Shadow (book)/Chapter 21

==Chapter description==
:Nightheart watches Sunbeam and Berryheart, distraught over losing his future mate, before heading back to ThunderClan, wondering if they will take him back and remembering his struggles there. He reaches the border at sunset and waits until Cherryfall and Eaglewing find him, and he tells them that he wishes to return home. Reluctantly, Eaglewing decides to take Nightheart to camp. On the way, Nightheart confesses to failing his third task, and Eaglewing offers him support in reuniting with ThunderClan. They soon reach camp, where the ThunderClan cats surround him, seeming hostile and telling him to leave. Nightheart requests to speak with Bramblestar, and Shellfur informs him that Bramblestar and Squirrelflight have been arguing. Sparkpelt approaches Nightheart and is overjoyed to hear that he is staying, causing Nightheart to realize that she had missed him.
:Sparkpelt apologizes for the way she treated Nightheart and for not being there for him, and she recognizes him for who he is. He is greeted by Bayshine and Finchlight, and Finchlight encourages him to take time to recover from losing Sunbeam. At last, Bramblestar and Squirrelflight emerge from the leader's den and Bramblestar calls a Clan meeting, in which he announces that he is stepping down from leadership, to the horror of every cat. Bramblestar explains that he no longer feels fit to lead due to his experiences and that he will retire, expressing confidence in his mate's ability to take over. Bayshine brings his attention to Nightheart, who says that he belongs with ThunderClan and is supported by his mother. Bramblestar leaves the decision to Squirrelflight and, despite protests from some cats and with further convincing from Nightheart, she allows him to stay.
==Characters==
===Major===
===Minor===
===Mentioned===
==Important events==
*Nightheart returns to ThunderClan.
==Notes and references==
Category:Shadow (book)
Category:A Starless Clan arc
Category:Chapter subpages