Disclaimer: I don't own Warriors. I just own these words, for I've written them without help. Erm, yeah. Everything is copyrighted to Erin Hunter – except the few characters of my own making, of course.

A/N: This is a late chapter. I know I've taken a long time in getting this in, but I've been so busy lately, I just haven't found time. Anyways, this chapter is mingled with the pain I'm feeling and the outrage, of course. That's also how Better Then Revenge came to be. Anyways, enjoy, yeah?

Moons Later . . .

Goldenflower lifted her head and stared at Bluestar's shinning face. She had just become the leader of the Clan and her eyes sparkled with ambition – ambition that only seemed so familiar to Goldenflower these days. Her eyes drifted to her mate's and a soft sigh escaped her lips. It was no secret to her that Tigerclaw wanted to be leader, but he would have to wait his turn. Their leader was just announcing the new deputy and gazing at her mate, Goldenflower knew that he hoped it was him.

"The new deputy will be Redtail!" Bluestar's voice echoed through-out the Clan. When she had gone to the Moonstone, she had looked to Redtail to take care of camp, so it was no surprise that he was to be the new deputy, but Tigerclaw didn't look at all pleased. Of course, he quickly covered it up and went to meet Redtail, his eyes shining with fake admiration.

The she-cat shook her head and sighed. Was her mate ever going to let it go? He was a great warrior, that much was evident, because he did everything for his Clan, but not every cat could be the leader or deputy of ThunderClan, and not every cat got his wish.

She shook her head and raced over to meet Redtail and her mate. "Congratulations, Redtail. You will be a great deputy." She mewed with a purr deep within her throat.

That night, Tigerclaw and Goldenflower lay in the den, side by side. Goldenflower could feel her mate's breath as he breathed in and out; he was fast asleep. It was the best time for her mate, because none of the cynical and dark atmosphere was around. She loved Tigerclaw, but she had a feeling that there was a storm building up inside of him, and it terrified her so.

Her eyes flickered to her mate and a soft sigh escaped her lips, before she cuddled up next to him as her eyes drifted close. Almost at once, she opened her eyes and was welcomed to darkness. She was in unknown territory. Her ears pinned against her head and she glared into the darkness. However, as she opened her mouth to drink in the scent, she caught a very familiar scent – Blackpaw. "Darkness is in the forest. You must be prepared, dear sister. Only fire can save you now." With that said, Blackpaw disappeared, leaving Goldenflower alone. She opened her mouth to call out to him, but it was no good: she was already drifting back to the waking world.

Emerald eyes opened wide in darkness. Goldenflower gazed around the den and noticed that Tigerclaw was still fast asleep. Her brother's foreboding words repeat in her mind: Darkness is in the forest. You must be prepared, dear sister. Only fire can save you now. She shivered and pushed the omen to the back of her mind. This was not the time to be brooding on Blackpaw's prophecy. She sighed deeply and nuzzled up against her mate, laying her head against the scruff of his neck and drifted off to a restless sleep with darkness and amber eyes glaring out in the dark forest.

In the morning, Goldenflower got to her paws and let out a vicious yawn. She snapped her head to gaze at her mate, but found that he was missing. She frowned and flicked her ears. He must have gone on Dawn Patrol and hadn't wanted to wake her. She quickly exited the den and made her way to the fresh-kill pile. It was well stocked. She ran over to it and pulled out a shrew to eat. She kept her ears pricked as settled near a gorse brush by herself. She quickly ate her breakfast and padded up to the Highrock where Bluestar was settled. She gazed up at her, admiration in her eyes. "Good morning, Bluestar!" She called from below the Highrock.

The pale blue she-cat turned her blue gaze on Goldenflower and leaped down beside her. "Hello Goldenflower." She purred and gave her ear a quick lick. "I just sent Tigerclaw out on patrol with Whitestorm, Redtail, and Willowpelt. They should be back soon." She informed the she-cat.

Goldenflower nodded her head absently as Bluestar than continued. "Will you be expecting kits soon?"

The pale ginger she-cat gazed up at Bluestar and sighed. "I'm praying." She mewed calmly, sitting down, and wrapping her tail around her paws.

Bluestar nodded her head. "Great." She mewed. "Our Clan defiantly needs new Warriors." Her eyes seemed far away at the mention of new Warriors and Goldenflower couldn't help but wonder if she was thinking about her kits that were now in RiverClan.

Goldenflower nodded. "I'm sure we'll have some soon." She promised. "I'm going hunting. May I take Thrushpelt and Patchpelt?"

Bluestar nodded again. "Yes you may. Good hunting to you." She replied and then padded away.

Goldenflower gathered her selected friends and headed out to hunt; wondering what was up with her leader. She seemed so distant, but perhaps she was just worried, what with leafbare coming and all. She shrugged the thoughts off and resorted to hunting. By the end of her hunting trip with Patchpelt and Thrushpelt, she had caught two thrushes, a mouse, and a shrew. It wasn't the best hunting, but it was better than nothing, and headed back to camp with her prey.

She had just walked into camp, when she had heard Bluestar's call, and quickly deposited her prey, before padding over beside Whitestorm and Tigerclaw.

"From this moment on, you will be known as Dustpaw, until you have earned your warrior name." Bluestar was speaking, loudly enough for the whole Clan to hear. Dustpaw was sitting with his brother, Ravenkit, who was just as eager as he looked to becoming apprentices. Their sisters, Frostfur and Brindleface, and their half-brother, Longtail, were already warriors, and were watching their siblings with pride in their eyes. "Redtail, you are ready for another apprentice." She mewed. "I believe you will teach Dustpaw all you know." Dustpaw and Redtail touched noses, Dustpaw's eyes glistening with happiness.

Bluestar turned to Ravenkit and purred. "Ravenkit, from this moment on, you will be known as Ravenpaw, until you have earned your warrior name." Ravenpaw was shuddering with excitement. "Tigerclaw, you are also ready for another apprentice. You have trained Darkstripe well, and I hope you pass this on to Ravenpaw." Tigerclaw padded forward and touched noses with Ravenpaw. Ravenpaw jumped back in surprise, but he seemed just as happy as his brother.

"And we have one more kit to be apprenticed." She called as little Sandkit stumbled up next to her leader, her emerald eyes shining. "From this moment on, you will be known as Sandpaw." Bluestar purred. "Whitestorm, I do believe you are ready for this young apprentice." She mused as Whitestorm padded up. "Train her well." Whitestorm and Sandpaw touched noses.

"Sandpaw! Dustpaw! Ravenpaw!" The Clan called to the newly named apprentices.

A shudder overpassed Goldenflower as she watched Tigerclaw lean down to whisper something in his new apprentice's ear. Something didn't seem right, but she shook the feeling away. This was good for Tigerclaw. He deserved another apprentice. He was just as good as Whitestorm and Redtail and he would teach his apprentice well.

Shaking her head, Goldenflower crossed the clearing to greet the new apprentices and her mate. "Congratulations." She purred, licking his ear. He flicked it dismissively, but she could hear the very faint purr in his chest.

That night, Goldenflower padded up to Spottedleaf in the medicine cat's den. She spoke to her in a hushed tone and her eyes lightened up when Spottedleaf confirmed what she thought. She couldn't wait to tell Tigerclaw! She licked the medicine cat's ear and turned away, padding back to the warrior's den. Her eyes shone with happiness and pride. She licked his ear softly and purred. This time, she would not lose them. She would make sure of it. This time, her kits would survive.

A/N: Okay, so in my fanfic, Swiftkit/paw is Tigerclaw's kit. I forgot that Goldenflower was even his mother, but this'll work out just fine, I promise. Anyways, I hope you enjoyed this. I had fun with it~