The Sisters

"Our ancestors were kittypets, as you call them. All the Sisters are descended from den-bound cats. Our first Mothers were one family."

— Moonlight to Squirrelflight on the Sisters' ancestry in Squirrelflight's Hope, page 82

The Sisters
Habitat
In the forest At the lake Borders and camps
Clan information
Current leader: Snow Rank succession Births and deaths
Unique skills
Hunting Fighting Ghost seeing
Book appearances
Tree's Roots, Squirrelflight's Hope, Darkness Within, The Place of No Stars, A Light in the Mist, Ivypool's Heart

The Sisters are a mysterious group of traveling cats that consists of mostly she-cats.

Description

Snow: "Do you expect me to let a grown tom into our camp?"

Squirrelflight: "But Tree is your kin, isn't he?"

^{Squirrelflight's Hope, page 288}

The Sisters are descended from a single kittypet family, and as such, retain much of the physical appearances as their ancestors; notably having long, thick, and sleek fur, as well as being large and well-muscled. The Sisters are much larger and stronger than the average Clan cat. Creek, a kit by all standards, was able to hold off both Thornclaw and Cloverfoot, who were both fully grown adults and senior warriors in separate fights on his own, and only by intervention from Crowfeather was Creek thrown off balance from Cloverfoot.

The Sisters appeal more to the she-cats of the group. The leader of the Sisters is always a she-cat, as none of the toms stay past kittenhood. The cats of the group tend to call the older she-cats "Mother" even if not biologically related; cats of similar age often call each other "Sister", or "Sisters", while the toms are simply referred to by name only. While there is a leader, some she-cats, such as Hawk and Tempest tend to also take on a leadership role but are never outright called a leader, acting as a second-in-command of sorts. After Moonlight's death, Snow took up the leadership of the group, suggesting a hierarchy of command.

The Sisters have a dislike of toms, and more specifically ones not related to them. Notably, Bramblestar, Thornclaw, and Tree are resented by Snow simply for being toms and the latter two also for holding a position of authority in the Clan. When the toms of the Sisters are around six moons, they are cast out from the group to "find their own path", as they believe the toms have a deep connection to the land and must wander and protect it, not tied to the Sisters. They decide specifically when a tom is ready by "The Claw Stars". A ceremony is held for the leaving toms at night. Toms that are cast out become loners, rogues, or kittypets, though they are welcome to visit the Sisters if they wish. Members are also taught basic herb knowledge, according to Flurry, though are not as particularly skilled as a Clan's medicine cat.

Given that the toms are cast out, the Sisters likely take a local loner, rogue, or kittypet as a mate when they temporarily settle down, or possibly when they are journeying. It is not mandatory for a she-cat to stay with the Sisters when pregnant, or has kits, as Moonlight states that Tempest could have stayed with the father of Grass and Stone, but chose not to. Another occasion of this is when Snow tells Rootspring, Bristlefrost, Needleclaw, and Spotfur that Tree's littermate, Ice chose her mate over the Sisters. The Sisters also help raise the kits alongside the mother.

All members of the Sisters and cats descended from them, can communicate with ghost cats. The exact reason for this is unknown. Moonlight explains that the ability is passed from mother to kit, though she also explicitly mentions that the ability pertains to all those descended from the Sisters. Tree, however, is able to bring ghost cats so all living cats can see them, which is a detail not mentioned by Moonlight. It is unknown if she just neglected the information, or if the power is rather specific to Tree himself. Seeing how Rootspring, Tree's son and Moonlight's grandson, has the same abilities as them, it is likely that Moonlight simply did not mention it.

The Sisters believe their ancestors will guide them, similar to the Clans' beliefs of StarClan. The ancestors will follow the cats, regardless if they are a she-cat that stayed with the group or a tom that was cast out. When a member of the Sisters die, they go to the ghost residence, where they can communicate with their living kin and guide them.

Territory

The Sisters do not permanently occupy territory, rather, they settle down when a she-cat is ready to give birth, and move when the kits and queen are old enough before repeating the process.

History

In The Broken Code arc

The Silent Thaw

The Sisters are briefly mentioned in passing by Rootpaw, who tries to think of an excuse for being on ThunderClan territory to Bramblestar's impostor.

Veil of Shadows

The Sisters are mentioned a few times by several cats. Kestrelflight asks why they were worried about Rootpaw's strange talents when they should focus on getting back StarClan. Macgyver later asks why Tree cannot see the ghost of Bramblestar but Rootpaw can, as they both have the blood of the Sisters.

Spiresight tells Shadowsight, now a ghost, that not every cat with Sisters blood can see ghosts.

After deducing that Bramblestar's ghost is fading, Tree enacts a ritual he learned from his kin in the Sisters to try and find the former ThunderClan leader. However, despite his and SkyClan's best attempts, the effort proves fruitless.

Darkness Within

"You know StarClan. But the Sisters know about the dead who stay with us to walk the forests. If any cat can find out if Bramblestar is really gone, it'll be them. We need advice, and they are the best to give it."

―Tree to the Clans ^{Darkness Within, page 105}

Rootspring, Bristlefrost, Needleclaw, and Spotfur go on a journey to the Sisters to ask for help finding Bramblestar's ghost. After getting directions from Leaf, they are able to locate the Sisters, who are now led by Snow. The Sisters agree to come back to the lake territories, although they are only allowed on SkyClan land. The she-cats perform a ceremony in an attempt to summon Bramblestar's ghost, and although they manage to summon many of the cats who died in the battle for ShadowClan, Bramblestar does not appear. Additionally, the ghosts appear to be in pain and are hostile toward the living cats, except for one, being Ashfur. The Sisters recognize the danger the Clans are in and decide to make camp nearby, in case the Clans need them.

The Place of No Stars

While trying to find a different entry point to the Place of No Stars, Shadowsight suggests consulting the Sisters for advice. Tree goes to retrieve the Sisters. He returns, with Snow, Sunrise, and Flurry. After hearing the situation, Snow declares that they will help the Clans, but this must be the last time the two groups are entwined. Tree accepts this.

A Light in the Mist

The Sisters watch as the Clans argue on if they are to send a patrol to save Rootspring and Bristlefrost. Flurry reminds the Clans to only send their volunteer as the Sisters require all of their concentration to conduct a ceremony to transport a cat between worlds. When the Lights in the Mist return from the Dark Forest, the surrounding Sisters fetch cobwebs for Graystripe.

In the Super Editions

Squirrelflight's Hope

"Do you think like a Clan cat too? Dividing land out like prey to be given to others. Have you forgotten that as a tom, you are protector of the land? You should wander it, not own it!"

―Moonlight to Tree about the roles of toms ^{Squirrelflight's Hope, page 292}

The Sisters are first encountered by Squirrelflight and Leafstar while they are scouting for a new territory for SkyClan. While being held hostage, Moonlight, the leader, explains their way of life and Squirrelflight sympathizes with Moonlight over their different lifestyles. Grass and Stone are sent away by the Sisters to parts unknown, and Squirrelflight wonders how the Sisters could possibly want to cast out the toms since she loves the toms in her life. A ThunderClan-SkyClan patrol goes to retrieve the two she-cats a day later, with Bramblestar livid that Squirrelflight went behind his back and isn't making running his Clan any easier. SkyClan warriors were also infuriated when they found out that Snow had injured Leafstar. Tree briefly reunites with the Sisters, but condemns them, especially Moonlight, for abandoning him as a kit.

Flippaw runs into Squirrelflight when she returns. He badgers her with questions. She says that the Sisters were nice, and that they give her prey and treated Leafstar's paw. Flippaw asks why Squirrelflight didn't try to escape. She states that Leafstar's injury made it hard, and she didn't want to leave Leafstar. Flippaw asks if they were rogues, stating that Bristlepaw had told him that they were part of Darktail's group. Squirrelflight replies that they were not, and Hollytuft scolds her apprentice.

A patrol of the Sisters step into ShadowClan territory, where they are encountered by Strikestone and Stonewing. The two toms try to fight them off, but Strikestone is injured by Sunrise, to which Stonewing wounds Sunrise in retaliation before escaping with Strikestone. Sunrise's wound is too severe to be treated alone, so Snow decides to try and find ThunderClan so they can heal Sunrise. A ThunderClan patrol led by Squirrelflight encounters them on a patrol, and takes them back to camp for Leafpool to heal. ThunderClan is divided between helping an innocent cat or worsening the relations between the other four Clans. Bramblestar is livid that Squirrelflight has gone behind his back yet again, and put him in a position where he can't make an easy decision. Bramblestar orders Jayfeather and Alderheart to go to the Moonpool to seek StarClan's guidance, which angers Squirrelflight and the Sisters as Sunrise could die. Bramblestar remains firm in his order, and if Sunrise dies, then so be it. Leafpool convinces Bramblestar to at least let her try and prevent an infection from spreading, which Bramblestar reluctantly agrees to. Snow voices her dislike of both Bramblestar and Thornclaw for being toms, believing they shouldn't be in a position of authority, though Squirrelflight and Leafpool explain that Bramblestar is their leader and all ThunderClan cats need to follow and respect him.

Jayfeather and Alderheart return to ThunderClan and say they are able to treat Sunrise, but at the gathering, Tigerstar announces to the Clans of the rogue group that attacked Stonewing and Strikestone, revealing that Strikestone's ear has been permanently damaged by them and is livid over his nephew's injury. Mistystar and Harestar agree that they should be driven out so that the territory they occupy can be used for SkyClan. Leafstar says that she will not move her Clan until Moonlight gives birth, and Bramblestar agrees that they should wait it out and avoid a battle. Tigerstar, Mistystar, and Harestar disagree, noting that they captured Squirrelflight and Leafstar, and injured the latter as well. As the Gathering ends on a sour note, Bramblestar orders the Sisters out of ThunderClan's camp to avoid sparking more fights, and Squirrelflight helps the injured Sunrise leave with Tempest, Snow, and Hawk.

Tensions between the Clans eventually reach a breaking point as WindClan and ThunderClan make a secret alliance, much to the chagrin of RiverClan and ShadowClan, and a sickness infects ThunderClan which claims the life of Larksong, further putting stress on Bramblestar as Squirrelflight continually speaks to the Sisters and undermines him. Squirrelflight and Leafstar ask Tree to try to reason with Moonlight, as they are mother and son, and Tree agrees only reluctantly. Snow initially refuses to let Tree into the Sisters' camp because he is a full-grown tom, but eventually relents. Unfortunately, Tree's attempt to convince Moonlight to leave fails because of Moonlight's stubbornness and Tree's grudge against her.

Eventually, the Clans, minus SkyClan, go to war against the Sisters, but Squirrelflight and Leafpool get to the camp first and discover Moonlight is kitting. As the Clans arrive to drive out the Sisters, the rogues stand their ground and refuse to move, which instigates a battle, resulting in the death of Moonlight, Leafpool, and nearly Squirrelflight. When the battle is finished, SkyClan comes and offers the Sisters a spot in their territory until Moonlight's three kits are weaned. The Sisters readily accept, and the Clans go back to their own territory.

When Moonlight's kits Leaf, Squirrel, and Moon are a few days old, the Sisters leave SkyClan to continue traveling, but not before thanking SkyClan and Squirrelflight for all they've done for them and their lifestyle.

Ivypool's Heart

Snow: "Toms have their own path to follow."

Rootspring: "You abandon them. You leave them to fend for themselves when they're too young to cope—like Slate and Beach. When we met them, Beach had a wound that could have killed him if not for our medicine cat. So don't talk to me about family! What do you know about it?"

^{Ivypool's Heart, page 117}

Ivypool and the other journeying cats find two loners, Slate and Beach, who are toms of the Sisters. Ivypool feels frustrated with the Sisters' ways of exiling their sons when they become of age to be on their own. The two toms invite Ivypool's group back to their camp, and upon seeing the sorry state of the camp, Ivypool and Dovewing lecture Slate and Beach on caring for their home, with Ivypool feeling more agitated by the Sisters. Whistlepaw tends to Beach's infected wound, and Slate and Beach attempt to connect to the earth to give the Clan cats directions, but they fail. They lead the Clan cats to the Sisters, fending off dogs on the way, resulting in Slate being injured.

Upon reaching the Sisters' camp, Slate and Beach are told by Snow that their mother, Flurry, has had more kits, and they rush to visit their new siblings. The Clan cats explain the events that have occurred since their last meeting, including the deaths of Graystripe and Bristlefrost. Over a feast, the Sisters tell the Clan cats of their recent endeavors, and when it is mentioned that Tempest had taken a liking to a kittypet named Sweetums, Ivypool knows that she could never live as the Sisters do, as she cares too much for her mate, Fernsong. Following their meal, the Sisters hold a ceremony for Graystripe and Bristlefrost; though they are able to contact Graystripe, they fail to speak with Bristlefrost, and Ivypool leaves the ceremony in frustration.

The next day, Ivypool speaks with Snow after hunting, and Snow expresses eagerness to be rid of the toms. The Sisters listen to Ivypool's story of Whistlepaw's vision, and Snow provides her with instructions on how to reach the fox-head mountain, warning her to watch out for the gulls. Ivypool returns to camp to tell her companions about Snow's directions, but when Rootspring is missing, she searches him out. She finds Rootspring arguing with Snow, who attempts to convince him to consider taking a mate and moving on from Bristlefrost. Rootspring bitterly questions what the Sisters know of family, given their treatment of toms, and Snow retorts that they consider family to be important, regardless of its form.

In the Novellas

Tree's Roots

Tree, as a young kit named Earth, is born to Moonlight with two littermates, Sunrise and Ice. After the deaths of Stream and Haze during a storm, the Sisters grieve for them and Moonlight declares they shall sing for Haze to comfort Haze's mother, Snow, but not for Stream. Earth questions why, and Moonlight explains that they do not sing for toms. It later becomes apparent to Earth that Moonlight does not love him as much as she loves Sunrise or Ice, and has no issue with sending him away when he comes of age.

When Earth becomes six moons old, he begs his mother to let him stay, but Moonlight remains firm in that Earth must be sent away to continue their traditions, and tells him a tale of a tom who stayed past his sixth moon, and the Sisters paid the price for it. After Moonlight sends her son away, the Sisters leave their camp the very next day, and Earth bitterly wishes that they could stay a few days to make sure he was all right. Earth declares he will never forgive Moonlight or the Sisters for casting him out, something his father, Root, agrees with. Root, after learning of the Sisters' culture, was stunned to learn that they force their sons to fend for themselves, and was deeply hurt and angered that Moonlight, after becoming pregnant with his kits, left him.

Daisy's Kin

Snow and two other Sisters save Daisy, Smoky, Mousewhisker, Alderheart, and Smoky's kits from a hawk. Snow lets Daisy, Smoky, and the kits nurse with Sunshine's kits. After a moon, Snow alerts Daisy that they must leave soon. Daisy, Smoky, Coriander, and Little Daisy depart from the Sisters' camp.

Members

Current members

• Snow
• Tempest
• Furze
• Flurry
• Sparrow
• Hawk
• Sunrise
• Moon
• Squirrel
• Sunshine
• Sunshine's two kits
• Flurry's three kits

Former members

• Tree
• Grass
• Stone
• Moonlight
• Cloud
• Haze
• Stream
• Chestnut
• Snail
• Mud
• Spider
• Moonlight's unnamed sons
• Furze's son
• Creek
• Petal
• Ice
• Moonlight's unnamed kits
• Leaf
• Slate
• Beach

History of ranks

Leaders
Name	Gained rank in...	Left rank in...
Cloud	Before Tree's Roots	Before Tree's Roots
Moonlight	Before Tree's Roots	Squirrelflight's Hope
Snow	Before Darkness Within	—

Trivia

• They appear to be based on Amazonian culture.

External links

• Wander the world on the Warriors official website (backup link)
• Shadowsight's choice - right or wrong? on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
• Best Warrior Cats romance books on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
• Leafstar's best moments on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)