Ivypool's Heart/Chapter 24

"Maybe even the StormClan spirits don't see everything."

— Ivypool during Stalk Purr's kitting in Ivypool's Heart, page 282

Ivypool's Heart
Chapter number:	24 (of 34)
Page numbers:	275-284
Point of View:	Ivypool
Chronology

Below contains in-depth information for chapter twenty-four of Ivypool's Heart. If you are looking for a shorter summary of the entire book, please check the main article.

Chapter Number: 24 (of 34)

Page Numbers: 275-284

Chapter description

Ivypool yowls at Whistlepaw as Stalk Purr begins to kit. Tumble Leap hurries to his mates' side, worried over their unborn kits and if they will survive. Whistlepaw reassures the queen, and the other cats begin to search for a better place to shelter. Ivypool finds a small cave and calls the cats over. While Whistlepaw and Tumble Leap help Stalk Purr up the slope, Ivypool, Icewing, Dovewing, and Rootspring begin to construct a nest in the makeshift den. Tumble Leap frets over the pain his mate is in, but Icewing reassures him that it is normal. Rootspring pokes his head in, only to immediately recoil and keep watch outside. Whistlepaw asks Icewing, Dovewing, and Ivypool to stay, as this is the first litter she has ever delivered without Kestrelflight to help.

The she-cats begin to gather more things for Stalk Purr. Icewing brings her some water-soaked moss, Dovewing goes to fetch a stick, and Ivypool collects more bedding. Dovewing tells the others about having her kits in a big Twolegplace and how scared she had been, and Ivypool adds that she had been grateful for Fernsong, Alderheart, and Jayfeather being present. She reflects on her daughter, Bristlefrost, and how she would go through all of it again, even knowing the ending would stay the same. Dovewing agrees, stating that giving birth in ShadowClan felt much safer, though Ivypool can tell she is still grieving over Rowankit and goes to comfort her. Icewing returns, which reminds Ivypool that all three she-cats have lost kits, though Icewing remains focused. Ivypool reminds herself that she can lean on the other cats, and they each deliver their gatherings to Stalk Purr.

Stalk Purr's kitting lasts into the night, and she delivers three kits: Hunt, Stretch, and Pounce. Something goes wrong between Stretch and Pounce being born, however, and Pounce emerges unresponsive. Stalk Purr and Tumble Leap both freeze, but Whistlepaw begins to rub at the kit with her paws and lick his fur the wrong way. When nothing happens, Stalk Purr lets out a heartbroken cry, fearing the worst. Whistlepaw recalls something Kestrelflight taught her, and she picks Pounce up by the tail to swing him back and forth. The other cats look on, horrified, but Pounce begins to wail before Whistlepaw sets him down at Stalk Purr's belly.

While Stalk Purr thanks Whistlepaw, Ivypool finds herself beginning to panic. She sees Dovewing in a similar state, and the two littermates leave the den to sit at the riverbank and talk. Dovewing admits that she cannot stop thinking about Rowankit, and how he died of greencough, forced to watch him struggle to breathe before he succumbed. Ivypool presses against her, sadly grateful that Bristlefrost died so quickly, and comforts her sister.

Characters

Major

• Ivypool
• Whistlepaw
• Stalk Purr

Minor

• Tumble Leap
• Icewing
• Rootspring
• Dovewing
• Hunt
• Stretch
• Pounce

Mentioned

• Stalk Purr and Tumble Leap's kits
• Kestrelflight
• Spiresight (Unnamed)
• Fernsong
• Jayfeather
• Alderheart
• Thriftear (Unnamed)
• Flipclaw (Unnamed)
• Bristlefrost
• Birchkit
• Rowankit
• Beetlewhisker
• Galestar
• Puddleshine (Unnamed)
• Tigerstar

Important events

Births

• Hunt, Stretch, and Pounce: born to Stalk Purr and Tumble Leap.

Errors

• Ivypool recalls how she felt safe with Alderheart delivering her kits, but only Jayfeather was present at her kitting, since Alderheart and Leafpool had attended that night's Gathering.