Hello readers! I hope this breaks your heart as much as it's going to break mine! As cruel as that sounds, I don't want to be alone! Anyway, with the poll for Brindlepaw's warrior name, Brindlepine is in the lead! Second is Brindlefang! And in third Brindlefur! Just to let you guys be in the know! Anyway, vote on my profile for my poll! Review, favorite, and...so ya!

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The next morning was dreary, black clouds hung overhead. Threatening with the chance of a downpour. The ground beneath her was already muddy from the night before and stuck to her paws. It was fitting, she thought. The weather matched her mood. That morning she had went to Spottedleaf's den, who relayed the news about their meeting at Fourtrees at sunhigh. Tigerstar had agreed to come with his medicine cat, Runningnose.

Bluestar, when told simply sneered at the comprise. But Fireheart could see her leader peering from the entrance of her den, her eyes flashing with somewhat of distant sympathy and reminiscence. Fireheart sat squarely in the center of the clearing, her eyes turned towards the sky as she sent quiet pleads to StarClan for things to turn out alright today. She didn't want her kits to be taken, nor did she want a war. This was a tough compromise if she ever saw one. Much better than what happened to Graystripe's kits, they really didn't have a choice.

Fireheart glanced to the side, watching her children pile out of the apprentices den. Their eyes shining as they had no clue as to what was about to happen. Fireheart flicked her tail towards the entrance of the gorse tunnel, signaling for them to stay put. She rose to her paws, and headed for the elders den, where Spottedpaw now resided for the time being.

Swifttail, it seemed had come to join her. Coming to sleep inside the elders den, wrapped around Spottedpaw as a constant comfort. When he was unable too, for instance out doing his warrior duties, Speckletail was there right beside her dark ginger daughter.

When Fireheart reached the burned-out shell of the fallen tree where the elders lived, she saw the black-and-white tom seated near the entrance to the den. His tail was curled around his paws while he watched Spottedpaw gently examining Dappletail's pelt for ticks.

"Is she okay?" Fireheart murmured softly, her voice low so that Spottedpaw would not hear her.

"Of course she's okay," another voice snapped. Fireheart turned to see Speckletail. The desolate look that shad had worn since Snowkit's death had vanished. Her temper clearly hadn't softened, but her eyes flowed with affection as she looked at Spottedpaw. "She's a fine young cat. Have you found out what attacked her?"

Fireheart shook her head. "It's a real help that you are looking out for her, Speckletail," Fireheart meowed, and meaning it. Without Speckletail here, she wouldn't know what she's do.

Speckletail gave her a long look, before meowing. "Hmmm. I sometimes get the feeling that she thinks she has to look after me." She looked sharply at Fireheart, and she was saved from having to answer by One-eye.

"Did you want something, Fireheart?" asked the elderly pale gray she-cat, looking up from her washing. The elders question reminded Fireheart's purpose of being here, her eyes glistened with pain as she meowed back.

"I'm actually here for Spottedpaw," Fireheart began, making Spottedpaw look up from her work. "She can be excused from her duties. I need here to come with me-" she let her words hang, drawing curious looks from the elders.

"Where are we going?" Spottedpaw asked nervously, her eyes flashing as she looked at Speckletail, then at Swifttail before returning to Fireheart.

"Just to Fourtrees, your siblings and Spottedleaf are coming too." Fireheart replied, Spottedpaw slowly got to her paws. And padded briskly over to Fireheart, as if being out of the presence of a cat to long would harm her.

"Why?" Swifttail asked, his voice filled with suspicion as he too, got to his paws.

"It's for Clan deputy and medicine cat only," Fireheart said coolly, her eyes fixing on Swifttail with a warning look. But when has the black-and-white rebelies warrior ever listened to her?

"Then why is Spottedpaw and her siblings going?" He looked defiantly at her, his eyes narrowed as they gazed at Fireheart.

"Don't test me, Swifttail," Fireheart said lowly, fighting to keep her pelt flat. "This isn't no one else's concern at the moment, so please-" Fireheart's voice sounded more sincere, and a little sympathetic for her kits mentors. They wouldn't know what's going on, not until after the meeting with Tigerstar. The only ones that know are Spottedleaf, Bluestar, and Goldenflower. And both Tigerstar and ShadowClan's medicine cats. "Stay here until our return." if any of them return. The thought was frightening, what if her kits decided that they all wanted to join their father's Clan? She shook the fearful thought away, she had to be strong now.

"A-are you sure it-i-it will be safe?" Spottedpaw stuttered out, pressing herself closely to her mother.

"I promise," Fireheart replied, licking the top of her daughter's head. "You'll be just fine."

"And it won't be forever," Swifttail added, flicking her affectionately with his tail. "You'll be back before you know it." Swifttail's eyes darted to Fireheart, narrowing them dangerously. Fireheart got the message. She better.

"Come along, Spottedpaw," she whispered, nudging her daughter along. She couldn't bring herself to argue with Swifttail, but it was Spottedpaw's decision to leave or stay. When they approached the gorse tunnel, Spottedleaf and Mothpaw were already there. Her golden tabby daughter oblivious to the purpose of their outing, just like her siblings.

"Is it time to go now?" Squirrelpaw asked, her bushy tail wagging around wildly. Her pent up energy, most likely from being restless these last few days.

"Yes," Fireheart told her, sharing a sad look with Spottedleaf. "So, come along." She took the lead as they went through the tunnel and up the ravine, but when they got into the forest. She slowed, taking the chance to spend these few seconds with all her kits. Possibly for the last time. Her eyes shined with pride as Hawkpaw came back, dragging a young sparrow behind him. Was amazed at how well Leafpaw could remember all the different scents by heart, becoming a wonderful tracker already. Surprised at how high Squirrelpaw could jump into the trees, as though she were flying like a bird, or possibly a real squirrel. Amused at Bramblepaw and Tawnypaw's playful scuffling in the dirt, and impressed as Mothpaw noted all the herbs that they passed and promised to take back to camp on their way back. And was comforted by the press of her daughter Spottedpaw, close to her side.

When they finally reached Fourtrees, all Fireheart wanted to do was gather up all her kits. And take them back to camp and put them in the nursery, she knew she couldn't though. There was no turning back from this. Tigerstar and Runningnose was already there, the towering, muscular dark tabby sitting proudly with his head turned upwards to the sky. Runningnose sat beside him, acting like a shadow. Both tom's looked up as Fireheart and Spottedleaf arrived over the crest of the hollow, the apprentices in tow.

When her kits instantly caught sight of their father, they squealed with joy. And scampered and skidded their way down to greet him.

"We didn't know mother was bringing us to see you!" Squirrelpaw exclaimed, hopping onto her father's shoulder to scuff gently at his ears.

"This is a surprise," Leafpaw exclaimed, her amber eyes twinkling with glee. "I didn't think we'd be able to see you again until the next Gathering!"

"There's nothing that can keep me away," Tigerstar rumbled, slowly shaking Squirrelpaw, and Hawkpaw who made his way up onto his back. Off him. "But there is an important matter that needs to be seen too." Tigerstar turned his amber eyes to Fireheart, who finally reached the bottom of the hollow, Spottedpaw and Spottedleaf flanking either of her sides.

"Spottedpaw," Fireheart whispered to her daughter, who looked up at her. "Why don't you go stand with your siblings, so that me and your father can talk to you all face to face." Spottedpaw looked hesitant, but with a gentle nudge. Spottedpaw was instantly sitting in between Mothpaw and Leafpaw.

Fireheart slowly came to stand beside Tigerstar, Runningnose and Spottedleaf coming to sit together off to the side. This conversation was going to be between parents and children, a tough conversation that will leave a hard choice in the end.

"I brought you here," Fireheart began, her eyes raking her over her kits. They had looks of curiosity on their faces, staring innocently up at them with trusting looks. They had no clue. "Because you will be given a decision that will shape the rest of your lives." her kits eyes widened in wonder.

"We," Fireheart gestured to both herself and Tigerstar. "Have decided to give you a choice," Fireheart took in a shaky breath, trying to remain calm as she finally added. "To either stay in ThunderClan,"

"Or come live with me in ShadowClan." Tigerstar finished for her, his deep rumbling voice making Fireheart somewhat relax. To know that she wasn't the only one here to give her kits the important task of deciding their own futures. Where had the time in the nursery gone? She thought. When I was the one deciding what they were going to do with their lives, in ThunderClan, being brave and putting everything they have in the warrior code and their Clan and each other.

"W-what do you mean?" Bramblepaw gasped, his amber eyes grown huge with surprise.

"What we mean," Tigerstar meowed, "is that you can come live with me, or you can stay in ThunderClan."

"B-but can't we just have both?" Leafpaw meowed, shuffling her paws around as she was nudged by Tawnypaw.

"Unfortunately, no." Fireheart told her daughter sympathetically, this was going to be hard on them. Having to choose between both parents and two different Clans. They were looking torn, she saw it in their eyes as they shared looks between each other.

"But this isn't fair!" Squirrelpaw cried, her voice filled with dismay. "How can we choose between you and father?"

"These are decisions you will be faced with throughout your life, Squirrelpaw," Tigerstar rumbled to her, his eyes softening on his daughter. "You didn't choose this to happen, and I know this decision is going to be hard. But, you have to follow what you believe. Believe what is inside of you, what you want to do with your life. No one chooses it for you, and both me and Fireheart will respect whatever decision you make."

"So, neither of you will be upset...whichever Clan we choose?" Tawnypaw asked, her green eyes huge.

"We'll love and care for you no matter what." Fireheart assured her quickly, her heart constricting as her kits faces turned back to looking troubled.

"Take your time, there is no rush in your decision." Tigerstar meowed, relaxing onto his haunches as their kits fell into silence. Them glancing around as each were in their own deep thoughts. Fireheart couldn't relax, standing erect as she tried to wait patiently for her kits to decide. Her eyes flashing from one to the other as she tried to pick up their thoughts through their facial features. Mothpaw was staring at Spottedleaf in worry, Spottedpaw was looking at her paws in horror. Leafpaw and Tawnypaw were looking at each other with anxiety, Squirrelpaw was tearing up the grass underneath her paws in irritation. Bramblepaw, looked up through the trees with a thoughtful look on his face. While Hawkpaw was looking from Fireheart to Tigerstar with an intense ice-blue stare.

"I-I can't leave ThunderClan," It was Mothpaw who made her decision first. "It's not that going to ShadowClan is a bad thing." She put in quickly, her eyes going to her father with a guilty expression. "But ThunderClan needs me, I'm going to be their medicine cat."

"It's alright," Tigerstar assured her, his amber eyes saddening a little. But there was no mistaking a look of pride there as well. "If that is what you want." Mothpaw settled back down, her eyes flashed worriedly over her other siblings. Clearly anticipating what they were going to say.

"I'm staying too," Bramblepaw spoke up, his amber eyes turning away from the trees to stare at Tigerstar. "ThunderClan is my home, I've been there since birth. And my family and friends are there, ThunderClan is where I'm staying." Listening to her son sent a thrill through Fireheart's fur, that was two out of seven of her kits that were staying in their mother's Clan.

"I'm going," the declaration came from Tawnypaw, her eyes were shining as she continued. "I want to be the best warrior I can be, I know I can be that in ThunderClan," she meowed turning to her mother. "But, I feel as if father's Clan is calling to me. I want to see what ShadowClan can offer, I want to become a loyal ShadowClan warrior." Fireheart tried to cover up the look of horror that crossed her face, but she supposed the pain in her eyes still shone through. "I'm not trying to hurt you," Tawnypaw quickly assured her mother, a glint of sadness entering her own reflecting green eyes. "But I want to be a ShadowClan warrior."

"And ShadowClan will be proud to have you." Tigerstar meowed, his voice soft as he gently brushed her fur against Firehearts. Ment to be soothing but it only made Fireheart aware of the cat that was taking away one of her kits.

"If that's what you want," Fireheart struggled out, blinking rapidly to make her eyes stop watering from how she kept her eyes opened. Trying to take her kits in as long as she could.

"It is." Tawnypaw said solemnly, turning to look at Leafpaw expectantly.

"I'm staying," Leafpaw meowed softly, looking at Tawnypaw instead of either parent. The flash of hurt crossed Tawnypaw's face, both Tawnypaw and Leafpaw have been close between all their other siblings. They shared everything together, and now that they were going to be in different Clans, Tawnypaw looked crestfallen. "ThunderClan is the only life I've know, and all I want to know. I don't want to give all that I have up for ShadowClan, I'm happy where I am." Leafpaw looked hurt and upset as well, and a sick feeling welled up inside Fireheart. They were breaking up two sisters, and strong bond just so that they could avoid a fight and put a fud at rest.

"Well I'm going too," Hawkpaw spoke up, his ice-blue eyes shining in determination. "Joining ShadowClan will be like the next new adventure, and being able to be given a choice shouldn't be taken lightly." Hawkpaw declared, and then turning with a more soothing tone for a more mature cat. He spoke, "I will always know ThunderClan was my first home, and I will always care about you mother and my other siblings. But...being in ShadowClan is a chance for me to prove that I can be a great warrior."

"You'll make a great warrior," Fireheart told her son, masking her pain better this time. "I'll always be proud of you."

"This is so dumb!" Squirrelpaw hissed in frustration. "Why can't you and father join one Clan already? That way we won't have to choose!"

"It doesn't work like that," Fireheart put in, internally wincing as her daughter sent both her parents accusing looks.

"Well then," Fireheart feared, out of Squirrelpaw's anger, she would decide to go live in ShadowClan. Or maybe her heart had always been in ShadowClan? She certainly loved her father, much more than her other siblings. But her decision surprised Fireheart. "I'm staying in ThunderClan." She didn't give further explanation, just that she was staying. And her ginger daughter with one white paw refused to look at Fireheart after speaking.

The last one left to decide was Spottedpaw. Her dark ginger daughter looked troubled, her eyes flashing back and forth between both options. Her claws digging deeper and deeper into the soil underneath her as her fur began to spike, she was silent, the forest was silent, the cats in the clearing was silent, even the air didn't steer. It was like the whole forest was waiting to hear what her daughter will decide.

"Spottedpaw," Mothpaw began. Pressing up against Spottedpaw's fur. It startled her, making her jump slightly.

"ThunderClan," she gasped out in startlement, her amber eyes glancing nervously around herself. "I want to stay in ThunderClan, I still need to look after Speckletail, and Swifttail still needs to mentor me, a-and, w-well-" she stuttered to a stop, crouching down onto her stomach as she stared anxiously around at her surroundings.

"If that is your decisions," Tigerstar meowed, rising to his big paws. His shoulders and flanks rippling the muscles as he stood. "Then I am proud of each of you, and will always love you equally...no matter which choices you have made." he came forward then, touching each of the kits that will remain in ThunderClan head's lovingly.

"And I say the same," Fireheart meowed, coming to lick both Tawnypaw's and Hawkpaw's heads. "I will always love the both of you, remember that." she whispered, and for a moment. Both Hawkpaw'a and Tawnypaw's eyes flashed with regret and hesitation, but they nodded anyway. Turning to say goodbye to the siblings they were leaving behind. Before Tigerstar swept the two up with his massive tail.

"Come," he meowed. "Let's get you settled in your new Clan." he nudged them along, his eyes turning to lock with Fireheart's as he paused beside her. "I'll look after them with my life."

"You better," Fireheart growled out, her voice spiked with emotion. But couldn't help but feel slightly relaxed as Tigerstar made the promise.

"Always." Tigerstar declared, jerking his head to Runningnose who began to follow after the trio.

Fireheart watched them pad up the slope, disappearing over the rise and then...they were gone. She didn't register Spottedleaf coming to stand beside her until she spoke, "You did the right thing."

"I let them leave," Fireheart replied bluntly, emotionally drained.

"You'll see them again, at Gatherings."

"It won't be the same," Fireheart didn't need to look at Spottedleaf to see the pained and sympathetic look that was on her friends face.

"No, no it won't." Spottedleaf agreed quietly, both she-cats left by the ShadowClan lead and medicine cats. Who had come and left with two up and becoming warriors, and left with a scattered family, a broken one. One that was no incomplete. How will it ever be the same?

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Okay, wow that was short! But they! Emotional right? Now here are some fun facts about this whole situation.

Hawkpaw will always be loyal to ThunderClan, the only reason he went to ShadowClan is so that Tawnypaw wouldn't be lonely.

Tawnypaw will always feel guilty over Hawkpaw coming to join ShadowClan, knowing that it was because of him that he joined. But the relief of having one of her siblings with her outweighs the guilt.

Tawnypaw was really hoping that Leafpaw came with her to ShadowClan, but felt hurt and betrayed when Leafpaw stayed in ThunderClan.

If things were different, Squirrelpaw would have gone to ShadowClan. But didn't want to leave her remaining siblings and mother. Because despite her rebellious personality, she will always be loyal to the family that stuck by her most. But she will always love her father just a bit more than her mother.

Spottedpaw didn't know where she wanted to be, she simply blurted out the first thing that came to her when Mothpaw asked. Meaning, she copied Mothpaw's decision in staying in ThunderClan.

Hawkpaw loves his mother more than his father.

Bramblepaw stayed because of his mother, remaining siblings, Goldenflower, Sorrelkit and her brothers and his mentor and Cinderpelt. (Cinderpelt, the she-cat he admires the most.)

Fireheart still loves her kits, even now that they are in ShadowClan. Same with Tigerstar towards the kits that remained in ThunderClan.

Fireheart will always feel bitter towards Tigerstar over this, because even though she agreed to it. She blames him for Tawnypaw and Hawkpaw's leaving ThunderClan.

Tigerstar would always feel guilty for putting his kits and Fireheart through that.

Squirrelpaw will always feel bitter about her family being split apart.

Well there you have it, another chapter on its way! Review! Follow, fav! The good stuff!