Shadow (book)/Chapter 9

==Chapter description==
:Nightheart returns to ShadowClan camp with his hunting patrol, reflecting on his attempts to fit in with his new Clan. In camp, he is confronted by Berryheart and Yarrowleaf, and Berryheart demands to speak with him. The three cats settle near the nursery, and Berryheart questions Nightheart's loyalty to Sunbeam. He says that he can prove his loyalty through his tasks. Berryheart informs Nightheart about Sunbeam's feelings for Blazefire, planting doubt in his mind, and she points out that Sunbeam may decide not to be his mate. She finally tells him that ShadowClan will never accept him, and, wishing to be civil, Nightheart expresses hope that he can prove himself. Later, as ShadowClan gathers, Nightheart feels nervous without Sunbeam. Tigerstar and Dovewing reveal to him that, instead of completing a task, Nightheart will be accompanying Dovewing to visit ThunderClan so that he can get closure with his kin. This idea fills Nightheart with anxiety, but Dovewing says that it will serve to prove that he truly wants to join ShadowClan, or that it may not be what he really wants. As the two travel, Dovewing tells Nightheart about the history of her relationship with Tigerstar and asserts her loyalty to ShadowClan, prompting Nightheart to wonder if he could be a respected member of ShadowClan.
:They skirt SkyClan's territory and wait at the ThunderClan border, where they are soon greeted by Lionblaze, Cherryfall, and Bumblestripe. They are delighted to see Dovewing, who explains that she and Nightheart wish to visit their kin, and Lionblaze's patrol takes them to camp. There, Nightheart is uncomfortable, and Dovewing calls to Lilyheart, who greets her. Nightheart apologizes to Lilyheart for leaving ThunderClan the way he did, and she accepts it, but tells him that he needs to apologize to others as well. She leads him to the warriors' den, where Nightheart finds Bayshine, Sparkpelt, and Finchlight. Sparkpelt asks if he is in conflict with ShadowClan, and when Bayshine asks why he has come, Squirrelflight appears, sending Dovewing to speak with Ivypool. Sparkpelt and Nightheart argue over his choice to leave, with Nightheart saying that he can be a real warrior in ShadowClan and that she only remembers his failures. Squirrelflight soothes him, telling him that he had not given ThunderClan a chance to help him, before telling him to see Bramblestar. With a final remark from Sparkpelt that he only thinks of himself, Nightheart leaves to speak with Bramblestar in his den. Mousewhisker calls Squirrelflight away, and Nightheart tries to explain his situation with Sunbeam to Bramblestar, but the leader is distracted, hurting Nightheart's feelings. Dovewing comes to the den to ask if Nightheart is ready to leave, and the two cats depart, with Nightheart thinking that ShadowClan is his true home.
==Characters==
===Major===
===Minor===
===Mentioned===
==Important events==
*Dovewing takes Nightheart to speak with his kin in ThunderClan.
==Notes and references==
Category:Shadow (book)
Category:A Starless Clan arc
Category:Chapter subpages