They'd met again and again, asking about days and Clans, leaders and medicine cats, everything and nothing. They'd lie under clouds or concrete.
Slash was amazed when she learned about the Clans' policy of taking care of everyone – "You don't banish your elderly?".
Brambleclaw was appalled when he learned about the BloodClan way. "You banish your elders?"
But the pair shared many frost-bitten nights together.
"Sorry I took so long." Brambleclaw huffed, shaking off the newleaf rain. "Cats are starting to get suspicious."
"Yeah, If Ice didn't know that I had nowhere to go he'd be onto me like a cat on chicken."
"Chicken?"
"A twoleg food."
"Give me a nice mouse anyday."
"I much prefer the greenleaf pigeons to the Twolegs' waste, but I'm just glad I can eat."
"I can see that." She knew that he always eyed her thin frame with concern, but she also knew that she was far from an extreme example of BloodClan hunger. The pair laid there for a while, before…
"Why?" She asked after a long ponder.
"Why what?"
"Why do you work so hard?"
"I've got to shake off the legacy of my father."
"Your father?"
"His name was Tigerstar. He did terrible things… unspeakable things. And the Clans still bear the scars."
"That sounds awful." She told him, eyes softening. She knew all about unspeakable, of course. Any cat who thought a member of BloodClan wouldn't had rot for brains. But to have that suspicion…
"I'm glad I don't have a father." She added. She was resented enough within the streets for her position without adding another reputation onto it all.
"Not all fathers are bad. Our Clan leader, Firestar, has been a father figure to me."
"Why'd you want another one after Tigerstar?"
"He was my mentor. At first, he distrusted me because of my heritage. But over time he got to know me for me. Not Tigerstar's son. Just Brambleclaw. It wasn't a search. He just kind of assumed that role." He licked his chest fur in embarrassment.
She smiled. "I'm glad you found more family, Brambleclaw. You're a cat that deserves to have family."
"Well, so are you."
"Brambleclaw, I've killed someone over food. I don't think I deserve a family."
"You've told me of this. Cats kill sometimes. Cats get heated and do things they regret. And yes, that doesn't vindicate a cat. But the fact that you care shows your nature."
She pressed into him. "Thank you. For believing I'm worth it."
"It wasn't hard. You're already worth the world to me. In fact… I wanted to discuss something with you."
"Go ahead, I'm listening."
"I was wondering if you wanted to come to ThunderClan with me?"
"Wouldn't I be unwelcome?"
"You're unwelcome here already from what you've told me. Besides, if you aren't accepted, we can try to make it on our own."
"You'd really give up the Clan you love for me?"
"If it came to it."
"Alright, of course I'll come!"
"Meet me at moonhigh then. We'll need the time to try and get that collar off."
"I will."
They shared one last nuzzle before Slash left to wind through the alleys again.