I sincerely hope that I don't upset anyone with how screwed up my facts are. I tried to get it right, but I realize that I probably haven't done one single thing right concerning my facts. Ugh. I'm so ashamed! Anyways, I hope you like this chapter. Its based off of my old kitten, Goliath. He was the inspiration. Thank you!

Chapter 9

A few moons after Sunstar's last life.

Goldenflower gazed lovingly at her new mate, knowing that he was the only one she would ever love so deeply. He may have an ambition streak, but she knew that he did what he had to do for the better of his Clan. She never dreamed he would be a killer. She never knew that he had killed Thistleclaw, and the way he treated his apprentice, Darkpaw, she could hardly believe that he was a cold-blooded killer. She would find out very soon that he was not the nicest of cats.

Goldenflower and Tigerclaw were wondering the forest together. Darkpaw was with the other apprentices during their assessment with Bluestar. Goldenflower wasn't sure if Darkpaw was yet ready to become a warrior. Tigerclaw wouldn't let her know. Obviously, though, Bluestar wanted to check and see how well their training was coming along, so it was evident that he was possibly ready. So, Tigerclaw and Goldenflower had taken up that time to wonder the forest together, hunting or just running together. She knew that Tigerclaw could be a bit snappy or mean to others, but he never treated her bad, and she supposed that was all she really cared about, but she never knew what was burning inside his mind.

The couple were near Twolegplace when they heard a rustling in the leaves. Tigerclaw growled and got into a hunter's crouch, while Goldenflower just stood by and watched. Suddenly, Tigerclaw leaped and grasped a tiny kit in his claws. The warrior held it down tightly until it was squealing its head off and Goldenflower jumped in to save the small orange tabby cat. "Tigerclaw!" She hissed. "He's just a kit! Let him go!"

Tigerclaw was obedient and released the kitten from his death grip.

The kitten just sat up and glared at the large tabby cat. He raised his paw and bathed the spot where he had been pinned down. He gazed up at his rescuer and purred in delight. "Hi!" The young kit mewed happily, his tail swaying.

Tigerclaw growled and watched the kitten carefully.

Goldenflower just rolled her eyes and purred at the kitten. "Hello. Now, what is a small kit doing out here? Shouldn't you be with your mother?" She asked kindly.

The young kit shrugged. "Momma is with my Aunt, taking care of her kits! They're younger than I am and two of them are really sick." He frowned, his happiness fading. "Momma thinks they might die."

Goldenflower's eyes widened. "Oh those poor things! What's your name, sweetie?" She asked, ignoring the hostile growl from her mate's throat.

"I'm Goliath!" He declared, puffing his chest proudly.

Goldenflower purred. "What an interesting name. I'm Goldenflower and this is my mate, Tigerclaw."

The young kit's eyes widened in surprise. "Y-you're clan cats?" He finally gasped out. "My daddy told me all about the Clans before he . . ." His voice trailed off. It was evident that his father was dead, but he quickly shook it off and tilted his head in amazement. "He always said you would be great." He stared at Tigerclaw.

Goldenflower never had the chance to ask the young kit what he meant, for a moment later, a cat yowled Goliath's name and a second later, approached a scrawny elder Siamese cat. "Goliath! What are you doing out here?" He snapped. "You know you're not supposed to go beyond the fence! Your mother will be angry! Let's go home!"

Goliath rolled his eyes. "Okay, Ruff. I have to go." He mewed to Goldenflower and Tigerclaw. "Maybe one day, we can meet again." He bowed his head, before the young cat followed the older cat out of sight. As they were disappearing, Goldenflower could hear them argue, and she couldn't help but purr in amusement.

However, her purring stopped when she noticed the look on Tigerclaw's face.

"What?" She demanded.

"You're too soft!" He snapped, before storming off, his tail flickering angrily after him.

She sighed and shook her head. He had been in such a bad mood ever since Bluestar had became leader and Redtail had become the deputy. Goldenflower knew it was his ambition to become leader, but he would just have to wait his turn. In the meantime, she would hope that he would take care of his kits that were on the way. She stared down at her stomach which appeared to be getting bigger every day. Spottedleaf was just tickled that Goldenflower was finally having kits. After Rosewing's and her parents' death, no one thought she would try to have kits, and yet, here she was.

When she got back to camp, she walked passed Tigerclaw who was talking with Bluestar and Redtail. She was angry with him. He had attacked an innocent kit and had been hostile ever since. She just didn't understand him. Tigerclaw used to get hostile very little, but now, it seemed that he was hostile every few seconds. He was a ticking time bomb and she just couldn't understand why.

The young queen sighed and crawled into the Warrior's den to get some sleep. She didn't even leave the den when Bluestar had announced that Darkpaw was ready to become a warrior and his new name was Darkstripe. It was evident that Goldenflower just wanted to sleep, to whisk away the day, but Starclan had other plans.

Goldenflower opened her eyes and gazed into the amber eyes of her brother, Blackpaw, who, this time, also had their sister, Rosewing, with him. Goldenflower's heart sank in her chest and she mewed out miserably. "Rosewing!" She ran to her sister and nuzzled her. "I miss you so much!"

But Rosewing wasn't there for greetings or celebrations. It was obvious that she was there for a very serious matter. She opened her mouth to speak, and instead of just her speaking, Blackpaw spoke as well. They spoke in sync as if they were one. "Beware, my sister, for darkness must come, but in the darkness you will find a light, and fire will set you free." Goldenflower had heard about how fire was the only thing that could set her fate before, but now . . . it was setting her free? She didn't understand. She tried to speak, she tried to call to them, to ask what they were talking about. She wanted to know. She didn't understand, but everything turned black and Goldenflower was brought back to the real world, her emerald eyes widening as she awoke.

She sat up with a jolt. It was moonhigh, and everyone was resting peacefully in the warrior's den. Tigerclaw, who was sleeping right next to her, didn't even notice her wake. It was odd, because if she was ever frightened at night or awoke from a nightmare, he would always know. Perhaps he was in too deep of a sleep to notice. She sighed and got to her paws, careful not to wake anyone up, and exited the warrior's den. She believed that it was now time to turn to Spottedleaf for some answers, but when she appeared at the medicine cat's den, she knew that Spottedleaf was asleep and there was nothing she could do now. She sighed and turned, heading for the gorse tunnel. Darkstripe was standing proudly, sitting his vigil, and all Goldenflower did was nod at him, before she disappeared, heading into the forest.

She realized with a jolt that the last time she was in the forest this late at night, she had found out Bluestar's secret. She purred in her chest, knowing that Bluestar had made a difficult, but very much needed choice. If it weren't for Bluestar, Thistleclaw would probably be leader and Thunderclan would be running a muck. A shiver ran down her spine and she just shook her head. As Goldenflower wondered the forest, she found herself near where she had met Goliath and she purred deep within her chest. He was such an energetic, happy go-lucky kit. Looking down at her belly, she couldn't help but sigh with happiness. Soon, she would have her own kits, and they would be her light when everything went dark.

/Beware, Rusty will set fire to the Clans here soon. After the birth of Bramblekit and Tawnykit, of course! Until next time!