Author's Note: Those of you who have read rant six of Warriors Rants will know this is my fav crack ship. And I like a good one-shot, so I'm writing one on that subject here. Hope you enjoy it!

So yeah, pretty much it. Hope you enjoy this one-shot on BrambleXLeaf. I really enjoyed writing it, and I think this is probably one of the best things I've ever written.

Leaves in Summer:

Oneshot

The silence of the forest was definite. Nothing disturbed the quiet of the night except for the occasional call of an owl or the scurry of a mouse upon the ground. There was no wind, so the trees didn't shake. Neither was there rain: that night you could see the constellations of StarClan clearer in the sky than the sun on the brightest day of Greenleaf.

Suddenly, a hawthorn bush rustled. Even the owls and mice fell silent, waiting to see what this unknown intruder upon the forest was. From the bush, out stepped a cat. Quickly, the tension of the undergrowth around the she-cat returned to normal- the animals were used to the activity of lots of cats in this area, and they all knew that they didn't hunt at night.

The she-cat let out a long yawn, and she shook her pale brown tabby pelt. Her amber eyes glowed in the darkness; they searched frantically through the trees, looking for an unknown enemy that could pounce on her at any moment. She was not at ease. Like a fawn taking it's first look at the world.

Then she whispered one word. 'Crowfeather...'

She shook her head and planted her haunches comfortably on the ground, wrapping her tail neatly over her paws. After the almost unnerving silence of the forest, a wind was now coming up, and the bushes began to shake in the breeze. She quivered a little, before raising her head and staring at the stars.

Spottedleaf! She prayed silently, closing her deep amber eyes as she sought out StarClan for their guidance. When you told me to follow my heart, all those moons ago, I didn't know it would amount to this. She sighed. I've lost everything. My love. My kits. My position as medicine cat- the trust of my Clan. She opened her eyes, and a single tear burst down her cheek. I feel like I've been-

***:

-ripped apart and fed to dogs.

Unknown to the she-cat, elsewhere in the forest, a dark brown tabby tomcat sat high up in the swaying branches of a yew tree. His eyes, instead of praying to StarClan, were mixed firmly upon the ground. I… don't know what to think anymore. His tail draped over the branch, shaking a little. I feel like my heart's been ripped in two. How can you hate someone yet at the same time love them so much?

That's always been the way with Squirrelflight and me. The tom pictured the she-cat in his eyes. Her short, ginger pelt with emerald green eyes like that of her mother and father, and the subtle beauty in her posture and voice. She- she lied to me. About my own, he hesitated, about Leafpool's kits. How can I ever trust her again?

Almost as if the tom and the she-cat's minds were inexplicably linked: like their destinies followed the same trail, the two ThunderClan cats once more shared the same thought.

All I know is that it's never going to be the same as it used to be again.

The tom stayed quiet and leaped down from the branches of the yew tree, landing softly on the lush green grass. The she-cat let out one more sigh, before turning back and heading in the direction of the ThunderClan camp.

Little did both of them know, that in fact the two cat's destinies, some time in the near future, were going to intertwine...

The next morning, Leafpool emerged from the ThunderClan warriors den. She looked back into the shadows. The sun was rising, casting the first few beams of light of the new dawn around the ThunderClan camp. It shone with the promise of a beautiful new day.

The she-cat was almost the first one awake. She hadn't slept much the previous night, and she had spent a quarter of it out in the forest. She let out a yawn and attempted to blink the tiredness out of her eyes. It helped a little, but her muscles still felt heavy.

She was hungry, and the only other two cats awake were Cloudtail and Brightheart. The senior warriors sat just in front of the freshkill pile, enjoying a fat and plump pigeon. Only in the season of Greenleaf would the ThunderClan warriors ever find something so appetising.

There was a time when the two cats wouldn't have hesitated in letting Leafpool eat with them. But now, hardly anyone seemed willing, and to be honest, she couldn't blame them. Ever since Hollyleaf, her own daughter, had revealed her old secret at a gathering, the only cat who'd really eat with her was Squirrelflight.

For a moment, Leafpool was washed over with nostalgia. Ever since she'd returned to ThunderClan after running away with Crowfeather, her old scars had begun to heal. The cats, over the moons, had begun to trust her again. Leafpool's life had been bliss as a medicine cat, but now, she was back to square one again.

The she-cat shook her head, though nerves flew around her body like a snowstorm. She began to approach the two cats, hoping beyond doubt that they'd allow her to share.

As soon as Cloudtail and Brightheart noticed Leafpool's approach, they stopped their conversation and watched her like a hawk to it's prey, their eyes narrowed. Leafpool gulped a little, but didn't hesitate. 'Hi,' she began, her soft voice wracked with insecurity. 'There's no chance, I could, um, share with yo-'

'Come on Brightheart.' Cloudtail quickly interrupted, his voice harsh and cold. The tom swallowed the remains of the pigeon and stood up with his mate. 'Let's go and eat somewhere else, where real ThunderClan cats can eat with us.'

Hurt filled Leafpool's gaze, but she bowed her head. As the pair padded away, she didn't receive an apologetic glance from Brightheart. They didn't even glance back. Well that went well. Leafpool thought, preventing herself from crying. The she-cat sat down in the Cloudtail's first spot, selected the scrawniest piece of prey she could find (a vole) and began to eat, her body hunched over with shame.

Now, her clan-mates were beginning to emerge from their dens. She watched them enviously when they exchanged the latest news and gossip that had been spreading around ThunderClan, laughing and already enjoying the beautiful Greenleaf day. She turned her head and found herself once more staring out into the horizon. She wondered if her ancestors were truly still with her. She hadn't received any sign from them ever since last moon, just after the revelation. She knew she was no longer a medicine cat, but she had always felt that she shared a special connection with StarClan.

Just then, the hair on her neck prickled a little and her ears stood straight. She felt like she being watched: it wasn't like she wasn't used to this by now, but this was different. She knew the stare was intense, like whatever was looking at her only had eyes for her.

She looked back at the cats coming out of the warrior's den to see Brambleclaw, the deputy of ThunderClan, staring at her with those deep amber eyes. Leafpool felt uncomfortable, and she concentrated her gaze on her half finished vole. Occasionally, she glanced up, to see him still looking at her.

Just then, another tom, Brackenfur, headed over in Brambleclaw's direction, sat down and began to talk. It took Brackenfur a moment to realise why Brambleclaw was distracted, and then he followed the brown tom's gaze to Leafpool.

The she-cat didn't dare look up. She didn't know why Brambleclaw seemed to be so interested in her all of a sudden, but he heard a soft whisper that was unmistakably Brackenfur's voice. She didn't know what he said, but she knew that it was spiteful because of the spitting tone she detected.

She waited for laughter form Brambleclaw. Anything that would signify that he was he was staring at her just out of hate. Out of any cat in the Clan, she understood why Brambleclaw, the deputy, would despise her. After moons of caring for three kits he believed to be his own, he had just discovered that they weren't his, and belonged to her and a WindClan tom.

But she was shocked by what she heard next. She heard the sound of a deep voice snapping at another, and she looked up to see Brackenfur looking absolutely speechless. She looked around the camp, searching for Brambleclaw, and to her absolute shock, found that the tom was towering over her, having padded over to her after the exchange with Brackenfur.

'Hey Leafpool.' He said, a smile upon his face. His eyes beheld a determined expression. 'It's a nice morning, isn't it?'

Leafpool was so dumbfounded that she didn't really know what to say. What in StarClan's name is Brambleclaw doing? She thought. I thought everyone had put it upon themselves not to speak to me. 'Um, she stuttered, disbelievingly. 'I, um… I guess.'

The tom nodded, and Leafpool's eyes darted around anxiously. She noticed many of her clan-mates were watching the scene with smirks on their faces. Those who hadn't as of yet noticed were being gestured by their friends in her and Brambleclaw's direction. They think he's having a go at me.

I hope he isn't.

There was an awkward silence between Leafpool and Brambleclaw, before the tom coughed. The determination in his eyes had, like her, been replaced with an anxious expression. He must've realised there was no backing out of it now, for the tom flicked his tail to the spot beside her. 'Mind if I sit down?'

Leafpool had to prevent herself from smirking at her clan-mates's surprised gazes. She still wasn't quite so sure of what the deputy was intending. Could this be some sort've cruel prank?

She nodded her head slowly, and Brambleclaw plonked down beside her. He noticed the remains of the vole at her paw steps. 'You still hungry?' He asked her, his voice taking on a pleasant tone.

Leafpool thought about this for the moment. To be perfectly honest, she was still starving and felt like she could eat the forest, and she knew that Brambleclaw hadn't eaten yet. 'Yep.' She replied. 'We can share if you'd like?' She ventured.

'Sure.' Brambleclaw replied. Leafpool was just about to turn around and take another piece of prey in her jaws, this time suiting two cats, but Brambleclaw beat her to it. He got to his paws and picked up a large rabbit, and settled back down beside Leafpool. He nosed the rabbit towards her, but Leafpool shook her head.

He shrugged and began to tuck into the rabbit. Leafpool realised just how absolutely silent the camp had gone. Everyone was watching the scene unfold in front of them with undying curiosity. She looked up at the Highledge and saw her father, Firestar, who was also watching her interaction with Brambleclaw. She was so taken back by her Clans reaction, that she didn't notice at first Brambleclaw's second move.

He picked up the rabbit and laid it on her paws. Leafpool looked up, and amber eyes met amber. It was a sweet act of kindness, almost gentle, like a son to his sickly mother. 'Thank you.' She said quietly, and she too began to tuck into the rabbit.

The next few minutes took place in silence. Leafpool was reminded of the forest last night, and how peaceful it had been. But Leafpool wasn't reassured by it, as she had been by the forest though. This just made her feel embarrassed. Not only that, there was a beautiful warmth spreading through her. She didn't know how much the moment meant to Brambleclaw, but his small act of kindness was making her feel better than she had done in a moon.

After the two finished the rabbit, the deputy stood up and licked his chops. There was a new found confidence displayed in his expression. 'Well thanks, for letting me share.' He said brightly.

Leafpool didn't look up, but she murmured her own thanks, and the tom moved away from her and back towards his clan-mates, evidently about to perform his usual duties as deputy and send out the patrols for the morning.

Suddenly remembering that she was now serving as a warrior, Leafpool leapt to her paws and trotted over to the mass. The stares of her clan-mates were no longer hostile as they usually were- they were just looking at her weirdly.

'Hey Leafpool!' A cheery voice echoed to her side. The white-chested female turned and saw Squirrelfight, her sister, moving towards her. She wasn't at first sure about how Squirrelflight had taken what just transpired, but she couldn't help but smile herself when she saw the beam upon her sister's face.

'Hi!' Leafpool said, thoroughly cheered up. She brought her tongue briskly down her pelt for a moment, getting her fur to stand still. 'How you doing sis?'

Squirrelfight skidded to a halt beside her, her emerald eyes glowing in the sunshine. Leafpool found herself admiring her kins' tireless energy. 'Well, I wasn't doing so good when I woke up,' she panted, before sitting up straight. 'But I tell you what, I certainly feel good now!'

Leafpool purred louder than the engine of a monster. 'Me too.' She swivelled her body round to have a look at Brambleclaw, looking strong and confident through the crowd. 'I can't believe he did that.'

'I know!' Squirrelflight nodded vigorously. Suddenly, a sad look passed over her eyes as she too looked at Brambleclaw. 'I wish he'd forgive me- this is why I love him so much.' She whispered.

For not the first time, the former medicine cat felt guilty. She knew it was mostly her fault that Squirrelflight and her destined mate had grown apart. Squirrelflight had taken on her kits as a favour, and look what it had done to her life. 'I'm sorry.' Leafpool said.

Squirreflight's eyes quickly widened, and the sadness evaporated faster than it had come. 'Don't be sorry.' Her sister moved forward and muzzled her Leafpool's cheek reassuringly. 'It's always been like this with me and Brambleclaw. We got through that whole thing with Hawkforst, didn't we?' She huffed. 'Besides, like you told me when we were young. We're meant to be together! It's written in the stars.'

Leafpool quickly agreed with her, but her attentions were diverted when she saw her son, Jayfeather, looking at her with his somewhat disturbing blind gaze. Leafpool refused to look back at him, but she saw immediately that her other son, Lionblaze, was repeating exactly what had just taken place between their real mother and their foster father.

'You may get through this,' Leafpool sighed, 'but I doubt my remaining kits will ever trust me be again.' A sadness passed through her at the thought of Hollyleaf, who had collapsed under the pressure of her life going against everything she had ever believed in. She had been crushed in the rocks of the tunnels, and lost forever to the darkness.

Squirrelflight didn't say anything to this, all she did was stare at her sister, understanding her litter-mates sadness. She shook her pelt and forced a smile onto her face. 'Come on Leafpool.' She said with fake warmness. 'You may be wanted on patrol.'

Later that day, Leafpool returned to camp after going hunting on her own. The sun was falling in the sky; night was drawing in. Though she had been on a solo hunting patrol willingly, she hadn't returned with any prey. Leafpool was pathetic at hunting. Even she knew that, and as she came into camp, it wasn't like she didn't notice the disapproving glares she received from her previous friends and family.

She wasn't hungry because of the large rabbit she had shared with Brambleclaw earlier, and both him and Squirrelflight, who she usually spent her time with nowadays, were out of camp. Both on the same patrol. She let her mind wonder for a second. I wonder how that's turning out.

She padded into the warrior's den and sat down in her nest, making herself comfortable. She thought about Brambleclaw and Squirrelflight's relationship. My sister has told me more than once that she's gonna try and apologise to him soon. She considered whether Squirrelflight would try today, but she very much doubted it. No, it's too soon after the incident.

Suddenly, Leafpool was reminded of how tired she was. Now, after a day of patrolling, she was even more exhausted. The she-cat allowed herself to yawn, and was just about to curl up in a ball and go to sleep when she heard a voice from outside the warrior's den.

'Leafpool?' The voice said.

The former medicine cat shook away her frustration at not being able to rest, and then sat up. 'Um, yeah.' She called back. 'I'm in here.'

Sandstorm, Leafpool's mother, padded into the den just after Leafpool had called her. The she-cat found herself feeling surprised: her mother hadn't talked to her in awhile, and neither had her father. Have they forgiven me?

'Oh!' The light ginger she-cat exclaimed, before shaking her head in exasperation. 'I searched all over the camp for you, and then a load of cats told me that you had gone out hunting on a solo patrol.' She looked her up and down. 'I don't suppose you caught anything?' She asked hopefully.

Leafpool felt a little embarrassed but shook her head. 'No. Sorry.'

Her mother seemed disappointed, but didn't press her about trying to learn more warriors skills. Instead, the she-cat simply shook her head, and changed the subject. 'Well, anyway, Leafpool, I was looking for you to talk about…' She paused for a moment. 'About your acceptance in ThunderClan.'

Instantly, Leafpool felt confused, and equally disappointed. And here I was, she thought, thinking that my mother was going to come up with a long and heartbreaking forgiveness speech. She didn't allow her feelings to show upon her face, so instead she just signalled for Sandstorm to continue.

The light ginger she-cat nodded and padded a little closer. 'You see Leafpool,' she said, a little quieter than before, 'me and your father have been really worried about you over the past moon, what with the whole Clan taking the matter of your kits so…' Sandstorm struggled to find the correct word. 'Badly.'

Leafpool just nodded, feeling more puzzled by the second. Where is this going?

'We know it will take a very long time for the Clan to accept you again: we learnt that through experience with the whole matter of Crowfeather-' Leafpool noticed how quickly she took on addressing the matter of Crowfeather, 'so I thought that we should give you some advice.'

The former medicine eyes diluted. 'What do you mean, advice?'

Sandstorm stared at her daughter for a few tense filled moments, before opening her mouth and speaking the words that would change Leafpool's path.

'You should take a new mate.'

Yeah, I know I said this was gonna be a one-shot, but there's too much content in what I have planned for the story for it to just be a oneshot. May end up being about ten chapters long.

Well, hope you enjoyed.