Thunder and Shadow/Chapter 12

"I can see that you are as loyal as any Clanborn cat. But you have grown up away from your true kin. That must have been hard. Still, Lilyheart is very proud of you, and if your real mother could see what's become of you, I'm sure she'd be proud of you too. What a shame Squirrelflight's patrol never found her."

— Ivypool to Twigpaw in Thunder and Shadow, page 190

Thunder and Shadow
Chapter number:	12 (of 24)
Page numbers:	188-200
Point of View:	Twigpaw
Chronology

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

Chapter Number: 11 (of 24)

Page Numbers: 188-200

Chapter description

Twigpaw is practicing pouncing on leaves with Ivypool. It is newleaf, and ever since becoming an apprentice, Twigpaw has been working hard to impress her mentor, as she wants to be as good as Larkpaw, Leafpaw, and Honeypaw. Her mentor instructs her to judge the distance and jump when she is sure. Twigpaw leaps, but the leaf skids away. Ivypool purrs that she still judged the distance well, and that landing on balanced paws is important. Twigpaw is embarrassed, and when she says that she did not expect the ground to be wet, Ivypool replies that she did good, and Lilyheart will be pleased. Twigpaw asks if she is learning as fast as Larkpaw, and her mentor gently tells her that it is not a competition. Twigpaw recalls Rosepetal saying that she will just be another belly to fill.

The apprentice tells Ivypool that she has to be the best, to which the silver she-cat replies that she hopes that Twigpaw will one day truly feel like part of the Clan. Ivypool tells Twigpaw that she is as loyal as any other cat, and Lilyheart is proud of her. She adds it is a shame that Squirrelflight did not find her real mother. Twigpaw is confused, as nobody ever mentioned it, and thinks that they perhaps found her mother dead but never told her. She asks Ivypool if there was any trace, and her mentor nervously answers that she does not know if they found anything aside from the nest. Twigpaw is afraid, and wonders what the Clan is hiding. She thinks that Alderpaw would tell her, and she asks Ivypool if they can go back to the camp. Ivypool is anxious but allows it. Twigpaw hurries into the hollow, her thoughts racing, and a few cats are surprised and ask her if something is wrong.

Twigpaw asks Alderpaw if Squirrelflight’s patrol found her mother. He is alarmed and says that they should speak in private. Twigpaw thinks that something terrible must have happened. Alderpaw whispers that cannot tell her, as he does not know. Twigpaw demands if they found her mother or not, and he mumbles that the patrol was not looking for her mother. She is incredulous, and states that Ivypool told her they were. Anger fills Twigpaw, and she asks if they ever looked at all. Alderpaw whispers that they did not, as they were trying to find something else. She demands why Ivypool thinks they did, and the tom answers that the whole Clan believes that. Alderpaw hopelessly states that he cannot tell her, as it is Clan business. She angrily asks if she can’t know because she is not part of the Clan. He guiltily replies that he meant that few cats know about where the patrol really went. Twigpaw hesitates, and Alderpaw says that Bramblestar did not think there was a point, as a mother does not abandon kits, but then trails off. Twigpaw asks if he believes her mother is dead, and thinks that although it makes sense, they can’t be sure. She exclaims that perhaps she is still alive and adds that she and Violetkit may still be together if it weren’t for him.

Twigpaw exits the camp, thinking that she would be with her sister if it were not for Alderpaw. She burns with fury and goes to the ShadowClan border, wanting to tell Violetkit about what she had found out. Twigpaw crosses the border, and she can smell the strange scent of the rogues. She is uneasy and freezes when she suddenly sees someone. A cat behind her asks if she is spying. Twigpaw turns around to see Violetkit, who looks stronger. She hesitates, and Violetkit states that she is an apprentice now. Twigpaw tells her about ThunderClan lying, as they never even looked for their mother. However, her sister is indifferent, and Twigpaw exclaims that they should have looked, and she thought Alderpaw was her friend. Violetpaw merely blinks, and states that she always thought their mother was dead. Twigpaw is frustrated, but just then, Needletail appears. The warrior asks what they are talking about.

Needletail again asks who they are talking about, and Twigpaw mews that they are discussing their mother. There is threat in the warrior’s eyes, and Twigpaw continues that she wants Violetpaw to help look for their mother. Needletail asks why, as Violetpaw has a family with the rogues. The ShadowClan apprentice agrees, and says that the rogues are nice to her, and Needletail is like a sister. Hurt jabs through Twigpaw, and she asks Violetpaw if she will not help her. Violetpaw apologizes that she cannot, and Needletail tells her to go away. Twigpaw leaves, feeling empty, as neither Violetpaw nor Alderpaw care, and thinks that perhaps finding her mother really is pointless.

Characters

Major

• Twigpaw

Minor

• Ivypool
• Graystripe
• Briarlight
• Fernsong
• Jayfeather
• Alderpaw
• Rogue tom
• Violetpaw
• Needletail

Minor

• Larkpaw
• Leafpaw
• Honeypaw
• Lilyheart
• Rosepetal
• Twigpaw’s mother
• Squirrelflight
• Bramblestar
• Darktail