Hey guys! To make up for the wait last time, I've made another chapter! My mind didn't completely fail on me this time! My idea well gave me enough to write 733 words easily before I had to think hard and add in the next 300 or so. That's probably why this chapter will seem a bit choppy and short. Sorry about that, but I have a 1,000 word per chapter minimum. And I just couldn't break that habit.

Well, anyways, on to review answering!

Spottedmist: Yeah, I've made her life a total wreck.

Birdflame: You may be on to something...

Guest Raeda2001: Thanks! And yeah, she's got it pretty bad.

Raeda2001: Thank you! LOLZ! You made me giggle at the thought! I don't think that they'd be mates because he's her adoptive brother, but you're right, if they didn't have that brother-sister bond, they would be a cute couple. :) As to Blackfur...well, you'll see. And sorry, I forgot to write who died. :P Silly me! You'll see in the chapter. As to how Greyleaf will react, the answer lies ahead.

Night That Shines Silver: That's what Greyleaf's thinking too, and thank you for saying that! :D I'm so glad you like it, and I hope I can continue to make this story enjoyable!

WhenCowsFly: Thanks Leprechaun! That may possibly be how she reacts, and LOLZ! I could've sworn I told you their identities, but then again, I do often have my head in the clouds.

RENTHYEYGIOXD: You will see... And thank you so much! I'm so glad you love it! More cliff hangers ahead...be ready...

Rainpool: Oh! It makes me laugh that I have confused so many people with my forgetfulness! You will see if you read on!

Oh my gosh! Have I told you guys how much I am loving the rise in reviews per chapter! It's amazing that so many people are reading and reviewing on this! Thank you all!

Chapter 32: Goldenfur

Goldenfur watched as Greyleaf wept at the bodies of her family. It struck a solemn cord in his heart. She had already lost so much: her father, three moons with her kits, her best friend, and now...

Her mother, sisters, and brother.

A sob reached his throat, and for the first time, the tom realized the true monstrosity of what he had done. He had been selfish, uncaring, foolish, and just plain stupid.

How had he not seen what letting Blackfur die would do to her? He had broken her heart, and she didn't even know that it was he who had done it! The dark-pelted warrior's death had weakened Greyleaf to such a state that it had taken several moons for her to get back to normal, and what had Goldenfur done to help her? Next to nothing! Fernshadow had been the one to step in and help.

And where was he? He had been too busy trying to convince Nightpaw, Goldenpaw, and Sparrowpaw to forgive him and not tell their mother how he had treated Blackfur while she was in her coma.

He hadn't even been there for her when Greencough had struck the clan. He had only cared about taking care of his first apprentice, making sure that she knew exactly how to hunt, battle, climb trees, and dig tunnels—an extra skill that he had added and thought was important. It didn't matter that Greyleaf had never caught the illness before—that was just something he had told himself to make him feel better about not checking up on her—he should have made sure she was okay nonetheless.

The thought of his actions made him feel sick. She had endured so much, and he hadn't even bothered to be there for her.

And now, she had lost her family. Her mother.

A tear made its way down his face.

Goldenfur knew what it felt like to lose a mother. Seeing that black Shadowclan warrior viciously tear into Duskwater's neck with his fangs and sling her around like a piece of rotten crow-food had hardened the young tabby's heart and changed him forever. He had never been the same after that scarring experience. Sure, he would joke and smile and act like it had never happened, but he was screaming inside—screaming for the cat to stop, screaming for someone, anyone so see his pain, screaming for the horrible, unbearable agony that he had to endure every single day to stop so that he could be free to finally breathe.

He realized then why he had hated Blackfur so much, and he loathed himself for it. Because of the tom's black pelt and position that prevented Goldenfur from becoming closer to Greyleaf, he had subconsciously connected him with the Shadowclan warrior and treated him as such. All of the anger, hurt, and fear that Goldenfur had felt had never truly been directed at the black tom. It was—and always had been—for that Shadowclan cat. Blackfur had never done anything to deserve what he had been given.

I know that now, the bright-colored tom thought, feeling genuinely remorseful about his actions towards his clan-mate, I should never have done what I did.

And suddenly, as if summoned by his thoughts, a voice like a whisper on the wind sighed in his ear, "I know, and I forgive you."

Goldenfur felt the presence of Blackfur standing next to him, looking down at Greyleaf with sad eyes. It was heartbreaking, seeing the former warrior watch as the she-cat he loved be in such pain, knowing that he could do nothing to help her. The Starclan cat broke his vigil to turn and look at his former rival, and the tabby warrior mewed, "Blackfur, I'm sorry. I'm truly, truly sorry."

The other tom gave him a sad smile and said, "Take care of her. Do what I never could."

"I will," Goldenfur answered whole-heartedly, returning his gaze to the she-cat's shaking form.

When he looked back, Blackfur was gone.

Chapter 32: Greyleaf

She didn't know when he came, she just knew he was there. His soft fur was a welcome feeling, pressed up against her side. Greyleaf turned her head to cry into his chest, and he rested his upon her shoulders, placing a paw over her own.

"I won't say it's okay," he mewed sadly, "Because I know it's not. But I will say this; you can cry on me. I'll always be here. I promise."

Rather than make her feel better, this just made Greyleaf think of Goldenfur dying too. She weeped even harder at the thought of his body laying in front of her as well.

"No," She yowled, eyes squeezed shut, "Don't promise me that! Never promise me..." Her voice was cut off by more racking sobs.

The golden tom said no more, only layed there with her—a rock in the storm.

The Thunderclan she-cat felt three more pelts press close to her, and she instinctively knew that they were her kits. But the cats around her seemed far away, with only Goldenfur's blurred form distinguishable from the black darkness of sorrow, and even he would soon fade away. No one would be left. Everyone she loved always died. Starclan must have cursed her.

Greyleaf thought back to Firestar's words, his warning that she had an important choice to make, and that it would affect many cats, and a boulder smashed itself into her heart.

What if she had made the wrong choice?

What if it was her fault that her family was dead?

What if they would have lived if it weren't for her?

With that, her mind stepped into a sadness beyond return. The cats she felt around her didn't exist. The world she lived in didn't exist. Her family didn't exist. Her clan didn't exist. There was only Greyleaf and her regret. No family, no friends, no mate, no kits, no life.

Nothing.