Darkness Within/Chapter 7

"I won't be thwarted. You saved my life, and because of that, you have ensured my success. Because once I'm back to full health, I'll be able to bend any cat to my will..." The following content contains major spoilers for the true identity of Bramblestar's impostor. Please proceed at your own discretion.

"But suddenly it didn't matter so much that they could never be mates. They would be together for the next few days. That was enough. She would just have to keep her feelings in check. She could do that, surely?"

— Narrator about Bristlefrost's feelings for Rootspring in Darkness Within, page 110

Darkness Within
Chapter number:	7 (of 25)
Page numbers:	110-126
Point of View:	Bristlefrost
Chronology

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

Chapter Number: 7 (of 25)

Page Numbers: 110-126

Chapter description

Bristlefrost leaves Clan territory with the rest of her patrol. She remembers how Squirrelflight had told her that she would be going on the journey to find the Sisters with Rootspring, Spotfur, and Needleclaw. She is happy to be spending time with Rootspring, but tells herself that she'll have to keep her feelings in check. She can't help feeling relieved to be away from ThunderClan for a while, as every warrior there seemed lost following the events with Ashfur and Bramblestar. Rootspring reminds the patrol that Tree told them to look for a kittypet named Pancakes, who knows the Sisters. He trails off as the cats crest the rise and stare at the many valleys and hills beyond Clan territories in awe. Bristlefrost spots a Twoleg nest at the bottom of a valley and says that Pancakes might be there, and Rootspring agrees. As the patrol descends into the valley, Bristlefrost is confident in her ability to save ThunderClan and bring StarClan back.

Dusk is falling as Bristlefrost follows Rootspring and Needleclaw into another valley. They had found three different kittypets, but none of them had heard of the Sisters or Pancakes. Bristlefrost wonders if they're going in the wrong direction, but her thoughts are interrupted by Spotfur hurting her paw. Rootspring decides that they should stop to make camp inside a sandy hollow among the roots of a willow tree. Rootspring says that he and Needleclaw will hunt, and that Bristlefrost and Spotfur can check out a nearby Twoleg den for Pancakes. As they travel, Bristlefrost tries to talk to Spotfur to distract her from her grief, but the queen says that they should stop talking and focus.

The two she-cats reach the den and jump down into the garden behind it. Bristlefrost talks to a creature that she thinks is a kittypet, but it turns out to be a dog, who chases them out of the garden. Spotfur and Bristlefrost run all the way back to their camp, and while they're catching their breath, two kits run up to them. They say that the dog's name is Spike, and that he probably just wanted to say hello. Bristlefrost asks them about Pancakes, but they say that Pancakes is gone and that they're his kits, Eggs and Bacon. Spotfur asks them about the Sisters, and Bristlefrost begins listing off names that toms from the group might have, such as Stone or Branch. The kits say that they know a tom named Leaf who left a group of cats who were making camp by a river. Bristlefrost is excited to tell Rootspring, but wonders if the Sisters will refuse to come.

Back at camp, Bristlefrost discusses her fear with Needleclaw and Rootspring. Rootspring is confident that they'll find the Sisters and persuade them to come back with them, and Bristlefrost is touched by his confidence. Needleclaw says that she's going to sleep, and Bristlefrost volunteers to guard the camp. Rootspring offers to sit with her, and Bristlefrost follows him out of the willow tree. She sits down beside him and notices how much he has grown since he was an apprentice. Rootspring noticed Bristlefrost's worried expression and asks her what's wrong, and she tells him about how some cats left ThunderClan for a 'wander', including Graystripe. Rootspring says that that must be worrying, and Bristlefrost says it is, but adds that she's glad she's with him. She relaxes, and thinks that being with Rootspring is wonderful.

Characters

Major

• Bristlefrost
• Rootspring
• Spotfur
• Needleclaw

Minor

• Spike
• Eggs
• Bacon

Mentioned

• Squirrelflight
• Ashfur
• Bramblestar
• Tree
• Pancakes
• Kittypet queen
• Bad-tempered she-cat
• Kittypet tom
• Leaf
• Graystripe