| "Not every cat has to be the same." |
| — Needlepaw to Turtlepaw in Lost Stars, page 19 |
Needleclaw is a black-and-white she-cat[1] with a black chest,[6] and bright eyes.[7]
Needleclaw is a SkyClan warrior under Leafstar's leadership in the lake territories. Needlekit was born to Violetshine and Tree, with her brother Rootkit. As an apprentice, Needlepaw protected her brother Rootpaw from Kitepaw and Turtlepaw, who were constantly mocking him. She participated in several training sessions with her mentor, Reedclaw, learning how to be the best SkyClan warrior she could be. When Bramblestar started attacking the codebreakers and accusing them of disloyalty, she strongly believed that if things got worse, she would leave SkyClan. She also has pride in her father, Tree, because of how he settles disputes within the Clans. She later earned her warrior name of Needleclaw and went on a journey with Spotfur, Bristlefrost, and Rootspring to find the Sisters. After finding the Sisters and challenging Ashfur for the last and final time, Needleclaw tends to Rootspring, who has experienced a great loss and shows that despite their arguments, Needleclaw cares greatly for her brother and will continue to look after him and provide him comfort.
History[]
In The Broken Code[]
Lost Stars[]
- Needlepaw: "I have the same father. But I just tell the other apprentices to keep their paws out of my business, and they leave me alone. They only tease you because you let them see it bothers you."
- Rootpaw: "I know, but—"
- Lost Stars, page 65
- Needlepaw and her brother set up their nests in the apprentices' den, after which their mentors tell them to help themselves to some fresh-kill before their first tour of the territory. Tree approaches her and Rootpaw, remarking that they are apprentices now. Needlepaw tells him it is great and that they are going to tour the territory after their meal. Her father tells her to remember what he said about fighting foxes, and Needlepaw laughs, saying that he said not to.
- She is taken out with her brother for their first battle training session. Needlepaw manages to hurl herself in the air and flip Reedclaw away from her and land successfully. Dewspring tells her and Rootpaw to practice together. The she-cat pads up to her brother and encourages him when he feels bad for not impressing his mentor. She yowls at her brother when he loses his temper from Kitepaw and Turtlepaw's torments. Needlepaw tells him not to get in trouble because of the two older apprentices when they continue to pick on him. She tells him that he will get in trouble with Dewspring if he finds out, but promises her brother that she will not tell on him when he goes through with it.
- Needlepaw is seen eating a thrush at the fresh-kill pile when she is approached by Rootpaw. She asks him what is wrong and he snaps at her. She tells him not to take it out on her. Rootpaw apologizes to her, and she gets him to tell her what is wrong. He tells her that he does not feel as though others take him seriously because of their father and his abilities. Needlepaw reminds him of Tree's role within the Clans, but Rootpaw reminds her that he was the first mediator that the Clans had, and that it is a reason why Tree does not fit into the Clans and why they are not respected by the other SkyClan apprentices.
- Needlepaw tells him that their thoughts are mouse-brained and asks what gives them a reason to think that. Rootpaw tells her that due to Tree's role, he can rule against SkyClan, and that he believes he has to work twice as hard to convince others that he is a loyal member of SkyClan. Needlepaw calmly says that she has the same father, but instead deals with teasing by telling the other cats to mind their own business. She tells her brother that the only reason Kitepaw and Turtlepaw tease him is that he reacts to them. She adds that he should try not to worry about what their Clanmates think and instead prove himself wrong first.
- When Rootpaw catches a large crow, Needlepaw praises him, saying that it was amazing. She later shares his catch with him and the older apprentices. She asks him whereabouts he caught it and adds that Dewspring must have been proud.
- She is seen battle training with her brother and their mentors. Needlepaw and Rootpaw are shown a move that allows lighter cats to gain the upper hand. Rootpaw whispers to her that he is going to squash her, and she tells him he can try. After Reedclaw and Dewspring demonstrate the move, Needlepaw and Rootpaw attempt it. She manages to pull off the move and unbalance her brother. She asks Reedclaw if she did okay, but is thrown off of her brother when he catches her off-guard. They then switch roles, and she attacks Rootpaw.
- After the training session ends, the cats head back to camp and she calls to her brother when he becomes lost in thought. Dewspring tells her father that she and Rootpaw were doing well in their training. Reedclaw adds that they are hard workers and do not complain no matter their task. Tree thanks the mentors and tells Needlepaw and her brother to not be too obedient, as it's important to think individually. Needlepaw tells her father that she knows and that it is not a problem.
- When the Clans come together in an attempt to break the ice in the Moonpool, Needlepaw stands next to her brother and in front of their parents. She turns to her brother and asks why warriors are needed if they are not allowed near the pool. Violetshine tells her that it is because the medicine cats want them there in case they need help. Needlepaw questions further if warriors are meant to be there, believing that the Moonpool is strictly for medicine cats.
- Rootpaw asks why there are no ShadowClan cats present. Needlepaw tells him that she overheard their mother telling Tree that the Clan was not invited due to their medicine cat apprentice, Shadowpaw. She tells him that some cats think that he is the reason StarClan is not communicating with the Clans. When the Clan leaders ask the gathered warriors for help, Needlepaw sides with her father in staying out of touching the Moonpool.
- Needlepaw calls for her brother from outside of camp, telling him that Violetshine and Tree want to talk to them and that it is important. She leads them out of the forest to their parents. Tree tells her and her brother that he was unsettled by the previous Gathering, not liking Bramblestar's suggestion to start accusing those who have broken the warrior code. He suggests that they leave the Clans, and Needlepaw is shocked, asking if he is serious. She tells her father that she does not want to leave the Clans and that StarClan wants them all to live together. Needlepaw promises her father that if things get bad, then she will leave SkyClan.
The Silent Thaw[]
- «It would be fun to train with Needlepaw. She could be annoying because she was faster than him and liked to rub it in, but she was his sister, after all, and she might show him a new move. It would be better than worrying about ghosts.»
- —Rootpaw's thoughts about his sister The Silent Thaw, page 14
- Rootpaw catches up with his sister, and she introduces him to Baypaw and Myrtlepaw, commenting that ThunderClan cats have strange names. Rootpaw teases that Needlepaw has a strange name, and Violetshine shushes them. She cries after Rootpaw when he falls in the lake, worried about him, and turns on Kitescratch in anger when the older cat makes fun of Rootpaw for his accident.
- Needlepaw often teases her brother, Rootpaw, about oversleeping. She, along with another apprentice, Wrenpaw, joke with him and comment that he had been acting very strange the night before. They wonder if it had to do with prey that Rootpaw had eaten. Later on, Rootpaw notices his sister chatting with Kitescratch and Wrenpaw.
Veil of Shadows[]
- "Who are you, and what have you done with Tigerstar?"
- ―Needleclaw joking to Rootspring Veil of Shadows, page 288
- Following Rootpaw's discovery of Shadowsight's body, she congratulates her brother on his upcoming warrior assessment, wondering what his warrior name will be. In the days following, she is present for Rootpaw's ceremony, telling him that he has done well after he confides to her that he felt weird not having an assessment. After he earns his name of Rootspring, she nudges her brother, asking if he wants some fresh-kill. Rootspring tells her he will join her later and that he has something he wants to do first. Needleclaw lets him go, saving him something for later. At a Gathering, she mutters a joke about Tigerstar into Rootspring's ear when the ShadowClan leader takes in RiverClan's exiles, following the battle between the Clans and the rebels.
Darkness Within[]
- Needleclaw: "Rules are rules! They are there for a reason. If we all broke them, there'd be no Clans left and no warriors."
- Rootspring: "Careful, Needleclaw. You'll be yowling about codebreakers next, like Ashfur."
- Darkness Within, pages 204-205
- After finding a location good enough for nests, Bristlefrost offers to help Needleclaw and Rootspring hunt for prey. She is told by Rootspring that he and Needleclaw make a good team due to their sibling dynamic. Needleclaw whisks her tail and suggests that Spotfur and Bristlefrost can make the nests for them, and while Bristlefrost is annoyed that Needleclaw is treating her like an apprentice, she does not argue. Bristlefrost tells Needleclaw that if she sees any prey, she will be sure to grab it, just in case Needleclaw cannot find any. Confidently, Needleclaw tells Bristlefrost that they will be able to find prey, and she pushes her way out of the willow leaves. Bristlefrost is thankful the siblings are not RiverClan cats, as no one wanted to eat fish.
- After eating their meal, Bristlefrost decides to share her fear of the Sisters not helping the Clans with Needleclaw. The black-and-white she-cat is sure that the Sisters will help, and that they will persuade them. Rootspring, approaching Bristlefrost with some prey, tells her that his sister always gets her way in the long run. He is sure that Needleclaw will be able to convince the Sisters to try and help contact Bramblestar's spirit, and that combining her skills with Bristlefrost would make them an excellent duo. Needleclaw says they do not know how long the Sisters have been gone, and she soon states that she is sleepy after a successful hunt and a good meal. Needleclaw is glad that Bristlefrost offers to take the first shift, and tries to convince Rootspring that he needs to rest when the yellow tom offers to sit with Bristlefrost. Rootspring avoids Needleclaw's statement and instead offers to wake her when it is her turn to stand guard.
- The next morning, Needleclaw falls into line beside Rootspring and asks if he is thinking about Bristlefrost, noticing her brother's distraction. Dismayed, Needleclaw says that he and Bristlefrost cannot happen and that he should be finding a mate in his own Clan. Rootspring insists they are just friends, but she sharply mews that friends do not stare at each other like they are moonstruck rabbits. Needleclaw regrets letting Rootspring stay up with Bristlefrost to stand guard, and wants to know if anything happened between the two of them the previous night. Rootspring says that nothing happened, although Needleclaw seems to believe otherwise, warning her brother that the Clans will likely not approve of them being mates. Reaching another Twolegplace, Needleclaw mews that Eggs and Bacon must have been wrong and that they should have never listened to them. Approaching the Thunderpath, a monster rumbles towards them and Needleclaw is shielded from the spray of it roaring past. Shuddering, Needleclaw mews that she does not like Twolegplaces, and they opt to keep going, dodging Twolegs along the way. Scared, she says that this is too dangerous of an area, and wants to leave. Approaching another Thunderpath, Needleclaw races across it, following Bristlefrost. They make their way to a fence, and Needleclaw smells a dog, who soon appears and begins to charge at them. Needleclaw, Rootspring, and Bristlefrost make a run for it, but Spotfur is frozen in place, terrified.
- They reach the pile of Twoleg mess, and Needleclaw stares back at the hedge where the dogs are. They soon spot a gray tom, whom the dogs are unware is around. He alerts the cats to a hole that they can escape through. They safely get away, and Needleclaw tells this gray tom that they are looking for a cat named Leaf. The gray tom says that he is Leaf. Needleclaw and Rootspring introduce themselves as Leaf's kin, and the siblings explain that they need the Sisters' help to find a lost Clanmate of theirs. Needleclaw says that they are looking for a river and have not been able to find it, but Leaf questions how they have not been able to hear it. Leaf offers to help find the Sisters, although he states it may take him a little bit to do so. He explains that he can sense where they are, and that the earth talks to all toms born to the Sisters. During this, Needleclaw is uninterested and goes with Bristlefrost to hunt for prey. When Leaf is finally successful, Needleclaw and Bristlefrost emerge from the trees. Wanting to talk to Rootspring alone, Needleclaw pulls her brother aside and questions why he is so trusting of Leaf despite only just meeting him. She is concerned about trusting this stranger, saying that he is weird and has bees in his brain. She asks why Rootspring would follow a tom that he just met, and Rootspring worries that Bristlefrost and Needleclaw are going to insult Leaf to his face for only trying to help.
- After the traveling cats bid Leaf farewell, Needleclaw suggests that they hunt. Bristlefrost mews that she will hunt with Spotfur, and Needleclaw attempts to go with Rootspring. He politely denies hunting with her and says that he wants to learn ThunderClan hunting techniques. Annoyed, Needleclaw makes her way toward a meadow, leaving the others behind. Bristlefrost thinks to herself that she is capable of hunting well with Rootspring, just like his sister can. Later, Spotfur is attacked by a hawk, and Needleclaw calls her bee-brained because she endangered the lives of her unborn kits and herself. Glaring, she yells at Spotfur, who clearly believes that she would have been okay and she can handle herself. Rootspring intervenes and takes his sister with him to finish hunting, although Needleclaw is not happy about the situation and growls quietly as they walk away. They return with prey, but are startled as Sunrise approaches them, wanting to know who they are. Sunrise asks if they saw Leaf, and Needleclaw nods. The traveling cats exchange looks with one another as they realize they have found the Sisters.
- Upon meeting them, Needleclaw hangs back and lets Rootspring speak. When no cat offers to help, she tries to encourage the Sisters to help and says that the Clans are in trouble. The Sisters are soon visited by Moonlight, one of their ancestors, and although Needleclaw is unable to see the she-cat, she is nervous nevertheless and wonders what Rootspring is able to see. Needleclaw joins in as the Sisters sing their song, and she and Rootspring go hunting with the Sisters after the ceremony. After returning, Needleclaw picks a blackbird and settles down next to Spotfur. Needleclaw shoots Bristlefrost and Rootspring a sharp eye, and when Bristlefrost mews that she and Rootspring are just friends, she says that they are unable to be more than that because of the warrior code. Needleclaw reinforces her belief in the code and how Clan cats must stay loyal to their own kin and Clan, saying it is what binds a Clan together and keeps them safe. Needleclaw is adamant that Rootspring will never betray his Clan and fall in love with a cat from another Clan, and Bristlefrost explains that Clan cats are meant to protect their own Clans.
- Needletail is determined to convince the Sisters that loving any cat outside of your birth Clan is betraying your Clan, and Bristlefrost mentions Tree's sister, Ice, who left the Sisters to be with her own mate. Snow gazes at the Clan cats and says that despite the fact Ice left, they do not shame cats for their choices and will welcome Ice back should she so wish. Needleclaw wonders if cats like Finleap, Twigbranch, or Dovewing will ever be considered true warriors, but Bristlefrost believes that Needledclaw is wrong. Rootspring steps in, and says that his sister should be careful, because she is starting to sound like Ashfur. Needleclaw is continually distrustful of Bristfrost, and says that she does not trust Rootspring to be alone with her. On the way back to the Clans, Needleclaw watches Bristlefrost and Rootspring intensely.
- Bristlefrost suggests taking the Sisters to meet Squirrelflight before returning to SkyClan, but Needleclaw objects and says that they would be breaking the rules that the Clans made in regards to the Sisters. She goes on to say that ThunderClan is already a mess, and does not think that taking a large group of cats into their territory would be a good idea. Rootspring agrees with Needleclaw and says that the Sisters must stay with SkyClan.
- After Bristlefrost walks away to converse with Spotfur and the Sisters, Needleclaw confronts Rootspring about Bristlefrost. She asks Rootspring if he understands that he cannot have Bristlefrost as a mate and he needs to make friends in his own Clan. Needleclaw is worried that if Rootspring keeps up with his friendship with the ThunderClan cat, he will get hurt and that she will always pick her birth Clan over Rootspring. Needleclaw encourages him, saying that he will get over Bristlefrost and to give it time.
The Place of No Stars[]
- In the Dark Forest, Rootspring wonders in horror what would happen if he had to fight Needleclaw or Violetshine.
A Light in the Mist[]
- «Over the past half-moon, she'd stayed close to him in camp, brought him prey from the fresh-kill pile, and asked to join his patrols. He was grateful for his sister's care.»
- —Rootspring recounting Needleclaw's great care A Light in the Mist (book), pages 323-324
- At a Gathering meant to honor those who have died, Needleclaw directs Rootspring to the edge of the clearing away from most of the cats. She, Violetshine, Tree, and Rootspring all sit vigil for their fallen Clanmates and friends. Having kept an eye on Rootspring, Needleclaw's energy gives way and she falls asleep next to him, but Rootspring offers to let her sleep instead, thankful that his sister has been keeping an eye on him. The following morning, Needleclaw tries to nose Rootspring up, and guides him to Tree and Violetshine, safely making their way back to SkyClan.
In the A Starless Clan arc[]
Thunder[]
- Needleclaw is on the patrol that greets Nightheart and Alderheart on the SkyClan border. She and Cloudmist share an amused look when Squirrelflight admits that her patrol has gone the wrong way. Before the ThunderClan cats can leave, Needleclaw asks Squirrelflight what she thinks about Tigerstar's actions. She tells Squirrelflight that Leafstar still wishes to drive ShadowClan out of RiverClan, but Needleclaw feels that such a fight is pointless. Nightheart suggests that they ask Tree to mediate, and Needleclaw says that Leafstar never thought of it.
In the Super Editions[]
Squirrelflight's Hope[]
- Needlekit is a young member of SkyClan, and her parents are Violetshine and Tree. Needlekit, along with her brother Rootkit, are strong and healthy kits, and their parents are proud of them. When Tree talks to Squirrelflight, he takes them to meet Needlekit and Rootkit, who are both curious who the she-cat is. Squirrelflight introduces herself, saying that she has come to speak with Leafstar. Needlekit and Rootkit also want to play with their father, saying that Violetshine is too tired to play. Needlekit is jealous that Kitekit and Turtlekit will be apprentices before herself and Rootkit, but mews that Frecklewish says they are growing and will be big kits soon. The black-and-white kit sees Macgyver approach and reveals that Squirrelflight is here, when the older tom states that he smells ThunderClan.
- Violetshine nurses Moonlight's kits, Leaf, Squirrel, and Moon. Needlekit plays with them as they drag the bedding Violetshine is attempting to remove. Tree later remarks to Squirrelflight that he will always be there for his children.
Character pixels[]
The pixel artwork is fanart based on the canon description; undefined traits are left to the artist's interpretation.  Kit Version  Apprentice Version  Warrior Version |
Official art[]
|
Please do not edit this gallery  Needleclaw's icon on the Warriors family tree |
Ceremonies[]
| Needleclaw's warrior ceremony | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||||||
Family[]
- Main article: Needleclaw/Family
- Needleclaw's parents are Tree and Violetshine, and her brother is Rootspring. For more of Needleclaw's family, click here!
Appearances[]
- Squirrelflight's Hope
- Lost Stars (First appearance)
- The Silent Thaw
- Veil of Shadows
- Darkness Within
- Graystripe's Vow (Allegiance only)
- Daisy's Kin (Allegiance only)
- The Place of No Stars (Allegiances appearance; mentioned in text)
- A Light in the Mist
- River (Allegiance only)
- Sky (Allegiance only)
- Shadow (Allegiance only)
- Thunder
- Wind (Allegiance only)
- Ivypool's Heart (Allegiance only)
Trivia[]
Interesting facts[]
- Needleclaw has Sister blood through Tree.[8]
- Since her father,[9] brother,[10] and grandmother are able to see spirits, it is possible that she can too.[9]
- This appears to not be the case, as she is unable to see Moonlight when she visits the Sisters in Darkness Within.[11]
- She is named after Needletail.[12]
Quotes[]
- Needlepaw: "What's wrong with you? You're acting weird again."
- Rootpaw: "Am I? I guess I'm just worried about my assessment."
- The Silent Thaw, pages 41-42
- Needleclaw: "You're thinking about her, aren't you? [...] I knew it! You have to get over her. You two can never happen."
- Rootspring: "We're just friends."
- Darkness Within, pages 143-144
- Needleclaw: "A true warrior is loyal to their Clan above all things. Even love."
- Snow: "But why?"
- Darkness Within, pages 202-203
- Spotfur: "Cats from different Clans have fallen in love before, and they've followed their hearts. Finleap left SkyClan to be with Twigbranch in ThunderClan."
- Needleclaw: "That was different. They were living in the same Clan when they fell in love."
- Darkness Within, page 204
- Needleclaw: "Do you see why you need to make a new friend when you get back to the Clans?"
- Rootspring: "You don't understand."
- Darkness Within, page 225
External links[]
- The Journey So Far: The Raging Storm on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
- Which Warrior is Worthy - The Return on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Indirect mention only)
- Exclusive! Veil of Shadows: Excerpt on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Allegiance only)
- Nothing But Stories on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Indirect mention only)
- Exclusive! Graystripe's Vow: Excerpt on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Allegiance only)
- Exclusive! Darkness Within: Excerpt on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Allegiance only)
- Exclusive! The Place of No Stars Excerpt on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Allegiance only)
- Exclusive! A Warrior's Choice Excerpt on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Allegiance only)
- The Journey So Far: Darkness Within on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
- Exclusive! A Light in the Mist: Excerpt on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Allegiance only)
- Exclusive! River: Excerpt on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Allegiance only)
- Exclusive! Sky: Excerpt on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Allegiance only)
- Exclusive! Shadow: Excerpt on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Allegiance only)
- Exclusive! Thunder: Excerpt on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Allegiance only)
- Exclusive: Wind chapters on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Allegiance only)
- Exclusive! Ivypool's Heart chapters on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Allegiance only)
- Exclusive! Star chapters on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Allegiance only)
Fan content[]
- Our Favorite Tree Artwork on the Warriors official website (backup link)
- Family Artwork on the Warriors official website (backup link)
- Tree and Rootpaw Artwork on the Warriors official website (backup link)
Notes and references[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Revealed in Lost Stars, allegiances
- ↑ Revealed in Veil of Shadows, page 81
- ↑ Revealed in Squirrelflight's Hope, page 41
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Revealed in Lost Stars, page 18
- ↑ Revealed in Veil of Shadows, page 36
- ↑ Revealed in Squirrelflight's Hope, page 44
- ↑ Revealed in The Silent Thaw, page 41
- ↑ Revealed in Thunder and Shadow: Bonus Scene, page 11
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Revealed in Squirrelflight's Hope, page 170
- ↑ Revealed in The Silent Thaw, page 305
- ↑ Revealed in Darkness Within, page 195
- ↑ Revealed in A Light in the Mist, page 210
 SkyClan cats
| |
|---|---|
| Leader | Leafstar |
| Deputy | Hawkwing |
| Medicine cats | Frecklewish • Fidgetflake |
| Mediator | Tree |
| Warriors | Sparrowpelt • Cherrytail • Tinycloud • Sagenose • Mintfur • Nettlesplash • Rabbitleap • Plumwillow • Macgyver • Harrybrook • Cloudmist • Bellaleaf • Dewspring • Reedclaw (Beetlepaw) • Violetshine • Palesky • Gravelnose • Nectarsong • Quailfeather • Pigeonfoot • Sunnypelt (Beepaw)• Kitescratch • Turtlecrawl • Needleclaw • Rootspring • Wrenflight |
| Apprentices | Beepaw • Beetlepaw |
| Queens | Blossomheart |
| Kits | Ridgekit • Duskkit |
| Elders | Fallowfern |