Bumblestripe

***Spoiler warning:** Plot and/or ending details follow.*

## Book appearances

### Living

*Eclipse*, *Long Shadows*, *Sunrise*, *Omen of the Stars*, *A Vision of Shadows*, *Lost Stars*, *The Silent Thaw*, *Veil of Shadows*, *Darkness Within*, *Super Editions*, *Novellas*, *Battles of the Clans*

**Bumblestripe**  is a bulky, big, very pale gray tom. He has black stripes that resemble a bumblebee, thick fur, and a torn ear.

**Bumblestripe** is a ThunderClan warrior that has served under Firestar's, Bramblestar's, the impostor's, and Squirrelflight's leaderships in the lake territories. He was born as **Bumblekit** to Graystripe and Millie with two sisters: Blossomkit and Briarkit. As apprentices, **Bumblepaw** became friends with Dovepaw and developed feelings for her. After he became a warrior, **Bumblestripe** was increasingly close with Dovewing, who chose to become his mate instead of breaking the code to be with Tigerheart, a ShadowClan cat.

However, with the loss of Dovewing's powers, she struggled to fit in as a normal cat, despite Bumblestripe's attempts to console her, and she broke up with him due to her unresolved feelings for Tigerheart. When Dovewing joined ShadowClan to be with Tigerstar, Bumblestripe's feelings for her hardened over time and he branded her as a traitor to ThunderClan. He became a follower of Bramblestar's impostor, and asked to become deputy of ThunderClan after Squirrelflight's exile. Bumblestripe was exiled after he stood up to the impostor, but returned after Squirrelflight became the acting leader.

## History

*Looking for a longer overview? Find one here!*

### *Power of Three*

**Bumblekit**: "*I'm scared. What if Sol comes into the camp and gets us?*"

**Millie**: "*Sol is far away, little one.*"

**Daisy**: "*And there are big, strong warriors here to guard us. Do you think that your father would let any cat lay a claw on you?*"

**Bumblekit**: "*No! Graystripe is the best!*"

—Bumblekit worried about Sol *Sunrise*, page 36

Bumblekit is born to Graystripe and Millie alongside his sisters Blossomkit and Briarkit. His father notes his stripes look like a bumblebee's and thus earns the name Bumblekit. He wails for his mother the entirety of the great battle. Daisy cares for him and Blossomkit when Millie and Briarkit fall ill to greencough. He is terrified Sol would capture and kill him, but Daisy assures Graystripe wouldn't let Sol lay a claw on his kits. While playing with his sisters, Honeyfern saves Briarkit from being bitten by a snake. Firestar asks Leafpool and Jayfeather to bring deathberries into the camp to kill the snake, and the medicine cats teach the queens, kits, and apprentices the dangers of the berries. Leafpool later rebukes Bumblekit for thinking the berries look delicious.
### *Omen of the Stars*

> I like to look up at our ancestors. Sometimes I wonder which are mine. I think your ancestors would shine really brightly, Dovewing.
>
> Bumblestripe to Dovewing under the jasmine, The Forgotten Warrior

Bumblepaw is now an apprentice mentored by Mousewhisker. When Jayfeather teaches the apprentices a few basic herbs, Bumblepaw eagerly engages in the lesson. He lines Dovepaw's nest with feathers after her long journey. During his assessment, Bumblepaw is paired with Briarpaw and he and his littermates successfully pass. He is named Bumblestripe, and his sisters Blossomfall and Briarlight. While battle training with Ivypaw, he grumbles about how StarClan was cruel to Briarlight for allowing the tree to paralyze her. Ivypaw encourages Bumblestripe not to loose faith on his sister. He frequently spends time with Briarlight in the medicine cat's den, and even joins her on a walk outside of camp.
Bumblestripe begins to develop feelings for Dovewing, and Blossomfall amusingly tells Dovewing how much her brother adores her. Despite originally denying Bumblestripe's offer, Dovewing joins him on a night walk and they sit and talk beneath some jasmine. Rosepetal insists angrily that Dovewing should be nicer to Bumblestripe, but when she goes to apologize, Bumblestripe is furious of Dovewing's constant attitude. He grows wary when Dovewing sits next to Tigerheart at a Gathering, but insists she can sit with whoever she wants to. During the battle against the Dark Forest, he and Dovewing team up. When Firestar dies, Bumblestripe leans close to Dovewing to comfort her.
### *A Vision of Shadows*

> I told you then what a great mother you would be. I couldn't wait for us to have kits of our own—and then everything went wrong between us, and I still don't understand why. Dovewing, couldn't we try again? Losing Purdy like this...it's made me realize that life is short. What are we waiting for? You're the only cat I want, and...and a Clan is always given new life when it welcomes new kits. Wouldn't you agree?
>
> Bumblestripe to Dovewing about starting a family, Shattered Sky/Bonus Scene

Bumblestripe is given his second apprentice, Leafpaw, and becomes an uncle to Blossomfall's kits. After Purdy's death, Bumblestripe admits he wants to try again with Dovewing and start a family with her. Dovewing rebukes it is the most inopportune time to even consider having kits because of Darktail's reign, but Bumblestripe disagrees. While on a patrol with Tigerheart, Dovewing realizes she wants to be with Tigerheart instead of Bumblestripe. After Dovewing disappears, Bumblestripe joins a patrol to SkyClan to search for her. However, he suspects Dovewing's disappearance is related to Tigerheart because Bumblestripe shares a knowing glance with Honeyfur when Rowanstar announces Tigerheart's disappearance.
Bumblestripe gains his nephew Shellpaw as his third apprentice. He helps Lionblaze move Briarlight out of the medicine cats' den to avoid the sickness. Unfortunately, Briarlight falls ill and soon passes surrounded by her family. When Dovewing returns briefly to ThunderClan with her kits, Bumblestripe admits he is happy for her, although sincere, there is sadness in his voice. Later, when Dovewing visits ThunderClan briefly, Bumblestripe is hostile towards her.
### *The Broken Code*

> I want to defend the warrior code as much as you do. I'd be honored if you'd consider me for deputy.
>
> Bumblestripe to Bramblestar about becoming deputy, The Silent Thaw

Bumblestripe and Berrynose are Bramblestar's strongest supporters in the fight to punish the codebreakers. He spies on Squirrelflight's atonement and reveals to Bramblestar that she went to SkyClan to convince them to rebel against ThunderClan. When Squirrelflight is exiled, Bumblestripe offers to become deputy. After his father is exiled by the impostor, Bumblestripe joins him, Blossomfall, and many other cats in standing up to the fake Bramblestar, to which they are exiled from ThunderClan. However, he rejoins when Squirrelflight becomes acting leader. He is one of the cats who thinks that Squirrelflight is against killing Bramblestar because of her emotions, and agrees with Lionblaze when the deputy confronts Squirrelflight about it.
### *Super Editions*

*This section summarizes Bumblestripe's significant Super Editions appearances. If you're looking for a full list, find one here!*

In ***Bramblestar's Storm***, Seedpaw is appointed Bumblestripe's first apprentice. He and Dovewing are now mates, and he is eager to begin a family with her. He compliments Dovewing when she praises Seedpaw's hunting skills. Later, Bumblestripe brings Bramblestar deeper in the tunnels to Dovewing who is trying to use her powers again. During the battle against the badgers, Bumblestripe grimly notices Dovewing fighting alongside Tigerheart. Blossomfall and Rosepetal gossip how the two broke up, and Blossomfall promises to mention Rosepetal to her brother.
### *Novellas*

*This section summarizes Bumblestripe's significant Novellas appearances. If you're looking for a full list, find one here!*

In ***Dovewing's Silence***, Bumblestripe participates in his fallen Clanmates' burial and later helps rebuild dens with Dovewing. He admits maybe the Dark Forest trainees should be punished, but Dovewing convinces him otherwise. Dovewing grows more affectionate with Bumblestripe and admires his loyalty to his littermates. She also firmly decides to choose Bumblestripe over Tigerheart.

## Family

Main article: Bumblestripe/Family
Bumblestripe's parents are Millie and Graystripe. His littermates are Blossomfall and Briarlight. He is Dovewing's former mate. For more of Bumblestripe's family, click here!
## Appearances

* *Eclipse* (First appearance)
* *Long Shadows*
* *Sunrise*
* *Hollyleaf's Story* (Allegiance only)
* *The Fourth Apprentice*
* *Mistystar's Omen* (Allegiance only)
* *Fading Echoes*
* *Night Whispers*
* *Sign of the Moon*
* *The Forgotten Warrior*
* *The Last Hope*
* *Dovewing's Silence*
* *Crowfeather's Trial*
* *Bramblestar's Storm*
* *The Apprentice's Quest*
* *Thunder and Shadow*
* *Shattered Sky*
* *Darkest Night*
* *Tigerheart's Shadow* (Allegiance only)
* *River of Fire*
* *Tawnypelt's Clan* (Allegiance only)
* *The Raging Storm*
* *Squirrelflight's Hope*
* *Lost Stars* (Allegiance only)
* *The Silent Thaw*
* *Veil of Shadows*
* *Darkness Within*
* *Graystripe's Vow*
* *Battles of the Clans*
* *The Ultimate Guide*

## Trivia

### Interesting facts

* He has kittypet blood through Millie and SkyClan blood through his grandmother, Willowpelt.
* Bumblestripe looks like Graystripe, despite having more black stripes than his father.

### Author statements

* Kate confirmed that Dovewing chose Bumblestripe over Tigerheart as Bumblestripe was the more sensible option, and loving a cat from another Clan wouldn't work out well. Although the two split in *Bramblestar's Storm* due to Dovewing's unresolved feelings for Tigerheart, Kate thinks that Dovewing "just wasn't that into Bumblestripe," and that she only could think about him as a friend.
* Kate also prefers Dovewing's romance with Tigerstar over with Bumblestripe because the latter "plays the victim too hard".
* Kate thinks Bumblestripe knew about Dovewing and Tigerstar's secret romance prior to Dovewing's announcement of it.
* Vicky confirms that Millie neglected her other children out of her desperate attempt to care for Briarlight, but Kate says that Millie still loves Blossomfall and Bumblestripe, and she wishes Briarlight weren't injured so their mother could spend more time with them.
* He is one of Kate's least favorite characters.

### Mistakes

* He has mistakenly been listed as Bumbleflight.

## Quotes

**Bumblestripe**: "*Briarlight would have loved this. It's just not fair! She was trying to help Longtail. Why did StarClan have to punish her?*"

**Ivypaw**: "*Sometimes bad things happen.*"

**Bumblestripe**: "*Then what's the point of StarClan?*"

**Ivypaw**: "*Briarlight won't let this beat her.*"
**Bumblestripe**: "*No. But it didn't have to happen.*"

—Ivypaw consoling Bumblestripe during a mock battle *Fading Echoes*, page 202

> I was talking to Bumblestripe earlier. He's a nice young warrior- so polite! He likes you a lot, you know.
>
> Whitewing talking about Bumblestripe to Dovewing, The Forgotten Warrior

***See more***

> I'm really proud of you. I'm glad you're my Clanmate.
>
> Bumblestripe to Dovewing, The Forgotten Warrior

> I hope ShadowClan doesn’t think we’re giving them more territory when the floods go down.
>
> Bumblestripe, Bramblestar's Storm

**Bumblestripe**: "*I can't wait for us to have our own kits. I know you'll be a great mother.*"

**Dovewing**: "*There's plenty of time for that. We need to deal with the flood first.*"

—Bumblestripe and Dovewing about kits *Bramblestar's Storm*, page 199

**Dovewing**: "*Thanks for catching me! I'd have looked dumber than a sheep if I'd landed on my muzzle!*"

**Bumblestripe**: "*I'll always be here to catch you.*"

—Bumblestripe and Dovewing on the way to a Gathering *Dovewing's Silence*, page chapter 6

*End of spoiler warning*
## External links

* Stand Together or Fall Divided on the *Warriors* official website (Indirect mention only) (backup link)
* Exclusive! *Veil of Shadows:* Excerpt on the *Warriors* official website (Allegiance only) (backup link)
* Nothing But Stories on the *Warriors* official website (Indirect mention only) (backup link)
* Exclusive! *Graystripe's Vow*: Excerpt on the *Warriors* official website (backup link)
* Exclusive! *Darkness Within*: Excerpt on the *Warriors* official website (Allegiance only) (backup link)

## Notes and references

1. ↑ Revealed in *Long Shadows*, allegiances
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Revealed in *Veil of Shadows*, page 229
3. ↑ Revealed in *Veil of Shadows*, page 231
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Revealed in *Eclipse*, page 158
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Revealed in *The Fourth Apprentice*, allegiances
6. ↑ Revealed in *Fading Echoes*, page 176
7. ↑ Revealed in *Veil of Shadows*, page 286
8. ↑ Revealed in *Bramblestar's Storm*, allegiances
9. ↑ Revealed in *Thunder and Shadow*, page 235
10. ↑ Revealed in *River of Fire*, chapter 15
11. ↑ Revealed in *The Forgotten Warrior*, page 199
12. ↑ Revealed in *Dovewing's Silence*, chapter 8
13. ↑ Revealed in *Sunrise*, allegiances
14. ↑ Revealed in *The Forgotten Warrior*, page 102
15. ↑ Revealed in *Night Whispers*, page 8
16. ↑ Revealed in *Eclipse*, page 159
17. ↑ Revealed in *Firestar's Quest*, pages 496-497
18. ↑ Revealed on Kate's Facebook
19. ↑ Revealed on Vicky's Facebook
20. ↑ Revealed on Vicky's Facebook
21. ↑ Revealed in *Fading Echoes*, allegiances
22. ↑ Revealed in *Mistystar's Omen*, allegiances

**Author references**

1. ↑ New Improved Allegiance List for *The Apprentice's Quest*! on Kate's Blog (backup link) (screenshot)
2. ↑ *Tigerheart's Shadow* Spoiler Page on Kate's Blog (backup link) (screenshot)
3. ↑ *Tigerheart's Shadow* Spoiler Page on Kate's Blog (backup link) (screenshot)
4. ↑ Ask Kate Questions on Kate's Blog (backup link) (screenshot)
5. ↑ *Silent Thaw* Spoiler Page on Kate's Blog (backup link) (screenshot)

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