Review Reply: The only one (hint hint)

Troublestripe: I'm guessing that you like AshxSquirrel. And that you're happy to see a fanfic about it.

Oh, and feel good because you were the only reviewer! Even though about 25 people read it. So you should feel special.


Oo… flashback. (That's why it's all in italic lettering. Ya, in case you didn't know.) It's Brambleclaw so angry at Squirrelflight that he might just follow Hawkfrost!

"Mousebrain!" Hawkfrost hissed into Brambleclaw's ear. "This is your chance, Brambleclaw. You're deputy now. If Firestar dies, you'll be Clan leader."

Brambleclaw hesitated, and jumped up as Firestar made an effort to speak. "Birchpaw told me… Blackstar waiting on our territory… Had to come alone…" he wheezed for breath.

Hawkfrost watched the rusty-furred tom with savage triumph as he padded to the leader and hissed in his ear. "But Blackstar isn't here. We are. You're a fool, Firestar. You were too easy to trap."

Firestar didn't answer, but Brambleclaw snarled. "You did this! You arranged for Firestar to be here, where there was a fox trap waiting."

"Of course," Hawkfrost snapped as if it were obvious. "I did it for you."

"For me? Why?" Brambleclaw thought that he should feel suspicion but instead only felt… relief.

Firestar jerked again, and Hawkfrost's head swiveled around to glare at him. "The brave ThunderClan leader!" he spat scornfully. "Not so powerful now, are you? Come on, Brambleclaw, finish him off!"

Brambleclaw could hear Tigerstar whispering in his mind. Kill him. No cat will know. You can be Clan leader. You can have everything you have ever wanted.

Hawkfrost nudged Brambleclaw viciously. "What are you waiting for? This is what we have wanted all along, remember? Kill him now!"

Again the dark brown tabby paused. Tigerstar growled angrily in his ear. Fool! Kill him now! Hawkfrost spat in fury. "Come on, Brambleclaw! We will rule the forest together, and be the most powerful cats there ever were."

"Six lives…" Brambleclaw murmured. Six lives left, and after that, everything he could ever want. And what better way to prove to Squirrelflight that he was strong? She could have forgiven him, but no, she had stayed with Ashfur!

"That's right. This is our chance to take revenge on Firestar for our father's death. He could have tried to stop Scourge, but he just stood there and watched Tigerstar die, over and over and over."

Brambleclaw narrowed his eyes. "It's all your fault!" he spat at Firestar, barely noticing Hawkfrost's triumphant sneer. He let all his rage wash over him. "You let my father die!"

The ThunderClan leader stared at him, almost without fear. Just a small hint of terror flickered in his eyes.

"I'm stronger than you!" Brambleclaw continued angrily, and he could hear the spirit of Tigerstar urging him on. "I wouldn't let weak, stupid cats into my Clan like you do!"

Right, Brambleclaw! the dark warrior hissed. With me to help you, you and Hawkfrost will rule!

"It's time that some cat made the forest safe, it's time that no cat was weak! I will rule, Firestar! And all of the cats will listen to me!" His thoughts raced angrily through his head. You should have been with me, Squirrelflight. I'll show you now!

"Kill him, Brambleclaw, and you will be the leader of ThunderClan!" Hawkfrost snapped impatiently. His tail lashed the air. "Come on. You know you want to be the ruler of an entire Clan. That's why you met with me and Tigerstar in dreams in the first place."

Firestar gasped in surprise. Of course, he didn't know about the dreams.

Brambleclaw stared at his half-brother. "I know," he snarled, stepped up to Firestar. "I know."

He sunk his claws into the rusty tom's neck.