(Brambleclaw's POV)

It's been two months since Squirrelflight and I split up. I sighed. The ground crackles under my feet as I tramp through the forest. Thoughts swirl through my mind like a tornado. I think of Squirrelflight and how our marriage had spiraled downward. I had cared for the fiery girl with a burning passion; however, that was before she lied to me. A week ago I had come to the realization that the gingered hair woman never cared for me; I had just been a toy. A spasm of pain shoots through my body when I remember that conclusion. For years I mooned over Squirrelflight, I loved her to the point of the thought of being without nearly killed me. Losing Squirrelflight was my worst and biggest fear. I had never expected that fear to reign true. But it did. It wasn't easy walking out on Squirrelflight. I miss her. I don't want to live without her. But I have to now. I would lay down my life for her; give her anything to make her happy. But she never felt the same. I lean against a tree and sink to the floor as a memory overpowers my mind.

-About fourteen years ago-

Squirrelflight climbed into the king sized bed, wearing nothing but my t-shirt. I turned my head and smiled at her; she returned the gesture and curled up to my side. I wrapped an arm around her and she snuggled closer to my warm body. I became concerned when I notice she held her head down and toyed with her wedding ring.

"What's the matter, love? Is something wrong?" I asked her, tilting her face to mine. Her emerald eyes wavered with grief and sadness.

"You're going to leave me one day… you'll leave me all alone. You won't want me, or love me." She said in a small voice. Surprise pulsed through my body. I pulled her closer to me, and forced green eyes to look into amber.

"Squirrelflight. I will never, ever, leave you. You are never going to be alone. I'll want you forever, I'll love you forever. I love you more than anything. You're my whole world."

"Promise?" Squirrelflight's eyes wavered, and pooled with tears. The tears fell over, and raced down her cheeks.

"I promise." I said whilst wiping the salty liquid from her face. Squirrelflight said nothing, but she huddled closer to my side. I looked down at her, concerned. Squirrelflight had always tried her hardest to stay strong, and never, not even once, had I seen her cry. I kissed the top of her head and rubbed her arm soothingly.

My eyes snap open, and I feel warm moisture fall from my eyes. She was so good at pretending, she was such a great actress. If only the girl knew that she tore my heart out, and she shattered it completely. I stand up, wiping the tears from my skin. As I continue my walk, I hear a horrible sobbing noise. Curious, I follow the sound, and I find myself staring at none other than Squirrelflight. The girl sits with her legs folded underneath her, her back is turned to face me, and her shoulders shake with barely controlled sobs. Squirrelflight takes in a shuddering breath and emits a small wail. She brings her hands to her face, and Squirrelflight loses it. Her whole body is now wracked with sobs. Her head is bent, and her back convulses. My throat tightens, and I take a step toward her.

"Squirrelflight?" I say softly, bending down to pat her back. She calms instantly.

"Y- … Yes?" She replies, her voice trembling. I sit beside her and take her in my arms. She crumples into my shoulder, and she sits there, immobile. As I look at her, I realize that she is still in tears. I wipe them off gently with my thumb, only to have more tears replace the previous set.

"Why are you out here all alone? Why are you crying, Squirrelflight?" Because of you. She is out here alone, crying and in pain because of you. You left her. Squirrelflight wipes her face off with the back of her hand and pulls away from me.

"Um… I like being alone sometimes. I need to be alone sometimes. And I'm crying because I'm sad. I'm going through a lot. I lost Jayfeather, Lionblaze and… and Hollyleaf. I lost some of my friends, the respect of my clanmates…" Squirrelflight takes a deep breath and once again tears flood her eyes and pour over onto like a salty waterfall. Squirrelflight opens her mouth and starts speaking again, "And I lost my best friend… and the love of my life. I lost you."

"Squi-"

"No, it's okay. I'm gonna go. See you around." Squirrelflight stands up and walks away. I open my mouth to yell for her to come back. To tell her that I am still madly in love with her. That I miss her, I need her. I want to tell her that she is all I ever wanted. That I am sorry for walking out on her. That I want to forgive her for lying to me, but it just hurts so much. Whenever I think about the lie, my chest tightens and it gets hard to breathe. She left my heart broken at the Gathering, on the small island. I left her heart broken in a half-empty apartment.

Tears drip down my face and I wipe them away furiously with my sleeve. Squirrelflight never wanted you, so why do you want her? You don't want her. You don't want her. You do notwant her! I do want her. I do.

Alright! So, I got a new laptop for Christmas and I downloaded my previous files to this one because my old laptop died (reason for the crazy late updates that are coming soon). I couldn't figure out which story this chapter went to, so I started a new story with it. This story is obviously called The Heart Wants what the Heart Wants. It will mainly be from Brambleclaw's POV, but special chapters will be from Leafpool's, Squirrelflight's, maybe Firestar's POV. This story will be updated on Tuesdays. See you next week!

~Honeyleaf