Ivypool's Heart/Chapter 28

"We've come so far. What are we going to do if these wildcats don't let Stalk Purr and Tumble Leap and their family join them? Where else can the wildcat family be safe? And if the wildcats don't agree, how are we ever going to get home to help RiverClan?"

— Ivypool to Icewing in Ivypool's Heart, page 317

Ivypool's Heart
Chapter number:	28 (of 34)
Page numbers:	316-324
Point of View:	Ivypool
Chronology

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

Chapter Number: 28 (of 34)

Page Numbers: 316-324

Chapter description

Strike Slash leads the two Clan cats to a sheltered spot in the wildcats' camp. While Ivypool is worried, Icewing remains calm, explaining that the Clans would likely behave the same way if the roles were reversed. Ivypool silently agrees, thinking about how the Sisters were greeted initially. Ivypool is frustrated over the events, however, and worries about the fate of RiverClan, but Icewing assumes the wildcats' ancestors will explain everything. Ivypool is not completely convinced, as StarClan can be cryptic at times.

Ivypool watches the wildcats, noting that they are all larger and stronger than the Clan cats. A bold kit comes up and introduces herself as Hop Scratch, asking the Clan cats a series of rapid-fire questions. The she-cats are entertained by the little kit, and introduce themselves before Hop Scratch asks them to play. When Icewing tells her no, Hop Scratch sadly remarks that her littermate died and that she is the only kit. Icewing offers to tell the kit about their journey, and talks about their home.

During the story, Hop Scratch's mother, Claw Stretch, introduces herself, and sits down to listen along with her daughter. Other cats join the group, and one asks if they would like to eat. Icewing goes along with them, and Ivypool decides to rest with Claw Stretch and Hop Scratch. Claw Stretch asks Ivypool if she has any kits of her own, and Ivypool explains that two of her three kits are still alive. Claw Stretch expresses sympathy for her loss, and Ivypool begins to describe her grief over losing one of her daughters.

Claw Stretch comforts her by explaining the difference in their groups' beliefs, and asks if Ivypool can still sense Bristlefrost around her in the earth, air, and water. Ivypool recalls Stalk Purr's words, though still struggles to reconcile the differences in beliefs before she looks up to see the sky being the same exact color of Bristlefrost's eyes. She smells her daughter's scent, but believes that she might just be imagining it; though before she can properly reflect, the wildcat leaders return.

Prowl Sleek, Spring Claw, and Hunt Growl tell the Clan cats that they do not believe their story, as StormClan abandoned Galestar, leaving her and her kits to die. They do not believe that other wildcats have survived outside of their group, and despite Icewing and Ivypool's pleading, they remain strong in their decision. Ivypool and Icewing are furious at their decision, and for a brief moment Spring Claw calls on the wildcats to drive them away. Prowl Sleek stops him and declares that Ivypool and Icewing must be gone by the next morning.

Characters

Major

• Ivypool
• Icewing

Minor

• Strike Slash
• Hop Scratch
• Claw Stretch
• Unnamed wildcats
• Prowl Sleek
• Hunt Growl
• Spring Claw

Mentioned

• Stalk Purr
• Tumble Leap
• Pounce (Unnamed)
• Hunt (Unnamed)
• Stretch (Unnamed)
• Hop Scratch's littermate
• Thriftear
• Flipclaw
• Bristlefrost
• Ashfur (Unnamed)
• Galestar
• Galestar's kits

Important events

• The wildcats do not believe Ivypool and Icewing's explanation of why they traveled, and decide to send the Clan cats away.