Challenge for CharlieClan. Enjoy...it's sad though. ;~;

Hope you like!

...

Lizardleap and Goldenear. The perfect couple.

That's what the rest of ShadowClan thinks, and I couldn't agree more. I love Goldenear. I would do anything for her, and the kits she's expecting.

I purred as I walked over to where she was basking in the warm sun, her golden fur rippling in the breeze. "How are you today? Have you talked to Slatenose? When are the kits comi-" Goldenear placed her tail on my mouth. "Shh, I'm fine. The only thing that's wrong is the fact I can't help my Clan. I have to sit here and wait." She wrinkled her nose. I nudged her. "You are helping the Clan. Our kits will grow up and be strong warriors."

"I don't know what I'd do without you, Lizardleap." Goldenear stood up and nuzzled me. I smiled. "If it makes you feel any better, we can ask Foxstar if we can organize a patrol!" I exclaimed, and her green eyes lit up. "Yes, and Slatenose says I'm not due for another four moons." She purred and padded over to the leader's den.

"Foxstar, I'd like to organize a patrol with Goldenear and Hawktail, as well as his new apprentice, Pinepaw." I mewed to the leader, my brown eyes glistening. Foxstar looked at me. "But what about your mate? Isn't Goldenear due soon?" She cocked her head to look at Goldenear.

"I'm fine Foxstar, really. Slatenose says I'm not due for another four moons. And I really feel like...I can't stop my warrior duties yet." Goldenear's eyes were full of determination. Foxstar bowed her head. "I too, felt the same way when I was expecting...And ThunderClan has been scented over the border...I will allow you to go, Goldenear, as well as Hawktail and Pinepaw. But please, please take care."

We thanked her, and Goldenear reassured her we'd be safe. "Thanks Lizardleap, it means a lot." Goldenear meowed, and I twitched my ear. "For what?"

She chuckled. "I don't know, mouse-brain! You're supposed to say something loving back!" I smiled and licked her cheek. "Good?" I asked, and she nodded, grinning. We headed to the fresh-kill pile, where Hawktail and Pinepaw were finishing a bird. Pinepaw looked up, and beamed. "Hi Lizardleap and Goldenear! Need something?" The new apprentice stood up and shook out her dark pelt. Hawktail grunted and got up too, blue eyes sleepy.

"Foxstar wanted us to check out the ThunderClan border." I informed, and Pinepaw almost burst with excitement. "My first patrol!" She shrieked. Goldenear smiled at the apprentice's enthusiasm. She's thinking about our kits. I hope everything goes well, though. I pushed my thoughts to the side, and nodded.

Hawktail widened his eyes, grey tail swishing. "Really? Even though you're expecting?!" Goldenear smiled. "I'm not a soft old queen yet."

"Well, let's get going then!" I suggested, and we headed off. I walked close to Goldenear, brushing pelts. I couldn't help but feel worried. Ah, it's nothing. Stop worrying.

()()()()()()

We walked along the border, and thankfully nothing was put of place. Pinepaw pouted. "Why can't something exciting happen?" She whined, and Hawktail shushed her. "We don't want anything to happen. ThunderClan should stay on their own side, and us on ours." He reasoned, and Pinepaw reluctantly nodded.

Then my nose picked up a scent. ThunderClan. "Hush. Listen, I think some cats are up ahead."

Our ears listening, and noses sniffing, my suspicions were confirmed. It was indeed a group of cats on our borders. And not just any ThunderClan cats. It was the Claw Brothers, and they were munching on prey. On our side of the border. I instinctively let out a low growl and pressed against my mate.

The Claw Brothers were an arrogant bunch, believing ThunderClan owned everything, and very rude. They were also troublemakers.

It was a wonder Oakstar hadn't exiled them. But, they were also known for their fighting skills, as well as loyalty to ThunderClan. But they were dangerous.

Still new to apprenticeship, Pinepaw shouted, "What are you mousebrains doing on ShadowClan territory?!", before we could silence her. The trio of toms looked up.

"Looks like we've been caught, brothers!" The leader, Badgerclaw, sneered. They paced forward. "How 'bout we make a deal. You let this...encounter..go, and we won't claw your expecting queen's throat out."

I knew I shouldn't have, but that threat was too much. "You..you PEICE OF ROTTEN FOX DUNG!" I hissed, and Hawktail growled, protectively stepping in front of Pinepaw and Goldenear. Badgerclaw nodded. "Just what I thought. Weaselclaw, Stormclaw!" He flicked his tail, and they all lunged. Pinepaw screamed, and Hawktail froze, astonished. They would go as far as to murder? What kind of sick cats are they?!

Hawktail cried out to Pinepaw, as he clawed one of the brothers. "RUN, AND GET THE CLAN!" Pinepaw bolted, and soon the dark brown she cat was out of sight. Good. She doesn't bee to see the fighting. Not yet. No apprentice that young should.

I fought off Badgerclaw, anger reddening my vision. Nobody could steal from my Clan and threaten my mate. It was only out of the corner of my eye that I caught sight of Goldenear. Weaselclaw had cornered her, and she wasn't in any position to fight. I couldn't let anything happen to her. "Goldenear!" I yowled, and leaped in the way of Weaselclaw's strike. "Lizardleap!" She screeched as the blow gouged my chest.

The trio staggered backwards as red gushed from my chest, soaking my fur. It hurt so much. I gasped for breath as I fell to the blood-soaked ground. My blood...But I saved her...

But, but I can't leave now! Goldenear needs me! Starry forms materialized as Goldenear fell beside me, crying and shaking. I lifted my head ever so slightly, so that our muzzles touched. "I love you, Goldenear. Take care of our kits...I'll see you one...day." As the rest of the Clan ran to the site, Hawktail, my beautiful Goldenear, and even the brothers broke down. The starry cats nodded, and I felt my spirit lift form my body, to join StarClan.

"Welcome, Lizardleap. We are sorry we had to bring you here so soon." Flametail whispered as I joined the shimmering forms of my ancestors. I nodded, as a tear dropped onto my starry pelt. Down below, I could just make out the border, and the cats there. Goodbye, my love.

()()()()()()

Four moons later, as Goldenear lay, alone in the nursery, watching her two kits sleep, StarClan let me visit.

"Tread carefully, Lizardleap." Flametail had warned, " As the dead do not belong with the living."

I appeared in the nursery. Goldenear saw me and sat up. "L-lizardleap?" She stammered, and I nodded, sad smiles gracing my muzzle. She stared at me. "Oh Lizardleap, it's so hard without you...but I have the kits...Lizardkit and Asterkit. You'd love them." She nuzzled the two kits. A golden tom, Lizardkit, and a light brown she-kit, Asterkit.

"Lizardleap, everyday...without you, I can't do it. I miss you." She squeezed shut her eyes, but tears leaked out. "But I am here. I am your angel."

I could feel StarClan calling me back. I pressed me starry muzzle close to her golden one, and faded from ShadowClan once more. Goldenear watched me, a smile on her muzzle. "My angel." She mouthed.

That was long and emotional. ;-; I hope it was good. R and R!

Emotionally, Clearly.

P.S- Those dumb brothers were banished. Forever. *cries* Why you kill Lizardleap!?