Squirrelflight & Brambleclaw

Squirrelflight

Squirrelflight had just finished organizing the hunting patrol and was going on a border patrol herself before Greenfern came bounding out the warrior's den. "Can I come too?" he asked, green eyes shining with anticipation and adoration. Squirrelflight nodded, "Of course." At that, she went to the front of the patrol that consisted of Dovewing, Birchfall and Berrynose. Greenfern settled beside her in the patrol and that earned bemused looks from some cats in the clan who realized what was happening. Squirrelflight felt her fur burning hot but she pushed it away, they had work to complete. 

They soon marked their territories and Squirrelflight breathed in a sigh of relief mentally as they checked the borders and no clan had trespassed their territory, there would be no fights that could totally be avoided then. She felt Greenfern's gaze upon her all the time and when they went back to camp, his pelt brushed against her more than just being accidental and she felt a shiver of pleasure running up her spine. Could this be her chance at love again?

Back at camp, she saw Bramblestar sitting at the front of the den, without Jessie in sight. She moved towards him and reported to him that everything was fine. She saw his gaze flickering towards Greenfern now and then but chose to ignore it. "Squirrelflight, I need Greenfern to go hunting. He seems awfully free lately," his voice held a stern note to it and Squirrelflight heard kits squealing in happiness and excitement. She turned and saw Greenfern playing with them. She gave an inward sigh, Greenfern was not yet completely used to warrior life. "I will tell him myself, this discussion is over," Bramblestar said and moved forward, leaving Squirrelflight behind. Not wanting to see the commotion or agitation between two toms, she went to the elders den where Sandstorm sat watching the scene before her unfolding with her gleaming green eyes. 

She got up as she saw Squirrelflight coming and touched noses with her. "Graystripe is out with Millie and Purdy is with the kits," she said as Squirrelflight shot a questioning look at the empty elder's den. "You know Squirrelflight, I was just deciding to tell you what I've kept to myself all these seasons," Sandstorm started and settled herself with her two paws folded beneath her. "Get comfortable Squirrelflight, it's about your father," she added, amused as Squirrelflight's eyes opened wide. Squirrelflight did as she was told and Sandstorm looked at her. "Did you know that I was never your father's first love?" 

That question caught Squirrelflight off-guard and she could only sputter, "W-what?" Sandstorm nodded, "It's true. He was in love with a medicine cat," she said it slowly, her eyes far-off. Squirrelflight bit back an exclamation of even more surprises. It was forbidden! "Who was it?" Squirrelflight asked, her ears pricked forward with interest. Sandstrom dragged her eyes back to Squirrelflight's, "Spottedleaf. She was beautiful, soft-spoken, talented.....and he fell in love with her straightaway." Squirrelflight fumbled for what to say in response, "But.....but you were the best hunter in the forest and the most fiery she- cat of all time!" Sandstorm smiled at that and shook her head, "Yes but Spottedleaf was always there for your father.....even in sleep. You see, she visits him in dreams and I never got to knew about it until he let it slip when we were on the journey to save Skyclan." Squirrelflight gasped, "That's awful! He had been seeing another she-cat and never told you! And it's crazy because you're so brave and you would give up everything just for him! What more could a tomcat ask for?" 

Sandstorm silenced her with her tail, "There there Squirrelflight, I did not come here to want you to rant about how unfair it is, no matter whether it was really unfair," she added with a gleam in her eyes, "I want to tell you that I love your father so very much, he was the only cat I ever did love. And though he did not tell me the complete truth before, after that, he did. Even though it was very hard to trust him again after that as I was very hurt, I tried and I did. And I'm sure he stopped seeing Spottedleaf very soon after that because you know why? He found where his heart truly lies, and it's here, with me. He loves me more Squirrelflight, and though he may not have realized it earlier on in the journey to rebuild Skyclan,  he eventually did. I was the one he needed most, and not Spottedleaf even though he may want her more." Squirrelflight was speechless and stunned into silence. Eventually, she broke it, "So up until now who do you think he loves most?" 

Sandstorm cocked her head, "What do you think Squirrelflight? Who was his mate and constant companion in the all day clan life? Who bore his kits?" Squirrelflight swallowed, "You." Sandstorm smiled, "That's right Squirrelflight. But the reason I'm telling you all this is because I saw the way you and Bramblestar are." Squirrelflight felt a flash of irritation, she was just trying to forget about them and here was her own mother bringing it up again. "I'm trying to forget about us Sandstorm, it isn't easy," she said through clenched teeth. "I didn't say it was," Sandstorm immediately replied, then her eyes softened, "You and Bramblestar don't know what you both are missing. It is not easy to raise kits together but you both did it and I'm proud of you, but the bond formed is stronger than what he and Jessie has. You know him longer than any other cat, and better too." Squirrelflight flashed a look at Sandstorm, "Not anymore. He's changed and.....and I did too. We both did, and we both realized that we have to move on, no matter whatever bond was formed earlier." Sandstorm shook her head, "If that is what you two think, so be it. But I tell you Squirrelflight, don't give up on him changing so easily. Like how I never gave up on your father." 

Squirrelflight bit back a retort, she no longer wanted to be with Bramblestar, it hurt her too much to even think about the possibility for fear of the failure. "Thank you for the advice mother. I will be going.....duties," Squirrelflight said as an excuse to just get away. Sandstorm just nodded and Squirrelflight turned to pad away before pausing as Sandstorm called out, "And becareful of Greenfern, he reminds me too much of Ashfur." Squirrelflight felt the fur prickle along her spine in warning but she ignored it, instead replying, "And so did Brambleclaw remind cats of Tigerstar." She knew it was wrong to say it but she didn't care, she was fed up with the thought of Bramblestar and his Jessie.  "You know that's not what I meant," Sandstorm warned. Squirrelflight ignored her, maybe her mother was getting bees in her brains for being in the elders for too long. Instantly she regretted that thought, her mother was wise and only sought to take care of her, especially once she already lost her mate. She should take her advice more seriously and keep a close eye on Greenfern even though it's been a moon they had started to hang out more and more often. 

"Squirrelflight!" Greenfern called out as she made her way to a freshkill pile. "Greenfern! Aren't you suppose to be hunting?" Squirrelflight was surprised that he was still around. "I just came back, turns out hunting patrol said they were overloaded with freshkill and said the clan had enough for today. So I had helped them carry the prey back," Greenfern said and twined his tail with Squirrelflight. "Want to go for a walk by the lake?" he whispered in her ear. Squirrelflight melted against him, "Of course." Greenfern's eyes lit with pleasure, "That's good..... really good....." he licked her cheek and both of them padded out of the camp, tails twined.