Brightfang – YAY, an update. Sry I haven't updated in about a month (more maybe) and I know this isn't the Bramblepaw chapter I promised, but its Swiftpaw, and I'm pretty happy with it.

A/N2 – My friend and I are having a debate, does anyone who owns the books check and see if Bramblepaw found out about his father in the fifth book or the sixth. I don't own the books and she's too lazy to check. If someone would add that to their review I would appreciate it! Thanks! And now on with Swiftpaw:

It's my fault you died… those five words echoed through Swiftpaw's mind as he watched the new leader of ThunderClan walk towards home. He sat in StarClan and thought about what Firestar had said.

"But it's not your fault," he murmured, unable to take his eyes of the fame pelted tom, "It's not…"

He sensed another warrior come up behind him and turned around. "Hi, Brindleface," he mewed, looking at his former Clan-mate, "Some ceremony, huh?"

The she-cat nodded and looked into Swiftpaw's wisdom filled eyes, "What's troubling you?"

The tom gave a small shrug, "It's what Firestar said, about it being his fault I died. How in the AncientClans' name can he feel guilty? I ran off with Lostface because Bluestar didn't make me a warrior like Cloudtail. His name isn't even in that list."

Brindleface gave a mrrow of amusement at the StarClan apprentice, and gave his starry ears a lick. Swiftpaw smiled, ever since Brindleface joined StarClan she had been like a second mother to him. Just as kind and gentle as Frostfur was (a/n: Frostfur was Swiftpaw's mother, right?)

"Just think, Swiftpaw," she mewed, giving his ears another lick, "Cloudtail was his apprentice, he was deputy and tried to make you a warrior too, he must think if he tried harder then you would be a warrior and not up here." She hit her paws on the air she was standing on to show what she meant. He looked down at his hovering paws as well, and continued to follow the figures of Firestar and Cinderpelt.

"He has apprentice problems," Swiftpaw mewed finally, earning another purr of amusement from Brindleface. "I mean it," he continued, amusement running through his voice, "First Cinderpelt, then Cloudtail, then me…" he stopped; it wasn't as funny as it seemed at first.

"Perhaps his guilt will make him strong," answered Brindleface, "Or perhaps he will learn from his mistakes. Either way, he'll serve his Clan well…he will serve all five Clans well."

The younger cat nodded, "He will, but I wish I could tell him it's not his fault."

"He needs to learn by himself, Swiftpaw; StarClan can't help him with everything. Then he wouldn't be free, it's a lesson he needs to learn."

After a long pause Swiftpaw looked at Brindleface, "I know…I think I knew that all along, but even cats in StarClan can wish, right?"

Brindleface nodded, "Don't worry, he'll come to understand. Right now he has bigger problems then a dead apprentice, he has two prophecies to figure out." Another silence came. "Swiftpaw, what did you give to him? During the ceremony I mean."

Swiftpaw gulped, "I-I gave him the last thing I remember on earth. The fear I felt, the pain, and the peace of being with StarClan."

Brindleface nodded, "That was very wise of you."

"What did you give him?"

"I gave him the strength he'll need to protect his Clan. As I said, the way a mother protects her kits. I gave him the pure feeling of the need to protect and the want to save them at all costs, even when you know it's impossible. I showed him how it's harder then he expects, but there are rewards to it."

Swiftpaw thought that over for a moment, "I think that will help him." He mewed thoughtfully, and then his concentrated look turned to a nervous smile. "At least he figured out Cinderpelt's dream, right? That's one less thing for him to worry about?" Brindleface could only smile at the hope in the tom's eyes.

"I'm sure you're happy about that."

"Yes, and Lostface too," he paused for a moment, "I'll always watch them from StarClan, but I wish I was in the forest to protect them."

"Your destiny lies here, theirs is in the forest. Just as Bluestar now sits with us and Firestar takes his rightful place in the Clan."

"I hope my friends are happy with him, I hope ThunderClan is happy."

"They will be…"

"I know," take care of my kin, Firestar, watch my Clan. Don't feel guilty, it's the dogs' fault I died, and you killed them. Good luck, fire, you'll need it.