So I decided to post another chapter. I was thinking over the reviews and votes...but sadly all of those people who voted never reviewed. I may add more chapters if I get more reviews. I would really like to finish this series before the end of summer, but that might not happen. Anyways, thanks Cyri's Jedwardloving Alter Ego, opalpaw, and smallerthanabug for reviewing.

[ Chapter 13 ]

Sunlight poured through the camp clearing as Amberfire washed the remains of mouse off her whiskers. It was past sunhigh, and the air was starting to cool down. Blazeclaw had left with a hunting patrol, leaving her and Goldenleaf to themselves. Goldenleaf's tail had been twitching since she returned from a hunting patrol with Firespirit and Aspenpaw. Amberfire knew something was bothering her sister, but she didn't have the heart to ask what.

Aspenpaw was sitting outside the apprentice's den, looking towards where Rainshower kept Midnightpaw. The black apprentice had made no attempt to move since the ShadowClan warrior attacked.

Cinderstar was speaking quietly to Thornclaw, probably discussing what to do about ShadowClan. Amberfire had noticed how old Thornclaw looked, and wondered if he was going to retire soon. Another thought had jibed her since she began to wonder. Who would the next deputy be when Thornclaw retired?

There were plenty of choices. Sorreltail was gentle and kind, with the caring nature of a queen. She was also Cinderstar's mother, which meant that Cinderstar would be choosing out of favoritism. Leopardblaze or Bumblestripe would also make good choices. They were both powerful, sturdy warriors with excellent potential.

"Have you been noticing the tension between Firespirit and Aspenpaw?" Goldenleaf asked when she looked at Amberfire's expression. Her tail had stopped twitching, and her green eyes were sincere.

"Firespirit is just trying to prove himself a good mentor," Amberfire muttered. She didn't want to think that something was going on between the two. Firespirit had always been hot-headed, but he was a loyal ThunderClan warrior. He had never hurt a cat before, and Amberfire doubted he would now.

Goldenleaf shifted her paws. Amberfire guessed that she was trying to figure out how to explain her feelings towards mentor and apprentice. Aspenpaw was the Clan's only apprentice, as far as Amberfire knew. Midnightpaw might never become a warrior now, thanks to her scars. Toadkit, Fawnkit, and Lionkit would soon become apprentices. They were almost six moons old now, and they were showing off their fighting skills every chance they had.

"I just think that we should keep an eye on Firespirit," murmured Goldenleaf. Amberfire glared at her, but Goldenleaf swept on, "What if Aspenpaw decided to leave? We would be left with no apprentices!"

And you're worried why? Amberfire thought. Goldenleaf had Stripefur, and powers on top of it. Amberfire could speak to animals, and she had a feeling there was more to her ability than she knew. Blazeclaw's strength was what made him stand out. Than there was that scar on his pad that still unnerved Amberfire. Every time she looked at it, it made her heart race.

The only thing Goldenleaf needed to worry about was what would happen to the Clan if Aspenpaw left. At any moment something dreadful could happen. A ShadowClan patrol could attack, or worse, the whole Clans could fight.

"Come on, lets go visit the kits," Amberfire meowed when Goldenleaf still looked worried.

Seeing the kits would take Goldenleaf's mind off of things for a while. It was bluntly obvious that her sister wanted to have kits of her own. Stripefur was very protective of Goldenleaf. She had seen it for herself when Sapfur tried to attack and kill the siblings.

The nursery was warm and welcoming as Amberfire entered with Goldenleaf behind her. She remembered the very spot where she and her siblings slept. It was there that Peppermint had told stories of Hollystar, Firestar, and the Great Move. When Eagleheart had died, Amberfire didn't think that she would ever get over the death of her father. Thanks to Peppermint, she was able to move on, knowing that one day she would see him again.

Toadkit was nipping at Lionkit's paws, while Fawnkit watched from Briarleaf's side. Amberfire's whiskers twitched in amusement as she stared at Toadkit. He would make a good warrior when he reached the right age. She knew that he would make a tough apprentice to train.

"They got big!" Goldenleaf purred as Lionkit rolled towards her paws. The little kit looked up at Goldenleaf in surprise, and squealed, "Sorry," before scampering back towards her brother.

"Yes, I'm hoping Cinderstar makes them apprentices soon," she replied.

"They'll make good apprentices," Amberfire mewed. She could already see the makings of a leader within Fawnkit. The smaller of the trio was looking at her siblings thoughtfully as they play fought. "Perfect for ThunderClan," she added.

Briarleaf's eyes gleamed. "They are the deputies' kits after all," she purred.

Amberfire was about to agree, when she heard a voice from outside the nursery. She turned her gaze and saw that Blazeclaw had returned. He was reporting something to Cinderstar, who's eyes were bright with rage.

She mewed goodbye to Briarleaf and bounded out to greet her brother.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"ShadowClan were mousebrained enough to move their scent markers further in our territory," he snarled.

Amberfire's eyes widened in dismay. How could they be foolish enough to attack so soon after the last fight? She was tired of fighting Sapfur. The forest needed to get rid of him and his goons. Sapfur was causing more trouble than she had hoped. And she believed that she and her siblings were the only ones who could stop it.

Sorry that this chapter is so short. I wasn't sure how to word this chapter. Eventually though, it came to me. So, please enjoy!