Squirrelflight & Brambleclaw

Squirrelflight

               The mouse was an easy catch, it was already injured when Squirrelflight spotted it. Squirrelflight breathed in the scent of the warm prey, willing it to take away her thoughts on Bramblestar, and what had just transpired between them. What had just come over her? She acted as though they were "normal" friends again when she knew they were anything but. She wanted to yowl and hiss and screech but at the same time a warmth burst forth in her stomach whenever she thought of his apology and his offer to become friends again. He didn't deserve her friendship, she didn't want his, was what she kept telling herself over and over again, but most importantly, she didn't want to be hurt ever again- by him. She really meant it when she said being friends again would have been nice but......she wasn't thinking clearly then, was she?

             She sighed inwardly, should she pretend and act like she was okay with their arrangement of being "just friends" which was quite alright with her? She could lie easily about her true feelings on the matter, and maybe even give them a chance at a real friendship when she was ready, but fear gnawed at her, what happens if he turned against her again? She was NOT going to be alright with that, she didn't know if she could survive another backstabbing from him. But then he's been so kind......Squirrelflight snapped her head up and narrowed her eyes in the dim lighting, "No Squirrelflight, you will not let him in anymore. You do not deserve another chance at unhappiness and he certainly is most kind- for now......But forever? Highly likely not!" she told herself and felt herself calm down, but at the same time, a wave of coldness washed over her and she wondered whether her decision was a correct one or not.

              Sighing, she picked the mouse up and made her way back to where Bramblestar was waiting. He immediately sat up and limped over towards her, his eyes glinting with emotion, a mixture of happiness and relief and dare she think it possible- shyness?  She ducked her head so that he couldn't see embarrassment clear in her eyes. He cleared his throat before speaking and Squirrelflight almost jumped out of her skin in shock when he nuzzled her cheek in relief. She moved away politely, putting the mouse down as she did so. "Here you are, the mouse was injured when I found it so it was quite an effortless hunt really," she pushed the mouse towards him and he stared at her with warm amber eyes. What was he trying to do? " Well, lucky for me, I am now immune to your lies!" Squirrelflight thought even as her insides melted at the warm looks that he threw at her. She turned away stiffly and started to lick herself vigorously to keep her mind off him. It was then that she felt a nudge at her shoulder and she turned and widened her eyes in question at his gesture. Bramblestar said, "You eat first, you deserve it. I'll eat the leftovers." 

                   "But you're hurt, you need the energy more than I do. You eat first," Squirrelflight said, her eyes, and heart, softening in response to his statement. "And when you run out of energy who is going to hunt for the both of us?" Bramblestar stated as a matter of fact. Squirrelflight stiffened at his tone and could kick herself for where her thoughts and feelings were taking her, obviously he was only thinking logically! And really, she should be thinking logically too. "Here, you take half and I'll take the other," Squirrelflight proceeded to quickly tear the mouse in half and moved to the furthest corner of their little haven and her back was turned against him as she ate. However, she was sure she could feel his searing gaze trained on her the whole time as she ate.