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In Which Bramble Tells You About the Dangers

of Tickling and Assassination

First thought I had when I woke up was; what in StarClan did you do last night?

I braced myself for the rest of the lecture.

Really? Really, Brambleclaw? Does the word Off limits mean nothing to you? How many times did you kiss her, uh? Oh, you don't know, do you? Well, I do. 24 times just last night. You're not worthy of one, much less 24. And we're you really having those thoughts? Honestly, I would think that you would be decent enough to stay clear of even thinking about that activity with her. You. Don't . Deserve. It. What other infractions did you have? Uh... Oh, yeah! You touched her. You knew it was wrong but you still touched her. Why? She can do that to you, but under no circumstances are you allowed to do the same thing. Ya wanna know why? Because you don't deserve her. Why are you trying? There is no way you can be of her level. None. So don't even try.

I waited for more, but none came. Instead, I relived what happened the night before. Stupid, stupid, stupid. I have to control my urges better. We had shifted over night so she now had her back against me. Somehow, I had ended up hugging her.

YOU'RE HUGGING HER! GET OFF!

I didn't want to do that. The feeling of having her pressed close to me made me deliriously happy. But, the voice kept on screaming at me and I was forced to let go off her and turn my back to her.

Good, good. See? It wasn't that hard, was it?

Oh, be quiet, voice. My body is aching to have her close to me. The need of this it almost hurt physically. Like right now. I clutched the sheets and tried to ignore the pain, but I couldn't. My stomach twisted, my back ached, and my breathing was swallow. My head throbbed and images of Squirrelflight flashed through my mind. It was torture. Just plain torture. If I gave in, I would get yet an other lecture from that voice at the back of my head.

I was half wanted Squirrelflight to wake up and see me like this and relive me from the pain by hugging me. That's all I needed. Just a hug. I just needed her to press herself next to me and this would all go away.

But, she's never woken up while I went through this, so I knew that she wouldn't. After a full minute of this, the pain started to ebb away. I sighed in relief. I took huge gulps of air, getting back the oxygen I needed.

I sensed Squirrelflight stirring and did my best to act like I was still sleeping. Closing my eyes, I let my breathing slow down. After a minute or two, I felt Squirrelflight shake me. "Iz mornin'. Gets ups," she said groggily.

I rubbed my eyes. "I'm up," I said, yawning.

"I'm gonna... Go..." She yawned. "... To the 'athroom."

"Go ahead," I said, gently pushing her off the bed. She giggled and basically staggered to the bathroom. It's hard to believe, but I feel like we've become lazy during our stay here. But, I don't necessarily dislike it. I sorta like the fact that I don't have to wake up and worry about what the day would bring. Here, everything is so calm and peaceful. Well, the attacks from the D.C.R shakes us up, but that's the worst of it.

I stretched and got off the bed. I ran my fingers through my hair, attempting to make it lay down flat. Suddenly, I got a very vivid picture of me kissing Squirrelflight last night. Just the thought of it made my head spin and want more.

No. No more kissing for you! You don't deserve her, you piece of fox-dung!

I winced and quickly erased the image from my head. Stupid, stupid, stupid. Why did I think that? No, why did I do that? Why did I give in into my urges? Even if she did like it, I shouldn't have done it.

There you go. Know your place, Brambleclaw.

But what if I didn't like my place? What if I hated the fact that I couldn't even press her close to me? What if I wanted a way to move up and be next to her?

"Brambleclaw, are you okay?" I turned around to see Squirrelflight.

"Oh, I'm fine. Just thinking."

She cocked her head and looked at me curiously, as though she didn't believe me. But, she didn't push me anymore. " 'mkay. If that's what you say." She yawned loudly and rubbed her eyes. I smiled briefly.

"Come on. I think breakfast is ready." Squirrelflight nodded and shuffled to me. She yawned yet again and leaned against me. I gently poked her, trying to get her to stand up and walk up the stairs. But, she just fell down to the ground and curled herself up, just about ready to go back to sleep. I sighed and scooped her up. She snuggled up close to me and let out a gentle sigh. Suddenly, my face felt uncomfortably hot.

Oh, StarClan. Please help me.

I went to the living room and laid her on the couch. She stretched and stopped. She sniffed the air and looked at me. "Food."

"Do you want some?"

"Yes."

I grinned and said, "Well, you're going to have to walk to the food."

"Awww... Can't you carry me again?"

I grinned. "Nope."

She groaned and tumbled off the couch. She just stayed here, sprawled on the floor until I started to poke her stomach with my bare foot. She squirmed away, giggling. Still grinning, I got down on my knees and started to tickle her. Just like I had expected, she started to giggle like crazy and squirm under my touch. I let my fingers dance around, tickling her everywhere I knew I could touch. Finally, I stopped tickling her, letting her catch her breath. Panting, she gripped the collar of my shirt and yanked our faces together.

My spine tingled in anticipation at what was going to happen. I could already feel her lips on mine. Just when they were about to meet, I sensed that something was wrong. I looked to the side and nearly screamed.

Stacey, Krista, Casey, and Jacob were staring at us. Suddenly, I realized in what position we were in. Somehow, I had ended up on top of Squirrelflight. She had wrapped her leg around my waist and was still panting from her giggling. I could already see what was going through their minds. Jacob seemed mildly surprised, Krista seemed pretty excited, Casey looked horrified, and Stacey... oh, the poor girl. She looked completely hysterical.

She shakily pointed a finger at us. "Ah... Ah...ah..." she said, attempting to say something.

"This isn't what it looks like!" I said, flushing intensely. "I swear!"

Stacey's response was to crumple to the floor in a dead faint. Casey looked at us, even more horrified. Jacob went over his sister's side and started to gently shake her. Krista looked at us, impressed. "Congratulations," she said. "You've made Stacey pass out."

Breakfast was beyond awkward. No one looked at each and any little sound seemed to become magnified. Since there was nothing to talk about, there was nothing to distract me from the voice.

WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU? Why did you tickle her? There was no reason to do that other than the fact that you want to touch her. And that whole getting on top of her thing? Really? Are you out of your mind? You don't do that! And you should be happy that she wants to kiss you. Be ashamed. Be ashamed that she would ever want to kiss or love someone that didn't stand by her side when she needed it the most. You don't deserve her. Period. I don't want something like this ever happening again. YOU HEAR ME? I don't want something like this to ever happen again. Understand you worthless piece of fox-dung?

After breakfast, Squirrelflight approached me nervously. "Um... Brambleclaw? Are-Are you okay?"

"Me? I'm fine."

"You don't seem like it."

I sighed and rubbed the back of my neck. "The voice-"

"Reprimanded you. Oh, Brambleclaw." She hugged me fiercely. At any other time, I would have been overjoyed about this action. But, I felt ashamed instead. I hadn't deserved this from her. I hadn't done anything heroic or brave. Why was she hugging me? She looked up at me, her green eyes shining with worry. "Brambleclaw?" she asked tentivaley.

I forced myself to smile. "I'm fine. Don't worry."

She didn't seem to be convinced by this but let it slip. "Do you want to take a shower first?"

I shrugged. "Sure."

"Good. Because you smell."

"Hey! I do not!"

She laughed. "You have the best reactions."

I allowed myself to blush. She just said the cutest things. Shaking my head, I went up the stairs and got into the showers. Showers are probably one of the most amazing things that two legs have ever come up with. It's like having your own personal rain. One thing I liked to do while I'm I there is to just stand in there and let the water hit me. It was... Relaxing, I guess.

When I was done, I took a towel and dried myself. Wrapping it around my waist. I opened the door to find Stacey. She poked her head into the bathroom and looked around. When she noticed me staring at her, she said, ''Just checking something...'' She slowly walked away from bathroom, looking over her shoulder occasionally. I stood there for a while, wondering why she did what she did. Shrugging it off, I went into the basement and put on some clothes.

When I came up, I found Stacey waiting at the door. ''Do you need something?''

She nodded. ''I'm thinking about trimming the plants outside but it's too much work for me.''

''And your sibling?

''Krista doesn't like the dirt, Casey is a monster with the scissors and Jacob it too young.''

''Oh, I see. Sure, I'll help.''

She smiled. ''Thanks. I already have Squirrelflight helping me.''

''Squirrelflight? She took a shower that quickly?''

''She didn't shower at all.''

Okay, so apparently I have to take a shower and she doesn't? I mentally rolled my eyes. I followed Stacey outside. It was a beautiful day; the sun was shining, it wasn't too hot and a gentle breeze blew from the east. Like Stacey had said, Squirrelflight was already helping her. She was on her knees, pulling out weeds. ''Go help her out,'' said Stacey, taking scissors and starting to trim the bushes.

I went over to Squirrelflight and crouched down beside her. ''Hey,'' I said.

''Hey.''

''What this hear about you not taking a shower?''

Squirrelflight tugged at a weed. ''I didn't need one.''

''Oh, uh-huh.''

''I didn't smell!''

''And I did?''

She nodded.

''And why do you say that?''

''Because men smell more than women.''

I tugged at a weed and looked her curiously. ''Says who?''

''Says me.''

I took the weed out. ''And what are you?''

''A scent scientist.''

I laughed. ''You come up with the most adorable things.''

She looked at the ground, blushing lightly. ''It's not that amazing.''

''Well, I think so. That should count for something.''

She looked up at me, blush tinting her cheeks. ''You are a friggin' womanizer.''

''A what?''

''Never mind,'' she said quickly, turning back to her job.

''No, I'm curious. What did you say?''

She scanned me with her eyes for a long. Finally, she said, ''I said you were ugly.''

''Hey!''

She giggled lightly. ''I'm kidding. You aren't ugly. Well, at least not to me.''

I grinned. ''I'm happy to hear that.''

No you aren't! You are not happy!

Yes, I am happy!

Well, you shouldn't be. You don't deserve her, remember?

Like you ever let me forget.

Without me, there wouldn't be anything controlling you.

''Brambleclaw?''

I snapped out of my thoughts. ''Yeah?''

''Are you okay?'' She peered at me worriedly.

''Fine,'' I said quickly.

She didn't look convinced. She turned back to pulling weeds. I did the same, trying to ignore the voice. Finally, Stacey went over to us. ''Done. Brambleclaw?''

''Yeah?''

''You don't mind watering the bushes, do you?''

''No, I don't mind.''

''Good.'' She handed me a long green thing. I looked at it curiously for a while. I've never seen anything like it before. It was like a huge snake, expect that it didn't have a head. ''It's called a hose.''

''A hose?'' Shouldn't be called 'the long green thing'?

''Yup. This is how you use it.'' Stacey demonstrated me how to use this strange two-leg tool. She showed me that there were three settings: mist, shower, and hard shower. Mist was mist. Shower was like a shower. And hard shower was like having rocks thrown at you. Why in the world would someone make that as a setting? I took the hose and started to water the bushes.

''Squirrelflight? Can you come to the back with me?''

''Of course.''

The two girls walked away leaving me alone. As I watered the plants, Mrs. Keener walked by with her dog. The dog, Missy, stopped in her tracks and bounded up to me. She sat down next to me and I gently pat her head. As a two-leg, I can see why they like dogs. They can be quite adorable at times.

''Brandon Ciardi, am I right?'' asked Mrs. Keener.

''Yes, Ma'am.,'' I said polietly. ''How are you doing?''

''Very well, young man. You know, it's become very hard to find young people like yourself. A gentleman.''

''Oh,'' I said, scratching behind Missy's ears. Her tail thumped on ground happily. ''Thank you, ma'am.''

''Your very welcome, young man. Missy,'' The dog turned her head to her owner. ''It's time to go.'' Missy whimpered and looked up at me. She rubbed her head against my kneecap and then trotted over to her owner. ''I hope to see you around, Brandon.''

''I wish the same, Mrs. Keener.'' Some part of me truly wanted to meet her again. She was a nice and gentle lady and I always liked my conversations with her.

I watched her as she walked away. Once I could no longer see her, I went back to watering the plants. I was thinking about how peaceful today was when I heard a blood-curling scream. Stacey's blood-curling scream. Immediately, I dash to the backyard to see what had happened.

The first thing I saw was a man dressed completely in black from head to toe. In his hand, he had a huge knife. And on the knife was blood. I didn't even have to look at the girls to figure what happened and what was going to happen. But, I didn't have a weapon. The only thing I had was the hose.

So, I did the best thing I could do; I changed the setting to hard shower and shot the blasting water at him.

The force of the water was so great, he actually fell to the ground. The knife flew out of his hand and landed ten fox lengths away from him. I let the hose drop and dashed to the knife. Unfortunately, he got up pretty quickly and her did the same. I launched myself at him, grabbing him by his pants. I fell down to ground, taking his pants with me.

''Nice boxers,'' I said.

''Cat bastard,'' he said. He kicked my face and let go of his pants. I quickly scampered to knife, only for the guy to get there first. I growled and got up. I stretched my arms out and said, ''Don't hurt them.''

''My job is to eliminate anyone that opposes me.''

I was about to tell me that I'll fight him when Squirrelflight charges at him. It happened so quick too. One second he was right in front of me and the next he was being attacked by Squirrelflight. I stood there, frozen for a moment. She seemed to be doing okay. But, then I noticed the the guy still had his knife. And he had that look in his eyes that read I-will-stab-you.

My heart pounded inside my head. She was going to die.

So, I charged straight at the guy, tackling him to the floor. But, this got me a knife in my stomach. I let out a scream of pain and jabbed my elbow into his chest. He coughed and drew the dagger out of my stomach. My hand went immediately to my stomach. I could feel the blood leaving it. From the looks of it, I'm going to probably pass out from blood lose.

''Stupid cat,'' he panted. ''Just be glad that I'm not supposed to kill you or your girlfriend. Just the other girl and her family.''

Something inside me flared up. I couldn't let this guy hurt Stacey and her family! I growled and started to punch him. Of course, he started swinging his knife around making my job of beating him up much harder. After a minute of intense fighting, I was starting to get woozy. Everything started to get blurry, my moves became more sluggish, and I could feel myself losing consciousness.

The guy, however, didn't have any of those problems. No. He just kept on fighting.

Finally, he pinned me down. I don't know how long I had been fighting. All I knew was that my head hurt, my breathing was swallow, I had lost a lot of blood, and that I was going to die. I looked up to the person who was going to kill me. Was it possible that my life was going to end here? I had always expected I would die saving my Clan or something like that. Not here.

But, at least I died trying to save someone.

Didn't I?

I saved Stacey, Casey, Krista and Jacob.

And I saved Squirrelflight.

''Get ready to die, cat.''

Squirrelflight... I hope she lives to see the Clans again. I hope the Clans forgive. I hope she can live happily. I hope she doesn't forget me. When she dies, I'll be waiting for her. We can be together then. And I don't care what the voice says anymore. Maybe I don't deserve her love. But hell with it, I love her to death.

I love you, Squirrelflight.

I brace myself for the killing blow.

The killing blow that never happened.

I have a blurry memory of what happened. All I know is that I felt the guy's weight get off of me. I remember the sound of sirens and screaming. Someone picked me up and started to shout orders. I remember seeing Stacey talking with someone in a white uniform. Someone put me on something like a bed.

The last thing I do remember is seeing Squirrelflight's face above me, green eyes wide with worry.

''I saved you,'' I said quietly.

She smiled. ''Yes, yes you did.''

Guys, it's going to be over soon. D:

But, there is the sequel to think about. :D

So, I hope you've enjoyed this and... well... see you soon!