Warriors: Leafpool's Choice

CHAPTER 4: LEAFPOOL

"PSST," 

Brambleclaw's voice was soft from across the warriors' den as Leafpool began to slowly awaken. "Leafpool?" 

She lifted her head gently and studied her mate, he had a long coat of dark gray-brown fur and stripes rippling down to keep the patterns even, and the resemblance of Tigerstar, the ancient ShadowClan leader, was dim against the ravishing beauty of the Clan's deputy. Leafpool hoped ThunderClan would remember tabbies as Brambleclaw, not Tigerstar.

"Yes?" She aired her voice to make it sound more delicate, and Brambleclaw rose to his feet. "Come on, I'd like to show you something,"

Leafpool blinked twice at Squirrelflight, who was dozing lightly behind her, and she got to her paws, following Brambleclaw out of the warriors' den and into the camp, Dovekit and Ivykit were mewling within the nursery, Whitewing was trying to calm them with smooth words, but that just made them cry louder. There was a surprising longing to have kits that Leafpool had not felt before. 

And Brambleclaw had the same expression on his face, loving and considerate. "Leafpool. Must be early to be considering kits," he laughed slowly, and Leafpool purred in respond. "No. Not yet, we must tell...ThunderClan," she studied her paws before replying, "I'm not sure how they're going to react...especially Squirrelflight,"

"Oh, Leafpool. You know how much I hate Squirrelflight. I wouldn't tell her we're mates for all the prey in the world," he snapped suddenly, Leafpool felt a flash of hurt, and flicked her tail toward the entrance, "how about...you just show me what you wanted to show me." 

Brambleclaw nodded in agreement but went on ranting about Squirrelflight the entire way into the forest, "she's always strived to get attention and thought I wasn't strong enough to support her."

"Brambleclaw, can you just...please quit the ranting till we're there?" Leafpool queried, lashing her tail in entire seriousness. Brambleclaw rolled his eyes, "you gotta stop defending Squirrelflight, you know?" he told her. "She isn't the nicest cat around. If not, she just isn't nice at all."

Leafpool sighed and remained silent as he continued ranting stubbornly till they reached a meadow, that Leafpool wasn't sure was ThunderClan territory, she remembered being here a few times in desperation for marigold, back when she was the Clan's medicine cat. And Brambleclaw began to crack a smile. "Here, at the beginning mere midnight," he began, "there are fireflies that begin to glow."

Just at his words, there were a few glowing stars in the meadow, then at the first firefly's signal, the others began to bravely chip in. Flying around and blinking playfully. Leafpool stared at them, amazed. "I've never seen this many," she said.

Brambleclaw nodded, "exactly. This is where you'll see most of them."

Leafpool sat down to take in the beautiful view, and Brambleclaw lifted his tail, pointing his large muzzle toward a massive cliff ahead that sloped downward. "Come, there's a view I'd like for you to see."

The two cats headed down the meadow, it was a surprising long route before they got to the cliffside, but it was covered in gorgeous and breathtaking views, the trees beyond that were not ThunderClan's, and at the other side were tall mountains that still had brave pieces of snow clung to the cold stones. Then they reached the warm rocks that were the cliffs, and Brambleclaw led the way into a shrubbery, and Leafpool, more cautiously, was at his heels.

Then finally, they reached the tip and past it was a big territory of thousands and thousands of trees, and a river ran through it, long and leading up into the Moonpool, which streamed down to the lake. Leafpool craned her neck to look further and saw that there were mountains in the distance. But her heart lurched as she recognized it, Highstones, miles and miles away. "I wanted to show you this because I knew you would be the most observant to see the Highstones that led to the forest territories. A hundred whole miles away. This...goes to show that you're still a medicine cat, Leafpool. StarClan showed you the Highstones for a reason."

"I'll never be a medicine cat again," Leafpool looked away, her face flushing as she saw Brambleclaw's handsome face, "I don't think I want to be, Brambleclaw. I want to be your mate. You've made me feel so happy ever since the fire." She announced quickly and quietly.

Leafpool awaited the response, ever since they had gone into the forest, ever since they inclined themselves officially mates, it was always unofficial, but Leafpool wanted Brambleclaw as her mate. He licked her face with his warm tongue, and Leafpool turned around, leaning against his shoulder, gazing at the outstanding view ahead.