Sunset/Chapter 13

"Brambleclaw, think, will you? You're an amazing cat already; you're brave and loyal and you have tremendous warrior skills. Why do you need Tigerstar? We've spent a long time trying to break free of our father's legacy. When we were kits in ThunderClan, most cats didn't trust us. Our Clan leader didn't trust us, for StarClan's sake! That's why I left to join ShadowClan. Tigerstar welcomed me, but then I saw what his leadership was like, and I was glad when Scourge killed him! I don't want any part of his blood. I've survived just fine without him, and so have you."

— Tawnypelt to Brambleclaw in Sunset, page 180

Sunset
Chapter number:	13 (of 23)
Page numbers:	178-196
Point of View:	Brambleclaw
Chronology

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

Chapter Number: 13 (of 23)

Page Numbers: 178-196

Chapter description

Brambleclaw wakes up in the Dark Forest to meet with his father, Tigerstar, excited to show off his skills to the tom in hopes of impressing him. However, as he reaches the clearing with his father, he spots Tawnypelt and is shocked to see her. He creeps closer to eavesdrop, and listens as his sister reminds Tigerstar that she wants no part of his plans, and that her loyalty remains to ShadowClan. She spins around after standing up to Tigerstar and shocked to see Brambleclaw there. The two siblings argue as Tawnypelt tells Brambleclaw to think for himself and to not get caught up with their father's ambition. However, the younger tabby defends Tigerstar, much to Tawnypelt's surprise and she leaves after telling him to think about what she had said. As she leaves, Brambleclaw wonders if Tigerstar had also brought Mothwing to the Dark Forest, but doubts it due to her role as medicine cat. He thinks about what Tawnypelt had said to him, thinking that he should listen as he knew Squirrelflight would also say the same thing if she knew about the meetings. Brambleclaw, however, thinks there is nothing wrong by meeting with his father in his dreams and if StarClan approved of his relationship with Squirrelflight, surely they weren't mad about his current actions. With those thoughts, he steps out into the clearing to greet Tigerstar.

The tom wakes startled, as Spiderleg tells him the noise was Ferncloud looking for Daisy. Brambleclaw asks if the cream she-cat is missing, as the black warrior explains that she isn't the nursery and following the badger attack, she's hardly left the hollow. The tabby keeps that in mind as he leaves the den to see Ferncloud being comforted by Cloudtail. Cloudtail also mentions that the horseplace cat likely hasn't gone far, but Ferncloud points out that the kits are gone too, meaning Daisy must have left intentionally. As Brambleclaw moves to join the two cats, Sorreltail bounds over saying the apprentices haven't seen the queen either. He asks Ferncloud what had happened, and the flecked she-cat explains that she had been taking fresh-kill for the queens but that Daisy was missing, and her nest was still warm. Sorreltail states they've searched all of camp and that patrols should be sent out next. Ferncloud tells the young queen she needs to stay with her kits, but Sorreltail remains keen for searching for Daisy, saying Brackenfur is with their litter. Ferncloud goes to push further, but cuts herself off as Firestar appears from Highledge, asking what is going on.

Ferncloud catches Firestar up on what has happened, but before she finishes Dustpelt's patrol returns to camp. The gray she-cat asks her mate if he had seen Daisy and her kits, and the tom says he did. He adds on that he didn't stop her as he thought she was going to make dirt. Sandstorm and Squirrelflight add that they saw the kits follow the queen out as well, hearing Berrykit complain along the way. Firestar voices that it appears clear that Daisy has decided to return to the horseplace to live, after being scared by the badger attack and Berrykit's accident with his tail. Cloudtail cries out in outrage at the idea, stating that he had promised that the Clan would look after them. The leader, however, points out the accident and that he will have to tell the Clan of the queen's departure. The white warrior is shocked and angry that Firestar isn't doing anything to find her. Before he can voice any of this, the leader calls a Clan meeting. As the Clan gathers, Brackenfur calls his mate, Sorreltail, back to the nursery to feed their kits. Squirrelflight, in the meanwhile, slips beside Brambleclaw and mutters that she should've spoken with Daisy when they passed each other. Brambleclaw tells her not to worry or blame herself as his own thoughts drift to the fact he won't be able to mentor Berrykit.

Firestar addresses the Clan, explaining that it appears as though Daisy had decided Clan life wasn't for her and that they should respect her wishes. Cloudtail remarks about that, and shows open disrespect much to Brambleclaw's surprise. The white warrior argues that Daisy is no safer at horseplace, as the Twolegs might still take her kits, just as she feared. Beside Brambleclaw, Squirrelflight remarks about Brightheart's clear displeasure and the pair look over to see the other warrior with an expression of anger and distress. Firestar attempts to reason with Cloudtail, but Brambleclaw agrees with the white tom that they should at least make sure she made it to horseplace safely. The tabby asks his leader if he and Cloudtail can go, and Firestar agrees and to wait until sunset to leave. Squirrelflight reminds Brambleclaw of his previous comments against Daisy, and he feels embarrassed but apologizes nonetheless. He also watches as Brightheart leaves the camp clearing, disappearing into Leafpool's den.

At sunset, the two toms depart. They cross through WindClan territory and head towards the barn, according to what Daisy had told Cloudtail previously. The sight of the barn reminds Brambleclaw of Ravenpaw and Barley's barn from the old forest. As they arrive, they happen upon the resident horses, but the large animals are spooked, causing the two warriors to dash in terror. Disorientated, the two ThunderClan toms attempt to avoid being crushed by the horse's hooves, but are luckily saved by Smoky, one of the barn cats. The gray-and-white tom ushers them into the barn, to safety. Inside the barn, Brambleclaw is again reminded of Barley's home but is relieved to see Daisy and her three kits. They are also introduced to Floss just as a Twoleg brings the barn cats food. As the Twoleg leaves, Brambleclaw and Cloudtail leave their hiding spots to talk with Daisy, clarifying to Smoky that they were concerned for her and the kits. Berrykit appears, along with his siblings and is excited to see the ThunderClan cats. Full of pride, the kit tells Brambleclaw about a mouse he had chased on their way to the barn. The warrior asks if he caught it, and reaffirms to the kit when he says he missed it, that next time he'll catch one. The kits briefly argue amongst themselves and say they want to become apprentices, much to the amusement of both Brambleclaw and Cloudtail. Daisy soon appears, and after being greeted, tells the two toms that she won't change her mind about returning to ThunderClan.

Cloudtail attempts to persuade her, regardless and Berrykit and his littermates try as well. Daisy tells her kits they're too young to understand the situation, but Brambleclaw remarks they aren't as they had been in ThunderClan from a young age. Due to that, they know ThunderClan more than the horseplace, and could almost be considered Clanborn. Daisy remains somewhat firm that it's harder for her and due to her way of life, warriors will despise her. Cloudtail again attempts to reason with their mother, eventually convincing her to return to ThunderClan as she was a wonderful help in the nursery. Smoky also helps convince his former mate, telling her that their kits won't settle in the barn as all they've done is talk about the forest since returning. Brambleclaw offers a place in ThunderClan to Smoky, but the other tom politely declines. As the kits get excited about returning to ThunderClan, Brambleclaw comforts Daisy's slight worry, telling her that Ferncloud and Sorreltail will be glad to have her back. The tabby goes to hunt for his own food, after declining the Twoleg stuff. He lets the kits watching him hunt as he snags a mouse and tells them to share it. After a quick hunt, the Clan cats settle in for the night, planning to travel back in the morning. As Brambleclaw curls up, he thinks of Squirrelflight and sleeps deeply with no disturbances.

Characters

Major

• Brambleclaw

Minor

• Tawnypelt
• Tigerstar
• Spiderleg
• Ferncloud
• Cloudtail
• Sorreltail
• Firestar
• Dustpelt
• Squirrelflight
• Sandstorm
• Brightheart
• Leafpool
• Mousefur
• Goldenflower
• Longtail
• Brackenfur
• Smoky
• Floss
• Berrykit
• Hazelkit
• Mousekit
• Daisy

Mentioned

• Hawkfrost
• Scourge
• Mothwing
• Cinderkit (Unnamed)
• Poppykit (Unnamed)
• Honeykit (Unnamed)
• Molekit (Unnamed)
• Ravenpaw