CHAPTER 2

"So… now you know what the rest of us have to face," Squirrelflight told Brambleclaw. Brambleclaw nodded. "I want to make a deal with you… if you would let me, of course." Brambleclaw gave the little squirrel a questioning glance.

"Go on," the gray cat told her.

"Well, um… you don't harm me or any other squirrels," Squirrelflight chirped nervously, "And we can actually band together against those wild dogs."

Brambleclaw gasped in shock, "What? Why? I'm a cat and you're a squirrel. Do you see the problem?" Squirrelflight nodded shyly and looked like she was just preparing to leave. Brambleclaw stared at her and thought for a second, "Actually, Squirrelflight, you know the dogs right?"

Squirrelflight nodded.

"You could be useful, I guess" Brambleclaw meowed thoughtfully. Squirrelflight's eyes lit up, and she bounced a little, her bushy red tail curled up. Brambleclaw almost purred. She looked so happy, for a squirrel, of course. "It's a deal," Brambleclaw growled reluctantly and stretched out a paw. Squirrelflight touched her paw to his.

"Wow," she whispered, "I've never been this close to a cat."

"You shouldn't be close to a cat, like, ever," Brambleclaw told her. Squirrelflight just nodded.

"I know, but, you know, it's a first for me," Squirrelflight squeaked, "Anyways, Brambleclaw, you're a cat," Brambleclaw's jaw dropped in shock.

"Really?" he mewed sarcastically, "Wow, I didn't know…" Brambleclaw's whiskers twitched and Squirrelflight giggled a bit. "I believe I have to go back to where I live," Brambleclaw told Squirrelflight softly.

Squirrelflight gave him a curious look, "Where do you live, eh? I've never seen any Maine Coons around here since that rich couple moved out in that part of the neighborhood," she said, signaling north with her tail, "And anyway, that was a white cat, not a gray tabby."

Brambleclaw looked down at his paws. "Well, I-" he said, then looked at Squirrelflight nervously. "I live in that thicket of prickly bushes, in that one bush." Squirrelflight's eyes widened.

"You're a wild cat?" she asked, "Wait, I forgot, that's why you were trying to KILL ME earlier"

Brambleclaw's cheeks got warm in embarrassment. "Not the point, not the point, not the point," he meowed quickly, "I'm not a wild cat. I just started living here a while ago."

"Seems like something a wild cat would say," Squirrelflight replied, clearly not convinced.

"Listen, I was thrown out of my home, I was a pet cat before," Brambleclaw said, feeling a lump form in his throat. "My owners got a dog and just left me here. I don't understand. I'm a gentle pet cat at heart."

"Okay, that's nice, but can I trust you? I seem to have just remembered what you did to me, and, well, it's a little suspicious," Squirrelflight asked.

"You can trust me, I promise. I want to help you now," Brambleclaw pleaded desperately. This could be his chance for greatness, he realized.

"Well, I suppose you can," Squirrelflight told him, "I forgive you, but you're still a wild cat in my eyes."

"I am not!" Brambleclaw protested.