| "Though Brackenfur had not been a warrior for many moons, he had the serious air of a much older cat. He was ready for an apprentice, and Fireheart was sure he would make a fine mentor - patient and responsible." |
| — Fireheart's thoughts on Brackenfur in A Dangerous Path, page 90 |
Brackenfur is a long-legged,[14] golden-brown tabby tom[15] with a graying muzzle,[16] a scar on his flank,[17] and amber eyes.[18]
History
In the Super Edition Arc
Firestar's Quest
- Brackenfur is first seen sitting beside Willowpelt and Mousefur as Cinderpelt approaches them for Bramblepaw's warrior ceremony.
- Brackenfur supports Longtail with the help of Cloudtail after the tabby warrior's eyes had been scratched by a rabbit that had turned on him with filthy claws. The two warriors bring Longtail to the medicine den, and Brackenfur reports what happened to Cinderpelt and Firestar. The cats then question Cloudtail and Brackenfur when they hear what happened to Longtail. Brackenfur repeats what he said to Firestar. Firestar then sends both warriors and Rainpaw back out to finish the hunting patrol. Brackenfur is later seen going hunting with Willowpelt and Graystripe.
- Firestar remembers when Cloudtail was a kit, and he and Brackenfur saved Cloudtail, when the Clan is complaining about having a badger in their territory.
- After Willowpelt is killed by a badger, Brackenfur and Dustpelt race over to Firestar and listen in horror to what happened. As well as the rest of the Clan, Brackenfur mourns her death greatly.
Bramblestar's Storm
- Coming Soon
In the The Prophecies Begin Arc
Into the Wild
- He and his sister Cinderpelt, and the other kits, are taken by Clawface, a ShadowClan warrior, to the ShadowClan camp. They are later rescued by a patrol of ThunderClan and ShadowClan cats who forcefully remove ShadowClan's leader, Brokenstar, from leadership.
Fire and Ice
- He is apprenticed to Graystripe, and receives his apprentice name, Brackenpaw. Graystripe takes Brackenpaw on his first tour of ThunderClan territory and compared to his very energetic and jumpy sister, Cinderpaw, he is a very serious apprentice and is ready to learn all he can from his mentor.
- While hunting with Fireheart, Graystripe, and his sister, Graystripe falls through the frozen ice, almost drowning. Brackenpaw is frozen with terror, like Fireheart and Cinderpaw, but when Silverstream, a RiverClan she-cat, rescues Graystripe, he is very relieved to see that his mentor is okay.
- Afterwards, Brackenpaw's training is left neglected, as Graystripe leaves the camp frequently to meet Silverstream in secret. Because of this, Fireheart is forced to take over most of his training.
- Cinderpaw breaks one of her hind legs when she is hit by a monster, preventing her from continuing her warrior training. During a patrol on the ShadowClan border, Brackenpaw finds bones covered with a scent that was mistaken for ShadowClan's, but were actually Brokenstar's. Near the end of the book, Brackenpaw prevented Tigerclaw's patrol from mistakenly attacking ShadowClan in revenge, and brought the patrol back to ThunderClan.
- He is part of the patrol sent to help WindClan, but Fireheart asks him to escort Cloudkit and his foster siblings back to the camp safely. He is disappointed not to be in the battle, but does as he is asked.
Forest of Secrets
- Brackenpaw starts training with Fireheart more than he is training with his mentor, Graystripe, as he is always arranging to meet with Silverstream. This also lets Fireheart have an apprentice.
- While he, Fireheart, and Sandstorm are hunting, they hear Cloudkit's cry for help. When they find Cloudkit, he is cornered by a badger. Brackenpaw helps Fireheart fight off the badger when it turns on him, and is praised.
- Later, while Fireheart and Brackenpaw are hunting, he scares Fireheart's prey away as he runs towards him. He claims seeing and hearing the mad ShadowClan and WindClan cats from the previous Gathering. The Clans had come together to invade the camp and kill Brokentail.
- Fireheart sends him back to camp to warn Tigerclaw and Bluestar. During the battle, Brackenpaw is one of the cats protecting Brokentail. When Tallstar passes Fireheart, who is struggling with another warrior, Brackenpaw leaps on him to keep him away from Brokentail.
- After the battle, Graystripe and Fireheart talk to Bluestar, agreeing that Brackenpaw deserves his warrior name. Brackenpaw then becomes a warrior, with the name of Brackenfur.
- When Silverstream is kitting, Cinderpaw sends Brackenfur to find Yellowfang. He later appears with her at Sunningrocks.
- Brackenfur is one of the warriors to help Bluestar and Graystripe escort Tigerclaw from Bluestar's den after Tigerclaw leads the rogue cats into the ThunderClan camp to attack.
Rising Storm
- As Fireheart struggles to keep up with his new deputy position, he assigns Brackenfur to go on a patrol with Runningwind and Dustpelt. Dustpelt, however, objects that Brackenfur is still limping from the fight and won't be able to keep up with them on the patrol. Fireheart then switches Brackenfur to a hunting patrol with Mousefur and Sandstorm. Later on, he assigns Brackenfur and Dustpelt to guard the camp while he takes Cloudpaw out for training. The same day, Bluestar lists the cats that would be coming to the Gathering, and Brackenfur is assigned to come.
- When two sickly ShadowClan cats are found sleeping in ThunderClan territory, Dustpelt, Brackenfur, Mousefur, Runningwind, Swiftpaw, and Ashpaw search the rest of the territory for any other signs of ShadowClan. However, they don't find anything.
- A few days later, Brackenfur and Sandstorm escort the elders and queens to the river for water. The group ends up returning to camp after being chased by Twoleg kits, but getting away safely.
- After Runningwind is killed by Tigerclaw and a band of rogues, Fireheart tells Brackenfur and Mousefur to bury him at dawn. He is seen after the incident, playing with Willowpelt's kits and flicking his tail for them to chase.
- During the fire, Brackenfur is the first to lead the cats away from it and onto the rocks, into the raging storm. The rest of the Clan understand and follow him.
- The night of the next Gathering, Fireheart assigns Brackenfur to stay behind and guard the camp, along with Frostfur, Brindleface, Longtail, and Dustpelt, in case Tigerclaw shows up.
A Dangerous Path
- Brackenfur is in the warriors den, pacing worriedly. He said he had been expecting Tigerclaw all night, and is shocked when he finds out Tigerstar has taken over ShadowClan. He protests that Tigerstar is a traitor.
- Brackenfur tells Fireheart that he thinks something is wrong with Speckletail's kit, Snowkit. He reveals that he had been trying to get to know Snowkit better, in the hopes of mentoring him. Fireheart has Cinderpelt take a look at Snowkit. Cinderpelt soon finds that Snowkit is deaf, so Brackenfur cannot mentor him. Speckletail insists that he will become a warrior and that she will mentor him if she has to. Brackenfur shows Fireheart that Speckletail is attempting to mentor Snowkit, believing that he deserves a chance to become a warrior. Brackenfur asks Fireheart for permission to be excused from some of his warrior duties, so he might be able to help. Not long afterwards, a hawk flies above camp, and not being able to hear, Snowkit did not hide in the nursery like the kits were told to, and is snatched by the hawk. Brackenfur and Swiftpaw chase after it on their deputy's orders, but fail to rescue him, even though they knew there was no hope from the start. Fireheart decides to give him Tawnykit to mentor instead.
- Brackenfur is one of the first warriors to agree to and support Fireheart's arranged meeting with WindClan to solve the dispute over Bluestar's accusations of stolen prey, though Fireheart respectfully asks him to stay behind with Frostfur and Mousefur to guard the camp.
The Darkest Hour
- Brackenfur follows Goldenflower, Speckletail and Frostfur into the gorse tunnel. He asks Fireheart if it is true that Bluestar is dead, and he replies yes.
- Darkstripe starts going against Fireheart's right for leadership in ThunderClan, and starts reminding him that he is not forest born. Brackenfur and the rest of ThunderClan support Fireheart, and he protests against Darkstripe. Brackenfur stays to share tongues with Bluestar for the last time. When Firestar becomes suspicious of Darkstripe, Brackenfur was asked to watch him. He promises he will do his best.
- Darkstripe lies to Brackenfur so he can get away, saying that he has to make dirt, and slips away to meet the ShadowClan deputy, Blackfoot. When Brackenfur goes to check on Darkstripe, he discovers he had fled, and that Sorrelkit is with him. He poisoned Sorrelkit because she knew too much, and Brackenfur feels guilty.
- When Brackenfur's apprentice, Tawnypaw, leaves ThunderClan to go to live with ShadowClan, Brackenfur is frantic and stricken with guilt once again, repeatedly apologizing to Firestar, saying it was his fault. Firestar then tells him it was nowhere near his fault. Through the rest of the book Brackenfur is shown still thinking about Tawnypaw.
In the New Prophecy Arc
Midnight
- Brackenfur is now a senior warrior under Firestar and has a new apprentice, Whitepaw.
- He is first seen organizing hunting patrols one morning. He assigns Brambleclaw to go with Squirrelpaw, but the two end up getting into an argument. A few days later, Dustpelt, after finding Squirrelpaw, tells her that Brackenfur is training with his apprentice, and Mousefur is also with Spiderpaw.
- On the orders of Firestar, Brackenfur tells Brambleclaw one morning that he should come to the training hollow and watch the apprentices. Brackenfur puts Whitepaw through a series of fighting moves. He and Mousefur then pit their apprentices against each other.
- When Brambleclaw and Squirrelpaw disappear, Brackenfur returns from an unsuccessful search patrol with Firestar and Rainwhisker. When Firestar announces that they found no sign of the two cats, Brackenfur says that they must have left the territory days ago, and that there wasn't much point in sending out more patrols to search for them.
Moonrise
- After it is discovered that monsters are coming off the Thunderpaths and destroying trees, Firestar dispatches a patrol consisting of him, Brackenfur, and three other cats to come with him to ShadowClan to see if they were having the same trouble with Twolegs as well. When they reach the area that the Twolegs had begun destroying, Brackenfur is horrified upon seeing the destruction. After entering ShadowClan territory, he instinctively crouches down to fight an enemy, even though there was none.
- As they go in deeper, he finds a thin piece of wood that reeks of Twolegs. Before the cats can investigate further, they are attacked by a ShadowClan patrol. He is seen fighting a gray tom. However, when Firestar calls for the fighting to stop, he obediently stops his fight.
- Brackenfur learns that Dappletail had died from a tainted rabbit, and that Cloudtail and Brightheart had gone missing. After the Clan had sat vigil for Dappletail, Brackenfur is seen with Whitepaw. He tries to reason with her that she can't give up her training to look for her parents. Firestar is forced to step in and agree with Brackenfur. However, he lets them go on a hunting patrol so that Whitepaw can keep a lookout for her parents.
Dawn
- When Brambleclaw and Squirrelpaw come home, Brackenfur and Sorreltail are the first to greet them. Both are amazed to see the two cats still alive. When he notices Stormfur with them, Brackenfur glares suspiciously at him, asking if he was on his way home. Sorreltail convinces Brackenfur to allow Stormfur to speak to Graystripe and they all head to Sunningrocks, the new home of ThunderClan.
- He later helpfully points out the fresh-kill pile, guarded by Ashfur, to Brambleclaw, Squirrelpaw, and Leafpaw, who had returned from hunting. After Graystripe was captured by Twolegs, the discussion of the new deputy arises, and many of the cats turned to Brambleclaw, while Mousefur and Rainwhisker thought Brackenfur should be deputy. No decision is made, as Firestar appears, angrily telling them that Graystripe was still alive and still the deputy.
- At the beginning of the Great Journey, he is seen carrying one of Tallpoppy's kits. He sets the kit down next to her before rejoining ThunderClan. As they enter the mountains, Brackenfur promises Leafpaw that they will find some cobweb and comfrey for Morningflower's paw pad. Further in, Marshkit, one of Tallpoppy's kits, is snatched up by an eagle. Brackenfur is one of the first cats to leap up at it, like he did for Snowkit in the forest. He latches onto the eagle's talons just in time and loosens the hold on the kit so that he falls from the eagle. Later, Leafpaw assigns Sorreltail to watch Brackenfur for a moment, and when Leafpaw checks the golden warrior, Sorreltail promises to keep an eye on him.
Starlight
- After reaching the lake that would hold the Clans' new home, Brackenfur is seen with Sorreltail, receiving orders from Firestar. As all four Clans gather to leave for their new home, Brackenfur is seen leading Longtail over to ThunderClan. He is then assigned to help guard the Clan as they traveled to their new home, with Dustpelt helping him. After finding the stone hollow that would serve as their new camp, Whitepaw is seen asking Brackenfur excitedly if they can go exploring. When Mousefur becomes impatient with Brambleclaw, Brackenfur tends to Mousefur, reassuring her that Brambleclaw was doing his best.
- The next day, Firestar assigns Brambleclaw and Brackenfur to be in charge of finding the new boundaries and marking them. He is then seen on patrol when Brambleclaw reports a fox scent. Brackenfur decides to tell Firestar, but keep going with the patrol. The patrol ends up finding an abandoned Twoleg nest, and mistakenly cross the ShadowClan border. A fight ensues until Firestar finds them and orders them to stop. He sends Brackenfur and the rest of the patrol along, but keeps Brambleclaw with him. He later takes Whitepaw out with Spiderpaw, Dustpelt, and Brambleclaw.
- A few days after the Gathering, Brackenfur approaches Sorreltail, who was on guard duty, asking if she wanted to go hunting with him later. She happily agrees and Brackenfur gives her ear a lick before leaving her, promising to meet her at sunhigh. That night, Sorreltail and Leafpaw are about to leave camp in search of a new Moonstone when Brackenfur stops them. He is uncertain on letting them leave, until exchanging a long glance with Sorreltail. The next day, the two warriors are sharing tongues with each other.
- When Mistyfoot comes to ThunderClan, Firestar summons his senior warriors to hear what she had to say. Upon hearing that Mudclaw, the former deputy of WindClan, was creating a rebellion against Onewhisker, Brackenfur announces that Mudclaw's rebellion would have to attack that night, before Onewhisker received his name and nine lives. He then suggests asking Onewhisker if everything was okay, but the idea is put down by Dustpelt. He later helped fight off Mudclaw and the rebellion, saving Onewhisker's leadership.
Twilight
- When Firestar calls a Clan meeting, he is seen sitting with Sorreltail when Brambleclaw goes over to sit next to them. During the meeting, Firestar assigns Thornclaw, Brackenfur, Dustpelt and Cloudtail to return two dead ShadowClan warriors to their Clan so they may be buried by ShadowClan.
- A few days later, he is seen patrolling the WindClan border with his apprentice, Whitepaw. They move on, when Brackenfur suddenly returns to get Sorreltail, who is talking with Leafpool, telling her that she is expecting Brackenfur's kits. Even though she hadn't told him, Brackenfur guesses that Sorreltail is pregnant with his kits and leads her over to a sunny patch to rest in. He is next seen going to the Gathering alongside Goldenflower.
- He then goes hunting with Squirrelflight, Cloudtail, and Spiderleg when they find a queen and three kits on their territory. The queen tells them that her name is Daisy and she left her Twolegs so they wouldn't take her kits away. Brackenfur is doubtful about bringing four kittypets back to the Clan with them, but Cloudtail is confident that Firestar will understand. Brackenfur then carries one of the kits back to camp.
- When ShadowClan is having problems with two ferocious kittypets, Brambleclaw brings a patrol with Squirrelflight, Brackenfur, Thornclaw, Cloudtail and Rainwhisker to the border, where Tawnypelt is waiting for them. After Tawnypelt limps past the kittypets' yard to attack her, Brackenfur and the rest of the patrol attack the kittypets, making them promise not to keep tormenting their warriors.
- As badgers raid the ThunderClan camp with the intent of killing all of them, Brackenfur fights by the nursery to protect his mate and unborn kits. Squirrelflight sends him to find Cinderpelt after they learn that Sorreltail's kits are coming. He finds his sister and volunteers to guard the nursery while Sorreltail kits. However, a badger managed to get by him and into the nursery, giving Cinderpelt a fatal blow before being driven out. Brackenfur continues fighting off the badgers and is seen with Firestar. After the fighting is done, Leafpool appears and tells Brackenfur that he has four healthy kits. He thanks her and goes back to the nursery.
Sunset
- With the badger attack over, Brackenfur goes to see his mate, Sorreltail, and their four kits. He is tense and defensive when Brambleclaw, Squirrelflight, and Rainwhisker come in to retrieve Cinderpelt's body, but he calms slightly when he realizes that the cats pose no threat to his mate and kits. He comforts Sorreltail when she learns that her brother, Sootfur, is dead and brings her fresh-kill. He proceeds to tend to his mate and then begins working on repairing the nursery, despite the fact that his own sister, Cinderpelt, had just died. Sorreltail then names the four kits Molekit, Poppykit, Honeykit, and Cinderkit.
- He spends much of his time after this in the nursery with his family. At a Clan meeting, he fusses over Sorreltail, who appears to be weak. He urges the distressed she-cat back into the nursery.
- He is next seen taking Whitepaw out for training, while Birchpaw watches them in disappointment. When Firestar summons the Clan to tell them of Daisy's leaving, Brackenfur appears from the nursery. After Mousefur calls a Clan meeting, Brackenfur tells Squirrelflight and her patrol what was happening. The issue of not having a deputy is brought up and Firestar is finally forced to accept that Graystripe is never coming back. Firestar considers making Brackenfur deputy until Leafpool receives a sign from StarClan, saying that Brambleclaw should be deputy. Brambleclaw is made deputy and instead of being jealous, though Brackenfur doesn't know Firestar had considered him, Brackenfur supports Brambleclaw's new rank.
In the Power of Three Arc
The Sight
- Sometime between Sunset and The Sight, Brackenfur's only son, Molepaw, dies of illness.
- The tom is first mentioned to be under Leafpool's care, suffering a case of white-cough along with Birchfall. He is moved out of the medicine den, however, when Jaykit needs room after falling into the gorge. He and Sorreltail worry over him, much to Hollypaw's annoyance.
- He appears to recover well, and is seen sharing tongues with Sorreltail and Firestar.
- Once, Lionkit eavesdrops on Brackenfur, Stormfur, Dustpelt, and Spiderleg after Brackenfur returns from a nighttime hunting patrol. The four discuss the recent move of the ShadowClan border to encompass an empty field, allowed by Firestar. Stormfur and Spiderleg disagree over the wisdom behind Firestar's decision, and the argument escalates to the point that Spiderleg angrily declares that Stormfur is not a ThunderClan cat. Brackenfur breaks up the argument, noting that their disagreement doesn't matter and that the way Firestar handed over the stretch of land made it clear that he was doing ShadowClan a favor, and did not show weakness. He also points out that Onestar has been neutral towards ThunderClan since the badger attack, and that Leopardstar isn't a cat to worry about due to the distance between her Clan and theirs.
- He is later seen helping to organize hunting patrols with Firestar and Spiderleg.
- When Graystripe returns to ThunderClan, Brackenfur is among the first in the camp to greet his old mentor. He helps to construct a place to sleep for Graystripe and Millie away from the other cats until the warrior's den can be expanded, and he becomes amused when his daughter, Cinderpaw, rushes to help him and reminds him of Cinderpelt.
- Later, Brackenfur is noted to be present at the Clan meeting in which Firestar announces that Brambleclaw shall remain as deputy of ThunderClan despite Graystripe's return. Brackenfur is initially upset by the news, showing his loyalty to his former mentor.
- Much later, Brackenfur is guarding the entrance to camp when Jaypaw passes him on his way to Moonpool. He is sympathetic towards the young apprentice when Jaypaw mentions that he can't sleep, remarking that battles can cause that reaction. Brackenfur is unsurprised when Jaypaw mentions that he's going into the forest, though he offers to go with him. When Jaypaw turns down his offer, he promises to listen for him just in case, and Jaypaw is relieved to have at least one Clanmate not fussing over him because of his blindness.
- When Hollypaw decides to quit her position as Leafpool's apprentice, Firestar calls on Brackenfur to mentor her. Hollypaw notes happily that Brackenfur is a great fighter, and that he is clever and thoughtful, trusting that he'll make a good mentor.
- Brackenfur doesn't press Hollypaw about what made her change her mind about her training, and promises her that she'll have to work hard to catch up to the rest of the apprentices. He immediately takes her out on a hunting patrol, rushing her out into the forest until they reach a small clearing where the other mentors and apprentices are waiting, telling the others about Hollypaw's decision. The group goes to a beech tree to hunt, and Brackenfur shows the young she-cat how to stalk mice.
- When dogs attack WindClan, Brackenfur is among those chosen to stay and protect ThunderClan camp while others go out to assist the other Clan.
- Later, his daughter Poppypaw falls ill. Brightheart send Sorreltail out hunting with him to calm her when Poppypaw is on the brink of death. With Jaypaw's help, though, the young she-cat recovers fully.
- He goes with ThunderClan to the next Gathering. He becomes amused as Hollypaw and Lionpaw play-fight on the way to the island, refusing to let his apprentice hide behind him. He is supportive of Hollypaw, as this Gathering is her first as a warrior apprentice.
- The next day, Brackenfur attends the Daylight Gathering and watches Hollypaw's fight with Heatherpaw. He cheers on his apprentice as she beats down the WindClan she-cat.
Dark River
- While the cats cross the tree log to get the Gathering, Brackenfur lunges forward and catches Berrypaw before he slips into the water. A half moon later, he takes his apprentice, Hollypaw, out for hunting while it rains heavily. When she asks if she would have to fight her new kin in ShadowClan one day, he replies yes and tells her to get back to hunting. Once the rain stops, he takes Hollypaw out again with Cloudtail and Cinderpaw. He and Cloudtail are confused when Cinderpaw recognizes a fox scent and is able to identify it, even though she had never seen one before.
- A while later, he gets Hollypaw to train with her brother, Lionpaw, and his mentor, Ashfur. The mentors quiz the apprentices on the strengths and weaknesses of the other Clans before demonstrating how to fight a RiverClan warrior. Then the apprentices try it against each other. Brackenfur is shocked when Lionpaw acts ruthlessly against his sister, crushing her until he is forced to stop.
- A few days later, Brackenfur, Spiderleg, and Cloudtail take Hollypaw, Mousepaw, and Cinderpaw out for an assessment. When Mousepaw begins climbing the Sky Oak, Brackenfur calls him back down, but is stopped by Spiderleg. He is then reluctant to let his daughter, Cinderpaw, climb up after him after Mousepaw gets stuck. He is beside himself when Cinderpaw herself falls from the Sky Oak, and worries that she is going to die. After Leafpool and Jaypaw bind her broken leg, he helps in carrying her home.
- He attends the next Gathering, where Hollypaw ducks between him and Squirrelflight for warmth. A few days later, he changes his plans with Hollypaw from hunting to fighting as a battle with WindClan was becoming inevitable. She is shocked by the news and slips away to visit Willowpaw in RiverClan, to see if they are really in trouble or not. When she doesn't show up for training, Brackenfur figures that she must have been helping with the defenses in camp. When his apprentice returns from her visit to RiverClan, he is waiting beside Firestar, looking very grim.
Outcast
- After the apprentice ceremony of Icepaw and Foxpaw, Brackenfur finds Hollypaw and brings her on a patrol to the ShadowClan border. There, they witness Firestar break up a fight between Birchfall, Berrynose, and some ShadowClan warriors. He apologizes to Russetfur just as Blackstar appears, openly questioning if the Clans were really meant to settle by the lake after all.
- During a hunting session, he gets impatient with Hollypaw when she forgets how to stalk a mouse. Brook kindly reminds Hollypaw to slide her paws over the grass. Later on, Thornclaw, Cloudtail, Ashfur, and Brackenfur all take their apprentices out for training in the hollow. When Ashfur and Lionpaw start a mock battle that turns vicious, Brackenfur steps forward, breaking the fight up. He then reassures the other apprentices that they won't be trained like that, as some of the other apprentices had been worried that that was how they'd be trained.
Eclipse
- Two of his kits, Poppypaw and Honeypaw, have their warrior ceremony, taking the names Poppyfrost and Honeyfern. His other daughter, Cinderpaw, can't become a warrior because her leg is injured. With the help of Jaypaw, Cinderpaw recovers and receives her warrior name, Cinderheart, along with Hollyleaf, and Lionblaze by the end of the book.
- Brackenfur, Brambleclaw, Hollypaw and Sandstorm go to find out why WindClan is stealing food from ThunderClan territory. They meet Harespring, Owlwhisker, and Ashfoot, the WindClan deputy. Harespring attacks Brambleclaw, and with one swipe Brambleclaw pins him to the ground. Ashfoot begs Brambleclaw to let him go back to their own territory, saying Onestar had nothing to say to them. Brambleclaw then leads the ThunderClan cats back. On the way back, Brackenfur comments on how WindClan cats looked thin.
- During the battle against WindClan, Hollypaw is confronted by Weaselfur and Emberfoot. Brackenfur grapples with Tornear and nearly knocks her over while they roll past, allowing Weaselfur to attack Hollypaw. Soon after, he praises Hollypaw for her attack and they team up to drive Weaselfur away. Brackenfur commands her to help Cloudtail while he helps Mousewhisker, who is being attacked by Emberfoot.
Long Shadows
- Brackenfur is first seen returning from the dawn patrol with Lionblaze and Sorreltail, though they didn't find anything. He is next seen becoming the mentor to Tigerpaw, after Tawnypelt brings her three kits to ThunderClan to escape Sol. He is later seen by Lionblaze returning from a patrol with Ashfur and Honeyfern.
- As more cats begin to get sick, Firestar proposes the idea that all sick cats move to the abandoned Twoleg nest. Brackenfur is the first to speak up, and voices that the idea might work, and the other cats begin to agree. Brambleclaw then assigns Brackenfur in charge of mending the walls so no wind got into the nest. He is then seen working alongside his daughter, Cinderheart.
- Brackenfur appears next returning from a border, reporting having seen a fox near the WindClan border. Brambleclaw sends him and Graystripe back out to the border to recheck it. He is seen again repairing the nursery after fire rages through the ThunderClan camp.
- After Ashfur is murdered and found near the WindClan border, Brackenfur and the rest of the Clan listen to Firestar make the report. He interprets what Firestar says and openly asks if he was saying one of them, ThunderClan, killed Ashfur, leaving the Clan in silence.
Sunrise
- After an unsuccessful meeting with WindClan, Firestar decides to send a patrol to the sun-drown-place to see if they can find Sol. He assigns Brambleclaw to lead and for Brackenfur, Hazeltail, Birchfall, Lionblaze, and Hollyleaf to go with him. As the journey begins, Brackenfur shows his experience with crossing Thunderpaths, from when ThunderClan lived in the old forest. He leads the cats several times past cows and through unfamiliar forests. He also explains to Hazeltail what a city was when she thinks they are stars that have fallen down to earth.
- Brambleclaw proceeds to lead the cats down the cliff on a rocky path. Birchfall slips, falling into Hazeltail, and Brackenfur stops them from falling any further. When Birchfall is swept away by a wave, both Brackenfur and Brambleclaw jump into the water and swim after him; they manage to save him. Having been unable to find either Sol or Midnight in the cave, the cats then travel into the Twolegplace.
- The Clan cats discover a group of rogues living together and learn that Sol once led them, convincing the cats that they have to fight a group of ferocious dogs. After Jingo completes the story, she requests that she learn theirs, and after Brambleclaw and Brackenfur exchange a glance, Brambleclaw tells them about Sol coming to the forest. After they leave the rogues and continue searching for Sol, more dogs find the group of cats and Brackenfur saves Birchfall when he couldn't jump all the way across a gap in a wall.
- With the help of Jingo, the Clan cats find Sol living with Purdy, and bring them both back. On their return, when Sol is called forward to be interrogated, Brackenfur prevents Purdy from following him, reassuring him that no one would hurt Sol. Later, Brackenfur is seen training Icepaw, whose training he had taken over from Whitewing, who had joined the nursery. Moments later, his daughter, Honeyfern, is bitten by a snake after rescuing Briarkit from it. Brackenfur and Sorreltail race over to her from the warriors' den, and watch helplessly as she dies. Brackenfur leads Berrynose away from her body so that she could be carried to the center of camp. The way that Brackenfur had treated Berrynose at that moment was like the way a father would treat his son.
In the Omen of the Stars Arc
The Fourth Apprentice
- Brackenfur is first seen returning to camp after an unusually successful hunting patrol with Dustpelt, Bumblestripe, and Leafpool. Later Jayfeather snaps at him to help the elders, and Brackenfur changes course to their den.
- After Rainstorm, a warrior of RiverClan, is brought to ThunderClan after nearly dying from getting stuck in mud, Thornclaw suggests keeping him prisoner and bargaining with RiverClan. Brackenfur tries to defend RiverClan but is quickly put down by Mousefur. Once Rainstorm recovers, Brambleclaw chooses him and three other cats to escort the warrior home.
- A while later, using her extra keen senses, Dovepaw tracks Brackenfur and Sorreltail out hunting, and hears Brackenfur congratulate Sorreltail on her catch.
- His daughter, Poppyfrost, gives birth to Berrynose's kits, Cherrypaw and Molekit, making them Brackenfur's grandkits.
Fading Echoes
- Brackenfur is among the ThunderClan cats that go to the Gathering in the beginning of the book.
- When Lionblaze is checking over cats that may be training in the Dark Forest, he notes the unlikeness of Brackenfur being involved and reasons that there would be no weakness for Tigerstar to exploit.
- Later, he is seen helping find logs to help prop the fallen tree up so Lionblaze could get to the trapped cats. He also helps gather new bedding.
- He continues hauling away branches to the outside of the camp, clearing more space. He participates later in a border patrol with Cinderheart, Bumblestripe, Whitewing and Ivypaw along the ShadowClan border.
- Brackenfur is not included in the meeting of the senior warriors, which is presumed to be a mistake, as Brackenfur has been a warrior for a longer time than many of the warriors who were included in the meeting.
- In the battle between ShadowClan and ThunderClan, he tells some of the other cats that Brambleclaw wants them to try an out-flanking maneuver by drawing ShadowClan into the trees, as ThunderClan is not adept at fighting in the open. He climbs up a tree with the other ThunderClan cats and flings himself on a ShadowClan cat.
Night Whispers
- The golden warrior is first noted by Jayfeather to be snoring in the warrior's den after the battle with ShadowClan. Jayfeather later treats his shoulder wound from the battle.
- Later, he leads a hunting patrol, bringing Hazeltail, Toadstep, and Dovepaw. Brackenfur lets Hazeltail lead because her pelt blends in better against the snow. When the patrol splits up so they don't disturb the prey, Brackenfur hunts by the shore. He mentions that there's no prey there when he joins the next hunting patrol.
- On another hunting patrol, he walks closely with Sorreltail, making Lionblaze hope to have that kind of relationship with Cinderheart in the future.
- Brackenfur is part of the first patrol the day Lionblaze and Dovepaw go to fight the fox that attacked the camp the day before. He is also part of the patrol to ShadowClan to ask for Ivypaw back. He points out that ThunderClan doesn't know for sure if ShadowClan is really holding Ivypaw hostage. Brackenfur doubts Ivypaw's loyalty, much to Dovepaw's dismay.
- He is among the cats on the patrol that fetches Ivypaw from ShadowClan.
Sign of the Moon
- After Icecloud is rescued from the hole that Hollyleaf disappeared into, Firestar tells him and Dustpelt to build a safe barrier around it so that no one else will fall in. He and Dustpelt are known to be good builders.
- Later, when Millie is scolding Blossomfall, he reminds her that the important thing is that they are home, safe and sound. Millie then gets mad and snarls at him.
- Brackenfur is part of the night patrol, a friendly contest between cats in ThunderClan. They go to the abandoned Twoleg nest. Their plan is to be the first patrol to capture the abandoned Twoleg nest, and to not be captured. Sorreltail says she knew what he would do, and she was correct. Lionblaze and Ivypool catch Brackenfur, while the others, Birchfall, Thornclaw, and Bumblestripe, see they are defeated. He then asks them what they could've done different to win. After he tells Sorreltail that she did a good job with the game.
The Forgotten Warrior
- He is first seen when Sorreltail's patrol returns to report Birchfall's verbal feud on the WindClan border. He affectionately tells Sorreltail that he hopes that she isn't getting into any fights.
- He announces after Molepaw and Cherrypaw's apprentice ceremony that Sorreltail is expecting a second litter of kits, due in just under a moon.
- When Molepaw and Cherrypaw are attacked by a fox during a training session, Brackenfur is among the cats that rush out to defend them. He, like the rest of the Clan, doesn't believe the two young apprentices when they say that a mysterious cat rescued them and vanished.
- While ThunderClan is traveling to the island for a gathering, Brackenfur tells off Dovewing and Ivypool for arguing, saying that ThunderClan has to be united in the face of the hostile Clans and that arguing will upset StarClan. He sits quietly with Dovewing in the clearing. However, he shows amusement at Molepaw and Cherrypaw's excitement for their first gathering.
- Later, when Sol arrives back into ThunderClan camp, Brackenfur races into Firestar's den to alert his leader of the new guest.
- Sorreltail begins her kitting while out by the lake, and Brackenfur follows the scent trail Dovewing and Jayfeather leave for him to find his mate while they tend to her. He worries over Sorreltail and tries to urge her to eat the medicine Jayfeather gives her. However, her pain prevents her from being able to swallow well. He is overjoyed when his two daughters finally arrive, despite their small size. Brackenfur helps his mate back to camp and into the nursery. Half a moon later, the kits are named Lilykit and Seedkit.
- At a Clan Meeting, he chastises Foxleap and Dovewing for talking when Firestar needed to make an announcement. Brambleclaw chooses Brackenfur and Dustpelt to block off all tunnel entrances to stop WindClan from invading ThunderClan, but Hollyleaf present the idea of keeping WindClan isolated into a few tunnels in order to control the attack and enable the ThunderClan warriors to fight off the invaders. Brackenfur and Dustpelt block off only the tunnels Hollyleaf points out.
- When Hollyleaf begins to train ThunderClan in underground fighting, Brackenfur is in the first group of cats to learn the techniques. He appears to be nervous of cave-ins at first, but is calmed by Hollyleaf. After Thornclaw panics in the dark, cramped spaces, Brackenfur is asked by the black she-cat to lead the cats towards the main cavern. He helps her teach the others by prompting her to tell them how they should move in the confined space and by helping her demonstrate what to do when cornered. He notes that the techniques they are learning could be helpful when fighting at night as well as underground.
- When it is revealed that his daughter, Cinderheart, is the reincarnation of his sister, Cinderpelt, he questions Jayfeather about why StarClan would do this to her and what it means for her future. The medicine cat cannot answer their questions, and Cinderheart remarks that she doesn't know who she is anymore. Brackenfur and Sorreltail tell her that they love her for who she is, and that she is Cinderheart to them. Firestar then asks Brackenfur and Dustpelt to help with expanding the medicine cat's den along with the warrior's den.
- He is later seen on a hunting patrol, noting that Hollyleaf had to be dragged away from checking the elder's pelts for ticks in order to go on a border patrol. While on the ShadowClan border, he solemnly remarks that he is surprised that ShadowClan fought so hard previously to defend such a useless piece of territory.
- Then at the battle with WindClan he is one of three along with Brambleclaw and Hollyleaf to lead a patrol underground as he is the second best at underground fighting after Hollyleaf.
The Last Hope
- When Ivypool sends Foxleap to gather a patrol to check the WindClan border to stop the Dark Forest cats, Brackenfur comes along with Graystripe. When the patrol reaches the border, Brackenfur falsely accuses the WindClan patrol of trespassing on ThunderClan's territory. He crouches down, ready to attack when he meets Harespring's gaze. Foxleap and his patrol leave when Birchfall, Mousewhisker, and Ivypool come out from their hiding spot, claiming that they are waiting to see if the WindClan cats would cross.
- Later, Brackenfur and Poppyfrost bring Mothwing to the camp to speak with Jayfeather.
- Lionblaze mentions that he, Firestar, Sandstorm, and Brackenfur were on the moonhigh patrol.
- Brackenfur is seen dragging brambles to the nursery before the Dark Forest's next attack wave on ThunderClan.
In the Ravenpaw's Path Arc
The Heart of a Warrior
- Brackenfur is part of the patrol that helps Ravenpaw and Barley get their barn back from the rogues that control it.
- When they reach the farm, Brackenfur joins a hunting patrol with Cloudtail, Brambleclaw and Brightheart. The next morning, he fights the rogues along with the rest of the patrol. The rogues outnumber the Clan cats, however, and the group is forced to retreat.
- Brackenfur is seen fighting along with the other ThunderClan cats when they attack the rogues for a second time. He leaves with the rest of the patrol once the rogues had left the barn for good.
In the Field Guide Arc
Secrets of the Clans
- In "Brackenfur Speaks: A New Warrior", he recounts his last day as an apprentice when Fireheart takes him out to hunt, noting that at the time he had no clue where Graystripe was and that his mentor seemed to be constantly busy those days.
- While out hunting he scents WindClan and ShadowClan and instantly knows that the cats are coming for Brokentail, remembering that the Clans aren't happy with ThunderClan for harboring such an evil cat. Fireheart sends him racing back to the camp to warn Bluestar and Tigerclaw, and Brackenpaw places himself in front of Brokentail's den to protect the prisoner, thinking it odd to be protecting such a cat but doing so anyway out of loyalty to his Clan and his leader's wishes.
- After driving off the invaders, he is made a warrior under the name Brackenfur and feels pride for his actions. He thinks on this throughout his vigil despite his weariness after the battle. He observes StarClan and feels comfort that his former Clanmates are watching over him.
- He then recalls the day he received Whitepaw as an apprentice, and how much he enjoys spending time with her patrolling and hunting, and that he cannot wait for the day she becomes a warrior and experiences the feelings that he did at his ceremony.
Battles of the Clans
- Brackenfur is briefly seen with Dustpelt during the battle with a pack of foxes that had invaded Fourtrees while Firestar and Sandstorm were away. He and the older cat step forward threateningly along with cats from the other three Clans in order to intimidate the trapped foxes.
- He is later seen in "Whitewing Speaks: My First Battle" returning to ThunderClan camp at sunset after a training session with his apprentice, Whitepaw, the young white she-cat noting that Brackenfur must have been exhausted from teaching her the leap-and-hold technique. His fur clogs her claws, and she dreads having to clean them out when she gets back to camp.
- Hearing crackling undergrowth, Brackenfur freezes and orders Whitepaw back into the camp. When she questions his order, he snaps at her to go, looking frightened. Whitepaw scents something foul and starts to ask him what it could be, but in that moment a badger pokes its snout out of the bushes near them. Brackenfur snaps at her again to get into the camp, and this time Whitepaw listens.
- Brackenfur follows Whitepaw and helps his Clanmates fight off the invading badgers. During the battle, Brackenfur's fur, still clogging Whitepaw's claws, impedes her in her attempts to claw the ears of the badger she is fighting.
In the Novellas
Leafpool's Wish
- Coming Soon
Tigerclaw's Fury
- Brackenpaw is mentioned as having been the cat who attacked and drove off Mowgli when Tigerclaw asks Stumpytail where he had gone.
- On Tigerclaw's way to retrieve Mowgli from Twolegplace, he remembers how Mowgli had had Fireheart at his mercy, before Brackenpaw had attacked and dragged him away.
Hollyleaf's Story
- Hollyleaf's Story does not formally appear in The Blazing Star , but is listed in the allegiances.
Mistystar's Omen
- Mistystar's Omen does not formally appear in The Blazing Star , but is listed in the allegiances.
Dovewing's Silence
- Coming Soon
Trivia
- Vicky has said that she loves the idea of Lionheart fathering Frostfur's kits.[19]
- However, she later stated that she didn't think Lionheart ever had any kits.[20]
- Kate has also said that she believes their father to be Whitestorm.[21]
- Brackenfur's description is often mixed up. Over the timespan of his appearance in the series, he has been called ginger,[4][22] pale ginger,[23] dark ginger,[24] brown,[25] light brown,[26] and russet colored.[27] In addition to those mistakes, he has also been depicted with a white muzzle and paws.[28]
- He has been mentioned with green eyes.[29]
- He was once mistakenly called a she-cat.[30]
- His name is misspelled as 'Brackerkit' on the Warriors website family tree.[31]
- Brackenfur was apprenticed before he was six moons old.[32]
- Despite earning his warrior name in Forest of Secrets, he is mentioned as an apprentice in Tigerclaw's Fury, which takes place afterwards.[25]
Character Pixels
The pixel artwork is fanart based on the canon description; undefined traits are left to the artist's interpretation.  Kit Version  Alternative Kit Version  Apprentice Version  Alternative Apprentice Version  Alternative Apprentice Version  Warrior Version  Alternative Warrior Version  Alternative Warrior Version  Alternative Warrior Version |
Family
Members
Mate:
- Sorreltail:[33] Deceased, verified StarClan member
Son:
- Molepaw:[33] Status unknown
Daughters:
- Cinderheart:[33] Living (As of Wind)
- Poppyfrost:[33] Living (As of Wind)
- Honeyfern:[33] Deceased, verified StarClan member
- Lilyheart:[34] Living (As of Wind)
- Seedpaw:[34] Deceased, verified StarClan member
Mother:
Sisters:
- Cinderpelt:[4] Deceased, verified StarClan member
- Brightheart:[35] Living (As of Wind)
Brother:
Grandfather:
Grandmother:
Aunt:
- Brindleface:[37] Deceased, verified StarClan member
Uncles:
- Ravenpaw:[38] Deceased, verified StarClan and Unknown Residence member
- Dustpelt:[38] Deceased, verified StarClan member
Aunt and Uncles:
- Unidentified Kits:[37] Status unknown
Cousins:
- Sandstorm:[38] Deceased, verified StarClan member
- Ferncloud:[39] Deceased, verified StarClan member
- Ashfur:[39] Deceased, no residence
- Two Unnamed Kits:[40] Deceased, Suspected StarClan members
- Spiderleg:[41] Deceased, verified StarClan member
- Shrewpaw:[41] Deceased, verified StarClan member
- Larchkit:[42] Status unknown
- Hollykit:[42] Status unknown
- Birchfall:[42] Living (As of Wind)
- Foxleap:[43] Deceased, verified StarClan member
- Icecloud:[43] Deceased, verified StarClan member
- Leafpool:[44] Deceased, verified StarClan member
- Squirrelflight:[44] Status unknown
- Toadstep:[45] Deceased, verified StarClan member
- Rosepetal:[45] Deceased, verified StarClan member
- Lionblaze:[46] Living (As of Wind)
- Jayfeather:[46] Living (As of Wind)
- Hollyleaf:[46] Deceased, verified StarClan member
Nephews:
Nieces:
Grand-Nieces:
Grandson:
- Molewhisker:[49] Living (As of Wind)
Granddaughters:
- Cherryfall:[49] Living (As of Wind)
- Hollypaw:[50] Status unknown
Grandkits:
Tree
= Tom
= She-cat
= Gender unknown
Quotes
- Brackenfur: "You should have been with me."
- Cinderpaw: "No, I'm fine as I am. You'll have to be a warrior for both of us. And I'll have to settle for being the greatest medicine cat this forest has ever seen!"
- Forest of Secrets
- Fireheart: "You were lucky, thank StarClan, and you saved me from a nasty bite. It was a brave thing to do, Brackenpaw."
- Brackenpaw: "It wasn't really brave, I didn't have time to think."
- Forest of Secrets
- Brackenfur: "Are you okay?"
- Sorreltail: "No, I'm fine, Brackenfur. Just a bit tired."
- Twilight
- "Did Brackenfur always give such little warning before he shot off?"
- ―Hollypaw on Brackenfur Dark River
Ceremonies
| Brackenpaw's Apprentice Ceremony | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||||
| Brackenfur's Warrior Ceremony | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||||||
References and Citations
- ↑ Revealed in Fire and Ice, allegiances
- ↑ Revealed in The Darkest Hour, page 210
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Revealed in Fire and Ice, page 97
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Revealed in Fire and Ice, page 95
- ↑ Revealed in Forest of Secrets, page 214
- ↑ Revealed in Dawn, page 139
- ↑ Revealed in Fire and Ice, page 98
- ↑ Revealed in Fire and Ice, page 149
- ↑ Revealed in A Dangerous Path, page 235
- ↑ Revealed in Midnight, allegiances
- ↑ Revealed in The Sight, page 251
- ↑ Revealed in Long Shadows, page 90
- ↑ Revealed in Sunrise, page 208
- ↑ Revealed in Midnight, page 14
- ↑ Revealed in Forest of Secrets, allegiances
- ↑ Revealed in Bramblestar's Storm, page 286
- ↑ Revealed in The Sight, page 54
- ↑ Revealed in Sign of the Moon, page 271
- ↑ Revealed on Vicky's facebook page
- ↑ Revealed on Vicky's facebook page
- ↑ Revealed on Kate's facebook page
- ↑ Revealed in The Darkest Hour, page 146
- ↑ Revealed in Rising Storm, page 165
- ↑ Revealed in The Sight, page 38
- ↑ 25.0 25.1 Revealed in Tigerclaw's Fury, chapter 2
- ↑ Revealed in Forest of Secrets, page 92
- ↑ Revealed in Night Whispers, page 92
- ↑ Revealed in The Heart of a Warrior, page 11
- ↑ Revealed in The Forgotten Warrior, page 75
- ↑ Revealed in Twilight, page 287
- ↑ http://www.warriorcats.com/meet-the-warriors/family-trees
- ↑ Revealed in Fire and Ice, page 93
- ↑ 33.0 33.1 33.2 33.3 33.4 Revealed in Sunset, page 27
- ↑ 34.0 34.1 Revealed in The Forgotten Warrior, page 146
- ↑ 35.0 35.1 Revealed in Forest of Secrets, page 62
- ↑ Revealed on Vicky's Facebook Page
- ↑ 37.0 37.1 37.2 Revealed in Bluestar's Prophecy, page 329
- ↑ 38.0 38.1 38.2 Revealed in an unknown book, page oskits
- ↑ 39.0 39.1 Revealed in Rising Storm, page 41
- ↑ Revealed in Into the Wild, page 226
- ↑ 41.0 41.1 Revealed in Firestar's Quest, page 18
- ↑ 42.0 42.1 42.2 Revealed in Midnight, page 12
- ↑ 43.0 43.1 Revealed in The Sight, allegiances
- ↑ 44.0 44.1 44.2 Revealed in Firestar's Quest, page 509
- ↑ 45.0 45.1 Revealed in Outcast, allegiances
- ↑ 46.0 46.1 46.2 Revealed in Sunrise, page 305
- ↑ 47.0 47.1 47.2 Revealed in The Last Hope, page 216
- ↑ 48.0 48.1 Revealed in Sunrise, page 317
- ↑ 49.0 49.1 Revealed in The Fourth Apprentice, page 299
- ↑ 50.0 50.1 50.2 Revealed in Bramblestar's Storm, page 478