Reedclaw

Reedclaw is a small, pale brown tabby she-cat.
Reedclaw is a SkyClan warrior under Leafstar's leadership. She was born to Plumwillow and Sandynose not long after Darktail's group chased the Clan from the gorge. Because the fate of her father was unknown, Plumwillow requested the help of Hawkwing in caring for Reedkit and her siblings, Finkit and Dewkit. Hawkwing, having lost his mate as well, gratefully accepted his role as the kits' adopted father. During SkyClan's journey to find the lake territories, Sandynose reunited with the Clan. Reedkit and her littermates were initially wary of Sandynose, but soon grew close to him. She and her brothers were later made apprentices, Reedpaw receiving Bellaleaf as her mentor. Reedpaw reached the lake along with her Clan and later became a warrior, Reedclaw. 
Moons later, she gave birth to Quailfeather's kits, Kitekit and Turtlekit. After they became apprentices, she became a mentor to Needleclaw and her nephew, Beetleshine. As Leafstar got older, Reedclaw felt that she was not fit to become leader. When Reedclaw's son, Kitescratch, was accidentally killed in a battle with badgers, Reedclaw began a vote to depose Leafstar, citing the leader mistaking her grandson, Starlingpaw, as a badger. After the vote fails, Reedclaw resents Leafstar, and eventually calls for a second vote that wins.
==History==
===In the A Vision of Shadows arc===
====Darkest Night====
:As Twigpaw scans the ThunderClan camp, she sees Finpaw and Dewpaw clumsily training, with Reedpaw jeering at them. Reedpaw is mentioned to have stayed at camp to pick burrs out of moss previously collected, while Twigpaw, Finpaw, and Dewpaw go out to collect twigs. Reedpaw is mentioned by Dewpaw, who says she followed the stream to find more moss to gather. When Twigpaw returns to camp, Reedpaw pokes her head out of the den, her eyes shining as she says she found so much moss, adding that it is a bit damp, but it will dry out soon.
:Reedpaw is seen helping Leafpool pile mud and moss against the walls of the medicine den to keep rain out. When Leafstar announces Twigpaw and Violetpaw are ready to receive their warrior names, Reedpaw and the other apprentices crowd around them excitedly.
====River of Fire====
:Reedpaw is one of the SkyClan apprentices in the apprentices' den during a fierce storm; the wind uproots a pine tree and it crashes down onto the den. The cats present yowl out the names of the young cats, who all report to Leafstar when she orders them to do so to check that they are safe. A half moon after the storm, Leafstar takes her turn to talk after Harestar at the Gathering. She reports that both Dewpaw and Reedpaw have earned their warrior names, and are now known as Dewspring and Reedclaw.
====The Raging Storm====
: Reedclaw falls ill, and Finleap sneaks to SkyClan's camp to visit her, despite living in ThunderClan now. Leafstar asks how she is, and Finleap replies that she is almost better. She berates him for coming, and says he is sorry. Twigbranch asks the tom if Reedclaw was at least glad to see him, and he says yes. Finleap apologizes to Bramblestar the next day, and the leader assigns him and Twigbranch to clean out the elders' den for the next moon. Finleap reflects how seeing his kin made him feel, and contemplates leaving ThunderClan if Twigbranch does not want to have kits with him.
:When Leafstar chooses to have SkyClan leave the lake, the Clan wakes on their final day. Reedclaw whispers that the leader has not spoken yet as she sits next to Dewpsring. When they do leave, the warrior ushers Quailpaw and Sunnypaw out of camp. On the journey, she ensures Violetshine stays on course, despite the driving rain. The queen snaps at her, but then apologizes afterwards. Reedclaw races to get help when Sunnypaw starts to sink in mud. She affirms that the other apprentices are safe. The warrior later returns to the Clans when SkyClan is rescued by a multi-Clan patrol.
===In The Broken Code arc===
====Lost Stars====
:Reedclaw is given Needlepaw as her first apprentice. During a training session, Rootpaw watches Needlepaw and Reedclaw practice battle moves. After drawing the session to an end, Reedclaw leaves Needlepaw to train with her brother, while she and the other mentors hunt. At another training session, Reedclaw and Dewspring demonstrate a battle move together for their apprentices. Dewspring tells the apprentices to watch carefully, and that he is going to attack Reedclaw, and despite him being bigger and heavier, she is going to win. Reedclaw flattens herself to the ground as Dewspring rears up, and gazes at him with wide eyes as if she is terrified. She launches herself forward and scoops Dewspring's hindlegs out from under him, then pins him to the ground. After Needlepaw successfully pins Rootpaw, she asks Reedclaw if that was okay. Rootpaw throws Needlepaw off of him, then pins her to the ground, and Reedclaw's tail curls up with amusement and she praises both apprentices, then tells them to try again with Needlepaw attacking this time.
:On their way back to camp they pass Tree, and Dewspring tells him they just had a good training session, and Needlepaw and Rootpaw are doing really well. Reedclaw agrees that they were working hard and are always cheerful, even when they tell them to clear out soiled bedding. Later, Reedclaw is on watch at the camp entrance when Rootpaw returns after he met Shadowsight on SkyClan's territory during the night. She asks where he has been and gives his fur a deep sniff, wondering why he smells of ShadowClan. Rootpaw explains Dewspring let him stay out the hunt longer and, not wanting to give Shadowpaw away, lies that he must of strayed too close to the border. Reedclaw gives him a skeptical look through narrowed eyes, mewing okay, but he must get back to his den now. As Rootpaw pads off, he is conscious of Reedclaw's gaze following him.
====The Silent Thaw====
:Reedclaw and Dewspring have their apprentices practice battle moves on each other and both call out advice from the edges of the clearing.
====Veil of Shadows====
:During her apprentice's warrior ceremony, Reedclaw confirms to Leafstar that Needlepaw has demonstrated patience and her hunting abilities are superb. Needlepaw is then named Needleclaw.
====Darkness Within====
:Her father, Sandynose, is killed in a battle against the impostor. Reedclaw attends the vigil for the fallen warriors along with Dewspring and Plumwillow, mourning the loss of her father.
===In the A Starless Clan arc===
====River====
:Reedclaw is now mentoring Beetlepaw.
===In the Changing Skies arc===
====The Elders' Quest====
:Reedclaw's apprentice, Beetlepaw, is now a warrior named Beetleshine. She has also become a grandmother to her son Kitescratch's kits, Starlingkit and Robinkit.
:When Leafstar announces the plans to attack a badger invading SkyClan's territory, Reedclaw is among the cats who opposes the idea. She is the first to speak out, saying that she is unsure about the plan, even looking towards Hawkwing for the deputy's thoughts. When Leafstar reminds the warrior that the badger will be outnumbered, Reedclaw points out that despite the fact, a single badger can still cause fatal damage to a group of cats. This comment garners the agreement of Reedclaw's Clanmates, however Leafstar still goes through with the plan anyways, sending Reedclaw on the patrol.
:Once the patrol reaches the badger's territory, Reedclaw assembles alongside Gravelnose and Kitescratch on one side of the set. When the badger emerges, Reedclaw and Kitescratch put their paws into the den, delivering blows to its face. Reedclaw jumps on top of the badger once it is fully emerged, but is thrown off.
:A second badger fatally wounds Kitescratch after he defends Starlingpaw from being mistaken for a badger by Leafstar, and as he dies, Reedclaw wails in anguish. Reedclaw attends her son's vigil alongside her mate, Quailfeather, daughter Turtlecrawl, and the rest of Kitescratch's family. Leafstar falls asleep during it, which heavily angers Reedclaw, who laments her leader for doing so. When Leafstar explains her exhaustion, Reedclaw remarks that it must be from the mission that got Kitescratch killed, calling it mouse-brained. The tension is broken up by Hawkwing, who reminds both cats that fighting will not honor Kitescratch.
: Later, Reedclaw summons SkyClan at the foot of the Highrock. She explains that she is holding a vote to depose Leafstar. Reedclaw cites that Leafstar mistook Starlingpaw for a badger, and that chaos that followed resulted in Kitescratch's death. Hawkwing tries to calm Reedclaw down, asking for the vote to happen another day so that the Clan can focus on honoring Kitescratch, but Reedclaw says that the best way to honor Kitescratch is deposing the leader that led to his death. Reedclaw organizes the vote, and gives two places to stand for Leafstar's supporters and opposition. The vote fails when Fallowfern votes in favor for Leafstar. Hawkwing announces the results, but Reedclaw is unhappy, saying that this is not over.
:Days after the vote, Reedclaw still gives Leafstar angry glances, and refuses to speak to her leader. Hawkwing calls for Tree to mediate the pair. Tree explains that Reedclaw and Leafstar's rift is unhealthy for the Clan, and must not go on. He wants the two cats to make amends, but Leafstar says that the only thing Reedclaw would accept is her stepping down. 
:After Leafstar is injured and Hawkwing takes over leadership duties for three days, Reedclaw decides to hold a second vote for Leafstar's deposition. This time she cites Leafstar's fall during a simple walk, and Hawkwing's ability to bring the Clan together and solve many problems, including driving out the badgers. Leafstar allows for Reedclaw to hold the vote as is her right, but reminds her and the rest of the Clan that she still loves SkyClan. Reedclaw agrees with that sentiment, but says that she is more concerned about Leafstar's ability to lead with old age. She then insists that the vote goes on after SkyClan debates its necessity. Reedclaw's side wins the vote, and with that Leafstar agrees to take the deposition to the Gathering for its next stage.
:At the Gathering, Reedclaw speaks over Tigerstar to announce SkyClan's vote to depose Leafstar. She summarizes SkyClan's concerns about Leafstar's age. When Reedclaw is asked to provide specific examples, she delightedly tells the Gathering about the badger incident and Leafstar's fall.
===In the Super Editions===
====Hawkwing's Journey====
:Reedkit is born to Plumwillow and Sandynose alongside Dewkit and Finkit. She is the third and last to be born. Plumwillow guides her and her brothers' to her belly so they could suckle. Plumwillow requests Hawkwing to help take care of them with her, since their father has disappeared and he helped her cope with the birth. Hawkwing thinks they will never be his but they seem very tiny and perfect, so he agrees.
:A moon later, Reedkit, Dewkit, and Finkit tumble out of the nursery, tripping over each other in their race to greet Hawkwing first. He loves them all and loves the time he spends with them. He tries to talk to his apprentice Curlypaw, but the kits launch onto him. They dig their claws into his pelt, joyfully squeaking, and swarm over Hawkwing when he flops over. Finkit bites his tail and Reedkit explains that the adult cat is a rabbit and they are hunting him. Hawkwing playfully wails, saying they are too good hunters as he cannot escape. As they pummel their adopted father, Plumwillow watches their game, and Hawkwing walks over to her with the kits hanging off him.
:Sounds of Twolegs are heard, and Plumwillow is anxious of her kits safety, due to the dogs coming with the Twolegs. Hawkwing distracts the kits by asking who can throw a moss-ball the furthest. One kit yowls they can, but another contradicts them, while the last kit shouts to watch them before they scramble and fall to to get a moss-ball, shredding it in their eagerness. The sound of dogs drown out the kits' squeak, and they appear in camp. Hawkwing shoves Reedkit onto his back and the kits are taken out of camp, but one dog follows them so the kits are shoved into a thicket, wailing in terror. The dog eventually leaves and Plumwillow thanks Hawkwing for saving her kits, but the tom insists they both saved the kits. Reedkit, Finkit and Dewkit creep to their mother, eyes still wide with shock, and they snuggle up to their mother and Hawkwing. The warrior thinks they are not his kits but wishes they were.
:The kits and their parents return to camp at night and Blossomheart asks if the kits are okay. Hawkwing explains they are fine, just a bit scratched since they hid in a thicket. He lets Reedkit slide off his back. Plumwillow says she will take her kits to the nursery since they are exhausted. The kits, who are normally very energetic, are struggling to walk as they are herded to the nursery. Hawkwing notes they are not scared anymore since they don't understand how much danger they were in, while Plumwillow states the sooner they forget, the better. 
:Dogs attack the camp again and this time, the kits are cornered then chased out of camp. They hide in a small Twoleg den where a Twoleg kit finds them and brings out Reedkit's littermates. The she-kit follows them, eyes wide in terror. Plumwillow and Hawkwing rescue kits with their adopted father pushing them into the bushes, and Hawkwing urges them to run as fast as they can. The kits squirm through bushes to reach the woods, being urged on until the family reaches the trees. Plumwillow asks if they are okay, sniffing them over, but Reedkit insists they are fine. Hawkwing points out this is the second time the kits were in danger because of dogs, and Plumwillow expresses how she does not like the fact they are not afraid of Twolegs, adding to her kits that they should be. Hawkwing is convinced they have to leave because the kits are growing up unafraid of Twolegs.
:Back on SkyClan territory, Leafstar exclaims they are found and asks the kits if they are hurt. Reedkit explains they were faster than the dogs and hid in a little Twoleg den, and Hawkwing thinks that now they are not scared, they will boast for moons. Leafstar praises the kits for being brave before they are taken back to camp to the Clans' welcomes. Plumwillow protests to give the kits space since they are tired and need to eat and sleep. The Clan eventually settles with the kits telling their story twice, and Hawkwing notes that the dogs get bigger every time. They do not finish the story the second time as they grow too tired so they curl up to their mother in a heap.
:Hawkwing tells Leafstar the Clan should leave since Reedkit, Dewkit, and Finkit were almost killed the day before. The Clan leader agrees it is time to leave, but Reedkit wails in disappointment before she asks why they have to leave, as she likes it beside the lake. Hawkwing touches the she-kit's head and reassures they will find a new lake to live by, one with less Twolegs. The kits are settled to sleep with Plumwillow telling them it will be a long day tomorrow. Before they can leave however, Twolegs arrive at the camp and take Fidgetpaw. Hawkwing is desperate to save Reedkit, Dewkit, and Finkit. The kits are gathered together, their mouths wide open as they stare at the invading Twolegs, as if they do not believe or understand what they see. The kits are pushed along until they realize they are in danger so they rush to the camp entrance. Once they exit the camp, they panic, scattering in different directions, though Hawkwing and Plumwillow manage to round up the kits and they all head towards the lake. They run past some Twolegs who chase so they run to rock outcrops, with the kits being shoved into a rabbit burrow, and Hawkwing signals them to be quiet. Reedkit, Dewkit, and Finkit crouch wide-eyed as they listen to the Twolegs walk around, so they wait until the Twolegs leave before the kits are led towards the lake. Hawkwing expects Twolegs to appear and sweep the kits away and is desperate to not lose them. They reach tall grass and collapse where some Clanmates are already waiting. 
:The Clan finally leaves the lake as planned. As the journey goes on however, a sickness starts to spread. Reedkit and Dewkit follow Plumwillow with a sick Finkit, eyes wide from fear. Plumwillow wishes to stay with Finkit but Hawkwing insists she must take care of her remaining kits. The queen glances at Reedkit and Dewkit and Hawkwing insists they need her, so she decides to remain with Reedkit and Dewkit and the two kits are swept back to their temporary den.
:Three sunrises later, the Clan grows very weak. Reedkit and Dewkit look so frail that a little wind would blow them over, and they were once strong and sturdy. A day later, Sandynose, Reedkit's father, finally reunites with SkyClan. He wishes to meet them and Plumwillow calls for their kits; Reedkit, Dewkit, and Finkit drowsily come out. They gaze warily at Sandynose before their mother explains he is their father. Reedkit is bewildered, looking at Sandynose to Hawkwing then back again, murmuring that she thought Hawkwing was their father. Plumwillow explains to her that Hawkwing helped raise them and still loves them, but Sandynose is their true father. Sandynose thanks Hawkwing for taking care of his kits, but Hawkwing remembers the time he spent with the kits, playing, telling stories, and begging for him to teach everything he knows. The kits eagerly talk to their father as Hawkwing notes he cannot be a father to them anymore.
:Sandynose plays with the kits, tossing a ball to them one at a time and they bat it back in turn. They leap onto Hawkwing when he comes over, growling mockingly and battering his ears until Hawkwing notices Sandynose's hurt look, and tells the kits he has to see Leafstar and leaves their game.
:That night, the kits wake up Hawkwing and he asks what they are doing, since they are meant to be in the nursery with Plumwillow. Reedkit disdainfully flicks her tail, stating he is there, meaning Sandynose. Dewkit requests Hawkwing to send their father away since he is deputy, but Hawkwing points out Plumwillow would be sad then. Reedkit shrugs and points out she was not upset before Sandynose's return. The kits are settled in Hawkwing's nest before he tells them about Pebbleshine and his lost kits. Reedkit states that is terrible, and Hawkwing explains if he found his kits he would still want to be their father, and asks if they understand what he means.
:Reedkit replies she sort of understands. Hawkwing explains he wants the kits to get to know Sandynose, but Reedkit protests she does not want to get to know him. The deputy flicks her ears, pointing out that was not nice and asks if they do not want to hurt Sandynose. Reedkit replies that they do not and shakes her pelt, complaining it is not fair. Hawkwing says he is not their father but still cares about them, promising he will help them if they come to him. The kits are disappointed with Reedkit adding she guesses they can try to be nicer, but complains though that he does not know how to play their favorite games like Hawkwing does. The tom insists to give their father a chance, touching noses with the kits. He sends them back to the nursery and the kits wiggle out of his nest to do so.
:During a Clan meeting, Leafstar calls Reedkit and her brothers forward. The kits give exchange glances of wonder before walking up to Leafstar. Plumwillow protests about the state of their fur, but Leafstar moves on with the apprentice ceremony. Reedkit is renamed Reedpaw, and is given Bellaleaf as a mentor. The Clan cheers her new name as Hawkwing is disappointed he did not get to mentor one of the kits, but he notes he did mentor them, throughout their kithood, and the other two that did not get Hawkwing as a mentor would have felt left out and upset about their own mentors. The new apprentices' crowd around their parents to discuss the ceremony. Reedpaw asks if it was amazing when the Clan cheered their names. Sandynose tells his kits to behave and listen to their mentors, then they will be great warriors, and the apprentices' promise they will. They then rush to Hawkwing, who tells them that they survived a lot to become apprentices. The kits scurry to their mentors and Reedpaw flings herself at Bellaleaf, announcing that she wants to catch a mouse, and she demands for her to show her how. Bellaleaf says for her to stop squealing first, then promises to teach the hunter's crouch. As the apprentices leave with their mentors, Hawkwing reminds himself they are not his kits but he would always hold a place for them in his heart.
:In the comic, Sandynose asks his kits if they are ready, and Reedpaw replies that they are. The tom tells Leafstar he is taking his kits to hunt and they will be back with fresh-kill before she knows it. Finpaw says he will catch a squirrel, but Reedpaw bets he will not. As they leave, Plumwillow checks on Hawkwing since the apprentices are really attached to Sandynose instead of him now. Hawkwing explains he enjoyed teaching them when they were kits, but their real father should take the role of father, not him. Later, the apprentices and Sandynose returns with Reedpaw announcing Dewpaw caught a squirrel, and then she settles to eat some fresh-kill.
====Squirrelflight's Hope====
:She has given birth to Quailfeather's kits, Turtlekit and Kitekit. Reedclaw shares prey with Violetshine, and the two queens watch their kits play and splashing in puddles. When Squirrelflight notices Turtlekit and Kitekit playing with Needlekit and Rootkit, she asks Tree whose kits they are. The yellow tom mews to the she-cat that the two young kits are Reedclaw's litter, and Needlekit says they will be apprentices a whole moon before Turtlekit and Kitekit.
==Character pixels==
==Official art==
==Ceremonies==
==Kin==
===Members===
Mate:
:Quailfeather: 
Daughter:
:Turtlecrawl: 
Son:
:Kitescratch: 
Mother:
:Plumwillow: 
Father: 
:Sandynose: 
Adopted father:
:Hawkwing: 
Brothers:
:Finleap: 
:Dewspring: 
===Trees===
====Genetic====
====Adopted====
==Appearances==
==Trivia==
===Interesting facts===
*Quailfeather being the father of Reedclaw's kits was first introduced on the Warrior Cats website family tree.
===Author statements===
*Kate thinks Harrybrook is her mate. Kate has also said that Reedclaw's mate will be revealed in the fourth book of The Broken Code, but in Darkness Within there is no mention of him.
**However, Reedclaw's mate was revealed to be Quailfeather on the Warrior Cats website family tree.
==Quotes==
==External links==
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===Fan content===
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==Notes and references==
de:Schilfkralle
fi:Ruokokynsi
fr:Griffe de Roseau
pl:Trzcinowy Pazur
ru:Камышовка
Category:SkyClan cats
Category:She-cats
Category:Warriors
Category:Mentors
Category:Queens
Category:The rebels