CAUTION: SPOILERS FOR LONG SHADOWS AND SUNRISE! READ AT YOUR OWN PERIL!

Okay guys - before I start, I just want to apologize for being a week late. But I have a double update, if anybody's interested. And I don't have time right now to reply to the reviews I got for the last chapter, but everyone who reviewed - know that I'm grateful to you for taking however long reviewing took you out of your day to completely brighten mine. But unfortunately, I also have bad news: real life has struck me again. My dance recital is growing ever closer, and my iPod's battery needs replacing, so I'm not sure if I'll make next weeks update. I will sincerely try my hardest, though.

Oh, and before I forget: I've been talking to a rather new author here on FF - Rosesong405. She needs help with her Warriors series she was co-writing (the full story is on her profile), and I would help her, but as above - I'm barely able to make my own updates. But I'm sure she'd appreciate any help you guys would be able to give, if you feel like helping her out. There's your shoutout, Rose =D.

Circles
A Squirrelflight Oneshot (BrambleXSquirrel if you squint)
Song: Circles by Flyleaf (AWESOME, deep song - check it out)

Squirrelflight's heart was still pounding, even after Firestar had dismissed the clan meeting, but she managed to let out the breath she had been holding.

Not only was Ashfur dead, but he had been murdered.

And she knew who everyone would suspect.

Oh, StarClan, she wailed in her mind as she looked up to the sky. I didn't do it! I didn't kill him.

Yes you did, a voice spoke in her head, mocking her, digging into all her doubts. You killed him the day you chose Brambleclaw in stead of him.

"No," she whispered, shaking her head slowly.

"Hey," she jumped as Brambleclaw spoke, coming to sit beside her, concern in his amber eyes. "Are you okay?"

She looked down, unable to meet his gaze. So many lies she could tell... So, so many he would believe. But, for once, she said what was on her mind. "It's my fault he's dead," she mewed brokenly. "I killed him."

"No, Squirrelflight," he leaned closer, pressing his nose to her ear. "You're not to blame."

"Yes, I am!" Her voice was a little stronger now. "If I would have loved him, this never would have happened. If..." If I hadn't confessed to him, if I hadn't got caught in this lie, he would still be alive. "If I had chosen him, he'd still be alive right now."

"You don't know that," he mewed, just as convinced as she sounded. "it could have been his destiny to die, here and now." He rested his tail on her flank, blinking down at her with love clearly visible in his eyes. "Besides, if you would have chosen him, a lot of things would be different. Lionblaze, Hollyleaf, and Jayfeather, for starters." She looked away, knowing that wasn't true, but he nudged her to gain her attention again. "And I know I wouldn't be here without you."

She had to look away again at those words. No, he might not be here - but she imagined he'd be better off without her. After all, what kind of a cat was she to keep such secrets from him? She was worthless, nothing but a liar, despite what she wanted to believe. "I should have died, not him," she breathed before she could stop herself.

"Don't say that!" He spoke sharply, making her flinch. "Squirrelflight," he gave an unspoken command, and she had no choice but to look up into his eyes. "You had nothing to do with Ashfur's death."

Yes, she wanted to yowl out. I'm the cause! I'm the reason! If I wasn't so tangled up in lies, he'd be alive in stead of rotting in the ground!

Oh, she wished she could tell Brambleclaw everything. He was her mate, after all, and mates shouldn't have secrets. She wanted to just let everything spill out for him to hear, to share with him the truth behind every single lie she'd ever told, to beg his forgiveness for keeping him in the dark for so long. To have him understand that she had to help her sister, that she couldn't just let her go through this alone.

"Brambleclaw," she started, before choking on her words. Her eyes had unconciously found their way to the medicine den, where she saw Leafpool watching her. As she met her sister's eyes, she knew that nothing good could come from this.

"Yes?" He asked, regaining her attention.

She looked back to him, opening her mouth and waiting for her secrets to pour out, but in stead came only silence. She looked back at her sister, and saw all the pain that this particular secret had already caused - and would only continue to inflict.

But she also knew that it wasn't her secret to tell.

"Squirrelflight?" Brambleclaw asked, his eyes narrowing only the slightest bit with concern.

"Thank you," she sighed, the word's rushed as she spoke quickly. "I feel a little bit better."

"You're welcome," he purred, touching his nose to hers. "Now come on - I need you to go on the hunting patrol with me and Sorreltail."

She nodded, but she still sat as she watched him pad off to find the tortoiseshell, before looking back to Leafpool. She saw her sister's whiskers twitch in silent acknowledgement , that she knew how hard it was to keep lying to Brambleclaw. But Squirrelflight knew she had no idea of how hard it was. She gave her a final look, before standing.

StarClan,she silently prayed as she hurried to meet Brambleclaw and Sorreltail at the camp entrance. Please, just let him forgive me. I don't care what any other cat thinks, and I don't care how any other cat feels about it. Just let him forgive me.

Warriors belongs to Erin Hunter. Circles belongs to Flyleaf.