Was it Never Meant to Be Us?

ShrewSquirrelBramble

"Shrewpaw... he's gone." Squirrelpaw was curled up alone in the apprentices' spot. How could one of her best friends be gone? Worst of all, she never got to spend as much time with him as she'd have liked. The journey had slowed their friendship down.

Leafpaw wasn't here to comfort her. She was with Cinderpelt, caring for the starving cats. She could have been caring for Shrewpaw if it was only an injury, but apparently StarClan had willed it more than an injury. Heart sinking, Squirrelpaw let out a long sigh, her green eyes closing. What if Shrewpaw was with her now? Things might be different.

Suddenly there was a movement outside the apprentices' group. Squirrelpaw picked her head up to see she was the only one still awake. She looked around. Gasping, the ginger apprentice saw a dark brown tom making his way around the group of apprentices.

"Shrewpaw!" she called out to him. "Shrewpaw, wait! Come here!" The cat turned toward her and she blinked. The cat was far away making it look small like an apprentice.

It talked to her. "Squirrelpaw?" mewed the voice in surprise. "Squirrelpaw, aren't you suppose to be resting on your father's orders?"

Brambleclaw! Squirrelpaw's eyes got glassy with sadness when she saw him approach her. He was worried for her, worried about her getting some rest. The ginger she-cat carefully wound around all the cats to meet Brambleclaw. The tabby tom seemed to sense her pure sadness as she trust her nose into his fur.

"I wish I could have hunted with him one last time," she whispered as Brambleclaw stroked her with his tail. "Just one last time. Or at least said good-bye."

She felt the tabby tom before her soften even more. "Squirrelpaw," he breathed. "It is the will of StarClan. There is a reason for this. Shrewpaw is safe in StarClan. He can watch over Spiderpaw and his family from the stars now. He can watch over his family, Clan, and you."

Squirrelpaw was surprised to hear Brambleclaw speak so quietly. She knew that he was sad for himself and her but... Suddenly she knew why.

"Brambleclaw, can we go hunting together?" she murmured.

"Yes," whispered the dark tabby. "Let's go."

But it Was Meant to be Us

(Moons Later)

"They're wonderful," murmured Brambleclaw as he hovered over his mate and her kits. The ginger queen gently watched them play, squeal, and purr.

"Yes," mewed Squirrelflight. She closed her eyes for a moment and a picture of a dark brown apprentice flooded her mind. It was the first time she thought of Shrewpaw since her kits had been born. Though nobody in particular knew about it, Squirrelflight would always wonder what could have been. But she knew now that it was meant by StarClan for it to be her and Brambleclaw.

"You know what, Squirrelflight?" mewed a voice from the entrance. "It's almost like Shrewpaw is here with them, if you know what I mean. I got back from the Moonpool a little bit ago. Shrewpaw said your kits are amazing."

Squirrelflight breathed out a sigh. Brambleclaw stiffened. "Brambleclaw," whispered Squirrelflight. "Shrewpaw is my best friend. Still one of my best friends. I daresay he's happy you're the father."

Brambleclaw narrowed his eyes and purred. "Leafpool, how are you?" he mewed. The cat from the enterance of the nursery finally appeared.

"Good, and you, Squirrelflight, and the kits?"

"All fine, Leafpool, expect for the fact that these kits are already into all shorts of trouble," Brambleclaw mewed as a golden ball of fur latched onto his tail.

While Brambleclaw was distracted, Squirrelflight looked into the eyes of Leafpool. She read her sister's expression. Squirrelflight, you mousebrain, how are you worried about Shrewpaw? You two were best friends and there wasn't any guarentee of, well, anything! Mousebrain! Stop thinking about Shrewpaw.

"You're right, Leafpool," mewed Squirrelflight.

"I know," the tabby medicine cat mewed with a sigh.

"Huh, did I miss something?" Brambleclaw mewed with a confused look on his face. Leafpool snorted.

"He's your mate, you explain it," she mewed as she left the nursery with a lick to Squirrelflight and a purr to Brambleclaw.

"I won't ask," Brambleclaw murmured to Squirrelflight.

Smiling, the ginger queen flicked her tail to the stars. "I was just remembering," she mewed quietly. "There are so many things I've been through. So many things we've been through. You know what? Leafpool's right." Brambleclaw flicked his tail and smiled.

"I'd better be going," he mewed gently. He picked up the remains of the rabbit the family had shared. "Goodnight, love. Goodnight, Hollykit, Lionkit, Jaykit..."

"Goodnight, Father!" chorused the kits.

"Goodnight, Brambleclaw," called Squirrelflight, a pure look of happiness on her face.