Thanks to everybody who told me Hazelkits name! )

Okay, here's a longer chappie!

Disclaimer: If my dad wasn't allergic to cats, I'd own warriors, but he is, so I don't.

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Squirrelflight watched Silverpup playing with Sorreltail's kits, and she felt a glow of pride. He was growing fast, and his coat didn't hide the strong limbs and muscles that were slowly but surely growing beneath it.

"Come on, Silverpup. You can be Tigerstar this time, and I'll be Firestar!" One of the kits, Sunkit, Squirrelflight thought, yowled.

"Sure, just watch out when I win." Silverpup barked back.

At first the she-cat had been surprised when Silverpup had spoken cat, instead of dog, but, she reflected, Comet and Midnight had, so why not him?

All of a sudden she felt eyes boring into her back, and turning, she saw Brambleclaw peering curiously at her. Noticing she had seen him, he carefully, almost as if he didn't want to, padded over to her. Sitting quietly at her side, he looked at the young creatures. (A/N If from now on I put kits, it's the kits AND the pup, unless I say otherwise.).

"He's becoming pretty strong, soon might be able to take down a warrior," he said hesitantly, not sure how she would take it.

"He should if he's the one from the prophecy." she pointed out, equally hesitant.

She felt him instantly stiffen, and peer around as it uncomfortable.

Surprised, she asked, "What's up with you?"

"Nothing." He shook his head as if shaking away dark thoughts.

"So, has Firestar said anything about who he's taking to the gathering tonight?" she said, attempting conversation.

"No," he replied tersely (A/N I don't even know if this is a word...I think it is)

"Oh, you'll probably just go sit with Hawkfrost anyway," she spat, then widened her eyes and said, "Did I just say that out loud?"

Brambleclaw had stiffened again when she had mentioned Hawkfrost, but laughed at her second comment. Surprised and pleased, Squirrelflight purred.

"No, Hawkfrost wont be at this Gather,-" he stopped abruptly, and squeezed his eyes shut.

How would he know? She asked herself, but she was having such a good time that she ignored the nagging distrust at the back of her mind.

"Oh. Who will you hang out with, then, that is, if you go?"

Disguised relief at having to answer to something other than his slipped comment barely showed in his reply. "I really don't know."

"Oh."

Just then she heard a hiss as one of Daisy's kits spat at Silverpup. Surprised, she saw that Mousekit, the kit who had called Brightheart ugly, spit ferociously at the pup, but underneath Squirrelflight could detect a fear-scent coming off of the horse-place kit.

Confused and hurt, Silverpup sat on his haunches, his ears low and tail drooping, and watched as the kit ran back to Daisy. Just then Sorreltail emerged, and glaring at Mousekit, gave Silverpup a few comforting licks. Pleased, Silverpup cocked his ears, then turned and launched himself playfully at Sootkit. Squealing in surprise, he rolled and pawed back.

"Look, its Firestar," Brambleclaw's voice broke through her study of the kits. "Let's go ask him who's going to the gathering." Standing up, he padded away, but not before twitching his tail for Squirrelflight to follow him.

Firestar was talking to Rainwhisker, and Squirrelflight waited patiently for him to finish. When he did, he widened his eyes in surprise as he saw who she was sitting with, but made no comment.

"Are you two up for the gathering tonight?" he asked.

Both warriors nodded. "Good, so that'll make you two, me, Rainwhisker, Spiderleg, Sandstorm, Mousefur, Leafpool, and Whitebadger."

Squirrelflight was surprised at how pleased she was that Ashfur wasn't coming, and, according to Brambleclaw, Hawkfrost. Then guilt raced through her. She shouldn't think of Ashfur like that! He was a kind and caring cat (A/N this is for you, Spottedmask.).

If Brambleclaw was happy as well, he made no sign of it. Nodding respectfully at Firestar, he turned and padded away towards the warriors den without another word to Squirrelflight.

Okay, now I'm really confused.

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Squirrelflight looked at the island that was their new gathering place. A pang of sadness surged through her as she thought of her old home. Knowing what she was feeling, Leafpool shot her sister a comforting glance.

Jumping on to the log, Squirrelflight padded across, hesitating every once in a while when she thought it might roll.

Finally reaching the island, she turned, suddenly lonely, and walked toward a random direction.

She felt someone following her, and saw Brambleclaw catching up to her. Seeing she had seen him, he slowed, but continued walking towards her. She almost purred with delight, but stopped herself at the last second.

"Walk with me?" he asked.

She thought she would burst with happiness, but was able to calmly shrug.

Together they walked around the island in silence, until Onestar's yowl signaled that the meeting was about to begin.

Sitting at the edge of the throng of cats, Squirrelflight neatly put her paws under her and listened to what the other leaders had to say, and Brambleclaw settled next to her, not quite touching, but close.

She remembered how Firestar had told the clan before they had left not to mention Silverpup, at least not until the clan could be sure he was the one from the prophecy. The group agreed.

As Firestar was telling the audience of the badger attack and of the cats that had died, she felt something rasp gently and lightly across her ear, and nearly jumped in surprise. As realization coerced through her fur, she inwardly purred with delight.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Brambleclaw pause, as if unsure of if he should continue grooming the she-cat before him. Shivering, not at the cold, but at something else, she nuzzled closer, closing the space between them. Taking this as an invitation to continue, he once again rasped his tongue over her ear.

I don't know how I ever thought I could live without you. She thought.

All of a sudden he stopped, and a sadness formed inside of her. She turned to ask him why, and saw he had his eyes closed, and his tail twitching angrily. Moving away from her, he looked up at high tree, but she saw his eyes glazed over, and knew he wasn't hearing a word the leaders said.

She couldn't concentrate at what Leopardstar was saying, she was pondering what would've caused Brambleclaw to act the way he did.

As the gathering came to an end, Brambleclaw stood up without another word and padded over to stand next to the forming group of Thunderclan. Another pang of sadness hit her when he didn't speak to her when she padded after him, hadn't even acknowledged she existed.

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Leafpool was padding through the forest that led to where Tigerstar talked to his sons in their dreams.

Knowing she had a bit of walk still, even though she knew it was a dream, she warily glanced over her shoulder, as if Tigerstar might jump out of her at any moment.

Reaching the bush she usually hid behind, she peered cautiously at the scene before her.

Tigerstar was sitting alone, grooming his dark pelt, when Hawkfrost appeared in front of him from behind the brambles, followed by Brambleclaw.

"Come, tell me what has happened since our last visit," Tigerstar meowed.

Brambleclaw shrugged, and Leafpool could see he wasn't really paying attention.

Hawkfrost opened his mouth to answer, but Tigerstar cut him off, growling at Brambleclaw, "What is on your mind?"

Hawkfrost looked slightly put out, but turned his attention to Brambleclaw anyway.

Brambleclaw was silent for a while, but then asked cautiously, "Remember what you always say, father?"

"You mean how prey never jumps into your paws, you must catch it?" Hawkfrost suggested.

His brother nodded, then asked hesitantly, "Is it the same thing for mates?"

Leafpool almost yowled in shock. She never had expected this, and apparently had Tigerstar, but Hawkfrost seemed to know exactly what his brother was talking about.

"You mean that pretty orange she-cat who hates you with all her guts because you are following in your fathers paw steps?" Hawkfrost asked mockingly.

Brambleclaw flinched, but nodded.

Pretty orange she-cat….that must be Squirrelflight! Leafpool's pelt bristled uncomfortably at how dejected Squirrelflight had looked after the gathering. She had seen what Brambleclaw had been doing, although she was probably the only cat who noticed, and how he had suddenly stopped and ignored her. Maybe she could now find out why.

Tigerstar was studying his son, his amber eyes narrowed. Finally he said, "Mates are like friends. Obstacles, something you must ignore and not let dominate you. If they prove to distracting…." He smiled, showing of his black fangs. Leafpool shivered. "…you kill them."

Leafpool couldn't fight the gasp of fear that escaped her lips, but apparently none of the cats below heard her.

Turning, Leafpool ran, but not before she saw the look of pure horror flash across Brambleclaw's face before melting back into an emotionless mask.

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Okay, that's all for this chappie!

A little moment there. He-He.

Does anybody have this whole week off for thanksgiving? Just Wondering.

BlindSeer

P.S. Can you guys tell me which of Daisy's kits are toms and which ones are she-kits? I need to know for future chapters...but I don't have Twilight, so I'm relying on you guys and my memory.