Tigerheart's Shadow/Chapter 30

"We made a terrible decision. We didn't realize that Darktail was a liar and a bully. We truly through he could make ShadowClan stronger and safer. We were wrong. And we will spend our lives making it up to ShadowClan, if they agree to take us back."

— Slatefur to Tigerheart in Tigerheart's Shadow, page 340

Tigerheart's Shadow
Chapter number:	30 (of 34)
Page numbers:	336-349
Point of View:	Tigerheart
Chronology

Below contains in-depth information for chapter thirty of Tigerheart's Shadow. If you are looking for a shorter summary of the entire book, please check the main article.

Chapter Number: 30 (of 35)

Page Numbers: 336-349

Chapter description

Tigerheart is shocked and furious to see Slatefur and Berryheart hiding away from ShadowClan and presses what Berryheart's parents, Scorchfur and Snowbird, must think about their daughter missing. Dovewing encourages Tigerheart to be gentle, and Tigerheart apologizes for his harsh tone. Slatefur reveals that Sparrowtail and Cloverfoot are hunting and the group was getting ready to leave when Spire found them. The gray tom adds that Berryheart is expecting Sparrowtail's kits and they are due to be born soon. Clovertail and Sparrowtail soon arrive and are shocked to see their Clanmate Tigerheart. Slatefur suggests they should converse in their den in an abandoned Twoleg nest where it's warmer, but Dovewing wishes to get back to their kits. Spire presses that Slatefur and others must join them on their journey back to the Clans, but the four warriors are skeptical about returning to ShadowClan after they betrayed their Clan. Slatefur insists they made a terrible decision following Darktail. Tigerheart explains how he left ShadowClan because he felt he was undermining Rowanstar as deputy and Dovewing was expecting their kits. Sparrowtail replies that they're ready to go home to ShadowClan. As they return to their temporary camp, Tigerheart thanks Spire for following his vision of the orange sun.

The group continues traveling along the Silverpath for two days. Though Ant, Cinnamon, and the kits were eager to meet the ShadowClan warriors, Tigerheart is still wary of them, remembering how Slatefur and the others chose to join Darktail and wanted Tigerheart, Rowanstar, and Tawnypelt to leave. Dovewing encourages him to find forgiveness since the four warriors are clearly sorry. Recalling how the guardian cats lived without grudges, Tigerheart wonders if he can learn from them, and Dovewing is pleased that he's starting to sound like a leader. Shadowkit interupts his parents by asking which Clan he and his littermates will join once they arrive at at lake. Dovewing explains they'll decide once they get there, and Shadowkit hopes to join ShadowClan since his name is Shadowkit. Tigerheart adds that he and his sisters can decide which Clan they'll join once they are older.

Spire abruptly yowls that a Thundersnake is approaching fast. Tigerheart only hears the distant rumbling of a faraway Thundersnake, but he orders everyone off the Silverpath anyway. However, Lightkit and Pouncekit don't hear their father's orders and continue chasing an acorn on the Silverpath as a Thundersnake rapidly approaches. Tigerheart snags Pouncekit while Spire dashes for Lightkit, saving the tiny kit just before the massive Thundersnake zooms by. Grateful that his daughters are safe, Tigerheart presses why they didn't hear him earlier, but Pouncekit and Lightkit explain that the Thundersnake was moving too fast. Tigerheart thanks the skinny black tom for saving Lightkit, but he ominously replies he might not be able to save her next time. Spire warns that there will be death without meaning if they continue following the Silverpath. Slatefur, Cloverfoot, Berryheart, and Sparrowtail are hesitant to leave the tracks, but Spire insists his dreams have shown him the way to the lake. Recalling Spire's prior dreams of Rowanstar and the orange sun that found his Clanmates, Tigerheart agrees that they'll be following Spire from now on.

Characters

Major

• Tigerheart

Minor

• Slatefur/Rippletail
• Berryheart
• Dovewing
• Spire
• Blaze
• Cloverfoot
• Sparrowtail
• Pouncekit
• Lightkit
• Shadowkit
• Cinnamon
• Ant

Mentioned

• Snowbird
• Scorchfur
• Yarrowleaf
• Darktail
• Mistcloud
• Lioneye
• Spikefur
• Rowanstar
• Tawnypelt
• Fierce
• Tuna
• Violetpaw
• Twigpaw

Errors

• There is a major inconsistency with Rippletail's appearance on the patrol. In Tigerheart's Shadow, he escapes the Kin and is one of the cats that return to ShadowClan, while in River of Fire, he is a kittypet, and Slatefur takes his place in the patrol back to ShadowClan. Kate later confirmed he had become a kittypet, as in River of Fire, and Slatefur is the one who is actually meant to be on the patrol.

Important events

• Cloverfoot, Slatefur, Berryheart, and Sparrowtail join Tigerheart's patrol on the journey back to ShadowClan. Spire has dreams that they must leave the Silverpath two days later, and Tigerheart agrees they should follow him.

Notes and references

Author references