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"We have to do something! StarClan can't really want us to turn our backs on one another. If Bramblestar wants to banish cats, I say we should banish him!"
— Stemleaf at the secret meeting in The Silent Thaw, page 226


Stemleaf is a sleek,[10] white-and-orange tom[11] with green eyes[12] and a torn ear.[13]

Stemleaf was a ThunderClan warrior under Bramblestar's and the impostor's leaderships in the lake territories. He was born as Stemkit to Thornclaw and Blossomfall alongside his littermates, Plumkit, Eaglekit, and Shellkit. He was apprenticed as Stempaw to Rosepetal, and he grew close with his fellow apprentice Spotpaw. After becoming a warrior, Stemleaf fell in love with Spotfur, and he politely declined to be mates with Bristlefrost, who had a crush on him. When Bramblestar revived and began punishing codebreakers, Stemleaf and Spotfur organized a secret meeting of rebel cats in order to overthrow him. However, Stemleaf was killed in a skirmish against the impostor, causing him to become a ghost, unable to find StarClan. Spotfur became pregnant with his kits, but she struggled to find happiness without him. When the Sisters attempted to summon the spirits, Stemleaf was among them, and appeared to be in pain. Stemleaf's spirit was sent to the Dark Forest under Ashfur's control, and he was forced to fight for the dark warrior. After breaking free of Ashfur's control, Stemleaf learned of Spotfur's pregnancy with his kits, and his renewed hope gave him the strength to fight against Ashfur in the final battle. He joined StarClan after, and Spotfur later gave birth to their kits, Bristlekit, Stemkit, and Graykit.

History[]

Looking for a longer overview? Find one here!

A Vision of Shadows[]

"Will Graystripe tell us stories?"
―Stemkit to Alderheart River of Fire, chapter 12
Stemkit is born to Thornclaw and Blossomfall alongside his siblings, Plumkit, Eaglekit and Shellkit. He briefly shares the nursery with Snowbird and her kits, Conekit, Gullkit and Frondkit, and he and his siblings play frequently with Graystripe and Millie, his grandparents. He soon becomes an apprentice and is mentored by Rosepetal.

The Broken Code[]

"We have to have faith in our Clanmates. They'll recognize the truth when they hear it, just like Squirrelflight did. And the more Clans that know the truth, the less power he'll have."
―Stemleaf to Sneezecloud about Bramblestar's impostor The Silent Thaw, page 239
He is now a warrior named Stemleaf and befriends Bristlepaw, his former mentor's newest apprentice, and she mistakenly believes he has feelings for her. After her warrior ceremony, Bristlefrost confesses she wishes to be mates with him, but Stemleaf reveals he never knew about her feelings for him, only seeing her as a friend and also admitting that he likes Spotfur instead. After a few awkward interactions, the two rekindle their friendship, and Bristlefrost grows to respect Spotfur. Stemleaf becomes suspicious of Bramblestar's behavior and meets up with several other cats between the Clans to discuss how to deal with his leader, later discovering that he is an impostor of the real Bramblestar. After becoming mates with Spotfur, he, his mate, and Bristlefrost help out the exiled cats, and Stemleaf eventually decides to try and kill Bramblestar with the assistance of Spotfur, Kitescratch, Dappletuft, and Conefoot. However, Stemleaf and the latter two are killed in the attempt.
He becomes a ghost, sorrowfully watching over Spotfur and the other Clan cats, unable to ascend to StarClan. Spotfur wallows in her grief; she learns she is pregnant with his kits, and questions whether or not to keep them since Stemleaf is gone. Bristlefrost promises to help Spotfur raise her kits, and Spotfur finds her peace after the Sisters perform a welcoming ceremony for her unborn kits. However, when the Sisters summon the spirits around the lake, Stemleaf's ghost and the others are aggressive, petrified and in pain, and Rootspring and the others worry what is happening with them. Stemleaf, along with other spirits of the dead, are imprisoned in the Dark Forest by Ashfur, under the former StarClan cat's control. Bristlefrost, Shadowsight, and Rootspring manage to save him from Ashfur's control, and learn that hope and strong emotions can break Ashfur's willpower over the spirit cats. Stemleaf finds renewed hope after learning that Spotfur is expecting his kits, and he fights alongside the Lights in the Mist to defeat Ashfur. He is saddened after Bristlefrost's death, and joins StarClan.

Novellas[]

This section summarizes Stemleaf's significant Novellas appearances. If you're looking for a full list, find one here!

«Spotfur wriggled out from underneath [Shellfur], getting her paws under her just in time to see Bramblestar strike. Stemleaf was on the ground, and the impostor's claws flashed as he slashed them across Stemleaf's throat. Beside her, Shellfur gasped. Get up. Stemleaf thrashed, deep red blood soaking his fur. He gave a strange, gasping meow, and then he was still. Get up! Spotfur thought again. Conefoot was down, too, Spotfur realized, as she ran toward Bramblestar. Leafshade and Kitescratch were locked together, yowling as they struggled. Bramblestar turned to meet Spotfur. She could see the drops of blood—Stemleaf's blood—spattered across his foreleg.»
—Stemleaf's death Spotfur's Rebellion, chapter 9
In Spotfur's Rebellion, Stempaw is a ThunderClan apprentice who is close to Spotpaw. Spotpaw often gets Stempaw into trouble, much to the ire of Stempaw's brother Shellpaw. Their friendship eventually develops into love as they become warriors, and Spotfur admires Stemleaf's kind nature and friendliness, though gets suspicious over Bristlepaw's relationship with him. After learning that StarClan has gone silent, Stemleaf and Spotfur decide to become mates as Bramblestar lays sick in the medicine cat den, wishing to stay together to face the hardships ahead. They are pleased when Bramblestar comes back following his unusual losing of a life, but note how radically different he seems to have become in his new life, having become much more strict on following the warrior code and harsh to his Clanmates. After Bramblestar banishes Lionblaze, Stemleaf and Spotfur organize a group that meets at a secret gathering to discuss and act on Bramblestar's sudden change in personality. After they uncover that Bramblestar is an impostor, Stemleaf decides that he needs to be killed to prevent any more cats from being hurt, and convinces several other cats, including Spotfur, to lead an attempt on his life, despite Squirrelflight and Tigerstar, the leaders of the rebels, ordering against it.
Stemleaf and Spotfur decide to act against the leaders' wishes and kill the impostor, garnering a small patrol soon find the impostor on ThunderClan territory. In the ensuing fight, the impostor slashes open Stemleaf's throat, much to the horror of Spotfur, who, along with Kitescratch, are forced to retreat and leave the body of her mate. While grieving for Stemleaf and knowing they will never have the life they planned together, Spotfur promises to save and protect ThunderClan.

Detailed description[]

Scars gained[]

The following is a chronological list of scars and/or major injuries that Stemleaf has gained:

Character pixels[]

Official art[]

Personality and traits[]

Stemleaf is a friendly, strong, and capable warrior, respected by his Clanmates.[15] He is not afraid to speak up against Bramblestar's methods for dealing with codebreakers.[16]

Relationships[]

Bristlefrost[]

"You don't get it, do you? There's more at stake here than whether we're allowed to talk to each other. Something is very wrong. I always thought you were a good cat. Soon we're going to have to make choices. I just hope you'll be ready to make the right ones."
―Stemleaf warning Bristlefrost The Silent Thaw, page 118
As an apprentice, Bristlefrost is smitten with Stemleaf, and wants to become a warrior as quickly as possible so they could be mates.[17] However, Stemleaf rejects her in favor of Spotfur.[18] After this, Bristlefrost is sometimes irritated at their displays of affection,[19] but knows that her crush on him was immature.[19] Stemleaf's respect for Bristlefrost is strained when she snitches on Spotfur crossing the border to Bramblestar's impostor, getting her punished. Unsure if it was personally motived, Stemleaf warns Bristlefrost to be careful about which side she's on.[20]

Spotfur[]

"Really? Spotfur was the brightest part of my life. Since I died, I've been surer of that than ever. I know it was easy for us to be together, but I think that if she'd belonged to another Clan, I would have chosen her. […] Clans have many warriors, but you only love one cat."
―Stemleaf to Bristlefrost A Light in the Mist (book), page 38
Stemleaf is affectionate toward Spotfur.[21] After turning down Bristlefrost, he tells the younger cat that his feelings lie elsewhere, with Spotfur instead.[18] He is dismayed when Spotfur is punished for accidentally crossing the WindClan border by having no one talk to her for a quarter moon.[22] He talks to her anyway,[23] and both cats attend the secret meeting of cats who disapprove of Bramblestar's methods of dealing with codebreakers.[16]

Family[]

Stemleaf's parents are Blossomfall and Thornclaw. His littermates are Eaglewing, Shellfur, and Plumstone. He is the mate of Spotfur, and father of Bristlepaw, Stempaw, and Graykit. For more of Stemleaf's family, click here!

Appearances[]


Trivia[]

Interesting facts[]

  • He has kittypet blood through Millie.[24]
  • He has the same shade of green eyes as his brother, Shellfur.[7]

Mistakes[]

  • He was mistakenly referred to as a senior warrior, though not being old enough to be called one.[25]
  • On the Warriors website family tree, he is mistakenly called Stempaw.[26]

Quotes[]

Bristlefrost: "Stemleaf, I really—really—like you. I've always felt that we might be mates someday. And now that I'm a warrior, maybe this is the time for us to start thinking of each other in a new way?"
Stemleaf: "I'm sorry. I had no idea you felt like this, Bristlefrost. I like you a lot, but I always thought of you as a friend—a really good friend, almost like another littermate. I've never felt…that way about you."
Bristlefrost: "But now that you know how I feel…do you think that in time, Stemleaf, you might feel the same way?"
Stemleaf: "I don't think so. Actually…I like another cat. I'm so sorry, Bristlefrost."
—Stemleaf rejecting Bristlefrost Lost Stars, page 141


Bristlefrost: "Not just that. It's lots of things. I never realized how much we break the code without thinking. Every cat has to obey orders."
Stemleaf: "And you're going to make sure that we do?"
Bristlefrost: "I'm just trying to stop you from getting into trouble like Spotfur. You don't want Bramblestar to stop your Clanmates from talking to you too."
Stemleaf: "You don't get it, do you? There's more at stake here than whether we're allowed to talk to each other. Something is very wrong. I always thought you were a good cat. Soon we're going to have to make choices. I just hope you'll be ready to make the right ones."
—Stemleaf challenging Bristlefrost's place The Silent Thaw, page 118


"Bramblestar is trying to make us act like Darktail's Kin. He wants us to turn on one another. But warriors aren't cruel. They never have been. Bramblestar must have bees in his brain. We have to get rid of him before he spoils the Clans forever."
―Stemleaf comparing Bramblestar to Darktail The Silent Thaw, page 226


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«She remembered her time as an apprentice, when she had filled her mind with pictures of what her life would be like with Stemleaf as her mate. Everything would have been so different if he could have loved her back, and if Bramblestar had never died and come back as whoever or whatever he was now…»
—Bristlefrost's thoughts after Stemleaf's death Veil of Shadows, page 193


"I'm sick of all the arguing! I don't want Stemleaf to have died for nothing! […] Some cat is going to pay for what has happened. And I want that cat to be whoever is inside Bramblestar."
―Spotfur at the rebels' meeting, grieving for Stemleaf Veil of Shadows, page 211


«At that moment, Rootspring caught a glimmer in the corner of his eye and turned his head to see Stemleaf's ghost staring at Spotfur, his gaze full of love and sadness. He stood close to her for a heartbeat, then turned away and was lost among the ferns.»
—Rootspring seeing Stemleaf as a ghost Veil of Shadows, page 211


"I feel bad that I got over him. I had such a crush. I thought I'd love him forever, like Spotfur does. But seeing the way Spotfur is still grieving for him makes me think what I felt wasn't love at all."
―Bristlefrost about her feelings for Stemleaf to Rootspring Darkness Within, pages 48-49


Bristlefrost: "It's not like you to take unnecessary risks. […] I know you're brave, but you're not foolish. And now you're carrying kits, shouldn't you be more careful, not less?"
Spotfur: "And what if I don't want the kits?"
Bristlefrost: "Don't want them? But they're Stemleaf's."
Spotfur: "He's not here, is he? We were supposed to raise kits together, safe in ThunderClan. But we can't do that now! Stemleaf is dead and ThunderClan doesn't feel safe anymore. What if the kits only remind me of the life I should have had with Stemleaf?"
Bristlefrost: "Try to focus on the life you will have, not the on you should have had. The kits are lucky to have had a father as brave as Stemleaf, who was willing to die to save his Clan. Everything will be okay. The kits will mean that you'll always have a connection to Stemleaf. He can watch over them from StarClan."
Spotfur: "StarClan is gone!"
Bristlefrost: "We're going to get them back. In the meantime, your Clan will help you raise your kits, and I promise I will do anything to protect them. They won't go hungry or face any danger until they're old enough to take care of themselves. We'll keep them safe."
—Bristlefrost and Spotfur about her kits Darkness Within, pages 171-173


Bristlefrost: "But if he can shape [the Dark Forest], so can we! Look what happened when Stemleaf decided Ashfur could be stopped. He began to hope, and that vine snapped."
Rootspring: "Here, hope is our greatest strength."
Spiresight: "It might be our only strength."
Bristlefrost: "If it is, we have to make the most of it. StarClan is still with us. And we're going to reach them."
Willowshine: "I know I'll get to StarClan. I'll see my ancestors again."
Stemleaf: "I'll watch my kits grow up!"
—The cats realizing hope can weaken the barrier between StarClan and the Dark Forest A Light in the Mist, page 49

External links[]

Fan content[]

Notes and references[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Revealed in A Light in the Mist, page 291
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Revealed in Shattered Sky, page 47
  3. Revealed in Veil of Shadows, page 78
  4. 4.0 4.1 Revealed in Veil of Shadows, page 211
  5. 5.0 5.1 Revealed in The Place of No Stars, page 160
  6. 6.0 6.1 Revealed in Veil of Shadows, page 193
  7. 7.0 7.1 Revealed in Spotfur's Rebellion, chapter 9
  8. 8.0 8.1 Revealed in River of Fire, page 192
  9. Revealed in Lost Stars, allegiances
  10. Revealed in Lost Stars, page 30
  11. Revealed in Tigerheart's Shadow, allegiances
  12. Revealed in Spotfur's Rebellion, chapter 1
  13. Revealed in A Light in the Mist, page 25
  14. Revealed in A Light in the Mist, chapter 3
  15. Revealed in Lost Stars, page 39
  16. 16.0 16.1 Revealed in The Silent Thaw, page 224
  17. Revealed in Lost Stars, page 135
  18. 18.0 18.1 Revealed in Lost Stars, page 141
  19. 19.0 19.1 Revealed in Lost Stars, page 17
  20. Revealed in The Silent Thaw, page 118
  21. Revealed in The Silent Thaw, page 17
  22. Revealed in The Silent Thaw, page 112
  23. Revealed in The Silent Thaw, page 117
  24. Revealed in Eclipse, page 159
  25. Revealed in Lost Stars, page 189
  26. Revealed on the Warriors website family tree




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