::: Chapter Two - Late Night Hunting :::
Ashfur just stood there and stared at her for a long time. Blue eyes glancing down into a pair of inquisitive bright amber ones. He somehow felt like there might be something wrong with this, yet he found he couldn't refuse her. He didn't want to see that sweet look leave her face even despite all of the yelling she'd just done. A cool breeze blew past, ruffling his ashy gray fur before he made his decision known.
"I'd be glad to go hunting with you Leafpool. As you said it might do us both some good," he finally replied briskly, determined to forget about his previous pathetic display of emotions entirely.
"Excellent! Lets try by the abandoned twoleg nest, shall well? There is bound to be plenty of mice running around up there."
Ashfur merely nodded his agreement and then went to follow her as he padded off. He might have actually enjoyed this had they not been interrupted.
"Hey, Ashfur! Wait up!" Whitewing called, prancing up to him happily, her pale green eyes sparkling. Birchfall was close behind her and he didn't look too pleased either.
'Oh, this is just fabulous now isn't it?' He thought to himself sarcastically before sighing. "Hey Whitewing, what's up?"
"Oh nothing, Birchfall and I where just out taking a walk and we saw you with Leafpool."
As if she'd heard her name called the brown and white tabby she-cat had soon made her way back over to stand beside Ashfur. She gave him a somewhat questioning look as if to ask what was going on.
"So what are you two up to? A bit late for you to be out isn't it?" Birchfall asked dryly.
Ashfur's left eye twitched. What right did Birchfall, a newly named warrior, have to tell him he was out too late? He really wanted to just scratch his ears off, but he didn't want to deal with hearing Firestar lecturing him about it later. That and the fact he and Birchfall were related and Ferncloud would throw a fit.
'Firestar…'
Familiar guilt stabbed at his battered heart. Firestar had almost died not too many seasons ago. Because of his treachery to ThunderClan. He felt so different from the cat he used to be. But, in the end, it was all her fault. Squirrelflight. Someway. Somehow. Someday. He would make her suffer. He would make her pay for the pain she'd caused him. For the unforgiving, merciless cat she'd turned him in to.
Leafpool had begun to chat with the other two warriors and he found himself drifting off. He was beginning to realize he was becoming a bit anti-social, preferring to spend more time on his own. He thanked StarClan he didn't have to train that pesky Lionblaze anymore.
Mind you, this didn't mean he was friendless. As was said before, Whitewing seemed to enjoy his company. He also often found himself spending time with his sister's mate Dustpelt and his temperamental nephew Spiderleg. Mousewhisker wasn't too bad either. The young tom was a bit cocky sometimes, but nowhere near as bad as his brother Berrynose.
"So, would you be alright with that Ashfur?" Whitewing suddenly asked out of nowhere. He looked at her blankly.
"Um, what?"
The white she-cat's fur fluffed out a bit in annoyance. "Leafpool invited me and Birchfall to come hunting with you two. You don't mind right?"
Ashfur blinked. For once in his life he was going to be truly honest and say what it was that he wanted.
"Actually yes I do mind. Go away now."
Birchfall, Whitewing and Leafpool all gave him surprised looks through wide eyes.
Ashfur just stared back. "What?"