Brambleclaw followed Squirrelstar through the woods. HE still couldn't believe that she was now a leader. He hoped that she would see how sorry he was… The amber she cat stopped. Brambleclaw could smell a lot of cats. They must be near camp. Squirrelstar turned to Brambleclaw. Before she could speak, Brambleclaw quickly spoke.
"Squirrelstar, I am so sorry! I was just so angry, and I couldn't live with myself when you went away and you can't blame a cat for being angry can you?" He said in a rush. Squirrelstar stared at him with blank eyes. Brambleclaw let his tail drop. He was too late. To his surprise Squirrelstar buried her head in his fur. "Oh, Brambleclaw, I missed you…" She causally licked his chest. Brambleclaw's heart swelled. He was forgiven! Squirrelstar still loved him… And he loved her….
"I was such a mouse-brain for thinking that everyone hated me…" Squirrelstar sighed. "And now I've gone and become leader…" she was thinking what Brambleclaw was thinking. And now we can't be together…. Brambleclaw licked her ear. "I love you." He whispered, not knowing if it would bring him danger, or confort. Squirrelstar purred. "I love you too." She sighed. "That's the problem." She gazed at the ground. Brambleclaw growled. "Why should it be? Can't I just live in Skyclan with you?" For a moment, Squirrelstar's eyes showed a sign of hope, then it disappeared. "I coundn't rip you from your place in Thunderclan…" Brambleclaw licked her ear. "I can't lose you again." Squirrelstar sighed.
"Well, that must be resolved later… First, I'd like you to meet our kits." Brambleclaws heart nearly stopped. Our kits, did that mean?…. Squirrelstar laughed, as if she'd heard his thoughts. "I found out I was preagnet when I reached Skyclan." She explained. Brambleclaw bubbled with excitement. "Their mine?" He asked. Squirrelstar playfully cuffed him on the ear. "Of course, mouse-brain! Now, follow me, and come meet your kits." Brambleclaw followed his former (or was she his) mate into a clearing. It was like a mini valley, with high dens. He could see that most of the cats had strong back legs.
Some cats gave him strange looks as they paraded through the camp. Squirrelstar didn't stop untill she'd reached the den. "Bramblepaw, Firepaw, Sandpaw!" She called into a den. Three young apprentices emerged. Brambleclaw was shocked on how much Bramblepaw and Sandpaw looked like him. Firepaw, a she-cat who was a duplicate of Squirrelstar, gazed at Brambleclaw in wonder. "Why does this cat look so much like Bramblepaw?" She asked in amazement. The other two apprentices copied her gaZe. Squirrelstar wagged her tail happily. "This is your father, and my beloved mate, Brambleclaw." Brambleclaw's kits stared at him in shock. So I am her mate! Brambleclaw thought happily.
"Hi." His voice sounded hoarse. He gulped. Would they like him? Finally, which seemed like moons, Bramblepaw stepped forward. She purred. "Hello, father!" Father. A word Brambleclaw hadn't heard in a long time. Soon the other apprentices stepped forwards, andhe found himself surrounded in purrs and licks. He licked each kit's head. "Their really ours this time." He whispered. Squirrelstar brushed against his flank. "Yes. Ours." She purred. "No more lies this time, ok?" Brambleclaw pleaded to his mate. Squirrelstar licked her chest. "Of course. No more lies." She replied. They were finally a family…