Birchbark

Birchbark is a beige tom.
Birchbark was a former ShadowClan apprentice under Rowanstar's leadership in the lake territories. Birchkit was born to Pinenose and Spikefur alongside his littermates, Lionkit, Slatekit, and Puddlekit, and had Violetkit as his foster sister. He soon became Birchpaw and stayed with Darktail and his Kin when they took over ShadowClan. However, Birchbark, Lioneye, and Mistcloud decided to leave the Kin after discovering Darktail's cruel nature, but disappeared when trying to escape. Birchbark later appeared as a ghost, along with some of his missing Clanmates, giving the Clans a message before ascending to StarClan.
==History==
===In the A Vision of Shadows arc===
====The Apprentice's Quest====
:Birchkit is a ShadowClan kit and the son of Spikefur and Pinenose along with his littermates, Lionkit, Slatekit and Puddlekit.
====Thunder and Shadow====
:Birchkit is mentioned by Violetkit to be sleeping next to his siblings, Puddlekit and Slatekit. It is noted that his limbs are quivering, as though he was dreaming of hunting. Later that night, he dashes out of the den after Puddlekit when Grassheart begins her kitting, with Lionkit at his heels. When Violetkit sneaks out of the camp with Needlepaw, she recalls how Birchkit and Lionkit talk about owls that steal kits in the night.
:Some time later, Birchpaw is made an apprentice. Birchpaw and Lionpaw are present when Needlepaw, Juniperpaw, Yarrowpaw, Strikepaw, Sleekpaw, and Beepaw challenge Rowanstar about the warrior code and Clan ways. They hang back nervously as Needlepaw mocks her leader. Birchpaw and Lionpaw continue to ignore their foster-littermate. Violetpaw notices that they hardly acknowledge her presence and only enter the apprentices' den to sleep. Later, he and Lionpaw tug between a thrush. Tawnypelt growls at them to share the bird. Birchpaw glares at her before yanking the bird away from Lionpaw. Before he can get too far, Lionpaw pummels him, and the two littermates fight.
:Twigpaw sees Birchpaw's fur fly as he struggles to free himself from his littermate's grasp. Birchpaw gains the upper hand and rakes his claws along her flank, causing her to wail in pain. Twigpaw asks why no one is stopping them. Scorchfur replies they started it and to let them finish. Mistcloud adds if they hurt each other, it is their own fault. Finally having enough, Twigpaw separates the two apprentices. Birchpaw and Lionpaw attack her instead until Tawnypelt breaks them up. Twigpaw is shocked why this is normal behavior for ShadowClan cats, and Flowerkit, along with Whorlkit, ask why she stopped them. Tawnypelt orders the two apprentices to fetch more moss for Puddleshine, but they decide to share the thrush before doing so.
:When his mother, Pinenose, is delirious from yellowcough, she asks for him and Puddleshine. She is worried about his health, and Twigpaw replies he is out training. She continues to ask for her kits as Puddleshine arrives to comfort her, and Twigpaw realizes how much the stern queen loved her kits. When Violetpaw comes back, Twigpaw notes her sister is not like Birchpaw and Lionpaw, because she wants to help others. That night, Twigpaw sleeps in the apprentices' den with Violetpaw, Birchpaw, and Lionpaw. She asks Violetpaw if their mother loved them as much as Pinenose loves Puddleshine, Birchpaw, and Lionpaw.
:Two days later, Birchpaw and Lionpaw are woken up by the sound of Bramblestar's patrol coming to rescue Twigpaw. Birchpaw is at first delirious from being woken up, but quickly realizes what is happening. He snarls at Twigpaw, and hisses that she is not leaving. He leaps and holds her down. Violetpaw drags him off and Birchpaw turns on her, snarling. Outside the den, he lines up with Scorchfur, Mistcloud, Sparrowtail, Rippletail, and Lionpaw to fight the invading ThunderClan cats. He along with the other ShadowClan cats are not satisfied by their deputy's action to let Twigpaw leave.
:When Pinenose begins to recover, Lionpaw mentions how she and Birchpaw could have helped their brother fetch the lungwort needed. As the Clan continues to recover, Tigerheart orders him on a hunting patrol with Scorchfur, Grassheart, Flowerpaw, and Sparrowtail. Birchpaw, along with the majority of the Clan, chooses to remain in ShadowClan under Darktail's leadership.
====Shattered Sky====
:Violetpaw mentions that Birchbark, Lioneye, and Mistcloud have left the Kin, although no cat knows where Birchbark and the others have gone, due to them not turning up afterwards. Upon learning of Needletail being drowned by Darktail, Alderheart wonders if the same thing happened to Birchbark and the other missing ShadowClan cats.
====Darkest Night====
:At a Gathering, as ShadowClan recounts those missing or dead, Puddleshine calls out that Birchbark and Lioneye planned to leave the rogue camp. He adds that has not seen them ever since. Birchbark appears to the Clan cats as a spirit, along with the rest of ShadowClan's missing or dead cats. Tawnypelt brushes muzzles with him, and then Lioneye, another missing warrior. The tortoiseshell warrior says that it is nice to see the two again, and Birchbark replies he never could have left, not until things are put right. After Rowanclaw gives up his leadership and name, Birchbark and the other spirits fade away.
====River of Fire====
:Birchbark is indirectly mentioned when Needletail tells Alderheart that after she and the other ghost cats gave the Clans their message, they all went to StarClan.
==Character pixels==
==Kin==
===Members===
Mother:
:Pinenose: 
Father:
:Spikefur: 
Sister:
:Lioneye: 
Brothers:
:Slatefur: 
:Puddleshine: 
Half-sibling:
:Weaselkit: 
Foster sister:
:Violetshine: 
Nephews:
:Firbark: 
:Whisperbreeze: 
Nieces:
:Streamripple: 
:Bloompetal: 
===Trees===
====Genetic====
====Foster====
==Appearances==
==Trivia==
===Author statements===
*Kate likes the idea that Birchbark may have been Cloverfoot's apprentice.
==External links==
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==Notes and references==
de:Birkenrindefi:Koivutuohifr:Écorce de Bouleaunl:Berkenbastpl:Brzozowa Koraru:Березняк
Category:Toms
Category:Rogues
Category:Darktail's cats
Category:Groupless cats
Category:Ghost cats
Category:StarClan cats
Category:Deceased characters