I would like to thank droth22 for the suggestion, I hope you like it!

Shivering, Leafpool sat up and drew a paw over her face. She had prayed to StarClan for a sign, and they had answered her prayer as clearly as any cat could wish for: Brambleclaw was the cat they wanted to protect ThunderClan. Even though he had never had an apprentice, even though the starry warriors must know about his meetings with Hawkfrost and Tigerstar, he was still the cat they had chosen. Quietly, so as not to disturb her grieving Clanmates, Leafpool got up and extended her forepaws in a long stretch. Then she headed for her father's den.

When she reached it, she found Firestar crouched in his nest with his paws tucked under him. She was thankful to see that the stunned look of grief had faded from his eyes; he was deep in thought and started as she spoke his name. "Leafpool, is that you? What can I do for you?"

"I have to talk to you, Firestar. StarClan has sent me a sign." Rapidly, aware of the moon steadily rising above the camp, Leafpool told him her dream.

"Brambleclaw?" Firestar echoed when she had finished. "Yes, he's a good warrior. He would make an excellent deputy." He shifted among the moss and ferns. "I'd almost decided to appoint Brackenfur," he went on. "He would be a good deputy too, and he is a loyal warrior. But I have to remember that I'm not only choosing a deputy, I'm choosing the cat who might be the next leader of ThunderClan. And somehow . . . I'm not sure Brackenfur is that cat."

"Brambleclaw could be," Leafpool mewed. "I know he hasn't had an apprentice yet, but I don't think StarClan would have sent me that sign if it mattered to them. These are unusual times—ThunderClan has never had so few apprentices. I . . . I truly believe that Brambleclaw is the right choice." In spite of all her misgivings, she couldn't ignore the tabby tom's courage and warrior skills, and the determination that had led his companion cats to the sun-drown-place and brought them home with the prophecy that had saved the Clans. He had been chosen by StarClan then; this could be the next paw step they wanted him to take.

Firestar nodded thoughtfully. "Thank you, Leafpool." He rose and gave himself a quick grooming. "Come on. It's time."

Firestar announced Brambleclaw as his new deputy in front of the Clan. There were many surprised reactions, even from Brambleclaw himself. But, as the meeting progressed, any doubts were put to rest. Except for Ashfur, who had spoken out against Leafpool's dream and accused them of making Brambleclaw deputy just because he was Squirrelflight's mate. Leafpool didn't show it, but her heart ached a little when the warrior was referred to as her sister's mate. She slowly made her way down the Highledge and waited at the edge of the clearing until the only warriors left in the hollow were Brambleclaw and Squirrelflight.

She trotted over to the warriors and congratulated Brambleclaw. "Can we talk about something?" she asked the tom. She glanced at her sister, who looked a little hurt. "It won't take long, I promise." Squirrelflight's muscles relaxed and she touched her nose to Brambleclaw's before entering the warriors' den.

Leafpool led Brambleclaw out of the camp and into the forest. "Brambleclaw, listen. I know that you and Squirrelflight are...mates." Leafpool felt the word catch in her throat like a hairball. "But, I can't keep ignoring my feelings for you." She shifted her gaze from the ground to meet the tom's warm amber gaze. "I-"

"Leafpool." Brambleclaw's voice cut her off. He twined the tip of his tail with her's. "When you left ThunderClan to be with Crowfeather, I felt like the other half of me was missing." Leafpool couldn't help the surging purr in her throat. "I was so relieved when you returned, I thought I'd never see you again."

"What about my sister?" Leafpool whispered half-heartedly.

"What she doesn't know won't hurt her. Besides, you were able to keep your relationship with Crowfeather a secret." He tipped his head to the side, his gaze making her pelt feel hot in the cool breeze.

She scoffed playfully. "Yes, and you did so well when Squirrelflight couldn't decide between you and Ashfur."

Brambleclaw slowly moved closer to the she-cat until their pelts were so close, she could feel the warmth of the brown tabby radiating from his soft fur. "Well, I guess she won't have to make a choice now."

"Brambleclaw, as much as I would love to be your mate, I can't have one, I'm a medicine cat. It was the whole reason I left the Clans, so that I could have a mate." She looked down at the forest floor as if searching the leaves and twigs for an answer.

"What if you became a warrior?" Brambleclaw suggested.

Leafpool thought of switching her role in ThunderClan, but there was one big problem. "I'm the only trained medicine cat ThunderClan has," she mewed. "But," Brambleclaw's ears perked up. "When ThunderClan has a medicine cat who can take my place."

"Okay," Brambleclaw dipped his head. "But, can't we just enjoy the night?"

Leafpool found it hard to say no when she looked into his eyes. She nodded and laid down beside him as he licked her cheek and ears affectionately. Everything will be fine. Everything will work out fine.

*2 moons later*

They're beautiful. Leafpool thought as she watched her three young kits sleeping at her belly. Squirrelflight had gone out hunting and left her alone. Lionkit, Hollykit, and Jaykit. The names swam through her mind in a cloud of warmth.

Oh, Squirrelflight. She was extremely grateful that Squirrelflight would be raising her kits, giving Leafpool a chance to keep her role as ThunderClan's medicine cat. She knew that the kits would at least be raised by their true father, though she still felt her heart tighten a little when she thought of Bramblelcaw and Squirrelflight raising the kits instead of herself by the tom's side.

No matter what happens, Squirrelflight must never know about Brambleclaw's involvement, even if that meant Crowfeather being assumed as the kits' father. Leafpool didn't think she would be able to stand it if Squirrelflight lost her mate. She saw it in her eyes every time she mentioned his name or saw him, she truly loved him.