Ashfur spat at Brambleclaw. "I'm going to be Squirrelflight's mate whether you like it or not, Brambleclaw!" he growled, his sharp yellowed claws flexing.
The dark tabby drew back in fear of his friend, flattening his ears. "Ashfur, it's her choice..." he protested to the silver tom, his amber eyes wide. The grey tom only grew more agitated, the fur along his spine raising.
"You've done nothing but make this Clan weaker, and now you're using her to get Firestar's favor. What a pathetic mousebrain you are, Brambleclaw."
The dark-flecked silver tom leapt onto Brambleclaw, battering him to the floor. The dark tabby gouged his claws into his Clanmate's shoulder, dragging open a deep wound. Ashfur drew back in pain, his blue eyes closed as he yowled. Brambleclaw skidded back.
I'm going to be in so much trouble for this.
"Ashfur, are you okay?" he meowed.
A grey paw slammed him to the ground. Dust rose as Ashfur bit into Brambleclaw's hind leg, pulling rapidly. Brambleclaw bounded up, striking Ashfur down. He raked his claws across Ashfur's face.
Ashfur dug his claws into Brambleclaw's chest, slicing into the skin. The warrior yowled, biting down onto the grey tom's shoulder. The blue-eyed warrior rose his hinds, kicking into Brambleclaw's face, but tripped and fell, exposing his underbelly.
Brambleclaw slashed his claws down the soft part of Ashfur's belly, blood flying into the air. The warrior went still, convulsing only once or twice.
A white tom padded from one of the bushes nearby, casually talking to a golden tom. Both were carrying mice, lips still bloody from a hunt.
The golden tom's green gaze flickered to Ashfur, then to Brambleclaw.
"What are you doing?" yowled Cloudtail, racing over to Brambleclaw. Thornclaw followed, his green eyes wide.
"He attacked me first!" meowed Brambleclaw, flattening his ears. Thornclaw pressed his nose to Ashfur, trying to see if the grey warrior was still breathing. No sign.
Cloudtail snorted slightly. "And where's the proof?" he mewed.
Thornclaw raced towards camp, leaving Cloudtail with Brambleclaw.
"I don't have any..."
After what seemed like forever, Firestar, Dustpelt, Sootfur, Sandstorm, and Brackenfur approached quickly, lead by Thornclaw.
"Explain this, Brambleclaw." meowed Firestar sternly.
"Ashfur attacked me, and I didn't try to kill him... it just happened..."
Firestar shook his head, inspecting the grey warrior's body with interest. "Seems to have put up quite the fight against you, Brambleclaw."
"He was on top of Ashfur, clawing the crowfood out of him when we got here." mewed Cloudtail, who was standing near Thornclaw.
Sandstorm, Sootfur, and Brackenfur looked on in horror, Dustpelt flashing a distrusting glare at Brambleclaw.
"Exile."
