each other, overwhelmed. Reedwhisker replies that they need shelter, and Willowshine adds that they need help healing. She reports that their herb supply was destroyed, and Mothwing was hurt trying to save it.

At the next Gathering, RiverClan rejoins the other Clans, and requests help. She mentions that Willowshine is overwhelmed trying to help every injured cat, so Leafpool volunteers to assist. Later, at the next medicine cat half moon meeting, Mothwing and Willowshine attend for the first time since their borders have close. The other medicine cats welcome them, and they dip their heads in response.

In the bonus scene, Willowshine crouches in the medicine den, sorting through her herbs. She worries about their watermint supply, knowing Softpaw and Havenpelt need another dose, but that she’ll have to delay it. She pads outside, wishing there is more she could do to help her Clanmates. As Willowshine sits in a patch of greenleaf sun, she reflects that with ThunderClan and WindClan suffering from the sickness as well, herb supplies are running low. She also thinks about how Mistystar refuses to reopen the borders, and the tensions in camp. Suddenly, a vision takes over Willowshine, and her surroundings light in fire. She is terrified as she takes in the vision, realizing that the scene before her displayed RiverClan’s camp being burnt to ashes.

Willowshine slowly emerges from the vision to find Jayclaw calling to her, his pelt dripping with blood. The medicine cat asks what happened, and he reluctantly admits he fought with Owlnose. She is shocked, but he apologizes, asking for some herbs. Willowshine agrees and goes to fetch them, realizing that the tensions of keeping RiverClan isolated are starting to show. She applies them to his scratches, and he begins to complain about the sting, but cuts himself off and responds that it won’t happen again.

Willowshine spots Mothwing return to the medicine den, and meets her outside it. The golden tabby replies that she found several types of herbs, but no watermint. Willowshine sighs, knowing that they’d usually be able to ask other Clans for help in times like this, but RiverClan’s closed borders have taken that source of help away. She tells her companion about the fight between Jayclaw and Owlnose, but before she can respond, Curlfeather throws up beside the stream. The warrior walks over to them and apologizes, but they insist there’s nothing to be sorry for and make her a nest. Willowshine gives Curlfeather a sprig of watermint, and announces she’s going to go and look for more.

As Willowshine pads to the WindClan border, a storm starts brewing. She wonders what it means, and notes that there’s no more watermint. The medicine cat is disappointed and walks back to camp. Willowshine returns to camp and tells Mothwing about her vision, but her companion tries to brush it off as a dream. However, the gray she-cat insists that it was real, and questions how she can doubt StarClan exists. They banter back and forth on the subject, but eventually turn to the subject of their dwindling watermint supply. They both hope Mistystar will open the borders soon, and upon hearing a call of distress, rush outside to see Mosspelt collapse.

The next day, Willowshine stands in front of the last sprig of watermint, reflecting on how many cats need it. She asks Mothwing if she should give it to Mosspelt, but the other she-cat hesitates to give it to someone so frail they might not recover. Willowshine is horrified, and the golden tabby apologizes, saying she just wants what is best for the Clan. They both agree to go and talk to Mistystar about their dire situation. Both she-cats implore that the border should be reopened so that they can ask for other Clans’ help. Willowshine tells Mistystar about her vision of fire, but the blue-gray leader isn’t convinced. As she turns away, she notes that it’s too soon for the border to be reopened. The medicine cats try to convince her otherwise, but the leader thinks that this sickness is harmless and will pass. They respectfully leave the den, but on their way back, Willowshine envisions the clearing in flames.

Willowshine watches as a storm rages in camp, sitting next to her mother Mosspelt. She apologizes that she can’t help more, but the elder says it’s okay. Willowshine promises that she’ll find a way, and tells Mothwing she’s going to talk to Mistystar again. The golden tabby doesn’t think it will work, and watches as her companion pads away. Willowshine enters Mistystar’s den and implores that she open the borders. The blue-gray she-cat snaps that no cat tells a leader what to do, and tells her to go back to her duties. Willowshine is furious, and when she gets back to the medicine den, she tells Mothwing that she’s going to try the WindClan and ThunderClan border supply.

Mothwing is hesitant, but agrees that they should go together, even without permission, because this is an emergency. Willowshine says she needs to go alone, and her companion reluctantly agrees, but worries about the risk of attack. However, as she pads out of the den, lightning strikes down from the sky and lights a fire in RiverClan’s camp. When she jumps on the bank, Willowshine looks down and recognizes the scene of her vision. Cats begin to flee, and Mistystar orders everyone to evacuate. She watches as Mothwing helps sick cats out of the den, and then glances upwards to the lake. Willowshine sees that ThunderClan is coming to help just as Mistystar shoves her from behind. She shows her leader this, and the she-cat stares at them, her eyes softening, knowing the other Clans’ are still willing to help. Mistystar bounds away, and Willowshine starts helping her other Clanmates. She understands that this disaster is for the best, because it will force RiverClan back into the community of the other Clans.

The Raging Storm

Coming Soon

In The Broken Code arc

Lost Stars

Coming Soon

In the Field Guides

Cats of the Clans

Rock reveals that StarClan found that Willowpaw could be a better solution to Mothwing's inability to communicate with them. It is also said that Willowpaw respects Mothwing's lack of belief in StarClan because she respects her mentor in every other way; she had wanted to be a medicine cat even as a kit when she saw the great healing that Mothwing could do.

The Ultimate Guide

Willowshine only appears on the page she shares with her mentor, Mothwing. Leafpool spoke to her in dreams because of Mothwing's inability to communicate with StarClan. Ever since she had been apprenticed to Mothwing, Willowshine knew something was wrong with her mentor. Mothwing taught her all she knew about herbs, but avoided talking about omens and dreams. Although she took Willowshine to the Moonpool to meet with the other medicine cats, she never told her apprentice what StarClan had told her. Leafpool and a former RiverClan warrior, Feathertail, showed her a patch of catmint beyond her territory after greencough came through the RiverClan camp. Leafpool taught Willowshine how to interpret signs and omens from StarClan in her dreams. Willowshine knew about Mothwing's lack of belief in her warrior ancestors, but kept it a secret, knowing Mothwing deserved her respect and loyalty.

In the Novellas

Leafpool's Wish

Willowpaw does not formally appear in Leafpool's Wish, but is listed in the allegiances.

Hollyleaf's Story

Willowshine does not formally appear in Hollyleaf's Story, but is listed in the allegiances.

Mistystar's Omen

She is seen standing outside the medicine cat's den and comes to ask Mistyfoot if she would like her to come to the Moonpool with her. When Mistyfoot refuses she tries to convince her but is unsuccessful. Mistyfoot comes to the conclusion that Willowshine is just eager to prove herself.

Mistyfoot later sees Mothwing and Willowshine covering Leopardstar's body with rosemary and watermint. Mistyfoot hears Willowshine warning Mothwing they were using the last of the watermint, to which Mothwing replies that Leopardstar needed it more then they did.

The day after returning from the Moonpool, Mistystar hears Mothwing giving Willowshine instructions from inside her den. Mothwing asks her to find comfrey and cobwebs, as they were low on those two items. Mistystar then remembers Willowshine's offer and realizes that Willowshine knows Mothwing doesn't believe in StarClan.

As Willowshine is about to leave the camp Mistystar offers to come with her to find herbs. As they walk out of the camp a fern spills water onto Willowshine causing her to squeak. She then jokes that she wished it would rain at night so they could keep their paws dry during the day. As they walk away from camp Mistystar proceeds to question Willowshine about her training until Willowshine makes it obvious to Mistystar that her mentor doesn't believe in StarClan. Mistystar then confronts her about Mothwing beliefs. Willowshine defends her mentor, saying that when she first became a medicine cat Leafpool visited her in her dreams and taught her, so she knew enough to take care of everything. Mistystar says that she is too young to carry the responsibility and that Mothwing should have spoken up before. Willowshine becomes angry with Mistystar, who tells her not to say anything she might regret, and storms off into the bushes.

When Mistystar returns to camp she tells Mothwing that she has a brave and loyal apprentice.

At the half-moon Mistystar realizes how often Willowshine is sent to the Moonpool in Mothwing's place on the excuse of an injured kit or a kit-heavy cat. Later that night she is seen when Mothwing sends her to the Moonpool, telling her to thank Jayfeather for herbs and to ask Kestrelflight if Tornear's coughing had cleared up. Willowshine then casts an anxious glance at Mistystar and leaves.

When Willowshine returns Mistystar tells her and Mothwing that she will be RiverClan's sole medicine cat from now on. Willowshine tells her that it isn't fair, she still has so much to learn from Mothwing, but Mistystar says StarClan will have to guide her from now on. Mothwing, however, refuses to give up her post until the next gathering, where she will announce her retirement.

When Reedwhisker is injured by the dog Mistystar tells Mothwing to let Willowshine handle the problem, saying she is perfectly capable. When Willowshine comes she is stunned by the injury, but Mistystar reassures her that she can do it.

When Mistystar later checks on Reedwhisker, Willowshine tells her that he is just living, but she is doing everything she can.

As Mistystar travels to the Moonpool she prays to StarClan that Willowshine and Mothwing can help Reedwhisker.

Dovewing's Silence

Willowshine does not formally appear in Dovewing's Silence, but is listed in the allegiances.

Trivia

Mistakes

• She was initially described as dark gray,^[12] and has been shown with dark blue eyes.^[13][14]
• She has been described as greyish-white,^[2] and said to have blue eyes.^[15]
• She is mistakenly said to be too young to take on the full duties of a medicine cat despite being approximately three years old at the time.^[15]

Character pixels

Please do not edit this gallery Alternate Kit Version Medicine Cat Apprentice Version Medicine Cat Version

Official art

Please do not edit this gallery Willowshine in The Ultimate Guide

Kin

Members

Mother:

Mosspelt:^[2] Living (As of Lost Stars)

Half-sister:

Dawnflower:^[16] Deceased, residence unknown

Tree

    = Male

    = Female

    = Gender Unknown

Quotes

Medicine cat ceremony

Willowshine's medicine cat ceremony

Mothwing: I, Mothwing, medicine cat of RiverClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of a medicine cat, and with your help she will serve her Clan for many moons. Willowpaw, do you promise to uphold the ways of a medicine cat, to stand apart from rivalry between Clan and Clan and to protect all cats equally, even at the cost of your life? Willowpaw: I do. Mothwing: Then by the powers of StarClan I give you your true name as a medicine cat. Willowpaw, from this moment you will be known as Willowshine. StarClan honors your loyalty and your compassion. May you use them to serve your Clan for endless moons. Everyone: Willowshine! Willowshine! Reference: Eclipse, pages 140-141

References and citations

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2} Revealed in Sunset, allegiances
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3} Revealed in Twilight, page 167
3. ↑ Revealed in Long Shadows, allegiances
4. ↑ Revealed in Eclipse, page 141
5. ↑ Revealed in Mistystar's Omen, chapter 6
6. ↑ Revealed in Mistystar's Omen, chapter 10
7. ↑ Revealed in The Raging Storm, chapter 20
8. ↑ Revealed in The Sight, page 268
9. ↑ Revealed in The Apprentice's Quest, page 38
10. ↑ Revealed in The Sight, page 264
11. ↑ ^{11.0 11.1} Revealed in The Sight, page 133
12. ↑ ^{12.0 12.1} Revealed in Dawn, page 237
13. ↑ Revealed in Cats of the Clans, page 75
14. ↑ Revealed in The Ultimate Guide, page 137
15. ↑ ^{15.0 15.1} Revealed in Mistystar's Omen, chapter 4
16. ↑ Revealed on the Warriors website family tree
17. ↑ ^{17.0 17.1} Revealed in Twilight, allegiances
18. ↑ Revealed in Dawn, page 269
19. ↑ Revealed in Twilight, page 154