Erin Hunter Quotes

The silence was deafening, pressing more heavily on Hollyleaf's ears than the stones that pinned her to the cold floor. ~ Erin Hunter

I have traveled so far and loved so much, and yet I am still following the Sun Trail, heading for my new hunting grounds.
-Gray Wing ~ Erin Hunter

Lives begun in deception are always lived in shadow. (Stated by Yellowfang, page 3) ~ Erin Hunter

CHAPTER 6 Dovewing ~ Erin Hunter

If Gray Wing thinks he's going to take us by surprise, then he can think again! We'll be ready. He halted and stared between the trees. Beyond, the moor rose like a spine arching against the setting sun. You want battle? He pictured Gray Wing training his cats to fight. I'll give you war. ~ Erin Hunter

ShadowClan is turning into a bunch of fox-hearts." Bluefur ~ Erin Hunter

But loyalty isn't rooted in friendship. It's much stronger than that. It comes from being born and raised under the same sky, from walking the same path as our ancestors, and from sharing the warrior code. With this life I commit you to upholding the warrior code, whatever challenges you might face. This is the wisdom of our ancestors, all our traditions distilled. Trust the code to lead you along the right path. ~ Erin Hunter

You couldn't catch a mouse if leaped in between your paws! ~ Erin Hunter

You will know when the time comes, Cloudstar replied. Could you be any more vague? Firestar thought irritably. ~ Erin Hunter

Tigerclaw flicked his tail. How who were? ~ Erin Hunter

With this life I give you pride, so that you may know your own worth and the worth of your Clan. ~ Erin Hunter

We all have our flaws. But we overcome them. And sometimes, it's our flaws that make us who we are. ~ Erin Hunter

I am sorry I am the only cat left of what was once a noble Clan. I will try to preserve the way of the warrior until my last breath. But I fear that when I die it will die with me, and the memory of SkyClan will be lost forever. ~ Erin Hunter

You cannot live with a paw in both worlds ~ Erin Hunter

Why can't I go out?" "You've just come in." "But it's a sunny day." "You need a nap." "I'm not tired." "You will be later." "I'll sleep then." "But you'll be grumpy all afternoon if you don't nap now." "No, I won't." "Yes, you will. ~ Erin Hunter

The Tribe of Endless Hunting has not shown that to me," Stoneteller replied. "I do not know when the silver cat will come, or from where, but we will know it when he arrives. ~ Erin Hunter

He knew he had been unfair, but they had asked a question he wasn't ready to answer, a question so frightening that he couldn't begin to think what it might mean. What if Bluestar never recovered? ~ Erin Hunter

Tigerclaw checked that Oakpaw and Rowanpaw weren't actually killing each other, then led the medicine cat away from the training area into a circle of hawthorns. ~ Erin Hunter

Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join here beneath the Highledge for a Clan meeting! ~ Erin Hunter

Bluefur sighed. Now that he'd moved into the warriors' den, there would be no getting away from the conceited young tom. If Snowfur had to find a mate, why couldn't she pick a cat that Bluefur actually liked? ~ Erin Hunter

Join you? After everything you've done? I'd rather die! ~ Erin Hunter

Deputy? What was the point of being deputy? "I want to be the leader!" Crookedpaw ~ Erin Hunter

It's your choice to make, Kallik. I made my choice when I left my homeland. My home is with you now. Wherever we go. ~ Erin Hunter

Come on,"he meowed to Greystripe."Let's go home. ~ Erin Hunter

I'm more lopsided than a one legged badger!" Graypaw stopped his careful stalking to wander comically across the clearing "I will have to settle for hunting stupid mice I shall just wander up to them, and sit on them until they surrender! ~ Erin Hunter

Toklo raked his companions with a hard glance. "Don't risk your own safety."
"I bet you'll risk yours," Lusa said, aware once again of how deeply she trusted this bear.
"That's what I'm here for," Toklo retorted. ~ Erin Hunter

Bumblestripe, Lionblaze, Cinderheart, and Purdy bore Mousefur among them, the old she-cat silenced forever, her jaws hanging slightly open as if she had something more to say. Firestar was carried by Sandstorm, Graystripe, Squirrelflight, and Millie. Dovewing heard the gray tabby she-cat murmur, We were born as kittypets, but look at us now, my precious friend. ~ Erin Hunter

Do the kits have names?" Bluefur asked. "The she-kits are Mistkit and Nightkit, and the tom is Tigerkit." "Tigerkit?" Leopardfoot had chosen a fierce name. "He's the weakest of the three," Featherwhisker mewed bleakly. "I suppose she hopes he's a fighter from the start." His eyes darkened. "He'll need to be. ~ Erin Hunter

ShadowClan will soar above you all!" "Leopard and Tiger will feast on your bones!" "Rivers of blood, washing away everything the Clans have known . . . ~ Erin Hunter

But Jaypaw seemed to be guided by invisible paws, as though he walked in a secret world she could never be part of. They ~ Erin Hunter

Well, yes, Dustpaw, launching an attack and knocking me back across the border is one option. But is it wise to take on a cat twice your size? ~ Erin Hunter

I ... I tried to tell Tigerstar that Scourge was dangerous, but neither of us imagined what he could do. Tigerstar offered Scourge a share of the forest if he would bring his cats to help him fight. He thought that once he'd made all the other Clans join TigerClan he could get rid of BloodClan. ~ Erin Hunter

I will be with you every step of the way home. ~ Erin Hunter

Where's Feathertail? Graystripe's gaze flicked past Stormfur as if he expected to see the pale-gray she-cat waiting at the foot of the rocks. Squirrelpaw stared at her paws. Poor, poor Stormfur. He brought the worst news of all, to RiverClan as well as ThunderClan. ~ Erin Hunter

Dovewing felt bone-weary from her ears to the tip of her tail. Just because she had better hearing, sharper senses than any cat didn't seem to give her more strength. She needed to rest, eat, talk with Jayfeather and Lionblaze about the challenge that sol had left them with, of hostile Clans that would be crushed by the dark forest if they tried to fight alone. Starclan, light my path, please.
"Come on," she meowed to Hollyleaf. "It's time we went home. Our Clnmates are waitning for us"
P. 315 ~ Erin Hunter

Mouse-brained fool ~ Erin Hunter

We need no help from ThunderClan," growled Crookedstar. "RiverClan cats can look after themselves." "Don't be such a fool." It was Graypool who spoke, with a glare at her leader. Fireheart felt a new surge of respect for her; he guessed that not many cats would dare to take that tone with Crookedstar. "You're too proud for your own good," the elder rasped. "How can we feed ourselves, even with the thaw? There are no fish to eat. The river's practically poisoned; you know it is. ~ Erin Hunter

Great, lets round up all the useless cats and hope a tree falls on them - Jayfeather ~ Erin Hunter

Ivypool backed away. She twisted and ducked under him as he leaped, but his claws sank into her tail and pinned her to the ground. Thistleclaw and Snowtuft attacked from opposite sides, snarling, slicing her ears. She struggled away from them, crashing into hard muscle. Hawkfrost was behind her now. He stabbed his claws into her shoulders. With a gasp, Ivypool saw his teeth flashing beside her throat. Then a black pelt flashed over the top of the gorse. Paws landed with a thump beside her.
"Get off her!" Hollyleaf yowled.
Ivypool's world spun as the black warrior slammed into Hawkfrost and sent him reeling into the gorse. Free from Hawkfrost's claws, Ivypool turned on Thistleclaw and Snowtuft. She began slashing with her front paws, remembering in a crystalline moment every moon of training. Hollyleaf reared up beside her, matching her blow for blow, as though she instinctively knew where Ivypool would strike next. Blood sprayed the forest floor as Ivypool sliced Snowtuft's muzzle and tore Thistleclaw's nose. Turning she kicked with hind legs and knocked Thistleclaw backward, then sank her teeth into Snowtuft's neck.
The white warrior screeched and ripped free from her jaws. Ivypool tasted his blood as he hared away through the bracken. She met Thistleclaw's gaze. Fear sparked in his eyes as she spat out a bloody clump of Snowtuft's fur.
"Run," she hissed. "Because if you stay, I will kill you".
Mouth open, Thistleclaw fled, disappearing through the ~ Erin Hunter

He might have wished us good luck," Graystripe complained. "He probably thinks we don't need it," joked Fireheart as they crossed the clearing toward Yellowfang's den. ~ Erin Hunter

Welcome to our camp!" Blackstar called, beckoning them with his tail. "Rest here and take your pick of the fresh-kill pile."
"Who are you and what have you done with Blackstar?" Lionblaze muttered. ~ Erin Hunter

Maybe it's best that he stayed behind, she thought. It's not like he can look for Sol himself. ~ Erin Hunter

She woke shivering beneath a light coat of frost, missing the warmth of her kits. ~ Erin Hunter

Fireheart tensed, waiting for whatever had hunted down these apprentices to emerge from the trees and attack, but nothing stirred. Feeling as if his legs hardly belonged to him, he sprang down and stumbled across to Swiftpaw.
The apprentice lay on his side, his legs splayed out. His black-and-white fur was torn, and his body was covered with dreadful wounds, ripped by teeth far bigger than any cat's. His jaws still snarled and his eyes glared. He was dead, and Fireheart could see that he had died fighting. ~ Erin Hunter

Sandstorm's sweet scent all around him. ~ Erin Hunter

The tabby rogue bounded alongside the river until he reached the fallen tree that Sky had used to cross a few days before. Leading Firestar over to the far bank, Scratch started to climb another trail that led up the cliff face on the opposite side. Firestar panted after him, wishing he had the rogue's powerful haunches. Scratch was a true SkyClan cat! ~ Erin Hunter

Jagged Peak was buried alive. ~ Erin Hunter

Spottedleaf isn't with StarClan anymore." Grief thickened her mew. "But she gave Firestar a life for love." A sob shook Sandstorm's shoulders. Bluestar went on. "I gave him a life for nobility, though he was born with more nobility than any warrior I ever knew." Her blue eyes glazed with sorrow. "I knew that Firestar would save the Clan many moons ago. As fire, and then as the fourth cat in the oldest prophecy, he succeeded. He leaves ThunderClan in the paws of a new leader." She looked at Brambleclaw. "If you have half the courage and loyalty of Firestar, you will be a fine leader for ThunderClan." As she spoke the StarClan cats drew closer around Firestar's body. Touching pelts, they gazed down. A shadow stirred over the orange shape. ~ Erin Hunter

I hold Sandstorm in higher esteem than I do almost any other Clan cat. She has traveled far from the days when she and Dustpaw tormented Rusty the kittypet. I hope Firestar appreciates her journey as much as she deserves. ~ Erin Hunter

For a moment Appledusk looked as if he was going to disagree, then he nodded. You're right. Come on, we'll take one kit each. Mapleshade, follow us. ~ Erin Hunter

Sandpaw, put that fire ant down. No, I don't care that Firepaw might not know what it is. ~ Erin Hunter

I will honor my ancestors in StarClan," Bramblestar vowed, "but not those who have ever walked in the Dark Forest. Guide my steps wisely, warriors of the past." He lowered his head. "And warriors of now". ~ Erin Hunter

You walk in my dreams, Leafpool ~ Erin Hunter

The she-cat carried on walking without looking back. "Mapleshade," she mewed. ~ Erin Hunter

A pang shot through her as she realized how absolutely she trusted the tabby warrior to guard them while they retreated. ~ Erin Hunter

In the Twoleg nests around them, lights began to appear in the dark holes in the walls. Lionblaze heard a Twoleg shouting angrily, but the dogs went on barking and pounding at the fence. His belly lurched when he saw that the small brown-and-white dog had stuck its head through the gap and the wood around it was starting to splinter. The dark tabby she-cat darted forward and slashed her claws at the dog's nose. Yelping, it pulled back. ~ Erin Hunter

Somewhere in there Clear Sky could be dying - and there's nothing I can do about it. ~ Erin Hunter

Goosekit whimpered and buried his nose under his thick gray tail. The ~ Erin Hunter

I'll protect my Clan, whatever it takes. ~ Erin Hunter

Embrace what you find in the shadows, for only they can clear the sky. ~ Erin Hunter, Kate Carry

Tallkit backed away as their dark brown pelts scuffed the snow. It must be fun to have a littermate to play fight with. If only Finchkit hadn't died. ~ Erin Hunter

Oh yes. Blood is everything. But the only blood I'm interested in flows from my enemies. Look around you! These cats are bathed in blood. It soaks their fur and laps at their paws. This is the way we survive! We are BloodClan! ~ Erin Hunter

Yes, anything could happen at any time. ~ Erin Hunter

Warriors should suffer their pain silently. ~ Erin Hunter

We have waited long. Learn who to trust. It is heart that knows truth. Don't close eyes and wait for path to choose you. Choose path and follow it. ~ Erin Hunter

Their father blamed me! And RiverClan cast me out, too. Can you imagine what that feels like? To be rejected twice? To be a loner when all you tried to do was to love? ~ Erin Hunter

And once RiverClan gets to know them, those cats will feel the same! ~ Erin Hunter

The cats at the edge of the clearing were staring up at the sky, their eyes huge with fear. As he looked upward, Fireheart heard the beating of wings and saw a hawk circling above the trees, its harsh cry drifting on the air. At the same time he realized that one cat had not taken shelter; Snowkit was tumbling and playing in the middle of the open space.
"Snowkit!" Speckletail yowled desperately. ~ Erin Hunter

I decided at that moment that we would find a way to be together. The future was terrifying, but we would face it together ... our pelts brushing,our tails twined. Our hearts in love,forever. -CrowfeatherXLeafpool. Secrets of the Clans pg.122 ~ Erin Hunter

I had to," Slate purred. "I couldn't let anything happen to the father of my kits. ~ Erin Hunter

his flanks were tucked up with hunger. ~ Erin Hunter

Oh, Barley. You know me so well. Better than any cat ever has. But there is a secret that I have kept from you without meaning to: I have always been a warrior. I have a loyalty to these cats, and I must fight alongside them, whatever happens. ~ Erin Hunter

As he looked across to the opposite bank a cold claw sank into his heart. Sandstorm was gone. ~ Erin Hunter

Destiny isn't a path that any cat follows blindly. It is always a matter of choice, and sometimes the heart speaks loudest. ~ Erin Hunter

once a kittypet always a kittypet."

-longtail ~ Erin Hunter

Lionpaw glared over his shoulder at the three cats, wishing he could ignore the stupid truce and rip a piece of fur from each of them. ~ Erin Hunter

Is the warrior's greatest weapon, ~ Erin Hunter

I do not ask for your answer now." Brokenstar ignored the warrior's challenge. "You must each go away and consider my words. But bear this in mind: Would you prefer to share your prey, or be driven out and left homeless and starving? ~ Erin Hunter

Fire alone can save our clan ~ Erin Hunter

She sat still and silent, gazing unblinkingly at Mothermouth. ~ Erin Hunter

Bloodclan, Attack!"
Not a cat moved
Tigerstar's amber eyes widened and he screeched "Attack, I order you!"
Still none of the warriors moved, eccept for the small black cat who took a pace forward. He glanced twored Firestar. "I am Scourge, leader of Bloodclan," he meowed, his voice cold and quiet. "Tigerstar, my warriors are not yours to command. They will attack when I tell them, and not before."
The look Tigerstar gave him was incredulous and glittered with all the hatred he had ever shown to Firestar, as is he couldn't beleive that this scrap of a cat was defying him. Firestar seized his oppertunity. He paced forward untill he stood right infront of the two leaders. Behind him, he heard graystripe hiss, "Firestar,be
careful!"
But this was no time for being careful. The very future of the forest was at stake, balanced on the breadth of a hair between Tigerstar's bloodthirsty quest for power and the whims of the unknown bloodclan.
Now Firestar could see that the collar Scourge wore around his neck was studded with teath--The teath of dogs, and...CATS' teath too. Great Starclan! Did they kill their own kind and wear there teath as trophies? ~ Erin Hunter

Having much makes us greedy. ~ Erin Hunter

Just spoken to Lionheart. Ravenpaw won't be training with us till his wound is better. He'll probably stay at Spottedleaf's den for another day or two. Dustpaw and Sandpaw are on hunting duty. So Lionheart thought you and I could train with him and Tigerclaw this morning. We'd better hurry, though," he added. "They'll be waiting! ~ Erin Hunter

You speak from your heart, young Firepaw. This will make you a stronger warrior one day." said Lionheart
Tigerclaw growled. "Or it might make him give in to kittypet weakness right at the moment of attack ~ Erin Hunter

Having fun?" Instantly Squirrelpaw's head whipped around and her green eyes flashed fury at him. "That's right, have a good laugh, you stupid furball! ~ Erin Hunter

Perhaps that's the best way to recover, to return to the way things were before as quickly as we can. We won the Great Battle, so nothing needs to change. ~ Erin Hunter

Tigerclaw swung his head around and fixed her with a yellow glare. "Defend myself to you, you gutless excuse for a warrior? What sort of a leader are you? Keeping the peace with other Clans. Helping them! You barely punished Fireheart and Graystripe for feeding RiverClan, and you sent them to fetch WindClan home! I would have never shown such kittypet softness. I would have brought back the days of TigerClan. I would have made ThunderClan great!" "And how many cats would have died for it?" Bluestar murmured, almost to herself. ~ Erin Hunter

We'll be slaughtered if we show ourselves now. We won't leave your kits, Graystripe, I promise we won't, but we've got to wait for the right moment to rescue them. ~ Erin Hunter

The Twolegs had stolen Cloudpaw! ~ Erin Hunter

I will always be here. We will walk the skies together forever. ~ Erin Hunter

My head is so full of memories!" Cinderheart wailed. "I feel as though there are two lives inside me, not one. How can it be my choice to make? Doesn't Cinderpelt have a choice? I can't make her a warrior! She was a medicine cat!"
Lionblaze pressed his muzzle closer. "She chose you", he murmured. "She gave you the choice".
Cinderheart began to tremble. Lionblaze could sense her mind whirling. "You can only live one life, Cinderheart. It's your choice! This is your destiny, not Cinderpelt's. She lived her own life".
Cinderheart gasped. Then her pelt smoothed. She lifted her chin. "Then I choose the life of a warrior". Her blue eyes shone. "And I choose you".
A breeze stirred the ferns. Lionblaze glimpsed a pale gray shape appear like a shadow beside Cinderheart. Stepping back in surprise, he saw it peel away from her and drift up like a cobweb carried by the wind. A soft voice whispered, Thank you.
Lionblaze's fur stood on end. "Did you see that?
Cinderheart was watching the shadow disappear into the trees. "It was Cinderpelt", she breathed. "I've set her free".
Lionblaze purred loudly. "Will you fight alongside me?"
Cinderheart pressed her muzzle fiercely against his. "Always". ~ Erin Hunter

Tabby ignored his thanks. "Just passin' through, eh?" he mewed. "I'll bet you've a story to tell. Why not stay awhile an' share it wi' me?" He stood up and braced himself, ready to jump down into the clearing. ~ Erin Hunter

I know there's something troubling you. I'm not going to ask what it is, if you don't want to tell me. But remember that I'm your mother. Nothing you say could ever shock me or make me love you less. ~ Erin Hunter

The time for lies and secrets is over," she meowed. "The truth must come out. Starclan was wrong not to tell you who you were a long time ago."
Then what-?" Jayfeather began, but already Yellowfang's shape was beginning to fade, melting into the moonlight until she was gone. The moonlight abrubtly vanished, leaving Jayfeather in darkness as he woke from his dream.
Mouse dung! Why can't any cat speak straight out?" he hissed ~ Erin Hunter

Trust ShadowClan cats to get competitive about deaths they have watched. ~ Erin Hunter

SkyClan's destiny is that we will never live in isolation from other cats. We're not like forest Clans, we can't shut ourselves off entirely from kittypets or rogues. And visitors will be welcome. ~ Erin Hunter

I did nothing wrong, and yet I have lost everything! ~ Erin Hunter

Clear Sky's shoulders drooped. "I just want us to be together, like we used to be. Fluttering Bird wants it too." Thunder felt a surge of sympathy. Was his father still grieving for the young sister he'd lost? "What if you're wrong?" "I'm not. ~ Erin Hunter

Power is neither good or evil, it just depends on how you choose to use it.-Rock, cats of the clans ~ Erin Hunter

Before I tell you about your father," Fireheart began, "I want you to remember that ThunderClan is proud of you. You'll both make fine warriors. What I'm going to say now won't make any difference to that. ~ Erin Hunter