Hey, Guys. Hope ya had a good Thanksgiving.
Alrighty, on to the chappie!
Disclaimer: The day I own Warriors is the day pigs will fly.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Squirrelflight yawned as she emerged from the warrior's den, her sister's words still ringing in her head. He loves you.
But how do you know, Leafpool?
How do you know until you know?
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Squirrelflight was sharing a vole with Ashfur when Brambleclaw padded up to them.
"Firestar wants Sandstorm, Squirrelflight, and I to do hunting patrol." His voice sounded smug, but Squirrelflight guessed it was more due to the fact that Ashfur wasn't going that Brambleclaw was boasting.
Squirrelflight opened her mouth to reply when Ashfur cut in. "And why are so happy about actually being useful? Just because Graystripe isn't here yet doesn't mean you get to take his place."
Squirrelflight blinked. What had caused this comment? Then it struck her. Ashfur was jealous.
"What are you talking about?" Brambleclaw hissed.
"Come on, Brambleclaw. A kit with blind eyes could see it, Squirrelflight can see it, that you're trying to become deputy, not to mention the fact that you hang with that traitorous brother of yours."
Brambleclaw fluffed his fur out so he looked twice his size. "How do you know what she sees? You're not her. Stop acting like you are!"
"Well, then, stop acting like a mini Tigerstar!"
Brambleclaw reared back as if stung, then bunched his muscles and sprang at Ashfur, spitting as he leaped.
Ashfur met the challenge by rolling away and striking with his paw, claws unsheathed. Brambleclaw dodged and struck with his own attack, claws nipping at Ashfur's fur.
The two toms went on fighting with half the clan cheering them on until Firestar emerged from his den, fur bristling, and broke up the fight.
"What do you two think you're doing? The enemy is outside the clan, not inside."
"It is if the cat inside is a traitor," Ashfur murmured loud enough for Brambleclaw to hear. Brambleclaw spat in response.
"I would have never thought that two of my best warriors would do such a stupid thing as what you two have done," Firestar went on as if he hadn't heard the comment. "Now if you need to settle something, do it with your claws sheathed."
Shaking his head, he veered towards the low fresh-kill pile and sat with his nephew Cloadtail.
"Well, come on Brambleclaw, Squirrelflight. Just because you get in a tussle doesn't mean you miss hunting patrol." Without waiting for response, Sandstorm headed for the entrance, beckoning with her tail for them to follow.
Brambleclaw got up without a glance in Squirrelflights or Ashfurs direction.
Looking reproachfully at Ashfur, she followed, but not before flicking her tail playfully in goodbye.
Catching up to her mother, Sandstorm meowed amusedly, "So, now you have toms fighting over you?"
Squirrelflight batted at her mother's ear in mock shock, but replied, "It wasn't over me, I think."
Her mother smiled, shaking her head.
OOOOOOOOOOOOO-Brambleclaw's POV (sort of)-OOOOOOOOOOOOO
Brambleclaw padded past Squirrelflight and her mother and into the woods.
They followed, and Sandstorm said, "Well, I think I hear some mice over there. Why don't you guys go that way?" She pointed with her tail.
Brambleclaw nodded, feeling his pelt bristle at the thought of being alone with Squirrelflight.
Squirrelflight glared at her mother, but for once didn't say anything. Stalking past him, she twitched her tail. "You think that's going to solve anything. Mother? If you do, well then you're more mouse brained than I thought!" She muttered.
Brambleclaw almost laughed, but then caught himself. Mates are like friends, obstacles.
"Well, come on. If we are going to hunt, we might as well hunt."
Brambleclaw let a small smile escape before he melted back into a stoic mask, but Squirrelflight caught it, and smiled back.
Brambleclaw pushed his feelings to the back of his mind and followed the pretty she cat.
He saw her crouch and pounce on an unsuspecting mouse and returned triumphantly with it in her mouth.
"That the best you can do?" he asked before he realized he had said anything.
Squirrelflight looked surprised that he was talking to her, and set her mouse down.
"More than you have," she pointed out.
"Really? I see this big piece of prey."
"Where?" she looked around, confused.
"Right here." And before he could stop himself, he launched himself playfully at Squirrelflight. She widened her eyes as she saw him leaping for her, but smiled and jumped out of the way, instead landing on top of him. He rolled and ended up pinning her to the ground with his strong paws.
If they prove distracting, you kill them.
He looked into her warm green eyes, and saw no trace of the recent hostility, only something else he couldn't identify.
You Kill Them.
But I can't kill her, father, I can't.
He took his paws off her and turned away, Tigerstar's words still ringing in his head. But out of the corner of his eye he saw Squirrelflight narrow her eyes, and he saw a flash of pain and confusion before she turned away as well.
I'm sorry.
He raised his head and brushed his muzzle along her side.
I'm sorry father.
"Change of heart?" Squirrelflight snapped.
He didn't reply, but Squirrelflight's eyes melted from anger to puzzlement.
"What's been up with you lately?" she asked. "One second you act like Brambleclaw and the next…."
He shrugged. Rolling her eyes, she padded over and started licking a wound from Ashfur.
Brambleclaw closed his eyes peacefully. A moment like this with her was like a moment with Starclan.
Finished cleaning it, she said tartly, "Well, now, if you don't get into another tussle soon we wont have another problem." Flicking her tail over the wound, she murmured, "toms."
The sun hit her pelt, lighting her up, and Brambleclaw felt that longing in him to forget Tigerstar and be himself again.
But you want to be deputy; the little voice in the back of his head reminded him. And Tigerstar can help you achieve that.
Am I asking to be deputy, or be Tigerstar.
He knew the answer; he just didn't want to admit it.
OOOOOOOOOOOOO-Back to Squirrelflight!-OOOOOOOOOOOOO
They returned to camp, Squirrelflight carrying her mouse and two voles, and Brambleclaw a big rabbit. Sandstorm was already back and was sharing a thrush with her mate, Firestar.
Depositing her prey onto the fresh-kill pile, she padded towards the nursery.
"Hey, Squirrelflight!"
Turning, she saw Silverpup walking towards her, and flicked her tail in greeting.
"Guess what?"
"What?" Squirrelflight asked.
"I'm 2 and one half moons today! That means only 3 and a half more moons until I'm an apprentice!"
Squirrelflight smiled, and Silverpup wagged his tail. He never purred, only wagged.
"Are you going to be my mentor? I hope you are."
"I hope so too," she replied.
"You! Have a mentor! You're lucky that the clan has taken you in; much less actually train you to become a warrior. You have to be a cat to be one," a voice behind them spat. Turning, Squirrelflight saw Mousekit glaring hatefully at the pup.
"Well, aren't I a cat?" Silverpup asked, unfazed by Mousekit's glare.
"No, you're just a dumb dog, lucky to be at the right time at the right place."
Silverpup widened his eyes, but instead of launching himself at Mousekit, he growled, "Well, at least I don't make fun of cat's heritage, especially since you're a horse place two-leg cat!"
Squirrelflight saw Mousekit's eyes widen, but couldn't seem to find something to say back, and instead turned and stalked over to Daisy.
Now that the kit couldn't see him anymore, Silverpup let his tail droop and asked Squirrelflight, "is it true I'm not a cat? I knew I was different, claws, ears, nose and such, but I'm not even a cat?"
Shaking her head, Squirrelflight nosed him to his paws and said, "But you don't have to be a cat to be loyal. Just ignore Mousekit, ok?"
Silverpup nodded, but still looked dejected as he walked over to Sorreltail.
Will he ever really be accepted?
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Squirrelflight picked up a plump mouse and went and sat beside Ashfur. He was staring curiously at Daisy and her 3 kits.
"I'm surprised Firestar has let them stay so long," he said unexpectedly.
Looking up from her meal, Squirrelflight replied, "They're still kits, and Daisy is letting them stay here to become apprentices."
Ashfur snorted. "But Daisy doesn't do anything. Kittypets aren't cut out for clan life."
Squirrelflight narrowed her eyes and hissed , "so I'm not cut out for this life, am I Ashfur?" Standing without another word and went to sit by a surprised Brambleclaw, leaving Ashfur dumbstruck.
"Change of heart?" Brambleclaw teased.
Rolling her eyes, she finished her mouse.
"So what did he say this time?" Brambleclaw asked.
"Said kittypets aren't strong enough to survive in the forest, but he didn't seem to remember the fact that I'm half kittypet," she spat.
He flicked his tail on her shoulder to calm her.
Closing her eyes, she said, "I guess I'm over reacting, it's just everyone thinks you have to be born here to be one of here. Mousekit was interrogating Silverpup earlier, and I think I just took my anger out on Ashfur."
"Ashfur gets what he deserves," Brambleclaw growled.
"Oh, I forgot, not the best of buddies are you?" she said sarcastically.
"No, not at all," he said, smiling, and Squirrelflight thought her heart might burst,
"I guess I should go apologize," she said awkwardly.
He shrugged. "If you want to," he said, but Squirrelflight could detect something underneath his calm words.
Touching her nose to his check, she padded back to make amends with Ashfur.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Leafpool watched Tigerstar welcome his sons, and right away she noticed that Brambleclaw was distracted.
Thinking about my sister, aren't you?
As Leafpool guessed, Tigerstar noticed his distracted son as well.
"What is wrong with you, Brambleclaw?" he growled, unsheathing his claws.
Shaking his head, Brambleclaw replied, "Nothing."
Tigerstar raised an eyebrow but didn't comment. "As I was saying, I'm guessing the troops will take about six to seven months to get ready."
"That long!?" Hawkfrost exclaimed. "Why so long?"
"To give you time to gain followers, get rid of the mangy mutt, and get their heads out of the clouds, Brambleclaw!"
Brambleclaw focused his gaze on Tigerstar and stammered an apology.
"What's on your mind? You've been like this for the past month, Brambleclaw! Our plan could fail if you don't focus!"
"Yes, father."
"Good. You may both go, as Brambleclaw cannot stop thinking about his precious she-cat."
Leafpool saw Brambleclaw twitch his tail in embarrassment, and sprang away, towards the exit. Hawkfrost followed, his face concentrated on something Leafpool couldn't guess of.
She was about to leave when she saw Tigerstar still hadn't vanished yet. Confused, Leafpool sat down again and waited too see what would happen.
After a while that seemed like many moons, Hawkfrost reappeared, but with no Brambleclaw trailing after him.
"So, you heard me," Tigerstar growled, curling his lip back into a faint snarl.
"I did, father, but I'm sorry to say having a buzzing voice in my head saying to come back after Brambleclaw was gone isn't very pleasant."
Tigerstar smiled. "Get used to being unpleasant, and having unpleasant on you."
Hawkfrost nodded.
"Now, you're probably wondering why you've been called back?"
Hawkfrost nodded again.
"You've probably noticed how distant Brambleclaw has been lately?" Tigerstar started, "Well, if he can't start ignoring that she-cat, then you'll have to help him get rid of her."
Looking at Hawkfrost straight in the eye, he said, "or we can let him continue like this, using him, and when we finally succeed…."
Hawkfrost grinned. "When we succeed, we kill him."
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather around highledge for a clan meeting!" Firestar yowled.
Leafpool jerked awake, noticing she had slept until sunhigh.
What does Firestar want?
As all the cats assembled, Leafpool noticed Daisy vigorously grooming her kits, and all three of them raised their heads proudly.
"Today, Daisy, a cat from the horse place, has been here for 6 moons, and her kits are old enough to become apprentices. Berrykit, Mousekit, and Hazelkit, please come forward."
The three kits sprang forward eagerly.
"Do you three, even though not clan born, promise to uphold the warrior code and protect the clan that has taken you in for the rest of your lives?"
The three kit all answered, "I do."
"Then from now on, until you have earned your warrior name, Berrykit shall be known as Berrypaw and your mentor shall be Dustpelt. Dustpelt, you know what it means to be a mentor and I hope you will mentor this apprentice as hard and well."
Firestar turned to Mousekit while Dustpelt and Berrykit touched noses. "Mousekit, your will be known as Mousepaw. Train hard and be fair to all, with your mentor Rainwhisker to help guide you."
Turning to the last horse place kit, he said, "Ferncloud, you know what it feels like to loose someone. Train Hazelkit to the best of your abilities and pass on all your knowledge to your new apprentice."
Ferncloud stepped forward and touched noses with the new apprentice.
A silence followed his words, until slowly chants of their new names started to break out, Cloadtail being one of the loudest.
When the noise died down, Firestar continued.
"Daisy, you have recovered your strength and your kits no longer need you. I will now ask you, since you cannot stay in the clan forever without doing your share, what you plan on doing know."
Leafpool saw Cloadtail's pelt bristle, but the white warrior didn't comment.
Daisy sat tall and straight, then said, "I will return to my home and mate. I thank Thunderclan for everything it has done to help us. However, I do request to be able to come and visit my kits."
Firestar nodded. "Request granted."
"And if you ever have more kits, you're welcome here," A yowl sounded from behind her. Turning, she saw Cloudtail peering at Firestar with a determined face.
Firestar glared at his nephew, but did not object.
Daisy nodded, standing proudly. Cloudtail made his way over to her, and whispered something into her ear, causing her to giggle. Beside her, Leafpool felt Brightheart stiffen and look away. Leafpool felt sadness in her when she looked at the one-eyed she-cat.
All of a sudden Brightheart snapped her head up and went over to the pure white tom. Seeing her, he pricked his ears in surprise and went to meet her. Raising her head, she asked Cloudtail something, and Leafpool saw him look away in shame. Without another word the tortoiseshell she-cat turned and padded off to the warrior den.
Turning away, Leafpool saw Squirrelflight talking to Ashfur, but she could tell they seemed a little on edge, and at the corner of the hollow she saw Brambleclaw glaring at Firestar, before turning to enter the warrior's den.
Off to see a father that will kill you without a second thought?
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Hope you liked it! ;)
Umm, just so you know, I can't seem to recieve any PM's, Reviews, or Alerts from my email...they just won't show up, so if any of you need to tell me something, you can email me yeah, if you have the time, can those who do read this story review? It keeps up my muse. :)
Thanks to all who have reviewed in the past, and have kept it up! It really makes my day!
BlindSeer.
P.S. If you need to contact me in anyway, you can get my email from my profile page. ;)
