Tigerheart's Shadow/Chapter 4

==Chapter description==
:Tigerheart is in the ShadowClan camp, debating on whether to leave his Clan to join Dovewing. He notices his Clanmates repairing some dens and he feels distraught at the thought of leaving them, as ShadowClan was the only home he had ever known. He reassures himself that Dovewing needs them more than they do. Tigerheart attempts to sneak out of the camp but is intercepted by Rowanstar, who asks him to take out a hunting patrol. Tigerheart plans to slip away from the hunting patrol in the forest. Rowanstar orders Tigerheart to take Grassheart, Snowbird, Juniperclaw, and Scorchfur. Tigerheart beckons for Grassheart and Snowbird to join him, but he can't find Juniperclaw or Scorchfur, so the patrol leaves without them.
:Tigerheart questions Grassheart and Snowbird about the whereabouts of Juniper and Scorchfur, and they guiltily deny knowing where the two cats went. Tigerheart realizes they aren't telling him something and presses them further. Finally, Grassheart gives in and confesses that Scorchfur and Juniperclaw had just left to join SkyClan. Tigerheart is shocked that they would leave ShadowClan. Snowbird explains that Scorchfur was scared of what would happen to him if he stayed in ShadowClan as he nearly blinded Tawnypelt, and that Juniperclaw believes ShadowClan has forgotten what loyalty means. Tigerheart runs to catch them before they get to SkyClan, because he does not want ShadowClan to lose both him, Juniperclaw and Scorchfur all in one day. He feels incredibly guilty as he only wants them to stay for selfish reasons.
:Tigerheart finally catches up to Juniperclaw and Scorchfur just as they are about to cross the SkyClan border. Tigerheart pleads with them to stay, as they are ShadowClan cats at heart and they may never truly belong in SkyClan. Juniperclaw is willing to listen to Tigerheart and seems hesitant about joining SkyClan, however Scorchfur insists that ShadowClan is not what it used to be, and joining SkyClan is the only option. Tigerheart points out that they will feel torn if SkyClan and ShadowClan ever have to fight each other, which greatly alarms Juniperclaw. Scorchfur remains unconvinced, claiming that SkyClan and ShadowClan are friends and wouldn't fight. Tigerheart then reminds them that SkyClan forced Twigpaw to redo her warrior training even though she had already earned her warrior name in ThunderClan, so they might make Scorchfur and Juniperclaw apprentices again too. Scorchfur and Juniperclaw finally give in and agree to stay in ShadowClan, much to Tigerheart's relief, as he knows he can leave now. Despite being convinced, Scorchfur still expresses concern about Rowanstar's weakening leadership and how he failed to reunite ShadowClan after Darktail, with so many ShadowClan cats still missing. Tigerheart believes that the missing cats must be dead, because no cat would willingly stay away from their Clan. He feels a flash of guilt as he remembers he is about to do just that.
:As the three cats are walking back to camp, they are intercepted by a badger who attacks them. They fight back against the badger, and it bites Juniperclaw's paw. Tigerheart leaps onto the badgers back, but it rolls on top of him, crushing him. This leaves an opening for Scorchfur to claw its belly. However, the badger realizes this and rolls back on top of Scorchfur, pinning him. Juniperclaw scratches the badgers face and Tigerheart bites the back of its neck, causing the badger to angrily throw Tigerheart off its back. Tigerheart is thrown into a tree, hitting his head very hard and dazing him. Tigerheart dizzily struggles back to his paws and realizes that the badger smells of sickness. He informs his Clanmates, which convinces them that they can beat the badger together in its weakened state. All three of them regroup and attack the badger at once, overwhelming and confusing it in its feverish state. The badger turns and flees, and Tigerheart realizes with alarm that the sun had set, and Dovewing may have already left the forest without him.
:Tigerheart orders Scorchfur to take Juniperclaw back to camp so Puddleshine can look at his injured paw and that he will catch up with them later. Scorchfur is concerned that Tigerheart hit his head, but Tigerheart reassures him it isn't bad. He desperately races through the darkness to catch up with Dovewing, hoping that she hasn't left without him.
==Characters==
===Major===
===Minor===
===Mentioned===
==Notes and references==
Category:Chapter subpages
Category:Tigerheart's Shadow
Category:Super Edition arc