Duh Duh DUUUUUUUHH! Swiftfoot is the prophecy that WAS Firehearts! Didn't see it coming, did you :D I just read over the fan fic myself, and I just realized how, immature and rushed it is, so I will do better in da future! Have fun with this chapter :]
Why did I do that? Why? Swiftfoot looked at Tigerclaw's body below him; blood pouring from his neck. Gurgling came from the warrior's mouth as he tried to fight the pain. His amber eyes filled with anger and pain. Swiftfoot felt as if his pelt was on fire, but when he looked at his spotted pelt, not a flame had seared his sleek pelt.
He heard a crackling above him, watching as flaming tree branches collapsed beside him. He didn't even notice; he was too shocked about what he had done to Tigerclaw. He had expected to feel a searing pain; instead of feeling burning, he felt strength, his blood hot.
His muscles flexed as heat passed through his body. He felt as if his eyes had filled with the red embers, making him powerful. He winced, feeling the amazing strength surge through his body. He reopened his eyes, looking right into Tigerclaw's dull amber eyes. Darkness engulfed his vision, though he was still awake. Fire alone will save our clan A voice echoed through his head.
Swiftfoot shivered, the voice was soft and chilling. The darkness faded, revealing a pair of cold, piercing blue eyes watching him from behind a thorn bush.
"U-Uh it's not what it looks like!" He pleaded to Bluestar, knowing what it might've looked like in the aftermath of the battle the two warriors had.
"I know. But now's not the time to talk about it. Come, before the flames burn you." She mewed panicked. Swiftfoot quickly followed her out of the bloody clearing. He took one last long look at Tigerclaw's body, before it was eaten up by a starving fire. His eyes filled with grief and regret as he swiftly followed his leader.
As he trotted through the forest, he looked at all the fire's disaster. He gasped, wondering what the camp would look like after the fire had gone out. All the trees had been burned, the undergrowth now just piles of ash. Swiftfoot knew the fire hadn't finished its destruction yet.
He still felt the warmth of the raging flames as he reached the clan at the bottom of the ravine.
"Swiftfoot!" He heard a voice squeak. Bramblekit broke from Goldenflower's grasp and ran over to him.
"Hello Bramblekit. Come with me for a moment." He dipped his head to Goldenflower as he led the kit to a spot where no cat could over hear them.
"Why was Tigerclaw trying to give me to a rogue?" Tigerclaw's name hit him, making Swiftfoot see images of his lifeless eyes and body; he winced. Swiftfoot closed his eyes, trying to think of an answer to give to the kit.
"I don't think he was ready to be father. He was very wrong to do that too you." He responded carefully, making sure not reveal too much. Bramblekit looked at him, his eyes clouded with sadness and despair.
"Was I the problem?" He choked out, his voice full of misery. Swiftfoot's gaze immediately clouded with pity for the poor kit. He smiled weakly.
"No, you weren't the problem; he was. I don't know why he didn't want you, but it's ok now. I'm here to make sure you never get taken away." He licked his between his ears, though the kit's amber eyes, much like his father's, were still filled with shame and guilt. Swiftfoot got to his paws. He opened his mouth to say something, but was abruptly cut off.
"Where is he?" Bramblekit asked, looking up at Swiftfoot with a questionable gaze. Swiftfoot stammered, not knowing what to say.
"H-He… He" I can't tell Bramblekit that I killed his father! He cleared his throat.
"Unfortunately, he ran off with the rogue." He mewed, trying to sound sorrowful. Bramblekit nodded, getting up and padding side by side with Swiftfoot. I'm so sorry Bramblekit, I didn't want to kill him He told him in his head, wishing Bramblekit could've heard his apology.
The two saddened cats padded back to the temporary camp. Bramblekit padded off with Tawnykit and Rainkit. Swiftfoot sighed, out of both exhaustion and grief.
"Let all cats old enough to hunt gather beneath me!" Bluestar's order rang through the cats in the clearing. Everyone padded over to the boulder their leader was standing on; their eyes glinting with eagerness to see what Bluestar had to say.
"A terrible fire has struck our clan, leaving us weak. Hunting will be hard, and little shelter will be difficult to find. But we must work together to survive. The hungry flames still scorch the forest, so we are not safe yet." She looked across her clan, eyeing each one carefully.
"Are any cats missing?" She asked, checking her cats.
"Tigerclaw, Yellowfang and Dappletail are missing." Fireheart announced.
"We need to find them as soon as possible. And, for Tigerclaw," She looked at Swiftfoot. Swiftfoot the gaze of every cat in the clan, burning him worse than any fire could. He swallowed, opening his mouth to speak.
"He ran off with a rogue; before trying to give Bramblekit away to the rogue. I fortunately was there to stop him. But as I led Bramblekit back to the clan, he had disappeared, so had the rogue." Swiftfoot mewed defiantly. As he explained, he heard gasps of disbelief. Swiftfoot didn't believe it himself.
"So, I need to choose a new deputy. I have already chosen who." She paused, looking across her clan.
"Longtail, are you brave enough to take on duties and tasks for your clan, as their deputy?" She looked at the golden warrior. Swiftfoot purred as he saw his former mentor's eyes light up with disbelief and happiness. Swiftfoot felt happy and excited for Longtail.
"Of course; I will happy to serve both you and my clan as their deputy." He looked at Bluestar right in the eye, hiding his excitement. He was proud of his former mentor. Lead our clan well, Longtail. You deserve to be warrior